Free And Freemasonry.

discussion and investigation of its origin , history , and principles , and by the collection of a Masonic library . The lodge still exists , but the Society , unless my recollection is at fault , has long since been dissolved . The date of Dr . Desagulier ' s initiation is unknown . He is first mentioned as a Mason in the Constitutions of 1723 ; and subsequently , with greater particularity , in the edition of 1738 , as having been installed as

Grand Master on June 24 th , 1710- - We afterwards meet with his name as a member of the Lodge at the Horn , Westminster , in 1723 . This Lodge had previously met at the Rummer and Grapes , in Channel-row , Westminster , and as in 1718 , Desaguliers resided in Channel-row , the propinquity of a lodge and his love of goodfellowship , suggest a very simple reason for his becoming a Freemason . I do not believe , however , that he had been one many months when he was elected Grand Master , for

it is almost certain that had the learned natural philosopher been a member of the Society in June , i 7 i 8 , thedateof George Payne ' s first Grand Mastership , he would have been elected a Grand Warden . I am also very strongly of op inion that if Payne or Desaguliers had been present at the Goose and Gridiron ale-house , on St . John's day , 1717 , or if they had participated in the movement which culminated in the meeting of that date , one or the other would have been elected Grand Master .

But at any rate , there is an entire absence of proof that Desaguliers was a Mason prior to the year 1719 , and no one ( unless he has been taken into supernatural confidence ) is justified in affirming , as a statement of fact , that the four London Lodges united " under the guidance " of the learned " physicist" for the purpose of forming a "Grand Lodge" in 1717 . ( To be continued ) .

The "Jno. T. Thorp Masonic Ms."

THE "JNO . T . THORP MASONIC MS . "

My good friend , Bro . John T . Thorp , P . M ., P . Prov . S . G . W . of Leicestershire , itc . ( so well known as the Secretary of the " Lodge of Research , " No . 2429 ) , has purchased the Roll of the " Old Charges , " hitherto known as the " Henry Brown MS ., " so I have altered the title of that document so as to bear the name of the present owner , in the hope that the new

designation will be permanent . The name is assuredly suggestive of well directed researches and indefatigable literary labour on behalf of the Craft for a quarter of a century or more , and in common with his many friends , I hope that Bro . John T . Thorp will long be spared to enjoy the appreciation and friendship of not a few of the prominent Craftsmen of this and other

countries . The scroll bears date A . D . 1629 , and belonging as it does to the " Sloane " Family , it is by nearly 20 years the senior of that Class . Had it been discovered before Dr . Begemann made his Classification of the MSS ., undoubtedly this Roll would have conferred its name on the Family . As it is , however , its text is both curious and valuable , especially as it appears to

me that this MS ., or a similar text , was before the Clerk or Scribe of the "Sloane MS . " ( No . 3848 ) , in respect to the alternative readings noted by Bro . G . W . Speth , in his introduction to the facsimiles of the " Sloane MSS . " They are nearly all to be found in the Thorp MS ., and much more so than the " Harleian " Scroll , No . 2054 , which I first of all thought may have been utilised . I congratulate Bro . Thorp on his possession . W . J . HUGHAN .

R.A. Masonry In Weitby.

R . A . MASONRY IN WEITBY .

The Rev . E . Fox-Thomas has done good service to the Craft in Whitby , first by writing an excellent History of the Lion Lodge , No . 312 , Whitby , and its predecesso-s ; then by publishing an Account of the interesting Centenary of that old Iodge , and now by writing and publishing a " History of Royal Arch Masonry at Whitby from 17 S 2 to 1 S 9 S , with a brief Sketch relating to the Origin of the Degree . "

By securing copies of these brochures at a nominal cost , Brethren have now a complete account of the Fraternity at Whitby from 1764 down to iSyS , the works being illustrated almost lavishly for their size , and also supplied with valuable Tables . The handsome Royal Arch History is dedicated by the Author to the

most noble the M irquess of Zetland , who is the esteemed Prov . G . M . and Grand Supt . of the truly Masonic province of Njrth and East Ridings of Yorkshire . _ Bro . Fox-Thomas , in his brief introductory remarks as to the earliest evidence of Royal Arch Masonry , gives the latest particulars which have

been discovered , so that students may rely on the well-authenticated facts being up to date and presented in a very readable manner . It would be well if Brethren generally were made familiar with the information thus supplied , and I hope that arrangements will be made that copies may be forwarded to the iS Chapters working in the Province , as well as to many others elsewhere .

Early in the last century , i e ., about 1 740 , the Degree is met with in England , Ireland , and Scotland , the next decade witnessing its working in America , but precisely when and where it was first introduced cannot be decided . The sketch is well done , as it embraces the main points of Royai Arch history from 1740 for some 150 years , and has been as carefully compiled as it is pleasantly told . Royal Arch Masonry began in Whitby in 17 S 3 , by petition to E . Comp .

Richard Garland , the Grand Superintendent , and in due time ( in the same year ) a charter was granted . The original has disappeared , because given 1 'P in 1822 , according to the order of the Grand Chapter , and a new warrant orwarded , which is still preserved . Evidently the fraternal " Lions" were favourable to the Degree , for in the Iodge records of 18230 ! the " Lion Lod ge " is the

order" Such Brethren who are Royal Arch Masons in future to wear . „ , their Sashes in open Lodge . " 1 hough apparently never rescinded , of course it has long been a " dead ' ? tter . " Bro . Fox-Thomas quotes Bro . G . W . Speth , the indefatigable , | ^ y of the " Quatuor Coronati " Lodge , London , in favour of wearing \ u . , ' ^ S in lodge , thus proving it to be the continuation of the " ¦ aster s Degree ,

R.A. Masonry In Weitby.

The chapter had almost expired in 1 845 > but , fortunately , a companion from London came to reside at Whitby ( Abraham Le Veau ) , and quickly put new life into the concern , the result being renewed activity , which has continued to this day .

But it will not ao to give the gist of the tasty little volume , which can be had for half-a-crown , so I must conclude by congratulating the members on their having a centenary jewel warrant , and especially on having the history of their chapter so ably written by the diligent Masonic historian of Whitby .

I have done my part by contributing an Introduction , and I wish much that each old chapter was blessed with a literary companion so willing and competent as the Rev . Egbert Fox-Thomas . W . I . HUGHAN .

Scotland.

Scotland .

PRESENTATION TO COMP . MAJOR F . W . ALLAN

On the evening of Friday , the 2 nd instant , Comp . Major F . W . Allan , Past M . E . G . Superintendent , was made the recipient of a very handsome framed illuminated address from the Royal Arch chapters in the province on his retirement from office . The presentation took place at a special meeting of the Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter over the . Lower Ward of Lanarkshire in the Masonic Hall , 213 , Buchanan-street , Glasgow , and was presided over by Comp .

Provost James Kirkwood , of Govan , M . E . G . Superintendent , accompanied by Comps . Major F . W . Allan , P . M . E . G . Superintendent ; J . MacNaught Campbell , M . E . Depute G . Superintendent ; J . B . McNaught , M . E . Principal H . ; William Watson Newton , M . E . Principal J . ; James Balfour , E . Scribe E . ; J . A . S . Kerr , E . Scribe N . ; Robert Kennedy , E . Second Sojourner ; W . G . James , E . Third

Sojourner ; James Murray , E . Benevolent Fund Treasurer ; James Sharrocks , E . S . B . ; Alexander Bruce , E . Organist ; Councillor T . M . Cunningham and John Herriot , of 50 ; Alexander Brown , 6 7 ; Wm . Munro Denholm , Past Prov . G . Treas . ; and others . The various chapters in the province were well represented , the hall being filled to its utmost capacity .

The address is surrounded with a beautiful floral design , having the Major ' s portrait in full Masonic costume and crest , with Royal Arch emblems dispersed round the border , bearing the following inscription : " The Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter over the Lower Ward of Lanarkshire . To Most Excellent Companion Major F . W . Allan , Past Grand Superintendent .

" The expiration of your commission as Grand Superintendent , your decision not to accept of a new appointment , and your consequent demission of the regal office which you have adorned , affords us a fitting opportunity of expressing our . high appreciation of the great and invaluable services you have rendered to our Order .

' * Duringthe whole term of your office , sustained and unprecedented prosperity has attended our course , and the chapters of the province under your fostering care , have made phenomenal progress both in efficiency and membership . " The result of your labours , unparalleled in our history , amply justifies the confidence we repose in you , when we called upon you to assume the Superintendentship , and since then your habitual courtesy of demeanour and geniality of disposition have endeared you personally to every one of us .

" On your retiral you carry the respect , the esteem , and the affection of the whole province , and it is our most earnest desire that you may be long spared to take an interest in the Order for which you have done so much . " For the Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter over the Lower Ward of Lanarkshire . " ( Signed ) J AMES KIRKWOOD , M . E . Grand Superintendent , "J AMES BALFOUR , Provincial Grand Scribe E . " Glasgow , and September . "

Comp . J . BALFOUR , Prov . Grand Scribe E ., read letters of apology received from Comps . James Provan , Past M . E . Principal H . ; J . Dalrymple Duncan , Past M . E . Principal H . j Emile Berger , Past E . Org . ; Charles S . Whitelaw , E . First Principal of Chapter No . 79 ; Colonel James Reid , First Principal ; and Sir James Buchanan , Bart , Second Principal of Chapter 18 9 , all of which contained kind expressions of congratulations and regrets at cause of absence .

Comp . Provost KIRKWOOD , Grand Superintendent , in making the presentation , gave a short resume of Comp . Major Allan ' s connection with the different branches of Freemasonry , but more particularly with the Provincial Grand Chapter over the Lower Ward of Lanarkshire , under whose auspices the present meeting was held . He said that when it became known that Comp . Major Allan would not again accept office , and , as stated in the minutes , that on Sth March

last when the General Committee met it was then agreed that some recognition be made to mark the appreciation of the services rendered by Comp . Allan to Provincial Grand Chapter , the First Principals of the chapter were appointed a Committee , and after one or two meetings on the subject , appointed Comps . Balfour , Kerr , and Jackson to carry out and complete the arrangements . He considered it a very high honour indeed in being the medium in conveying to

Comp . Major Allan that mark of respect from the chapters in the province , and in their name he had much pleasure in placing in the hands of Comp . Major Allan the handsome gift , wishing him long life and happiness . He thought the chapters in seeking to honour their Past Superintendent were honouring themselves , as the success which attended the province during the five years he held office was phenomenal .

Comp . Major ALLAN , in expressing his gratitude to the companions and members of chapters for the very high honour they had done him in rewarding his labours as their Grand Superintendent in so handsome a manner , said : I really do not know what to say in reference to the far too flattering words just spoken by the M . E . Grand Superintendent . When I was installed into office five years ago by my friend , Comp . Lord Saltoun , the then First Grand Principal of

Scotland , I expressed the hope that the proceedings might tend to good , and enable me the better to perform all the obligations I had taken , I said that I would endeavour faithfully to discharge the duties devolving upon me , and generally to promote the best interests of the chapters in my district , asking for the support of the Provincial Chapter office-hearers , and promising that it would be my aim at the expiration of my term of office to transfer my office to my successor not only unimpaired , but even more' flourishing . And this beautiful address , which 1 will

value as long as I live , is a testimony that I have not laboured in vain , and that I have handed over to you the chapter not unimpaired , but as is stated in the address " in unprecedented prosperity , the various chapters in efficiency and membership phenomenal . " I very much value the statement " that the confidence reposed in me has been amply fulfilled . " My aim has always been to elevate Masonry , and I feel that I can say that such has been the case in the province , and that Royal Arch Masonry therein never held a higher place , the chapters