Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents

MASONIC CELESTIAL MYSTERIES ALIAS BEO . MELVILLES' PEETENDED DISOOVEEIE 3 .

10 IHE EDITOB OF THE EEEEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIBE 0 B . Dear Sir and Brother , —I have read that curious letter by Bro . " Excelsior , " at page 32 ; but the style he adopts in it does not go for much with me ; further , some of his statements are decided mis-skatements , while others do little credit to his bump of

penetration . Bro . " Excelsior " and some others seem to consider that , because a man makes statements , therefore these statements must be worthy of examination— ergo , if Bro . E . should step into a lunatic asylum , and hear some one continually asserting , "I am Julius Ctesar—I am Julius Caesar , " there-•fore a committee of inquiry must be convened to •examine into this assertion !

Bro . " Excelsior " is wroth with me for not posting up to London instanter to examine Bro . Melville ' s claims , and to see him personally ; but Bro . E . •overlooks several necessary points , besides being out ¦ considerably in his geography—the distance between 'Glasgow and London not being " a few miles , " but

-a "few hundred miles , " which makes a slight difference ; then , who was to " pay the piper ? " Could 1 have afforded it , I should have been most happy ; but this probably wild goose chase was beyond reach •of my cable tow at present ; and , although I had goneit is just possible that Bro . Melville miht not

, g Teally desire to see me , or to afford me such demon-¦ stration as I should consider it necessary to ask ; besides , why should I be expected to throw aside my own terrestrial Masonic inquiries *—in which many brethren are interested—and to gratuitously spend my time and monev in establishing Bro . Melville ' s

•celestial ideas ? If Bro . Melville considers his pretended discoveries to be really beneficial to science ; and history , let him substantiate bis own views himself . A painter who has a valuable picture to dispose •of , does not hang it up in a coal-cellar and show it off by the light of a farthing candle ; he places it in

the best position possible , where the light falling 'upon it may show it off to most advantage ; so let Bro . Melville do with his picture ; let him hang it up in the "best light , " where , if it be really Avorth , it will speak for itself ; but , if it be a mere daub , of •course "the best liht" would end itand the

g , mys terious coal-cellar and farthing candle would be more in keeping . An honest man , or an honest Freemason , Avho had really made any important discoveries in connexion with the usages or doctrines of the ¦ ancient Assyrians would adopt the suggestion of

Correspondence.

" Pictus , " as given at page 330 of the Magazine for April 24 th , and " publish " whatever he had to say in a calm , sensible , and honest manner , so that he might be easily understood ; the adoption of such a course would of itself merit consideration ; but when one tries to make a tool of Freemasonry , or of simple Freemasonswherebto further his own selfish ends

, y , then he must take what he gets , especially if he deserve it . What , I would ask , can our Freemasonry , which was not—so far as I am aware—in existence before the 18 th century A . D ., have to do with any pretended "Masonic Celestial Mysteries , '' said to have existed

about 3 , 000 years ago ? The whole thing , as it lias heen given out , seems to have a nasty look of imposture and money getting about it . I have lately discovered so many Masonic assertions to be either false or mistaken statements , that I have learned to be very " cautious " before I pass anything which I consider has a suspicious look about it , aud , in doing so , I believe I am only acting upon the square .

The remarks of "WM ., " page 31 , and of "Ees non Verba , " page 4-15 ante , as well as those of several others , are quite apropos , not forgetting "Anon ' s " remarks , page 33 . Then , to study the manner in which Bro . Melville , page 32 , steers clear of that dangerous reef , "the Masonic Archaeological Institute , "

is most amusing . I suppose that my being a member of that "Society"' precludes me . from enjoying the favour of Bro . Melville's confidence , especially as he says , ¦ " it would be impossible for me to expound the mysteries before the members ! " Therefore , to avoid shipwreckBro . M . like a cautious marinergives a

, , , Avide berth to any solid-looking rock ahead . Again , looking out for anchoring ground , Bro . M . considers he may ride the storm upon Dr . Oliver ' s bottom ; but he had better take care , or he may find his anchor dragging or his cable cut before he is aware of it , there being some dangerous quicksands and hidden

rocks in that locality . I must forbear to take up further space at present , and remain , Tours fraternally , W . P . BUCHAN .

"Anon."—Solomon's Temple.

"ANON . "—SOLOMON'S TEMPLE .

10 THE EDI'IOK OS THE " FBEEMASONs' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC JIIBBOE . Dear Sir and Brother , —A writer in the last number of the Magazine asks Avhether Bro . Melville ever published or explained the " Lost Mysteries '' in Australia , and Avith what results as to satisfying men of sound intelligence there ?

The writer ' s query , it so happens , is answered by Bro . Melville in the same Magazine , and I may add thereto that I had the honour of introducing him to my esteemed friend , the Hon . Archibold Mechie , Melbourne , the foremost barrister , orator , and writer in the Australian Colonies . A meeting afterwards

took place at Bro . Mechie ' s private chambers in 1862 , shortly before I returned to England , between that gentleman , Bro . Melville , and myself , at which he ( Bro . Mechie ) evinced the very utmost interest in Bro . Melville ' s revelations for more than five hours , at the close whereof Bro . Mechie advised Bro . Melville to publish his MSS . by subscription , and volunteered to head the subscription list ; and anyone acquainted with him or the colony must be aware