Correspondence.

have been subjected ( in my opinion ) to so uncourteous a letter as that inserted in your last number , from Z *** . I believe it to be a fact , patent to all , that the road to knowledge ( whether Masonic or other ) is both steep and rugged , and beset with many difficulties ; and I further believe it to be generally acknowledged , that the student , who does not bring to his aid humility , patience , industry and perseverance , will never arrive at the goal . From the petulancy exhibited by your Correspondent , when he writes about irritationand

, leaving off in disyust ( rather inelegant ) , upon so trifling a matter , I am fearful he must be minus some of the qualifications just mentioned . It appears that in a Book of Constitutions , about ninety years old , are these words"Cement of the Lodge , " and "the three Articles of Noah , " for which an explanation is required , and which ( premising that our system is veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols ) , I will endeavour to

give—1 st " Cement of the Lodge . " In the Book of Constitutions , of the respective dates of 1327 and 1841 , page 14 , may be read thus : — " cultivating brotherly love , the foundation and cape-stones , the cement and glory of this antient fraternity ; " from which it is clear that the word Cement has a meaning , and of the highest character , being in accordance with the commandment given by the great founder of our holy religion— " Love one another . " 2 nd " Three Articles of Noah . "

On reference to the Great Light in Masonry , it will therein be found that Noah , is stated to have been a "just and perfect man , " and "a righteous man ; " here the meaning is equally , clear and distinct ; these were Noah's Articles , his distinguishing characteristics ; what more noble 1 what more grand ' . what more beautiful ! would that the Great Architect of the Universe inspired all men with the desire for such . then the produce of love and charity would abound more extensively . In addition , see the 39 th Ques . and Ans . 2 nd Sec . 1 st Lecture ; also the address to the

candidate at the N . E . part of the Lodge . Having thus proved , as I believe , the answer you gave to the question , a correct one , I hope that in future no one will rashly denounce conclusions which are just and proper as " lame and impotent .

In conclusion , I will only add for the information of your Correspondent , that the riddle , he has been so much fntzzled about , the mole hill over which he has stumbled , HO longer exists—in neither of the Boolcs in my possession are the words in question , to be found . Wishing all success to the "Mirror , " I remain , Sir and brother , 5 'ours very fraternally , Peckham , February 19 , 1855 . P . McC , late P . M . 198 . [ We have received other letters on the same subject , for which we thank the .

brethren , but as while agreeing with us in opinion , they throw no further li ght upsa the matter , we do not think it necessary topublish them . —ED . M . M . ] TO THE EDITOR OF THE MASONIC MIRROR . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Some twenty years ago , I recollect a cant phrase of " Flare-up , " being all the rage . A gentleman of some standing as an elocutionist , wrote a parody on the then vulgarism , to the tune of " Miss Bailey , " wherein tho following prophetic verse may be found : —

" Young Nick , tlie Czar , has too long been The gallant Toles oppressing , But soon the Sous of Freedom mean To give this brute a dressing ; We'll gladly spend our hard-earned coin To blow tins Russian Bear up , Old England too , with Prance will join , In such a glorious " llare up . "

Feeling very anxious for your success , I offer the above as a small contribution , a « . d trust that other brothers will unite and flare up a little to support your good efforts . T . B .