Masonic Notes And Queries.

INSTALLATION . Is a Prov . G . M ., when installed as a W . M . of a lodge outside his own province , entitled to a higher number of salutations than that actually awarded to a W . M . —BTSTASDEB . [ NO ; Provincial Grand rank can only he exercised in the province in which it is conferred . ]

NEGBO LODGES . A Mr . Millingen , a native of Constantinople , lately published a paper about Negroes in Turkey , in which lie stated that ( lie Negroes , or rather , Negrees , in Constantinople are enrolled in a number of number of lodges , each of which is called a Col . These lodges

areto protect the slaves , defend their legal rights , assist them when free , and obtain their manumission . Each is presided over by a Negres , called a Col-Bashi . It is more than likely that there is very little foundation for the whole story . Col-Bashi is most likely Kaol-Bashichief of the slavesor rather head slave

, , , and these are only old women , who set themselves up in African fashion as Obi women—that is , as witch women , able to defend their followers , and levying contributions from them . —S . S .

BEOTHEE " EBOE" AND MASONIC DEGBEES ( p . 267 ) . At page 3 G 0 of the MAGAZINE for November 7 th , 1863 , Bro . "Ehor" says , " in 1715 , and long before 1715 , the same system we have now was in full operation , in all its leading particulars , in this country . Of this lentof evidence is

hajipilforthcoininginp y y ; deed , it may without fear of contradiction be affirmed that there is substantial evidence which goes back to the middle of the 17 th century , as to the identity of our Craft ritual , now as then . " The above was written in 1 SC 3 , yet this " plenty of evidence" has never been seen bme as yetnor I greatlfear will

y , y it ever he seen . While the " Old York Grand Lodge " supposed to have existed before 1717 , is simply a dream . "No "Old York Grand Lodge" existed till after 1717 , and then the idea was copied from that of London . —W . P . B .

sxLLOGisirs OB MASONIC FOUNDATIONS , ( page 280 ) . If the Manning-ham letter he genuine , then it might be possibly used as a foundation upon which to build ; but if said letter is a forgery , then it is only a waste of time attempting to build aught upon it . —W . P . B

BEO . CAPTAIN WAEEEN ' s VISIT TO SAIDA IN JUL-y 1869 . I feel obliged for having had the pleasure of reading Bro . "Warren ' s able remarks in last weeks' Magazine ( p . 297 ) . Many of his statements are most interesting and - useful . Anent a square tower at

Sefurieh he says . " I do not think tbe lower stones are in situ . " Then as to Mason ' s marks on "Hiram ' s Tomb , " he could only see two ; one , which appears to be ancient , " is a Christian Cross of the Byzantine type at tlie western end . " "The other consists of a square and compasses , very recently and rudely cut ,

apparently by some enthusiastic Mason , who should have learnt the proper use of his chisel before he attempted such a task . " Further on he says , " close to the ground was a triangle in course of construction , which is probably completed by this time , if the artist engaged on it has kept to his work . " We are obliged to Bro . Captain Warren for these hints , they will

Masonic Notes And Queries.

perhaps help to counteract those over " enthusiastic Masons , " who with much faith and little judgment would fain make a mountain of a mole-hill , and who , if they should see a square and compasses cut upon some old building , instantly jump to the conclusion that they have here ample proof (!) of the existence of Freemasonry at the date when said building was

erected , several centuries ago , whereas tbe real age of the carving or cutting may only be about as many days of the building is years old ; while , moreover , other Crafts used the square and compasses as well as the Masons .

OLD YOEK BITE . It appears to me that the notion of the " Old York Rite " ( consisting of either 3 or more degrees ) , being in existence before A . D . 1717 , is purely imaginary . It is simply a manufactured pretension to detract from the honour and status of the Grand Lodge of England , first held in London , . D . . 1717 . —W . P . B .

MASONIC THEOEIES . A Brother is quite right when , in the paper which he has sent me , he observes that it is not uncommon to see a Masonic theory , which is excessive in one direction , met by another Masonic theory , which is not less excessive in an opposite direction .

But the line of Horace which follows should be omitted ; it may be considered to imply that some Craft writer is a fool , and this , methinks , would ill accord with our professions of brotherly love *—0 . P . COOPEE .

EOST OEOSS . When Christian Eosy Cross set out upon his travels he stuck five roses in his hat in the form of a cross . Strange that the Scottish Boyal Order only should perpetuate this , and that it should claim a Templar origin , whilst the English Eose Croix should claim Eosy Cross , and , omitting his badge , substitute the standard of James III . —JOHN YABKEE .

HASTES DEGBEE ( page 206 ) . My friend , referred to at page 206 , again writes tome as follows : — " I have noticed your appropriate remarks about my reference to the above titles , viz-, Master and Fellow Craft . The 13 th clause of ConstitutionsA . D . 1723 in arranging for apprentices to

, , be ' admitted Masters and Fellow Craft' iu Grand Lodge , would seem certainly to favour the idea of a third degree being then in existence . It is probaolehy 1720 the Master Mason ' s degree was instituted ; it cannot , however , be decided by the Book of Constitutions , A . D . 1723 ; what' Masters' are here alluded to .

We should say Fellow Craft and Masters , not the reverse at the present time . The clerks of the Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary were only required to be Fellow Crafts' 13 th Regulation—The Grand Tyler , also , only had to he aFelloiv Craft . Two Fellow Crafts of a lodge were to act as Deputy Wardens

in Grand Lodge in case the regular Wardens ( of said lodge ) were acting Grand Wardens . 15 th clause . The Felloiv Crafts invariably are referred to as the highest degree throughout the Constitutions , A . D .