Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and Queries .

—?—BRO . \ V . P . BUCHAN AND " REVIVAL . " I have no objections to reiterate my reasons for using the term revival instead of origin as applied to the institution ofthe Grand Lodge of

England A . D . 1716-7 , but must really refrain from so doing unless an adequate cause is assigned , for my time is much occupied , and can be more profitably engaged than in simply stating what has been already presented in the

magazines of the Craft . Moreover ,-Bro . Buchan has had a long time now of firing at other brethren's targets , and I therefore think it high time for him to present in a connected and concise •form the reasons

why he believes Freemasonry was originated \\\ the last century , and not revived as I maintain . On so doing , in the columns of THE FREEMASON ( as an article , and not by way of correspondence , as the latter so often generates into a

merely personal altercation , and though I do not anticipate such would result from our friendly encounter , it is is always better to prepare for all contingencies than to refrain subsequently ) , I shall be happy to offer a few remarks on the

subject . I venture thus to point out a feasible plan whereby to arrive at the solution of the problem in question , because at present it would take me less time to answer these objections than to write exhaustively on the subject .

W . J AMES HUGHAN . P . S . —The valuable information communicated to me by the well-known Masonic writer " Lupus , " I intend to make use of shortly .

BRO . BUCHAN ON BRO . HUGHAN . I quite think that the 1717 period is the " line of demarcation " between the lodges of the previous centuries and the Grand Lodges of

subsequent years ; and therefore do not in the slightest degree desire to alter my conviction , as quoted by Bro . 'Buchan in THE FREEMASON for Nov . 5 , 1870 .

The " essential differences " of which I speak do not , however , invalidate my statement that the revival of Freemasonry occurred in the eighteenth century , and that the origin belongs to a much earlier period , and , in fact , was an

outgrowth of the " Guilds " far back 111 the past . I object to the constant use of the term * ' our Freemasonry . " Of course , as our Freemasonry was unknown before the last century , Bro . Buchan is correct in so stating the fact , only that

is not the point of the discussion at all . The point in dispute , as I understand , is this : Did Freemasonry , composed of operative and speculative members and congregating in lodges , exist before 1717 ? I answer , unequivocally and emphatically , Yes ! Who says , No ? W . TAMES HUGHAN .

THE APRON—THE BADGE OF OUR ORDER . I have to thank Bro . Lupus for his interesting remarks at page 561 , also Bro . (?) P . H . Newnham ; and in reference to their interesting quotation from the Quarterly Review , I should like ,

if the exact words of the entry as it originally stands could be given . As my justification for saying so , I have only to point to the mistakes that have been so often promulgated about

Thomas Boswell being a Warden , & c , of the Lodge of Edinburgh , Mary ' s Chapel , in 1600 , though the exact words of the minute where his name occurs not have been correctly copied and published .

As to a pair of gloves and an apron being given to the Masons in the time of Henry VI ., I am not at all surprised at that , and am prepared to believe that the same was also given to the carpenters , & c . But a question rises : Were these gloves and aprons given to the Masons for

the purpose of wearing when engaged at their usual stone-cutting work in their " lodge , " shop , or shed , or were they given to be worn during the religious or other processions which were so often occurring ? As to Bro . Ncwnham ' s idea , that a Mason ' s •' lodge " iu the time of

Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

Henry VI . was a place where operative masons met " when not engaged in operative labour , " that is a mistake , for the mason ' s " lodge " then was simply the mason ' s ivorkshop , where he did his stone-cutting , and where he may also have slept , too , for that matter . In the "Aberdeen

Burgh Records , " of date 1498 , we read of a mason swearing " to mak gude service in the luge and retenche to the begin and furnysing of queyr , " which appears to me to simply mean that he was to work either at the quarry in the " luge " or workshop , or on the building ,

whereever his services were necessary . The " maister of the werk" then seems not to have been a mason , for in 1510 he was ordered by the counsel to look after the plumber who was to " theik the body of thair kirk with leide . " At that time they also used to have great processions , and

also great fights for precedence—the post of honour was next the Sacrament , which was given to the smiths ; so that the masons were rather in the background there . Every craft or trade had its " taiken , " so that every craftsman at a procession had to wear on his breast the

usual token of tlie trade to which he belongedthat of the tailors , e . g ., being a " pair of patent sheris . " The wri ght ' s would probably be the square and compasses , and the mason ' s something similar , but , perhaps , with some additional tool included . Most , and I suppose all , of the

trades wore aprons when at work , and whether they wore them or not at the processions I have alluded to , I cannot at present say . The aprons of all the crafts , however , were not the sametlie smiths and masons wore them long , the shoemakers short and circular at bottom , the slaters short but with two long ends for tying

round the waist , and so on . The great question , therefore , for us still is : Did Elias Ashmole and his acquaintances , when at Masonic meetings , always wear an apron during the time of meetings , or did they not ? As yet , I do not remember of ever coming across anything that would lead me to believe so , but rather otherwise .

W . P . B . The following , deciphered to the best of my ability from one of tlie minutes of the Warkworth and Alnwicke Lodge , in my possession , may prove acceptable to Bros . AV . P . B . and Lupus . The words in italics , I think , I have read

correctly : the spaces ( . . . . ) I cannot make out . E . T . T ., 1167 . "That a true and perfect lodge kept at Alnwicke at the house of Mr . Thomas Davidson then one of the Wardens of the said lodge the Twentieth Day of this Instant January 170 S . It was Ordered that

for the future no member ofthe said Lodge Master Wardens or fellows should appear at any Lodge to be kept on St . John ' s Day in Christmas without his Apron and Common Square fixt in the Belt thereof upon pain of forfeiting two .... six pence each . . son offending and that care be taken

by the Master and Wardens for the time being that a Sermon be provided and preached that day at the Parish Church of Alnwicke by sonic clergyman at their appointment when the Lodge shall all appear with their Aprons on and Common Square as aforesaid , and that the . Maslcrand Wardens

neglecting their duty 111 providing a clergyman to preach as aforesaid shall forfeit the sumc of Tcnn Shillings the several forfieturcs to be disposed of as the then Lod ^ e shall direct , and all . . sons offending shall upon refusal of paying the several mulcts above

niensoncd shall be excluded the said Lodge ; Witness our hands the said Twentieth day of January 1708 . ( Syned ) , "J KMESMII . LKS , poster of the

"Tuo . DAVIDSON ) Wardens of tin ? "J OHN CHARLTON \ said Lodge . "

QUlvSlION OF Al . l . KCURY IN FREEMASONRY . Some Freemasons have declared that the principles of the Order were most fully communicated to Adam , and they state Freemasonry to be "a peculiar system of morality , veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols . " I have

never , so far as I recollect , heard any brother explain in any oration or lodge lecture ( in Scotland ) where is contained the "allegory" in Freemasonry , and shall feel pleased lo hear the opinions of any recognised living authority . I have my own view , but wish to hear others . CHALMERS [ . I ' ATON .

Masonic Miscellanea.

Masonic Miscellanea .

A MEETING of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cumberland and Westmorland will be held by Lord Kenlis , the R . W . Prov . Grand Master , at Carlisle , on Wednesday , the 23 rd inst .

THE Emblematic Lodge , No . 1321 , will be consecrated at the Tulse-hill Hotel , on Thursday next , the 17 th inst ., by the W . Bro . R . Wentworth Little , P . M . 975 , Prov . Grand Secretary , Middlesex , the officer appointed for the purpose by the M . W . Grand

Master ; after which W . Bro . W . B . Heath , P . Prov . S . G . Warden , Herts , will instal Bro . G . F . Swan as the first Master . Bro . the Rev . J . Sydney Darvell , P . M . 10 S , will officiate as Chaplain , and the Grand Secretary and other illustrious Masons are expected to be present on the occasion .

THE Right Hon . and R . W . Brother Lord Leigh , Prov . G . M . Warwickshire , has appointed Friday , the iSth inst ., for the consecration of the Athelstan Lodge , 1333 . The brethren will accordingly assemble at the Red Lion Hotel , Atherstone , at 1-15 p . m ., and proceed to the Town Hall , where the Provincial Grand Lodge will be opened at 1 . 30 . A banquet will take place in the Corn Exchange at 3 . 30 .

A CENTENARY Festival of the Lodge of Hengist , No . 195 , will be held at the Masonic Hall , Bournemouth , on Wednesday , the 23 rd instant . The R . W . P . G . M ., W . W . Beach , M . P ., will preside on the occasion , supported by his Grand Officers . The lodge will be opened at 1 . 30 p . m ., and the banquet will be held at the Belle Vue Assembly Rooms , at 4 o ' clock .

WE are informed that the " Palestine" Chapter of Rose Croix H . R . D . M . will be consecrated on Saturday , the 26 th instant , at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street . The M . P . Sov . Grand Commander , 111 . Bro . Vigne ; the Grand Treasurer-General , 111 .

Bro . Capt . Phillips ; 111 . Bro . Hyde Pullen , 33 ° , and and other 111 . brethren will , it is expected , take part in the proceedings . Bro . John Hervey , 30 , is to be the first M . W . S ., Bro . R . Wentworth Little , 18 , the first Prelate , and Bro . Col . Francis Burdett , 32 , the first General of the new chapter .

A SPECIAL meeting of the Grand Council of the Red Cross Order will be held at the Freemasons ' Tavern , on Wednesday , the 16 th inst ., for the consideration of various important questions . A special College of Viceroys , and a Senate of Princes will be opened previously for the reception of approved candidates .

WE understand that a lodge is about to be opened in tlie Diamond Fields , Cape of Good Hope , to be called " The Diamond Lodge . "

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .

( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) SIR AND BROTHER , —As the time isfastapproaching when the new law , authorising the appointment of a permanent , or more correctly speaking , an annual President will come into operation , I may , as one who took a deep interest in the adoption of

the proposition , lie permitted to indicate the names of two or three brethren , who , in my humble opinion , would fill the chair satisfactorily . Doubtless the choice will be made from amongst those who have from time to time occupied the post . First and foremost , I would name Bro . J . Newton

Tomkins , P . G . D . He has frequently filled the chair witli great courtesy , a thorough knowledge of the laws ol governing the Board , and invariable correctness in his rulings . He is incomparably the best chairman the Board has had during my long attendance . The second I would name is Bro . James

Mason , P . G . S . II ., who has occasionally presided at the Board , and with a full appreciation ofthe duties has fulfilled them in a highly satisfactory manner . He would make a good chairman . The third . I shall name is Bro . J . Moxon Clabon , P . G . D ., who

is a man of great general ability , and thorough business habits . He also has occupied the chair ofthe Board , and has given proof of his qualifications for the office . He , too , would make a good chairman .

The appointment of any one of the three brethren named would be satisfactory , though the first would be the best , if that brother can be induced to accept the nomination . Having attended the Board of Benevolence more or less frequently for upwards of twenty-five years , and very constantly for the last ten or twelve years , I am enabled to form a sound opinion on the sub-