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Article Untitled ← Page 2 of 2 Article ANSWERS TO QUERIES. Page 1 of 1 Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 1 Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 1 Article Reviews. Page 1 of 1 Article Masonic Notes and Queries. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00900
F OR the year ending November 30 th , 1880 , the income and expenditure of the Grand Lodge of Scotland is as follows : — INCOME . Entrants and Affiliations _ . ' ° i . 4 c
Certificates 137 ° Diplomas Sje 14 6 Miscellaneous 133 10 o Members'Tickets ... 257 5 0 Prov . Grand M . Commissions 42 o 0 New Charters 70 15 o Rents 979 " 3 c Interest 126 3 11
1-359 S 6 5 Expenditure £ 2285 6 7 The funds and estates are estimated at £ 30 , 318 os . iod . Its liabilities , ( if we are correct , but thc accounts are rather intricate ) , £ 16 , 704 I 2 s . 2 d . Of this
a considerable portion belongs to the Fund of Benevolence . We wish we could say that we could look on the condition of the Fund of Benevolence as satisfactorily as the result . There is an " interdealing " with the general funds of Grand Lodge ,
which is neither desirable nor sound , and which we should like to see altered . Ostensibly , the Fund of Benevolence claims a capital of £ 5712 ; of this £ 2700 are Bonds on Grand Lodge property , and
£ 283 1 16 s . Sd . a " floating balance due by Grand Lodge . " It has voted for the twelve months £ 400 in round numbers . Its actual income from fees and capital is £ 66 7 14 s . 7 d .
* * THOUGH it is neither the province nor the policy of the Freemason ever to discuss affairs of State , we think it right to express our regret at the proposal to discontinue the distinctive uniforms of the
Highland regiments . The Highland regiments have always been among the " flower of the army , " and have been distinguished no less by their great
gallantry in the field than by their good conduct in quarters . Everything that keeps up " esprit de corps " in a regiment should be carefully upheld .
Answers To Queries.
ANSWERS TO QUERIES .
W . M . —It has been ruled ( 1 S 66 ) "That A . 4 , p . S 5 , does not preclude the same person from being-subsequently proposed in the same lodge , and if then approved from being initiated ; the ballot has reference solely to the time when taken . " Dr . Oliver ' s ruling ( "Masonic Jurisprudence , " p . 47 ) is , therefore , incorrect . The law , as quoted by Dr . Oliver , was altered in 1 S 53 . T . F .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]
NON-MEMBERSHIP IN ENGLISH MASONRY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In response to your appeal in to-day ' s Freemason , I venture to make a suggestion , and to point out two very opposite statements in Bro . Yarker ' s letter , published on the 12 th inst ., on the Ancient and Primitive Rite . The
latter first . In paragraph 1 , Bro . Yarker says : " We have nothing to do with Craft Masonry ; " and , in paragraph 2 , " Its constitution requires that all its neophytes must have had the Three Craft Degrees from some constitutional Grand Lodge . " From the second statement it would appear that Craft Masonry is the foundation upon which the Ancient and Primitive Rite is built . A structure which ,
according to the first statement , "has nothing to do with " its foundation , must be a veritable castle in the air . But the further statement , in paragraph 3 , " I " . . " and only now belong to th _ Ancient and Primitive Rite , " which led to your leader , concerns us as Craft Masons mucli more . It seems altogether unfair that Craft Masonry should be used as a foundation , or , as it appears , only as a
stepping stone to the Ancient and Primitive Rite , and then left to bear its burdens alone while , as you say , the seccders enioy its fruits . The suggestion I make is , that as the Freemason is published under the " direct sanction of the Grand Master of English ( Craft ) Masonry , " every brother who sends matter tor publication shall not only authenticate it by giving his and
name address , as now required , but also prove himself f _ a ky furnishing ( not necessarily for publication ) the name and number of the Craft Lodge to which lie is a subscribing member . I give these particulars below , and subscribe myself , dear _ > ir and Brother , yours truly and fraternally , _ . . T . ] . BIRD , February 10 th . _ Elliot Lodge , No . 1567 . L _ ln all cases we require to know who the writer is , and his position in the Craft . —ED . F . M . ]
PANMURE LODGE , No . 715 . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Saturday last , hut owing to the absence of the VV . M . elect . 'Bro . H . Watts , through mness , that ceremony was not performed . A report will appear in our next .
Original Correspondence.
MASONIC THRIFT . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — The reply of " IT . M . " to " An Anxious Senior , " doubts my sincerity , questions my motives , and asserts that I libel the Craft . 1 must not render " railing for railing . " I am not interested directly or indirectly in the question I
raised . I have no wish to puff or push any interest , but I desired to ventilate an important question . Notwithstanding all " H . M . " may assert , I beg with due respect to repeat that Masons as a rule are not thrifty . If they were tliev would fulfil a common duty—they would provide for their own , and have too much self respect to be dependent upon others . It is a fact , I believe , that £ 50 , 000 are raised
annually for the benefit of the three Chaiities belonging to the Craft and its dependents . What is this vast benevolence but an overwhelming evidence of a " want of thrift ?" Had each brother provided for his own or his wife ' s old age , £ 50 , 000 would have been raised as an outcome ot charity and mercy to agencies not so well schooled nor enjoying such advantages as Masons have within their reach . As it
is , £ . 50 , 000 were raised in 1 SS 0 to supply personal deficiencies or misfortunes of Masons or their dependencies , and Grand Lodge gives £ 0000 per annum . I assert this money might still have been raised , not applied to the exigencies of the brethren , but been a fund for permeating the world with mercy and benevolence wherever required . Unfortunately the converse of this prevails , and I assert again that
very many men enter our ranks in the heyday of health and prosperity , in the harvest of their powers , are generous , jovial , and reckless during the continuance of prosperity , and drop out when the inevitable day of reckoning comes , and the Craft or their lodge knows them no more . If " H . M . " were to " poll " the seedy , broken-down men who haunt the arcades of the Royal Exchange , or stoop to a
greater depth and degradation , he would find under a hide of pride , thicker than hippopotamus hide , many a generous soul who began well , meant well , thought every day a summer , knew no winter , was not thrifty , lost self-respect , and fell . I can assure " H . M . " that I have no personal interests to serve . I am well assured in five offices that have no connection or sympathy with Masonry , but I did hope
that the Secretary of an ollice named Masonic might induce me and others to support any agency which would encourage thrift by giving information concerning the office called Masonic . I will not further weary you with any analysis of " H . M . ' s" remarks as to the opportunities outside Masonry for benevolent , thrifty , or self-supporting purposes .
As I do not trade upon Masonry , am only interested in the Freemason , I can only say as a Senior with last century sympathies , that the second paragraph of " II . M . 's" communication reminded me of Peter Pindar's pleasant satire of Dr . Johnson , that in common argument " He raised a club to crush a gnat . " If " H . M . " is as good as Dr . Johnson , he will do , and will excel in thrift as in courtesy . I remain , yours fraternally , AN ANXIOUS SENIOR .
OUR INCREASING NUMBERS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I notice in the Second Edition of the "Cosmo " that only one warrant for a lodge in London was granted during the year 1 SS 0 , and from what 1 hear , most members of the Craft rejoice that there is now some check put upon
the increase of lodges which was so rapid during the years 1 S 77-S-9—one lodge in London in a year , and only about three in the adjacent provinces of Middlesex and Surrey ; so that we may expect the Prov . G . Masters to be very particular indeed in giving consent for the formation of new lodges . One effect of so many new lodges has been the introduction into the Craft of manv who should never have been
admitted , hut it seems initiates must be found , and the fees of the new lodges are low , so candidates are found for proposition and initiation . The remedy seems to be , now that the increase of lodges is controlled , to increase the fees . Another effect of the action of the Grand Lodge will be to induce the formation of Royal Arch Chapters and Mark Lodges .
Whatever may result in the future , let us all he very careful what kind of men we introduce into the Craft . The average social position of the members has declined during the last five years , and the appeals to the Board of Benevolence are more numerous than ever , and many of the petitioners , from their own statements , were never in a position to afford the necessary expenses of Masonry . I remain , dear Sir and Brother , fraternally yours , OBSERVER .
THE JOHN HERVEY MEMORIAL FUND . to the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Feeling as I do , that too much publicity cannot be given to all details connected with anything in the nature of a public collection , I rely on your kindness to permit me to say a few words this week in connection with the above Fund , concerning which I regret to hear some ( if slight ) misapprehension still prevails , judging from queries I
. 1 . The sums given are at once paid to a special account at the London and Westminster Bank , which account is opened in the joint names of two members of the Committee , and myself as its Chairman . 2 . It is proposed to invest the Fund in Consols in the maximum number of names permitted by the bank
regulations , and that those names should be : 1 . My own as , in a manner , representing the Craft ; 2 . Bro . Thomas Fenn , as representing the Emulation Lodge of Instruction , by which lodge a very liberal donation has been voted ; 3 . Bro . Chas . A . Murton , of No . 7 ( Royal York ); and 4 . Bro . R . R . Davis , of No . 256 ( Lodge of Unions ) , these being Bro . Hervey ' s especial lodges .
3 . I lie proceeds or di vidends , as already stated , are to be paid to the highest unsuccessful candidates ( regulated in number hy thc amount subscribed ) at each annual election of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , in lasting memory of liro . John Hervev .
And lastly , with your kind permission , the names of donors and amounts , actually paid , will appear in the first number of the Freemason published in Alarcli , and following months , so that all may know the exact position of the Fund . 1 am , faithfully and fraternally yours , JOHN B . MONCKTON , P . B . G . P . Queen Anne ' s Mansion , S . W ., 23 rd February .
Reviews.
Reviews .
BOOK CATALOGUES . Mr . E . W . Stibbs , of No . 32 , Museum-street , has just issued his No . 32 , and a most interesting one it is . It contains some valuable selections from the libraries of Dr . Gaisford and Dr . J . A . Carl y le , the translator of Dante , and is especially rich in editions of , and commentaries en , Dante , including the eel . brated one of Lord Vernon ' s
Voyages and Travels , Greek and Latin Classics , 560 pamphlets printed in America , with numerous works relating to the "Sagas , " and Scandinavian and Icelandic literature . We may also specially note " D'Herbelot's Bibliotheque Orientale , " D'Harncarville's " Recherches , " Sic , specimens of
early periodical literature , the " Obscrvator , " 1681 , 16 S 7 , the best edition of " G _ illim , " Higgin ' s "Celtic Druids , " "Ernesti ' s Homer , " and many more . The collection in respect to Dante is very remarkable and deserves notice by all admirers of the great Italian poet . We recommend book collectors to send for the " Catalogue . "
FRANCE AND TUNIS . F . Chifferiel and Co ., 31 , Cursitor-street , W . C . Th s interesting "brochure " is , we understand , the production of a well-known and able brother of our Order , and deserves a careful and thoughtful perusal . It is impossible for us in the Freemason to review it fully , or to do justice to its many merits , inasmuch as were we to attempt to do so we should find ourselves on the " debateable
ground of contemporary politics " — a region forbidden to Freemasons . We can only , therefore , thank the writer heartily for having sent us a copy , call the attention of our many readers to it , and express our hope that his professional , as well as his Masonic , labours may be equally meritorious , distinguished , and successful . Just now , as our readers may be aware , the important question treated of in the pamphlet is before the authorities both of France and England .
CATALOGUE OF MANUSCRIPTS , MINIATURES , AND DRAWINGS . No . 332 . Bernard Quaritch , 15 , Piccadilly . Though we referred to this remarkable catalogue once before , we mention it again on account of the great interest attaching to Mr . Quaritch's collection of MSS ., which , perhaps , is unprecedented in the history of
" palaeography . " We have seen some of them and " handled " them , and , whether for condition , interest , or execution , wc doubt if such a collection can easily again be found . Wc regret to hear that some of these MSS . arc going to America—We say it selfishly , perhaps , as all art is truly and really cosmopolitan , and affects , improves , and teaches the various conditions of humanitv—as
we should have liked to have seen them in a national collection . We recommend book collectors to apply for the catalogue—if customers of Mr . Quaritch , always accessible , and if not to purchase it . It is well worth the money as a record of MSS . specialities , not often to be found in one collection . Mr . Quaritch has recently purchased a copy of the Gutenburg Mazarine Bible .
THE TOBACCO QUESTION . Twenty-first thousand . S . W . Partridge and Co ., 9 , Paternoster-row . This is a penny pamphlet which has been specially sent to us , and intended to prove that smoking " does not pay " for any one . We fear that all these well-meant " tirades " against "tobacco , " & c , prove very little , and affect very few . In all such wholesale incriminations there is of
necessity much of exaggeration . If the arguments of the writer of this little production are carried to their full extent , smoking under all circumstances is bad " perse . " But that is not so , as travellers tell us , and , therefore , while we fully admit the nuisance often , the ill effects , and the " selfishness of smoking , " we yet think that a moderate use of " t . bacco " is both allowable and not unwholesome . Smoking is now an habit so engrained on the life of the English people that the attacks upon it rather harden smokers , and have no effect on non-smokers . They mostly " end in smoke . "
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
THE ENGRAVED LISTS . Bro , Hughan published Pine's list of I 72 p in the Freemason some years since , and amongst his explanatory remarks occurs the following : "The learned Mason , Bro . Albert Pike , has a copy likewise of 1725 , though not quite the same edition ( as that in the library of Grand Lodge ) , a fac simile of which this uncrowned king of the " Hautes
Grades " presented to me . " In the Freemason of 15 th January ( at p . 22 ) reference is again made by Bro . Hughan to Bro . Pike's list , a lithograph fac simile of which he ( Bro . Hughan ) has just presented to No . 41 . Perhaps Bro . Dr . Hopkins will kindly inform me in what respect Bro . Pike's list of 1725 differs from my reproduction of the Grand Lodge impression of
the same year , shown in " Four Old Lodges , " at p . 3 . 1 take the opportunity of stating that amongst the fortunate possessors of "Engraved Lists" must be included the I . P . M . of No . 41 ( Bro . Hopkins ) , who owns an edition of 17 G 4 . Whenever I can trace any " waif" of this unique
series , 1 shall duly publish the fact in this column , and I may , perhaps , inquire of Bro . " Masonic Student " whether he has not one or two other " lists" besides the impression for 17 ( 12 . Possibly , also , Bro . Hughan may know who secured the specimens of the " series " dispersed at Spencer ' s great sale . R . F . GOULD .
A good deal has been said lately about Ashmole , the astrologer's meeting , an Hermetic Society , and a so-called revival in ifiSfi . I have for some time bi-en looking carefully into this very subject , ancl so far can find no trace of Ashmole ' s connection with the Rosicrucians . Ashmole was a "Freemason , " and not a member of the Masons' Company , and he also used to frequent the Astrologers' feast .
In Robert Cell ' s sermon before the " learned Society of Astrologers , August 1 st , 1649 , " in the Church of St . Mary , Alder Mary , London , called " Stella Nova , " ( a new starre , & c ) , a very eloquent sermon , by the way , I find neither in it , nor the preface , any allusion to a Rosicrucian , or even Hermetic , Society . This is three years after that Ashmole was initiated at Warrington . The preface is addressed to
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00900
F OR the year ending November 30 th , 1880 , the income and expenditure of the Grand Lodge of Scotland is as follows : — INCOME . Entrants and Affiliations _ . ' ° i . 4 c
Certificates 137 ° Diplomas Sje 14 6 Miscellaneous 133 10 o Members'Tickets ... 257 5 0 Prov . Grand M . Commissions 42 o 0 New Charters 70 15 o Rents 979 " 3 c Interest 126 3 11
1-359 S 6 5 Expenditure £ 2285 6 7 The funds and estates are estimated at £ 30 , 318 os . iod . Its liabilities , ( if we are correct , but thc accounts are rather intricate ) , £ 16 , 704 I 2 s . 2 d . Of this
a considerable portion belongs to the Fund of Benevolence . We wish we could say that we could look on the condition of the Fund of Benevolence as satisfactorily as the result . There is an " interdealing " with the general funds of Grand Lodge ,
which is neither desirable nor sound , and which we should like to see altered . Ostensibly , the Fund of Benevolence claims a capital of £ 5712 ; of this £ 2700 are Bonds on Grand Lodge property , and
£ 283 1 16 s . Sd . a " floating balance due by Grand Lodge . " It has voted for the twelve months £ 400 in round numbers . Its actual income from fees and capital is £ 66 7 14 s . 7 d .
* * THOUGH it is neither the province nor the policy of the Freemason ever to discuss affairs of State , we think it right to express our regret at the proposal to discontinue the distinctive uniforms of the
Highland regiments . The Highland regiments have always been among the " flower of the army , " and have been distinguished no less by their great
gallantry in the field than by their good conduct in quarters . Everything that keeps up " esprit de corps " in a regiment should be carefully upheld .
Answers To Queries.
ANSWERS TO QUERIES .
W . M . —It has been ruled ( 1 S 66 ) "That A . 4 , p . S 5 , does not preclude the same person from being-subsequently proposed in the same lodge , and if then approved from being initiated ; the ballot has reference solely to the time when taken . " Dr . Oliver ' s ruling ( "Masonic Jurisprudence , " p . 47 ) is , therefore , incorrect . The law , as quoted by Dr . Oliver , was altered in 1 S 53 . T . F .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]
NON-MEMBERSHIP IN ENGLISH MASONRY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In response to your appeal in to-day ' s Freemason , I venture to make a suggestion , and to point out two very opposite statements in Bro . Yarker ' s letter , published on the 12 th inst ., on the Ancient and Primitive Rite . The
latter first . In paragraph 1 , Bro . Yarker says : " We have nothing to do with Craft Masonry ; " and , in paragraph 2 , " Its constitution requires that all its neophytes must have had the Three Craft Degrees from some constitutional Grand Lodge . " From the second statement it would appear that Craft Masonry is the foundation upon which the Ancient and Primitive Rite is built . A structure which ,
according to the first statement , "has nothing to do with " its foundation , must be a veritable castle in the air . But the further statement , in paragraph 3 , " I " . . " and only now belong to th _ Ancient and Primitive Rite , " which led to your leader , concerns us as Craft Masons mucli more . It seems altogether unfair that Craft Masonry should be used as a foundation , or , as it appears , only as a
stepping stone to the Ancient and Primitive Rite , and then left to bear its burdens alone while , as you say , the seccders enioy its fruits . The suggestion I make is , that as the Freemason is published under the " direct sanction of the Grand Master of English ( Craft ) Masonry , " every brother who sends matter tor publication shall not only authenticate it by giving his and
name address , as now required , but also prove himself f _ a ky furnishing ( not necessarily for publication ) the name and number of the Craft Lodge to which lie is a subscribing member . I give these particulars below , and subscribe myself , dear _ > ir and Brother , yours truly and fraternally , _ . . T . ] . BIRD , February 10 th . _ Elliot Lodge , No . 1567 . L _ ln all cases we require to know who the writer is , and his position in the Craft . —ED . F . M . ]
PANMURE LODGE , No . 715 . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Saturday last , hut owing to the absence of the VV . M . elect . 'Bro . H . Watts , through mness , that ceremony was not performed . A report will appear in our next .
Original Correspondence.
MASONIC THRIFT . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — The reply of " IT . M . " to " An Anxious Senior , " doubts my sincerity , questions my motives , and asserts that I libel the Craft . 1 must not render " railing for railing . " I am not interested directly or indirectly in the question I
raised . I have no wish to puff or push any interest , but I desired to ventilate an important question . Notwithstanding all " H . M . " may assert , I beg with due respect to repeat that Masons as a rule are not thrifty . If they were tliev would fulfil a common duty—they would provide for their own , and have too much self respect to be dependent upon others . It is a fact , I believe , that £ 50 , 000 are raised
annually for the benefit of the three Chaiities belonging to the Craft and its dependents . What is this vast benevolence but an overwhelming evidence of a " want of thrift ?" Had each brother provided for his own or his wife ' s old age , £ 50 , 000 would have been raised as an outcome ot charity and mercy to agencies not so well schooled nor enjoying such advantages as Masons have within their reach . As it
is , £ . 50 , 000 were raised in 1 SS 0 to supply personal deficiencies or misfortunes of Masons or their dependencies , and Grand Lodge gives £ 0000 per annum . I assert this money might still have been raised , not applied to the exigencies of the brethren , but been a fund for permeating the world with mercy and benevolence wherever required . Unfortunately the converse of this prevails , and I assert again that
very many men enter our ranks in the heyday of health and prosperity , in the harvest of their powers , are generous , jovial , and reckless during the continuance of prosperity , and drop out when the inevitable day of reckoning comes , and the Craft or their lodge knows them no more . If " H . M . " were to " poll " the seedy , broken-down men who haunt the arcades of the Royal Exchange , or stoop to a
greater depth and degradation , he would find under a hide of pride , thicker than hippopotamus hide , many a generous soul who began well , meant well , thought every day a summer , knew no winter , was not thrifty , lost self-respect , and fell . I can assure " H . M . " that I have no personal interests to serve . I am well assured in five offices that have no connection or sympathy with Masonry , but I did hope
that the Secretary of an ollice named Masonic might induce me and others to support any agency which would encourage thrift by giving information concerning the office called Masonic . I will not further weary you with any analysis of " H . M . ' s" remarks as to the opportunities outside Masonry for benevolent , thrifty , or self-supporting purposes .
As I do not trade upon Masonry , am only interested in the Freemason , I can only say as a Senior with last century sympathies , that the second paragraph of " II . M . 's" communication reminded me of Peter Pindar's pleasant satire of Dr . Johnson , that in common argument " He raised a club to crush a gnat . " If " H . M . " is as good as Dr . Johnson , he will do , and will excel in thrift as in courtesy . I remain , yours fraternally , AN ANXIOUS SENIOR .
OUR INCREASING NUMBERS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I notice in the Second Edition of the "Cosmo " that only one warrant for a lodge in London was granted during the year 1 SS 0 , and from what 1 hear , most members of the Craft rejoice that there is now some check put upon
the increase of lodges which was so rapid during the years 1 S 77-S-9—one lodge in London in a year , and only about three in the adjacent provinces of Middlesex and Surrey ; so that we may expect the Prov . G . Masters to be very particular indeed in giving consent for the formation of new lodges . One effect of so many new lodges has been the introduction into the Craft of manv who should never have been
admitted , hut it seems initiates must be found , and the fees of the new lodges are low , so candidates are found for proposition and initiation . The remedy seems to be , now that the increase of lodges is controlled , to increase the fees . Another effect of the action of the Grand Lodge will be to induce the formation of Royal Arch Chapters and Mark Lodges .
Whatever may result in the future , let us all he very careful what kind of men we introduce into the Craft . The average social position of the members has declined during the last five years , and the appeals to the Board of Benevolence are more numerous than ever , and many of the petitioners , from their own statements , were never in a position to afford the necessary expenses of Masonry . I remain , dear Sir and Brother , fraternally yours , OBSERVER .
THE JOHN HERVEY MEMORIAL FUND . to the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Feeling as I do , that too much publicity cannot be given to all details connected with anything in the nature of a public collection , I rely on your kindness to permit me to say a few words this week in connection with the above Fund , concerning which I regret to hear some ( if slight ) misapprehension still prevails , judging from queries I
. 1 . The sums given are at once paid to a special account at the London and Westminster Bank , which account is opened in the joint names of two members of the Committee , and myself as its Chairman . 2 . It is proposed to invest the Fund in Consols in the maximum number of names permitted by the bank
regulations , and that those names should be : 1 . My own as , in a manner , representing the Craft ; 2 . Bro . Thomas Fenn , as representing the Emulation Lodge of Instruction , by which lodge a very liberal donation has been voted ; 3 . Bro . Chas . A . Murton , of No . 7 ( Royal York ); and 4 . Bro . R . R . Davis , of No . 256 ( Lodge of Unions ) , these being Bro . Hervey ' s especial lodges .
3 . I lie proceeds or di vidends , as already stated , are to be paid to the highest unsuccessful candidates ( regulated in number hy thc amount subscribed ) at each annual election of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , in lasting memory of liro . John Hervev .
And lastly , with your kind permission , the names of donors and amounts , actually paid , will appear in the first number of the Freemason published in Alarcli , and following months , so that all may know the exact position of the Fund . 1 am , faithfully and fraternally yours , JOHN B . MONCKTON , P . B . G . P . Queen Anne ' s Mansion , S . W ., 23 rd February .
Reviews.
Reviews .
BOOK CATALOGUES . Mr . E . W . Stibbs , of No . 32 , Museum-street , has just issued his No . 32 , and a most interesting one it is . It contains some valuable selections from the libraries of Dr . Gaisford and Dr . J . A . Carl y le , the translator of Dante , and is especially rich in editions of , and commentaries en , Dante , including the eel . brated one of Lord Vernon ' s
Voyages and Travels , Greek and Latin Classics , 560 pamphlets printed in America , with numerous works relating to the "Sagas , " and Scandinavian and Icelandic literature . We may also specially note " D'Herbelot's Bibliotheque Orientale , " D'Harncarville's " Recherches , " Sic , specimens of
early periodical literature , the " Obscrvator , " 1681 , 16 S 7 , the best edition of " G _ illim , " Higgin ' s "Celtic Druids , " "Ernesti ' s Homer , " and many more . The collection in respect to Dante is very remarkable and deserves notice by all admirers of the great Italian poet . We recommend book collectors to send for the " Catalogue . "
FRANCE AND TUNIS . F . Chifferiel and Co ., 31 , Cursitor-street , W . C . Th s interesting "brochure " is , we understand , the production of a well-known and able brother of our Order , and deserves a careful and thoughtful perusal . It is impossible for us in the Freemason to review it fully , or to do justice to its many merits , inasmuch as were we to attempt to do so we should find ourselves on the " debateable
ground of contemporary politics " — a region forbidden to Freemasons . We can only , therefore , thank the writer heartily for having sent us a copy , call the attention of our many readers to it , and express our hope that his professional , as well as his Masonic , labours may be equally meritorious , distinguished , and successful . Just now , as our readers may be aware , the important question treated of in the pamphlet is before the authorities both of France and England .
CATALOGUE OF MANUSCRIPTS , MINIATURES , AND DRAWINGS . No . 332 . Bernard Quaritch , 15 , Piccadilly . Though we referred to this remarkable catalogue once before , we mention it again on account of the great interest attaching to Mr . Quaritch's collection of MSS ., which , perhaps , is unprecedented in the history of
" palaeography . " We have seen some of them and " handled " them , and , whether for condition , interest , or execution , wc doubt if such a collection can easily again be found . Wc regret to hear that some of these MSS . arc going to America—We say it selfishly , perhaps , as all art is truly and really cosmopolitan , and affects , improves , and teaches the various conditions of humanitv—as
we should have liked to have seen them in a national collection . We recommend book collectors to apply for the catalogue—if customers of Mr . Quaritch , always accessible , and if not to purchase it . It is well worth the money as a record of MSS . specialities , not often to be found in one collection . Mr . Quaritch has recently purchased a copy of the Gutenburg Mazarine Bible .
THE TOBACCO QUESTION . Twenty-first thousand . S . W . Partridge and Co ., 9 , Paternoster-row . This is a penny pamphlet which has been specially sent to us , and intended to prove that smoking " does not pay " for any one . We fear that all these well-meant " tirades " against "tobacco , " & c , prove very little , and affect very few . In all such wholesale incriminations there is of
necessity much of exaggeration . If the arguments of the writer of this little production are carried to their full extent , smoking under all circumstances is bad " perse . " But that is not so , as travellers tell us , and , therefore , while we fully admit the nuisance often , the ill effects , and the " selfishness of smoking , " we yet think that a moderate use of " t . bacco " is both allowable and not unwholesome . Smoking is now an habit so engrained on the life of the English people that the attacks upon it rather harden smokers , and have no effect on non-smokers . They mostly " end in smoke . "
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
THE ENGRAVED LISTS . Bro , Hughan published Pine's list of I 72 p in the Freemason some years since , and amongst his explanatory remarks occurs the following : "The learned Mason , Bro . Albert Pike , has a copy likewise of 1725 , though not quite the same edition ( as that in the library of Grand Lodge ) , a fac simile of which this uncrowned king of the " Hautes
Grades " presented to me . " In the Freemason of 15 th January ( at p . 22 ) reference is again made by Bro . Hughan to Bro . Pike's list , a lithograph fac simile of which he ( Bro . Hughan ) has just presented to No . 41 . Perhaps Bro . Dr . Hopkins will kindly inform me in what respect Bro . Pike's list of 1725 differs from my reproduction of the Grand Lodge impression of
the same year , shown in " Four Old Lodges , " at p . 3 . 1 take the opportunity of stating that amongst the fortunate possessors of "Engraved Lists" must be included the I . P . M . of No . 41 ( Bro . Hopkins ) , who owns an edition of 17 G 4 . Whenever I can trace any " waif" of this unique
series , 1 shall duly publish the fact in this column , and I may , perhaps , inquire of Bro . " Masonic Student " whether he has not one or two other " lists" besides the impression for 17 ( 12 . Possibly , also , Bro . Hughan may know who secured the specimens of the " series " dispersed at Spencer ' s great sale . R . F . GOULD .
A good deal has been said lately about Ashmole , the astrologer's meeting , an Hermetic Society , and a so-called revival in ifiSfi . I have for some time bi-en looking carefully into this very subject , ancl so far can find no trace of Ashmole ' s connection with the Rosicrucians . Ashmole was a "Freemason , " and not a member of the Masons' Company , and he also used to frequent the Astrologers' feast .
In Robert Cell ' s sermon before the " learned Society of Astrologers , August 1 st , 1649 , " in the Church of St . Mary , Alder Mary , London , called " Stella Nova , " ( a new starre , & c ) , a very eloquent sermon , by the way , I find neither in it , nor the preface , any allusion to a Rosicrucian , or even Hermetic , Society . This is three years after that Ashmole was initiated at Warrington . The preface is addressed to