Masonic Notes And Queries.

the letters in 1747 ? Surely it is quite reasonable to suppose that Dr . Knipe may have sent the letters to the author of the life at any time before the life was published , especially as , so far as I can discover , no other Dr . Knipe is known to have existed . I have consulted the " Freemasons ' Magazine" for 1 S 63 , to which Bro . Gould refers , but 1 can find nothing therein to prove that the Dr . Knipe , whose career 1 have given above , was not also the Dr . Knipe to whom the author of Ashmole's life refers . A BROTHER AT OXFORD .

420 ] SIR WILLIAM CORVEHILL . 1 came across the accompanying " extract" in a work called " Bibliographical Miscellanies , " published at Oxford in 1 S 13 , p . G 6 . It has special interest for Freemasons in various ways and for various reasons . It is headed , " Character of Sir Wm . Corvehill . " "The following singular paper is taken from Bowen ' s MS . collection for a History of

Shropshire , now among the late Mr . Cough ' s books in the Bodleian . It was transcribed by Bowen from the Register of Sir Thomas Botelar , vicar of Wenlock , in the reigns of Hen . VIII ., Edw . VI ., Mary , and Elizabeth . Wenlock , alias Wimnicas , was first a nunnery , erected by St . Milburga , Da to St . Nerwald about 6 S 0 , who presided over it . It was destroyed by the Danes , but restored by Leofric ,

Earl of Chester , temp . Edward the Contessor , but being decayed and forsaken , Roger of Montgomery , Earl of Arundel , Chichester , and Shrewsbury , rebuilt and endowed it , 14 Will . Conq ., for a prior and convent of church monks . It was dedicated to St . Milburg , who was said to be buried here . It was afterwards granted by Hen . VIII . to Augustino de Augustinis . 1546 , 26 May , burd out

of tow tenemts in Madfold-street , next St . Owen's Well , Sir Wm . Corvehill , Priest of the service of or Lady in this , 'Ch ., wch 2 tents , belongd to the sd service , he had them in his occupacon in pt of his wages , wch was viii marks , and the sd houses in an ov'plus . He was

well skilled in geometry , not by speculation but by experience ; could make organs , clocks and chimes , in kerving in masonry , and silk weaving or painting , and could make all instrumen t of music , & c , Sic . AH this country had a loss of Sir W , for he was a good bcllfounder and maker of frames . " BOOKWORM .

421 ! THE STRASBURG ARCHIVES OF THE STEINMETZEN . I have been looking into this question for Masonic Student ( No . 403 ) . I do not know on what authority Arnold bases his assertion that " they were destroyed to prevent them falling into the hands of the "Jacobine Commissioners , " as I have not the work by me . These archives contain , or

did contain at one time , the Ordinances of 1459 . Grandidier evidently saw the Ordinances in 1779 , and quoted extracts . They were first published in extenso by Heldmann , in 1 S 19 ; but he never saw the original . On page 200 he says : "The Ordinances are still preserved in the Strasburg Chapter House , and are carefully , although with no object , guarded under a triple lock . " On page 201 : " On

my journey through . Strasburg , in 1 S 17 , I took all imaginable trouble to obtain a sight of them , but in vain . " " What was denied me in Strasburg I obtained elsewhere . " Page 202 : " The Ordinances of 1459 in the Strasburg Archives only exist in manuscript . " Evidently Heldmann , in 1 S 19 , had heard no hint of their destruction . Heldmann obtained his copy of the 1459 Ordinances on loan from an unnamed

architect , who during his accidental sojourn at Strasburg at the commencement of the Revolution was enabled to obtain a true copy of the Ordinance at that time preserved in the Strasburg Lodge . " This copy was in 1 S 1 S compared with one in the possession of Bro . Oesterrieth , an architect who had graduated at said lodge . The italics

are in every case mine ; but it is evident that the Archives existed at the beginning of the French Revolution , and no hint is given of their subsequent destruction ; but , on the contrary , as Heldmann was denied a sight of them in 1 S 17 , we are justified in presuming that they were then still in existence . On the other hand , it may be argued that the supposed custodians of the treasure refused to produce the documents because thev could not . G . W . SPETH .

422 ] BRO . HUGHAN'S NEW WORK . 1 am pleased to see the two friendly notes , relative to my " Origin of the English Rite of Freemasonry , " by my friends Sillitoe and Newton . Bro . Sillitoe has discovered that the warrants of the two old chapters at Burnley and Colne were signed on the 12 th of May , 176 9 , thus bearing the same date as the extinct charter of the " Garden of

Eden , " Manchester , a copy of which I give in my book . It is singular that the records state these chapters " passed the seal" on the 14 th July , and yet they are actually dated some two months earlier . I quite think with Bro . Sillitoe therefore that these three Lancashire warrants ( 2 , 4 , and 5 respectively ) were issued simultaneously , and are thus of the same age . 1 am very pleased to hear of the existence of

another separate Royal Arch minute book of the "Ancients , " and thank Bro . Newton for mentioning the fact . No warrant was necessary for such a chapter to assemble , so long as it was under the wing of an "Ancient " lodge ; but , of course , after the Union that convenient arrangement fell through , and charters became a necessity . Why cannot

Bro . Newton manage to g _ t the old chapter resuscitated , just as my friends at Falmouth did for No . 75 ? I am persuaded that a reduction of the minimum exaltation fee would give quite an impetus to Royal Arch Masonry , and help many a struggling chapter , because so many more Master Masons would seek to join . W . T . HUGHAN .

423 ] DR . MORRIS'S MASONIC NOTES . 1 am delighted to see an article in the F ' reemason by Dr . Morris , cf Kentucky , U . S . A ., because few have done so much as lie has , either in England or America , to follow successfully " correspondents in their course , slow , laborious , often discouraging as it is , towards the headsprings of Masonic History . "

However , I must not stay to moralize , but seek to clear up one or two points he has kindly left in my hands to elucidate . The No . 14 Lodge , of 1 754 , was warranted in 1723 , and was 15 before the numeration of 1 740-55 . According to Bro . Gould's " Four Old Lodges , " it was

erased in 177 1 . Of course it is just possible the lodge was an " Ancient " or " Atholl " one , and jn that case , No . 14 was warranted in 1752 , but became extinct in 1782 . Who shall decide ? The advertisements relating to the Royal Arch ( which , though Dr . Morris has . not gtoen the dates , I presume are

Masonic Notes And Queries.

of 1756 , but should like to know ) are most valuable and interesting . Indeed , if of the year 1756 or thereabouts , they are amongst the earliest references to that degree known . Typographically we go back to 1744 , but as to minutes , the references are not so early . "Antient York Masons " doubtless is a term used to describe the " Atholl Masons" of London about I 7 s 6 ; "E . G . " meaning

" Excellent Grand " ( A . G . elsewhere being in error ) . The letters " P . H ., Z . L ., J . A ., " most probably are the initials of the titles , " Prophcta Haggai , Zerrubabel , Legislator , aud Jeshua , Armigcr , " as Bro . W . Wytehead suggests for similar letters to be found in York R . A . Records of 1762 ( page 65 of my new wfirk ) . I consider the second advertisement more faulty than the first , typographically

speaking . I expect No . 30 ( of Jan . 22 nd , 1756 ) should be 38 , an " Atholl _ Lodge , " of whicli Bro . Gould gives a curious account in his work on that Grand Lodge . The "Constitutions" alluded to by Dr . Morris , he seems to have quite lost sight of , though he referred to that work some thirty or forty years ago in an interesting article thereon , lt was not published hy the Grand Lodge , but

was a reproduction ot one of the "Old Charges" or Operative Constitutions , known as "Cole ' s M . S ., " which 1 reissued in facsimile , iS 6 g , in my "Constitutions of the Freemasons . " They are now very rare , but two copies I believe were at the noted Worcester Masonic Exhibition

quite recently , and which are to be found noted in the catalogue , copies of which ( 2 S . each ) can still be had of Bro . George Taylor , Summerdyne Villa , Kidderminster . I hope soon to see some more antiquarian notes from the veteran Masonic writer Dr . Morris , who was initiated in 1 S 46 , and has long been one of our most racy contributors . W . J . HUGHAN .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft JHasourg . CITY OF WESTMINSTER LODGE ( No . 'S ^ S ) - —The session opened on Thursday , the 25 th ult ., at the Regent Masonic Hall , ( Cafe Royale ) . Present : Bros . P . W . Eastgate , W . M . ; Jones , S . W . ; Lee , J . W . ; Hammond , I . P . M ., Treas . ; 1 . E . Shand , P . M ., Sec ; Waugh , P . M . ; XV . C . Smith , S . D . ; Hill , J . D . ; Cox , I . G . ; Brander , Stwd . ; Durant , D . C . ; Edell , Stevens ,

W . H . Smith , Higgins , Harrington , and others . Visitors : Bros . J . F . Baker , P . M . 1305 ; B . Turner , J . W . 1765 ; A . VV . Gower , S . W . 123 S ; R . A . Kirkaldy , S . D . 1321 ; W . Hodgkinson , 901 ; and others . Three brethren were raised to the Third Degree . The bye-laws were read . Bro . G . F . Jones was unanimously elected W . M ., and Bro . Hammond , I . P . M ., Treas . A

j ' ewel and collar , value ^ 10 ios ., was voted to the retiring W . M ., Bro . Eastgate . It was moved , seconded , and carried " nem . con ., " that the W . M ., Bro . W . Burdett-Coutts , and the Officers of the Abbey Lodge , Westminster , No . 2030 , be invited to attend the installation meeting in November next . ( These inter-Masonic visits with lodges

having such closeaffinity—the Secretary is a founder and hrst Secretary of the Abbey Lodge—are calculated to strengthen the fraternal bonds of cordiality , & c , in lodge work and out of it , and is recommended by the Book of Constitutions . ) The lodge was then closed , and the brethren dined together at the Cafe Royal , proverbial for good dinners .

HENRY MUGGERIDGE LODGE ( No . 16 79 ) . —The opening meeting of the season was held on the 27 th ult . at the Masonic Hall , Masons' -avenue , E . C . Lodge was opened by Bro . C . Arnold , assisted by Bros . S . Stampfer , S . W . ; A . S . Street , J . W . ; A . Sack , I . P . M ., Sec . ; J . T . Penney , S . D . ; J . W . Embrow , I . G . ; F . J . Croger , E . C . Dyer , G . W . Lock , and others . Visitors : IBros .

Grammant , P . M . 1559 , ar'd G . H . Stephens , W . M . 1623 . There was unfortunatel y no ceremonial business to be performed , so , after the minutes of the installation meeting had been disposed of , and several important communications had been dealt with , the W . M . desired Bro . G . H . Stephens , W . M . 1623 , to work a Section . This was agreeably done , and gave a Masonic zest to the meeting .

Lodge was closed , and the brethren , forming a very select party , sat down to a really capital banquet , which reflected all possible credit upon the establishment . After grace , the W . M . in a very genial manner gave the usual loyal and Craft toasts , and the small number of brethren present induced the idea of a happy family party , and was so free from formality as to render the evening a very memorable ,

as well as a pleasurable , one . Bro . Sack , I . P . M ., in responding for " The Past Masters' " toast , which the W . M . had given in an eulogistic speech , explained the several causes that were operating , and so preventing the attendance on that occasion of the esteemed founder of the lodge—Bro . Henry Muggeridge , P . M . —and some others or the Past Masters .

The toast list having been complied with at an early hour in the evening , the remaining time was devoted to harmony . Among those who contributed thereto were the W . M ., Bro . Arnold , Bros . G , W . Lock , S _ ephens ,, Strut , and last , but not least , Bro . F . Julian Croger , who not only favoured the brethren as an accompanist , but also sang several capital

songs of his own composing— " Floating o ' er the streamlet , " "What I should say , " & c . Bro . Croger also favoured the brethren with several other compositions— " March of the Masons , " "Grecian Wedding March , " and a "Prelude a la Gavotte . " Altogether a most enjoyable evening was passed by the brethren .

KENSINGTON LODGE ( No . 1767 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Saturday , the 20 th ult ., at the South Kensington Hotel , Queen ' s Gate Terrace , when there were present Bros . Metcalfe , W . M . ; Hayes , S . W . ; Burgess , J . W ., Walter , S . D . ; Williams , J . D . ; Barclay , I . G . ; Oliver , Org . ; Read , Barker , and

Taylor , Past Masters , and the maj ' oiity of the members of the lodge . Among the visitors were Bros . Wilmer , J . W . ; Jessop , J . D . ; WateandKey , of 2020 ; J . Mason , P . P . G . S . D . Middx . ; Bryett , P . P . G . Supt . Wks . Berks and Bucks ; Cole , P . M . 1 O 81 j Whitley , P . M . 946 ; Smith , P . M . 56 ; Cordingley , P . M . 45 ; Harding , J . W . 1460 ; Tipper , J . D . 185 ; Snell , 1425 ; andSttcock , 1441 .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

This was the first time the W . M . had the opportunity of performing the ceremony of raising , he having been prevented by illness on two previous occasions . He was heartily congratulated on his restoration to health , and the manner in which he discharged his duties in laising Bro . Cockburn , and subsequently initiating a candidate , must have impressed the brethren of the Granite Lodge who were

present as visitors , and of whicli lodge Bro . Metcalfe has the honour to be the first S . W ., that lhey have in him a brother every way worthy to succeed their present excellent Master . The cermony of initiation was concluded , and Bro . F . R . Hayes , W . M . elect , was presented to receive the benefit of installation . Those brethren not being Installed Masters having retired , the chair was taken by Bro .

Read , P . M ., who concluded the ceremony , ably assisted by Bro . Taylor , P . M ., as D . C , the addresses being given respectively by Bros . Taylor , Barker , and Read . The W . M . appointed as his officers Bros . Burgess , S . W . ; Walter , J . W . ; Barker , P . M ., Treas . ; Read , P . M ., Sec ; Williams , S . D . ; Barclay , J . D . ; Norman , I . G . ; Oliver , Org . ; Schofield , Tyler ; Wiggins , Steward ; and invested

Bro . Metcalfe , I . P . M ., with the Past Master ' s jewel of the lodge . "Ihe lodge having being closed , the brethren sat down to a very enjoyable banquet , at the conclusion of which the W . AI . gave the customary toasts with very commendable brevity , saying there were so many singing brethren present he thought the company would be more delighted in

listening to them than to himself . "The Health ofthe W . M . " was proposed by Bro . Metcalfe , and most cordially received . " The Visitors" was responded to by Bros . Whitley , Tipper , Ware , Key and Snell , who all expressed their pleasure in being present , and the gratification with which they had listened to the working in the lodge , especially alluding

to the musical accompaniments to the ceremonies , which , from the care bestowed by Bro . Oliver , have been a marked feature in this lodge . Bro . John Mason , in responding for " The Masonic Charities , " said he was gratified to hear that Bro . Metcalfe would represent the lodge as a Steward at thc next festival for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Masons and Widows . He would be the third Steward from

the lodge for that Charity , and it had also sent Stewards twice to both Girls' and Boys' Schools , although as yet but a young lodge . He hoped the brethren would support their Immediate Past Master , and thanked them very sincerely for the consistent support given to that Institution he was more particularly interested in . "The Healths of the Treasurer , Secretary and Officers , " having been given and responded to , the brethren separated , after having spent a most agreeable evening .

HENRY LEVANDER LODGE ( No . 2048 ) . — A regular meeting was held at the Railway Hotel , Harrow , on Saturday last , by Bros . H . Lovegrove , W . M . ; C . J . Axford , S . W . ; W . A . Scurrah , J . W . ; and others . The visitors , who rendered valuable assistance , were Bros . W . M . Stiles , P . M ., P . Z . 1507 ; J . Medwin , P . M . ; and G .

Langley . Bros . R . M . Surridge , W . H . Burgess , and H . Webb were passed to the Second Degree , and Messrs . W . W . Smith and S . Barfoot were initiated . The whole of the ceremonies were well carried out , and , after the transaction of some routine business , the lodge was closed . After a very nice dinner the usual toasts were honoured and songs given , concluding a pleasant and successful meeting .

BATTLE . —Abbey Lodge ( No . 1184 ) . —The brethren of this lodge met on the iSth ult . at the Masonic Hall . The W . M ., Bro . B . H . Thorpe , P . P . G . S . D ., P . M ., presided , supported by Bros . H . G . F . Wells , Prov . G , A . Purst ., P . M ., Treas ., acting S . W . ; Charles Armstrong , J . W . ; Rev . C . F . Bonny Hawkins , M . A ., Chap . ; Robt .

Hughes , Sec ; Henry Kimm , S . D . ; W . T . Jordan , acting J . D . ; J . Fielding , Org . ; T . J . Walder , I . G . ; Jeeson , Tyler ; Charles VV . Duke , P . P . G . D ., P . M . 40 , P . M . ; W . Lamborn , P . P . G . P ., P . M . ; C . R . Chandler , P . P . G . P ., P . M . ; J . B . Sargent ; P . M . ; VV . C . Till , R . M . Lambert , Henry Dtucquer , J . B . Foster , W . E . Skinner , Rashell T . Davison , M . D . ; andW . A . Raper Farr , P . P . G . S . B . Essex , P . M . '

The minutes of previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the motion with reference to alteration of byelaws was put for confirmation , but , after discussion , did not pass . The lodge was closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned . ¦ LIVERPOOL . —Hamer Lodge ( No . 1393 ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the

18 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Hope-street , when the following brethren were present : Bros . M . Callaghan , W . M . ; W . H . Jewitt , I . P . M . ; J . McCarthy , P . M . J W . C . Erwin , P . M ., P . Z ., Treas . ; J . Pilling , P . M ., D . C . R . J . L . Kynaston , P . M . ; T . Pierrepont , S . W . ; R . L . Stockton , J . W . ; J . Tomlin , Sec ; W . T . Oversby , S . D . F . A . Rainbow , J . D . ; J . R . Hankey , I . G . ; J . Smitte , S . S . ; J . C . Brooks , J . S . ; G . S . Shenton , A . S . ; M . Williamson , Tvler ; T . A . Laidlaw . 1 . Arulprsinn r . W

Baron , J . W . Tatham , J . Jones , R . Parry , and T . Roberts . Visitors : Bros . J . King , W . M . 82 s ; G . Crute , W . M . 1624 ; A . Bucknell , I . P . M . 66 7 ; H . Hindle , P . M . 1620 ; J . White , J . W . 249 ; G . Mitchell , J . W . 1035 ; L . L . Fraser ' Jj . D . 1264 ; l . McCready , J . D . 1035 ; T . Sefton , 241 ; •_ . L . Jackson , 292 ; VV . Jones , 1264 ; W . Evans , 10 S 6 ; and J . C . Robinson , P . M . 249 ( Freemason ) .

The lodge was promptly opened , and the minutes submitted and confirmed . The ballot was then taken for Mr . Donald James Wilding , and proving favourable that gentleman was admitted and initiated into the mysteries of the Order in a very efficient manner by the VV . M ., he being ably supported by a first class staff of officers . After the usual routine of business the lodge was closed

, and the brethren then adjourned to the banquet , which was well served by Bro . Casey , the House Steward . Upon the removal of the cloth the customary toasts received full justice . " The Health of the Past Masters " was proposed by the VV . M ., who informed the brethren that Bro . Walter

Irwin , P . M . and freas ., had been appointed Assistant P . G . Secretary for West Lancashire . Bros . Jewett , McCarthy , Pilling , and Kyniston responded , and congratulated Bro . Irwin on his appointment . "Ihe Visitors , " "Newly Initiated , " and " Officers " toasts followed . ¦

ROMFORD . —Liberty of Havering Lodge ( No . 1437 )•—The . usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the RismgiSun Hotel , on Thursday , the 25 th ult . In the