Masonic Notes And Queries.

to the air as they are . We must agitate for ventilation ; and no lodge should meet in a room where the windows cannot be opened , and be positively thrown up and pulled down , as far as the sashes will allow , for at least three hours before every meeting . —ONE IN DREAD OP ASPHYXIA .

THE ENGLISH OP THE CEAPT . What is the date of the language of the Craft ceremonies ?—PHILOLOGER . —[ Unmistakably that of the nineteenth century . There are only two relief of medkeval expression used throughout the three ceremonies , and he that would argue for the antiquity of the

Craft from the diction now in use lias but a sorry foundation to rest upon . We cannot here point out from whence certain passages are taken , but it will he quite enough to guide a " Philologer , " if he will take the trouble to read Bro . Sir Bichard Steele's works and compare certain with what he

passages must knoAV . If language was , according to Talleyrand , " given to man to conceal his thoughts , " it is no less certain style aud expression are adopted by him to stamp the era of his productions . Modernise Steele into the jargon of 1813 , and you will have the last century's pure and brilliant English watered down to

suit the more diffuse and helter-skelter patois of the present age . The Craft language , as we have it now , is Pope , Steele , and Addison travestied . ]

THE DUICE OP WELLINGTON AND BEO . STEBBING . I won't say how many years ago it was , but it was some years since , Bro . Stebbing promisee ! to send a letter about the Duke of Wellington ' s initiation . Has it ever appeared in your columns ? It is possible that , although a constant reader , I may have missed it . —

PROMISED PIECRUST . —[ It has never been received , and consequently never has appeared . We gave it up hopelessly some time since . ]

MASONIC DISCUSSION AND CORRESPONDENCE CLUBS . It has been proposed to hold meetings once a fortnight , from September to April , commencing in January , 1865 , for the purpose of reading papers , by the subscribers , on Freemasonry , its history , literature , laws , usages , customs , traditions , reform , and all

kindred subjects , as well as the exhibition of Masonic curiosities , works of art , & c . The papers to be circulated , by a private process , in a series of Transactions of the club , and ou the plan adopted by the Camden and other literary societies . Every subject to form the groundwork of discussion , and absent or country members' correspondence , to be an integral portion of each night's reading . —MATTHEW COOKE .

PRELATE , VERGER , AND BEADLE . In what degree are there tliree officers called the Prelate , Yerger , and Beadle ?—T . —[ In one not worked in this country , that of the Knights of the Sepulchre . ]

KING LEOPOLD A MASON . 1 should be glad to be informed if King Leopold of Belgium is a Mason ?—S . Gr . —[ He is . He is also a Chivalric ancl Masonic Templar , ancl a Masonic Knt . of Malta . ] SALT . Of what is salt a Masonic emblem ?—P . M .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The JEilUor is not responsible for tlie opinions expressed 5 y Correspondents , MASONIC CHABITIES . TO THE EEnOE 0 * f THE IHEEJIAS 0 S 5 ' MASAZlKE ASD HASOHIC imVBOB . DEAR SIB AND BROTHER . —Notwithstanding the resolution of "A W . M . " to " aAvait the issue of the case

before the tribunal which makes our laws , " and his anxiety that the scheme I have proposed should he brought forward at the next meeting of Grand Lodge , it may not be amiss to review the subject as discussed in the last few numbers of your MAGAZINE .

The remark iu the report of the Boys' School , that out of 25 , 000 Freemasons only 2 , 000 subscribed to that institution , stimulated my desire to see by what means we could best benefit the Charities . After careful thought , I was induced to again bring forward

the project I hacl previously put forth iu your columns of levying half-a-croAvn yearly from every member for each Charity . This , I proposed , should be collected quarterly through the loclge subscriptions ; and Avhile it would realise the noble sum of £ 12 , 500

annually , it would require no new machinery nor involve any expense . I never for a moment entertained the notion of interfering with the present excellent plan of annual festivals , nor of the equally excellent management of the Charities by the various Boards bufc thafc this sum should constitute an additional

income of a permanent character . As to the details which I foresaw Avould be necessary to give a proper representation to lodges for the subscription , I considered such would naturally be embraced in the full discussion of the project by the Grand Lodge ; my

object was first of all to draw attention to the broad principle , ancl gain a position for the Institutions worthy of their object by being incorporated in our Constitutions . Further consideration satisfied me

that this scheme , by drawing the attention of the brethren more particularly to the subject , would tend towards an increase of voluntary offerings , and redound greatly to the credit of Freemasonry and the advantage of the Charities . I had instances before me to bear out this supposed increase , while tho

principle of levying a fixed and equal contribution had already been recognised by Grand Lodge with regard to the Fund of Benevolence . This hacl been fully tested , and no murmur or complaint hacl been raised against it . In naming the sum of

half-a-crown , it Avas with the view of illustrating the good which could be effected by so small an individual amount , knowing full well that in the consideration of the subject Grand Lodge would fix such a sum as ivould meet the justice of the case . Although fully convinced that the theory was sound and

constitutional , and its application Avould be highly advantageous , still I was not sanguine enough to imagine that such a proposition Avould not be combated ; nor