Brief History Of The Britannic Lodge, No. 33.

found an appreciative notice of Bro . Brackstone Baker ' s sketch of the "Emulation Lodge , " No . 2 T , London . In this number we intend to refer to one which , though but a few pages in extent , is , to

say the least , an excellent little book of reference , and , as far as possible , a correct account of the famous Britannic Lodge . It is written by Bro . Francis Webb Shields , P . M ., whose name is a

sufficient guarantee of its worth and readable character . Bro . Shields was the W . M . in 1870 , when the centenary celebration was held , and the history now under review was read in the

course of the ceremony to a large and delig hted audience of some hundred members and visitors , including several officers of the Grand Lodge . The Britannic Lodge was constituted by

warrant dated July 17 th , 1730 , His Grace the Duke of Norfolk being then Grand Master . The orig inal charter is unfortunately lost , as also its minutes , prior to the year 18 . 3 , 3 . The

comparatively scanty materials thus available necessarily render its history somewhat meagre , and but but for the high position held by the lodge , little information could possibly have been obtained respecting it beyond the mere fact of its

existence . Its records then do not supply the proof of its uninterrupted existence for the period of one hundred years , which is the necessary condition

of obtaining the right to wear the centenary jewel ; but from other sources this sine t / t / ii mm for a centenary lodge is to be found in profusion . No calendar or list of lodges in England

( moderns ) from the year of its institution to the present time can be produced , wherein the Britannic Lodge is not to be seen either , by name or the house in which the meetings were held . Bro . ' Shields states that the number

was 75 in the English list , and that it is alluded to in the minutes of the Grand Lodge of August 28 th , 1 7 . 50 . The names of its first members-, 62 in number , are also preserved in

( lie regular official register . In 1 740 we are informed it became No . 62 , in 175 6 , No . ' , 37 , and in 1770 , No . 33 , soon after which latter date it was known by its present name .

On reference to the constitutions of , \ . n . 1738 . ve find that the lodge was chronicled as No . 4 < J , and in a printed list of , \ . n . I 774-, the

number was altered to 2 ' . We cannot explain why Hie numbers given b y our esteemed Bro . Shields are lower than those wo mention , but of course tlie matter of a number is not of much moment ,

onl y that it is as well to make sure of the ri ght one , because often a lodge can be traced by such means . The Britannic Lodge is the only one now 111 existence in London of the many granted

from 1728 to 1 733 ( inclusive ) , and at the ' Union of 181 , 3 " there were two others warranted , during the same year as the Britannic , for

London , which hive since become extinct . To be the only representative left in London of lod ges warranted from 1728 to 1733 , is an

eviuence not only of the changes effected in a ccntllr y > hut also of the vitality of the lodge itself , and a proof of the thorough Masonic zeal of its numerous and influential members .

Ihe Britannic Lodge was honourabl y distinguished by its large contributions to the" Masonic Hall Flm , l , " as well as for its aid to the Masonic charities . No less than fx jo was de-

Brief History Of The Britannic Lodge, No. 33.

voted to the former object by the members up to 1813 , and it was one of four lodges which were the first in Grand Lodge to contribute to the " Hall Loan Fund , " . D . 1783 , as also one of

five lodges which were the first to resign their claim to the repayment thereof , A . B . 1787 . For so generous a present , the lodge received a jewel which is appended to the Master ' s collar , and is

thus inscribed— " Grand Lodge of Freemasons of England to the Britannic Lodge , in grateful testimony of a liberal subscription towards completing their Hall . " The Emulation , No . 21 ,

enjoy a like distinction , and wc suppose others ' The lodge removed to the "Star and Garter , ' Pall Mall , in 17 S 4 , as No . 29 , at which house a meeting of the Grand Lodge is recorded to have

been held shortly afterwards , for the initiation of H . R . H . George , Prince of Wales , who became Grand Master , A . D . 1792 . This lodge is unique as respects its connection with royalty , for it is

the only one which has had the honour of imparting the : " Light" to two members of the Royal Family . On November 21 st , 17 S 7 , H . R . II . the Duke

of York was initiated , and on the 12 th May . 1 795 , H . R . H . Prince William of Gloucester ( afterwards Duke of Gloucester ) , was admitted under the Presidentshi p of the Earl of Moira ,

afterwards Marquis of Hastings . These two auspicious events are duly recorded in the books of the Grand Lodge , and it was resolved unanimously that , " In testimony of the high sense

the Grand Lodge entertains of the great honour conferred on the society by such initiations , their Royal Hig hnesses be presented with aprons , lined with blue silk , and in all future processions do rank as Past Grand Masters . '' It

will be remembered that a similar distinction was conferred on H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , K . G . a few years ago . At the Blessed Union of A . I ) . 1815 , the loelire

became , by the alteration 111 numbers 42 , in 1832 No . 38 , and in 1 S 63 No . 33 , as it now stands . In 1840 , on representing that its ori ginal war rant was lost , it received a warrant of confirm .- !

Hon from the M . W . Grand Master , H . R . II . the Duke of Sussex , duly authorising its continuance . We need not record its several removals , for

like all ohl lodges , its meetings were held but a few years in one place , until at last , in i 8 o"S , it found a " resting place" at the Freemasons' Hall . Neither need we chronicle the distinguished list

of members , composed of H . R . H . the Duke o Sussex , Grand Master , and a most brilliant assemblage of learnedand noble Freemasons , because these are well known to London Masons , as also

in an especial manner , to the readers of Masonic literature for the last fifty years . We conclude the rapid sketch of this lodge with the valedictory of Bro . Shields , simply adding

that we are indebted to the present W . M . of the lodge ( our respected Bro . Magnus Ohren ) for the copy of the history , and we shall be glad to acknowledge a like favour from other brethren

who are in possession of similar interesting at counts of old lodges . In 18 ;; , the lodge received a considerable acces

sion of members , chiefly belonging to the railwa world , of whom many have since tilled its chaii Since that time a large proportion of its mem

Brief History Of The Britannic Lodge, No. 33.

bers have been connected with railway , engineering , scientific , or ether kindred pursuits . The lodge at present contains one hundred and twenty-one subscribing , and three honorary

members , a larger number , it is believed , than at any previous period of its existence , It is hoped that this history may be acceptable to the brethren . It proves , at least , that

the Britannic Lodge has not failed hitherto , in the discharge of its duty , and in its devotion to the cause of Freemasonry . May the Great

Architect of the Universe enable it to maintain , through the coming century , the position of eminence and career of usefulness which it lias held in the Craft during the last .

Excursion Of American Knights Templar To Europe.

EXCURSION OF AMERICAN KNIGHTS TEMPLAR TO EUROPE .

The Sir Knights of Gyrene Commandery , of Columbia , Pennsylvania , are organising another excursion to Europe . We- have received a circular , from which we extract the following particulars . The Committee have made arrangements with

Messrs . Cook and Son , of London , through theii American firm , Cook , Sem , and Jenkins . The tour proposed will be from New York across the Atlantic , landing at Cork . From there by rail to Macroom . thence in jaunting

cars to Glengarrilr " , Ke-nmareymd Killarney , passing through the loveliest portion of the County Kerry . At Killarney a stop of two or three days will be made to view the famous lake and mountain scenery . From thence cars will be taken

to Dublin , Balbriggan , Drogheda , Dundalk , Enniskillen , Omagh , Londonderry and Portrush , where atrip will be made to the Giant ' s Causeway—the wonder of the world , returning to the handsome city of Belfast . From Belfast across the Irish

Channel to Greenock , the great shipbuilding city of the Clyde , then on to Glasgow by rail . From Glasgow through Loch-Katrine , Loch-Lomond , and the . Trossachs , to Stirling , a place of great antiquity , famous for its old castle ;

passing through the handsomest part of the Scottish Highlands , and the scenes of the renowned Rob Roy ' s exploits . From Stirling to Edinburgh , one of the handsomest cities in Europe . Leaving Edinburgh , the route will be to

London , stopping at Melrose to have a look at its grand ruined Abbey , and to pay a visit to the old home of Sir Walter Scott , at Abb'jttsford ; and on viii Leeds , Sheffield , and Derby , viewing by the way the famous Peak district of

Derbyshire , Staffordshire and Nottingham—the finest and most romantic scenery in old England . After some days stay in London , the Sir Kni ghts will proceed to Harwich ; thence across the Channel , and up the river Scheldt , to Antwerp ,

that renowned Dutch City . From Antwerp , through Belgium , to Brussels , where a visit will . be paid to the battle-livid of Waterloo : then to Cologne , Prussia , passing through Liege , Vervicrs , and Aix-ia-Chapelle . Then up the river Rhine

to Maycnce , passing Bonn , AlirwcUer , Lmz , Coblentz , with its immense fortifications , lohannisberg , famed for fine wines , the residence of the Crown Prince of Prussia , and having a splendid view of its p icturesque scenery . From

Mayence , to Frankfort-on-the-Mame , then to Lcipsic , Berlin , and Dresden , cm to Prague and Vienna , where a lew days will be spent at the Gnat International Exhibition ; from Vienna into Bavaria , visitinir Munich , then on to

Innspruck , over the snow-clad Alps , by the celebrated Brenner Pass , to Verona in Italy ; leaving Verona a few days will then be spent at Venice . From Venice lo Milan , then to Turin , and under the Alps by . Mount Cenis Tunnel , to

LJhanibery , Culoz , and on to Geneva , Lausanne , and Berne ; thence by lake ami rail lo Interlacken ; Julci'laekcn to Giesbach , with its illuminated waterfalls , and across the lake to Breinz , over the Brunig Pass , for Alpnach and Lucerne