Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Transfer Of The Bard Of Avon Lodge To Middlesex.
terms by Bro . Mclntyre , together with "Prosperity to the Bard of Avon Lodge . " The Worship ful Master , in responding , made an interesting Shaksperean speech . He said , after thanking the brethren for thc compliment paid to him , no Englishman but might be proud to
preside over a society which inscribes the " Bard of Avon " on its banner ; no Mason but must be interested in tracing an affinity between our great national poet and the Craft , and in claiming him as brother ! Before proceeding to demonstrate that Shakespere was a Mason , or laying before yon the evidence upon which my theory rests , let
rae first claim for the Bard of Avon Lodge a peculiar propriety in setting this great [ ight prominently before the Order . This lodge hails from Stratford in Warwickshire , and its meetings have been held at that Red Horse , which Washington Irving ' s Shakesperean pilgrimage made famous , and it bears a poetic title which we may be sure the sreat dramatist would have been
proud to own . For in the town by that saver stream , " gentle Shakespere " was born . There he lived his generous youth , and loved , and wooed , and won , and gave his " hostages to fortune . " From it he went forth , in earl y manhood , to battle with the world , to acquire
moderate fortune , and to achieve illimitable fame . Thither , too , he retired , rig ht lovingly , in his vigorous prime , already weary * of the glare and bustle of the playhouse and the capital , to lead a simple yeoman ' s life , on land which the first fruits of his honourable industry hacl gone to
purchase , ancl the possession and enjoyment of which , with the esteem and regard of early friends and neighbours was his ambitions modest goal . There , too , after "life ' s fitful fever , he sleeps well , " his tomb a Shrine at which the intellect , the genius , the learning , and the culture of the wide world
pay willing homage , his name a watchword , and his works his monument . ' 'Loud cheers ) . Brethren of the Bard of Avon Lodge , it is important to remember , that this is nearly all we know respecting Shakespere . ( Hear , hear ) .
Ben Jonson makes passing reference to the marvellous conversational powers of his brother poet , but beyond the broad outline I have given , biography is at fault , and the most assiduous students and commentators have not heen able
to do more than dash in a bit of local colour here , supply a few names and dates there , and then—either confess their ignorance , or invent some stupendous and widely improbable theory . ( Laughter ) . Thus , essays have been written and arguments advanced to prove that Shakspere was
a lawyer , that he was a soldier , that he was a priest , that hc was a physician , that he was combination of all four ( laughter ) , while othersapient studentshave discovered that he never was at all— - ( loud laughter)—that Shakspere the author never existed , and that the works attributed to him really
fell from the pen of that Lord Chancellor whom Popedescribed as "thegreatest , wisest , meanest of mankind . " Brethren , it is not for us to meddle with the too acrimonious disputes of these great critics and discoverers ! It is not for the Bard of Avon Lodge to p lunge into that turbid sea . ( Laughter ) . He
it rather our pleasing eluty to collate some of the passages in Shakspere which have a Masonic bearing , and to thus base our claim to hail him as a brother upon the imperishable testimony of his published works . ( Cheers . ) It is not to be expected that these passages will be plain ancl
outspoken , beyond the possibility of eloubt . Shakspere , we may be sure , was not one to " wear his heart upon his sleeve for daws to peck at , " or outsiders to make merry over , and when thc Craft claims him as a Alason , as I have known some of its thoughtful members do , on the strength
of the passage ; "I will visit thee at the lodge " ( laughter ) , 1 say at once that the evidence is insufficient . For this is said in Twelfth Night by a man addressing a woman , and it is clear from the context that if the visit were made , ancl thc grip followed —( laughter)—it was not ot a Masonic character . It is rather in hidden
than in open allusions that we shall best trace thc Masonic mind of Shakespere . ( Hear , hear . ) Thus , when the Archbishop in Henry the Fifth alludes to thc " Singing Masons , " it seems clear that when the brethren of his day were called from labour to refreshment * , their hours were lightened in the charming way in which Bro . Harding has li g htened ours to-nig ht . ( Cheers . ) When the
Transfer Of The Bard Of Avon Lodge To Middlesex.
servant in the Winter s Tale , after speaking of Antcilycus , alludes to "working on the square , " the symbolism is obvious ; when we have in Twelfth Night one addressing another as " Worshipful Master , " one of our most familiar lodge titles is used ; and when Mrs . Quickly , in the
Merry ffives of JFindsor , desires that the " Chairs of Order" shall be scoured , what ' * Chairs of Order " can she mean , but those of the Worshipful Master and Wardens of the Lodge , which doubtless met at the Garter Inn , at Windsor , or the Boar ' s Head Tavern , in East Chepe .
These are so many illustrations of Shakspere ' s familiarity with our Masonic language , symbols , and signs , and an even stronger illustration , and one to which I must allude , for obvious reasons , in the presence , of a fellow craft , without comment , is to be found in Kin if John , where
Hubert with a fine remembrance of a solemn degree says , " ... They r whisper one another in the ear , and he that speaks cloth grip the hearer ' s wrist . " ( Cheers . ) Such my brethren , are the broad indications ofthe case , which , we are I think , justified in putting before the Craft , not as
complete , but as one worthy of careful and reverent consideration . ( Cheers . ) If it should be said , that it is not conclusive , our reply must be— -Hel p us to make it stronger !—aid us by your researches , g ive us thc benefit of your Shakespereian and Masonic studies and meanwhile , extend to us ,
that amount of credence which Shakespere himself demanded for his dramatic universe , and in his words , " Piece out our imperfections with your thoughts , and give imaginary puissance . " ( Cheers . ) If after all , opinion should be divided , if there should be still some who are not
absolutely convinced of this "Bard of Avon ' s " right to claim Shakespere as a brother , the broadl y Masonic character of his teachings , and our own srood fortune in assemblinj * - * under his honoured name —( cheers)—are points upon which no question can arise . ( Cheers . ) Brethren , the " Bard
of Avon" has migrated from Warwickshire to Middlesex a second time . May it , in the usefulness of its teachings , in the permanence of its fame , and in its beneficial influence over the hearts of men , follow , at an humble distance , the great exemplar whose name it bears , and may it ,
like his immortal works , flourish in unfailinjr wisdom , strength , and beauty , long after the human agencies composing it have passed away , and are in dust . ( Loud cheering . ) Bro . Edmund Yates responded for the visitors , and the Senior Warden , maele a most effective
speech , Masonic in all its bearing ancl views , in responding for the Officers . Bro . J . C . Warden , of Stratford-on-Avon , at the request of the Worshipful Master , proposed " The Health of Lord Leigh , the Prov . Grand
Master of Warwickshire , " anil this was most heartily responded to , as was thc toast of Col . Burdett , given by Hro . R . Wentworth Little . The banquet was excellently served by our host ofthe Angel , and the rest of the evening was most pleasantly -spent .
Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and Queries .
THR ORDER OV CHARLES XIil . ov SWEDEN . I observe in the interesting and clever lecture of Brother Emra Holmes , published in your hist issue , a statement which , perhaps inadvertently , would lead to an inference that this Order is a
Masonic Hig h Grade . Brother Holmes says : — " The Granel Loelge of England , in its corporate capacity , does not recognise the higher degrees , though many of its most distinguished members belong to them , notably the Prince of Wales , Knig ht of the Masonic Order of Charles XIIL
of Sweden . " I feel quite clear that Bro . Holmes would be anxious that no wrong inference should be drawn , even on a small point , and would wish to have his statement freed of any misapprehension . 1 therefore venture to supp lement Bro . Holmes with the explanation that
the Order of Charles XIII . of Sweden , is not a high degree of Freemasonry ; but a public Royal Order of Sweden , differing only from any other public Slate Order in having been founded as a compliment to the Craft , which , in Sweden , is peculiarly esteemed . It is conferred only
Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
upon distinguished Masons of high grade , but is not pec se a Masonic degree , or a Masonic decoration . It is essentiall y a public Order in honour of Masons . We have an example in our own country of the restriction of an Order to
particular classes . Thc Bath was instituted in its modern form on the iSth of May , 172 *; , as a military Order . The statutes of tlie 2 nd January , 1815 , declare that the third-class companions " shall be composed of officers holdingcommissions in his Majesty ' s service by sea or
land . " By a subsequent statute of the 14 th April , 1847 , ti * 10 Order was extended to the Civil Service . It is a misfortune , that in this great country there is no public Order of merit for the reward of those who have deserved well of their kind by their exertions in science , arts , manufactures , or humanity . —LUPUS .
THE MARK GRAND LODGE , AND REPRESEN - TATION AT GRAND CHAPTERS . As it is something quite new in the history of the Mark degree for the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters to agree to an interchange of
representatives , we furnish our readers with the text of the first of its kind ever issued . The Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania has the honour of inaugurating so desirable a Masonic work , and we hope its example will soon be followed b y others
equally anxious to promote " Peace on earth , and goodwill towards men . " Already the Grand Chapter of Iowa has recognised thc Alark Grand Lodge , and the Rev . G . Raymond Portal , M . A .. is its appointed Grand Representative .
Holiness to the Lord . We , Charles Eugene Meyer , Esquire , Alost Excellent Grand High Priest of the Most Excellent Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter
of Pennsylvania , And Masonic jurisdiction thereunto belonging To our trusty well-beloved brother and companion WILLIAM J AMES HUGHAN , Past Grand Overseer ,
Past AIaster Alark Lodges , No . 78 , & c , Truro , Cornwall , England . Whereas , the Most Excellent Grand Hol y Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsylvania , desire to cultivate a more intimate ancl fraternal
correspondence with the Grand Lodge of Alark AIaster Alasons of England and Wales , & c . ; and believing that the ties of brotherly affection may be strengthened , the prosperity of the Masonic fraternity promoted , its unity , integrity , and
strength protected , its utility and honour confirmed b y the appointment ancl reception of grand representatives . Therefore , be it known that , reposing the greatest confidence in your zeal , fervour , and skill in the Alasonic art , we do .
by virtue and in pursuance of the powers and authorities in us vested , hereby nominate , constitute , and appoint you , our said beloved brother and companion William James Hughan , Grand Representative of our Most Excellent Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsylvania , and
Alasonic Jurisdiction thereunto belonging , neat * the Grand Lodge of Alark AIaster Alasons ol lingland and Wales , and the colonies and dependencies of the British crown , for the purposes herein mentioned and set forth . Given under our hand nnd the seal of our
Granel Holy Royal Arch Chapter at the City ol Philadelphia , in the Commonwealth ol" Pennsylvania , this Second day of February A . D ., 1872 , A . J . 2402 . [ Seal . ]
CHARLES EUGENE AIEVER , Granel High Priest . [ Seal . ] J THOMSON , Grand Secretary .
liuicAUFAST . —EPPS ' S COCOA . —ORATICFTI . AMI COM ' ¦ OJITJNO . — " By a thorough knowledge of the natural law .-, which govern the operations of digestion and nutiition , and hy a careful application of the fine propeities of well-selected cocoa , Mr . Epps has provided our breakfast tables with a delicately-flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills . "—Cieil Scrria : Gazette . Made sjmply with Boiling Water or Milk . Each packet is labelled" J AMES EI > & Co ., Homoeopathic Chemists , London , "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Transfer Of The Bard Of Avon Lodge To Middlesex.
terms by Bro . Mclntyre , together with "Prosperity to the Bard of Avon Lodge . " The Worship ful Master , in responding , made an interesting Shaksperean speech . He said , after thanking the brethren for thc compliment paid to him , no Englishman but might be proud to
preside over a society which inscribes the " Bard of Avon " on its banner ; no Mason but must be interested in tracing an affinity between our great national poet and the Craft , and in claiming him as brother ! Before proceeding to demonstrate that Shakespere was a Mason , or laying before yon the evidence upon which my theory rests , let
rae first claim for the Bard of Avon Lodge a peculiar propriety in setting this great [ ight prominently before the Order . This lodge hails from Stratford in Warwickshire , and its meetings have been held at that Red Horse , which Washington Irving ' s Shakesperean pilgrimage made famous , and it bears a poetic title which we may be sure the sreat dramatist would have been
proud to own . For in the town by that saver stream , " gentle Shakespere " was born . There he lived his generous youth , and loved , and wooed , and won , and gave his " hostages to fortune . " From it he went forth , in earl y manhood , to battle with the world , to acquire
moderate fortune , and to achieve illimitable fame . Thither , too , he retired , rig ht lovingly , in his vigorous prime , already weary * of the glare and bustle of the playhouse and the capital , to lead a simple yeoman ' s life , on land which the first fruits of his honourable industry hacl gone to
purchase , ancl the possession and enjoyment of which , with the esteem and regard of early friends and neighbours was his ambitions modest goal . There , too , after "life ' s fitful fever , he sleeps well , " his tomb a Shrine at which the intellect , the genius , the learning , and the culture of the wide world
pay willing homage , his name a watchword , and his works his monument . ' 'Loud cheers ) . Brethren of the Bard of Avon Lodge , it is important to remember , that this is nearly all we know respecting Shakespere . ( Hear , hear ) .
Ben Jonson makes passing reference to the marvellous conversational powers of his brother poet , but beyond the broad outline I have given , biography is at fault , and the most assiduous students and commentators have not heen able
to do more than dash in a bit of local colour here , supply a few names and dates there , and then—either confess their ignorance , or invent some stupendous and widely improbable theory . ( Laughter ) . Thus , essays have been written and arguments advanced to prove that Shakspere was
a lawyer , that he was a soldier , that he was a priest , that hc was a physician , that he was combination of all four ( laughter ) , while othersapient studentshave discovered that he never was at all— - ( loud laughter)—that Shakspere the author never existed , and that the works attributed to him really
fell from the pen of that Lord Chancellor whom Popedescribed as "thegreatest , wisest , meanest of mankind . " Brethren , it is not for us to meddle with the too acrimonious disputes of these great critics and discoverers ! It is not for the Bard of Avon Lodge to p lunge into that turbid sea . ( Laughter ) . He
it rather our pleasing eluty to collate some of the passages in Shakspere which have a Masonic bearing , and to thus base our claim to hail him as a brother upon the imperishable testimony of his published works . ( Cheers . ) It is not to be expected that these passages will be plain ancl
outspoken , beyond the possibility of eloubt . Shakspere , we may be sure , was not one to " wear his heart upon his sleeve for daws to peck at , " or outsiders to make merry over , and when thc Craft claims him as a Alason , as I have known some of its thoughtful members do , on the strength
of the passage ; "I will visit thee at the lodge " ( laughter ) , 1 say at once that the evidence is insufficient . For this is said in Twelfth Night by a man addressing a woman , and it is clear from the context that if the visit were made , ancl thc grip followed —( laughter)—it was not ot a Masonic character . It is rather in hidden
than in open allusions that we shall best trace thc Masonic mind of Shakespere . ( Hear , hear . ) Thus , when the Archbishop in Henry the Fifth alludes to thc " Singing Masons , " it seems clear that when the brethren of his day were called from labour to refreshment * , their hours were lightened in the charming way in which Bro . Harding has li g htened ours to-nig ht . ( Cheers . ) When the
Transfer Of The Bard Of Avon Lodge To Middlesex.
servant in the Winter s Tale , after speaking of Antcilycus , alludes to "working on the square , " the symbolism is obvious ; when we have in Twelfth Night one addressing another as " Worshipful Master , " one of our most familiar lodge titles is used ; and when Mrs . Quickly , in the
Merry ffives of JFindsor , desires that the " Chairs of Order" shall be scoured , what ' * Chairs of Order " can she mean , but those of the Worshipful Master and Wardens of the Lodge , which doubtless met at the Garter Inn , at Windsor , or the Boar ' s Head Tavern , in East Chepe .
These are so many illustrations of Shakspere ' s familiarity with our Masonic language , symbols , and signs , and an even stronger illustration , and one to which I must allude , for obvious reasons , in the presence , of a fellow craft , without comment , is to be found in Kin if John , where
Hubert with a fine remembrance of a solemn degree says , " ... They r whisper one another in the ear , and he that speaks cloth grip the hearer ' s wrist . " ( Cheers . ) Such my brethren , are the broad indications ofthe case , which , we are I think , justified in putting before the Craft , not as
complete , but as one worthy of careful and reverent consideration . ( Cheers . ) If it should be said , that it is not conclusive , our reply must be— -Hel p us to make it stronger !—aid us by your researches , g ive us thc benefit of your Shakespereian and Masonic studies and meanwhile , extend to us ,
that amount of credence which Shakespere himself demanded for his dramatic universe , and in his words , " Piece out our imperfections with your thoughts , and give imaginary puissance . " ( Cheers . ) If after all , opinion should be divided , if there should be still some who are not
absolutely convinced of this "Bard of Avon ' s " right to claim Shakespere as a brother , the broadl y Masonic character of his teachings , and our own srood fortune in assemblinj * - * under his honoured name —( cheers)—are points upon which no question can arise . ( Cheers . ) Brethren , the " Bard
of Avon" has migrated from Warwickshire to Middlesex a second time . May it , in the usefulness of its teachings , in the permanence of its fame , and in its beneficial influence over the hearts of men , follow , at an humble distance , the great exemplar whose name it bears , and may it ,
like his immortal works , flourish in unfailinjr wisdom , strength , and beauty , long after the human agencies composing it have passed away , and are in dust . ( Loud cheering . ) Bro . Edmund Yates responded for the visitors , and the Senior Warden , maele a most effective
speech , Masonic in all its bearing ancl views , in responding for the Officers . Bro . J . C . Warden , of Stratford-on-Avon , at the request of the Worshipful Master , proposed " The Health of Lord Leigh , the Prov . Grand
Master of Warwickshire , " anil this was most heartily responded to , as was thc toast of Col . Burdett , given by Hro . R . Wentworth Little . The banquet was excellently served by our host ofthe Angel , and the rest of the evening was most pleasantly -spent .
Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and Queries .
THR ORDER OV CHARLES XIil . ov SWEDEN . I observe in the interesting and clever lecture of Brother Emra Holmes , published in your hist issue , a statement which , perhaps inadvertently , would lead to an inference that this Order is a
Masonic Hig h Grade . Brother Holmes says : — " The Granel Loelge of England , in its corporate capacity , does not recognise the higher degrees , though many of its most distinguished members belong to them , notably the Prince of Wales , Knig ht of the Masonic Order of Charles XIIL
of Sweden . " I feel quite clear that Bro . Holmes would be anxious that no wrong inference should be drawn , even on a small point , and would wish to have his statement freed of any misapprehension . 1 therefore venture to supp lement Bro . Holmes with the explanation that
the Order of Charles XIII . of Sweden , is not a high degree of Freemasonry ; but a public Royal Order of Sweden , differing only from any other public Slate Order in having been founded as a compliment to the Craft , which , in Sweden , is peculiarly esteemed . It is conferred only
Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
upon distinguished Masons of high grade , but is not pec se a Masonic degree , or a Masonic decoration . It is essentiall y a public Order in honour of Masons . We have an example in our own country of the restriction of an Order to
particular classes . Thc Bath was instituted in its modern form on the iSth of May , 172 *; , as a military Order . The statutes of tlie 2 nd January , 1815 , declare that the third-class companions " shall be composed of officers holdingcommissions in his Majesty ' s service by sea or
land . " By a subsequent statute of the 14 th April , 1847 , ti * 10 Order was extended to the Civil Service . It is a misfortune , that in this great country there is no public Order of merit for the reward of those who have deserved well of their kind by their exertions in science , arts , manufactures , or humanity . —LUPUS .
THE MARK GRAND LODGE , AND REPRESEN - TATION AT GRAND CHAPTERS . As it is something quite new in the history of the Mark degree for the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters to agree to an interchange of
representatives , we furnish our readers with the text of the first of its kind ever issued . The Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania has the honour of inaugurating so desirable a Masonic work , and we hope its example will soon be followed b y others
equally anxious to promote " Peace on earth , and goodwill towards men . " Already the Grand Chapter of Iowa has recognised thc Alark Grand Lodge , and the Rev . G . Raymond Portal , M . A .. is its appointed Grand Representative .
Holiness to the Lord . We , Charles Eugene Meyer , Esquire , Alost Excellent Grand High Priest of the Most Excellent Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter
of Pennsylvania , And Masonic jurisdiction thereunto belonging To our trusty well-beloved brother and companion WILLIAM J AMES HUGHAN , Past Grand Overseer ,
Past AIaster Alark Lodges , No . 78 , & c , Truro , Cornwall , England . Whereas , the Most Excellent Grand Hol y Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsylvania , desire to cultivate a more intimate ancl fraternal
correspondence with the Grand Lodge of Alark AIaster Alasons of England and Wales , & c . ; and believing that the ties of brotherly affection may be strengthened , the prosperity of the Masonic fraternity promoted , its unity , integrity , and
strength protected , its utility and honour confirmed b y the appointment ancl reception of grand representatives . Therefore , be it known that , reposing the greatest confidence in your zeal , fervour , and skill in the Alasonic art , we do .
by virtue and in pursuance of the powers and authorities in us vested , hereby nominate , constitute , and appoint you , our said beloved brother and companion William James Hughan , Grand Representative of our Most Excellent Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsylvania , and
Alasonic Jurisdiction thereunto belonging , neat * the Grand Lodge of Alark AIaster Alasons ol lingland and Wales , and the colonies and dependencies of the British crown , for the purposes herein mentioned and set forth . Given under our hand nnd the seal of our
Granel Holy Royal Arch Chapter at the City ol Philadelphia , in the Commonwealth ol" Pennsylvania , this Second day of February A . D ., 1872 , A . J . 2402 . [ Seal . ]
CHARLES EUGENE AIEVER , Granel High Priest . [ Seal . ] J THOMSON , Grand Secretary .
liuicAUFAST . —EPPS ' S COCOA . —ORATICFTI . AMI COM ' ¦ OJITJNO . — " By a thorough knowledge of the natural law .-, which govern the operations of digestion and nutiition , and hy a careful application of the fine propeities of well-selected cocoa , Mr . Epps has provided our breakfast tables with a delicately-flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills . "—Cieil Scrria : Gazette . Made sjmply with Boiling Water or Milk . Each packet is labelled" J AMES EI > & Co ., Homoeopathic Chemists , London , "