Masonic Notes And Queries.

from the Masonic profession . Similar jocular affectations of mystery are not uncommon . An interesting instance is mentioned by- Go tho in his 'Dichtung unci "Warheit , ' in which lie took a prominent part during his residence in "Wetzlar . It seems rather corroborative of Herder's assertion that , Avhile the biographers of Wren mention the attendance of the

lodge of Freemasons , of which he Avas the Master , at the ceremony of placing the highest stone of the lantern , no mention is made of their attendance at the laying of the foundation stone . It is also worth notice that every lodge in Great Britain ( and we may add on the Continent ) is au offshoot from that one

lodge of which Sir Christopher was so long Master , UOAV generally known by the name of the Lodge of Antiquity . It is difficult , too , to conceive the tolerant spirit of Masonry—its recognition of the personal worth of men irrespective of their opinions as their sole title to esteem , adopted by any body of

men , Avhile the inhabitants of Europe Avere growing into thinkers through the fever fit of sectarianism . The age and nation in which Milton defended the liberty of the press , Taylor advocated the ' liberty of prophesying , ' and Locke Avrote in defence of toleration , are the first in which we can Avell fancy an association imbued with that princip le to originate , lastly , there are several circuinstauces connected

with Wren ' s general career , and Avith the building of St . Paul ' s in particular , which seemed to be mirrored in Masonry . We pronounce no decided opinion on Herder ' s assertion—leaving the history of Masonry , as far as Ave are concerned , in a state of dubiety , Avhich seems more congenial than clear knowledge to

such a mysterious institution . Should any zealous Mason grumble at our implied scepticism regarding the great antiquity claimed by his Order , Ave would respectfully remark that Sir Christopher Wren is as respectable a founder as he has any chance of getting —that he ' may go farther and fare Avorse . '"

Can any of your readers say iu Avhich of Herder's works this statement appears . Herder's works fill about sixty volumes , and are on a variety of subjects . It is said he strove to discover a point of union Avhere science , religion , history , poetry , and art should meet ; and in order to take one comprehensive VICAV of all

the tendencies of man , he made himself acquainted with the literature of a variety of countries . Herder's writings are only known to German scholars . The only one translated into English is " Oriental Dialogues on the Spirit and Beauty of the Sacred Poetry of the HebreAvs . " They breathe the spirit of rational and devoted piety , though , on the Avhole , the author appears rather as a poetical and philosophical , than a theological critic . —SENEX .

Ar00805

MILTON ' S DEATH AND BUEIAL . —Milton died in 1761 . He bad long suffered from the gout , and in July , feeling that his end drew near , he Avished his brother to malte his will . He expired on the 8 th of November , so easily , that persons iu tlie room were not aware of his death . His remains wero followed to the grave by " all his learned and great friends in London , and not Avithout a friendly conccirso of the vulgar . " He was interred next his fatherin the chancel of St .

GilesCripple-, , gate . There is a scandalous story that , in 1795 , the grave was opened , the body exposed , and most irreverently treated . We trust other and meaner remains were dealt with . Such curiosity is wholly unpardonable . Mr . Whitbreivd set up a bust , by Bacon , to his memory , with an appropriate inscription . —The Old City , Us Higluvags and Byways .

The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

' V * All communications to be addressed to 19 , Salisbury , street , Strand , London , W . C .

Masonic Mems.

MASONIC MEMS .

A meeting of tho Stuart Encampment is announced for Monday , July 10 th , at the Freemasons' Hall , Watford . The Metropolitan Chapter of Sovereign Princes Rose Croix of Hevedom , will return to its original place of assembling at the Freemasons' Tavern , on Tuesday next , the llth inst ., when the Very 111 . Bro . Dr . R . H . Goolden , S . P . R . S ., 32 ° , will be installed as M . W . S .

Grand Lodge.

GRAND LODGE .

The following is the address of condolence to the M . AV . G . M ,,. agreed to at the last Grand Lodge : — To the Most Worshipful Brother the Eight Hon . Thomas , Earl of Zetland , Kt ., & c , Grand Master of the Most Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of England .

My Lord , Tho close intimacy which for three generations has subsisted ^ between your Lordship ' s family and the fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons , has created a bond of fraternal attachment and feeling which calls for the sincerest sympathy in whateverconcerns your lordship's welfare or happiness . The sad bereave *

ment , therefore , Avith which it has pleased the Great Disposer of all human events to afflict you , our esteemed and respected Grand Master , demand the assurance of our sincere participation in the grief under which you are now suffering . We , the Deputy Grand Master , Grand Wardens , other Grand

Officers , and brethren , here assembled , beg in our own name , and on behalf of the fraternity in general , to offer our condolence on the decease of the amiable lady , the departed Countess of Zetland . We Avill not attempt to dilate on the afflicting and painful subject , but confine ourselves to the assurance that we deeply

deplore the sad calamity , and we pray the Great Architect of the Universe to bestow on you , our Grand Master , the balm of consolation , and mercifully to support you through your sad trial . Given in Grand Lodge , at Freemasons' Hall , London , this-7 th day of June , A . L . 5865 , A . D . 1865 .

( Signed ) A . DOBIE , Grand Master , in the Chair . M . E . HICKS-BEACH , Senior Grand Warden . VICIOB A . WILLIAMSON , Junior Grand Warden .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

ROYAL AXBEHT LODGE ( So . 907 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street , on the 19 th June . The lo « ge was opened hy the W . M . Bro . J . A . Farnfield , assisted by Bros . T . Peters , S . W . ; W . II . Farnfield , J . W . ; J . Smith , P . M . . mil Treasurer ; It . W . Little , Secretary ; C . Chard , J . D . ; II . J . Lewis , I . G . ; T . Lewis , Assist . G . Purst . ; Rev . J . M . VaughanWalkerHalletC . P . FarnfieldE . Terry , S .

, , , , Neate , and several other brethren . The minutes having been read and confirmed , the W . M . appointed Bro . Vaughan Chaplain . Bro . Smith then proposed , and Bro . Lewis seconded , that a vote of condolence be sent to the Avidow and family of the Late Bro . C . J . Jcflerys , P . M ., and that the Worship ful Master