Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

867 ] AN OLD MASONIC DOCUMENT . I have received from the Secretary of the Castlederg ( Co . Donegal , Ireland ) Lodge 799 ( Bro . Irwin ) a most peculiar old document . It vvas found in an old lodge chest , vvhich is supposed to have belonged to Lodge 705 ( now extinct ) , and in this chest amongst other relics vvere several sets of " Emblems of Mortality , " several

pounds of gunpowder , and a cable tow like a ship ' s hawser , also some other very old documents , amongst which are a Master ' s certificate and Royal Arch warrant , & c . The document 1 have bears a date of 1822 , and the watermark on the paper is 1821 , and from the following remarks , vvhich I copy from it , bears out this

date , for the Honourable Mrs . Aldvvorth , the " Lady Freemason , " only died in 1 S 00 , and Lord Aberdourwas G . M . in 1755 . In describing a portion of the ceremony it says : "This is done lest a woman should offer herself , and though many women are as flat-chested as some men , the brethren are generally satisfied with a slight

inspection , I would advise them to be more cautious , for it is probable that a woman with a tolerable degree of effrontery and spirit may one time or other slip into their Order for want of necessary prudence . If vve believe the Irish , there is a lady at the present time in Ireland who has gone through the ceremony , and is as

good a Mason as any of them . " From the above and another remark , I also infer the writer vvas a Scotchman . A sketch is given of a drawing made on the lodge floor : " At the upper part of the room , which is generally done with chalk , or chalk and charcoal intermingled , though some lodges use tape and little nails to

form it , which prevents any mark or sign on the floor . " And further on it states : " The new made Mason ( though ever so great a gentleman ) must take a mop from a pail of water and wash it out . ' - ' Still further on it describes this drawing as " the Grand Building , termed the ' Masonic Palaces , ' and is described with

the greatest exactness . They also draw other Figures , one of vvhich they call the ' laced Tuft , ' and the other the ' Throne beset with Stars ; ' there is also represented " a perpendicular line in the form of an instrument of a Mason called a Plumb line , and another figure vvhich represents the Tomb of Hiram , the first Grand Master ,

who has been dead almost three thousand years . " It explains that " Tubal Cain was the first person who made use of brass , iron , and other metals , and is said to be the inventor of music . His descent vvas from the fifth generation of Cain . " In another portion it goes on to say , " The reader is desired to observe , that

I here give the whole of the lectures as delivered in the primitive time , but the modern Masons leave out at least one half . " It introduces a beautiful Masonic prayer , beginning as follows : " 0 Lord God thou Great and Universal Mason of the World , and first Builder of Man , as it vvere a temple , be with us , O Lord , as

thou hast promised , & c . " Most particular instructions are given as to the "Form observed in Drinking ' — which begins thus— "The Table being plentiful ! stored with different kinds of Liquor , & c , and every man a glass before him , he fills it with whatever he pleases , & c . " It goes on to give the " Fellow Craft ' s Song " in full ,

and makes a note at the last line of verse four— " Distinguished by the badge vve wear . "— " Here the whole lodge strike their right hand all at once on their aprons , keeping as regular time as the soldiers in St . James ' s Park when they strike their cartouch boxes . " In the last verse it explains on the line " From Jubal down to

Burlington" that "Burlington was the late Grand Master ; at present Lord Aberdour fills the station . " In opening the lodge , it goes on to say that " The Master takes off his hat , and declares the lodge to open as follows : ' M . This Lodge is open in the name of the Holy St . John , forbidding all cursing , swearing , or

whispering , and all profane discourse whatever , under no less penalty than what the majority shall think proper . The Master then gives knocks on the table with a wooden hammer , and puts on his hat , the other brethren being uncovered ; then they sit down and drink promiscuously , or take a pipe of tobacco . ' "

These are but a few extracts from this peculiar old document , in vvhich , as it states , " is embodied the whole of the Lectures as delivered in the primitive time , " and throws a strong side light on the conduct of Masonry by our Forefathers . JOS . L . CARSON 1 . 891 I . C ) .

868 ] PICART'S CEREMONIES .

In No . 860 "Notes and Queries I referred to " Picart ' s Ceremonies " particularly in relation to the p late of lodges on the English register , of A . D . 1735 , which in some copies are reversed . Thanks to my fellow Masonic bibliographer , Bro . E . T . Carson , of Cincinnati , I am able now to pretty well settle the

point . The orig inal plate of the work at Amsterdam , of A . D . 173 6 { Edition 1723 , & c ) , Vol . VI ., has the numbers of lodges running from left to right , so also has the edition of nine volumes ( English ) , 1 743 , a set of vvhich Mr . James Roche , of 3 8 , New Oxford-street , has for sale at £ 3 18 s . 6 d . Another Amsterdam

edition of 17 8 9 ( Vol . IV . ) , and likewise the Paris set of 1807—10 ( vvhich Mrs . Bennett had for sale , as noted in my communication of November 30 th , 188 9 ; but at once purchased by my friend , Bro . S . R . Baskett , of Evershot ) , also have the plate from left to rig ht . Bro . T . H . Emmons , of Boston ,

Masonic Notes And Queries.

U . S . A . kindl y writes to tell me that the copy ( with others ) in General Lawrence ' s Masonic library , published at Zurich ( a very rare edition ) 1739-44 , is also of the same character , so that in all the foregoing the plate is of the usual order as respects arrangement . Bro . Carson , however , has an English edition 1733-9 ( which is also in the British Museum , but vvas engaged

officially when I vvas last there ) in vvhich the celebrated plate reads from right to left , so that he considers possibly this engraving by Claude de Bose , began the reverse system , vvhich quite spoils the effect of the arrangement . It is No . 1134 in Bro . Carson's important " Masonic Bibliography , " which work , alas , is still incomplete , but I hope the zealous author vvill soon set about finishing it . W . J . HUGHAN ,

869 ] AN ISTH CENTURY EDICT . The Kentish Post , August 21 , 175 1 , has the following " Naples , August 3 rd . Ever since the publication of His Majesty ' s Edict against the Free and Accepted Masons , it vvas generally conjectured that there vvere several persons of Distinction possessed of important posts

who would soon be obliged to resign . His Majesty gave strict orders for a very narrow inspection into their conduct , and to sound the affair if possible to the bottom . The Commissaries who vvere instructed with such scrutiny , have not only used their utmost endeavours to sift out the Secret , but have actually made their

Report to His Majesty , and assured him , that after the strictest enquiry they vvere capable of making they could find no just grounds to charge them with any principles that were either dangerous to the State , or inconsistent with the Laws of their Religion , as vvas at first very strongly surmised , and that for those reasons ,

they could not in justice carry into execution those rigourous powers with vvhich they had been entrusted till they could get some visible Foundations for such severe proceedings . Upon the above Report His Majesty has been graciously pleased to give orders that all Prosecutions against all such suspected Persons should forthwith cease . " H . SADLER .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft flDasonvy .

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS .

Canonbury Lodge ( No . 657 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street , on the 13 th ult . Among those present were Bros . F . S . Eve , F . R . C . S ., VV . M . ; A . T . Trehearne , S . W ., W . M . elect ; Hicks , J . W . ; W . Maple , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Middx . ; G . P . Gillard , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Middx ., Sec ; Edwards , S . D . ; H . S . Trehearne , J . D . ; Chapman ,

P . M ., 'acting I . G . ; Lieut .-Col . Macmahon , P . M . ; Gardiner , P . M . ; Warner , P . M . ; Dr . Garson , I . P . M . ; and others . Among the visitors were Bros . Sir John Monckton , P . G . W . ; P . de Lande Long , P . G . D . ; Capt . Walls , P . P . G . W . Middx . ; Pearse , P . P . G . R . Middx . ; Drew , W . M . 733 ; and others . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read

and confirmed , the report of the Audit Committee was received and adopted . Bro . George Greenwood vvas passed to the Second Degree in an able and efficient manner by the W . M . The ballot was taken on behalf of Bro . Lucas Rumsey , 1 S 16 , as a joining member . At the request of the W . M ., Bro . Sir John Monckton assumed the chair and installed Bro . A . T . Trehearne as W . M ., assisted by Bros .

Maple , as S . W . ; Pearse , as J . W . ; and Chapman , I . G . The addresses being given by Bro . Dr . Garson , I . P . M . The ceremony vvas most ably performed . Among- the officers appointed and invested were Bros . Hicks , S . VV . ; Edwardes , J . W . ; Maple , Treas . ; Gillard , Sec . ; H . S . Trehearne , S . D . ; Debro , J . D . ; and Chapman , I . G . Bro . Maple , P . M ., moved , vvhich was seconded , and carried

unanimously , " That the sum of live sfuineas be given from the Charity Fund to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons . " A Past Master ' s jewel having been presented to Bro . Eve , I . P . M ., a vote of thanks was passed to Bro . Sir John Monckton for his services as Installing Officer . The lodge vvas then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet , which was served in the large hall of the

tavern . The usual toasts followed . Bro . Sir John Monckton replied on behalf of " The Grand Officers" in an effective speech . Bros . P . de Lande Long and Fillan responded to the toast of "The Visitors . " The proceedings were well carried out , and reflected great credit on the Treasurer and Secretary .

Westbourne Lodge ( No . 733 ) . —The first installation meeting of this lodge since its removal to the Holborn Restaurant , took place on Thursday , the 20 th ult ., when members and visitors , numbering considerably over 100 , assembled to celebrate the completion of the 31 st year ' s existence of this successful lodge . The W . M ., Bro . \ V . Drew , who has presided during the jiast year in a

manner conducive to the good working of the lodge and harmony amongst the members , had an opportunity , of which he made good use , of evincing his knowledge of the ritual , and his ability to render it in an impressive manner . He was supported by thc following members : Uros . C . 1 . Biorn

I . P . M . ; W . Burton , S . W ., W . M . elect ; J . W . Curtis , | . W . j J . Welford , P . M ., Treas . ; J . W . Belsham , ii . D . ; R . J . Rogers , LG . j A . Arrowsmith , Stwd . ; C . A . Cottebrune , P . M ., P . G . P . ; W . H . Faircloth , P . M . j L . A . Scott , P . M . ; E . Collins , P . M . ; T . W . Allen , P . M . ; and others . Visitors : Bros , J . Stephens , P . M . 1425 ; J ,

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

C . Bell , P . M . 144 ; Edgar Home , P . M . 731 , P . P . G . Reg . Derby ; W . W . Westley , P . M . 186 ; J . N . Bate , P . M . 70 ; W . Turner , 1066 ; J . G . Tongue , P . M . 534 ; W . J . Johnson , 1366 ; W . Seaman , 704 ; H . Whitney , S 6 i ; C . Wise , P . M . 115 S ; J . Rorke , 144 . 1 ; W . C . Brown , J . D . 1934 ; George Body , 72 ; S . Pardee , P . M . 15 S 5 ; A . F . Tout , 72 ; C Godfrey , S . D . 2021 ; E . Reed , 2021 ; R . Green , W . M . 1642 ; W . Mills , 1716 ; R . Forster ,

P . M . 1441 ; H . Herbert , 1745 ; W . Edwards , S . W . 1327 ; | . Chambers , S 34 ; J . Machin , 731 ; H . Havens , I 55 S ; E . Walker , P . M . 72 ; V . Earner , VV . M . 157 ; J . T . Packer , 155 S ; R . J . Vincent , P . M . 1963 ; E . M . Larder , P . M . 1642 ; W . F . Ford , S . D . 216 S ; N . Turner , P . M . 72 ; R . G . Edwards , 1257 ; C . R . Ellis , P . M . 19 S 2 ; W . Ihomas , P . M . 2160 ; H . Marks , 1563 : A . C .

Bonham , 1305 ; S . Lloyd , P . M . 1201 ; A . G . Garwood , 94 6 ; E . F . Whur , 901 ; A . T . Trehearne , W . M . G 07 ; J . J . Chapman , P . M . 657 ; F . Eade , D . C . goi ; J . S . Adkins , P . M . 990 ; A . Walker , 2032 ; E . Rogers , G . Stwd ., P . P . G . D . Middx . ; I . Conway , J . W . 1 S 91 ; T . VV . Heath , J . W . 1642 ; H . ' Fryer , P . M . 1155 ; VV . W . Arter , I . G . 19 S 6 ; J . Pullen , 1614 ; C H . Dancocks , I . G . 1671 ; W .

H . Kerr , S . D . 194 ; and W . W . Lee , 1897 . The minutes were confirmed , and the audit report , shovying balances to the credit of the Lodge and Benevolent Funds of £ 44 and ^ 344 respectively , was received and unanimously adopted . Bros . Roberts and Smith vvere raised to the Degree of M . M ., and Bros . Crane and Harris passed to the Second Degree . Mr . Tom Crenys , having been approved by ballot , was initiated . The ceremonies vvere

ably and impressively rendered by the W . M ., who then proceeded to install his successor , Bro . W . Burton , in vvhich function he vvas assisted by Bro . C . Cottebrune , P . M ., P . G . Purst . The following officers vvere invested , with the exception of Bro . S . R . Walker , P . M ., Sec , for whom general sympathy was felt in his present ill-health : Bros . J . W . Curtis , S . W . ; J . VV . Belsham , J . VV . ; J . Welford ,

I . M ., Ireas . ; S . R . Walker , P . M ., Sec ; R . Rogers , S . D . ; A . Arrowsmith , J . D ., * T . H . Drake , I . G . ; VV . Faircloth and G . Price , Stewards ; C . A . Cottebrune , P . M ., D . C . ; J . Gumming , A . D . C . ; and C . Thomas , Tyler . The customary addresses received careful treatment at the hands of Bro . Wm . Drew , I . P . M . and Installing Master . Bro . L . Ascott , P . M ., vvas elected Treasurer of the Benevolent

Fund , vice Bro . Cottebrune , P . M ., who has resigned the position . Routine business having been transacted , and grants made from the Benevolent Fund to two brethren in distress , the lodge vvas closed . The brethren then enjoyed an excellent banquet , after vvhich the usual toasts received due notice .

In giving "The Grand Officers , " the W . M . said he should not attempt , atthatlate hour , anyeulogyof the merits of those distinguished brethren . They had that evening a most eminent Grand Officer with them , of whom they were proud , and that would be an additional incentive to the brethren to heartily receive the toast . Bro . C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P ., said that in a very few

words he would express his thanks to them for having so handsomely received the toast . Bro . Wm . Drew , LP . M ., then remarked that he had a very pleasing duty to perform , and he daresay the brethren anticipated what he vvas about to say . He had to propose " The Health of their W . M . " He vvas sure many present

had known Bro . Burton for a number of years , and he had personally known him some time . He always looked upon him as a very prominent Mason , and now regarded him as a very prominent W . M . He was convinced that the coming year would be a prosperous one , as the VVorshipful Master would carry out the three Degrees and preside at the festive board in Jluy t icauve uuaiu in

a mannpr nnnn « mc a manner upon vvhich they would have every reason to congratulate themselves as being to the benefit of Masonry in general and their lodge in particular . He ( the I . P . M . ) vvas pleased to be numbered with the Past Masters , which was a privilege to vvhich he had looked forward to for some time , and now that he had become more intimately connected with the members

of that body he was as happy as when in the chair . The duties of W . M . vvere not altogether pleasant , having many attendant anxieties . A W . M . had to give his attention to a number of small matters , and he assured them he had many a time to sacrifice himself , although he had not been able to give the time he could have wished . The present W . M ., Bro . Burton , would give more time to the

duties of the lodge than he had unfortunately been able to do , and they could , therefore , congratulate themselves on having an occupant of the chair who would do all he could for the lodge and for the benefit of all belonging to it . Bro . VV . Burton , W . M ., in reply , said that for the very kind manner in which the I . P . M . had proposed his health he returned sincere thanks , and to the brethren for the

enthusiastic manner in vvhich they had received it he also accorded warm and grateful thanks . It had been one of his great ambitions in a Masonic spirit , since his initiation , to occupy the proud and honourable position in which it had been their pleasure to place him . In return for that honour he would do all that within him lay , not only to give them satisfaction , but for the benefit of the lodge . He hoped to

have the opportunity of addressing them on many occasions during the year , and they would , therefore , . excuse the orevity of his remarks . He would diverge upon another pleasurable task , vvhich vvas to propose the health of one of whom they had had greater experience—he alluded to the I . P . M . He now had the pleasure and great honour of presenting , on their behalf , thc jewel unanimously voted to

Bro . VVilIiam Drew , I . P . M ., and sincerely trusted he would live for many years to wear it with honour and credit and as a memento of the lodge . He was speaking the thoughts of all the members when ' he said that no jewel vvas harder worked for , none better earned , and none would be more honourabl y worn than that upon the breast of the I . P . M ., Bro . Drew . If he vvere to

stand there for hours he could not finish eulogising the I . P . M ., for the services he had rendered him personally had been great , and he took the present opportunity of thanking him tor those services so kindly and willingly given . He vvas sure the able manner in which the installation ceremony vvas performed by Bro . Drew had given them all great gratification . Speaking for himselfhe keenly felt

, the impressiveness of it , and only hoped that when the time arrived he should be able to fulfil the duties of Installing Master in the same satisfactory manner . Bro . W . Drew , I . P . M ., thanked the W . M . for the very kind way in which he had alluded to the small services he had rendered to that lodge , and assured the brethren that he wished those services had been greater , but , as he had