Classical Theology.—Xlvliii.

. It is recorded that Alexander the Great , in the pursuit of his Indian conquest , met with a company of that singular fraternity of Fakirs called Gymnosophists , or naked philosophers . Being desirous of conversing with them , the magnificent manslayer directed Onesicritus , one of his train , to impart his pleasure that they should visit him . Their superiorDandamesit is

saiddis-, , , playing an unwonted independence , no doubt from motives of policy , fearlessly rejected in few words the distinguished honour of the despot ' s invitation , both for himself and his followers , declaring that they were as much the sons of Jupiter as Alexander could be ; and as they were contented with what they hadthey could

, be in want of nothing whieh he could bestow . This manly spirit was not universal among the unclothed tribe , for one of the sect , named Calanus , was not only induced to disregard the reproofs and reproaches of his brethren , and visit the desolator of his country , but even consented to accompany him in his marauding

expedition . Strabo ( vv . ) , Arrian ( vii . ) , and Maximus ( i , S . ) , record that Calanus fell ill on his arrival at Pasargada , a city in Persia . Having never had an illness before , nor wishing in his infirmity to resort to mortal aid , he refused all the remedies and attentions of the Greek physician . All he decidedly requested was that his mortal sufferings might be brought to an end on the funeral pile , in accordance with the time-honoured

practice of his tribe , by whom it was held far preferable to end their life in this manner , rather than submit to the lengthened pangs of disease and the indignity of a slow and lingering dissolution , with all its concomitant feebleness and dependence . Alexanderfailing to dissuade the Brachman from the

, course of this resolve , ordered Ptolemy , the son of Lagus ( who afterwards succeeded to his ill-gotten conquests in Egypt ) , to construct a magnificent pyre , surmounted with a couch of gold . Calanus , in a carriage splendidly decorated , preceded by martial music and all the costly grandeur of an eastern military spectacle , wearing the

purple itself ( iiuluius iniperatorius ) , and crowned after the manner of the kingly Hindoos , was conveyed to the destined spot . Amidst the clang- of trumpets , the chanting of hymns , and the acclamations of a multitude , in whieh the warlike elephants are said to have joined , he mounted the pile , and as the flames arose , remained tranquil and

even motionless , extended on his bier . Alexander inquired of the Hindoo whether there were any requests which he could wish to make . But his answer was " Kb , I shall be with you soon in Babylon . " The Macedonian monarch then ordered that the rich embellishments of the pile should be at once distributed amongst all then present

, and we are further informed that not long after the death of the aged Calanus in this triumphal fashion the mighty conqueror himself was poisoned , in his thirtythird year , at Babylon , B . C . 323 .

Confucius , in the earliest period of Chinese literature , taught his adherents that the breathing mortal is composed of two principles , the soul and the bod y , the one light and ascending , the other heavy aud descending . On the disunion of these two essential parts , the superior , or spiritual , rises into the empyrean ; the inferior , or temporal , sinks hito tlie kindred earth . When a person

departs this life , the Chinese say , " He has returned to his family , " or , as the Jews say , " He was gathered to his fathers . " These sayings are traced to ages anterior to Confucius , ancl to a deference to these rooted opinions may be traced some of the superstructure of his philosophy . It was not to be disproved but thafc the corporeal principle resolved itself into its constituent element , as earth returns to earth and water to water ;

Classical Theology.—Xlvliii.

and , according to Confucius , the soids of the good coulcl not but be allowed to visit their human kindred if of virtuous lives . Therefore he inculcated solemn rites iu honour ofthe departed , while the word "dead" is carefully excluded from his system ; and the indispensable necessity is shown of leading a well governed , amiable , beneficent ,

and pious course of existence . The neglect of these sacred duties , according to the teaching of Confucius , would bring inevitable punishment and ruin on the disembodied spirit , by depriving it of the blessful enjoyment ancl privilege of intercourse with the living , and preventing it from receiving the reverential love and

homage offered by descendants—of conferring with them , and rendering them assistance . Thus we find the belief in tutelar geniuses , and good and evil spirits , as strongly enforced in the religious education of the Chinese , as it was not only amongst the Greeks and Romans , but over the whole of the ancient world , from the death of Adam downwards .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

BALDWYN TEMPLARS . I should be glad to know the terms on which the Baldwyn Templars are joining our Grand Conclave ? I trust we shall all bo prepared to receive them with open arms , and in a conciliatory spirit , iu place of the deprecatory tone , adopted by our late otherwise excellent Grand Master . The " Baldwyn " claims a direct transmission from the time of

Cceur de Lion , and it is stated that they have maintained the correct Templar dress and ceremonies . Would any member of that body inform me -what their dress is ? As it would Uo an excellent opportunity for us to get rid of the mongrel affair ordered by our Grand Conclave , rejected in America , and never worn elsewhere , and also for a general revision of the statutes , jewels ( inelegant ) , dress , list of

grand officers , & c , the latter where identical should correspond with those anciently iu use . I hope they will be : allowed to retain their Eose Oroix and K . D . S . H . rites , which in a fit of insanity they surrendered . I throw , out a hint ; could we nofc yet compromise the matter by requiring the IS" of all candidates , on condition of conferring the K . D . S . H . on Knt . Commanders , being the K . D . S . H . as anciently conferredessentiall

— y a Templar ceremony , the Supreme Council recognising such brethren , and themselves being considered as colleagues with , and in alliance with , our Grand Master . I think Bro . Skuttleworfch is mistaken in stating thafc the Order of K . T . was universally required as preliminary to the Eose Croix , I could name an encampment , working under the Grand Conclave , which does , or did , a shori time ago , confer the Eose Croix along with tho Templar ceremony . —J

BEAUCEAXT AND BANNER 01 ? WAR . Veritas is thanked , but his letter is scarcely sufficiently explicit . Had the ancient Order of fche Temple any other banner than the Beauceant ? If not , why have we now a banner identical with that described , and another white with the cross jiatee , and at what j ^ eriod of the Order did they come in use . Ifc is proved that the Beauceant ( black

and white ) , described by Veritas , was charged with the cross of the Order , and the general description of this banner has been " a blood red cross on a banner of black and white cloth . "—J A .

ORDER 01 ? THE TEMPLE . Aii old P . E . C . enquires if fche members of the French Order of the Temple are not all Roman Catholics . This is doubtless the case in a great measure , but , their ceremonies though flavouring strongly of Eomanism , are , I believe , as catholic as our own , the only effects of our amalgamation would probably be the adoption of universal customs and ceremonies ( which we much want ) , and general recognition