Masonic Notes And Queries.

¦ congruous to be of any great antiquity . " The anachronisms with which it abounded , and the loose manner in which its parts were fitted into each other , betrayed its recent origin . In using the word " fabricated , " I have simply employed a term which has been familiar to Masonic students of the Royal

Arch for years , and , therefore , not offensively in the slightest . Certainly the substance of the degree was iu existence long before the eighteenth century , when considered in the light that a Masonic student puts it , and so was the substance of the adoptive Masonry ; but who would say that adoptive Masonry was ancient ? However ancient that which precedes a

modern invention may be , surely that would not make the latter ancient ; how , then , can the Royal Arch be ancient ? But I must defer the remainder of my opinions and facts on this interesting subject for the time , but promise to give them iu full iu the second part of my " Analysis of Freemasonry . " I am obliged to "A Masonic Student" for his kind criticisms , and hope to be favoured with some more when I complete the "Analysis . " — -W . J . HUGHAN .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

-The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . MASONIC PILGRIMAGE TO THE ORIENT . TO THE EDITOIl Or THE HIEEITASO-JS' JTAGAZIME AlfD MASOIflC JIIKEOB . Dear Sir and Brother , —Some time ago my esteemed friend Bro . W . J . Hughanof Truroannounced to

, , roe the intention of Bro . Rob . Morris to make a Masonic pilgrimage to the Orient aud to visit Lei pzig . -I dont believe that researches in the Orient are of any use and benefit for the Craft , and neither myself nor my German brethren can sympathise with the object of Bro . Morris' missionfor all that is worth

, y of notice for Freemasons is known by the explorations of non-Masonic scholars . But this conviction will not prevent me from giving -my fraternal attention to Bro . Morris , and to receive him with all Masonic cordiality . The same fraternal reception , I am surehe will meet everywhere in

Germanynot-, , withstanding he is known as the creator of the Eastern Star degree ( Adoptive Masonry ) , as promoter of the- so-called high degrees , and the like things opposed to pure , ancient Freemasonry . As far as I can judge , he will not gain any aid in the advancement of his Masonic pilgrimage .

Our American brethren , I am sorry to say , dont know the real and authentic history of the Craft , and it seems that they have no interest at all in studying it ; at least they have taken no notice of my work "History of Freemasonry from its Origin , " & c , the ¦ onl y one extant in the United States . There are onl

y about thirty copies of it sold in America , where there are nearl y 30 , 000 Freemasons . Owing to this want of historical knowledge , Bro . Morris speaks of the builders of King Solomon as "our ancient brethren , " taking a mere tradition as a real historical f bHe wi l als ° I look for the

y . ' > suppose , sepulchre of lung Hiram , as our dear brethren of Palestine at Beyrouth have done , notwithstanding there is , amidst coientific Freemasons , no doubt that the third degree with its tradition is an invention of modern time ,

Correspondence.

originated after the foundation of tho Grand Lodge of England in 1717 . A scientific research by au enlightened brother , by a brother of critical , mind and knowledge of the true history of the Craft , would have some good result ., and be a meritorious task iu Scotland and Ireland , especiallIrelandwhich still wants an authentic and

y , complete history of Freemasonry , like those of Scotland , by Bro . II . Laurie ; of England , by Calcott and Preston ; of Germany , by "W . Keller ; of France , by Jouaust and Reboid . A visit of Bro . Morris to Sweden can only be for the purpose of becoming acquainted with the degeneration and abolition of

true , ' pure , ancient Freemasonry by the Swedish system , an offspring of the strict observance of Templarism and Rosicrucianism . But , all that Bro . Morris can learn , without a pilgrimage , from my work . The best and most meritorious thing Bro . Morris

could undertake would be to publish a Masonic periodica ] , iu America , of real value , and to disseminate Masonic knowledge and light in the United States . And , for such an undertaking , a longer visit

in Germany would be the right way . If Bro . Morris understands the German language , he will find all he wants on the Orient in Bro . Dr . Sehauberg ' s "Handbuch der Symblik der Freimaurerei " ( "Handbook of Symbolisms of Freemasonry" ) , 3 vols . If Bro . Morris comes to Leipzig , I shall be glad to him to BroKollermember of the

accompany . , Palestine ' at Beyrouth , who lives hero . To my house he will be a welcome guest , and he can make use of my knowledge and my large Masonic library . But I can only assure him once more that he will probably find not the least aid for his hopeless mission in Germany . Each penny is uselessly spent for an

intended examination of height and size of trees , ancl for researches iu the plains of Phosnizia . If anyone wishes to do a service to the Craft , he must look for light where light is to be found . The Masonic literature of Germany ( Krause , Schneider , Kloss , Fesslerand some modern authors ) is full of light ;

, , but I am sorry to say that the heads of our American Grand Master and Grand Officers are full of darkness . Yours fraternally , J . G . FINDEL . Editor of the Bauhiitte , Leipzig .

Masonic Banquets.

MASONIC BANQUETS .

TO THE EDITOE 0 * THE FKEEjrASONS' MAGAZINE A _ V __> HASOXIC _ CI _„ OH . Dear Sir and Brother , —Some little hints in your magazine about Masonic banquets induce me to make some remarks about other details of inattention . Freemasons' Tavern , the London Tavern , and some other houses are professed Masonic houses , with Masonic waiters . Now , it may be noticed that the

lights and the arrangements of the tables , so far from being Masonic , always include combinations that are not immediately Masonic , 4 , 6 , or 8 . The guests , unless the W . M . in the chair should intervene , which is rare , so far from being served first , are pretty senerally served last . The waiters , Masons or non-Masons , know nothing about guests , distinguished or undistinguished , but they do know the Past Masters as vcrv good customers to tha