Masonic Notes And Queries.

ENGLAND AND THE 1717 THEORY . The 1717 theory asserts that England is the mother of Freemasonry , for the system of Speculative Masonry , which was instituted in London about the beginning of last century , is that system which all the icorlcl lias adopted since . It followsthereforethat if

, , this system be good , to England belongs the honour thehonour of its institution . It is calculated to break down the wall of partition which religious sectarianism , national prejudice , or narrow-minded bigotry has for too long separated man from man . Seeing , thereforethat almost unconsciously this English

institu-, tion has been universally adopted by the world at large , it appears to me that this is , perhaps , only the pioneer of that universal adoption yet to come of English institutions and ideas , ivhen the Anglo-Saxon tongue shall be spoken from pole to pole , —W . P . BUCHAN .

THE GEAND MISTAKE OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHThe grand mistake of this church is , that instead of doing all things for the glory of God , it has been ever striving to make all things serve for its own glorification . —PICTUS .

MASTER ' S DEGREE ( pages 308 and 328 ) . I am interested in the remarks of Bro . Buchan in regard to the Master ' s degree and had previously pointed out , myself , the distinction observed , even in 1723 , as to Master Masons and Chair Masters . I Lave not access at present to the 1723 edition of the

Constitutions , but I observe that Bro . Buchan uses the words , "Admitted Masters and Fellow Craft , " the first in the plural and the latter in the singular ; and he adds , " we should say Fellow Craft ancl Masters , not the reverse , at the present time . " However , Dermottunder the head of " Old Regulations" uses

, , the words , " admitted Felloiv Crafts and Masters only here , " both in the plural . During last century ( and , according to Dr . Leeson , as early as 1722 ) Grand Lodge recognised several Master ' s degrees , viz ., Master Mason , Master of the Arch , Master of the Triple Cross , Master of the Templeaud Master of tho

Ka-, dosh . These were all originally on the same footing , and , if the authority of Dr . L . is correct , might account for Anderson ' s mysterious ivay of writing . —JOHN YAEKEE .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for tite opinions expressed by Correspondents MASONIC OEDEBS OF KNIGHTHOOD . TO Till ! EDITOE OF THE ritEEJIASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIllKOH . Dear Sir and Brother , —At page 288 of the Magazine I remarked Bro . Matier observing that he intended

to "refer to the other orders of knighthood in connection with Freemasonry , lite Royal Order of Scotland in particular . '' I therefore expected that when he did refer to this so-called "Eoyal Order of Scotland , '' he would do so in a thorough aud reliable manner ; whereasat page 3-lGhe merel itulates

, , y recap the list of its pretensions , without a particle of evidence to support them . He is at pains to tell us that this "Eoyal Order" is sectarian in its principles , for all its members must be Christians and Trinitarians .

Correspondence.

Craft Masonry is universal ; not so this "Eoyal Order . " They should call it a reli g ion . Bro . Matier shirks the 'legend of its institution ; " he . however , is at pains to tell us that " many accurate bretbren (?) believe the Eoyal Order in its first point to bo the Christianised form of the ancient degree of Master

Mason ! I should like to know the foundation of this dream ; also what " ancient degree of Master Mason" does he allude to ? There was no such " ancient degree ' in Scotland before 1717 that I ever heard of or that he can point to . And as to the king of Scotland being

"Hereditary Grand Master" of this , comparatively speaking , modern Masonic degree , I should like to know the name of anij king of Scotland who was ever " Grand Master" of it , far less " Hereditary Grand Master . ' ' If it has any connection witli the pretended letter from the Duke of Perth , quoted at

page 81 of Mr . Dennistoun ' s " Memoirs of Sir Robert Strange , then I am afraid its foundation is rather shallow . Hoivever , more anon ; only I may observe here that this letter is quoted at page 256 of the Magazine for September 27 th , 18 G 2 . 1 trust that whoever intends to givo a history of

the Eoyal Order will examine its documents carefully , so as to be able to distinguish between facts and fancies . If the Eoyal Order was in existence so early as the first half of last century , givo us svJbstantiai proof of such early existence . I have always had a warm- feeling for this degree , but I cannot support what I believe to be wrong .

When treating on the Rose Croix , page 3-16 , Bro , Matter asserts that " Prince Charles Edward Stuart granted a charter to Arras" ( the supposed date of which I understand is 17-15 ) . I cannot believe this as yet , because I find nothing to support it ; and as to this " charter" whore is it ? Or give us the names

, of some reliable experts who have passed it as genuine , Then as to the Chevalier Ramsay having anything to do with either of the foregoing " Orders , " I should like to see it proved first that tbey were in existencs before his death in 1743 . I can assure Bro . Matier that the foregoing reuiaria

are purely and simply called forth from a desire to get at thc truth ; as he himself says , at page 288 , " it becomes the duty of every man , Mason or not , who knows the truth , to take up arms in defence of truth . " Yours fraternallv , W . P . EuOHA ^ r .

Qualifications For The Hautes Grades.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE HAUTES GRADES .

TO CTIE EDIT .. H OI THE 3 . 1 l _ -E _ -A _ 0 > . s' MAGAZINE ANp KASO-. IC JIIIiT . OB . ' Dear Sir and Brother , —I think your correspondent ' , " L'tTnion Fait la Force , " in hia communication to the Magazine of the 30 th nit ., on " Qualifications for the Hautes Grades , " baa made a rai _ it ; u _ o ivith regard to Ireland . I find , on looking at the " Book of

Constitutions" ( Ireland ) , the qu .. li : Se _ . tic _ . s for a Prince Mason , but not for K . H . or 30 ° . I believe tbe latter requires no extra degrees except tho _; e from 19 to 29 ° , which aro conferred with it . I find no mention of Eed Cross of Babylon either in the " Book of Constitutions" or the ' ' Calendar" of the Order , and will be

much obliged to your correspondent if he will say when and where it meets in Ireland . The following are the qualifications for a Prince