Correspondence.

brethren who are not " eminent" ) that Bro . Buchan will accept the invitation given by Bro . Melville , in the spirit it is offered , and go , Avith the hope and determination to find the truth , even if it is at the bottom of a well , and that well deep ,- and should he be successfullet us all learn it and participate in the

, light through the proper channel . I am surprised that any brother should so far forget his first instruction to be cautious , as to demand that points of light should be published . I fear Bro . Carleton is not assisting us by bringing Charles Slyme , Esq ., and Mr . Montague Tigg with

him into the correspondence . Tours fraternally , EXCELSIOR .

10 SHE EDITOR OP THE FREEMASONS * MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIBROB . Dear Sir and Brother , —In a foot-note to the 8 th paper on ,: Masonic Celestial Mysteries , " by Henry Melville , he says : — " On looking at Sir J . W . Hort ' s letter , I find he uses the Roman tri ple cross as symbol of tlie Grand

Secretary . " I beg to inform you that Bro . Sir J . William Hort used the triple cross , not on account of his then official position in the Grand Lodge of Ireland , but by -virtue of bis being a member of the 33 ° . Bro . Sir J . W . Hort is at present Grand Treasurer to the Supreme Grand Council of Rites for Ireland . Tours fraternally , 24 th May , 1869 . J . L . W ., 30 . - .

The Palestine Exploration Fund.

THE PALESTINE EXPLORATION FUND .

10 THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIMOR . Dear Sir and Brother , —A few months ago I requested you to lay before your readers a communication respecting the operations then being carried on at Jerusalem by the Palestine Exploration Fund ; this you kindly did in No . 46 S of your valuable

Magazine , and I trust you will now accord me a similar favour . Since that date discoveries have been made fully justifying my assertion that "the object of the Society ' s researches is of peculiar interest to the Masonic Avorld , and deserving of its warmest

support . " _ Space will onl y permit me to refer to two of these discoveries . The first , of great topographical importance , has clearl y established the identity of the wall of Ophel , and this wall has now been traced nearly 250 yards—three of the towers by which it was

defended having been found and examined . The second , the discovery of " Masons' marks " on the foundations and lower courses of the south-east wall of the Haram , may prove of inestimable value during future researches in the history of the Craft . The exact nature of these curious inscriptions hasnot

yet been clearl y determined—some are carved in the stone , while others / ire painted with red or vermilJion ; but it is nearly certain that they are the marks of the ancient Craftsmen by Avhoin the stones Avere hewn in the quarries . Mr . _ Deutsch , of the British Museum , gives the following opinion of these marks : — " 1 . The signs cut or painted were on the stones

when they were first laid in their present places . 2 . They do not represent any 'inscription . ' 3 . They are Phoenician . 4 . They are partl y letters , partly numerals , and partly special Masons' or quarry signs . " Mr . Deutsch predicts that if the excavations are

properly carried on , other signs will probably be discovered that Avill not only give a full explanation of their own purport , but such as will perhaps solve some vital question regarding the plan of the whole building . Despite this brilliant prospectthe operations of

, the Society are seriously impeded by the want of funds ; in fact , so much is money needed , that Lieut . Warren has been compelled to discharge half his trained workmen .

This is a loss of vital importance , aud one that must be disheartening in the extreme to Bro . Warren , after the difficulties he has had to overcome in the enlistment and training of these fellaliin . The signs and symbols of Freemasonry are undoubtedly of the greatest antiquity , and , the more we

read and study , the firmer will he our conviction that these signs and symbols were adapted , not invented , by those who organised the Craft on its present basis . No safer or better plan can be pursued in the endeavour to trace our Order to its ori gin , than by clearly establishing its connexion with the ancient

guilds of operative Masons , and , if that is once done ,, the great end will eventually be attained . No stronger proof can be advanced in support of this theory than the evident connexion between the ancient and modern operative Masons , so clearly established by the discoveryafter a lapse of nearl

, y three thousand years , of Masons' marks on what are probably the remains of tbe wall of Solomon ' s Temple , now buried to a depth of 90 ft . by the ruins and * debris of ancient Jerusalem .

To this very day the operative Masons follow the example of their ancient brethren by carving or painting in red their marks on the stones they may hew in the quarries . Our splendid Charities must prove to our enemies , that we do not falsely lay claim to the virtue of

benevolence , and we have sow a good opportunity of clearly demonstrating our desire of hnoitiledye by coming forward with substantial assistance to the Palestine Exploration Pund . Hnder the banners of the Grand Lodges of England , Scotlandand Ireland there are at present enrolled

, more than 2 , 000 lodges , each capable of contributing at least one guinea annually to tbe support of a society whose labours are of such peculiar interest to the whole Craft . Much Avould be gained by Jthe Grand Lodges officially inviting the attention of their respective subordinates to the deplorable position of

the Palestine Exploration Eund , and this might easily be done at the next Quarterly Communication . Tin ' s is a case involving the interest and lionour of every Mason , whether Christian , Jew , or Mahometan , and I trust that when the matter lias been properly made known to the Praternity , the most cordial and

liberal support will be accorded to the Palestine Exploration Pund . Tours fraternally , DSALXO , 954 , & c .