Masonic Notes And Queries.

to refreshment ) , pile drivers in this district were seated during the operation , which was performed in course of refreshment , but only when the toast drank to was one meriting more than ordinary honour . There was no joining of hands ; each brother piled for himself , the hands and feet moving up and down in unison with the time given bthe Masterwhose

y , caprice also regulated the duration of the ceremony . The importers of the custom alluded to designated themselves "high" Masons , and in reply to queries as to what connection it bore to FreemasonTy , said it referred to the driving of piles necessary in the formation of the viaduct connecting the Temple with

Mount Zion . The existence of such a bridge is , if we remember rightly , noticed by Josephus ; but supposing it to be the case that in order to the completion of the fabric in question piles had to be driven in the valley ( Tyropceon ) spanned by the bridge , where , in the history , traditions , or symbolism of

Freemasonry , do we find " driving piles " associated with its rites ? Echo answers "Where ? " As to " shocks , " these , in former times in the west of Scotland , were practised by brethren who found amusement in the shocking treatment to which candidates were subjected at initiation , and are , we presume ,

referred to in old diplomas as among the " wonderful ! tryalls" which all had to sustain ere the topmost round in the mystic ladder was reached . The shock experienced by the candidate on entrance was mild compared with that received by the F . C . in the tragic encounter which preceded his raising . —D . MURRAY LYON .

THE POSITIYISTS . A correspondent makes two inquiries : the first relates to an alleged improvement ( of late ) in the philosophy of the Positivists . The next relates to their present notions of the Deity . Passages from Professor Paul Janets' little hook , " La Crise Philohi

sopque , " published last year furnish apt answers to these inquiries . First inquiry : — "II est juste de reconnaitre que la Philosophie Positive s ' est beaueoup amelioree dans ces derniers temps . " Next inquiry , " Tantot les Positivistes se contentent de dire que J'homme ne peut rien savoir des causes premieres et

des causes finales ; tantot ils nient toute cause premiere ( en dehors du monde ) et toute cause finale . Tantot il semble que , pour eux , Dieu soit un ineonnu , qui echappe a toute definition et a , toute determination scientifique ( ce qui n ' en exclut pas la possibilite ) ; tantot ils declarent expressement ' il n'a

qu y rien en dehors de la Nature et de ses lois . " My correspondent may consult my communication , " Positivism and Freemasonry , " FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE , Vol . XII ., page 57 . —CHARLES PURTON COOPER .

WHAT DOES IT MEAN ? The following extraordinary letter appeared in the Scottish Freemasons' Magazine for this month . —J . KINGSTON . Hohart Town , Tasmania , 23 rd March , I 860 .

'Sir , —For some time past my friends have endeavoured to draw the attention of the Grand Lodge of Scotland to certain Masonic discoveries made by me during the last thirty-five years ; but their letters , as well as my own , have met with silence , no notice whatever having been taken of the communications .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

From the tenour of the Avritings in your magazine , it is evident the Order generally is desirous of information . It is an admitted fact , that the Masonic mysteries are lost , and that it would be beneficial to the Order could the brethren re-discover them . I am in possession of them , but it is supposed , because I am in the AntipodesI cannot by means know

, any anything respecting the great northern lights of Masonry . Persons in England not connected with the Order , having heard of my Masonic discoveries , have sent for me desiring my attendance in London . I have consented to visit them conditionally , that all my

expenses are paid , and that before divulging the Masonic mysteries to the public , I am to offer them to one of the grand [ lodges in Great Britain , and should the brethren refuse them , then it will have to be decided in what manner they are to be dealt with . _ The knowledge was not communicated to me Masonically ,

and therefore I am not bound by any obligation , and can reveal the secrets if I think proper . As a Mason , however , I am induced to oiler the knowledge to the Order , and if the mysteries are preserved among intellectual brethren , then will Masonry be regenerated to [ its former standing , causing its leaders to be ' the

chiefs of enlightened men , ' and rulers of the world . I have just addressed a letter on the subject to the Grand Secretary of Scotland . I shall probably arrive in England a month or so after this reaches you , and will write to you ; in the meantime , make what use you think proper of this letter . Your humble servant , HENRY MELVILLE .

FINDEL S HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY . Is this work considered reliable by the Craft ? I have observed a great many errors in it . In this month ' s number of the Scottish Freemasons' Magazine we read as follows : — " The same work ( ' Findel's History ' ) informs us that in 1 S 61 they ( the Freemasons

of Scotland ) even so far lowered themselves as to introduce the Adoptive Masonry , invented by Bro . Eobt . Morris , in Louisville , and were not ashamed to intrude an exclusive degree for women , the ' Eastern Star . '" Can any of our readers inform us where this degree is wrought ?" J . KINGSTON .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

TheJZditor is not responsible for the opinions expressed hy Correspondents . IS ME . CHARLES DICKENS A MASON ?

10 THE EDITOIt OB THE TREEMASOXS' MAGAZIXE AITD HASOUIC MIHROE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —A correspondent inquires in your last impression but one if Mr . Charles Dickens is a member of our ancient Fraternity . Not to my knowledge , but his brother the late Alfred Lamert Dickens was initiated in the Universal Lodge , 181 then 212 in April 1865 and continued a

mem-, , , ber thereof until his decease , which occurred during the time he accepted the position of "W \ M . of that lodge . Two of his children have been placed in the Eoyal Freemasons' School for Female Children . Yours faithfully and fraternally , COENEB STONE .