Masonic Notes And Queries.

THE LODGE OE ANTIQUITY . Having made a discovery I deem of importance , I beg to trouble you with tlie particulars . I bave in my possession an engraved copper-plate bearing the above title , for the purpose of a private lodge certificate ; sizeeight inches by elevenhaving a margin or

, , border formed by two pillars , on the summit of which are the sun aud moon ; between these , connected by scroll ornamentation , is a beehive with blazing star below . Beneath the wording are working tools of the three , degrees , a tracing board with indented border , the volume of the sacred law with a cross-handled

sword upon it , and a scroll , upon which appears two columns with the sun and blazing star between them . At the sides , other working tools are suspended ; at the bottom is a space for filling in the particulars referred to in the body of the plate . Can this have been the property of " The Lodge

of Antiquity , " whose constitution is stated to be "immemorial ? " I find in " Anderson ' s Constitutions , Loudon , 1756 , " " a list of regular lodges according to their seniority and constitution b y order of the Grand Master , " a lodge the tenth on that list , stated to be held at " GrapesChatham 1 st and 3 rd

Mon-, , day ; date of Constitution , March 2 Sth , 1723 , " without doubt , the lodge to which this plate belonged . Werefnere two lodges of Antiquity ? Perhaps some of your readers can enlighten—A WORCESTER P . M .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor it not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . HOMOEOPATHY AND FREEMASONRY . TO Till- EBIXOR Or Till . rilKEMASO-ts' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIltROIl . Dear Sir and Brother , —I desire to bring , through your columns , a question of much interest before my

Masonic brethren . The facts are these . I am a medical practitioner . Some years ago I became convinced of the truth of the mode of treatment known as homoeopathic ; and 1 have ever since been modif ying my practice , according to my knowledge and opportunities , iu this

direction . At length I have given in my open and unqualified adhesion to the system , and have at the same time transferred my sphere of operations to another district . In the place of my hitherto-residence I have had the privilege of being a member of a Masonic lod ^ e

. In this I have filled the offices of J . D ., S . D ., and J . W ., and should have been ( I am given to understand ) its next Master had I remained iu the place . On finding myself well settled in my new abode , I naturally sought affiliation to one of the lodges . Imagine my surprise when I found that the fact of

my practising homoeopath y ' would be an insuperable barrier to my admission . ' Medical men , it seems , are numerous among the Masons of the town , and I am threatened with black balls from this quarter if I attempt to make my way into any of the lodo-es . " Now , let me say at onee that I bave not the

remotest intention of disturbing harmony by pursuing my personal claims . I must be content , for the welfare of the body , to remain a Mason in name ( and I hope in spirit ) only . But I wish to raise the question on behalf of others , that they may know beforehand how Masonry stands in this matter . They are

Correspondence.

told that the Craft recognises no diversities of nation , colour , or even religion , still less mere differences of opinion ; and yet , because a medical man adopts a system of practice which happens to be obnoxious to his colleagues , he is debarred of Masonic privileges , and treated as if he were a criminal .

Understand , Sir , that the difference between homoeopathic and ordinary practitioners is one of medical opinion solely . We go through the same education as they , and practice in virtue of the same diplomas . We resort to no unprofessional means of advancement , and morally and socially occupy precisely the

same position with themselves . Is , then , such ostracism tolerable ? that it should be practised in purel y medical circles—that they should exclude us from their societies , their hospitals , their journals , is perhaps a thing with which the laity had best refrain from interfering . But the question is altogether

different when we come to a general association like Masonry . Are the quarrels of cliques and sects to be allowed to dominate here ? May Churchmen feel justified in black-balling Dissenters and Conservatives Radicals , because they are Dissenters and Radicals ? If sothe claims of the Craft to be a universal

, brotherhood must sink into au ashamed silence . I hope , Sir , that you aud some of your correspondents will take up this important question . I enclose my card , and remain , dear Sir and brother , Yours fraternally , M . D .

The Orders Of The Red Cross Of Rome And The Holy Sepulchre.

THE ORDERS OF THE RED CROSS OF ROME AND THE HOLY SEPULCHRE .

TO TUB 2 DIT 011 01 THE ruEEUASOSS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIOBOE . Dear Sir and Brother , —All those portions of my last communication which are convenient for the purpose appear to be carefully dissected by R . W . L . ; but I search in vain for any reply to the questions I have raised , or any of the evidence for which I sought .

I will not lose si ght of the main inquiry by any discussion as to my championship of Victor Emmanuel , but will refer as concisely as possible to the principal points of R . W . L . ' s communication . I would , however , first desire to say that the imputation of intending any "sneer" iu using the term " educated

circles , " is entirely undeserved . I think it must be admitted tbat , whilst there is a class amongst Masons who read for themselves and desire to be informed , there is another class who are careless enough in entering the degrees they select , to accept all that may be communicated to them without inquiry or desire

for further knowledge . To the former of these , whether the phrase was appropriate or not , I referred as " educated circles , " but had no intention whatever to convey what has been imputed to me . I have not desired this Order to abandon the Comneni succession , but have simply asked for any

evidence that it is in any way identical with that succession . I have not set up any theory in regard to its derivation from the Masons who may have gone to the Holy Laud with the Crusaders , if any did go , but stated onl y that I should not have been surprised to learn that this was the theory of R . W . L . My authorit y for saying that the Order was the private property of the Comneni , was derived from