Rome The Seat Of Masonic Power.

della Massoneria in Italia e sue Colonic . —Scienza , Liberte Lavoro , Fratellanza , Solidai-ieta . " In size it is a small quarto of eight pages , fairly printed , and is chiefly filled Avith Masonic articles of local and general interest . The following appears in the issue for September 7 th : —• OFFICIAL NOTICE . " To the "W . Masters and Brethren of the Masonic

Lodges of Italy : To all the Fraternity of the Masonic Associations of the two hemispheres : DEAR BRETHREN" The Italian Government having taken possession of Rome , the Grand Masonic Orient of Italy and its colonies has decided on its establishment there Avithout delay . I havethereforegiven orders for the transfer of the

, , Grand East to that city , now definitively the capital of the nation , t Tour affectionate Brother , L . FI-APOLLI , Grand Master .

Masonic Jottings, No. 63.

MASONIC JOTTINGS , No . 63 .

BY A PAST PROVINCIAL GKAHD MASTER . EMBLEM OF THE POINT AVITHIN A CIRCLE . Brother , consider as mythical and legendary all that is found in our Masonry concerning Saint

John the Baptist , and Saint John the Evangelist ; still the emblem of the point within a circle will not be a whit less instructive .

SPECULATIVE MASONRY . A Brother Avrites as if Speculative Masonry was something visible , something palpable ; as if it was matter , and not spirit . Plainly my good brother has not yet begun the study of real Masonry ,

THE UNIVERSE—THE GREAT ARCHITECT . Nature—the universe—is the body , of Avhich God , the Great Architect , is the soul . Brother , this is poetical and devout , but is it not Pantheistical ? COMPLETE TOLERATION . In English Ereemasonry there Avere two steps

to complete toleration . First , from certain Christianities to all Christianities ; next , from all Christianities to Judaism , Mahommedanism , Parseeism , and Natural Theology .

TOLERATION—CHANGE . A Brother thinks that Jews , Mahommedans , Parsees , and Natural Theists , must all ascribe their admission into the English Lodges to Toleration and not to Change . THE POUR OLD LONDON LODGES .

The four old London Lodges took an active part in the Eevival of our Freemasonry , A . D . 1717 . — Old MS .

OUR SURPRISE IS LESS . When a brother is ignorant that the Obligation Avhich he took ou Initiation was a Christian Obligation , our surprise is less on being informed he

Masonic Jottings, No. 63.

knoAvs not—the Religion of our Freemasonry , as a Universal Freemasonry , being Natural Theologythat its Religion , as a Particular Freemasonry , is Christianity . THE EDWIN LEGEND .

Bro . Findel ( History , page 38 ) writes - . — " We consider this legend as worthy of being preserved ,, ancl therefore communicate it . " He accordingly subjoins it . SOUTH OF ENGLAND .

There is nothing to show that Freemasonry had in old times in the South of England what we know that it had iu the 15 th century m Germany ,. Hungary , and Switzerland—the Head Lodge with its subordinate lodges .

THE VIRTUOUS MASON'S SOUL . The Great Architect of the Universe has His dwelling in the virtuous Mason ' s soul . Brother , the idea may be found in a line of some Roman poet .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

THE MEDIEVAL MASONS AND THE COEVAL TRADESMEN . There was no greater system of secrecy and mystery among the mediawal stone-masons tbnn there was among the rnediawal smiths , wrights , or weavers . Every trade or craft was denominated a " mystery , ' ' Avhile so far as Masonic structural design Avas

concerned much of it ivas copied from the Avrights , and as for ornament much of it was deri \ 'ed at some time or another from the work of the smith and weaver . So far as old metallic art in connection with building is concerned , I might refer to Solomon ' s Temple ( The " net work " might have been copied from

embroidery ) ? While in reference to textile art and its connection with Masonry . I might refer to some interesting specimens exhibited by the old tomb-stones of the long saintly Iona . —W . P < BUCHAN . A MASONIC TRADITION—THE SEVEN STARS LODGE . MrTHelsbives which

.. y g some particulars , on comments may be made , under the title of ,: The Oldest Inn in England . ' ' He says there is an old inn or tavern at the foot of Shude Hill in Manchester , called the Seven Stars . This is said to he , according to records in Lancaster Castlea licensed house since 1350-00 . So far so

, good . The legend further goes that it AVUS frequented by the Masons , who built the Collegiate Church at Manchester , now the cathedral of that city , and that they had a penny a day and got their dinners and meals from the Seven Stars . All this seems to point to the assembly of a Lodge

of Ereemasons of Manchester at a certain tavern ,. Then there is curious circumstance that it is called the Seven Stars . The Seven Stars was not a common sign in the Middle Ages for a tavern or shop , but it