Masonic Notes And Queries.

"The Learned Societie of Artists or Students in Astrologie . " He terms the assembly " you , the learned Society of Artists , " and declares that " your anniversary meeting is for the common good and benefit of mankind , the nourishing and strengthening of true mutual Christian love , the avowing of the Great " God , whose name is love , in His works of nature and government of the world by stars and angels . "

It is a very able , purely astrological , sermon , and I can find no trace of any mystical teaching , or even the slightest allusion to an Hermetic Society . Neither can I discover any more traces of the same in a little work entitled , " Fasciculus Chemicus ; or , Chemical Collections . The ingress , progress , and egress of the Secret Hermetic Science , & c . Printed by J . Fletcher and Rich . Mynne , at the sign of St .

Paul , in Little Britain , 1650 . I his work is said be made EnglishJ by James Hasolle , Esq . Qui est , Mercuriophylus Anglicus . " James Hasolla is the anagram for Elias Ashmole , and substituting " j " for " i" the letters correspond . The dedication is to " all ingeniously elaborate students in the most Divine mysteries of Hermetic learning . " The work itself is said to be w . itten by Arthur Dee , son of John Dee ,

and is properly alchemical . Ihere is no trace of Rosicrucianism , though Anthony A . Wood says that it is " fare'd with Rosycrucyan language , " Ashmole also wrote "Theatrum , Chemicum Britannicum , " 1652 , and "The Way to Bliss , " 1658 . These are both of them Hermetic works . I am very anxious , therefore , to find out when and how Elias Ashmole ever alluded to the Rosicrucians

as connected with . Freemasonry or to Freemasonry , otherwise than in his diary or in the life of Ashmole in the " Biographia Britannica , " where allusion is made to a " parchment roll , " no doubt of the old Guild Legend or Constitutions . A good deal is involved in this apparently trifling " point , " and , therefore , we cannot be too careful in our statements , too correct in our references . MASONIC STUDENT .

THE REVIVORS AND RITUALISTS OF 1717 . It is quite clear that the suggestion I made as to where these names might be found is untenable , and rests simply on a " reference" which I had not investigated . Bro . Gould , who has read the early minutes of Grand Lodge , dating from 1723 , assures me , that he can find noneof these names , except Desaguliers , and Anderson , of course . I see that in 1731 a John King was Grand Steward . But

what of Gofton , Calvert , Lumley , Madden , Deshoyer , and Vraden , assuming John King to be the same as the Bro . King mentioned next to Gofton ? What , too , of Thomas Grinsell of No . 3 ? Can no trace be found of any of these names in any old lodge minutes , or are wc to assume that Oliver copied from Dermott , and that Dcrmott's statement is a myth . In my researches I have often felt that one would give a good deal for any Masonic minutes of 1717 , and between 1717 and . ' i 72 i-23 . MASONIC STUDENT .

ROYAL'SOMERSET HOUSE AND INVERNESS LODGE , NO . 4 . Can any one tell me to what date the minutes of this distinguished lodge go back , and if any access could be gained to its records ? MASONIC STUDENT .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

MACDONALD LODGE ( No . 104 ) . —This lodge held its first meeting for the present year on Saturday , the 19 th inst ., at the Guildhall Tavern , when a large number of members and visitors attended . Lodge was opened at three o ' clock in the afternoon by the W . M ., Bro . F . H . Cozens , P . G . Organist , and the following ofiicers , viz .: Bros . W . P . Collins , P . P . G . D ., S . W . ; N . ] . F . Basnetr , P . P . G . Stwd ., J . W . ; George Yaxley , P . G . Stwd ., M . O . ;

W . C . Hale , P . G . S . B ., S . O . ; J . K . Pitt , P . P . A . D . C , l . O . ; V . W . Bro . Thomas Meggy , P . G . S . O ., P . M ., Treas . ; W . Bro . William Worrell , P . G . Org ., P . M ., Sec . ; V . W . Bro . James Stevens , P . G . J . O ., P . M ., D . C . ; W . Bros . Johnston , R . M . ; Theodore De Leliva , G . Stwd . S . D . ; and T . W . Symons , J . D . Amongst other members , present were the V . W . Bro . Frederick Binckes , P . G . W . and G . Mark Secretary ; W . Bros . K . Bcrridge ,

G . D . C ; and Alfred Williams , P . G . S . D ., Past Masters ; R . P . Spice , P . G . Stwd . ; and Bros . Mildred , Bale , Nettleship , and others . The visitors were the V . W . Bros . Frederic Davison , Deputy Grand Mark Master for Middx . and Surrey ; D . A . Dewar , Asst . G . Mark Secretary ; and Bro . VV . H . Gerningham , VV . M . of the Tentcrden Mark Lodge . The minutes of the previous meetinghaving been confirmed ,

ballot was taken for two candidates named on summons , and Bro . Francois Ducher , of the Rothesay Craft Lodge , No . 16 S 7 , being in attendance , was introduced and advanced to the Honourable Degree with full musical ceremony , the whole work connected with which was most impressively rendered . The Deputy Grand Master was pleased to express his favourable opinion in regard to the entire ceremony , and endorsed the minute hook to that effect . A

Committee was appointed to revise the bye-laws of the lodge , which in some particulars require emendation , and there being no further business , the lodge was duly closed . The brethren then adjourned to banquet , thc provision and service of which by Bros . Ritter and Clifford left nothing to be desired . On thc removal of the cloth , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given by the W . M .,

that of The Queen being most unexpectedly , but most appropriately , accompanied at the exact moment by the " National Anthem , " p layed by the full band of the London Rifle Brigade , then being "dismissed , " after parade , in the Courtyard of the Guildhall . For " Grand Mark Lodge , " the Deputy Grand Master for the province , the V . W . Bro . Davison , responded , and again expressed his gratification with the admirable working he had witnessed in lodge , and

his earnest hope that in the future its members would aim at a continuation of that meritorious endeavour , which had so fully established the prestige of the Macdonald as one of the best exponents of the ritual of thc Degree . The W . M ., in reply to the toast in his honour , which was proposed by Bro . Meggy , renewed his former promises to maintain the dignity of his position , and to promote the prosperity of the lodge and harmony amongst its members . By unanimous request , the W . M . at once gave a practical

Mark Masonry.

evidence of his great ability to promote "harmony" in a musical sense , by indulging the brethren with one of his ever tuneful and amusing songs , the reception of which compelled him still longer to leave the presidential chair in the occupation of Bro . Meggy , whilst he complied with the general requirement for another "just in the usual way . " For "The Past Masters , " Bro . Stevens made a brief response , which was followed by a " Yankee Electoral Address "from Bro . Gerningham , whose clever

recital for some time "kept the table in a roar . " At a later period of the evening the worthy brother again assisted digestion , by reciting another mirth convulsing narrative , and his earnest efforts to delight his audience were unmistakeably appreciated . The reception of "The Advancee" having been cordially given , Bro . Bucher , whose foreign accent somewhat increased the effect of his words , made a forcible speech , in the course of which he

said that his impressions with regard to Masonry may be different from those of others , but he could not but believe that Freemasonry , which good and true men had for three thousand years been helping to build up , as an edifice that hereafter will be the temple of humanity , had a potent mission , which mission will be accomplished ; and the time will surely come , not , almost certainly , in our period , when that edifice which we in our turn are helping to complete

will become universal , and embrace humanity as one nation , one people , one creed . To this glorious end he believed the work of the Order he had just entered was equally devoted as that of other branches of Freemasonry , whilst he felt bound to admit that the ceremony of his advancement had impressed him beyond any other he had gone through . The remarks of the worthy brother were listened to with profound attention . For the visitors the Assistant Grand

Mark Secretary , the V . W . Bro . Dewar , replied , endorsing the flattering expressions of former speakers . "The Masonic Charities and the Mark Benevolent Fund" called up the V . W . Bros . Binckes , Meggy , and J . Spice , who severally replied , Bro . Binckes in the course of his remarks referring to the frequent opportunities which were afforded him to dilate on the cause of charity , particularly in connection with the useful institutions of Freemasonry . He

acknowledged the sympathetic aid by means of which those of the household of faith , not so fortunate as ourselves , were not forgotten through the social organisation of the Order , and felt assured that not one of us who may have contributed towards the assistance of those in need ever yet felt the worse off for so doing . Bro . Meggy gave a brief resume of the progress of the Mark Benevolent Fund from the time , not many years ago , when but five Stewards

could be obtained to represent lodges at the festivals , to the present , when as many as thirty-two worthy members of the Mark Degree afforded their valuable assistance . He congratulated the Macdonald Lodge on the fact that it had sent Stewards on all occasions but two during the existence of the fund . Bro . Spice in an equally able manner testified to the good done by all thc Charities of the Order , and concluded a telling speech with the remark that the Stewards , whether in the past or the present ,

might well be looked upon as each corner-stones of that Temple of which Bro . Binckes had so eloquently spoken . The remaining toasts , "Treasurer and Secretary " " Officers of the Lodge" and Tyler ' s were then given , and the brethren separated , each and all delighted with the happy reunion . Wc must not omit to mention that in addition to the admirable songs and recitations of thc W . M . and Bro . Gerningham respectively , Bros . Symons , Meggy , and Ducher contributed materially to the musical entertainment of the evening .

Notes Of The Day.

Notes of the Day .

I . SANTiLANA . —The Times of Natal contains an account , obtained from native sources by Mr . Oshorn , the British Resident in Zululand , of the memorable disaster at Isandlana . Several new facts of great interest are mentioned , notably the discovery on the battle-field of Lord Chelmsford ' s written orders to Colonel Pulleine . The description of the stand made hy " the last man " is full of pathos . " He

struggled on and on , reti eating higher and higher up the hill , till he reached a small cave or recess in the rocks , into which he crept , and with his gun kept off the enemies . The ground in front of the little cave ( which was pointed out to me ) falls steeply down , and the Zulus , taking advantage of the rocks and stones scattered about , endeavoured , tivo or three at a time , to approach and shoot him . The soldier , however , vas very cool and wary , and invariably shot every

Zulu as he appeared ; lie did not blaze away hurriedly , but loaded quietly , took deliberate aim , and 'killed a man with every shot , ' till at last the Zulus , being now very tired , a number of men , good shots , were brought up with guns , who fired simultaneously at this unfortunate man and so killed him . This lasted far in the afternoon , * and the shadows were long on the hills ' ( probably about 5 p . m . ) before this man , who , my informant said , was the last to die , met his fate . "

PALMER ' "INDEX TO THE TIMES . "—Mr . Samuel Palmer has now carried back his Index to the contents of our columns for nearly twenty years . The latest instalment of this work , which has just appeal ed , covers the three last months of ihe year 1 S 62 , embracing an important and interesting portion of the civil war in America , the blockade of Charleston , the siege of Fredericksburg ,

the President s proclamation against slavery , & c . It contains the usualnumberof gales , storms , accidents , murders , divorces , suicides , bankruptcies , and so forth ; it records Captain Speke's expedition to Eastern Africa , the resignation of his Church preferment by the late Mr . F . D . Maurice , the death of Sir Benjamin Brodie , the resolution

of the Metropolitan Board of Works to form a new street between the East and West Ends , the arrival of a gorilla at Liverpool , and the inauguration of the Hartley Institute at Southampton hy Lord Palmerston . It should be added that the Index to thc Times is published at Park-house , Broadway , South Hackney . —Times .

A curious Matrimonial Agency flourishes in Paris , which not only arranges marriages , but undertakes to niake all the necessary visits for the contracting parties . Amongst its staff are a number of " highly correct gentlemen , " who are got-up with beard , whiskers , or moustache , to represent as closely as possible the intending bridegroom , and these pay visits , leave cards , and transact all the needful social business of the wedding .

Notes On Art, &C.

Notes on Art , & c .

The Atlienamm . says that it may be interesting to some people to know that when the late Mr . Gould finished his " Century of Birds from the Himalaya Mountains , " he carried the MS . from publisher to publisher , and could not find any one bold enough to undertake it .

He resolved after this to have no connection with the Row , and although , when his fame was made , he had many offers from the trade , he persisted in being his own publisher , collected his subscribers himself , and personally superintended all the details of his splendid folios .

1 he particulars given by the Record of the changes effected in the Authorised Version by the Revision Committee were , it appears , if not inaccurate , at least premature . The Bookseller calls attention to some of the curious problems of copyright law which will arise from the publication of the revised version .

The Istoria dell' Arte Cristiana of the R . P . Raphael Garucci is on the eve of completion . It extends to six volumes in folio , and contains a collection of the monuments of ecclesiastical art during the first eight centuries of the Christian era , including those of the Jews and of the heretical sects . It will be illustrated by five hundred copper plates .

Mr . Carlyle ' s Notes and Papers , including his " Reminiscences , " are in the hands of Mr . J . A . Froude , and will p robably be brought out in three instalments . The materials are exceeding voluminous , particularly the letters , and will have to be carefully sifted before publication . Thc " Reminiscences " will appear first , and include sketches of E . Irving and Lord Jeffrey .

" Household Words " will shortl y be revived by Bro . Charles Dickens in a different form , though without interfering in any way with " All the Year Round , " which will be continued as heretofore . A fine painting by Velasquez has'been placed in

the Dresden Museum . The picture , which recalls the style of Rubens , and was probably painted for the Castle of Torre della Parada , represents a group of the chief personages of Philip IV . 's Court arrayed in mythological costume , the Queen appearing as Diana .

A century-and-a-half of existence was celebrated last month by the Hamburgischc Correspondent , which was started in 1731 , although it is believed to have existed in 1710 under another name . This journal published a jubilee number containing a photographic reproduction of the first number .

The Princess Louise ( Marchioness of Lome ) has completed a water-colour sketch of Mr . William Lee , the hero of the novel "A Sailor's Sweetheart , " lashed , as he represents himself , in the top of the water-logged brig in the South Pacific .

the earliest printed Bible known was sold on Tuesday week in London for £ 700 . It contained the Old Testament only , and was printed at Metz by Gutenburg in 1452 , being believed to be the first book ever printed by moveable types . It was bought by Mr . Ouaritch .

The Athenccnm stales that in tlie earl y part of the spring will be published the first of the Talleyrand manuscripts . This one is entitled " Talleyrand and Louis XVIII ., " and consists of their correspondence during the Congress of Vienna , with Talleyrand ' s descriptions of the various persons there , including Wellington and Castlereagh . Mr . Bentley will publish in England and M . Eugene I'Ion in Paris .

A valuable contrivance for the transport of persons suffering from infectious diseases has been adopted in Paris . Special vehicles have been made of bamboo and varnished wood , which can be easily cleaned and disinfected by jets of steam and chemical materials .

Lord Beaconsfield ' s " Endymion " costs more in its native land than in anyothercountry . The London edition is published at 3 is . Gd ., whereas the authorised German translation sells for iSs ., theTauchnitzcanbehadfor 3 s . 40 ! . and the American version for 2 s . With true Transatlantic energy this last edition was published within fifty-five hours of its arrival in America .

Mr . Furnivall has for the last three weeks been searching , with Mr . J . Chaloner Smith ' s help , the old inventories at Somerset House , in the hope of finding Shakespeare ' s among them . But at present the only one that has turned up at all relating to the poet ' s family is the inventory of Sir John Bernard , the surviving second husband of Shakespeare's granddaughter and last descendant , Elizabeth Hall , who first married Thomas Nash .

The paintings of C . Delacroix in the library of the Palais Bourbon are threatened with destruction owing to the cracking of the wall on which they exist . A commission of experts , architects , painters , and critics has been appointed to inquire into the matter , and , if possible , secure the pictures from further injuries .

According to the Academy , Mr . H . Buxton Forman , the editor of the standard edition of Shelley ' s Poetical and Prose Works , is compiling a Shelley biography , with a full account of the contents and specialities of every volume and tract included in it . Asasupplementto her husband ' s work , Mrs . Forman has undertaken a Shelley Concordance , which will be a great gain to students of English as well as of Shelley .

According to the last number of the Istoricheski Vicstnik , " Historical Messenger , " there has been recently discovered in an old country house in the Government of Orlov , a collection of letters from Voltaire to Count Razoumovski and Teplov , Secretary to the Empress Catherine II . They have never been published , and let us hope will soon find an editor .

The current coin of the realm now in use throughout the United Kingdom amounts to some 1 , 230 , 000 , 000 , of which 130 , 000 , 000 sterling consist of gold alone . The silver coins number some 300 , 000 , 000 , according to the City Press , the largest amount being in shillings , about 125 , 540 , 160 , while the sixpences amount to 82 , 125 , 220 , and the halfcrowns to 41 , 516 , 343 . As to the bronze money , 6 oootons have been , struck since the Royal Mint was first instituted .