Correspondence.

Mason , and by that step assumed the sceptre of this Antient Order of Masonic Chivalry , the Knights of theR . S . V . C . S . will no doubt hasten to do homage to the Sovereign of the Order . Yours fraternally , ^ M 31 ° .

[ Our correspondent , like Bro . Mackey , is in error in supposing that the Swedish Masonic Knighthood was founded by Charles XII . That Monarch died many years previous to 1811 . ( See Voltaire's celebrated "Life of Charles XII . " ) Charles XIIL founded the Order . We fear the Statutes of the

Royal Order of Scotland bar the " Prince Steward " -of that realm becoming Grand Master , Avhile Her Majesty sits on the throne . The King of Scotland alone can be Grand Master , and he must not only be a Master Mason , but have been received into the Royal Order , before assuming the dignity . —En . P . M . ]

io THE EDnoa 03 THE " FHEEHASO ^ S' HA & AZWE ASD HASOJUC MiEnon . Dear Sir and Brother , —The Prince of Wales entered Freemasonry in Stockholm , his introducer being King Charles XA . of Sweden . The Prince arrived in Copenhagen before our annual festival . He Avas invited to assist at it , aud Avas introduced in

our lodge by the wisest Vicar of Salomo , Bro . Brastrup ( who succeeded the defunct King of Denmark , Frederick VII . ) After the festival the Prince of Wales honoured us Avith his presence at dinner in the lodge . His health was proposed , and in replying he expressed his satisfaction aud enjoyment at finding

himself among Danish brethren , and Ave were exceedingly surprised to find from his speech that he is not quite unacquainted Avith the Danish language . We have all been very glad to have had him present in our midst . It is said ( but it is impossible for me to know it

for certain , and you must take it as a supposition ) that the Prince intends to introduce the Swedish system into England . This system has a special character , which can only he explained verbally . Yours fraternally , Copenhagen , January 5 , 1869 . G . H .

The Prince Of Wales And Freemasonry.

THE PRINCE OF WALES AND FREEMASONRY .

CO THE EDITOR OE THE EBEEHASOXS' VUAGAZIHE AXD MASOXIC MllEllOIt . Dear Sir and Brother , —In common with many readers of last week ' s Magazine , I have perused the interesting article by J . A . H . and the comments of the Daily JVews on the initiation of the Prince , with becoming attention , but I conceive that there are some

points in the latter which ought not to be passed over in silence or Avithout explanation . It should be clearly understood that the " Prince of Wales , " as a Swedish Mason , is as " orthodox" as any Euglish brother of the "blue . " Tho three first degrees are ihe same as ours—minor details of rituals

exceptedand the promotion of His Eoyal Highness to higher grades does not alter the fact that he is now a member of the Craft Universal . The 3 "blue " degrees form the 1 st classhf the Swedish rite ; and the 2 nd class is composed of three more ; viz ., 4 th . Ap prentice and F . C . of St . Andrew . 5 th . Master of St .

Andrew . 6 th . Brother-Stuart . It is singular that a member of the Royal Brunswick line should thus be identified Avith degrees commemorative of the fallen house of Stuart , the former possessors of the British Crown . These degrees are termed " St . Andrew's Masonry , "

and members of the Red Cross Order of Constantine will readily trace the source of the tradition related iu that portion of the Swedish rite , as follows : — Acinus , King of Scots , and Hungas , King of the Picts , being at war with Athelstane , King of England , were on their knees at prayer the night before the

battle , when a fiery cross appeared in heaven in the form of that upon which . St . Andrew had suffered martyrdom X with the letters I . H . S . V ., and the Saint himself also appeared aud promised victory to the two king . Accordingly , on the next day , the English were defeated with great slaughter , when the

Scottish and Pictish princes , in order to show their gratitude , vowed that a St . Andrew's cross should ever afterwards be borne upon their shields and banners . The 7 th grade ( which the Prince is stated to have received ) is the "Favourite Brother of Solomon ;"

the Sth , Favourite of St . John ; aud the Oth , Favourite of St . Andrew . The 4 th class comprises three degrees of " Eed Cross Knights , " or " Chevaliers de la Rouge Croix . " These brethren compose the "Illuminated Chapter , " over which the "Reigning Sovereign of Sweden" presides , and their ceremonials are of a very august and solemn character . There is another point connected with the initiation of the Prince of Wales that deserves

consideration . H . R . H . has been created a "Knight of the Order of Charles XIIL , " and the writer in the Daily News , evidently in utter ignorance of the constitution of the Order , proclaims aloud that , — " We can promise H . R . H . that no decoration pertaining to his possible Knighthood will be allowed to be worn in

the lodges of his native land . " This is equivalent to saying that the Earl of Zetland cannot wear the Order of the Thistle , or Monsieur A . B . the Cross of the Legion of Honour , or any civil or military decoration in Masonic assemblies . The Order of Charles XIIL is an institution of Knihthood which confers nobility

g upon its members , if not previously noble . It was established by the Swedish kiug of that name on the 27 th May , 1811 , as a proof of his regard for the Craft . The number of Chevaliers is limited to 30 , of whom three are ecclesiastics . The hereditary prince aud princes of the blood Royal are

nothow-, ever , comprised in this number ; and the restriction as to the age of each Knight—viz ., 36—is likewise inapplicable in their case . The meetings are held in the Royal palace , aud the 2 Sth January being the " fete" day of the Order , is the day fixed for the promotion of Chevaliers .

The Knights are sworn to respect all their previous obligations ; to defend with " life and fortune " the pure evangelical religion ; to be faithful to the King , aud contribute to the welfare of the State ; to oppose injustice ; maintain peace and equity ; encourage union and obedience to the laws ; arid to conformto

, the utmost of their power , to all the Statutes of the Order . The emblem of the Order is a rubycoloured cross , surmounted with a golden crown , aud suspended from a ribbon of the colour of fire .