Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC TITLES . A brother adds to his name the mysterions letters , H . P ., C . G ., S . G . M ., and J . G . M . What do they represent ? —L ITTLE A . MASTERS OE CEREMONIES . In our lodge , which is an old onethe Masters of

, Ceremonies are distinguished by two cross swords , suspended from the legs of an extended compass . Is this uncommon , and when was it used ?—R . D . —[ It is old , and one of the jewels recognised by the Ancient York Rite . ] AVASHINGTON ' S LODGE . « - The following particulars of General Washington ' s

lodge may prove acceptable to your readers . —Ex . Ex . " The apartments occupied by Fredericksburg Lodge ( No . 4 ) , which was organised under a dispensation from Massachusetts hefore receiving its charter from the G . L . of Scotland , contain many precious souvenirs , for it was within its mystic portals that George Washington first beheld

That hieroglyphic bright "Which none hut craftsmen ever saw . ' The young surveyor was first commissioned at AVilliamsburgh ( then the capital ) , hy Governor Dinwiddle , to go through the forest , and expostulate with the French Commander , who was taking possession of the Ohio river , and hefore leaving he knocked at the door of the Masonic Institution , that he might claim fraternity ivith , and obtain a kind reception from , savage and

Christian foes . Although not one-and-twenty , the Fredericksburg Lodge wisely decided that he was of that ' mature and discreet age' which the ' ancient constitutions and landmarks ' require a candidate to have attained , and he was initiated as an ' Entered apprentice ' on the fourth day of November , 1752 . On his return from his perilous mission ( ancl nine days after he became of age ) he passed the degree of Fellow Craft ; and on the fourth day of August 1753 he was raised to the degree of a

, , Master Mason . It was my privilege to examine the original records of these ceremonials , with the Treasurer ' s entries of the fees paid . The officers of the lodge at that time were R . W . Daniel Campbell , Master j John Neilson , Senior Warden ; and Dr . Robert Halkerson , Junior Warden . From that time until the members of Alexandria Lodge ( So . 22 ) hore his lifeless remains to the tomb , Washington was a devoted member of the Masonic fraternity . On all proper occasions he was found with

the Craft , clothed in the regalia of his Order ; nor did any opportunity present itself , during all the varied and exciting scenes through which he passed , when he did not manifest by his words and his work , hy his confidence and his respect , his brotherly regard for the fraternity . " Among other envious matters at the Fredericksburg Lodge are a large number of funeral hatchments hanging on the walls , and bearing inscriptions in honour of deceased brethren . On

one of these , surrounded hy Masonic emblems , is inscribed : — ' In memory of Brother George Washington , Born in the county of Westmoreland , State of Virginia , Feb . 11 , O . S . A . L . 5732 , A . D . 1732 . Died at Mount Vernon , Dec . 14 , N . S ., A . L . 5799 , A . D . 1799 .

'A LIFE now Glorious to his COUNTE ? Led ! Belov'd while Living as Rever'd now Dead . May his EXAMPLE Virtuous deeds Inspire , Let future Ages HEAR IT and admire 1 ' "Fredericksburg Lodge owns a burial ground , where the acacia blooms over the graves of the deceased brethren and their families . Among these tombs I noticed that of the foster child of the Republic , Colonel Mercer , who was adopted and educated

by Congress , after his father was butchered at Princeton fight . General Mercer was a physician and apothecary at Fredericksburg before he entered the continental service ; and an estimate of his patriotism may be formed from the following . remark , ivhich be made hefore several comrades in the tent of General St . Clair , a few hours before he was slain . Some dissatisfaction having been expressed as to promotions , he said , ' they were not engaged in a war of ambition , or that he should not have been there ; and that every man should he content to serve in that station in which he could he most useful ; that for his part he had hut one object in view , and that was the success of his

Masonic Notes And Queries.

cause , and that God could witness how cheerfully he could lay down his life to secure it . ' Little , adds General Wilkinson , in his record of the conversation—little did he or any of the company think that a few fleeting hours would seal the compact . ' "Another monument in this Masonic cemetery is over the remains of Lewis Littlepage , who was horn in Hanover county , and died in Fredericksburg in July , 1802 , in the fortieth year

of his age . He lost his father when young , and was adopted by Mr . Jay , who took him to Madrid . Volunteering while there in the expedition against Minorca , under the Duke de Crillon , he became acquainted with the Count of Nassau , with whom he served at the siege of Gibraltar , and afterwards went to Constantinople and A \ arsaw . He was subsequently , says his tombstone , ' honoured for many years with the esteem and confidence of the unfortunate Stanislaus Augustus , King of Poland ; he

held , under that monarch , until he lost his throne , the most distinguished offices , among which was that of Ambassador to Russia . He was by him created Knight of the Order of St . Stanislaus , Chamberlain and confidential secretary in his cabinet , and acted as his special envoy among the most important ] negoliations ; of talents , military as well as civil , he served with credit as an officer of high rank in different armies . In private cife he was charitable , generous , ancl just , and in various public offices which he filled , he acted with magnanimity , fidelity , and honour . '" MASONIC RELIEF IN AUSTRALIA .

Some short time before I left , a young lady , the orphan daughter of a Mason , being in difficulties , sent to the lodge of which I was a member , a brooch which had belonged to her mother , with a request that measures might be taken to dispose of it to one of the brethren . The ewel was a very old fashioned one , about two inches long , and broad in proportion , with a glass face , under

which were a number of the symbols of Masonry , in gold filagree work , & c . The Lodge put a value upon it ( a pretty high one ) , and rafHed for it in the usual way . The money was handed to the young lady , and the brooch was presented to her in the name of the lodge , as per preidous agreement together , the brother who won it in the raffle having the honour of presenting it . —GOLDDIGGER .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . KNIGHTS TEMPLAR . IO IHE EDITOE OP IHE riiEEMASOJCS' MAGAZINE ASD MASONIC MIBBOB . DEAR . SIR AND BROTHER . —The Secretary of Minerva Lodge ( No . 311 ) , is entitled to our hest thanks .

There must be many similar documents in England , and their appearance would be a matter of great interest . More particularly any authentic documents shewing the relation held by the Ancient York Druidical Lodge , or C . of R . A . M ., and Templar Encampment or College of HeredomTemplars , to these Encampments of Hospitaller , St . John , and the Templeas I presume the "

Redemp-, tion " to have been . Dermott states about 1778 that the York Masons " kept up their ancient formalities , customs , and usages , without alteration , adding , or diminishing , to this hour . " 1 remain , yours truly and fraternally , A

Scientific Discoveries.

SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES .

TO THE EDITOK OE THE SBEEMASOHS MA & AZIHE AST ) MASONIC MIBBOB . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Allow me to direct your attention to the scientific dicoveries of Mr . Melville , noticed in the accompanying paragraph , which , perhaps , you will have the goodness to insert in the ensuing number of your MAGAZINE .