Masonic Archæology.

MASONIC ARCH ? OLOGY .

The study of Masonic Archaeology is one of the mnst interesting * of * pursuits . For in one sense it is still a " terra incognita" to most of us . The school of earlier Masonic students and writers which began with Anderson nnd closed with Oliver had their merits no doubt , but

hardly come up to our ideal of what is requisite for the veal unravelling of the twisted skeins of Masonic Archaeology to-day . They were a little too hasty in induction and too easy in acceptance . They did not sufficiently dig and delve beneath the surface . They accepted ex

parte statements , and listened too credulously to the traditional authority of the past . That is to say , they did ' not analyze or sift the conflicting legends * of the Order , they did not subject to the crucial test of careful criticism statements and authorities they found , ready made to

their hands . Anderson , and Preston , and Hutchinson were all writers of great merit and in dustry , and though Anderson and Preston accepted the Legend of the Guilds , they did so rather on the authority of the Guild tradition and Ooeralive constitution than on that of anv other

explanation of their history . Hence their abiding value to us . They clearly knew of no knightly origin of Freemasonry , no hermetic grades . At least if they did , they are singularly silent on the subject . If Hermetic Masonry existed in their time it seems odd that they did

not allude to it , and we are inclined to think that if evidence can be adduced of the actuality of Hermetic Masonry in 1721 , for instance , it will rest on that Rosicrucian use of Masonry which lias at limes largely marked , more or less , the descendants of Rosencrantz . But the

history of tlie guilds is after all , as our oldest writer puts it , the history of Freemasonry . Oliver who leant to that theory during the greater portion of his literary labours , in his old * ge became a quasi convert to the High Grade and Hermitio theory , and appeared to nuestion

the antiquity of Craft Masonry . Later studies and mom recent students have , however , made it pretty plain , that at the present moment , three main views occupy the minds of Masonic student ? , tlinu ^ h lh :-y ; ictuall > ' are somewhat ant-aeon is tie to each other . Thc one is the pure

guild theory , which goes back from the revival of 1717 , to mvdi . Tval and early guilds , to Saxon guilds and Roman guilds , and then link on Freemasonry with Hebrew and Pk-enician Sodalities , with Greek and Kgyptian associations , and to some extent with the mysteries . Then there

is the view of Lessing aud others , including Nicliolai , that our Freemasonry , is , so to say , Ha toman , or Ashmolenn , the product of an Hermetic Society , hut absolutel y separate from the operative Orders , and whose great era is the revival of 17 17 . Then there is the theory of

Buchan and others , that Freemasonry is only the adaptation and revival of operative usgaes , and that its orig in aa a purely speculative Order dates onl y from 1717 . There is a school of Masonic writers , which seems still to cling to an Hermetic origin , to that view

partially adopted by some German writers , that there was an Hermetic Society , from which Masonry has come down to us , and that the true Solution of Masonic history is , after all , to be found in the High Grades . We think we may dismiss from our consideration

the knightly theory of the Chevalier Ramsay , as we are not aware that we have any writer now , English or foreign , who reall y believes in Templarism , as the explanation of Freemasonry . What tlio connection of the Templars with Freemasonry , if any , was , has ' got yet to be shown .

We confess that we still hold that there was a connection , though , such as it was , in our opinion , it came fiom the Guilds to the Templars , not from tbe Templars to the Guilds . The idea once entertained that the Templars brought back l ' ' reema- ; onry from the secret sodalities of the Last , v . e believe to be historically untenable ,

and opposed to the actual feelings and relations of thuM- days . Wc see then what a field is opened out to the Masonic ai * eha : ological student , how wide , how diversified , how interesting in itself , nnd though people like to laugh at' ^ Dry-asdusts , " and criticize thc discussions of antiquaries , ami even doubt the value of such studies , we

Masonic Archæology.

feet sure that theyare both innocent and elevating , useful and commendable . We all of us like to know the true history of what concerns us , at least if we are thinking , not merely ruminating , animals , and the history of Freemasonry has a peculiar charm for the Masonic' student ,

inasmuch as it appears to him to be the history of an universal Order , takes him back through the lapse of ages , to link him on to mi ghty epochs , and wonderful centuries of the past , and to brin g him into contact , so tosay . with the actual progress of civilization , and the arts , of all that dignifies , all

that lightens up the life and the struggles of man . The larger view of the pure guild history of Freemasonry naturally takes us back strai ght away to the past ; our evidences are to be sought in the muniment rooms of the great , and the collections of cathedral chapters , in the archives

of the British Museum , and in extant , but so for unknown and unedited MSS . What an amount of information may yet be lying , for instance , unknown of in those many hundred rolls , containing returns from tbe various guilds temnore Richard 2 nd . of which Toulmin Smith

has printed only a few , but those making us longing to see all printed . In respect of the guild theory , there is no limit to the amount of evidence yet to be unearthed and brought forward , as the patient enquirer turns up one old MS . after another , from some dusty corner ,

some long neglected receptacle , and the hidden evidence of years long since dead and gone , speaks to us in its simplicity and clearness , with irresistible power . And this work is yet in its infancy , remember . So far , for instance , the fabric rolls and expense rolls of onl y some

halfdozen of our cathedrals have been brought out for publication , and even the Tanner MSS ., in the Bodleian , which contain the expenses of St . Paul ' s , under Sir Christopher Wren , are practicall y unknown . Still the documents exist , and are decipherable , and time and patience may yet

give us a perfect insight into that guild life , which p layed such an important part in the domestic and national history of England for so many years , and did so much for the noblest of all arts , Architecture , both for the glory of God and the good of man . But here begins the

real difficulty of our whole enquiry , the one " Crux , " so to say , in all the studies of Masonic archaeologists and all the treatises of Masonic historians . Given all this in , so says Objector , what do you gain ? Well , we cannot give an answer to-dav , as it would be all too lonsr , but

we propose in our subsequent papers to consider critically the three various views , or perhaps after all four views of Masonic history , and to note the difficulties attendant on each . Not one of them all is free from objection , and even

all the results of Masonic archreology , however true and trusty , tvill , we fear , at the utmost and the best , be only after all a realization of what is possible and probable , not of what is absolutely true or incontestably proved .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

OXIORI ) LOCAL EXAMINATION , MAY , 1876 .

At the last Oxford Local Examination three boys were successful in passing the senior examination , and obtained the title of "Associate in Art . " viz ., W . Beaumont , aged 16 , August 26 th 1 S 7 G ; II . Bryant , aged

16 , January 27 th , 1877 ; W . lt . Parker , aged 16 , February 4 U 1 , 1878 . These boys passed in honours the Junior Cambridge Local at Christmas , i 8 yg . They , therefore , did not begin to nrenare for thc Oxford examination until after the

Chiisimas holidays , and had less than four months lo work up the special subjects . These same lads also passed some of the science and art examinations . All three examinations came within thc first nine months of Dr . Morri s' appointment to the ficad mastership .

We hear on good authority that the price paid by tl : e proprietors of " Lloyd ' s Weekly News" for the " Daily Chronicle and Clerkenwell News" was over £ 30 , 000 . The transaction was conducted through thc agency of Mr . W . D . B . Johnson ( C . Mitchell and Co . ) , of Red Lion Court , Fleet-street .

The Phasnix Lodge , No . 914 , at Port Royal , Jamaica , which was established specially for naval and military brethren on the station , lias completed a new convenient Masonic Hall . A warrant for the formation of a Koyal Arch Chapter has also lately been granted to it . Masonry is nourishing on the Island .

The Prince Of Wales' Visit To Glasgow .

THE PRINCE OF WALES' VISIT TO GLASGOW .

. The Lord Provost , in moving the adoption of the minutes of the magistrates' committee , said all present would be highly gratified at the fact that the Prince of Wales had consented to come to Glasgow , somewhere about the middle of October , to lay the foundation stone of the New Post Office . His lordship had found in several quarters that

it was believed the work in hand was the mere adding 0 ( a wing to the old buildings , whereas , the fact was the whole structure was to be taken down , and an erection both ornamental and commodious built . ( Applause ) . The pillars in front would all be of polished granite , and he thought the * Government were deserving of thanks for giving them such an elegant and useful Post Office , ano "

in a style altogether which they could not get from any previous Government , however much they had fought for it . Regarding the Prince of Wales' visit he had the honour after the receipt of the correspondence contained in the minutes , to apply to his Royal Highness to ascertain if the Princess was to accompany him . He also wished to know if his Royal Highness desired to lay the foundation

stone with Masonic honours , and suggested a review of the volunteers on the occasion , a proceeding which would gratify them very much . He offered in the event of the Prince remaining in Glasgow over the night to give up his house for his use . His lordship had since received in reply the following very gracious letter : — " Marlborough House , Pall Mall , S . W .,

August 26 , 1876 . " My Lord Provost , —Having laid your letter before the Prince of Wales , I am directed to acquaint you that thc Princess of Wales will accompany His Royal Highness in his visit to Glasgow . ( Loud applause . ) In reply to your query , whether it would be agreeable to the Prince to have the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new

Post Office conducted with Masonic honours , His Royal Highness considers that it is not desirable that the usages of the Masonic Institution should as a rule form part of the public ceremony on an occasion like the present , and would prefer that they should not be part of the programme you have submitted . It is most agreeable at all times , the Prince bids me say , for His Royal Highness to meet

the volunteers , whether in England or in Scotland , but the assemblage of any considerable portion of them for a review necessarily involves some arrangement and inconvenience . His Royal Highness will therefore forego the gratification which a review of the volunteer forces in Scotland would otherwise have afforded him . His Royal Highness greatly appreciates your kind offer of placing * your house and servants at the disposal of the Princess and

himself , and had their Royal Highnesses remained at Glasgow a second day they would have gladly availed themselves of it . I have the honour to remain , my Lord Provost , your very faithful servant , ( Signed ) "W . KNOLLYS . " A Glasgow paper says -. — " We understand the Lord Provost , feeling that the citizens would be greatly disappointed should the Prince of Wales visit the city to lay the foundation stone of the new Post Office without Ma .

sonic honours , and without reviewing the Volunteer force , communicated with his Royal Highness on the subject , through Mr . Marwick , the Town Clerk . Mr . Manviclc , and Mr . Canick , thc City Architect , had a personal interview with his Royal Highness at Abergeldie Castle , on Mondav . the ith inst .. and made known the lovnl desires

of the citizens , and we arc happy to state that the Prince has graciously expressed his willingness to lay the foundation stone with Masonic honours , and also to review the Volunteers on the occasion of his visit . His Royal Highness will be accompanied by the Princess cf Wales , and several of the Royal children .

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS . On Monday , August 28 th , the boys of the Royal Ma > sonic School to the number of 175 went , by the kind invitation of Mr . T . B . Smithies , to his house at Earlham Road , Wood Green , where they were regaled with a very substantial tea provided for them , under Mrs . and Miss Smithies' hospitable arrangements .

As the evening turned out very wet the boys had to bi kept under cover cf a very spacious tent until the hout for them to return . The time , however , did not pall on their hands , nor did they lack amusement . Mr . Smithies who knows how to tell a good tale to boys , told some capital stories , entertaining and instructing his youthful audience for more than an hour .

Mr . Smithies takes an interest in short-hand writing , and advised the elder boys to devote a little time to its study . As an encouragement , he offered to give two prizes to be competed for annually . Dr . and Mrs . Morris , and daughters , were present ,

together with Mr . Jenkinson and Mr . Brocklehurst . Mr . Smithies is not a Mason , but he most kindly invite " Bro . Durrant ( the W . M . of the Wood Green Lodge ) a' " llis wife to meet his young guests . Three hearty cheers were given by the boys lo their host before leaving .

WEST SMITHI'IEUI LODGE , NO . 1 C 23 . —T " consecration of this lodge will lake place on Thursday next at the New Market Hotel , King-street , Snow n ^ at half-nast two o ' clock nunctiml . The ceremonies will

performed by V . W . Bro . John Hervey , Grand Secretar )' the officer appointed by thc M . W . G . M ., assisted by U ' * ' Uro . Col . Creaton , P . G . D . ; Bros . W . Ough , ? - - \ . ' 'Z ' G . Buss , P . M ., P . G . J . W . Middx . ; the Rev . P . M . H ° w '; P . G . C . Middx . Joseph Smith , P . G . P . ; T . W . A-Mio *' and G . S . Elliott are the principal officers designate , indefatigable Bro . Frederick Walters , P . G . J . D . A '" ' P . M ., & c . is thc Secretary pro tem .