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Article Masonic Notes and Queries. Page 1 of 1 Article Masonic Notes and Queries. Page 1 of 1 Article REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Page 1 of 3 Article REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Page 1 of 3 →
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Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
433 ] LOY'AL BRITAIN'S . Referring to Bro . Rob . Morris's " Antiquarian Notes " in the Freemason of the 27 th ult ., I find he quotes from the London Public Advertiser of 1756 that "the brethren of the Laudable and Honorable Association of Loyal Britains " are therein notified of an approaching meeting . In my cabinet I have a copper medal , or token , of which the
following is a description : Obverse—A crown within a radiated circle , sprigs of leaves below ; " Loyal Britons Lodge . " A small quatre-foil ornament before and after the legend . Reverse—A radiated Phrygian cap over an anchor and cable . " Liberty , peace , commerce . " Small diamondshaped ornament dividing the legend . Batty , in his " Copper
Coinage of Great Britain , " names several varieties of this token , one of which is mentioned by Marvin in his " Masonic Medals , " and which he considers belongs to an Orange Lodge . Is it not probable that my token belongs to the "Association of Loyal Britains" quoted by Bro . Morris as above , as one of the pseudo-Masonic Societies of the last century ? JAMES NEWTON .
434 ] THE LATE REV . T . CRANE . Having been asked to give what information I might possess relative to the late Rev . T . Crane's connection with Freemasonry , more especially as confined to the city and county of Chester , I respectfully respond to the request , I , as in honour bound , through the sheaf , more particularly as the letter I here introduce refers to a notable and public
event , namely the laying of the first stone ( I presume ) of the New or Grosvenor Bridge . 1 send you therefore the copy of a letter , or rather the latter part of it , sent in 17 S 2 to Sir John Chetwode , Bart ., the first being merely a literary criticism of " Longinus " : — " Dear Sir John , —Upon the receipt of L'd Shelburn ' s letter , this City of CHESTER has proposed to raise three
companies of hired MILITIA and two companies of VOLUNTEERS . My opinion is that this mode of raising men will not be put into execution , for reasons of State . " On Whittuesday the Mayor laid the 1 st stone of the intended Arch of the Bridge , attended by the Corporation and a numerous company of FREEMASONS . I opened the Lodge , spoke an oration , and was the President of the
day . But I did not write the inscription on the Plate . YVhat I wrote was too laconic ; that engraved is four times as long as mine . I enclose order of procession from last Friday ' s Chronicle . " A very extraordinary animal was taken in our River and exhibited in the Race week . It was five and twenty feet long and bulky in proportion ; some said it was a grampus , more probably a basking shark , from
PENNANT s description of one . May , 17 S 2 . T . CRANE . " Great Saughall . YV . H . BRADFORD . The reference in MR . CRANE ' S letter to the " Bridge " was not to the GROSVENOR BRIDGE , which was not so much as dreamt of for some forty years afterwards ; but to the arch of the new BRIDGE-GATE , then in course of erection . —From Chester Courxnt . EDITOR .
435 ] THE WREN MS . 1 give below a collated copy of the fragment published lastiweek , with the transcript of Mr . Sims , from which the excmplarjn " Masonic Magazine " of 1 S 79 was published . Each word in "italics" is not in the originally published copy , and constitutes a variation more or less important , more or less noteworthy . It seems to me that we have thus
traces of two MSS ., at the least , to deal with , though no doubt a good deal may be urged as regards the known carelessness , and inaccuracy , and interpolations of copyists . However , first let us note the variations and difference : — "The first ( charge ) is , that they or you shall be true man or men to God and holy Church , and that you shall use neither Errour nor Heresyjby _) ' ««>• understanding or by
indiscreet men s teaching ; Also that you shall be truly given to the King without treason or treachery , and // you shall know cither treason or treachery , look you amend it if you may , or else privily warn the King or his Rulers or Officers ; and also that you shall be true one to another , that is to say , to every Master or Fellow of the Craft of Masonry that be allowed Masons , and to do to them as you
would they should do to you ; and also that every Mason keep truly counsels both of lodge and chamber , and all other counsel that ought to be kept by way of Masonry ; And also that no Mason shall be thief or thief ' s pherc ' as far forth as"he \ knoweth ; " And that they shall be true to the Lord or Master they serve and truly look to his profit and advantage ; And also you shall call Masons your beloved
or your brethren , and by no other foul name , nor you shall not take your fellow ' s wife in villany , ney further desire his daughter , ney servant ; And also you shall pay truly for your meat and drink where that you go to board . Also you shall do no villany in the house whereby the Craft should be slandered . These be the charges in general that every Mason holdeth by , both Masters and Fellows . " There
are several words suppressed and others added , as will be thus seen in Dr . Crane ' s MS . On the whole , I am [ myself inclined to think that the longer extract is not a replica of the original of which the transcript 1 possess is a copy , but a different MS . The small portion from " an older MS . " seems to me to be identical with the
transcript . I do not say that such variations may not be entirely errors or carelessness on the part of the copyist , or Bro . Ilrown ' s part ; but I am inclined to think they represent another form . It is , 1 believe , more than probable that we shall come upon the original MS . and may actually find both portions of the MS . So mote it be ! A . F . A . W .
43 f'J PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTERS . To the recent YVorcester Masonic Exhibition I sent the original minutes of a Provincial Grand Lodge held in Wiltshire in 1777 , which attracted some attention . It is in the handwriting of my great grandfather , W . Bro . Michael Burrough , who was then Prov . Grand Secretary for Wilts , and also Prov . Grand Superintendent for R . A . Masons , and Grand Master of Knights Templar for Wilts . I have
Masonic Notes And Queries.
been asked to send you a copy , as it may be of general interest , since it refers to three Prov . Grand Masters of that early date .
FREDERICK HASTINGS GOLDNEY , Prov . Grand Treasurer YVilts . "City of Salisbury , September 22 nd , 1777 . "A Provincial Grand Lse for Wiltshire was Opened in Ample form . Present : The Mst W . Thos . Dunckerley , Esqr ., P . G . M . ; W . Hugh Skeats , Esqr ., P . G . M . ; Jos . Hodgson , P . G . S . YV ; J . Edgar , junr ., P . G . J . W . ; | as . YVilkinson , P . G . T . ; Mich . Burrough , P . G . S . ; T . Shuttleworth , P . G . S . B . ; John Stanton , Wm . Chubb ,
Alex Minty , YVm . Weeks , Jno . Scandover , and D . N . Keele , P . G . Stewards ; and G . Brown , Tyler . " The Master , Officers , and Bn . of Salisbury Lodge , No . 47 . "The Lodge at Crown Devizes , No . 3 , was called and no one appeared . " Visiting Brethren : Rt- Hon . Ld . Ch . P . G . M . Montague , for Hants 15 th . 6 of his officers ; 6 Brethren from No . at Ringwood ; four Bn . from No . at Blandford ; and 3 from Lodges in London , being in all No . on the
occasion . " The Salisbury Lodge paid two Guineas for the Hall and one for the fund of Charity . "The P . G . M . recommended that no Mason be made in future for less than three Guineas in this County . " The Bn . dined in open Lodge and in the evening the Lgc was closed in due form and time . " The Most YV . ' took the occasion to observe that an
Assembly had lately been formed in S . of persons who call themselves Antient Masons and pretend to desire an Authority from D . Athol—he informed the Lodge that the D . had disclaimed any knowledge of or connection with persons acting under that Sanction , and that the Meetings of such persons are so inconsistent with the principles of free Masonry that they had been publickly reprobated by the G . Lodge and that it was his wish that the YVshire
Brn . would by no means countenance their proceedings but rather that they should give a public denial of what that assembly had asserted relative to the patronage of the D . Athol . " [ On the back of the document , and in the same handwriting , and apparently written at the same time , is the
following memorandum . ] " Ch : YVren Esqr ., Grandson to that Celebrated G . M Arch : the late Sr . Ch : YVren who built St . Paul ' s . Savage Esqr . late Chief Justice of Carolina . Lucas Esqr . and several of his G . Officers . "
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .
Craft jttasonrg . ST . JOHN LODGE ( No . 1306 ) . —The opening meeting was held on the Sth inst . at the Three Nuns Hotel , Aldgate . Lodge was opened by Bro . J . P . T . Couture , YV . M ., who was supported by Bros . A . G . Clements , S . W . ; Lloyd , acting J . W . ; J . G . Twinn , S . D . ; J . Oxley , Stwd ., acting J . D . ; Loftus , I . G . ; Swetman , Sec . ; T . J . Tyer , P . M . ; J . Magrath , P . M . ; C . Veal , P . M . ; Beard ,
Jenkins , Biggs , Lreighton , a . M . Pipe , Willetts , Hirst , G . Wise , YVhybrow , andothers . Visitor : Bro . G . H . Stephens , YV . M . 1623 . After the transaction of the usual business , Bro . Tyer , P . M ., by the courtesy of the W . M ., passed Bros . Jenkins and Biggs to the F . C . degree in a very able manner . This being the only ceremonial working , the discussion of several
important matters of lodge interest was disposed of in a very business-like manner , under the presidency of the W . M ., Bro . Couture . Among these must be mentioned a vote of brotherly sympathy and condolence with Bro . Geo . T . Holdom , the worthy Junior Warden , in connection with his recent severe and heavy affliction in losing his wife , after a long and trying illness . The proposition was most
feelingly and touchingly introduced by Bros . Veal , P . M ., and Twinn , S . D ., and was received with deepest sorrow of every brother present . Another item deserving notice was the arrangement to re-open the lodge of instruction under the warrant of the St . John Lodge on the first Thursday in November . The brethren have decided to use the house of Bro . R . Hirst , 1 4 , the Three Crowns , Mile End-road , and Bro . B . Cundick , P . M . 1421 , we are informed , will kindly be the Preceptor .
NEW CROSS LODGE ( No . 1559 ) . —On Friday evening , the 10 th inst ., the fiftieth meeting of this lodge was held at the Ship Hotel , Greenwich , under the command of the Worshipful Master , Bro . Hiram Henton ( late 1 st Life Guards ) , who was supported by the following officers and brethren : Bros , the Rev . J . W . A . Sturdee , S . W . ; H . Wild , acting J . W . ; Ernest E . Smith , P . M .,
Secretary ; E . H . Thiellay , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . Middx ., Treas . ; Carlo Grassi , S . D . ; F . W . Cash , J . D . ; A . Priest , I . G . ; G . E . Court , W . S . ; J . H . Meyer , C . S . ; A . Rowe , Tyler ; T . Grummant , P . M . ; W . Cowley , P . M . ; R . Borrett , A . Sabow , J . Neville , E . Fry , H . Woodham , John Faulkner , W . Waters , and Enrico Arduino . Visitors : Bros . Dr . Faricco , Lodge of Unity and Philanthropy ,
Gualeguaychu , Argentine Republic ; J . W . Kemble , 1571 ; and J . Edwards , 1305 . After the lodge had been opened , and the ballot had been declared unanimously in favour of Messrs . John Lucas and Charles Rouard , Bro . Sabow , a candidate for passing , was duly examined , entrusted , and withdrew . Bro . Sabow was duly passed to the Degree of F . C . Bro .
Ernest Smith , P . M ., Secretary , by permission of the YVorshipful Master , assumed the chair and initiated his friend , Mr . John Lucas , into the mysteries of ancient Freemasonry . The Worshipful Master next conferred the same honour on Mr . Charles Rouard ; he also interrogated and entrusted Bro . Woodham as a candidate for the Third
Degree . The ceremony ot raising this brother to the Sublime Degree was worked by Bro . T . Grummant in that excellent manner for which he is famous in the S . E . district . After some other business had been transacted , the brethren adjourned to the banquet table , when , after justice had been done to the repast provided , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured .
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
To the toast of "The YVorshipful Master , " that brother responded appropriately ; and each of the initiates replied to their united toast in a few but plain spoken words . The toast list having been exhausted , the brethren separated , the majority with eager steps intent on catching the earliest train for town .
ALDERSGATE LODGE ( No . 1657 ) . —A meeting was held on Monday , the 13 th inst ., at the Castle and Falcon Hotel , Aldersgate-street , when there were present Bros . Samuel White , W . M . ; E . Y . Jolliffe , S . W . ; YV . H . Froom , J . YV . ; Rev . Dr . P . H . E . Brette , P . M . Sec . ; E . Anderton , S . D . ; Geo . Vickery , J . D . ; Matthew R . YVebb and Fred . Crockford , Stwds . ; E . F . B . Fuller , W . S . ; Dr . Samuel Benton , I . P . M . ; George Kenning , P . M . ; Alfred
Brookman , P . M . ; P . F . R . Saillard , Thos . Benskin , Geo . Rawlinson , Jas . Shotter , and C . YV . Lovett . Visitors : Bros , lames Lewis-Thomas , P . A . G . D . C . ; J . Paddon , P . M . 1417 ; J . A . Hill , 1417 ; Dr . A . GreatRex , P . M . 22 ; T . YVells , P . M . 20 S ; M . Bellamy , 1567 ; and P . Crampton , S . D . 1572 .
1 he minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . Some routine business having been arranged the lodge was closed . The brethren dined together under the genial sway of Bro . Samuel White , the W . M . ; Bro . James Lewis-Thomas replied for " The Grand Officers , " Bro . Dr . A . GreatRex . J . Paddon , and Thos . Wells replied for " The Visitors . "
STRAND LODGE ( No . 1987 ) . —The installation meeting of the Strand Lodge for the current year was held on the 9 th inst ., at Messrs . Spiers and Pond ' s , Criterion Hotel , Piccadilly . The lodge , for which a warrant was granted two years ago , was established for the convenience of brethren in and about the neighbourhood of the Strand , and was warranted to meet at Ashley ' s Hotel , Covent Garden . In this location , under the Mastership of
Bro . James YVilhng , jun ., it has had a long tide of success , but a few months ago Ashley's Hotel closing , application had to be made to the Grand Master for a dispensation to hold meetings of emergency elsewhere , and the Criterion was the place resolved upon by the brethren . At the meetings which followed the brethren decided to keep the lodge at the Criterion , provided the Grand Master's permission could be obtained , and certainly a more convenient
p lace away from Freemasons' Hall could not be found . The lodge room is well adapted for accommodating a numerous lodge , such as the Strand , while the banqueting hall space affords comfortable seating for nearly a couple of hundred brethren , and the catering of Messrs . Spiers and Pond is unsurpassed . On the occasion of the installation meeting on Thursday week the brethren confirmed their resolution to remain at their new quarters , which , it
may be mentioned , are about to be rendered even more commodious than at present , by alterations which will enlarge the lodge room . YVith respect to the installation meeting the members of the lodge had during Bro . YVilling ' s first year evinced such satisfaction with the great success which had attended his Mastership that at the election meeting they unanimously resolved that he should fill the chair for the second year , and they assembled in
large numbers to do honour to the occasion . The lodge met at four o'clock in the afternoon , and at that early hour there was an excellent attendance . All the ceremonies had to be performed , in addition to the installation , which but for the meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Sussex on the same day was to have been performed by the Grand Secretary , Col . Shadwell H . Clerke . Bro . Willing raised Bros . W . C . Argent and C . H . Cutbush ;
passed Bro . E . J . Argent ; and initiated Messrs . YVilliam Henry Rignall , Robert King , John Addison , and Edward Colley . The balance-sheet of the lodge , which was submitted by the Audit Committee , showed a very prosperous state of circumstances , and was unanimously adopted . Bro . J . R . Stacey , P . M . 1 S 0 , J . W ., then installed Bro . James Willing , jun ., as Worshipful Master , and the following brethren were afterwards appointed to office : Bros .
Edward Swanborough , S . W . ; J . R . Stacey , J . W . ; W . M . Stiles , Secretary ; J . Douglass , S . D . ; W . Harris , J . D . ; YV . T . Madge , I . G . ; A . N . Clemow , M . C . ; A . Leon , A . M . C . ; J . T . Buston , YV . S . ; J . N . Hare , A . W . S . ; T . J . Hyland , Organist ; and Bro . Richard Whiting , P . M ., Tyler . A vote of thanks was passed to Bro . Stacey for having at a moment ' s notice performed the ceremony of installation , an act which Bro . Stacey , in returning thanks for the vote ,
said he was only too happy to perform . Bro . Willingthere being no further business before the brethren—thereupon closed the lodge , and the brethren and their visitors adjourned to the banqueting room . With such a large amount of business as the lodge had performed the hour was late when the banquet was partaken of , and therefore when the period for proposing the toasts came round , the W . M . made all his addresses very short , and the
respondents followed his example . In proposing "The Health of the Installing Master , " Bro . Willing complimented Bro . Stacey on the excellence of his working , and hoped he would live long to perform those duties to the lodge which he had so well begun . Bro . Stacey , in reply , said he was sorry he had to rise to thank the W . M . for the compliment , for he had simply endeavoured to do his duty . Although he had had a large
number of invitations during his Masonic career to perform this ceremony , he had never performed it with greater pleasure or delight than in placing his old friend and brother in education in Masonry in the chair that night . He hoped the time would be far distant when they would have to seek an Installing Master away from the Strand Lodge . The YV . M . had had a great number of offers held out to
him . There were several visitors who were able and willing to do the work ; but fortunately the lodge had in itself brethren who were competent to install , and the YV . M . chose one from that circle . In proposing "The Visitors , " the W . M . said there was not so great an array as he had expected : but the inclement state of the weather accounted for the absence of
many . Bro . F . Delevanti , P . M . 1319 , responded , and complimented the W . M . and his officers on the way the work had Deen performed and the banquet provided . the toasts of " The Initiates" and "The Officers" followed , and were responded to , and the Tyler's toast closed the evening . Madame Adeline Paget , Mr . Larkin , and Mr . James Budd ably performed the musical entertainment of the evening .
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Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
433 ] LOY'AL BRITAIN'S . Referring to Bro . Rob . Morris's " Antiquarian Notes " in the Freemason of the 27 th ult ., I find he quotes from the London Public Advertiser of 1756 that "the brethren of the Laudable and Honorable Association of Loyal Britains " are therein notified of an approaching meeting . In my cabinet I have a copper medal , or token , of which the
following is a description : Obverse—A crown within a radiated circle , sprigs of leaves below ; " Loyal Britons Lodge . " A small quatre-foil ornament before and after the legend . Reverse—A radiated Phrygian cap over an anchor and cable . " Liberty , peace , commerce . " Small diamondshaped ornament dividing the legend . Batty , in his " Copper
Coinage of Great Britain , " names several varieties of this token , one of which is mentioned by Marvin in his " Masonic Medals , " and which he considers belongs to an Orange Lodge . Is it not probable that my token belongs to the "Association of Loyal Britains" quoted by Bro . Morris as above , as one of the pseudo-Masonic Societies of the last century ? JAMES NEWTON .
434 ] THE LATE REV . T . CRANE . Having been asked to give what information I might possess relative to the late Rev . T . Crane's connection with Freemasonry , more especially as confined to the city and county of Chester , I respectfully respond to the request , I , as in honour bound , through the sheaf , more particularly as the letter I here introduce refers to a notable and public
event , namely the laying of the first stone ( I presume ) of the New or Grosvenor Bridge . 1 send you therefore the copy of a letter , or rather the latter part of it , sent in 17 S 2 to Sir John Chetwode , Bart ., the first being merely a literary criticism of " Longinus " : — " Dear Sir John , —Upon the receipt of L'd Shelburn ' s letter , this City of CHESTER has proposed to raise three
companies of hired MILITIA and two companies of VOLUNTEERS . My opinion is that this mode of raising men will not be put into execution , for reasons of State . " On Whittuesday the Mayor laid the 1 st stone of the intended Arch of the Bridge , attended by the Corporation and a numerous company of FREEMASONS . I opened the Lodge , spoke an oration , and was the President of the
day . But I did not write the inscription on the Plate . YVhat I wrote was too laconic ; that engraved is four times as long as mine . I enclose order of procession from last Friday ' s Chronicle . " A very extraordinary animal was taken in our River and exhibited in the Race week . It was five and twenty feet long and bulky in proportion ; some said it was a grampus , more probably a basking shark , from
PENNANT s description of one . May , 17 S 2 . T . CRANE . " Great Saughall . YV . H . BRADFORD . The reference in MR . CRANE ' S letter to the " Bridge " was not to the GROSVENOR BRIDGE , which was not so much as dreamt of for some forty years afterwards ; but to the arch of the new BRIDGE-GATE , then in course of erection . —From Chester Courxnt . EDITOR .
435 ] THE WREN MS . 1 give below a collated copy of the fragment published lastiweek , with the transcript of Mr . Sims , from which the excmplarjn " Masonic Magazine " of 1 S 79 was published . Each word in "italics" is not in the originally published copy , and constitutes a variation more or less important , more or less noteworthy . It seems to me that we have thus
traces of two MSS ., at the least , to deal with , though no doubt a good deal may be urged as regards the known carelessness , and inaccuracy , and interpolations of copyists . However , first let us note the variations and difference : — "The first ( charge ) is , that they or you shall be true man or men to God and holy Church , and that you shall use neither Errour nor Heresyjby _) ' ««>• understanding or by
indiscreet men s teaching ; Also that you shall be truly given to the King without treason or treachery , and // you shall know cither treason or treachery , look you amend it if you may , or else privily warn the King or his Rulers or Officers ; and also that you shall be true one to another , that is to say , to every Master or Fellow of the Craft of Masonry that be allowed Masons , and to do to them as you
would they should do to you ; and also that every Mason keep truly counsels both of lodge and chamber , and all other counsel that ought to be kept by way of Masonry ; And also that no Mason shall be thief or thief ' s pherc ' as far forth as"he \ knoweth ; " And that they shall be true to the Lord or Master they serve and truly look to his profit and advantage ; And also you shall call Masons your beloved
or your brethren , and by no other foul name , nor you shall not take your fellow ' s wife in villany , ney further desire his daughter , ney servant ; And also you shall pay truly for your meat and drink where that you go to board . Also you shall do no villany in the house whereby the Craft should be slandered . These be the charges in general that every Mason holdeth by , both Masters and Fellows . " There
are several words suppressed and others added , as will be thus seen in Dr . Crane ' s MS . On the whole , I am [ myself inclined to think that the longer extract is not a replica of the original of which the transcript 1 possess is a copy , but a different MS . The small portion from " an older MS . " seems to me to be identical with the
transcript . I do not say that such variations may not be entirely errors or carelessness on the part of the copyist , or Bro . Ilrown ' s part ; but I am inclined to think they represent another form . It is , 1 believe , more than probable that we shall come upon the original MS . and may actually find both portions of the MS . So mote it be ! A . F . A . W .
43 f'J PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTERS . To the recent YVorcester Masonic Exhibition I sent the original minutes of a Provincial Grand Lodge held in Wiltshire in 1777 , which attracted some attention . It is in the handwriting of my great grandfather , W . Bro . Michael Burrough , who was then Prov . Grand Secretary for Wilts , and also Prov . Grand Superintendent for R . A . Masons , and Grand Master of Knights Templar for Wilts . I have
Masonic Notes And Queries.
been asked to send you a copy , as it may be of general interest , since it refers to three Prov . Grand Masters of that early date .
FREDERICK HASTINGS GOLDNEY , Prov . Grand Treasurer YVilts . "City of Salisbury , September 22 nd , 1777 . "A Provincial Grand Lse for Wiltshire was Opened in Ample form . Present : The Mst W . Thos . Dunckerley , Esqr ., P . G . M . ; W . Hugh Skeats , Esqr ., P . G . M . ; Jos . Hodgson , P . G . S . YV ; J . Edgar , junr ., P . G . J . W . ; | as . YVilkinson , P . G . T . ; Mich . Burrough , P . G . S . ; T . Shuttleworth , P . G . S . B . ; John Stanton , Wm . Chubb ,
Alex Minty , YVm . Weeks , Jno . Scandover , and D . N . Keele , P . G . Stewards ; and G . Brown , Tyler . " The Master , Officers , and Bn . of Salisbury Lodge , No . 47 . "The Lodge at Crown Devizes , No . 3 , was called and no one appeared . " Visiting Brethren : Rt- Hon . Ld . Ch . P . G . M . Montague , for Hants 15 th . 6 of his officers ; 6 Brethren from No . at Ringwood ; four Bn . from No . at Blandford ; and 3 from Lodges in London , being in all No . on the
occasion . " The Salisbury Lodge paid two Guineas for the Hall and one for the fund of Charity . "The P . G . M . recommended that no Mason be made in future for less than three Guineas in this County . " The Bn . dined in open Lodge and in the evening the Lgc was closed in due form and time . " The Most YV . ' took the occasion to observe that an
Assembly had lately been formed in S . of persons who call themselves Antient Masons and pretend to desire an Authority from D . Athol—he informed the Lodge that the D . had disclaimed any knowledge of or connection with persons acting under that Sanction , and that the Meetings of such persons are so inconsistent with the principles of free Masonry that they had been publickly reprobated by the G . Lodge and that it was his wish that the YVshire
Brn . would by no means countenance their proceedings but rather that they should give a public denial of what that assembly had asserted relative to the patronage of the D . Athol . " [ On the back of the document , and in the same handwriting , and apparently written at the same time , is the
following memorandum . ] " Ch : YVren Esqr ., Grandson to that Celebrated G . M Arch : the late Sr . Ch : YVren who built St . Paul ' s . Savage Esqr . late Chief Justice of Carolina . Lucas Esqr . and several of his G . Officers . "
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .
Craft jttasonrg . ST . JOHN LODGE ( No . 1306 ) . —The opening meeting was held on the Sth inst . at the Three Nuns Hotel , Aldgate . Lodge was opened by Bro . J . P . T . Couture , YV . M ., who was supported by Bros . A . G . Clements , S . W . ; Lloyd , acting J . W . ; J . G . Twinn , S . D . ; J . Oxley , Stwd ., acting J . D . ; Loftus , I . G . ; Swetman , Sec . ; T . J . Tyer , P . M . ; J . Magrath , P . M . ; C . Veal , P . M . ; Beard ,
Jenkins , Biggs , Lreighton , a . M . Pipe , Willetts , Hirst , G . Wise , YVhybrow , andothers . Visitor : Bro . G . H . Stephens , YV . M . 1623 . After the transaction of the usual business , Bro . Tyer , P . M ., by the courtesy of the W . M ., passed Bros . Jenkins and Biggs to the F . C . degree in a very able manner . This being the only ceremonial working , the discussion of several
important matters of lodge interest was disposed of in a very business-like manner , under the presidency of the W . M ., Bro . Couture . Among these must be mentioned a vote of brotherly sympathy and condolence with Bro . Geo . T . Holdom , the worthy Junior Warden , in connection with his recent severe and heavy affliction in losing his wife , after a long and trying illness . The proposition was most
feelingly and touchingly introduced by Bros . Veal , P . M ., and Twinn , S . D ., and was received with deepest sorrow of every brother present . Another item deserving notice was the arrangement to re-open the lodge of instruction under the warrant of the St . John Lodge on the first Thursday in November . The brethren have decided to use the house of Bro . R . Hirst , 1 4 , the Three Crowns , Mile End-road , and Bro . B . Cundick , P . M . 1421 , we are informed , will kindly be the Preceptor .
NEW CROSS LODGE ( No . 1559 ) . —On Friday evening , the 10 th inst ., the fiftieth meeting of this lodge was held at the Ship Hotel , Greenwich , under the command of the Worshipful Master , Bro . Hiram Henton ( late 1 st Life Guards ) , who was supported by the following officers and brethren : Bros , the Rev . J . W . A . Sturdee , S . W . ; H . Wild , acting J . W . ; Ernest E . Smith , P . M .,
Secretary ; E . H . Thiellay , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . Middx ., Treas . ; Carlo Grassi , S . D . ; F . W . Cash , J . D . ; A . Priest , I . G . ; G . E . Court , W . S . ; J . H . Meyer , C . S . ; A . Rowe , Tyler ; T . Grummant , P . M . ; W . Cowley , P . M . ; R . Borrett , A . Sabow , J . Neville , E . Fry , H . Woodham , John Faulkner , W . Waters , and Enrico Arduino . Visitors : Bros . Dr . Faricco , Lodge of Unity and Philanthropy ,
Gualeguaychu , Argentine Republic ; J . W . Kemble , 1571 ; and J . Edwards , 1305 . After the lodge had been opened , and the ballot had been declared unanimously in favour of Messrs . John Lucas and Charles Rouard , Bro . Sabow , a candidate for passing , was duly examined , entrusted , and withdrew . Bro . Sabow was duly passed to the Degree of F . C . Bro .
Ernest Smith , P . M ., Secretary , by permission of the YVorshipful Master , assumed the chair and initiated his friend , Mr . John Lucas , into the mysteries of ancient Freemasonry . The Worshipful Master next conferred the same honour on Mr . Charles Rouard ; he also interrogated and entrusted Bro . Woodham as a candidate for the Third
Degree . The ceremony ot raising this brother to the Sublime Degree was worked by Bro . T . Grummant in that excellent manner for which he is famous in the S . E . district . After some other business had been transacted , the brethren adjourned to the banquet table , when , after justice had been done to the repast provided , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured .
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
To the toast of "The YVorshipful Master , " that brother responded appropriately ; and each of the initiates replied to their united toast in a few but plain spoken words . The toast list having been exhausted , the brethren separated , the majority with eager steps intent on catching the earliest train for town .
ALDERSGATE LODGE ( No . 1657 ) . —A meeting was held on Monday , the 13 th inst ., at the Castle and Falcon Hotel , Aldersgate-street , when there were present Bros . Samuel White , W . M . ; E . Y . Jolliffe , S . W . ; YV . H . Froom , J . YV . ; Rev . Dr . P . H . E . Brette , P . M . Sec . ; E . Anderton , S . D . ; Geo . Vickery , J . D . ; Matthew R . YVebb and Fred . Crockford , Stwds . ; E . F . B . Fuller , W . S . ; Dr . Samuel Benton , I . P . M . ; George Kenning , P . M . ; Alfred
Brookman , P . M . ; P . F . R . Saillard , Thos . Benskin , Geo . Rawlinson , Jas . Shotter , and C . YV . Lovett . Visitors : Bros , lames Lewis-Thomas , P . A . G . D . C . ; J . Paddon , P . M . 1417 ; J . A . Hill , 1417 ; Dr . A . GreatRex , P . M . 22 ; T . YVells , P . M . 20 S ; M . Bellamy , 1567 ; and P . Crampton , S . D . 1572 .
1 he minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . Some routine business having been arranged the lodge was closed . The brethren dined together under the genial sway of Bro . Samuel White , the W . M . ; Bro . James Lewis-Thomas replied for " The Grand Officers , " Bro . Dr . A . GreatRex . J . Paddon , and Thos . Wells replied for " The Visitors . "
STRAND LODGE ( No . 1987 ) . —The installation meeting of the Strand Lodge for the current year was held on the 9 th inst ., at Messrs . Spiers and Pond ' s , Criterion Hotel , Piccadilly . The lodge , for which a warrant was granted two years ago , was established for the convenience of brethren in and about the neighbourhood of the Strand , and was warranted to meet at Ashley ' s Hotel , Covent Garden . In this location , under the Mastership of
Bro . James YVilhng , jun ., it has had a long tide of success , but a few months ago Ashley's Hotel closing , application had to be made to the Grand Master for a dispensation to hold meetings of emergency elsewhere , and the Criterion was the place resolved upon by the brethren . At the meetings which followed the brethren decided to keep the lodge at the Criterion , provided the Grand Master's permission could be obtained , and certainly a more convenient
p lace away from Freemasons' Hall could not be found . The lodge room is well adapted for accommodating a numerous lodge , such as the Strand , while the banqueting hall space affords comfortable seating for nearly a couple of hundred brethren , and the catering of Messrs . Spiers and Pond is unsurpassed . On the occasion of the installation meeting on Thursday week the brethren confirmed their resolution to remain at their new quarters , which , it
may be mentioned , are about to be rendered even more commodious than at present , by alterations which will enlarge the lodge room . YVith respect to the installation meeting the members of the lodge had during Bro . YVilling ' s first year evinced such satisfaction with the great success which had attended his Mastership that at the election meeting they unanimously resolved that he should fill the chair for the second year , and they assembled in
large numbers to do honour to the occasion . The lodge met at four o'clock in the afternoon , and at that early hour there was an excellent attendance . All the ceremonies had to be performed , in addition to the installation , which but for the meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Sussex on the same day was to have been performed by the Grand Secretary , Col . Shadwell H . Clerke . Bro . Willing raised Bros . W . C . Argent and C . H . Cutbush ;
passed Bro . E . J . Argent ; and initiated Messrs . YVilliam Henry Rignall , Robert King , John Addison , and Edward Colley . The balance-sheet of the lodge , which was submitted by the Audit Committee , showed a very prosperous state of circumstances , and was unanimously adopted . Bro . J . R . Stacey , P . M . 1 S 0 , J . W ., then installed Bro . James Willing , jun ., as Worshipful Master , and the following brethren were afterwards appointed to office : Bros .
Edward Swanborough , S . W . ; J . R . Stacey , J . W . ; W . M . Stiles , Secretary ; J . Douglass , S . D . ; W . Harris , J . D . ; YV . T . Madge , I . G . ; A . N . Clemow , M . C . ; A . Leon , A . M . C . ; J . T . Buston , YV . S . ; J . N . Hare , A . W . S . ; T . J . Hyland , Organist ; and Bro . Richard Whiting , P . M ., Tyler . A vote of thanks was passed to Bro . Stacey for having at a moment ' s notice performed the ceremony of installation , an act which Bro . Stacey , in returning thanks for the vote ,
said he was only too happy to perform . Bro . Willingthere being no further business before the brethren—thereupon closed the lodge , and the brethren and their visitors adjourned to the banqueting room . With such a large amount of business as the lodge had performed the hour was late when the banquet was partaken of , and therefore when the period for proposing the toasts came round , the W . M . made all his addresses very short , and the
respondents followed his example . In proposing "The Health of the Installing Master , " Bro . Willing complimented Bro . Stacey on the excellence of his working , and hoped he would live long to perform those duties to the lodge which he had so well begun . Bro . Stacey , in reply , said he was sorry he had to rise to thank the W . M . for the compliment , for he had simply endeavoured to do his duty . Although he had had a large
number of invitations during his Masonic career to perform this ceremony , he had never performed it with greater pleasure or delight than in placing his old friend and brother in education in Masonry in the chair that night . He hoped the time would be far distant when they would have to seek an Installing Master away from the Strand Lodge . The YV . M . had had a great number of offers held out to
him . There were several visitors who were able and willing to do the work ; but fortunately the lodge had in itself brethren who were competent to install , and the YV . M . chose one from that circle . In proposing "The Visitors , " the W . M . said there was not so great an array as he had expected : but the inclement state of the weather accounted for the absence of
many . Bro . F . Delevanti , P . M . 1319 , responded , and complimented the W . M . and his officers on the way the work had Deen performed and the banquet provided . the toasts of " The Initiates" and "The Officers" followed , and were responded to , and the Tyler's toast closed the evening . Madame Adeline Paget , Mr . Larkin , and Mr . James Budd ably performed the musical entertainment of the evening .