Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The ' Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Corre & pondeiitt THE "DEGREE" OF INSTALLED MASTER

TO THE BDIIOB OP THE J ? IiEE 3 IASONS' -MAGAZINE AND MASONIC jriBEOB . Dear Sir and Brother , —I deeply regret that my worshipful brother , " H . H . " has also misunderstood my last week's letter , of which fact he will he convinced by a careful re-perusal . So far from having accused him of a want of bravery , I said that he

" combined the wit of Falstaff with the clever bravery of a Moreau , " by having so ably conducted his retreat from an untenable position , and , without insulting his understanding , I endeavoured to pay a sincere though humorous respect to acknowledged merit . With this explanation , I trust that he will

see my remarks ( so fa ; as they concern him personally ) , in quite another light , and instead of upbraiding me with having so far forgotten my duty and position as to have endeavoured to make him " appear ridiculous , " he may recognise in himself another

illustration of the truth , that persevering worth must be ultimately honoured as well as appreciated . Yours fraternally , P . M .

MASONIC REFORM . TO THE EDITOR 01 ? TEE HlEEMASONs' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIHEOH . Dear Sir and Brother , —The universality of Masonry is a fact readily admitted by the Craft , seeing that it is a nattering testimony to its

principlesas-, well as an illustration of its advantages to the fraternity . It is also one of those pleasant egotisms , which , proceeding from a conscious self-respect , may be indulged in with propriety ; and , being true , though its repetition may he somewhat amusing , it cannot he offensive . It is not less our dut y than our

interest to remove anything which interferes with this universality , as well as to encourage everything which tends to its development . Owing to a variety of causes , but chiefly to the disunited action of grand lodges , the universal diffusion of Masonry has so many serious qualifications in practice , as to almost

neutralise the benefit of extended association . Foremost amongst these is the pernicious custom of com pelling the payment of joining fees not only by brethren who hail from other jurisdictions , but also by those joining another lodge ' of this Constitution . The amount is to some a considerationbeing generall

, y about two guineas in the former , and one in the latter case , and , as this is sometimes a punishment of worthy brethren who have been reduced in circumstances by misfortune , the impost is hi ghly dishonourable . But it is the principle to which I call special attention . This is unjust in the extremewholly opposed to the

, teachings of Masonry , and degrades the lofty dignity of our cause into the sordid avarice of a mercenary traffic . After an initiate has paid all fees and contributions due to his mother lodge , what moral

righthas any lodge to demand another entrance fee on admitting him to membership ? Is not the mere assumption of such a right in itself an insult to Grand Lodge under whose charter both these lodges work ? These questions apply with increased significance to a Grand Lodge , as a segment in the great circle of Masonic unity . Bad and unjust in principleit may

, be reasonably expected to produce disastrous results , and , like all other prohibitory legislation , damages the cause which it is intended to protect . This is amply verified in the gradual increase of non-affiliation , of which joining fees are the fruitful source . In seaport towns it is especially observable . One which

I visit occasionally contains a lodge with a small number of members , who , in all respects are a credit to the Constitution , while outside there is a very large number of non-affiliated Masons hailing from various jurisdictions , who would become members if it were not for the joining feeswhich they look upon as an

, insult as well as an extortion . Cannot Grand Lodge be induced to take some early action to mitigate the evil , and also , by an arrangement with the Grand Lodges throughout the world , establish a system of reciprocal freedom , so that the production of a certificate from any regular Grand Lodge—endorsed by

the lodge of which the foreign brother is a working member—shall entitle its possessor to full privileges , if elected a member of any lodge . Such a work would well become the morning star of Grand Lodges , which while thus reflecting its lustre , would prove that it still dispenses the glorious light which in bygone days illumined the remotest corners of the earth .

In my previous letters I have advocated liberty ; m the present one , I deprecate licence ; and of both it is theprovince of good government to take cognizance . From both points of view the careful observer will see many things objectionable , which mar the prospects in proportion to its general beauty . We may therefore congratulate ourselves that a reform in this

respect has been inaugurated by the appointment of a Ritual Commission of Past Masters , audit is hoped that the result of their labours will secure uniformity and do credit to their abilities . Many well-known and honoured names already grace the list of members , which fact may be accepted as an indication that the

days of one long-standing abuse are numbered . As a subject of such primal importance merits the utmost extension , I would urge the propriety of putting forth every effort to secure the co-operation of all Grand Lodges , by inviting a Masonic Convention of their accredited representatives , for the purpose of securing

the great desideratum of an international ritual . By some this may perhaps be considered Utopian and visionary , but so far as my experience in foreign jurisdictions is concerned , I am convinced that the Masonic world is not only educated but impatient for such a movementand which , if suggested by the

, Grand Lodge of England , would meet with a hearty response . It is certain that we are great losers b y the present narrow-minded system of isolation , and , not the least of its ill consequences are that while it cramps the usefulness of the worthy and accomplished , it opens a wide field of speculation to the dissolute

and unworthy . Yours fraternally , FIAT LUX .