Scottish Knights Templar And The Uninitiated.

that not a very remote one , gentlemen Avere admitted into the chivalric body Avho were not Freemasons , provided they paid a much higher fee than that exacted from those Avho were Masons ; but this arrangement was , for cogent reasons , ultimately departed from . Since the reconstitution ofthe Order in this country , ancl the adoption , in 1856 , of the statutes , by Avhich the different Grand Priories holding ofthe Chapter-General are now governed

, the only distinction between the Masonic and Chivalric Knights is declared to consist in the recognition of the latter by a patent from the Grand Master or Sovereign of the cosmopolitan body , Avhile a Masonic Knight can get a diploma from the Master of his langue , or a certificate from the Grand Secretary of that country . At the same time it was enacted that " everyone received , ¦ into the

Order must be PREVIOUSLY A REGULAR ROYAL ARCH MASON . " Then , again , as to the " unsightly apron , " the Grand Priory of Scotland leaves it to the discrimination of the subordinate encampments to adopt the mantle and tunic , or to continue to Avear the Masonic Templar apron . The statute on this point runs thus : — " If the by-laws of the encampment do not prohibit it , in place of the mantle

and badge the Masonic Templar apron may be worn , viz ., Avhite , bordered or edged with black , the bib or fall to be triangular and black , edged ( for the Knights only ) cvith Avhite or silver lace . " The Knight ( but not the Esquire ) may also wear a black sash , and the Masonic star , being of silver , with nine points : tho device ( in gold ) , a serpent coiled round a cross , surmounted by the motto , " In hoc

signo vinces " on a black enamelled scroll or belt . In the priory of Avhich I have the honour to have the command , the Masonic apron continued to be Avorn till March of last year , Avhen the Sir Knights agreed to adopt the mantle and tunic . At the same time due proAdsion Avas made for the admission of visiting non-resident Sir Knights not having either mantle , or sword , or belt . I am , yours fraternally , D . MURRAY LYON , Ayr , Oct . 17 , 1862 . Prior of Ayr Priorv , No . 4 .

"My Stars And Garters."

"MY STARS AND GARTERS . "

10 THE EDITOll OU TUB EUEElIASONs' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC ^ IIP-ROB . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER . —Audi alteram partem . At your hands I now claim that justice which I am sorry to say you did not aAvard me last week . You accuse me of not having done my duty as W . M . of the Camden Lodge ( No . 1006 . ) _ I consider it at least unadvisable to publish that assertion without having previously-heard my

statement . Bro . Nicholson , a lately-appointed Prov . Grand Officer of Herts , is the brother to Avhom your correspondents refer . I seconded his nomination in the Camden Lodge , in January last , and was present when he resigned . I Avas informed two or three months ago , that he had visited Scotlandand there been exaltedand received several

, , high degrees , the existence of which , I Avas , until then , in ignorance ; among other distinctions I was informed , he was W . M . of a lodge in that country . _ As I had been previously informed that Masonic distinctions are easily purchaseable in Scotland by those who are fortunately possessed of money , and as I am quite aiyare the certain lapse of time respecting the three

established degrees of Craft Masonry , is not adhered to as in England , I thought it extremely probable that he was not required to have served the office of Warden for twelve months in that country . Indeed , I do not conceive it imperative for the W . M . of an English Lodge to be conversant with the Scotch constitutions , and suggest that the onus probandi , the right to

wear the Master ' s levels , should not rest upon the W . M . who admits , but on the visitor who enters , and believe I am actuated by a Masonic feeling in stating that I ivould object to deprive a brother of any distinctive clothing upon a mere shadoAV of doubt that perhaps it could nob legall y be worn in an English Lodge .

As to the various jewels and decorations , I can easily explain my apparent neglect of duty . The hotel in AA'hich the Camden Lodge is held is an extensive edifice , and I am happy to say we enjoy the advantages of a capacious lodge room . I did not observe any of those jewels ( Avhich I must inform you AA'ere perfect miniatures , ancl some of Avhich Avere beneath the lappel of the coat ) until after the closing of the lodge , neither did any brother

direct my attention to them . Lastly , Bro . Nicholson returned thanks because I had mentioned his name , and if error there be in Avhat I have done , it Avas , perhaps , the pardonable offence of a Worshipful Master shoAving a little more courtesy to a visitor who had recently had provincial honours conferred upon him than Masonic etiquette strictly exacts . I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally ,

J . N . FROST , P . M . 276 , W . M . 1006 , J . W . 1167 . October 15 , 1862 . TO THE EDITOE OF THE EKEEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —You kindly inserted my letter , and very kindly appended your opinion thereto . You

state at the head of the column for correspondence , that you are not ansiverable for the opinions contained therein ; but I presume you are answerable for any addition you may make thereto . Upon this assumption I beg to make the following reply . After the intervieAV with Bros . Nicholson and Walker , * I regret time would not permit me Avaiting . I presume

much of the feeling contained in your notes to my letter has by this time evaporated . Let me assure you that nothing you might say Avould , in the smallest possible degree , cause me any annoyance , as I believe , when you express yourself on a subject , you do so Avith the firm conviction you are rig ht . I admire you for so doing , but but then that admiration ceases when feeling is brought

to bear against opinions you are not ansAverable for . Now , brother Editor , be once again yourself , and not allow your Masonic principles to give support to crafty measures by unprincipled brethren . A spade with me is not " an iron implement to remove dirt with , " but a spade . I call things by their proper names . It is not pleasant , consequently I am " always wrong . " This time , however , I honestly assure you I am right in the main , though a little wrens : in the detail .

Once more I must recur to N . W . ' s" letter . He Avrites , " Of Avhich I am a member . " The only P . M . s present Avere Bros . Tyrrel , Best , and Frost . There is another P . M . ( Bro . J . Jones ) , but affliction has for some time prevented his attendance . "N . W . " writes , "he electrified us , " consequently " N . W . " was of " us ; " ergo " N . W . " was one of the electrified . " N . W . " was present . Besides

" N . W . " saAv and examined the ' ' curiosities . " Tho only doubt is "N . W . ' s" membership . I , as D . C , put dovm the names of all at the table ; and I solemnly declare , on my word of honour as a man and a Mason , there was no other P . M . present , a member of the lodge , the only approach to that title being the brother Avhose initials I sent you . You have declared I am Avrong , By this

declaration the names are reduced to Bros . Tyrrel , Best , and Frost . Bro . Best declares he had nothing to do with it , and has expressed his disgustat the conduct of "N . W . " It noio remains for Bros . Tyrrel and Frost to remove the inference , You write , you " were not aware of the lodge to which allusion was made . " HOAV comes it you insert a letter

Avithout the name , address , and number of the Avriter ' s lodge ? Bro . Nicholson will himself ansAver your sneer upon his character as a gentleman . There is no fable of tie " tAvo apples , " but there is an anecdote , the origin of Avhich you cannot be acquainted Avith , or you would not haA-e alluded to it in THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE .