Masonic Notes And Queries.

An announcement from the Belgrades appears frequently . One is in these Avords : — "Belgrades—Your father will broach a fresh tun on Friday next , and desires your attendance on special affairs . S . P ., Inspector . " Here is an announcement genuinely Masonic : To the Brethren of the Most Antient , Honourable , Free

and Accepted Masons—Your company is desired to attend the corpse of Bro . Anson , of No . 30 . To meet at Bro . Watson , at the Feathers , in St . Albanstreet , near Pall Mall , in proper clothing , to-morrow , the 22 nd inst ( January 22 , 1756 ) to attend the corpse to the new burial ground , at the hour of two in the afternoon . " The following occurs under the date of March IS , 1730 : —

Just published , dedicated to the Right Honourable the Lord Kingston , " The Antient Constitutions of Freemasons ; " containing the Rise , Progress , Patronage , and Intent of the Science of Masoury , with the Solemn Charges and Orders ; also the usual Songs , all curiously engraved on copper . To AA'hich is added a speechdelivered at the Grand Lodge in

, York ; and a speech delivered to a lodge in London , setting forth the utility and excellency of the Craft , with instructions for the Societ y in general ; likeAvise the prologue and epilogue , spoken by a Mason and a Mason ' s Avife , afc the Theater in Drury Lane . Printed for , and sold by , B . Creake , at the Red Bible , in AA O

Mary Lane , Ludgate-street ; and at his house at the Bible , in Jermyn-street , St . James' ( who also selleth Bibles and Common Prayers , French or English , of all sorts and sizes , Avith cuts or without , rul'd or unrul'd , in all sorts of binding ; also , Books of Devotion on the Sacramentand School Booksof all

, , sizes , Wholesale or Retail , at reasonable rates ) , and Benj . Cole , Engraver and Copper-plate Printer , at the corner of King ' s Head Court , near Fetter Lane , Holborn . Price—3 s . bound . " Is this the oldest newspaper announcement of a Masonic publication ?—THE COLLECTOR .

QUARTERLY ; COMMUNICATION PAPERS . It is believed that these abstracts of the business done at Grancl Lodge first commenced in 18-13 . The querist has an object in desiring to see the entire series from the beginning until UOAV . HOAY can he accomplish it ? Any brother affording this information Avill very greatly oblige a—W . M .

WANTS TO P . E A GRAND OEEICER . I am a Master Mason of ten years' standing . HOAY can I get to be a Grand Officer ?—EXPECTUS . —[ By attending to your duties , supporting the charities , and the favour of those in authority . ]

OLD "ENGLISH QUOTATION . " Yf mo hroder do not reke AV' hys fellaAves ne let hym neuer he call to aeconrpt amongst hem in y " lodgge . " Where does this come from ?—E . C . L . B . —[ If it is genuine—Avhich Ave very much doubt—most probably from some guild kiAV . Because the words brotherand lodge are to be found in it—unless the

, context gives further grounds for supposing so- —it does not follow that Freemasonry is intended . All guilds were brotherhoods . Many called their associates fellows , and lodges were their places of meeting when they were not assembling in churches or reli gious

Masonic Notes And Queries.

houses . If our correspondent had said where he ob tained it we might have given a clearer answer , but as we receive it so we reply . ] CONTRADICTORY THEOEIES . Having carefully read the FREEMASONS MAGAZINE for two years and overI am sadly at fault to

ascer-, tain what is the real scope and intention of Freemasonry . Some say it is religion , others the purpose of practical charity , and last Aveek I see a brother advocates it as an excuse for social gathering and mutual society . In the midst of such conflicting , some Avould say contradictory , theoriesAvhat is a young

, brother to think ? Will the brethren Avho advocate these various phases of the subject be kind enough to offer an argument or two in support of their views ? —R . P .

GRAND MEETINGS . Wanted , a list of places Avhere the Grand Lodge meetings were held previous to the building of the premises in Great Queen-street , by—L . W . —[ Consult Anderson , Entick , Noortouck , or Preston ; they all give them . ] ANOTHER MASONIC JURISDICTION .

Under Avhom do the Knights of Constantinople hold their meetings ? Are there not already sufficient departures from Masonic unity Avithout erecting another Masonic jurisdiction ?—FIRST PRINCIPAL .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

TJte Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents , . THE MASONIC CHARITIES . 10 THE EDITOB OB THE EEElillASOA'S' AtACAZINE AXD ItASONIC HIRUOE . DEAR SIE AND BEOTHEE ,- —Surely there must be some error in the surmise of " A Subscriber , " in your

last MAGAZINE , that a commission is paid for the funds of the Charities collected at the festivals . The various boards would hardly tax the exertions of many , Avho , like myself , have Avorked hard to raise sums of money , and have never knoAvn nor troubled any collector . I can s | : eak for the labours of all the Secretaries , but I am totally ignorant of the duties of collector , beyond giving a receipt , Avhich should , or might , be done by the Treasurer .

If such officials are necessary , hy all means let them , be paid for the work they do , but in the case of amountsvrith Avhich they haA-e no trouble , iu all faiimess let them go untaxed . I think , Avith "A Subscriber , " thafc there is something even more than this Avhich requires inquiring into . For instanceI notice pensions of an

, extravagant amount given to old servants , and I have heard of others in prospective . It is time some liue Avas draAvn on such extravagance , or some date fixed for their reduction . I am aAvare the plea can be put in that they have done good service in their day , for which it is fair to presume they have been amply paid ;

but , really , a limit should be put on retirements . The Charity Board will do Avell to look into these things , and not allow personal friendships to be an impediment to the labours of those Avho anxiously study the welfare of all the Masonic Charities . I am , yours fraternally , ANOTHER SUBSCRIBER .