Gould's History Of Freemasonry. Vol. Iii.

call attention , iC are in roll form , and of these 11 arc on parchment , seven on paper . The rest are lodge records or in a book form . It is equally remarkable that ' the largest proportion by far arc of the seventeenth century , and some are of the eighteenth , actually n of the seventeenth century and live of the eighteenth , a very remarkable fact . It seems to me to shew how little we can theorize on such peculiarities of manuscript forms . Of all these forms Bro .

Gould claims only 13 as of and belonging to " lodge possession , " and even of these the number maybe reduced materially , and when we add 20 others printed as MS . forms , either clear transcriptions of distinct exemplars , or most probably prepared for antiquarian purposes , wc see at once how much caution must be exercised in basing dogmatic theories on "lodge possession " as a test either of the value of a MS . or a relative importance of the

text . And when 1 add that the two oldest MSS . are altogether omitted , it seems to be , I confess , that " ab initio " this peculiar grouping of MSS ., though highly ingenious and effective " prima facie , " may lead us to certain consequences which neither experts can commend nor criticism approve . Further it is to be noted , that some forms have been stitched together on paper in the form of a roll , others are in book form , smaller or

larger . Some constitute a simple MS . written indifferently on paper without special iorm at all , and one or two seem cither copied from a book or prepared for printing . The earliest known form , the Masonic Poem , is in the form of a little book , and is evidently copied from other forms . Bro . Gould thinks probably " prose , " 1 venture to differ , and believe from Roman-French poetic versules and perhaps Latin rythmical adages . " He may fynde wryten yn old

Uokc are the words of the Poem ; "Elders that were before us had their charges written in them , as we have now in our chargys .... as we have seen them writen in latyn and in Frcnche bothe , " are the words of Cooke s MS . The Masonic poem is certainly quite early fifteenth century , but on Casley's , Wallbran ' s , andHalliwell ' s authority 1 venture to say late fourteenth century . Casley docs not say "late fourteenth century ; " he says simply

fourteenth century , a very grave point . There are in all probability four ' * ordinacioncs , " "ordinances , " " forms , " " orders , " perhaps what arc elsewhere termed "Orders of Antiquity , "as I separate the legend of the "Ars Quatuor " from the rules of " polite behaviour , " of which thc ~ counterpart may be found in " Myrc " and " Urbanitatis . " Myrc copied from " Pars Oculi " avowedly , and if ever we find " Pars Oculi . " wc shall nrobablv discover it to be an

adaptation ofa Roman-French or older Latin form . Some Latin verses are known to exist , and have been published , which contain certain " adages and directions of politeness , " and and others may yet be found . Of the early history of the " Regius MS . " nothing is known as connecting it with our Order . But no one can read it without seeing in it the " germ " of all the later Constitutions , as expanded prosaically from noctical and

terser formul . c . It is so far unknown what other forms this Monastic writer probably saw or transcribed from in the fourteenth century . But this fact is most important to note in itself , as shewing the antiquity of such forms . The legend of the " Ars Ouatuor , " & c ., is unique , and I know of no parcllcl passages or any other form approaching to it . The claim in the fourteenth century that the " Ouatuor Coronati" were " gode Masonus" seems to point not

onl y to a long standing tradition , but to an existing and recognized organization . Cooke's , or the Additional MS . is on the borderland of prose , though still in poetic form . It is the intermediate legend between the pure rythmical form of the "Regius" and the distinct prose of the Lansdownc , Grand Lodge , and Dowland forms . The writer was probably also in one of the Monastic orders , and he had seen other forms or charges ,

as I have already remarked , in Latin and French . The date of the Cooke MS . is now put up by Bro . Bond to early fifteenth , but it has always seemed to me , as to others , later than the poem , —by many years . The argument of Bro . Cooke's for its much greater lateness , that the transcriber had probably seen Caxton's printed copy of the " Polichronicon " is now given up as an error . The writer probably took his rclcrcnccs , on the

contrary , from MS . authorities . Peter Comestor , from whom he quotes , is the Master of History , the " Meistrc d ' Histoirc , " ( not Herodotus , as suggested by Bro . Cooke ) , and those who have studied old wills know that the " Livrc de Meistrc d'Histoire" or " Maistrc d'Histoirc " is more than once left specifically to some legatee . Whether from his own inner consciousness or other authorities , the transcriber of this legend varies

from the poem , and expands the legend considerably . It is clear he docs not mention York by name , but talks of the " cyte , " which wasonce held to refer to York . More careful study , 1 think , leads to this conclusion , —that up to the end of the fifteenth century the evidence of the available MSS . points to a variable place for the Annual Assembly . Wc cannot doubt that the Additional MS . represents the

traditions and preserves the legends of a Masonic Guild . The two next sixteenth century Constitutions arc Lansdownc and Grand Lodge , and if the archaisms of Dowland really represent a sixteenth century form too , though we have not yet the original , then we have three pretty much about the same time . _ Bro . Gould points to the peculiarity of the Lansdownc in common only with the Antiquity , that it makes "Windsor , " not "York , " the scene of Edwin's

initiation . I cannot agree with Bro . Gould that we are arbitrarily to take out " Windsor " and put in " York , " or " vice vers . 1 , " and can only suppose as the great mass of the MSS . adhere to York , that " Windsor '' is a fault of the transcriber , and the transcriber of the Antiquity in 16 SG had probably the Lansdownc or some derived form before him . And here , as a convenient break occurs , I stop to-day . I

may add 1 doubt if we can advance to the one " original form" theory at all at present . The Constitutions being lodge properties , will vary , as 1 before ventured to remark , according to the education , the prejudices , the local views the transcribers possessed ; and it will be hopeless , as well as unsound , to lay down an " ex post facto " view of textual criticisms and specific evidences to endeavour to make the legends uniform and entirely agree with each other .

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Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The General Committee of this Institution was held on Saturday last at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . Raynham VV . Stewart , Past Grand Deacon , in the chair . The other brethren present were Bros . Wm . Roebuck , Edgar Bowyer , Robert Berridge , Wm . Paas , James Moon , F . VV . Ramsay ,

M . D ., C . II . Webb , Alfred Williams , F . Adlard , L . Ruf , John M . Stedwell , Thomas Cubitt , Arthur E . Gladwell , Horace Brooks Marshall , Grand Treas ., Rev . Richard Morris , D . D . ( Head Master ) , R . J . Taylor , R . Barham , C . F . Matier , Richard Tyrrell , C . F . Hogard , George P . Gillard , Joyce Murray , Charles Belton , E . Baxter , A . M . Broadley , H . S . Goodall , H . Venn , H . Massey , and F .

Binckes , Sec . The minutes of the last meeting and of the Quarterly Court , were read and confirmed . ~ Bro . RAYNHAM VV . STEWART said it now became their duty to carry out the recommendation that had been made with reference to the Preparatory School . As they could not get on without money he would now propose that they

should sell out , £ 5000 stock to enable them to buy the property named , or rather complete the purchase , and begin tne work immediately . Bro . ALFRED WILLIAMS proposed and Bro . TAYLOR seconded the sale of jfsooo stock . Three petitions were then considered , and the children

for whom they were presented were placed on the list for the October election . Outfits of £ 5 each were granted to four former pupils of the Institution now in situations , and £ 10 to one other ex-pupil . One application for an outfit was deferred . The House Committee for the ensuing year were nominated by Bro . Henry Green and seconded by Bro . C . F . Matier .

The Audit Committee was also nominated . No new names were proposed . Bro . Matier wished to resign , but Bros . Goodall and Berridge requesting that he would reconsider his determination , he placed himself in the hands of the Chairman and Secretary . The Committee then adjourned .

The Province Of Cumberland And Westmorland.

THE PROVINCE OF CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND .

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE . The half-yearly preliminary meeting of the Craft Masons of this province was held in the County Hall , Carlisle , on Wednesday , the 16 th ult ., under the banner of the Bectivc Lodge , No . 1532 , when the province was well represented by Present and Past Provincial Officers . In the

absence of the R . W . Prov . G . M ., the Right Hon . the Earl of Bectivc , M . P ., the chair was occupied by Bro . John Holme , P . M . 129 , P . G . S . W ., who was supported as follows : Bros . J . Nicholson , P . M . 371 , P . P . G . S . W ., as D . P . G . M . ; Col . F . R . Sewell , P . M . 1002 , P . G . S . W . ; VV . Sandwith , P . M . 119 , P . G . J . W . ; J . F . Kirkconcl , P . M . 1267 , P . G . Reg . ; George I . McKay , P . M . 120 .

P . P . G . S . VV ., P . G . Sec . ; J . J . Robinson , VV . M . 19 S 9 , P . G . S . D . ; Dr . Braithwaitc , " VV . M . 12 C 7 , P . G . J . D . ; George Dalrymple , P . M . S 72 , as P . G . D . C . ; VV . B . Cowman , P . M . S 72 , P . G . Swd . Br . ; J . Frcars , Org . 119 , P . G . Org . ; VV . L . Towerson , P . M . 1267 , P . G . Purst . ; Jas . Graham , Tyler 1532 , P . G . Tyler ; W . Kirkbride , P . M . 339 , P . P . G . S . VV . ; P . de E . Collin , P . M .

371 , P . P . G . Reg . ; | ames Gardiner , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg . ; A . Walters , P . M ., P . P . G . Swd . Br . ; I . Pearson , VV . AI . J 39 ; J . Uewley , VV . M . 310 ; Ed . Tyson , P . M . 119 , P . P . G . A . D . C . ; VV . Court , P . M . 310 , P . P . G . D . C . ; VV . Tattersall , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg . ; Thomas Atkinson , P . M . S 72 , P . P . G . D . C ; F . Hodgson , P ; M . ; Thomas Brackenridge , Ed . Clarke , P . M . 12 G 7 , P . P . G . J . D . ; 1 . C . Hunter .

P . M . 962 . P . P . G . Purst . ; ) . Patterson , S . W . 962 ; J . Mills , P . M . 1390 , P . P . G . S . D . ; VV . Bradley , P . M . ; VV Carlylc , P . M . 1400 , P . P . G . Swd . Br . ; R . L . Court , 310 ; F . Scott , J . Abbott , J . D . 371 ; M . Bunyan , J . W . 310 ; M . Compton , 310 J Charles Gowan , S . W . 1 989 ; Thomas Milburn , VV . M . 371 ; J . H . Deason , 1532 ; J . Wood , P . M . 9 G 2 , P . P . G . Swd . Br . ; Charles J . Nanson , 310 ; and others

. The minutes of the Annual Provincial Grand Lodge held at Egremont , under the bannerol Kenlis Lodge , No . 1267 , were read and confirmed , and the Treasurer ' s statement of accounts were passed , showing a balance to the credit of the province . The ACTING PROV . GRAND MASTER then said there was a duty that devolved upon him to discharge , which he

was sure would have the heartfelt sympathy of not only the brethren present , but that of the province , at the irreparable loss her Majesty the Queen , H . R . H . the M . W . the Grand Master , and H . R . H . the Duchess of Albany had sustained by the sad and untimely death of H . R . H . the Duke of Albany , and it was with a sense of duty , affection , and loyalty that he moved that the following addresses be

forwarded from that province for their gracious acceptance ; also that the province be placed in mourning for a period of six months . Bros . J . Nicholson , P . P . G . S . W . ; Col . F . R . Sewell , Prov . G . S . W . ; and P . de E . Collin , P . P . G . Reg ., having supported the motion , Bro . G . J . MCKAY , Prov . G . Sec , read the addresses , which were each signed by the Earl of Bectivc , Prov . G . M ., and Bro . Geo . J . McKay , Prov . G . Sec , and were as follows :

" lothe Queen ' s Most Excellent Majesty . " We , the Freemasons of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cumberland and Westmorland , in open lodge assembled , humbl y approach your Majesty with the assurance of our loyal devotion to your Majesty ' s person and throne . We desire to express our most respectful sympathy with your Majesty in the heavy affliction which has befallen your Majesty , her Royal Highness the Duchess of Albany , and the Royal Family in the untimely death of our lamented brother his Royal Highness the Duke of Albany , K . G ., & c .

we desire also to express our deep sense of the loss which the nation at large has sustained by the decease of his Royal Highness , and more especially our participation in the regret felt by those interested in the progress of Masonry , of arts , and of science , in which his Royal Highness took so sincere , sustained , and beneficial an interest . We pray that the blessing of the Great Architect of the Universe may rest on your Majesty and the Royal Famil y at all times , and especially in this season of deep sorrow . "

The Province Of Cumberland And Westmorland.

" To his Royal Highness Albert Edward Prince of Wales , K . G ., & c ., & c , & c , Most Worshipful Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of England . "We the Freemasons of Cumberland and Westmorland , in Provincial Grand Lodge assembled , ask permission to approach your Royal Highness with our sincere and

heartfelt sympathy , at the untimely death of your highly gifted and beloved brother , his Royal Highness Prince Leopold , Duke of Albany , K . G ., Past Grand Warden of England . We are deeply conscious of the loss which the nation at large has sustained , and in an especial degree by the brethren of the Masonic Order , of one who had always evinced so earnest a desire to promote every effort that had for its

object the benefit of his fellow-men , and whose name will long be held in affectionate remembrance throughout her Majesty's extensive dominions . We humbly pray that the Great Architect of the Universe may alleviate this blow to your Royal Highness and the Royal Family , and to renew our warm expressions of our fidelity and loyalty to your Royal Highness , as head of our Order , and heir apparent of this realm . "

" To her Royal Highness the Duchess of Albany . " May it please your Royal Highness , —We , the Freemasons of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cumberland and Westmorland , in open lodge assembled , desire to express our fraternal and heartfelt sorrow at the loss of our much lamented brother your late husband , his Royal Highness the Duke of Albany , whose kindly interest conspicuous in

all matters tending to promote the welfare and prosperity of our Order , by whom he was so much admired and loved , may , we trust , provo some consolation in the hour of your deep sorrow . " The Committee appointed last autumn to consider a scheme for local education reported that , after due deliberation and in view of the trifling support offered by the lodges of the province , the proposition was found to be untenable , and had resolved itself into a recommendation for each lodge

to follow the example of Union Lodge , 129 , Kendal , and further the cause of education apart from provincial support . Several important alterations of the Provincial bye-laws were read and passed unanimously , when Bro . WALTERS , P . M . 371 , moved as a recommendation to the R . W . Prov . G . M ., and Bro . COLLIN , P . M .. seconded , that the next mectingof Prov . Grand Lodge be held under the banner of Perseverance Lodge , 371 , Maryport . Prov . Grand Lodge was then closed , and the brethren dined at the County Hotel .

PROVINCIAL GRAND ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER . The annual convocation of the above chapter was subsequently held , under the banner of the Union Chapter , No . 310 . The Grand Superintendent being absent , M . E . Comp . John Holme , P . Z . 129 , presided as Z ., supported as follows : Comps . P . de E . Collin , P . Z ., P . P . G . Reg ., II . ; 1 . Nirhnknn . P . 7 .. 171 . P . P . C .. J .. a * 1 . Henrirn 1 .

McKay , P . Z . 129 , P . G . S . E . ; VV . Sandwith , P . Z . 119 , P . G . S . N . ; A . VValters , Z . 371 , P . G . A . S . ; Colonel V . R . Sewell , P . P . G . Reg . ; VV . Court , P . Z . 310 , P . P . G . Swd . Br . ; George Dalrymple , P . Z . 119 , P . P . G . Swd . Br . ; James Gardiner , P . Z . 327 , P . P . G . Reg . ; Ed . Tyson , P . Z . 119 , P . P . G . D . C ; Thomas Atkinson , P . Z ., i

f . i ' . u . A . o . ; w . u . bowman , S . IN . 119 ; < . nougson , H . up ; J . Mills , 119 ; VV . Bradley , 371 ; George Murchic , S . E . 310 ; Charles | . Nanson , J . Abbott , 371 ; H . Court , S . N . 310 ; VV . rJewley , P . S . 310 ; Edward Clarke , Z . 119 , P . G . Stwd . ; J . Wood . 119 ; Charles Gowan , 119 ; R . L . Court , 310 ; J . Copcland , S . N . 129 ; VV . Carlylc , 119 ; M . Compton , 127 ; and others .

The minutes of the former convocation were read and confirmed and the Treasurer's statement of accounts passed , which showed the province was in a good financial state . The Acting Prov . Grand Master then appointed the following companions as his officers for the ensuing year : Comp . John Barr , P . Z . 119 Prov . G . H . „ Wm . Sandwith , P . Z . 119 ... Prov . G . J .

„ Geo . J . McKay , P . Z . 129 ( reappointed ) „ Prov . G . S . E . „ Col . V . R . Sewell , 371 Prov . G . S . N . „ VV . Tattersall , 371 Prov . G . P . S . „ I , R , Barron , 371 Prov . G . 1 st A . S .

„ Edward Clarke , Z . 119 ... ... Prov . G . indA . S . „ R . J . Nelson , 129 ( re-elected ) ... Prov . G . Treas . „ I . I ' . Kirkconcl , 119 Prov . G . Reg . „ VV . B . Cowman , S . N . 119 ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . „ 1 . Wood , 110 Prov . G . Std . Br .

„ Tom Dixon , 119 Prov . G . D . C . „ j . J . Coverdale Prov . G . Org . ,, J . Lowthain , 310 ( elected ) ... Prov . G . Janitor . Comp . Fletcher Hodgson , II . 119 ; H . I „ ct , „ , j „ „ Court , 310 ; J . H . Hogg , . 2 9 ... $ Prov > G ' Stwds - The PROV . GRAND S . E . afterwards intimated that he had some difficulty to learn from the annual returns made from a few of the chapters as to who were holding ofiice , and it

was desirable that the S . Es . should fill up the forms as complete as possible . Similar votes of condolence were passed as in Prov . Grand Craft Lodge , to her Majesty , and her Royal Highness the Duchess of Albany . There being nothing further the Provincial Grand Chapter was closed in form with prayer .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of East Lancashire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF EAST LANCASHIRE .

The annual meeting was held on the 1 st instant , at the Town Hall , Rochdale . Excellent arrangements had been made for the gathering by the brethren belonging to the lodges in the town , and the attendance , though the weather was most unfavourable , was very good , there being between 300 and 400 brethren present . Provincial Grand Lodge

was opened about one o'clock by the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie , who was accompanied by his Deputy , Bro . George Mellor , and a large body of past and present officers of the province , together with representatives of Grand Lodge and the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and the Prov . Grand Lodges of West Lancashire , West Yorkshire , Cheshire , Derbyshire , and Berks and Bucks . In

consequence of the recent death of the Duke of Albany the brethren appeared in mourning . The Prov . Grand Secretary , Bro . J . CHADWICK , called over the . roll of lodges , when it appeared that of the 93 lodges in the province only two , and those situated in distant parts of Lancashire , were unrepresented . The Prov . Grand Treasurer , Bro . J . RIGBY , presented the balance-sheet , which showed that at the commence-