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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To Correspondents.
To Correspondents .
The following communications have been received , but are not inserted in this issue owing to want of space : — Craft Lodges—Nos . 37 , 40 , 41 , 94 , 141 , 240 , 336 , 422 , 49 i . 73 . 709 , 1002 , 1353 , 1420 , 1 S 12 , 192 S . Instruction—No . 1300 . Royal Arch Chapters—Nos . 360 , 120 9 , 1502 . Mark Lodge—No . 8 . Consecrations—Methuen Lodge , Malrboro ' , Wiltshire ; Urania Lodge , Louth . Correspondence—A Prov . Registrar .
BOOKS , & c , RECEIVED . " Die Bauhutte , " ' * Victorian Masonic Journal , " ¦* Victorian Freemason , " ' * Orient , " " Hull Packet , " "' Freemasons' Chronicle , " Broad Arrow , " * ' European Mail , " " Voice of Masonrv , " * ' The Roval Cornwall Gazette , " "Allen ' s Indian Mail , " "Court Circular , " " Fishing Gazette , " " Citizen , " " Daily Witness , " " Liberal Freemason , " " Post , " " Masonic World , " " Winged with Light , " "Bristol Mercury , " * Freemasons' Chronicle" ( Sidney ) , " New York Commercial Advertiser , " " Bristol Western Daily Press , " " La Revista Masonica , " " Centcnario del Libertador Bolivar . "
Ar00704
SATURDAY , DECEMBER 15 , 1883 . * .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinionsexpressedby our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits free discussion . 1 —— -.
THE ELECTION OF GRAND TREASURER . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The unsigned circular in your issue of the isl inst . seems , by the letters which occupy nearly a whole page of your last number , to have produced no small consternation amongst the advocates of the principle of annual tcansfertence of the honour , but in the warmth ol
their advocacy they have unwittingly " let the cat out of the bag . " Bro . Headon tells us that the present Grand Treasurer was chosen " the willing champion of the principle . " " He was entrusted with the office 12 months and no longer . " Again , "Tenax Propositi" says that there was an " understanding , implied or actual , between him and his supporters in March . "
So it would appear that the Grand Treasurer is to be made the puppet of a particular clique who intend to set up a fresh one each succeeding year to be again knocked down , and a new one substituted at their own sweet will and p leasure , until such time as Grand Lodge , weary of continual changes , shall grow careless in the matter , and allow them to wriggle themselves into the coveted office , being justly afraid that their own qualifications and status will
otherwise never obtain for them an honour which should be reserved for our very best and most distinguished brethren only . It is the * duties and responsibilities of an office that give it dignity in the first instance , and as these have been reduced to a minimum in the case of the Grand Treasurer , it
becomes merely the mark of the high approval of the Craft , and the more frequently it is bestowed the less valuable it will be considered , and gradually fall lower and lower in estimation . When that time arrives we shall hear the same arguments adduced in support of an annual change in the office of M . W . G . AL " Absit omen . "—Yours faithfully and fraternally , AN OBSERVER .
To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , _ In reply to some remarks in your last by "Tenax Propositi" on a recent Circular published in your columns , I beg respectfully to suggest the following considerations to the thoughtful attention of your readers . It seems to be a most unprecedented and undesirable course of action , by the compulsory retirement of the Grand Treasurer , and a fresh election annually as a normal procedure , to introduce
a yearly element of agitation amongst us , most prejudical assuredly to the peace of the Craft and the harmony of Grand Lodge . It is surely most derogatory to the dignity of our governing body , that the resolutions of private meetings nominating a particular brother as Grand Treasurer should be ostentatiously published as an appeal to the Craft , thus rendering in turn a correspondingsystem of circulars and canvassing and meetings absolutely unnecessary , unless unwise selections and unfitting' nominations are to
prevail . The enforcement and requirement of pledges to retire after 13 months seems to be a most alarming innovation , and even an unconstitutional interference with the choice and independence of Grand Lodge itself . Such annual change and canvass and pledges can have but one result , consequences greatly to be deprecated , in the best interests of the Craft and Grand Lodge . The emission of the
circular complained of arose necessarily from this one fact , — namely , the announcement publicly made of a private nomination of a particular brother to the high office of Grand Treasurer , and of an active canvass strenuously Proceeding in our very midst . Objecting as I do altogether * o the movements of underground associations and the
developement of a partizan spirit amongst us , reminding some of us forcibly of very regrettable and discreditabledays of bitterest personal hostility and antagonism in olden time , ' trustthis movement for a yearly change in the Grand Treasurer's office may be put a stop to by the good sense ot Grand Lodge ; ana beg to sign myself OBSTA PRINCIPIIS .
To the Editor cf the "Freemason . " fear Sir and Brother , As one of your most constant readers 1 am deeply struck by the characteristic letter whicii emanates professedl y from Bro . Headon in your last impression . We must all be affected by the tone of innate modesty 'id Masonic forbearance combined , which are worth a
Original Correspondence.
good deal , believe ' me , in this " material age " of " brass " and "bunkum . " There is all through the letter such a courteous wish to do justice to other brethren's motives and feelings , that it is quite refreshing to realise such dominating principles of correspondence and action in our very worthy brother . Bro . Headon , twelve months ago , penned some very eloquent and moving appeals in favour of Bro . J . D .
Allcroft , and now is very indignant that that esteemed brother should be renominated to the office of Grand Treasurer . It would not be right to ask Bro . Headon to reveal the secrets of those who are so intent on changing the Grand Treasurer every year , but , like others , 1 can only express the fervent hope that such chivalry , such enthusiasm , such zeal , and such self-retiringness on his part may not go altogether unrewarded . A LOOKER ON .
Dear Bro . Kenning , As one of the signataries ofthe Circular whicii has so greatly displeased Bro . Headon , I can at once I trust relieve that worthy brother ' s mind , evidently " mixed up " as to the whole question , by stating , and your readers will , I have no doubt , accept my assurance , that the circular is signed by some of the best known and most hard working members of our fraternity , whether in the metropolis or the provinces and whether wearing the " old blue " or the *• honourable purple . " At a proper time , no doubt , if it be considered advisable to do so , the list of names will be published in thc Freemason or elsewhere . —Fraternally yours , A . F . A . WOODFORD .
To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I am much surprised to find it stated in your last impression , that Bro . Horace Brooks Marshall has been nominated for the dignified office of Grand Treasurer , for I am informed by several of his friends and admirers , that he is a Mason of five years standing only , and has had
the honour of being a Royal Arch Mason only five months . We all appreciate Bro . Marshall as a Philanthropist , — but I am confident that at the next Quarterly Communication in March a large majority of brethren , sinking all personal considerations and carrying out only for the interests of the Craft , will feel themselves unable to support him for so high and important a position as that of Grand Treasurer of
England ; and will beg him and his friends to postpone his claim to such an office until he has seen a little more service in our ranks , and thus ripened in experience he will be able to maintain the dignity and prestige of " GrandOffice , " and when called upon will express a reliable opinion upon all Masonic matters , such being always expected from those brethren who have been honoured with the broad purple of England . —Faithfully , and fraternally yours , A WELL WISHER OF THE CRAFT .
To the Editor of the "Freemason " Dear Sir and Brother , Will any of the opponents of an annual change of the ofiice of Grand Treasurer inform me in what respect that office differs from those appointments annually made by the Grand Master ? I understand that according to recent regulations the
duties of Grand Treasurer are irresponsible , and in no way differ from those of Grand Wardens , Deacons , & c , except that the latter have something to do , and the former absolutel y nothing . Why then should active officers be changed yearly , and Grand Treasurer , who has nothing to learn except to sit on the proper seat allotted to him on the dais , be a permanent office?—Yours fraternally , JUNIOR WARDEN .
REBUILDING OF THE TEMPLE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The almost unanimous decision of Grand Lodge to abandon the project of an enlarged Temple was probably , under all circumstances , the most prudent that could be arrived at . In connection with this much vexed question , which happily , for a time at least , is shelved , if not settled
nothing has astonished me more than the confused and , to my mind , erroneous views entertained by many in regard to tl \ e difficult and thankless task imposed by Grand Lodge on the Committee specially selected by it to ascertain , and report , as to the best means of giving effect to the stronglyexpressed wish for greatly increased . accommodation . No one conversant with such matters will venture to
dispute the fact that the Building Committee comprised brethren possessing the highest professional qualifications for dealing with the difficult and complicated arrangements which any attempt to carry out the expressed wishes of Grand Lodge would involve . The acquisition of the requisite space necessitated the purchase of valuable rights , and who , let me ask , were better qualified to deal with such a
matter than those members of the Committee , whose opinions , though ridiculed by some in Grand Lodge , would not fail to receive the utmost consideration and respect in any Arbitration Court in the kingdom ? If Mr . Bacon and Messrs . Spiers and Pond set too high a value on their respective rights—which , it must be remembered , nothing short of an Act of Parliament could compel
them to surrender—or insisted on excessive compensation for the temporary or permanent injury they might sustain , why , in the name of common sense , should the discredit rest on those who , with all their professional knowledge and experience , werc unable to induce Mr . Bacon and Messrs . Spiers and Pond to consent to any arrangement less favourable to themselves . ' Looking , however , to the facts that the acquisition of Mr .
Bacon s lease would , involve the premature extinction of his business and livelihood , and that the carrying out of the contemplated alterations would , for a time at least , paralyse the business of Messrs . Spiers and Pond , I am by no means sure that their demands , large as they appear , were under the circumstances exorbitant or unreasonable . Those gentlemen , it may fairly be assumed , know their own business best ; and while Grand Lodge has a most perfect right to
form and , if it sees fit , to express its opinions in regard to their demands , let us at the same time do justice to those who , at infinite pains and at the sacrifice of most valuable time , put in shape and submitted to Grand Lod g ^ efor approval or rejection the very best arrangement which , after the fullest , the most patient , and the most exhaustive enquiry and consideration , they were able to offer . It must be borne in mind that the ordinary market value of property is no guide whatever in estimating the
Original Correspondence.
sum a purchaser may be compelled to pay for the acquisition of that which is known to be of importance to fl " ' l * 10 se unexperienced in such matters the sums often demanded and paid under these circumstances svouid appear absolutely fabulous . One thing admits of no question , that whatever may have been the individual views of the Committee as to the reasonableness of the lessee ' s demands and the merits of
the best arrangement they could make , it was clearly their duty formall y to submit them for the opinion of Grand Lodge . What , let me ask , would Grand Lodge have said if the Committee had simply reported that the demands of the lessees were such as they could not entertain ? Might not Grand Lodge fairly have said " tell us what arrangements
they will consent to , and leave it to us to approve or T V ? d l * - * ' c T 1 , 1 S the Comn i'ttee did , and I think the thanks of the Craft arc due to them , and more especially to their Chairman and mouth piece , Sir John Monckton , for the frank , candid , and clear manner in which he discharged what , under the circumstances , proved a most thankless task .
Apologising for the length of this letter . —Yours faithfully and fraternally , A PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND OFFICER .
,- ¦ t ,, c Edilor ofthe "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The Craft seem entirely to have misunderstood the feeling of the Committee in connection with their report on the rebuilding the Temple . In thc first place let me assure you that the Committee had no feeling one way or thc other , and certainly objected as much as any of the Craft could to the very large sum of money required to be exnended in
buying up the interest of Mr . Bacon and providing the extra accommodation for Messrs . Spiers and Pond ; but believing the feeling of the Craft to be infavour of enlarging the building they were compelled to make thc best terms they could with Mr . Bacon and with Messrs . Spiers and Pond , and it was only after much negociation the preliminary agreement was entered into , based as it was upon the ultimatum of both Mr . Baconand Messrs . Spiers and
, Co ., and I will do the latter gentlemen the credit of saying they stated in the first instance , and adhered to it throughout , they would prefer being left alone , and the reasons they gave convinced us that they were right , and we felt as far as they were concerned they would require some sonsiderable inducement to give up their present holding . The mistake that has been made throughout thc business by Grand Lodge is not having given an intimation as to
what it wanted ; and Sir John Monckton ' s motion last night was simply to put the matter in a business form before Grand Lodge , and get an expression of its opinon on the subject . As a member of Grand Lodge I personally regret the decision that was come to , viz ., simply to rebuild the old Temple , because I . ' am convinced that on a calm reflection it will be seen the room for holding Grand Lodtre is whollv
inadequate to contain thc members who assemble when any question arises in whicii the Craft feel great interest , and it is on such occasions utterly impossible to conduct business properly , and 1 feci sure that Grand Lodge will sooner or later , and without waiting the expiration of Mr . Bacon ' s lease , require enlarged space , and then the ^ 6 ooo authorised to be expended in rebuilding will be utterly thrown away . I may add that 1 think the statement made bSir John
y Monckton last evening as to the persons constituting the Committee was correct , and that ( leaving myself out of the question , although I have had very considerable experience in negociations of a similar character to those with Mr . Bacon and Messrs . Spiers and Pond ) I believe it to have been impossible to have nominated a better
Committee than that appointed in the first instance—five being architects , or in some other way connected with building operations and valuing land . Nevertheless we shall cordially welcome the brethren Grand Lod ge has appointed to act with us , and I know it will be the great desire of the Committee to carry out to the very best of their ability the wishes of the Craft .
I would only further say that the reason why neither myself nor any other member of the Building Committee spoke last evening - was that we desired simply to get an expression of opinion from Grand Lodge as to what was wished to be done . If anything was wanted to show the necessity for a larger room for Grand Lodge to hold its meetings in , the overcrowding on VVednesday last surely proved the fact beyond dispute . —I am , sir , your obedient servant ,
WILLIAM BRISTOVV , P . M . Grand Stewards' Lodge and No . 14 Greenwich , Dec . Oth .
GRAND OFFICERS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , r j Having seen a report of the Rose of Denmark Lodge , No . 97 s , I find the following remarks made by Bro . Buss , the Asst . Grand Secretary : " Might he say that in a numerous lod ge like this it was a regretabte fact that he was the only member of it who was a Grand Olticfr . "
Now , looking at the large number of lodges in the London district , how is it possible for the M . W . G . M ., with so few a mtments at h s d s osa' to do justice to so large a body of Masons under present circumstances ? 1 would most respectfully suggest to the powers that be the following remedy : that London should be divided into two District Grand Lodges , say East and West , thc same as East and West Lancashire is divided , the District Grand
Masters to have the same privilege of conferring honours as Prov . Grand Masters have in the provinces . The same laws in the Book of Constitutions would govern the District Grand Lodges in London as the provinces . This would put the London lodges on the same footing as the provincial brethren—toenjoy the honour of wearingthe purple clothing , and I venture to say would have thc effect of giving better support to our Masonic Charities . It has been reported in the Freemason on several
occasions that many lodges in London contribute very largely to the Masonic Charities , and there are many old London lodges who contribute little or nothing to those Charities . If London could be so divided and put in charge of H . R . H . the Duke of Albany for the West District , and the Lord Mayor of London for the East District , such a step would confer about 30 collars annually upon the London brethren . Then those lodges who lack energy for the Charities would have to do something in order to be brought under the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To Correspondents.
To Correspondents .
The following communications have been received , but are not inserted in this issue owing to want of space : — Craft Lodges—Nos . 37 , 40 , 41 , 94 , 141 , 240 , 336 , 422 , 49 i . 73 . 709 , 1002 , 1353 , 1420 , 1 S 12 , 192 S . Instruction—No . 1300 . Royal Arch Chapters—Nos . 360 , 120 9 , 1502 . Mark Lodge—No . 8 . Consecrations—Methuen Lodge , Malrboro ' , Wiltshire ; Urania Lodge , Louth . Correspondence—A Prov . Registrar .
BOOKS , & c , RECEIVED . " Die Bauhutte , " ' * Victorian Masonic Journal , " ¦* Victorian Freemason , " ' * Orient , " " Hull Packet , " "' Freemasons' Chronicle , " Broad Arrow , " * ' European Mail , " " Voice of Masonrv , " * ' The Roval Cornwall Gazette , " "Allen ' s Indian Mail , " "Court Circular , " " Fishing Gazette , " " Citizen , " " Daily Witness , " " Liberal Freemason , " " Post , " " Masonic World , " " Winged with Light , " "Bristol Mercury , " * Freemasons' Chronicle" ( Sidney ) , " New York Commercial Advertiser , " " Bristol Western Daily Press , " " La Revista Masonica , " " Centcnario del Libertador Bolivar . "
Ar00704
SATURDAY , DECEMBER 15 , 1883 . * .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinionsexpressedby our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits free discussion . 1 —— -.
THE ELECTION OF GRAND TREASURER . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The unsigned circular in your issue of the isl inst . seems , by the letters which occupy nearly a whole page of your last number , to have produced no small consternation amongst the advocates of the principle of annual tcansfertence of the honour , but in the warmth ol
their advocacy they have unwittingly " let the cat out of the bag . " Bro . Headon tells us that the present Grand Treasurer was chosen " the willing champion of the principle . " " He was entrusted with the office 12 months and no longer . " Again , "Tenax Propositi" says that there was an " understanding , implied or actual , between him and his supporters in March . "
So it would appear that the Grand Treasurer is to be made the puppet of a particular clique who intend to set up a fresh one each succeeding year to be again knocked down , and a new one substituted at their own sweet will and p leasure , until such time as Grand Lodge , weary of continual changes , shall grow careless in the matter , and allow them to wriggle themselves into the coveted office , being justly afraid that their own qualifications and status will
otherwise never obtain for them an honour which should be reserved for our very best and most distinguished brethren only . It is the * duties and responsibilities of an office that give it dignity in the first instance , and as these have been reduced to a minimum in the case of the Grand Treasurer , it
becomes merely the mark of the high approval of the Craft , and the more frequently it is bestowed the less valuable it will be considered , and gradually fall lower and lower in estimation . When that time arrives we shall hear the same arguments adduced in support of an annual change in the office of M . W . G . AL " Absit omen . "—Yours faithfully and fraternally , AN OBSERVER .
To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , _ In reply to some remarks in your last by "Tenax Propositi" on a recent Circular published in your columns , I beg respectfully to suggest the following considerations to the thoughtful attention of your readers . It seems to be a most unprecedented and undesirable course of action , by the compulsory retirement of the Grand Treasurer , and a fresh election annually as a normal procedure , to introduce
a yearly element of agitation amongst us , most prejudical assuredly to the peace of the Craft and the harmony of Grand Lodge . It is surely most derogatory to the dignity of our governing body , that the resolutions of private meetings nominating a particular brother as Grand Treasurer should be ostentatiously published as an appeal to the Craft , thus rendering in turn a correspondingsystem of circulars and canvassing and meetings absolutely unnecessary , unless unwise selections and unfitting' nominations are to
prevail . The enforcement and requirement of pledges to retire after 13 months seems to be a most alarming innovation , and even an unconstitutional interference with the choice and independence of Grand Lodge itself . Such annual change and canvass and pledges can have but one result , consequences greatly to be deprecated , in the best interests of the Craft and Grand Lodge . The emission of the
circular complained of arose necessarily from this one fact , — namely , the announcement publicly made of a private nomination of a particular brother to the high office of Grand Treasurer , and of an active canvass strenuously Proceeding in our very midst . Objecting as I do altogether * o the movements of underground associations and the
developement of a partizan spirit amongst us , reminding some of us forcibly of very regrettable and discreditabledays of bitterest personal hostility and antagonism in olden time , ' trustthis movement for a yearly change in the Grand Treasurer's office may be put a stop to by the good sense ot Grand Lodge ; ana beg to sign myself OBSTA PRINCIPIIS .
To the Editor cf the "Freemason . " fear Sir and Brother , As one of your most constant readers 1 am deeply struck by the characteristic letter whicii emanates professedl y from Bro . Headon in your last impression . We must all be affected by the tone of innate modesty 'id Masonic forbearance combined , which are worth a
Original Correspondence.
good deal , believe ' me , in this " material age " of " brass " and "bunkum . " There is all through the letter such a courteous wish to do justice to other brethren's motives and feelings , that it is quite refreshing to realise such dominating principles of correspondence and action in our very worthy brother . Bro . Headon , twelve months ago , penned some very eloquent and moving appeals in favour of Bro . J . D .
Allcroft , and now is very indignant that that esteemed brother should be renominated to the office of Grand Treasurer . It would not be right to ask Bro . Headon to reveal the secrets of those who are so intent on changing the Grand Treasurer every year , but , like others , 1 can only express the fervent hope that such chivalry , such enthusiasm , such zeal , and such self-retiringness on his part may not go altogether unrewarded . A LOOKER ON .
Dear Bro . Kenning , As one of the signataries ofthe Circular whicii has so greatly displeased Bro . Headon , I can at once I trust relieve that worthy brother ' s mind , evidently " mixed up " as to the whole question , by stating , and your readers will , I have no doubt , accept my assurance , that the circular is signed by some of the best known and most hard working members of our fraternity , whether in the metropolis or the provinces and whether wearing the " old blue " or the *• honourable purple . " At a proper time , no doubt , if it be considered advisable to do so , the list of names will be published in thc Freemason or elsewhere . —Fraternally yours , A . F . A . WOODFORD .
To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I am much surprised to find it stated in your last impression , that Bro . Horace Brooks Marshall has been nominated for the dignified office of Grand Treasurer , for I am informed by several of his friends and admirers , that he is a Mason of five years standing only , and has had
the honour of being a Royal Arch Mason only five months . We all appreciate Bro . Marshall as a Philanthropist , — but I am confident that at the next Quarterly Communication in March a large majority of brethren , sinking all personal considerations and carrying out only for the interests of the Craft , will feel themselves unable to support him for so high and important a position as that of Grand Treasurer of
England ; and will beg him and his friends to postpone his claim to such an office until he has seen a little more service in our ranks , and thus ripened in experience he will be able to maintain the dignity and prestige of " GrandOffice , " and when called upon will express a reliable opinion upon all Masonic matters , such being always expected from those brethren who have been honoured with the broad purple of England . —Faithfully , and fraternally yours , A WELL WISHER OF THE CRAFT .
To the Editor of the "Freemason " Dear Sir and Brother , Will any of the opponents of an annual change of the ofiice of Grand Treasurer inform me in what respect that office differs from those appointments annually made by the Grand Master ? I understand that according to recent regulations the
duties of Grand Treasurer are irresponsible , and in no way differ from those of Grand Wardens , Deacons , & c , except that the latter have something to do , and the former absolutel y nothing . Why then should active officers be changed yearly , and Grand Treasurer , who has nothing to learn except to sit on the proper seat allotted to him on the dais , be a permanent office?—Yours fraternally , JUNIOR WARDEN .
REBUILDING OF THE TEMPLE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The almost unanimous decision of Grand Lodge to abandon the project of an enlarged Temple was probably , under all circumstances , the most prudent that could be arrived at . In connection with this much vexed question , which happily , for a time at least , is shelved , if not settled
nothing has astonished me more than the confused and , to my mind , erroneous views entertained by many in regard to tl \ e difficult and thankless task imposed by Grand Lodge on the Committee specially selected by it to ascertain , and report , as to the best means of giving effect to the stronglyexpressed wish for greatly increased . accommodation . No one conversant with such matters will venture to
dispute the fact that the Building Committee comprised brethren possessing the highest professional qualifications for dealing with the difficult and complicated arrangements which any attempt to carry out the expressed wishes of Grand Lodge would involve . The acquisition of the requisite space necessitated the purchase of valuable rights , and who , let me ask , were better qualified to deal with such a
matter than those members of the Committee , whose opinions , though ridiculed by some in Grand Lodge , would not fail to receive the utmost consideration and respect in any Arbitration Court in the kingdom ? If Mr . Bacon and Messrs . Spiers and Pond set too high a value on their respective rights—which , it must be remembered , nothing short of an Act of Parliament could compel
them to surrender—or insisted on excessive compensation for the temporary or permanent injury they might sustain , why , in the name of common sense , should the discredit rest on those who , with all their professional knowledge and experience , werc unable to induce Mr . Bacon and Messrs . Spiers and Pond to consent to any arrangement less favourable to themselves . ' Looking , however , to the facts that the acquisition of Mr .
Bacon s lease would , involve the premature extinction of his business and livelihood , and that the carrying out of the contemplated alterations would , for a time at least , paralyse the business of Messrs . Spiers and Pond , I am by no means sure that their demands , large as they appear , were under the circumstances exorbitant or unreasonable . Those gentlemen , it may fairly be assumed , know their own business best ; and while Grand Lodge has a most perfect right to
form and , if it sees fit , to express its opinions in regard to their demands , let us at the same time do justice to those who , at infinite pains and at the sacrifice of most valuable time , put in shape and submitted to Grand Lod g ^ efor approval or rejection the very best arrangement which , after the fullest , the most patient , and the most exhaustive enquiry and consideration , they were able to offer . It must be borne in mind that the ordinary market value of property is no guide whatever in estimating the
Original Correspondence.
sum a purchaser may be compelled to pay for the acquisition of that which is known to be of importance to fl " ' l * 10 se unexperienced in such matters the sums often demanded and paid under these circumstances svouid appear absolutely fabulous . One thing admits of no question , that whatever may have been the individual views of the Committee as to the reasonableness of the lessee ' s demands and the merits of
the best arrangement they could make , it was clearly their duty formall y to submit them for the opinion of Grand Lodge . What , let me ask , would Grand Lodge have said if the Committee had simply reported that the demands of the lessees were such as they could not entertain ? Might not Grand Lodge fairly have said " tell us what arrangements
they will consent to , and leave it to us to approve or T V ? d l * - * ' c T 1 , 1 S the Comn i'ttee did , and I think the thanks of the Craft arc due to them , and more especially to their Chairman and mouth piece , Sir John Monckton , for the frank , candid , and clear manner in which he discharged what , under the circumstances , proved a most thankless task .
Apologising for the length of this letter . —Yours faithfully and fraternally , A PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND OFFICER .
,- ¦ t ,, c Edilor ofthe "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The Craft seem entirely to have misunderstood the feeling of the Committee in connection with their report on the rebuilding the Temple . In thc first place let me assure you that the Committee had no feeling one way or thc other , and certainly objected as much as any of the Craft could to the very large sum of money required to be exnended in
buying up the interest of Mr . Bacon and providing the extra accommodation for Messrs . Spiers and Pond ; but believing the feeling of the Craft to be infavour of enlarging the building they were compelled to make thc best terms they could with Mr . Bacon and with Messrs . Spiers and Pond , and it was only after much negociation the preliminary agreement was entered into , based as it was upon the ultimatum of both Mr . Baconand Messrs . Spiers and
, Co ., and I will do the latter gentlemen the credit of saying they stated in the first instance , and adhered to it throughout , they would prefer being left alone , and the reasons they gave convinced us that they were right , and we felt as far as they were concerned they would require some sonsiderable inducement to give up their present holding . The mistake that has been made throughout thc business by Grand Lodge is not having given an intimation as to
what it wanted ; and Sir John Monckton ' s motion last night was simply to put the matter in a business form before Grand Lodge , and get an expression of its opinon on the subject . As a member of Grand Lodge I personally regret the decision that was come to , viz ., simply to rebuild the old Temple , because I . ' am convinced that on a calm reflection it will be seen the room for holding Grand Lodtre is whollv
inadequate to contain thc members who assemble when any question arises in whicii the Craft feel great interest , and it is on such occasions utterly impossible to conduct business properly , and 1 feci sure that Grand Lodge will sooner or later , and without waiting the expiration of Mr . Bacon ' s lease , require enlarged space , and then the ^ 6 ooo authorised to be expended in rebuilding will be utterly thrown away . I may add that 1 think the statement made bSir John
y Monckton last evening as to the persons constituting the Committee was correct , and that ( leaving myself out of the question , although I have had very considerable experience in negociations of a similar character to those with Mr . Bacon and Messrs . Spiers and Pond ) I believe it to have been impossible to have nominated a better
Committee than that appointed in the first instance—five being architects , or in some other way connected with building operations and valuing land . Nevertheless we shall cordially welcome the brethren Grand Lod ge has appointed to act with us , and I know it will be the great desire of the Committee to carry out to the very best of their ability the wishes of the Craft .
I would only further say that the reason why neither myself nor any other member of the Building Committee spoke last evening - was that we desired simply to get an expression of opinion from Grand Lodge as to what was wished to be done . If anything was wanted to show the necessity for a larger room for Grand Lodge to hold its meetings in , the overcrowding on VVednesday last surely proved the fact beyond dispute . —I am , sir , your obedient servant ,
WILLIAM BRISTOVV , P . M . Grand Stewards' Lodge and No . 14 Greenwich , Dec . Oth .
GRAND OFFICERS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , r j Having seen a report of the Rose of Denmark Lodge , No . 97 s , I find the following remarks made by Bro . Buss , the Asst . Grand Secretary : " Might he say that in a numerous lod ge like this it was a regretabte fact that he was the only member of it who was a Grand Olticfr . "
Now , looking at the large number of lodges in the London district , how is it possible for the M . W . G . M ., with so few a mtments at h s d s osa' to do justice to so large a body of Masons under present circumstances ? 1 would most respectfully suggest to the powers that be the following remedy : that London should be divided into two District Grand Lodges , say East and West , thc same as East and West Lancashire is divided , the District Grand
Masters to have the same privilege of conferring honours as Prov . Grand Masters have in the provinces . The same laws in the Book of Constitutions would govern the District Grand Lodges in London as the provinces . This would put the London lodges on the same footing as the provincial brethren—toenjoy the honour of wearingthe purple clothing , and I venture to say would have thc effect of giving better support to our Masonic Charities . It has been reported in the Freemason on several
occasions that many lodges in London contribute very largely to the Masonic Charities , and there are many old London lodges who contribute little or nothing to those Charities . If London could be so divided and put in charge of H . R . H . the Duke of Albany for the West District , and the Lord Mayor of London for the East District , such a step would confer about 30 collars annually upon the London brethren . Then those lodges who lack energy for the Charities would have to do something in order to be brought under the