Masonic Notes And Queries.

? ' n'Mcular faith of these parallels would not for a ' aoment be considered as relating to their Masonic position , they would be held forth as examples worthy of imitation , simply on account of their characters and virtues . Those brethren who claim Freemasonry as a Christian institutionon account of its dedication

, in some localities to patrons of that particular faith , will do well to remember that it is to the men , and not their religion , that the Order is thus dedicated . — DWATiXO .

JTEEEMASOS ' EY ABOUT TWO IIUXDEED XEAES AGO . " Pictus " asks about the Masonic MSS . They are all easily found in the British Museum . In addition to the MS . poem edited by Mr . Halliwell and the MSS . Constitutions edited by Bro . Matthew Cooke , there are others in the British Museum , of which I have

transcripts . Harleiau , 2051 ; Harleian , 1942 ; Lansdowne , OS ; Sloane , 3320 ; Sloane , 3 , 023 . There are others also extant in the possession of private locVes and individuals . One copy was printed in the " ¦ Gentleman ' s Magazine " for 1 S 15 . The Lansdowne was printed in the " Masonic Magazine " for 1754 and

Bro . Matthew Cooke called attention to a third a few years back in the columns of this Magazine There is no mystery about any of them ; they are there for all students , and " Pictus " should banish at once any idea which he may have that there is any desire on the part of Masonic or other writers to

make them older than they really are . The MS . Poem edited by Mr . Halliwell is , according to the opinion of the most competent authorities , " not latter than the end of the 14 th century ; " and , until " Pictus " can show me that he is qualified to express an opinion upon such a difficult subjectI

, shall prefer to abide by the recorded opinions of those who are able scientificall y to decide upon the antiquity of such MSS . There is really no question as to the true antiquity of the MS . Poem . 1 will send another note on the antiquity of the Lansdowne MS . next week . —A MASOXIC STUDENT .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

Ills Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed bij Correspondents . HERALDIC BADGES . TO THE EDITOa OH THE JJKEEltASOXS' MAGAZIXE AXD 3 IAS 0 XIC MIM 10 H . Dear Sir aud Brother , —Although in your editorial

remark to an article in lYo . 503 of the ' Magazine b y your subscriber , Bro . A . Oueal Haye , relative to my query as to the heraldic badges connected with the Order of the Temple , in which you wish to decline further communications on the subject , I trust you will kindly make exception in the present instance

, and insert these remarks . The ipse dixit of your able correspondent is such reliable authority on all Templar matters , that I am reluctantly compelled to notice a seeming error he has fallen into as to the correct bearing of the Hospitallersin which he describes it as a cross argent on

, a field sable , and states that " the Grand Masters of Malta carried the shield of the Order thus , — in the 1 st and 4 th quarters with their family arms in the 2 nd and 3 rd , as seen on their tombs in Malta . "

Correspondence.

Now I was some years in that island , and , being much interested in the antiquities of Malta—particularly what appertained to the Knig hts—I paid some little attention to them , and can therefore safely say that the shield of the Order was gules —not sable — with the plain cross argent ; and this can be plainly

seen in the paintings of the exploits of the Knights on the cornices of the reception-rooms in the Palace at Malta and in other buildings . It is quite correct , as stated , that the family arms of the Grand Masters were quartered with that of the Order , but I do not recollect seeing at any time the

white plain cross of St . John on a black field . Several paintings depict the Knights in black mantles with the white eight-pointed cross of Malta on the left shoulder , one of which , of the last century , is in my possession , and in paintings of sea fights with the gallies no other flag appears but the white cross

of St . John on a red ground . The war surcoats or tunics of the Knights were red with the white plain cross on the breast and back , as also on the top of the shoulders ; and , in the latter days of the Order , the uniform was scarlet . The present flag of the Island of Malta is partly upon pale argent and gules .

I do not clearly understand your correspondent ' s explanation of the correct bearing for a Templar ' s shield of the English branch , where he says : — " In , chief the Temple and Hospital shields , and between them the English langue shield" —something of a herald .

I am very anxious to obtain the correct badge to incorporate with family arms . Probably he would kindly communicate with me on the subject , and oblige Yours fraternally , CANADIAN TEIIPLAE . London , 17 th March , 1869 .

Bro. Melville's Discoveries.

BRO . MELVILLE'S DISCOVERIES .

TO THE JiDITOK OP THE FIIEEIIASOXS' MAGAZINE AlfB MASOXIC 3 IIEK 0 E . Dear Sir and Brother , —In reply to Bro . W . N . Crawford ' s correspondence in the Freemasons'' Magazine of March 13 , page 207 , relating to the science re-discovered b y Bro . H . Melville , his astro-Masonic paper , his explanation of the Assyrian astrolabe in

the British Museum , and his reference to what Bro . Layard has written thereon , I beg to say that Bro . Melville ' s attempt to open the way , through the Masonic authorities , for communicating his knowledge to the higher Orders of the Craft , merited in my humble estimation , some better reception on their

part than that he should simply be told " however interesting those questions may be , they lie beyond the scope of ordinary Masonry , to which alone there was leisure to attend . " Bro . Melville's scientific discoveries of the ancient and the present soul of Masonry is the result of 30 years of hard labour and

persevering toil , which he himself well , knows to be a positive science , and no mistake or question at all ; and he has consequently arranged the same in scientific forms and series . He could not , therefore , feel much gratified by having his positive knowledge simply ranked amongst Questions whichperhapsin

, , the next generation might lie somewhat interesting . He himself , in meantime , being quietly laid by on the shelf as the befitting recompense of his life ' s arduous labour .