Reviews

REVIEWS

FREEMASONS' CALENDAR FOR DERBYSHIRE , 18 S 6 . Bro . Willliam Naylor , the indefatigable Ptov . G . Secretary , in addition to his manifold duties in the province , is the editor of the Calendar and Directory for Derbyshire , that capital publication being in the eleventh year of its issue , so it is neither juvenile nor untried . We do not know

of any other such handy little volumes , which are so useful to the brethren locally , and which command such a wide circulation in the counties affected as these Directories for Provinces . For these reasons we advocate their increase in size from time to time , so as to enable the editors to afford more space for additional particulars of value . For that matter , each Provincial Grand Lodge would do well to vote

a few pounds towards the cost , as some provinces already do . Of the 20 active lodges in Derbyshire , of which so many interesting facts are narrated by Bro . Naylor , we see the average number of members to each lodge is 48 , making a total on the roll of 962 . There are not , however , more than six Royal Arch Chapters , with 150 members enrolled . The Mark Lodges are attached as a Province to Leicester ,

Northampton and Derby ; there being four in Derbyshire , with 121 members , which for a new province ( as respects Derby ) is an excellent record . The votes in the province for the " Royal Masonic Charities " are ably paticularized in a large table at end of the Directory , and exhibit a total

of 1357 , being an increase on the list of lSS 5- . We fancy , however , the total should be increased by 26 widows' , and 52 men ' s votes in the " Benevolent , " being the number held by the lodges and chapters officially , in consequence of the donations of the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of England . What do you say to this Bro . Naylor ?

FREEMASONS' CALENDAR FOR ESSEX , 1 S 86 . The second year of publication of this much needed work , compiled by the Prov . G . Secretary , Bro . J . T . Railing , is under the direction of a Committee of four Past Masters . Us appearance is much improved , and its value considerably increased by the various changes effected . The Calendar part , save a table of figures , has been omitted ,

and space has thus been devoted to ( what we believe to be ) more useful objects . The compiler suggest that the expense of publication should be borne rateably by the lodges , " as is done in most provinces , " and that each subscribing member of such lodge should be entitled to a copy . The idea is a good one , though we are not aware the custom is so generally followed as the editor thinks , for we know in

several provinces the Calendars are sold , and turn out to be far from a profitable venture . As there are 1114 members on the roll , giving an average of 46 brethren to each of the 24 lodges , there should be no lack of support for such a comprehensive local Masonic Directory . The days of installation are given for the lodges , which is a good idea . There are only four Royal Arch Chapters in the province with X 12 members , but surely the degree will soon

considerably revive in Essex , now that Comp . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C ., Grand Registrar , is the Grand Superintendent . The voting power consists of a total of 2093 , in the Central Masonic Charities , the official votes not being included . The elaborate tables are well arranged , and the summary could not be better ; the issue for 1 SS 6 in fact , being a vast improvement on its predecessor in all respects . We congratulate Bro . Railing and his Committee on the issue 0 ! such a compact representative for Essex .

FREEMASONS' CALENDAR , SOMERSETSHIRE , 18 S 6-7 . For five years Bro . C L . Fry Edwards has been the editor of this comprehensive digest of Freemasonry in Somerset ; and the work has now become one of the largest of its kind , extending to 112 pages of closely printed matter . Bro . Edwards promises a roll of the

present and past Provincial Grand Officers for another issue , at least , he suggests such an addition , as also a list of Stewards to the Masonic Charities ; so we take it that 1887 will contain these very desirable features . We note that there are now 25 lodges in the province , under the distinguished rule of the M . W . Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro-G . M ., the lindefatigable Deputy Prov . G . M . being

Bro . R . C . Else , P . G . D . By adding together the number of subscribing members under each lodge , we find there are 106 S on the provincial roll , or an average of over 42 to each lodge , the votes held in the county for the central Masonic Charities being 241 S ; the voting power being arranged under each lodge or other Masonic body , at no little trouble . The senior lodge on the roll is the Royal

Cumberland Lodge , No . 41 , Bath , which , happily , has all its records and original warrant from 1733 in excellent state of preservation . This lodge holds a special centenary jewel warrant , and has also one , of only four in the provinces , of the Freemasons' Hall medals . The oldest Royal Arch chapter is No . 41 , Bath , which was the first to celebrate its centenary and obtain the right to wear the

new medal , designed by the Grand Scribe E . The Grand Superintendent is our esteemed companion , Colonel A . W . Adair . Bro . R . C Else is the Prov . G . Mark Master , with Colonel Ford as his deputy , and has eight active lodges under his genial rule . The Directory is well compiled , and full of most interesting particulars , for Somersetshire Matsons especially .

LEC 1 URE ON THE TWO PILLARS . By Bro . J . T . THORP . This lecture was delivered by Bro . J . T . Thorp before the members of the Union Lodge of Instruction , Freemasons' Hall , Leicester , and we are very pleased to find that the custom of delivering lectures on Masonic subjects in lodges , lodges of instruction , chapters , & c , is becoming

so general , and that Leicestershire is at the fore in this desirable reform , as in many others . These lectures are a pleasing variation from the ordinary routine , and foster an excellent spirit of study , which will , we feel sure , make all the better Masons . Bro . Thorp illustrates the text , with two excellent plans of the Tabernacle and King Solomon ' s Temple , thus helping the student considerably in mastering the several details which he lucidly explains and ably

Reviews

describes . Not that the lecture is quite clear on all the points that may be raised , but we can say truly , that in the small space of some eight pages , Bro . Thorp seeks to do his best , and we consider he succeeds in the object set before him , to a remarkable degree , considering that he evidently has not consulted the new and great work by Professor Paine , LL . D ., lately reviewed in these columns . As there were , so to speak , seven rows of nettings ( checker

or chain work ) 1 Kings vii ., 17 ; two rows of pomegranates , say , to each row of net-work , or in other words eight rows of pomegranates , the seven nettings being between , this would make twenty-five pomegranates in each row , not two hundred in two rows , and exactly explains the 42 nd verse , and also in Jeremiah Hi . Evidently the popular notion

adopted by Bro . Thorp , of the tworowsof onehundredeach , does not agree with all the particulars noted in Kings , Jeremiah , and Ezekial , whereas Dr . Paine ' s view of the eight rows , meets all the difficulties , and lets in a flood of light . We hope to recur to these points again , meanwhile we thank Bro . Thorp for this lecture .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

C 57 ] MEMBERS OF THE FIRST LODGE THAT PAID FOR A WARRANT OF CONSTITUTION UNDER THE GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND . The names are here given in the order in which they appear in the Register . Grand Master Montague . Montacute , or Mountague as it is variously spelt in the Grand Lodge

books , was installed on the 13 th April , 1732 . Consequently the first of these names must have been returned in that year . It will be seen that the lodge held a very distinguished position at this period of its career , having been established by the chief officers and past officers of Grand Lodge . The Earl of Strathmore succeeded Lord Montague as Grand Master . The 15 th on the list , John

Ward , Esq ., did good service to the Craft , having been Grand Steward and l . G . Warden in 1733 ; Senior Grand Warden in 1734 ; D . G . Master in 1735-3 S ; and Grand Master in 1742 , indeed , he seems to have taken the warmest interest in all the affairs of the Order during the whole of his life . He was one of the petitioners for a new lodge at Wolverhampton in 176 S , and was its first Master . He subscribed £ 21 to the Hall Fund in 1773 , and this was

probably the closing action of his long and useful Masonic career , for he died , as Lord Dudley and Ward , in the following year . For further particulars of the Bear and Harrow Lodge , see the Freemason of the 20 th March last . I may mention though , that in my opinion the Grand Stewards Lodge of the present day , which was constituted , n I 73 S , emanated chiefly from the Bear and Harrow Lodge Constituted in 1730 . H . SADLER .

No . 63 . BEAR AND HARROW IN THE BUTCHER ROW . The Rt . Hon . the Lord Visct . Mountague , Gd . Master . Thos . Batson , Esq ., D . G . M . J rSmth e , Es q . }« - Wardens . The Reverend Dr . Desagulier ( formerly Gd . Master ) . James Chambers , Esq . ( formerly Gd . Wn ) .

The Rt . Hon . the Earl of Strathmore , Master of the Lodge . M ? wj 5 Sft £ S ; a } Ward- } Gd- stewards > ' »«¦ The Rt . Hon . The Lord Tynham . The Rt . Hon . The Lord Visct . Montjoy . His Excellency the Baron de Hoppman . The Hon . Chas . Stanhope , Esq . Sir Wm . Gordon of Park , Bart .

John Ward of Newcastle , Esq . ... ( afterwards Lord Ward ) . The Honble . Coll Pitt Grand Steward , 1732 . Ihe Hon . Coll Digs . John Selwyn , Esq . John Harvey of Stockton , Esq . John Webb , Esq . Andrew Wauchop , Esq .

Governor Tinker . Governor Burrington . John Reid , Esq Grand Steward , 1733 . David Threipland , Esq . Alexr . Holbourn , Esqr . The Reverend Mr . Walter . The Reverend Mr . Phillips .

Matthew Humberston , Esq . Francis Gulston , Esq . Vinall Taverner , Esq . John Bridges , Esq . Wm . Blunt , Esq . > ... Grand Stewards in 1732 . Claude Crispigney , Esq . Mr . Henry l ' atam

Reynolds Hooper , Esq . Mr . Chas . Trinquand , Grand Steward , 1731 . Mr . Robt . Dyer . Henry Goring , Esq . Mr . Quinn . Mr . Geo . Moody , Sword Bearer . — Rouse , Esq . Mr . Cibber , junr .

Mr . Ednal . Mr . Laguerre . Mr . E . Forrest . Mr . John Pitt Grand Steward , 1734 . Mr . Leveridge . Mr . John Ellis . Mr . F . Shepherd .

Mr . Hogarth Grand Steward in 1735 . Mr . Smart . Mr . Cosin Grand Steward , 1733 . Mr . Perry . Mr . Milward ... Grand Steward in 1731 . Mr . Weeks . Mr . Delane .

Mr . G . Hunt . Monsr . Nivelon . Mr . Baugh Grand Steward in 1733 . Mr . Thos . Crawford . Mr . Giffard . George Lewis de Kilmcnsegge . Monsr . de Crawiner .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

C 5 S ] AN OLD MASONIC MEDAL . I am glad Bro . Newton has drawn attention to the "find" by the R . W . Bro . R . W . Cochran-Patrick , Prov . G . M . of Ayrshire , as the medal is most certainly unknown to any of us who have dabbled in Masonic medallics . It does not follow that the medal was struck in 1677 , simply because that year occurs on the obverse , as whenever

struck it would be most appropriate to make mention of the year of origin of the Canongate-Kilwinning Lodge , No . 2 , Edinburgh . I should like very much to be favoured with the Scottish Masonic Historian's ( Bra . D . M . Lyon ) opinion thereon . There is still a Kilwinning medal unexplained , which was exhibited by Dr . Frazer in the celebrated Worcester Masonic collection . It is rather larger than the one under consideration , and is of Conner . Obverse .

"Cross of Malta , with old Castle , Church , and Head , with Dagger at angles . Legends . KILL—WIN 1 N and SPES MEA IN DEO EST . Reverse . Two Masonic columns or pillars , the three lights and Masonic emblems , Legend— " Virtuti etSilentio . " Dr . Frazer dates it from 1700 to 1750 . My impression is that it is an early medal of the " Royal Order of Scotland , " of which we have minutes , & c , from about 1740 . W . J . HUGHAN .

r > ] MASONIC WOMEN . At p . 31 of the published account of the beautiful Masonic oration delivered by Dr . Dalcho on the 21 st of March , 1 S 03 , in the Grand Lodge of South Carolina , is the following paragraph : " Although in the Symbolic Lodges no woman is admitted into a knowledge of their mysteries , yet in the superior Degrees there is a Female

Lodgehand-, somely calculated to interest the delicacy of the female mind . In this lodge none but females are admitted , and their officers are selected from among themselves . " That women have ever participated in any of the Masonic degrees is so contrary to the usually accepted notion that I am induced to ask the learned historians of the present day whether anything is known of the " Female Lodge in

a Superior Degree , " alluded to by Dr . Dalcho . The only instance of a woman having been initiated into Freemasonry that I can discover is that of the Hon . Elizabeth St . Leger , who is said to have received the First and Second Degreesin Lodge 44 , at Doneraile , Ireland , in the year •735- This lady was cousin to General Anthony St . Leger , Governor of St . Lucia , who instituted the celebrated race

at Doncaster , called " St . Leger Stakes . " No doubt numbers of your readers are familiar with the circumstances of Miss St . Leger ' s introduction to Freemasonry , but as they are of a romantic character , with your permission I will repeat them as narrated by the Rev . D . G . Goyder : "Lord Doneraile , Miss St . Leger ' s father , a very zealous Mason , held a warrant , and occasionally opened lodge at Doneraile

House , his sons and some friends assisting ; and It is said that never were Masonic duties better performed than by them . Previous to the initiation of a gentleman to the first steps of Masonry , Miss St . Leger , who was a young girl , happened to be in an apartment adjoining the room used as a lodge room . This room at the time was undergoing some alteration ; amongst other things the wall was

considerably reduced in one part . The young lady having heard the voices of the Freemasons , and prompted by the curiosity natural to all to see this mystery , so long and so secretly locked up from public view , had the courage to pick a brick from the wall with her scissors , and witnessed the ceremony through the first two steps . Curiosity satisfied , fear at once took possession of her mind . There

was no mode of escape except through the very room where the concluding part of the second step was still being solemnised , and that being at the far end , and the room a very large one , she had resolution sufficient to attempt her escape that way ; and with light but trembling steps glided along unobserved , laid her hand on the handle of the door , and gently opening it , before her stood , to her dismav .

a grim and surly Tyler , with his sword unsheathed . A shriek that pierced through the apartment alarmed the members of the lodge , who all rushing to the door , and finding that Miss St . Leger had been in the room during the ceremony , in the first paroxysms of their rage , her death was resolved on ; but , from the moving supplication of her younger brother , her life was saved , on condition of

her going through the whole ceremony she had unlawfully witnessed . This she consented to , and they conducted the beautiful and terrified young lady through those trials which are sometimes more than enough tor masculine resolution , little thinking they were taking into the bosom of their Craft a member who would afterwards reflect a lustre on the annals of Masonry . Miss St . Leger married Richard

Aldworth , Esq ., of Newmarket . Whenever a benefit was given at the theatres in Dublin or Cork for the Masonic Female Orphan Asylum , she walked at the head of the Freemasons , with her apron and other insignia of Freemasonry , and sat in the front row of the stage box . The house was always crowded on those occasions . Her portrait is in the lodge room of almost every lodge in Ireland . " JAMES CHARLESWORTH , Menturia , 418 .

Isle Of Wight Masonic Exhibition

ISLE OF WIGHT MASONIC EXHIBITION

It is proposed to have an exhibition of objects of Masonic interest in the month of August , in the picturesque town of Shanklin , under the auspices of the Chine Lodge , No . 1 SS 4 . Bro . Alfred Greenham , the W . M ., would feel much obliged if those brethren who are in Dossessinn of mw

Masonic medals , curios , & c , would kindly lend them to the Chine Lodge for the purposes of this exhibition . The proceeds are to be devoted to the liquidation of the debt of the new Masonic Hall . Bro . George Kenning , of London , will have much pleasure in forwarding any articles sent to him for that purpose .

The Prince of Wales has promised to become the patron of the newly-formed club at Epsom , the stand for the members of which is in course of erection , and when completed , will have cost upwards of £ 12 , 000 . The annual supper of the South Middlesex Lodge of Instruction , No . 858 , was held at Beaufort House ,

Walham-green , on Monday , the 5 th inst ., Bro . Colonel Henry Radcliffe , Senior Past Master of the South Middlesex Lodge , _ presiding . During the evening a handsome Tantalus spirit stand , set in walnut-wood and silver , was presented to Bro . Howard H . Room , in recognition of his able services as Preceptor during the past four years , which post he has recently been compelled to resign .