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Article M SONIC PRESENTATION. ← Page 2 of 2 Article NOTES ON OUR ENGLISH RITUAL. Page 1 of 1 Article NOTES ON OUR ENGLISH RITUAL. Page 1 of 1 Article THE EAST LANCASHIRE SYSTEMATIC MASONIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. Page 1 of 1 Article THE EAST LANCASHIRE SYSTEMATIC MASONIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. Page 1 of 1 Article BRO. THE EARL OF LATHOM, D.G.M., P.G.M. WEST LANCASHIRE. Page 1 of 1 Article THE FOUR OLD LODGES. Page 1 of 2 →
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M Sonic Presentation.
several Past Masters of the various lodges in the town , by Bro . J . Cole , the W . M . of the Royal Gloucester Lodge , under the warrant of which the instruction lodge is worked . Bro . Cole in a few appropriate observations referred to the successful efforts of Bro . Sharpe in connection with the instruction lodge , and expressed a hope that his active interest in the lodge would not cease with his retirement from permanent office in it . Bro . R . Sharpe made a feeling reply , and said that having last year been presented by
the members of the lodge with a centenary jewel he could hardly have expected that that gift would be supplemented by the practical kindness they had shown towards him on the present occasion . The address , which embodies a vote of thanks passed in open lodge , has been engrossed on vellum and handsomel y illuminated by Mr . W . C . Clarke , of the High-street . The embellishments are purely Masonic , antj include at the corners representations of the Past Master's , the Treasurer's , and the Secretary ' s jewels .
Notes On Our English Ritual.
NOTES ON OUR ENGLISH RITUAL .
PART 1 . In publishing these notes of mine to-day , I think it well to mention in the first place that I am treating the question purely as an archaeological one , and have no wish or intention to reopen any discussion upon the ritual per se . In-BY THE EDITOR .
deed it may be a question deserving of , as we often read , grave consideration how far any such public discussions on our ritual are either desirable or allowable , Masonically . But as so much has been recently said in respect of the history of thc ritual , both at home and abroad , and so many remarks have been put
forward and arguments raised in entire ignorance of its true history , I think it well in the pages of the Freemason to call the attention of fellow students and the Craft to the real facts of the case , illustrating what I say with as much of " proof" as 1 fairly or properly can do . I am merely concerned you see then in giving a connected history of the ritual as far as lies in my power , and I propose to divide
these notesinto three parts—istly , from 1717 to 1770 ; 2 ndly , from 1770 to 1 S 13 ; and 3 rdly , from 1 S 13 to the present time . What was the ritual of the lodges which met before 1717 , as at Warrington in 164 C , and at Mason ' s Hall in 1682 , and of those Dr . Plot mentioned to exist and to have existed within legal memory in Staffordshire in 1 CS 6 , must now bc a matter of pure conjecture . What even was the actual
ritual of the four or six old lodges which assembled in 1717 , must equally bc a subject of much incertitude . If the Sloane M . S . be a correct representation , and is gOod | authority ofthemiddleof thc 17 th century verbiage and customs , though only transcribed about 1715 , the teaching of prc-1717 Masonry is practically identical with post 1717 ritual . Let us note this .
As far as I am aware , after much diligent search , no known authentic copy exists of any very ancient Masonic ritual . There are , undoubtedly , MS . copies of ritual to bc met with here and there , but none that I have so far seen are of any real authority , and arc really very late iSth or early 19 th century transcripts . There are no MS . rituals in the Grand Lodsre archives of the last century .
The earliest actual ritual of which Oliver and others speak , is that which is said to have been re-arranged by Desaguliers and Anderson about 1722 . There must , of course , have been a ritual in use in 1717 , but what it really vvas we can only supjiose , not accurately declare . Oliver undoubtedly talks , as in the "Revelations of a Square , " of the " oldest formula" in his "
possession , " as used "during the Grand Mastership of Archbishop Chicheley in the reign of Henry VI ., " and again of a somewhat different one , as used by Sir Christopher Wren himself , ( see pages iC , 17 , and 110 "Revelations of a Square , ) " but in this , as in other matters , the good doctor is , as far as our present investigations have proceeded , altogether incorrect .
What he terms the " oldest formula" docs not really exist , in the form he gives it , at all , and is nothing , just as Sir Christopher Wren ' s alleged use , but a transcript from a " catichetical form , " preserved in the "Grand Mystery , " published in 1724 , or the Sloane MS . Still , as I said before , there vvas a ritual , no doubt , used , and probably emendated by Desaguliers in and about 1722
or thereabouts , though of its precise form vve may have to continue ignorant . In 1724 appeared the first unauthorized publication relative to Alasonic ritual , and which fact seems to point to thc reality of an improved ritual by Desaguliers and Anderson shortly before , not , certainly , however , in 1717 , as alleged by Oliver . No doubt the earliest ritual would be short and
fragmentary , and might well have admitted of expansion and amplification . "The Grand Mystery of Freemasons Discovered , " Sic , was published in "folio" in 1724 , by T . Payne , near Stationers' Hall ; Oliver mentions a second edition , which I have not seen , printed b y A . Moore . Of this production a MS . copy exists in the British Al useum among thc additional AISS . in Essex ' s handwriting , late in the iSth century , and if
I remember rightly , a second and somewhat varied form is to be found there , and so the question arises , what is , where is the original of these forms ? Is there still in exenceaAIS . form of this "Grand Mystery ? " If so that would be a very important fact . About this time vve find in the papers , the Daily Post , the Daily Journal , thc Post Hoy , and the Flying Post , as also
in the British Plaindealer , many allusions to the ritual of Freemasonry . Samuel Briscoe , at the Bell Savage , published in 1725 "The Secret History of Freemasonry , with an account of the Ceremonies , " & c . In 1730 Alartin Clare , according to Oliver , remodelled the rituals and lectures , and he gives us at page 1 S 0 "Revelations of a Square" certain forms , which he declares to be those of Wren , Desaguliers , Anderson , Clare , and Alanningham ,
( to whom I shall allude presently ) , as successively altered . Seeing how inccorrect the good Doctor ' s assertions ate as regards the formula : tempore Archbishop Chicheley and Sir Christopher Wren , wc may well , without distinct evidence , hesitate to accede to his statements there anent . At the same time I say this , I am not prepared to question the fact per se ; only that Dr . Oliver has not critically or carefully used the evidence , such as it was , in his possession .
Notes On Our English Ritual.
In 1730 appeared the well-known " Alasonry Dissected " of Samuel Prichard , and of which a fourth edition is said to have been published in 1731 by John Wilford , and it is to be observed that he professed to describe a ceremonial , of which parts were in verse . No doubt the mere fact of the rythmical form would seem to point to considerable antiquity . There is in the British Aluseum a curious work , published
also in 1730 by J . Warner , at the Black Boy , in Paternoster-row , " The Perjured Freemason Detected , " which is an exposure of Samuel Prichard , and contains much worthy of consideration as bearing on this question . Prichard , however , followed up his unprincipled proceedings , being , Oliver tells us , a " needy man , " and thence unscrupulous in the highest degree , by another publication ' " 737 , ( if truly his ) , "The Secrets of Masonry Made
Known to all Men , " by S . P ., & c . Wc also hear of the "Afystery of Alasonry , " 1737 , London , Thorbuck , "The Mysterious Receptions of the Celebrated Society of Freemasons , " 1737 , which some have thought all proceeded from the same impure source . Anderson , as we know , answered Prichard in 1730 in his " Defence of Masonry , " and to which Prichard published a reply in 173 S , "Alasonry Further Dissected . "
" The beginning ; and first foundation of the most worthy Craft of Masonry" appeared in 1739 . About 1740 or 1741 Oliver says that Bro . Manningham revised the ritual ; but , as Martin Clare vvas D . G . AL in 1741 , I think he has antedated the time by about ten or fifteen years . Dr . Manningham wasG . Steward in 1747 , and firstappears on the scene , and was D . G . M . in 1752 , and is mentioned in terms of much praise for his work and ability . In 1 753 he
introduced some new regulations as to the " making of Alasons in Grand Lodge , and if it ; be correct that he revised the ritual , it would probably be about this time . In 1754 the Book of Constitutions vvas revised , and in 1 755 began the question of the schismatical proceedings of the Antient Afasons , which , some have thought , proceeded from certain ritual changes and alterations of Dr . Atanningham ' s .
But to return . In 1745 appeared at Brussels "The Testament of a Freemason , " "Ou Le Testament de Chevalier Graaf . " This vvas a so-called revelation of Alartin Clare ' s ritual . In 1747 there appeared in London a work called " L'Adepte Alacon , or the True Secret of Freemasonry . " In 1750 appeared "Jachin and Boaz , " of which the fifth edition appeared in 1764 , while in 1751 also appeared "Le
Alacon De masque , " London , " The Thinker upon Alasonry , " " The Ghost of Masonry , " "Thc Mason ' s Creed , " "The Point of a Mason , " & c . ; "A Discovery of the Secrets ' . of Masonry , " in the " Scot's Magazine " for 1755 , and a similar publication in the " Edinburgh Alagazine , " in October , 1757 . These two latter facts arc on the evidence of Oliver . Among the other alleged expositions of Alasonry and
spurious publications maybe mentioned ' 1 he Secrets of Masonry Revealed , " London , Scott , 1 759 ; " Hiram , or the Grand Master Key , & c , " by a member of the Royal Arch , 1764 ; "An Institute of Red Alasonry , " 1764 ; "Shibboleth , or Every Alan a Freemason , " , 1765 ; "Solomon in all his Glory , " 1766 ; "The Three Distinct Knocks , " sixth edition , London , Serjeant , 1767 ; "Thc Freemason Stripped Naked , " & c , London , Isaac Fell , 17 G 9 .
The foreign so-called revelations of Alasonic ritual are for the most part somewhat later , and I will consider them next week , but they throw very little li g ht on the subject . What these alleged revelations of Alasonic ritual really represent is another , and a very different matter which I will allude to in my next paper . One remark , and only one , I will make , that as a matter of historical truth or accuracy , the are not , by any means , mportant factors in the discussion .
The East Lancashire Systematic Masonic, Educational, And Benevolent Institution.
THE EAST LANCASHIRE SYSTEMATIC MASONIC , EDUCATIONAL , AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .
An amateur performance in aid of the above Institution took place at the Queen ' s Theatre , Manchester , before a most brilliant and distinguished audience . The performance commenced with the comedietta of A Cup of Tea , in which
Bro . F . H . Davidson did justice to the part of " Scroggins , and created by his well-assumed uneasiness a great deal of merriment . The part of "Lady Clara Seymour" was to have been played by Miss May Howard , but this lady did not put in an appearance , and thc committee , at a very short notice , prevailed upon Airs . Campbell , who is thc wife of a
iirofessional now playing at thc Queen s , to undertake the part . This tbe lady did to the unmistakcable satisfaction of the audience , throwing such energy into the part as to put every one at their ease , and to make one believe the whole thing vvas real . "Bro . A . Hoffmann was "Sir Charles Seymour , " but , although there is no doubt this worthy brother had studied
the part well , it seemed to us as though he vvas not sufficiently natural , and that he had not quite forgotten his own dignity in assuming that of the character he was playing . 'The comedietta was , however , well played on thc whole , and j ; rovoked frequent applause , especially when our funny little Bro . Davidson appeared , and at the conclusion the whole of the pertormers were called before the
curtain . During the interval that occurred we had time to roam about the theatre and observe the faces of many well-known and prominent members of the Craft , and , although it has been suggested to us that a large amount of thc patronage emanated from the non-Masonic body , yet we feel assured that , judging from the number of Masons present , they
must have contributed five-sixths of the support which the committee obtained . The performance concluded with Air . H . J . Byron ' s burlesque of The Babes in the Wood , and which was well played throughout . Bro . D . D . Alacpherson was " Tommy " and Bro . W . AL Lee "Sally . " The "Wicked Uncle " vvas personated by Bro . A . Hoffmann , while the first ,
second , and third ruffians were respectively represented by Bros . J . E . Williams , J . H . Greenwood , and Air . Joe \ ViId . " l . a-chee-pla-chee , " a character introduced by the assiduous stage manager , Bro . D . D . Macpherson , was undertaken by Bro . F . H . Davidson , and vve confess that the introduction of this character was by no means a mistake , as the various little morccaux of bye-play and stage
The East Lancashire Systematic Masonic, Educational, And Benevolent Institution.
business filled up those blanks which often seem to audiences very awkward . The palm must , however , be awarded to Bro . Alacpherson , who , in the part of "Tommy , " vvas the life ancl soul of the burlesque , and gave us thc impression of his being a born actor ; in ( act , il this gentleman had not been known as a member of of the Stand Amateur Dramatic Club , no one would have been the least surprised at his rankin < r
amongst the professional element . His " business " in the school scene was very funny , and had the true burlesciutan flavour . We congratulate the members of the club in possessing such an important assistant . The ladies (?) were represented most satisfactorily by Mr . E . Dennett and Air . Baden Webb , the latter , ' gentleman acting as "Airs . Jones , " the nursery . ' governess , and the former as "Lady Macassar . " The "Good Fairy" vvas represented by Miss
Fitzroy , who looked charming in her non-terrestrial garments . We had almost forgotten our much respected and highly talented Bro . J . H . Greenwood . Although there was not much for our worthy brother to do in the actual business , yet he filled up the time , in the same manner as Bro . Davidson , by executing some comicalities behind thc more prominent characters ; but his triumph occurred in the school scene , where he sang his well-known comic song ,
" Fair Rosamond , " which elicited loud applause , and culminated in an encore , in response to which he gave his imitations of popular actors . A feature in the performance vvas the assembling on the stage of the well-known glee and part singers , Bros . J . Salmon , J . Senior , H . Lister , N . Dumville , ' W . Dumville , C . Turner , and Geo . Ormerod , who all looked most picturesque in their hunting costumes . 'They sang " Foresters
Sound the Cheerful Horn" in irreproachable style , and were encored . As before stated , the whole performance was a genuine success from first to last , and , to judge from the large audience that filled the theatre , we are in hopes that a respectable sum will be handed over to this deserving Institution . The whole of the music score vvas written by the musical director of the club , Bro . W . G . Watson , who also composed
for the occasion an exceedingly pretty polka , from Auber's "Le Dieu et la Bayadere , " and which the orchestra skilfull y executed under Bro . Watson's baton . 'Ihe merit for the completeness with which everything vvas arranged undoubtedly rests with the club ' s painstaking manager , Bro . D . D . Alacpherson , who was untiring in his efforts to produce a satisfactory result , which was assuredly attained .
Bro. The Earl Of Lathom, D.G.M., P.G.M. West Lancashire.
BRO . THE EARL OF LATHOM , D . G . M ., P . G . M . WEST LANCASHIRE .
An earldom has been conferred upon Bro . Lord Skelmersdale , who assumes the title of Earl of Lathom . Edward Bootle-Wilbraham , P . C ., second Baron Skelmersdale , is the son of the Hon . Richard Bootle-Wilbraham , M . P ., who died 1 S 44 ,, eldest son of the first baron ,
by Jessy , third daughter of Sir R . Brook , sixth baronet . Born December 12 th , 1 S 37 , he succeeded his grandfather in 1853 , was educated at Eton , and at Christ Church , Oxford ; vvas a lord-in-waiting ^ to the Queen , iSCC-S ; and appointed captain of Her majesty ' s Yeomen of the Guard , 1 S 74 . Is a magistrate and a deputy-lieutenant of Lancashire ; has been since lSfio captain Lancashire Yeomanry
Hussars , since 1 S 71 one of the " whips " for the Conservative party in the House of Lords , and since 1 S 72 honorary colonel Oth Administrative Battalion Lancashire Volunteers . He married ( 1 S 60 ) Lady Alice Villiers , second daughter of the fourth Earl of Clarendon , K . G ., and has issue living—Sons : Edward George , born 18 ( 14 ; Villiers Richard , born 1 SO 7 ; Randle Arthur , born iSOS ; Reginald Francis , born
1 S 75 . Daughters ' . Alice Maud , born 1 SC 1 ; Florence Alary , born 1 S 63 ; Bertha Alabel , born lSCC ; Edith Cecil , born 1 SC 9 . The new earl takes his title from Lathom , the famil y seat in Lancashire . Lathom House occupies a memorable place in the records of this country , and in the wars with the Parliamentarians the old castle , then the seat of the
Stanley family , vvas nobl y defended by Lady Derby . The distinguished position which the newly-created earl has long held in connection with Freemasonry has been much appreciated by the brethren of the " mystic tie . " Years ago he held the prominent position of G . Senior Warden in the Grand lodgeof ICngland , and on the accession of Bro . His Royal Highness thc Prince of Wales to
the Grand Mastership , Bro the Earl of Lathom received the prominent appointment of Deputy Grand Alaster , Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon being then created Pro Grand Master . In more immediate Alasonic circles the earl has , since 1 S 72 , held the very important office of Provincial Grand Master of West Lancashire , which is one of thc largest and most influential Alasonic divisions in the world ,
and in that capacity his lordshij ) has ruled with a geniality and wisdom which have secured the heartiest admiration of all the brethren . Lord Lathom also holds several prominent offices connected with other branches of the Order , and as a proof of his Alasonic zeal it may be stated that he has promised to take the chair at the next grand festival in London for the furtherance of the interests of the Boy . ' School .
The Four Old Lodges.
THE FOUR OLD LODGES .
TRANSLATION . We have more than once observed with interest that thc study of Freemasonry in England is followed by an ever increasing number of amateurs , and that light begins novv to be thrown on the tendencies ( aims ) of our Order . Each effort made in this direction should meet with gratitude ,
and we , therefore , wish to draw your attention to the above mentioned work . England is the cradle and home of our Fraternal Institution , and researches on its origin are of great value , not only for foreign F . Es ., but for all others scattered over the face of the earth . In this volume the author has collected a mass of facts , lus
and has further laid many details ( minuti . e ) before readers . It is not easy from the nature of the thing itself to give a complete account of his work , at least one that would oe satisfactory . It is divided into three parts . First comes a recital of all that is known of the four first lodges , iron ' which springs the Grand Orient of England ; next follow * .
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M Sonic Presentation.
several Past Masters of the various lodges in the town , by Bro . J . Cole , the W . M . of the Royal Gloucester Lodge , under the warrant of which the instruction lodge is worked . Bro . Cole in a few appropriate observations referred to the successful efforts of Bro . Sharpe in connection with the instruction lodge , and expressed a hope that his active interest in the lodge would not cease with his retirement from permanent office in it . Bro . R . Sharpe made a feeling reply , and said that having last year been presented by
the members of the lodge with a centenary jewel he could hardly have expected that that gift would be supplemented by the practical kindness they had shown towards him on the present occasion . The address , which embodies a vote of thanks passed in open lodge , has been engrossed on vellum and handsomel y illuminated by Mr . W . C . Clarke , of the High-street . The embellishments are purely Masonic , antj include at the corners representations of the Past Master's , the Treasurer's , and the Secretary ' s jewels .
Notes On Our English Ritual.
NOTES ON OUR ENGLISH RITUAL .
PART 1 . In publishing these notes of mine to-day , I think it well to mention in the first place that I am treating the question purely as an archaeological one , and have no wish or intention to reopen any discussion upon the ritual per se . In-BY THE EDITOR .
deed it may be a question deserving of , as we often read , grave consideration how far any such public discussions on our ritual are either desirable or allowable , Masonically . But as so much has been recently said in respect of the history of thc ritual , both at home and abroad , and so many remarks have been put
forward and arguments raised in entire ignorance of its true history , I think it well in the pages of the Freemason to call the attention of fellow students and the Craft to the real facts of the case , illustrating what I say with as much of " proof" as 1 fairly or properly can do . I am merely concerned you see then in giving a connected history of the ritual as far as lies in my power , and I propose to divide
these notesinto three parts—istly , from 1717 to 1770 ; 2 ndly , from 1770 to 1 S 13 ; and 3 rdly , from 1 S 13 to the present time . What was the ritual of the lodges which met before 1717 , as at Warrington in 164 C , and at Mason ' s Hall in 1682 , and of those Dr . Plot mentioned to exist and to have existed within legal memory in Staffordshire in 1 CS 6 , must now bc a matter of pure conjecture . What even was the actual
ritual of the four or six old lodges which assembled in 1717 , must equally bc a subject of much incertitude . If the Sloane M . S . be a correct representation , and is gOod | authority ofthemiddleof thc 17 th century verbiage and customs , though only transcribed about 1715 , the teaching of prc-1717 Masonry is practically identical with post 1717 ritual . Let us note this .
As far as I am aware , after much diligent search , no known authentic copy exists of any very ancient Masonic ritual . There are , undoubtedly , MS . copies of ritual to bc met with here and there , but none that I have so far seen are of any real authority , and arc really very late iSth or early 19 th century transcripts . There are no MS . rituals in the Grand Lodsre archives of the last century .
The earliest actual ritual of which Oliver and others speak , is that which is said to have been re-arranged by Desaguliers and Anderson about 1722 . There must , of course , have been a ritual in use in 1717 , but what it really vvas we can only supjiose , not accurately declare . Oliver undoubtedly talks , as in the "Revelations of a Square , " of the " oldest formula" in his "
possession , " as used "during the Grand Mastership of Archbishop Chicheley in the reign of Henry VI ., " and again of a somewhat different one , as used by Sir Christopher Wren himself , ( see pages iC , 17 , and 110 "Revelations of a Square , ) " but in this , as in other matters , the good doctor is , as far as our present investigations have proceeded , altogether incorrect .
What he terms the " oldest formula" docs not really exist , in the form he gives it , at all , and is nothing , just as Sir Christopher Wren ' s alleged use , but a transcript from a " catichetical form , " preserved in the "Grand Mystery , " published in 1724 , or the Sloane MS . Still , as I said before , there vvas a ritual , no doubt , used , and probably emendated by Desaguliers in and about 1722
or thereabouts , though of its precise form vve may have to continue ignorant . In 1724 appeared the first unauthorized publication relative to Alasonic ritual , and which fact seems to point to thc reality of an improved ritual by Desaguliers and Anderson shortly before , not , certainly , however , in 1717 , as alleged by Oliver . No doubt the earliest ritual would be short and
fragmentary , and might well have admitted of expansion and amplification . "The Grand Mystery of Freemasons Discovered , " Sic , was published in "folio" in 1724 , by T . Payne , near Stationers' Hall ; Oliver mentions a second edition , which I have not seen , printed b y A . Moore . Of this production a MS . copy exists in the British Al useum among thc additional AISS . in Essex ' s handwriting , late in the iSth century , and if
I remember rightly , a second and somewhat varied form is to be found there , and so the question arises , what is , where is the original of these forms ? Is there still in exenceaAIS . form of this "Grand Mystery ? " If so that would be a very important fact . About this time vve find in the papers , the Daily Post , the Daily Journal , thc Post Hoy , and the Flying Post , as also
in the British Plaindealer , many allusions to the ritual of Freemasonry . Samuel Briscoe , at the Bell Savage , published in 1725 "The Secret History of Freemasonry , with an account of the Ceremonies , " & c . In 1730 Alartin Clare , according to Oliver , remodelled the rituals and lectures , and he gives us at page 1 S 0 "Revelations of a Square" certain forms , which he declares to be those of Wren , Desaguliers , Anderson , Clare , and Alanningham ,
( to whom I shall allude presently ) , as successively altered . Seeing how inccorrect the good Doctor ' s assertions ate as regards the formula : tempore Archbishop Chicheley and Sir Christopher Wren , wc may well , without distinct evidence , hesitate to accede to his statements there anent . At the same time I say this , I am not prepared to question the fact per se ; only that Dr . Oliver has not critically or carefully used the evidence , such as it was , in his possession .
Notes On Our English Ritual.
In 1730 appeared the well-known " Alasonry Dissected " of Samuel Prichard , and of which a fourth edition is said to have been published in 1731 by John Wilford , and it is to be observed that he professed to describe a ceremonial , of which parts were in verse . No doubt the mere fact of the rythmical form would seem to point to considerable antiquity . There is in the British Aluseum a curious work , published
also in 1730 by J . Warner , at the Black Boy , in Paternoster-row , " The Perjured Freemason Detected , " which is an exposure of Samuel Prichard , and contains much worthy of consideration as bearing on this question . Prichard , however , followed up his unprincipled proceedings , being , Oliver tells us , a " needy man , " and thence unscrupulous in the highest degree , by another publication ' " 737 , ( if truly his ) , "The Secrets of Masonry Made
Known to all Men , " by S . P ., & c . Wc also hear of the "Afystery of Alasonry , " 1737 , London , Thorbuck , "The Mysterious Receptions of the Celebrated Society of Freemasons , " 1737 , which some have thought all proceeded from the same impure source . Anderson , as we know , answered Prichard in 1730 in his " Defence of Masonry , " and to which Prichard published a reply in 173 S , "Alasonry Further Dissected . "
" The beginning ; and first foundation of the most worthy Craft of Masonry" appeared in 1739 . About 1740 or 1741 Oliver says that Bro . Manningham revised the ritual ; but , as Martin Clare vvas D . G . AL in 1741 , I think he has antedated the time by about ten or fifteen years . Dr . Manningham wasG . Steward in 1747 , and firstappears on the scene , and was D . G . M . in 1752 , and is mentioned in terms of much praise for his work and ability . In 1 753 he
introduced some new regulations as to the " making of Alasons in Grand Lodge , and if it ; be correct that he revised the ritual , it would probably be about this time . In 1754 the Book of Constitutions vvas revised , and in 1 755 began the question of the schismatical proceedings of the Antient Afasons , which , some have thought , proceeded from certain ritual changes and alterations of Dr . Atanningham ' s .
But to return . In 1745 appeared at Brussels "The Testament of a Freemason , " "Ou Le Testament de Chevalier Graaf . " This vvas a so-called revelation of Alartin Clare ' s ritual . In 1747 there appeared in London a work called " L'Adepte Alacon , or the True Secret of Freemasonry . " In 1750 appeared "Jachin and Boaz , " of which the fifth edition appeared in 1764 , while in 1751 also appeared "Le
Alacon De masque , " London , " The Thinker upon Alasonry , " " The Ghost of Masonry , " "Thc Mason ' s Creed , " "The Point of a Mason , " & c . ; "A Discovery of the Secrets ' . of Masonry , " in the " Scot's Magazine " for 1755 , and a similar publication in the " Edinburgh Alagazine , " in October , 1757 . These two latter facts arc on the evidence of Oliver . Among the other alleged expositions of Alasonry and
spurious publications maybe mentioned ' 1 he Secrets of Masonry Revealed , " London , Scott , 1 759 ; " Hiram , or the Grand Master Key , & c , " by a member of the Royal Arch , 1764 ; "An Institute of Red Alasonry , " 1764 ; "Shibboleth , or Every Alan a Freemason , " , 1765 ; "Solomon in all his Glory , " 1766 ; "The Three Distinct Knocks , " sixth edition , London , Serjeant , 1767 ; "Thc Freemason Stripped Naked , " & c , London , Isaac Fell , 17 G 9 .
The foreign so-called revelations of Alasonic ritual are for the most part somewhat later , and I will consider them next week , but they throw very little li g ht on the subject . What these alleged revelations of Alasonic ritual really represent is another , and a very different matter which I will allude to in my next paper . One remark , and only one , I will make , that as a matter of historical truth or accuracy , the are not , by any means , mportant factors in the discussion .
The East Lancashire Systematic Masonic, Educational, And Benevolent Institution.
THE EAST LANCASHIRE SYSTEMATIC MASONIC , EDUCATIONAL , AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .
An amateur performance in aid of the above Institution took place at the Queen ' s Theatre , Manchester , before a most brilliant and distinguished audience . The performance commenced with the comedietta of A Cup of Tea , in which
Bro . F . H . Davidson did justice to the part of " Scroggins , and created by his well-assumed uneasiness a great deal of merriment . The part of "Lady Clara Seymour" was to have been played by Miss May Howard , but this lady did not put in an appearance , and thc committee , at a very short notice , prevailed upon Airs . Campbell , who is thc wife of a
iirofessional now playing at thc Queen s , to undertake the part . This tbe lady did to the unmistakcable satisfaction of the audience , throwing such energy into the part as to put every one at their ease , and to make one believe the whole thing vvas real . "Bro . A . Hoffmann was "Sir Charles Seymour , " but , although there is no doubt this worthy brother had studied
the part well , it seemed to us as though he vvas not sufficiently natural , and that he had not quite forgotten his own dignity in assuming that of the character he was playing . 'The comedietta was , however , well played on thc whole , and j ; rovoked frequent applause , especially when our funny little Bro . Davidson appeared , and at the conclusion the whole of the pertormers were called before the
curtain . During the interval that occurred we had time to roam about the theatre and observe the faces of many well-known and prominent members of the Craft , and , although it has been suggested to us that a large amount of thc patronage emanated from the non-Masonic body , yet we feel assured that , judging from the number of Masons present , they
must have contributed five-sixths of the support which the committee obtained . The performance concluded with Air . H . J . Byron ' s burlesque of The Babes in the Wood , and which was well played throughout . Bro . D . D . Alacpherson was " Tommy " and Bro . W . AL Lee "Sally . " The "Wicked Uncle " vvas personated by Bro . A . Hoffmann , while the first ,
second , and third ruffians were respectively represented by Bros . J . E . Williams , J . H . Greenwood , and Air . Joe \ ViId . " l . a-chee-pla-chee , " a character introduced by the assiduous stage manager , Bro . D . D . Macpherson , was undertaken by Bro . F . H . Davidson , and vve confess that the introduction of this character was by no means a mistake , as the various little morccaux of bye-play and stage
The East Lancashire Systematic Masonic, Educational, And Benevolent Institution.
business filled up those blanks which often seem to audiences very awkward . The palm must , however , be awarded to Bro . Alacpherson , who , in the part of "Tommy , " vvas the life ancl soul of the burlesque , and gave us thc impression of his being a born actor ; in ( act , il this gentleman had not been known as a member of of the Stand Amateur Dramatic Club , no one would have been the least surprised at his rankin < r
amongst the professional element . His " business " in the school scene was very funny , and had the true burlesciutan flavour . We congratulate the members of the club in possessing such an important assistant . The ladies (?) were represented most satisfactorily by Mr . E . Dennett and Air . Baden Webb , the latter , ' gentleman acting as "Airs . Jones , " the nursery . ' governess , and the former as "Lady Macassar . " The "Good Fairy" vvas represented by Miss
Fitzroy , who looked charming in her non-terrestrial garments . We had almost forgotten our much respected and highly talented Bro . J . H . Greenwood . Although there was not much for our worthy brother to do in the actual business , yet he filled up the time , in the same manner as Bro . Davidson , by executing some comicalities behind thc more prominent characters ; but his triumph occurred in the school scene , where he sang his well-known comic song ,
" Fair Rosamond , " which elicited loud applause , and culminated in an encore , in response to which he gave his imitations of popular actors . A feature in the performance vvas the assembling on the stage of the well-known glee and part singers , Bros . J . Salmon , J . Senior , H . Lister , N . Dumville , ' W . Dumville , C . Turner , and Geo . Ormerod , who all looked most picturesque in their hunting costumes . 'They sang " Foresters
Sound the Cheerful Horn" in irreproachable style , and were encored . As before stated , the whole performance was a genuine success from first to last , and , to judge from the large audience that filled the theatre , we are in hopes that a respectable sum will be handed over to this deserving Institution . The whole of the music score vvas written by the musical director of the club , Bro . W . G . Watson , who also composed
for the occasion an exceedingly pretty polka , from Auber's "Le Dieu et la Bayadere , " and which the orchestra skilfull y executed under Bro . Watson's baton . 'Ihe merit for the completeness with which everything vvas arranged undoubtedly rests with the club ' s painstaking manager , Bro . D . D . Alacpherson , who was untiring in his efforts to produce a satisfactory result , which was assuredly attained .
Bro. The Earl Of Lathom, D.G.M., P.G.M. West Lancashire.
BRO . THE EARL OF LATHOM , D . G . M ., P . G . M . WEST LANCASHIRE .
An earldom has been conferred upon Bro . Lord Skelmersdale , who assumes the title of Earl of Lathom . Edward Bootle-Wilbraham , P . C ., second Baron Skelmersdale , is the son of the Hon . Richard Bootle-Wilbraham , M . P ., who died 1 S 44 ,, eldest son of the first baron ,
by Jessy , third daughter of Sir R . Brook , sixth baronet . Born December 12 th , 1 S 37 , he succeeded his grandfather in 1853 , was educated at Eton , and at Christ Church , Oxford ; vvas a lord-in-waiting ^ to the Queen , iSCC-S ; and appointed captain of Her majesty ' s Yeomen of the Guard , 1 S 74 . Is a magistrate and a deputy-lieutenant of Lancashire ; has been since lSfio captain Lancashire Yeomanry
Hussars , since 1 S 71 one of the " whips " for the Conservative party in the House of Lords , and since 1 S 72 honorary colonel Oth Administrative Battalion Lancashire Volunteers . He married ( 1 S 60 ) Lady Alice Villiers , second daughter of the fourth Earl of Clarendon , K . G ., and has issue living—Sons : Edward George , born 18 ( 14 ; Villiers Richard , born 1 SO 7 ; Randle Arthur , born iSOS ; Reginald Francis , born
1 S 75 . Daughters ' . Alice Maud , born 1 SC 1 ; Florence Alary , born 1 S 63 ; Bertha Alabel , born lSCC ; Edith Cecil , born 1 SC 9 . The new earl takes his title from Lathom , the famil y seat in Lancashire . Lathom House occupies a memorable place in the records of this country , and in the wars with the Parliamentarians the old castle , then the seat of the
Stanley family , vvas nobl y defended by Lady Derby . The distinguished position which the newly-created earl has long held in connection with Freemasonry has been much appreciated by the brethren of the " mystic tie . " Years ago he held the prominent position of G . Senior Warden in the Grand lodgeof ICngland , and on the accession of Bro . His Royal Highness thc Prince of Wales to
the Grand Mastership , Bro the Earl of Lathom received the prominent appointment of Deputy Grand Alaster , Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon being then created Pro Grand Master . In more immediate Alasonic circles the earl has , since 1 S 72 , held the very important office of Provincial Grand Master of West Lancashire , which is one of thc largest and most influential Alasonic divisions in the world ,
and in that capacity his lordshij ) has ruled with a geniality and wisdom which have secured the heartiest admiration of all the brethren . Lord Lathom also holds several prominent offices connected with other branches of the Order , and as a proof of his Alasonic zeal it may be stated that he has promised to take the chair at the next grand festival in London for the furtherance of the interests of the Boy . ' School .
The Four Old Lodges.
THE FOUR OLD LODGES .
TRANSLATION . We have more than once observed with interest that thc study of Freemasonry in England is followed by an ever increasing number of amateurs , and that light begins novv to be thrown on the tendencies ( aims ) of our Order . Each effort made in this direction should meet with gratitude ,
and we , therefore , wish to draw your attention to the above mentioned work . England is the cradle and home of our Fraternal Institution , and researches on its origin are of great value , not only for foreign F . Es ., but for all others scattered over the face of the earth . In this volume the author has collected a mass of facts , lus
and has further laid many details ( minuti . e ) before readers . It is not easy from the nature of the thing itself to give a complete account of his work , at least one that would oe satisfactory . It is divided into three parts . First comes a recital of all that is known of the four first lodges , iron ' which springs the Grand Orient of England ; next follow * .