Freemasonry Considered.

1768 , when , in consequence of a disturbance which took place in Paris , an inquiry was set on foot to ascertain if the degree called Kadosh was not the same as the Order of Knights Templars , upon which the Grand Orient of Paris and of Berlin

changed the name to that of Knights of the Black and White Eagle , and removed from it all that incited the Knights to take vengeance ( sic /) on the Knights of Malta , whom , the greater part of Masonic writers falsely believed to have been the

depoilers and destroyers of the Templars , instead of having been their friends , whose fate they narrowly escaped sharing . Documents such as this precious proclamation bring discredit upon Masonry , and at this day

Masons should rally round the firm ground of St . John ' s Masonry , and cease to bolster up unworkable degrees , loud-sounding in name and imposing in bombastic ceremonial , but utterly worthless to advance the true interests of the Craft , and totally

at variance with common sense and historical fact . These degrees seem only to benefit the manufacturers of jewels ; in many instances the jewel is of more consequence to the recipient than the degree . These degrees at some future time may , like an over-weighted capital , hurl down the shaft and shatter the vase . Still more should Masons

reprobate and denounce all forgeries , which , while pretending to givea greater importance to Masonry , only bring down upon the Order the contempt of the scholar and the reproach of the world . Masonry requires no false supports , which are apt

to tumble down and crack the character of their suppliers . She has sufficient of herself to sustain her dignity and place , without asking the aid of mendacious , although zealous adherents . In the next chapter will be considered the ori gin of the so-called Hants Grades .

Notes By An Occasional Scottish Correspondent.

NOTES BY AN OCCASIONAL SCOTTISH CORRESPONDENT .

THE ENGLISH AGEICULTUEAL LABOUEEES . E ' en in the peaceful rural vale , Truth , weeping , tells the mornful tale , How pamper'd luxury , flattery by her side . The parasite empoisening her ear , With all the servile wretches in the rear ,

Looks o ' er proud property extended wide ; And eyes the simple rustic hind , Whose toil upholds the glitt ' ring show , A creature of another kind , Some coarser substance unrefined , Placed for her lordly use thus far below!— Rums . Some little time back there apneared in the

Notes By An Occasional Scottish Correspondent.

FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE an article dwelling upon the miserable position of agricultural labourers and their families in some parts of England consequent upon the wretched pittance accorded them iu the shape of wages .

We have another illustration of the force of the remarks upon this subject in the recent strike of ao'i-icultural labourers in Buckinghamshire . These unfortunates , in the course of the statement they have made explainiug the reasons

which have compelled them to take this step , remark : — " We have worked all the winter at 9 s . and 10 s . per week . We ask that we may live

—not as paupers—but by our own industry . " The statement referred to having already appeared in our various newspapers , it would be needless here to reproduce it , all the facts of the case beingdoubtless well-known to your readers .

It is gratifying to find that some practical philanthropists are taking active steps with a view to obtain elsewhere for the labourers that which they very reasonably desire—a fair days wage for a fair days labour . These philanthropists ,

admitting the justness of the claims of the labourers , have practised that virtue—charitywhich is held so high in the estimation of every true Freemason : and it becomes a source of

gratification to find , men who have thus shown so thoroughly their appreciation of the force of what our illustrious ploughman Bard says in the lines : — " Afflictions sons are brothers in distress ,

A brother to relieve , how exquisite the bliss !" Now , as it is stated in the public journals that it is contemplated to arrange for the emigration of some of the labourers and their families , it may not be out of place here to consider the

oftrecurring question as to which is the best field for emigration ; and in . the present case that adapted more especially for the utilisation of such labour as by the infatuation of English farmers is being driven iroui our shores .

The following facts , therefore , concerning the Western States of America , by Mr . G . L . Henderson , of 390 , Upper Brown-street , Glasgow , a Scotchman , who has been resident in Iowa for 21 years , are worthy of being made known as

an useful contribution serving for the guidance of those who are interesting themselves on behalf of the Buckinghamshire farm-labourers , and generally as being worthy of the perusal of the intending emigrant . The value of the statements made by