Correspondence.

good ) , I can only judge of Bro . Melville ' s " discoveries " from the ' Magazine . As to the " instruction to be cautious" idea , had I Bros . Melville aud "Excelsior" together with me , I think that would soon be settled ; the less said about that , under the circumstances , the better iu my opinion . There is a

way of doing everything . Tours fraternally , W . P . BUCHAN .

TO IHE EDITOR OE THE EnEEMASOXs' . MAGAZINE AND 3 IASONIC MIEBOB . Masonry is a beautiful system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols . Dear Sir and Brother , —On consideration I am of opinion that in my eighth and last paper I might have been more explicit as regards the Celestial Masonic

symbols which the Grand Treasurer asserts are accurately pointed out by a system of laAvs . Brethren generally do not understand allegorical symbolism , because they are not taught anything of the kind in their lodges of instruction : and it seems what is required by them is some practical demonstration . I

will , therefore , endeavour to give such practical explanation of celestial symbolism as will satisfy the intellectual that Masonry and astronomy are closely united ; and , if I succeed in doing so , the practical brethren will perhaps be Avilling to admit there may be mysteries hidden in the heavens which " at present

they cannot understand . " The objects employed in symbolical Masonry are , by means of the Masonic implements , all applicable to one point in the heavens , but , as that point must not be mentioned , the objects must remain scattered in various positions in the heavens Avithout being regulated by the laAvs .

To follow what I am about to explain , it is necessary for the reader to have before him a globe or celestial atlas . Which ever it is , it must not be of very modern publication , because it is . the fashion now

for the learned to pay no heed whatever to the constellations ; indeed , many modern charts do not give the figures at all , but merely give their names to empty spaces The publication I would recommend is that of the " Outline Atlas of Jamieson , 1824 ; published for the use of schools and private instruction . ''

These charts are engraved so as to alloAV children to fill in the stars in their proper positions . Jamieson ' s Celestial Atlas of 1822 will do , but not nearly so well as the outline plates . Presuming , then , that the atlas is before the reader , let him refer to the southern hemispherical plate . Around the rimor borderare

, , Eoman figures , from i . to xxiv . These denote the 24 hours ofthe day . Between XVII . and xvm . belotv the ecliptic is an altar or pedestal . Between xov . and i ., below is a Phcenix under the fire of which is a book or Biblia . I believe Jamieson was not a Mason , at all events the book is better defined in most other

atlases . With compasses from the equatorial pole , the centre of this biblia will reach the precise centre of the pedestal , aboA'e which are always a pair of compasses and an old-fashioned stonemason ' s level , and near thereto are the rule and square .- The youth to be initiatedas before statedis Antinousand for

, , , some reason his body has been cut iu two , whether deservedly so matters not at present . Between xix . and xx . there are the youth ' s knees both kneeling . There are' two sandals or slippers in the heavens ,

both possessed by a very largo woman—these are between xiv . and xv .. Compasses from the pole of the equator will take the heel of the sandal from the woman ' s left foot and place it on the little naked right foot of the aspirant . With so large a slipper can he move otherwise than " slip-shod ? " Mature provides the sock for the left foot- ( See Lactea . )

Bosh ! will , perhaps , be the gentlemanly expressionthis slipper affair is a mere coincidence ! Well , there is a slipper required for the aspirant's left foot , and compasses from the equatorial pole will take the Avoman ' s right foot slipper to the youth ' s left naked foot . rTow , I ask the Bosh fraternity to point out ,

if they can , whether by compasses these sandals will fit any other feet in the heavens , or whether there are any other slippers thau those worn generally by the great woman . Next to the northern hemispherical plate , and between xix . and xx ., are the head and shoulders of our aspirant , Antinous . There are two

fishes tied together by their tails , and very near II . on the equator is a very remarkable knot . Place one point of the compass within the loop caused by the knot , and the other point of the compass at the equa ^ - torial pole . Move the rope or cord to the youth , and say whether it does not fit his neck precisely like a cable . tau ? Can the Bosh fraternity , with compasses from centres , make this rope fit any other neck in the heavens ? The exallation of the youth takes

place above , and * there opposite Antinous are two youths , one is the Egyptian Hercules . Between ix . and x . is a lion ' s paw , and compasses from the eclip tic centre ( not the pole of the ecliptic ) will p lacethe rig ht hand of the exalted Mason in the lion ' spaw . Enough has been said about Boaz and the

pillars , they have been the type of the Gemini throughout all ages—thus II . Compasses from the centre of the ecliptic , not the pole , will take the ear of corn Avhich is in the great woman's left hand , at XIII . to xxni ., and there it will be alongside a current of water . f

I trust in- thus practically demonstrating these symbols I have not divulged forbidden points ,, and , at the same time , I hope I have offered sufficient proof that there are points that ought not to be revealed—to illucidate more of the symbols explained to the Grand Treasurer must inevitably divulge the

mysterious parts and points . Here let me thank the Avriter of " Excelsior , " inserted in your last number . His observations areconsiderate aud gentlemanly , and I do hope he will not be abused by the rifraf for his kindness to me .. Iu my letter of the 29 th ult ., I intimated that I was

acquainted Avith a brother that I believed was personally known to Bro . Buchan . Since then writing , I have not seen the brother in question , nor do I know the place of his residence .

All I require is to have my discoveries examined . It is not likely that anyone in his senses would traverse fifteen thousand miles merely for the purpose of imposing a false knowledge among any body of men possessed of common sense . As the meanest member of the Order , I claim a rig ht to be heard when I have something to propose for the good of