The Pastoral Letter Of The Bishop Of Autun .

The document concludes thus : — Having conferred with our venerable hrethren the archdeacon , deacons , canons , and chapter of our cathedral , Ave have ordained and ordain as follows—1 st . As regards matters temporal , we inform our dear co-operators that they may obtain from us or our vicars general the of iving absolutionin

power g , acta , sacramentalis confessionis , from the censures issued by the sovereign pontiffs against members of secret societies and their aiders . and abettors . According to the tenor of the Apostolical Indult we hold , an unconditional repudiation of all connection with these societiesand destruction of

booksmanu-, , scripts , emblems , & c , relating thereto is to be exacted . By virtue of this Indult , Ave confer the power alluded to upon our five pro-vicars in active service . 2 nd . As regards matters spiritual , we expressly forbid to place emblems of secret societies on the eatafalcoeither inside the church or on the approaches

, to the burial ground . Should the family of the deceased decline to submit to this ordinance , the clergy are to inform them that the funeral cannot take place with the ceremonies and prayers of the Church .

. We also forbid to admit as godfather any Freemason , known as such by the public , unless he resign his connection with that Society . This pastoral letter to be read at the forthcoming meeting of each circle of the diocese , for the delivery of the holy oils .

In places in which lodges exist , particularly if Messieurs les Cures find out that they are engaged in propagandism , this letter may be read from the pulpit , in order to preclude all contamination of the faithful sincerely attached to religion and devoted to the Church .

Given at Autun , & c , on the 15 th of March , 1866 , the fourteenth anniversary of our election and promotion to the see of Autun . * 5 < EEEDEBIC , Bishop of Autun , Chalons , and Macon .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

EEEEMASONEY LIKENED TO A COLLEGE . A Correspondent is slightly misinformed . In the conversation at Paris to Avhich he alludes , Ereemasonry was likened by me to a College Avhose Scholarships are open _ to Candidates from all parts . INb special qualifications in the Candidates are required . Some

general qualifications , however , are necessary , aud a Candidate not possessing these is ineligible . —CHAS . PUETON COOPEE . G 02 THE . —EEEEMASONS OP SICILY , 1789 . A correspondent is mistaken . My manuscript volumeentitled "Denton Court Jottings" contains

, , no Masonic anecdote of Gcethe . The name of the illustrious German is indeed there , but under it I find only a few lines in reference to the Ereemasons of Sicily , in May , 1789 , probably copied from the " Memoires de Goethe , Traduction Nouvelle par la Baronne A . de Carlowitz" a book not long in

, ago my possession . I subjoin the lines— "Les Erancmacons de Sicile , sous un gouvernement despotique , avaient le courage de se reunir secretement pour proteger centre les abus de ce gouvernement non

Masonic Notes And Queries.

seulement les habitants du pays , raais les etrangers qui font partie de cette association . " The interesting notice of Gcethe as a Freemason , respecting which my correspondent inquires , he will find , vol . x ., page 264 , of the EBEEHASONS' MAGAZINE . With regard to any further mention of Gcethe in that publication ,

my memory does not enable me to speak . My correspondent should search the indices of the several volumes . A more sure method is slowly to tarn over the leaves . —CHAELES PUEION COOPEE . "DEIVING PILES" AND GEAND SHOCKS . In answer to the question asked by " Investigator , "

I may observe that before the ceremony of calling the men off from work to refreshment , at the hour of high twelve , it was usual to sing the Entered Apprentice's song , all the hrethren standing up , and at the end of each verse they joined hands crossAvays , so as to form a link or chain , and shake their hands up and down , and stamp their feet hard on the floor , keeping due time . It is termed by Masons " driving of piles . " —JAMES EEEDK . SPTJEE .

CHAELES DICKENS ^ I have lately heard it stated that this celebrated writer is a member of our Crder . Is the statement correct ?—J . KINGSTON . PBOEESSOR LETJTHAEDT . This eminent author has lately published a work

entitled " Apologetische Vorlesungen fiber die Grundlehren des Christenthums , " which breathes a Masonic spirit almost in every chapter . Can you inform me if the distinguished lecturer belongs to our Order , and to what lodge?—CHIUSTIANUS . —[ We have no list of members of the Leipzig lodges at hand , and

have not yet met Professor Leuthardt's name in connection with Masonry ; but we have no doubt Bro . Eindel or Bro . Zille Avill be kind enough to supply the desired information , if obtainable , through the Bauhiitte or Freimaurer Zekimc / respectively . — En . P . M . ]

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . 10 THE EDIIOl ! OF THS TXSSHJLSOHS' AtAGAZIITlS AM ) ICASOIflC MIBBOU . DEAE SIE AND BEOTHEE , —Am I correct in stating that in the year 1674 George Villiers , Duke of Buckingbam , became Grand Master , and Avas succeeded in 1679 by Henry BennetEarl of Arlington . I send you a

, copy of a letter which the second duke Avrote on his deathbed to his friend Dr . Barrow , and I should like to know if he or the first duke was the G . M . The second Duke of Buckingham , Avhose extensive estates at Helmsley and Kirby-Moor-side , & c , passed into the Duncombe familby unbounded dissipation

y , wasted an immense inheritance , and died in extreme Avant and misery at a house in Kirby-Moor-side , a village in this neighbourhood , on the 15 th of April , 1687 , after three days' illness of fever , occasioned by sitting on the ground Avhen fatigued Avith hunting , aged sixty years .

Tours fraternally , JAMES EEEDEEICK SPUES . P . S . The following is a literal copy of the Parish Eegister : — "Burials —1687 , April 17 th , Gorges Yilans Lord dooke of bookingam . "