Brief Essays On Curious Subjects.

Even the Pantomimes are evidences of our opening statement , that we are servants of tlie dead , and Bro . Augustus Harris may be surprised to learn that the " Babes in the Wood " can be traced , through German , back to Grecian and Hindu

mythology . The slipper of Cinderella is known to Egyptian story as having fallen into the lap of Rhodopis when dispensing justice ; while the ride of Lady Godiva is narrated in the Persian collection of " Allah-ud-deen , " or mirror of religion .

Our folk lore is replete with stones that were old when Homer assumed the Editorial chair—if Homer ever was ! We are not without hope that , after one or two more contributions , it may then be possible to come to closer quarters with our subject , ancl commence more directly to discourse on

the mysteries of Freemasonry , with the origin of the Three Degrees , and possibly submit some considerations in direct antagonism to the assertion by Bro . R . F . Gould , that the Halliwell poem , or " Regius" MS ., was addressed to speculative

brethren . Under these circumstances it is advisable that our readers should weigh the introductory matter that is intended to lead up to the arguments in support of the theory that we practise ceremonies which come , in somewhat tortuous descent , from the night of time . C . A . M .

"Ars Quatuor Coronatorum," Vol. Ii., Part 2.

"ARS QUATUOR CORONATORUM , " VOL . II ., PART 2 .

This is a special part of this special publication , and will improve more and more on acquaintance . It is smaller than several hitherto issued , so that , judged from that point of view , its importance is diminished ; but in no other respect is this part inferior to the majority of its predecessors , and in not a few the

transactions now published are far superior to some of the more bulky predecessors . Some brethren have expressed a fear that the really Masonic character of the papers cannot be maintained , and hence , as a consequence , the inevitable " padding " must be resorted to . So far , these fears have not been realised , and in

the last number of the transactions of the "Quatuor Coronati " Lodge , No . 2076 , the freshness , value , and importance of the Contributions are quite manifest . At the meeting held 3 rd May , 188 9 , Bro . G . W . Speth , the model Secretary , read a paper , one of a series of an elementary

character , and yet suggestive withal , on "The Foundation of Modern Freemasonry , " being virtually a continuation of one by Bro . Gould , which summarised the chief facts concerning the English Craft prior to the historic 1717 . Bro . Speth now carries the subject what he styles "one step further , " but , save as a

figure of speech , " he really takes several steps in his paper , and some consist of very long strides , as he depicts " the events which gave rise to our present system of Freemasonry , and traces their consequences in England ( through one line of descent only , i . e ., the ' Moderns ' ) , till the beginning of this century . " The Schism is to form a separate paper , as well it may , but when or b y whom does not appear ; possibly by the Secretary , who has alread y proved his capacity for hard work .

_ The essay deals with the succession of Grand Masters , 1717-1 S 74 ; The Four Old Lodges ; The Books of Constitutions ; Growth of Jurisdiction ; * Grand Officers ; Private Lodges ; Clothing ; The Grand Stewards ; Fund of Benevolence and Grand Committees ; Fees ; Freemasons'Hall ; The Two Schisms ; K . M . I , for Girls ; and Our Royal Masons . . By the W . M . ' s desire ( Bro . W . Simpson , R . I . ) , Bro . Hogarth ' s picture of "Night" accompanies the able paper , and is graphically described b y Bro . G . VV . Speth in a separate article under the heading of " Notes and Queries . " Bros . Gould and Rylands took part in the friendl y discussion * U i tllG . read ' * £ was over > ancl Bros * Hughan ancl Lane have added their quota to the subject , so that the interest is preserved to the last .

At the same meeting , Bro . W . M . Graham kindly presented a number of photos of "the Jewel formerly belonging to Robert urns , ' which was exhibited previously . The Scottish Bard was mee a " Depute Master" under his Grand Lodge , the jewel for and ^ event r s , of Iate years , is represented by tlie square onl c , ? P asses * The one under consideration is so composed , well 1 lettei" ^ ' ? t m br il '' ants ( or rather surrounding that the ~ vUo ) vn . iel ; ter ) , is a conspicuous figure in the centre , which is jewel [ erf a Past Master under the Grand Lodge of Ireland . JO y ° * J * p * Vaillant ' s article on "Freemasonry in Rotterdam i ~ JJ ears Ag 0 j" translated by the busy Scribe , then follows , and beinpi J C ^ t 0 the stu ( ty ' part ' of Continental Masonry , appendTk mainl y on authentic documents . The judicious notes Corre V translator are very useful for members of the espondence Circle not fully informed thereon . transit T ^ paper is by Bro * B * Cramer , of Berlin , likewise deed b y the Editor , ancl , being * on " The Origin of Free-

"Ars Quatuor Coronatorum," Vol. Ii., Part 2.

masonry , " possesses more than ordinary value in the eyes of Masonic students . The Secretary strongly dissents from portions of this contribution , but , with the author , solicits criticism , as the theory propounded is stated to be " rapidly gaining ground in Germany . "

" St . John's in Harvest" was the next meeting day , when the W . M . fittingly introduced the volume of " Masonic Reprints , " ancl warmly thanked Bro . Gould for his very able Commentary on the " Regius MS . " Bro . Rylands supported the vote thus appreciatively proposed , which was carried by acclamation , and

Bro . Gould replied . Beyond question the members of No . 2076 , ancl the Craft generally , are much indebted to that brother for his laborious investigation of this ancient MS ., ancl all have now an opportunity of practically illustrating their gratitude by supporting the " Gould Testimonial Fund . "

Bro . T . B . Whytehead subsequently read a capital paper on " The Grand Lodge of York , " in continuation of the series ( inaugurated when Bro . Gould was the Master ) , and systematically presented a concise and withal comprehensive sketch of

that distinguished body down to its collapse about 1792 . Nothing could be better done , unless , indeed , the author would respond to the invitation and write a complete History of that absorbing subject , which he , of all brethren , is so competent to perform . I hope he will . The discussion that followed strikes me as one of the best as

yet , and proves that there is almost an inexhaustible mine of wealth yet to be worked by our indefatigable Secretary , who , in Bro . Goldney , P . G . D ., Bro . Dr . Richardson , and others , will surely obtain excellent volunteers , ere long , as assistants in the field of Masonic research and the authors of interesting papers .

A gratifying feature of the evening was the " Hearty good wishes " tendered by Col . Ramsay , District Grand Master of Malta , who was p leased ( when the meeting broke up ) to leave the lodge as a member of the ever-increasing " Correspondence Circle , " which bids fair , ere long , to reach the coveted four . figures .

Considerable space is devoted to " Secret Societies in China ;" I do not say too much , as the enquiry is a curious one . The " Masonic Hall" ( so-called ) Jerusalem , is described and illustrated ; " Masons' Marks" receive due attention' ( in fact the illustrations thereon are exceedingly good ); and Reviews of the

" Masonic Reprints , " Flistory of the Lodge of Probity , by Bro . H . Crossley , ancl the usual " Chronicle " conclude the Part , the whole of which contents , diversified and original as customary , add another triumph to the many achieved under the auspices of the Students' Lodge and to Bro . Speth as the Editor . W . J . HUGHAN . '

Moral Uses Of Freemasonry.

MORAL USES OF FREEMASONRY .

Several illustrations of the power of usefulness of the Masonic organisation are given in a little work entitled "The Genius of Freemasonry , " published at Providence , R . I ., in the

year 1828 . One incident therein narratecf greatly impressed our thought . It is told as an actual occurrence which took place in a Southern lodge , presided over by a brother of distinction , whose honoured name is still familiar as a household word

throughout our whole country . We give the account substantially as it appears in the book named . Toward the close of an evening ' s labour , when the charge was about to be given to one who had that night been initiated into the mysteries of the Craft , and he had been brought to the

chair to receive it , the quick eye of the Worshipful Master saw at a distance the brother of the candidate , sitting dark , moody , ancl silent . Between the two brothers there had long been a deadly feud—one that had eaten like a cancer into their hearts and spread a leprosy over their lives , tainting all around them or connected with them .

The one about to receive the charge , though of good reputation in the community , was generally regarded as the more obdurate in this unhappy alienation . The Master began his charge . He said he would depart somewhat from the ritual generally used , ancl would quote from the language of him who spake as

never man spake : " Therefore , if thou bring thy gift to the altar , ancl there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee , leave thy gift before the altar and go thy way ; first be reconciled to thy brother , ancl then come ancl offer thy gift . " The miseries of contention ancl discord were strongly depicted

by the Master . He dwelt upon the deadlmess ot the moral poison of family contentions—a poison that earth cannot suck up or time destroy—a poison that often springs afresh from the grave of those who concocted it to curse their descendants for succeeding ages .

The candidate trembled as he listened to these earnest words ; his soul was a witness to their truth . He looked wistfully and wildly around the room , fearing , yet wishing , to catch the eye