Tylers And Tyling.

I need hardly say that the Committee at once ordered that tho amount bo paid . Some of my brethren in their merry momenta have done me the honour of referring to me as the lirst literary Grand Tyler—a distinction to which I have no manner of right , as I shall now endeavour to prove . Tu 1781 the Grand Tvler was Thomas Johnson . I cannot , lind out when he was first appointed , but

it is not unlikely that he succeeded Bro . Caton , just mentioned . He was Clerk of Charlotte-street Chapel , Pimlico , and was not only an author , but an artist ( for he illustrated his own works ) ho was also a poet of no mear . pretensions . Jn 178-1 he published a second edition of "A Uriel' History of Freemasons , " a copy of which is in the Grand Lodge Library . I have never seen a copy of the first edition , nor any mention of it , except his own reference to it in the opening pages of the hook before me .

We learn from the inscription on the engraved portrait here reproduced that ho was also thc author of a work entitled " Masonic Miscellanies , " probably published in 170-1 , which doubtless contained the portrait , a copy of which I have fortunately been ablo to secure . Of tho book , I regret to say , I know nothing .

From time immemorial there have been songs for the various oflicers , for the Master Mason , tho Fellow Craft , and the Kutercd Apprentice , probably tho oldest of them all , hut the poor old Tyler had not a respectable rhyme to his name . Hro . Johnson was the first to remedy this omission by composing "The Tyler ' s Song . "

Now I readily admit that I am no judge of poetry—I only know when it pleases me , and the moro truth there is in it the better 1 like . it . On looking over this Tyler ' s song I was at once favourable impressed by its perspicuous veracity . There arc some undeniable truths in it which no amount of argument or sophistry can disturb . I am sorry space will not admit of my quoting the whole of the song , but perhaps thc first verse may suffice as a sample of the other

six—Our enter'd apprentices songs often sung , Of Craft and of Masters our lodges have rung ; Ray is the profession too servile or vile , Or the muses too proud for to sing of ( he lyle ? A king , peer , or peasant , a brother may be , A Tyler ' s the same fur a brother is ho ; Let the mimes grow old with contention and strife , A Ty ler will live all the days of his life .

Chorus—AU Ihe days of hin life , all Ihe days of his life , A Tyler will lire till llie days of his life . He would he a bold man who would undertake the task of attempting to refute the assertion contained in that chorus . liesides being Grand Tyler and Grand Janilor , llro . Johnson was Tyler to the Somerset House , Friendship , liritaiinie , and Royal bodges , at that time the principal lodges in London , and was doubtless an ornament to the tyling profession , he died in the year 1 K 00 , at the ripe age of 77 .

I ' rohubly , the most remarkable ( irand Tyler we ever had was liro . llenjnniin Aldliouso , n weaver by occupation , in Spilullields , who was born at Norwich , in 17-HJ , initiated ( herein I 7 <> 8 , joined SI . Mary ' s Lodge , No . ( ill , London , in 1777 , and continued a member of it until his death in 1 SIH .

The historian of St . Mary ' s Lodge , says Ahlhouse was its mam slay for many years aud practically kept Ihe lodge alive . llis l ' tmt Muster ' s collar jewel is slill worn by Ihe I . I' . M . ' of Ihe lodge . In 1792 , he was elected Grand Tyler of the "Ancient" Grand Lodge , and in 1791 he wus promoted to the ollice of Grand I ' lirsiiivnnf .

In 1798 , he took an active part in establishing our Hoys' School mid was for many y-enrs its Collector , nml one of ils warmest supporters . His last public appearance in Masonry was at the Annual Festival of that Institution in 181-1 . At the Union of the two Grand Lodges in lSKt , he headed the procession as " The Grand Usher with his stnlf . "

He was Pursuivant of the United Grand Lodge until 182 ") , when , being ilicn in his 80 lh year , the Grand Lodge granted him an annuity of , CI 2 , he had also a small allowance from the Hoys' School . We may assume , then-fore , that his closing years were passed in fairly comfortable circumstances , lie was Tyler of several good old lodges , including the Grand Masters Lodge , No . 1 . llro . Charles Belton , tho Secretary , was good enough to send me the following extract from tho

minutes of that lodge of the 18 th December , 1813 : " lir . Giraud ( in reporting the death of our venerable Tyler , lir . lieujainin Ahlhouse in the 99 th year of his age ) stated that he . lir . Ahlhouse , had given him a masonic jug which was presented to him ( Ahlhouse ) many years ago by his lodge , of which he was a Past Master , Br Giraud kindly offered to give it the lodge to preserve as u memorial of the kind old man wl o had served them go many years , which the lodge accepted with many thanks . "

It seems to have been a custom in some lodges , as well as in Grand Lodge , for the Tyler to wear a distinctive uniform in the shape of a cloak or an overcoat . I learn from the minutes of the South Saxon Lodge , No . ( ill , of Ihe 29 th August . 1797 ( kindly copied I ' or me by the Secretary ) that the Tyler , who had been made a Mason free of expence only the year before , had persistently misconducted himself , was , by direr ! inn of the W . M ., deprived of his sword , walehcoat , and other tilings entrusted to his care . " This Tvler was evidently ratlier a

hard bargain , for after having apologised and been reinstated , he again misconducted himself and was dismissed from the lodge at the October meeting in the same year . In striking contrast is the conduct and career of another brother , who was initiated in the same manner , for the purpose of acting as Tyler to the lodge .

On the -Ith of December , 1822 , "A Dispensation having been received from the 1 rovincial Grand Master , to make , pass , and raise Mr . George Penfold , without . tee . or reward , for tho purpose of his becoming a serving brother to the South Saxon Lodge . IJ ^ o . Pe nfold was passed and raised in duo course , but , doubtless bis wordly cire ., imst . wcs improved in process of time for in 1827 we find he was

TIIK ( IRAXll TYI . I ' . ll ' S lll'SINI'SS CAH 1 ) . The Card here reproduced in facsimile is an original pen and ink drawing with an insenpli u the back in Johnson ' s handwriting .

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Jff P n > v * nJry- y ^ Trh ** , ^

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appointed Senior Deacon , and thence step hy step ho reached the Master ' s chair . Another instance of well-deserved promotion has recently como under my notice from across the Atlantic . Last year the Grand Secretaryship of Pennsylvania became vacant through the death of Bro . Michael Nisbet , and the person considered best ( pialilied to succeed him was llro . AVilliam A . Sinn who had been ( irand Tyler since 1882 , and also private secretary to tho Grand Masier trom 188 ,. To the best of my knowledge that is the only case on record <> l the pro lion of a Grand Tyler to the ollice of Grand Seeri-tnrv .

It is not often „•„ „„ .,. ( , with a case like the following :-At the first meeting oftl . e Lodge ol Honour , Wolverhampton , on tho 17 th August . 18-Ki , "Mr Ward was appointed Tyler subject to his being initiated . " Mr . Ward was duly initiated

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aZROSSLE'YB!ROS.^ BurnishingUndertakers, ffunecalCarriageMasters,anbMonumentalMasons. VALUATIONS FOR PROBATE . 469,GreenLanes,Harringay,London,N. ( Two Minnies from lliirriiigiiy iSlnliuii ) . NO EXTRA CHARGE WITHIN SIX MILES ,