Multum In Parbo; Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

a | so the inscription . The supporters arc in all probability beavers , though they might do for a mild form of leopard . Bros . E . S . and T . F . think the Bible ( or a book ) is represented on the reverse , and not an hour-glass , as I fancied , fhey may bo correct , but really it almost docs for either equally well . On the rim of my coin is " Masonic Token , 1 . Schichley ,

Fecit , 1794 ' " ' Y f ° rmer communication the prefix it I" to Schichley was omitted . Bro . Colonel Burdett ' s issue has " Masonic halfpenny token " on the rim , whilst tlie one alluded to by Bro . E . S . has " Halfpenny , payable at the Black Horse , Tower Hill . " It is evident , then , that the inscription on the rim of the different issues of the token varied according to the fancy

„ f the customers who ordered them , and so we may take it for granted that virtually all the coins refer to but the one orig inal , with slight variations . The size of the one in my possession is exactly one inch and one-eighth in diameter , and weighs a mere trifle over a quarter of an ounce . Although II . R . M . the Prince of Wales was elected Grand Master 24 th Nov ., 1790 ( as the inscription on the token

states ) , the installation did not take place until 2 nd May , I 7 ' J ' The arms on the obverse were those adopted by the Grand Lodge of England ( "Moderns" ) until A . D . 1813 , when , the " Union" being consummated , the United Grand Lodge of England has since been distinguished by a blending of the arms which severally distinguished the " Moderns " and " Ancients " before that period . W . J . HUGHAN .

SIR CHRISTOPHER WREN A " FREEMASON . " I do not see any reason to doubt the fact that Sir Christopher Wren was a " Freemason , " and that his admission occurred on May 18 th , 1691 , when Aubrey stated it was to take place . There does not , however , appear to be any evidence of Sir Christopher Wren ' s connection with the Lodge of A

11-tiquity prior to 1720 , and even if the three candlesticks were presented by him to the lodge in 1675 , it is not at all likely such a presentation was made during his presidency , tor his initiation ( or adoption ) was not to take place until 1691 .

Sir Christopher Wren may have made the gift to the Master or President of the lodge in 16 75 , who may have officially taken part , with other old lodges , at the laying of the first stone of the cathedral , or he may not . In the absence of the evidence , our speculations are of no value . W . J . HUGHAN .

ALPHA AND THE "SUSSEX LODGE , " -1841 . Cannot " Alpha " communicate a few more particulars as to the lodge about which he desires information . Was it called the " Sussex Lodge , " and did it meet in Kensington Palace ? If so , why refer to the Sussex Arms . I shall be happy to search any calendars in my possession , and will communicate the result , provided I have some certain data to go by before commencing the search . ? XV : J . HUGHAN .

Review.

Review .

" The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite . " Illustrated . By Bro . J . T . LOTH , P . H . Dr . We have received this handsomely got up book with much pleasure , and looked through it with much interest . For those who belong to the A . and A . Scottish Rite , as it is called , this work will be a sort of vade mecum , as regards grades and blazonries , Bro . Loth must have taken

the greatest pains in its preparation and publication , and we are pleased in the interest of archaeology , and of all that tends to illustrate and adorn the somewhat barren path of the literature of the Craff , and of the high grades , to note the fact , and to commend this work to the approval and patronage of our many readers . All such efforts we think deserve encouragement which serve to prove even to the

outside world , too ready to scoff at Masonic literary enileavours of any kind , that whether it be in respect of Craft Masonry proper , or what may be fairly termed the Christian Grades , we have amongst us those whose Masonic knowledge , and whose archaeological attainments , are worthy of much admiration . Wc therefore , heartily welcome Dr . Loth ' s book , and we trust that , unlike Masonic

litterateurs generally , he may not experience the result of many Masonic sufferers in the cause of literature , discouragement , apathy , and loss . Wc trust to hear " au contraire " that his " labour of love " has been a thorough success . One point , in the interests of Masonic history and correct aicha ? ology , we wish to call attention to . Of course the " Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite , " though very

interesting to its own adepts , ought not , and indeed cannot , » e looked upon as a representative of Freemasonry proper . '' is in fact a system of its own , modern as regards date , and purely Christian as opposed to the universal teaching ^ Craft Freemasonry . At present it consists " thirty-three degrees , but was previously of twenty . five , and first of all—if the " Rite

Ecossais " is the child of the Chevalier Ramsay ' s fertile imagination—three , Scotch Master or Scotchman , the Novice , and the Knight of the Temple , which may be peri l's called the "Rite de Bouillon . " The Rite de Bouillon is Probabl y of date about 1728 . The present French Rite Jrossais is nearly analogous " nominatim" with the "Wish Rite , though why it is called the Scottish Rite we

-now not , as until Ramsay's manipulations no one had '' ' « heard of the "Rite Ecossais , " or of the "Rite Ancien , " or '' the" Maconnerie de Perfection , " which were all supposed ° "e , as a French writer puts it , " grades originaires Minbourg . " Various attempts have been made from ™ fc 'o time to reduce the " Rite Ecossais . " Le Chevalier St . Martin is said to have reduced it to ten degrees , and

Review.

another form of it 13 composed of seven , the last four being Ancient Master , Elect , Scotch , Kailosh . The Rite Francais , " ou rite modernc , " which may be said probably to date from about 1786 , consists of seven grades , the three Craft , anil Elect , Scotch , Knight of the East , and Sovereign Prince Rose Croix . But the basis of all these rites is our ancient

Craft system , more ancient than any other , and whether those brethren were right who , not content with the Spartan simplicity of ourforefathcrs , grafted these mediaeval , mystic , and Knightly grades on to the old parent tree , must be left to the individual judgment of the educated and expert Freemason . As a literary effort we congratulate Bro . Loth on his work . " W .

Royal Masonic Benovolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENOVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The Committee met at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , nth August . Present : —Bros . Major Creaton , Chairman , H . G . Warren , 1 ! . Spencer , J . A . Farnfield , J . G . Stevens , A . 11 . Tattershall , L . Stean , W . Stevens , James Brett , S . Rawson , Griffiths Smith , I . Newton , Thomas

Cubitt , W . Hilton , Prof . Erasmus Wilson , and Jabez Hogg . The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed . The Wardens' Report stated that the entertainment kindly voted at the last meeting was held on the 30 th ultimo , and gave great pleasure to the inmates assembled . The death of two annuitants was reported . The

Chairman was authorised to sign cheques for payment of annuities due ist September . One candidate was placed on the list for election in May next , and permission was granted to an annuitant to reside in the Asylum at Croydon . Votes of thanks were accorded to Bro . Griffiths Smith , for drawing up agreement , and to the Chairman .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The General Committee of the Subscribers to this Institution met on Saturday last , at Freivtasons' Hall , Bro . J . G . Chancellor , V . P ., in the chair . The other members of the Committee then present were Bros . Henry Browse , Benj . Mallam , John Symonds , Richard Spencer , S .

Rosenthal , W . Roebuck , W . F . Moutrie , H . Dubosc , J . W . Dosell , Hyde Pullen , George J . Palmer , and F . Binckes , Secretary . Bro . Binckes announced that the result of the late festival was a list of subscriptions amounting to £ . 7 ° 4-It was then resolved that £ 500 be transferred from the

General to the sustentation account , and the chairman was authorised to sign cheques for house bills amounting t °£ . 775 3 - 3 d . One petition was afterwards accepted , and the Committee then adjourned .

Poetry.

Poetry .

WHAT MASONRY IS . Walter Scott well defines Freemasonry when he says : It is the secret sympathy , The silver link , the silken tie , That heart to heart and mind to mind , In body and in soul can bind .

And Prior , who said : It is like the ladder in Jacob's dream , Its foot on earth , its height above the skies . Diffused in its virtues ; boundless in its power ; 'Tis public health and universal cure , Of heavenly manna , ' tis a'second feast , A nation ' s food , and all to every taste .

MASONIC EPITAPH : — Be this alone my epitaph , When life has closed its span , " Beneath this stone a BROTHER sleeps Who loved his fellow man . "

" There is a world where all are equal , We are hurrying towards it fast—We shall meet upon the Level there , when the gates cf death are past ; Wc shall stand before the Orient , and the Master will be there , To try the blocks we offer , with His own unerring square .

" Let us meet upon the Level , then , while labouring patient here ; Let us meet and let us labour , though the labour be severe ; Already in the western sky , the signs bid us prepare To gather up our working tools and part upon the

square . " Michigan Freemason .

SONNET . O ' er Nature free , ' mid her green hills and plains , Or link'd to art in gardens neatly trim'd , The wild bee , golden-strak'd and hairy-limb'd , With ceaseless joy and ceaseless toil and pains , A pleasing task , embraces close and drains

The deep contents of flow ' r-cups honey-brim'd . Nor quits his hold of each bright chalice rim'd With glowing hues till not a drop remains . His is a jocund , yet a busy life , That workman blythe , the devious-roaming bee , Nor with one health glad pledg'd , though largely rife

With heav ' n ' s nectareous sweets , content is he . But like a bard he all the smiling day . In endless feast of Nature ' s charms doth stray . M . GORDON

Masonic Tidings.

Masonic Tidings .

The Fifteen Sections will be worked in the Union Waterloo Lodge of Instruction en Friday , the 27 th of August , by Bro . David Ruse , P . M ., at the Masonic Hall , William-street , Woolwich ( not at the Earl of Chatham as previously announced ) . The lodge will be opened at seven o ' clock sharp .

An alarm , which threatened serious consequences , took place in the Pavillion on Hastings Pier , a groundless cry of fire having been raised . By the presence of mind of Bro . Marriott , the conductor of the band , the fear of the visitors was allayed , our brother quietly sitting- down to the piano , and thus arresting the attention of the alarmed people .

A PRESENT FROM THE QUEEN TO THE BRIGHTON AQUARIUM . —A gigantic turtle , from the Island of Ascension , weighing over 3 cwt ., has been presented by the O-ueen to the Brighton Aquarium . It is considered the finest specimen ever seen alive in this country . It will be exhibited in a temporary tank in thj Central Hall during the preparation of a tank for its permanent reception .

Friday , 6 th inst ., being the birthday of Bro . the Duke of Edinburgh , was observed at Windsor with the customary honours . His Royal Highness was born at Windsor Castle on the 6 th August , 1 S 44 . Tuesday night ' s Guxette contains an announcement of the promotion of Bro . the Duke of Connaught of the ; th Hussars from the rank of captain to that of major , with seniority from that day .

The Earl of Rosslyn , of Easton Lodge , Essex , acting as representative of the Manor of Walthanistow , has succeeded the late Mr . E . Warner , M . P ., of Higham Hall , as a vice-president of Forest School . The circulation of the Bible in Turkey has now been authorised by the Porte ,

The Lord Mayor has left London for the vacation . The Earl of Carnarvon has left town for Cowes , and will take a short cruise in his yacht . THE VISIT or THE PRINCE OF WALES TO INDIA . — " According to present arrangements , " says the Times of India , " the Prince of Wales will , after remaining in

Bombay for a short time , go on to Ceylon and thence to Madras . From Madras the Prince goes by sea to Calcutta , and , as it has been arranged that he is to arrive there on Christmas-day , there will be a considerable interval to dispose of in the neighbourhood of Madras . Probably Bongalore will be visited , and Mysore elephants hunted ; and

it may be that Hyderabad may be looked in upon . Preparations for the forthcoming visit are also being made in Calcutta . The East India Railway Company aro constructing a royal train to consist of five carriages , one of which is to be a State reception saloon , one a sleeping carriage , two carriages for the staff , and one for the

personal attendants of His Royal Hi ghness . The reception saloon and sleeping carriage are being furnished and upholstered in a very elegant style . Extensive alterations and improvements are also being effected at Government House . The Public Works Department are busily engaged renovating the whole building , and making

alterations where needed . A suite if apartments in the S . W . wing are being fitted up especially for the Prince ' s private use , the old throne is to be replaced by an elegant structure , the drapery of which will consist of the finest crimson velvet trimmed with gold and emblazoned with the Royal Arms . It appears that the Nizam's Government

are making preparations on [ a munificent scale for the reception of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales at the capital of the Deccan . Very costly furniture has been ordered through a European firm in Madras , to grace the Royal Banqueting Hall to be fitted up for the occasion . "

The Bomlaij Gazette says : — " Now that the day has been fixed on which the Prince of Wales may be expected to land in Bombay , the leading native gentlemen of the city evince considerable interest in the coining event , and there can be no doubt that the reception of His Royal Highness will be very cordial . "

Dairy Gravitation Water Works.

DAIRY GRAVITATION WATER WORKS .

LAYIXG THE FOUNDATION STONE WITH MASONIC HONOURS . Monday , the 2 nd inst ., will henceforth be regarded as a red letter day , and one that will not soon be forgotten in the . history of the parish . The day was one of autumn ' s loveliest , and the occasion of the demonstration was the laying of the foundation stone of the Gravitation Water

Works at Wee Auldmuir , near to the Auldmuir Burn , in the valley between the first-named place and the Baidland range of hills . Monday being "St . Margaret's Day , " which is sn annual fair holiday , the public works were closed , and the inhabitants , in holiday attire , turned out

en masse to witness the ceremony . The members of Dairy Blair Lodge , 290 , joined by deputations from Mother Kilwinning , Royal Blue ( Kilbimie ) , and St . John ' s ( Kilmarnock ) , assembled in the lodge-room , and proceeded thence to the more capacious F . C . school-room previous to forming into marching order . [ A detailed account of the proceedings will appear in our next . ]