Masonic Notes And Queries.

DEPUTY GEAItfD MASTEE MANXISGHAll ' S LETTEE ( page 151 ) . As a ^ masonic student , I feel bound to say that until this pretended letter has been passed as genuine by some well-known English experts , we can really lace no reliance it It was published in the

p upon Magazine for August loth , 1868 , yet here we still are , in 1870 , with pretty much the same amount of knowledge as we then had as to its personality and history . Something suspicious-looking about that . In the Magazine for August 29 th , 1868 , page 172 , will be found some remarks b" R . Y . " anent itwhich are

y , -worthy of perusal . However , even supposing it was genuine , there is not a word or sentence in it which really proves that our Speculative Preemasonry existed before 1717 ; in fact , it really proves the opposite , and shows that Masonic imposture and credulity existed in writing as well as in print in the year 1757 . Had

Speculative Freemasonry really existed before 1717 , Bro . Manningham ought to have been able to give many proofs , instead of showing his weakness by alluding to "one old brother of ninety" with whom he conversed . In short , Bro . Manningham , in 1757 , seems to have been about as hard up for any written or

substantial evidence to prove the l 7 l 7 theory to be wrong , as was his predecessor , Dr . Anderson , iu 1730 . Lastly , Royal Arch Masons mi ght be disappointed at so little notice being taken of them , especially keeping in view Bro . Hughan's article in the Magazine for December l 2 th , 1868 , p . 461 . —W . P . BTJCHAK " .

CHEIST AMITY , JIOHATSMEDAXISJI , EBEEMASOXEY , AMD ATOElfONISAC . As Christianit y was instituted in the 1 st Centur y , A . D ., Mohammedanism in the 7 th , ancl Mormonism in the 19 th , so was our Freemasonry or Speculative Masonry instituted in the ISth Century , A . D . — W . P . B . J

BEGI . EE OE IXSTALLEB 1 IASTEE . I cannot understand the dictum b y Bro . H . Murray , District G . M . China , respecting the so-called degree of Installed Master . The whole sentence is not very intelligible . Its meaning not only requires illustration , but confirmation , by its author , who should have

supported his statements b y facts . He cannot be ignorant of the fact that the " Book of Constitutions" does not acknowledge the " degree" of Installed Master . Believing his assertion to be an unintentional error , I do not urge the outrage offered by it to Masonic governmentnor the indiscretion of a District Grand Master

, contradicting one of the most important principles of the constitution , but I certainly do think that his position entitles the Craft to the fullest explanation . P . M . l

THE COXSTELLATIOXS OE CELESTIAL MYSTEEIES . The constellations of celestial mysteries , now appearing in the Masonic horizon of the Magazine are well calculated to astonish the Craft , and are none the less poetical for being founded on fiction . Does Bro . Murray intend the " Grand Masonic Allegory" to be

understood as a satire upon the constitution ? If so , he has succeeded to admiration , and his production deserves to be transmitted to posterity along with another "Tale of a Tub ; " otherwise , I cannot see what profound wisdom he discovers in announcing four

Masonic Notes And Queries.

degrees as three , and in practising five with author \ ty for four only ; why he institutes an invidious comparison with other constitutions in points where such comparison only tends to make us ridiculous ; and why he tells the world that Craft Masonry is incomplete , and requires to complete it Lawrence Derinott ' s Holy Royal Archwhich he stles the " universally

, y recognised perfection , " well knowing at the same time that in no constitution except ours , and its descendants , is the Royal Arch so recognised . Had he not ridiculed Craft Masonry , his effusions would have been unexceptionable , and highly characteristic of the country which give them birth , seeing that they aptly

illustrate the poetic imagery of the East . His sarcastic appeals on behalf of the Ancient and Accepted Rite are irresistible , especially that portion which informs us that the "Rose Croix is simply an emendation from , the Royal Order of Scotland , ivell Icnown to have been founded by King Robert Bruce" (?) . Hurrah for the

thistle ! Down with the three pillars and the cubic stone ! Next week I hope he will fire a parting shot at the " high degrees , " by exhibiting the Red Cross of " Rome and Constantine as " lineally descended from . the original . " In the meantime the "Allegory ' ' will " afford a suitable theme for ingenious illustration , when conjecture is exhausted . —FIAT LUX .

EISE AND PEOGEESS OE SPECULATIVE MASONEY . Will Bro . Murray kindly favour the readers of the Magazine with a lucid explanation of the assertion ( p . 61 ) that in those days the degrees of M . M . and of Installed Master , together with the Order of the Hol y Royal Arch , were , to a certain extent , one , ' ' & c . ; also , with any historical proofs or other sufficient evidencein support of the above . —R . A , M .

SOCIAL MASOXBY V . SPECULATIVE MASOXBY . Speculative Freemasonry was not practised in the sixteenth and seventeenth century operative lodges ,, but was manufactured by non-operatives in the eighteenth . For social purposes , however , and for thepurpose of attending at their social gatherings , nonoperatives were admitted into the Craft societies in theseventeenth century . —W . P . B .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondent ! ,, ANCIENT MARKS .

10 THE EDITOR OF THK FftKEHASOJIS MAGAZINE AXD MASOXIC HIE-OB . Dear Sir and Brother , —At Knaresborough , near Harrogate , Yorkshire , the winding waters of the Nidd traverse a valley almost unequalled for beauty and romantic scenery , and , about a mile from the ancient and historic borough , pass the site of an

edifice once famous for its extent and architectural finish . This was a Priory of the Order of the Trinity for the Redemption of Captives , founded by Richard Plautagenet , Earl of Cornwall and King' of the the Romans ( brother of Henry III . ) , by a charter , from the King , dated 1227 , which was subsequently confirmed by one from Edward II . The property , realising rents now worth about £ 700 per annum , was , in 155-1 , sold to Francis , Earl of Shrewsbury ,