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Contents . PAGE Alusic as a Masonic Accomp lishment 161 The Knights-Errant 162 Masonic Jottings No 83 183 Alasonic Work and Play 164

Alasonic Notes and Queries 165 The Knights Templar : Past and Present 167 Correspondence 169 The Jewel of the Grand Patron of the Craft iu Ireland 170 "FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE : — MASONIC MIKROR : — Masonic Mems 171

General Committee of Grand Lodge aud Lodge of Benevolence 171 CEAET LODGE BIEETIKG-S -. — Metropolitan ' -72 Provincial 173 Channel Islands 177 Australia 177 Scotland 178

Royal Arch 178 Knights Templar 178 Alasonic Festivities 179 Poetry 184 Notices to Correspondents ISO List of Lodge , & c , Meetings for ensuing week 180

Music As A Masonic Accomplishment.

MUSIC AS A MASONIC ACCOMPLISHMENT .

LONDON , SATURDAY , AUG-VsT 26 , 1871

The power of music in swaying the passions of our nature is undoubtedly great , as a reference to history , sacred and profane , will render apparent to every searcher for truth ; and that its influence upon our Craft , when used with discretion and in

conformity with those immutable laws by which it is governed and controlled , cannot be doubted by those who are sufficiently acquainted with the subject to form a correct opinion . For the purpose of diffusing correct opinions

upon this subject , it is important that the principles of its construction should be clearly shown in a thorough , and at the same time , attractive ,

manner . As there is a great lack of a definite knowledge of the true principles of musical construction among those who are professed teachers of the art , we are constrained to acknowledge the fears with which we are affected lest our deduction

should not be fully and properly understood by our readers ; but as our aim is to do good among those in whom " charity abounds , " Ave are encouraged to proceed , and would ask for a careful examination of our premises and positions , and a

careful comparison and adjustment of the same , so as to form a clear comprehension of this delightful art , by which its exercises Avill be rendered more pleasant , because the understanding

will be appealed to , as well as the fancy , in our participation in the exercise of the powerful auxiliary to our beautiful aud all-important ritual . Were any apology necessary for our devoting so much time and space to the consideration of this

" liberal art , " we mig ht refer to the fact that the philosophers of olden time have considered it worthy their attention , and have traced its principles from their source to their ultimate , so far as human research has been able to trace them .

The illustrious writers and philosophers who have not considered the subject of music as being beneath their investigations , have left the results of their genius and research for our edification . Among these Ave may here mention the names of Plato , Aristotle , Plutarch , Euclid , Pythagoras , Ptolemy , Rauseau , Guido , Galileo , Descartes ,

Haygens , Buler , Kepler , and many others of various ages or periods , who have won a worldwide renown as mathematicians , astronomers , or philosophers . —these , with a host of others , have lent their brilliant mental powers to develope the

true principles upon whicli the art is founded , and it is a source of regret that so little attention is paid to their deductions and investigations by those Avho aspire to the distinguished position of teachers and performers of the divine arc .

We do not wish it to be inferred from our remarks that every performer should be fully versed in the laws of harmony , yet Ave do contend that a knowledge of these laws should be more general among musical devotees , and that every Mason should look into these laws , as well as the general laws of nature , in all her phenomena .

Ptolemy says : "It is the business of contemplation and science to show that the works of nature are constituted according to some proportion and settled order , and not at random , or as it were , by mere chance , but this ought

particularly to be doue in relation to the finest of her works : such as those senses that approach nearest to reason , —that is , seeing and hearing . " The study of the art in early ages presented calculations formidable enough to deter students from

attempting to comprehend it ] calculations that sometimes seem to be more ingenious than useful , and consequently more fitted to obstruct , than to advance , improvement , for the want of that simplicity which ought to accompany every art and every science . Simplicity in every science cannot be obtained