Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

CHIEF POINT . The chief point in Masonry is to endeavour to be happy ourselves , and communicate that happiness to others . —Dr . Oliver .

DAY ' S WORK . The day's work closed when the sun set in the west . All the expressions used in scripture about hired servants imply that they were hired by the day . This is still the case in the East ,

where not only labourers , but mechanics , whether they work for a householder or for a master in their own craft , are paid by the day , and

regularly expect their day ' s wages when the sun goes down . It has never come to our knowledge that they work at any trade after sunset , even in winter . —Kitto .

DECORATIONS . In disposing of the furniture and decorations of a lodge , great discrimination is required ; and very frequently the imposing appearance which a lodge ought to present to the eye , is lost for

want of due attention to these preliminary arrangements . The expert Mason will be convinced that the walls of a lodge room ought neither to be absolutely naked nor too much decorated . A chaste disposal of symbolical

ornaments in the right places , and according to propriety , relieves the dullness and vacuity of a blank space ; and though but sparingly used , will produce a striking impression , and contribute to the general beauty and solemnity of the scene .

DEGREES . Why are there degrees in Freemasonry ? The reason why this question is asked by the men of the world , is because they are men and not schoolboys who are initiated , and because the

whole of the Order could be communicated to them at one time . But still there are degrees , or steps , and truly for this simple reason , as there is no art or science which can be communicated at one time , so neither can

Freemasonry ; and although they are men of mature age who are initiated , yet they require to be proved step by step . Freemasonry is a science which requires both time and experience , and more time than many Masons ,

especially Government officers or tradesmen , can devote to it ; the only time they , in fact , can appropriate to this purpose being their hours of recreation . It is , therefore , good that it is communicated by degrees . Those degrees are

communicated in the lodge at the end of certain determinate periods , or immediately after each other , according to the regulations of the lodge , or the candidate ' s power of comprehension . —Gadickc .

DRESS . At the revival in 1717 , it was directed—and , that there might be no mistake about the matter , the canon was inserted by Anderson and Desaguliers in the earliest code of lectures

knownthat the symbolical clothing of a Master Mason was— " skull-cap and jacket yellow , and nether garments blue . " After the middle of the century , he was said to be " clothed in the old colours , viz ., purple , crimson , and blue ; " and the reason

assigned for it was , " because they are royal , and such as the ancient kings and princes used to wear ; and we are informed by sacred history that the veil of the temple was composed of these colours ; and therefore they were considered

peculiarly appropriate to a professor of a " royal art . " The actual dress of a Master Mason was , however , a full suit of black , with white neckcloth , apron , gloves , and stockings ; the buckles being of silver , and the jewels being suspended

from a white ribbon by way of collar . This disposition prevailed until the Union in 1813 , when it was ordered that in future the Grand Officers

should be distinguished by purple , the Grand Stewards by crimson , and the Master Mason by blue , thus reverting to " the old colours " of our ancient brethren .

THE first number of a new art journal will appear on the 1 st of September . It is called The School of Design , and amongst its contributors arc numbered Sir Digby AVyatt and Mr . Redgrave .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

—& The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . ( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR , —It strikes me that Freemasonry has more to fear from those who profess to be its

supporters than from those beyond its pale , and I have arrived at this conclusion , mainly , from what appears in your journal from time to time in the correspondence columns . I have watched with great interest the difference of opinion respecting what is called the " 1717 theory , "

and , at present , although much valuable space has been taken up in unseeming squabbles , which have even gone as far as personalities , I am not able to say that either side has furnished convincing and irrefragableproof , although from the arguments adduced , and the courteous manner preserved by many of

those who favour the antiquity of the Craft , I am inclined to think they are in the right , for "Truth" is sure to make its way , and does not require " strong language " in its support . But , sir , judge of my horror and surprise , when I find a Mason doubting whether a Book of

Constitions should not take the place of the volume of the Sacred Law . Could an ythi ng more damagi ng to Freemasonry be suggested . Our brother could not have considered the matter ,-he must have expressed himself without due thought . Why , sir , the whole of ourritual ,

ourceremonies , ourlectures , aredrawn from the Bible , and if that Sacred Book is deposed , all our working must be altered . This result could not have occurred to Bro . Buchan , or he would not have penned the words he did .

It is sad when men use the press for the dissemination of wrong principles ; sad , indeed , when they endeavour to undermine an institution that they have solemnly sworn to uphold in its integrity . AVhen I was admitted into Masonry , I was much struck with the important question , " where I placed

my trust , " I was the more impressed when I sealed my obligation by as solemn an oath as it is possible for a Christian to take . Why was I so impressed ? Because it was on the volume of the Sacred Law . Should I have considered it binding had it been

on a book that I had never had the opportunity of studying . Certainly , not ; but when I was told that I was to bind my promise on the Bible , I knew at once there was no withdrawing from an oath made on that Book .

Our Order , like Jacob ' s Ladder , rests on the Sacred Law , and I much regret that any brother should by deed , word or act , endeavour to withdraw so solid a foundation . The Bible is the glory of Freemasonry . From it we draw our splendid lessons on brotherly love ; we arc taught to regard its solemn teaching , to act up to its glorious truths , so

that it may cheer us through life , and when we are called to pass through the \ r alley of the Shadow of Death it will light us to those blest mansions where sorrow and suffering shall be no more . I thank you for your well-timed and outspoken article in last week's issue , and am glad to find that you do not endorse Bro . Buchan ' s opinion , and

, Dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally ,

JESSE OAVEN . 40 , Vorley-rd ., Junction-rd ., Upper Holloway , August 9 th , 1870 . A QUERY .

( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In a bye-law of the lodge in which I am a subscribing member it states that no brother can either vote or fill an office if three months in arrears . Now supposing that a brother has not paid a subscription for the past twelve months , because the lodge is indebted to him

more than ten times the amount of his annual subscription , can he be legally and justly debarred from voting or filling an office to which he may have been elected ? An answer in your journal will oblige , \ ours truly and fraternally , M .

( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I am a subscriber to your FREEMASON , and ////;/ is my only reason for troubling you , not knowing who else to apply to . I desire to ascertain as to the establishment of the Masonic Asylums in your country , how they are supported , how applicants are admitted . I

presume they have codes of bye-la . vs , or regulations , under which they arc managed ; if so , I would like a copy . I am willing to pay for any trouble , and would enclose now , but our currency don't go with you . Trusting you will excuse this liberty , and wishing you every success in your field . I am , fraternally , JESSE B . ANTHONY . Troy , N . Y ., U . S . of A ., July 21 , 1870 .

Original Correspondence.

" PRINCE RHODOCANAKIS . " ( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —May I be allowed to express my opinion on the present discussion respecting the claims of Bro . H . I . H . the Prince Rhodocanakis , 33 ° ? Surelvwhatever brethren may say on either side

, of the question , the illustrious brother should be freed from personalities like those employed by " Common Sense . " I say this , without assuming the claims made by H . I . H . are either right or wrong ; as I am not able to judge , so I do not pretend to decide .

It may safely be concluded that those who support Prince Rhodocanakis ' s claims have no authority from H . I . H . to be personal as " Sp ., " neitherwould"R . AV . L ., " orotherswho have espoused the other side , wish to support any such in advocating their views .

If this subject is to be discussed let it be free from any exhibitions , which to say the least are most un-Masonic and ungentlemanly ; e . g ., who does not know what " 33 " refers to , hence why should that signature be made a subject of ridicule ? If it should be granted that the Byzantine

Empire has not existed for 400 years , but that H . I . H . ' s father is the legitimate descendant of such an Imperial House , would it not be natural for all friends who support this deposed authority , to still give them the titles appertaining formerly to their predecessors ? AVhen Charles II . was no longer in

actual possession of his kingdom , I should still have called him His Majesty the King . Let the proof of H . I . H . ' s connection as the legitimate descendant be forthcoming , and then we can decide . I would like Bro . " Lupus ' s " opinion on this point . Yours truly , W . J . HUGHAN .

Truro , Cornwall , 7 th August , 1870 . ( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Herewith I beg to hand you a letter received from Sir Bernard Burke , the publication of which he authorises .

I remain , dear Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , S . " Sir Bernard Burke presents his compliments , and begs to say that he never gave expression to a single word of disrespect , or supplied any

information with reference to the Prince Rhodocanakis . All Sir Bernard said , when applied to on the subject , was that he had no knowledge of the Prince or the case . " Dublin Castle , 29 th July , 1870 . "

( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR , —There are some errors in my last letter , two of which I trust you will allow me to correct . Instead of the Baron " De Bliars , " read the Baron De Bliss . Instead of " talk talk , " read /

Thc utter absurdity of any man ' s calling himself "Imperial Highness" on the ground of alleged descent from Emperors who reigned hundreds of years ago , is shown by the fact that in countries actually governed by Emperors the title of " Imperial Highness " is restricted to those members of the

Imperial families who form the Court . For instance , your readers would observe that Prince Pierre Napoleon , although a first cousin of a reigning Emperor , when challenging the Count de Rochefort , expressly alluded to his not being an " Imperial Highness , " and neither was he so styled during

his trial at Tours . It is also a curious circumstance that there are " Two Richmonds in the field , " for during the negociations which resulted in the placing of a Danish Prince on the throne of Greece , a certain " Major

Paliaelogus" wrote to the Times , stating that he was the legitimate descendant of the Byzantine Emperors . The Major did not , however , claim to be a "Prince . " A ' ours fraternally , London , Aug . 8 , 1870 . J . A . H .

PERSONAL EXPLANATION . ( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) SIR AND BROTHER , —As you advisedly withheld my letter , whilst publicly replying in an insulting manner , I would beg to point out , what you seem to lack the acutcness to discover , that there is a

broad distinction betwixt an anonymous correspondent who publishes a slanderous letter against a gentleman of social worth , and a third party who points out that the initials of such anonymous libeller are those of one who lacks such distinction . AVith regard to Sir Bernard Burke , to whom

allusion is made in the letter of " A Barrister , " I need only repeat that a Roman Catholic is scarcely likely to be an impartial judge of a case which necessarily involves a charge against one of the heads of his church . In reference to the last letter of " J . A . H ., " I can only say that Prince Rhodocanakis is altogether