Correspondence.

York in the time of King Athelstan , and are those constitutions the production of that body . All I can say is that there is no evidence of either , certainly not the latter , and I would prefer to assign them the origin they claim , namely from Euclid , and a lodge of geometricians at Alexandria . In reply to another question of "Ebor , " I can only say that Prichard gives us to understand most

positively , that the very first union between Oraft Masonry and Speculative Masonry of the York Rite took p lace at this same meeting at St . Paul ' s , in 1691 , where he states the first general assembly was held . Two centuries ago there was a report that the introduction of accepted Masonry into England , took place iu the reign of Henry III . There is every reasou to believe that the

Holi-wark folk was abranch of theseinstitutions , and doubtless the introduction of genuine Masonry into England is coeval with Christianity ; but the probability is that it hadbeen driven into northBritain by Papaltyrauuy , before the time of King Athelstan , or if it still lingered at York there is no doubt that it was afterwards much modified by a junction with the professedly chivalric Masonic

Orders instituted in the E . st . "Ebor" evidently misunderstands me . York Templary and continental Rosicrucianism . or , as termedinthel 5 thcentnry , thefraternity of the Holy Ghost , are two different orders . The latter in my opinion , is the Order of the Temple under another name , the only Masonic Knight Templars ; the York , Scottish , and Erench Order , branches of the latter , lineally

transmitted in those countries , and although Masonry in the two latter countries was preserved in the bosom of the Templar and Rose Croix Orders , yet at York the Templar Order was in the 17 th century , professedly a school of arts , science , and architecture . Dermott states that it is a very ancient regulation , but seldom put in practice , that apprentices must be admitted I \ 0 . and M . M . in Grand Lodge only ; but does lie intend this to apply to the Templar Grand Ledge at York , or an examination as to fitness by an assembly of operatives ,

or the London custom only from 1691 ? Now , the ancient or original speculative Templar Lodge of All England at York never was a " general assembly" of either operative or speculative Masons , although it had , on account of its antiquity , the rank of a Grand Lodge . It is possible that a general assembly of operatives to adjudicate their affairs might , at one

time , be held there , as well as elsewhere ; but it is very doubtful indeed whether such assemblies were held after the act of Henry VI . It is asserted , I am aware , that encroachments in the South had gradually been made on the authority of the York Lodge , but I believe this to have been by Accepted Masons , not necessarily connected with the operatives .

" Ebor , " in one of his communications , ridicules pretty freely my derivation of Masonry from Mesouraneo . It is quite possible he may be right , but the comparatively recent uses of the word he . instances far from proves I a ra wrong . Pythagoreanism was undoubtedly a branch of true Masonry , and , when I was raised to the third degree , I was informed that his celebrated problem was

invented by our M . Z . just before his death , the legend respecting whom is singularly applicable to the death of ¦ P ythagoras , as well as others . Since ray last I have sought and received information tvhich induces me to retract the opinion I have expressed that the English Royal Arch degree was ever different ° r known by any other name , though the installation

ceremony of Principals appears to have been conferred ? nder sanction of the Templars , as an order of Priests , Ju my own Encampment , which was hold originally in the old York Rite . Now , bearing in mind the foregoing , and that the 'tocieut body at York ( whose principles and ceremonies frere alleged to be like those of the Medes and Persians ) na . d no more certainty of their own origin than is now generall y entertained , let me refer "Ebor" and your Naders generally to a speech delivered at York iu 1726 ,

vol . iv . of the MAGAZINE , 1 S 58 , page 727 , and from which . I will trouble you with a few extracts showing the teaching at that time . " The learned author of the antiquity of Masonry , * annexed to which are oar constitutions , has taken so much pains to draw it out from the rubbish , which the barbarous and ignorant ages of the world had buried it in , as justly merits the highest gratitude from his brethren . That diligent antiquary has

traced out to us those many stupendous works of the ancients which were certainly and without doubt infinitely superior to the moderns . * * * Now , it is morally impossible but geometry , that noble and useful science , must have gone hand in hand with Masonry , for without it those stupendous and enormous structures could never have been erected . And though we have not the name 3 of any great proficients so early as Babilonf yet we have a Pthagorasan EucUdsm Archimedes

, y , , , flourishing in very remote ages , whose works have ever since been , and are at present , the basis on which the learned have built at different times so many noble superstructures . * * * A mystery that has something in it apparent to the whole world , and which alone is sufficient to answer all the objections that malice or ignorance can throw , or has urged against us , of which , to mention no more , our three grand principles of

brotherly love , relief , and truth to one another , are very striking instances . A foundation laid in virtue by the strictest geometrical rules is a point of such moment , that each line describes its strength and stability , and a Mason must have a very superficial and far from solid judgment that can doubt of its duration to the end of all things . " * * * "And though old Perulamsince called St . Albansmay

, , justly claim precedence- as the first built town in Britain , yet you know we can boast that the first Grand Lodge ever held in England , was held in this city , where Edwin , the first Christian King of the STorthumbers , about the six hundredth year after Christ , and who laid the foundation of our cathedral , sat as Grand Master . " ! * * *

of Athelstan . "A word of advice or two and I have done . To yon , my orethren , the worfcinq Ma % ons , \\ I recommend carefully to peruse our constitutions . There are , in them excellent rules laid down for your conduct , and I need not insist on them here . To you that are of other trades and occupations , and have the honour to bo admitted into this society , I speak thus . Let not Masonryso farget the ascendantas to make you neglect the

, , , support of yourselves and family , & c . * * * And now , gentlemen , I have reserved my last admonitions for you ; my office as I said before , must excuse my boldness , and your candour , my impertinence . But I cannot help telling you , that a gentleman without some knowledge of arts and sciences , is like a fine shell of a house , without suitable furnishing and furniture . The education of most of you has been noble , if an

academical one may be called so , and I doubt not your improvements in literature are equal to it . But if the study of geometry and architecture might likewise be admitted , how pleasant and beneficial they would be , I do not pretend to inform you . " And now , Brother Editor , I have said my say , and entered my protest against the theories of Bros . Eindel

and Ebor , which are neither more or less than a revival of Prichards . I have , I am aware , trespassed too much upon your space , but if you will yet allow it , I freely invito criticism of my opinions , for or against ; and am open to conviction , on convincing reasonable proof being given that I am wrong . I am perfectly willing to allowthat the operative masons might have similar

principles and ceremonies as our present , but the proofs are apparent that our practices are only a modification of the ancient Johnnite Templar ceremonies of York , and were those first practised here by the Crusaders , or modified only by them . I remain , fraternally yours , —A . Manchester , March 7 , 1863 .