Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

2 > hi Editor is not responsible for Hie opinions expressed It / Correspondents . KNIGHTS TEMPLAR COSTUME .

10 THE EDITOR OP THE EREEHASONS' SIAGAZIKE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —When travelling in Portugal , in 1855 , my attention was arrested by the picturesque costume worn by the peasantry—especially by a very antique-looking massive darh-brown woollen cloah worn by the men .

My travelling companion ( a very intelligent Englishman , and of very high social position in Portugal ) informed me that those same dark-brown cloaks were the present representatives and " lineal descendants , " so to speak , of the chivalric Knights Templar ; and that in Portugal only are any such now to be found in ordinary

use . He likewise observed , that tvhen the Templars were persecuted and suppressed in all other countries of Europe , they found an asylum and protection in Portugal —hence the ( apparent ) identity of form , or pattern , observed from time immemorial in making the cloaks of which I am writing , and which I believe to be

exceedingly like , if not identical with those of "men at arms " and " serving brethren , " of the Knights Templar . These cloaks commonly cost about thirty shillings each , while some of the better quality cost fully fifty shillings ; and when it is borne in mind that the men ean earn but from ten to fifteen pence per diem for their

labour , it follows that the entire earnings of from four to ten weeks' labour must be expended in the cloak—hence , as a rule , a cloak is strongly made ; and so as to serve a whole lifetime , or even , frequently , two generations . I

cannot , at this lapse of time , minutely describe them further than as very heavy—of thick woollen—and darkbrown . They extend downwards to below the knees , or even to tho ankles ; they are of variously ample width , and ornamented by a hood , or high collar , from which , when drawn over the head , two

lappets—like epaulettes fall one on each shoulder , being fringed at the ends . From the hood also falls a broad flat " tail , " fringed at its end and reaching half way down the back of the wearer . This " tail " and the " lappets" being ornamental , as also the most ornamented portion , as much needle-work labour

is expected thereon . In winter these cloaks , being warm , are used to "keep out the cold ; " and in summer , being " shady , " to " keep out the sun and heat , " as a native very facetiously , but seriously , told me . I should have purchased one , but knowing the species and varities of " live-stock" usually abundantly plentiful

therein contained , I awaited to have an old one " baked " in an oven , or a neAV one made , and time did not , Ainfortunately , permit either . I chiefly observed them in the Fras-os-Monfces , the Entre-Douro e Minho , and the Beira Alta Provinces . I once met fully one hundred mounted menmostly

, clothed in these cloaks , all having fire-arms , nearly all having swords ( and " stilettos " of course ); forming , in a wild country , a very impressive scene , as it was midnight and starlight ( but without moon ) . These were

Correspondence.

" contrabandista , " or smugglers , and their chief proving to be my own "landlord , " he , " mine host , " vouelied for me as a friend , or my life would have been of as little value as that of a Saracen among Knights Templar of old . My travelling companion , previously alluded to ,

assured me that some of the wealthy Portuguese and Spaniards have similar cloaks made in coloured silks and expensive materials , beautifully embroidered ; and that Be had known full fifty moidores ( more than fifty guineas ) paid for one such cloak . I have long promised a Knight Templar friend that I

would send these notes to you , he observing that they would be interesting to Knights Templar . I have had no time or opportunity of writing sooner on this or any subject whatever . Apologising to him , to you , and to Bro . Blackburn , & c , I will endeavour , if permitted , and I have time , to write again on the subject of " Can a

Warden Initiate ? " and sign myself , as hitherto , Yours fraternally , RESURGAM .

Masonic Eccentricities.

MASONIC ECCENTRICITIES .

TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I observe , in perusing your last , that some brother in the " North " ( I trust not in a Masonic sense ) , has been objecting to the report of Masonic proceedings in this and similar publications , or at any rate that lie should be associated with the

" tag-rag-and-bob-tail , " & e . As a perfect stranger to the province , and at this distance , I shall not be accused of anything personally offensive , if I make the observation that I have always found the brethren who have raised a similar objection , have been those whose frequent un-Masonic conduct in the lodge would not admit of publicity , even among

Masons , without detriment to themselves . In one of your recent numbers , an esteemed brother of this town introduced to the notice of your readers , with some facetious comments upon the peculiar manners and customs of " Welsh Masons , " an amusing incident relating to one of the lodges here , the publicity given to which will , I am sure , prevent the perpetration of so gross an absurdity by that lodge .

But as this town happens to be an English town , and the Silurian , consequently , an English Lodge , allow me to give you , without comment , a really Welsh incident , which has just occurred in a town only a dozen miles from this , but actually within the border—one equally absurd and unconsistent , b \ ib far xaore reprehensible and un-Masonic .

A gentleman was proposed in a lodge , notorious it appears , of late , for its " Masonic eccentricities "—well known , and , it was believed , respected by every brother in the lodge . Proposed by a Past Master in very flattering terms , seconded by the Chaplain of . the Lodge , with an additional eulogium , and—blackballed ( as I am informed , by a digue , ou account of the nature of his

business ) , the W . M . expressing at the same time regret at the circumstance . The by-laws of the lodge so permitting , the gentleman is again immediately re-proposed , upon which the W . M . actually waits upon the candidate , and informs him , that although he " voted for" him on the last occasion , he shall " blackball" him " if not noAV withdrawn ! " This is from the candidate himself . Yours fraternally , P . M . NeAvporfc , 20 th Jan ., 1864