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Reviews.
faithfully , told , and the fortunes of a sister who married for money and position are also traced in those truthful characters , which impress us anew with the conviction , that fiction , considered in a literary aspect ,
is but the shadow of our every-day life . We can thoroughly recommend the book to our readers , having ourselves read it
from the first page to the denouement , and we may add that its picturesque descriptions of our glorious old "City" are not the least of its merits in our citizen eyes .
As Ave briefly intimated last week , this Annual—which , we trust , is but the herald of many subsequent issues—is really one of the most valuable contributions to Masonic literature that has ever been submitted to
Tlie Kingston Masonic Annual , 1871 . M . C . PECK & SON , ro , Market-place , Hull .
the Craft . Beyond all question , the gem of the work is Bro . Hughan ' s " History of Freemasonry in York , " although the preceding articles , especially those by Bros . Longstaff ( the editor ) , Stromer , Findel , and
Todd , are extremely interesting and important . In dealing with the materials for his exhaustive sketch of York Masonry , Bro . Hughan is careful to separate the romantic elements of the story from the actual
records that attest the antiquity of Freemasonry in the fine old cathedral city . Still , the evidence which he presents points to the existence of Freemasonry in England at a much earlier date than the revival
period , A . D . 1717 ; and to our mind—and antiquarians are generally ready to accept similar data— -the references made by Bro .
Hughan , at pp . 74 , 75 , are corroborative proof of the claims of York to be considered the birthplace of Freemasonry . The various threads of this instructive
history are woven into a consistent whole by Bro . Hughan , and the result is one upon which Ave heartily congratulate both the indefatigable author and the Craft , who derive the advantage of his labours . As the
work is published for the benefit of the Charity Fund of the Kingston Lodge , No . 1010 , Hull , we do not feel at liberty to make extracts without permission ; but in order to afford our readers an idea of
the contents , we may state that the editor contributes a paper on " Freemasonry and its Rites , " Bro . C . James Todd one on " Uniformity of Ritual " and a capital article on " The Master of a Masonic Lodge ;"
Bro . Stromer recounts his " Visit to a Prussian Lodge , " and Bro . Findel , the learned Masonic historian , supplies a Avellwritten paper on " The Antient Landmarks . "
There is also Clavel s " Charge on Initiation " Avhich is too French for our taste , and the "Swiss Protest again the present War , " which by a typical error is said to have been drawn up by the representatives of all
the Swiss lodges at -Lausanne , on the 3 rd September , " 1770 . " The declaration of our Swiss brethren is a sensible document , and docs not , like some of thc protests promulgated by certain Italian Masons ,
presume toenter into the arena of politics , or to guage thc merits of the present unhappy strife between France and Germany . In conclusion , AVC can confidently recommend our readers to obtain Bro . Peck ' s
Annual , as a better investment for three shillings—the price of the work—cannot well be imagined from a Masonic point of view . There is food for thought in the Annual , which may better employ the talents of some of our Masonic writers than
vain disputes about the height of King Solomon ' s Temple , or thc pay of thc Craft under Adoniram , the son of Abda .
Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and Queries .
—<¦ »—MARK MASONRY . In answer to the request by the editor , I beg to state that to the best of my knowledge the publication of Bro . E . M . Shaw ' s collection
of Masonic Marks has been delayed in consequence of his ill-health . It is much to be desired that the learned brother will favour the Craft as soon as possible with the result of his labours on such an
interesting subject , especially as no one is better qualified—and , in fact , few so well—to do so . W . J AMES HUGHAN . P . S . —Collections of Masonic marks have been published in Laurie ' s " History of Freemasonry , " the Builder , & c .
FREE-MASONRY V . EXCLUSIVE-MASONRY . AVe most heartily support the statement ofthe Editor of THE FREEMASON that " Freemasonry in this country knows no distinction of race ,
colour , or creed , provided the applicant for its privileges be found worthy , " and in fact I could not understand an English brother maintaining otherwise .
" Delta , " in THE FREEMASON for October 8 th , holds that no man , whether white or black , who is not frechom , is eligible to be made a Mason . Bro . W . P . Buchan ( in the issue for October 22 nd ) opposes this narrow view , and remarks
that " if a man happened to be free at the time of his intended initiation " that alone would be requisite , if otherwise . suitable . So we believe , and so we declare , notwithstanding the majority of Grand Lodges in the United states who are
opposing such a grand and humane proposition . AVe find from our notes that the Grand Lodge of England on September ist , 18 47 , agreed to
substitute the words "free-man . " for free by birth , yet we have heard the latter often given in answer to a certain enquiry in our lodges . Let it be removed from our ceremonies for ever . AV . J . HUGHAN .
THE APRON THE BADGE OF OUR ORDER . In reply to " AV . P . B ., " it is stated in the Quarterly Review , that " in an indenture made in the reign of Henry VI . between the churchwardens of a parish in Suffolk and a company of
Freemasons , it is stipulated that each man should be provided with a pair of white gloves , and a white apron ; and that a lodge , properly tiled , should be erected for them at the expense of the parish . " ( No . xxiv ., p . 146 . ) I copy the
above extract as it stands in my note-book , but have never yet been able to verify it . If genuine , it clearly proves the use of the apron among
Operative Masons ( and that , too , as it would seem , in lodge , i . e ., when not engaged in operative labour ) to be a thing of considerable antiquity .
As to the date when the apron began to be worn by // -- // -operative , " accepted , " or " speculative " Masons—that is a separate question . If no evidence to the contrary be forthcoming , I
should be inclined to suppose that , when in lodge , these would wear clothing similar to that of the " Free" and Operative brethren into whose company they were admitted . P . H . NEWXHAM .
Your correspondent "W . P . B , " makes an enquiry ( at p . 545 ) respecting proof of the use ofthe Masonic apron before 1717 , and intimates that because he is not aware of such proof , he considers it was only at that time introduced as
a " distinguishing badge . " AVhy should "AV . P . B . " consider this to be so ? Surely there is much in the world that we do not in our philosophy dream of , and it does not appear well to form our opinions too positively because there
may be an absence of such proof as is satisfactory to our personal judgment . Much has been said on the 1717 theory , and I regret that many engagements prevented my having the opportunity to say a little myself . I , however , sent Bro . Hughan a few archaeological references ,
Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
of which he will , no doubt , make use in good time , and I can probably supply others if wanted . On the subject of gloves and aprons , I have the following note : — " This costume is of ancient date : for in an indenture of covenants made in
the reign of Henry VI ., as we learn in the Quarterly Review , vol . xxiv ., page 146 , between the churchwardens of a parish in Suffolk and a company of Freemasons , the latter stipulated that each man should be provided with a pair of
white gloves and a white apron , and that a lodge , constructed so as to be properly tiled , should be erected at the expense of the parish in which they were to carry on their works . " I have not had an opportunity to refer to the
Quarterly since making this note , but if it is a correct statement of an authentic document , it cannot be doubted that it is almost complete evidence that the white apron was a "
distinguishing badge" with the early Craft . Old statutes , too , contain in their allusions strong evidences ofthe existence of the secret system among the ancient Freemasons . LUPUS .
THE REVIVAL . At page 523 , I perceive your highly-esteemed correspondent , Bro . W . J . Hughan , reiterating the idea in a very pointed manner that the word " revival" is the proper term to applv to the
transactions which took place in A . D . 1717 . Now , I feel bound to say that , as yet , I am quite unable to admit this . The " essential differences " which existed between the Freemasonry ofthe 17 th and 18 th centuries were so greatthat
as yet I have been quite unable to see how the proceedings that took place in 1717 can properly be called a " revival . " I have many reasonsfor saying so , and among others the following by Bro . Hughan himself , viz . : " We have but to
glance over the records of the ancient lodges and those under the modern Grand Lodges to witness the essential differences in the two systems , and fhe facts of Masonic history decidedly point to the year 1717 as the line of demarcation
between them . ' " I have 2 : 0 intention to enterinto the heart of this question at present , because it would be premature , and that for several reasons , such as , eg ., Bro . Hughan himself tells us that he is bringing out a " History of Freemasonry in
York * then , again , one of our best Masonic historians , Bro . D . Murray Lyon , is shortly to bring out his work on the records of the Lodge of Edinburgh , Mary ' s Chapel , No . 1 . So that , until these two works are before us , we must
delay the consideration of this matter , after which I shall either admit tint the word " revival" is the proper term to use , or , denying
it , I shall challenge Bro . Hughan , and all others who use it , to show cause why they do so , while I , on my part , shall try to show why I condemn it . W . P . BUCHAN .
SOLOMON S TEMPLE . At page 539 , Bro . AVilliam Carpenter , in treating upon Solomon ' s Temple , says , " supported by double rows of white marble Corinthian columns . " Now , there must be some mistake
here . Herod's temple may have had " marble Corinthian columns , "but as for Solomon ' s having these , that , I fear , is only a dream , as thc state and style of the architecture of Palestine and the surrounding nations in the time of Solomon
shows . However , as I have a few words relating to this in another communication which I am preparing , I shall say nothing further at present . As to the position of tlie two pillars Boaz and Jachin , I agree most decidedly with Bro .
Carpenter •in fact , in page 30 of your contemporary for July 10 th , 186 9 , I gave a ground-plan of the temple , showing the true position of these pillars to be as he says , viz ., Boaz on the north or left side , and Jachin on tlie south or right side . AV . P . B .
THE TWO PILLARS BOAZ AND JACHIN . AVe are distinctly informed that these pillars were twelve cubits in circumference . But may
I ask if it be distinctly stated that they were round , or might they have been square , and measuring three cubits on a side , which would also give twelve cubits round about ? LEO .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reviews.
faithfully , told , and the fortunes of a sister who married for money and position are also traced in those truthful characters , which impress us anew with the conviction , that fiction , considered in a literary aspect ,
is but the shadow of our every-day life . We can thoroughly recommend the book to our readers , having ourselves read it
from the first page to the denouement , and we may add that its picturesque descriptions of our glorious old "City" are not the least of its merits in our citizen eyes .
As Ave briefly intimated last week , this Annual—which , we trust , is but the herald of many subsequent issues—is really one of the most valuable contributions to Masonic literature that has ever been submitted to
Tlie Kingston Masonic Annual , 1871 . M . C . PECK & SON , ro , Market-place , Hull .
the Craft . Beyond all question , the gem of the work is Bro . Hughan ' s " History of Freemasonry in York , " although the preceding articles , especially those by Bros . Longstaff ( the editor ) , Stromer , Findel , and
Todd , are extremely interesting and important . In dealing with the materials for his exhaustive sketch of York Masonry , Bro . Hughan is careful to separate the romantic elements of the story from the actual
records that attest the antiquity of Freemasonry in the fine old cathedral city . Still , the evidence which he presents points to the existence of Freemasonry in England at a much earlier date than the revival
period , A . D . 1717 ; and to our mind—and antiquarians are generally ready to accept similar data— -the references made by Bro .
Hughan , at pp . 74 , 75 , are corroborative proof of the claims of York to be considered the birthplace of Freemasonry . The various threads of this instructive
history are woven into a consistent whole by Bro . Hughan , and the result is one upon which Ave heartily congratulate both the indefatigable author and the Craft , who derive the advantage of his labours . As the
work is published for the benefit of the Charity Fund of the Kingston Lodge , No . 1010 , Hull , we do not feel at liberty to make extracts without permission ; but in order to afford our readers an idea of
the contents , we may state that the editor contributes a paper on " Freemasonry and its Rites , " Bro . C . James Todd one on " Uniformity of Ritual " and a capital article on " The Master of a Masonic Lodge ;"
Bro . Stromer recounts his " Visit to a Prussian Lodge , " and Bro . Findel , the learned Masonic historian , supplies a Avellwritten paper on " The Antient Landmarks . "
There is also Clavel s " Charge on Initiation " Avhich is too French for our taste , and the "Swiss Protest again the present War , " which by a typical error is said to have been drawn up by the representatives of all
the Swiss lodges at -Lausanne , on the 3 rd September , " 1770 . " The declaration of our Swiss brethren is a sensible document , and docs not , like some of thc protests promulgated by certain Italian Masons ,
presume toenter into the arena of politics , or to guage thc merits of the present unhappy strife between France and Germany . In conclusion , AVC can confidently recommend our readers to obtain Bro . Peck ' s
Annual , as a better investment for three shillings—the price of the work—cannot well be imagined from a Masonic point of view . There is food for thought in the Annual , which may better employ the talents of some of our Masonic writers than
vain disputes about the height of King Solomon ' s Temple , or thc pay of thc Craft under Adoniram , the son of Abda .
Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and Queries .
—<¦ »—MARK MASONRY . In answer to the request by the editor , I beg to state that to the best of my knowledge the publication of Bro . E . M . Shaw ' s collection
of Masonic Marks has been delayed in consequence of his ill-health . It is much to be desired that the learned brother will favour the Craft as soon as possible with the result of his labours on such an
interesting subject , especially as no one is better qualified—and , in fact , few so well—to do so . W . J AMES HUGHAN . P . S . —Collections of Masonic marks have been published in Laurie ' s " History of Freemasonry , " the Builder , & c .
FREE-MASONRY V . EXCLUSIVE-MASONRY . AVe most heartily support the statement ofthe Editor of THE FREEMASON that " Freemasonry in this country knows no distinction of race ,
colour , or creed , provided the applicant for its privileges be found worthy , " and in fact I could not understand an English brother maintaining otherwise .
" Delta , " in THE FREEMASON for October 8 th , holds that no man , whether white or black , who is not frechom , is eligible to be made a Mason . Bro . W . P . Buchan ( in the issue for October 22 nd ) opposes this narrow view , and remarks
that " if a man happened to be free at the time of his intended initiation " that alone would be requisite , if otherwise . suitable . So we believe , and so we declare , notwithstanding the majority of Grand Lodges in the United states who are
opposing such a grand and humane proposition . AVe find from our notes that the Grand Lodge of England on September ist , 18 47 , agreed to
substitute the words "free-man . " for free by birth , yet we have heard the latter often given in answer to a certain enquiry in our lodges . Let it be removed from our ceremonies for ever . AV . J . HUGHAN .
THE APRON THE BADGE OF OUR ORDER . In reply to " AV . P . B ., " it is stated in the Quarterly Review , that " in an indenture made in the reign of Henry VI . between the churchwardens of a parish in Suffolk and a company of
Freemasons , it is stipulated that each man should be provided with a pair of white gloves , and a white apron ; and that a lodge , properly tiled , should be erected for them at the expense of the parish . " ( No . xxiv ., p . 146 . ) I copy the
above extract as it stands in my note-book , but have never yet been able to verify it . If genuine , it clearly proves the use of the apron among
Operative Masons ( and that , too , as it would seem , in lodge , i . e ., when not engaged in operative labour ) to be a thing of considerable antiquity .
As to the date when the apron began to be worn by // -- // -operative , " accepted , " or " speculative " Masons—that is a separate question . If no evidence to the contrary be forthcoming , I
should be inclined to suppose that , when in lodge , these would wear clothing similar to that of the " Free" and Operative brethren into whose company they were admitted . P . H . NEWXHAM .
Your correspondent "W . P . B , " makes an enquiry ( at p . 545 ) respecting proof of the use ofthe Masonic apron before 1717 , and intimates that because he is not aware of such proof , he considers it was only at that time introduced as
a " distinguishing badge . " AVhy should "AV . P . B . " consider this to be so ? Surely there is much in the world that we do not in our philosophy dream of , and it does not appear well to form our opinions too positively because there
may be an absence of such proof as is satisfactory to our personal judgment . Much has been said on the 1717 theory , and I regret that many engagements prevented my having the opportunity to say a little myself . I , however , sent Bro . Hughan a few archaeological references ,
Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
of which he will , no doubt , make use in good time , and I can probably supply others if wanted . On the subject of gloves and aprons , I have the following note : — " This costume is of ancient date : for in an indenture of covenants made in
the reign of Henry VI ., as we learn in the Quarterly Review , vol . xxiv ., page 146 , between the churchwardens of a parish in Suffolk and a company of Freemasons , the latter stipulated that each man should be provided with a pair of
white gloves and a white apron , and that a lodge , constructed so as to be properly tiled , should be erected at the expense of the parish in which they were to carry on their works . " I have not had an opportunity to refer to the
Quarterly since making this note , but if it is a correct statement of an authentic document , it cannot be doubted that it is almost complete evidence that the white apron was a "
distinguishing badge" with the early Craft . Old statutes , too , contain in their allusions strong evidences ofthe existence of the secret system among the ancient Freemasons . LUPUS .
THE REVIVAL . At page 523 , I perceive your highly-esteemed correspondent , Bro . W . J . Hughan , reiterating the idea in a very pointed manner that the word " revival" is the proper term to applv to the
transactions which took place in A . D . 1717 . Now , I feel bound to say that , as yet , I am quite unable to admit this . The " essential differences " which existed between the Freemasonry ofthe 17 th and 18 th centuries were so greatthat
as yet I have been quite unable to see how the proceedings that took place in 1717 can properly be called a " revival . " I have many reasonsfor saying so , and among others the following by Bro . Hughan himself , viz . : " We have but to
glance over the records of the ancient lodges and those under the modern Grand Lodges to witness the essential differences in the two systems , and fhe facts of Masonic history decidedly point to the year 1717 as the line of demarcation
between them . ' " I have 2 : 0 intention to enterinto the heart of this question at present , because it would be premature , and that for several reasons , such as , eg ., Bro . Hughan himself tells us that he is bringing out a " History of Freemasonry in
York * then , again , one of our best Masonic historians , Bro . D . Murray Lyon , is shortly to bring out his work on the records of the Lodge of Edinburgh , Mary ' s Chapel , No . 1 . So that , until these two works are before us , we must
delay the consideration of this matter , after which I shall either admit tint the word " revival" is the proper term to use , or , denying
it , I shall challenge Bro . Hughan , and all others who use it , to show cause why they do so , while I , on my part , shall try to show why I condemn it . W . P . BUCHAN .
SOLOMON S TEMPLE . At page 539 , Bro . AVilliam Carpenter , in treating upon Solomon ' s Temple , says , " supported by double rows of white marble Corinthian columns . " Now , there must be some mistake
here . Herod's temple may have had " marble Corinthian columns , "but as for Solomon ' s having these , that , I fear , is only a dream , as thc state and style of the architecture of Palestine and the surrounding nations in the time of Solomon
shows . However , as I have a few words relating to this in another communication which I am preparing , I shall say nothing further at present . As to the position of tlie two pillars Boaz and Jachin , I agree most decidedly with Bro .
Carpenter •in fact , in page 30 of your contemporary for July 10 th , 186 9 , I gave a ground-plan of the temple , showing the true position of these pillars to be as he says , viz ., Boaz on the north or left side , and Jachin on tlie south or right side . AV . P . B .
THE TWO PILLARS BOAZ AND JACHIN . AVe are distinctly informed that these pillars were twelve cubits in circumference . But may
I ask if it be distinctly stated that they were round , or might they have been square , and measuring three cubits on a side , which would also give twelve cubits round about ? LEO .