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but sufficient sketch of the Masonic Institutions , as well as a tabular statement showing the voting strength of the members . The information respecting these matters is well arranged , and the manner in which the little work has been printed and ^ published is most creditable . We are < rlad to see it is intended to issue this calendar annually .
EAST ANGLIAN HANDBOOK FOR 1 SS 5 . Twentysixth year of publication . Norwich : Argus Office , St . Giles . Lowestoft : Standard Office , London-road . London : 130 , Fleet-street . This is an old friend , whose re-appearance at this season of the year is always a subject of congratulation . A characteristic of the "East Anglian Handbook" is the
really valuable mass of information it contains , this information being so varied and interesting as to placed it in the rank of local histories . Thus , in addition to a sketch of the " Past East Anglian Year , " we find well-written articles in the " Ornithological Invasions of East Anglia , " "Traditions , Superstitions , and Folklore , chiefly relating to the counties of Norfolk and
Suffolk , " "Peculiar tenures in Norfolk , " "The Development of local Breeds of Stock , " and " Norfolk and Suffolk Deer Parks , " with a tabular record of " East Anglian Occurrences in 1 SS 4 . " These are only a part , though of course a very important part , of the contents of the present issue , but they will serve to give an excellent idea of the
c ' aims which the Handbook has on the support of the public , while the fact of there being a large array of matter of general interest likewise included must have the effect of greatly enhancing these claims . As a book of reference , especially among agriculturists , this " East Anglian Handbook" will be found invaluable .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
506 ] THE "CHEVALIERS DE L'ORIENT . " Almost all the French writers consider the creation of ( his High Grade body to be later than that of the Empereurs de I'Orient , & c . Bro . Speth claims an earlier formation , and mainly as it seems on the authority of Tschudy . Now Tschudy was the Baron Theodore Henry de
Tschudy who wrote under the name of " Chevalier de Luzy , " he was born in 1724 , and seems to have died in Paris in 1769 , though some say so late as 17 S 4 . Some of his works appear to have been published after his death , if the earlier date be correct , as they bear the date of 17 S 1 . He was orator of a lodge at St . Petersburg !! , and is credited with bringing from St . Petersburgh the Order of
Knights of Palestine and the East , a sort of directing Grade which seems to correspond with the Clerical observance of Starck and Co . in about 176 C . His authority is not very great , and if Bro . Speth rests upon it , he will find it I fear a " broken reed , " as St . Petersburgh in the palmy days of its High Grades was a fertile source and mother country of " ordens fabeln , " says rightly , the
Handbuch . Tschudy founded a grade of his own , and a chapter of his own called "Theodore , " at Metz , his birthplace , about 1765 . I believe myself , the "Chevaliers" were a " swarm " from the "Empereurs , " not that it matters much . It is quite clear that they were not anterior to , but posterior to the '' Empereurs" as Pirlet , who was certainly connected with them in 1761 , does not . sign 'the Patent of Morin , though he was then
admittedly a member of the Conseil des hmpereurs . Indeed , Daruty thinks the Patent dates more properly from 1762 than 17 61 . The name of the " Chevaliers de Palestine et de l'Aurorc , " not "Orient , " rather therefore " Dawn" plays a conspicuous part in the old High grade traditions , going up to Ramsay . Tschudy was an enthusiastic supporter of the " Rit Ecossais , and probably in that age of "invention" took up a good name ana made the most of it . A . F . A . W .
507 J ADONHIRAMITE MASONRY . It is not correct to assume that what is understood as Adonhiramite Masonry was generally received much before the last two decades of the eighteenth century . There may be occasional allusions , but the Adonhiramite system , such as it is , is quite late , and its writers are late too . The use of Adonhiram , quite a mistaken one , seems
to have arisen at Paris , and may probably mark the intersection of certain High Grades with Craft traditions , about 1760 , certainly not earlier , though an allusion to Adonhiram is said to be earlier . Being a blunder in itself as relates to Craft Masonry , we need not lay much store by ¦ t , as it is simply a phasis of developement and terminology , which means very little , and leads to nothing . MASONIC STUDENT .
50 S ] THE CHAP 1 TRE DE CLERMONT . The Chapitre de Clermont most probably named after me Comte de Clermont , and not the Jesuit College of Clermont , as some German writers think , seems to date from 1754 , and professed to collect under one head various High Grades of previous formation and existence . There had however , been before it , seemingly a body
naming itself "Souverain Conseil , Sublime G . Loge du Grand Globe Francais . " This body is also mentioned about 1780 . The haze in which the above early history of ihe High Grades is involved , is increased by Clavel ' s contention , ( if he be of any authority ) , that the Irish Chapters preceded the Scottish Chapters . The earliest printed allusion to the High Grades called
Maitres Ecossais , " Scottish Masters , seems to be in a work of 1 74 ^ , termed "Le Parfait Macon , " as Findel joints out . But it has been said that there are traces of the 'cottish Chapters so early as 172 S , which is the Ramsay eKend , of an order " of the Royal Arch" in 1736 , attached | > Scottish Chapters . Scottish Grades were , it is said , inloduced
by a Graf Von Schmettau at Hamburgh in 1742 , *» a of an order of St . Andrew and Scottish Masonry Irafessed by the Lodge Union at Berlin in 1749 . luch confusion exists on the subject ; some have ' ¦ ough t that the Knights of Palestine and the East had * ' earlier independent existence , as an emanation from a s Stem of Ramsay . The actual Grade of Chevaliers de
Masonic Notes And Queries.
1 Orient seems to be later than the High Grade Council of the Emperors of the East and the West , to have been a short livedschism , and then to have diedout utterly . French officers seem to ( have taken the Chapitre de Clermont system to Germany , —and in Berlin , in 1760 , under Count Tilly and Baron Von Printzen , a Chapter of Clermont was opened composed of seven Grades , the three last being
Knight Elect ofthe Eagle , Illustrious Knight or Templar , Sublime Illustrious Knight . The Chaptre de Clermont seems to have faded away , and to be absorbed into the " Conseil des Empereurs . In Germany , under Rosa's patronage and labours the Clermont Chapter spread , but took the name of the Knightly Jerusalem Order . " Ordo Equestris Hierosolymitanis . " MASONIC STUDENT .
509 ] RAMSAY . According to " Hermes , " quoted by Daruty , the discourse is attributed to Ramsay by name as G . Orateur without any date in a M . S . Ritual of the Clermont Grades . In 1741 , in an almanack published at Paris , Daruty says , on Findel ' s authority , he is termed " Mr . de R . Grand Orateur de l'Ordre . According to Daruty the
oration was really delivered by Ramsay , March 21 , 1737 . Looking at the two letters of Ramsay to Cardinal Fleury from Lemontey ' s Memoires de la Regence et de la Minorite , de Louis XV ., & c , I am inclined to think despite Daruty , that Ramsay never did deliver this address , which he says he has to " read to-morrow in a General Assembly of the Order , " under date March 20 th , 1737 , but that in consequence of the King's disapproval he then and there
withdrew from Freemasonry , and that the address was published , though not delivered by him in person . The MS . authority given in Hermes is of course assumed to be before 1741 , though when exactly is not stated . In one ascription of it to Ramsay it is said to be delivered at the reception of new Ibrethren , and was really most probably written by Ramsay , and probably the origin of the Chivalric movement , so-called , though it in no way connects Ramsay with the High Grades , a fact which , despite the high authority of Findel , is more than doubtful . A . F . A . W .
510 ] THE G . L . ANGLAISE OF FRANCE . It would seem from Findel in the English edition of 1 S 66 that in or about 1744 the "Provincial G . L . of France , " as it is sometimes called , took the name of the "Grande Loge Anglaise de France , " and issued certain "General Regulations , " which appeared at Altenberg in the " Zeitschrift fur Freimaurer , " translated into German .
We do not seem now to have a known copy of these " Reglemens Generates " and of the " Statuts , " & c , in French , unless they be preserved in the minutes of the G . L . in the archives of the G . O . of France . It would almost seem that from Lord Derwentwater this body had different names—the Prov . G . L . of France , the G . L . Anglaise of France , and the G . Loge of France . Findel thinks it is
the same body as the " Grande Loge de la France dite de Clermont ; " but that is , I feel sure , the "Ecossais Body , " which came out of the Chapitre de Clermont . That the Respectable Loge de St . Jean was not the G . L . of France seems to me as clear as day , nor neither was it identical with the Provincial G . L . of France or the G . Loge Anglaise , neither had any of these bodies anything to do with Scottish Freemasonry , which was entirely really separate and distinct . M . S .
511 ] LOGE DE JERUSALEM . As I ventured to anticipate in my last , the question of Morin's Patent is narrowing down to a discussion of the Statutes of 1755 , and here I join issue with Bro . Woodford . It is well to point out that the question cannot be settled by a reference to the employment in these Statutes of Scots terms , and for this reason—we both admit their use .
Bro . Woodford argues that because of their presence the articles cannot be those of the Grand Lodge of France . I maintain that their very use proves that in 1755 the Grand Lodge of France was permeated with Scots doctrine . One line of reasoning , standing by itself , is as good as the other ; therefore we must have recourse to other means . When I said the terms were those of Symbolic Masonry I of course
meant provided it were already tinged with Scots Masonry . Bro . Woodford says the Grand Lodge never called itself the Grand Lodge of St . John of Jerusalem , but always either Grande Loge Anglaise or Grande Loge de France . How does Bro . Woodford know this ? Can he point to one single document of [ this lodge previous to 1771 ? We have references to the Lodge by Lalande and Chaussee , and
naturally they always gave it the short title in ordinary use , just as we always talk of our own Grand Lodge " tout simple . " Who ever thinks of speaking , except in official documents , of the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ? And , barring these Statutes and Morin ' s Patent no official document , not even a circular , of the first French Grand Lodge is in existence . Its full and
exact title [ s therefore probably unknown to us . Now let us look into matters a little closer . On the election of Clermont ( not previously ) in 1743 we first hear the name of Grande Loge Anglaise . But wherefore the qualification of Anglaise ? Not because it was in communication with England , not because if was a Prov . Grand Lodge of England , not because its lodges were chartered by
England , not because its officials were Englishmen . Anderson's remarks in the 173 S Constitutions utterly forbid such a supposition . Why , then ? Well , I take it simply for this reason : Circa , 1740 , a so-called Scots Masonry , had sprung up , claiming a superiority which Grand Lodge repudiated in Art . 20 of its Statutes , nth December , 1 743 . In order to emphasize its dissent from this Scots Masonry ,
pretending to hail from Heredom Kilwinning , the Grand Lodge of France adopted the title Anglaise—thus laying stress on its claim to work pure and unadulterated English Freemasonry . But Circa 1755 , this title of Anglaise was dropped , and we get simply Grande Loge de France . From this fact we may deduce two inferences . I . —That a revision of the
Statutes had taken place , for without revising some part of them the title could not be altered , as it is evident that one of the very first sectionsjof any Constitutions would define the title of the body . II . —That the elimination of the qualification Anglaise implied a less acute feeling of enmity to the Scots Masonry . Now as regards the alterations of the Statutes , which I take as in the highest
Masonic Notes And Queries.
degree probable , we know of no Statutes of this date except those in question , and we know of no other body from outside evidence , which at this time published its Statutes . The inference is therefore that the ordinances in question are those of the Grande Loge de France . Secondly , as regards the subsidence of former rivalry , we know this much , that , from 1740 onwards , Scots mother lodges were established in the South ( principally )
which were in direct rivalry with the Grand Lodge , warranting Symbolic Lodges . independent of that body ; that in 1754 the Chapter of Clermont was established at Paris , and that it quickly admitted a great number of prominent and highly placed Paris brethren , and we can scarcely doubtj . that .. amongst them there were numbers of Grand Officers . But we hear of no rivalry between these bodies ; no single lodge of France has ever claimed to
have been established in the first instance by the Chapter of Clermont . It is probable that the chapter merely grafted its subordinate chapters on existing lodges , and in fact occupied much the position of our Grand Chapter of the Royal Arch Masonry ; we may go further , and almost presume that the Clermont Chapter was deliberately established by Grand Lodge as a counterpoise to the Scots mother-lodges . If this were so , and there is no for
proof or against , the first thing to do would be to drop the invidious distinction A nglaisc , and so to revise tha Statutes as to make them efficient in the new order of things . The Clermont Chapter was established 1754 ; the word Anglaise was eliminated Ca . 1755 , and a code of ordinances appeared in 1 755 . Does the matter become clearer to Bro . Woodford ? But as fresh Degrees were invented it would become necessary to increase the scope
of the chapter , failing which its value as a friendly counterpoise would diminish . Accordingly , in 175 S we hear no more of the chapter , but we do hear of the Sovereign Council of the Emperors . Is one a development of the other ? Who can say more than that probably it is so ! And now let us turn to the Statutes . If my suppositions are justified , Bro . Woodford will admit that the use of Scots terminology is in
my favour , not against it , and therefore no more need be said on this subject . If Bro . Woodford can produce anything beyond Thory's mere assertion that G . L . of France never coquetted with the Scots Degrees , the terminology tells in his favour . But do not let us forget that Thory , Clavel , Besuchet , Ragon , Daruty , De la Chaussee , and all the others were high degree-ers , and that Thory especially has not scrupled to tell any amount of lies to back up his
enmity to the G . Orient and to pure Craft Masonry . Therefore his assertions and those copied from him are valueless , unless well corroborated . He has not even hesitated to wilfully prevert the quotation from Anderson , to which I have already alluded , which shows either immense reliance on the sheep-walking proclivities of his compatriots ( fully justified in the sequel ) , or callous indifference to being found out . Bro . Woodford says the original book of the Statutes
is very scarce . So far as I know , it is more than scarce , scarcer than unique ; it is absolutely non-existent in France or elsewhere . We obtain our knowledge of these Statutes as follows : In consequence of the presence in the Palatinate of French troops , French lodges were erected in Frankfort Ca . 1 754-5 . One of these was "De I'Alliance de la Fidelite . " This lodge gradually expired , and its founder—an artist—became a member of the English of
Lodge Unity in Frankfort , and delivered ( for a consideration ) all the beautifully-illuminated documents of this lodge to the " Unity . " Amongst these was a splendidlyexecuted copy of these Statutes , on parchment , in the shape of a Mason's apron , dated 1761 . From this sole and unique copy Klosz extracted and published 23 Articles out of 44 . No French author had previously ever alluded to them , and , from the date of the English translation in the
"Masonic Magazine , " 1 S 53 , I am inclined to think that it is only a reproduction of Klosz of 1 S 52 . If I am wrong Bro . Woodford will kindly correct me . And here let me correct the " Masonic Magazine" translation . 1 pin my faith to the accuracy of Klosz in such matters . Art . XL , quoted by Bro . Woodford , should read : "Only such persons shall be admitted as are of honest birth , of good habits , and lead a moral life , who fear Godand are
bap-, tised . Not one word is said of honorable birth as equal to noble birth ; the expression is Ehrbarer Geburt , not Ehrlicher or Adeliger . There is thus nothing un-Masonic in this , or unusual in Symbolic lodges , for the greater part of German Symbolic lodges insist to this day on Christianity , which pre-supposes baptism . And now 1 propose to show from the fragment with which Klosz presents us that these ordinances are the Statutes of the Grande Loire de
France . The title is as follows : ( italics are mine ) : " S ^ atutes drawn up by the respectable Lodge St . John of Jerusalem , in the Orient of Paris , governed by the most high and most mighty Lord Louis de Bourbon , Count Clermont , Prince of the Blood , Grand Master of all the regidar lodires of France . To serve as a rule for all those of the kingdom . " Weigh well these words ; they are directed to all the lodges of the kingdom , which therefore includes the Scots and
other lodges , and is an evidence that through the fusion with the Chapter of Clermont Grand Lodge now professed to exert its sway over every Masonic body . But Clermont is Grand Master of all the regular lodges . Now , if the document emanates from a Grand Lodge of Perfection , these words would certainly be omitted as invidious , and the ordinances would be addressed to all lodges of perfection . The Grand Lodge of Perfection could never
acknowledge that lodges not in communion with it were reirular . Furthermore , the expression " all the regular lodges of France " is the habitual phraseology of all French Grand Lodge circulars ( vide Klosz . Bibliographic , Nos . 4121 , 4124 , 4 ' 29 » 4132 . 4 M 2 , & c . & c . ) Assuming this document to be the code of a Grand Lodge of Perfection , the title would show the following anomalies : That . its , Grand Master is not described in any way by any Rite of Perfection title .
but by his Grand Lodge of trance title only , which title in itself would imply irregularity in the status of Lodges of Perfection , and be therefore out of place in the document ; and the Statutes , instead of being addressed to those lodges who would acknowledge the power of the Grand Lodge of Perfection , arestated . to serve all the lodges of the kingdom . This , coupled with . the fact ( undisputed ) that nowherecan we
find the least allusion to a supposed Grand Lodge of Perfection , should be conclusive . But Art 33 is a clincher ! " Private lodges shall be adorned like , and the officials shall occupy the same places as in the Grande Loife de France , of which matters each separate Master is instructed , & c . " Now , if the issuer of these Statutes is the supposed and fictitious Scots Respectable Lodge of St . John , would
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reviews
but sufficient sketch of the Masonic Institutions , as well as a tabular statement showing the voting strength of the members . The information respecting these matters is well arranged , and the manner in which the little work has been printed and ^ published is most creditable . We are < rlad to see it is intended to issue this calendar annually .
EAST ANGLIAN HANDBOOK FOR 1 SS 5 . Twentysixth year of publication . Norwich : Argus Office , St . Giles . Lowestoft : Standard Office , London-road . London : 130 , Fleet-street . This is an old friend , whose re-appearance at this season of the year is always a subject of congratulation . A characteristic of the "East Anglian Handbook" is the
really valuable mass of information it contains , this information being so varied and interesting as to placed it in the rank of local histories . Thus , in addition to a sketch of the " Past East Anglian Year , " we find well-written articles in the " Ornithological Invasions of East Anglia , " "Traditions , Superstitions , and Folklore , chiefly relating to the counties of Norfolk and
Suffolk , " "Peculiar tenures in Norfolk , " "The Development of local Breeds of Stock , " and " Norfolk and Suffolk Deer Parks , " with a tabular record of " East Anglian Occurrences in 1 SS 4 . " These are only a part , though of course a very important part , of the contents of the present issue , but they will serve to give an excellent idea of the
c ' aims which the Handbook has on the support of the public , while the fact of there being a large array of matter of general interest likewise included must have the effect of greatly enhancing these claims . As a book of reference , especially among agriculturists , this " East Anglian Handbook" will be found invaluable .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
506 ] THE "CHEVALIERS DE L'ORIENT . " Almost all the French writers consider the creation of ( his High Grade body to be later than that of the Empereurs de I'Orient , & c . Bro . Speth claims an earlier formation , and mainly as it seems on the authority of Tschudy . Now Tschudy was the Baron Theodore Henry de
Tschudy who wrote under the name of " Chevalier de Luzy , " he was born in 1724 , and seems to have died in Paris in 1769 , though some say so late as 17 S 4 . Some of his works appear to have been published after his death , if the earlier date be correct , as they bear the date of 17 S 1 . He was orator of a lodge at St . Petersburg !! , and is credited with bringing from St . Petersburgh the Order of
Knights of Palestine and the East , a sort of directing Grade which seems to correspond with the Clerical observance of Starck and Co . in about 176 C . His authority is not very great , and if Bro . Speth rests upon it , he will find it I fear a " broken reed , " as St . Petersburgh in the palmy days of its High Grades was a fertile source and mother country of " ordens fabeln , " says rightly , the
Handbuch . Tschudy founded a grade of his own , and a chapter of his own called "Theodore , " at Metz , his birthplace , about 1765 . I believe myself , the "Chevaliers" were a " swarm " from the "Empereurs , " not that it matters much . It is quite clear that they were not anterior to , but posterior to the '' Empereurs" as Pirlet , who was certainly connected with them in 1761 , does not . sign 'the Patent of Morin , though he was then
admittedly a member of the Conseil des hmpereurs . Indeed , Daruty thinks the Patent dates more properly from 1762 than 17 61 . The name of the " Chevaliers de Palestine et de l'Aurorc , " not "Orient , " rather therefore " Dawn" plays a conspicuous part in the old High grade traditions , going up to Ramsay . Tschudy was an enthusiastic supporter of the " Rit Ecossais , and probably in that age of "invention" took up a good name ana made the most of it . A . F . A . W .
507 J ADONHIRAMITE MASONRY . It is not correct to assume that what is understood as Adonhiramite Masonry was generally received much before the last two decades of the eighteenth century . There may be occasional allusions , but the Adonhiramite system , such as it is , is quite late , and its writers are late too . The use of Adonhiram , quite a mistaken one , seems
to have arisen at Paris , and may probably mark the intersection of certain High Grades with Craft traditions , about 1760 , certainly not earlier , though an allusion to Adonhiram is said to be earlier . Being a blunder in itself as relates to Craft Masonry , we need not lay much store by ¦ t , as it is simply a phasis of developement and terminology , which means very little , and leads to nothing . MASONIC STUDENT .
50 S ] THE CHAP 1 TRE DE CLERMONT . The Chapitre de Clermont most probably named after me Comte de Clermont , and not the Jesuit College of Clermont , as some German writers think , seems to date from 1754 , and professed to collect under one head various High Grades of previous formation and existence . There had however , been before it , seemingly a body
naming itself "Souverain Conseil , Sublime G . Loge du Grand Globe Francais . " This body is also mentioned about 1780 . The haze in which the above early history of ihe High Grades is involved , is increased by Clavel ' s contention , ( if he be of any authority ) , that the Irish Chapters preceded the Scottish Chapters . The earliest printed allusion to the High Grades called
Maitres Ecossais , " Scottish Masters , seems to be in a work of 1 74 ^ , termed "Le Parfait Macon , " as Findel joints out . But it has been said that there are traces of the 'cottish Chapters so early as 172 S , which is the Ramsay eKend , of an order " of the Royal Arch" in 1736 , attached | > Scottish Chapters . Scottish Grades were , it is said , inloduced
by a Graf Von Schmettau at Hamburgh in 1742 , *» a of an order of St . Andrew and Scottish Masonry Irafessed by the Lodge Union at Berlin in 1749 . luch confusion exists on the subject ; some have ' ¦ ough t that the Knights of Palestine and the East had * ' earlier independent existence , as an emanation from a s Stem of Ramsay . The actual Grade of Chevaliers de
Masonic Notes And Queries.
1 Orient seems to be later than the High Grade Council of the Emperors of the East and the West , to have been a short livedschism , and then to have diedout utterly . French officers seem to ( have taken the Chapitre de Clermont system to Germany , —and in Berlin , in 1760 , under Count Tilly and Baron Von Printzen , a Chapter of Clermont was opened composed of seven Grades , the three last being
Knight Elect ofthe Eagle , Illustrious Knight or Templar , Sublime Illustrious Knight . The Chaptre de Clermont seems to have faded away , and to be absorbed into the " Conseil des Empereurs . In Germany , under Rosa's patronage and labours the Clermont Chapter spread , but took the name of the Knightly Jerusalem Order . " Ordo Equestris Hierosolymitanis . " MASONIC STUDENT .
509 ] RAMSAY . According to " Hermes , " quoted by Daruty , the discourse is attributed to Ramsay by name as G . Orateur without any date in a M . S . Ritual of the Clermont Grades . In 1741 , in an almanack published at Paris , Daruty says , on Findel ' s authority , he is termed " Mr . de R . Grand Orateur de l'Ordre . According to Daruty the
oration was really delivered by Ramsay , March 21 , 1737 . Looking at the two letters of Ramsay to Cardinal Fleury from Lemontey ' s Memoires de la Regence et de la Minorite , de Louis XV ., & c , I am inclined to think despite Daruty , that Ramsay never did deliver this address , which he says he has to " read to-morrow in a General Assembly of the Order , " under date March 20 th , 1737 , but that in consequence of the King's disapproval he then and there
withdrew from Freemasonry , and that the address was published , though not delivered by him in person . The MS . authority given in Hermes is of course assumed to be before 1741 , though when exactly is not stated . In one ascription of it to Ramsay it is said to be delivered at the reception of new Ibrethren , and was really most probably written by Ramsay , and probably the origin of the Chivalric movement , so-called , though it in no way connects Ramsay with the High Grades , a fact which , despite the high authority of Findel , is more than doubtful . A . F . A . W .
510 ] THE G . L . ANGLAISE OF FRANCE . It would seem from Findel in the English edition of 1 S 66 that in or about 1744 the "Provincial G . L . of France , " as it is sometimes called , took the name of the "Grande Loge Anglaise de France , " and issued certain "General Regulations , " which appeared at Altenberg in the " Zeitschrift fur Freimaurer , " translated into German .
We do not seem now to have a known copy of these " Reglemens Generates " and of the " Statuts , " & c , in French , unless they be preserved in the minutes of the G . L . in the archives of the G . O . of France . It would almost seem that from Lord Derwentwater this body had different names—the Prov . G . L . of France , the G . L . Anglaise of France , and the G . Loge of France . Findel thinks it is
the same body as the " Grande Loge de la France dite de Clermont ; " but that is , I feel sure , the "Ecossais Body , " which came out of the Chapitre de Clermont . That the Respectable Loge de St . Jean was not the G . L . of France seems to me as clear as day , nor neither was it identical with the Provincial G . L . of France or the G . Loge Anglaise , neither had any of these bodies anything to do with Scottish Freemasonry , which was entirely really separate and distinct . M . S .
511 ] LOGE DE JERUSALEM . As I ventured to anticipate in my last , the question of Morin's Patent is narrowing down to a discussion of the Statutes of 1755 , and here I join issue with Bro . Woodford . It is well to point out that the question cannot be settled by a reference to the employment in these Statutes of Scots terms , and for this reason—we both admit their use .
Bro . Woodford argues that because of their presence the articles cannot be those of the Grand Lodge of France . I maintain that their very use proves that in 1755 the Grand Lodge of France was permeated with Scots doctrine . One line of reasoning , standing by itself , is as good as the other ; therefore we must have recourse to other means . When I said the terms were those of Symbolic Masonry I of course
meant provided it were already tinged with Scots Masonry . Bro . Woodford says the Grand Lodge never called itself the Grand Lodge of St . John of Jerusalem , but always either Grande Loge Anglaise or Grande Loge de France . How does Bro . Woodford know this ? Can he point to one single document of [ this lodge previous to 1771 ? We have references to the Lodge by Lalande and Chaussee , and
naturally they always gave it the short title in ordinary use , just as we always talk of our own Grand Lodge " tout simple . " Who ever thinks of speaking , except in official documents , of the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ? And , barring these Statutes and Morin ' s Patent no official document , not even a circular , of the first French Grand Lodge is in existence . Its full and
exact title [ s therefore probably unknown to us . Now let us look into matters a little closer . On the election of Clermont ( not previously ) in 1743 we first hear the name of Grande Loge Anglaise . But wherefore the qualification of Anglaise ? Not because it was in communication with England , not because if was a Prov . Grand Lodge of England , not because its lodges were chartered by
England , not because its officials were Englishmen . Anderson's remarks in the 173 S Constitutions utterly forbid such a supposition . Why , then ? Well , I take it simply for this reason : Circa , 1740 , a so-called Scots Masonry , had sprung up , claiming a superiority which Grand Lodge repudiated in Art . 20 of its Statutes , nth December , 1 743 . In order to emphasize its dissent from this Scots Masonry ,
pretending to hail from Heredom Kilwinning , the Grand Lodge of France adopted the title Anglaise—thus laying stress on its claim to work pure and unadulterated English Freemasonry . But Circa 1755 , this title of Anglaise was dropped , and we get simply Grande Loge de France . From this fact we may deduce two inferences . I . —That a revision of the
Statutes had taken place , for without revising some part of them the title could not be altered , as it is evident that one of the very first sectionsjof any Constitutions would define the title of the body . II . —That the elimination of the qualification Anglaise implied a less acute feeling of enmity to the Scots Masonry . Now as regards the alterations of the Statutes , which I take as in the highest
Masonic Notes And Queries.
degree probable , we know of no Statutes of this date except those in question , and we know of no other body from outside evidence , which at this time published its Statutes . The inference is therefore that the ordinances in question are those of the Grande Loge de France . Secondly , as regards the subsidence of former rivalry , we know this much , that , from 1740 onwards , Scots mother lodges were established in the South ( principally )
which were in direct rivalry with the Grand Lodge , warranting Symbolic Lodges . independent of that body ; that in 1754 the Chapter of Clermont was established at Paris , and that it quickly admitted a great number of prominent and highly placed Paris brethren , and we can scarcely doubtj . that .. amongst them there were numbers of Grand Officers . But we hear of no rivalry between these bodies ; no single lodge of France has ever claimed to
have been established in the first instance by the Chapter of Clermont . It is probable that the chapter merely grafted its subordinate chapters on existing lodges , and in fact occupied much the position of our Grand Chapter of the Royal Arch Masonry ; we may go further , and almost presume that the Clermont Chapter was deliberately established by Grand Lodge as a counterpoise to the Scots mother-lodges . If this were so , and there is no for
proof or against , the first thing to do would be to drop the invidious distinction A nglaisc , and so to revise tha Statutes as to make them efficient in the new order of things . The Clermont Chapter was established 1754 ; the word Anglaise was eliminated Ca . 1755 , and a code of ordinances appeared in 1 755 . Does the matter become clearer to Bro . Woodford ? But as fresh Degrees were invented it would become necessary to increase the scope
of the chapter , failing which its value as a friendly counterpoise would diminish . Accordingly , in 175 S we hear no more of the chapter , but we do hear of the Sovereign Council of the Emperors . Is one a development of the other ? Who can say more than that probably it is so ! And now let us turn to the Statutes . If my suppositions are justified , Bro . Woodford will admit that the use of Scots terminology is in
my favour , not against it , and therefore no more need be said on this subject . If Bro . Woodford can produce anything beyond Thory's mere assertion that G . L . of France never coquetted with the Scots Degrees , the terminology tells in his favour . But do not let us forget that Thory , Clavel , Besuchet , Ragon , Daruty , De la Chaussee , and all the others were high degree-ers , and that Thory especially has not scrupled to tell any amount of lies to back up his
enmity to the G . Orient and to pure Craft Masonry . Therefore his assertions and those copied from him are valueless , unless well corroborated . He has not even hesitated to wilfully prevert the quotation from Anderson , to which I have already alluded , which shows either immense reliance on the sheep-walking proclivities of his compatriots ( fully justified in the sequel ) , or callous indifference to being found out . Bro . Woodford says the original book of the Statutes
is very scarce . So far as I know , it is more than scarce , scarcer than unique ; it is absolutely non-existent in France or elsewhere . We obtain our knowledge of these Statutes as follows : In consequence of the presence in the Palatinate of French troops , French lodges were erected in Frankfort Ca . 1 754-5 . One of these was "De I'Alliance de la Fidelite . " This lodge gradually expired , and its founder—an artist—became a member of the English of
Lodge Unity in Frankfort , and delivered ( for a consideration ) all the beautifully-illuminated documents of this lodge to the " Unity . " Amongst these was a splendidlyexecuted copy of these Statutes , on parchment , in the shape of a Mason's apron , dated 1761 . From this sole and unique copy Klosz extracted and published 23 Articles out of 44 . No French author had previously ever alluded to them , and , from the date of the English translation in the
"Masonic Magazine , " 1 S 53 , I am inclined to think that it is only a reproduction of Klosz of 1 S 52 . If I am wrong Bro . Woodford will kindly correct me . And here let me correct the " Masonic Magazine" translation . 1 pin my faith to the accuracy of Klosz in such matters . Art . XL , quoted by Bro . Woodford , should read : "Only such persons shall be admitted as are of honest birth , of good habits , and lead a moral life , who fear Godand are
bap-, tised . Not one word is said of honorable birth as equal to noble birth ; the expression is Ehrbarer Geburt , not Ehrlicher or Adeliger . There is thus nothing un-Masonic in this , or unusual in Symbolic lodges , for the greater part of German Symbolic lodges insist to this day on Christianity , which pre-supposes baptism . And now 1 propose to show from the fragment with which Klosz presents us that these ordinances are the Statutes of the Grande Loire de
France . The title is as follows : ( italics are mine ) : " S ^ atutes drawn up by the respectable Lodge St . John of Jerusalem , in the Orient of Paris , governed by the most high and most mighty Lord Louis de Bourbon , Count Clermont , Prince of the Blood , Grand Master of all the regidar lodires of France . To serve as a rule for all those of the kingdom . " Weigh well these words ; they are directed to all the lodges of the kingdom , which therefore includes the Scots and
other lodges , and is an evidence that through the fusion with the Chapter of Clermont Grand Lodge now professed to exert its sway over every Masonic body . But Clermont is Grand Master of all the regular lodges . Now , if the document emanates from a Grand Lodge of Perfection , these words would certainly be omitted as invidious , and the ordinances would be addressed to all lodges of perfection . The Grand Lodge of Perfection could never
acknowledge that lodges not in communion with it were reirular . Furthermore , the expression " all the regular lodges of France " is the habitual phraseology of all French Grand Lodge circulars ( vide Klosz . Bibliographic , Nos . 4121 , 4124 , 4 ' 29 » 4132 . 4 M 2 , & c . & c . ) Assuming this document to be the code of a Grand Lodge of Perfection , the title would show the following anomalies : That . its , Grand Master is not described in any way by any Rite of Perfection title .
but by his Grand Lodge of trance title only , which title in itself would imply irregularity in the status of Lodges of Perfection , and be therefore out of place in the document ; and the Statutes , instead of being addressed to those lodges who would acknowledge the power of the Grand Lodge of Perfection , arestated . to serve all the lodges of the kingdom . This , coupled with . the fact ( undisputed ) that nowherecan we
find the least allusion to a supposed Grand Lodge of Perfection , should be conclusive . But Art 33 is a clincher ! " Private lodges shall be adorned like , and the officials shall occupy the same places as in the Grande Loife de France , of which matters each separate Master is instructed , & c . " Now , if the issuer of these Statutes is the supposed and fictitious Scots Respectable Lodge of St . John , would