Masonic Archaeology.

appears to be an actual quotation from a speech or order of King Athelstau , at the grand "Assemblye , " in the " syte " York . "The Ars Quatuor Coronatorum " which followsis apparently also

separ-, ate , though , no doubt , transcribed by the same hand , and perhaps put together by him . Bro . Findel bases upon this "Ars Quatuor" his argument for the German derivation of English

Freemasonry . But the festival of the " Coronati" was an old English Festival , November 8 th , in the Sarum Missal , and as Osmund put that missal together between 1089 and 1109 , 1 cannot see with every submission how our good Bro . Findel can draw an inference of

sole German usage irom the fact . I think we see , in the striking evidence this poem displays of the powers and learning of him wdio put it together , whether out of his own head , or from older legendshow it was that the

ope-, rative lodges preserved alike their outer organization and inner retreat , namely thehelp of non-operativepatrons . The next oldest MS . is the additional

MS . 23 , 198 , British Museum , originally edited by Bro . Matthew Cooke . It is a prose constitution of very great value and importance . Bro . Matthew Cooke seems to fix its date at the latter part of the 15 th

century from internal evidence , which would be practically about 1490 , and which viewno doulitwas strengthened by the printed copy of the "Polychronican , " by Caxton , which appeared in 1482 . But it by no means follows that the

compiler of this MS . referred to the printed copy . He had probably seen a MS . co ] iy , and I confess that I never could see from any internal evidence why the additional M . S . was to he so late . Mr . Bondin the letter

, previously mentioned , places the additional MS . at an earlier date than has been generally received so far . He says : " As you seem to desire that I should look at the MSS . again , I have done so , and my judgment upon

Masonic Archaeology.

them is that- they are both of the first half of the 15 th century . "I see no reason for placing the Additional 23 , 198 so late as 1490 . " This opinion gives much importance to the Additional MS . and opens out

, several important questions , which , however , I will not touch upon to-day . Bro . Jacob Norton has said , I believe , in some American or Canadian Masonic Magazine , that the Additional MS . was put together by a Protestantbut

; independently of the hopelessness of any such theory critically , historically , or archajologically , Mr . Bond ' s opinion , which i have just quoted , utterly upsets

any such argument , which is , to say the truth , a little fanciful , and not marked by the usual clear-sighted acumen which distinguishes generally our Bro . Norton ' s disquisitions . For though I do not and cannot agree

with all he puts forth , I do not for one moment question . either his honesty of purpose , his desire for truth , or his perseveringenergy , andhis zeal for Masonry . I propose , in other papers , to deal with Sloane 3 , 329 ; with our English MS . Constitutions , and then with the Scotch . But here I will stop to-day .

The Sprig Of Acacia.

THE SPRIG OF ACACIA .

To profanes 'tis a fading stem , "Which teaches nothing good to them ; But to tho Mason ' s heart it bears A Hope that drives away his cares , Quiets all his disturbing fears , And quickly checks Ms flowing tears . His earthly griefs , by magic , seem

Gone at sight of the Evergreen . In viewing it , by Faith he takes His upward flight to Heaven ' s gates , And passing through the portals wide , Enjoys the peace for which he sighed . Sweet emblem of eternal rest ! Of Masons' types thou art the best ; Thy silent eloquence imparts

A healing halm to wounded hearts . 0 may we never shipwreck'd be , Adrift upon the sceptic ' s sea , Without a Hope , a single ray To light us upward on our way . May our ever attentive ear Receive thy welcome words of cheer : " Hope in immortal life to claim

The friends who in the grave are lain ; With them , at rest in realms above , Share a Heavenly Father's love . " HIRAM . Memphis , May 1 , 1874 . —American Masonic Jewel .