The Poet Burns.

ment I have just quoted is contradicted by Bro . Macken-Kie ' s own history . At page 13 of the history , a list is given of the office bearers of the lodge , from 1734 downwards , and according to that list , Bro . Charles More held the office of D . M . between 17 S 4 and 17 S 7 only . But , really , that circumstance , assuming it to be true , proves nothing as to this question , for between 17 S 7 and 1 S 15 the minutes

of the lodge contain no statement on the subject ! They are all silent as to Burns , and the grand gathering of his "Inauguration !" Bro . Mackenzie finds fault with , and s ; eks to throw ridicule on , me for stating " that if no meetings were held on the dates that Burns paid his flying visits to Edinburgh he could not have attended any , " and he adds " This is

delightful ! " What does my friend mean ? Does he really contend that Burns did attend lodge meetings which were ¦ never held } I am not in the least " confused about the phraseology of the minute of the lodge of November 12 , 1 S 45 . " I simply noticed the somewhat singular fact ( hat that minute as quoted by Bro . Marshall , was in terms different from

those quoted by Bro . Mackenzie ; but I readily adopt his quotation as the correct one , and in doing so I cannot help expressing my fear that he is not so wary a controversialist as the author of "A Winter with Robert Burns , " for Bro . Mackenzie gives particulars which enables one to check the accuracy of the statements in the minute , which Bro . Marshall more adroitly suppresses .

As quoted by Bro . Mackenzie , the minute states that Bro . William Campbell , Writer to her Majesty's Signet , that is , an Edinburgh solicitor , "had had many opportunities of giving testimony " in favour of Burns having been inaugurated as the Poet Laureate of the lodge , and that he had never "been in a lodge ro ^ m with Robert Burns , but he had travelled in his company , and spent two of the

most happy days with him at Auchtertyre Castle . " Now , this statement shows that the fact of Burns having been Poet Laureate of the lodge had been , prior to 1 S 45 , frequently called in question , for otherwise Bro . Campbell would not have "had many opportunities of giving testimony " in its favour ! It is thus seen that the allegation has , after all , been challenged from an early date .

The records of the Society of Writers to the Signet instruct that Bro . VV . Campbell was born in 177 6 , and we are told that he was a travelling companion of the Post ' s in 17 S 7 , when he was in his elevcnthyear ! and that at Auchtertyre in 17 S 7 he "spent two of the most happy days ! " Is it credible that Burns asscciated himself with , and made a companion and friend of , a child , and took that child as a

companion on this long journey , which , by the way , was made on horseback ? _ But Bro . Campbell ' s statement is contradicted by all the biographers of Burns , who state that he made this journey in company with Dr . Adair only , and Bro . Mackenzie himself , in . his history ( p . 115 ) , says the same thing . In Dr . Adair ' s own account of it he states " Burns and I left

Edinburgh together in August , 1787 . We rode by Linlithgow and Carron to Stirling . We visited the Ironworks at Carron , with which the Poet was forcibly struck , " and so on . Bro . Campbell ' s name is never mentioned as having accompanied them , nor is his presence at Auchtertyre referred to . The statement that Bro . Campbell " spent two of the most happy days with him" ( Burns ) , shows an

intimacy between the two which would have led to some notice having been taken of Campbell by the Po ^ t and Dr . Adair in their writings , had such existed ; and the expression is not such as would have been used by one who was but a child when the intercourse to which it refers occurred . If , then , it be untrue that Bro . Campbell travelled with

the Poet , as the minute of the lodge states , no reliance can be placed otherwise on his testimony . The statement that Hogg , the Ettrick Shepherd , esteemed it a compliment to succeed Burns as the Poet Laureate of the lodge , does not instruct the fact that Burns held that office . Hogg did not know whether Burns had done so or not ; and he avoids saying so . All that he did

say ( history , page 203 ) was "the W . M . has alluded to myself as being the successor of Robert Burns . " The statement is thus not Hogg ' s , but the W . M . 's , and we have seen in this correspondence that he , Bro . McNeill , knew nothing personally about the matter . But , if Burns did hold the office of Poet Laureate of the lodge , why was the office not declared annually vacant , and Burns

rejected to it , as was done with all the other offices of the lodge , and , on the Poet's death , why was the vacancy caused by that lamented event not filled up until 39 years after it ? _ These are significant facts which neither Bro . Mackenzie nor Bro . Marshall have found it convenient to explain ! . And what has the fact founded on by Bro . Mackenzie to

do with the present enquiry that Burns' memory at Hogg ' s installation was " proposed by a learned brotner of high attainments , " and that Dr . Burnes " begged to acknowled ge himself a relative , though distant , of the immortal Burns ? " I fail to see that it has the least bearing on th ' s controversy . Bro . Mackenzie affects ignorance of Bro . Murray Lyon ' s

reasons for believing that Burns was not the Poet Laureate ™ No . 2 , and states that the grounds of his opinion " will he looked for with interest . " II Bro . Mackenzie will kindly » ke the trouble to open his own history , at page 116 , he W | ll there find a letter from Bro . Murray Lyon , in which are given generally the "reasons" which have led the well-informed author of Freemasinry in Scotland " to find thatit

is " aserious mistake" tosiy that Burns was " elected " and "installed " Poet Laureate of the lodge . Bro . Murray Lyon ' s " reasons " are as follows : " It is not my object to 0 e preciate any lodge in regard to its association with eini-F . " 1 ' characters . 1 have , in noticing Burns ' connection with [_ S , p anongate Kilwinning , stated the following facts : ist " -that Burns was assumed a member of the lodge Februp . ist , 1787 ; 2 nd—That February 9 th , 1 S 15 , Burns is Jjesignated ( for the first time ) Poet Laureate of the . . . ? ! 3 rd—Canongate Kilwinr . ins records contain no

vidence of Burns being elected Poet Laureate , or of his aving been installed as such as represented in the picture Painted by Stewart Watson . " . These reasons are surely sui ncient . t L ~ . ° - Mackenzie appeals to me to say whether I think 181 v bre " lren ' membersof the lodge , who subscribed in hav . watds the erection of the Burns' mausoleum would , ^ S'ven such subscriptions unless in the belief that he ( i ; , ™ laureate of their lodge . My answer is , that I IK they would have done so . Burns' reputation as a «•° at national Bard was then atits height , and these gentle-

The Poet Burns.

men , knowing that he had been assumed a member of their lodge , were induced , no doubt , the more readily to subscribe . While I deny the statement that Burns held the office cf Poet Laureate of the lodge and believe that it has been disproved , I by no means accuse the members of the lodge of wilful misrepresentation . Members of lodges are

fleeting bodies , in so far as their active connection with particular lodges are concerned ; and facts in connection with lodges are often too readily assumed by their members as true without much inquiry . The whole story as to this matter has been one of gradual growth ; and the fact of Burns having been assumed a member of the lodge gradually turned into a statement that he had been its Poet

Laureate ! But it was not until Bro . Marshal ! directed his ingenuity to the matter lhat it was said that Burns had been " elected" and "inaugurated" into that office ! It was Bro . Marshall and Bro . Stewart Watson , the painter of the picture illustrating the alleged event , who , in 1 S 45 , conceived and originated the grand gathering of 17 S 7 . Trie "inauguration" was never heard of until then . Up to

that date it had been simply said that Burns had held the office of Poet Laureate of the lodge , but no one assorted that he had been installed into office at the alleged grand gathering of ist March , 1787 . Bro . Marshall , as one sees , was familiarly acquainted with Burns literature ; he quotes largely from it , even from the account published by Professor Dugald Stewart , to which in former letters I have

referred . None of these writings make the slightest reference to the honour said to have been conferred on the Poet , and Bro . Marshall must have seen from them its entire improbability . We , besides , find him , for his own purposes , misquoting the minute ot the lodge of 12 th November , 1 S 45 , and making many assertions manufactured for his story . It is thus impossible to acquit him of the charge of

wilful and gross concoction . In concluding this controversy , for I presume all has been said on it by both sides which can be said , I have to assure Bro . Mackenzie that I have not entered into it through any unkindly feeling towards either himself or his lodge , but purely from a desire to correct a mistaken belief in an alleged interesting matter in connection with Scottish

Masonic history . I have had ample opportunities of examining the minute books of the lodge ; they were placed into my possession , and underwent at my hands no " cursory glance . " Having been at much pains to unravel the story , my object has been to place on record the result of my investigation for general information and future reference . —Yours fraternally , WILLIAM OFFICER , Past Grand Deacon of Scotland .

The Gould Testimonial.

THE GOULD TESTIMONIAL .

The South Australian Freemason of March 7 th has the following : " We beg to direct the attention of the members of the South Australian Constitution to a movemer . t now afoot in England to present a testimonial to Bro . Gould , the Masonic historian . A very large and highly influential Committee , of which Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master ,

is Chairman , have taken the matter in . hand . Individual subscriptions are limited to one guinea , lodges or other bodies contributing that or any larger amount . Bro . Dr . Ralph Gooding , P . G . D ., is Hon . Sec . and ' ad interim ' Treasurer , and subscriptions may be forwarded to his address , Heath Lodge , the Grove , Blackheath , near Lendon . Bro . Gauld has been engaged in Masonic

literary efforts for the last 30 years , his principal woiks being ' The Four Old Lodges , ' ' The Atholl Lodges , ' and the ' History of Freemasonry . ' This last is the most valuable addition to the literature of the Order ever produced , and , both from its completeness and the extent , as well as reliableness of the inlormation it coi . tains , will ever be

regarded as the best authority extant on the origin 01 Freemasonry and its kindred societies . VVe trust the brethren will not fail to subscribe to so worthy an object . " The Madras Masonic Record for March , 1 SS 9 ( No . 1 , Vol . 1 . ) also notices the " Testimonial " in a very iriendly manner , and furnishes particulars as to the method of subscribing , & c .

Presentation To Bro. James Macdonald, J.W. 1910.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . JAMES MACDONALD , J . W . 1910 .

Bro . James MacDonald ( of the firm of John Walker and Co ., Publisheis ) , J . VV . of Shadwell Clerke Lodge , No , 1910 , who was married at Biixton Independent Chuich on the 12 th inst ., has been presented by his employes with a very handsome pair of bronzes , replica models of

the famous Cheveaux du Marly at Paris , and an Assiette Moute ; and Plateau . Bio . James Thomson , Hendon Lodge , No . 2206 , the manager of the establishment , made the presentation in the following speech , Bro . MacDonald being unaware that Bro . Thomson had lately become a member of the Craft ! Mr . MacDonald . —Sir , the employes of Farringdon

House desire to offer you their sincere congratulations upon your entering into the mysteries and piivileges of matiimony , and this representative deputation has been appointed to wait upon you and request the honour of your acceptance of a wedding pressnt which has been most heartily subscribed for by the employes of Messrs . John Walker and Co . at home and abroad , in every

department and of every rank and grade in the establishment , as you know numbering some 200 . I have had the honour of being requested to make the presentation to you , and to assure you that the token is accompanied by every hearty good wish for your future happiness and prosperity . And while congratulating yourself we do not forget the lady , whom we hope may long be spared in health and

felicity , as your better half , and you as her husband . Being Mr . Walker ' s sister , she is already known to several of us , but I can perhaps claim the longest acquaintance , dating , as it does , from my childhood , and it is a pleasure to know that you are taking a partner for your joys and sadnesses a lady of whom everyone who knows her testifies

to her very superior character and great kindliness of nature . We are pleased to see Mr . Walker by your side at the present time , and we trust you may both long be spared to carry on the ever increasingly famous firm of John Walker and Co ., and with even greater success than heretofore . As Mr . Walker ' s partner we esteem you as a

Presentation To Bro. James Macdonald, J.W. 1910.

just , upright , and free hearted gentleman , of sound judgment and strict commercial morality , and as it is the hope of reward that sweetens all labour , it is a pleasure to work for masters who at all times encourage their servants to place every reliance upon their integrity , so that , as servants , they may faithfully and willingly perform their allotted duties and accept their wages without scruple or

diffidence . I do not expect you anticipated a long speech from me , but rather look upon this as an occasion for a " discreet haudin o' the tongue ; " but we have few such opportunities as this , and if I have veiled some of the sentiments I have been asked to express in allegory , they are at least happily illustrated by these symbols of our esteem and respect for yourself , both as our employer and

as our friend , and upon behalf of my co-workers in this busy hive I beg your acceptance of this pair of bronzes , and of this flower-stand , as a marriage present from the employes of Farringdon House . In reply , Bro . MACDONALD , who spoke with much emotion , said : Well , kind friends a . l—I scarcely know how to express my feelings , but I should require to be some

other man than James MacDonald were I not to feel greatly touched and deeply grateful for receiving frum you on this great occasion this truly handsome and magnificent gift ; but handsome and magnificent as this present undoubtedly is , 1 do assure you I prize far more the kindly feeling in which it is given than I do the gift itself . Such feeling is creditable alike to giver and receiver . I am painfully aware that

I scarcely half deserve the many compliments so eloquently paid me by Mr . Thomson , and so warmly endorsed by you all . That you should have paid me this great compliment on the occasion of my marriage is especially gratifying , and when I come to describe this scene to her—who by to-morrow I shall call by the proud name of wife—I feel sure she will be proud of you , and , I hope , a trifle proud of

myself . This present ought to cover a multitude of shortcomings , which even the best of wives discover in their h usbands , and with this testimonial ever before my wife's eyes I hope I shall have complete immunity from all punishment . Now , I am pleased to tell you that , with the concurrence of my old friend and partner , Mr . Walker , business operations will be suspended to-morrow afternoon .

Mr . Thomson will give you particulars of the closing . Now , finally , I thank you all most sincerely . It is quite impossible for me ever to forget this , and there can be no doubt lhat the present very cordial relationships between us and yourselves will remain to the end of all chapters . Mr . WALKER ( Bro . MacDonald ' s partner ) , in a few words , thanked the subscribers for their generous gift , and next day the warehouse was closed .

The Late Bro. General Brown Rigg, C.B.

THE LATE BRO . GENERAL BROWN RIGG , C . B .

The following circular has been addressed to the members of the Ancient and Accepted Rite , from the Grand East of the Supreme Council , 33 , Golden-square , by Bro . Hugh D . Sandeman , G . Secretary General : — " Dear Sir and Brother ,

"It is with very d ^ ep sorrow that the Supreme council 33 , have to announce the death of their friend and colleague , General John Studholme Brownrigg , C . B ., who departed this life on the morning of the ist inst ., at Colombo , on his way home from Australia , where he had gone in the autumn of last year for the benefit of his health . Bro . Brownrigg's name was well known in the Masonic Craft ; he was admitted into the Order in the year

1 S 43 , was appointed Senior Grand Warden in 1 S 5 S , and Provincial Grand Master for Surrey in 1 S 71 . He became a Member of the Supreme Council 33 in 187 S , since which date he always proved himself a most active and useful Member of our Body . The Members of the Ancient and Accepted Rite within this jurisdiction will appear in mourning within their Chapters for a period of sixty days from the receipt of this circular . —I am , dear Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally ,

" HUGH D . SANDEMAN , Grand Secretary General 33 . 33 , Golden-square , London , W ., ioth April , iSSo . ' " '

Masonic Presentation At Stalybridge.

MASONIC PRESENTATION AT STALYBRIDGE .

On Monday evening , the Sth inst ., the monthly meeting of the Stamford and Warrington Lodge , No . 1408 , was held at the Masonic Rooms , Market-street . The VV . M ., Bro . A . WAINWRIGHT , at the close of the usual business , said they had a very pleasant duty to perform , and he had great pleasure in asking Bro . R . Garside , P . M ., to undertake the ceremony of presenting Bro . Norris , Treasurer of the lodge , with a Masonic jewel .

Bro . GARSIDE said it was with extreme pleasure that he , on behalf of the brethren of the lodge , presented to their worthy and respected Treasurer , Bro . J . Norris , a Treasurer ' s jewel as a small token of the respect and esteem in which he was held by the brethren of the lodge , and as a sign of the appreciation of his services as Treasurer to the lodge during the last 13 years . He might say that

each subscribing brother had fieely contributed towards the presentation , showing in a high degree the universal good feeling towards Bro . Noriis . In placing the jewel on the latter ' s breast , Bro . Garside expressed the hope that he might live long to enjoy the wearing of it . Bro . NORRIS , who was taken by surprise , asked for a litle time to think before replying , " as the wind had been

taken completely out of his sails . " Subsequently he thanked the brethren for their unexpected kindness , and also assured them that all he had done for the lodge was a labour of love . He need hard' . y tell them , he added , that he should continue to do all he could to secure its future prosperity , and for the prosperity of Freemasonry in general . When he looked on the splendid work of art he

had received from them , it would be an incentive and encouragement to him in whatever work he was hereafter called upon to discharge . He thanked them one and all . The brethren then sat down to an excellent supper , the usual Masonic toasts followed , and a most pleasant

evening was spent . The jewel , we may add , is of gold , specially designed and manufactured by Bro . George Kenning , of Manchester and London . The inscription on the back reads " Presented to Bro . Norris , by the brethren of the Stamford and Warrington Lodge , No . 140 S . April Sth , iSSg . "