Correspondence.

ancient religions . I may perhaps , with your permission , at some future time , enter a little more fully into this and some other points , but nry space warns me that I must for the present conclude , and remain , Dear Sir and Brother , yours most fraternally , M . H . SHUTTLE WORTH , 30 ° Buckhurst Hill , April 10 th , 1862 .

Ancient And Modern Masonry.

ANCIENT AND MODERN MASONRY .

TO THE EDITOE 01 THE FREEJIASOXS' -XAGAZIXE AXD 3 IASOXIC HIKROE . DEAB SIR AXD BKOIHEB . —It is rather amusing to notice tho difference of opinion manifested by Bros . Shuttleworth , Woodford , and Leeson . May not both views be nearly correct P The Craft or operative Masons of the dark ages , derived their mysteries from the Dionisian artificerswho

, were initiated into the mysteries of Bacchus , and in right of such initiation were permitted to be present at the celebration of those of Isis . Pythagoras remodelled these mysteries , and this may be a link in the chain of transmission . The Templars also were possesed of the same mysteries hutthey derived their knowledge in tho castthrough

, , the school of Wisdom , established at Cairo in the 11 th century , where philosophy aud mathematics were taught and nine degrees conferred . This order was also of Egyptian origin . Our order of the Temple in all probability has come to us in nearly its present form , from the monks and priests whose establishments were suppressed at the

reformation , but owing to the secrecy in ivhich , until recent times , it was necessary to shroud the proceedings of the Templars , it is impossible to say , with any degree of certainty , at what period tho Templar lodges and those of the Freemasons became undistinguishably amalgamated , but doubtless the Rosicrucian Order ( which is said to have been invented by an Egyptian

priest converted to Christianity ) formed a link in the gradual process . Permit me to recommend this view to these eminent brethren . I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , Manchester , April 12 th , 1862 . J . Y .

High Grades.

HIGH GRADES .

TO THE EDITOR OF THE _ fllEE __ ASO _ C 5 ' MAGAZINE A _ CD 3 IASOXIC MIRROR . DEAB , SIB , ANB BKOTUEE . —You were so good as to insert in a recent number a very long letter of mine on this subject ; I do not propose , therefore , again to trespass equally on your limited space , or the kind patience of your readers . But I am anxiouswith your permissionto enter a

, , timely protest against many of the statements contained in Bro . Shuttleworth's letter of March 21 th . It certainly is a nei \ - and alarming phase in our Masonic discussions when a brother well known liko himself , in his own province and elsewhere , does not disdain in propria persona , to resuscitate the idle and exploded theories of a French writera non-Masonand to lend

, , tho sanction of his own name to statements , and to disquisitions , which serve only to inflict a cruel wound on our common alma mater , altogether irreconcilable , as they are , with any arguments enforced , or any conclusions arrived at , on the surer and safer ground of historical truth ancl common sense . Among many startling remarks and unproved

assertions I venture specially to call attention here , to his unwise allusions to certain old and sacred Masonic traditions which he terms " myth-historical , " though ho at the same time favours us with a very striking traditional account which might fairly , I think , be called mythhistorical , of the institution of the Rose Croix degree in

1188 , and of the " Masonic Lodge established under the authority of the Templars , and held in the crvpt undpr York Minster . " Thus Bro . Shuttleworth declares his willingness to surrender at once most solemn traditions of the Order , for the absurd and idle visions of a foreign opponent of Masonry . I am , indeed , surprised that Bro .

Shuttleworth does not himself see now , that even on his own grounds , and with his own peculiar creed , such a view of the case is utterly untenable . I must beg also to ask Bro . Shuttleworth for his authority for the statement , that " neither the Egyptians , Jews , or Greeks , understood the principle of the Arch , and no Roman arches can be proved to be of a period anterior to that of the Christian era . "

So far from such a statement being in any sens © correct , Bro . Shuttleworth need only look to Belzoni ' s illustrations of his Egyptian researches , to find out , that the Egyptians at any rate , perfectly understood the principle of the arch , long before tho Christian era . As regards the Greeks , Romans , ancl Jews , _ it _ is but a vulgar error , long since given up by scientific

writers on architecture that the principle of the arch is comparatively a modern discovery , or that the principle of the arch was unknown to the ancients , though it is no doubt true , that to christian architecture and to our operative forefathers , the arch is indebted for its fuller , more graceful , and more perfect development . As regards the Jews , the most recent discoveries at Jerusalem have opened out long subterraneous chambers with concave roofs , raised on arches , and which the skilful explorer unhesitatingly assigns to the time of King Hezekiah .

Bro . Shuttleworth has therefore neither history norauthority of any kind , to warrant that passage in his recent letter , which every true mason must read , as I did with mingled feelings of surprise and pain , viz : — " the Royal Arch , that strange Anachronism . " I would in conclusion , once for all , respectfully protest against that desire and endeavour , seemingly increasing ,,

to exalt Christian Masonry and to depress Craft Masonry , nay even to extol the superor attractions and authority ,, of these unknown degrees , at the expense , of ancient and undoubted Masonry . Such a line of argument , is not only altogether unjust , and unfounded in itself , but comes with a very ill gracefrom anyone who calls himself a Craft Mason at all , as it

can only tend , if perversely persevered in , to weaken , if not to assail , the very foundation of our free and accepted brotherhood . I am Dear Sir and Brother , most fraternally yours , A . F . A . " WOODFORD , P . Prov . G . W . West Yorkshire . Swillington , Leeds , April 14 , 186 ' 2 .

VISIT oi- HIE EUPEEOB AND EMPRESS OI ? THE EnEi . cn . — Paring the approaching season , it is expected that many illustrious foreigners will honour the Metropolis with their prosence ; conspicuous among whom will be the French Monarch and the Empress . As usual during such royal visits , the establishments of tho principal London tradesmen will be inspected ; , but we doubt whether so much gratification will be experienced at the

at any , as will he , even by their critical taste , magnificent emporium , _ S o . 15-1-, Regent-street , where Messrs . T . A . Simpson and Co . seem to have taxed all the efforts of art and talent to produce perfection . Combining the most valuable materials , with the most graceful creations of artistic skill , they have collected an assemblage of wares , that , to quote the nursery balladis indeed fit to set before / There is therefore

, " a king' little doubt but that several of Messrs . Simpsons' chefs d ' eeuvres will hereafter find a treasured home in many Continental palaces ; unless our own English nobility and gentry , who daily visit 151 , Regent-street , be first in the field , and obtain a prior right to the possession ofthe much-admired articles of utility and elegance with which this establishment abounds .