Masonic Notes And Queries.

sacrifice , which is performed by the vestal virgins , which is performed for the prosperity of the Roman people , which is performed in the house of the chief magistrate , celebrated with unknown ceremonies , and in honour of a goddess whose very name to know is sacrilege . " Commentators on this description of Cicero will , perhaps , be apt to allege that , whatever opinion the Bomans may have entertained of these rites and ceremonies , that they must at least have

been of an indelicate nature , else why all this care and solicitude of the women to conceal them from the men ? But is it not more natural to suppose that , as the Romans had a deity to preside almost over every particular circumstance and action , this goddess must either have been considered as the patroness of the sex in general , or the particular patroness of some of their affairs and concerns ; and that on this account the women imagined nothing could be so acceptable to her as rites and ceremonies performed onlby that

y sex , and for the prosperity of those affairs which she patronised . After this historical illustration of the fidelity of the fan- sex , let it no longer be an adage that no secret is safe hi the breast of a woman ; and again , a further conclusion may be drawn , that the Roman ladies , in performing the rites sacred to the goddess , were considerably more afraid of the men than our Masons are of the women .

For a disquisition on the principles of Masonry , a reference to ingenuous publications ( a ) on this subject must suffice , it not being within the intention of these pages ; the sole object is to recommend the introduction of the fair sex into occasional lodges ; and if that does not take place , to remove their prejudices by exhibiting in a simile what is couched under that mysterious word—Masonry . The subsequent lines will best convey the sentiments of the Fraternity on this subject : —

" As some crack'd dry mist , of projecting brain , Much for discovery , but more from gain , With toil incessant labours , puffs , and blows , In search of something nature won't disclose , At length his crucibles and measures broke , His fancy'd gains evaporate in smoke , So some , presumptuous , still attempt to trace The guarded symbol of our ancient race ;

Enwrapped in venerable gloom it his , And mocks all sight—but of a Mason's eyes ; Like the famed stream enriching Egypt ' s shore , All feel its use , but for its source explore , All ages still must owe , and every land Their pride and safety to the Mason's hands ; "Whether for gorgeous domes renowned afar , Or ramparts strong to stem the rage of war ;

All we behold in earth—or circling air—Proclaims the power of compasses and square ; The heaven-taught science , queen of arts appears , Eludes the rust of time , and waste of years ; Thro' form and matter are her laws displayed , The rales—the frame by which tho world was made . Whatever virtues grace the social mime , Those we possess , on those we found our fame ;

AVisely the lodge looks down on tinsel state , AVhere only to be good is to be groat ; Such souls by instinct to each other turn , Demand alliance , and in friendship burn ; No shallow schemes , no stratagems , nor arts , Can break the cement that unites our hearts . Then let pale envy rage , and every name Of fools , mistaking- infamy for fame j Such have all countries and all ages born , And such all countries and all ages scorn ; Glorious the temple of the sylvan queen ,

Pride of the world , at Ephcsus wan seen ; A witless wretch , the Pritchard ( d ) of those days , Stranger to virtue , and unknown , to praise , Crooked of soul , and fond of any name , Consigned the noble monument to flame . Vain madman ! if so thinking to destroy The art which cannot but with nature die ; Still will the Craft—still shall his name survive

, And in our glory ( e ) his disgrace shall live . In all the arts and sciences there are technical words and phrases which require illustration ; such are added to the subsequent pages as was deemed essential by the editor . JCJA . lax . HOW THE BRETHREN TREATED THEIR TYLERS HALF A CEXTURY

SINCE . One of those very old fashioned circulars edged with black , relating to a Masonic funeral , having recently fallen into my bauds , may claim a place amongst your notes and queries . Bro . Bryan was tho . Birmingham Tyler , and the contrast between the exit from this world of a Tyler of 1808 and 1860 may afford some curious material for speculation .

The following letter explains itself : —¦ "B ROTHER , —You are particularly cited to attend the duties of St . Alban ' s Lodge , at the Shakespeare Tavern , on Tuesday evening next , punctually at seven ; being 1 st March , 1808 . " It having pleased the Grand Architect of the Universe to take unto himself our much beloved brother , John Bryan , who departed this life , in hopes of an eternal one , in tho 77 th year of his age , on Monday the 25 th of . Tannary ; therefore this solemn lodge is called , in order to testify om sincere regard for hhn by putting ourselves in mourning .

"An elegy will be sung on this occasion . "By order of the Worshipful " S . BPuEEETOrl , Master . "W . HILL , Secretary . "Birmingham , February 26 , 1 S 0 S . "N . B . —The mourning on this oceasion is black , with white stockings and gloves . "

Ode and Elegy in Memory of John Brt / an . ODE . I . "f is done ; the Architect Divine , The awful blow hath given ; Our brother hath obey'd the sign ,

To join the lodge in heaven . II . Angelic janitors rejoice , The portals to extend , Harmonic seraphs raise their voice , To hail our worthy friend . III .

Thrice welcome to the lodge above , Where pleasures never fail , And Concord , Harmony , and Love , Eternally prevail . IV . Thrice welcome to the blest abode , Where angels reign in heaven , And praise the wond ' rous works of God , To whom be glory given .