The Nemesis: A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

" How ? " asked the Emperor . " Having performed this service for the state , you must reward , not punish him . " "I never thought of doing one or other . Anonymous letters should never be attended

to . " " Still it points out Balbus , Marenna , and their associates as the murderers of Cenna , and leaders of the Bacchanals . That is sufficient . " "Not for me . If there is any truth in the

charges , more will come out of it . If Balbus has been , or is a Bacchanal , an usurer , and a murderer , he must have committed some other crimes , which will put him at our mercy . I know the character of the animal . If we can prove him

to be a Bacchanal , for he is the least important of the accused , and an example is required , so he will be the victim . " " Lais had written the letter to the Emperorbut she had made one mistake—she accused , but

could give no proof further than the accusation —she had forgotten , one fearful proof—in time she remembered it—but at present the lightning flashed far away from Balbus . " ( To be continued . ) [ Tho Author reserves tho right of reproduction and translation . ]

Masonic Notes And Queries

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES

THE RELIGION OF MASOXKX . I have read with much interest the various contributions by Bro . C . P . Cooper to your Notes and Queries department touching upon similar subjects to that headed above . I find in a transatlantic Masonic contemporary the '

following , by Bro . De Witte Clinton , extractedfrom an address delivered by him , and which I submit as a parallel to some of Bro . C . P . Cooper's notes . I should be glad to know the opinion of that esteemed brother upon the quotation appended : — "As Christian Masonsacknowleding the divinitof Christ

, g y , we have introduced the Bible into our lodges , to manifest our belief in the doctrines which it inculcates . In like manner the followers of Moses , Mahomet and Burmah may introduce into their Masonic assemblies their Pentateuch , their Alcoran , and their Vedan ; and yet the unity of Masonry

would remain—the essential principles on which she moves would he the same ; she would still declare to her votaries , I regard not to what sect you attach yourselves ; venerate the popular religion of your respective countries ; follow the light of your understandingforget nothoweverthe doctrines of the

; , , religion of nature ; adore the Great Architect of the Universe , acknowledge the immortal soul , and look forward to a state of future retribution when the virtuous of all religions and countries shall meet together , and enjoy never-fading bliss . —SIUJDESS .

Masonic Notes And Queries

HEEVETIUS . The manuscript list of celebrated Frenchmen , members of our Institution , which a brother saw some years ago in the library at Denton Court is still in existence . Helvetius , author of the book " De l'Esprit" is of course in the list . He wasas

, my brother has been told , the founder of * a famous lodge , ( see my communication "Voltaire ' s Initiation , " p .. 1 SG of the last volume . ) 'The favour with which he was regarded by Frederick the Great is shown by the following passage taken from the "' Biographie TJniverselle" En 176-1 sur les instances de Frederic

, , il partit pour la Prusse . Le monarque le logea dans son palais , et 1 'admit a sa table . II aimait la personne d'Helvetius et estimait son admirable caractore . " Madame Helvetius , his wife , is said to have been an active jirotnoter of Adoptive Freemasonry . —G ' HABLES PUETON COOPEE .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents , * TO THE EDITOlt OF THE FnEElCASOXS' MAGAZINE AXD MASONIC 3 IIHU 03 . MASONIC ARCHiEOLOGY . TO THE UDITOK OF THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AXD MASOJfIC MIMtOE . Dear Sir and Brother , —I am glad your brief notice of the 109 th Anniversary of my mother lodge , the

Lodge of Glasgow , St . John , Hio . 8 bis , should have awakened the interest of " Historicus . " The following grounds on which that lodge rests her antiquity may interest him further : — 1 st . The possession of a charter from Malcolm

Camnore , dated 1057 . I may add that I have seen this charter , that it has been submitted to the scrutiny of several distinguished antiquarians , and that it has been sustained in the Court of Session as genuine and a question decided chiefly on the evidence which it

afforded . 2 nd . A special charter , granted by William the Lion , about the year 1192 . I have not seen this charter , but a copy is published in the Appendix to " Hamilton of Wishaw ' s description of tho

Sheriffdoms of Lanark and Renfrew . " 3 rd . A third charter from the Town Council , dated 1551 , which I have seen . 1 th . Tiie subscription of the Masters and Wardens of that lodge to the charter , granted by the Masons of Scotland to Sir YV illiam St . Clair , in the year 1 f ' , 9 . s .

There is a sketch of the history of the lodge , prefixed to the By-laws , written by Mr . Cririkshank , P . M . and D . Prov . Gf . M ., of Glasgow , and his little work might be made the nucleus of a larger tome . I am persuaded if any brother , possessing the requisite time and talent should write a History of the Lodge of GlasgowSt . Johnit would vie in

, , interest with anything that Masonic literature has yet produced . Yours fraternally , JUTENIS , Glasgow , Jan . 22 nd , 1 SG 7 .