Reviews.

Dictionary of Universal Information , The character and utility of the same has been widely acknowledged , and the Times , some shore time since , stamped its approval of the work by giving a notice of it extending over more than half a column , in which ib was warmly praised and recommended . Topography , history , essays , fiction , poetry travel , tho

Exhibition , and a monthly summary , comprises tho contents of the National Magazine . Its opening article is one on Balmoral Castle , the royal residence of her Majesty in the Highlands , of which a very neat photograph is given . The tone of tbe articles aro sound , and the reading , generally , pleasant . The National Mago . rJ . ne is an old favourite in many families , and is capital home reading .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

KNIGHTHOOD . From whence do the various orders of Knighihoood take their rise ?—K . J . —[ From the laws drawn up by the Archbishop of Bonrges , about 1025 , and ratified by the Council of Claremont , for an account of which latter see Wilkins ' s Concilia . } GRAND BANNER-REARER

What arc tho duties of the Grand Banner-bearer and from what are they derived ?—[ In modern templary to bear the Beausaut . In ancient chivalry he was an ¦ esquire , termed esquire of the body , or the esquire of honour , and his duties were to carry his patron knig ht ' s banner in battle , and raise his cry of arms , as well as to harness him at all times . ]

KNIGHTS OP RHODES . Who were the knig hts of Rhodes ?—K . J . —[ The Order of St . John of Jerusalem , who assumed the latter title in consequence of taking the Island of Rhodes , about 1310 , and again changing their name to Knignts of Malta , on taking that place about 1522 . So that the Masonic order calling itself Knights of Palestine , Rhodes and Malta is one and the same with that of the Hospitallers , or Knig hts of St . John of Jerusalem . ]

QUALIFICATIONS OP A W . 1 T . Besides the usual qualifications of a brother to take tho office of YY . M . of a lodge , as set forth in the Boole of Constitutions , are there any others enforced abroad ?—C . C . —[ We shall be obliged if any of our readers can help the querist to an answer . For ourselves we transcribe those of " a Model Master , recommended by the

Grand Lodge of Illinois in 1858 . I . He should be a just man . II . He should be a pattern of good morals . III . Ho should bo a benevolent and prudent man . IV . Ho should be a firm and decided man . V . He should have the ability , and will , to enforce obedience . VI . He should have the courage to enforce obedience . VII . He should bo well versed in laws and usages . VIII . He

should know the ritual . IX . Ho should bo apt , and willing , to teach . X . Ho should have the character and ability to command respect in the chair . XI . It may be said , few are so qualified . That is true . Then lot him be Master who comes nearest to it . " ]

PAST GRAND MASTERS . What British Lodges have Past Grand Masters ?—A . F . [ Wc presume you mean , have either the Grand Lodges of England ; Ireland , or Scotland , any Past Grand Masters ? If so , Scotland had , in 1860 , no less than seven noblemen who had held that distinguished office . ] TIKS-I VROV . G . MASTER OP LEICESTERSHIRE .

At what date was the first Prov . G . Master of Leicestershire appointed ?—ASIIBY . —[ 1775 . 1 AGAINST THE EARLY FREEMASONS . As wc should hear both sides , whether for or against our convictions , or prejudices , I send the following note . Iu a review of A History of Architecture in England , by

Masonic Notes And Queries.

tho Eev . George J Ay liffe Poole , M . A ., Vicar of Welford . which appears in vol . V . of the Arcluoological Journal , for 1818 , at page 311 , the reviewer writes : — " It is to bo regretted that Mr . Poole should apparently admit as genuine authorities , the questionable evidence known by the name of Ingulphus , and the theories of Mr . Hope , respecting the Freemasons . Since tbe publication of so

many builders' contracts of the middle ages , and the accounts of the expenses of tho Eleanor Crosses , of St . Stephen ' s Chapel , and of York Minster , the romantic fiction of whole troops of Freemasons assembling to build a cathedral , ' building temporary huts for their habitation around the spot where the work was to be carried on , ' and so forthought to be altogether exploded and refused

, admission into any work professing tho character of authentic history . The fact is clear that with rare exceptions , the artisans employed were natives of the spot , or tho immediate neighbourhood , that very small numbers wero employed at any one time , and that they succeeded from father to son , generation after generation , in carrying on tho great work . The accounts of York Minster ,

published by Mr . Brown , are conclusive on this point ; the number of workmen employed on that magnificent structure varied from 20 to 50 , according to the state of the funds of the chapter , a corps of masons and their labourers being a regular part of the establishment , and the same families being employed for centimes . Of these masons , a few of the head men were Freemasons , or free

carpenters , the rest were serfs . Occasionally , but very rarely , the Master Mason was a foreigner , and quite as often an Englishman in France , as a Frenchman in England . "—!) . C . L .

Poetry.

Poetry .

COME THIS WAY , MY FATHER ? BY A . W . WILDES . I remember a voice Which once guided my way , When lost on the sea Fog-enshrouded I lay :

'Twas the voice of a child , As lie stood on the shore—It sounded out clear O ' er the dark billow ' s roar" Come this way my father ! Steer straight for me , Here safe on the shore I am waiting for thee . "

I remember that voice , As it led our lone way , 'Midst rocks and through breakers And high dashing spray ; How sweet to my heart Lid it sound from the shore ,

As it echoed out clear O'er the dark billow ' s roar , " Come this way , my father ! Steer straight for me , Here safe on the shore I am waiting for thee . " I remember my joy

When I held to my breast The form of that dear one , And soothed it to rest : For the tones of my child Whispered soft to my ear , " I called you , clear father , I knew you would hear

The voice of your darling Far o ' er the dark sea , While safe on the shore I was waiting for thee . "