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Original Correspondence.
Ami Hro . Paton has certainly succeeded , as a moie ill-mannered , childish , petulant , vulgarly written Utter , 1 never perused . What can yon think of a brother who professes to set even body else right , and who , clearly , has not yet mastered " the grammar" of
Mark Masonry , who confounds , in the most beautiful manner , speculative and operative Marks with the sublimest contempt of evidence , and an utter disregard of all the known facts of the case \ Those of tis who have paid attention to marks
know that Bro . Paton is utterly wrong , aud I beg to refer him to the able treatise of Mr . George Godwin , to the opinion of Mr . Dove , that all that Mr . Street has so well said on the subject , and to the clever statement of a Portu guese writer , that so he may realise what can
yet be written on the subject itself . As regards my not knowing the difference between operative and speculative marks , it is just because I do know the difference , and because I have so closely studied the operative marks , that I do object to Bro . Paton making the incorrect statement on the subject that he has done , the
tatly result of which is to utterly mislead the brethren . I would recommend Bro . Paton , in conclusion , the next time he writes upon a subject so dogmatically and overbearingly , to have mastered its first principles , as otherwise he is an utterly valueless , useless " master of the work , " and to clear his head at once of what Carlisle has called so well" bottled moonshine , "
of which commodity it appears to me Bro Paton at present possesses a superfluous and ex travagant amount . I am , yours fraternally , MASONIC STUDENT .
TEMPLARISM AND RED-CROSSISM IN EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW . To the Editor of The Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — On reading the report of the opening of a new conclave of the Red Cross of Rome ancl Constantine in Glasgow , I find that Sir Knight Wheeler rejoices in the fact that " his
office bearers are not only high up in Royal Arch Masonry , eight being Principals and two Scribe E . ' s , but that they are also Knights Templar , three being Past Commanders and two Deputy Commanders . Now I shall be glad if anyone will inform me how it is that the Knights
Templar of Glasgow can become active members of the Red Cross degree , when the Knights Templar of Edinburgh threaten their members with all sorts of pains and penalties should they do so , they even refuse to admit a Red Cross man into their Order * unless he forswear * his R . C .
connection . Now the Templars of Glasgow must either be acting in opposition to their Constitntion , or the Templars of Edinburgh must be taking a position they have no right to hold—which is it ? ENUI-IKI-R .
THE POPE A FREEMASON . ( To the Editor of the Freemason . ) Dear Sir and Brother , — The last paragraph of a letter from " P . M . " has attracted my attention , and I would so far venture to corroborate the writer and his
informant , Dr . Leeson , as to say , that , in Italy it is a well known fact that Pope Pio Nono is a Freemason . I quote from an Italian brochure which I purchased at a kiosk either at Milan o ; Turin : —
" II secolo era pieno del nome di Napoleone , di militari e d'idee guerriere . Giare maria canto la battaglia d'Austeilitz , e si fece inscrivere nelle loggie de Francmassoni . " This brochure was selling in great quantities . I need hardly say that it is not very
complimentary to the Mastai Ferretti , " gia Tenente di Cavalleria . " I only quote from it , however , to show the assertion current amongst the Italians . I have also one of the very common photographs , whereon he is represented in a collar
adorned with emblems , \ -c . There is not thu sli ghtest doubt that Freemasonry has been used for political purposes in Italy—hence his present condemnation of it . I should like much to know the date when he
Original Correspondence.
commenced his crusade against it . Was it not about 18 4 8 or ' 49 , after the Colonna ' s death ? I am vonrs fraternallv . W . M .
Reviews.
Reviews .
Dr .. MACKAY ' ENCYCLOI- ; EI > IA oi- FREEMASONRY , 1 S 74 . 1 am very pleased to notice the high enconium you pass on the labours of the world-renowned craftsman , Dr . Maekay , and certainly he has onl y
now given an indication even of the extent and variety of his abilities . 1 presume now he has pretty well fashioned the keystone of his many works , for at his age , and being far from a robust constitution we cannot expect more of
such volumes as the " Encyclopaedia , " which presents within the compass of about one thousand pages the labours for a lifetime of a scholar , a Masonic enthusiast , and a constant searcher after truth .
lo my mind nothing equal to it of its kind has ever been produced in Europe or America , and it is impossible to obtain such a mass of valuable and trustworthy ( as also interesting ) information in any other larger Masonic work besides .
In none can the discoveries and researches of the last three years be found excepting in this grand volume , and in addition to its being a sure guide as to the present condition of Masonic archeology , it is also a repertory of ancient and modern Freemasonry , comprising the whole range of arts , science , and literature , as connected with the fraternity .
1 know of no Masonic work to be compared with this one in a linguistical point of view , and many words which in a symbolical sense have reference to our esoteric customs are most exhaustively and learnedly treated and explained . I should much like to alford the readers of the
I'leemason an insight into the , general character of the work , but its extent is such as to render that almost impossible . As , however , the splendid book can be obtained at the office of the Freemason for two pounds , ( or a trifle increase for the extra binding ) , 1 strongly advise all Masonic students to procure copies at once ,
and especially that the officers of Masonic libraries take the opportunity of adding the Encyclopaedia to their collections . Because of the size of the volume I cannot spare the time now to particularize its contents , or to carefully note any of the points especially worthy of selection .
I should like also to fraternally allude to some of the articles about which there is a little difference of opinion , and occasionall y I should have to diller from the worthy author , but rarely , and not on any important question .
1 am glad to find that so able and thorough a Masonic scholar , as also one of the best informed brethren in the United States , agrees in the main with our views in this country , especially with Bros . Woodford , Lyon , and myself , and with our able Bro . Findel of Saxony . When
several have thus for years conducted their researches independently , their united testimony at the present time cannot fail to be worthy of respect and careful consideration . In Dr . Mackay ' s Encyclopaedia , all the results of modern researches respecting tlie history of
the Craft are very fully described , and the evidence when conflicting is most fairl y presented in a twofold aspect , and every opportunity afforded the reader to arrive at a common sense conclusion . The various decisions as to Masonic legislation , and suggestions respecting Masonic
trials , are especially of value , and indeed Dr . Maekay is one of the first , probably the first , Masonic jurist in this country , or in America . On Adoptive , spurious and semi-Free Masonry the work furnishes copious details , and our Rosicrucian friends will find in its pages , many more particulars relative to the obstttise
mystical and symbolical studies than numerous works of a much more pretentious character . I shall allude to the Masonic Encyclopaedia shortly again , and meanwhile a hope that the few copies sent over from across the "big pond , " will soon be transferred to the shelves of the lodge libraries in this country .
Reviews.
From a low odd sheets ofthe work wc take up casually ' the following , which will serve to indicate the style of the noble volume . W . J . HutiHA . V . CRUX ANSATA . This signifies , in Latin , the "cross with a handle . " It is formed by a tau
cross surmounted by a circle , 01 more prot . erly an oval . It was one of the most significant of the symbols of the ancient Egyptians , and is depicted repeatedly on their monuments borne in the hands of their deities , and especially Phtha . Among them it was the symbol of life , and with that meanine- it has been introduced
into some of the hi gher degrees of Masonry . The crux ansata , surrounded by a serpent in a circle , is the symbol of immortality , because the cross was the symbol of life , and the serpent of eternity .
CROSS , J EREMY L . A teacher ofthe Masonic ritual , who , during his lifetime , was extensively known , and for some time very popular . He was born June 27 , 1783 , at Haverhill , New Hampshire , and died at the same place in t 86 i-Cross was admitted into the Masouic Order in
J 808 , and soon afterwards became a pupil of Thomas Smith Webb , whose modifications of the Preston lectures and of the higher degrees were generally accepted by the Masons of the United States . Cross , having acquired a competent knowledge of Webb ' s system , began to
travel and disseminate it throughout the country . In 1819 he published The True Masonic Chart or Hieroglyphic Monitor , in which he borrowed liberall y from the previous work of Webb . In fact , the Chart of Cross is , in nearly all its parts , a mere transcript of the Monitor of
Webb , the first edition of which was published in 1 797 . Webb , it is true , took the same liberty with Preston , from whose Illustrations of Masonry he borrowed largely . The engraving of the emblems constituted , however , an entirely new and original feature in the Hieroglyphic Chart , and , as furnishing aids to the memory ,
rendered the book of Cross at once very popular so much so , indeed , that for a long time it almost altogether superseded that of Webb . In 1820 Cross published The Templars' Chart , which , as a monitor of the degrees of chivalry , met with equal success . Both of these works have passed through numerous editions .
Cross received the appointment of Grand , Lecturer from many Grand Lodges , and travelled for many years very extensively through the United States , teaching his system of lectures t » lodges , chapters , councils , and encampments .
He possessed little or no scholarly attainments , and his contributions to the literature of Masonry are confined to the two compilations alread y cited . In his latter years he became involved in a schismatic elfort to establish a
spurious Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Rite . But he soon withdrew his name , and retired to the place of his nativity , where he died , at the advanced age of seventyeight .
Although Cross was not a man of any very original genius , yet a recent writer has announced the fact that the symbol of the momument in the third degree , unknown to the system of either Preston or Webb , was invented by him . See Monument .
Ciu-uBi'ix , ROIIERT T . An English Mason , distinguished for his services to the Craft . Robert Thomas Crucefix , M . D ., LL . D ., was born in Holborn , Eng ., in the year 1797 , and received his education at Merchant Tailors' School . After leaving school , he became the pupil of Mr .
Chamberlayne , a general and celebrated practitioner of his day , at Clerkenwell ; he afterwards became a student at St . Bartholomew ' s Hospital , and was a pupil of the celebrated Abernethy . On receiving his diploma as a member of the Royal College of Surgeons , in 1810 he went out
to India , where he remained but a short time ; upon his return he settled in London , and he continued to reside there till the year 1845 , when he removed to Milton-on-Thames , where he spent the rest of his life till within a few
weeks before his decease , when he removed , for the benefit of his declining health , to Bath , where he expired February 25 , 1850 . Dr . Crucefix was initiated into Masonry in 1829 , and during the greater part of his life discharged the duties of important offices in the Grand Lodge of Eng-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
Ami Hro . Paton has certainly succeeded , as a moie ill-mannered , childish , petulant , vulgarly written Utter , 1 never perused . What can yon think of a brother who professes to set even body else right , and who , clearly , has not yet mastered " the grammar" of
Mark Masonry , who confounds , in the most beautiful manner , speculative and operative Marks with the sublimest contempt of evidence , and an utter disregard of all the known facts of the case \ Those of tis who have paid attention to marks
know that Bro . Paton is utterly wrong , aud I beg to refer him to the able treatise of Mr . George Godwin , to the opinion of Mr . Dove , that all that Mr . Street has so well said on the subject , and to the clever statement of a Portu guese writer , that so he may realise what can
yet be written on the subject itself . As regards my not knowing the difference between operative and speculative marks , it is just because I do know the difference , and because I have so closely studied the operative marks , that I do object to Bro . Paton making the incorrect statement on the subject that he has done , the
tatly result of which is to utterly mislead the brethren . I would recommend Bro . Paton , in conclusion , the next time he writes upon a subject so dogmatically and overbearingly , to have mastered its first principles , as otherwise he is an utterly valueless , useless " master of the work , " and to clear his head at once of what Carlisle has called so well" bottled moonshine , "
of which commodity it appears to me Bro Paton at present possesses a superfluous and ex travagant amount . I am , yours fraternally , MASONIC STUDENT .
TEMPLARISM AND RED-CROSSISM IN EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW . To the Editor of The Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — On reading the report of the opening of a new conclave of the Red Cross of Rome ancl Constantine in Glasgow , I find that Sir Knight Wheeler rejoices in the fact that " his
office bearers are not only high up in Royal Arch Masonry , eight being Principals and two Scribe E . ' s , but that they are also Knights Templar , three being Past Commanders and two Deputy Commanders . Now I shall be glad if anyone will inform me how it is that the Knights
Templar of Glasgow can become active members of the Red Cross degree , when the Knights Templar of Edinburgh threaten their members with all sorts of pains and penalties should they do so , they even refuse to admit a Red Cross man into their Order * unless he forswear * his R . C .
connection . Now the Templars of Glasgow must either be acting in opposition to their Constitntion , or the Templars of Edinburgh must be taking a position they have no right to hold—which is it ? ENUI-IKI-R .
THE POPE A FREEMASON . ( To the Editor of the Freemason . ) Dear Sir and Brother , — The last paragraph of a letter from " P . M . " has attracted my attention , and I would so far venture to corroborate the writer and his
informant , Dr . Leeson , as to say , that , in Italy it is a well known fact that Pope Pio Nono is a Freemason . I quote from an Italian brochure which I purchased at a kiosk either at Milan o ; Turin : —
" II secolo era pieno del nome di Napoleone , di militari e d'idee guerriere . Giare maria canto la battaglia d'Austeilitz , e si fece inscrivere nelle loggie de Francmassoni . " This brochure was selling in great quantities . I need hardly say that it is not very
complimentary to the Mastai Ferretti , " gia Tenente di Cavalleria . " I only quote from it , however , to show the assertion current amongst the Italians . I have also one of the very common photographs , whereon he is represented in a collar
adorned with emblems , \ -c . There is not thu sli ghtest doubt that Freemasonry has been used for political purposes in Italy—hence his present condemnation of it . I should like much to know the date when he
Original Correspondence.
commenced his crusade against it . Was it not about 18 4 8 or ' 49 , after the Colonna ' s death ? I am vonrs fraternallv . W . M .
Reviews.
Reviews .
Dr .. MACKAY ' ENCYCLOI- ; EI > IA oi- FREEMASONRY , 1 S 74 . 1 am very pleased to notice the high enconium you pass on the labours of the world-renowned craftsman , Dr . Maekay , and certainly he has onl y
now given an indication even of the extent and variety of his abilities . 1 presume now he has pretty well fashioned the keystone of his many works , for at his age , and being far from a robust constitution we cannot expect more of
such volumes as the " Encyclopaedia , " which presents within the compass of about one thousand pages the labours for a lifetime of a scholar , a Masonic enthusiast , and a constant searcher after truth .
lo my mind nothing equal to it of its kind has ever been produced in Europe or America , and it is impossible to obtain such a mass of valuable and trustworthy ( as also interesting ) information in any other larger Masonic work besides .
In none can the discoveries and researches of the last three years be found excepting in this grand volume , and in addition to its being a sure guide as to the present condition of Masonic archeology , it is also a repertory of ancient and modern Freemasonry , comprising the whole range of arts , science , and literature , as connected with the fraternity .
1 know of no Masonic work to be compared with this one in a linguistical point of view , and many words which in a symbolical sense have reference to our esoteric customs are most exhaustively and learnedly treated and explained . I should much like to alford the readers of the
I'leemason an insight into the , general character of the work , but its extent is such as to render that almost impossible . As , however , the splendid book can be obtained at the office of the Freemason for two pounds , ( or a trifle increase for the extra binding ) , 1 strongly advise all Masonic students to procure copies at once ,
and especially that the officers of Masonic libraries take the opportunity of adding the Encyclopaedia to their collections . Because of the size of the volume I cannot spare the time now to particularize its contents , or to carefully note any of the points especially worthy of selection .
I should like also to fraternally allude to some of the articles about which there is a little difference of opinion , and occasionall y I should have to diller from the worthy author , but rarely , and not on any important question .
1 am glad to find that so able and thorough a Masonic scholar , as also one of the best informed brethren in the United States , agrees in the main with our views in this country , especially with Bros . Woodford , Lyon , and myself , and with our able Bro . Findel of Saxony . When
several have thus for years conducted their researches independently , their united testimony at the present time cannot fail to be worthy of respect and careful consideration . In Dr . Mackay ' s Encyclopaedia , all the results of modern researches respecting tlie history of
the Craft are very fully described , and the evidence when conflicting is most fairl y presented in a twofold aspect , and every opportunity afforded the reader to arrive at a common sense conclusion . The various decisions as to Masonic legislation , and suggestions respecting Masonic
trials , are especially of value , and indeed Dr . Maekay is one of the first , probably the first , Masonic jurist in this country , or in America . On Adoptive , spurious and semi-Free Masonry the work furnishes copious details , and our Rosicrucian friends will find in its pages , many more particulars relative to the obstttise
mystical and symbolical studies than numerous works of a much more pretentious character . I shall allude to the Masonic Encyclopaedia shortly again , and meanwhile a hope that the few copies sent over from across the "big pond , " will soon be transferred to the shelves of the lodge libraries in this country .
Reviews.
From a low odd sheets ofthe work wc take up casually ' the following , which will serve to indicate the style of the noble volume . W . J . HutiHA . V . CRUX ANSATA . This signifies , in Latin , the "cross with a handle . " It is formed by a tau
cross surmounted by a circle , 01 more prot . erly an oval . It was one of the most significant of the symbols of the ancient Egyptians , and is depicted repeatedly on their monuments borne in the hands of their deities , and especially Phtha . Among them it was the symbol of life , and with that meanine- it has been introduced
into some of the hi gher degrees of Masonry . The crux ansata , surrounded by a serpent in a circle , is the symbol of immortality , because the cross was the symbol of life , and the serpent of eternity .
CROSS , J EREMY L . A teacher ofthe Masonic ritual , who , during his lifetime , was extensively known , and for some time very popular . He was born June 27 , 1783 , at Haverhill , New Hampshire , and died at the same place in t 86 i-Cross was admitted into the Masouic Order in
J 808 , and soon afterwards became a pupil of Thomas Smith Webb , whose modifications of the Preston lectures and of the higher degrees were generally accepted by the Masons of the United States . Cross , having acquired a competent knowledge of Webb ' s system , began to
travel and disseminate it throughout the country . In 1819 he published The True Masonic Chart or Hieroglyphic Monitor , in which he borrowed liberall y from the previous work of Webb . In fact , the Chart of Cross is , in nearly all its parts , a mere transcript of the Monitor of
Webb , the first edition of which was published in 1 797 . Webb , it is true , took the same liberty with Preston , from whose Illustrations of Masonry he borrowed largely . The engraving of the emblems constituted , however , an entirely new and original feature in the Hieroglyphic Chart , and , as furnishing aids to the memory ,
rendered the book of Cross at once very popular so much so , indeed , that for a long time it almost altogether superseded that of Webb . In 1820 Cross published The Templars' Chart , which , as a monitor of the degrees of chivalry , met with equal success . Both of these works have passed through numerous editions .
Cross received the appointment of Grand , Lecturer from many Grand Lodges , and travelled for many years very extensively through the United States , teaching his system of lectures t » lodges , chapters , councils , and encampments .
He possessed little or no scholarly attainments , and his contributions to the literature of Masonry are confined to the two compilations alread y cited . In his latter years he became involved in a schismatic elfort to establish a
spurious Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Rite . But he soon withdrew his name , and retired to the place of his nativity , where he died , at the advanced age of seventyeight .
Although Cross was not a man of any very original genius , yet a recent writer has announced the fact that the symbol of the momument in the third degree , unknown to the system of either Preston or Webb , was invented by him . See Monument .
Ciu-uBi'ix , ROIIERT T . An English Mason , distinguished for his services to the Craft . Robert Thomas Crucefix , M . D ., LL . D ., was born in Holborn , Eng ., in the year 1797 , and received his education at Merchant Tailors' School . After leaving school , he became the pupil of Mr .
Chamberlayne , a general and celebrated practitioner of his day , at Clerkenwell ; he afterwards became a student at St . Bartholomew ' s Hospital , and was a pupil of the celebrated Abernethy . On receiving his diploma as a member of the Royal College of Surgeons , in 1810 he went out
to India , where he remained but a short time ; upon his return he settled in London , and he continued to reside there till the year 1845 , when he removed to Milton-on-Thames , where he spent the rest of his life till within a few
weeks before his decease , when he removed , for the benefit of his declining health , to Bath , where he expired February 25 , 1850 . Dr . Crucefix was initiated into Masonry in 1829 , and during the greater part of his life discharged the duties of important offices in the Grand Lodge of Eng-