*The words of the prophetic Prior, who doubtless possessed the gift of second sight, would seem to have been actually fulfilled in the reception of Prince Charles Stuart as a Knight Templar at Edinburgh, in 1745, and his elevation to the Grand Mastership of the Order on the demission of Lord Mar.-Freemasons' Review.

A NEW AND VALUABLE MASONIC WORK. THE REV. Brother Dr. GEORGE OLIVER, of Scopwick Vicarage, (Eng) Past Provincial Grand Master for Lincolnshire, and one of the most learned and indefatigable writers and Masons of his age, gives notice in the London Quarterly Review, that he is about to take his leave of the public and the Fraternity as an author, with a series of PRACTICAL LECTURES ON THE HISTORICAL LANDMARKS, and other evidences of Freemasonry, under the arrangement which has been enjoined by the Grand Lodge of England. We give a part of the Doctor's programme of the work, for the information of our readers, and that they may see to what extent the expla nations and illustrations are given in the text-books most approved by our European Brethren. The work will unquestionably be the most important and useful Masonic Manual,-for practical purposes,-ever published. It will of course be adapted to the English system. The learned author says

"In the prosecution of this design I have adopted an arrangement corresponding with the order in which our Degrees are conferred. After an Introduction containing an inquiry into the legality and usefulness of Masonic publications; and two Preliminary Lectures, giving a general view of the landmarks intended to be illustrated, I shall enter upon a series of disquisitions illustrative of the First Tracing Board; in which the Form, Situation, Extent, Ground, (including the first and second Grand Offerings) Support, and Covering of a Lodge, will be dilated on in so many Lectures. The deliverance from Egyptian bondage, and the ancient custom of opening a Lodge on the highest of hills, or in the lowest of valleys, will close the illustrations of the First Degree.

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The Second Degree will open with a Lecture on the symbolical references of the Order. I shall then proceed with a critical examination of the number of workmen employed about the Temple of Solomon; and the system of classification which was adopted in the quarries, the forest, and the mountain of Moriah. The Second Tracing Board will occupy our attention--the Porch and its PillarsJephtha and the Ephramites-the Winding Staircase and its Steps, with their symbolical reference-the Letter G, &c.; and Lectures on the Grand Architect's Six Periods-the Inundation of the Nile-the Twelve Grand Points-and the Third Grand Offering, will close the Second Degree.

"In the Third and its accompanying Degrees and Orders, the subject becomes more diffusive, and will require to be more extensively treated. Accordingly, commencing with the Legend, I shall endeavour to trace its origin amidst the darkness of a remote antiquity, and to explain its symbolical application. Then the nature and design of Freemasonry before the Flood, and the subject of "Worldly Possessions" will be examined; while the Sacred Lodge, the decorations of the Temple, and the sources of King Solomon's wealth, will be discussed in order; as well as the Masonic reference attached to the Fall and Restoration of our first parents. Then follows, in due course, a consideration of the Burning Bush, the Tetragrammaton or Incommunicable Name, and the Rod of Moses, which will be examined, each in a separate Lecture. After which I shall open the Holy Lodge at the foot of Mount Sinai, and consider the application to Masonry of the Ark of the Covenant-the Priestly Orders-the Camp of Israel, and the Banners of the Twelve Tribes; none of which will be dismissed without distinct and exclusive notice. The remarkable events in the reign of Josiah will be considered before we proceed to the Babylonish Captivity, its termination, and the opening of the Grand and Royal Lodge-the building of the Sacred Temple-the Triple Tau, and the departure of the Sceptre from Judah. A careful examination of all

these subjects, so far as they are connected with Freemasonry, will illustrate the fact, that our ancient and Royal Order, is a progressive system, consistent in all its parts, and symbolizing the way to salvation through the merits of a Redeemer who made atonement for the sins of men by the sacrifice of the Cross.

"In the construction of these Lectures, I propose to subjoin copious authorities for every fact and argument that it may be necessary to introduce in illustration of the general system of Freemasonry. The Notes will therefore be extremely numerous, and gathered from every accessible source which is worthy of credence. It is hoped that these Notes will be found of some service in clearing up doubtful or difficult points of discipline and doctrine. They will be selected with great care, and will constitute a series of vouchers for the credibility of every important rite connected with the several Degrees of the Order, which are practised at the present day. They will be a mirror to reflect the opinions-a registry to chronicle the Masonic sentiments of living Masons, not only in this kingdom but in all others, as well as of those who have flourished in by-gone ages. It is true, I do not profess to engage in any formal illustration, beyond the three symbolical or Blue Degrees ending in the Royal Arch and its subsidiary appendages; but every other Order which is in any way allied to Freemasonry, will be incidentally noticed, and its claims to credence briefly investigated. I am anxious that the Brethren should familiarly understand every point, part, and secret connected with the Institution; and though I am not ignorant of the responsibility which will naturally accompany an attempt to communicate this knowledge, yet I flatter myself that I shall be able to accomplish it with a conscientious regard to the terms of my O B, and at the same time, with such perspicuity as may render the explanation plain and intelligible to the Fraternity, while they continue an impenetrable mystery to those who have not had the advantage of initiation.

"In the system, as it is practised in our Lodges, the connection between the seAveral consecutive degrees is not accurately defined; nor perhaps would it be possible, in practice, to establish a series of rites by which that connection could be distinctly impressed upon the mind of a candidate during the ceremony of initiation. This important effect can only be accomplished by the subsequent explanations of a zealous and indefatigable Master; and to do this effectually, he must depart from the usual routine, or rather, he must amplify and illustrate the authorized lectures by the introduction of parallel facts, and explanatory observances, connected with the history and antiquities, manners and customs, laws and usages, of the country and period which may form the subject of disquisition. And there are many reasons that make such a course, under present circumstances, almost impracticable. The Master of a Lodge has generally other objects of pursuit to engage his mind, and occupy his attention, which leave him little leisure to pursue the investigations necessary to accomplish so extensive an undertaking. The present work is intended to supply materials for accelerating these studies. No subject will be left untouched, doubts will be removed, and difficulties explained. The links of connection between the several Degrees will be supplied; and thus the Brethren will be furnished with a clue to direct their inquiries into the right channel: and it may not be too much to anticipate that the path to Masonic knowledge will be thereby relieved, in a great measure, from the difficulties which obstruct the progress of scientific research into the mysteries of the Order."

The learned Doctor adds, that it is his intention" to leave no point unexplained connected with the theory of Masonry, which may be prudently committed to print." He proposes to issue the work in monthly and quarterly parts, the former at twenty five and the latter at seventyfive cents each. It is expected that it will embrace upwards of forty lectures,

viz :-ten on the first Degree, twelve on the second, and twenty on the third, including the Royal Arch,-these, according to the Grand Lodge of England, composing the whole of " pure ancient Masonry."

HON. J. LEANDER STARR.

THIS distinguished Brother has recently been on a visit to our city, and has availed himself of the opportunity to visit several of the Masonic bodies, of different Orders, and to witness their ceremonies. The commander of the Boston Encampment of Knights Templars, M. E. JOHN B. HAMMATT, Esq., obligingly summoned a special meeting of his commandery, and thus afforded the respected visitor an opportunity to witness the excellent manner in which the Order is conferred in that Institution,-which, for accuracy and discipline, is not surpassed by any similar body in this country. Br. Starr, in an excellent and appropriate off-hand speech, paid it the highest compliment, as he did the work of the Lodges and Chapters he had visited. The Sir Knights had prepared a slight entertainment for the occasion, and the evening passed away in the most delightful and satisfactory manner.

It may be proper to state, that Br. Starr holds the responsible and honorable office of Provincial Grand Master for Nova Scotia. His commission, which we have been permitted to examine, is from the Grand Lodge of Scotland, issued under "the sanction of the M. W. Grand Master, the Right Honorable Lord FREDERICK FITZCLARENCE, G. C. H., &c. &c. &c., constituting and appointing the R. W. Brother the Hon. JOHN LEANDER STARR, &c. &c. &c., Halifax, Provincial Grand Master for Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward's Island," with the same powers and authority as are now exercised by Sir ALLAN MCNAB, Provincial Grand Master for Canada.

We have likewise been favored with an examination of Br. Starr's Commission as Grand Prior. It is from Scotland, and is directed by Admiral Sir DAVID MILNE, G. C. B., Grand Master of the Religious and Military Order of the Temple, “constituting and appointing the Hon. J. Leander Starr, Knight Commander of the Order, GRAND PRIOR for Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward's Island, with full powers to erect and consecrate, under his immediate authority, a GRAND PRIORY, to be called the Grand Priory of the Order of the Temple," for Nova Scotia, &c.

The respected Brother left for Halifax in the steamer Britannia, on the 3d ultimo, carrying with him the best wishes of his Brethren in Boston, for his future happiness and prosperity.