Masonic Notes And Queries.

AN ASTROLOGICAL BOOK . We take the following extracts from our excellent contemporary the Antiquary : — Can you give me any information through your magazine as to a book on Magic or Astrology , having for its title or titles ( for in works I have consulted I have been referred to it under various names ) "The Clavis of Rabbi Solomon , "

"Solomon s Clavis , " "Les Clavicules de Rabbi Solomon , " "Traduites exactemcnt du texte Hebreu par T \ I . Pierre Morrisoneau Proffesscurs des Langues Oricntalcs et Sectateurde la Philosophic des Sages Cabalistes ?" I do not know if it has been printed , or whether it exists only in MS . ; I have not been able to find it in the Bodleian Library . Can you solve the mystery for me ? Oxford . G . O . DE CARFEV

[ Thisbook is probably thc same as " La Clavicule Magique ct Cabalistique du Sage Roy Solomon , traduite du texte Hebraique , par C . Agnppc , et mise en Francais , par Rabis Nagar . " French MS . of 235 pages , with emblematic drawings . Vellum , 4 to ., 1632 . This MS . is to be found in Bernard Quaritch ' s most curious list of alchemical works in his catalog-ue 47 . There is also a MS . in the British Museum on the same subject . —ED . F . M . ]

GUILDS AT W 1 SBEACH . To the Editor ofthe "Antiquary . " Sir , —The following returns relating to the Wisbeach Guilds ( 12 Richard li . ) are still extant in the Public Record Office . The ordinances are very interesting , and such as

ought certainly to be printed : —1 . Sancti 1 homrc hpiscopi de Wysbech ; 2 . licata * Mari .-c Virginis in Ecclesia de Wysbech ; 3 . Sancti Petri Apostoli de Wysbech ; 4 . Sancta ; Trinitatis in Ecclesia de Wysbech , in latere boreali ejusdem ecclcsie ; 5 . Sancti Johannis Baptistre in ecclesia de Wysbech , in latere australi ejusdem ecclesie . W . D . S .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . EDWARD COX . It is with sincere regret that we have to publish in our obituary notices this week the name of Bro . Kdward Cox , and it is with no less regret that the intelligence that that brother is no more with us will be received by the Masonic brethren at large . Bv great activity in Freemasonry , more especially in connection with the noble Charities of the

Order , his name and person had for many years been rendered familiar to brethren who took any leading part in the working of the Craft and its general welfare , and the elections to the different Institutions must for a long time to come appear incomplete by the absence of a brother who was always to be seen at those meetings with his large bundles of voting papers , which he was using in the most

judicious way to secure the election of as many candidates as possible for the benefit of those Institutions . When the wound caused by the loss of a beloved and revered friend is still open , the time may not be the most opportune for a calm and dispassionate criticism of the life and character of the deceased ; but in the case of Bro . Edward Cox thc cicatrix . may have formed and even have worn off without

producing any change in the estimate of his worth . One thing with regard to the man is perfectly certain , that whatever he did , whether it was for the Charities of Freemasonry or for those outside the Order , he was actuated by no motives of selfishness , and used his lights for finding out what was best for the cause he advocated . Having been a large contributor to the funds of the Masonic

Charities , he worked heart and soul on their behalf , and as a Vice-Patron of all those Institutions he endeavoured to make his position as beneficial to them as was practicable . In the twenty-four years during which he belonged tothe Craft it is doubtful whether any Mason had worked harder , or according to his means done more for thc Charities . As a man engaged in the every-day business of life few men could

have devoted more time toany charitable work he undertook , and it is not too much to say that the United Law Clerks ' Society have lost in him . 1 most energetic and persevering supporter . Bro . Cox ' s Masonic career began in 1 S 5 G , for on the 9 th December of that year he first saw Alasonic light in the Canonbury Lodge , No . 6 57 . He worked steadil y on till in the vear 1861 he became VV . M . of that lodge , the

only London lodge he ever belonged to . In 1865 ) 10 was exalted to the Royal Arch Degree , in Chapter No . 12 , and became M . E . Z . of that chapter in 1 S 73 . On the nth of May , 1 S 71 , he joined the Pomfret I . odge , No . 360 , Northampton , and in 1 S 74 he attained the distinguished position of VV . M . In the Province of Northampton and Huntington the Duke of Manchester conferred on him the hiirh distinction of

Provincial Grand Senior VV arden , and in that province he was always looked upon as a great authority on Masonic matters . The confidence placed in him by the brethren of that province was so great that the voting power of the province was entrusted to him , and at the Charily Elections I n London hc was the authorised representative of Norths and Hunts . Bro . Edward Cox was a native of Stoney

Stratford , Bucks , and was one of twenty children of his father . For his native place he had always a strong affection , and it would have been strange indeed if as a Mason he did not seek out a local lodge to belong to . In iS 7 < * > the VVatling-street Lodge , No . 1639 , was warranted by the Prince of Wales , and liro . Edward Cox died a Past Master of that Wge . His death had been expected several weeks before

¦ t occurred . For more than three months he had been incapable of attending to business , and for the last month he took scarcely any sustenance . He was quite convinced "iat his end was at hand , and he waited for it with a patience and resignation which must have been in Washington Irving ' s mind when , speaking of a glorious setting sun , _ he said , " It was like the last hours of a good Christian , smiling on the sins nnd sorrows of the world , and irivint '

¦ n the serenity of his decline an assurance that hc would rise again in glory . " The Yorkshire Post of Thursday says : "'The West Vorkshire Freemasons will regret to hear of the death yesterday morning of liro . Edward Cox , with whom they had long been familiar at the elections of the Masonic Institutions in London . Bro . Cox always took an active part "i the Charities , and for many years had hy his great influe f t -tnd connections secured the success of at least one ot the candidates , and frequently more , at each election . "

BRO . C J . COOKE . 1 he brethren of the Province of Kent more particularly will regret to hear that Bro . Charles j . Cooke , one of their

Obituary.

Past Grand Officers , and for many years on the reporting staff of the Starrdard newspaper , was found dead in his bed on Tuesday morning . He had long been a sufferer from heart complaint , but on Monday he was more than ordinarily well , and was in excellent spirits . He retired to rest that night apparently in good health , but without any warning hc passed away during thc night and was found

lifeless at the time for rising in the morning . Bro . Cooke had had a long career in the newspaper ' world , and was well-known among his contemporaries . In Masonry also he was well known , but perhaps still better among the bishops and clerg } -, who habitually attend Convocation , the Church Congress , and Church meetings , to which he paid great attention . In the ordinary course of his business he was to have attended the forthcoming Church Congress at

Leicester , for which his arrangements were already complete . Bro . Cooke usually took- an active part in any movement that was started for the relief of cases of distress which sometimes arise even among members of thc fourth estate , and he was instrumental in raising several funds for the aid of poor press men , and thc widows and orphans of deceased newspaper reporters , and advancing the interests of the children at elections , both in thc Masonic Institution , and other eleemosynary schools .

BRO . EDWARD AMPHLETT . Old Cambridge men will hear with regret of the death of XV . Bro . Edward Amphlett , M . R . C . S ., ' and of St . Peter ' s College , Cambridge . Bro . Amphlett was a zealous and energetic young Mason . He was initiated in thc Isaac Newton University Lodge , and became the first Senior Deacon of tlie Alma Mater Lodge , No . 1492—a Hdge

founded by members of the Isaac Newton . He was installed VV . M . of the Alma Mater in 1 S 7 S . He was also a founder and P . M . of the lodge at Staines , a member of the Euclid Royal Arch Chapter , Cambridge , and of the St . George ' s Royal Arch Chapter , Wolverton . Of this last named chapter he was at the time of his death thc First Principal . Hc was Past Prov . G . Registrar ( Roval Arch ")

for thc Province of Berks and Bucks and Prov . G . Steward ( Craft ) for the Province of Middlesex . His genial and courteous manner endeared him to many , who will look back with pleasant recollection upon the friendship with which he honoured them . Only a short time before his death he placed in the hands of the Treasurer of the Alma Mater a curious old silver Treasurer ' s jewel for p rescntation to that lodge .

Literary, Art, And Antiquarian Notes.

Literary , Art , and Antiquarian Notes .

M . Gounod ' s new Oratorio "Thc I ^ cdemplion , " has just been finished . The IDukc of Marlborough has abandoned the idea of having Sunderland Library sold by auction . A new Chinese Al phabet has been compiled by a Roman Catholic Bishop in Canton . By means of these thirty-three letters all the words now expressed by thousands of symbols can be written .

Professor Nordenskjold is about to visit St . Petersburg for the purpose of scientific research in the libraries and museums there , in view of his proposed expedition overland to the mouths of the Lena .

Al hrncst Renan ' s Writings find scant favour in Austria . A translation of his new work , " Eau de Jouvence , " recently brought out in the Paris Temps , was begun in the Vienna Allge ' mcinc Zcitung , but the authorities seized the first number , and stopped any further publication .

One of Ucethovcn ' s Pianos is shortl y to be sold at Klausemberg , in 'Transylvania . Given Beethoven b y the well known maker , Wagel , of Pesth , when the great musician was composing Fidelia , the instalment is still in good preservation , and bears on one of its panels the portrait of Beethoven at twenty years of age . Messrs . Dalziel Brothers will publish in November , through Messrs . George Routledge and Sons , a series of

Bible Illustrations , entitled " Dalziels' Bible Gallery , " and containing drawings by Sir Frederick Leighton , P . R . A ., IC . J . Poynter , R . A ., G . F . Watts , R . A ., li . Bufne Jones , F . Maddox Brown , Holman Hunt , and others . Le Comte Riant has just discovered the long-lost Chronicle of Philip of Navarre , which , under the title of " Gestes des Chiprois , " contains the history of Cyprus from 1131 to 1309 . 'The MSS . of this Chronicle is from the hand of a prisoner named Jehan Le Miegc , who finished it in

' 343-Mr . Thomas I ' ci'gusson , who for many years past has represented France and Belgium at Chefoo , in the North of China , is engaged in publishing at Shanghai a work entitled "Chinese Researches . " The first instalment , which has just appeared , deals with "Chinese Chronology and Cycles , " and i . s levelled at the pretensions of high antiquity set up by native authors forj the history of China .

ST . ANDREW ' S UNIVERSITY . —MI * . Arthur Stanley Butler , newl y appointed Professor of Natural Philosophy in this University , was formally installed in the chair on Saturday afternoon , the 1 ith inst . The ceremony took place in the large hall of the University College . Principal Shairp presided , and administered the oath to the new professor and invested him with thc insignia of ollice .

A GOLDEN VILLAGE . —American papers report that about thirty miles from Santa Fe , the capital city of the Territory of New Mexico , the soil on which thc village Placitas stands has been found to be strongly impregnated with gold . The public authorities of thc Territory have commissioned some experienced engineers to report on thc case . Some spots have been found very rich in the precious

metal , and the soil ( "dirt" ) has been sold at the rate of three dollars a pound weight . TinyjGold and Silver Moons are thc fashionable talismans in Paris at present , vice thc miniature pig whicli latelv has been suspended to nearly every bracelet or

watchchain , | and is now only used for a shoe-buckle . Necklets of small crescents are supposed to avert the evil eye and bring good luck—an old Roman superstition . The cock is a favourable emblem , and large fans arc painted with Chanticleer's head in natural colours , the English salutation " Good morning" flowing from the beak .

Literary, Art, And Antiquarian Notes.

Dr . Mahendralal Sarcar has undertaken to bring out an English translation with notes of the Karaka , the famous text-book of native medicine . Messrs . Longmans announce as in preparation a volume of " Biographical Studies " by the late Walter Bagehot . It comprises The

Character of Sir Robert Peel ( 1 S 5 G ); Lord Brougham ( 1 S 57 ); Mr . Gladstone ( 1 S 60 ); William Pitt ( 1 S 61 ); Bolingbroke as a Statesman ( 1 S 63 ) ; Sir George Cornewall Lewis ( 1 S 63 ) ; Adam Smith as a Person ( 1 S 76 ); and Lord Althorpe and the Reform Act of 1 S 32 ( 1 S 76 I .

I-rom the Academ y wc take the following : —A selection of Greek inscriptions , with introductions and annotations , is being prepared for publication by the Rev . E . S . Roberts , Fellow and Tutor of Gonville and Caius College , Cambridge . The volume will contain the most remarkable inscriptions extant , illustrative of palaeography , dialectology , and archaeology ; and an historical sketch of the

Greek alphabet , illustrated by facsimile inscriptions on a reduced scale , will be given in the preface . The work will be published by the ' Cambridge University Press . Notes and Queries states that a Greek MS . of one of the Gospels , written in letters of silver on purple vellum , has recently been discoveredin Calabria . It issaid to be ornamented with lS miniaturesrepresenting scenes in

, New Testament history , together with 40 portraits of prophets . The discoverers of the MS . claim for it the position of our earliest surviving illuminated MS . of the Gospels , and assign to it the latter part of the fifth or beginning of the sixth century . Fuller details are evidently necessary , and are much to be desired in the interest alike of palaeography and of Biblical science .

The empty galleries of the British Museum which formerly contained the minerals now removed to South Kensington , will probably be utilised as a library for youthful students . Any such arrangement would prove a great boon to young people under twenty-one , who are unable to gain admission to the present reading-room . The latter hall is rarely full except on Saturdays . In the

early morning scarcely a hundred persons are there , from noon to two o ' clock about 300 arrive , and from two to six ' the number generally increase , to 400 . In the forthcoming report of the I 3 eputy Iveeper of the Public Records there will appear an exhaustive calendar of the valuable Norman Rolls , by Mr . Ewald , F . S . A ., of the Record Ollice . 'These rolls , which relate to

the occupation of Normandy by Henry V ., and which shed much new light upon the history ofthe times , have hitherto not had their contents made public . The Record Office has exercised a wise discretion in the publication of such a calendar . To the French Government , and especially to the Society of Antiquaries of Normandy , this report of the Deputy Keeper will be particularly valuable .

M . Desire Charnay writes from Mexico to the Revue Critique announcing the discovery of an Indian cemetery at a considerable height on the banks of Popocatepetl , containing a large number of antiquities in good preservation . He is now excavating the tombs in the plain of Ameca . Next he will explore the cemetery of Atzapozalco , whence hc will proceed to 1 ' ula , and afterwards to

Oajaca . lehauntepcc , Palenque , Yuchtan , & c , M . Charnay surrenders a third of the objects whicli he discovers to the Mexican Government , but the remaining , two thirds will be sent to France and exhibited at the Louvre in a room to be called the "Salle Lorillard /' afteran American gentleman of French origin who has contributed funds for the prosecution of M . Charnay ' s explorations .

SOCIAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION * . —Inther . conomy and Trade Department of the Edinburgh ^ Congress , which commences on the 6 th prox ., thc discussion on the first special question , " What legislative measures arc required to leave the occupier of the soil freer than at present to increase his production of food ; and by what measures of his own can the farmer best meet foreign competition ? " will be introduced by papers by Mr . J . P . Sellar , of Tain , Ross-shire ,

and Mr . James Melvin , of Hatha , Edinburgh . Air . B . Fossett Lock , Lincoln's-inn , and Mr . VV . C . Campbell , advocate , will contribute papers on the second special question " What should be thc course of legislation with regard to local government , and the incidence of local taxation ? " and Mr . David Chadwick will read a paper on the third question , " For purposes of taxation what is the most scientific and practicadelinition of the word income . "

THE LIVERPOOL AUTUMN LXIIIBITION . —I ^ ast Saturday a large and distinguished company , numbering about onc thousand , had a private view of this collection in the Walker Art Gallery , Liverpool . The exhibition promises to be one of the most attractive yet held in the city ; and on Saturday 885 season tickets were disposed of . Pictures to the amount of / . ' 154 S 3 S . were sold , as compared

with the sum of £ 999 iSs . received on private view day last year . Amongst those who had received invitations ( to be present were members of the dock board , the city council , the consular representatives , members of the school board , the Art Club , the Liverpool Academy of Fine Arts , and well-known local patrons of painting and sculpture , 'The number of pictures sold was sixty-nine , as against

seventy-two last year . Among the local artists whose works were sold on Saturday were the following : John Redder , John Finnic , VV . Wardlaw Laing , Peter Ghent , James VVhaite , Hubert Coutts , Edward Arden , J . C . Halfpenny , Thomas Huson , C . II . Cox , T . Geldart , Percy Bigland , J . Roberts , John M'Dougall , W . F . Bishop , Miss H . Robson , R . Watson , and Miss S . Leighton . The gallery was

beautifully decorated with ( lowers and plants by Mr . Richardson , of the Botanic Gardens , and the refreshment room was under the catering of Messrs . Fisk and Fairhurst . The magnificent statue of Sir A . B . Walker excited great admiration , and no doubt it will be another laurel on the

brow of the famous sculptor , Mr . Warrington Wood . The general opinion was that great credit was due to the "hangers" of the pictures for the admirable taste displayed by them , and that Mr . C . Dyall , the courteous curator of the gallery , had by his excellent arrangements made thc private view day a most enjoyable event .

Constitutions of the Ancient Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons , containing the Charges , Regulations , E . A . Song , & c . A copy should be in the possession of every brother . It may be obtained for 2 s . at the office of the Freemason , or will be sent post-free to any part of the United Kingdom on receipt of twenty-five penny stamps . Address , Publisher , 19 S , Fleet-street . — [ ADV T . J