Masonic Notes And Queries.

" It is idle to tell us that we can have intelligent Masons without the aid of Masonic literature . As well say that intelligent lawyers or physicians can be produced , who have never read a line upon these sciences ; the thing is impossible . However unpleasant to some the admission , it is a degradation of the science of Masonry for a moment to acknowledge it , and it is reducing our venerable Order to a level with the modern societies of the day , who have neither a History , a Symbolism ,

or a Philosophy to fall back upon . "No doubt there are many , very many , reputed bright Masons , who , if they had the proper information , would do for Masonic literature that which was anciently done for the Alexandrian Library , and for the same reasons , for the spirit still lives that then existed . But , thank God , at the present day a desire for knowledge is too generally diffused to be successfully checked . Give us then Lightfrom quarterlymonthly

, , , semi-monthly , and weekly Masonic publications . And , ye Masons , who would be more than parrots , repeating glibly that which you do not understand , come forward to the support of these Masonic editors , who are coining their brains to improve yours . Let us by all means have good Masonic publicationslet us patronise tbem with a generous liberality , and in a few years extinguishers will be placed upon those whose oit-f j / Masonic

reading consists of AVebb's Monitor , or Cross's Chart . " [ Ex . Ex . has our thanks for his many kind communications , and although we are of opinion that Masonic information should be widely disseminated , Ave still adhere to the principle of giving all the proper particulars any one can ask for , but we stop short—and close the door energetically—when any one wants a revelation of our

secrets under tho guise of enquiry , a practice which has for some yeai's set rival-editors at work in America , and opened discussions in print , on points which ought to have been respected . ]

PRECEPTORY OE THE ORDER OE ST . JOHN OE JERUSALEM , AT TORPIIICHEN , SCOTLAND . Erora the Topographical and Historical GaztinuY oj Scotland ( Eullarton and Co ., Edinburgh , 18-15 ) , I extract the following account of the Scottish establishments of this Order , being especially desirous to test the accuracy of the list of Preceptors , some of whose nanes have a strangely tm-Scofcfcish look : —

" The Knights were introduced to this establishment by David I ., and had many possessions conferred on them by him and his successors ; afterwards , when the Knights Templar were unfrocked and put under ban , they merited tlie extensive property of that great rival Order . In 1291 and 129 G , Alexander de Wells , Hospilallis Sancti Johannes Jarusalomitani in Scotia , swore fealty to Edward I . ; and in 1298 he was slain in the battle of Falkirk . From Precepts which Edward issued to the

Sheriffs to restore the property of the Knights , the Preceptory or the Order seem , even at that early period , to have had estates in almost every shire except Argyle , Bute , and Orkney . " Badolph lie Lindsay was Preceptor under Robert I . " Sir Henry Livingstone was Preceptor under James II „ and died in MG 3 . "Sir Henry Knolls ( sic in orig . but qu . ?) the next Preceptor ,

, governed the Order iu Scotland during half a century , and was commonly called Lord St . John . He was Treasurer to James III . from 1468 to 14-70 ; he joined the party who hunted down that monarch to his unhappy end ; he was appointed in 1189-90 to collect the Royal revenues in Linlithgowshire , and after being much employed by James IA ., he fell fighting by his side on the field of Flocldon .

" Sir George Dundas , his successor in tho Preceptorship , was the schoolfellow of Hector Boecc , and is praised for his learning . " Sir Waller Lindsay , the next Preceptor , was a Knight of no small fame , and rose to be Justice General of Scotland . " Sir James Sandiland , the last on the list , joined the Reformers in 15 ( 30 ; and on his paying down 10000 crownsand

, , engaging to pay an annual rent of 500 marks , he received the remaining estates of the Order as a Temporal Barony , and was raised to the Peerage under the title of Lord Torphichen ( or more fully , Lord of St . John of Torphichen ); and his descendants , whose family seat is Calder House , Mid-Lothian , continue to enioy the title . "

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Thus far the Oa-Mecr . I wish to learn how much its account can be relied on , and from what sources its deficiencies can be supplied . Sir Henry Knolls appears to me a very suspicious Scotchman , unless perchance "Knox " were the name intended to be indicated . Were the Fnglish and Scottish Branches of the Sovereign Order independent of each other , or did the two

united form the ' English Langue ?" I should like to know whether a complete and accurate List of the Preceptors of Torphichen has been drawn up , and where it is accessible . May there not exist also Lists of the Knig hts admitted into the Scottish Branch , at various periods during its existence ? " Black Colin of Pnhodes" an ancestor of the Clan Campbell , will readily

, occur to memory , as showing the interest such a list might possess in family history . I hope some of your correspondents will enlighten me on these subjects ; and I shall be very glad of any corrections or amplifications of the List of the Preceptors of Torphicben . —C . H . E . OAUMICUAEL . —Castle-Douglas , Kirkcudbright , N . B .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The ZEditor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . GRA 5 TO CONCLAVE OE DEVON . TO THE EDIXOE or THE MEEM : ASO > -S' MAGAZINE AND ITASOinC 3 IIM 10 E . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In your report of the

proceedings of the Provincial Grand Conclave of the Knights Templar of Devon , held in tho Loyal Brunswick Encampment , St . George ' s Hall , Plymouth , on the 15 th April , I observe that the remarks of the Very Eminent Prov . Grand Commander , Sir Knt . Huyshe , relative to the growth and prosperity of this sacred and Christain order in Ereeinasonry , within the last six years , especially in

this neighbourhood , were not noticed . He expressed the p leasure and satisfaction he had in seeing such a numerous attendance of Sir Knights , and the zeal evinced by them in promoting those great principles on which Ereemasonry is based . It was some years since ho had held a Provincial Grand Conclave , owing to the paucity of the members in this locality , and tho officers held their

appointments longer than necessary , for want of others to fill their places . This he was happy to state no longer existed , and from such a numerous gathering he could now make a selection of officers for tho ensuing year . This prosperity he believed was well known to have arisen from tho zeal and great energy of a worthy and

eminent Sir Knight , who was elected to tho command of tho Loyal Brunswick Encampment , in the latter part of 1857 , and who , immediately on his election , sought after and succeeded in bringing together a few of the old Sir Knights of Plymouth , and with untiring efforts and indomitable perseverance has established such an encampment of which he mi g ht well be proud . From this good

example , the Royal Veteran Encampment , which had been in abeyance for many years , was resuscitated , and in this vicinity Christian Masonry was mow zealously supported . On the appointment of Provincial Officers , the Very Eminent Grand Commander acknowledged his appreciation of the valued services ( of which he had given a

retrospection ) of the Eminent Sir Knt . Douse , that he felt it apleasurc to nominate him the Deputy Provincial Grand Commander . The nomination was hailed by all present with a recognition of delight . Erater Dowse in his usual retiring and courteous manner , thanked the Very Eminent Commander for the distinguished honour , but would prefer that the appointment should be given to another , assigning as a reason , that being a past officer of the Grand Conclave , he should be