Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

THE EOYAL ARCH . Some weeks back Bro . Hughan alluded to the history of the Royal Arch , hut I was prevented at the time from sending you the folloAving remarks which I trouble you with now . With great submission to Bro . Hughan , my own

huaible researches lead me to exactly the opposite conclusion . Instead of depreciating , my investigation would tend to exalt the Royal Arch . It is a theory of some , I know—and our learned Bro . Dr . Findel has given it the sanction of his name

—that Ramsay was practically the author of the Royal Arch , or that , at any rate , it is quite modern . NOAV , a priori , it is much more likely that Ramsay adapted the existing materials , and made use of current traditions , than that he could hope successfully to palm upon Freemasons an entirely new degree of his own manipulation . Nor is it more probable that Dermott would abet

and promote such a childish endeavour . The whole question of the Royal Arch , in its historical and traditional position , turns in reality on the actual extent of the mutilation or development of the third degree . Our Grand Lodge adhered until the union to tho anrienfc form of the third degree . That degree consisted of two parts ; and

some Masonic authorities have stated that the second part was only imparted to the actual Master Masons or master builders . We have numismatic evidence of the antiquity of the second part of the third degree , coeval with the operative lodge of York Masons , certainly in the fifteenth century .

But it is also equally clear that Dermott and his associates extended the second part of the third degree , until they made it a fourth degree , and gaA'e it the name of the Royal Arch . Thus , while the symbolism , and traditions , and distinguishing landmarks of the Royal Arch are undoubtedly old , its nomenclature is as undoubtedly modern .

Dr . OliA'er , in his earlier works seemed , to connect the Royal Arch with England , as he stated , that there was no foreign order or degree Avhich it could be said to resemble . In the last edition of his work on the Royal Arch he seems to think that it may be substantially traced to an inferior grade of the foreign school . ButI

, A'entcre to say that , in this respect , Dr . Oliver ' arguments canuofc be sustained on any reasonable ground of critical or historical inquiry , as it is perfectly evident to all who have studied the subject ¦ fclmt all those foreign grades are a rccltavffca , to use a French expression , of some previously-existing

tradition , or arranged for some special purpose aud to serve some specific end . Ifc is an old observation hoAV completely the traditions of Craft Masonry underlie the superstructure of later chivalric and foreign degrees . That the Royal Arch degree existed in effect long

before Ramsay ' s time could be , I think , easily demonstrated ; but I have said enough . I hope to call Bro . Hughan ' s attention to the subject , as the true history of the Royal Arch is a most interesting subject iu itself , and deserves every effort to elucidate

Masonic Notes And Queries.

it more completely than has been our wont . I hope that , ou reflection , Bro . Hughan will see that the expression "fabricated " ought not to be applied to the Royal Arch . All thafc cau fairly be said is , that the present form and development of the Royal Arch degree is not

earlier than the middle of the eighteenth century , though its substance was in existence long before . — A MASONIC STUDENT . MASONIC CLOTHING AND JEAVELS . 1 . A brother of a lodge in Sunderland was presented with a suit of Provincial clothing ancl jewels .

Cau he wear the jewels , he not being an Installed Master , his present and hi ghest office in Craft lodge being that of Senior Warden . 2 . Can Mark Master ' s jewels be worn iu a Craft lodge according to the rules of Grand Lodge . —< M . M .

[ Answers . —1 . Certainly not ; the clothing should bear the emblem proper to the office of Senior Warden . Both presenters and receiver are in this case Avrong . 2 . If you will take the trouble to obtain a copy of the "Book of Constitutions" of Grand Lodge , just issued , and read it attentively , you -will see that the wearing of any Masonic jewels , emblems , or decorations in a private or Grand Lodge , other than those prescribed , is exoresslv forbidden . —ED . F . M . ]

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor id not responsible for the opinions expressed hy Correspondents . ORDERS OF CHIVALRY . io HIE EDITOR or HIE rcEEirisos-s' MAGAZINE AyD JUSOX-IC minion . Dear Sir aud Brother , — Referring to a speech made by a certain absurd personage , Avho proposed himself as Grand Master of England at the last

meeting of Graud Lodge , I am at a loss to know AA * hat he means by stating the Grand Secretary '' countenances " a schism in the Craft . The "jurisdiction" to Avhich the individual referred is that of au Order of chivalry Avith which Grand Lodge has nothing whatever to do , neither has the Grand

Secretary any connection with the said knightly fraternity , although it is true that his predecessor , the late Bro . Wm . Henry White , as well as the late Duke of Sussex and half-a-score of Provincial Grand Masters , not only c : countenanced" the Order , bufc were " schismatic" enough to be its most active

supporters . The records of the Order in question Avill prove its existence , under the Duke of Sussex , at the union of the two Grand Lodges in 1813 , Avhen the following clause Avas expressly inserted in the Act of Union to legalise ( not recognise ) the meetings of Masons iu the ' Orders of chivalry ilien worked ,

viz ., ' ¦ the Knights Templar , the Red Cross , and the Holy Sepulchre . But this article ¦•is not intended to prevent auy lodge or chapter from holding a meeting in any of the degrees of the Orders of chivalry , according to the Constitution of the said Orders . " Yours fraternally , HONI SOIT Ql ' E 1 I . AL Y PEN 8 E .

* II- " It is declared unci pronounced tli . it pure ancient Masonry consists of three * degress , viz ., those of the Entered Apprentice , the Fellow Craft , and the Master Mason , including ; tlie Supreme Order of the Royal Arch . "