Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

CHRISTIAN SYMBOLISM—THE VESICA PISCIS . The old christian emblem in the shape of a sharppointed oval which we so often meet with in the study of mediaeval ecclesiology and which has been called under—perhaps a mistaken idea of its true allusion —the " Vesica Piscis " seems to me to contain within it some of the grandest and most precious ideas

, or doctrines of the Christian faith . I believe this emblem refers to the wound made in Christ ' s body , by the spear of the Roman soldier , as mentioned in St . John ' s Gospel , XIX ., 34 , from this wound the blood of Christ ' s heart flowed , whieh blood was the sign or seal of the new Covenant made between God and

man ; as per Hebrews XIII ., 20 , " Through the blood of the everlasting covenant . " Seeing therefore that the blood of Christ shed upon the cross ratified , sealed , or made sure the Covenant of Grace , forming it into " everlasting covenant , " it is not surprising that a representation of the wound from which said blood flowed should be used by the teachers , artists , and dignitaries of the mediaeval church as an emblem

having a highly symbolic meaning . It appears to me that such is the ease , especially e . g ., in the seals used by Bishops and ecclesiastical establishments , which are often of this sharp-pointed oval form . This form when taken by itself and as a representation or emblem of the wound in Christ ' s side might be called the C'Jiristi Siilhmior seal of the new Covenant . In

g , certain situations , however , this sharp pointed oval would naturally grow out of the pointed style of Architecture , and would come quite naturally as a centre opening between a two-light pointed window , e . g ., Glapthorn , Northamptonshire , < fcc , yet I conceive that said circumstance do not detract from the

foregoing ideas , however , I should be happy to learn the opinion of any of your learned readers on the subject , more especially as in some works upon architecture , emblems , & c , which I have very little is said upon the matter . Some writers might be ready to hintat this sharp-pointed oval , having a pagan signification , but I respectfully reject that allusion as , under the circumstances , an unnecessary and unfair libel , —W . P . BTTCHAK- .

NEW FANGLED ORDERS . I beg to call attention of the Manufacturers of the above , ( and of Masonic Jewellers and Milliners ) to the following extract : — THE KNIGHTS AUD NYMPHS OP THE ROSE . Among the degrees invented in Francethat

many , great hot-bed of Masonic innovations ancl Masonic light-o'loves , and known as Androgynous Masonry , was the one whose name heads this article . It was introduced about the latter part of the eighteenth century by M . de Chaumont , the Masonic Secretary of the Duke de Chartes , who was at that time Grand

Master of French Masons . The principle seat of the Order was at Paris . The lodge room or hall of meeting was called the " Temple of Love . " It was ornaenteci with garlands of flowers ancl hung round with escutcheons , on which were printed various devicee , and emblems of gallantry . There were two presiding officers a male aud a female , who were styled " H . ierophant , " and the "High Priestess . " The former ini-

Masonic Notes And Queries.

tiated the men , and the latter the women , who were candidates . In the initiations , the Hierophant was assisted by a conductor or deacon called " Sentiment , " and the High Priestess by a conductress or deaconess , called "Discretion . " The Knights wore a crown of myrtle , the Nymphs a crown of roses . The Hierophant and Hih Priestess werein additiondecorated

g , , with a rose-coloured scarf , on whieh were embroidered two doves within a wreath of myrtle . During the initiation , the lodge room was enlightened with a single dull taper , just giving light enough to make " darkness visible , " but afterwardc it was brilliantly illuminated by numerous was candles .

"When a candidate was to be initiated , he or she was taken in charge , according to the sex , by the conductor or conductress , divested of all weapons , jewels , or money , hoodwinked , loaded with chains , sufficient of the legs and breast being bared to determine the sex , and in this condition conducted to the

door of the Temple of Love , where admission was demanded by two knocks . Bro . Sentiment then introduced the candidate by the order of the Hierophant , or the High Priestess , and he or she was asked his or her name , place of birth , and condition of life ; of which being satisfactorilansweredthe candidate

y , was then asked , " "What are you seeking ? " The reply to which was Happiness . The next question proposed was : " What is your age ? " The candidate , if a male , replies , " The age to love ; " and if a female , " The age to please and bo loved . "

The candidate was then interrogated concerning his or her private opinions aud conduct in relation to matters of gallantry . If of amatory proclivities , the chains were taken off and replaced by garlands of roses , which were called the " chains of love . " In this condition the candidate was made to traverse the apartment from one extremity to the other

,, and then back again in a contrary direction , over a path inscribed with love knots . The following pledge was then adminstered : " I promise , by the Grand Master of the Universe ,. never to reveal the secrets of the Order of the Rose , and should I fail in this my vow , may the mysteries shall receive

I add nothing to my pleasures , and instead of the roses of happiness , may I feel nothing but the thorns of repentance . " The candidate was then conducted to a place representing a mysterious grove , adjoining the Lodge roomor Temple of Lovewhereif a Knihthe

, , , g , received a crown of myrtle ; and if a Nymph , a simple rose . During this time , a soft , melodious march was played by the orchestra . Afterwards , the candidate was conducted to the " Altar of Mystery , " and placed at the foot of the Hierophant's thronewhere incense was offered to

, Venus and her son . If it was a Knight who had been initiated , he exchanged his crown of myrtle for the rose of the Nymph he selected ; and , if a Nymph , she exchanged her rose for the myrtle crown of a Brother Sentiment most agreeable to her fancy . —G . J .

THE FATHER OF THE STEAM ENGINE AND THE GLASGOW INCORPORATION OF HAMMERMEN . _ " James Watt , on attempting to set up as an instrument maker in Glasgow , was prevented doing BO