Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

SlST DEGREE . The 31 st Degree , or that of Inspector of the A . ancl A . Bite , is iu exercise in many countries . In a foreign by-law I see it stated the lodge has attached to it a chapter ofthe high degrees , ancl a tribunal of the 31 st . By one clause it is stated that in case of

the exclusion or expulsion of a member the lodge , before deciding , shall demand the decision of the tribunal ; but in case the tribunal shall not have decided before the second regular meeting , the lodge can decide definitively , ¦ whether the tribunal have given its decision or not . —E . Y .

THE ItOEAI IiAW . —ICANT . A brother , whose letter has the signature "A Theist , " will find the criterion of Kant , by wdiich we may determine what we ought to do , aud what we ought not to do , stated iu my communication "The Moral Law—Freemasonry , " Freemasons' Magazine , vol . xiv ., page 290 . —C . P . COOPEE .

EITE D OKIEXT . In the " Explication de la Croix Philosophique , " by Bro . Chereau , Paris , 1806 , he calls himself Officer General of the Ordres d'Orient . This is afterwards called Rite d'Orient , and at page 17 this appears to he identified with that of Memphis . It is stated there

are variations in the E > J < and other degrees from the A . and A . Eite , from that of Heredom and that of Erance . Chereau ' s pamphlet affirms that the Eite d'Orient is the only legitimate one , and that its history was then being written by several learned brethren . —E . Y .

EOYAE AECH . " A Masonic Student ,: has explained the nature of our correspondence ou the Eoyal Arch , and as the letters on the subject are now before the Craft , please let the matter rest so far as my humble endeavours are concerned , until I am able to present the second

part of " An analysis of ancient and modern Ereemasonry . " All being well , the "" Analysis " will be divided into seven parts , some longer and others shorter than the first ; and iu the interim , any information of value tending to elucidate facts on Ereemasonry , will be gladly received by me . The Eoyal Arch degree will be especially considered in the third part . — ~ W . J . HUGHAS ' .

EIGHT OP VISITORS TO VOTE . In many parts ofthe world it is held as a principle , and recorded in the constitutions and by-laws , that visiting Bros , have the right to ballot on the admission of candidates , because each Mason has an interest iu the admission of anyone . —E . Y .

FACTS CoscERS-isa HuirAX LITE . —The total number of human beings on the earth is computed at 1 , 000 , 000 , 000 ( one thousand millions ) , and they speak 3 , 06 : 1 tongues , The average duration of human life is 33 1 ' 3 years . One fourth of those born die before they are 7 years old , and one half before tbe age of 17 . Out of 100 persons , only six reach the age of 60 years . Out of 500 persons only one attains the age of SO years . Sixty persons die every minute . Tall men live longer than short ones . Married men are longer lived than the single . Rich men live , on the average , 4-2 years , but the poor only 30 years . There is a drunkard to every 74 persons .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor ii r . ot responsible for tie opinions expressed by Correspondents , A JUAHOE " WAEDEN'S II \ QUTEY .

TO THE EDITOK OF THE FEEEAIASOXS' ] UAGAZIXE AIID 2 IASO : i * IC MIKr . OB , Dear Sir and Brother , —In our late lamented Bro . Dr . Oliver's work , "' Masonic Jurisprudence " ( Spencer , London ) , page 238 , paragraph 5 , 1 find the following reference to Masonic tests : — " Our ancient brethren had many ways of detecting such pretended

Masons : one of which was by taking up any rough stone that lay in his way , and handing it over to the beggar , and asking him what it smells of . There is only one legitimate answer to the question , and it is impossible for any person to know it unless he has been in the habit of frequenting a lodge . " Tou will

readily understand that I have been iu the habit of frequenting a lodge ; in fact , for the last two years I am not aware of having missed more than one of our regular meetings , yet I have , I must confess , failed in satisfactorily elucidating the above . Moreover , I have made numerous inquiries amongst my Masonic

friends and acquaintances , some of them Past Master a and Masons of thirty or forty years' standing , without beiug able to elicit an explanation ; not one of them knew the meaning of , or the answer to , the test . In my despair , I venture , frivolous as it may seem to one so * * * as yourself , to apply to and

you . I know your uniform kindness genuine willingness to assist young students iu Masonry . Can you help me ? Yours fraternally , JUNIOR "WASDEIT . [ Perhaps our esteemed Bro ., Charles Purton Cooper , will oblige bv replying to this communication . —ED . ' F . 3 L ]

Masonic Researches.

MASONIC RESEARCHES .

TO THE EDITOR OF THE EEEESlASOys' MAGAZINE AXD MASONIC HinHOS , Dear Sir and Brother . —Being on a visit some time ago with friends in Oxford , and to while away a dull hour during a fall of rain , I amused myself in looking through the vols , ofthe Camden Soe , published 1 S 39 , and among other interesting matters happened to

stumble on some curious passages , which I at once extracted , as conceiving them in some sort illustrative of the mysteries of Masonry . As there are many students of our " Ars Mystica , " that will understand better than I how to turn these extracts to account iu treating on Masonic subjects , I have very great pleasure in presenting them to their notice .

" Pentalpka Pentacle . — This mark was heretofore used as the sign of the ^ is now , so . at the beginning of letters or bookes , for good luck ' s sake ; and the women amongst

the Jewes ( Dr . Ealpli Bathurst tells me ; cud make this mark on the children ' s chrysome cloathes . Mr . "W yld Clarice , merchant ( factor ) , at Santo Crux , in Barbaric , tells me that the Jewes in Barbarie have this mark on their trunkes in nailes , and on their cupboards and tables . So in Prance , & c , and heretofore in England , were built crosses , for good luck >