Masonic Notes And Queries.

manuscripts of the Historian of the Order of the Garter was made without any view of obtaining materials that might possibly throw light on the origin of existing Freemasonry . —CHARLES PURTON COOPER .

TWO NUMERICAL MASONIC CYPHERS . I send two numerical Masonic cyphers to test your cyphering . —0 . 4 , 18 8 13 9 , 12 , 15 20 24 24- 2 8 , 18 14 , 2 8 19 18 , 18 8 8 , 4 7 , 23 14 20 17 8 , 12 18 , 10 2 S 21 8 17 , 12 18 , 4 , 11 8 . Then

33 15 83 15 84 70 60 SO 85 33 15 83 9180 86 84 33 80 8610 12 9 60 SO—38 85 38 20 91 80 86 12 80—33 91 85 33 15 60 38 86 8-4 85 84 33 80 —38 85 . [ Quite ; though we do not recognise your initials as one of the 111 . Major or Minor . 'Tis done . 30 ° . ]

THE HOURS 03 ? MASONRY . The Masons of the York Rite have only the terms "high twelve" and "low twelve" to designate particular Masonic times , that is , noon and midnight ; and , in relation to the hours of labour aud of rest , they seem to have preserved but one tradition , namelythat Masons begin to work at six in the

, morning , are called to refreshment at high twelve ; called on again an hour past high twelve , and continue their labour until "low six , " or evening . But some of the Masons of the continent and of the continental rites have paid more attention to this system of Masonic horometry , and have found or

invented a variety of terms and legends in relation to Masonic hours . Among these rites , that of Zinnendorf , established about the end of the last century in Germany , has some curious details . The following extract from the ritual is translated from Lenning ' s Fncyclop / xdia of 'Freemasonry .-

—Q . — - "How many hours are there in a Freemason ' s Lodge ?" A . — " Five . " Q . — "How are these hours called ?" A . — " Twelve noon , high noon , midnight , and high midnight . "

Q . — " When is it twelve ?" A . — "Before the lodge is opened , and when the lodge is closed . " Q . — " When is it noon ?" A . — " When the Master is about to open the lodge . " Q . — " When is it hih noon ?"

g A . — " When the lodge is duly opened . " Q . — " When is it midnight ?" A . — "When the Master is about to close the odge . " Q . — " When is it liigh midnight ?" A . — " When the lodge is closed and the profane

are allowed to approach . " Q . — "How many consecutive hours do Freemasons work in their lodge ?" A . — " Three hours . " Q . — " What are these three hours ? " - A . — " Noonhih noonand midniht . "

, g , g Q . — "What are the hours when Freemasons do not work ?" A . — "Twelve , and high midnight . " There are other divisions into Masonic weeks and years , hut what has been given above is enough to

show the care with which Masonic symbolism is cul , tivated among these philosophical rites , for all these ^ answers are of course allegorical and symbolical . One more answer in this catechism of the Zinnendorf ritual may conclude this paragraph , as it is highly suggestive of a deep reliious truth .

g Q . — " How long is a Mason ' s day ?" A . — " From the beginning of the year to its end . " And so , indeed , it is . The work of a true Mason , is never done—his day of labour never ends—and atall hours and in all seasons , his task still goes nobly on for the search—the untiring search after truth

must be ever employing him , from week to week ,, from month to month , and from j'ear to year , until , days , and weeks , and months , and years , shall all have passed away , aud life ends with the search still , pursued . —R . M .

ATTENDANCE AT LODGE . If , as we know , a lodge is composed of individuals members , how can it meet or open without their attendance ? Hence , all should attend , & c .. Now while I admit that full meetings are highly desirable and gratifying to all and to each , and that it is very jileasaut and delihtsome to true Mason

g every to be present at every meeting of this lodge , yet , as Masonry enjoins that we should on no account neglect our business and private and social duties ( so the Ancient Charge has it ) , as citizens and headsof families , how are we to reconcile the doctrine of those who advocate never being absent , with neglect

of duty outside of the lodge ? I presume it should he conceded a priori , that , when a member is not present , he has calls of duty elsewhere which keep him away .. This would be charitable . And yet we hearthose who have much happy leisure to attend , often , making rather un-Masonic remarks about the absence of others . —REGULARITY .

TEMPLAR NOTES . The Prov . G . Commander of Canada , Sir Knt . Captain W . B . M'Leod Moore , furnished some noteson Templary , which are worthy of preservation . — Ex . Ex .

" 1 send you a copy I took m Malta of the Grand Master's vow , as also the vow of the Scotch Order of the Temple—I mean the Order not connected now with Masonry , as there is still one , I learn , attached to it . I also send a copy of the titles , and some little description of the Order of the Temple and St . John , taken from one of our late works on heraldry .

" There are many points in your Templar costume that puzzle me . Why do you wear black mantles , black caps , & c . ? The ancient Templars always wore white , the Knights of St . John wore black . As to its being mourning for the suppression of the Order after Jacques De Molay's martyrdom , it is a mere

farce . The Order , as a political power , being suppressed , merged into the Knights of Malta—excepting the few who kept up the Order in Scotland—and we know they ( the Knights of Malta ) always wore the white mantle and a red cross . ( See the Investiture of Prince Charles Edward Stuartthe Pretenderat

, , Holyrood . ) We , in many points , do not agree with G-ourdin ' s Historical Blceteh of Knights Templar , which contains many inaccuracies and misstatements , though it bears evidence of being got up with great care . It is chiefly compiled from modern publications *