Multum In Parbo; Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

" Grands" were in existence in i ( i 6 ( i . As to the value of Elmes' statements , that is seen to be very small indeed when he quotes as a fact thc imaginary 1666 Deputy Grand Mastership of Wren . Then as to thc notion that the connection of Sir Christopher Wren with Freemasonry caused it to bc su popular that even William thc Third of England joined thc body in 16 95 , wc find Bro . Hughan

in the Masonic Jewel for April , 187 ** . saying , " Neither is there a scrap of evidence that Freemasonry was popular from 161 ) 1 , because of Sir Christopher Wren ' s admission into the fraternity , or , in fact , that the fraternity was at all popular from 1691 to 1721 ! " The question is still an open one yet , I think— " Was Sir Christopher Wren ever adopted at all ? W . P . BCCIIAN .

MASONIC MEDALS AND IOKKNS . The Schichley Masonic token which came into my possession about eight months ago differs , if any , very slightly from Bro . Hughan ' s . Thc inscription on the rim is " Masonic token . I . Schichley , fecit 1794 . " The initial letter " I " has not been mentioned by either of your correspondents ; what Bro . Hughan calls the hour-glass appears to me more like a book . I cannot discover thc mallet , but

have an idea , if it is on my token , it is near the supposed hook ; the trowel is placed between the left foot of thc figure and the plumb . The coat of arms as described by E . S ., page 33 S , is thc same , but I cannot discern the compasses on the chevron , but they may be worn off , though the motto is very plain ; and the supports are intended for "beavers , " not " leopards , " the first-named being operative builders . Aug . 3 rd , 187 ; . T . F .

Laying The Memorial Stone Of The New Public School At Tarbolton.

LAYING THE MEMORIAL STONE OF THE NEW PUBLIC SCHOOL AT TARBOLTON .

On Saturday , 24 th ult ., thc memorial stone of the new public school buildings in course of erection at Tarbolton was planted with Masonic honours , under the auspices of St . James Kilwinning , No . 1 , 55—the lodge in which limns

" Oft , honour'd with supreme command , Presided o ' er the sons of light . " In the absence of Colonel Mure of Caldwell , M . P ., Provincial Grand Master , the ceremony was performed by the Senior Provincial Grand Warden , Bro . D . Murray Lyon , Proxy P . G . M . of the West India Islands , etc . He was accompanied by Bros . Robert Wylie , J . P ., Past Provincial

Grand Master of Ayrshire ; John Whinton , P . G . lrcas . ; the Rev . John W . Ritchie , ' of the Old Kirk Mission , Edinburgh , Acting P . G . Chaplain ; John Baird , P . M . , 5 bis , Substitute Provincial Grand Master of Glasgow , P . S . W . 488 , Tobago , etc . There , was a numerous attendance of thc Craft , representing the following lodges , viz ., Mother Kilwinning ; St . Cuthbert Kilwinning ,

Kirkcudbright ; Navigation , Troon ; Kilwinning , Ayr ; St . Mungo , Mauchline ; St . Paul , 'iyr ; St . Barnabas , Cumnock ; St . John , New Cumnock ; St . Thomas Kilwinning , Dalmellington ; Govandale , Govan ; St . John , Catrinc . The strongest deputation ( numbering 70 , including musicians ) was that led by R . W . M . Chambers , of Ayr St . Paul . In addition to these were the members of the

Tarbolton Lodge in great force , bearing the flag , now sadly dilapidated , under which the poet had walked in " grand procession " through the village , with thc minute-book and other documents containing his signature—the jewel which had hung on his breast while presiding in the Orient being worn by the Acting P . G . M . Two very old Craftsmen honoured the ranks with their presence , viz .,

Alexander Murchy of Mockton ( now Troon ) Navigation , aged ninety-three , and John M'Millan of Tarbolton St . James , aged eighty-nine years—the former having been initiated in 1802 , is believed to be the oldest Freemason in Scotland . Among the onlookers wc observed two brethren whose past Masonic services entitle them to this recognition , viz ., Bro . James Brown , merchant , a Past Master of

St . James , and Bro . John Sloan , of St . David ( Bums ' mother lodge . ) Starting from No . 1 Public School , where it was marshalled hy Bro . Charles Sneddon , and headed by the Ayr Volunteer Artillery Band , with the Annbank and thc Mauchline brass bands stationed for effect at different points , the procession moved towards the new buildings ,

where they were received by thc following members of the School Board , viz ., Bros , the Rev . David Ritchie , A . M ., Established Church ; the Rev . William Young , Free Church ; John Gray , Tongue . The R . W . M ., Neil Murchic , and the principal officials of the Tarbolton Lodge—Bros . James M'Cosh , Peter Barclay , Edward Dodd , James Crce —also appeared on the platform . Thc vacant space

around the building was densely packed with spectators , and by the time the brethren had assembled every available spot for witnessing the proceedings was crowded . Thc ceremony began with prayer by : hc acting Provincial Grand Chaplain . A bottle containing coins , copies of newspapers , oic , having been deposited , the memorial stone was lowered to its bed , and having been tested by

plumb , square , and level , corn , wine , and oil was poured upon it , and with three taps of thc mallet it was declared to have been duly laid according to the rules of Masonry . 'I'he ceremonies were interspersed with appropriate music . Ihe choir of thc Established Church , under the leadership l ) f Hro . David Petticrew , occupied a place on the platform , and sang the Old Hundredth Psalm and other sacred pieces with admirable effect .

Bro . Lyon , in addressing the assemblage , said—The '' Usincss for which we have been convened , and which has "cm done in due and ancient form , recalls to mind the passing away of that system of education for which during several centuries this country has been famous , and under which have been educated some of the brightest men of genius of which Scotland or the world can boast . Let us ' ° ] 'e that the new system may prove a worthy successor to

Laying The Memorial Stone Of The New Public School At Tarbolton.

the old , and eventually realise all that is expected of it . Some years ago thc educational wants of this village were met by the erection of a subscription school—a step which was honourable alike to its originators and those who aided in carrying it out ; and it is a matter of congratulation that the School Board should , in the erection of this other seminary , have afforded still greater facilities for

educating the youth of the parish . ( Applause . ) My limited acquaintance with Tarbolton precludes me from presenting a retrospect ol its educational history . " Death and Dr . Hornbook " has immortalised thc parish schoolmaster of the time ; but farther back on the roll of those

who have held that oflice stands the name of one whose godly life and devotion to Presbytcrianism in the persecution which preceded thc Revolution has earned for him an exalted place in our national history . That man was Alexander Pcden . ( Applause . ) And standing as it were under thc shade of those woods where

" Summer first unfaulds her robes , ' does not "Mary ' s Thorn , " with its tender memories , and "The Castle of Montgomerie , " stir up recollections of Burns ' s intimate association with this district ? So docs the appearance of St . James Kilwinning Tarbolton at the head of the procession to-day ; for it was to the brethren of that lodge he addressed thc "heart-warm fond adieu "

which has impenshably associated the poet ' s name not with that particular lodge only , but with Masonry itself . ( Applause . ) Burns was strongly attached to the principles of Freemasonry , and shared in its labours—and it was to his relationship to the Craft that he owed his introduction to the brilliant circle of literary and scientific men whose

acquaintance he made on his first visit to the Scottish metropolis , and who did so much to spread the fame of his poetical genius . In referring to Burns and his connection with Tarbolton , I am reminded of the fact that this paiish was the birth-place of Thorn , thc sculptor of the statues illustrative of a scene in the tale of " Tarn

o'Shauter , which have been admired by thousands of visitors to Burns ' s Monument at Alloway . In modelling as well as in cutting these and other figures the sculptor had an apt assistant in his brother Robert . The presence of that gentleman in the Masonic ranks is a pleasing feature of this day ' s proceedings . ( Applause . ) In many respects this locality is rich in its associations . Here it was that , at a

remote period of our country ' s history , the invading Britons were successfully resisted by the Scots and Picts , whose victory was rendered complete through the death of the enemy ' s chief . A green mound within a few hundred yards of this spot is still pointed to by tradition as the last resting-place of "auld King Coil . " In pre-Reformation limes , this neighbourhood was the seat of a monastery , but little

is now known of it or its occupants , save that thc convent was founded in the middle of the thirteenth century , and that " The Friars of Fail drank berry-brown ale , The best that e ' er was tasted , . . . And they never wanted gear enough As long as their neighbours' lasted . " But , brethren , believing that you will be better employed

in viewing the scenery amid which this village is embosomed than in listening to any further remarks of mine , I shall conclude by thanking you for your attendance here to-day , and the builders of this edifice for the excellence of their arrangements . ( Applause . ) The Acting P . G . M . having also expressed his acknowledgements to the members of the School Board present

for their courtesy in connection _ vvith the proceedings on this occasion , The Rev . Mr . Ritchie begged , iu his own name and in the name of thc other members of the School Board , to express their deep sense of their obligation to them for their

attendance on that occasion , and the important work which had been so well performed by the Grand Master . The Rev . Mr . Young also made a few remarks . After the ceremony the Lodge St . James entertained the Acting Provincial Grand Master and other gentlemen to dinner in the Crown Inn .

Celebration By Blackhawk Lodge Of Hamilton, U.S.

CELEBRATION BY BLACKHAWK LODGE OF HAMILTON , U . S .

Blackhawk Lodge No . 238 , A . l * . and A . M ., ot Hamilton , celebrated St . John ' s Day , Thursday , June 24 th , on the island between Hamilton and Keokuk in an appropriate manner .

The procession was formed at Masonic Hall in Hamilton , at 10 o ' clock , and proceeded from thence to the grounds , where the usual order of exercises was observed . Music by the Keokuk Cornet Band . Chorus , by Male Quartette , composed of Theo . English , Dr . C . II . Winslow , Dr . G . S . Fuller , and G . O . Hilton , of Keokuk .

Oration , by I Ion . li . F . Bower , of Keokuk . Chorus—Male Quartette . Call off for refreshments , die . Music—Band . Chorus . Original Poem—Composed for Ihe occasion by Iowa ' s gifted poetess , Kate Harrington . Chorus . After the delivery of the ' pocm thc steamer Jennie Brown ,

accompanied by the band , left the landing for a two hours excursion ou the Rapids . The site selected for the celebration—the island directly opposite the city—is a convenient , accessible and inviting one . It is covered with a beautiful blue grass sod , abundantly shaded , and has a good landing on the river front for steamers and sail boats . There was free access lo the

grounds . All friends of thc Order were invited to be present and participate in the celebration , and there was a large attendance from Keokuk city . The reputation of Black Hawk Lodge for getting up enjoyable entertainments , is sufficient guarantee that the celebration was a success , —Dail y Gale Oily .

Metropolitan Masonic Meetings.

METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS .

For the Week ending Friday , August 13 , 1875 . The Editor will be glad to receive notice from Secretaries of Craft Lodges , Royal Arch Chapters , Mark Lodges , Preceptories , Conclaves , & c , of any change in place of time of meeting .

SATURDAY , AUGUST 7 . Manchester Lodgeof Instruction ( 179 ) , Yorkshire Grey , 77 , London-st ., Fitzroy-sq ., at 8 ; Bro . H . Ash , Prec . Lily Lodge of Instruction ( 820 ) , Greyhound , Richmond . Star Lodge of Instruction ( 1275 ) , Marquis of Granby , New Cross-road , at 7 ; Bros . Macdonald and Griffin , Preceptois .

MONDAY , AUGUST 9 . General Committee , Boys' School , at 4 . Chap . 720 , Panmure , Horns Hotel , Kennington . „ 1 . 519 , Asaph , Freemasons' Hall . Prince Leopold Lodge of Instruction ( 1445 ; , - Lord Stanley Tavern , Sandringham-road , Kingsland , at 7 ; Bro . T . Austin , Preceptor . Strong Man Lodge of Instruction ( 45 ) , Crown Tavern ,

Clerkenwell Green , at 8 ; Bro . Beckett , Preceptor . Sincerity Lodge of Instruction ( 174 ) , Railway Tavern , Fenchurch-street Station , at 7 . Camden Lodge of Instruction ( 704 ) , Adelaide Tavern , Haverstock-hill , at 8 ; Bro . T . A . Adams , Preceptcr . Eastern Star Lodge of Instruction ( 95 ) , Royal Hotel ,

Mileend-road , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . E . Gottheil , Preceptor . British Oak Lodge of Instruction ( 813 ) , Bank of Friendship Tavern , Mile-end , at 7 for 8 . St . James ' s Union Lodge of Instruction fi . 8 o ) , Union Tavern , Air-st ., Regent-st ., at 8 ; Bro . J . R . Stacey , Preceptor .

Wellington Lodge of Instruction ( 54 8 ) , White Swan , Deptford , al 8 ; Bros . Shaw and Griffin , Preceptors . West Kent Lodge of Improvement ( 1297 ) , St . Saviour ' s College , Stansted-road , Forest-hill , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . H . W . Lindus , Preceptor .

Metropolitan Mark Lodge of Instruction , Coach and Horses Hotel , 323 , Strand , at 8 . Perfect Ashlar Lodge of Instruction ( 1178 ) , Victoria Tavern , Lower-road , Rotherhithe , at 8 -, Bro . C . W . Kent , Preceptor .

TUESDAY , AUGUST 10 . Lodge 16 7 , St . John ' s , Holly Bush Tavern , Hampstead . „ 548 , Wellington , White Swan Tavern , Deptford . Yart'orough Lodge of Instruction ( 554 ) , Green Dragon , Stepney , at 8 ; Bro . Barnes , P . M ., Preceptor . Domatie Lodge of Instruction , Surrey Masonic Hall ,

Camberwell New-road , at 8 ; Bro . Larlham , Precep . Faith Lodgeof Instruction ( 141 ) , Refreshment Rooms , Victoria-st . ( opposite Westminster Palace Hotel ) , at 8 ; Bro . C . A . Cottebrune , Preceptor . Prince Fredk . William Lodge of Instruction ( 753 , " , Lord's Hotel , Lord's Cricket Ground , St . John ' s Wood , at 8 ;

Bro . F . G . Baker , Preceptor . Dalhousie lodge of Instruction ( 860 ) , King Edward , Triangle , Hackney , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . Crawley , Preceptor . Prosperity Lodge of Instruction ( 65 ) , Gladstone Tavcin , Rishopsgate-st . Within , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . J . L . Mather , P . M . 65 and 1227 , Pre .-cptor .

St . Marylebone Ledge of Instruction ( 130- ;) , British Store-. Tavern . New-street , St . John ' s Wood , at 8 ; Bro . T , A . Adams , Preceptor . Constitutional Lodge of Instruction ( 55 ) , Wheatshea , Hotel , Hand-court , Holborn , at 7 ; Bro . J . R . Stacey P . M . 180 , Preceptor . Percy Lodge of Instruction , Grapes Tavern , Little

Windndll-strter , W . Israel Lodge of Instruction , Rising Sun Tavern , Globe-road , at 7-3 ° . Sydney Lodge of Instruction , White Hart Hotel , Upper Norwood ; Bro . H . Frances , Preceptor . Royal Arthur Lodge of Instruction ( No . 1360 ) , Prince ' s Head , York-road , Battersea , at 8 ; Bro . G . King , P . M ., Preceptor .

WEDNESDAY , AUGUST 11 . Committee Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution at 3 . Lodge 1228 , Beacontree , Private Rooms , Lcytonsotne . „ 1260 , Hervey , Freemasons' Hall . Mount Lebanon Lodge of Instruction ( 73 ) , Windsor Castle Tavern , Southwark-bridge-road , at 8 ; Bro . Noke , P . M ., Preceptor . Pythagoiean Lodge of Instruction ( 79 ) , Prince of Orange ,

Greenwich , at 8 ; Bro . J . Robt . Nash , Preceptor . New Concord Lodge of Instruction , Rosemary Branch Tavern , Hoxton , at 8 . Royal Union Lodge of Instruction , Horse and Groom , Winsley-st ., Oxford-st ., at 8 ; Bro . T . A . Adams , Prec . Confidence Lodgeof Instiuction , White Hart Tavern ,

Abchurch-lane , at 7 . 30 . Peckham Lodge of Instruction , Maismore Arms , Paik-road , Peckham , at 8 ; Bro . David Rose , Preceptor . Stanhope Lodge of Instruction , Thicket Hotel , Anerley , at 7 . 30 p . m . ; Bro . H . W . Lindus , Preceptor . Finsbury Park Lodge of Instruction ( 1288 ) , Finsbury Paik Tavern , Seven Sisters ' -road , N ., at 8 . Bro . P .

Dickinson , Preceptor . Southwark Lodgeof Instruction ( 8 79 ) , Southwark Park Tavern , Southwark Park . Dalston Lodge of Instruction ( 975 ) , Havelock Tavern , Albion-road , Dalston , E . United Strength Lodge of Instruction ( 228 ) , thc Grafton Arms , Prince of Wales ' s-road , Kentish-town , at 8 j Bro . J . N , Frost , Preceptor ,