Masonic Notes And Queries.

"Dear Brother and Knight Companion , —As the nation is preparing to guard against an invasion from our enemies , if they should have the temerity to make an attempt , it is become my duty , at this important crisis , to request and require that such of you as can , without prejudice to your families , do hold yourselves in readiness ( as Knights Templai- ) to unite with and

be under the command of the officers of the military corps stationed in your respective counties , as may be most convenient , taking the name of ' Prince Edward ' s Eoyal Volunteers . ' When the important moment arrives , I shall offer my service in tbe navy or army ; aud whenever I have the honour to be received , shall

inform you of my address ; ancl although we are prevented , by adverse circumstances , from assembling together where I might have had the honour and happiness of commanding in person , yet our hearts will be united in tbe glorious cause , in conformity to the sacred obligations we are uuder . Let our prayers be

addressed to the throne of grace ; that as Christ ' s faithful soldiers and servants we may be enabled to defend the Christian reli gion , our gracious sovereign , our laws , liberties , aud properties against a rapacious enemy . Let the word of the day he the will of God ; aud let us remember that a dayan hourof virtuous

, , liberty is worth a whole eternity of bondage . " The Knights Companions are required to wear the uniform of the corps in which they serve as volunteers , with the cross of the Order of Knights Templar on a black riband between two button-holes on the breast of the waistcoat .

Your faithful Brother and Kni ght Companion , " THOMAS DTJNCKEELEX , G . M . "Southampton , April 11 th , " A . D . 1794 , A . O . 676 . " The following is the copy of a letter from Eedruth in Corwall , iu answer to the preceding : — "Most Eminent and Supreme Grand

Mastei—, Agreeable to your desire , signified to me by your esteemed favour of the 11 th ultimo , I held a conclave of the Order of Knights Templar iu our field of encampment at this place , on Monday , the 28 th ultimo , where I laid your letter before the Knights Companions . —T have the happiness to inform you that I

found them steadfast iu their reli gious principles , and unanimous in their loyalty and patriotism to their king aud country . Two of the Knights Companions are officers in the Penryn A ^ olunteers Corps , and will follow your directions in wearing the cross of the

Order , & c . —The rest of the companions residing at a distance from any established corps , will be ready on any emergent occasion to unite with them ; and they have entered into a subscription ( as Knights Templars ) to be applied towards the defence of the country ; and as there is a general subscription at Bodmin , for the

county , and several volunteer corps ou the coast for local defence , we beg your opinion and advice how to apply the money we have subscribed . I am ( M . E . and S . G . M . ) , Tour faithful and affectionate Brother and Kni ght Companion ,

" j K . " Eedruth , 3 rd May , 1794 . " Thos . Dunckerley , Esq ., Hampton Cour Palace . " And in the same volume , under the heading of " Masonic affairs , " is this entry : — " Manheim , June 1 . —The elector of Cologne , Grand

Master of the Teutonic Order , has , by a proclamation , called on the Knig hts of the Order who have not as yet fulfilled their military engagements , to repair , at the call of relig ion and honour , to their duties against the Prench Jacobins , and have sworn to destroy all the bonds of society . "—EXPEET . —[ We printed Grand Master Dunckerley's letter about four years ago , but as "Expert" is very desirous it should appear , to oblige him we have inserted it again . ]

OUE MASONIC CREED . I have long been in pursuit of a little hook , which a brother tells me was ouee popular about Newcastle , on the Greed of Masons . Do you know anything of it ?—HILDA . —[ There was a . chap-book published in Newcastle , a rare place for such publications , one of which contains a rhyme called " the Masons

page Creed , " but it is sheer nonsense . If you are in search of what is a true Ereemasons creed , it may be summed up in a few words , viz ., the three theological ancl four cardinal virtues . ]

THE MYSTEEIES . Are the subjoined lines descriptive of the greater or lesser mysteries?—E . " The dismal situation waste and wild , A dungeon horrible on all sides—No light , but rather darkness visible , Serv'd onlto discover sihts of woe

y g , Regions of horror , doleful shades , & c . " [ Neither . They are by Milton . If you like to apply them to the system of Eleusinian initiation no doubt they do come somewhat near it , but they were not written with that view . ]

MASONIC VAEIETY . " There were no less thau fourteen different varieties of Preemasonry ; some of which were alchemical , astrological , astronomical , religious , irreligious , refined , vulgar , aud political . " Who is the author ?—W . G . C .

TETJE GREATNESS . ( Written for the Old FEEEJIASONS' MAGAZIXE . ) In Heavenly synod once arose A wondrous strong debate , The mighty secret to disclose , What makes a mortal great ? Mars bluster'd forththat love of arms .

, Enrich'd the daring soul ; While Bacchus swore the brightest charms JFlow'd from the sparkling bowl . That he who , fill'd with generous wine , . Could frolic , laugh , and sing , Was far more rich , was more divine , And greater than a king .

Apollo vow'd with music s pow r None others could compare ; When Jove produc'd his golden show'r , And fix'd tine greatness there . Pallas , to wisdom ever dear , Heard gravely what had pass'd , The goddess came prepar'd to hear , And silence broke at last .

Your show ' r , said she , will melt away , Your music loose its charms , Your sparkling bowl will all decay . And rust o ' erspread your arms . But heav ' n-horn Masonry knows no change , No time dissolves lier state , To blest eternity she'll range

, 'Tis she makes mortals great . SAM . PORTER , P . M . of St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 492 ) . HcYily-iii-Aideu , Warwickshire , June 7 , 179-i . —EXPERT .