Masonic Notes And Queries.

inquiry at Rome about the commencement of the thirteenth century , and measures were taken to obviate the grievance . These measures were of a singular nature . The pope created several corporations ol Roman and Italian architects aud artisans , with high and exclusive privileges ; especially with a power of settling tho rates and prices of labour by their own authority , and without being controlled by tho municipal laws of tho country where they worked . To the various northern countries where tho churches had fallen into a state of decay

were these artists deputed ; and as the first appearance of the gothic architecture in Europe was nearly coincident with this mission of Itonian artists , and as has already been observed , the new style of imitating the arched framework of wood by ribbed arches of stone was known by the name of the Roman stylo , there avisos a presumption that we owe this magnificent stylo of architecture to these travellingcorporations of artists , who iu consequence of tho exclusive privileges which they enjoyedassumed to themselves the names of Freemasons

, , and under this title became famous throughout Europe . * These same corporations , from their first origin , possessed the power of taking apprentices , and admitting into the body such Masons as they approved in the country where their works are carried on , so that although the style may have originated amongst Italian artists , it is quite possible it may have been brought to perfection by other Masters who were natives of the

different countries to which these Roman workmen were sent , aud this will account for the fact that the church at Canterbury , in which the ribbed arch of stone is supposed to have been introduced for the first time into England , was originally the work of a Uorman , aud afterwards completed by an English architect . " In speaking of these corporations of architects of the middle ages , Sir Christopher AAh-en has given , in theParentulia , the following account of their constitution : — " The Italians , with some Greek refugees , and

with them French , Germans , and Flemings , joined into a fraternity of architects , procuring papal bulls for their encouragement and particular privileges ; they styled themselves Freemasons , aud ranged from one nation to another as they found churches to be built — for very many in those ages , were everywhere in building , through piety or emulation . Their government was regular , and where they fixed near the building in hand they made a camp of huts . A surveyor governed in chief ; every tenth man was called a wardenand overlooked each nine ;

, and the gentlemen of the neighbourhood , either out of charity or commutation of penance , gave the materials and the carriages . ' ' Those , ' adds ' Sir Christopher , ' who have seen the accounts in records of the charge of the fabrics of some of our cathedrals near four hundred years old , cannot but have a great esteem for their economy , and admire how soon they erected such lofty structure . ? . ' " f

TRLN 0 S 0 FI 1 ERS . A foreign brother tells me he is " a Dignitary Officer of the Royal Lodge , Sovereign Chapter , and Supreme Council of the Illustrious Trinosophers . " I took the words down from his mouth , and am sure they are correct , but who and what are the Trinosophers ?—D UMBFOUNDED . THE GREEK AVAR AND THE TEMPLARS .

I read that in the struggle by the Greeks against the Turks , in 182 G , a troop of Templars were sent out of France to fi ght against their old enemies . Will some Knight Templar answer me , and say if these were members of the Masonic Knights Templar , or were they belonging to the actual order , ivhieh , I believe , then existed ? - —C L . . .

AVHAT IS THE HIGHEST MASONIC GRADE EVER ATTAINED ? I ' n putting the above question , I should bo very glad to be informed by yourself , or some of your learned correspondents . — E . L . B . — - [ If you mean among the continental Masons , seek for the Order of Mizraim—theirs numbers the hi ghest . There is also a spurious degree , which professes to give ninety-nine degrees ! The 33 ° is the highest under the Accepted Rite . The

Master's degree , according to Grand Lodge . But if you allude to individuals attaining the highest point while mindful of their Masonic duties , then Bro . Holland , of the St . John ' s Lodge , No . J 07 , must claim the pahu , for , on November 7 th , 1836 , Mr . Green , Mr . Monck Mason , and Bro . Holland ascended in the Great Nassau balloon , the last entering in his serial diary , " Halfpast six . Drank the health of the Masonic brethren assembled at the St . John ' s Lodge . " Wc hope the latter is In ' idi cnousrh for "E . L . B . " ]

AV . UKX Tire FIRST ARCHITECT DIVINE . " I once heard a Masonic song , ivhieh began ivith the above line , sung . Whose is it , or where can I get it?—AN OLD D . . i > . . — [ To the first question , it is the charter song of the St . Patrick ' s Lodge , Dublin , No . 50 . 'The words were written by Bro . John

Ilazlitt , the music by Bro . John Smith , Mus . Doc . To the second question , we do not know ; ask at the nearest music shop , and , if it can be got , they will obtain it for you . ] THE FATE OF AVILLIAM MORGAN . A work iii my possession published at Utica , ( U . S . A ., ) in 18211 , entitled "A Light on Masonry : a Collection of all the most Important Documents on the subject of Speculative Freemasonry ,

embracing the Reports of the Western Committees in relation to the Abduction of William Morgan , & c , by Elder David Bernard , " contains a report of the trial inquired for in the editorial footnote to the communication of " M . M ., " at p . 844 , ante , and agrees substantially with the account there given . It has also an appendix of affidavits , letters , and proclamations on tho subject , occupying together thirty-four closely printed pages , 8 vo ., and

consequently , too long to copy for insertion in the " Masonic Notes and Queries . " It may be sufficient to state that many vague reports were , owing to the excitement of the time , introduced into the case as to the murder of Morgan , which , had they had any foundation in fact , must have been followed out by tho authorities , and the individual who is represented as admitting that he was compelled blot to take the life of Morganwould

y , have been put on his trial . Of the three persons , Eli Bruce , 0 'Hamus Turner , and Jared Darrow , who were tried " for a conspiracy to kidnap and carry off William Morgan , " the two latter were found not guilty , and judgment against Bruce was suspended for the advice of the Supreme Court to be taken on some important questions of law which were raised during the trial . —WILLIAM KELLY .

LODGE OF FREEDOM , NO . 91 . When was the warrant of the Lodge of Freedom , of Gravesend , No . 91 , granted ?—A NOTHER GRAVESEND BROTHER . — [ According to the Calendar , in 1751 ; but we remember that it was reopened , after having been closed twelve years , on the 19 th of June , 183 S , under our Bro . W . R . G . Key , and that a warrant of confirmation was afterwards granted , as the original was said to

have been destroyed in a fire that took place very many years ago . ] EARLIEST AV ARRANT IN DUBLIN . What Lodge is in possession of the earliest warrant in Dublin ? —PADDY G-. —[ So . 2 ; the warrant is dated October , 1732 . ] THE LANGUAGES OF MASONRY . Will your correspondents kindlforward the names of those

y languages they have seen , or heard of , in which Masonic rites are or have been performed ?—LINGUIST . BOOK RITUALS . Are there any Lodges abroad that use book rituals ? If so , where ; and for what degrees' ?—E . J . H . ANCIENT F URNIT UI : IO ,

AVhat Lodges , at present existing , have ancient furniture , and which is the oldest?—A . SCOTT . CHARITY JEWELS FROM GRAND LODGE . Docs the Grand Lodge confer charity . jewels on the Masters of private Lodges ? If so , it would be desirable to know which Lodges arc now entitled to such decorations for their W . Ms . —

C . C . E . ANCIENT UIliLES . Iu what Lodge is the earliest edition of the Bible to be found V —S . VCEUDOS . —[ Wc do not undertake to answer the above fully , but can tell our correspondent that one of the Lodges , meeting at the Masonic Hall , Woolwich , is in possession of that rarity , a " Breeches Bible . " ]

TUB PERFECT LODGE . In reply to your extract and query , in the last , permit me to say the Perfect Lodge , once No . 552 , ceased to exist about the years 1805-0 . Can any one tell , what became of its records ?—KENT . ORGANISTS OP LODGES . As these officers arc not statutable officers , there is greater

difficulty than usual in tracing them ; so allow me to call your readers' attention to the subject , by inquiring , has the Lodge any of them belong to ever had an Organist ? If it has , send bis name , and the date of appointment ?—PEDAL Pirns .

LODGE COLLARS . Is there any one who can tell us when . Lodge collars came into fashion ? I . ilo not think they were generally worn before the middle of the last century , but shall be obliged by some of your antiquarian correspondents setting the matter at rest . —LEVEL .