Masonic Notes And Queries.

THE CARBONAKI . Some persons are very fond of taking all kinds of degrees , which may be got by paying for . Such are cautioned against including in their list the old society of the Carbonari , which is still in vigour

among the Italians , including , it is supposed , their English colony . At all events they have initiates among the English . The Carbonari constitute a distinctly political society , and , as is well enough known , the poignard is the instrument of their behests . This is not metaphoricalbut practical .

, The Carbonari are quite willing to accept recruits , who are bound to explicit obedience , and an Englishman may find himself fixed upon to commit an assassination , or to provide the funds or means for it , under the alternative of being himself assassinated . — ISfoTA .

ODD EEEEltfASONEY . Bro . Buchan should remember that " drowning '' men are proverbially saved from a worse fate . However , Bro . Hughan has , f drowned " the year 1717 without leaving Bro , Buchan even the customary " straw . "—J . A . H . ITALIAN 3 IAS 0 XEY IN TURKEY .

The English jurisdiction may he regarded as having developed Masonry in Turkey , but of late years exertions have been relaxed , now Italian Masonry has made progress . The Italian Grand Lodge of Florence has 14 lodges—2 at Constantinople , 3 at Smyrna , 1 at Magnesia , 1 at Salonika , 3 at Alexandria , 2 at Cairo , 1 at Tripoli , and 1 at Tunis . —NOTA .

3 IAS 0 NIC BIBLIOGKAHIY . The _ Masonic publications of Italy are the "Official Bulletin of the Grand Orient , " twice a year , 8 vo . ; Avvenire Sociale , weekly , published at Palermo . —NOTA .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondent !

THE BOOK OE CONSTITUTIONS .

10 THE BBIIOK OF THE EEEE 3 TAS 0 US MAGAZIHE AUD HASOjnC MIKEOB . Dear Sir and Brother , —Those brethren who have read the Book of Constitutions — the only work emanating directly from Grand Lodge respecting Ereemasonry—cannot have failed to notice its division into two parts ; the first containing the ancient charges of a Ereemason .

ft might have been supposed that such a work would have contained some allusion to the origin and objects of Ereemasonry ; but , beyond a mere reference to the original rulers and patrons of the Order , that it had an ori ginal plan , is a mystic art , is an ancient science , total darkness reigns .

One of two things then is certain ; either the Order really possesses a history corresponding with the characteristics alluded to , or it does not . If it does , then unquestionable historical landmarks must exist somewhere hy which its pretensions to antiquity can be established . Mystic rites must be skilfully practised

to make it a mystic art . General princi ples , having some particular aim in view , must he studitd to constitute it a science . The names of the ori g inal rulers and patrons of the Order should be known ,- and there should be an original plan of the structure ; the wjiole of which should be accessible to such brethren as may be desirous of such knowledge .

Many have written on these subjects , and Bro . Oliver in particular ; but a perusal of their works does not satisfy the mind . They are theoretical , not demonstrative ; and I have been induced to make this communication in the hope that Bro . Melville may obtain that consideration which his labour for years fully entitles him to ; forbeing practically acquainted with

, his system , I am in a position to assert that it is astounding ; the result of my own investigations being a belief that ceremonies , circumstances , and events , theological , Masonical , mythological , and historical , have either been compiled from the objects delineated in the Celestial Atlasor the objects have been made

, to correspond with them , in accordance with a law tvhich alters not , and is remarkable for its simplicity . Tours fraternally , GEOEGE E . ETANS . Hobart Town , Tasmania . 12 th August , 1869 .

SPECULATIVE MASONKT . TO IDE EDIT . OK OU THE EKEEJIASOUS' MAGAZOfE AJJD MASOJflC JTIEEOB . Dear Sir and Brother , —I hasten to make the amende honorahle to Bro . Hughan . I beg to apologize for having supposed that he endorsed Bro . Buchan ' s views .

The following shows how very much Bro . Buchan differs from Bro . Hughan : — " Ask for proof of spe- "The absurd notion culative Masonry being that there was no speculapractised before 1717 and tive Masonry before 1717 . " you cannot get it . " —Bro . —Bro . Hughan , Magazine ,

Buchan , Magazine , Oct . 9 . Oct . 9 . I am glad to find that after all Bro . Hughan and myself are agreed in opinion . Bro . Buchan will ,, perhaps , be better satisfied now that Bro . Hughan has condemned the " absurd notion " which he is constantly reiterating without a shadow of proof that there " was no speculative Masonry before 1717 . " Tours fraternally , Oct . 9 th . 1869 . J . A . H .

UNIEORMITT OE RITUAL . " In those days there -was no King in Israel ,- every man did that which was rig ht in his 01011 eyes . "Judges , 21 , xxv . SO THE EDIIOE OE THE FEEE 3 IAS 02 IS' 3 IAGAZIUE AUD HASOHIC JIIKEOE . Dear Sir and Brother , —Every student of history ,

either sacred or profane , is well aware of the anarchy and conftfsion that are sure to ensue in any state which , for the time being , has either no recognized head or where there is no controling power ; where every man is allowed " to do that which is right in his own eyes . '' This universally admitted truth , I believe ,

to be as applicable to Ereemasonry as to any other state of society ; and yet we appear to be bordering on this state of anarchy , even if we are not fairly plunged into it , so far as the rendering of our rites and the celebration of our ceremonies are concerned . Every Mason who , like " our ancient " brethren , " has

travelled , whether to the east or to the west , in search of light or in the desire to impart it , must have been painfully struck with the various readings . He must have heard of what purports to be a perfect ceremony , handed down from our ancient brethren , the landmarks of which every W . M . solemnly promises to carefully preserve . Tet scarcelv two lodges