Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

HIGHRODIAAIS , FORINS , & c . Bro . Alarsden carries this inquiry beyond the range of historical criticism . "Highrodiams , " I apprehend , were wayfarers or brethren from the high road . The word Forin—there spelt Farren —\ s explained in " Herbert ' s

Companies of London . " Forrens , in the old City Companies , vvas used to denote non-freemen , and no doubt in the Lodge of Industry a like expression ( idem saltans ) was employed to distinguish brethren who were not free of the guild . As to " Doma-skin "—Otterv ?

F . GOULD

HIGH GRADE MASONRY . [ We publish this note instead of a letter , but think it right to observe that what was shuck out was , in the opinion of the Editor , un-AIasonic , and that the writer ' s theory that the Ancient and Accepted Rite had anything to do with the excision is a pure delusion . The Editor only acted editorially . ]

I would have replied fully to " B . B . " ( . with your permission ) , but have just contributed such an article as that which he names to the new edition of Bro . Jeremiah How ' s "Illustrations of Freemasonry" ( John Hogg and Co . ); there , side b y side , " B . B . " will find a full description of both the Ancient and Accepted Rite and thc Ancient and Primitive Rite . I write with some diffidence , because to

mention this seems like availing myself of your hospitable columns to advertise a book , in which , however , I have no interest , except to thank the publisher for giving me seventeen pages of print , and hence to reproduce the article would be scarcely fair to him . I notice that a paragraph , which vvas a little eulogistic , has been struck out from my A 1 S ., and I attribute this to the revision it has undergone

from the Ancient and Accepted Rite authorities . However , the publisher has treated me very fairly , and the book will be out in a week or two . A good deal of misunderstanding exists in regard to the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Alemphis of ninety-six Degrees ( reduced to thirty-three in 1 SG 5 ) , arising from the following circumstance , which I ought to have mentioned in the article above alluded to , and a great

deal of confusion has arisen , as will be seen upon reference to your "Kcnning's Cyclopaedia . " It had no settled system of Degrees , and this is explained by the following extract from our history ; yet I cannot conceive that the circumstance vvas any real disadvantage to the Rite , but the reverse , as it gave a chance of making new additions from time to time . Hence we have given permission to our

chapters , senates , and councils to work such other Side Degrees as they may desire , if in accord with thc old system : " In 1770 the 'Primitive Riteof Philadclphesof Narbonne ' vvas established . To this Rite thc ' Ancient and Primitive Rite of Masonry ' refers for the origin of its principles and form of organisation . The regime was formed of three classes of Alasons , who received ten Degrees of instruction .

These Degrees and classes were but nominally limited to ten , as the instruction thereby could be extended to an infinite number of grades . The lirst chapter of Rose Croix possessed and fixed the Alasonic culte and the veneration of a throng of worthy brothers ; thc second chapter of Rose Croix was the repository of curious documents , upon which the Order based its instruction ,- the third chapter

occupied itself with all Alasonic knowledge , physics , and philosophy ; the fourth , and last , chapter studied assiduously all thc so-called occult and secret sciences , their special object being the rehabilitation of intellectual man in his primitive rights . " Personally , I am glad that you have closed the animated discussion which has arisen respecting the supposed antagonism of thc different Rites .

These heated argumentations are productive of no good either to one or the other . Our Rite is now firmly established , and can afford to work its way unostentatiously—the Ancient and Accepted Rite had made its position ycars ago—henceforward let us agree to differ . No gootl can come of the Ancient and Accepted Rite attacking us openly , and secret attacks aro only the resource of cowards and assassins ; it is not to our interest to

attack the Ancient and Accepted Rite , and we shall only do it in self-defence . Our charters were granted by France upon the condition that we should live in comity and brotherly love with all Rites practising similar Degrees , and even admit them to our meetings , if worthy . We shall still continue to follow out thc instructions thus given , and hope thc Craft will give us credit for the desire to " do unto others as ye would they should do unto you "¦—the grand maxim of our Rite , as well as of all civilised nations .

JOHN YARKER

LODGE OF SORROW , PHILADELPHIA . I think it may interest your readers to know that Bro . Charles E . Meyer , 33 , of Philadelphia , has , with his accustomed kindness and thoughtfulness , sent mc the ceremonials of the Lodge of Sorrow , held in Gothic Hall , at the Masonic Temple , Philadelphia , in especial remembrance of John Aladison Porte , 33 ° , on the 211 th November

last . It would appear that the arrangements , both in a Masonic and musical sense , were exceedingly perfect . The Lodge of Sorrow was presided over by Bro . Anthony Eugene Stocker , AI . D ., 33 , Deputy for Pennsylvania , as VV . Al ., supported by Bros . James Shallcrnss Barber , 33 , and Josiah Frank Knight , 32 , as S . VV . and J . W . Previous to the opening of the lodge , the band , under the direction

of Bro . F . VV . Alills , assisted by Bro . George Bastert , performed Chopin ' s " Funeral Alarch , " and on the entrance of the brethren a selection from " Moses in Egypt . " The lodge having been fully opened , the chant of " Thy will be clone" was rendered , when the Chaplain , Bro . Andrew Robeno , 33 ° , offered up a prayer , succeeded by Kuckcn's beautiful double quartette " Rest , " upon which the VV . AL

delivered an appropriate address , succeeded by an adequate rendering uf PleyeTs Choral Music , and in the intervals of the solemn service succeeding it , the orchestra performed portions of Geissler , Mozart , Dohlman , Beethoven , and other composers . 'The ceremonies were admirably

conceived and carried out , and reflect great credit upon our brethren in Pennsylvania generally , and Philadelphia in particular . 'The closing ceremonies especially seem to impress upon the minds nf the survivors the solemn truths connected with the Alasonic institution and its ancient derivation . KENNETH K . H . . MACKENZIE .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE . I would observe , in repl y to " Alasonic Student , " that the action of the Grand Orient in regard to ATorin asserts a positive and decisive authority to remove him from his office , which would scarcely have been assumed unless Grand Lodge possessed a legitimate authority for the purpose . At the same time "Alasonic Student" raises a point which is vcry interesting as a matter of history , and I

regret time will not allow me to examine the matter thoroughly . On the face of the minute of 17 GG it would seem that Lacorne had squared his difficulties with the Grand Lodge , and that they had assumed possession of his Rite ; but there may be another explanation . According to my memoranda the Rite oi the " Empire of the East and VVest" was promulgated in 175 S , whilst that of the Rite of Perfection ( both said to be of 25 ° ) was started at Paris in

1754 . Is it possible that this latter , being the system advocated by the Grand Orient , they protested in 1766 in this manner against the innovations of Lacorne and Morin ? This seems the most feasible explanation . As to the rival claims of Corneau and Gourgas it may be , as " Alasonic Student" states— "Satan reproving sin . " The newlyorganised Cerncaux Council states positively that the

Gourgas Council was a split from theirs , without authority or warrant . I advised them , simply as a matter of history , to publish their documents , and it was promised—indeed , my correspondent offered to send them to your pages . When the indictment appears the jury may find a Haw in it ; but from what little I do know of the history of the individual members my opinion is against Gourgas , but 1 care little as to which of them is right .

JOHN YARKER

CHARTER OF COLOGNE . —This document has been the subject of much animated controversy , all too long however for our limited pages . It has had its supporters and its impugncrs , and the general voice of past rind contemporary criticism is unfavourable both to its genuineness and its authenticity . Its history is now so well known that it appears to be almost a waste of time and space to repeat it here , the more so as , having considered all the evidence

pro and con most carefully , both as regards its history and its actuality , wc have come to the conclusion that it is a fictitious document , and really therefore critically and evidentially valuless . On three points especially the gravest doubts exist : ist , the existance of the Lodge termed " Hct Vredendall ; " 2 iidly as regards its warrant said to be written in English ; and 3 rdly as regards the roll of the members of this supposed Lodge from 1510 to 1601 . If

these statements are untrue absolutely , the greatest Sus . picion rests on thc document itself , on the well-known principle of law and evidence , that if one portion of the testimony be entirely untrue , the remaining portion is tainted by the original falsity . The charter which accompanies the other two documents therefore ^ lies under very great suspicion , despite thc apparent circumstantial statement of the attestation of Bro . Wasenaar von Opdam , mentioned by

Mackey . Thc "Handbuch" changes the names , and states that the signaturcof the letter , which Alackey mentions was a child of V . J ., was N . C . geb V . T ., from Rotterdam , and supposed fo be not the daughter of Van Jeylinger , but Van Teylinger . Some also stated that Van Botzelaar had received the document from Wasenaar , and had desired a trusty person to deliver them fo Prince Frederick of the Netherlands in 1 S 2 G , which , as we know * , took place . But

on the whole the extemal and internal evidence are both un favourable fothc document , and we believe it to be a "fraus pia , " and reject it as a portion of Alasonic evidence , or as a Alasonic document of any real value . It appears to us to be a documect which has arisen out of the high grade complications of thc latter part of the last century . Its supposed Jesuit origin we must unequivocally re ' iect , as an utterly untenable and visionary theory . — Kcnning's Masonic Cycloptrdia .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

FRANCIS BURDETT CHAPTER ( No . 1503 ) . —This chapter met at the Albany Hotel , Twickenham , on Wednesday , the 24 th ult . Among those in attendance were Comps . Gama , P . G . S . B . Aliddx ., AI . E . Z . ; T . C . Walls , P . G . D . C . Aliddx ., acting II . ; VV . Taylor , J . ; VV . H . Saunders , S . E . ; Rushworth , P . S . ; Harrison , Janitor ; and others .

Thc ' minutcs of thc previous convocation having been read , the ballot vvas taken upon behalf of Comp . R . Thrupp , P . Z ., & c , as a subscribing member , and it proved to be unanimous . The election of the Three Principals then took place , and resulted in favour of Comps . Thrupp , Taylor , and Rushworth . Comps . Walls and Saunders were elected as Scribes N . and E ., and

Comp . Harrison was re-appointed Janitor . The revised bye-laws were read , and ordered to be printed . Ten propositions for exaltation liaving been handed in , the chapter was duly and formally closed , and the brethren partook of refreshment . The toast of " Thc Queen and Royal Arch Alasonry" liaving been proposed and loyally honoured , thc companions shortly afterwards separated .

LIVERPOOL . —De Grey and Ripon Chapter ( No . 135 G ) . —This most prosperous and popular chapter held its usual meeting on Wednesday , evening the ist inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Hooper-street , where there was a very large attendance of members and visitors . Comp .

J . VV . Chapman , ALE . / .., was in his place , and amongst others present were Comps . R . Alartin , H . ; B . B . Alarson , P . Z . ; J . L . Houghton , P . Z . ; Hesketh , Woolrich , Squire , Shrapnel ) , Courtenay , and others . Bros . Boyd , Penney , Rickland , Swift , and AlacKen / . ie were duly exalted , and thc officers for thc ensuing year were elected .

INSTRUCTION . METROPOLITAN CHAPTER . —The usual me-ling of this chapter was held on Tuesday , tbe 30 th ult ., at the Jamaica Tavern , St . Michael's-alley , Cornhill , and , as usual , was numerously attended . Present : Comps . Le Feuvre , Z . ; Landeui , IL ; R . Payne , J . ; Pennefather , N . ; Dottridge , P . S . ; Brown , Preceptor ; Wood ,

Blootnfield , Wyer , Macdonald , Alandwell , VV . Fraser , J . S . Fraser , Duncan , Edwards , Powell , Abell , Thompson , ( Freemason ) , antl others . 'The ceremony of exaltation was rch- 'arseil , Comp . Gillard being the candidate . The whole ceremony was gone through in an almost faultless manner , all the Principals being well up to their work , and there can be no doubt that this chapter offers advantages to young

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch Alasons seeking instructions that are not to found elsewhere , and Comp . Brown , the talented Preceptor , is at all times most painstaking in his efforts to make others _ as perfect in the ritual of Royal Arch Alasonry as himself . At the conclusion of the ceremony , Comp . Suan , of the Granite Chapter , 132 S , and Comp . Cubbans , of the Gladsmuir Chapter , 13 S 5 , were unanimously elected members of this chapter of improvement . The chapter was then closed in due form , and adjourned until Tuesday evening , Dec . 7 , at half-past six o'clock .

Aucient And Primitive Rite.

Aucient and Primitive Rite .

ROSE OF SHARON SENATE K . H . P . ( No . G ) . —The meeting for the installation of officers of the above senate , for the ensuing year , vvas held at the Senate House , 77 J , Bishopsgate-street Within , on Tuesday , the 16 th ult . The ceremony was most ably and impressively performed by the Grand Sec . Gen . of the Rite , R . 111 . Bro . James Hill , 33 , P . M . W ., P . S . G . C , as the representative of the V . 111 . Grand Alaster of Light for the Province of

Aliddlesex . The following is a list of the officers for the year : III . Sir Knt . William Stephens , 32 ° , P . AL , P . Z ., Sub . Grand Com . ; 111 . Sir Knts . Henry Stephens , 31 , P . AL , and Edward Harrison , 31 , Sen . and Jun . Knts . Interpreter , respectively ; 111 . Sir Knt . John H . Southwood , 32 ° , P . AL , P . Z ., K . T . of Eloquline ; " ill . Sir Knt . VV . J . Aleek , 31 , W . M . M . 1 G 9 , Knt . of Finance ; III . Sir Knt . J . H . Peach , . - , 0 ° , Knt . Recorder ; 111 . Sir Knt . A . P . Little . . 10 ° , Knt .

Marshal ; 111 . Sir Knt . Thomas Sims , 30 ° , Knt . Archivist ; III . Sir Knt . R . Marshall , 30 , Knt . of Introduction ; and 111 . Sir Knt . G . C . Young , 30 , VV . AI . S 20 , Organist . The senate was opened and closed in the Degree of Knt . Grand Inspector , ( 20 ° ) . The brethren subsequently partook of a cold collation , served in the Ante-room , at which the Sub-Grand Com . gave thc usual loyal and A . and P . toasts which were heartily responded to .

Literary, Art, And Antiquarian Notes.

Literary , Art , and Antiquarian Notes .

A Geographical Congress and Lxhibition are to be held at Venice next September . The Academy regrets to hear that Mr . Walford has ceased to be connected with the Antiquary . A portrait by Titian of Isabella of Portugal , wife of the Emperor Charles V ., has been found hidden away in one of the corridors of an old German castle .

AN UNKNOWN PROSE WORK BY GOETHE—a " Singspiel " —has been discovered by Professor Arndt , of Leipsic , and will shortly be published . The Louvre has acquired from thesale of theHis de la Salle collection a fine marble bust of a child , the work of some unknown artist ofthe fifteenth century ., A complete edition of the dialect poems of Mr ,

Benjamin Preston ( who is sometimes styled tbe Edwin Waugh of Yorkshire ) is in press . Messrs . \ V . H . Allen and Co . will publish early in January the first volume ( concluding with the fall of tlie Yuen or Mongol Dynasty ) of a " History of China , " by

Air . Demetrius Charles Boulger . The fourth edition , issued last week , of the "Coalfields of Great Britain , " by Air . Edward Hull , has been largel y rewritten , and includes a nc */ chapter on thc carboniferous plants , by Professor Williamson , of the Owens College .

Mr . Charles Marvin , the author of " The Disastrous Turcoman Campaign " and " Grodekoff ' s Ride to Herat , " has completed this week a new volume entitled " Alcrv , the Queen of the World , and the Scourge of the man-stealing Turcomans . " In the Albertine Collection , at Vienna , there is a sketch-book , made by Jacques Callot when collecting

the materials for his panoramic picture ofthe "Siege of Breda . " This is to be published by Aloriz Thausing with fifty heliogravure facsimiles . Lord Lindsay lias presented to the Wigan Public Library a collection of about 100 volumes relating to Freemasonry , and including books in English , French , German , Portuguese , Spanish , and Italian . Amongst them are the

Templars Chart of Jeremy Cross , printed at Ncwhavcn , in Connecticut , in 1821 , ai . d other rare works . A catalogue is in preparation . VINE DISEASE . —In the Italian Chamber of Deputies , on Thursday week , Signor Toscanclli , thc distinguished

entomologist , declarcd that American mildew was more destructive to vines than the phylloxera , and that it had spread very considerably in Italy . Signor Aliceli stated that the best S 3 * stem for stopping the spread of phylloxera vvas in every case to completely destroy the vines in which thc insect was found .

The Athenteum states that M . Henri Reber , a distinguished French composer and theorist , died in Paris on the 24 th ult ., at the age of 73 . He was a native of AIulhouse , in Alsace , and studied music at the Conservatoire in Paris , where for several years past he had been one of the professors of composition . The list of his works includes five operas , four symphonies , several instrumental quintets , quartets , trios , besides various songs , pianoforte pieces , Sic . He also published a treatise on harmony .

Messrs . C . Kegan Paul and Co . have in thc press "A Guide to the Study of English History . " The first part , which is by Professor S . R . Gardiner , consists of a sketch of the social and political progress of the country , in which special attention is directed to the growth of those new ideas which have from time to time exercised the most marked influence on the development of the nation . The second part , which is by Air . J . Bass Alullinger , is designed

to furnish a concise , critical account of the original sources , and also of the best modern authorities , for our knowledge of successive periods—particular attention being given towards assisting the student to discriminate the comparative value of different writers , and the considerations which serve to qualify our estimate of their impartiality and credibility-The object of thc whole -vork is to meet the requirements of those who , having already gone through the ordinary handbooks , are desirous of making the history of thei r country the subject of more thorough and systematic study .