Masonic Notes And Queries.

symbols your reader can judge , and he can inform himself , AvbeneA'er he goes to Constantinople . He can learn from some brother Avho is an official in the building . I have several times inquired as to the origin of these emblems Avithout getting any satisfactory answer . Of course they do not belong to Freemasons , but to

masons they belong as do similar groups of tools recorded in archaeological Avorks as found iu ancient buildings . I have been told it was because there is a special school or Rushdiyeh , also because there is in the building the office of the Ebniyeh or Board of AYorks , but as the designs are in close contact Avith the hooks used bthe firemen for pulling down

buildy ings , it may have some connection with that department . As to " P . M . ' s" correction of a misprint for Tijaret , he exposes himself to criticism , as he has been hypercritical ivith a brother . Tidjaret is in English written Tijaret , as it is spelled with a Jim or J , and it is thus

we write it for Arabic , Persian , larkisli , and Hindostanee Avords , but his friends at Constantinople take these things as second-hand from the French , AVIIO , for want of the J sound Avrite Dj , and in some cases his friends follow the Germans and write Dsch . There can be no doubt " P . M . " is thoroughly assured that the Tijaret is so called , being a meaning

for the Ottoman Tribunal of Commerce , for most of his friends do believe it . Although the law is so dogmatically laid doAvn by " P . M . " , he has made a blunder . The Turks called the building Tijaret Kapusse , before the Tribunal of Commerce was introduced into the building , as it is so named after the Tijaret JNTazare or Minister of Commerce . The

building contains the offices of the Ministers of Commerce , Public Works , Public Instruction and Agriculture ; the Departments of Mines , Forests , Steamship Inspectors , the Ebniyeh or Board of Works , a college , the Tribunals of Commerce , the Bankruptcy Court , a debtor ' s prison , & c . It is further to be observed that it is not an absurd

statement that 1 reemasons are not allowed by the Turkish Government , notwithstanding the circumstances he states , because he ICUOAVS , if he knows anything , that the lodges throughout the empire might be shut up by the police at any moment , that Freemasonry is not approved by the Government , and that Freemasons have been persecuted this very

year . Freemasonry is not even tolerated by the Government , as in France or Italy . It is very easily to be understood that "P . M . " even if au old resident in Constantinople , or more properly speaking in the Christian suburbs , should make this tissue of misstatements , aud that an intelligent traveller like " W . Compass" or a resident in London

, like myself , should be correct ; but apart from those who go from Dan to Beersheba and find all barren , the Europeans out there cluster together like the French in Lestarr Squctrr , aud propagate their mutual ignorance and blundering . What is not quite so readily to be understood is , that any brother in the position of a P . M . should be

so ready to attack another brother Avithout justification . This denotes a malevolent , ancl not a Masonic disposition . Under these circumstances , I do not append my name , but if " P . M . " publishes his , you know mine . —ANCLUS .

Ar00301

THE MASONIC MIRROR . * * All communications to be addressed to 19 , Salisbury-street , Strand , London , W . C .

Masonic Mems.

MASONIC MEMS .

ROBBEEY or VALUABLE MASONIC JEWELS . —Tlie New York Tribune of the 1 st inst ., says : "About half-past five o ' clock . on AVednesday evening , tho 2 Sth Nov ., the jewels belonging to St . John ' s Lodgo of Newark , were stolen from the preparation room of the Loclge while the Secretary was engaged ia writing up his minutes in the main room . The jewels were highly

prized on account of their great antiquity , and tlie interesting associations with which they had been connected . They were tlie same used by Gen . Washington , when Gen . La Fayette was made a mason at Morristown , daring the Revolutionary War , and were 10-1 years old . The articles stolen had engraved upon them , the words , " St . John ' s Lodge , Nov . 1 , 1761 , " and comprised a square and compass crossed with a star in the

middle , a level , a plumb , two cornicopias , two cross swords , a mallet , cross keys , cross quills , and a square . A reward is offeree , for the recovery of tlie jewels , and the losers , in a published advertisement , promise to " ask no questions " of the person or persons returning them . "

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

ST . GEORGE ' S LODGE ( NO . 140 ) . —This old lodge met at the Lecture Hall , Greenwich , on Wednesday , December 19 th . Bro . C . J- Badger , presided and there were present : —Bros . W . Noak , S . W . ; A . II . Tattershall , J . W . and W . M . elect , 13 ; G . Ellington , P . M ., Treas . ; H . A . Collington , P . M ., Sec . ; E . W . Pook , S . D . ; Hodson , J . D . ; Johnson , I . G . ; G- N . Mourylian , P . M . ; E . W . Hubbuck , P . M ., and others . Visitors were : — P . Walters , P . M . 73 , 14-7 , Sec . 871 ; J . Hasler , P . M . 79 ; J .

Bavin , P . M ., Sec . 147 , ancl others . Tlie business done was passing four brethren and initiating one gentleman into the Order , all of which was rendered in an able ancl impressive manner . The election for W . M . for the ensuing year was unanimous in favour of Bro . W . Noak , S . W ., and unanimous for Treasurer for Bro . G . Ellington , P . M ., Treas ., who has thus far been elected on very many occasions . Bro . Riley was unanimously re-elected Tyler by show of hands . The audit was

appointed to be held on Friday , January 10 . The bye-laws were altered so as to increase the initiation fee to £ 8 , joining fee to £ 3 3 s ., ancl the subscriptions were also increased , which will , no doubt , increase the future prosperity of this loclge . Business being ended the lodgo was closed . The brethren then partook of banquet at tlie Globe Tavern , Royal Hill , Greenwich , Bro . J . Moores . LODGE OE TEMPEKAXCE ( NO . 1 G 9 ) . —This old lod met on

ge Thursday , December 20 , at the White Swan Tavern , Highstreet , Deptford . Bro . N . Wingfield , W . M ., presided , and was assisted by Bros . J . Searle , I . P . M . ; J . Tibbals , P . M . Sec- ; G . Brown , P . M . Treas . ; G . Bolton , P . M . ; R . Moore , P . M .-Nowl . ni , P . M . ; Barrett , P . M . ; Paine , S . W . ; Moss , J . W ., and other members . Several visitors were ; present , Bros . Walters , P . M ., 73 ; Nash , 79 ; Lightfoot , 147 , and others . All the three ceremonies were as usual ably and well rendered , which

reflected the greatest amount of credit on Bro . N . Wingfield , W . M . Ballots proved unanimous for Bros . Paine , S . W . as W . M ., and Brown , P . M ., Treasurer , re-elected . Show of hands was unanimous for Bro . Holt , P . M ., tyler , re-elected . A £ 5 5 s . Past Master ' s jewel was unanimously voted to Bro . N . Wingfield , W . M . for his efficient services , who , in au appropriate reply , acknowledged the favour . The officers for Benevolent Fund and Audit Committee wero duly appointed . Then the loclge was closed . Refreshment followed .