Masonic Notes And Queries.

A PRECEPT . Bro . "E . P . M ., " subjoined is a copy of the precept which a Member of the Lower House , after reading the Times newspaper of the 9 fch March , wrote with a pencil in my note-hook . The precept is not Masonicbut in a collection not limited to Craft

, matters , and in which there is not less worldliness than virtue , it may not unfitly find a place , " Be not always in haste to show what was said ; peradventure , it will prove more hurtful than what was thought to have been said . "—C . P . COOPER .

Masonic Exchange.

MASONIC EXCHANGE .

NOTICE . The system of exchanges of objeats wanted , by newspaper correspondence , has of late afforded considerable assistance in mutual accommodation , and we are disposed to afford the same facilities to our subscribers .

Communications addressed to us will meet with attention . Non-subscribers can remit sixpence in postage stamps for notices to be inserted of objects wanted , or at disposal .

The following inquiries have heen received . 1 . D . C . wishes to dispose of some old seals and diplomas . 2 . M . M . wishes to exchange a jewel of No . 29 . 3 . X . Y . Z . has a set of new clothing for the officers of a lodge under the Grand Orient of Franceor

, Grand Oost of the Netherlands . 4 . T . B . would exchange copies of seals . 5 . ~ W . J . L . wants rituals of the degrees below the 18 th iu English and French . He does not want what are called philosophic rituals . 6 . R . T . wants the loan of the ritual of the old

Templars , which is partly in Latin . 7 . W . H . is open to exchange originals or copies of Masonic documents , charters , & c . 8 . D . C . L . has a set of miniature furniture and officers' collars and jewels , & c , for a Lodge of Instruction , the pedestals fold ; he will be glad to

exchange them for a complete set of "Masonic Quarterly , Monthly , and Weekly Magazine and Mirror . " 9 . R . S . T . has a 30 ° jewel , about three inches diameter , together with a silver embroidered sash as good as new ; will exchange it for a 31 ° jewel and collar of the regulation pattern . 10 . X . offers a perfect set of the quarto series of

the Freemasons' Magazine for a collar and jewel of the English 31 ° , and a set of Provincial Grand Officers' clothing . 11 . R . R . S . will exchange a K . H . silver gilt 30 ° jewel , set with French brilliants , and a sash , nearly newfor a complete set of Dr . Oliver ' s Masonic works

, . 12 . J . L . wants an Irish Past Master's apron , collar , and jewel , and will give in exchange those of an English P . M . 13 . Miles wishes to exchange a large handsome Bible , suitable for presentation to an English lodge , for a K . T . signet gold ring .

All answers to be addressed ( post paid ) to the respective numbers and initials , Freemasons' Magazine office , Salisbury-street , W . C , London .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsive fat the opinions expressed iy Correspondents . RED CROSS KNIGHTS OF CONSTANTINE .

TO THE EDITOR OF THE ? aEEMASOHS' MAGAZINE AN"K MASONIC JUKB . OR . Dear Sir and Brother , —I cannot answer the appeal of your correspondent > Jf , for I know nothing about any of the matters to which he refers , not having been present nor a participator , nor being responsible for them . There ishoweverno difficulty about his finding

, , the history of the Order in question if he wishes it , aa it can he found in any old or new English or foreign book on Orders of Knighthood ; and I am not surprised it is not noticed in Bro . Mackay's " Lexicon of Masonry , " as it was not supposed by him to have anything to do with Masonry .

The practices to which your correspondent refers appear to be modern introductions , and very probably the parties engaged in them can explain them if they see fit . Innovations and changes have heeu made in other branches of the Order . I make these remarks simplfrom courtesy

y , because appealed to , but have no disposition to engage in a controversy in a Masonic journal on a subject in which I am little concerned , aud which in my opinion is not Masonic , although an interest may

attach to this Order , as to many other institutions , in consequence of some few of its members having been Masons . One cause for its being looked upon as a Masonic institution may be that there have been several Eecl Cross Masonic degrees worked in various parts of the world ; but they have originated in

Crusaders' Bed Crosses , and take various designations . The Order of the Bed Cross of Constantine assumes very great antiquity , like several others , upon very questionable historical grounds ; but there is no obligation on to assert or believe all that is

anyone said , nor to connect by continuous links Constantine and Lord Kenlis or any other of the chiefs of the Order . * $ < will find diversity of opinion on these matters , and it is open to him to adopt his own view . The members of the Order may prefer their own legendsand are welcome to them . Their Order is on

, much the same footing in the present day as other capitular orders , and the tide of political events has set in against it , as against the others . Tours fraternally , HYDE CLARKE .

TO THE EDITOR OE THE InEEJTASOXS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC 5 IIKBOK . Dear Sir and Brother , — "Will you permit me to correct an error iu my last letter on the above sub * ject ? I spoke of Lord Kenlis as being the son of an English Earl , instead of an Irish Earl . The M . Illustrious Grand Sovereign of the Bed

Cross Knights of Constantine was born in the year 1844 , and is the eldest son of the Earl of Bective , who himself is only a lord by courtesy , being the eldest son of the Marquis of Headt ' ort , in the peerage of Ireland . The creation is as follows : —Baron , 1760 ; Earl , 1760 ; Marquis , 1800 . I see by your valuable paper that tbe M . IU . Sov . has conferred the Grand Cross of the Order upon