Masonic Notes And Queries.

surprising , as the French chapel-masters understand so little of the plain chant , that I have seen the most experienced of them ( in their own opinion ) mistake the tone of the chant . And besides , writing this sort of music is not taught in France , but they practise instead , in the cathedrals , an extemporary harmony , which is called chant sur la livre . To give some idea of it , imagine

fifteen or twenty singers of every description of voices , from the bass to tbe highest soprano , singing as loud as thoy can bawl , each according to his own fancy , without either rule or method , and making every note in the scale , both diatonic and chromatic , heard at the . same time with the plaint chant , which is performed by harsh and discordant voices : you ivill then have some idea of what is called in France chant sur la livre . But what

will be thought still more incredible is , that there are choral precentors and chapel-masters , who are so depraved in their taste as to admire and encourage this "horrid mockery of music in their churches . " In Italy , ¦ of course , _ where the people are of a more delicate musical organization , things are not so bad ; but Eustace says , that even there "the Gregorian chant is encumbered

with an endless succession of dull unmeaning notes , dragging their sloiv length along , and burtbening the ear with a dead weight of sound . " The purity of the Gregorian chants , too , has been corrupted by the false refinement of our own times , as well as by the barbarism of our ancestors . By the introduction of sharps and flats , inadmissible into the ecclesiastical modes , and other

embellishments , these ancient melodies , as they are now frequently performed , lose their distinctive character , and assume the appearance of ordinary modern airs : and the disguise is completed by the florid and chromatic harmony with which they are clothed . They are treated in the same way as an old Scottish tune , prepared for the use of a fashionable stage singerit is rendered

; spruce and polished , but deprived of the expression it derived from its rude simplicity . In the papal choir these innovations are carefully guarded against . The ancient music of the Church is preserved in its purity ; and the modern compositions which are admitted on stated days , ancl under certain circumstances , are in the proper ecclesiastical style . No organ is ever allowed there :

Voices only are employed ; and , as the singers are numerous , of exquisite skill , and concealed from public view , their harmony is ravishing and celestial . The papal choir still preserves its excellence , though its voices are no longer procured by the means resorted to in a less enlightened age ; and it might be expected that , in regard to the purity of its musical service , the Catholic church wonld pay more attention than it does to the example which is set bv its head . — . Dz . Win Review .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondent * . ENGLISH MASONIC CHARITY . TO THE EDITOR 03 ? TITE THEEJUSOXS' MAGAZINE AXD MASOJtIC MIIUiOR . DEAR SIR AND BI'OTHER , —In tbe Monde Ma . connigui } for the present month , I find an article , of ivhieh the following is a translationreflecting the conduct of an

, upon English lodge . " We have so often had occasion to speak of tho charity of EnglishJIasons with the praise Avhich it deserves , that ive may lie permitted to compare their public display of beneficence ivith the manner in Avhich the unfortunate are treated in some lodges w their priA'ate sphere . " An English brotherfather of famil

, a numerous y , was reduced to poverty by the unfavourable termination of a laiv suit which , according to English laiA ' , rendered invalid the purchase of a freehold , in Avhich he had invested his all . Boived down » y sickness , Avithout friends and Avithout means , in his extremity he appliedfor assistance to the lodge in ivhieh he had been made , and to which he had paid for initiation fees and subscriptions

about £ 7 10 s ., the receipts for ivhieh Ave have seen . In answer to his application for relief to meet his immediate necessities , the lodge addressed to the unfortunate brother the following letter signed by the Secretary : — "' This is to certify that Bro . has been a subscribing member of this lodge ( in ivhieh he ivas initiated ) , as long as his means permitted . Through unforeseen circumstances he has been unable to continue his

subscritionandthereforeunforp , , , tunately is not qualified to relief from the Board of Benevolence ( commission de bievfaisance ) . We have know'nhim w-henhe was in a respectable position , and we believe that his distress has been caused by misfortune and sickness / " In the place of fraternal assistance , the unfortunate brother receives a certificate of mendicity , to be used in foreign lodges . What' a contrast betiveen this cruel denial of relief—this cold

refusal , and the pompous beneficence—the public subscriptions of thousands of pounds which ive have ourselves several times recorded . However we knoiv too much of our English brethren to hold them all responsible for tbe acts of any amongst them , and we hope that upon this unfortunate affair coming to the knoiA'ledge of our respected contemporary in London , he ivill not fail to express his disapprobation as Ave do , of this immasonio proceeding upon the part of some lodges , if the facts are as we have related ; but we hope for the honour of English Masonry that they will meet AA'ith denial . "

In the first place , dear Sir and Brother , I would remark to Bro . H . Kirsch ; whose signature is appended to the article , that , although he hopes for a denial of the statement "for the honour of English Masonry , " he does not give either yourself or any of your correspondents anopportunityof enquiring into the correctness of the statement , of the unfortunate brother who , by the

bye , says nothing about what l'elief he may have received from the private funds of his lodge , or from the subscriptions of the brethren , leaving us in doubt whether the lodge had really done its duty in the matter or not . The name of the lodge issuing the certificate should have certainly have been given . It seems to me very improbable that lodge of

any English Masons , who hold charity to be their brightest jewel , should recommend any brother to foreign lodges for that relief which they decline to afford themselves . I now learn for the first time , and wish to know , dear Sir , whether it be true , that a brother , unable through misfortune to continue his subscription , " is debarred from relief by the Board of Benevolence . It

ivould seem to me that if he can afford to subscribe to a lodge , he cannot be in very necessitous circumstances . If such hoivever be the case , the sooner the law is altered the better for " the honour of English Masonry . " I would also ask you if it is not unusual for a lodge , holding under the Grand Lodge of England , to give " certificates of mendicity . " In Scotland , I believe ,

certificates of various kinds are given , but I have always been under the impression that the Grand Lodge certificate was the only one required by an English Mason . Hoping that Bro . Kirsch ivill give , through your columns , an opportunity for the brethren to vindicate " the honour of English Masonry . " I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , J . H . G .

[ Every brother Avho has subscribed two years to any lodge , no matter at what period of his life , is entitled to relief from the Board of Benevolence . From the amount stated to have been paid , we should doubt whether he had so subscribed , but still his lodge should have assisted him to the best of its ability . We should like to be

informed , privately of course , of the name of the brother holding the certificate , and the number of the lodge , in order that we might inquire into the circumstances under which it was given . Sure we are that it was not to enable the brother to become a medicant to foreign lodges . —ED . ]