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< rrcat interest in the Girls' School , to which , on his death in 1818 , ho bequeathed £ 500 Consols , a like sum being' given to the Fund of Benevolence , and £ 300 to found a Prestonian Lectureship . Among the entries for 1776 are those of Bro . Rowland Berkeley , o ni-edecessor of Heseltinc in the office of Grand Treasurer , and Bro .
Bartholomew Ruspini , the beneficent founder of our Girls' School . Bro . Rusp ini's Masonic career has been so recently described in the Freemason in connection with the Centenary- of our senior Charity , that ifc is unnecessary to say more than that ho was a member and V M of the Royal Lodge , and a founder of the Lodgo of the Nino Muses
and thc Prince of AVales Lodge , and that during all the years that Geoi'i'e Prince of Wales was Grand Master he held tho office of Grand Sword Bearer . In 1777 I find the name of Bro . the Rev . A . H . Eccles , some timo Grand Chajilain of the " Moderns , " and a little further on , but with the year 1771 against it , that of the learned Bro . John Noorthouck , editor of the Book of Constitutions of 1784 .
The late Bro . Oliver , in his " Revelations of a Square , " speaks of Noorthouck as a " clever and intelligent man and expert Mason , " while in "Kenning ' s Cyclopaedia" it is said that " of his Masonio life little is known , or even , we believe , to what lodge he belonged . " Therefore , though the value of a sketchy narrative of this kind is comparatively small , it is satisfactory to know that it contains one of Mm missinc links in the career of this learned brother .
The entries for the year 1790 include the names of Bro . the Hon . Arthur St . Leger , a member of the family to which the Hon . Mrs . Aldworth , the famous lad y Freemason , belonged , and Bro . William Birch , a S . G . AV ., a great friend and benefactor , as well as one of the oriental Board of Trustees of the Girls' School . In 1702 there were
elected as members Bros . AVilliam Meyrick , Thomas Harper , Stephen Jones , and James Asperne . Of these Bro . Meyrick was a member and S . W . of the Lodge of Reconciliation of 1813 , Grand Registrar of United Grand Lodge from the same year till his death in 1836 , and a member of the Lodge or Board of Installed Masters appointed
by Grand Master , the Duke of Sussex , early in 1827 , to instruct those entitled to jiarticijiatc in such instruction in the rites and ceremonies of installation . Bro . Stephen Jones was the intimate friend and literary executor of Preston , and shortly after the hitter ' s death issued a new edition of the " Illustrations of Masonry . " He ,
too , was a member of the aforesaid Lodgeof Reconciliation , and a Masonic writer of ability , while , in his extra-Masonic career , he was successively editor of sundry periodicals of the day , one of them being the European Magazine , of which Bro . James Asperne , who , some ycars later , served the ofiice of Grand Steward , was the publisher ;
and it is probably owing to this fact that so many references to current Masonic events are to be found in that magazine . I believe the private circumstances of Jones were the reverse of fortunate , and this I fancy will explain why so able and learned a Mason was not awarded an office in Grand Lodge .
But , undoubtedly , the most distinguished of the four brethren 1 have cited is liro . Thomas Harper , who , like many of the leading Masons of his day , was a member both of the "Ancient " and " Modern " Societies , though his career and the distinctions he won in connection with the former are more widely known . As a
" Modern , " after liaving served as Grand Steward in 1795 , he had the misfortune to incur thc anger of their Grand Lodge , and early in the present century was formally expelled from all his rights and jniviJeges on tho somewhat l'idicnlons charge of not having exerted himself to the utmost of his ability , as he is alleged to have promised
ho would do , in order to bring about a union between the two Societies . I am inclined to think that the Modern Grand Lodge was incited to this course by Bro . F . Colombine Daniel , who , a short time jireviously , had been cxjielled from the "Ancients , " and
who adopted this p lan of wreaking his spite on tlieir ablest , if not their highest , Grand Officer . If my theory is correct , I do not think much of Daniel . However , no harm befel Bro . Harper in consequence of this act of the Moderns . He remained Dejiuty Grand Master under the Dukes of Athol and Kent until the Union of the
rival Societies was consummated . He edited the 1807 and 1813 editions of " Ahiman Rezon , " was one of the three assessors appointed b y Grand Master the Duke of Kent , the other two being Bros . James Perry and James Agar , both Past Deputy Grand Masters , to assist his Royal Highness in arranging the terms and conditions
of lhe Union . He was a staunch supporter of the Boys' School founded by the Athol Society , and also took an active part , both before and after his expulsion , as mentioned above , in thc government of thc Girls' School , while , after the Union , until his death , at a
very advanced age , in 1832 , he remained ever one of the most loyal and devoted advisers of Grand Master the Duke of Sussex . It has been given but to few brethren to effect so much good in a quiet and unobtrusive way , as was effected on behalf of our Society b y the veteran Bro . Thomas Harper .
Under date of 1794 , I find fhe name of Bro . AVilliam AVhite , Grand Secretary of the "Moderns" from 1780 to 1813 , and in 1798 that of Bro . John Bay ford a successor ofj Bro . Heseltinc in the Grand Treasurershi p of the same body and a member of the "Sjiecial Lodge of Promulgation" of 1800 , while in 1801 occurs the name of Bro . Charles Valentine , who was also a
member of the same lodge , and whom Bro . Sadler , in his "Masonic Facts and Fictions , " adjudges to be thc same Charles Valentine who , some time jireviousl y had been expelled from the "Ancients " for sundry irregularities , among them being that of taking the warrant of "Ancient" Lodge No . 245 to a "Modern" lodge . In 1803 Bro . the Earl of Moira , Acting Grand Master from 1790 to 1813 , and Bro . Sir W . Rawlins , Knt ., a S . G . AV ., were elected joining members , and
Told By The Lodge Register.
the following year Bros , the Earl of Kingston and William Forssteen . Bro . Lord Kingston is best known perhajis as Master foi-several years , of the Royal Naval Lodge of Independence—now the Royal Naval Lodge , No . 59—while Bro . Forssteen was appointed Provincial Grand Master of Hertfordshire in 1797 , and J . G . W . of England in 1803 ,
and was , m addition , Treasurer and Trustee of the Girls' School . In 1805 Bro . Charles Bonnor , a member of the Lodge of Promulgation , was elected a member , and in 1808 the lodge was increased b y the ¦ accession of H . R . H . the Dnke of Sussex , who remained a member till his death , in 1843 ; Bro . J . C . Burckhardt , a great ritualist of his
day , and S . G . D . of United Grand Lodge in 1816 ; and Bro . the Karl of Mountnorris , who was appointed Provincial Grand Master of Huntingdonshire in 1800 , aud in 1 E 01 joined the Prince of Wales Lodge . Three other recruits were added about the same time namely , Bros . Viscount Strangford , the Hon . G . F . F . Byng , and
Robert Smirke , jun ., the well-known architect . Among the 1809 members I find Bro . Jacob H . Sarratt , who was a member of the Lodge of Reconciliation , being described as of Lodge No . 180 on the "Modern" side , and as the name is by no means often met with , ' ! have been wondering if he can have been one and the same with tlie
Bro . Jacob Sarratt , who , in 1 706 , as a Past Alaster of Ancient Lodge . No . 240 , g'ofc into hot water wifch the authorities of that Society-. Jfc is by no means improbable . In 1810 I eome upon the names of Bros . Lieut .-Col . Andrew * Dennis O'Kell y , who was also a member of the Prince of AVales Lodge , and who in 1811 was apjiointcd Grand
Superintendent of Hertfordshire , aud in 1812 Provincial Grand Master of Bedfordshire ; Bro . Ycate , or Yeats , Brown , Junior Grand AVarden of England in 1817 ; Bro . Georgo Canning , M . P ., the distinguished orator and statesman ; and Bros . Lord Eardley and Lord Hawke . The year 1811 witnessed a great influx of
members , the most jirominent as a Alason being the well known Bro . Lawrence Thompson , a member of the Lodges of Promulgation and Reconciliation , and Junior Grand Deacon of England in 1847 , and Bro . AV . AVilliams , Grand Steward in 1812 , in whicii year he was appointed Provincial Grand Alaster of Dorsetshire ; author of the
revised edition of the Book of Constitutions issued after the Union ; President of the Board of General Purposes in 1818 , and Treasurer for many years in succession to Bro . AV . Forssteen of the Royal Alasonic Institution for Girls . Among other men of note I find Bros . Geo . AV . Denys , ALP ., Lord Kirkwall , Lord George Grcnville , Sir J .
Alawley , Bart , Admiral Sir E . Nagle , Sir W . Beechy , Knt , , the Earl of Pomfret , and Benjamin Wyatt , architect . During the year 1812 there were initiated in the lodge , firstly , Bro . William AVoods , father of the jiresent Grand Director of Ceremonies , who was S . G . Deacon of England in 1822 , Asst . G . D . C . from 1829 to 1832 , and G . D . C . from
1832 to 1841 . During the latter part of his life he was Garter King at Arms , and in that cajiacity received the honour of Kni ghthood . A few lines further down occurs the name of Bro . George—afterwards Sir George—Nayler ( Garter ) , who was ajipoiiited Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1814 , and retained ollice till his death in
1831 . The remaining entry of note is that of Bro . Aug . Fred . d'Este , son of H . R . H . the Duke of Sussex , who was initiated on tho 1 st December , 1812 , and was ajipoiiited Senior Grand AVindcn of England by his father in 1818 . During the last year of this jieriod only three names of brethren occur which appear worthy of
mention , namely , Bro . AV . II . White , Grand Secretary first of fhe " Moderns" und then of United Grand Lodge , Bro . Simon McGillivvay , who was President of the Board of General Purjioses from 1823 to 1825 ; and Bro . John Dent , Prov . Grand AIaster of AVorcestershire in 1792 , and Grand Treasurer of United Grand Lodge from 1813 to 1826 . The list concludes with the names of the 15
members of the Duke of Kent ' s Band , who were initiated as serving brothers . So far as I havo gone I think the record must be jironounccd ;\ grand one , and in all respects worth y of this ancient lodge ,
PART II . —FROM TUB UXIOS TO 1843 . ^ Afc the Union , Antiquity , which had heretofore headed the roll of thc Grand Lodge of England from its constitution in 1717 , had to content itself with the second place . Article VIII provided that " the two first Lodges under each Grand Lodge" should " draw a lot
in the firsfc jilace for priorit y , and to which of the two the lot No . 1 shall fall , the other to rank as No . 2 . " The lot jirovcd unfavourable to Antiquity , and hence its jiresent p lace on the roll as No . 2 . But though , by this piece of ill-luck , it thus lost its former position , it would be difficult to find another lodge under either of ( he Grand
Lodges which could boast of including among its members so many Alasons of the very highest distinction . H . R . H . the Dukeof Sussex , Grand Master of the new United Grand Lodge , beaded the list , wbile among the others I find Bros . Lieut .-Col . O'Kelly , Provincial Grand Master Bedfordshire ; AVilliam Preston , AVilliam Meyrick , Grand
Registrar ; Stephen Jones , Lord Hawke , Provincial Grand Master Westmorland ; J . H . Sarratt , Sir W . Rawlings , P . S . G . W . ; Charles Valentine , J . C . Burckhardt , Yeat Brown , Laurence Thompson , the Earl of Moira , Past Acting Grand Master ; Lord Kardley , Prov . Grand
Alaster Cambridgeshire ; George Canning , AVilliam Williams , Prov . Grand Alaster Dorsetshire ; Sir G . W . Denys , Barf ., ALP ., James Heseltinc , P . S . G . W . and Past Grand Treasurer ; Lord Kirkwall , Lord Nugent , ALP ., Sir J . Alawbey , Bart ., Admiral Sir E . Nagle , Earl of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Told By The Lodge Register.
< rrcat interest in the Girls' School , to which , on his death in 1818 , ho bequeathed £ 500 Consols , a like sum being' given to the Fund of Benevolence , and £ 300 to found a Prestonian Lectureship . Among the entries for 1776 are those of Bro . Rowland Berkeley , o ni-edecessor of Heseltinc in the office of Grand Treasurer , and Bro .
Bartholomew Ruspini , the beneficent founder of our Girls' School . Bro . Rusp ini's Masonic career has been so recently described in the Freemason in connection with the Centenary- of our senior Charity , that ifc is unnecessary to say more than that ho was a member and V M of the Royal Lodge , and a founder of the Lodgo of the Nino Muses
and thc Prince of AVales Lodge , and that during all the years that Geoi'i'e Prince of Wales was Grand Master he held tho office of Grand Sword Bearer . In 1777 I find the name of Bro . the Rev . A . H . Eccles , some timo Grand Chajilain of the " Moderns , " and a little further on , but with the year 1771 against it , that of the learned Bro . John Noorthouck , editor of the Book of Constitutions of 1784 .
The late Bro . Oliver , in his " Revelations of a Square , " speaks of Noorthouck as a " clever and intelligent man and expert Mason , " while in "Kenning ' s Cyclopaedia" it is said that " of his Masonio life little is known , or even , we believe , to what lodge he belonged . " Therefore , though the value of a sketchy narrative of this kind is comparatively small , it is satisfactory to know that it contains one of Mm missinc links in the career of this learned brother .
The entries for the year 1790 include the names of Bro . the Hon . Arthur St . Leger , a member of the family to which the Hon . Mrs . Aldworth , the famous lad y Freemason , belonged , and Bro . William Birch , a S . G . AV ., a great friend and benefactor , as well as one of the oriental Board of Trustees of the Girls' School . In 1702 there were
elected as members Bros . AVilliam Meyrick , Thomas Harper , Stephen Jones , and James Asperne . Of these Bro . Meyrick was a member and S . W . of the Lodge of Reconciliation of 1813 , Grand Registrar of United Grand Lodge from the same year till his death in 1836 , and a member of the Lodge or Board of Installed Masters appointed
by Grand Master , the Duke of Sussex , early in 1827 , to instruct those entitled to jiarticijiatc in such instruction in the rites and ceremonies of installation . Bro . Stephen Jones was the intimate friend and literary executor of Preston , and shortly after the hitter ' s death issued a new edition of the " Illustrations of Masonry . " He ,
too , was a member of the aforesaid Lodgeof Reconciliation , and a Masonic writer of ability , while , in his extra-Masonic career , he was successively editor of sundry periodicals of the day , one of them being the European Magazine , of which Bro . James Asperne , who , some ycars later , served the ofiice of Grand Steward , was the publisher ;
and it is probably owing to this fact that so many references to current Masonic events are to be found in that magazine . I believe the private circumstances of Jones were the reverse of fortunate , and this I fancy will explain why so able and learned a Mason was not awarded an office in Grand Lodge .
But , undoubtedly , the most distinguished of the four brethren 1 have cited is liro . Thomas Harper , who , like many of the leading Masons of his day , was a member both of the "Ancient " and " Modern " Societies , though his career and the distinctions he won in connection with the former are more widely known . As a
" Modern , " after liaving served as Grand Steward in 1795 , he had the misfortune to incur thc anger of their Grand Lodge , and early in the present century was formally expelled from all his rights and jniviJeges on tho somewhat l'idicnlons charge of not having exerted himself to the utmost of his ability , as he is alleged to have promised
ho would do , in order to bring about a union between the two Societies . I am inclined to think that the Modern Grand Lodge was incited to this course by Bro . F . Colombine Daniel , who , a short time jireviously , had been cxjielled from the "Ancients , " and
who adopted this p lan of wreaking his spite on tlieir ablest , if not their highest , Grand Officer . If my theory is correct , I do not think much of Daniel . However , no harm befel Bro . Harper in consequence of this act of the Moderns . He remained Dejiuty Grand Master under the Dukes of Athol and Kent until the Union of the
rival Societies was consummated . He edited the 1807 and 1813 editions of " Ahiman Rezon , " was one of the three assessors appointed b y Grand Master the Duke of Kent , the other two being Bros . James Perry and James Agar , both Past Deputy Grand Masters , to assist his Royal Highness in arranging the terms and conditions
of lhe Union . He was a staunch supporter of the Boys' School founded by the Athol Society , and also took an active part , both before and after his expulsion , as mentioned above , in thc government of thc Girls' School , while , after the Union , until his death , at a
very advanced age , in 1832 , he remained ever one of the most loyal and devoted advisers of Grand Master the Duke of Sussex . It has been given but to few brethren to effect so much good in a quiet and unobtrusive way , as was effected on behalf of our Society b y the veteran Bro . Thomas Harper .
Under date of 1794 , I find fhe name of Bro . AVilliam AVhite , Grand Secretary of the "Moderns" from 1780 to 1813 , and in 1798 that of Bro . John Bay ford a successor ofj Bro . Heseltinc in the Grand Treasurershi p of the same body and a member of the "Sjiecial Lodge of Promulgation" of 1800 , while in 1801 occurs the name of Bro . Charles Valentine , who was also a
member of the same lodge , and whom Bro . Sadler , in his "Masonic Facts and Fictions , " adjudges to be thc same Charles Valentine who , some time jireviousl y had been expelled from the "Ancients " for sundry irregularities , among them being that of taking the warrant of "Ancient" Lodge No . 245 to a "Modern" lodge . In 1803 Bro . the Earl of Moira , Acting Grand Master from 1790 to 1813 , and Bro . Sir W . Rawlins , Knt ., a S . G . AV ., were elected joining members , and
Told By The Lodge Register.
the following year Bros , the Earl of Kingston and William Forssteen . Bro . Lord Kingston is best known perhajis as Master foi-several years , of the Royal Naval Lodge of Independence—now the Royal Naval Lodge , No . 59—while Bro . Forssteen was appointed Provincial Grand Master of Hertfordshire in 1797 , and J . G . W . of England in 1803 ,
and was , m addition , Treasurer and Trustee of the Girls' School . In 1805 Bro . Charles Bonnor , a member of the Lodge of Promulgation , was elected a member , and in 1808 the lodge was increased b y the ¦ accession of H . R . H . the Dnke of Sussex , who remained a member till his death , in 1843 ; Bro . J . C . Burckhardt , a great ritualist of his
day , and S . G . D . of United Grand Lodge in 1816 ; and Bro . the Karl of Mountnorris , who was appointed Provincial Grand Master of Huntingdonshire in 1800 , aud in 1 E 01 joined the Prince of Wales Lodge . Three other recruits were added about the same time namely , Bros . Viscount Strangford , the Hon . G . F . F . Byng , and
Robert Smirke , jun ., the well-known architect . Among the 1809 members I find Bro . Jacob H . Sarratt , who was a member of the Lodge of Reconciliation , being described as of Lodge No . 180 on the "Modern" side , and as the name is by no means often met with , ' ! have been wondering if he can have been one and the same with tlie
Bro . Jacob Sarratt , who , in 1 706 , as a Past Alaster of Ancient Lodge . No . 240 , g'ofc into hot water wifch the authorities of that Society-. Jfc is by no means improbable . In 1810 I eome upon the names of Bros . Lieut .-Col . Andrew * Dennis O'Kell y , who was also a member of the Prince of AVales Lodge , and who in 1811 was apjiointcd Grand
Superintendent of Hertfordshire , aud in 1812 Provincial Grand Master of Bedfordshire ; Bro . Ycate , or Yeats , Brown , Junior Grand AVarden of England in 1817 ; Bro . Georgo Canning , M . P ., the distinguished orator and statesman ; and Bros . Lord Eardley and Lord Hawke . The year 1811 witnessed a great influx of
members , the most jirominent as a Alason being the well known Bro . Lawrence Thompson , a member of the Lodges of Promulgation and Reconciliation , and Junior Grand Deacon of England in 1847 , and Bro . AV . AVilliams , Grand Steward in 1812 , in whicii year he was appointed Provincial Grand Alaster of Dorsetshire ; author of the
revised edition of the Book of Constitutions issued after the Union ; President of the Board of General Purposes in 1818 , and Treasurer for many years in succession to Bro . AV . Forssteen of the Royal Alasonic Institution for Girls . Among other men of note I find Bros . Geo . AV . Denys , ALP ., Lord Kirkwall , Lord George Grcnville , Sir J .
Alawley , Bart , Admiral Sir E . Nagle , Sir W . Beechy , Knt , , the Earl of Pomfret , and Benjamin Wyatt , architect . During the year 1812 there were initiated in the lodge , firstly , Bro . William AVoods , father of the jiresent Grand Director of Ceremonies , who was S . G . Deacon of England in 1822 , Asst . G . D . C . from 1829 to 1832 , and G . D . C . from
1832 to 1841 . During the latter part of his life he was Garter King at Arms , and in that cajiacity received the honour of Kni ghthood . A few lines further down occurs the name of Bro . George—afterwards Sir George—Nayler ( Garter ) , who was ajipoiiited Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1814 , and retained ollice till his death in
1831 . The remaining entry of note is that of Bro . Aug . Fred . d'Este , son of H . R . H . the Duke of Sussex , who was initiated on tho 1 st December , 1812 , and was ajipoiiited Senior Grand AVindcn of England by his father in 1818 . During the last year of this jieriod only three names of brethren occur which appear worthy of
mention , namely , Bro . AV . II . White , Grand Secretary first of fhe " Moderns" und then of United Grand Lodge , Bro . Simon McGillivvay , who was President of the Board of General Purjioses from 1823 to 1825 ; and Bro . John Dent , Prov . Grand AIaster of AVorcestershire in 1792 , and Grand Treasurer of United Grand Lodge from 1813 to 1826 . The list concludes with the names of the 15
members of the Duke of Kent ' s Band , who were initiated as serving brothers . So far as I havo gone I think the record must be jironounccd ;\ grand one , and in all respects worth y of this ancient lodge ,
PART II . —FROM TUB UXIOS TO 1843 . ^ Afc the Union , Antiquity , which had heretofore headed the roll of thc Grand Lodge of England from its constitution in 1717 , had to content itself with the second place . Article VIII provided that " the two first Lodges under each Grand Lodge" should " draw a lot
in the firsfc jilace for priorit y , and to which of the two the lot No . 1 shall fall , the other to rank as No . 2 . " The lot jirovcd unfavourable to Antiquity , and hence its jiresent p lace on the roll as No . 2 . But though , by this piece of ill-luck , it thus lost its former position , it would be difficult to find another lodge under either of ( he Grand
Lodges which could boast of including among its members so many Alasons of the very highest distinction . H . R . H . the Dukeof Sussex , Grand Master of the new United Grand Lodge , beaded the list , wbile among the others I find Bros . Lieut .-Col . O'Kelly , Provincial Grand Master Bedfordshire ; AVilliam Preston , AVilliam Meyrick , Grand
Registrar ; Stephen Jones , Lord Hawke , Provincial Grand Master Westmorland ; J . H . Sarratt , Sir W . Rawlings , P . S . G . W . ; Charles Valentine , J . C . Burckhardt , Yeat Brown , Laurence Thompson , the Earl of Moira , Past Acting Grand Master ; Lord Kardley , Prov . Grand
Alaster Cambridgeshire ; George Canning , AVilliam Williams , Prov . Grand Alaster Dorsetshire ; Sir G . W . Denys , Barf ., ALP ., James Heseltinc , P . S . G . W . and Past Grand Treasurer ; Lord Kirkwall , Lord Nugent , ALP ., Sir J . Alawbey , Bart ., Admiral Sir E . Nagle , Earl of