Masonic Notes And Queries.

THE OLD MASONIC AEMS . In the plates—after the " Addenda" of Bro . JSToorthouek's History of London , 4 to . 1773 , I find on plate ii ., amongst the " Arms of the City Companies , " those of the Masous , established in 1677 , which are , azure , on a cheveron , between three towers argent , a pair of compassesexteudedof the first . Crest : A

, , tower , argent . Motto ; "In the Lord is all our trust . " This is no doubt the operative guild builders ' arms . On plate iv ., are the arms of " Free and Accepted Masons . " No date is assigned as to their establishment . The amis given are gulea ; on a cheveron , between three towers argent , a pair of

compasses , extended , proper . Crest , an eagle , close . Supporters , two otters , proper . Motto "Relief and truth . " The level , square , and plumb-rule are introduced as accessories outside the shield . Bro . Noorthouck was a Freemason . That is patent to all , because he editedfor the Grand Lodgean edition of

, , The Booh of Constitutions . What I am desirous of knowing is where did he derive the latter coat from ? Why was the crest an eagle ? And what have Pree and Accepted Masons to do with otters ?—MATTHEW COOKE .

A GRAND MASTER ' S LABOURS . The ancient usage demanded " Grand Visitations " as a regular portion of the duties of the officers of the Grand Loclge . This was right . The more power confided to men , the more duties are imposed upon them . The theory of the Grand Mastershi

p gives that official almost despotic powers ; his honours , his exemptions , his jirivileges are autocratic . How much , then , should be expected of him iu return ? But how poorly this theory of duty is sustained let the record of subordinate lodges almost everywhere throughout the land sliow . How few lodges ever see

their Grand Master . Tet it was intended that Grand Masters should stand face to face , at least once a-year , with their brethren , to answer their inquiries , settle their difficulties , criticise their work , and dispense the countless benefits flowing out of an intimate relationshi p between the head aud the body ; and when we get back to old-fashioned notions they will do so . —A CONSERVATIVE REEOEMEE .

THE COMING 1 IISTOEY OP EEEEMASONEY . It is time that a true history of Freemasonry was written . We say a true history , for of apocryphal ones we have an abundance , but of these we are getting tired . We have had enough of assumptions without basis , of statements Avithout evidence , of assertions

without authority , of narratives without date . In 1721 , Anderson ' s claims for a Grand Mastershi p for Moses , and Grand Yvardenships for Aholiab and Bezaleel , might pass unquestioned ; for there were few Masonic readers , and nobody outside of Masonry took any interest iu tbe question . But we venture

to assert that the historical part of the Bool- of Constitutions , if now published for the first time , would meet rather with sneers thau commendation . But Freemasonry has now assumed a hi gher tone among the intellectual pursuits of meu ; it has a profound sciencea pure and truthful hilosophan

, p y , interesting literature , which are attracting the attention of the world . Its elevated position and its popularity are giving ifc an influence , within and without its own precincts , that make men begin to enquire ,

"What is it , and whence did it come ? " Aud the answer to these questions will consist in a plain , documentary history of the Order . The intelligent Mason , as well as the inquisitive profane , will now require iu such a history authenticated dates and unquestionable authority for every portion of the narrative .

Dreamsaud fantasies , and wild imaginative speculations , will now excite nothing but ridicule . If a legend is selected , it must be related for what ifc is worth , aud not as a fact . And as nine-tenths of our legends are altogether symbolical , like the mythology of the ancients , they must , to attract attention or command respect , he ahvays accompanied by their symbolical interpretation . A deceased brother of eminence ouce commented

in terms , by no means too severe , on the looseness of Masouie writers as to dates and authorities . We listened , aud were compelled , with reluctance , to admit the justice of the eloquent speaker ' s denunciation , for we had but lately tested its truth by experience . Ouce instituting au inquiry on a poiut of Masonic chronologywe found such confusion of datessuch

contra-, , diction of statements , such a mixture of facts and suppositions , and such general incoherence in the narrative , that our patience was well-nigh exhausted iu the almost futile effort to extract li ght out of this darkened chaos . JSTow this sort of writing will no longer be tolerated ..

W e want a history of Freemasonry that shall be a history of dates aud facts ; not a history of theories and suppositions . Wo want a history that will bear ,, like a truthful witness , a severe cross-examination ; and whoever undertakes , to write such a history must begin by remembering Aristotle ' s critical maximthat

, " incredulity is the foundation of all wisdom . " Iu the preparation of his materials he must take nothing for granted , hut must " prove all things , " and the proof ' s b _ y which his own doubts have been removed will also remove those of his readers .

And what an accession would such a history so written—truthful , authentic , precise , authoritativebe to the library of the scholar ; what light would it throw ou the religious , the philosophical , aud the architectural history of the world ; what glory would it secure to the Order , what reputation to its author £ Such a history " would present the Masonic

institution to the fraternity and to the world in its true aud rightful colours as the conservator of the arts of peace ; as the champion of progress aud intellectual freedom ; as the firm supporter of law and order iu human governments ; as the herald amongst mankind of brotherly lovereliefand truth ; as the patron of

, , industry , integrity , and sobriety ; as the almoner of bounty to the distressed , the widow , aud the fatherless , and as the bulwark of reli gious truth . "—AMERICAN MASONIC PAPER .

MASONIC LITERATURE . The day has come when Masonry can no longer be a laggard in the paths of literary pre-eminence . If , but two or three hundred years ago her members were the builders of all those magnificent piles which fill the minds of observers in these days with wonder and

astonishment , and wrap the soul in solemn awe , as we stand within and beneath their grand and lofty domes , how shall we , in the great change wrought iu the institution by the silent baud of time , place ourselves side by side with our glorious ancestry , in