Contents.

CONTENTS .

The Present Position of English Masonic Archaiology iJS Roval Masonic Institution for Hoys "S 5 Provincial Grand Chapter of East Lancashire iJJ Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Tunis and Malta ijj Masonic llall at Gibraltar I 5 <> District Meeting of Grand Lodge of Quebec A . F . and A . M . ... 150 Report of Col . MacLeod Moore on Templary 156 The Consecration of the Worsley Lodge ljfi Uro . Hopkins on Freemasonry 157 The New Cathedral at Truro ' 57

Masonic Notes and Queries * 57 REPORTS OF MASONIC M EETINGSCraft Masonrv * 5 S Royal Arch .. ' . * 59 Ma ' rk Masonry , u 0 Ancient and Accepted Rite 16 ° The United and Military Orders cf the Tcmpleaiid of St . John of Jerusalem lf * ° Crvptic Masonry l ( t 0 Obituary * 6 ° Masonic and General Tidings i __ I . F . AiiF . Rs . _ : i _ -

CllKRESl'llXllEXCEThe Girls' School *< - Masonic Regalia i *_ Grand Lodges of Ouebec and Scotland itij East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Denelent Institution it - A Guide to Election Law 1 G 3 Lodge of Alltiquitv lb 3 Reviews . * 164 I . itcrarv and Antiquarian Notes 104 Lodge Meetings for Next Week i _ 4 Advertisements I . to VIII . and 165

The Present Position Of English Masonic Archæology.

THE PRESENT POSITION OF ENGLISH MASONIC ARCHEOLOGY .

LOMMUXIQUi :. The present position of Alasonic Arch .-eology in England deserves to be noted and realized by all Masonic students . Until quite recently it is not too much to say that we bad no critical school in England . Whatever the merits of Oliver

may be , careful criticism cannot be counted among them , even by his most fervent admirers ; not that the good old doctor was intentionably inaccurate or misleading , hut cither the ingredients of Masonic criticism did not exist for him , or if they did exist , he did not apparently know where to look for them . Curiously enough , a German critical Alasonic school had arisen , partially at the end of the last century , and

more fully in this , but its results were conhned to a few scholars and had no appreciable effect on English Alasonic literature . The earliest English Alasonic book is the edition of the "Constitution" of 1723 , written b y Anderson , and no doubt supervised by Desaguliers . 1 his was followed by his amplified edition of 1738 , which is the starting point of our English Alasonic

history . Unfortunately , the alter record ot l-. nglisli Alasonic History i . s nothing but a succession of blind acceptance of statements , uncollated evidences , and unverified authorities . Both Enticl . and Noorthouck meant well ; but they either had not the means or the time of verify ing the traditions of Anderson . And when we talk of Anderson , we must always remember

that Anderson did not profess to g ive us Ins own ideas of Alasonic history . He had a commission g iven liitn to execute , and which lie executed within the limits allowed , and governed by thc tastes and requirements of the day—both peculiar — namely , to give a readable account of the " Guilds Legends . " This he did more sua , and verywell he did it . Hut then we must bear this carefully in

mind when we are quoting Anderson as an authority in matters of Alasonic history . Preston had great abilities and a good style , but , unfortunately , he did not critically analyze evidences , nor did he collate authorities . As an amusing evidence of this , let us see how he treated " Alolart's Register , " as he called it , which was for a long time a stock piece of Alasonic

evidence . He tells us that a A 1 S . register of Win . Molart , prior of Christ Church , was in existence at Oxford , which proved that a lodge under Archbishop Cliicheley was held at Canterbury , within the third decade of the fifteenth century . This , if true , was a clincher as regards the antiquity of Masonry . Accordingly Alasons and non-Masons sought for the ' A 1 S . diligently , but in vain . It was reserved for one brother , who rejoices in the

modest name of " . Masonic Student , " assisted by a clue suggested to him by Air . VVallbran , of Ripon , to ascertain from Air . Hack-man , then suli-libarian in the Bodleian , that a MS . register of Wm . Afolash did exist in one of the former MSS . 'There was in it no evidence of a lodge under Cliicheley , but on a leaf , in which the name of the Master , and Gustos , ancl Latbami , and apprentices of the lodge are

named-see " Kenning ' s Cyclop-udia , " uneler Alolash —as having received " livery , " a gift of cloth from the convent . Archbishop Chicheley ' s name as " Armiger" stands at the top of the page , as also receiving " livery . " Some one had seen this , and cleverly jumped to tlie conclusion that the lodge wis held under Archbishop Chiclieley . And so I might 1 uiticularize many other illustrations of the point 1

am driving at , but one will suffice . Oliver , unfortunately , did not improve on Preston , hut added : ome special faults of his own , a too hasty induction , and a far too ready acceptance of unsifted authorities . Abroad Clave ! , with his "Picturesque History of Freemasonry , " is not reliable , ancl far too many writers , keeping in the beaten track' , too readily endorse doubtful dates and 1 muthcritativc facts .

The Present Position Of English Masonic Archæology.

Findel has great merits , and is most painstaking ; but Findel is , of course , not infallible , neither is Alackay nor any of the Cyclopa _ dias . " Alistakes will occur in the best regulated families , " and , above all , in Alasonic Cyclopaedias and Alasonic historians . In America Fort and Steinbrenner are distinguished , one by the eloquence of bis diction , and the other by the

neatness and accuracy of his little compendium of Masonic story . There are many German writers , and one or two Americans , who might be mentioned , but all have faults of deficient criticism . Bros . D . Alurray Lyon , VV . J . Hughan , Gould , Woodford , and Wh y tehead may all be cited in England as seeking to establish an English Alasonic critical school , which ^ endeavours to demonstrate that English

Alasons can carefully collate evidences , verify authorities , and write correctly and dispassionately . They wish to avoid Mr . Hallam's censure of being "panegyrists or calumniators , " " each equally mendacious . " Some of llro . Gould ' s contributions are most striking , and exhibit rare talents of statement and criticism .

Let us , however , not forget to remember tbe older contributions of Bro . Alatthew Cooke , and even of Air . Halliwell , a non-AIason , to the study of Alasonic arcli . xology . We arc now making a fresh start in a safe and a right path , and it cannot be doubted that with patience and perseverance the results will be great and significant .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The General Committee of this Institution met last Saturday at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Raynham \ V . Stewart , V . P ., P . G . D ., presided . The other brethren present were Bros . S . Rosenthal , Don . AI . Dewar , C . F . Matier , Dudley Rolls , C . H . Webb , A . J . Duff Filer , 1 . G . Chancellor ,

VV . !• * . C . Aloutrie , Henry VV . Hunt , G . P . Gillard , A . E . Gladwell , !• * . Adlard , Thomas Afeggy , Leopold Ruf , John Constable , Richard Tyrrell , VV . Paas , VV . H . Perryman , II . Young , G . VV . Cooper , I " . Binckes ( Sec ) , and II . Alasscy ( Fn'vnuison ) . Bro . S . 1 $ . Wilson ' s matter was again brought forward , and it was resolved to leave the method of its adjustment

in the discretion of the Mouse Committee . 'Three petitions were accepted and the candidates placed on the list . One was deferred ancl one rejected . Three outfits were granted to ex-pupils now in situations . The CHAIRMAN suggested that it would be more convenient that the Quarterly Courts of January and July , at which vcrv little business would ever be transacted , should

be held at four o ' clock in the afternoon instead of at twelve noon , the latter being an hour at which brethren engaged in business were most busy . Uro . C . I * . AlATiliR then gave notice of motion for the Quarterly Court of next Alonday that the hour of meeting of the Quarterly Courts of January and July in each year be altered from twelve till four o ' clock . The Committee then adjourned .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of East Lancashire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF EAST LANCASHIRE .

The annual meeting of this chapter was held in thc Freemasons' Hall , AIancl . cs . cr , on Wednesday , the 31 st ult ., under the presidency of Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie , M . E . Provincial Grand Superintendent . 'There were present Comps . Clement N . Beswicke Royds , P . G . H . ; Franklin 'Thomas , P . G . J . ; J . L . Hine , P . P . G . H . ; John Chadwick ,

P . G . S . K . ; T . Kntwisle , P . P . G . S . N . ; George Higgins , P . G . P . S . ; J . H . V . Leresche , P . P . G . Reg . ; Edmund Heywood , P . G . 'Treas . ; Denis Towers , P . G . ist Asst . Soj . ; R . ' Timperley , P . G . 2 nd Asst . Soj . ; John VV . P . Salmon , P . G . D . C ; J .-H . Sillitoe , P . P . G . D . C ; J . Arensberg , P . G . Std . Br . ; J . Smethurst , P . G . Swd . " Br . ; Thomas . Mitchell , P . G . janitor ; and others . Before the opening of the Prov . G . Chapter a special

conclaveof Principals was convened for the purpose of rehearsing the opening ' and closing ceremonies . So many varieties of working having been used in the province , the ALE . Prov . G . Superintendent appointed a special committee to enquire into the same , and to decide upon a ritual to be recommended for adoption throughout the province . About eighty Principals and Past Principals were present , and the suggested ritual was worked and explained b y Comps . C . N . Beswicke Rovds . P . G . H .. actinir as M . K . Z .: Fr . inl . Iin

'Thomas , P . G . J ., acting H . ; J . II . Sillitoe , Past Prov . G . D . C , as J . ; John Chadwick , I'rov . G . S . E . ; T . K . Peel , P . Z . 152 . S . N . ; John Salmon , Prov . G . D . C , P . S . ; and there is little doubt from the approval expressed by those present that the working will be generally adopted . At the close of the special conclave a Royal Arch chapter was opened by Comps . J . Roberts , Z . 62 , acting AI . E . Z . ; J . liunehill , ' / .. 132 , acting II . ; J . Howarth Clarke , J . 317 , acting J . ; at which there were present more than 100

companions . At three o ' clock prompt the ALE . Prov . G . Supt . and his officers entered the chapter , ancl , after having been properly saluted , opened the Prov . Grand Chapter . 'The roil of chapters was called by the P . G . S . I-:., and only two

were unrepresented out of the thirty-six chapters in the province . 'The ALE . P . G . Supt . addressed the members , complimenting them upon the good attendance , which was somewhat remarkable considering the excitement then existing outside Alasonry . He dwelt at some length upon the

Provincial Grand Chapter Of East Lancashire.

necessity for more uniformity in the opening and closing of chapters , and expressed a strong desire to sec the ceremony which has been suggested by the committee appointed by him , of which Jhc heartily approved , adopted as far as possible in the various chapters in the province . He further stated that he felt sure most of those present would be anxious to return to their respective towns and boroughs , where other duties called them . He , therefore , had

decided not to hold the usual banquet . This decision was somewhat endorsed by the small application for tickets . 'The election of Prov . G . Treasurer was then proceeded with . Comp . J . H . Sillitoe , P . P . G . D . C , proposed , and Comp . E . Heywood , P . G . Treasurer , seconded , Comp . Jno . V .. Lees , ' / .. 317 , who was unanimously elected . The ALE . P . G . Supt . appointed and invested the following Prov . G . Ofiicers for tbe ensuing year :

Comp . Clement N . Bewicke Royds P . G . H . ( re-appointed ) . ,, Franklin Thomas - - - P . G . J . ,, „ John Chadwick - - - - P . G . S . E . ,, James Newton- - - - - P . G . S . N . „ „ Vlenry Thomas , P . Z . 467 - P . G . P . S . J . H . Sillitoe , 317 - - - P . G . ist Asst .-Soj . „ H . Hindle , Z . 345 - - - P . G . 2 nd ,, Jno . K . Lees , Z . 317 - - P . G . Treas . ( elected ) .

,, | no . K . Anderton - - - P . G . R . ( re-appointed ) . „ John VV . P . Salmon - - -P . G . D . of C . „ ,, ' Thos . Hindle , 2 S 3 - - - P . G . Sword Bearer . ,, N . L . Alestayer , Z . 204 - P . G . Standard Bearer . „ J . AI . Bentley , AIus . Doc . - P . G . Organist . lhos

' . Mitchell - - - - P . G . Janitor . The new bye-laws for the Prov . G . Chapter were submitted for approval , and , with a few trilling alterations , were adopted . 'The election of Auditors and other matters relating to the finances were disposed of , and the chapter was duly closed at 4 . 45 p . m .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Tunis And Malta.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF TUNIS AND MALTA .

The Half-yearly Communication of this Provincial Grand Lodge was held on the 27 th ult ., at the Alasonic Hall , Alalta , under the banner of the Keystone Lodge , No . 107 . The receiving lodge having been duly opened by its W . AI ., Bro . VV . Watson , P . G . AI . O ., the Grand Ofiicers entered the hall in procession .

1 lie Provincial Grand Lodge was then opened in ample form with the following Grand Oilicers present , viz ., R . VV . Bros . Broadley , P . G . AI ., on the throne , the Rev . VV . K . R . Bedford , P . G . ALAL of Warwickshire nnd Staffordshire ; V . W . Bro . R . V . Westrnp , D . P . G . AL ; Bros . Capt . Bcechy , 30 , as G . S . W . ; Capt . Blake , R . A ., as G . J . W . ; Rev . G . N . Godwin , G . Chap . ; Chcv . Edward Rosenbnsch , G . Reg . ; Lieut . C . K . Coffey , R . A ., as G . Sec . ; XV .

Watson , as G . AI . O . ; Col . T . P . Cavcy , H . A ., as G . S . O . ; R . Glenday , as G . J . O . ; R . F . King , G . D . of C . ; Surgeon J . Walker , as G . S . D . ; Surgeon II . Grier , as G . J . D . ; R . P . Miller , as G . Swd . Hr . ; Surgeon Alajor H . VV . A . Mackinnon , as G . Std . Br . ; Professor Stilon , as G . J . D . ; Alortimer and Stanley , G . Stewards ; and Beck , G . 'Tyler . 'There was a very satisfactory attendance of the M . M . M . 's of the province .

'The usual grand honours were accorded to Right Worshipful Bros . Broadley and Bedford . 'The minutes of the last communication were read and confirmed . The Grand Secretary then read a letter of apology for absence from R . VV . Bro . VV . Kingston , P . AI . 107 ( D . G . AI . Craft ) , who was unable to be present from indisposition . The report of the General Board was then read and adopted , lt resulted from it that the state of Alark Alasonry in the

province , both financially and numerically , was highly satisfactory ; that all the lodges had paid their dues , and that their several muster rolls of active members stood as follows , viz ., Keystone , No . 107 , forty-four members ; Kingston , No . 222 , thirty-live members ; Broadley , No . 24 S , thirty-two members ; ancl St . Louis , No . 254 , twenty members ; making a total of 131 Alark Alasters in the province . 'The Provincial Grand Alaster then addressed the brethren

at some length , alluding to the pleasure he felt at welcoming Bro . Bedford amongst them . He greatly regretted the absence of Bro . Kingston , who had rendered invaluable services to the Alark Degree as P . AI . of Lodge No . 107 , and then as Consecrating Officer of Lodge No . 222 , at Tunis . He thanked the VV . AI . and brethren of Lodge No . 107 for the hospitable reception accorded to him and his Grand Officers . He was pleased to tell them that thc

Alark Degree was making rapid progress at home and abroad ; twelve new lodges had been chartered . since Novembcr . ancl oilier applications for warrants were expected . As regards this province , it had seen since their last meeting the consecration of the St . Louis Lodge , No . 254 , amongst the ruins of Ancient Carthage . He then explained the peculiarly interesting historical associations connected with this lodge , and the results of his investigations as to

the origin of the builders' marks still to bo found in North Africa . 'The ceremony of the consecration of Lodge No . 2 . 54 , lie informed the brethren , had now an additional interest , as it appears to have attracted the attention of the Grand Orient of Italy to the beauties ancl traditions of the Degree . In tlie official journal of that important Alasonic

centre , the lihista Mussonica , No . 3 , of the 2 . Stb February , iSfo , the oration he had delivered on that occasion was published in cxtenso , and the editor preceded it by the observation that Italian Alasons could no longer doubt as to the Mark being an important element in the Alasonry of the world . He trusted some day to see the Alark nourishing on the Continent . Its teachings ivould have a beneficial