Notes On Literature, Science, And Art.

Tlie Eev . Dr . Rowland AVilliams has a sermon in the press entitled Persecution on Account of the Word , referring to his own trials on account of Fssays and TRevieivs . A predecessor of Schiller has lately been discovered by Settling in Jena , in tbe person of an obscure poet , Nicolaus A ' ernulceus

( 1523—1619 ) , who wrote thirteen historical tragedies , among them " A * irago Aurelianensis , " or " Joanna Darcia , " i . e . the Maid of Orleans ( the first dramatical treatment of the subject after Shakspere ) , and " AA ' allenstein , " which latter appeared a year after AA ' ahenstein ' s assassination , under the title of " Fritiandus . '' Although there is no earthly question about Schiller ' s state of

unconsciousness ivith respect to those dramatic works , there is yet a very curious likeness about some passages in both AA * allensteins , and also in both Joans of Orleans . Exactly as in Schiller , she appears as a prophetess and a saint , and occasionallyespecially in the touching farewell to her paternal plains—the words are almost identical . —Parthenon .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

EOSE CKOIX DEGREE EMBLEMS . William of Malmesbury ( who died 1143 ) , thus writes ofthe Church of St . Mary , Glastonbury : — "In it are preserved the mortal remains of many saints ; nor is any corner of the church destitute of the ashes of the body . The very floor , inlaid with polished stone ; ancl the sides of the altar , and even the altar itself , above and below ,

are hidden with the multitude of relics . Moreover in the pavement may be remarked , on every side , stones designedly interlaid in triangles and squares , and fixed with lead , under which , if I believe some sacred enigma to be contained , I do no injustice to religion . The antiquity and multitude of its saints have endued the place ivith so much sanctity that at night scarcely any one

presumes to keep vigils there , or during the day to spit upon the floor , & c . " He also mentions two pyramids connected with this church , which he supposes had been places of sepulture . —A .

KILWINNING LODGE A __ fD TUE TEMPLARS . Bro . D . M . Lyon has done well in calling our attention to the minute books of his lodge , and he would do tbe Order a service if he would communicate any interesting matter they may contain , and from his taste and position he is able to assist us thus . This was done some years ago for the lodge " Journeymen , " and it is evident that at

an early period the only secrets practised were . those belonging to them as a working body , and the communication of a P . AV . on entering apprentices and passing fellow crafts . The "Kilwinning" may be an exception to this , as , if its ancient charter is genuine , it appears to have been formed by the Knights , whose serving brethren must have been here employed . Item : " And ye shall

mack , instruct , and teach the Masonry of St . John in all its parts and secrets , like belted Knights and cross-legged Knights in armour , for the care and keeping of our holy religion . " The serving brethren of the Templars and Hospitallers had many of the privileges of the Knights , such as votes in chapter , and were even allowed to preside over preceptories , the only apparent distinction being

that of rank and duties , and hence arises the present practice of " opening on the centre , " and installing the Grand Master in the third degree , as was thc practice of the ancient York Masons . —A .

A 1 'RAGMENT . I have a scrap of some publication which I send you in tbe hope that some of your readers may recognize it , and refer me to the original from whence it is taken . It is horribly mutilated . " Such a souse of evil ... sonry is ruin to the so . . . no true believer can at

Masonic Notes And Queries.

any time enter into the . . . said in favour of them they are not unmindful of . . . yet Freemasons tell us . . . that all over the continent of Eu . _ . there are brethren in them ever ready to aid the poor and oppressed , carrying out many of the principles of Christian love in . . . severing domestic ties . . . concealing crimes and blood . . . atrocious combination of men which every country should beware of harbouring . " The rest is altogether illegible . —Ex . Ex .

E 0 KG 1 A-ING IiainUES . There has been a coolness in our lodge amongst some of the members . Can you help us to any good counsel , so that we may show it to those who it pains us to see act unbi'otherly ?—Two M . M . ' s or No . . [ A writer on this subject says : — " One would naturally suppose that among

Masonsforgive-, ness of those who have wronged us , whether in thought , word , or deed , should be one . of the first duties of brethren . And yet how often do we find brethren harbouring within tbeir bosoms unkind , revengeful feelings against othersof their own lodge , perhaps merely for some fancied wrong . True , when those who have wronged us are laid at their final rest , we then forgive them—we speak kindlytenderly of themdrawing the veil over

, , their faults and foibles , temptations and failures . And why ? They have passed from earth for ever—the dust has returned to tbe dust as it was , and the spirit to God that gave it . This is sufficient , ancl seems to forbid all but good will and kindly sympathy for the dead . But is this real , true-hearted Masonic forgiveness ? No ' . it is not worthy of the name . " Forgive the living—those who mingle with you in the daily walks and

avocations of life—who kneel by your side around the same altar , and labour in the same quarries with you ; they whose lives you may cheer , beautify , yea , ennoble , if you will . Porgive a light and angry word , let it not rankle in thy bosom till a fire be kindled , which , if nourished , will burn thy inmost soul , unfitting thee to go out among thy fellow men , lest they imbibe of the angry turbulence of thy spirit—unfitting thee for all high , holy ,

heavenborn aspirations—unfitting thee for life , for death , for immortality . Porgive—though a wound be made causing all thy future in this world to be covered with a heavy pall . Porgive—then shall be gathered in the ' crown of thy rejoicing' jewels whose lustre and brilliancy exceed all mortal thought . ' Por if ye forgive men their trespasses , your Heavenly Pather will also forgive yon . '"]

BUSTY MASONS . Having lately met with some good lines on Rusty Masons I send you the cutting as I think they are worth preserving in Masonic Notes and Queries . —Ex . Ex . THE RUSTY MASON . BY EltO . _? . H . TAYIOE .

Once on a time I sought to know The mysteries of Masonry , and seeking Knocked , and knocking' found the door wide open for me . Ancl when I looked within I saw a band of men all clothed in white Around an altar , and on tbe altar Lay the word of God with square and compass .

Of that band of men , I saw one more kingly than the rest , Por on a throne he sat , and gave to each , And all , lessons of wisdom . He came and gave to me A lamb-skin , pure and white , and Told its meaning . He told metoothat kings and princes

, , Long had worn it , and how free it was Prom stain ,. or spot , or blemish . He gave me tools to work with , A guage , a gavel , level , plumb , and square , And last of all , a trowel that had no spot Of rust upon it , for earth's noblest sons Had used its ages long upon the Mystic Temple .

He told me , too , I stood an upright Mason—He spoke to me of Temperance , Portitude , Of Prudence , ancl of Justice . I listened still with wondering ears To learn a Mason's tenets ,