Masonic Notes And Queries.

thing , it must be Jewish in its ori gin . If you will take the trouble to turn to pages 411 and 412 of the number for November 26 th , youwill see good reasons for altering your opinion , and not setting yourself up as a standard against tlie collective wisdom of the Grand Lod ge of Mark Masters of England and

Wales , whose ritual bears every evidence of its antiquity , and has only been slightly modernised to suit the present day . —A PAST E . W . M . AND GEAND OFFICES . —[ Whatever may be the "collective Avisdom " which the " Past E . W . M . and Grand Officer " so highly values , the individual folly of his attack on

us is beyond dispute . We have read pages 411-12 , and do nofc alter our opinion , for the followingreasons . The quotation of any Scri ptural texts will not transform the pretty legend of tlie degree into Christianity . Its whole foundation is laid on an operative basis , and it is neither a philosophical , ineffable , chivalric , or Christian degree . The Holy Scriptures were in existence 1 , 700 years before the

Mark degree was ever heard . About the year 1770 a degree called the Marie was popular , but that is the old Mark , still practised in many parts of the kingdom , and partly incorporated in the present working ofthe Eoyal Arch , and Avith which the modern degree has no affinity . The present Mark Masonry

is an afterthought . Ifc is the production of the nineteenth century , and there is no allusion either in sacred or profane history to the loss and recovery of the keystone . Because an event is said to have taken place at the building of Solomon ' s Temple , unless there is some proof of it , either in the Bible or

historical authors of antiquity and repute , the assertion goes for nothing , as ifc is quite as easy to invent new degrees dating from the Plood , if required , as it was to coin the Mark . Considering that the Mark ritual is about eighteen years old , the evidence it bears of its antiquity cannot be very great ; and it really must have required only to have " been slightly modernised " to suit the present day .

THE SOLIDS . I hear talk that the solids are often given in Arch Chapters in London ; where can I see them ?—C . C . T . —[ We would print them , but the space is too great a sacrifice . Euclid will teach you much better , if studied diligently , than than all the solid , fluid , and ethereal bodies put together . ]

AVATCHING A KNIGHT ' S AKMOUB . I believe there is an account of this proceeding in a novel entitled Sir Launeelot Greaves , written , if I recollect rightly , by Smollett . I remember reading it many years ago . —G . B ., D .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for ihe opinions expressed by Correspondents , MASONIC CHARITY . TO THE EDITOR OF THE FEEEAIASONS * MAGAZINE AND MASONIC 1 UEEOE . DEAE SIR AND BEOTHEE , —Your remarks with regard to the Liverpool , & c , Masonic Belief

Committee are well called for ; aud I cannot understand why the brethren of the metropolis are so backward in the establishment of a good Avorking committee ,

Correspondence.

like Liverpool , Manchester , & c , for the purpose of carrying out a system of relief for the mutual protection from imposition ( many cases , I am sorry to say , I could give you ) , whilst opportunity is given of frequently affording more substantial relief to the Avorfchy Mason . Since the establishment of the

committee we have investigated over 700 cases , many of them being found quite unworthy of any relief . My object in addressing you is to ask the London brethren to assist us in carrying out this important work of relief , aud to ask for an interchange of reports & -cweekly .

, , I am , dear Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , Tiros . MAESH , Son . Sec . Liverpool , Dec . 17 , 1864 .

Masonry In Australia.

MASONRY IN AUSTRALIA .

TO THE EDITOIt Or THE FKEEltASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC JIIEEOS . DSAE SIE AND BEOTHEE , —The recent proposal to separate the lodges in Australia from the Grand Lodges of Britain , and to form a Grand Lodge in Australia , has given rise in my mind to some reflections which may be of some interest to the Craft in general . Having resided for several years in Australiaand

, having closely observed the progress of Masonry in this sunny clime , I have not failed to notice the many disadvantages to which the English lodges in particular are subjected , owing to the distance between this country and the central seat of authority . I cannot join with those brethren who are agitating

for an Australian Grand Lodge ; but it would be folly to close our eyes to the causes that have led to that agitation , or to the urgent necessity that exists that those causes be speedily removed . The great evil of Masonry in Australia is , that the Provincial Grand Lodges have not entrusted to them such powers as

enables them to exercise a Avise and salutary control over the interests of the Craft in their respective districts . In other Avords , the Provincial Grand Masters are entrusted with a great deal more authority than ought to be exercised by any one brother ;

while the Provincial Grand Lodges have a great deal too little to enable them to act for the welfare of the Craft . I do not go so far as those Avho think that the appointment of a Provincial Grand Master ought to be in the hands of the Provincial Grand Lodges . I prefer that the power of appointment remain with the Grand Mastereven though it may happen that

, , owing to the Grand Master being dependent on the report of others , the brother appointed may not have either that eminence or ability Avhich the " Book of Constitutions" demands . What I Avish to impress upon the home government is , that there exists an urgent necessity that some total authority be established to

which the Provincial Grand Master shall be more or less responsible . In proof of this , let me turn over one or two pages of the recent history of the Craft in South . Australia . The Provincial Grand Master is a gentleman who was appointed at the Avish of a large section ofthe Craft in South Australia . I believe that his

urbanity of manner , his business tact , and his impartiality have won for him the respect of most of the brethren in the province . And yet it is impossible to conceal that the manner in which Masonic affairs are administered has led to a general feeling that the Provincial Grand Lodge is but little better than a