Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

662 ] A CURIOUS FIND . . Bra . Lane and I were looking through the Grand Lodge minute book which begins in 1723 , when my attention was directed to a list of the members held at the " Sun , " Chester . The " Returns " were made on the 27 th Nov ., 1725 , so that the date of the Registers is thus fixed beyond

a doubt . The first four names are described as follows , after whom come the Master , Wardens , and other members : " Coll . Fra . Columbine , Provincial Grand Master . " Samll Smith , Deputy . " Coll . Herbt . Laurence , ) , j 7 . _ j . _ . >• " Cap . Hugh Warburton , j Waidens .

This was a great surprise for me , as the earliest Prov . G , Master for Cheshire recorded in the Grand Lodge Calendar is for the year 1 755 . This record proves that there was a Prov . Grand Lodge for Cheshire in 1725 , being an earlier appointment than , any hitherto noticed , and the foregoing informs us of the names of the Prov . G . M . and his three chief officers . A letter was also read

to the Grand Lodge later on , dated 15 th April , 1727 , from the Prov . G . Master , and others of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Chester , but this time there is a change in the names as follows : « H . Warburton , P . G . M . "Saml . Smith , D . P . G . M . " Roger Camberbach , P . G . W .

" John Coleclough , P . G . W . " The first three brethren are registered as members of the "Sun , " and the fourth belonged to the "Castle and Faulkon , " both lodges being then held at Chester , in Bridge-street and Watergate-street respectively . Then , again , the first P . G . M . for Warwick noted in the Grand Lodge Calendar is for fhe year 1702 , whereas , under the

name of the " Wool Pack [ Lodge ] in the Town of Warwick , " is a list of members , the first of which is "James Prescot , Esq ., Provincial G . Master . " ( 172 S-9 . ) Here , then , is another older record , and certainly these two appointments indicate that the lists of Provincial Grand Masters in the Constitutions of 173 S , 175 G , and 176 7 are not complete . I think that a careful examination of the volume

might reveal other facts of value , for the names of Provincial Grand Masters occur in local minutes who are not to be found in the regular lists noted , and , beyond question , the Grand Lodge records prove that the Provincial Grand Lodge of Chester , with a Provincial Grand Master and officers , was in existence prior to the supposed first appointment of the kind for Wales of the following year . It is probable that the Bro . H . Warburton of 1727 , for Chester , was also

the Provincial Grand Master for North Wales , recorded in thc Calendar for 172 C , so he probably acted for the two provinces . Any way , the Grand Lodge minutes on the first few pages contain the names of two Provincial Grand Masters for Chester not noted before by any one that I am aware of , one being earlier than any previous record , and a Provincial Grand Master for Warwickshire in 1728-9 , whereas the earliest mentioned in the Calendars is of 1792 . W . I . HUGHAN .

663 ] LEWISES AND PRIORITY . Some little time ago Bro . Lamb Smith asked a series of questions respecting the status or privileges of a " Lewis , " under certain suppositious circumstances . To my surprise no reply has yet been vouchsafed , so I am determined to try my hand at it . A Lewis has no privilege beyond being initiated before any other candidate , however worthy and distinguished . In other words , if two candidates presented

themselves for initiation , one being a Prince and the other a Lewis , according to this old rule , the Lewis would be " made " first . A Lewis cannot claim initiation at eighteen , as many erroneously suppose , but the fact of his being such would doubtless have weight in a petition for a dispensation for initiation under age . I take it that a Lewis , strictly speaking , is the " son of a Mason , " without regard

to the period of the initiation of the father . According to the old customs , the sons of Masons ( Lewises ) had special privileges , _ as respects feesand other matters relating to admission into lodges of which their fathers were members , and as these privileges were enjoyed , whether such sons were born before or after their fathers' initiation , I take it that a Lewis is simply the son of a Mason , whether the latter was initiated before or after the birth of the son

concerned . Whatever privilege a Lewis enjoyed , ends on his attaining the " full age , " I take it , so that unless such an one is initiated prior to that period , he forfeits all his customary rights . Membership of a lodge dates from the night of initiation j hence if there were any delay in the "passing" or " raising , " that would not affect their position on the roll of members , which thus answers Bro . Smith ' s other query . CHISHOLM .

The Visit Of The Grand Master To Brighton.

THE VISIT OF THE GRAND MASTER TO BRIGHTON .

The following memorandum has been issued from the Grand Secretary's office : " There will be a special train for the conveyance of H . R . H . the Grand Master and the Grand Officers , & cleaving Victoria at 10 . 15 o ' clock a . m . and arriving at

Brighton at 11 . 30 o ' clock . " The return special train will leave Brighton at 4 . 25 o'clock p . m ., arriving at Victoria at 5 . 40 o'clock . " Brethren desirous of travelling by the special train are requested to inform the Grand Secretary as soon as possible , in order that seats may be reserved for them , for which he will transmit a voucher .

" The fare by this train will be first-class single for the double journey . "SHADWELL H . CLERKE , "Grand Secretary . " Freemasons' Hall , "Oth July , iSSO . "

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

( JDraft JEasonrjJ .

FARRINGDON WITHOUT LODGE ( No . I 745 ) - ~ This lodge held its installation meeting at the Viaduct Hotel , Holborn , on the 3 ist ult . Among those present were Bros . J . Voung , W . M . ; T . Simpson , S . W ., VV . M . elect ; J . Lister , S . D ., acting J . VV . ; H . J . Lardner , P . P . G . O . Surrey , P . M ., Treas . ; " W . H . Jackson , P . M ., Sec ; L . Lardner , I . G . ; li . M . Lott , Mus . Doc , P . G . Org ., & c ,

Org . j I . C . Walls , P . P . G . S . B . Middx ., P . M . ; James Strugnell , P . M . ; H . B . Marshall , CC , F . R . G . S ., J . P ., P . G . Treas ., & c , P . M . ; W . Ramsey , P . AL ; Sheier , Falck , Hablett , Herbert , and others . Among the numerous visitors were Bros . B . Turner , P . M . 1328 ; W . Malthouse , CC , P . M . 1623 ; and T . Tremere , P . M . 1929 . The minutes of thc previous meeting having been read

and confirmed , Bro . T . Simpson was presented to the W . M ., who duly installed him in the chair of K . S ., assisted by Bros . J . Strugnell , as S . VV . ; H . B . Marshall , J . VV . ; T . C . Walls , D . C ; and H . J . Lardner , I . G . Among the officers appointed and invested were Bros . J . Lister , S . VV . ; L . Lardner , J . VV . ; H . J . Lardner , Treas . ; VV . H . Jackson , Sec ; Dr . E . M . Lott , Org . ; T . C Walls , D . C . ;

J . Young , W . S . ; and Parkinson , Tyler . A vote of thanks was passed to Bro . J . Young for his services as Installing Officer , and he was presented with a P . M . ' s jewel . Letters from absent members pleading inability to attend having been read , the lodge was closed in due and ancient form , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet .

Upon the removal of the cloth , the usual toasts were admirably given by the VV . M ., and duly honoured . During the evening the choir boys of St . Sepulchre ' s , under the able leadership of Bro . Lott , Mus . Doc , Organist , & c , of that church , contributed some excellent selections , assisted by those well-known artistes Bros . T . Tremere and Dudley Thomas .

QUATUOR CORONATI LODGB ( No . 2076 ) . —This lodge met at Freemasons' Hall on the 3 rd inst ., when Bro . the Rev A . F . A . Woodford , P . G . C , occupied the chair , in the absence of the W . M ., Bro . Sir C Warren , through stress of official duties . There were also present Bros . W . H . Rylands , R . F . Gould , P . G . D , ; W . Besant , G . W . Speth , Major S . C Pratt , Royal Artillery ; William

Simpson , VV . j . Hughan , P . G . D . ; Major F . G . Irwin , and W . M . Bywater . Visitors : Bros . James Glaisher , P . G . S . D . ; S . R . Baskett , P . P . G . R . Dorset ; John Lane , P . M . 1402 ; Josiah Houle , P . M . 92 ; and C Kupperschmidt , P . M . 23 S . Bros . John Henry Chapman , M . A ., F . S . A ., and Thos . Hayter Cross , F . 5 . A ., Past Vice-President of the Royal

Institute of British Architects , Emontus Professor of Architecture , were unanimously elected joining members . Bro . R . F . Gould read a highly interesting and instructive paper on " Some Old Scottish Masonic Customs . " Our space will only allow us to allude to the contents of this valuable contribution to Masonic archaeology ; but this is of minor importance , as we are informed that the

transactions of this enterprising lodge will appear annually in print . The mass ot facts , dates , and excerpts with which the paper ] ucidly dealt went very far lo prove that Scottish lodges in thc seventeenth and eighteenth centuries differed materially in procedure , ritual , and objects from the earliest known English lodges . The lecturer insisted upon this striking conclusion , that , from the copious evidence

available , it must be conceded that Scottish lodges were erected and maintained for purely trade purposes , in spite of the presence within these associations of a sprinkling of geomatic ( or gentlemen ) Masons , whereas everything tended to show that the earliest English lodges were speculative or theoretical in their character , and that our English system of Freemasonry was only gradually engrafted upon the

lodges north of the border . The quaint customs , phrases , and proceedings of these old operative sodalities were duly noted and carefully portrayed , and the inevitable * ' battle of the grades " made its presence felt . 'I'he paper was listened to with grave attention by the band of earnest students assembled , and at its conclusion an interesting discussion took place .

Bro . Hughan enforced his well-known views that the Scottish Masons only possessed one Degree , with cogency and force relying on proofs derived from the paper , and adducing others not mentioned therein . Bro . Simpson corroborated these views by recollections drawn in his boyhood of the operations of the Scottish Guilds . Bro . Speth called attention to the purelv Guild character

of the lodge , as demonstrated in the paper , and showed the similarity of their usages to those of Craft Guilds in all parts , more particularly in Germany , as illustrated by the copious Guild and Craft literature of the Fatherland whilst Bro . Woodford , taking the other side , pleaded with his usual acumen for the existence of a certain amount of

speculative , as distinguished from purely operative , science in the Scottish lodges , and especially cast doubt on the correctness of the one Degree theory . Bro . Gould having briefly replied on the discussion as a whole , Bro . Baskett begged , as a visitor and on behalf of the Craft in general , to thank the lodge for the important and

enlightened step which they had taken . He was of opinion that the new departure would prove of incalculable benefit to the whole body of the Craft . He had travelled 150 miles to be present , and considered himself amply repaid , and he trusted the lodge would continue to carry on their undertaking on the lines laid down that evening . The lodge being closed , the brethien ( members and

visitors ) adjourned to dinner at Freemasons' Tavern . Even here the lodge has struck out a path of its own , in which we have little doubt some other lod ges will follow when it becomes generally known . The great problem between a dining and non-dinirg lodge appears to have been judiciously solved , and the arrangements gave great satisfaction . The few short and pith y speeches were replete with the spirit of "bon hommie" and joyful anticipations of the lodge's future success . Especially interesting were those

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

of Bro . Walter Besant and Bro . James Glaisher , P . G . D ., whose recollections of the Masonic a _ cha _ jlogical society , which for a short period did such good work some 20 years ago , were naturally much appreciated by the brethren . It is probable that a paper , entitled " The Steinmetz Theory Critically Examined , " will be read by Bro . G . VV . Speth at

the next meeting , September 2 nd , in whichcasean interesting discussion may be expected , as the views of which that brother will be the exponent clash materially with those entertained in German Masonic circles , and it was announced by Bro . Kupferschmidt , P . M . 23 S , that more than one member of the Pilgrim Lodge hoped to break a lance with Bro . Speth when the latter read his paper .

BOLTON . —Anchor and Hope Lodge ( No . 37 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , 7 th inst ., at the Swan Hotel , when there were present Bros . J . VV . Poyntz , VV . M . ; VV . H . Horrocks , P . M ., as S . VV . ; James Newton , P . P . G . D ., Prov . G . Assist . Sec , as J . VV . ; James Naylor , S . D . ; R . Nightingale , J . D . ; 1 homas Murphy , as I . G . ; F . N . Pacey , P . M ., P . H . G . Org . Berks and Bucks ; R . K . Freeman , P . M . ; Wm . Forrest , Thomas BarnesF . VV . Brockbank

, , and J , VV . Thompson . Visitors : Bros . D . N . Stevenson , 221 ; and Rev . Monroe ( Little liulton . ) The lodge was opened and the minutes read and approved . Two candidates were proposed for initiation . 'I he hearty congratulations of the lodge were tendered to Bro . James Newton , P . P . G . S . D ., one ot the oldest members of the lodge , on his recent appointment as Prov . G . Assistant Secretary . All business being concluded , the Iodge was closed .

PLUMSTEAD . —Pattison Lodge ( No . 913 ) . — The election meeting- of the above excellent lodge took place on Thursday , the 3 rd inst ., at the High School for Boys , Brookhili-road , there being a large muster of the brethren and visitors . Bro . E . Palmer , VV . M ., presided , assisted by the following oliicers and others : Bros . C . Coupland , P . M ., Treas ., P . P . G . J . W . Kent ; W . Tongue , P . M ., P . P . G . J . W . Kent ; E . Denton , P . M ., Sec , P . P

G . J . D . Kent ; A . Penfold , P . M ., D . C , P . G . Stwd . Kent ; H . J . Butter , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg . Kent ; T . D . Hayes , P . M . ; VV . B . Lloyd , P . M ., Stwd . ; R . J . Cook , P . M . H . Mason , P . M . ; VV . Rees , P . M . ; Colonel IS . Hughes , M . P ., P . G . S . W . ; T . K . Richardson , S . W . j C . H . Lawson , J . W . ; VV . D . Keeble , S . D . ; VV . Busbridge , A . D . C , acting I . G . ; VV . C . Lloyd , i . G ., acting J . D . ; R . F . lyler , Org . ; VV . Sanders , Stwd . ; W . J . Lardner , cook

lyier ; j . v . , vv . U . Clifford , VV . C . Taylor , G . H . Campoell , VV . G . Newton , T . Hambrook , A . Wallis , W . Tucker , W . Lock , R . Sanders , VV . B . Ledger , C J . Clapham , W . Pryce , C Harger , P . SisAley , V . Hayward , A . Capon , W . E . Donohughe , H . Grafton , R . Courtinan , J . Mitchell , H . Timms , D . Davies , J . Fianltlin , A . VV . Jackson , \ V . Corder , J . F . Randall , A . Moore , G . Frost , and C . Jolly , W . M . 1472 , all of the lodge . The visitors included

Bros . Quartermaster G . Spinks , O . S . C , P . M . 1536 P . G . Std . Br . Kent ; E . VV . Carter , P . M . S S ; G . Kenneday , P . M . 1535 ; Captain J . Scully , R . H . A ., P . M . 706 ; Quartermaster j . Rowan , R . A ., 1789 ; H . Uugh , 1150 ; ^ W . Colman , 1973 ; H . Palmer , 700 ; W . G . Kenneday , 829 ; F . G . Budd , 13 ; W . G . Graham , 2041 ; B . J . Hancock , 700 ; and F . Nichols , 706 . Mr . H . Coombes was , after approval , initiated ; Bros . H .

Shaw and F . Hoar were passed ; and Bros . A . G . Hadcock , H . Steward , J . J . Collins , and W . E . Hudson weic raised , the whole ot the above heavy labour being admirably performed by the W . M . and his officers , and , as usual , was rendered doubly impressive by the singing ofthe " Pattison choir . " Bro . Richardson was then unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year , and returned thanks . Bro . Coupland was re-elected Treasurer and representative on

the Provincial Charity Committee , and he returned thanks , and Bro . Lardner was re-elected Tyler . It was then unanimously resolved that a P . M . 's jewel , of the value of io guineas , should be presented to the VV . M ., as a token of the esteem of the brethien , and also for the admirable manner in which he had during the past year carried out the duties of W . M ., and he ieelingly returned thanks . The next business was the consideration of a report

presented by a Committee formed some time ago , on the motion of Bro . Mason , to consider the advisability of erecting a Masonic Temple within the limits of the province for Masonic uses , especially for the uses of the Pattison Lodge . Bro . Mason introduced the report in an eloquent yet

concise speech , and it was unanimously resolved that shares of one guinea each should that night be called for , and they were subscribed to the full amount of £ 1066 out of ^ 1500 required ; and it was further resolved that the Building Committee be empowered to select a site , get plans , specifications , and estimates , with power to act at once .

Ihe lodge was then closed and the brethren partook of refreshments , and on reassembling round the social board , the VV . M . gave thc usual loyal and Masonic toasts , which were heartily pledged ; " The Health of Lord Amherst , P . G . M . of Kent , " being especially welcomed . Bro . G . Spinks responded for "The D . P . G . M ., Bro . Eastes , and the Provincial Grand Officers , Present and Past , " and assured the brethren that if the D . P . G . M .

had been present , he would have been exceedingly pleased at the reception the toast had met with . That was the last occasion he should have to respond for the Prov . Grand Officers , for by that time next month he should be numbered with the "past . " But it was a grand thing to know that one in that lodge , a goud and excellent man and Mason ,

would be in a position to do so , one whom they all delighted to honour—he referred to Bro . Penfold ; and if there was any one thing more certain than another in this world , it was that that worthy brother would receive the purple at the next Prov . Grand Lodge meeting . On behalf of the Provincial Grand Oflicers he thanked them for thc

toast . Bro . Coupland proposed the toast of " The VV . M . " Hc said it was the last time they would have the opportunity of drinking Bro . Palmer ' s health as W . M ., and while it was rather a painful toast , yet he ttlt sure they would drink it with enthusiasm . When they looked back and considered

the admirable manner in which their VV . M . had carried out the duties of his office , they could not but regret losing him lrom the chair he had so well filled . However , they would t till have his valuable services among the Past Masters , and therefore he asked them to give him a good Pattison 1 "fire . "