Masonic Notes And Queries.

In Donaldson ' s Freemasons' Companion , p . 19 , " Hereford " will find full information that " Hiram was a second Bezaleel , and honoured by bis king with tbe title of Father . " With reference to tbe pamphlet in the Bodleian Libraiy , at Oxford , it is entitled . TJrim and Thummim ; the apparent inaccuracy may be either in tbe speed of writing , or

that dark gentleman bo vering incessantly near , about , or within tbe compositors' department of THE MAGAZINE . The tracing-boards at the Apollo University Lodge ( late No . 460 ) may fully be depended upon . Tbe brethren there do everything so accurately , that " R . E . X . " advises "Hereford " to place himself under the care of our very dear brother the D . Prov . G . M ., with a full warranty

that " Hereford " will leave Oxford a wiser brother than when be passed tbe purlieus of the fair city . Probably " Hereford" is unaware that in tbe 16 th century tbe city of Oxford was called " Oxenforde , " which custom has reduced to " Oxon" and " Exon , " as in Gay ' s lines" We , the maids of Exon city , The maids ! good lackthe move ' s the it !

, py Do humbly offer this petition To represent our sad condition . " Do no complain , " Hereford , " of a custom as frequent as " household words . " The copy sent to THE MAGAZINE , if " R . E . X . " correctly

recollects , contained tbe following words : — "Beet Hamikdasch biruscbalem milna al jedee Sehelomo mclek Jisracl , Khirtim melek Thur wa Hiram Schebet Naftali babonee biscbnat . " If " Hereford" finds fault with the above mode of conveying tbe pronunciation of the Hebrew letters on tbe tracing board iu Lodge No . late 460 , let him visit the

lodge , and whilst there , let him " read , mark , and inwardly digest them . " When " R . E . X . " commenced perusing the contributions of " Hereford , " bo expected to find some portion of bis lucubrations relating to tbe particular person whose name is tbe chief topic of this correspondence , and why tbe word Abiff was lied to him ; but not a single case

app has " Hereford" quoted in proof thereof . " R . E . X . " very much fears that " Hereford " is suffering from indigestion from late indulgences , and that has made him choleric ; be , therefore , recommends a little quiet rest , early rising , and gentle exercise before breakfast for tbe future ; be will then exercise towards bis Masonic brethren a more benevolent disposition than bis

address to you ( p . 179 ) betrays , and remember that your valuable MAGAZINE was never meant to convey bard words towards an erring brother , should be meet with one , but rather to extend tbe band of friendship and assistance towards him , and help him in bis endeavours to do good for tbe benefit of tbe Craft at large . —R . E . X .

REPAIRING DAMAGES . An incident occurred a few weeks since in tbe flourishing town of M ., Illinois , United States , wbicbillustratesin a striking manner the beauties of Freemasonry . A pedlar of " Yankee . notions , " & c , made bis advent in the said town with a four-horse team and fine waggon , weff freighted with a choice cargo . Being of the genuine

species and well up to bis business , be soon opened bis waggon , and started a promising trade with the various business men of tbe place . All at once , while in tho midst of " a deal , " the horses took fright , and off they went at railroad speed , leaving in tbe wake a trail of goods scattered promiscuously over the street and public square , with bere and there a drawer jolted out by tbe

rapidity of the flight , —mixed up with stray waggonwheels , which bad been broken off by some obstruction , — the harness torn to ] iicces , and one general wreck of goods , waggon , and harness . Our pedlar was completely paralysed . His visions of a lucrative " trade" were dissipated in a moment , and ruin stared him in the face . What to do be knew not ; a stranger among strangers , and to all appearance friendless

and forlorn . At this juncture , a stranger approached him with a salutation and a grasp of the baud ivhich made his heart rebound , ancl sent bis blood through hisveins with a quickened current . He was not quite so friendless as be bad feared . The stranger disappeared ,, but in the space of a few minutes men might be seen coming in twos aud threes and half-dozens , who

commenced collecting and putting in order the scattered wreck . Tbe goods were taken to a room provided for the purpose , where tbey were put in tbe best possible order . The horses were secured and cared for , the waggontaken to a shop and repaired , ancl the harness placed in the hands of a trusty workman , and soon put in order .. The Masonic lodge of M . was in session that night , and

a sufficient sum raised among tbe brethren to nearly , if not quite , make good tbe damage done . Tbe pedlar was there , not an indifferent visitor , but with a heart overflowing with gratitude , and bis cheeks bedewed with tears—those silent testimonials of a heart overcharged by tbe kind acts of bis brethren in tbe hour of bis need , but when be least expected it . Thus was this worthy brother sent on bis way rejoicing , and blessing the day be became a Freemason . —Keiuanee Ills . —Ex . Ex .

UNFROCKING A MASON . Unfrocking a parson is no novelty , but I think unfrocking a Mason ivould be . Nevertheless , in an old set of by-laws I read , " every member guilty of profane swearing , lying , betting of wagers , or using indecent language ,, or not keeping to order when called on so to do by the-Master , shall , for every such offence , pay a fine of

twopence , and , in default of payment , the Deacons to uncloatb and conduct him out of tbe lodge , till tbe senseof the brothers then present shall be taken . " — LEX . MASONICA .

A GEOMETRICAL POSER . Given a river , as a base , what figure does a fisherman ' s rod and line form iu conjunction with it ?—A try-angle . —Family Herald . THE GRAND LODGE CLUB . Is the Grand Lodge Club still in existence , and what is its object ?—J . C . —[ Defunct long since . To tbe latter

part of the query tbe following , from its own . announcements , is a reply :- — - " 1 . To maintain the constitutional supremacy and privileges of Grand Lodge . 2 . To amend or modify—so far as could be done with a- due regard to the preservation of the ancient landmarks of the Ordersuch of the Masonic laws and regulations as are found to operate prejudicially to tho interests of the Craft . 3 . To

secure to Provincial brethren a more active participation in tbe proceedings of Grand Lodge . 4 . To promote tbe adoption of a liberal and enlightened policy towards Colonial lodges . 5 . To encourage throughout the Craft a more extended interest in tbe Charities of tbe Order . 6 . To form a Masonic Library of Reference . " ]

MASONIC SECRECY . Secrecy is a virtue oftentimes even in } -our own privateaffairs , or in those of a friend ; bow much more so , then ,, when the mutual compact of a number of men has received your assent ? To bint at any thing concerningtbose whose secrets you have pledged yourself to keepundisclosed , is to prove yourself an idle babbler , unworthy

of confidence , aud incapable of truth . —Ex . Ex . LADY COMPANION . AVhat are tbe designs for the saloon in the degree of a Lady Companion ?—P . B . 0 . —[ A Rainbow , tbe Sun , Moon , and Seven Stars , Noab ' s Ark , Jacob ' s Ladder , the Towers of Babel and Gomorrah , the sacrifice of AbrahamJoseph in tbe Pitand emblematical female

, , figures , representing Europe , Africa , and America . ] MASONIC MSS . WRITTEN IN GREEK . Any brother being in possession of Masonic manuscripts written in Greek will oblige me if be ivould allow me a sight of them . MATTHEW COOKE .