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Reviews.
Reviews .
GLEANINGS FROM THE BLUE . By a mistake in our review of this interesting little compilation last week , we stated that a review of the touching lines to H . I . M . tlie Empress Eugenie appeared in the Freemason . The quotation appeared in the " Masonic Magazine , " some time back . But wc fancy a short notice
of one of the monthly parts did appear in the brecmason . We are glad to be permitted to call renewed attention to the book , and to add that our esteemed Bro ., Dr . Brette , of Christ's Hospital , will be happy to supply all with copies who like to encourage rising merit and juvenile industry . We understand that a fuller notice is to appear in the December Magazine .
LA NOBLA LEYCZON . T . Grattan , Warwick-square , London , and W . Brough , 2 , Ethel-street , Birmingham . This is an edition of a curious Waldensian poem , in Provencal and Waldensian " patois , " with an English translation , lt seems to be well done , and the translation or rendering is very close . The subject is an interesting one in itselfinasmuch as the Waldensian teaching is said to have
, constituted one of the "Templar Secrets , " and some writers have liked . to find an affinity between Masonic and Waldensian meetings . We cannot go into thespecial matter of absolute Waldensian doctrines for various Masonic reasons , but certainly , as a study of the past and of language , the book deserves the close attention of the curious and the thoughtful . We have one fault to find with the editor , Rev .
R . H . Vickers , He does not give us either a "facsimile" of the MS ., nor docs he even tell us where the original MS . is preserved , two grave faults ; in fact , unpardonable by a student . He merely tells us that "thc date assigned to thc ' Nobla Lcyczon " ' is about 11 S 0 , but he does not give his authority , or any account of the MS ., itself , or any means , in fact , of proving such a dogmatic
statement . We should judge from his preface that the writer is a " non expert" in such matters , and has had little special study of thc subject . Thc mixing up of the "Troubadours" with the " Waldenses " is somewhat a stretch ofthe imagination ; and though wecannot commend the editing * of thebook , which is unscientific and unrealistic , the poem itself , if genuine , as we doubt not , has a twofold interest , as I have sought to point out , to Masonic students .
BEOWULF ; A POEM OF THE EIGHTH CENTURY . By THOMAS ARNOLD . Longman and Co . This " heroic poem , " as it has been termed , is an Anglo-Saxon poem , among the MSS . of the British Museum ; Vitellius a 15 , Cottonian MSS . It came into the great library of that somewhat unscrupulous collector , Sir R . Cotton , and seems first to have been mentioned by
Wanley in the second volume of Hickes ' s well-known " Thesaurus , " & c ., in 1705 . A Dane , Grim j . Thorkelin , first gave Beowulf to the world . It has since been frequently alluded to and commented on , and is in itself a most interesting study to lovers of old language , as its " vernacular" has all but utterly passed away . We may add it has engaged the attention ot Sharon Turner , of Conybeare and Kemble ,
of Leo , of Etmiiller , of Green and of Simrock , of Wackcrbath and Thorpe , of Rask , and Professor Morley . . It seems now to be clear that it was written by a Christian ecclesiastic in the early part of tbe eighth century , and preserves in its recital some of those Scandinavian Sagas which were once so dear to the Northern nations . Beyond its importance as a study of an old and now faded dialect , —thc earliest so far known of
Anglo-Saxon , —it perhaps is but " heavy work , " even for patient Masonic and bibliological dryasd usts . _ We need not worry ourselves as regards the theories of Ewald and Miillenhof as to the genuineness of this or that portion of the poem , but will merely add that we think thc patient reader may find not merely the existence of local or national , but world-wide Sagas in those mythic tales which seem to have a common origin in thc sentimental ideas and aspirations—the mental colouring and characteristic of the human race .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
ABBEY OF ARBROATH . Bro . Rylands , citing " Hays History of Arbroath '' ( 1 S 76 ) , p . 31 , states that in 17 S 9 , the Rev . George Gleig sent to General Hutton " an impression of a seal which was found among thc ruins of thc Abbey , and which was then used by the Lodge St . Thomas , of Arbroath , to seal the diplomas granted to their brethren . "
I apprehend that the seal alluded to is identical witn that of which a full description was given by the Rev . Charles Cordiner in his " Remarkable Ruins of North Britain , " [ London 17 SSJ . Of this seal , which forms one of the illustrations of the work , Mr . Cordiner observes : — " The figures sculptured on the seal marked initiation , evidently represent some formidable * ceremony in a sacred place ,
where a pontiff presides in state ; one hand on his breast expressive of seriousness , the other stretched out at a right angle , holding a rod and a cross , the badge of high office , while he makes some awful appeal respecting a suppliant , who , in a loose robe , blindfolded , with seeming terror kneels before the steps of an altar , while several attendants with drawn swords brandish them over his head . "
Thereverendauthor then proceeds to compare : thc figures depicted on the seal , with certain engravings in Masonic works , and suggests lhat the points of resemblance recall to memory a description which Plutarch , in his famous essay , " De Osiris , " gives of the engraving of a seal which the Priests of Isis used in their solemnities , namely , that of a man kneeling with his hands bound , a knife at his
throat . Krause reproduced the engraving of this seal in his " Kunsturkunden , " and it has also appeared in other publications . The opinion of Cordiner , that " Freemasonry , however mutilated or defaced , " was descended from the Mysteries , being in most cases quoted with approval .
. ¦// there is anything in this theory , the " seal of the ancient Abbey of Arbroath" is a most important connecting link between the Mysteries of the />« s < andthe Freemasonry of the present . If it can be shown that the Mysteries were retained under ecclesiastical sanction until so comparatively recent a period as the year 1178 , when the Abbey of
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Benedictine Monks at Arbroath was founded by William the Lion , then , I think , there is more in the view put forward by Fallou and Winzer , and , to a certain extent , adopted by Findel , than is apparent from the evidence or weight of authority discoverable in the writings of any one of these authors . Fallou asserts " that the form of initiation amongst thc stonemasons is * an imitation of the rite of consecration of
the Order of Benedictines . " Of the statutes of the German stonema . sons Findel remarks : * "These statutes ( 1459 ) . ' . . " . were discussed and agreed on at two assemblies of Masters and Fellows , held in the manner of a Chapter { 'in Kapitcls-wcise' ) " . " . . " . The expression "in Kapitelsweise , " which is used by no other Guild , is derived from the convent meetings of the Benedictine monks , which were termed " capitula " or " chapters . "
The expression "chapitres , " which occurs in the original Norman-French of the English Statutes , 34 Edw . III ., c . IX . ( 1360-61 ) , and 3 Hen . VI ., c . I . ( 1425 ) , is rendered as " chapters " and " chapiters " respectively in the early translations of the two enactments . Elsewhere [ " Four Old Lodges , " p . S 2 ] , I have shown that the word " chapitre " ( or " chapiter" ) was employed in our English
Acts of Parliament of the Middle Ages , to denote the illegal meetings , which , under the name of " conventicles , " were severely legislated against from the time of Edward III . down to that of Henry VIII . " Chapters , " or more properly " conventicles "—for the former term is only used in the statutes of pre-vernacular date—were secret and illegal meetings , common to all trades , f
It-ts to be carefully noted that in later Acts ol Parliament an entirely different meaning is attached to the term " conventicles , " and students of our statute book who may consult the index to those ponderous volumes , will find arranged under this title , a host of enactments directed against the habit of individuals meeting for religious
purposes in opposition to the law of the land . If Bro . Rylands is desirous of inquiring further into the history of Arbroath Abbey , one of the publications of the Bannatyne Club , press mark [ Brit . Mus . ] A . C . S 24 S-S 6 , Edinburgh , 1 S 4 S-56 , along with the work of Mr . Cordiner , will well repay examination . R . F . GOULD .
MASONS' COMPANY , 1537 . In the History and Antiquities of London , & c , by Thomas Allen , London , 1 S 2 S , vol . ii ., p . 343 , it is stated that " a curious record has been kindly communicated by J . Caley , Esq ., F . R . S ., F . S . A ., & c . It is a list of the freemen of the various companions resident in London and Westminster ; from Thomas Lewyn being mentioned as sheriff , it appears it was made in the year i ** 17 . The
original is in the Chapter House , Westminster . " Touching thc Pliament . The Companeys of all the Craftes or Mysteries of London . The seuerall companyes of all thc mystcryes , craftes , and occupaciones wi'in the citieof London , w ' the names of cury free man beyng householder w'in the same , ( first ) . " Of course the Company of Mercers heads the list , and on page 406 we find : —
"MASONS . 30 . " " ARMS . —Sa , on a chevron , between three towers ar , a pair of compasses of the first . CREST . —A tower as in the arms . MOTTO . — ' In the Lord is all our trust . ' The Company of Masons was originally incorporated 2 . Hen . II . 1411 , b y the name and style of 'The free masons . ' In 1474 William Hanckstow , Clarcncieux , kingj
at arms , granted them the arms of their society as borne at this time ; but the present Company act under the reincorporation granted by letters patent of the 12 th of Charles II ., on the 17 th September , 16 77 , by the name of ' The master , wardens , assistants , and commonality , of the company of masons of thc city of London . ' It is a livery company , governed by a master , two wardens ,
and twenty-two assistants . The marblers , an ancient fellowship , but not legally incorporated , was united to this community . Mason's-hall is situated in Mason's-alley , Basinghall-strcet , and is now rented by a carpet manufacturer . " A note is added to the Marblers : — "They appear to have been sculptors , and were much distinguished for their skill in carving figures on monuments and grave-stones . "
Of course the above forms no part of the original manuscript , but is added by Allen from the accounts given b y Seymour and Maitland , based on Stowe , copying all their misprints , Hanckestow for Hawkcslowe , and it would be well to know the authority for the statement that thc company was incorporated by the name and style of the free masons , 2 . Henry II ., 1411 . Of course Allen
follows Stowe here as to the date , and means the 12 th Hen . IV . The original grant of arms w'as made out in the 12 Edward IV ., and it seems possible that the statement has arisen from a confusion of thc names of the kings . There is no mention of free masons in this document , but they are styled the "Craftand Fellowship of Masons . " Allen ' s text continues , "The Names of the Company of
' ffreemasones , ' from the Record in thc Chapter House : " Robert Lynke . " John Paskyn . George Symson . John Howard . Mr . Elmer . Willm . Rigeway . Thomas Newell . John Richardson . John Orger . ( ohn Sorbett . Thomas West . Thomas Wilde .
Willm . Prybell . ffraunces Boone . Gabricll Caldham . Willm . Holmes . Henry Pestemede .. Thomas Blomefeld Willm . Jonson . Robert Hawtc . . Willm . Ashton . Edmond Raud . John Humfrey . Thomas Hawys .
Willm . Chamberlain . Symond Kyngffeld . Robert Sleeford . John Charter . Richard Mydilton . Richard Wolsham . Thomas Barker . Thomas Watson . Henry Mercer . Lewys Tucker . Robt . Smythe . Robert Prybell . " Gilbert Borffam . R
Masonic Notes And Queries.
LIST OF FREEMASON LODGES , Sic , IN PICART . A friend of mine having called my attention to this ' curious point—curious for various reasons—I think it well in turn to mention it again here , for information and study . 1 . There is some difficulty in knowing when the . plate dedicated to Lord Weymouth first appeared . Gough published the work weekly , by subscription , from 1733 . When the
original publication in Amsterdam first appeared is not quite clear , though I think about 1723 . In the Parisian edition of 1741 , edited by thc Abbes Banier and Mascrier , published by Rollin fits , though allusion is made to the " Dutch edition and the Dutch editor , " no date is given , though the editor talks of the work having been began twenty years before , as well as a reference to a letter
written by Jean f ' redenc Bernard , in 173 S , in which ho accuses the new editors of copying and suppressing , and which fact the Abbe Banier , " though he defends his own proceedure , practically admits . The point interesting to us is , that in this edition , vol . iii ., p . 2 S 6 , appears a famous picture , representing the inside of a lodge room , with groups of brethren clothed as Masons ,
and one with a collar ; a list of lodges , with apoitraitof Sir Richard Steele and his name , and Lord Weymouth ' s arms . There is no difficulty as regards the 1741 edition ; but the point is if the first edition was published in 1733 or 1723 , how could the arms of a Grand Master in 1735 appear ? As regards Gough , the third volume may not have appeared until 1735 , but how about the original Dutch edition ?
The writer of the 1741 , _ Paris edition , the' Abbe Mascrier says , I translate his words from the French : " Lastly , we have considered ourselves able to enter into some details as regards the subject of the Freemasons , and wc have formed a chapter expressly about that which this famous " coterie " established about fifty years since in England . We have composed it from various particulars contained in the " notes " of the first edition and
in the " supplement and additions " inserted at the end , as well as from some manuscript statements which have been suitable for this occasion , & c , & c . " Then the question immediately arises , when did this plate first appear , or when , in fact , was the first Dutch edition published ? If after 1735 , the difficulty vanishes : if before , it remains . Perhaps some brother student will look into this point , and collate and report in this column . MASONIC STUDENT .
SIR RICHARD STEELE . Can any light be thrown on the Masonic position , or connection of Sir Richard Steele or the above list ? In his cap he seems to wear some kind of jewel . Let me call Bro . Gould ' s attention to two points in the lists . He will note at Nos . 116 , 117 , and 120 the words " Master's Lodge . " Can the
minutes of these lodges be found ? He will also note that No . 115 , or the Devil ' s Tavern , the lodge is called "Scott ' s Masons Lodge . " Does not that explain the usage " Scot ' s Masons , " often found in minutes ? Are not the figures portraits of real personages ? I may add that while the picture in the third volume is at page 236 the essay is found at page 334 , and until 344 , and theessavon thc Rosicrucians later . MASONIC STUDENT .
QUEEN'S MASTER MASONS . The following , taken from a recently published work" An account of the ancient town of Frodsham , in Cheshire , by William Beamont Esq . "—may be interesting to some of your readers ( P . 11 S . ) 14 November , 43 Eliz . [ 1601 ] . — "The Queen granted to Henry Fletcher the office of master carpenter of all her works in the county of Chester ,
with thc usual wages and fees . " —[ Frodsham Church Books ] . All work at the castle would be done under the oversight of the -Bailiff , Sir John Savage . ( P . 119 ) 9 November , 44 Eliz . [ 1 G 02 ] . "The Queen granted to John Nicholson the office of master mason of all her buildings and works in Cheshire and Flintshire , with the fees and wages tothesamcbclonging . " —[ Frodsliam Church Books . ] W . H . R .
SIR CHRISTOPHER WREN . On looking over the Latin biography of Sir Christopher , and which is , Elmes tells us , amongst the Lansdownc MSS ., though he gives no reference , and which he publishes at page 414 , apparently partly written b y Sir Christopher Wren and partly by his son , there is no mention of his admission into Freemasonry . But I would
suggest that the Latin MS . be again carefully studied , as you never are sure , such is the inaccuracy of translators and collators , that you have the very words of the MS . In the list of the works of Sir Christopher Wren , at page 420 , I note that he was in and about London in 1663 , in 166 G , in 16 S 5 , and in 1691 , all dates of Masonic importance . I also see that Elmes declares he built Masons' Hall , "
formerly used by the Grand Lodge of Freemasons . " Can proof be given of this ? I will add that Elmes's work is under the fatal effect of great incohcrency of detail and want of proper method and order , and , above all , has no index . I note that Miss Phillimore has recently written a life of Sir Christopher Wren . Can any brother tell me what are the passages in it which relate to Sir Christopher Wren as a Freemason ? A MEMBER OF NO . 2 .
Verses.
VERSES .
[ The following translation of the pretty French verses , " Les Lilas , " alluded to in last Freemason , has been kindly sent to us , with the approval of Bro . Dr . Brette , by a young "Grecian" of Christ ' s Hospital , Mr . H . E . O . Edwards . They reflect great credit upon thc translator and versifier , and we are pleased to publish them in the Freemason , according to our promise . —ED . F . M . ] LILAC .
" Why , flower of Spring , why die when barely blown ? The rose and lily are thy sisters own , God destined thee amongst us now to bloom , Why lose thy splendour and thy sweet perfume ? " Thou ' rt born , giv'st joy awhile , and then dost pass , Leaving thc garden lone , thc thickets bare ; The butterfly in vain asks thee from space—In vain the sad eye seeks thee in thc air .
" But all on earth fulfil this destiny , And many a thing is born to fade and die ; Beauty , Youth , Love , incur a common doom : O fleeting charms , that yield our Sfcls delight , What life is ours without your radiance bri ght ? - — Fruit without savour , flower without perfume . "
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Reviews.
Reviews .
GLEANINGS FROM THE BLUE . By a mistake in our review of this interesting little compilation last week , we stated that a review of the touching lines to H . I . M . tlie Empress Eugenie appeared in the Freemason . The quotation appeared in the " Masonic Magazine , " some time back . But wc fancy a short notice
of one of the monthly parts did appear in the brecmason . We are glad to be permitted to call renewed attention to the book , and to add that our esteemed Bro ., Dr . Brette , of Christ's Hospital , will be happy to supply all with copies who like to encourage rising merit and juvenile industry . We understand that a fuller notice is to appear in the December Magazine .
LA NOBLA LEYCZON . T . Grattan , Warwick-square , London , and W . Brough , 2 , Ethel-street , Birmingham . This is an edition of a curious Waldensian poem , in Provencal and Waldensian " patois , " with an English translation , lt seems to be well done , and the translation or rendering is very close . The subject is an interesting one in itselfinasmuch as the Waldensian teaching is said to have
, constituted one of the "Templar Secrets , " and some writers have liked . to find an affinity between Masonic and Waldensian meetings . We cannot go into thespecial matter of absolute Waldensian doctrines for various Masonic reasons , but certainly , as a study of the past and of language , the book deserves the close attention of the curious and the thoughtful . We have one fault to find with the editor , Rev .
R . H . Vickers , He does not give us either a "facsimile" of the MS ., nor docs he even tell us where the original MS . is preserved , two grave faults ; in fact , unpardonable by a student . He merely tells us that "thc date assigned to thc ' Nobla Lcyczon " ' is about 11 S 0 , but he does not give his authority , or any account of the MS ., itself , or any means , in fact , of proving such a dogmatic
statement . We should judge from his preface that the writer is a " non expert" in such matters , and has had little special study of thc subject . Thc mixing up of the "Troubadours" with the " Waldenses " is somewhat a stretch ofthe imagination ; and though wecannot commend the editing * of thebook , which is unscientific and unrealistic , the poem itself , if genuine , as we doubt not , has a twofold interest , as I have sought to point out , to Masonic students .
BEOWULF ; A POEM OF THE EIGHTH CENTURY . By THOMAS ARNOLD . Longman and Co . This " heroic poem , " as it has been termed , is an Anglo-Saxon poem , among the MSS . of the British Museum ; Vitellius a 15 , Cottonian MSS . It came into the great library of that somewhat unscrupulous collector , Sir R . Cotton , and seems first to have been mentioned by
Wanley in the second volume of Hickes ' s well-known " Thesaurus , " & c ., in 1705 . A Dane , Grim j . Thorkelin , first gave Beowulf to the world . It has since been frequently alluded to and commented on , and is in itself a most interesting study to lovers of old language , as its " vernacular" has all but utterly passed away . We may add it has engaged the attention ot Sharon Turner , of Conybeare and Kemble ,
of Leo , of Etmiiller , of Green and of Simrock , of Wackcrbath and Thorpe , of Rask , and Professor Morley . . It seems now to be clear that it was written by a Christian ecclesiastic in the early part of tbe eighth century , and preserves in its recital some of those Scandinavian Sagas which were once so dear to the Northern nations . Beyond its importance as a study of an old and now faded dialect , —thc earliest so far known of
Anglo-Saxon , —it perhaps is but " heavy work , " even for patient Masonic and bibliological dryasd usts . _ We need not worry ourselves as regards the theories of Ewald and Miillenhof as to the genuineness of this or that portion of the poem , but will merely add that we think thc patient reader may find not merely the existence of local or national , but world-wide Sagas in those mythic tales which seem to have a common origin in thc sentimental ideas and aspirations—the mental colouring and characteristic of the human race .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
ABBEY OF ARBROATH . Bro . Rylands , citing " Hays History of Arbroath '' ( 1 S 76 ) , p . 31 , states that in 17 S 9 , the Rev . George Gleig sent to General Hutton " an impression of a seal which was found among thc ruins of thc Abbey , and which was then used by the Lodge St . Thomas , of Arbroath , to seal the diplomas granted to their brethren . "
I apprehend that the seal alluded to is identical witn that of which a full description was given by the Rev . Charles Cordiner in his " Remarkable Ruins of North Britain , " [ London 17 SSJ . Of this seal , which forms one of the illustrations of the work , Mr . Cordiner observes : — " The figures sculptured on the seal marked initiation , evidently represent some formidable * ceremony in a sacred place ,
where a pontiff presides in state ; one hand on his breast expressive of seriousness , the other stretched out at a right angle , holding a rod and a cross , the badge of high office , while he makes some awful appeal respecting a suppliant , who , in a loose robe , blindfolded , with seeming terror kneels before the steps of an altar , while several attendants with drawn swords brandish them over his head . "
Thereverendauthor then proceeds to compare : thc figures depicted on the seal , with certain engravings in Masonic works , and suggests lhat the points of resemblance recall to memory a description which Plutarch , in his famous essay , " De Osiris , " gives of the engraving of a seal which the Priests of Isis used in their solemnities , namely , that of a man kneeling with his hands bound , a knife at his
throat . Krause reproduced the engraving of this seal in his " Kunsturkunden , " and it has also appeared in other publications . The opinion of Cordiner , that " Freemasonry , however mutilated or defaced , " was descended from the Mysteries , being in most cases quoted with approval .
. ¦// there is anything in this theory , the " seal of the ancient Abbey of Arbroath" is a most important connecting link between the Mysteries of the />« s < andthe Freemasonry of the present . If it can be shown that the Mysteries were retained under ecclesiastical sanction until so comparatively recent a period as the year 1178 , when the Abbey of
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Benedictine Monks at Arbroath was founded by William the Lion , then , I think , there is more in the view put forward by Fallou and Winzer , and , to a certain extent , adopted by Findel , than is apparent from the evidence or weight of authority discoverable in the writings of any one of these authors . Fallou asserts " that the form of initiation amongst thc stonemasons is * an imitation of the rite of consecration of
the Order of Benedictines . " Of the statutes of the German stonema . sons Findel remarks : * "These statutes ( 1459 ) . ' . . " . were discussed and agreed on at two assemblies of Masters and Fellows , held in the manner of a Chapter { 'in Kapitcls-wcise' ) " . " . . " . The expression "in Kapitelsweise , " which is used by no other Guild , is derived from the convent meetings of the Benedictine monks , which were termed " capitula " or " chapters . "
The expression "chapitres , " which occurs in the original Norman-French of the English Statutes , 34 Edw . III ., c . IX . ( 1360-61 ) , and 3 Hen . VI ., c . I . ( 1425 ) , is rendered as " chapters " and " chapiters " respectively in the early translations of the two enactments . Elsewhere [ " Four Old Lodges , " p . S 2 ] , I have shown that the word " chapitre " ( or " chapiter" ) was employed in our English
Acts of Parliament of the Middle Ages , to denote the illegal meetings , which , under the name of " conventicles , " were severely legislated against from the time of Edward III . down to that of Henry VIII . " Chapters , " or more properly " conventicles "—for the former term is only used in the statutes of pre-vernacular date—were secret and illegal meetings , common to all trades , f
It-ts to be carefully noted that in later Acts ol Parliament an entirely different meaning is attached to the term " conventicles , " and students of our statute book who may consult the index to those ponderous volumes , will find arranged under this title , a host of enactments directed against the habit of individuals meeting for religious
purposes in opposition to the law of the land . If Bro . Rylands is desirous of inquiring further into the history of Arbroath Abbey , one of the publications of the Bannatyne Club , press mark [ Brit . Mus . ] A . C . S 24 S-S 6 , Edinburgh , 1 S 4 S-56 , along with the work of Mr . Cordiner , will well repay examination . R . F . GOULD .
MASONS' COMPANY , 1537 . In the History and Antiquities of London , & c , by Thomas Allen , London , 1 S 2 S , vol . ii ., p . 343 , it is stated that " a curious record has been kindly communicated by J . Caley , Esq ., F . R . S ., F . S . A ., & c . It is a list of the freemen of the various companions resident in London and Westminster ; from Thomas Lewyn being mentioned as sheriff , it appears it was made in the year i ** 17 . The
original is in the Chapter House , Westminster . " Touching thc Pliament . The Companeys of all the Craftes or Mysteries of London . The seuerall companyes of all thc mystcryes , craftes , and occupaciones wi'in the citieof London , w ' the names of cury free man beyng householder w'in the same , ( first ) . " Of course the Company of Mercers heads the list , and on page 406 we find : —
"MASONS . 30 . " " ARMS . —Sa , on a chevron , between three towers ar , a pair of compasses of the first . CREST . —A tower as in the arms . MOTTO . — ' In the Lord is all our trust . ' The Company of Masons was originally incorporated 2 . Hen . II . 1411 , b y the name and style of 'The free masons . ' In 1474 William Hanckstow , Clarcncieux , kingj
at arms , granted them the arms of their society as borne at this time ; but the present Company act under the reincorporation granted by letters patent of the 12 th of Charles II ., on the 17 th September , 16 77 , by the name of ' The master , wardens , assistants , and commonality , of the company of masons of thc city of London . ' It is a livery company , governed by a master , two wardens ,
and twenty-two assistants . The marblers , an ancient fellowship , but not legally incorporated , was united to this community . Mason's-hall is situated in Mason's-alley , Basinghall-strcet , and is now rented by a carpet manufacturer . " A note is added to the Marblers : — "They appear to have been sculptors , and were much distinguished for their skill in carving figures on monuments and grave-stones . "
Of course the above forms no part of the original manuscript , but is added by Allen from the accounts given b y Seymour and Maitland , based on Stowe , copying all their misprints , Hanckestow for Hawkcslowe , and it would be well to know the authority for the statement that thc company was incorporated by the name and style of the free masons , 2 . Henry II ., 1411 . Of course Allen
follows Stowe here as to the date , and means the 12 th Hen . IV . The original grant of arms w'as made out in the 12 Edward IV ., and it seems possible that the statement has arisen from a confusion of thc names of the kings . There is no mention of free masons in this document , but they are styled the "Craftand Fellowship of Masons . " Allen ' s text continues , "The Names of the Company of
' ffreemasones , ' from the Record in thc Chapter House : " Robert Lynke . " John Paskyn . George Symson . John Howard . Mr . Elmer . Willm . Rigeway . Thomas Newell . John Richardson . John Orger . ( ohn Sorbett . Thomas West . Thomas Wilde .
Willm . Prybell . ffraunces Boone . Gabricll Caldham . Willm . Holmes . Henry Pestemede .. Thomas Blomefeld Willm . Jonson . Robert Hawtc . . Willm . Ashton . Edmond Raud . John Humfrey . Thomas Hawys .
Willm . Chamberlain . Symond Kyngffeld . Robert Sleeford . John Charter . Richard Mydilton . Richard Wolsham . Thomas Barker . Thomas Watson . Henry Mercer . Lewys Tucker . Robt . Smythe . Robert Prybell . " Gilbert Borffam . R
Masonic Notes And Queries.
LIST OF FREEMASON LODGES , Sic , IN PICART . A friend of mine having called my attention to this ' curious point—curious for various reasons—I think it well in turn to mention it again here , for information and study . 1 . There is some difficulty in knowing when the . plate dedicated to Lord Weymouth first appeared . Gough published the work weekly , by subscription , from 1733 . When the
original publication in Amsterdam first appeared is not quite clear , though I think about 1723 . In the Parisian edition of 1741 , edited by thc Abbes Banier and Mascrier , published by Rollin fits , though allusion is made to the " Dutch edition and the Dutch editor , " no date is given , though the editor talks of the work having been began twenty years before , as well as a reference to a letter
written by Jean f ' redenc Bernard , in 173 S , in which ho accuses the new editors of copying and suppressing , and which fact the Abbe Banier , " though he defends his own proceedure , practically admits . The point interesting to us is , that in this edition , vol . iii ., p . 2 S 6 , appears a famous picture , representing the inside of a lodge room , with groups of brethren clothed as Masons ,
and one with a collar ; a list of lodges , with apoitraitof Sir Richard Steele and his name , and Lord Weymouth ' s arms . There is no difficulty as regards the 1741 edition ; but the point is if the first edition was published in 1733 or 1723 , how could the arms of a Grand Master in 1735 appear ? As regards Gough , the third volume may not have appeared until 1735 , but how about the original Dutch edition ?
The writer of the 1741 , _ Paris edition , the' Abbe Mascrier says , I translate his words from the French : " Lastly , we have considered ourselves able to enter into some details as regards the subject of the Freemasons , and wc have formed a chapter expressly about that which this famous " coterie " established about fifty years since in England . We have composed it from various particulars contained in the " notes " of the first edition and
in the " supplement and additions " inserted at the end , as well as from some manuscript statements which have been suitable for this occasion , & c , & c . " Then the question immediately arises , when did this plate first appear , or when , in fact , was the first Dutch edition published ? If after 1735 , the difficulty vanishes : if before , it remains . Perhaps some brother student will look into this point , and collate and report in this column . MASONIC STUDENT .
SIR RICHARD STEELE . Can any light be thrown on the Masonic position , or connection of Sir Richard Steele or the above list ? In his cap he seems to wear some kind of jewel . Let me call Bro . Gould ' s attention to two points in the lists . He will note at Nos . 116 , 117 , and 120 the words " Master's Lodge . " Can the
minutes of these lodges be found ? He will also note that No . 115 , or the Devil ' s Tavern , the lodge is called "Scott ' s Masons Lodge . " Does not that explain the usage " Scot ' s Masons , " often found in minutes ? Are not the figures portraits of real personages ? I may add that while the picture in the third volume is at page 236 the essay is found at page 334 , and until 344 , and theessavon thc Rosicrucians later . MASONIC STUDENT .
QUEEN'S MASTER MASONS . The following , taken from a recently published work" An account of the ancient town of Frodsham , in Cheshire , by William Beamont Esq . "—may be interesting to some of your readers ( P . 11 S . ) 14 November , 43 Eliz . [ 1601 ] . — "The Queen granted to Henry Fletcher the office of master carpenter of all her works in the county of Chester ,
with thc usual wages and fees . " —[ Frodsham Church Books ] . All work at the castle would be done under the oversight of the -Bailiff , Sir John Savage . ( P . 119 ) 9 November , 44 Eliz . [ 1 G 02 ] . "The Queen granted to John Nicholson the office of master mason of all her buildings and works in Cheshire and Flintshire , with the fees and wages tothesamcbclonging . " —[ Frodsliam Church Books . ] W . H . R .
SIR CHRISTOPHER WREN . On looking over the Latin biography of Sir Christopher , and which is , Elmes tells us , amongst the Lansdownc MSS ., though he gives no reference , and which he publishes at page 414 , apparently partly written b y Sir Christopher Wren and partly by his son , there is no mention of his admission into Freemasonry . But I would
suggest that the Latin MS . be again carefully studied , as you never are sure , such is the inaccuracy of translators and collators , that you have the very words of the MS . In the list of the works of Sir Christopher Wren , at page 420 , I note that he was in and about London in 1663 , in 166 G , in 16 S 5 , and in 1691 , all dates of Masonic importance . I also see that Elmes declares he built Masons' Hall , "
formerly used by the Grand Lodge of Freemasons . " Can proof be given of this ? I will add that Elmes's work is under the fatal effect of great incohcrency of detail and want of proper method and order , and , above all , has no index . I note that Miss Phillimore has recently written a life of Sir Christopher Wren . Can any brother tell me what are the passages in it which relate to Sir Christopher Wren as a Freemason ? A MEMBER OF NO . 2 .
Verses.
VERSES .
[ The following translation of the pretty French verses , " Les Lilas , " alluded to in last Freemason , has been kindly sent to us , with the approval of Bro . Dr . Brette , by a young "Grecian" of Christ ' s Hospital , Mr . H . E . O . Edwards . They reflect great credit upon thc translator and versifier , and we are pleased to publish them in the Freemason , according to our promise . —ED . F . M . ] LILAC .
" Why , flower of Spring , why die when barely blown ? The rose and lily are thy sisters own , God destined thee amongst us now to bloom , Why lose thy splendour and thy sweet perfume ? " Thou ' rt born , giv'st joy awhile , and then dost pass , Leaving thc garden lone , thc thickets bare ; The butterfly in vain asks thee from space—In vain the sad eye seeks thee in thc air .
" But all on earth fulfil this destiny , And many a thing is born to fade and die ; Beauty , Youth , Love , incur a common doom : O fleeting charms , that yield our Sfcls delight , What life is ours without your radiance bri ght ? - — Fruit without savour , flower without perfume . "