The Wrights Of Glasgow.

"Item . This clause provides that when , at any time , freemen of the Craft can not be had , it is lawful for masters " ' to take any craftsman , free or unfrce , that thev please to do ancl make their work . "

I bus , '' co-wan " Wri ghts were permitted to labour , as . stated . 1 he Deacon was required to have these Regulations read " four times in the year , in their Quarter Conventions , to the whole brethren ofthe Craft . "

I hc statutes , articles , rules , & c , having been " frequently heard , read , understood ancl maturel y advised with ancl considered •. . . to the Glory of God , the common weal of our Sovereign Lord ' s lieges , ancl also of thc said burgh and city , ancl

lor good order in time coming to be had among the said craftsmen , ancl to the profit of them ancl their poor decayed brethren , " were duly ratified , approved , granted , and confirmed by the Provost , Bailies , and Council accordingly .

In thc very interesting Historical Memoranda , it is stated that the monopol y thus created in 1600 ancl subsequently conlirmed , was " ri g idl y upheld and defended . " In 1 744 it was

reported lo the Court of Session that it had been the constant practice of the Incorporation , " past memory of man , " to present such rights and to forbid or hinder non-Burgesses from working , and even if needs be lo seize the " unfrecmen ' s toolls and

sometimes confiscating the piece of work , " or proceed to fines and incarceration ! 1 he report was made in consequence of an action by the Wri ghts Masons and Artisans of the Incorporation of Alary ' s Chapel of Edinburgh , " against an unfree Wri g ht who was found , not onl y repairing , but making new work within Burgh . "

I he Act of 18 4 6 ( 9 Vict . Cap . 17 ) put an end to all such Trade monopolies , ancl it became lawful , as well as possible , " for any person to carry on or deal in merchandise , and to carry on

and exercise any Trade or handicraft in any burgh , and elsewhere , in Scotland , without being a Burgess in such Burgh , or a Guild-brother , or a member of any Guild , Craft , or Incorporation . "

Otherwise , however , the ri ghts of the Incorporation remain intact , and B y Laws were adopted , in accordance with the new state of things in 18 49 ( latest edition being of 1892 ) ancl are duly printed after the Seal of Cause of 1600 .

An Assay House is still maintained bv the Incorporation , and every precaution is taken that the Aissayist shall not procure assistance in his work . In 17 81 there were four Essay Masters noted , and to prevent "fraudulent Essays , the door of said Essay House shall be sufficiently secured with anew lock of

lour throws , with a key to each throw . " The windows and ventheads were also grated to prevent access through such openings 'I he same number of Essay Masters continue , but means are now provided , under certain conditions , for the Essay to bc commuted lor a Fine , unless operatives desire the benefit of " Passing . " 'I he Coat of Arms is thus described in Anderson ' s " Armorial

of Scottish Trade Incorporations" ( Aberdeen ) . "Argent a chevron engrailed sable , between two Wri g ht ' s compasses expanded in chief , ancl a square and compasses conjoined in base , proper , on a chief or , on a pale of thc second between two

roses ( rules an escallop of thc first . " Motto " Join all in one . " " They have never been matriculated in the Herald ' s College , and heraldically , they are in some respects , incorrect . "

The Wrights Of Glasgow.

Thc earliest Roll of members extant , dates from 168 7 and then numbered 58 , in 188 9 they mustered so many as 59 6 . Thc meetings took place in various buildings , until of late years , when they have been , and still arc held in the Trades' Hall . The Stock Account , in 18 9 6 , shows Lands , and other Properties , to the extent of full y £ 33 , , including £ 102 for thc

Gold Medal and Chain , worn from thc year 1851 b y the Deacon ( an earlier Badge having long been missed ) . Over £ 1000 appears lo have been spent in providing Pensions and Educational Charges . & c , during lhat year , much to the credit of thc Incorporation , and for many years thc members have been laudably read y to respond to claims for Public objects in a most generous manner .

A Collection Box is still preserved which has the year 16 7 N painted upon the top , with 173 6 on one of the sides . It is considered to be at least 200 years old . The Deacon ' s Box is ol much later construction . They are both reproduced from a photogravure , which forms the frontispiece to the chief volume referred

to . Thc " Seal of Cause ' A . D . 1600 , is a handsome looking document and in fine condition . There is a complete Register of the names of Members from 18 39 , and an alphabetical List of Lhe members of the Incorporation from 1800 to 188 9 . Mr . James A . Reid has been the courteous Clerk from 1885 . W . J . HUGHAN .

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CHRISTIANCOMMUNITY. INSTITUTED BY THE HUGUENOTS , 1686 . H > r « i !> cnt-Slli ( JIOollUE WILLIAMS . | UlCC-lPl-M ^ CIlt-Tlll-: HAUL OF AUKKDKK . V , K . O . I ClcnsJlllCl-l ' . A . 1 IKVAN , KSQ . . ICailla-VS-MKSSItS . IIAUCI . AY & CO ., , 11 , I . OMIIAItl ) STHKKT , K . C . I IIKV . . I 01 IN l . lil'l'TON , D . IJ ., UoilOvaiA ! Sccictatfi . For Visiting and Preaching the Gospel in Workhouses and other Places . Also for regular Relief of the Poorest Classes met with in the localities where the Mission Halls aro situated . Tho following returns will show this kind of work for the past year . WJIK province of this Society in to preach the Gospel , and in oilier ways relieve two classes ; those who cannot , and tho . se who will not attend the ordinary places of worship . The work of pleaching und visitation is curried on hy over 450 Voluntary Workers of both sexes , who give tlieir time gratis . 2 . 323 Children and Adults taken into the country for u Bay . 15 , 000 Workhouse Inmates were visited every week in 540 Sent for a Week . 23 Workhouses , fnlirmarics . and Ciisuul Wards . 10 , 000 Workhouse fiiinutes entertained at Christmas with Concert ; 2-000 Lodging-house Inmates visited vvery week in Spitalfields . Buns and Oranges being also dist ributed . Notting Hill , Poplar , Boroiu . li , and Bastings . 3-500 Workhouse Inmates taken for u Day in the Forest ; 8 . Mission Halls entirely supported in which 4 , 000 Knlertained with Magic Lantern , & e . 2231 Homeless Men were received inlo the All-Nig ht Shelter . 191 , 296 Tracts , booklets , aud Periodicals distributed . 23 000 I freak fasts , Teas , Cocoa Suppers , & c ., given . 2 , 325 Attendances wero made by poor Widows , employed in 1293 Bread , Lodging and other Relief Tickets distributed . making Clothing . 23-100 Children ' s Dinners and Breakfasts provided . 800 Garments were made and sold last year . Contributions or Donations ( X . If . — Periodicals and Tracts are most useful , and may be seat to the Secretary ) can be paid into the Bank , to the Treasurer , or will be very gratefull y received by the Secretary , Mr . JAMES ATKIXIJOX , 01 , Rectory Road , Stoke Newington , N .