Grand Historic Masonic Collection.

Another vory raro set , here complete , is " Colo's Constitutions / from 1728 , engraved on copper plates . Also , the whole of the works of Bro . W . J . Hughan , all editions of which were limited in number , and have become most difficult fco procure .

I believe all the Histories of Freemasonry aro here , and another special feature I have made is the collection of " Lodge Histories . " These are hereabout fifty examples of zeal and research , which I trust all Lodges will follow . Works on the medals of tho Fraternity are

represented by Zacharias' Numismatica , Merzdorf's , Hedlinger ' s , and Marvin ' s publications . A considerable number of French and German Masonic works on all subjects will be found in tho Collection , but nothing foreign except that which is rare or of early dates .

Under the head of Eituals will be found a goodly number of old and rare caricatures and so-called exposures of Masonry , by Prichard , Briscoe , Wilson , and several anonymous writers , which I cannot refer to in this brief sketch , or to other curious old works , snob as " Multa Paucis" of 1763 , " Long Livers" of 1722 , " Blue

Blanket " of 1722 , and others . The whole are catalogued and divided into 17 sections , viz .: Almanacks , Calendars , and Lists of Lodges . Bibliography . Biographies .

Constitutions , Bye-Jaws , and Jnrispru ) . * ot \ Cyclopaedias . Histories of Freemasonry , aud Proceedings of Grand Lodges . Lodge Histories . Works on the Higher Degrees .

Magazines , Journals , and Periodicals . Works on Medals , Numismatics , & e . Polemic Works , for , about , or against Freemasonry . Persecutions of Freemasonry . Rituals , Manuals , and Handbooks .

Sermons , Addresses , and Orations . Song Books and Ode Books . ' Tales , Sketches , & c . Various .

Ten volumes of the latter contain all the pamphlets , scraps , and miicellaneous matter of a hundred different Masonic subjects . The library portion , I believe , contains about 600 volumes . The china and pottery , with the quaint diversity of emblems they bear , I need not allude to .

The framed aprons you see on the walls are quaint specimens of a period when brethren were at liberty to wear any design they chose , and were not confined to a regulation pattern . Three of the engravings are particularly worthy of mention !—The

" Mock Procession" is an original engraving , the copies of 1771 lacking the quaint parlicnlars of the artist's lodgings this bears Clavel ' s "Histoirede la Pittoresqne" you will find in the library gives a reduced copy , and states that only one original existed .

You will see by reference to the old Constitutions that it was the custom in the early times of Grand Lodge for the brethren to form in pr rcession , and escort the Grand Master elect from bis residence to the Freemasons' Hall . This mock procession was organised in 1741 to throw ridicule on the fraternity , and ifc led soon after to a discontimauce of Masonic processions in London .

The print of Count Cagliostro ' s exposure in fche Lodge of Antiquity is also I believe rare . The particulars of the incident are related on theprint . " Picart's " plate shows Pine's List of Lodges of 1734 , copied in the arrangement you see .

Lambert de Lintot ' s allegorical engravings are also scarce . A large number of scarce nnd interesting prints and portraits will be found in the portfolios lying on the table , with the boxes containing a quantity of old and recent lodge summonses , certificates , & c .

Masonic seals and old Lodge seals have had attention in tho im pressions of wax you see on the walls , aud I hope the collection ol such may grow .

Before touching upon the question of medals , I must take this opportunity of referring to a generous gift by a well-known Mnsonic s * ur ' ent . and Lodge historian in Yorkshire , Bro . J . Ramsden Eiley , of Bradford , to whom we are indebted for that framed sheet of obi certificates ,- the rare engraved list of 1776 ; his history of the

Airedale Lodge ; the very scarce first edition of Browne ' s Master Key ol 1798 ; History of the Minden Lodge , and the Musical Entertainer of 1 / 37 , a valuable work engraved by George Bickham jun ., aud dedicated to the Marquis of Carnarvon when Grand Master . It will take mo a far longer time than I have to attempt any

exhaustive description of the four hundred Masonic medals you see . I h-ive endeavoured , by aid of the cards set against each tray , to tnle note of special items . You will be able io find tlie history and origin and description of all up to No . 150 in the catalogue in the centre of the room , bn

time hos failed me to catalogue beyond there at present . A good I * number were nnknown to writ * rs on Masonic medals " , but the re you will be able to trace in A . arvin ' s work on Masonic medal .- * , whic les in the same place . Marvin's book was published in Boston -u 1 * 'S 0 , and has now become the standard woik on Masonic medals .

Ho there catalogues abont 700 medals , about 60 of which he illu .-fc ates . Few persons are aware of this large number of Masoni . medals existing outside the wide field of Lodge jewels and persona dejorations . Marvin says tho largest cabinet then ( 1880 ) was that of the Prov

"rand Lodge of Meckleuberg at Rostock , which contained 324 epeei ynens , the next in importance being tho cabinets of tho Lodges m Ap ilio and Minerva at Leipsic . In America tho Lodge Pythagoras , of Brooklyn , bad a collection rf

about ; 200 specimens . In England theie are no largo collections sa" > e this , except one made by Bro . G . L . Shackles , of Hnll . It will be observed that most of them aro of foreign origin , wberi the striking of medals by the Fraternity has been especially popubr during the last 150 years . They have been etruck chiefly in hononr

Grand Historic Masonic Collection.

of some distinguished member of the Fraternity , or of some event or anniversary in connection with tho Lodges and their members . By the aid of agents ia tho principal cities of the Continent and advertising I havo been fortunate in obtaining many rare and unique specimens .

The fifteen silver medals , Nos . 46 to 60 , were obtained under peculiar circumstances . My efforts to obtain the Swedish medals resulted in acquiring two only . An acquaintance with the chief engraver at the lloyal Mint , Stockholm , enabled ma to advance my wishes- * . Sho ( Madame Loa Ahlborn ) is tho daughter of Lungreo , the

famous Swedish engraver , and donbtless tbe only lady engraver of dies of any note over known . She kindly proffered to wait upon the King of Sweden , and state my object , with the view of obtaining his Majesty ' s assent to her using the old and new dies lying in the Royal mint , for the purpose of supplying me wifch impressions .

King Oscar graciously complied , and the result you have before you . Many of the earliest medals known are in this collection . The whole aro classed as follows : England 117 , Germany 52 , France 106 , Holland 20 , Belgium 20 ,

Sweden 17 , Denmark 1 , Moldavia 1 , Italy 4 , America 52 . Bro . Taylor then went on to describe all the mosfc rare of fche medals exhibited , something like 400 in nnmber , their history and origin , but it would be impossible to do justice to this interesting account without mora space than we have at command , and the

difficulty of description without the medals themselves . We can only congratulate all those who had fche privilege of listening to this interesting and instructive leotnre , and also fche Masons of the Province of Worcestershire , on the opportunity they have of acquiring

so splendid and unique a collection at so small a cost . Bro . Taylor has collected it for a specific purpose , and desires to place ifc at the disposal of the Province at prime cost . Ifc would indeed be a thousand pities to see such a collection , made afc the expense of so much care and labour and private influence , again dispersed .

A cordial vote of thanks to Bro . Taylor , closed Monday ' s proceedings . On Tuesday night , Bro . Hughan had supplied Bro . Taylor wifch a lecture in MSS ., the subject of which was " Connecting Links between Ancient and Modern Masonry . " The lecture was read before

a most appreciative audience , several of whom expressed the pleasure and instruction they had derived from such a graphic and lucid explanation of the subject . A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Bro . Hnghan for his kindness in promising to visit Kidderminster , and under so severe a

family affliction providing for his enforced absence so well . Ifc was coupled with an expression of sincere sympathy in the loss he had sustained . A vote of thanks was again accorded fco Bro . Taylor , who promised , afc the request of the brethren , to allow the collection to remain on view for the remainder of the week .

The Ball.

THE BALL .

A BALL , under the patronage of Sir Edmnnd Lechmera , Bart ., M . P . ' il and members of the Province of Worcester , and under the auspices 'if " Hope * ar ; d Charity" and " Lechmere" Lodges , took place in the Town Hall , Kidderminster , on Wednesday , 3 rd inst . The walls of the room were draped around with red baize to the windows , and the gallery was pirtitioued off and the space underneath formed

into two drawing rooms . The orchestra was decorated with shrubs and fl > wers . Tho following ia a list of those present : — Br * o . A . F . Godson Deputy-Prov . Grand Master ; tbe Mayor and Mayoress of Durham and party , the Mayor and Mayoress of Bridgnorth and party , the Mayor of Kidderminster and party , Bro . G . W .

Grosvenor P . P . G . W . and D . L ., flits . Grosvenor ancl party , Bro . and Miss Awdry and Miss Thring , Bro . and Mrs . Adkins , Mr ? . Barcher , \ Ir . Clifford Bitten , Miss Blagbrongh , Bro . Broomball P . G . S . W ., Miss Broomhall , Miss Mary Broomhall , Mr . E . A . Bildwin , Mr . and Mrs . Brovvett , Bro . C . E . Bloomer , Mr . A . Cooksou , Bro . and Mrs . Comber ,

Bro . J . H . Croksey W . M . 1621 , Bridgnorth , aud Miss Cooksey , Mr . aid Mrs . E . J . Chambers and ft / i .- * s Chambers , Dr . Colbourne , Mr . A . Crabtree , Bro . J . Crabtree , Mr . Emerson , Mrs . II . H . Evans , Mr . Eck , Mr . Fearneley , Bro . G . U . Green , Mr . Z . Green , Mrs . Green , Miss Green , Bro . and the Misses Hadh-y , Mr . A . and Miss L . Hopkins , Mr .

Hodges , Mr . and the Misses Hampton , Mr . Hill , Mr . A . J . and the Misses Inston , Miss Kibble , Bro . G . Lees W . M . 560 Stonrport , Bro . Mackay P . G . S ., Mrs . Mack-ay , Miss Mackay , and Mrs . Taylor , Mr . E . •T . and Mrs . Morton and party , Dr . Macqueen , Bro . Mossop W . M . 1874 Kidderminster , Mrs . Mnssop and Miss Mossop , Miss Owen , Mr . R .

i'i < rce , Mrs . and tho Misses Pott » r , Brn . Perry W . M . Svl-Sfc-urbridae , md Mrs . Perry , Pro . P < got Past G . S . E ., M >* . F . Perrin , Br ,.. Harvey 1 ' ieeu W . M . 377 Kidderminster , and Mrs . Preen and Miss E lith " arry , Mr * , and Mrs . R berfc- * , Mr * , nnd tbe Misses Stone , Mr . Ernest ¦ Jtretton , Mr . E . A . Stretton , Bro . VV . H . and Mrs . Smith and party ,

! ro . E . and MM . Smith . Bro . W . H . Talbot P . G . S ., Mrs . Talbot , •diss Adela Talbot , Mr . E . Talbot , Bro . G . Taylor * P . G . Sec , Irs . Taylor , and Miss Bank- * , Bro . H . Taylor P . G . S ., Brn . and Miss Valo aud Miss Lane , Dr . Waddeil , Brother W . B . William , on , Mr . A . H . Wilson , Brother and Mrs . Westcott , Dr . Webster .

Mr . Gilmer ' s famous band was present , and dancing commeuc d at lalf-past eight and was kept up with spirit until half-past tw . ) . { i-fre . shmetifs wero provided at a buffet , presided over by Mrs . Lan * , in the Corn Exchange . At the supper , the Deputy Provincial Grand 1-ister Bro . God-on , gave the Qaeeu and the Craft . After snpp ; r

by request of D . P . G . M ., Bro . Harvey Preen , W . M . of tho Hoi e a d " ¦ -urity Lodge , 377 , Kidderminster , gave tbe ancient Tyler ' s t . asfc — "To all poor and distressed Misons , wherever disp *?* erl o ' er lam . a > d ' ¦•a , a speedy return to their native country , if g they desiro . od

deserve it . " We b d nearly ' ori * otten to mention bat Bro . Awdry , as Master of C <* - * rem < i * iic" » , discharged the duties t' at devolved upon i m with all that tact and ability which distingui * ie 3 everything he under takes . Kidderminster Suit .