Correspondence.

PROVINCIAL GRAND OFFICERS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I thank Bro . " Lex Scripta" for his kind and explicit letter on the above question . To my mind his explanation , confirmatory evidence , and opinion is quite satisfactory , and 1 hope it will prove so to the many others . —Yours fraternally , PLUMB RULE .

THE ROYAL MASONIC GIRLS SCHOOL . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " ¦ Dear Sir and Brother , During a somewhat lengthened stay at this rather remote village , I have been much interested by the presence of successive detachments of the girls of the above School . The last of these is now leaving

us , and if any of the Governors should chance to read my letter they will be glad to know what golden opinions the children have won . The whole of our small population have been their friends , and one and all will regret their departure . —I am , fraternally and faithfully yours ,

AN OLD P . M . AND LIFE GOVERNOR St . Margaret ' s , Dover . July 31 st .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

flDasonic IRotee anb ( auenes

1035 ] — MARCUS , MANUS , NAMAS GRAECUS . The importance of this subject to a due comprehension of the Masonic Charges , must be my excuse for asking to take up space with a correspondence which I have had in reference to the report of the meeting of the Ordnance Lodge in your issue some time since . I wrote upon the subject to Bro . Major R . H . Murdoch ,

R . A ., who I find is Secretary of the Ubique Lodge , No . 1789 , and he has in the most obliging manner furnished me with the following information , from which it appears that Friar Bacon derived the knowledge of Certain mysteries of nature and science from the MS . of a certain Marcus Graecus—a name which very easily in re-copying MS ., might be corrupted to

Manus . Bro . R . H . Murdoch ' s reply is as follows : " Marcus Manus , or Namas Graecus , is a man not a place . In my ' Master Gunner of England' ( proceedings R . A . institution , Vol . XIV ., No . 3 , p . 13 , Note 4 , 1885 ) , in treating of the arch ; eology of gunpowder artillery will be found the following : ' Friar Bacon in de nullitate magiae ( 1216 ) owned to his discovering

gunpowder and artificial fireworks ( igncs artificiales ) from a MS . Treatise by one Marcus Graecus . ' The text of the MS . is quoted in full in Grose ' s Military Antiquities ( 1783 ed . Vol . I , p . 394 ) . The German Monk Schwartz ' discovered' it A . D . 1320 , vide Smith ' s Universal Dictionary of 1779 , probably from the same source . Parchment MSS . in the days of Friar Bacon and Monk

Schwartz had not any distinctive ' headings ;' " the particular parchment relating to gunpowder is known as ' Liber ignium , ' from its opening lines . ' Grose in Military Antiquities ( 178 3 i 394 ) stated that the MS . of Marcus Graecus was extant in his day ; and the MS . is also quoted by the Rev . Mr . Dutens , the eminent antiquary ( p . 266 ) of his Inquiry . See

also Dr . Jebb ' s preface to his edition of Friar Bacon ' s Opus Majus . With regard to continental authorities on Ordnance Corps , Le Blond's Treatise of Artillery in possession of Bro . Captain Heaton , the 1746 edition from the first English translation ( from which I quoted in my speech at the Ordnance Lodge on the occasion of Bro . Colonel Vansittart ' s passing the chair ) , you

will find the following on page 4 : ' Marcus Graceus , also in a treatise entitled Liber ignium , prescribes a composition for fireworks of charcoal two , sulphur one , saltpetre six , a composition much stronger than any sort of powder now made . '" These particulars give much interest to your report at page 270 . The weak point in connecting Marcus

of gunpowder celebrity , with Manus of Masonic celebrity , is the absence of proof that he was an architect . I find , however , that Dutens , to , whom Bro . Murdoch refers , quotes many authorities , to show that gunpowder was known to the ancient Greeks and Brachmans . It is also asserted that the Arab' s used it at the Siege of Mecca , in A . D . 690 . ' Peter Mexia

asserts that the Moors , in 1343 , used shells against Alphonso XL , of Castile , which agree with the effects of ordinary bombs . In regard to the personality of Marcus Graecus . old Ep hraim Chambers ( art . gunpowder ) says that he was an ancient author who is mentioned by the Arabian physician Mesue , and that they both lived probably about the same time , namely , the

beginning of the ninth century . To connect Marcus with the Masonic Constitutions it seems necessary to suppose , either ( 1 ) that he was a military architect , who as such would be very valuable to the Martel family , or ( 2 ) that Masonry had a grade that studied natural and mechanical science , as did Friar Bacon of Brazen —head notoriety . I myself see no difliculty in that , as I consider the Constitutional Charges imply that all

trades connected with building were Accepted . The language of the " Cooke " and the more modern MSS . seem equally to imply several generations of patronage by the Martel family , for the persona ! Martel never " came to his kingdom" except in his children , his trandson Charlemagne , and his grandson Carolus ecundus , the Karl II . of the German Masons . Perhaps some other brother can tell us more about Marcus Graecus , as his M . S . is said to be extant . Clearly

Masonic Notes And Queries.

he greatly puzzled the 15 th and i 6 th century Masons , when it is evident attempts were made to identify him with the Duke de Naismes and his antagonist Aymon . Nor does the acceptance of the Marcus Graecus theory entirely nullify the contention of Bro . Howard , as to

Nimes , as that City may , at one time , have been looked upon as the cradle of French Masonry . We must also bear in mind that Art was Civil , Sacred , and Military , divisions which may perhaps be represented in ' -he three Sects of the French Compagnonage . JOHN YARKER .

Reviews.

Reviews .

WESTMINSTER ABBEY . By T . C . WALLS , author of "An Ode to Tennyson , " "The Tower of London , " & c Bro . Walls ' poemon" Westminster Abbey" isconceivedon analogous lines to that on the "Tower of London , " which we had the pleasure of reviewing a few weeks ago . While , however , the tivo poems are much alike , both in conception and construction , " Westminster Abbey " shows a maturer

judgment and firmer touch , as though Bro . Walls were gaining that confidence in himself and in his pen , in which men of poetic and imaginative temperament are apt , in earl y efforts , to be deficient . We congratulate Bro . Walls on the confidence he has now acquired , which shows itself in a greater mastery of his subject . Here is a stanza in which the poet ( as in his previous poem ) passes in review the spirits of those buried within our noble

Abbey—Weak Richard who at Pontefract was martyred , Smiles upon us sadly as-he points to the form of Fearless Hal , whose prowess reaped for us the gory Field of Agincourt . Then comes Henry of Bosworth , Fame by whose wealth our Minster great to splendour rose , Pedantic Stuart , by sycophants dubb'd the " Wise , ' . ' King James , with gay Charles , the merry prince , at two Aliens frown— " Dutch William " and the puny Second George .

" Pedantic Stuart" he was indeed . Bro . Walls has hit off his character with epigrammatic nicety . We are then introduced to the shadows of " Five Queens regnant and nine who shared the the throne , " a line in which accuracy of historical information is combined with felicity of literary expression . After a few words on the leading warriors buried in the Abbey , he passes on to

salute " the giant wielders of the potent pen : " "Chaucer , quaint and witty , gentle Edmund Spencer , Dryden , of memory famous , and Ben Jonson , bluff , glide upon the scene . " We may here point out that the strongly marked originality of Bro . Walls leads him to reject the stereotyped adjectives with which the narr . es of certain

personages have been linked . Thus Ben Jonson , instead of his usual tiresome " rare , " becomes " bluff . " We then see before us the forms of the great men who have adorned the literature of our sea-girt isle , and , lest kindred arts should be forgotten , we are reminded that" Among the actor ' s gentle art , Garrick versatile

And Nance Oldfield arc in the van of Thespis great . " Before concluding the poem , Bro . Walls describes in stirring lines the murder of poor Frank de Haule before the altar , after vainly crying " Sanctuary for the love of God . " He then ends with an invocation of the " Historic pile , " with its memories of the illustrious dead . There is a ring

of deep and true patriotism throughout thisbsautiful poem . It is the work of one to whom the past is not dead ; to whom history is no useless lumber room ; who feels thc continuity of English life , and who is inspired with a strong sympathy as he describes those who once trod our soil with pride and glowing health , but who now lie , in the words of the poet ' s last line"Dumb subjects in the mighty commonwealth of death . "

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Prince Frederick William Lodge ( No , 753 ) . —The installation meeting of this prosperous lodge was held at Lord ' s Hotel , on the 2 ( ith ult ., when Bro . K . T . Redfearn was installed as W . M . in the presence of numerous members and visitors . Amongst the former were Bros . R . P . TarrW . M . ; R . T . Redtearn , S . W . j VV Cratt flDasonr ^ .

, P . Clark , J . W . ; W . D . Slyman , P . M ., Treas . ; J . J . Thomas , P . M ., Sec . j H-. ) . Thomas , S . D .,- W . Parsons , I . G . j T . Spink ; E . Delevanti , Org . ; VV . J . Stratton , P . M . ; James Stephens , P . M ., Prov . S . G . D . Bucks ; E . W . Scatterford , P . M . ; J . Powell , P . M . ; and many others . Visitors : Bros . W . J . Mason , Prov . G . D . Surrey ; A . G . Boswell , P . M . 1339 ; C . Coleman , I . P . M . 1425 ; . J .

H . Meyer , P . M . 1559 ; H . Trask , VV . M . elect 2372 ; R . Johnston , P . M . 1491 ; J . Stallibrass , 753 ; J . H . Aiicock , 1744 ; E . S . White , P . M . yo 2 ; VV . Cnapple , W . M . 1425 ; Harry N . Price , P . M . 177 ; Ernest Jones , 1 S 3 S ; W . J . Wise , 72 " '; A . G . Collins , P . P . G . D . C . VV . Lane ; and W . W . Lee , I . P . M . 23 S 1 . Lodge having been opened , and formal business transactedBro . R . T . Redfearn was presented as W . M . elect ,

, and installed into the chair in a very able and impressive manner by Bro . R . P . Tarr . The following officers were appointed and invested : Bros . VV . 1 \ Clark , S . W . ; H . J . Thomas , J . W .,- W . D . Slyman , P . M ., Treas . ; J . J . Thomas , P . M ., Sec . ; A . Pozzati , S . D . ; W . Parsons , J . D . ; T . Spink , I . G . ; II . Slyman , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C . Middx ., D . C . ; J . H . Chandler , A . D . C . ; j . H . Gilson , Steward ; and C . Shepherd , Tyler . A handsome Past Master ' s jewel

was presented to Bro . Iarr , I . P . M ., in recognition of valuable services rendered as VV . M ., and , having been briefly acknowledged , the lodge was closed . The brethren then adjourned to banquet . The usual toasts were interspersed with an excellent selection ol music given under thc direction of Bro . E . P . Delevanti , Org .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Amongst those who contributed to a charming nv gramme , special mention must be made of the thrc ° ~ talented daughters of Bro . J . J . Thomas , P . M ., Sec ~ Mrs . W . J . Wills and Misses Kate and Alice Thomaseach of whom was successful in gaining merited auplause for well-rendered vocal selections . Bros . Barry Lindon Trefelyn David ^ and H . J . Thomas , Mr . D . Redfearn and

, the Vernon Lee Part Singers also assisted . Bro . R . P . Tarr , I . P . M ., in giving "The Health of the W . M ., " anticipated for the lodge a happy and prosperous career under his rule , and on behalf of the members extended to Bro . Redfearn every good wish for his health and prosperity during that period . Bro . R . T . Redfearn , W . M ., thanked the I . P . M . and

brethren for the handsome way in which the toast had been proposed and received . He felt somewhat like the Captain of H . M . S . Pinafore , who had been previously occupied in polishing up the handle of the big front door , for he had not done more than that in Masonry . He was a youm * Mason , but the more he saw of Masonry the better he liked it . He had taken two other plunges , one into Royal

Arch Masonry , and another into the Mark Degree , and hoped in course of time to attain the chair in both . In conclusion , he again expressed his gratitude for the way the toast of his health had been received as their VV . M . Bro . W , J . Mason , Prov . G . D . Surrey , in response to the toast of *•The Visitors , " said he was always pleased to pay a visit to that lodge , more particularly as he had many

personal friends in it . It was by the kindness of the W . M . that he was present , and it was not the first time he had enjoyed a pleasant and instructive evening in their midst . He hoped the W . M . would have a pleasant and prosperous year of office , and that the lodge would go on and prosper in its good work of hospitality and benevolence . Bro . H . N . Price , P . M . 177 , said it was entirely his own

fault that he had not been a frequent visitor to that successful lodge , having had many invitations from Bro . Stephens . It had afforded him great pleasure to see the work so excellently performed , the installation ceremony having been rendered by the I . P . M . in a faultless manner . Bros . Collins and Chappie also replied . The W . M . then proposed " The Installing Master , " and

said he he was indebted to Bro . Tarr , I . P . M ., for the careful way in which he had been installed . The I . P . M . was one of those men—undemonstrative in himself—whom they could silently admire as a thoroughly sound man . Bro . R . P . Tarr , I . P . M ., in response , said it had always been his ambition to do the best he could , and he could not find words to express his thanks for the handsome

compliments paid him that evening . If he had afforded them any satisfaction he was amply repaid fsr any trouble taken . He would like to say a great deal more , but his heart was too full for words . Bro . J . J . Thomas , P . M ., Sec , on behalf . of " The Past Masters , " congratulated the VV . M . on his installation and assured him ot their earnest support . Bro . Jas . Stephens , P . M ., Prov . S . G D . Bucks , thanked

the W . M . sincerely for the kind observations made respecting him , and expressed the hope that he at least merited one half . He apologised for his late attendance which was necessitated by a visit to Wolverton to receive the honour to which the VV . M . had so kindly alluded . ' He wished thc VV . M . in all sincerity one of the most happy and successful years of office . Other toasts were given , and the Tyler's toast closed an enjoyable gathering .

Scots Lodge ( No . 2319 ) . —A very successful meeting of this lodge was held at tne Scottish Corporation Hall , Crane-court , Fleet-street , E . C , on the 27 th ult ., on the occasion of the installation of Bro . Duncan Forbes Gellion as W . M . There was a capital attendance of the brethren of the lodge and of visitors . Lord Saltoun , Master of the lodge , was among the brethren , but Bro .

John Page , P . M ., who has been acting for his lordship while abroad for . the benefit of his health , performed the ceremony . Bro . George Read , P . M . 1425 , at the request of Bro . Page , acted as D . of C , and presented dro . Gellion . After the formal installation , the following brethren were appointed to office : Bros , the Lord Saltoun , Substitute

Grand Master Scotland , / . P . M . ; Thomas Grant , P . M ., S . W . ; Joseph J . Whitehead , J . W . ; Alex . Ritchie , J . 1 ' ., C . C , Treas .: James Gray , J . P ., P . M ., Trustee ; David Angus Ross , Sec ; James Thomson . S . D . ; Dr . 13 . XI . Forbes , P . M ., J . D . ; D . R . Duncan , I . G . j John Pa ^ e , P . M ., D . C . ; E . Johnston Gordon , A . D . C . j W . Craig and James Anderson , Stwds . ; Ashley Gordon , Organist ;

and William Robertson , Tyler . A Past Master's jewel was presented to Lord Saltoun , and the VV . M ,, in fastening it on his lordship ' s breast , said the brethren were very sorry he was obliged to be absent from among them so long , but although he was absent in body , no doubt he was present with them in heart . He hoped he would be spared many years to be among them . In acknowledging the gift , Lor " his

Saltoun said he felt he had very imperfectly performed duties during the year , but he must crave their forg iveness and consideration because he had been very unwell , and even now he was ordered abroad as a cure for a painful complaint—the gout , which he trusted none of the brethren suffered from , but which he could assure them was mo 5 ' trying both to the sufferer and to his neighbours . All las '

year he was very unwell , and he went to India , and later on he might perhaps tell them something about his journey-While thanking thc brethren very much for the Past M ' ' ter ' s jewel , he could assure them that during his boJily absence from them lie had been present with them in heart . The lodge , he was happy to say , had a most worthy W . M--and he congratulated the lodge on Bro . Gellion ' s accession

to the chair . At the banquet which followed the working of the \ oig c the usual toasts were proposed andjhonourcd . Bro . Gellion , in proposing "The M . W . CM ., " said he thought on that occasion they ought not to omit to express 1

their congratulations to thc Prince of Wales on the hJl'l / event of the marriage of his son , Prince George , with ""¦ ' Princess May . It was not for Freemasonry alone that they were indebted to the Prince of Wales , for whenever tlw 0 * was a charitable object in this country ne was always read / to give his assistance , both by his presence and by ""

purse . , Lord Saltoun , in proposing "The VV . M ., " said ! . ¦¦¦ ' J"J " was most worthy of the brethren's acceptance , aiul ' trusted they would give it every honour . He was in " happy to , find Bro . Gellion in the chair , because he was very old friend of his . He thought Bro . Gellion «•»"