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Article Original Correspondence. ← Page 2 of 2 Article THE PRESTONIAN LECTURE. Page 1 of 1 Article THE PRESTONIAN LECTURE. Page 1 of 1 Article Reviews. Page 1 of 1 Article Masonic Notes and Queries. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
which is now lamentably wanting . Of course , all this pre-supposes the Charities to be properly managed ; each of us takes that for granted ; but , with due submission to the powers fiat be , such a course should not be allowed ; not , let it b ; understood , that I would for a moment insinuate that any bad management exists , or that there are any cracks or leakages bv which funds may improperly
escape ; in common apparently with my fellows , I know nothing about the matter ; it is every Mason ' s business , and we are told that is equivalent to being no Mason ' s business . In affairs of this nature we should take nothing for granted , and especially should no sentimental or fraternal feeling be allowed to interfere with strict supervision and scrutiny . The noviciate is called upon to pay certain fees ,
and it is his undoubted right to be informed as to their disposal ; it should not be requisite for him to search far and wide after the desired knowledge , it should bc placed in his hands on his being raised . The diffusion of such information cannot fail in proving beneficial ' to the Craft . Until this or something of the kind is effected , we shall witness what continually happens , that many are
introduced into the Order who , when they have taken their Third Degree , feel that nothing more has to be accomplished ; their attendance at lodge becomes intermittent , and eventually their' visits cease , with their subscriptions ; having failed , through no fault of their own , to penetrate further into Freemasonry than the ( perhaps imperfectly understood ) ceremonial , and a little conviviality , which latter may have been rendered somewhat distasteful by the
absence of those conventionalties to which the noviciate has been accustomed . We deplore the loss from these circumstances of many a " good man and true , " who would have adorned a lodge , and rendered good service to the Craft . Thus far , Sir , I entreat your lenience ; if you allow me to continue my grumble , I will beg leave to trespass upon your kindness and space next week . Yours faithfully and fraternally , I . P . M . 877 .
AN OLD MASON . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — " A fact unprecedented in the annals of the Craft . " So runs a paragraph in the address presented to W . Bro . Stephen Austin at the jubilee celebration of the Hertford
Lodge , No . 403 , published in your last issue , referring to the fact that that brother had completed his 50 th year in Freemasonry , having been a continuous subscribing member of one and the same lodge . However creditable to that brother , I must demur to the word " unprecedented , " as the roll of members of Grand Masters' Lodge , No . r , shows that W . Bro . Richard Herve '
Giraud , P . G . T ., considerably exceeds that number of years continuous subscription , that worthy brother having been initiated in thelodge on the 17 th May , 1824 , served as Grand Steward in 1826 , and was in the chair as W . M . in 1829 , and has , I believe , ever since filled the onerous duties of Tnasurer . A jubilee festival was held in honour of his completing
his 50 th year of membership in 1874 , at the Star and Garter Hotel , Richmond , on which occasion a very beautiful portrait was presented to him . By your inserting this correction in your next issue you will greatly oblige , Youts fraternally , P . M . No . 1 .
[ The following appears in the IVeslern . Daily Mercury of the 4 th inst ., relative to Bro . Emra Holmes ' s letter , which appeared in our last , and which also was inserted in our contemporary . ]
TRURO CATHEDRAL AND THE FREEMASONS . Dear Sir , As a Mason , and a Cornishman , I was truly pleased to see Bro . Holmes's letter in to-day ' s issue , and felt inclinctl to shout out " Bravo , old fellow I " when I read his challenge . Surely alter this there will be among those who at Masonic gatherings wear big collars , make big speeches , and have their broad acres or big
money-making machines in old Cornwall , men who will come forward , and prove by a practical gift towards a county object that they have a fair claim to the honours they possess , and that in being Cornishmen they will not allow themselves to be outdone in liberality upon such an occasion by a brother from another province , whose connection with the county may not perhaps bc of such a permanent nature as their own . Yours faithfully and truly ,
SQUARE AND COMPASSES Nov . 3 rd , 1879 .
To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I attended Prov . G . Lodge , held at Fowey last June , and I hope to attend another . I understood that Bro . Holmes's motion was considered laudable in itself , but was simply withdrawn because il was pi-ematurc , and I for one thought so too . I believe that " not one of the
1100 Masons in this province would object to a Masonic window being erected in Truro Cathedral , and if each lodge is applied to in the usual way the application will be responded to according to the means of its members . I need not say that the Masons of Cornwall are notcnly believers in the G . A . U . T . U ., but they , although of various religious
denominations , lire so unprejudiced that they will , I verily believe , help in the erection of an edifice wherein shall be said or sut . g , " Thou art the King of Glory , O Christ , Thou art ( he everlasting Son of the Father , " until time shall be no inoici I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , M . M . Lostwithicl , 9 th Nov ., 1879 .
The Prestonian Lecture.
THE PRESTONIAN LECTURE .
To the Editor ofthe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Tbe last of the Trustees of the Prestonian Lecture was lhe late Grand Treasurer , and his death renders it necessary to appoint fresh Trustees . Before they are appointed I think a return ought to be furnished to
Grand Lodge of the names of the lecturers , and the subject matter of the lectures they delivered , with the honorarium paid in each case by the deceased Trustees . A Committee might then be chosen to draw up fresh rules and suggestions suitable to the present time , and a strong effort ought to be made to render the trust a means of benefiting the Craft at large . Prizes might be offered tor the
best essaj'S on Masonic lore and kindred subjects , and the successful one might be read on a special evening in the Hall of Grand Lodge . The arrangements might be carried out by the lodge ot the piize -winner , and the use oi the hall ought to be given free . Perhaps some of the following subjects might be chosen with advantage , and if the area from which the subjects are taken be sufficiently
wide , I am quite sure that a stimulus would bc given to Masonic research , and an interest excited in the intellectual aspect of our traditions and ceremonies which it is rare indeed to find at present : —¦ " The rise of speculative out of operative Masonry . " The operative lodges of Scotland , both before and after the foundation of speculative lodges . " The rise and progress of speculative as well as
operative Masonry in Ireland and on the continent . " The history of the other guilds in Germany and elsewhere besides the Guild of Architects and Builders , and the traces of any means which they may have taken for the preservation of trade secrets . "The influence of Freemasonry on the great French Revolution in 1789 . " The evidences of Christian dogma to be found in our
. "The secret societies of the Mahotnmedans , and of other Eastern nations .
" The secret societies of England at the present day , and their association with or imitation of Freemasonry . " The degradation of Freemasonry by its perversion to political ends , and its consequences as exemplified in France and Italy . " The list might be indefinitely extended , but enough has been given to show that subjects of considerable interest to
every Freemason he outside the threshold , which would renew the ardour of the enthusiast , and make him bless the day when he entered our ancient and honourable fraternity . The knife and fork Mason is held up to ridicule , but can any reasonable man wonder that twenty , thirty , or forty years of lodge meetings , never advancing beyond the first three steps of admission into the Order , become intolerably irksome , and the social gathering and creature
comforts come to be looked on as the be-all and end-all of Fricmasonry , instead of being considered , as they ought to be , merely accidental accessories ? I shall be unable to move myself , but will any brother put doivn a notice at the Board of Masters to appoint a Committee to enquire into the matter , and see what use can be made of the grand opportunity now offered ? dj | Yours truly and fraternally , P . G . D .
WHAT IS FREEMASONRY ? To the Editor ofthe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I have been very much interested in the able letter from Bro . Benjamin Cox , P . M ., P . Z ., on " What is Freemasonry ? " published in your paper of the Sth inst ., especially where he finds his compaiisons in the celestial
atlas , but I think he has fallen into an error when he thinks the passion flower teaches Masonic symbolism , particularly when referring to the Passion of Christ , the three nails , and the crown of thorns . If Bro . Cox is correct in his assumptions , those breth'en who are not Christians would not be able to appreciate Masonry at all , in fact would be scarcely eligible to become members of a society supposed to have been in existence hundreds
of years before the Christian Era . The universality of our institution woultl be destroyed , a foundation stone removed , and the ancient edifice would be tumbling about our ears , and soon crumble into dust . With all due respect to the opinion of my learned Bro . Cox , I think unity is strength , and is only to be retained by including all who believe in T . G . A . O . T . U . Yours respectfully , Liverpool . HENRY LYON .
THE GRAND LODGE OF MONTREAL . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I see by your issue of the 4 th inst ., you have noticed the communication of Robert Ramsey , of Orillia , to the Dispatch . But since you have published his statements I think it well to explain for the information of
your readers that we are very careful whom we admit into our lodges . It is false that we accept material from any and every jurisdiction . And we do not give the Three Degrees of St . John ' s Masonry to any one in one night , except he be a mariner , and I find upon examining the various loilge books , that there has been only one such case admitted within the last fifteen years , and that was 6 n the 2 sth of September , 1879 , when I issued a
dispensation authorising the Master of King Solomon Lotlge , No . 622 , to make Capt . Anderson , of the steam-ship Hurworih . As to the second charge , you are aware that the Scottish Constitution allows it . But again , on reference to the lodge books , 1 find there has been only one Mason made of thatagc , viz ., Bro . Russ W . Huntingdon , since graduating as a B . A . and B . C . L . of McGill University , and now one of the editors ofthe Herald , newspaper of Montreal .
The Prestonian Lecture.
Lastly , as to our making Masons for a nominal fee , your readers can judge for themselves by the following quotations , which are never reduced on any pretence whatever : —Elgin Lodge , No . 348 , that has worked here for nearly fifty years , charge 30 dollars , £ 1 ios . ; King Solomon Lodge , No . 622 , 40 dollars , £ 10 ; Arygle Lodge , No .
625 , 25 dollars , £ 6 3 s ., besides a monthly contribution for the purpose of charity , & rc . Your editorial remarks are sufficiently clear without my adding any further explanation in refutation of his charges . Believe me , dear Sir and Brother , yours faithfully and fraternall
y , GEO . A . BAYNES , M . D ., D . G . M . of Montreal , Scottish Constitution , Montreal , Oct . 27 th . THE "FREEMASON" AND "COSMOPOLITAN
CPLENDAR . " To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Will you kindly allow me through your columns to thank your publisher for a very great improvement in last week ' s issue ? The cutting of the paper is a very great convenience to those who , like myself , have their first
peep at the Freemason in the railway carriage on their homeward journey . I should like also to express my thanks for the adoption of a suggestion of mine as to the arrangement of the country lodges and chapters in provinces in the " Cosmopolitan Masonic Pocket Book , " just issued . Yours truly and fraternally , H . L .
Reviews.
Reviews .
ORIGIN OF THE LAWS OFNATURE . By SIR EDMUND BECKETT , Bart . Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge . This is a very useful and interesting little book , written by Sir Edmund Beckett with all that forcibleness of expression and clearness t . f logic , of which he is , as wc know , a
master . It deserves to be read over and thought over by us all , as probably in no print to-day are more sophistical fallacies current or more hurtful suggestions made than on this most important subject . Many paradoxes have been propounded , and many absurd theories invented in this tempting field of assumed dogmatism and infallible
pretension in successive generations , and which seem to be very popular just now . It is , however , clear to us , that when people talk so loudly and so glibly as they often do at this hour of the " laws of nature , " tec , bearing down all opponents with froth and noise combined , they certainly do not understand either what they talk about ,
or realize whither the stern logic of their own " premises " must conduct them . They need to study much more carefully such " laws" before they assert , with the infallibility of Ultramontanism , that the theories they enunciate are positive facts or objective truth to us . We
owe to Sir Edmund Beckett many thanks for a concise , clear , and masterly little treatise on a question which , for some reason just now , has great attraction for many thoughtful minds amongst us . We hope to hear that the book is largely read .
ALL THE YEAR ROUND , for November . This interesting serial is before us in much vigour . " Sebastian Strome " is very exciting , and Mr . Anthony Trollopc begins "The Duke ' s Children . " " All the Year Round " is very pleasant and healthy reading .
TEMPLE BAR . Has its usual forcible articles if not always very deep . " Probaiion" is prolonged and popular , " and " Vivian , the Beauty , " sails on with flying colours . All the other articles are very readable indeed .
SCRIBNER'S . Our old friend is , as ever , to the fore with much and varied " pabulum " for American and English minds . It is a very readable magazine , ami has few compeers , alike in its artistic illustrations and the general tone of its articles is most healthy and sound thinking .
BLACKWOOD'S . As usual very effective , vigorous , and interesting , bu is a little out of the " country " of the Freemason .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
ROYAL ARCH AT YORK . I have read Bro . Whytehead's communication in the Freemason . If he will look back to the old " Freemasons ' Magazine" for 1863 , he will find , if I mistake not , a reference to the Royal Arch Chapter minutes . Without wishing to arrogate anything to myself , both in company with Bro . Findel and Bro . Shaw , and thanks to the
kindness of the York brethren , the lamented Bro . Cowling , among others , I went over the MSS . in York sixteen years ago , and first called attention to them with Bro . Shaw and to their great value . If Bro . Whytehead has found a MS . overlooked by us , ( as well may be ) , no one will rejoice more heartily than myself , as in all my studies and searches I have always placed all I discovered at the services of my good friend Bro . Hughan antl the Craft .
A . F . A . WOODFORD . P . S . —I am at a distance from all books of reference , so can only write ' currente calamo . "
R . A . DEGREE IN YORK . All interested in the origin and character of " Royal Arch Masonry " must rejoice to see the important communication in the Freemason ol the Sth inst . as to the most fortunate find of Royal Arch records fiom A . D . 1762 , under
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
which is now lamentably wanting . Of course , all this pre-supposes the Charities to be properly managed ; each of us takes that for granted ; but , with due submission to the powers fiat be , such a course should not be allowed ; not , let it b ; understood , that I would for a moment insinuate that any bad management exists , or that there are any cracks or leakages bv which funds may improperly
escape ; in common apparently with my fellows , I know nothing about the matter ; it is every Mason ' s business , and we are told that is equivalent to being no Mason ' s business . In affairs of this nature we should take nothing for granted , and especially should no sentimental or fraternal feeling be allowed to interfere with strict supervision and scrutiny . The noviciate is called upon to pay certain fees ,
and it is his undoubted right to be informed as to their disposal ; it should not be requisite for him to search far and wide after the desired knowledge , it should bc placed in his hands on his being raised . The diffusion of such information cannot fail in proving beneficial ' to the Craft . Until this or something of the kind is effected , we shall witness what continually happens , that many are
introduced into the Order who , when they have taken their Third Degree , feel that nothing more has to be accomplished ; their attendance at lodge becomes intermittent , and eventually their' visits cease , with their subscriptions ; having failed , through no fault of their own , to penetrate further into Freemasonry than the ( perhaps imperfectly understood ) ceremonial , and a little conviviality , which latter may have been rendered somewhat distasteful by the
absence of those conventionalties to which the noviciate has been accustomed . We deplore the loss from these circumstances of many a " good man and true , " who would have adorned a lodge , and rendered good service to the Craft . Thus far , Sir , I entreat your lenience ; if you allow me to continue my grumble , I will beg leave to trespass upon your kindness and space next week . Yours faithfully and fraternally , I . P . M . 877 .
AN OLD MASON . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — " A fact unprecedented in the annals of the Craft . " So runs a paragraph in the address presented to W . Bro . Stephen Austin at the jubilee celebration of the Hertford
Lodge , No . 403 , published in your last issue , referring to the fact that that brother had completed his 50 th year in Freemasonry , having been a continuous subscribing member of one and the same lodge . However creditable to that brother , I must demur to the word " unprecedented , " as the roll of members of Grand Masters' Lodge , No . r , shows that W . Bro . Richard Herve '
Giraud , P . G . T ., considerably exceeds that number of years continuous subscription , that worthy brother having been initiated in thelodge on the 17 th May , 1824 , served as Grand Steward in 1826 , and was in the chair as W . M . in 1829 , and has , I believe , ever since filled the onerous duties of Tnasurer . A jubilee festival was held in honour of his completing
his 50 th year of membership in 1874 , at the Star and Garter Hotel , Richmond , on which occasion a very beautiful portrait was presented to him . By your inserting this correction in your next issue you will greatly oblige , Youts fraternally , P . M . No . 1 .
[ The following appears in the IVeslern . Daily Mercury of the 4 th inst ., relative to Bro . Emra Holmes ' s letter , which appeared in our last , and which also was inserted in our contemporary . ]
TRURO CATHEDRAL AND THE FREEMASONS . Dear Sir , As a Mason , and a Cornishman , I was truly pleased to see Bro . Holmes's letter in to-day ' s issue , and felt inclinctl to shout out " Bravo , old fellow I " when I read his challenge . Surely alter this there will be among those who at Masonic gatherings wear big collars , make big speeches , and have their broad acres or big
money-making machines in old Cornwall , men who will come forward , and prove by a practical gift towards a county object that they have a fair claim to the honours they possess , and that in being Cornishmen they will not allow themselves to be outdone in liberality upon such an occasion by a brother from another province , whose connection with the county may not perhaps bc of such a permanent nature as their own . Yours faithfully and truly ,
SQUARE AND COMPASSES Nov . 3 rd , 1879 .
To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I attended Prov . G . Lodge , held at Fowey last June , and I hope to attend another . I understood that Bro . Holmes's motion was considered laudable in itself , but was simply withdrawn because il was pi-ematurc , and I for one thought so too . I believe that " not one of the
1100 Masons in this province would object to a Masonic window being erected in Truro Cathedral , and if each lodge is applied to in the usual way the application will be responded to according to the means of its members . I need not say that the Masons of Cornwall are notcnly believers in the G . A . U . T . U ., but they , although of various religious
denominations , lire so unprejudiced that they will , I verily believe , help in the erection of an edifice wherein shall be said or sut . g , " Thou art the King of Glory , O Christ , Thou art ( he everlasting Son of the Father , " until time shall be no inoici I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , M . M . Lostwithicl , 9 th Nov ., 1879 .
The Prestonian Lecture.
THE PRESTONIAN LECTURE .
To the Editor ofthe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Tbe last of the Trustees of the Prestonian Lecture was lhe late Grand Treasurer , and his death renders it necessary to appoint fresh Trustees . Before they are appointed I think a return ought to be furnished to
Grand Lodge of the names of the lecturers , and the subject matter of the lectures they delivered , with the honorarium paid in each case by the deceased Trustees . A Committee might then be chosen to draw up fresh rules and suggestions suitable to the present time , and a strong effort ought to be made to render the trust a means of benefiting the Craft at large . Prizes might be offered tor the
best essaj'S on Masonic lore and kindred subjects , and the successful one might be read on a special evening in the Hall of Grand Lodge . The arrangements might be carried out by the lodge ot the piize -winner , and the use oi the hall ought to be given free . Perhaps some of the following subjects might be chosen with advantage , and if the area from which the subjects are taken be sufficiently
wide , I am quite sure that a stimulus would bc given to Masonic research , and an interest excited in the intellectual aspect of our traditions and ceremonies which it is rare indeed to find at present : —¦ " The rise of speculative out of operative Masonry . " The operative lodges of Scotland , both before and after the foundation of speculative lodges . " The rise and progress of speculative as well as
operative Masonry in Ireland and on the continent . " The history of the other guilds in Germany and elsewhere besides the Guild of Architects and Builders , and the traces of any means which they may have taken for the preservation of trade secrets . "The influence of Freemasonry on the great French Revolution in 1789 . " The evidences of Christian dogma to be found in our
. "The secret societies of the Mahotnmedans , and of other Eastern nations .
" The secret societies of England at the present day , and their association with or imitation of Freemasonry . " The degradation of Freemasonry by its perversion to political ends , and its consequences as exemplified in France and Italy . " The list might be indefinitely extended , but enough has been given to show that subjects of considerable interest to
every Freemason he outside the threshold , which would renew the ardour of the enthusiast , and make him bless the day when he entered our ancient and honourable fraternity . The knife and fork Mason is held up to ridicule , but can any reasonable man wonder that twenty , thirty , or forty years of lodge meetings , never advancing beyond the first three steps of admission into the Order , become intolerably irksome , and the social gathering and creature
comforts come to be looked on as the be-all and end-all of Fricmasonry , instead of being considered , as they ought to be , merely accidental accessories ? I shall be unable to move myself , but will any brother put doivn a notice at the Board of Masters to appoint a Committee to enquire into the matter , and see what use can be made of the grand opportunity now offered ? dj | Yours truly and fraternally , P . G . D .
WHAT IS FREEMASONRY ? To the Editor ofthe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I have been very much interested in the able letter from Bro . Benjamin Cox , P . M ., P . Z ., on " What is Freemasonry ? " published in your paper of the Sth inst ., especially where he finds his compaiisons in the celestial
atlas , but I think he has fallen into an error when he thinks the passion flower teaches Masonic symbolism , particularly when referring to the Passion of Christ , the three nails , and the crown of thorns . If Bro . Cox is correct in his assumptions , those breth'en who are not Christians would not be able to appreciate Masonry at all , in fact would be scarcely eligible to become members of a society supposed to have been in existence hundreds
of years before the Christian Era . The universality of our institution woultl be destroyed , a foundation stone removed , and the ancient edifice would be tumbling about our ears , and soon crumble into dust . With all due respect to the opinion of my learned Bro . Cox , I think unity is strength , and is only to be retained by including all who believe in T . G . A . O . T . U . Yours respectfully , Liverpool . HENRY LYON .
THE GRAND LODGE OF MONTREAL . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I see by your issue of the 4 th inst ., you have noticed the communication of Robert Ramsey , of Orillia , to the Dispatch . But since you have published his statements I think it well to explain for the information of
your readers that we are very careful whom we admit into our lodges . It is false that we accept material from any and every jurisdiction . And we do not give the Three Degrees of St . John ' s Masonry to any one in one night , except he be a mariner , and I find upon examining the various loilge books , that there has been only one such case admitted within the last fifteen years , and that was 6 n the 2 sth of September , 1879 , when I issued a
dispensation authorising the Master of King Solomon Lotlge , No . 622 , to make Capt . Anderson , of the steam-ship Hurworih . As to the second charge , you are aware that the Scottish Constitution allows it . But again , on reference to the lodge books , 1 find there has been only one Mason made of thatagc , viz ., Bro . Russ W . Huntingdon , since graduating as a B . A . and B . C . L . of McGill University , and now one of the editors ofthe Herald , newspaper of Montreal .
The Prestonian Lecture.
Lastly , as to our making Masons for a nominal fee , your readers can judge for themselves by the following quotations , which are never reduced on any pretence whatever : —Elgin Lodge , No . 348 , that has worked here for nearly fifty years , charge 30 dollars , £ 1 ios . ; King Solomon Lodge , No . 622 , 40 dollars , £ 10 ; Arygle Lodge , No .
625 , 25 dollars , £ 6 3 s ., besides a monthly contribution for the purpose of charity , & rc . Your editorial remarks are sufficiently clear without my adding any further explanation in refutation of his charges . Believe me , dear Sir and Brother , yours faithfully and fraternall
y , GEO . A . BAYNES , M . D ., D . G . M . of Montreal , Scottish Constitution , Montreal , Oct . 27 th . THE "FREEMASON" AND "COSMOPOLITAN
CPLENDAR . " To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Will you kindly allow me through your columns to thank your publisher for a very great improvement in last week ' s issue ? The cutting of the paper is a very great convenience to those who , like myself , have their first
peep at the Freemason in the railway carriage on their homeward journey . I should like also to express my thanks for the adoption of a suggestion of mine as to the arrangement of the country lodges and chapters in provinces in the " Cosmopolitan Masonic Pocket Book , " just issued . Yours truly and fraternally , H . L .
Reviews.
Reviews .
ORIGIN OF THE LAWS OFNATURE . By SIR EDMUND BECKETT , Bart . Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge . This is a very useful and interesting little book , written by Sir Edmund Beckett with all that forcibleness of expression and clearness t . f logic , of which he is , as wc know , a
master . It deserves to be read over and thought over by us all , as probably in no print to-day are more sophistical fallacies current or more hurtful suggestions made than on this most important subject . Many paradoxes have been propounded , and many absurd theories invented in this tempting field of assumed dogmatism and infallible
pretension in successive generations , and which seem to be very popular just now . It is , however , clear to us , that when people talk so loudly and so glibly as they often do at this hour of the " laws of nature , " tec , bearing down all opponents with froth and noise combined , they certainly do not understand either what they talk about ,
or realize whither the stern logic of their own " premises " must conduct them . They need to study much more carefully such " laws" before they assert , with the infallibility of Ultramontanism , that the theories they enunciate are positive facts or objective truth to us . We
owe to Sir Edmund Beckett many thanks for a concise , clear , and masterly little treatise on a question which , for some reason just now , has great attraction for many thoughtful minds amongst us . We hope to hear that the book is largely read .
ALL THE YEAR ROUND , for November . This interesting serial is before us in much vigour . " Sebastian Strome " is very exciting , and Mr . Anthony Trollopc begins "The Duke ' s Children . " " All the Year Round " is very pleasant and healthy reading .
TEMPLE BAR . Has its usual forcible articles if not always very deep . " Probaiion" is prolonged and popular , " and " Vivian , the Beauty , " sails on with flying colours . All the other articles are very readable indeed .
SCRIBNER'S . Our old friend is , as ever , to the fore with much and varied " pabulum " for American and English minds . It is a very readable magazine , ami has few compeers , alike in its artistic illustrations and the general tone of its articles is most healthy and sound thinking .
BLACKWOOD'S . As usual very effective , vigorous , and interesting , bu is a little out of the " country " of the Freemason .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
ROYAL ARCH AT YORK . I have read Bro . Whytehead's communication in the Freemason . If he will look back to the old " Freemasons ' Magazine" for 1863 , he will find , if I mistake not , a reference to the Royal Arch Chapter minutes . Without wishing to arrogate anything to myself , both in company with Bro . Findel and Bro . Shaw , and thanks to the
kindness of the York brethren , the lamented Bro . Cowling , among others , I went over the MSS . in York sixteen years ago , and first called attention to them with Bro . Shaw and to their great value . If Bro . Whytehead has found a MS . overlooked by us , ( as well may be ) , no one will rejoice more heartily than myself , as in all my studies and searches I have always placed all I discovered at the services of my good friend Bro . Hughan antl the Craft .
A . F . A . WOODFORD . P . S . —I am at a distance from all books of reference , so can only write ' currente calamo . "
R . A . DEGREE IN YORK . All interested in the origin and character of " Royal Arch Masonry " must rejoice to see the important communication in the Freemason ol the Sth inst . as to the most fortunate find of Royal Arch records fiom A . D . 1762 , under