Masonic Notes And Queries.

could recognise them . The Emperor and General Lawriston entered , seated themselves under a column , and listened to the debates for more than an hour . Napoleon , well assured that the denunciation was false , retired satisfied . At the close of the evening , the W . M . of the lodge informed the brethren of the

illustrious visitor who had been with them . The enthusiasm was extreme , and all exclaimed , " Long live Napoleon the Great , our Emperor . "—Gluvel's ^ History of Masonry . —2 .

MASONEY UNDER NAPOLEON . The Marshal Duke of Rovigo , Minister of the Police of Paris , was the only agent of the power who had not joined any lodge . One day he thought there must be some evil in those meetings , and shortly after he suspended the Grand Orient . But Prince Cambaceres

, Arch Chancellor , who was the third person in the Empire , and a zealous and talented brother , took their defence in hand , and they were never afterwards troubled . —Clavel's History of Masonry . —2 .

EARLY MASONEY IN NEAV HAMPSHIEE . As man } ' of the names in the records of the Portsmouth Lodge in 1739 are those of old families in New England , it would be an agreeable task for some of the New England geneaologists to identify them . ¦ —HYDE CLAEICE , 196 A , Piccadilly .

ITALIAN EEEEMASONKY . The distinctions of the Italian Freemasons is not that of rites , but that of politics . The Garibaldi Grand Lodge is under the direction of the ultraliberals—the Turin Grand Lodge under that of the moderate or ministerial partyand there is one good

, effect that the officials are compelled to promote Masonry , which they would otherwise persecute . They are anxious for a union , and it will most likely be effected ; but at present Ereemasonry in Italy is ^ suffering from the same bane as in France , Spain , and Portugal . Continental Ereemasonry under French

auspices is essentially political , and consequently presents no effective views of union with English Masonry . —¦ * . * . * .

I 3 IP 0 ETANT DEPAETUEE EB 01 I THE LANDMAEKS . It is too notoriously known that , immediately the candidate arrives , and all things are ready in tho lodge for his reception ,, that heis taken to the proper apartment to be prepared in the usual Masonic way , without any kind of previous test or oath put to

him ; he is then allowed to witness another ceremony peculiar to this occasion , and after that another ; then he is conducted to the proper place , and witnesses another ; he is then directed to perforin a certain ceremony himself , and witnesses others , till he gains admission into the lodge ; and , shocking to relate ,

though notoriously known by almost every novice in Masonry , he actually goes through full four-fifths of the ceremony of the initiation before the oath is administered to him ¦ he then receives the whole of the 0 . B . before it is possible to ascertain whether or not he will consent to confirm it by saluting the hol

y writings . JS ' ow , can there possibly be a greater absurdity and derogation from the ancient landmarks of our Order , than this most preposterous of all preposterous blundering dangers ?—W . F .

THE VISITING BBETHEEN ' S SONG , As sung in Lodge Excelsior by Bro . W . II . Abbot . Air : Garry Owen . 1 . You may roam tbrougb this place some new pleasure to seek ,

And in search of excitement may try every dodge , But wherever j'ou go an ) ' day in the week , You'll enjoy yourself most when you visit this lodge . For if hearts that glow like burning coal , Full of social love and right good cheer , Are comrades who most delight the soul , You're sure to enjoy yourselves when come here .

you Then remember whenever for fun your inclined , When at home disengaged and with nothing to do , On the first and third Tuesday of each month you'll find , 'Mid the hearts of " Excelsior" a welcome for you . 2 .

Our lodge is a young one , an infant m years , Of antiquity ' s honours it cannot yet boast , Yet it already feels that true love ivhich endears To a visiting brother the heart of his host . Yes ; we Excelsiors feel that " mystic tie " Which binds alike the rich and-poor , And with heaving heart and kindly eye ,

We welcome all who enter our door . Then remember whenever for fun you're inclined . When at home disengaged and with nothing to do , On tbe first and third Tuesday of each month you'll find , 'Mid the hearts of "Excelsior" a welcome for you . 3 .

Our guests here to-night will , we hope , come again To join in our work and partake of our cheer , A-nd let them not think that they come here in vain , For they help us upstairs , aud they gladden us here . Eor Excelsior loves her guests to see , Where her songs are song and her wine is poured , And those guests to lease their hosts should be

p A host in themselves at her festive board . Then remember whenever for fun you ' re inclined , When at home disengaged and with nothing to do , On the first and third Tuesday of each month you'll find , 'Mid the hearts of " Excelsior" a welcome for you .

IUETHEE LIGHT IN MASONEY . " Masonry is a progressive science , " say the lectures , and as a brother advances in the mysteries , he advances in knowledge . The newly-initiated brother asks for light ; the Craftsman , as yet uninstructed , requires more light ; the Master Workman , that he may perform the duties that appertain to his new

dignity , informs us that his fgreat desire is further light in Masonry . Are these requests of the inquiring brothers legitimate ? Have they the right to demand the instruction for which they have already paid ? If so , then it is the duty of those who take upon themselves the office of dispersers of light to qualify

themselves for their profession . If I mig ht be allowed to express thus publicly the conviction that is often forced upon my mind by Avhat I nightly see , it is this : —The farthing rushlight placed in the hands of young brethren in most lodges , serves only to make the darkness visible . . The great principles of our

beloved Order , its true history , its landmarks , its philosophy , its morality , and , if you please , its theology , are so little understood even by the most active members of the lodges , and consequently so indifferently explained to the intelligent gentlemen