Masonic Notes And Queries.

Ancient and Accepted Rite for England and Wales is neither required nor expected to be a Knight Templar , but on the contrary has to divest himself of any jewel , clothing , or device that would tend to show his connection Avith that degree , during the ceremony of his being perfected .

2 . According to the Constitutions of the Craft , Grand Lodge of England , pages IS , 68 , and 115 ( 32 mo ., 1 SGG ) it appears that no member can be admitted into any lodge or chapter who is decorated with any jewel , medal , or device belonging or appertaining to any order or degree not recognised by theGrand Lod

_ ge of England as part of pure and ancient Masonry . The degrees so recognised consist only of the three Craft degrees and the Holy Royal Arch , according to the solemn Act of " Union , " in December , 1813 . Hence the W . M . or Prov . G . M . of any lodor province would have an undoubted riht

ge g to refuse admitance to any brother wearing the jewels of any other degrees . In an encampment it would be otherwise , ancl although the before-mentioned law may not always be enforced in a Craft Lodge , the fact of the illegality of such jewels being worn is none the less true on that account .

3 . No member bf the 30 has any right to occupy the chairs of a Craft lodge , unless possessed of the qualification for that oflice , ivhich are , having served that of Warden for twelve months , and been elected and installed as Master in a Board of Installed Masters . This law holds good in England , and it

cannot be altered in any degree , excepting in the formation of a new lodge with respect to the Warden's qualification . In Scotland the degree of Past Master is not recognised by the Craft Grand Lodge , but only by the Grand Chapter . 4 . Whatever niay be the custom in Italthe son

y , of a Master Mason in England cannot be initiated for a less sum than three guineas , exclusive of the registration fee and certificate , but in lodges Avhere more than that sum is charged , of course an allowance might be made for Lewises , provided the sum so charged be not less than the amount specified in the

Book of Constitutions , under the article " Makings , " clause 2 , page 86 , and the payment of that sum cannot be deferred or lessened on any pretence ivhatever after the evening of initiation for a Leivis any more than for an ordinary candidate . > £ < WlLMAjr JAUES IIUC-HAX , 18 ° , & c .

JiVBSXSa THE APE 02 T . Glad to read " Kappa ' s " friendly note in your last issue . Can he or any of your numerous correspondents furnish authoritative information as to what Freemasons were in existence in London at the time of the formation of the Grand Lodge in 1 ' 717

, who took no part in the institution of that important body . In "Ahiman Reyen , " published under the authority of the so-called Ancients , it is stated that the members of the ancient Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons had no hand in the inauguration of

the Grand Lodge of Moderns , but subsequently communicated their mysteries to the rival G-rand Lodge styled Ancients . It would be interesting to know what evidence there is of the historical truth of such a statement . ^ r- W ILLIA . J AMES HUCHAX , IS " , & c .

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THE MASONIC MIRROR . * # * All communications to be addressed to 19 , Salisbury-street . ' Strand , London , "AV . C .

Masonic Mems.

MASONIC MEMS .

TIIE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OP THE GRAND M ASTERSHIP OE PRINCE FREDERICK OE THE NETHERLANDS . —This interesting festival , the postoonement of which we announced in Jane last , was celebrated in the most imposing manner , at Amsterdam , on the 27 th ult . Our august Bro . Prince Frederick William was born on the 28 th February , 1797 . He is the son of King

William I . ancl Princess Fredei-ica of Prussia , and uncle of the present king . We have prepared a report of the proceedings , which , however , Ave regret we are prevented , owing to want of space , inserting in oui- present issue . DEATH OE THE PROV . G . M . AND OF THE PROA * . G . TREAS . 01- CUMBERLAND A * WESTMORELAND . —The province of

Cumberland and Westmoreland has suffered a severe loss by the death of the Prov . G . M . Bro . Frecheville Lawson Ballantine Dykes , the Prov . G . Treas .

Grand Lodge.

GRAND LODGE .

At the quarterly communication of the United Grand Lodge of Kngland , on Wednesday , the Sth inst ., the following business Avas placed upon the paper to be transacted : — 1 . The minutes of the quarterly communication of the Sth September , 1866 , for confirmation . 2 . Nomination of a Grand Master for the ensuing year .

3 . The Grand Master will bring forward a motion to giv enlarged po-vers to District Grand Masters , in distant parts with respect to establishing new lodges . < k The Grand Master will lay before Grand Lodge a memorial from the District Grand Lodge of Victoria , praying for an alteration in the law relating to the formation of new lodges in

foreign parts . 5 . Election of twelve Past Masters to serve on the Board of Benevolence . G . Report of tho Board of Benevolence for the hist quarter , in which is a recommendation for a grant of £ 40 to a brother of the St . Andrew ' s Lodge , No . 231 , London . 7 . REPORT OF THE BOARD OE G ENERAL PURPOSES .

To ihe United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accented Masons of England . 1 . The Board of General Purposes beg to report that , in consequence of the new laws that have recently been passed by the Grand Lodge , and more especially those conferring enlarged powers on District Grand Lodges in the colonies and foreign

parts , they have found it necessary to collate the "Book of Constitutions , " and have directed that a small impression in 32 mo . be printed for the interim use of the Craft , embodying therein all new laws already confirmed by Grand Lodge , with such transpositions of Articles , and verbal amendments in certain cases , as appeared necessary to render the sense more clear .

2 . The Board have had under consideration the propriety of making certain further amendments , alterations ,, and additions in , nnd to , the " Book of Constitutions" previous to the issue of a new edition , and submit the same for the adoption of Grand Lodge , as follows : — 1 . At Page 35 . —In the fifth lino of Article 3 , after the words " shall be annually audited by , " to erase tho remainder of the article , and in place thereof to insert " the professional