Original Correspondence.

MASONIC QUERIES . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Several letters have recently appeared in the . Freemason which shew great ignorance , iu at least minor points , of the provisions of the Book of Constitutions , and in private lodges infringements of Masonic regulations

frequently occur , which can only be attributed to want of knowledge of the law . " Ignorantia juris non excusat" is a maxim well known to legists ; but I would ask whether sufficient opportunity is given for the study of the Constitutions of our Order in the many lodges which possess no more than a single copy of the Book of Constitutions , and

where that is kept carefully under lock and key , except when the brethren are at labour ? In' the last century a resolution of Grand Lodge " strictly enjoined on every candidate for Masonry that he should carefully study the Constitutions lefore his initiation . " Is it not worthy the consideration of Grand Lodge

whether it would not oe advisable to authorise the publication of a cheap edition of the Book of Constitutions , so that each lodge could afford to place a copy in the hands of each brother , at the same time that he receives a copy of the bye-laws ?

Among other and greater advantages , your valuable space , upon which I have trespassed too much , would not so often be taken up by questions which are answered beforehand by the published laws of Masonry . Yours faithfully and fraternally , ROUGH ASHLAR .

Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and Queries .

FRENCH FREEMASONRY . [ Continued from Page 78 . ] In the next issue of the Post the following brief announcement is made , " The King forbids the lodges , " and of date April 26 , 1737 , it is noted that "there are spread about at Paris copies of an apologizing letter , written by a Freemason . He says amongst other

particulars ' that the things imputed to the disadvantage of the brotherhood obliges him publicly to undertake the defence . That the views the Freemasons propose to themselves are the most pure and inoffensive , and tend only to promote such qualities in them as may form good citizens and zealous subjects , faithful to their pri nee , to their country , and their friends That the name of

Freemaion is far from being an insignificant title ; that the duty it prescribes to those who bear it is to endeavour to erect temples for virtue and dungeons for vice . ' ' He adds , that he is by no means afraid of violating the secret imposed on him in publishing that their principal design is to restore to the earth the reign of Astrea and to revive the time ol Rhea . ' He assures ' the fair that

the whole brotherhood is full of respect and veneration for them , but that these sentiments are not exempt from fear , and that even this same fear obliges the Freemasons to exclude their sex from their assemblies . ' He concludes in this manner : ' This exclusion ought by no means to provoke the indignation of those who are the objects of it . To prevent such an effect , they need only to recollect from

whom Adam received the apple . Sad present ! Since had it not been for that fatal apple , Adam would have remained the first Freemason . '" A collection of the various attacks on Freemasonry at home and abroad , from 1720 to 1750 , would prove especially interesting , but can not now be made excepting in parts , for many have doubtless long ceased to exist ,

pamphlet literature being generally of very short duration . Many of the early " exposures " and manuals published in France and Germany early last century furnish information on many points of value , and especially as to the general work in the lodges , and the absence of all degrees but the three first . Then , as time rolls on , other degrees are gradually added , and the character of the

Third is vastly altered . But , to continue the extracts , we furnish a few more clippings , September 13 , 1737 . —Versailles . — "The Lieutenant-General of the Police at Paris has published an order against the assembly of all unauthorised societies , and laid a fine upon the master of an ordinary for suffering a lodge of Freemasons to be held at his house . "

In thi so-called " Secrets of Masonry , by S . P ., " London , 1737 , is printed the " Paris letter of January 13 , 1737 , " which purports to be " the secret of the Order of Freemasons and the ceremonies observed at the reception of members , " and which is reprinted in the St . James Evening Post , with the date from Paris of January 3 , 1738 , O . S . Many of the particulars afforded arc most ludicrous ,

and doubtless intended to amuse the brethren as well as the public . There is an evident intention on the part of the author to do justice to the Fraternity ; for he makes the orator say to the candidates : " You are going to embrace a respectable Order , which is more serious than you imagine . * There is nothing in it against the law , against religion , against the State , against the King , nor against

manners . The venerable Grand Master will let you know the rest . " The editor states that the foregoing and other particulars are taken from the Utrecht Gaxctle , and if the expose be continued his correspondent promises not to fail in communicating all to the public . It is substantially the same as the Paris letter , and reads like a copy , which it doubtless is .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Cornwall.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF CORNWALL .

INSTALLATION OF LORD MOUNT EDGCUMBE AS PROV . G . SUPERINTENDENT . On Tuesday , 20 th ult ., Truro was the scene of the revival of the Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Cornwall , which assembled in the Masonic Hall , at the

Public Rooms , to witness the installation of the Right Hon . the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe as Grand Superintendent of the Province . From the very rigid reticence and exclusiveness formerly observed in the matter of Masonic records little is now known of the early history of Royal Arch Masonry in Cornwall . At present the earliest chapter held in Cornwall on the roll of the Grand Chapter of

England , the Holy Mount Chapter , 121 , held at Penzance , dates no further back than 1833 . That Royal Arch Chapters existed in Cornwall at a far earlier date than that there is no doubt , but they have become extinct , and probably what small matters of record existed in reference to them have been destroyed by zealous companions to prevent their falling into the hands of the cowan or the

stranger . The remembrance of one still remains , the dormant Volubian Chapter , formerly held at Falmouth , which boasts an earlier date than either of the chapters now worked in Cornwall . From similar circumstances the remembrance and workings of a former Provincial Grand Chapter that did exist in Cornwall has also been clothed in much obscurity . A Provincial Grand Superintendent for

that province also existed in the person of Bro . Richard Pearce up to eighteen years since . From the death of that M . E . Comp . up to the present revival of his office no Provincial Grand Chapter has been at work in the county . The eight private chapters held in the province having of late expressed a desire to reorganise the Provincial Grand Chapter , it was the pleasure of the Grand Chapter of

England to call to that high office the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , the respected Provincial Grand Master of the province . The attendance of the companions yesterday to witness the installation was very large . Among those present , in addition to the Provincial Grand Superintendent designate , were the following : Excellent Comps . L . P . Metham , P . G . H . of Devon ; Sir F . M . Williams ,

Bart ., M . P ., P . Z . 1066 , Past G . S . N , of England ; Col . J . W . Peard , P . Z . 1151 ; R . H . Rae , P . P . G . J ., Devon ; W . Joll , P . P . G . 1 st S . ' ard Treas ., Devon ; the Rev . J . Ross , vicar of Tywardrealh , P . Z . n si ; the Rev . Dr . E . 1 . Treffry , P . Z . 1151 ; E . T . Carlyon , P . Z . and Treas . 331 ; Bedford ' Kerswill , P . Z . 1164 ; F . W . Dabb , P . Z . 1006 ; W . Tregay , P . Z . 1006 ; W . Tweedy , G

P . Z . ^ 1 ; . Kerswill , P . Z . 1164 ; W . H . Jenkins . P . Z . W ; N . J . West , P . Z . 4 S 0 ; J . Baxter , P . P . G . S . Devon ; W . Coad , P . Z . 1164 ; R . A . Courtney , P . Z . 510 ; J . McLean , P . M . ^ 1 ; W . Guy , P . Z . 49 6 ; ] . Niness , P . Z . 1006 ; T . C . Stephens , P . Z . 1151 ; J . Hill , P . Z . 1164 ; J . Coombc , Z . 450 ; E . Aitken Davies , P . P . G . Reg . Devon ; J . H . Fifmcr , P . Z . 258 ; J . W . Chegwidden ,

Z . 510 ; A . Davis , Z . 1151 ; W . Lake , J . 331 ; G . Barnes , H . 1164 ; C . Truscott , jun ., Z . 49 6 ; John Crossman , J . 1164 ; J . P . Smith , H . 450 ; F . H . Pool , J . 450 ; R . G . Bird , J . 70 ; H . Elliott , II . 1151 ; Comps-H . G . Colvillc , S . E . 1151 ; H . F . Crebcr , Firsts . 1146 ; A . Luke , Second S . 49 ( 1 ; W . Thorn , S . N . 510 ; T . J . Smith , S . E . 49 6 ; J . F . Childs , S . E . : io ; J . Pool , S . E . 450 ,

Jno . Stephens , P . P . S . 1151 ; W . H . Wright , P . S . N . 510 ; J . Beaglehole , Past S . N . ^ io ; J . Harris , P . P . S . 510 ; J . P . Creber , P . S . 1164 ; J . J . Taylor , First S . 450 ; J . Rawlings , 1 st S . 1164 ; R . Broad , S . N . 1164 ; J . H . Ferris , S . N . 331 ; H . S . Hill , P . S . 223 ; the Rev . G . L . Church , E . 1006 ; W . Lidgey , 1006 ; W . Rowe , r r 5 x ; F . B . Williams , 1151 ; T . 11 . Lukes , 49 6 ; Jno . Kempthorne ,

1164 ; T . Oliver , jun ., 331 ; R . Carter , 331 ; J . Thomas , 1006 ; J . F . Hooper , 1006 ; S . Jacobs , H . Bale . Business commenced with opening the Prov . G . Chapter , under the presidency of the following Principals : —Ex . Comps . L . P . Metham , Z . ; Colonel Peard , H . ; N . J . West , J . ; E . T . Carlyon , acting as S . E . ; W . Tweedy , P . S . ; It . Johns , A . S ., and P . G . D . C .

Ex . Comp . L . P . Metham expressed his pleasure at the large attendance at the convocation , and congratulated the companions on the reconstituiion of the P . G . Chapter , and on the able companion that had been called to preside over it as Prov . G . Superintendent . He was sure it must be a pride and pleasure to them at the excellent appointment made by the Grand Chapter in selecting the

Earl of Mount Edgcumbe . Great and very gratifying benefits had been conferred on the Craft Grand Lodge of the province by his appointment at the head of that body , and he felt they would _ welcome his lordship with much cordiality on his new ' appointment , and fully recognise the kindness 011 his part as it deserved in coming to preside over the chapter . The arrival of the Earl of Mount

Ldgcumce in the ante-room was then announced , and his patent of appointment sent in to the chapter . Ex . Z . directed the patent to be read . Comp . Richard Johns , acting as Master of the Ceremonies , read the patent , which was duly accredited by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , G . F . P . ; the Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , G . H . ; the Right Hon Lord deTabley , G . J . ; J . Hervey , G . S . E . ; the Rt . Hon .

Lord Donoughmore , G . S . N . The following companions were then appointed a deputation to conduct his lordship into the chapter—W . J . Johns , F . W . Dibb , G . Kerswill , and J . C . Stephens . On the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe entering the chapter he was very warmly received . Ex . Z . L . P . Metham asked his lordship to allow him , before he proceeded to the cererrony of the installation , to

congratulate him personally on his preferment and the province on receiving as thtir ruler one who , both by precept and example , illustrated and adorned Freemasonry . Ex . Z . said he was also commissioned to convey to his lordship the sincere congratulations of the illustrious chief and the companions of Devon . He ( Lord Mount Edgcumbe ) had already shown as P . G . M . that he possessed a

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Cornwall.

generous spirit , more prone to be gratified by guiding the judgments and winning the affections of his brethren , than he would , could such a power be given him , by exercising a despotic influence over their lives and fortunes . To all the companions the Grand Master above had entrusted talents , to some more and to some less , for which , at His coming , He would call them to a reckoning . To his lordsh ip more

than to most He had committed great and precious talents , which he was confident he would not bury in a napkin , but would employ to His glory and the benefit of his fellow creatures , more especially the great talent about to be committed to his care . His lordship received that honourable distinction at a time when the priesthood of a church hostile to the Order were every day with increasing

virulence fulminating anathemas against Freemasons as materialists and atheists . Be it his caie , from his public conduct and his private life and by his teaching , to give the most appropriate and dignified contradiction to such a calumnious and unfounded charge . Ex .-Comp . Z . then proceeded t- > point out to his lordship the sublime character of the degree , in the working of which he was about to be

placed in such an office of trust . It was , he said , the climax of Freemasonry , intimately blended with all that was near and dear to them in another state of existence . It was founded on the name which was above every name—the name of that great Deity , who was from all eternity , was now , and would be one and the same for ever—the Eternal Ruler of the universe . The base of

the Masonic system rested on the earth ; its intermediate steps were clear and defined ; its summit reached the heavens . When the just and upright brother who has moulded his life according to the sacred dictates of truth , who has practised charity in thought , word , and deed towards his fellow men , who had cultivated his intellectual powers to the benefit of his fellow creatures and the glory

of God , at the close of a well-spent life , on the brink of the grave , which was about to receive him into its cold bosom , he quailed not , but . relied on the merciful promises of his Creator and Judge . When death had thrown his sable mantle around him then would the clouds be rolled back from the summit of the ladder , and the faithful brother would be brought face to face

with Him whom he had obeyed in life and trusted in death . The R . A . Degree was a pillar of daily admonition and instruction through the intricate winding of their mortal existence , and only left them when they entered those eternal mansions where the true secrets of Masonry should be revealed , never again to be concealed or Jost . All Masonic degrees , unless dependent on the R . A . Degree ,

weakened as moral teachers , and were deprived of their most solemn , vital , and instructive character . They would be like the fruit described in the Eastern fablebeautiful and tempting to the eye , but stony and cold to the touch , and bitter as ashes to the taste . Had the Soul no aspirations breathed into its inmost consciousness that it should never perish , the creed of the heathen sensualist

" Let us eat and be merry , for to-morrow we die , " would be the best philosophy and the easiest rule of life . The R . A . Degree was , however , still but a link—although the most precious link—in the golden chain which bound in mutual dependence the various parts of their whole system together . If the teachings of the R . A . Degree were carefully followed , it would be learned that no more acceptable

service or sacrifice could be offered to a beneficent Creator than to look beyond the narrow limits of particular institutions , whether civil or religious , and to behold in every child of Adam a brother of the dust . When the various members of the human family were relieved in their hour of need , irrespective of nation , language , creed , or colour , then honest Masonic work was done . " He prayeth best

who loveth best all things , both great and small j for the dear God that loveth us has made , and loves them all . " Let them diligently use the working tools of the R . A . Degree ; with the sword let them fight for the weak against the strong , for the true against the false , the good against the evil ; with the crowbar let them demolish the strongholds of pride , prejudice , ignorance , and superstition ;

with the pickaxe let them bury the rubbish of the body of the old Adam ; with the shovel let them clear away the ruins of a fallen nature which impeded the erection of a new structure , fitted for the reception of truth , and' virtue , and wisdom ; with the trowel let them every day add a white and perfect ashlar to the new temple which , though alas ! only too slowly , was gradually and certainly rising

to cover the whole earth , to embrace and fold within its ample courts all people , nations , and languages , and to be fitted with the name , the glory , and the honour of the Great I Am . At the close of the eloquent address of Ex . Z ., which was impressively delivered and warmly applauded , he proceeded to the installation of the Prov . G . Superintendent

designate . The beautiful and imposing ritual of the Order for the occasion was delivered by Ex . Comp . Metham with marked effect , in a manner that did great credit to himself and the adjoining Province of Devon , of which he is the P . G . H . At the close of the installation , The Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , on assuming the chair

of Z ., expressed the thanks of himself and the chapter to Ex . Comp . Metham for his kindness in coming down to Truro to do what he had so ably and impressively done that day . For the kind sentiments expressed by Ex . Comp . Metham , and the cordial good feelings and congratulations , he was deputed to express on behalf of Most Ex . Comp . Huyshe and the sister Province of Devon their very

grateful acknowledgments . He was sure Ex . Comp . Metham would take no offence at his regretting that Most Ex . Comp . Huyshe was not able to attend that day to perform what he would , however , say could not have been better performed than it was . His lordship then referred at some length to the merits , origin , and antiquity of the R . A . De : gree . A certain period had been pointed out by some persons as likely to be that at which it was instituted .