Albion Lodge, Quebec, And Origin Of Freemasonry In North America.

1721 . " He will likely find it is a mistake to add the year after Quebec , but thab 1721 is credited to the previous Lodge on the List , and the one afterwards . No Calender of mine , published by tho Grand Lodge of England , has any year to No . 17 , nor have I ever seen any . The custom , since 1815 , has been to insert tho years of the constitution of the regular or "Modern" Lodges , and to leave

blanks after the descriptions of the Lodges formerly under the " Ancients , " or seceders , by Avhich means tho Lodges of both organizations are easily noted . Until recently , for some years , the dates of constitution of several old Lodges have been incorrectly given in the Calenders of the Grand

Lodge of England , hence tho year 1721 has been p laced after certain Lodges instead of 1722 , and was doubtless so printed in tho copy seen by tho writer of the notice in the Square . Even then , however , the year only had reference to tho " Modern " Lodges , and never to No . 17 , or of any Lodge of the " Ancients . "

In my List of Lodges on tho Roll of the two Grand Lodges immediately preceding and following the " Union , " the years of constitution are given correctly , and indeed were mostly taken from the old Calenders of last century , or from the authorized Bye-Laws of Lodges containing historical sketches . The following extract includes all tho Lodges to No . 20 , and to fully explain the matter , I have , as far as possible , inserted the years of constitution of the " Ancients" subsequently : —

. _ -, No . after No . in No . in Moderns in NAMB AKD LOCATION . Union 1813 , 1813 , G ' on-1883 ( 1814 ) . Moderns Ancients stituted .

Grand Stewards' lodge , London — — — 1735 1 Grand Masters' Lodgo , London 1—1 * 2 Antiquity Lodge , London ... 2 1 - { immemorial . 3 Fidelity Lodgo , London 3 — 2 * 4 Somerset House , London ... 4 2 " { immemorial .

B St . George ' s Lodge , London ... 5 — 3 * 8 Friendship Lodge , London ... 6 3 — 1721 7 Royal York Lodge , London ... 7 — 4 * 8 British Lodge , London 8 4 — 1721 0 Albion Lodge , London 0 — 6 * 10 AVestminster Lodge , London ... 10 5 — 1721 11 Knoch Lodge , London 11—6 * 12 Fortitude Lodge , London ... 12 10 — 1722 13 Union AVaterloo , London .,. 13 — 7 *

11 Tuscan Lodge , London 11 7 — 1723 16 Kent Lodge , London . 15—8 * 16 Royal Alpha Lodge 16 8 — 1722 17 Albion Lodgo , Quebec 17—9 * 18 Old Dundee Lodge , London .., 18 9 — 1722 10 Royal Afchelstan Lodge , London 19 — 10 * 20 Royal Kent Lodge , Chatham ... 20 10 ' — 1723

Eleven out of this list of Lodges belonged to " Moderns " ( so-called ) , the first of which was constituted 1735 ( Grand Stewards' Lodge ) , the next two existed before the formation of the Premier Grand Lodge of the World afc London , 1717 , the succeeding three were warranted in 1721 , tho next four in 1722 , and the last in 1723 . The remaining ten Lodges are all "Ancients , " and I distinguish them with an asterisk

(*) . No . 1 was constituted in 17 o 9 , ancl having ceased to work was revived in 1787 . No . 3 was constituted after 1750 , aud so icere all the vest . No . 7 Avas constituted A . D . 1751 , according to its Centenary Warrant . No . 9 originated in 1751 , bnt had a second charter in 1774 , and No . 19 , was started in 1769 , according to an excellent history of that Lodge which was printed recently . It will be seen that there

are two Lodges by tho name of Albion , Nos . 9 and 17 . The first Avas , as I havo said , started A . D . 1751 , but tho date of origin of the second No . 17 I havo not been able to determine , but that its Warrant should testify , if preserved , and I hopo that tho friendly discussion on tho subject will bo the means of securing the publication of that document if it is still preserved . For certain it Avas

after No . 9 of the same name of A . D . 1751 , and likely enough not long before No . 12 of A . D . 1769 , of tho samo jurisdiction . No . 17 was formerly held in the Eoyal Artillery , at Quebec , and that changed tho name to tho " Albion , " as it now stands under the Grand Lodge of Quebec . It petitioned the Grand Lodgo of England recentl y for a Centenary Warrant to enable tho members to wear a Centenary Jewel

according to the English custom , though the Lodge had left that jurisdiction and joined the Grand Lodge of Quebec . The prayer of the petitioners Avafe supported by their Grand Master , and accordingly the members were allowed the privilege desired . Doubtless , as Bro . Norton states , the old and new styles of chronology rendered ifc awkward occasionally in deciding as to the years of

constitution , but supposing the years recorded on our list of Lodges were according to the old stylo , Avhich they are not , tho Warrants must have beenissued prior to 25 th March of each year to be affected by tho alteration . I support Bro . Norton ' s statement most warml y that a history of

the Albion Lodge at Quebec ( No . 17 when under the Grand Lodge of England ) , " accompanied with quotations from its records , would be a valuable addition to Masonic literature , " ancl I hope the Canadian Masonic Neies will succeed in obtaining that boon for Masonic students .

I may state that afc tho present time there are FORTY Lodges under the Grand Lodgo of England warranted prior to the existence of the " Ancients , " ancl consequently before the constitution of any of its Lodges , including the Albion Lodge , Quebec ( Royal Artillery , formerly ) , under which organization it was numbered nine . In conclusion I will add that I shall be happy at any time to furnish information respecting tho old Lodges under the Grand Loch'e of England , through the columns of my friend The Keystone .

CHINESE CARViifo . —For Sale , an elaborately carved Set of Ivory Chessmen The Kings stand 8 } inches high , the other pieces in proportion . Knights and Pawns on horseback , all mounted on stands , with concentric balls . Can be Been , and full particulars obtained , Oft amplication to W . Wi MQBW , 6 ? Barbicafi .-vifUf .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications . AH Letters must bear the name and . address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , bnt as a guarantee of good faith .

MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE . —THE MARK DEGREE .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIK AND BROTHER , —It is very good of your correspondents to seek enlightenment , but , for myself , I must ask permission to refrain from expressing any opinion on tho status of Mark Masonry , or the rights , privileges or position of Mark Master Masons under the

jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge or Grand Chapter of Scotland . Truth to tell , I am not sure that I thoroughly understand the question . All I will now say is , that the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England is desirous of cultivating amicable relations with all Supreme Bodies by whom tho Mark Degree is recognized , and to be on fraternal

terms with all those Bodies who deem ifc prudent to withhold recognition of the Mai-k Degree . The doors of her Lodges are open to all brethren as visitors , and to receive them as affiliated members if they can produce proof of being regularly advanced Mark Master Masons , i . e ., advanced in a constitutionally established body authorised to confer the Mark Degree .

I am , dear Sir and Brother , Yonrs faithfully and fraternally , 11 th July 1876 . FREDERICK BINCKES .

To the Editor of THE FREEJIASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I am glad that my letter has elicited those of " Q „ " and "Nons Vorrons . " The former has gone into the subject more elaborately than I ventured to do , from fear of trespass , ing upon your valuable space , and " N . V . " supplies the data that he wanted . He may also find a confirmation of the agreement between

tho Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter for Scotland in the Grand Chapter Eeporter for 1861 . I had no doubt as to the legal right , though I may question tho desirability of Scotch Lodges making Mark Masters , if they confine themselves to the law as quoted , merely " Including the Marie-, which , however , Grand Lodge does nofc recognise as a separate degree . "

Knowing that Bro . Binckes has devoted considerable time to the elucidation of the Mark degree , I ventured to ask " Our Hercules " to take this small additional labour , ancl elucidate this part of the question , namely , is a brother so made eligible to take his seat in an English Mark Lodgo or a Scotch ono , bearing in mind that the latter is essentially a Eoyal Arch Chapter , Avorking for the time in that

degree ? Bro . Laurie , tho son and successor in office of tho John Laurie who signed the circular quoted by " N . V ., " and the Grand Scribe E ., Comp . Mackersay , should be able to say authoritatively , the one if the Lodges acting in the way specified in my former letter are exceeding

their poAvers , and the other , if members so admitted into the Order are entitled to all the rights and privileges of those regularly initiated in a Mark Lodge working under a Charter from tho Grand Chapter , or if the principals of these Chapters are justified in refusing admission of such brethren ponding that decision . Fraternally yours , W . G . EELKEHW .

Bro. Baxter Langley And His Critics.

BRO . BAXTER LANGLEY AND HIS CRITICS .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I hold that Bro . Baxter Langley is perfectly right , aud that he is receiving very harsh treatment at the hands of your contemporary and his correspondents . Bro . Langley ' s ideas aro the result of study , shared in by vast numbers in this age of

unshackled thought ancl earnest enquiry . Have those who condemn him , and are attempting to throw obloquy upon his outspoken utterances , ever mastered the painstaking researches of Godfrey

Higgins , Hargreave Jennings , and the hosts of those who have made the cults of the world their study ? Let our brother be content . When time and opportunity serve , there will not be found Avantiug brethren with will and ability to support him . Yours and his , 12 th July 1876 . A SYMiwrnisisa STUDENT .

Tlie consecration of the "West Middlesex Lodge , No . 1612 , is fixed for this day ( Saturday ) . The ceremony will be performed by V . W . Bro . John Hervey , Grand Secretary , who will be assisted by Bro . II . G . Buss , Prov . Grand

Treasurer for Middlesex . Bro . Hervey will aftei-Avards instal Bro . A . Beasley , P . M . No . 780 , as Worshipful Master . The brethren will meet at the Institute , Ealing , at half-past three o ' clock , and there will be a . banquet at . Brown ' s Railway Hotel at six p , m ,