Original Correspondence.

a " Knight of Shota , " " Adept of Truth , " who thus forgets the unceasing duty of a Freemason—careful consideration for the feelings of another ? You will say , I fear , that you know , as I can read , many instances daily where Freemasons in print are sometimes the most reckless of writers , and the most uncharitable and intolerant of controversialists . But I would fain hope , dear Sir and Brother , that there are in

our Order very many , like myself , who deplore such a proof of the weakness of our own professions , and the hollovyness of our own theories of brotherly sympathy and goodwill . I believe , indeed 1 know , that Bro . Yarker is an able writer , and a Freemason who has read and studied much , and , therefore , I should not have troubled you with my short letter had 1 not feared that this , to me , pernicious

example of a " ready pen , " and of a " Masonic author , " might haVe an evil effect on many of our younger brethren , who , when they rush into print , write oftentimes impetuously , impulsively , and excitedly , without measuring their words , or remembering the need always of " self control . "

I need only remind you of some letters which appeared a short time back relative to that melancholy blackballing case , and vvhich so startled some of us by their tone and temper as to warrant both my hasty remarks and my imperfect letter . With many apologies , 1 am , yours fraternally , SCOTUS .

A LORD MAYOR'S MASONIC BANQUET IN 1 S 02 . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In view of the recent Masonic Banquet at the Mansion House , the following extract from the Gentleman's Magazine for June , 1802 , describing a somewhat similar entertainment may be deemed of sufficient interest to warrant reproduction . Yours fraternally . A PAST MASTER .

MONDAY , MAY 24 . A most splendid entertainment vvas this day given at the Mansion House by the Lord Mayor to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , and the brethren of the Britannic Lodge of Freemasons . After the lodge had been opened in the Egyptian Hall by the Prince , as Grand Master , attended by the greater part of its members , the company

were conducted by a band of music into an adjoining apartment , where dinner was served up , consisting of the greatest delicacies of the season , and decorated with many appropriate emblems of Masonry , tastefully designed , and correctly executed . On each end , and sides , of the table were six ornamental dishes , formed of a variety of Masonic hieroglyphicks . In the centre was placed a large Masonic Temple of white and gold , six feet high , raised upon eight elegant pillars ,

supporting a light dome , and glory , with Masonic arms . Adjoining to it vvere two large globes in a line with four marble pillars , upon which were the letters J . and B . suspended . On their base were figures representing Faith , Hope , and Charity , with the Sun , Moon , and Stars , and other emblems of Masonry connected together , with the Prince's plume as Grand Master ; the arms of the Britannic Lodge , and a scroll recording its motto ,

" Nil desperandum , auspice Teucro . " The smaller and other ornaments were equally well arranged , and not only gratified those who were most learned in the Craft , but also others who were unacquainted with its mysteries , and had been permitted to see the tables . Among the noble personages who partook of this Masonic

feast vvere the Swedish Ambassador , Earls Harrington , Moira , Mountmorris , Sirs Hyde Parker , Hayes Macnamara , S . Lushington , L . Darell , Colonels Stewart , Porter , Harnage , the two Sheriffs ; Messrs . Hesletine , Marsh , Meyrick , Harrison , Ommanez , Shum , Wilkinson , Dawes , Galloway , Grenfell , Cassell , Blackmail , Barnard , and others .

SWIMMING BATHS . To thc Editor of thc "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I am glad to find that our VV . Bro . Col . Creaton is " fuljy alive to the importance of " the establishment of a swimming bath at Wood Green for "Our Boys "—but ,

reversing-the old proverb , I say— what is good for the Gander is also good for the Goose "—will he also think of " Our Girls ? " I vvill gladly subscribe to both . Yours , faithfully and fraternally , MAGNUS OHREN . Sydenham , S . E .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

THE QUATUOR CORONATI . If iray interest Bro . Gould to know that in a fine copy of the ' Aurea Legenda , " printed 1496 , the "Quatuor Coronati , " Severus , Sevcrianus , Corpophorus , antfVictorianus , are said to have been " canonized" by Pope Melchiades , and ordered thenceforward to be called " Coronati . " Pope Melchiades , or Miltiades , lived at the end of

the third century , vvas elected Pope A . D . 311 , ( early in the fourth century ) , and died A . D . 314 . Thus the " Legend " is really a tale of the third century , or earl y fourth century legend—a very respectable antiquity . Diocletian , it will be remembered , abdicated the Empire in 305 A . D ., and died in 315 A . D . In the legend the four faithful Craftsmen are ordered to be cast into the " sea , " ( Mari ) , not into the "Tiber" as it generally runs .

THE RITE SO-TERMED OF ANTIENT AND PRIMITIVE MASONRY . As a good deal of discussion has lately arisen relative to this " Rite , " now working in England under the appellation "Antient and Primitive Rite , " I think that a few " notes" anent it may be seasonable and suitable for the Freemason . There is no Rite , however , in the iSth century vvhich bears that name , and , therefore , it is in its

nomenclature of 19 th century formation . There was a " Rite Primitif des Philadelphes , " or "Rite Primitif de Narbonne , " but that is now absorbed in the Grand Council of the Grand Orient of France . The so-called " Rite Primitif Ecossais" of Namur , is clearly only in its entirety of 19 th century formation , probably from 1818 to 1820 . It is possible , I think , that some such so-called Rite existed at Namur , towards the end of the last century , but only composed of a few grades , either of "Perfection "

Masonic Notes And Queries.

or the like . Indeed , strictly speaking , there is no legal use that I am aware of of the term "Antient and Primitive Masonry , " and no rightful claim to it except as a " good name" per se before this nineteenth century . For the so-called " Antient and Primitive Masonry " as it is now practised mainly at Manchester under Bro . Yarker , who is its chief exponent in this country ,

seems to be a combination of the alleged Rites of Memphis and Mizraim , and a reduction , as is well-known , of the original Ninety-seven Degrees of Memphis and Ninety of Mizraim to Thirty-three in America , about 1 S 65 , and this is it which is now worked from the " Sovereign Sanctuary of Antient and Primitive Masonry . " The Rite of Memphis is said to have been established at

Montauban in 1 S 14 , though this fact is doubted by many Masonic writers . The Rite of Mizraim is said to have been founded at Milan in 1 S 05 , and introduced into France also in 1 S 14 . Great doubts exist also as to it . Indeed , it seems most questionable how far either " Memphis " or " Misraim " deserves the title of a " Rite " at all . The legend of Memphis of " Ormus , " & c , is really too

absurd and unhistorical for criticism ; and if Memphis has any connection with Egyptian Masonry , it is quite overlaid by the nonsense of its numerous and meaningless Grades , clearly all of modern terminology . Under what circumstances Sam Uonis founded it , or who he was , or

where he got his ritual from , no one has ever affected to tell us ; even Marconis , its great champion , is reticent on all such points , and probably wisely . " It is because it is , " seems to be his position . I have looked into his entire works , ( 1 fear a sad waste of time ) , and can find nothing that vvill either stand the test of historical criticism or

serious investigation . I do not profess to see how it is a " Rite " properly socalled , or much less how it can be metamorphosed into " Antient and Primitive Masonry , " as it is clearly not "Antient , " and certainly not " Primitive . " In fact , the appellation is a misnomer . You vvill remember I am only speaking as a " student , " with facts and notes and books

and MSS . before me . The Rite in England is based , ! believe , on a " charter " given to Bro . Seymour , signed , in 1 SO 2 , b y the younger Marconis , at Paris , and confirmed , it is alleged , by a charter signed by Marshal Magnan , and countersigned by | Bros . Heuillant and Thevenot , in 1 S 62 , also at Paris .

There has been some controversy on this head , but these documents have been formally published , and I presume are authentic . Looking at t ie whole question very calmly and carefully , I confess that I cannot , for one , look upon the history of Memphis anel Misraim as either satisfactory or trustworthy . What does Bro . Hughan think about the matter ?

MASONIC STUDENT .

CURIOUS OLD BOOKS . There is a curious little astrological work of tCOS , called "Observationes Astrologicrc" or " Edlin ' s Conjunctiones . " It is written by Richard Edlin , and published by J . VV . for B . Billingsly and O . Blagravc , at the sign of the Printing Press , in Broad-street . My copy is a rough ,

dirty , lillie one , much used and carefully read . Its price has varied from 5 s . lo 7 s . Od . I mention this to point out how very difficult it is to mice such books as these . Here is a curious looking , small , badly-bound book , which seems to be worth is ., and yet is assunicdly worth even at its common market price a good deal more . To some astrological adepts and collectors ils value would be high .

M . S

" The Last Will and Testament of Basil Valentine , & c , " is now somewhat rare . It vvas published in 1 G 71 , and is a purely alchemical work , dealing with the " Philosopher ' s Stone , " nnd the transmutation of metals . There is no mention in it of the Rose Croix Fraternity . M . S .

One or two errata in last week ' s issue require notice . '" Explicatios , " in "Curious Old Books , " is , of course " Explicatio . " "Eminic of Idleness" is the " Enimie of Idleness . " M . S .

Literary, Art And Antiquarian Notes.

Literary , Art and Antiquarian Notes .

Gold and silver work in the South Kensington Museum is to receive a valuable addition of copies , the fruit of a journey to Russia by Sir Philip Cunliffe Owen and some of the officials , to inspect the collections in the Imperial Palaces , and the treasures of churches and monasteries . The contents of many of these are not shown to the ordinary public , but the Museum authorities have been allowed to

obtain copies of about 250 interesting objects , ranging from goldsmiths' work of early Greek art exhumed at Kertch , through medi .-eval times , to English plate of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries , and pieces of French art of the Louis IV . period . These' facsimiles are exceptionally valuable for provincial and branch museums , either as loans

or purchases . The Aihenmiim says that a new volume of ballads and other rhymed poems by Mr . Tennyson will be published by Messrs . C . Kcgan Paul and Co . during the present month . It vvill contain various "English Idylls " and poems in the northern dialect , after the manner of "The Northern Farmer . "

The Atlicnccuin announces "The Letters and Memorials of Cardinal Allen " ( 1532-1594 ) . It vvill contain all the letters of Cardinal Allen which are obtainable , as well as letters addressed to him , and other documents calculated to illustrate his life and actions . They are

principally derived from the archives of thc Vatican , of the English College at Rome , of Stonyhurst College , and of Simancas , as Well as from the Public Record Office . There will be an introduction by Father Knox and a complete index .

Mr . R . B . Knowles having concluded his final report to the Historical MSS . Commissioners on Lord Denbigh ' s family papers , has been actively occupied during the year with a preliminary survey of Lord Ashburnham's MSS ., the results of which vvill , it is hoped , shortly be made public . Old Matured Wines and Spirits . —J . E . SHAND & Co ., Wine Merchants ( Experts and Valuers ) , 2 , Albert Mansions , Victoriastreet , London , S . VV . Price lists on application . —[ ADVT . ]

According to the Academy , Messrs . Triibner and Co . will shortly publish " Dr . Appleton—his Life and Literary Relics , " by John H . Appleton , M . A ., late vicar of St . Mark ' s , Staplefield , Sussex , and A . H . Sayce , M . A ., Fellow of Queen ' s College , Oxford , and Deputy Professor of Comparative Philology . Considerable works have lateW been in progress

in the interior of the National Gallery . The floor of the Wynn Ellis Room has been relaid with oak ; the pictures have been temporarily placed in an adjacent gallery . The students practising in water colours now work in the Rembrandt Room . Many of the English pictures bave been

advantageously re-arranged . M . Charles Yriarte has commenced the publication of a work on Florence , which will be for the city of the Medicis what his book on Venice is for that famous city of the sea . It is to be brought out in the most luxurious style of French art , and vvill contain over 500 engravings .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

A second Masonic Lodge is to be opened at Winchester , where Economy , No . 7 6 , has for more than a century past done , and continues to do , a good workamong other things glorying in having abolished supper as necessarily a part of Masonic work , and , therefore , disassociating it from Masonic subscriptions and accounts . The new lodge , while making the 33 rd in Hants and the Isle

of Wight , and adding to the unwieldiness of Bro . W . VV . B . Beach's province , is to be called after William of Wykeham , and Bro . Everett , P . M ., is to be its first Master . The original intention vvas to hold it at the George Hotel , but there being a Masonic Hall in the town , and some objection under these circumstances being raised in high quarters to granting the warrant , the Masonie : Hall has accordingly been adopted as the place of meeting .

Bro . Nelson Reed , P . M . 1601 and 167 , H . 1572 , was elected Worshipful Master of the Carnarvon Lodge , 1572 , at its monthly meeting at the Albion , Aldersgatestreet , on Saturday last . His installation will take place on the 4 th prox . The Graphic of last week contained an illustration of the Masonic banquet at thc Mansion House , with H . R . H . the Prince of Wales and the Lord Mayor at the table .

Bro . William Nicholas , F . R . G . S ., delivered his lecture , " On Kindness to Animals , " illustrated b y anecdotes of dogs , to the children of the Fatherless Asylum , at Reedham , on Monday evening last . Judgment in the Worcester election petition was delivered on Thursday week . Lord Justice Lush and Mr . Justice Manisty held that the allegations against the return

of Mr . Rowley Hill , and Bro . Mclntyre , Q . C , Grand Registrar , the Liberal members for the city , had failed in every particular , and dismissed the petition with costs . We are p leased to note that Bro . Robinson , P . M . of the Lodge of Integrity , 163 , Manchester , who has held the mayoralty of the borough of Salford for two consecutive years , has been offered , and accepted , that

honourable position for the third time . Our readers will learn with regret that Edith Annie Beanchamp , daughter of Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson , Past Grand Chaplain , died on Thursday week last , the 4 U 1 inst . Bro . John Derby Allcroft ( Hon . Secretary ) has placed in the hands of Messrs . Barclay , Bevan , and Co .,

to the credit of the Bishop Ryle Testimonial Fund , the sum of £ 1250 . We regret to hear that Lady Monckton has sprained one of lier feet . Although not attended with any danger , the accident will , of course , produce inconvenience and pain . Wc understand that in consequence of the illness

of his mother , Alderman Sir Francis VV . Truscott will not make his contemplated tour in the Australian colonies . It is proposed that a portrait of Bro . Alderman and Sheriff Fowler , M . P ., should be painted for the purpose of being placed in the City Carlton Club , of which he is the chairman . Bro . Alderman Ellis has sent Mr . Dereuth , the Secretary , a donation of five guineas in aid of the funds of

the City Orthopecdic Hospital . Bro . Whichcord delivered the inaugural address to the Royal Institute of British Architects on Monday . Bro . S . C . Hall , for forty-two years editor of the Art Journal , in retiring from that post , has issued to his friends " a respectful , an earnest , a grateful , and an

affectionate farewell . In it he says : " I shall not be altogether idle , though I may ' rest from labour' before a final removal . From ' the loophole of retreat , ' ' To see the stir Of the great Babel , and not feel the crowd , ' 1 shall have ease and leisure to complete a work on which I have been some years engaged , Recollections of a Long

Life . Thc will of Bro . Samuel Snell , Past Grand Deacon , has been proved under £ 30 , 000 . Bro . Frederick Binckes , Secretary of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , vvill preside at the eighteenth annual dinner of the United Waiters' Benevolent Association at the Holborn Restaurant .

Bro . Sir Charles Lcgard , Bart ., has written to the papers , asking thebenevolent public to raise the sum of £ 5000 , which vvill be required to meet the calamities of the late storm on the East Coast from VVhitby to Bridling ton Quay , and to provide for the fatherless children and widows .

Tne installation meeting of the Earl of Carnarvon Lodge , No . 1 ( 142 , took place on Thursday last , at the Ladbroke Hall , Notting-hill . Bro . Samuel Smout was installed VV . M . A report of the proceedings will appear in our next . An interesting review of the most prominent events during the Mayoralty of Bro . Sir Francis Wyatt Truscott , jun ., Grand Warden of England , appeared m tne City Press of Wednesday last .