The Wrights Of Glasgow.

The Wrights of Glasgow .

Ilp ^__ = i !| 9 | HE Scottish Masons and Wrights were often united WMmi & lm . m Incorporations , ancl more or less—have worked (( (| g | i $ /| l together for centuries . In time , however , these P ^ s |& 5 __|! Wrights ( or Carpenters ) developed independence _ Sfe = ss * StfJJ and went in for separate organisation in some Cities , because neither Company or Society could

possibly be a fair judge of the workmanship of the other . In 1475 , the Alasons and Wrights of Edinburgh were Incorporated by a Seal of Cause under the authority of the Magistrates and Council of the City . Ratifications took place in 1517 by the

Archbishop of St . Andrews , by Royal Charter in 1527 , by thc Common Council in 16 33 , by Royal Charter again in 1635 , ancl by Decree of the Court of Session in 1703 . This the Grand Secretary tells us in his invaluable " History of thc Lodge of Edinburgh ( Mary ' s Chapel ) , No . 1 . "

By the Act of 1475 , two each of the Alasons and Wrights were chosen by these Crafts as a quartette oi Overseers , who were empowered to examine any Masons or Wrights who came "to the guid towne ancl schapis to work , or to tak wirk apoun

hand / ' as to their operative qualifications , and if deemed worthy , they were admitted and then " lay downe to the reparalioun of the altar a merk . " Thc same "fovr men " were also the fissay Masters , who

tested each Apprentice of either of the two Trades , such as we speculativel y do now as to " passing" and " raising " '' Gil he ne sufficient or nocht lo bc a fallow of the craft . "

( hi his " passing , " he was admitted to the privileges of his Craft by becoming in due lime " freman and fallow . " They also saw to the two Companies or Crafts , laking tlieir proper places " in all ge / ierale proccssiouns Jyk as thai Jiafin the towne of Bruges " which al lhat period was one of the most prominent Commercial

( entres of Europe . As my esteemed friend , Bro . I ) . Murray Lyon has pointed out , and which has long been my view " lhe presence ol Wrichts equally with Masons at the passing of their apprentices to the rank of fellow , as

provided lor by the Charter of 1475 favours the opinion , which we have elsewhere expressed , viz ., that the Word , and other secrets peculiar to Masons

were communicated lo apprentices on their admission to the Lodge , and thut the ceremony of passing was simply a testing of ihe candidate's fitness for employment as a journeyman . "

The Wrights Of Glasgow.

Of the 22 Trades or Companies noted in the " Blue Blanket , " Edinburgh , of 1722 ancl other editions , of which the Arms are given , the two concerned are inserted as follows : "VI . —WRIGHTS . As . A square and compass or VII . —MASONS .

Ar . On a chevron betwixt 3 towers embattled sad , a compass or . " These and ten others are duly reproduced in these wee Books , within artistic ovals . ' •The incorporation of Wrights in Glasgow" dates from

3 rd of May , 1600 , on which day that Craft obtained a Charter , or Seal of Cause , from the Provost ancl Magistrates of the Cityt In their petition it was pointed out that they had been united

with the Masons and Coopers under one Letter of Deaconry , but the latter had obtained separate Statutes anel Rules for themselves only , and for the reasons stated they desired to be disunited from the Masons .

'The said Masons could not judge upon our work , nor we upon theirs perfectly , and without the partiality that they might have to their , anel we to our Craftsmen . " It was difficult sometimes to define the precise work of the

Masons ancl Wri ghts so as to avoid overlapping ; the disputes under such trying circumstances involving open rupture and appeal to thc authorities , who decided wherein the Wrights had violated their Charter by unfairly working .

" A part of Measonis Craft propcrlic belonging thairto , " ancl , I presume the Masons were compelled to refrain from infringing on the liberty ancl privileges of the Wrights in like

manner . I have received a mass of most interesting and curious information as to the Incorporation of the Wrights , Glasgow from the courteous and learned Clerk , Mr . James A . Reid , who

( knowing my love for such studies ) has been very kind in responding most promptly and fully to all my enquiries , as well as requests for documents and published Transactions , Regulations , & c , of thc Company .

These papers have , in part , supplied the facts on which this article is based , and I desire heartily to thank that gentleman for his warmly appreciated attentions . Thc octavo volumes on the " Incorporation of Wrights " ( Glasgow , iSSq ) , and Register of Acts , 1650—1710 , with

appendix ( Glasgow , 188 7 ) , as also the Bye-Laws ( 1892 ) , & c , have enabled me to form a general notion of the usages and customs of that trade from thc year 1600 , ancl I firmly believe that for their own sakes , as well as for the Masons , they were wise in securing a strong and independent position for themselves .

Naturally , in the ordinary needs of their ' 1 radc , thc Craftsmen had much in common with their former brethren , the Masons ; and wilh the necessary changes differentiating the two Societies ,

many of the Rules adopted by the one Body were used , or could be used , by the other . The defined duties of Deacons , Officers , Clerks , Masters , Journeymen , and Apprentices would , or could bc , in many respects the same for both Incorporations .

From the Seal of Cause , of A . D . 1600—which is duly reproduced in the Iirst volume , iu two columns ( original text ancl modernized)—I quote a few items , which are worth a close study . Like unto the " Old Charges" of the Freemasons , the Charter was desired " for the causes above written , " and for " the loving

of God Almighty , Father , Son , ancl Holy Ghost , " & c . " / tem . That no person of the said craft , contained in this present letter , set up Booth to work in this city , [ cor respond ing with a A / ason ' s Lotlge ] until he be first made burgess and freeman of the same , ancl be

examined b y three or four masters of the said Crafts if he be a sufficient workman , and able to work good and sufficient work to serve our Sovereign Lord ' s lieges . " " Hem . That every apprentice , al his entry , to the said Cralt , if hc bc a freeman ' s son of the said city , shall pay

the sum of twenty shillings money ; ancl if he be an unfreeman ' s son , hc shall pay the sum of forty shillings money to thc said box , to be bestowed as said is . ' ' " / ten / . That every out-low nsman , nol being apprentice

within lhe town , belore he be admitted to serve any master within the same , shall be first examined if he be able thereto ; and shall bring with him a testimonial from his master to whom he was apprentice before , " & c .

" Item . It is statute and ordained , that no freeman of the said crafts shall take an apprentice lor a shorter lime than seven years , " & c .

" Item , lt shall not be lawlul to any persons to sell , make , or work any kind ol work of the said work ancl crafts within this city , except they be first free with the town , and next wilh tlu- said craft , " & e .