Masonic Notes And Queries.

that the Knights Hospitallers of St . Johu iu Jerusalem , as well as the Maltese Knights , or Km ' ghts of Malta , originated from this Order . So much is certain that the possessions of these brethren iu Por Pas came into the hands of the Km ' ghts of Malta . —PROV . G . SUPT . OF WORKS .

SIDE DEGREES . What are generally known as side degrees , aud where did the term originate?—SPES . —[ Side degrees are legal portions of Freemasonry unrecognised by any particular rite . They , as it Avere , stand alone . Some are old , not ancient , but old—i . e ., ahout a century—and many are known to be modern inventions .

We take the term to be of American origin , and , iu support of that opinion , append some remarks made iu the American Freemason on this very question . The writer there says : — " A great deal of sarcasm has been consumed , and an undue stress placed upon the term side degreesas

, if side degrees Avere necessarily trivial , bastard , and clandestine . This is a great mistake . The proper definition of the term relates to the Temple of Solomon , Avhich possessed side chambers collateral to the main design . Any degree which is not comprised in a system of degrees having a governing body to whom

allegiance is sworn , is a side degree . Some of the side degrees are extremely beautiful , ancient , and instructive . "Degrees are side in some countries Avhich are regular in others . Degrees are side at one period of history and regular at another . Finally , degrees are side iu one system of rites which are regular iu another . Por example : the degree of Mark Master is a regular degree in the United States , hut a side

degree in other countries . " The Mark degree is not a side degree in Scotland and Ireland , hut is so—unless under Scotch or Irish authority—in England . So is the Past Master ' s degree , Avhich , to some extent , is regular here , but always a side degree elsewhere . So of the Most Excellent . The degree of Knight of Holy Sepulchre

is regular abroad , but side here . "The degrees of Mark , Past , Most Excellent , Eoyal Master , Select Master , & c , Avere all side degrees in this country until within the last sixty or seA'enty years . Thos . Smith Webb , and others , took liberties with them Avhich some enterprising

brethren may yet take Avith the side degrees of Knights of Constantine , the Cable Tow , Eureka Hiatus , & e ., and made them up ( by borroAving largely of the Scotch Eite for ornaments and cement ) into orders . " Degrees in this country are regular iu Councils of

Hoyal and Select Masters which are side degrees iu the Scotch Eite . Por instance , one brother may communicate the degrees of Royal aud Select Master with nothing more than a pledge of secrecy ; while another , living in the same house , could only join eight others , and with a regular chamber , furniture , by-laws , & c , and with a systematised form of ceremonial , and a thoroughly arranged covenant , assist in conferring them . "

THE SOTJG OF TnE 3 " . P . D . Iu an American paper I picked up the following song and introduction , Avhich is too good to be lost . Its application may come nearer home :

" In the proceedings of various Grand Lodges may he seen , after certain black lists of suspensions , the quaint expression , "N . P . D . " It is a labour-saving symbol for " non-payment of dues , " and implies that the foregoing A . B ., CD ., & c , Avers rejected from the Masonic Temple on account of their umvillingness to the established dues of the Institution .

pay " We haA e often gone to the trouble , far more than the subject was worth , to examine as to the amounts due from such fellows , and find that they rarely exceed live dollars each . The annual dues of such lodges as have a- company of " N . P . D . ' s" iu their membership are usually two dollars ; and these

gentlemen generally swing about two years and a half before they are finally suspended . " But what sort of precaution do the lodges use that take in such chaps ? Are the qualifications of candidates properly investigated ? Do those who recommend and vouch for them know that whereof

they speak Avhen they pledge their honour to the lodge for their good character . Doubtful . " We beg that it may be distinctly understood that no lodge eA'er suspends its members because they cannot pay ; it is the will , not the ability , that bringson this severe punishment ; and the lodge ,

considering that the parties are as much bound to pay their dues punctually as they are to do or keep any other portion of the Masonic covenant , cannot do otherwise with justice to itself and its faithful members , thanto put the brand of punishment upon such as knowingly and wilfully cheatwrongor defraud the

, , lodge . " We are glad to put a mark of ridicule upon such by publishing the folloAving squib , furnished by a caustic pen : — ( Ton may sing this adagio lo " Yan 7 c . ee Doodle" or anyother solemn tune . ')

Once more I'm free from Masonry , Once more outside the door , Sir , And while I have my senses five I'll enter it no more , Sir . Chorus . ! No more your raps , nor apron flaps , Ko more your colour blueSir

, , I'm tired of your Mason ' s work , And sick of paying dues , Sir ! I never felt myself a man , I never sat at ease , Sir , So many ways the Masons has , From doing as they please , Sir . Chorus .

Whenever things was going wrong , I swore a gentle " d—n . " Sir , They made me come'before ' em all , And take a reprimand , Sir ! Chorus . AAHien at the fracas I " went in ^' And blacked a feller's ej es

, They made me walk the winding- stairs . And quick apologise , Sir ! Chorus . If swapping horses I was keen , To take a feller in , Sir , They made me rue my honest work , And give it back againSir !

, Chorus . They ' ve bled my purse , they've milked ine dry ,. They ' ve stripped me like a tree , Sir , And every year of Masonry Has cost me dollars tliree , Sir . ' Chorus .