Masonic Notes And Queries.

SIMILARITY OP STMBOLS . "When Julian the apostate cleared away the ruins of the Temple of Jerusalem , the vaulted chamber was discovered in which our ancient brethren had met , with its most sacred and most secret symbols perfect and undisturbed . These symbols are to be traced on the implements of ancient nations Avideldistant

y from each other ; on the pyramids of Egypt ; the caves of Elephanta ; the ruined temples of classic Greece ; the mysterious round towers of Ireland ; the Courts of the Alhambra ; and on the walls of our own sublime cathedrals . "Who says so ? asks J . T .

KNIGHTS OP CONSTANTINOPLE . What is known about the degree of the Kni ghts of Constantinople ?—E . M . —[ Very little in England . The following extract from The Indian Freemasons ' Friend will tell you all Ave knoiv of the degree : — " The Council of the above Order in Calcutta was opened by the Eev . Dr . T . C . SmythGrand Seneschal and

, Officiating Illustrious Sovereign in India , on Monday , the 30 th December , 1 SG 1 . Several Master Masons were initiated , and among them the following Grand Officers : —The Deputy Provincial Grand Master , the Provincial J . G . Warden in his capacity of Provincial Graud Commander of Knights Templarthe

Pro-, vincial Grand Secretary , ancl the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies . The Grand Seneschal stated that when he was at Malta , the Marquis St . George , the head of the Order , bearing of his arrival , offered to give him the degree , and also to invest him -with powers-to confer it on others . He accepted the offer

and was thus acting under the authority then bestowed on him ; but he had no poiver to grant certificates , for Avhich it Avould be necessary to apply to the Marquis himself . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master and the Provincial Grand Commander of Knights Templar had been invited to take the degree in order that tliey might see that there was nothing

iu it which would clash ivith Craft or Arch Masonry or Avith the Order of Templars . On the conclusion of the ceremony , a committee was appointed to frame a code of bye-laws ; and the brethren then proceeded o the banquet . Several toasts , folloived by appropriate airs , played by tbe town band , " were proposed

by the Officiating Illustrious Sovereign ( Dr . Smyth ) , the Officiating Grand Prefect ( Bro . Abbott ) , ancl the Commander of the Knights Templar ( Bro . Sandeman ) . The jewel of the Order consists of a red ribbon bearing a silver crescent aud a star , and tivo silver hearts , Avith a dagger between , depending therefrom . " ]

is IT TRUE ? A paragraph has been going the round of the provincial press , and has found its ivay into some London papers , of good repute , to the folloiving effect : —¦ " The Duke of Manchester , who was installed on Wednesday , June 1 st , as Provincial Grand Master of the

Ereemasons of Huntingdon aud Northampton , made a suggestion which will probably startle the brethren . He proposes that discussions should be held in the lodges for the purpose of reconciling the apparent contradictions " betiveen tbe facts as related in tbe sacred writings , and tbe facts as discovered by scientific men . " § ueh , he thinks , was once the business of tbe lodges , and Masons now-a-days " would enter on such discussions with becoming reA'erence . " Can this be

true ?—A . M . A . —[ We really cannot say ; but hope it is not . Lodges are the last places where such subjects should be discussed , even if brethren could be found equal to discuss them . ] MASONS AT WATERLOO . About fifty Frenchmenthe heroic wreck of a

, square of two regiments , which had been almost exterminated by a park of artillery , found themselves , at the close of the day , surrounded by a considerable force of the enemy . Perceiving it ivould be impossible to to effect a retreat , they determined to la } r down their arms ; but the allies continued to fire upon

them . The Erench now felt that onl y a miracle could save them . Just then , the lieutenant in command was suddenly inspired ivith the thought that such a miracle might be achieved by Masonry . Advancing from the ranks , he made the mystic appeal . Two Hanoverian officers perceived him , and ordered the

firing to cease , Avithout waiting to consult their superior officer . Having proi'ided for the safety of the prisoners , they reported themselves to their general for this breach of military discipline . He , however , being also a Ereemason , far from inflicting any punishment , commended them for their generous conduct . —Boston Freemasons' Mar / azine .

PREEMASONRT BT ACT OP PARLIAMENT . HOAV do the words run of the Act of Parliament which makes the Craft legal ?•—X . T . Z . —[ We have answered this before , but clo so once more , supposing there must be a necessity for it as you put " urgent " at the top of the query . The words are : — " And whereas certain societies have been lorn ? accustomed

to be holden m this kingdom , under the denomination of Lodges of Ereemasons : Be it therefore enacted , that nothing in this Act shall extend to the meetings of any such society , or lodge , which shall before the passing of this Act , have been usually holden uuder the said denomination , and in conformity to the rules prevailing among the said Societies of Ereemasons .

Provided , always , that this exemption shall not extend to anj 1- such society unless two of the members composing the same shall certify upon oath . . . that such Society , or lodge , has , before the passing of this Act , been usually held under the denomination of a Lodge of Ereemasonsand in conformity to the rules

, prevailing among the Societies , or Lodges , of Ereemasons in this kingdom . "—Act of Geo . III ., for the more effectual suppression of Societies established for seditious and treasonable purposes . ' ]

PREEMASONRT HOSTILE TO ROMANISM . The spirit of Ereemasonry was hostile to the principles of the Church of Eome . The intention of the one Avas to enlighten the mind , the object and policy of the other were to retain it in ignorance . When Ereemasonry flourished , the power of the Church must have decayed : the jealousy of the latter was

therefore aroused , and , as tbe civil poAver in England and Scotland was always in the hands of the ecclesiastics , the Church and the State were combined against the principles and the practice of Ereemasonry . —Fncylopcedia JBritanniea .

HINTS TO PROPOSERS AND SECONDERS . It is not an easy task to address advice to tbe candidate . Knowing nothing of our ceremonies , be