Masonic Archæological Institute.

shedding light on that dark page of our history . "Apologising * for thus troubling yon , which please excuse by attributing it to my desire to see Ancient Craft in possession of a good title deed .

" I am Dear Sir and Brother , " Yours truly and fraternally , " WlTHAJI M . BrWATEE . " " P , S . —If yon have a copy ofthe Commissioners ' First Report , I invite your attention to papes 65 ,

bottom of first col . ; 76 , top of second col . ; 78 , first col . ; 95 , second col . ; 107 , bottom of first col . "

A discussion took place on the best mode the Institute could adopt to give effect to the propositions of Bro . By water . Bro . Bywater stated that one document referred to need be of interest , as it was a contract with a

¦ ' Free " Mason in connection with the building of a tomb in Wells Cathedral . This had been printed by the Town Clerk of Wells . Bro . Wigginton suggested that the AV . M . of the lodge at "AV ells , should be moved to obtain a copy from the Town Clerk for the use and consideration of the members ofthe institute .

This Bro . Bywater offered to effect . The chairman and Bro . Hyde Clark undertook to communicate with the Record Commissioners , w ith the view of carrying out the objects of Bro . Bywater . ¦ Thanks were returned to Bro . Bywater for his valuable communication .

The chief subject of the evening was a communication on a now system of Masonry among Mussulmans . It was observed that Associations and Secresy or Mystery , are two great principles of Freemasonry , and two great princi ples

influencing the human mind . They are consequently to be observed in all ages , and among all nations of mankind . In that sense the elements of Masonryare certainly to be regarded as of the greatest antiquity , and as they are widely disseminated ,

so are they to be particularly recognised among the Mussulman communities . The chief form of these mystic associations is that of tlie Orders of Dervishes . It is not unnatural that many have supposed that the exact forms of Masonry are to

be found among the Dervishes . A sketch was then given of the introduction of Freemasonry into Turkey , Persia and India . It was pointed out that while the Mussulmans acknowledge the sacred books of the Jews and Christians , they treat the

Karan as a further developement , and in adopting Freemasonry they are naturally disposed to seek its developement for members of their own community in the forms of Islam . Such a development has been founded at Constantinople , but the

members of it acknowledge universal Masonry as a title to participation and to brotherhood . Many details were given , which are not of a nature to admit of public treatment . Bro . Khan Bahadur Kazi Shahabudun Ibrahim ,

Dewan of H . H . the Rae of Kutch , entered into some details as to the principles of Islam , and the present movement in India for purifying it from superstitious practices . He stated that the persecution of the Persian Freemasons was probably

owing to their being confounded , as a secret society , with the dangerous fraternity of the Hashishiyohs . Our Indian brethren spoke fluently in English . Bro . Hyde Clarke concurred , aud gave some

account of the present condition of the Persian Freemasons . Bro . Dadabhai Naoroji , late Professor of Guzaretee in University College , referred to the great antiquity of mysteries among the old

Persians . Bro . Jamshedjee Ivanjee Gazdar concurred . Bro . Bywater referred to some points of interest in the paper , aud the general relations of Masonic signs and secrets to those of secret societies among Mussulmans and Chinese .

Bro . AA ^ iggiuton pointed out that the dimensions in height , length , and breadth of tlie Temple of the Caaba at Mecca were very peculiar , and appeared to have some relations to its reputed antiquity . They appeared to have some analogy

to those of the Tabernacle . The situation of the door was also deserving of notice . He threw out the hint for consideration , whether these relations of length and breadth could have any reference to the geometrical proportions of the globe of the

earth . The Chairman doubted this . With regard to tho connection of Freemasonry with other mystic systems , it was difficult to judge ; but this at all events could be determined , that Freemasonry

being founded on the noblesb principles and on the basis of truth , must be of the highest moral value . It could not either be doubted that it had been of practical use in many remote places . He gave an example of an English brother captured many years ago by brigands in Greece , who was -