Masonic Discipline.—Xiv.

given to this point of Masonic inconsistency . Although we have expressed our preference in favour of one particular method , yet we would cheerfully and willingly give in our adherence to any other , were it possible thereby to promote uniformity among the lodges . Were the matter in our hands , we flatter ourselves we should be

successful iu remedying the discrepancy complained of . The course of action is simple enough . We should in the first instance despatch a circular to all the metropolitan lodges , requesting to be informed , in what manner it was customary to receive

the Tyler's toast , and whether the members would have any objection to adopt that particular manner , which mighfc be afterwards shown to be observed by the majority of the lodges . The return of the circulars with the required information , would enable the manner in which the toast is received

by the majority of lodges , to be at once ascertained , and a subsequent notification to each lodge of the result , would place them all d ' accord . We do not believe that there would be a single lodge , that would for a moment hesitate to abide by the result ,

whether the result mi ght be in accordance with their own method or opposed to it . It is evident that this suggestion might be applied to numerous other instances , where it is desirable to promote unanimity of working in different lodges . There is no doubt that every Mason desires to see the

whole of our rites and ceremonies reduced to one uniform standard , and would willingly in the good cause , give assistance in smoothing little asperities , in reconciling any little party disputes , and in overcoming any weak and unfounded prejudices even if they were his own .

THE EC / IO of last Saturday in the Letter of its Paris correspondent ; says : — " Yon may remember that a short time ago there was a great noise made about a . sharp letter from the Pope to the Archbishop of Paris , which appeared in M . Ollivier's book . INobody knew how it got there , and nobody knew under what circumstances the letter was written . The eat has now been let out of the hagand a most romantic animal it isHere is

, . the story . —In 1 SC 0 , the Freemasons were about to elect a Grand Master . The advanced party of the order patronised Prince Napoleon in opposition to Prince Murat . The latter in a fit of jealousy challenged Prince Napoleon to a duel . M . de Persigny , then Minister of the Interior , being informed of the affair , immediately sought the Emperor . It was necessary , at no matter what price to prevent the duel . I-IisMa jesty sent for Marshal and ordered

Magnan , him to make himself named Grand Master of Freemasonry . But how ? The Marshal was not oven an ' apprentice . ' However , he was made Grand Master , although by what means still remains a secret . Some years after , the marshal died , and his coffin was carried to the church with all the insignias of Freemasonry . The Archbishop of Paris was called on to officiate . Knowing that Marshal onl

Magnan was y Grand Master by order of the Emperor , and desiring above all to avoid scandal , he himself performed the funeral ceremony . The enemies of the Archbishop informed the Court of Rome of the affair , and hence arose the famous letter which has been so much spoken of . I leave you to form your own opinion of the story . "

The Knights Templars.

THE KNIGHTS TEMPLARS .

By ANTHONY OXEAL HAYE .

{ Continued from page 287 . ) BOOK IV . —CHAPTER XVI .

The Council of Sens passes sentence upon the Templars—The Commissioners warn the Archbishop of Sens against putting it into effect — He declines to listen to them — Certain of the Templars condemned to be burned—Offered life , liberty , and rewards if they will achioiv ledge the crimes—They refuse—One Knight

burned—Eight days after , fifty-fonr burned—Ten afterwards—Two , lo save their lives , accept the lung ' s offers—The remains of a dead Templur taken from the grave and burned—The Pope refuses to sanction the foundation of a lloyal Order—Issues a Bull regarding the disposal of the Templars' wealth and possessions—A . D- 1310 .

I he Papal Commissioners were engaged with the examination of John Borfealdi , when the tidings were conveyed to them of the decision come to by the Archbishop of Sens and his suffragans . They were thunder struck at its violence and palpable

injustice , and dreaded the worst consequences to both Church and State from its execution . Accordingly , they despatched one of their own notaries , along with the governor of a prison in which certain Templars were confined , and who was present

at the sittings of the Commission with the captives under his charge , to the Archbishop of Sens , to implore him to proceed in the matter with the utmost caution . The envoys were introduced to the Archbishop ' s presence , aud they entreated him

not to proceed to extremities with the Templars , as there existed very strong reasons for doubting the truth of the crimes charged against them ; and

niauy persons publicly affirmed that those Templars who had died in prison had attested , at the hour of their death , and at the peril of their souls ' salvation , the entire innocence of the Order , and the complete falseness of the charges brought

against it . They pointed oat what disastrous results might follow upon the execution of such a violent decision ; that the populace were growing every day more satisfied of the Templars' innocence ; aud that no good would ensue either to the

Church or to the State . They furthermore represented to him the terror with which the news of his decision had been received by the witnessesa terror so great , as to render them incapable of giving a truthful evidence . This had arrested the

Commissioners' proceedings , for they could easily perceive , that the depositions avowing the crimes ; , were uttered by the witnesses to escape from the