Masonic Notes And Queries.

velvet mantle , lined with white satin , with a border embroidered Avith gold ; a cap of purple velvet , with gold embroidery , from which drops a piece of velvet , fastened to the shoulder ; a plain band is suspended from the left of the cap ; the shoes and stockings are red . The anniversary of the Order is celebrated at

Vienna on St . Andrew ' s day . If that day falls on a Aveek day , then it is celebrated on a Sunday , when all the knights go , in grand costume , in procession to church , hear divine service , and then return to their chapter-room , where they dine . On the clay of the Eihany the chapter is presided over hy the

Empp peror . A t the conclusion , the Emperor , preceded by his court and accompanied by the knights , proceeds to the hall of the knights , and takes his seat upon the throne , each knight taking his stall . Then the candidates , who have been waiting in an adioiuing

chamber , in the dress of the Order , are led in by the oldest knight , preceded by the King-at-arms , and enter the hall ofthe knights . Here he is first clubbed a knight , and then takes the oath of the Order . The Emperor with his own hands puts the collar round his neck , and embraces him , whicli ceremony is repeated by all the knihts ; after which all the knihts

g g return to the Grand Capter-room , Avhere the newlyreceived knights assume their allotted stalls . Any business of importance is then transacted , and the chapter is closed . This is a condensed account of the Order of the Golden FleeceAvhichso often told to the candidate

, , at his initiation , is nothing compared to the Lambskin in point of antiquity . Of course , I do not pretend to say anything to the reverse , but hope , as the subject is now opened , some one else Avill have something to say on the subject .

DE . WILLIAM DODD ' S SUPPOSED MS . COLLECTION EOE THE HISTOET OE TEEEMASONBT . On this subject I can give "Frater Trutulensis" no information . The only book , accessible in my present abode in which there is any mention of Dr . Dodd , is the old edition ofthe "Biographic Universelle . " There

I find the ensuing passage : —¦ " II avant requ des souscriptions , pour la publication d ' une Histoire de la Franc-Maconnerie en 2 vol . in 4 fco . " From what is known of Dr . Dodd , it is probable , notwithstandiug the reception of subscriptions , that the accumulation of materials for the work was very scanty—nothing worthy of being dignified with the title of manuscript collection . —CHAELES PCTETON COOPEE .

EXCLUSION OE TISITOES . When any business of a private nature , such as a discussion' on lhe state of the funds , or any other topic which cannot be interesting to a stranger , occupies the attention of the brethren , it would be indelicate to invite visitors to be present , as the financial affairs of the lodge might be in such a state of

disarrangement and confusion as it would be undesirable to communicate to any who were not members , and who , consequently , could feel no interest in the proceedings . And , therefore , in some lodges the by-laws are imperative on this point , and direct that no subject of local importance to the lodge shall be discussed in the presence of visitors . When , therefore , such discussions are unavoidable , visitors may be courteously requested to withdraw . —DE . OIIVEB .

The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

i MASONIC MEM . - At the meeting of the Board of Benevolence on the 23 rd March , Bro . John Udall , P . G . D ., in the chair , thirteen petitioners were relieved with various sums , amounting in the whole to £ 156 , and one petitioner recommended to Grand Lodge for a grant of £ 30 . , I

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

JOB - DAX LODGE ( No . 200 ) . —This lodge helu its usual monthly meeting at the Freemasons' Tavern , on Friday , the 18 th March . AU the officers wero present with the exception of the I . G ., Bro . G . AA . Martin , whose ahsence was unavo ' ulahle , and whose place was ably filled by Bro . Bollaert . There was a numerous attendance of the members , and the lodge was also favoured ivith the company of several visitors . Messrs . Hay , Allan , C .

B . Fletcher , B . Benjofield , and J . J . Marsden , were duly balloted for and approved as candidates for initiation , and thereupon admitted into the Order , after which Bros . Bonnewell , Nagle , and Keeping were passed to the degree of F . C . The beautiful ceremonies were performed by the AV . M ., Bvo . Hammond , in a manner which could not fail to make the desired impression on

the minds of the enndidates , and from which the brethren present must have derived profit , pleasure , and instruction . The other officers also discharged their various duties with accuracy and precision , whilst the brethren generally paid the closest attention to the proceedings , and were ready to lend a helping hand when their services were required . Bro . Davage , of the

St . John's Lodge ( No . 167 ) , who was elected at the last meeting , joined this evening , and Bro . Jennings of the same lodge , was duly elected a member of the Jordan lodge . Bro . Patten , P . G . S . B . . , called the attention of the brethren to the approaching festival for the Freemasons' Girls' School , and forcibly advocated the claims of that excellent institution , of whicli he is

the Secretary . The W . M . also warmly commended this school to the consideration of the lodge . The brethren then adjourned to the banquet , which was served in the usual liberal style . After the removal of the cloth and the customary loyal toasts , the AV . M . said that the growth of the lodge had recently been so rapid that they had many members among them who could scarcely be any other than very imperfectly acquainted with the

noble charities supported by the Craft . He would , therefore , say a few words on each of the four charities connected with tiie Order , namely , the two Schools and the Asylum for Decayed Freemasons and their Widows . In the schools great care was taken of the health and morals of the children , and the education was such as to qualify the pupils to fill respectable positions

in society , not much inferior to those which they would have been likely to hold if their parents had been alive . The aged and widows were also liberally provided for in the beautiful asylum at Croydon . Masonry , therefore , whilst it must not be regardedas a mere benefit society , possesed certain permanent institutions which afforded those whom the Great Architect had blessed with

opulence an opportunity of assisting their brethren who had been worsted in the great battle of life . He should not say any more on this subject , but should couple with the toast the name of a brother well-known as a liberal supporter of the charities , and acurately acquainted with their respective conditions . The AV . M . then proposed " Tbe Masonic Charities and Bro . Sheen . " Bro . Sheen , P . M ., thanked the W . M . and the brethren for the