Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine, Or General And Complete Library.
granted them a dispensation to form a Lod ge , and to make Masons . They accordingly met at the White Hart in the Strand , and Mr , Preston was the second person initiated under that dispensation . The Lodge was soon after regularly constituted by the Officers of the Antient Grand Lodge in person . Having increased considerably in numbers , it was found necessary to remove to the Horn Tavern in
Fleet-street , where it continued some time , till that house being unable to furnish proper accommodations , it was removed . to Scots Hall , JBlackfriars . Here it continued to flourish about two years , when the decayed state of that building obliged them to remove to the Half Moon Tavern , Cheapside , where it continued to meet for a con ~ siderable time .
At length , Mr . Preston and some others of the members having joined a Lodge under the regular English Constitution , at the Talbot Inn in the Strand , they prevailed on the rest of the Lodge at the Half Moon Tavern to petition for a Constitution . Lord Blaney , at that time Grand Master , readil y acquiesced with the desire of the Brethren , and the Lodge was soon after constituted a second time in ample form ;
by the name of The Caledonian Lodge . The ceremonies observed , and the numerous assembly of respectable Brethren who attended the Grand Officers on this occasion , must long be remembered to the honour of that Lodge . This circumstance , added to the absence of a very skilful Mason , to whom Mr . Preston was attached , and who had departed for
Scotland on account of his health , induced him to turn his attention to the Masonic Lectures ; and , to arrive at the depths of the Science , short of which lie did not mean to stop , he spared neither pains nor expence . Wherever instruction could be acquired , thither he directed his course , and , with the advantage of a retentive memory , and an . extensive Masonic connection , added to a diligent literary research , he so far succeeded in his purpose as to become a competent Master
cf the subject . To increase the knowledge he had acquired , he solicited the company and conversation of the most experienced Masons from foreign countries ; and , in the course of a literary correspondence with the Fraternity at home and abroad , made such progress in the mysteries of the Art , as to become very useful in the connexions he had formed . He has frequently been heard to say , that in the ardour
of his enquiries he has explored the abodes of poverty aud wretchedness , and , where it might have been least expected , acquired very valuable scraps of information . The poor Brother in return , we are assured , had no cause to think his time or talents ill bestowed . He was also accustomed to convene his friends once ov twice a week , in order to illustrate the Lectures ; on which occasions objections
were started , and explanations given , for the purpose of mutual improvement . At last , with the assistance of some zealous friends , he was enabled to arrange and digest the whole of the First Lecture , To establish its validity he resolved to submit to the Society at large the progress he had made , and for that purpose he instituted , at a very considerable expence , a grand Gala at the Crown and Anchor Tavern
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine, Or General And Complete Library.
granted them a dispensation to form a Lod ge , and to make Masons . They accordingly met at the White Hart in the Strand , and Mr , Preston was the second person initiated under that dispensation . The Lodge was soon after regularly constituted by the Officers of the Antient Grand Lodge in person . Having increased considerably in numbers , it was found necessary to remove to the Horn Tavern in
Fleet-street , where it continued some time , till that house being unable to furnish proper accommodations , it was removed . to Scots Hall , JBlackfriars . Here it continued to flourish about two years , when the decayed state of that building obliged them to remove to the Half Moon Tavern , Cheapside , where it continued to meet for a con ~ siderable time .
At length , Mr . Preston and some others of the members having joined a Lodge under the regular English Constitution , at the Talbot Inn in the Strand , they prevailed on the rest of the Lodge at the Half Moon Tavern to petition for a Constitution . Lord Blaney , at that time Grand Master , readil y acquiesced with the desire of the Brethren , and the Lodge was soon after constituted a second time in ample form ;
by the name of The Caledonian Lodge . The ceremonies observed , and the numerous assembly of respectable Brethren who attended the Grand Officers on this occasion , must long be remembered to the honour of that Lodge . This circumstance , added to the absence of a very skilful Mason , to whom Mr . Preston was attached , and who had departed for
Scotland on account of his health , induced him to turn his attention to the Masonic Lectures ; and , to arrive at the depths of the Science , short of which lie did not mean to stop , he spared neither pains nor expence . Wherever instruction could be acquired , thither he directed his course , and , with the advantage of a retentive memory , and an . extensive Masonic connection , added to a diligent literary research , he so far succeeded in his purpose as to become a competent Master
cf the subject . To increase the knowledge he had acquired , he solicited the company and conversation of the most experienced Masons from foreign countries ; and , in the course of a literary correspondence with the Fraternity at home and abroad , made such progress in the mysteries of the Art , as to become very useful in the connexions he had formed . He has frequently been heard to say , that in the ardour
of his enquiries he has explored the abodes of poverty aud wretchedness , and , where it might have been least expected , acquired very valuable scraps of information . The poor Brother in return , we are assured , had no cause to think his time or talents ill bestowed . He was also accustomed to convene his friends once ov twice a week , in order to illustrate the Lectures ; on which occasions objections
were started , and explanations given , for the purpose of mutual improvement . At last , with the assistance of some zealous friends , he was enabled to arrange and digest the whole of the First Lecture , To establish its validity he resolved to submit to the Society at large the progress he had made , and for that purpose he instituted , at a very considerable expence , a grand Gala at the Crown and Anchor Tavern