carried to a small hut. Putting a tin box into the captain's hand, the officer said, "Receive this, it may save your life, although it cost my brother his; he was executed for desertion, and on the day of his execution he gave me the contents of that box. Good-bye, brother, heaven protect you."-It may be observed that the box, although it contained no masonic secrets, proved of the highest interest to the captain. FIDUS. GENEROUS LIBERALITY On the part of Bro. Hobbs towards a Brother Mason in distressed circumstances. In our volume for the year 1844, pp. 347, 348, we were requested to solicit the contributions of the benevolent and humane in augmentation of a collection then being made to alleviate the distress of Bro. James Gardner and his family, formerly of the Greyhound Hotel, at Croydon; and we are now enabled, through the kindness of Bro. John Chrees, P. M. 200, P. P. G. D. Surrey, the acting trustee of the fund collected, to state that the total amount of the sums received is as follows, viz.— Concert, 88/. 108. 10d.; Grand Lodge, 107.; Surrey Lodges, 231.; other donations, inclusive, amounting altogether to 4447. 38. 10d.; from which sum a small annuity has been purchased for Mrs. Gardner, at the cost of 1957. 2s. 6d. The remainder of the noble contribution has been advanced to aid Mrs. Gardner in her exertions to maintain the family. The concert, conducted by Bro. Hobbs, Grand Organist, realized, as it will be seen above, the sum of 887. 10s. 10d., exclusive of the value given by John Blake, Esq., Bro. H. Gray, Edward Westall, Esq., Bro H. Overton, and Messrs. Collard and Co., in fitting and improvements in the arrangements, &c., of the concert room. This musical entertainment was liberally and generally patronized by the nobility, gentry, and principal traders of the neighbourhood, and also by the resident members of the Craft, including those of the Frederick Lodge of Unity, No. 661, and the East Surrey Lodge of Concord, No. 680, to both of which lodges Bro. Gardner had been a subscribing member. Amongst the distinguished patrons of the concert, may be mentioned, Bro. the Earl of Caledon, and the officers on duty at Croydon Barracks, the Countess of Eldon, Captain the Honourable Plantagenet Carey, the Honourable Mrs. Plantagenet Carey, Sir Edmund and Lady Antrobus, and family, Sir Henry and Lady Bridges, Henry Kemble, Esq., M. P., Edmund Antrobus, Esq., M. P., Mr. and Mrs. Manbert, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Reid, Bro. J. W. Sutherland, and family, Bro. Newman Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Keen, &c. Bro. Gardner's case was one of peculiar difficulty as regards his claim to admission either into the Asylum for Aged and Decayed Freemasons, or on the books of the Annuity Fund, inasmuch as he had not been a sufficiently long time a Mason to qualify him for participation in the advantages of either of these institutions. His youngest child was also too old for admission into the Girls' School. We are glad, however, to announce that Bro. Gardner, through the persevering exertions of his friends and neighbours at Croydon, has been appointed by His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, in whom the patronage is vested, to one of the vacant rooms in the Hospital of the Holy Trinity at Croydon, of the foundation of John Whitgift, Archbishop of Canterbury; the emoluments of which appointment are, a room to live in, nearly twenty shillings per week in money, with an ample supply of fire-wood. We sincerely wish our brother health and happiness, and long life (although he has already seen his sixty-fourth summer) for many years to enjoy himself in his new abode. In conclusion, we would repeat what we urged in our former noticefor thy poorer brethren, "Go thou and do likewise." THE MASONIC CHARITY JEWEL. We have great pleasure in being able to congratulate the Stewards and Past Stewards of the Masonic Charities on the reduction in the price of the Charity Medal, which Bro. Evans (who has succeeded the late Bro. Burckhardt as manufacturer) has, with his usual liberality, reduced from 31. 13s. 6d. to 31. 38. It has always been a subject of complaint that the charge was excessive, and credit is accordingly due to Bro. Evans for having reduced the charge. We cordially wish him success. us TO THE EDITOR. Lodge, Jan 22, 1849. SIR AND BROTHER,-At our initiation into Freemasonry we are all of exhorted to devote a portion of our leisure hours to the study of such of the liberal arts as may lay within the compass of our attainment." (See Preston's Charge, 1st degree.) It is on this account that I have devoted a few of my leisure hours to the following subject:Can the pound sterling be decimally divided by our present coins? If it can, how may it be done? What will it cost, and what use will it be? : I must first acknowledge that the more I have read upon the currency question the less I know about it, and for my present enquiry it is sufficient to take the money of Great Britain as I find it; it is then, one gold sovereign, or pound sterling, 4 crowns, 8 half-crowns, 20 shillings, 240 pence, 960 farthings. By the present division of the pound there are 960 farthings, 1920 half-farthings. Now let us divide the pound into 1000 parts and 2000 half parts, the coins will represent the parts of the pound as under€ 1000 parts Gold coin.. one sovereign . half sovereign one pound sterling five shillings 250 half crown two shillings & sixpence 125 . penny piece 5 halfpenny farthing. half farthing 5 It is evident, on looking over the above, that the pound sterling may be divided decimally by our present coins, and that the gold and silver coins will be of the same value as compared with a sovereign as now. The copper coin will be increased in value-one penny will be the two hundredth part of a pound, instead of being, as it now is, the two hundred and fortieth part, so that there will be a loss to some one upon the copper coin. The silver will not alter in value; for three pence, the lowest silver coin, if it contain twelve and a half thousand parts of a pound, is still the eightieth part of a pound, the sixpence, shilling, &c. are also the same; the only loss then will be upon the copper. Now if it was all called in by the inspectors of weights and measures, and the penny pieces were stamped by them with a five, and then put into circulation again, the two pence in the shilling gained by government would pay the inspectors' wages, for they would of course take them in at twelve for a shilling, and pay them out again at ten; the halfpence and farthings would be at the same rate of profit to the government; and the only silver coin which would have to go out of circulation entirely would be the four penny piece. I dare not trespass too long upon your space, but will just try one question by both methods. Any other question in arithmetic would be just as much simplified as the above, and in a week every merchant or merchant's clerk would be able to tell without any (even to himself) perceptible attempt at calculation, how many thousandth parts would be equal to any sum under one pound sterling. I am, respected Sir and Brother, yours faithfully, FORWARDS. TO THE EDITOR. London, Feb. 2, 1849. SIR AND BROTHER, -Would you be so good as to inform me, if it is in accordance with the rules of masonic heraldry, for a lodge to assume supporters to the coat of arms the members thereof may be pleased to adopt for a seal? Are there any particular regulations bearing on this subject, and if so, where are they to be met with? I remain, Sir and Brother, yours fraternally, R. H. W. [The Book of Constitution recognizes a lodge seal, which of course the members as such may fairly avail themselves of.—En.] TO THE EDITOR. 11, Weston Place, King's Cross, Feb. 16, 1849. SIR.-I beg to say that you have given a very accurate account of my visit to Birmingham, and its results, at the end of which you have appended the following: "It is due to Bro. S. B. Wilson, now the only surviving pupil of the late Bro. Peter Gilkes, to acknowledge that it is by his continuous exertions, and great practical masonic knowledge, that the Emulation Lodge of Improvement, that bulwark of English Freemasonry, has been sustained and protected: and that among his numerous pupils Bro. Honey has proved himself true and trusty."-ED. Bro. S. B. Wilson cannot be the only surviving pupil of the late Bro. Peter Gilkes, as I had the honour of being a pupil of his twenty-two years ago, and continued so up to his death; there are many other surviving pupils of that giant in Masonry. I never had the honour of being a pupil of Bro. Wilson's; I had the pleasure of making, passing, and raising him. By correcting this little error in your next, you will much oblige your most obedient servant, WILLIAM HONEY. TO THE EDITOR. 9, Tap Street, Cambridge Road, Bethnal Green, March 4, 1849. SIR AND BROTHER,-From circumstances connected with the emancipation of slavery, also the East India charter being repealed, myself and other branches of my family, who were possessed of extensive property on the island of St. Helena, are reduced from affluence and high respectability, unavoidably to comparatire indigence, and in addition to pecuniary losses suffered much domestic affliction and decline of many children, whom, after considerable cost and anxiety in educating them to move in that sphere of life, which I had good reasons to believe was in perspective; under such severe trials, and for some years being dependent upon the bounty of relations, which is opposite to my principles, I am desirous to obtain some description of employment, with that view I respectfully solicit the favour of your kindness to insert this my letter in your valuable journal, in the hope it may meet the eye of a brother who may be in want of a trustworthy servant, and one who has some little experience in business. My family being small, a wife and one son, of but delicate health, all that is left out of eight children, my expectations are moderate, as our wants are but few. I resided some years on the Continent for the benefit of educating my children, and during my stay in Brussells, I had the honour of being initiated into Freemasonry, in the Lodge of St. John of Jerusalem, in the year 1835. I am prepared with references and testimonials as to character of great respectability. I am, Sir and Brother, yours humbly and fraternally, TO THE EDITOR. FREEMASONRY IN SURREY. SIR,-Being aware that a deceased brother Mason, who "has been advanced to the degree of a Master Mason," may, under certain circumstances, and at "his own special request, be interred with the formalities of the Order," under dispensation of the P. G. M., I shall be glad to be informed, if in the Book of Constitutions of the ancient fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, any authority is given, or allowed to be given, for members of the Craft to appear at what is called a masonic ball decorated in "full" masonic costume, including "badge." Yours fraternally, A PAST MASTER. [At the Asylum balls badges are not worn, and this may be taken as very good authority.-ED.] TO THE EDITOR. SIR,-Although the case of Bro. Cooke may be considered finally settled by the decision of Grand Lodge, yet will the affair continue to occupy the minds, and be the cause of much discussion in the several lodges, as well as among the Craft in general; it will then not be unprofitable to take a retrospective view of the decision of the Grand Lodge, which inflicted upon that brother the extreme punishment any body of men can possibly pass upon one of its members, that of expelling him with ignominy from their society, thereby branding him as an individual unworthy to be in association with men of probity and honour. The brethren of the Saint Paul's Lodge admit Bro. Cooke (of course after due trials and strict examination) to their assembly, and to their banquet. The visitor is exceedingly generous, making large donations to the various charities, as well as after-dinner speeches, talking great things, and, believing himself to be in the presence of great people, is very anxious to make them believe that he is himself a very great mannothing more than an every-day specimen of frail humanity. Be this, however, as it may, a rapid succession of events bring him to an introduction to the Grand Master. The most singular part of the whole transaction is, that the Grand Master should have received him as a VOL. VII. F |