Masonic Notes And Queries.

according to Bro . Gould , at Canterbury , 1806 . It united , however , in 1 S 19 , I find , with No . 416 of the " Moderns , " which was constituted in 177 6 , and hence the continuity of the 100 years has been preserved . Bro . Hall , P . M . ( Canterbury ) , has kindly sent me a copy of the centenary warrant , granted in December , 1 S 78 , which confirms the statements made by Bro . Gould and myself before we

knew of the grant being made . No . 55 , constituted in 1756 , purchased original No . 3 in 1759 , so that it was vacant at that time . 1 cannot , therefore , agree with its title being "Time Immemorial , " as Bro . Gould styles it . At the Union it became No . 5 , at which it still remains , and in 1843 was united with the " Corner Stone ""of the " Moderns" of A . H . 1730 . Then

No . 5 as an "Ancient"lodge dates from 1759 , as respects continuity on that register , but as a united lodge goes back to A i ) . 1 730 as of the " Moderns . " A lodge buying a dormant or lapsed warrant became entitled to the position on the roll thus obtained , but not the date of the original warrant of the lodge so supplanted . The present No . 10 is an instance of this , carefully

registered , as usual , by Bro . Gould . Originally started as a lodge in March , 1769 , as 159 , in 1792 it purchased the position of the lapsed No . 10 , which was chartered at first in 1731 . The centenary , however , of the present 19 ( Nc . 10 until the " Union " ) was not celebrated until 1 . 86 9 , and rightly so . Bro . Grulr ! has done well to give all the various dates obtained by Bro . Constable , after considerable labour , when

they refer to alterations not mentioned on the records , and he has also made known any points of interest discovered in extensive researches amidst all kinds of material . Some of . the latter suggest a deal of labour , only a little of which is seen on the surface , for though we can all see the result we fail often to realise the quantity of neglected material . Under " Ancient , " No . 123 , military lodges , with two

dates on the register , in the space of under twenty lines , Bro . Gould gives many references , not onlv proving that the 6 th Dragoons have worked under the three Grand Lodges of England , " Modern , " York , and " Ancient , " but also of the Grand Lodge of Ireland and Royal Arch Chapters from the Grand Chapter of all England , at

York , and that of Scotland . Bro . Whytehead ' s researches —a well known and respected Craftsman at York—and many others arc utilized for this interesting account . The registers of the "Ancient" Grand Lodge for 1807 and 1813 being reprinted in the " Atholl Lodges " adds also to the value of the work so well done and written by our Bro . Gould . W . J . HUGHAN .

THE ATHOLL LODGES . Referring to Bro . Hughan ' s notice of this work in recent numbers of the Frccmasun , I think it is very imperfectly understood , that in cases where the numerical positions of " Ancient" lodges have been varied , three different kinds of warrants have been brought intc use . Firstly , the old or original warrant conferred on the senior lodge , to

whose place the move upwards has occurred . Secondly , the original warrant held by the junior lodge obtaining such promotion ; and thirdly , an entirely new warrant of constitution , dating from the period when the higher precedency was officially vested in the purchasing lodge . Examples of all three of the above are to be found in Bro . Constable ' s transcripts .

Much confusion has resulted from this want of uniformity in the re-issue of Masonic charters , e . g ., the present Humber Lodge , No . 57 , constituted 1809 , obtained a centenary warrant in 18 5 6 , in virtue of the warrant ( not the lodge ) having completed one hundred years of its existence . On the other hand , the Royal Athelstane , constituted 1769 , through holding a place or position on the

Atholl Roll , originally warranted in 1754 , has been accorded . 1 centenary warrant in virtue of its actual seniority only ( 1769 ) . The examples just cited are representative cases , and any brother may find many similar ones by a cursory examination of the lists . It is easier to state the difficulty than to surmount it , and it may be observed that the

practice of buying a higher seniority was not confined to lodges holding under the " Ancients . " The Lodge of Friendship , present No . (> , though enjoying a precedency from A . i ) . 1721 , was actually established in 1767 , in which latter year the constitution of the then Lodge No . 3 , meeting at the Sun and Punch Bowl , was purchased by several influential brethren ; the Committee of Charity ,

or Board of General Purposes of lhat era , out of " high respect to His Grace the Duke of Beaufort ( elected Grand Master a week-later ) , and the other noblemen and honourable gentlemen concerned in the transaction , and in consideration of their being very young Masons , " condoning the offence . Even-handed justice was , in this case , hardly meted out , for whilst on the 15 th April , 1767 ,

the arch-offender , the Duke of Beaufort , was elected Grand Master , Thomas French ( afterwards Grand Secretary ) , through whose instrumentality the constitution of No . 3 bad been acquired , was obliged to make a humble ipology in Grand Lo'ige for his wrong doing . In the previous year ( 1766 ) the . executive committee of the "Moderns , " whilst sanctioning the purchase of an " old " warrant , by

some foreigners , on the ground " that having paid a valuable consideration for the constitution , in equity they had a right to the same , " laid down the following principle , viz . — "That for the Future the Sale of A Constitution Should on no account he laid valid , hut Should immediately be considered as forfeited . " Under the " Ancients " the transfer of warrants , like everything else sanctioned bv the " Working Men's" Grand

Lodge , was conducted without partiality , favour , or affection . A fixed sum ( to be paid to the General Fund of Charily ) was , from time lo time , named : is the price of a lapsed warrant , and vacant places on the roll were filled by the promotion of the senior l-idges applying for such higher numbers . I take this opportunity of thanking Bro . Hughan for a , " private" list of " Ancient" lodges of the year

Masonic Notes And Queries.

1804 which he has kindly lent me . So far as 1 have yet gone it corroborates my own investigations , whilst supplying valuable information respecting the obscure ( though deeply interesting ) subject of " Military " or " Regimental " Masonry . R . F . GOULD .

PUBLICATION OF "MASONIC CONSTITUTIONS . " 1 am delig hted to hear of the latest find of our most energetic student , Bro . Woodford . The " Wood's MS ., " of 1610 , will , doubtless , prove to be a very valuable MS ., especially as it differs from all known versions . Evidently it is a copy of one much older , which may yet be traced . If the extract in the Freemason of the 28 th ult . be verbatim

el literatim , the orthography is much better than usual for 1610 . With respect to the 100 subscribers for the 2 nd vol . of the " Archaeological Library , " there surely need not be any difficulty . I shall he happy to be one of ten who will undertake to find ten subscribers , provided the work be commenced on the completion of the 100 , and I am ready to give mv guarantee at once ; in fact , do so hereby .

Seeing that Vol . II . is " to contain the " Inigo Jones' MS . " and the " Wood's MS . " at a cost of 7 s . 6 d . per copy , the subscribers should at once be obtainable from the readers of the " Notes and Queries" department . I should much like to have the modernised version of " Halliwell ' s -MS . "

reprinted therein , from the " Masonic Magazine , " as also the " Cooke ' s MS . " that Bro . Woodford first spoke of . It need not be printed in an expensive form . Failing this , however , why not let us have Cooke ' s MS . in the " Masonic Magazine'' for our series of Masonic MSS ., No . 5 ? Jl'hat say J / « , Bro . ffoodjnnl ' W . J . HUGHAN .

CURIOUS OLD BOOKS . There is a curious old book termed " Observations Astrological . " By Richard Edlyn . Printed by J . W . for B . Billingsly and O . Blagrave , at the sign of the Printing Press , in Broad-street , 1668 . I may also mention "The Book of Palmestry and Physiognomy . " Written in Latin by John Indagine , and translated into English hy Fabian Withers . Printed

by M . Ibbetson , for Ed . Blackmore , at the Angel in Paul's Churchyard , 1656 . There is a curious work by J . Jacob Wrccherm , De Scrrctis Libri XVII . Printed at Basle , 15 S 2 . The " Commentarii " of John Eck , on the mysterious theology of Dionysius , the Arcopagite , arc also very curious . The work was printed by Gregotius Ilanlin , in " Dilinga ; , " 1610 . It has a preface in it from Ingoldstadt , in 1517 , by Eck . MASONIC STUDENT .

ELIAS ASHMOLE . I am g lad that my communication in re Elias Ashmolc has producetl so much fruit , as witness Bro . Broughton ' s , and especially Bro . Bowes ' s , letters . 1 shall be rejoiced to hear that we have " struck oil " at last . It is but fair , however , to state , that though I have thus kept the matter before my brother students the idea that the MSS . might

still be at Lichfield or Staffordshire is owing to my esteemed Bro . Bedford , P . G . C . I had previously searched the British Museum , and had had the same process pursued at the Bodleian and Ashmolian collection , but was distinctly told that h ' s private MSS . had never come to either of those great repositories . Bro . Bedford suggested

Lichfield . The history of Elias Ashmole is well known on account of his diary and the " Biographia Britannica , " and other works , and it will be very important indeed if we can find in his MSS . any collections or evidences of Masonry . So 1 await Bro . Bowes ' s further communication with deep curiosity and interest . MASONIC STUDENT .

Another Ms. Constitution.

ANOTHER MS . CONSTITUTION .

I have just received from our esteemed Bro . James Newton , of Bolton , a transcript of an old MS ., which evidently refers to the " Sloane , " No . 384 8 . The copy thus kindly sent was made about 1830 , according to my judgment , which is confirmed by my fortunate discovery of a water mark in the paper of 1828 . It was found recently amongst

the papers of the lamented Bro . John Tunnah , for some time Provincial Grand Secretary of E » st Lancashire , and an earnest Masonic student . A pencil note at foot of MS . is to the following effect : "The parchment MS . may be the original Charter of Constitution and obligation sent from the Grand Lodge ( or Lodge of Antiquity ) when the lodge at Bolton was constituted A . D ., varied according

to circumstances of the time . " This guess is doubtless wide of the mark , bat is mentioned in connection with the MS . I may also state that there are several MS . notes relating to the " Gentleman ' s Magazine" MS . ( 1815 ) , and " Nicholas Stone ' s" MS . ; as also to Preston ' s " Illustrations of Masonry , " but they do not call for any remark herein . I hear also of a MS . of the middle O j the 17 th century , but of this more anon . W . ] . HUGHAN .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BUO . JOHN WOOD . We have to announce the death of Bro . J . Wood , at the early age of 42 , after a long and distressing illness , which to the last he bore with Christian fortitude . Bro . Wood , who for years past' carried on an extensive business as painter and decorator , in the picturesque town of Keswick ,

was amongst the first initiated in Greta Lodge , No . 1073 , in the " metropolis of the Lake District , " and he was elected to the chair in 1870 . lie was also l ' . P . G . Org . of Cumberland and Westmorland ; a member of Regularity Chapter , No . 339 , Penrith ; a P . M . of the now all-but-defunct Bective Lodge , No . 147 , Mark Masters ; and a Past Sovereign of Dyke ' s Conclave , No . 3 6 , of Red Cioss

Obituary.

Knights . Twelve months ago , when a perfect cripple , he managed to drag himself to the installation festival of his mother lodge . A resolution of sympathy was fittingly accorded to his widow by the members of Greta Lodge last 1 uesday .

London Masonic Charity Association.

LONDON MASONIC CHARITY ASSOCIATION .

A meeting of this Association took place on Thursday week at Freemasons' Tavern . New members were elected , and the resignation of Bro . Perceval , as Treasurer , was accepted , with hearty thanks for his past services . Bro . Samuel Poynter , P . M ., was unanimously elected Treasurer

in his stead . Four candidates for the Girls' School election in April , and six candidates for the Boys' School election in April , were selected for the support of the Association . The meeting was adjourned to April 1 , at the same time and place , to consider the new cases on the Boys' list ,

and for the transaction of other needful business . Voting papers should be sent as soon as ' possible to Bro . Tisley , 1 , Clifford ' s-inn , Fleet-street , E . C , as the calculations of the sub-committee on the days of election and the heavy work of the Secretary would be greatly simplified and lessened were the voting papers to be transmitted at once to the offices of the Association .

Carnarvon And Mizpah Ball.

CARNARVON AND MIZPAH BALL .

The brethren of these well known City lodges gave their fourth annual hall on Friday , the 27 th ult ., at Cannon-street Hotel , upon which occasion a large and fashionable company were present . As we anticipated , the efforts of the Stewards were productive of the best results , the attendance being very large and pre-eminently successful .

Dancing commenced shortly after nine o ' clock , and was kept up with great spirit until an early hour . The varied nature of the Masonic clothing and jewels worn by the brethren and the very handsome dresses of the fair sex gave to the ball room a most brilliant and animated appearance . At half-past twelve the company adjourned to the "

Pillar" Room , where supper was served under the presidentship of Bro . George Briggs , W . M . of the Carnarvon Lodge , and vice-presidentship of * Bro . Nelson Reed , Treasurer and honorary Secretary . At the conclusion of the repast the President proposed the first toast , and , in doing so , said in every assembly of Englishmen there is one toast which requires but few

words of introduction , that of "The Queen . " He was sure no words of his could exalt and dignify more highly her leng and glorious reign ; but , as Queen and an Englishwoman , she is an example to the civilised world for her amiability and kindliness of disposition . With this toast he would add that of " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Most Worshipful Grand Master , the Princess of Wales , and the

rest of the Royal Family . " This toaftl having been loyally received , was followed by that of " The Stewards , " which the Chairman had very much pleasure in proposing . He thought it needless to remark how greatly the success of a ball depended upon the individual efforts of each Steward , and they would , he was sure , all acknowledge how diligent the Stewards had

been by the complete arrangements they had made that evening ; but , added Bro . Brigps , the success or non-success must be left to the judgment of the honourable company . By the happy faces before him he ventured to think the whole had been a complete success . With this toast he would couple the name of Bro . Nelson Reed , the Treasurer and Secretary to the Ball Committee , who was

deserving of their warmest thanks for his energetic and untiring perseverance , which had 30 much conduced to the success of the ball . He had carried out the admirable arrangements with all that kindness and goodness for which he was so highly distinguished . Bro . Briggs , in conclusion , said he would also apnrnd to this toast that of " Success to the Cimnrvon ail Mizpali Lodge Ball , " and

trusted he might have the pleasure to be present at these annual gatherings for many years . Bro . Nelson Reed , . P . M ., in reply , acknowledged that he was not at all surprised at being called upon to respond to this toast , so ably proposed by the worthy and esteemed Chairman , it having been previously arranged that he should do so , but it was an agreeable surprise to him to

hear coupled with the toast "The success of the Carnarvon and Miznah Lodges . " As a founder of both lodges , and first Master of the Mizpah Lodge , he thanked the Chairman most heartily and sincerel y for his kind remarks . He had the interest of both lodges at heart , and felt certain that as long as they had such good men and Masons connected with them as they had at present the

Carnarvon and Mtzpah Lodges must prosper . On behalf of theStewan ' s he bef . - ; ed to return his most heartfelt thanks for the kind manner in which their names had been received . They had all done their utmost to make this annual ball more successful than any of the previous ones , and he felt sure that the company present would admit that the Stewards had not failed in their endeavours to

score another success . Bro . Reed then made a few humorous remarks respecting his own services , concluding by wishing the next ball might be as successful as 1 his , an ! that those present that evening would be present nexl year . The President then gave the toast of the evening , " The Ladies , " which he desired the gentlemen to drink in

bumpers . This toast , he considered , above all others , required no words of exaltation from him , for he was sure all present admired—he might say loved—the grace and beauty of the ladies present that evening , who had , he thought , added a golden Jink to their happy chain of dances . He entirely agreed with Ottway , when he wrote— " Oh ! woman , lovely woman , angels are painted fair to look