Masonic Notes And Queries.

where the carpenter had made his roof to shed the water , who , also , was . regardless of where the mason had intended him to do so . The stone-carver—we <; an hardl y dignify him with the good old name of » scul ptor—worked at home , and came and hung up his handiwork on the wall , as though it were an easel picturepainted for anybody who would pay the sole

, thing needful —» -the price . Metaphorically , these garotted the architect—he became simply an engineer and a keeper of accounts , and amongst them they murdered art . Henceforth , these assassins simply » atruggled amongst themselves ; progress AA'as no longer made , and the true princiles which had led to such

p grand results were forgotten . " * So much for art when operative free-masonry , free-carpentry , & c , - became rampant . And until the general public and the moneyed classes know more about , and take greater interest in true art so long will it remain dead , ¦ or at least torpid . —W . P . B .

MASONIC ETYMOLOGY . - The " Keystone , " as we perceive by page 2-16 , tells us that Freemason is derived from " Phremaison , " which means "Sons of Light . " If so , may I ask what is the meaning of Free-weaver or PAre-weaver , JP / M-e-CarpenterPfo'e-Tailor & c . ? The prefix

, , " free" was applied to the freemen of the other trades some centuries ago , as Avell as to the freemen of the Mason ' s trade , hut many of our Masonic scribblers or " writers , " as it seems to me for a purpose , ignore this , or else they are ignorant of it . Then as to " secrecy and exclusiveness" there was no more of

that in the mason trade than among the other coexisting or pre-existing crafts . Then as to the assertion that "We are 'loving brothers' of the mystic tie , Avho have existed as a brotherhood for immemorial ages . " (!) I defy the " Keystone" and all other publications who retail such statements to prove that either " We" or our society , of Speculative Masonry existed before last century . —W . P- BUCHAN .

THE PAPAL CHURCH AND FREEMASONRY . At page 247 we are told on the authority of a Boston Masonic paper that " For more than four hundred years the Papal Church has been the unscrupulous and uncompromising enemy of Freemasonry . " Now I do not believe that , for two reasons—first , "Freemasonry , " such as is referred

to , has not , I most unhesitatingly assert , existed for "four hundred years . " Secondly , the first Papal Bull against Freemasonry was not issued until lastcentury , viz ., A . D . 1738 , Avhich is not the half of "four hundred years . " Consequently what is the use of making such untrue statements for the Papal Church to laugh at , and also to point to as specimens of Masonic veracity I—W . P . BUCIIAN .

NETHERLANDS MASONIC YEAR CALENDAR . The Tear book or Calendar of the Grand Orient ¦ of the Netherlands for 1871 has been published . The profits are devoted to the "Louisa" foundation for female orphans of brethren . It is to be feared that Calendars of the Grand Orient of France of the Supreme Council of France , which ought to appear next month , will show a melanchol y falling off of numbers there . —Bibliophile .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

QUEEN OF SWEDEN . Masons will hear with regret of the loss sustained hy our Illustrious Bro . the King of Sweden , in the death of his Queen . She herself belonged to a Masonic house , the Royal Family of the Netherlands , and shared in her husband ' s interest for the Craft . All

know how close is his sympathy Avith all that concerns the learning and institutions of the Craft , and with what welcome all English brethren are received in Sweden . All will wish that T . G . A . O . T . H ., may soften this blow to the hereaved brother . —Bibliophile .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

TIte Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed btj Correspondents PERFORMANCE OF MASONIC CEREMONIES .

TO inE EDITOR OU THE jmEEJIASONS SIAGAZIXK AHD MASONIC MIEItOK . Dear Sir and Brother , —I have noticed with pleasure several , communications on the performance of Masonic ceremonies , containing severe and often not unmerited censure on the levity displayed by subordinate ollicersthe practical jokes made use ofthe

, , intermingling of words most solemn with others of light , if not ribald character , the want of impressiveness and frequent inability on the part of the W . M . , the tendency to banqueting and indulgence thereat which are exhibited in some lodges . As an old Masonin the course of my careerI have several

, , times brought these subjects before your readers , as have others also , Avithout any direct effect on the rulers of the craft , to whom one of your correspondents imputes these blemishes , in the absence of any definite efforts to remove them . On our Order in generalhowevermuch influence has been brought to

, , bear Avith advantage , for undoubtedly there is far less cause for complaint in these respects than there was 20 years ago . One evidence of this exists in the extensive adoption of Masonic Halls , thus preventing

the association with hotels , taverns , & o . Still I adhere to the opinion often stated , that until the authorities exercise more control over the various lodges , the same defects Avill continue more or less . I have known Masters elected and installed , who , regardless of their obligation as to aoilitij and willingness to rule the lodgeand to perform the duties of

, the chair , never acquired the requisite know ] edge , and have not intended to do so , to say nothing of the power of giving solemnity to the scene , I am , therefore , persuaded of the necessity for requiring every candidate for the seat of K . S . to prove his knoAvledge of the three degrees before a competent

board , previous to his appointment . In some instances I have been surprised at the indifference exhibited as to carrying out obligations even where their stringency has been pointed out , those taking them appearing to consider them a mere matter of form . I IUIOAV a case Avhich has occured within a few dayswhere a W . M .

, has been installed who resides away , and of whom it is understood that he will not appear again among those whom he rules till the expiration of his year of office . The same district affords t * vo other instances .