Masonic Notes And Queries:

Masonic Notes and Queries :

7031 A CURIOUS EXTRACT . I send you a curious extract from a minute book which I picked up the other day , which had been sold by auction with other " rubbish . " The records in the book dated

from 1736 , and , thanks to Bro . Lane ' s magnificent book , I was at once able to ascertain the proper ownership of the document , the lodge—still in existence—having long since removed to the country from Spitalfields , where it was constituted .

F . L . E . J . " 7 July , 1 754 . —The business of the Lodge being over , it was regularly closed , but a particular affair happening in relation to Bro . Cryer , it was again opened , ane then Bro . Ffurnival proposed that the said Bro . Cryer should not at any time hereafter have any vote in any matter , cause , or

thing whatever , for it was thought the said Bro . Cryer behaved extremely ill , and absolutely broke through the laws in refusing to pay one bottle ot wine for entring into the Holy State of Matrimony . It was seconded and thirded in form , and , being put up to the vote , it was carried in the affirmative nem . con . "

704 ! BURNS AS POET LAUREATE . I have received a very interesting communication from my friend , Bro . VV . O ., relative to Bro . Robert Burns and the office of Poet Laureate of " Conongate Kilwinning , " Edinburgh . His opinion , after a most careful and thorough investigation , is that Burns never held such an office , in

that , or in any other lodge . Singular to state , there is no mention of the office in question , in the annual elections of the lodge . The officers in Scotland are elected , not appointed , and hence the absence of any references to the office of Poet Laureate , in the records , is to say the least , very strong negative evidence against the admission of the claim

made in favour of Burns . Until Bro . Hogg ' s name appeared on the scene , there is no minute relative to the office whatever ! Bro . O . declares that not one of his biographers refer to such an office having been conferred on the Scottish Bard , neither does the Poet himself mention the honour in ; question . Bro . Watson's picture of the inauguration

is thus rather put in the shade , if it was not to commemorate an historical event ; and I shall await with great interest , the publication of the history of the old lodge , No . 2 , in the hope that the Historian of " Canongate Kilwinning , " will be enabled to throw some light on the subject . It is just possible the R . W . M . may have called Burns the

" Poet Laureate " for the evening , or suggested it as a possible honour in store for him , for it does seem extraordinary if there are really no grounds whatever for the title being applied to our immortal Bard . The letter from the R . W . M . of No . 2 in the "Freemason" of Jan . 15 , 1 S 87 , is a welcome contribution . W . J . HUGHAN .

705 ] THE MASONIC COLLECTORS' ASSOCIATION . In the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of New Brunswick for 18 S 1 , p . 3 S 7 , there appears : —'' In the month of August last [ iSSo ] , there was organised at Chicago , Illinois , an association of Freemasons under the titleof 'The Masonic Collectors' Association , ' the object of which is to facilitate the collection and preservation of

everything apertaining to the literature , history , and rituals of Freemasonry . Any Freemason engaged in the collection and presentation of Masonic books , papers , manuscripts , or medals . * . . ' . and who shall pay an initiation fee of three dollars , shall be eligible to membership . The association has it in contemplation to promote the reprinting the proceedings of Grand Masonic Bodies , whose proceedings

are scarce or out of print , and also the translation and reprinting of foreign Masonic documents . The President of the association is Bro . James W . Staton , Brooksville , Kentucky , and the Secretary , Bro . S . Stacker Williams , Wewark , Ohio . " It is possible that some reader of the Freemason may be able to state whether the association in question is still in existence ? R . F . GOULD .

706 ] LANE'S "MASONIC RECORDS . " I admire the motive which led Bro . Gould to write a brief recommendation of Bro . John Lane's work—the " Masonic Records , 1717—1886 "—and can assure him that the chief Masonic Stalistican and the writer much appreciate his warm approval of the contents of that noble volume . Bro . Gould is so hard at work just now in completing

his " History of Freemasonry" that I did not anticipate the pleasure of a friendly tilt with my esteemed collaborator for the present . Doubtless , a little needful reflection at times would have prevented me , as it would many others , from incautiously treading where , to say the least , the way was rather doubtful ; yet I have always found that , from my very incautiousness , united

with a burning desire to get at the facts , have frequently resulted an accession of information on the subject in question , thus compensating me amply for any friendly " wigging" I may have received in consequence . Probably a similar result will follow my remarks as to their having been possibly six lodges engaged in the formation of the premier Grand Lodge , 1716-7 . Bro . Gould , as the author

of "The Four Old Lodges , Founders of Modern Freemasonry , and their Descendants " ( a work which is " head and shoulders " above all others on this important subject ) , remarks that , as respects my Introduction to Bro . Lane ' s " Masonic Records , " hc witholds his assent to the conclusion drawn by me from the Engraved List , 1723 , viz ., " that live lodges of earlier date than thc Grand Lodgeof England

¦ mere then in existence . " This ( Bro . Gould urges ) "involves the assumption that the 'Time Immemorial , ' unlike the warranted lodges , were always—before the year 1729—arranged according to priority of constitution . " That is quite correct , and , so far as I know , there is nothing to

indicate aught to the contrary as respects the preserved Engraved Lists . In the valuable Lists of 1723 and 1725 ( two distinct editions ) , what may be termed the " Time Immemorial Lodges" are at the head of the roll , and together provided the lodge at the " Cheshire Cheese " is allowed to be one of the number , thus make five . In 1723 List it occurs as fourth on the roll , the lodge at the " Horn "

Masonic Notes And Queries:

( now No . 4 ) being the fifth . In both editions of 1725 the fourth position is blank , and the old lodge at the " Horn " is still the fifth in order . In each case ( a ) the first three and the fifth are admitted to have been " Time Immemorial Lodges" ( b ) , being thus grouped together , coming before those warranted , and moreover ( c ) , even though none of these Lists were numbered , those of 1725 ( two editions )

left the fourth space blank ( d ) , which was filled in 1723 by the " Cheshire Cheese , Arundel-street , " ( e ) also the same order being observed for all the lodges that are in 1725 Lists , which were in that of 1723 issue ; I still consider there wore "probably five or six lodges that took part in the inauguration of the Grand Lodge of England , 1716-7 , " and that "Multa Paucis" of 1763 , in stating that six

were present on that auspicious occasion , " is not without some slight corroboration . " 1 claim no more than this , as certainly the point is not decided , and Bro . Gould is as fairly entitled to stick to the immortal "four , " as I am to thus incautiously suggest there were likely to have been five or six . Bro . Woodford first drew my attention to the remarkable work of 1763 . W . J . HUGHAN .

Reviews

REVIEWS

CALENDAR AND DIRECTORY FOR THE PROVINCE OF MIDDLESEX , 1 SS 7 . This useful publication has a new feature in its present issue , which will surely be appreciated by many of its subscribers , viz ., portraits of Sir Francis Burdett , Bart ., and Bro . Henry Lovegrove . The portrait of the latter brother , being the editor of the Calendar , will be welcomed

doubtless by his confreres , who should take the hint and become thus promoted and introduced to the Craft in their own Directories . At all events , the example is likely to be followed as respects the portraits of Provincial Grand Masters , which excellent custom was , we believe , first started by the "Devon and Cornwall Calendar" ( Devonport ) in 1 S 65 . Middlesex has now 38 lodges , having immensely

increased of late years , under its most popular ruler . We are pleased to note that Bro . Lovegrove has obtained many more particulars respecting these lodges than in the edition for 18 S 6 , but even now there are several blanks . We anticipate that the editor can complete the dates of the warrants by consulting Bro . John Lane's great work , " Masonic Records , 1717 to 1 SS 6 . " There should be a list of the votes held for the " Central Masonic Charities . "

MASONIC CALENDAR FOR THE PROVINCE OF HERTFORDSHIRE , 1 S 87 . Bro . G . E . Lake , the Prov . G . Sec , is the editor of this official publication , and has done his work well . There are 15 lodges and 495 subscribing members , being an average of 33 brethren to each lodge . There are six lodges of instruction in the province , and duly represented in the

Calendar by the names of the officers and places and nights of meeting . Please take note of this brother editors , for such information adds much to the value of such handy Masonic Guides . Royal Arch Masonry is represented by 4 chapters and 82 members . The Knights Templars then

follow with 27 belonging to the Stuart Preceptory , the four Mark lodges , with 59 members completing the series . As we stated in the Freemason last year , the list of the "Subscribers to the great Masonic Charities " is an exceptionally large one , and proves that " little Herts " is far ahead of several larger provinces .

TALL CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION , A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF TALL CHIMNEY SHAFTS . By ROBERT BANCROFT ( Past President Civil and Mechanical Engineers' Society , London ) , and FRANCIS J . BANCROFT ( Assistant Municipal Surveyor ) . John Calvert , , 100 , King-street , Manchester ; Farncombe and Co ., Lewes , Sussex .

This is , as the authors state in their preface , a thoroughly practical treatise . The subject matter consists of a series of papers read before the Civil and Mechanical Engineers ' Society in 1 S 78 and 1 SS 3 , revised , re-written , and very much extended . The work contains general remarks on foundations , brickwork , minimum height of shafts allowed by municipal authorities , Metropolitan Board of Works

Regulations for furnace chimney-shafts , some excellent tables on tests and strengths of materials ( compiled chiefly from Kirkaldy ' s experiments ) , an article on draughts and stability , and lastly , a detailed description is given of over 80 forms of existing chimney shafts , of brick , stone , iron , and concrete . These are illustrated by a series of diagrams giving plans , elevations , sections , & c . Amongst others

there is an interesting article on the ventilation of sewers by means of tall chimney shafts ; the authors state that this means of ventilation has been used where permission could be obtained from the owners of shafts , at several of our principal manufacturing towns . Bro . Bancroft ' s work is tersely written and well arranged , and will no doubt be of much assistance to engineers and builders .

TINNED MEATS , FISH , AND FRUITS ; AND HOW TO USE THEM . COOKERY FOR OUR SICK AND INVALID POOR . Ipswich : Paurey and Hayes . London -. Simpkin and Marshall . The former of these two little treatises will be found very useful by our domestic economists , but especially by those who have but limited means and a numerous family to

provide for . We are very far from being prejudiced against tinned meats , & c , but we confess to not being in love with them . Still we are persuaded they may be turned to far better account than they have been , and will stand a chance of coming into greater favour if greater trouble is taken in preparing them for the table . The author of this treatise has been at some pains in compiling an excellent array of

recipes , which , so far as our limited experience of cooking goes , will enable those who experiment with them to place before their families a number of really toothsome dishes . We recommend the little work to our readers in the belief that they will be able to derive from its pages much useful

information for domestic purposes . The treatise on cooking for the sick and invalid poor is also to be commended , and on similar grounds . It shows how wholesome and nutritious food may be prepared at small cost , and from simple materials , and will be found invaluable in the cottage and mechanic's home .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

( Craft Jlasonrg .

BEDFORD LODGE ( No . 137 ) . —A most interesting ceremony , and one not often witnessed , marked the last installation meeting of this lodge on Friday , the 14 th inst ., at Freemasons' Hall . The lodge dates its assemblings 121 years back , and is the possessor of some fine old records in the shape of books and other manuscripts , which the brethren have preserved intact ,

unlike the scrupulous brethren of 1720 . It has also some ancient furniture , and a Spanish Bible and a New Testament in the same language , presented to the lodge by Bro . Clement in 1 S 26 . The curiosities ofthe lodge , its historical features , its charters , and the names of eminent brethren who have belonged to it , make the Bedford Lodge one of the landmarks in Freemasonry , and the event now being

recorded j ustly entitles it to the possession of another mark of distinction . To mark the great Jubilee year , which appears now to have seized the minds of the English as the principal subject of thought , the brethren of the lodge assumed that they could not do better than elect the father of the lodge—Bro . T . Cubitt , P . G . P ., a P . M . of 20 years' ^ standing—to the position of W . M ., and for that purpose he was 12 months ago

placed in the chair of S . W . by the then installed Master , Bro . J . Soper . Bro . Cubitt is an important link in the chain of Masonic history . He is the only present member of the lodge who remembers Bro . W . F . Beadon ( the late London police magistrate , who has now been dead 25 years ) as a P . M . of the lodge . Bro . Beadon was J . G . W . in 1 S 49-50 , and in 1 S 53 he was a founder and the first W . M . of the

Beadon Lodge , then No . 902 on Grand Lodge register , but now No . 619 . Bro . Cubitt was one of the brethren who assisted at the consecration of that lodge and the installation of Bro . Beadon . The brethren therefore may be said to have exercised a wise discretion in again placing Bro . Cubitt in the chair of W . M ., more especially as even in the long list ot highly respected P . M . 's who are still

attending members of the lodge , there is not one who has the happiness to possess more social and Masonic affection and esteem than this distinguished brother , while his liberality in the cause of Charity , whether Masonic or in the trade from which he was fortunately able a few years ago to retire , is it not written in the books of the chronicles of the three Masonic Charitable Institutions and of the Licensed

Victuallers' Association ? Lodge was opened by Bro . Soper , W . M ., who afterwards passed Bros . Dr . Daniel John Wycherley Donovan and Foster Shoebridge to the Second Degree , the work being done by him in a truly masterly manner . No less effectively did he perform the ceremony of installation when Bro . Cubitt was presented to him for that purpose ,

and Bro . Cubitt , on being placed in the chair , received the heartiest congratulations of all the brethren present . On the admission of the brethren below the rank of Installed Master , it was pleasant to note Bro . Cubitt's son among the number of brethren who saluted him . The salutations and proclamations being completed , the following brethren received the lodge collars : Bros . John Soper , I . P . M . ;

Ernest Jones , S . W . ; Charles Jenner , J . W . ; J . T . Briggs , P . M ., Treas . ; W . Liddall , P . M ., Sec . ; Vincent Larner , S . D . ; Joseph C . Main , J . D . ; Walter Snodin , P . M ., I . G . ; Samuel Millis , Stwd . ; Jas . Brander , D . C ; and J . Longstaff , Tyler . Before the business ot the lodge was finished the new W . M . presented to Bro . Soper , I . P . M ., a handsome P . M . jewel as a mark of the approbation and

affection of the brethren . Addressing Bro . Soper , he said that in vacating the chair of the lodge Bro . Soper carried with him the feelings of satisfaction of all the brethren with his dignity in the chair and the fluency and accuracy which distinguished all his work . In the name of the brethren he asked him to accept the jewel as a mark of their fraternal regard for him , with their sincere desire that he

might be spared for many , many years to be among the brethren and wearing the jewel . 'Bro . Soper , I . P . M ., in acknowledging the presentation , said it was very gratifying to him on going out of the Master's chair to receive a testimonial , particularly when the presentation was accompanied by such eulogistic phrases as fell from the W . M . He had been very few years among the brethren , but

during that time he had endeavoured to do all that a Master could do , and he vvas glad to think that the brethren were of opinion that he had succeeded . He accepted the jewel with the greatest pleasure , and the kindness of the brethren and the words of the W . M . would never be forgotten by him . Bro . C . J . Turner , P . M ., at his own request , was then elected a country member , as his constant absence

from London prevented him from attending the meetings of the lodge . The report of the Audit Committee was taken as read , and was adopted unanimously , and the brethen closed the lodge and adjourned to Freemasons' Tavern to an excellent banquet . The customary toasts were afterwards duly proposed and honoured .

The Worshipful Master , in proposing "The Queen and the Craft , " said they had just entered on the fiftieth year of her Majesty's reign , and shortly would be called upon in June to celebrate her J ubilee . The Queen was an exceptional monarch ; because she was the only female who had reigned over England for so long a period . There were only three of the opposite sex who had had a Jubilee of

their reign . Therefore Englishmen ought to feel proud of Queen Victoria . She had set a noble example to her family and her subjects . Her family had followed her example , and the British nation had witnessed their career with pleasure . As wife , mother , and widow , the Queen was unsurpassed , and the Royal Court of England was a pattern to the rest of the world .

The W . M . next proposed "The M . W . G . M ., " and mentioned that the interest the Royal Family took in Freemasonry was testified by the Prince of Wales being Grand Master , by two of his brothers occupying the Senior and Junior Grand Wardens' chairs in the same year , and

by the eldest son of the Prince of Wales being initiated in Freemasonry as soon as he was 21 years of age . The advantage to Freemasonry of his Royal Highness's Grand Mastership was shown by the number of lodges on the roll of Grand Lodge having nearly doubled since 1875 . Bro . Raymond Thrupp , P . A . G . D . C , Deputy Prov . G . M .