Masonic Notes And Queries,

the questions pro and con in dispute , and be able to decide logically what is proved . As respects the Knights Templar degree , I presume no one alive , and in possession of the evidence existing relative to the ancient Order , will for a . moment contend that veritable Knights Templar regularly

descended from the original institution are -still in existence . If so , I hope such brethren will just read carefully the history of the Order about to be published by Bro . Haye in the Magazine . Facts will there be presented , enough to satisfy anyone possessing sufficient knowledge to

discriminate when a thing is proved and when it is not ; and as Bro . Haye possesses one of the largest and most valuable Templar libraries in the world , and has for very many years been preparing the work to which he has dedicated his youth , and will have executed the labour of a lifetime in ten yearsby dint of

, extraordinary exertions , in disregard , I am afraid , of his health , wealth , and time . " We may all expect , and shall have , a treat in its perusal . As to the statement that Bro . Haye was the selfelected President-General of the Masonic Literary Unionthe answer of the Secretary-Generaland my

, , denial as the Corresponding Secretary of the English division , who voted for his election , as being " the right man in the right place , " will , no doubt , be esteemed as more than a sufficient answer to the assertion . —> U "W . J " . HUGHAN , 1 S ° , & c .

The Belgian Riflemen.

THE BELGIAN RIFLEMEN .

CORRESPONDENCE . ' ( The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed hi Correspondents .

10 TIIE EDITOR OP THE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAE SIK AND BEOTHEE ,- — -I hope the useful hints suggested by "P . M . " in your columns some time since will not be thrown away , and that English Masons will not be backward in receiving the Belgian brethren of the mystic tie in a corresponding spirit received from them . What are our Grand Officers

about up to this time , for , as far as I can see , they have " made no sign ? " "Tours fraternally , "W . E . June 27 th , 1 S 67 .

Masonic Reporting.

MASONIC REPORTING .

TO TIIE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE ASD MASONIC MIRROR . DEAE SIE AND BEOTHEE , —The Constitutions on " members , " Article 3 , says " No brother shall presume to print or publish , or cause to be printed or published , the proceedings of any lodge , or any part thereof , or the names of the persons present at such lodge , without the consent of the G-. M . or P . GAL

, under pain of being suspended or expelled from the Orde . " I understand that , by the permission of the Grand Master , the Freemasons' Mayasine is exempt from this law , and allowed to publish the reports of meetings . I am pleased that it is soand that you have so many

, correspondents to keep you informed of the progress and doings of our Order in various parts of the world , and believe that the possession of such a means of communication is of inestimable value to the Craft . But if we have so stringent a law as the one I have

Masonic Reporting.

quoted , how is it that I so frequently see it broken with impunity , the proceedings of lodge meetings being reported in local papers , and even in the characteristic style in which they are entered on the minutes and appear iu these pages . " With regard to the hi gh degreeswhich I may say I hold in respect

, , and am glad to see noticed in their legitimate place , no more reserve is shown . Not being under the control of Grand Lodge , this rule may not be literall y incumbent on the upholders of them , but , as by taking upon themselves other obligations , they are not relieved from their Craft obligations , I think

they should pause ere they so ruthlessly break it in spirit . I make this observation from having seen , a few j ears ago , in a provincial newspaper a report of a chapter of emergency to exalt a brother into the Royal Order of Bruce at Glasgow . It occupied nearly half a column , aud was probably written to gratify the vanity of the Sir Knight on whom the honour was conferred , a vounjr Mason whose titles

filled about half-a-dozen lines , but who , though so extravagantly fond of the millinery , I am credibly informed , has not passed the chair of his own lodge . Now , Sir , if these chivalrous brethren like this sort of thing , let them by all means enjoy the notoriety ; but why should we Craft Masons who do not wish to he

so conspicuous , and do not court comparison with the Ancient Order of Druids or the Antediluvian Buffaloes be subjected to the annoyance of seeing the word " Freemasonry " tacked to the lucubrations and selfglorification of a member of the most exalted and religious Order of Kni ghts of the Moon . (?) The

attention of the Board of General Purposes should be called to this indiscriminate reporting , and some means taken to put a stop to it , as I am convinced such exhibitions serve only to excite the ridicule of cowans , and the contempt of many we would gladly see amongst our ranks . Tours fraternally , A MASON .

Sir Knights.

SIR KNIGHTS .

TO THE EDITOR OE TIIE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAE SIE AND BUOTHEE , —If I read Bro . Bairnsfather ' s letter aright , he wishes to withdraw the obnoxious epithet which , I assure him , gave great offence to many brethren and knights ; and I should have grossly neglected my duty , both as a Craftsman and as a Templarhad I not protested strongly

, against the use of an expression which no licence in debate could tolerate or justify . There can be no doubt that , to speak or write collectively of the members of the Order as the Sir Knights , is incorrect , as well as inelegant , aud in addressing each otherwhatever may have been the custom in the

, days of King Solomon or Jacques de Molay , either as Craftsmen or Knights , we must , in the nineteenth century , be bound by the laws laid clown in the authorised rituals . Many of the magniloquent titles Bro . Bairnsfather accuses us of making use of does not belong to

Freemasonry at all , but to the Odd Fellows' Societies or German Eosicrucianism , and their meaning can only be understood by the adept in those mysteries of which I am profoundly ignorant . Tours fraternally , M . H . SHUTTLLWOETH ,