Freemasonry In Japan.

J . W . ; Wallace , Treas . j Moody , Sec . ; Smith , S . W . ; Vernide , S . D . j Jamjasge , J . D . O TEOTOSAMA LODGE ( NO ! 1263 , E . C . ) . —Bros . Mitchell , W . M . ; Rothmund , S . W . ; Marks , J . W . ; Schmidt , Treas . -, Crane , Sec . ¦; Marcus , S . D- ; Isaacs , J . D .-, CurnowI . G .

, On both evenings after the conclusion of the ceremony , a collation was served up in the refreshment room of the Masonic Hall , and about 70 brethren mustered on each occasion , and true Masons who believe that our order brings together the good and true of whatever clime or creedwould have

wit-, nessed with pleasure , brethren of about a dozen nationalitiesassembled to do honour to the ancient Craft , and though frequently the record of Masonic proceedings appear mainly , tLat of an account of the banquet , it should be reinembered ' that it is to such events a public knowledge of our guiding sentiments caii

alone well be obtained , and thus an extension is given to such affairs to tbe exclusion of those more important duties tbat the initiated are alone cognizant of . Right cordial were the toasts of obligation received , while those that brought back , by thoughts of home and friends far away were responded to with

an enthusiasm that can only arise ivhen all are strangers in the land . Shortly before twelve , the Tyler ' s toast was given , when the brethren dispersed .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

RELIGION OF NATURE . —AN ENQUIRER . * An enquirer is , it is presumed , a member of the Craft . He therefore necessarily knows the Reli gion of Ereemasonry as an Universal Institution . Now the Religion of Nature is what that Reli gion is . — CnABLES PUETOlf CoOPEE .

THE LETTER HEADKD "MASONIC SERMON , " FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE , vol . xxi . page 331 . A resident Oxford Master of Arts has , in compliance with tbe request of a distinguished brother , read this letter for the first time , and expressed his opinion upon its literary character . This opinion is , that supwhat is said in

posing Freemasonry concerning the persons named not to be real , and the 926 charter not to be genuine , yet that ignorance and conceit joined with vulgarity of the lowest kind bave never before in circumstances at all similar ^ concocted so unseemly and scandalous a document . —A PAST PEOVINCIAIJ GEAEB MASTEE .

LEARNING . Contempt of another ' s learning is a sure indication of your own ignorance . —A PASO ? PEOVINCIAI GBAND MASTEE . WRITING IN CIPHER—SOMETHING COMFORTABLE . In Notes and Queries 4 th Series 320 and

, , pages 401 , there bas been some correspondence on methods of writing in cipher , applicable to communications b y the new post cards , and also observations on the art of deciphering such secret messages . In this

discussion it may be a hint to Masons that F . C . H . ( a Roman Catholic Priest ) says " The Freemasons' cipher , though ingenious , is too generally known to be of much use . " It may be considered comfortable tbat Roman Catholic priests discourse so learnedly on the merits and demerits of Masonic ciphers , which perhaps tbey may read and use as well as others . —E . H .

COSTUME OF THE MEDIEVAL GERMAN MASONS . Heideloff , the celebrated German architect , who has written much on tbe Architecture and Building Associations of the middle ages , furnishes many interesting particulars concerning the customs and usages of the Mason-builders of that time . From

the 10 th to tbe 13 th centuries , the art of architecture was confined exclusively to the Benedictine monks , to whose monasteries a large number of secular-workmen were attached as lay brethren . These workmen , who were employed in the erection of religious buildingsfrequently journeyed from one convent to another ,

, as their services were required . During these journeys they were under the lead of an experienced master and architect , and as they were all armed , and travelled in numerous companies , they had little to fear from the marauding bands who infested the highways . In the centre of the party was

a pack-horse or mule , which carried their provisions , as also their working tools ; and was under tbe special charge of the Oblati . The latter were youths who had been adopted in the convents ; there they received instruction , aud when of proper age , were admitted as members of the Masonic fraternity . It was their business to wait on the Masonsfetch woodwater

, , , stone , sand , mix the mortar , & c , and also to tend the sick in the hospital . The builders or Masons were clad in short tunics , of a black or dark grey woollen material , open at both sides , a gorget ( mozetta ) , with a hood or cowl ( cuculla ) attachedand a leathern irdle around the loins

, g , from which were suspended a sword , and a leather sack or satchel ] . They also wore a black scapulary ,. which , while at labour , was confined beneath the girdle , but when employed in religious services hung loose over the same , similar to those worn by priests or monks .

On their heads they wore a broad felt or straw hat —the latter during their journeys . Tight-fitting breeches of leather , and leather boots completed their attire , the older and more rigidly disposed brethren wearing sandals , confined to their leet by leather thongs .

The Oblati were similarly clothed , with the exception of the mozetta and scapulary . In summer their tunics were of linen , in winter oi ' woo . ten stuffs of various colours . This costume was retained for about three centuries , and until the Building Associations finally separated from the convents , and became exclusively secular in their organization , when it was changed from time to time , as fashion or caprice might dictate .

SWEDENBORG AND MASONRY . It is well known tbat Swedenborgian notions have with some , exercised an influence on Masonry . Eor those curious on tbe subject , it may be well to notice that there has appeared in Mew York this year a book ,