Masonic Notes And Queries. Lothair And Secret Societies.

the large telescope at Chicago , we quote from an exchange : — " In connection with the- Chicago University , it is well known there is one of the largest telescopes iu the world . As it has not announced any startling discoveriesit has been a matter of wonderment what

, the astronomer was about . The following paragraph shows what the business is which occupies the attenof Professor Stafford : — " The destined work of this wonderful telescope is to make , in connection with the nine chief observatories of Europe and Americaan entirely new

cata-, logue of 250 , 000 stars , determining the right ascension and declination of each particular star , so that by observing its position , astronomers may , in far off ages , be able to pronounce authoritatively on its motion , and to declare in what direction it has proceeded through illimitable voids . At this moment it

is slowly and silently performing its sublime work , and furnishing those far off astronomers the data upon which to base their calculations respecting that mighty problem—the direct motion of the sun through space . When this is solved , data will also be abundant for locating the positionof the great central sunaround

. , which millions upon millions of other suus , popularly denominated stars , do in all probability revolve . The great work being divided among the ten principal observatories of the world , will make the share of it -falling to the Chicago Observatory , 25 , 000 starsupon each one of which the most careful observations

will be made and recorded . It will require about ten years to accomplish this stupendous Avork , and Avhen it is done we may expect some most important astronomical discoveries .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents TO inu EMTOE OS THE rKEEHASOIfS' ItAGAZIlri ! AlTD STASOHIC HinnOI-. Dear Sir and Brother , —I observe that an attempt is now being made to establish in England "The Order of Mizraim . " Were this order introduced

simply as an independent secret society , and as unconnected with Freemasonry , there could be no objection raised thereto . Its claims would not then clash with those of legally constituted Masonic bodies , already established , and those who joined the Society would not expect to obtain thereby any Masonic rank

, which would be acknowledged either at home or abroad . From the published reports , however , it appears that the promoters profess to hold meetings , and confer degrees under the Authorit y of the "Grand College des Rites " of France , as conveyed in a diploma ,

granted to the 111 . - . Bro . - . Cremieux , 33 ° of the " Rite Scossais . " This appearance of legality may lead many Masons to jom the Order without examining its claims to be considered a genuine branch of general Freemasonry . There is no power the " Grand College des Eites " of France ^ reserves more strictly to itself than that of conferring the high degrees and establishing Couucils

or other Masonic Authorities . In the " Statuts Generaux" of the Grand Orient it is expresslystated that " La Grand College des Rites a seul le droit d ' initier aux derniers degres de la Franc Mac . -, du RiteEcossais Ancien et Accepte ainsi que les grades equivalents daus tous les autres rites reconnus par le

G-rand Orient . " And the utmost power it confers on any of its members is , " Lui donnanb pouvoir sous notre autorite d' etablir et de constituer provisoirement , et sauf notre ratification a peine de nullite , des L . - . L . \ de perfection , Chap . . Col . -, et Cons . -, de la haute

Macon ™ . - . Mais seulement dans les efcats et empires on il » ' essiste regulierement aueun de dits corps Macqies . " . - . I have underlined the above Avords because they show not only that no member of the " College des Rites " has the power to establish definitively any

lodge , chapter , college , or council anywhere , but that he has no power to establish them in any country where there exists any regularly established Masonic authority , while here in England the Grand Lodge , Grand Chapter , and Supreme Council of the 33 ° of the Ancient and Accepted Riteare all acknowledged

, by the Grand'Orient of France , and are in fraternal and amicable relations with that body . The Order of Mizraim , moreover , is not , and never has been acknowledged , as a legitimate Masonic body by the Grand Orient of France , or by any other Masonic authoritv .

It was originally compiled , according to Dr . Oliver , in 1782 , or according to Clavel , in 1805 , by several Masons who had been refused admission into the Supreme Council of the Scotch Rite , then recently organised in Milan . In 1 S 14 it was introduced into France , and in 1 . 817 an unsuccessful application was made to the Grand Orient to accept ib as a legitimate

branch of Masonry ; about the same time unsuccessful attempts were made to extend this rite to Bel gium , Sweden , and Switzerland , ancl in 1820 it was introduced in Ireland , where the G . M ., the Duke of Leinster , and several leading brethren joined it in order to test its meritsbut finding it spuriousprevented its

, , further extension . A great portion of the degrees of this order Avere taken from the Rite Ecossais , with more or less variation , and some of them were identically the same in every respect , consequently , when introduced with the pretension of being a genuine branch of

Freemasonry it directly clashes with the legitimate Masonic bodies already existing . Before Masons , therefore , join this order , it would be well for them to enquire iuto its history , and to investigate the authority under which it acts . Out of the order itselfthey must not expect to have their

, rank acknowledged , either in England or in any foreign country , and those Avho belong to any of the grades of " The Ancient and Accepted Rite , " may find that in joining this order , they have violated their O . B . of Allegiance to their own Supreme Council .

I am , Sir and Brother , Yours faithfully and fraternally , AN OLD MASON .