Soc. Rosier, In Anglia.

mou of tho last century , who were possessed of classical learning , and of a considerable amount of historical information , but whoso knowledge of prehistoric archaeology was very insignificant . Their theories respecting the uses of the rudo stone monuments were therefore mere fanciful speculations , and within tho last forty years antiquarian researches have proved their niter groundlessness .

Consequently , an author is now without excuso who sits at fchoir feet and accepts their teaching , when it is so easy to bo hotter informed . Upon what foundation does tho' general belief in Druids , and their religious rites and ceremonies rest ? Upon a very short passage in Caesar ' s Gallic Wars , npon a shorter passage in Pliny ' s Natural History , and on somofaint and vagno notices in later writings ; but

it is uncertain who the people were about whom they wrote . Caesar imagined they were priests and the instructors of youth ; another writer thought they were a distinct race of men ; but because Caesar states that their scholars were not to commit to writing what they were taught ; hence has arisen the assumption that they were a secret society imbued with Rosicrucian philosophy . So little , indeed ,

and so vague , is our knowledge of them and their tenets , from these sources , that somo diligent students of early history have doubted their existence , or olse come to tho conclusion that Caesar , Pliny , Tacitus , and others were as great in assumptions and as skilful in building up extravagant theories as I desire to show yon a modern writer is . Let us for tho nonco render ourselves culpable and

assume that there were Druids , and assume further that they wore Rosicrncians , what evidence is there that the rude stone monuments of the British Isles were erected by them and were connected with their mystic speculations ? None whatever . On the contrary , every atom of evidence points to a wholly different conclusion . And let it be boine in mind that the investigations which have produced this

evidence have been of the most searching nature , and have been conducted since Tolaud , Stnkeley , and company passed out of the field of literature , and before Mr . Jennings entered into it . From these researches we learn that Cromlechs are not altars , but sepulchres ; that they are burial vaults , which were once hidden from sight , because encased in earthen mounds or cairns . In the

days of Caesar they were very probably not visible at all ; and there is occasional evidence of the Romans having interred their dead in them . It is not from them , therefore , that the altar notion has been derived . We also learn from archaeological researches that many of the single monoliths , and those which are arranged in circles , had a sepulchral destination . There is no

evidence of any prehistoric structure in these islands having been orected for worship , apart from burials . There is no evidence of Stonehenge , Avebury , and other well-known circular monuments , having been set np for such , a purpose . I do not say that they have not been so used in connection with burial ceremonies , but it is a mere assumption to say that " Stonehenge , onclosing a central

mythic object or altar , —and all Druidic or Celtic remains , speak the secret faith of the ancient peoples , " because no man living knows anything about it . We may make guesses as to their faith in a future life by investigating and observing their modes of bnrial , but there is no justification of the bold assertion that they held a secret or Rosicrucian belief . There is again very good ground for

concluding that the single monoliths which abound in these isles , as well as in Brittany , and in other lands , are purely sepulchral memorials , and were not venerated stones at all . Tho Phallic theory , as applied to them , is an nntenable and extravagant conjecture . Had they been , in their origin , objects of worship , as is pretended , not one probably would havo survived to this day . Several early Christian Councils ,

during a period of 200 or 300 years , denounced venerated stones , and decreed their utter destruction ; yet monoliths remain , and , as in Brittany , in vast numbers , at a short distance only from the very centre whence one of the fatal decrees issued ( Nantes ) . In the last place , instead of rocking stones having been artificially made and being an engineering problem , it is well known that they are natural

productions . I have seen many of them , and seen somo in Nature ' s workshop in various stages of formation . The elements are always engaged in producing them in certain exposed localities , and where the rude material is favourable ; and there are places where not many years hence a new example or two may possibly bo found . I say possibly , because Nature , with all her marvellous skill , not

unfrequently fails . With her , success in this particular work is exceptional . Supposing , Aerefore , that some were already in existence in prehistoric ages , it must be a mere assnmption in any person to say now that these balanced masses were the work of man's hand , and that they were then employed oracularly . I have not said any .

thing about the theory of universal fire-worship , because I was conscious that if I could point out how faulty were the author ' s notions respecting prehistoric monuments , their origin and uses , it would suffice to break many links in his chain of illustration and argument . My remarks have extended to a greater length than I intended , and I must crave your indulgence on this account .

A Few Words On American Masonry.

A FEW WORDS ON AMERICAN MASONRY .

j N the first number of the FEKEAIASON ' CHIIOJUOLK , - * - which was issued on the 2 nd January 1875 , appeared an article under the above heading , in which , after referrin g to various matters connected with the Craft in the evr World , we expressed it as our opinion that , while there

was much in the labour of our Transatlantic brethren to disapprove of and condemn , they had many belongings which might with profit be expatiated on for onv benctit and example . But there was one point on which we desired to see light thrown . No country , it was at the

A Few Words On American Masonry.

time remarked , was more lavish of outlay on Masonic architecture ; no country more ostentatious of parade , glitter , show , and extravagance ; yet where , we asked , were tho Masonic Charities , Benevolent Institutions , Widows' Fund , Orphans' Home , and Schools ? At that

time wo left "ECHO to supply the answer , asking" Would it bo possible for an echo to reach us from across the Atlantic ? " We havo waited a long time , and doubtless there are many of our subscribers who long since thought we were wrong , for in a later issue of tho same year

( viz ., on the 20 th February 1875 ) Bro . W . J . Hughan favoured us with a letter on the subject , in which he endeavoured to disprove our statements , "hoping that his remarks would remove any erroneous impression on our mind , or on those of our readers . " Bro . Hughan

at the time ably defended the Masons of the United States , and although we were then anything but satisfied with his argument , Ave left it unanswered in the hope that sooner or later Ave should find a means of proving him wrong , or that Ave ourselves might be better informed on

the subject than , from his remarks , it Avould seem we were when AVO published our first number . Although we have Avaited nearly six years , it seems Ave have not waited in vain , for with the July number of Moore ' s Masonic Messenger , published at Detroit , the echo we asked for reaches us .

After referring to the fact of the income of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys for the present year reaching over seventy thousand dollars , the Editor proceeds : — " But why are yon always reminding us of the active benevolence of the English Freemasons ? " Because Ave have nothing of tho kind in

America to remind you of . So soon as American Masons will do something worthy of special notice , we will not only commend it and work for it , but , dying , will feel that American Freemasons have at last

begun their Avork on the true mission of Masonry . Where is the Masonic orphan you are clothing and educating ? or tho afflicted brother or his Avidow you are supporting ? " Millions for tho Triennial ; not a dollar for the Avidow , or destitnto , or orphan !"

Wo ask Bro . Hughan Avhether he noAV thinks our remarks on this subject , published in 1875 , were so far from the truth ? We do not for a moment imagine he will question the Masonic knowledge or veracity of our esteemed co-worker Bro . C . Moore , nor do wo think ho

Avill doubt us Avhen Ave assure him that we fully recognise the charitable instincts of our American brethren , but again we ask , Where are the Masonic Charities , & c , of the United States ? We trust Ave may not have to Avait

another five and a half years before AVO hear from across the Avater , and that Avhen AVC do it will not be an echo of our lament , but a shout of joy at the establishment of a Avell-organised system of Masonic relief for the aged , the widow , and the orphan .

Arch Masonry.

ARCH MASONRY .

r MHE Quarterly Convocation of Supreme Grand Chapter was held - * - at Frceinasous' Hall , on tho 4 th instant , whon among those present were—Comps . S . Eawson Z ., Shadwell Clerke E ., 11 . P . Bent P . S ., J . Creaton Treasurer , J . II . Scott S . B ., H . G . Buss Asst . S . E ., E . Letchworth P . Z ., H . G . Colville P . Z ., W . Clarke P . Z ., C . F . Hogard P . Z ., W . Stephens P . Z ., Geo . Lambert P . Z ., H . C . Levander P . Z .,

R . Murie M . E . Z . ; also Comps . Hyde Pullen , J . Nann , Fras . Robinson , J . Lewis Thomas , A . J . Dulf-Filer , S . Mullens , Robert Grey , C . W . Arnold , James Glaisher , and John A . Rutter . Tho Report of tho Committee of General Pnrposes showed that the Funds of Grand Chapter amounted to £ 3 , 370 14 s Id , aud grants were made of £ 300 to each

of the Masonic Charities . The following new Chapters were authorised : —The Chapter of Faith , Jumalpore , Bengal ; the Orpheus Chap , ter , Freemasons' Hall ; the Quadratic Chapter , Greyhound , Hampton Court ; the Carnarvon Chapter , Albion , Aldersgate-street ; the

Okcover Chapter , Privato Bf << . H , Ripley , Derbyshire , the All Saints Chapter , Vestry Hall , Fair ( is 1 -r . ad , Bow , Middlesex . Tho motion of Comp . George Lambert P . Z . Xj . 7 , "That tho Grand Chapter do moot at six o'clock p . m . iu future , in lieu of seven o ' clock as at present , " Avas carried .

Eboraeum Chapter , No . 1611 . —Tho regular meeting of this Chapter was held at York , on Tuesday evening , but owing to tho general absence from town of most of the members on holiday excursions , no exaltations were taken . A ballot was taken for a candidate , and another candidate Avas proposed ; tho Companions subsequentl y supped together . Amongst those present wore Companions T . B Whitehead Z ., J . Todd P . Z ., G . Balmford H . 236 , J . Hanley St .

Patrick ' s , M . Millington P . S ., J . Kay S . E ., A . T . B . Turner , T Humphries , and P . Pearson Janitor .

We have becu requested to announce that Tho Pen will in future be published on tho first Saturday in each month , instead of weekly as heretofore . No . 8 will appear on tho 7 th August , when the number of pages devoted to literature will be considerabl y increased , and a aerial novel be commenced .