Correspondence.

be considered as a material element . There is no doubt that dramatic representations of our Saviour ' s death and passion , which we should now condemn as blasphemous , Tvere not only tolerated , but encouraged in the early periods of the Church of Rome ; and miracle plays on that subject are still extant amongst the manuscripts in the British Museum , bearing date as early as the 11 th and have to

century , we no reason imagine Knight Temp lars to have possessed greater reverence or delicacy than their cotemporaries . But a ritual delivered orally would naturally partake of the structural changes in the language in which they were conveyed , so would the more gross dramatic representations gradually " soften down into the form of allegoryandwithout

; , losing the original meaning , assume fresh shapes to meet popular prejudices . " Scrutator's ' "' theory seems somewhat corroborated by the claim set up by the Scotch Knights , of their having invented the degree in 1309 , and if their claim is well founded , why should not the same idea have originated with their English brethren ? But I do not think English Templars are as

yet prepared to follow the example , said to have been set them by their Scotch brethren ( of which , however , I have much doubt ) , and sever the Masonic tie . In our present position we are greatly respected all over the world , and any attempt at taking a higher ground would , I am afraid , only end in making ourselves ridiculous ; it will be quite time enough for our lively French brethren to

boast of the success of their attempt , when they are received at the court of their Sovereign , recognised as , and wearing the insignia of Knight Templar . The apron is quite another affair , and might . I think , bewelldispensed with ; should it , however , "be considered necessary to retain it as a traditional link of our connection with Freemasonry it might be worn by one companion in each encampment ,

as Smith or Farrier ( as on state occasions the march of her Majesty's Horseguards are preceded by two mounted non-commissioned officers , wearing leather aprons ) , and should my suggestion be considered worth attention , two horse shoes would be approprite emblems , and a Grand Farrier might be substituted for a Grand Equerry . I remain , Dear Sir and brother , yours most fraternally , M . H . SHOTTLEWORTH , P . E . C . Buckkurst-hill , October 6 th , 1862 .

"My Stars And Garters."

"MY STARS AND GARTERS . "

TO THE EDIIOK OE THE EllEE 3 IAS 0 JfS' MAOAZIKE AXD JTAS 02 TIC JIIKEOK . DEAR SIR AUD BROTHER , —In reply to an attack made on a brother in your last issue , headed " My Stars and Garters ! Who is he ? " and signed " N . W ., " I beg to state not for the information of "N . W . " hut your readers generally , he is what "N . W . " never can lie , a gentleman . Before I lin detail to that letterI will

repy , prove " N . W . " is not a Past Master . Neither is he a hardworking Mason , except in obtaining a knowledge of the business of others . I must first prove to you . Sir , that I am correct in assuming tho gentleman thus attacked , as well as "N . W . " are both known to me . The former I introduced into the Order . This my proof . There are but four members of the

Royal Order of Scotland in London . There is but one of these members who holds Provincial Grand Office in England—so much for careful investigation on the one side thus far . At the initiation of the brother referred to , as well as on the evening mentioned in " N . W . ' s" letter , the Past Rasters members and

present , beinq , were Bros . Tyrrel - "est , and Bro . Frost , ' a P . M . of 276 . ; you observe how Very nicely the analysis will presently deposit the true compound of " N . W . ' s" attempted secret mischief . P . M .. Tyrrel is too much of a . gentleman in all his actions to write such a letter signed " N . W . " Bro . Best

is a very honest , straightforward speaking man , aud would not write such a " sneaking " inquiry to please his best friend . Bro . Frost is now the W . M , of tho lodge , namely " The Camden , 1006 , " he coupled the name of the brother referred to by "N . W . " with the "Health of the Grand Officers , " and called on the brother to respond . After such an act as thatit would be impossible for him to

, be the writer of the letter signed "N . W . " Now , Sir , I must prove my knowledge of "N . W . " There are " N . W . 's " in the lodge referred to , who would much rather not say to a man ' s face , what they would say behind his back , and proceed to the dirty alternative of mud throwing failing- their other arts .

This "N . W . " then , who is he ? Pull the mask off "N . W . " Now Sir , you may observe And why ? Because was the only other member present who is so near being what he is not yet quite entitled to call himself , a " Past Master . " He is a W . M . On the night of the brother ' s initiation referred to in " N . W . ' s " letter , put that very same question to himself ,

and answered himself thus , " a cock laundress . " Simply because the brother resides in chambers . How kindly and manly , and very like a Master . Dear Mr . Editor , what say you ? How very like a whale ? eh . Like yourself Sir , I care very little for the disjileasure of Masonic royalty , when back door work is to be exposed aud the guilty kicked out . You have the credit of sparing

no one who , under the garb of friendship , endeavours to cast a slur upon any man , be he brother or not . I Sir , delight in exposing those , who using our sacred institution as a detective would our domestic hearth , not for its holy principles and social hospitality , but , in this case , for the purpose of arriving at any matter , however trivial , for raising doubt in weak and uncertain minds . Before

you again admit such low and cunning manoeuvring by letter , inquire into the inquisitorial character of the writer , and I think you will then employ your pen as a whip for chastisement . I now reply to " N . W . 's" letter seriatum . Nine , not seven months ago , " N . W . " did see a gentleman initiated in a lodge of which " N . W . " is a

member . But had " N . W . " kept his promise after the round robin and retired from the lodge , then " N . W . " would not have been annoyed by hearing the " young brother" return thanks for the Grand Officers , at tlte Master's request . There has been no vacation , as we meet alternate months throughout the . "NW" knows thatbut

year . . ; , doubtless , presumes a little dust throwing is not bad in letter writing . The brethren were not " electrified , " for nearly every one knew of our brother ' s promotion ; and all but the " N . W . ' s" were pleased to see the proofs of his rapid rise . The ignorance and vanity of the " N . W . ' s" have been touched—thus the letter .

"N . W . " writes "jewels we never heard of before . I " is a personal pronoun ; perhaps "N . W . " will take the hint when next he writes . Unless he expresses the opinions of the other "N . W . ' s , " then , of course , toe might apply . " -He jumped up , & c . . " that is a wicked falsehood ; he acted like a gentleman , and quietly arose and returned

thanks , as requested by his superior in lodge . "N . W . " then informs the Masonic world he is a Mason of seven years standing—" a hard-working Mason : " this is the funniest part of "N . W . ' s" letter , because he is soft-soaping himself . He certainly is hard working at the banquet— " toiling—rejoicing—sorrowing . " At "refreshment" no Mason has toiled harder—none rejoiced more at the slaughter—and none sorrowed more when all was cleared .

;* N . W" does not " envy" (?) Oh , no ! For "N . W . ' s " private information , I may inform him , the brother in question has a very beautiful jewel , given to him for pulling the nose of a person who would constantly keep poking it were it was not wanted . Any time " N . W . "