"Scottish Masonry."

"SCOTTISH MASONRY . "

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Under the above heading in to-day's Freemason Bro . Ed . Macbean gives some "jottings , " in connection with the history of the Lodge Glasgow Kilwinning , No . 4 . Bro . Macbean is wrong in his assumption that tne John

Anderson who presided at a meeting ot the lodge on 1 st April , 1735 , was Master of Canongate Kilwinning , No . 2 ; he was Master of Edinburgh Kilwinning , Scots Arms , No . 3 . I enclose for reproduction in the Freemason one of a series of papers on the history of Scotch lodges I had the honour of contributing many years ago .

D . MURRAY LYON , November ioth . Grand Secretary . [ We hope to give the paper above referred to in our next issue . —ED . F . M . X

"EXPULSION OF A SCOTTISH BROTHER . " To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , "A Past Grand Officer" in his letter in the Freemason of ioth inst ., is pleased to designate the offence for which a Past Master in the Craft has been expelled by the Grand Lodge of Scotland as " a mere technical

misdemeanor , " which might have been punished by " fine or suspension for a year . " A difference of opinion may exist as to the degree of punishment , but there can be none as to the serious character of the offence . Once tyled , a Iodge of Freemasons is closed against the intrusion of all profane or uninitiated persons , whether male or female .

Well , the offence as reported to Grand Lodge by the Grand Committee was that of deliberately breaking the tyling of the lodge while it was sitting in the Third Degree , and admitting two females to a place where they saw and heard a considerable portion of the proceedings . . Your Correspondent says "there was no secret of Masonry revealed ; there was nothing in the whole

proceedings which could not have been witnessed by the world at large . " This statement is not in accord with tact . In the ceremony in which the ladies were witnesses the " Grand Honours " were distinctly given at four different stages of the proceedings ; and , as given in open lodge in Scotland ,

these honours illustrate the most sacred ot all Masonic obligations , and cannot be described in these pages . Your Correspondent ' s reflections , cast as they are upon Grand Lodge and its popular and greatly esteemed Grand Master , Sir Archibald Campbell of Blythswood , are unworthy of any Past Grand Officer . —Yours fraternally , EDINA .

" AN OLD MASONIC SONG . " To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The Judge tucked up—Tune of Entered Apprentice . " Pags " enquires if any of your readers have seen the song in print , and if so , inhere ? Thescng will be found in the Pocket Companion and

History of Freemasons , London , printed for R . Baldwin , W . Johnson , B . Law , Co ., and j . Scott , MDCCLXIV . Page 346 , song 15 , " Pags " will find five verses , he has only four . I cannot inform him the name of the brother who narrowly escaped being tucked up . If "Pags" should get the book he might draw his own Conclusion as to the King alluded to . It having a very wide

range , commencing with the state of Masonry from the Creation to the Flood . King Solomon's Letter to King Hiram . Hiram's reply to King Solomon . The Consecration of the Temple to the Destruction and Captivity of the Jews , and on to Questyons concerning the Mystery of Maconrye by the Hande of Kynge Henrye the Sixthe , copyed by me , Johan Leylande . The book has a list of songs , a list of lodges , and the days of forming in each month . —Yours fraternally ,

LAMB SMITH . November ioth .

_ To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Replying to " Pags' " enquiry in your last issue —the song referred to appears , with many others , in Auld ' s Scottish Masonic Pocket Companion oi 1761 , which

ls dedicated to the Earl of Elgin , G . M . elect . Unfortunately , 1 am not in a position to give any information as to the personality of the King except in two small particulars—the four verses quoted are identical with my copy , but there is a fifth which I append . The three last lines of each verse are to be repeated as a chorus .

Verse V . Tho' ignorant pride Our secrets deride , Or foolish conjectures occasion , They ne ' er shall divine The word or the sign Of a free and accepted Mason . Repeat Chorus .

MOTTO . May honour and honesty ever distinguish the brethren . —Yours fraternally , EDWARD MACBEAN , 2076 .

On Tuesday , the third of the series of Subscription Smoking Concerts in aid of the funds of Kings ' College Hospital took place at the Portman Rooms , Bakerstreet . The honours of the evening went decidedly to the Belgravian Orchestral Society , a small but efficient band of performers , who , under Mr . Norfolk Megone , gave a very spirited rendering of the overture to " William Tell " and other operatic selections . A solo on the bassoon ,

though the cause of considerable merriment , was heartily encored . About 250 guineas have , as yet , been subscribed out of £ 500 , which it is hoped to raise during the winter . There are seven more concerts to be held , including two ladies' nights , the first of which will be on Monday next . We commend these concerts to all Charitable Masons , who would ensure a few good evenings'amusement , and , at the same time , benefit a very deserving institution .

Reviews

REVIEWS

THE CRYPTIC RITE : HISTORY OF THE DEGREES OF ROYAL , SELECT , AND SUPER-EXCELLENT MASTER , THE WORK OF THE RITE IN CANADA , & c . By J . Ross ROBERTSON , of Toronto , & c . 1 S 88 . This remarkable and curious work possesses no little amount of interest to the student of Masonic History , and

for brethren who have taken the Degrees is simply not only a reliable and trustworthy guide , but it is the only volume that treats fully and impartially of the varied experiences of the Cryptic Rite from the earliest evidences of their existence , through numerous conflicting' and opposing elements and details , down to the formation of the last Grand Council , and the General Grand Council of

the United States . We have no hesitation in declaring that Bro . J . Ross Robertson , of Toronto , has done what no one else has even sought to do , exhaustively , a most valuable service on behalf of the Kite , and has placed the members of that body under a lasting obligation , for now they have a record of the eventful past that will bear any amount of scrutiny and critical examination , and it is

withal , scrupulously fair throughout . Bro . Robertson has made a free use of Bro . Drummond ' s labours in the same direction , to whom he has handsomely acknowledged indebtedness by placing the name of the latter distinguished brother on the title-page , as being the principal authority on whom he has had to rely for accurate information . The volume contains an extraordinary amount of facts and

theories , ably presented . Bro . Schultz ' s noble History of the Grand Lodge of Maryland , General Pike ' s able Report to the Grand Chapter of Arkansas , Dr . Mackey ' s authoratative articles , and other contributorshave also been duly utilised , and as duly acknowledged . When Bro . Robertsun speaks for himself he says so , and he is equally clear when using the labours of others , to give credit inhere

credit is due . This is a feature of the work that commends itself to all authors , not a few of whom have reason to complain of a very different kind of treatment . Our lamented friend , dear old Rob . Morris , was the first to give the tide , now so well-known , to this , the " Cryptic Kite . " After all the researches by so many gifted brethren , and Bro . Robertson himself winding up the number , by

a careful and painstaking investigation , it does not appear , even now , that the origin of these Degrees ( in corporated , so to speak , as the "Cryptic Rite" ) can be determined or settled in a satisfactory manner . We trace them back to the ninth decade of the last century and then they are lost sight of , or , at all events , their existence beyond 1783 is not certain . They seem to have been

originally given as " side Degrees , under the wing of the " Ineffable Degrees , " & c , known later on as the " Ancient and Accepted Rite . " Sometimes they were under the protecting wings of Grand Royal Arch Chapters , and at other times virtually 1 independent and "tree lances" on their own account . At one time , and in one State , the " Select " was first in order , and , again , under other patronage

the " Royal" was first . Apparently—in fact , actually—they were worked as independent Degrees for some years , but eventually they were communicated in combination as now , the Order being " Royal and Select Masters , " with occasionally the " Super-Excellent " to complete the trio , as in Canada now . In the latter also , that of the Red Cross ( " Babylonish Pass " ) was Ior a short interval also added , but

again wisely dropped , to be taken charge of by the Knights Templar . The general usage now is to confer the Degrees to Royal Arch Masons only , as adopted by the General Grand Council ancl most Grand Councils on the Continent of America . Some , however , have placed them under the control of Grand Chapters , as in Iowa , Mississippi , and 1 exas , although they no more belong to the Royal Arch

as such than to the " Supreme Councils , " nor , in fact , so much . Others have independent Grand Councils to confer and work the Degrees of Koyal and Select Masters , as for Connecticut , Illinois , Kentucky , Michigan , New Jersey , Pennsylvania , and Rhode Island ; while , again , three—Virginia , West Virginia , and North Carolina—differ from all others by allowing these Degrees to be communicated

before thc Royal Arch , instead of afterwards , as is usual everywhere tnat they are patronised of late years . A brother is said to be " honoured " on taking the " R . M ., " and " chosen " as a "S . M . " The aprons are of a triangular form , are black , lined and edged with red . The jewel of a Select Master is a silver trowel within a triangle of the same metal , suspended from a collar , worn by all

officers and members . The " Super-Excellent" Degree , or "Super-Excellent Royal Arch , " is olten to be met with in England from 1763 , but we should not like to argue that a Degree of a similar name was the same in reality as introduced at Charlestown in 17 S 3 . VVe commend Bro . Robertson ' s work most heartily to members of the " Cryptic Rite " throughout the world .

ADDRESS OF COL . W . J . B . McLEOD MOORE , S . G . M . OF CANADA . This remarkable address by a veteran Templar and Ruler , delivered at the last meeting of the Great Priory of Canada , is most interesting for Knights Templars wherever dispersed , as much historical information is always given in these annual addresses , termed " Allocutions . " Tne latter

term we do not at all like , but apart from the title ive can speak most favourably ot all these excellent addresses by the woild-renowned I ' emplar , who is "heart and soul " committed to that branch of quasi-Freemasonry . We are not aware of any one who has done so much to advance what may be termed the literary and historical interests of the Order as Col . Moore . The ritual adopted by his Great

Priory , with the several introductory addresses—the work of the Grand Master—is a model of its kind , and had something of the kind been used in this country , placing as it does the present Society on a sensible basis , we feel persuaded that many more members would now be on the

English roll . Col . . Vioore undoubtedly will be a strong supporter of Bro . Whymper's " Religion of Freemasonry " when he peruses that able volume , as he is a strong advocate of the Christian character of the Crait in early days , and that this distinct feature of the Fraternity , lett out ot I he Degrees , has been continued in the Chivalric Degrees ,

Reviews

especially that of the Knights Templar . He seeks " to redeem true Christian Templary from the mistaken and low ideal it has for many years fallen into , " and considers " the assumption of being a military body , applied to the Templar Degree , is manifestly incorrect , the causes which called forth the enthusiastic military spirit of the age when the Order was founded having long since passed away for ever . Modern Templary is no more a military organization

than Symbolic Masonry is operative . " It is quite pleasant to find the common sense views taken by this veteran frater . Ifjsuch . had prevailed some years ago , when certain changes were made in the style and character of the Society , vve cannot but think there would not be such an extraordinary difference between the prosperity of the English and American branches of the Knights Templars . We congratulate the Canadian fratres in having such a Grand Master to preside over their Great Priory .

Masonic Notes And Queries:

Masonic Notes and Queries :

S 08 ] SCOTTISH FREEMASONRY . I am very pleased to note the various interesting sketches of old Scottish lodges furnished by Bro . Edw . Macbean , of Glasgow , as they are valuable aids to Masonic Students and excellent work on behalf o : the Quatuor Coronati Lodge , No . 2076 , of which he is one of the honoured

members . Several facts are made known by these sketches , some being of special importance , and 1 hope my friend will continue his researches , as , though someof the " mines " have been well explored by the Scottish Masonic Historian and esteemed veteran , Bro . D . Murray Lyon , G . Sec ,

there are yet others to be investigated , so that we may know all needful particulars of the Craft in the North , especially during early last century , and still earlier , if records can be traced , additional to those unearthed b y my valued friend Lyon , who is our respected senior in that department . VV . J . HUGHAN .

Soo ] EPITHETS . In the notes to the " Monastery , " Sir Walter Scott says — " There are many instances to be met with in the ancient dramas of this whimsical and conceited custom of persons who form an intimacy , distinguishing each other by some quaint epithet . ... I think there is some remnant of this foppery preserved in Masonic lodges , where each

brother is distinguished by a name in the lodge , signifying some abstract quality , as Discretion , or the like . See the poems of Gavin Wilson . " Is Bro . Hughan or any other brother able to substantiate the existence of this custom in bye-gone or present times ? Was Gavin Wilson a Masonic poet ? I do not remember to have come across the name . And was Sir Walter Scott a Mason ? Any information will be thankfully received by INDOCTUS .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

£ raft JSlasonrg *

CAPPER LODGE ( No . 1076 ) . —The installation of the above excellent lodge took place on the Sth inst ., at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham-street , City , Bro . W . Temple presiding , assisted by a goodly array of Past Masters , officers , and brethren generally . The lodge having been opened and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed , a candidate was

initiated by the W . M . most impressively . Bro . Charles D'Oyley Mears , S . W . and W . M . elect was then presented by Bro . H . T . Taplay , P . M . and D . C , to the W . M ., to receive at his hands the benefit of installation , and in due course he was installed in the chair of K . S . and saluted in the Three Degrees . He invested his officers as follows : Bros . A . Dale , S . W . ; 1 . Tytheridge , I . W . ; I . Dorton ,

P . M ., Treas . ; W . H . Ware , Sec . ; L . Crow , S . D . ; J . H . White , J . D . , * F . C . Ward , I . G . C . R . Sayers . D . C ; W . E . Cramphorne , Stwd . j J . F . Oates , Asst . Stwd . ; M . Sherwin , Org . ; and A . K . Turberfield , Tyler . Bro . Temple then recited the usual charges with marked effect , and concluded an admirably worked ceremony amid unstinted appplause . He

was then unanimousl y accorded a vote of thanks , the same to be recorded on the minutes of the Iodge for the perfect manner in which he had installed his successor , and it was further resolved " that an illuminated address on vellum , mounted and framed , should be presented to him as a memorial of the event . " By some unfortunate means the Past Master ' s jewel voted to Bro .

Temple had not arrived , so that the presentation of it was deferred until the next meeting . Bro . Pitt , the courteous and energetic Secretary of the lodge for the past eight years , having retired from that position , was unanimously voted a Past Secretary ' s jewel in recognition of his many

and valuable services to the Iodge during his term of office , the same to be presented at the next meeting . Bros . Temple and Pitt having severally returned thanks for those favours , and hearty good wishes having been tendered by the visiting brethren present , the lodge was closed in due form .

Among the other brethren present were Bros . H . B . Holliday , P . M . ; A . Knox , P . M . ; P . McCarthy , PM-i W . Dorton , P . M . ; W . Nevins , P . M . ; W . Watkins , P . M . ; W . Harris , P . M . ; B . Johnson , F . C . Wood , F . Maple , B . Wicking , R . Brown , J . Sampson , B . H . Spencer , J . Foster , W . Stockvis , II . Greene , W . Robinson , T . Yates , VV . Taylor , and T . Newlin , all of the lodge ; R . Walker ,

W . M . 1598 ; C . Canning , S . W . 1472 ; C . Wood , J . W . 1472 ; G . C . Turner , 299 ; R . Donagan , 554 ; T . Vernon , 901 ; C . Homes , 749 ; 11 . Gabb , 813 ; S . Kirby , 20 °° ' C . Jolly , P . M . 1472 ; and others . ... The banquet , which was of the choicest and sp lendidly served , having been discussed , The Worshipful Master gave the toast of " The Queen