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Article Original Correspondence. ← Page 2 of 2 Article REVIEWS Page 1 of 1 Article REVIEWS Page 1 of 1 Article Masonic Notes and Queries. Page 1 of 1 Article Masonic Notes and Queries. Page 1 of 1 Article REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Page 1 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
At the same time it requires a thorough overhauling , the list as it stands at present being very incomplete , and not in harmony svith the Table of Precedence at the beginning of the book . Why for instance arc not Past Grand Officers of all ranks included in this list as they are in the Table of
Precedence ? Some are , others are not . Past Grand Officers from the Grand Supt . of Works downsvards are totally ignored in it , and why in a Masonic procession the position of Prov . Grand Ssvord Bearer should be advanced as it is in this list , several stages from its proper place , svhich is next above that of Grand Organist , and placed next below
the Past Grand Deacons is an anomally I never could understand . Can any of your correspondents explain hosv it is ? Grand Lodge has created two Grand Standard Bearers —a very proper and dignified office . Is it too late to suggest to the svorthy brethren who are considering the
Soo amendments to the "Revise , " that Provincial and District Grand Lodges might fitly have one Standard Bearer ? There are many provinces and districts -where a Standard Bearer is a feature in grand ceremonials . As the law stands at present hc cannot ( unless othersvise qualified )
rank as a Provincial or District Grand Officer . To my thinking he ought to take rank as such . It does not accord svith the dignity attaching to the rank of a Provincial or District Grand Master that his standard should be borne by a Master Mason only .
1 should rejoice to see a Provincial Standard Bearer constituted a Prov . Grand Officer , equally svith theSsvord Bearer , and this too in all provinces , small or large . The office obtains in the Royal Arch , and svhy not in the Craft . —1 am , dear sir and brother , yours truly and fraternally , A PROVINCIAL G . D . C .
To the Editor of the "Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Following up my remarks for svhich you svere good enough to find space in your issue of Saturday last , 1 nosv come to the question of the position of Grand Chaplains , in svhich 1 havebeen anticipated by yourcorresponde nt
H . E . F . Without touching the question of the alleged superiority of spiritual to temporal office , I submit first , that a change is unadvisable as likely to cause irritation , and secondly , that a change of constitutional lasv is outside the prerogative of the Grand Master and svithin thc power of Grand
Lodge only , as the framers of the Constitutions . It may be urged that by the annual appointment of tsvo Grand Chaplains , Grand Lodge may in time find itself overweighted by such Officers . The remedy for this , hosvever , is in the bands of the Grand Master who may , if he so svills it , continue the same brethren in office for more
than one year . On the other hand , it svill probably be admitted that Grand Chaplains form a class of men svho are very valuable to the Order ; of good social position , of high education , and as active svorkers in the Masonic field , they are essentially ornaments to the Craft , and I have never heard
their position in Grand Lodge cavilled against . Why then disturb them ? To let svell alone is an old adage , and I sincerely hope that Grand Lodge svill not permit the status of Grand Chaplains to be losvered . I have a word to add to my last letter on the subject of Grand Masters . How will an alteration in their rank in
Grand Lodge affect them in Grand Chapter , if Grand Superintendents ? There is no such designation as District or Provincial Grand Superintendent , and the introduction of such terms svould , obviously , be out of place . Hosv then is it proposed to mark a distinction between a Grand Superintendent at home , and a Grand Superintendent in the colonies . DISTRICT GRAND MASTER .
Reviews
REVIEWS
" Longman ' s Review re-appears not stronger than before in any respect , and in some points rather more inclined to " gentle dullness . " We do not think there is any special feature calling for remark , or inviting criticism . "Temple Bar" is as usual effective in its special style and characteristic " outcome . " " Mr . Gladstone ' s Oxford Days " are svorth reading . " Belinda , " "Jone Stesvart , and " Uncle George ' s Will , " no doubt have their admirers , and svill be willingly perused . We can also commend " Tcl-El-Kebir " and a " Strange Wooing . " Thc " Century " is a vcry striking number , but perhaps may not please so much as some that preceded it . " Pomona ' s Daughter" svill amuse . "My Adventures in Zuni , " and "Father Junipcro" svill be read svith interest . The illustrations as usual arc most
effective . "All the Year Round" is full of matter , and the Spring number has some very well svritten tales . „ Absent minded People" is laughable , and "An Algerian Story" is thrillinr / . and " Mr . Scarborough ^ Family " and " Gcoffry
Stirling " still svend on their svay . One is very sensational , the other is Anthony Trollopc ' s last effort , the final production of his polished pen , and which will be read svith interest and regret as such . The " Antiquary" contains some valuable communications , though of course all such magazines are " specialites" for " specialists , " " caviare" to the multi-
Reviews
tude ignorant and unconcerned . The Antiquary is full of matter , and touches upon various old-world subjects agreeable and seasonable to those who call for such things . Better old friend than horse racing , pigeon shooting , & c .
MIT DEM WINKELMASSE . LOSE BL . A TI'ER ZUR FREIMAUREREI . Von Dr . I ULIUS GOLDENBEKG . Wien I .. Rosner , 1 SS 3 . This publication , hailing from Vienna , is practically the result of addresses delivered in the Lodge "Zukunft" at Presburg , Hungary , svhich lodge is composed to a great extent of Viennese brethren . Curiously enough , though
Freemasonry is " erlaubt" in Hungary , it is " verboten " in Vienna , and our brethren in Austria proper have to join Hungarian lodges if they wish to practise the Royal and friendly Art . At one time , Freemasonry svas very flourishing in Austria and Bohemia . At a special epoch , one hundred years ago or thereabouts , the lodges in Vienna included all that was eminent in art , science
literature , and social position . The husband of Maria Theresa , the Emperor , was himself a Freemason , and attended the lodge , and Freemasonry enlisted in its service the brilliant genius of Mozart , and the fraternal sympathies of poets and painters , statesmen and soldiers . At the Empress's death , svho svas not herself favourable to the Order , at least her Ministers were not , the Emperor Joseph
personally attempted to regulate I * reemasonry , as he did everything else . But Freemasonry must be free and independent or it cannot live . It dislikes patronage and surveillance , State interference and State control . It prefers to pursue its mission , relying on its inherent excellencies , truth , and benefits to vindicate its proceedings , and illustrate its professions . Accordingly Freemasonry languished , like the
sensitive plant , and Q in 179 + its meetings svere for , bidden . In the French Invasion there was a certain attempt of " a G . Loge Nationale " at Vienna ; but svhen the Fatherland svas again free from the invader this body again svas suppressed . Attempts have been made of late years to reform and revive lodges in Vienna , but thc Ministerial decision has been
adverse to these efforts , though the position of the Craft in Hungary might have assured the most timid of Austrian statesmen , vve venture to think , that there svas really no fear to the " Kaiser und Kaiserthum " from the meetingin Viennaof reasonable , loyal , order-loving , and law-abiding Freemasons . We assume that the Masonic movement in Vienna svas a bona fide one , based on the original
foundation of English I' reemasonry , thoroughly true in tone and teaching . We confess if it were not so , or that there svas any tendency , svhich we do not believe , to the later and rampant ideas of the French G . Orient , if political feelings had anything to do svith the Masonic programme , if the movement svas , in fact , " en dolo , " then sve do not ourselves affect to grieve that it became a " coup manque . "
We had rather have no Freemasonry ut all than the wanton parody of it we see here and there . Anyhow , Bro . Goldenberg ' s work deserves perusal by all svho understand German , not only for its effective sentences , its historical value , but the Masonic spirit svhich pervades it . Wc hope that Bro . Goldenberg ' s aspirations may ere long be realized ,
and that Freemasonry under legal permission may yet revive in the fair town of Vienna , invoking its old glories , and progress as svith the times , in a religious reverence for lasv andorder , obedience to the civil posver , loyalty to the Throne , benefit for the Brotherhood , and help and healing for Humanity .
THE MAGAZINES . Like the ceaseless labour of Sisyphus , our serials again appeal to us in their vehemence and their volubility , in their discoursiveness and their dogmatism . Just now sve are in a " phasis" of life and thought , of teaching and action , alike to our minds unreal and most ephemeral . We accept , not " cum grano salis " as we ought to do ,
the arguments of the " sophist" and the declamations of the " cynic . " We quietly acquiesce in asseverations svhich sve have not thought out , and parrot-like repeat conclusions which are illogical in themselves as coming before us as a " petitio principii , " simply because some " Didaskalos Andron , as sve think , has taken the trouble to put them forsvard , relying on the credulity or idleness of his hearers . We therefore do not
concern ourselves to prove theirfallacy or testtheir unsoundness . Ours is such a whirl of pleasure and excitement that sve have no time left us to reason or reflect . There is no doubt a great charm in serial literature , in that it gives us in a quasi form of intellectualism an easy and agreeable svay of passing time , but it has its great dangers in that general tendency to triviality or affectation , to a skin-deep knowledge and superficial dilettanteism which too often as sve all knosv , develope and expand into sveak and harmful teaching .
THE BIBLIOGRAPHER . This journal of book lore is welcomed by many " Philobiblioi amongst us , in that it treats much and effectually on subjects svhich are cognates to the studies and command the interests of those svho are not ashamed to avosv amid tlie "Incuria " of to-day their regard and love for old books and Dryasdustic productions .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
17 S ] THE LOCKE MS . Why thc Locke MS . appeared under the head of " reviews" I knosv not , except it be for a " printer's reason , " svhich is generally for no reason at all . It ought to have come under " notes , " and the point alluded to is a
very important one . It is very important , for instance , as an historical fact . to ascertain if possible , svhether the publication in the "Gentlemen ' s Magazine" svas actually the first in time , or svhether it was' transcribed from a small sheet or "broadside" of which I have seen one or two copies , but have not one in my possession nosv . Kloss points out
that nothing is proven of an alleged German original , and the document may lie a compilation for the Alchemical German Rosicrucians , as has been suggested , though they are historicall y a little later . The only point as regards Henry VI . is his leaning to Alchemy , and though as an Historical Document the Locke MS . as Bro . Gould svell puts it , is untenable for svhat it professes to be , it does not
Masonic Notes And Queries.
follow therefore , but that it is a compilation from some existing sources whose origin and existence wc have not yet been able to trace . The - remarks in Huddleston ' s Life of Leland are so peculiar and so singular , and his quotation from the "Gentlemen ' s Magazine" so remarkable , when , as Keeper of thc Ashmolcan hc could have verified the fact of the existence ofthe MS . and could have cleared up the mystery as to Mr . Collins , that I feel , and have alsvays felt , very strongly , that wc must still keep the subject before
us , as it is clearly not exhausted , and put out of interest for the Masonic student . Thc idea of the document is of course a " make up ; " the glossary is , there can be little doubt , fictitious , as it is most unreal ; and the compiler of the document had probably some end to subserve in the allegations he makes . But if the Locke MS . be a compilation partly of the Hermetic , partly of the Masonic catechetical form , it remains for us to try and discover if wc possibly can , the origin of this " Pious Fraud . " DRYASDUST .
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .
Craft jftasonrg . BATH . —Royal Cumberland Lodge ( No . 41 ) .- — The last meeting of the session svas field at the Masonic Hall on Thursday , May 3 rd . At 7 . 45 p . m ., the procession of officers and P . M . 's entered and took their respective chairs , thus : Bros . E . J . B . Mercer , W . M . ; R . B . Cater , I . P . M . ; T . P . Ashley , P . M . and P . P . G . J . W ., Treas . ; C . W . Radway , P . M ., P . P . G . S . W ., Sec ; T . Wilton , P . M .. P . P . G . J . W ., D . of C ; Rubie , P . M ., P . P . G . J . W ., S . W .
Ames , J . W . ; W . Peach , S . D . ; T . E . Wilton , J . D . ; Reynolds , I . G . ; Foote , Org . ; Fortt and Sidwell , Stwds . ; Bigwood , Tyler . Also the follosving P . M . 's : Bros . T . B . Moutrie , P . P . G . S . W . ; J . S . Turner , P . P . G . S . D . ; P . Braham , P . P . G . Org . ; k . P . Floyd , P . P . G . Reg . ; F . Wilkinson , P . P . G . S . Wks . ; Dr . Hopkins , P . P . G . S . W . Warwickshire . Besides these there svas the usual attendance of brethren .
The lodge having been opened and the minutes of the last regular meeting and of the lodge of instruction read and confirmed , the Secretary read the follosving report from a meeting of the Permanent Committee : " Brethren , —On April 2 ( 3 th , 1 SS 1 , this lodge attained the 150 th year of the granting of its Warrant . The members of the Permanent Committee having met to consider the desirability of celebrating so important an eooch in the
history of this ancient lodge , they svere unanimous in the opinion that so interesting an occasion should not be allowed to pass without some special effort being made . " Thc question as to how or in svhat manner the event should be celebrated was the subject of much discussion , and after several viesvs had been expressed , it svas felt that the Charities of the Order most strongly recommend themselves to this Committee . The follosving resolution
svas unanimously agreed upon for the favourable consideration of this lodge . " That the sum of 35 guineas be voted from the lodge funds to endosv the chairs of the I . P . M ., S . W ., and J . W ., svith a vote each in perpetuity for thc Boys' School . " This vote is of course a distinctive lodge one , but your committee trust that as sve are the second lodge in the provinces that can boast of an uninterrupted existence of
nosv more than 150 years , having passed our third jubilee , the brethren generally as individuals svould desire to shosv their appreciation of this dear old lodge by supplementing its action by personal subscriptions svith the view of endosving in a similar manner the chairs of the Treas ., D . of C , and Secretary , and if possible , of the Deacons and LG . " It is not the wish of the Permanent Committee unduly to urge this point upon the brethren , but it must not be
forgotten that this lodge stands in a very proud position on the rolls of the Grand Lodge , and the proposed mode of celebration is one that must commend itself to the feelings and sympathies of all our brethren , for assuredly no other than an affirmative reply can be given to the question— ' Do sve not , by thus contributing to the funds of our Boys ' School , help forsvard some of the great characteristics of Freemasonry , benevolence and charity ?'
Wc are not seckin * - ; to confer upon ourselves some nesv honour of a personal character , but assisting to strengthen that noble Institution which stands forsvard as the pride and beacon of joy in a Freemason ' s heart , svith the full knosvledge that sve are helping to build up to further prosperity and extended usefulness this magnificent Charity , reared and matured svith so much care and , forethought by our ancient brethren .
" Let this be no fleeting compliment , but let us each , according to his means , give svhat best he can to provide the fund required for this purpose . Surely sixty guineas is not beyond the grasp of our members to celebrate so unique a period in the history of this the Royal Cumberland Lodge , No . 41 , on the registry of the rolls of the Grand Lodge of England . " With a view to mark this event for future reference , it has been suggested that a small plate engraved and
showing what sve had done on our third jubilee , might be affixed to the several chairs or pedestals . " To the Royal Cumberland Lodge of Freemasons , No . 41 . April , 1 SS 3 . " This document having been read by the Secretary , a discussion took place , in which Bros , thc Worshipful Master , Secretary , Treasurer , Immediate Past Master , the
Director of Ceremonies , T . Wilkinson , P . M ., and Dr , Hopkins , took part , resulting in a resolution that a donation of thirty-five guineas be made to thc funds of the Boys' School at VVood Green , in celebration of the 150 th anniversary of the foundation of the lodge , thus completing the sum requisite to constitute No . 41 a Vice-President , and that this bean endowment of the chairs of the I . P . M . and Wardens .
Bro . Radway again rose , ancl urgently pressed a proposal that the other six chairs should be similarly endosved by a subscription among the members , which was seconded by the Treasurer , and passed , the W . M ., Wardens , I . P . M ., Secretary , the Director of Ceremonies , and two junior members to be chosen by them being a committee to carry out the resolution . It was understood that the committee svere to aim at the endowment of each of the six chairs , in
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
At the same time it requires a thorough overhauling , the list as it stands at present being very incomplete , and not in harmony svith the Table of Precedence at the beginning of the book . Why for instance arc not Past Grand Officers of all ranks included in this list as they are in the Table of
Precedence ? Some are , others are not . Past Grand Officers from the Grand Supt . of Works downsvards are totally ignored in it , and why in a Masonic procession the position of Prov . Grand Ssvord Bearer should be advanced as it is in this list , several stages from its proper place , svhich is next above that of Grand Organist , and placed next below
the Past Grand Deacons is an anomally I never could understand . Can any of your correspondents explain hosv it is ? Grand Lodge has created two Grand Standard Bearers —a very proper and dignified office . Is it too late to suggest to the svorthy brethren who are considering the
Soo amendments to the "Revise , " that Provincial and District Grand Lodges might fitly have one Standard Bearer ? There are many provinces and districts -where a Standard Bearer is a feature in grand ceremonials . As the law stands at present hc cannot ( unless othersvise qualified )
rank as a Provincial or District Grand Officer . To my thinking he ought to take rank as such . It does not accord svith the dignity attaching to the rank of a Provincial or District Grand Master that his standard should be borne by a Master Mason only .
1 should rejoice to see a Provincial Standard Bearer constituted a Prov . Grand Officer , equally svith theSsvord Bearer , and this too in all provinces , small or large . The office obtains in the Royal Arch , and svhy not in the Craft . —1 am , dear sir and brother , yours truly and fraternally , A PROVINCIAL G . D . C .
To the Editor of the "Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Following up my remarks for svhich you svere good enough to find space in your issue of Saturday last , 1 nosv come to the question of the position of Grand Chaplains , in svhich 1 havebeen anticipated by yourcorresponde nt
H . E . F . Without touching the question of the alleged superiority of spiritual to temporal office , I submit first , that a change is unadvisable as likely to cause irritation , and secondly , that a change of constitutional lasv is outside the prerogative of the Grand Master and svithin thc power of Grand
Lodge only , as the framers of the Constitutions . It may be urged that by the annual appointment of tsvo Grand Chaplains , Grand Lodge may in time find itself overweighted by such Officers . The remedy for this , hosvever , is in the bands of the Grand Master who may , if he so svills it , continue the same brethren in office for more
than one year . On the other hand , it svill probably be admitted that Grand Chaplains form a class of men svho are very valuable to the Order ; of good social position , of high education , and as active svorkers in the Masonic field , they are essentially ornaments to the Craft , and I have never heard
their position in Grand Lodge cavilled against . Why then disturb them ? To let svell alone is an old adage , and I sincerely hope that Grand Lodge svill not permit the status of Grand Chaplains to be losvered . I have a word to add to my last letter on the subject of Grand Masters . How will an alteration in their rank in
Grand Lodge affect them in Grand Chapter , if Grand Superintendents ? There is no such designation as District or Provincial Grand Superintendent , and the introduction of such terms svould , obviously , be out of place . Hosv then is it proposed to mark a distinction between a Grand Superintendent at home , and a Grand Superintendent in the colonies . DISTRICT GRAND MASTER .
Reviews
REVIEWS
" Longman ' s Review re-appears not stronger than before in any respect , and in some points rather more inclined to " gentle dullness . " We do not think there is any special feature calling for remark , or inviting criticism . "Temple Bar" is as usual effective in its special style and characteristic " outcome . " " Mr . Gladstone ' s Oxford Days " are svorth reading . " Belinda , " "Jone Stesvart , and " Uncle George ' s Will , " no doubt have their admirers , and svill be willingly perused . We can also commend " Tcl-El-Kebir " and a " Strange Wooing . " Thc " Century " is a vcry striking number , but perhaps may not please so much as some that preceded it . " Pomona ' s Daughter" svill amuse . "My Adventures in Zuni , " and "Father Junipcro" svill be read svith interest . The illustrations as usual arc most
effective . "All the Year Round" is full of matter , and the Spring number has some very well svritten tales . „ Absent minded People" is laughable , and "An Algerian Story" is thrillinr / . and " Mr . Scarborough ^ Family " and " Gcoffry
Stirling " still svend on their svay . One is very sensational , the other is Anthony Trollopc ' s last effort , the final production of his polished pen , and which will be read svith interest and regret as such . The " Antiquary" contains some valuable communications , though of course all such magazines are " specialites" for " specialists , " " caviare" to the multi-
Reviews
tude ignorant and unconcerned . The Antiquary is full of matter , and touches upon various old-world subjects agreeable and seasonable to those who call for such things . Better old friend than horse racing , pigeon shooting , & c .
MIT DEM WINKELMASSE . LOSE BL . A TI'ER ZUR FREIMAUREREI . Von Dr . I ULIUS GOLDENBEKG . Wien I .. Rosner , 1 SS 3 . This publication , hailing from Vienna , is practically the result of addresses delivered in the Lodge "Zukunft" at Presburg , Hungary , svhich lodge is composed to a great extent of Viennese brethren . Curiously enough , though
Freemasonry is " erlaubt" in Hungary , it is " verboten " in Vienna , and our brethren in Austria proper have to join Hungarian lodges if they wish to practise the Royal and friendly Art . At one time , Freemasonry svas very flourishing in Austria and Bohemia . At a special epoch , one hundred years ago or thereabouts , the lodges in Vienna included all that was eminent in art , science
literature , and social position . The husband of Maria Theresa , the Emperor , was himself a Freemason , and attended the lodge , and Freemasonry enlisted in its service the brilliant genius of Mozart , and the fraternal sympathies of poets and painters , statesmen and soldiers . At the Empress's death , svho svas not herself favourable to the Order , at least her Ministers were not , the Emperor Joseph
personally attempted to regulate I * reemasonry , as he did everything else . But Freemasonry must be free and independent or it cannot live . It dislikes patronage and surveillance , State interference and State control . It prefers to pursue its mission , relying on its inherent excellencies , truth , and benefits to vindicate its proceedings , and illustrate its professions . Accordingly Freemasonry languished , like the
sensitive plant , and Q in 179 + its meetings svere for , bidden . In the French Invasion there was a certain attempt of " a G . Loge Nationale " at Vienna ; but svhen the Fatherland svas again free from the invader this body again svas suppressed . Attempts have been made of late years to reform and revive lodges in Vienna , but thc Ministerial decision has been
adverse to these efforts , though the position of the Craft in Hungary might have assured the most timid of Austrian statesmen , vve venture to think , that there svas really no fear to the " Kaiser und Kaiserthum " from the meetingin Viennaof reasonable , loyal , order-loving , and law-abiding Freemasons . We assume that the Masonic movement in Vienna svas a bona fide one , based on the original
foundation of English I' reemasonry , thoroughly true in tone and teaching . We confess if it were not so , or that there svas any tendency , svhich we do not believe , to the later and rampant ideas of the French G . Orient , if political feelings had anything to do svith the Masonic programme , if the movement svas , in fact , " en dolo , " then sve do not ourselves affect to grieve that it became a " coup manque . "
We had rather have no Freemasonry ut all than the wanton parody of it we see here and there . Anyhow , Bro . Goldenberg ' s work deserves perusal by all svho understand German , not only for its effective sentences , its historical value , but the Masonic spirit svhich pervades it . Wc hope that Bro . Goldenberg ' s aspirations may ere long be realized ,
and that Freemasonry under legal permission may yet revive in the fair town of Vienna , invoking its old glories , and progress as svith the times , in a religious reverence for lasv andorder , obedience to the civil posver , loyalty to the Throne , benefit for the Brotherhood , and help and healing for Humanity .
THE MAGAZINES . Like the ceaseless labour of Sisyphus , our serials again appeal to us in their vehemence and their volubility , in their discoursiveness and their dogmatism . Just now sve are in a " phasis" of life and thought , of teaching and action , alike to our minds unreal and most ephemeral . We accept , not " cum grano salis " as we ought to do ,
the arguments of the " sophist" and the declamations of the " cynic . " We quietly acquiesce in asseverations svhich sve have not thought out , and parrot-like repeat conclusions which are illogical in themselves as coming before us as a " petitio principii , " simply because some " Didaskalos Andron , as sve think , has taken the trouble to put them forsvard , relying on the credulity or idleness of his hearers . We therefore do not
concern ourselves to prove theirfallacy or testtheir unsoundness . Ours is such a whirl of pleasure and excitement that sve have no time left us to reason or reflect . There is no doubt a great charm in serial literature , in that it gives us in a quasi form of intellectualism an easy and agreeable svay of passing time , but it has its great dangers in that general tendency to triviality or affectation , to a skin-deep knowledge and superficial dilettanteism which too often as sve all knosv , develope and expand into sveak and harmful teaching .
THE BIBLIOGRAPHER . This journal of book lore is welcomed by many " Philobiblioi amongst us , in that it treats much and effectually on subjects svhich are cognates to the studies and command the interests of those svho are not ashamed to avosv amid tlie "Incuria " of to-day their regard and love for old books and Dryasdustic productions .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
17 S ] THE LOCKE MS . Why thc Locke MS . appeared under the head of " reviews" I knosv not , except it be for a " printer's reason , " svhich is generally for no reason at all . It ought to have come under " notes , " and the point alluded to is a
very important one . It is very important , for instance , as an historical fact . to ascertain if possible , svhether the publication in the "Gentlemen ' s Magazine" svas actually the first in time , or svhether it was' transcribed from a small sheet or "broadside" of which I have seen one or two copies , but have not one in my possession nosv . Kloss points out
that nothing is proven of an alleged German original , and the document may lie a compilation for the Alchemical German Rosicrucians , as has been suggested , though they are historicall y a little later . The only point as regards Henry VI . is his leaning to Alchemy , and though as an Historical Document the Locke MS . as Bro . Gould svell puts it , is untenable for svhat it professes to be , it does not
Masonic Notes And Queries.
follow therefore , but that it is a compilation from some existing sources whose origin and existence wc have not yet been able to trace . The - remarks in Huddleston ' s Life of Leland are so peculiar and so singular , and his quotation from the "Gentlemen ' s Magazine" so remarkable , when , as Keeper of thc Ashmolcan hc could have verified the fact of the existence ofthe MS . and could have cleared up the mystery as to Mr . Collins , that I feel , and have alsvays felt , very strongly , that wc must still keep the subject before
us , as it is clearly not exhausted , and put out of interest for the Masonic student . Thc idea of the document is of course a " make up ; " the glossary is , there can be little doubt , fictitious , as it is most unreal ; and the compiler of the document had probably some end to subserve in the allegations he makes . But if the Locke MS . be a compilation partly of the Hermetic , partly of the Masonic catechetical form , it remains for us to try and discover if wc possibly can , the origin of this " Pious Fraud . " DRYASDUST .
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .
Craft jftasonrg . BATH . —Royal Cumberland Lodge ( No . 41 ) .- — The last meeting of the session svas field at the Masonic Hall on Thursday , May 3 rd . At 7 . 45 p . m ., the procession of officers and P . M . 's entered and took their respective chairs , thus : Bros . E . J . B . Mercer , W . M . ; R . B . Cater , I . P . M . ; T . P . Ashley , P . M . and P . P . G . J . W ., Treas . ; C . W . Radway , P . M ., P . P . G . S . W ., Sec ; T . Wilton , P . M .. P . P . G . J . W ., D . of C ; Rubie , P . M ., P . P . G . J . W ., S . W .
Ames , J . W . ; W . Peach , S . D . ; T . E . Wilton , J . D . ; Reynolds , I . G . ; Foote , Org . ; Fortt and Sidwell , Stwds . ; Bigwood , Tyler . Also the follosving P . M . 's : Bros . T . B . Moutrie , P . P . G . S . W . ; J . S . Turner , P . P . G . S . D . ; P . Braham , P . P . G . Org . ; k . P . Floyd , P . P . G . Reg . ; F . Wilkinson , P . P . G . S . Wks . ; Dr . Hopkins , P . P . G . S . W . Warwickshire . Besides these there svas the usual attendance of brethren .
The lodge having been opened and the minutes of the last regular meeting and of the lodge of instruction read and confirmed , the Secretary read the follosving report from a meeting of the Permanent Committee : " Brethren , —On April 2 ( 3 th , 1 SS 1 , this lodge attained the 150 th year of the granting of its Warrant . The members of the Permanent Committee having met to consider the desirability of celebrating so important an eooch in the
history of this ancient lodge , they svere unanimous in the opinion that so interesting an occasion should not be allowed to pass without some special effort being made . " Thc question as to how or in svhat manner the event should be celebrated was the subject of much discussion , and after several viesvs had been expressed , it svas felt that the Charities of the Order most strongly recommend themselves to this Committee . The follosving resolution
svas unanimously agreed upon for the favourable consideration of this lodge . " That the sum of 35 guineas be voted from the lodge funds to endosv the chairs of the I . P . M ., S . W ., and J . W ., svith a vote each in perpetuity for thc Boys' School . " This vote is of course a distinctive lodge one , but your committee trust that as sve are the second lodge in the provinces that can boast of an uninterrupted existence of
nosv more than 150 years , having passed our third jubilee , the brethren generally as individuals svould desire to shosv their appreciation of this dear old lodge by supplementing its action by personal subscriptions svith the view of endosving in a similar manner the chairs of the Treas ., D . of C , and Secretary , and if possible , of the Deacons and LG . " It is not the wish of the Permanent Committee unduly to urge this point upon the brethren , but it must not be
forgotten that this lodge stands in a very proud position on the rolls of the Grand Lodge , and the proposed mode of celebration is one that must commend itself to the feelings and sympathies of all our brethren , for assuredly no other than an affirmative reply can be given to the question— ' Do sve not , by thus contributing to the funds of our Boys ' School , help forsvard some of the great characteristics of Freemasonry , benevolence and charity ?'
Wc are not seckin * - ; to confer upon ourselves some nesv honour of a personal character , but assisting to strengthen that noble Institution which stands forsvard as the pride and beacon of joy in a Freemason ' s heart , svith the full knosvledge that sve are helping to build up to further prosperity and extended usefulness this magnificent Charity , reared and matured svith so much care and , forethought by our ancient brethren .
" Let this be no fleeting compliment , but let us each , according to his means , give svhat best he can to provide the fund required for this purpose . Surely sixty guineas is not beyond the grasp of our members to celebrate so unique a period in the history of this the Royal Cumberland Lodge , No . 41 , on the registry of the rolls of the Grand Lodge of England . " With a view to mark this event for future reference , it has been suggested that a small plate engraved and
showing what sve had done on our third jubilee , might be affixed to the several chairs or pedestals . " To the Royal Cumberland Lodge of Freemasons , No . 41 . April , 1 SS 3 . " This document having been read by the Secretary , a discussion took place , in which Bros , thc Worshipful Master , Secretary , Treasurer , Immediate Past Master , the
Director of Ceremonies , T . Wilkinson , P . M ., and Dr , Hopkins , took part , resulting in a resolution that a donation of thirty-five guineas be made to thc funds of the Boys' School at VVood Green , in celebration of the 150 th anniversary of the foundation of the lodge , thus completing the sum requisite to constitute No . 41 a Vice-President , and that this bean endowment of the chairs of the I . P . M . and Wardens .
Bro . Radway again rose , ancl urgently pressed a proposal that the other six chairs should be similarly endosved by a subscription among the members , which was seconded by the Treasurer , and passed , the W . M ., Wardens , I . P . M ., Secretary , the Director of Ceremonies , and two junior members to be chosen by them being a committee to carry out the resolution . It was understood that the committee svere to aim at the endowment of each of the six chairs , in