Masons' Marks.

which some writers have called "Masonic Hieroglyphics , " I do not yet feel prepared , decisively to say . Mr . Dove maintained that there was , and has

put forth , in some able papers in the Builder , what he believes the marks were intended to convey of hidden lore , but as it always appears to me nnsafe to dogmatize , especially on uncertain data ,

I prefer to leave this part of tlie subject in abeyance altogether for the present , and to wait patiently for further lig ht and clearer evidence . Now it it very remarkable , that , what we are

accustomed as Masons to term our special Masonic Symbols , are to be found as Mason ' s Marks' on many building , especially ecclesiastical , and in widely distant countries .

For instance , the " Hecapla" ( Fig 5 ) , or double triangle , or Solomon ' s Seal , is still to be found in Egypt , India , and Asia Minor , and on many cathedrals and churches in England , Scotland ,

France , Germany , Spain , and Portugal . The Pentalpha ( Fig . 6 ) , has been found in the Holy Land , at Jerusalem , and elsewhere , in Spain and Portugal , at Stragsburg Cathedral , in

Switzerland , and very largely both in Scotland and England . The Hour Glass Mark , as it is called , ( Fig . 7 ) , is to be seen at Carthage and in Asia Minor , in

Spain , in Portugal , in France and Switzerland , in England and Scotland , and specially on three of our ruined Abbies in Yorkshire , namely , Kirkstall , Roche and Fountain .

The mark ( Fig . 8 ) , like the broad arrow of our Government , is still to be traced at Jerusalem , and in Egypt , in many of our English Cathedrals , and in many ecclesiastical buildings both

at home and abroad . The mark ( Fig . 9 ) is often seen in the Holy Land , in Germany and Portugal , in Spain and France , and in many of the Cathedrals in England and Scotland .

Thc simple ( Fig . 10 ) is found almost universally , and may be discerned on the stones of Egyptian Pyramids , as on Roman walls , and may be noticed in India and Asia Minor , and in the

Holy Land , at this very hour . The ( Fig . n ) foliated so to say , is often found in Spain and Portugal , Germany , France , and England .

This well-known mark ( Fig . 13 ) , is one of thc most commonly used of all thc Mason ' s Marks , while the half hour glass as it is named ( Fig . 13 ) is constantly to be seen by students , both at home

and abroad . Mr . George Godwin mentions that the Marks ittached to the names of the " "Bricklayers and t ' yler ' s Company , " of date ijSo , are to be

found in England , France , the lyrol , Switzerland , Sweden , Germany , Austria , Spain and Portugal , on buildings of long anterior date . Now I need not go through the long list of

Marks , as would be indeed impossible in this short and hasty communication , for their munis very great . Perhaps we may realize somewhat , how great

is really the number of Masons' Marks , if we call to mind Mr . Street ' s statement , in his " account of Gothic Architecture in Spain , " that he had

himself counted si . vli / marks on the stones of of the famous Church of St . Jago de Compostella , and we shall do well , I think , also to

Masons' Marks.

note what he further says on this subject . The Masons seem to have worked together in large bodies , aftd the walls are marked in all directions with the signs which , then as now ,

distinguish the work of each Mason from that of his neighbaur ; but I have been unable ( save in one or two cases ) to detect the mark of the

same mason on more than one work , and from this it would seem to be probable that the masons were stationary , rather than moveable in their habits . "

I may observe , that this account of the Spanish Masons is entirel y opposed to what are so far known of the habits of the French , German , and English Masons .

And then as I said just now , the number of Masons' Marks is very large , it does not seem to be at all difficult , to ascertain the great number of them . When attention has been called to the

subject , and we are enabled carefully to study the previous collection of Masons' Marks , we shall soon be enabled to divide them into alphabetical or national , or family groups , as the case may be , and

we shall be convinced , I feel persuaded , when we have all the facts of the case before us , that they after all do but serve to demonstrate the universality of the Masonic Guilds , and that there

was one princip le of uniformity and unity running through all the marks used by the handicraft Masons , and which served to bind them together , however widely severed , as members of

a great world-wide order . And though there may have been , as doubtless there were , local and national marks by which the various members of the different

guilds were able to know and designate their own work , and that of other masons , who came at special times from other countries , to do some specific work , aud who were

members of other sodalities , yet , I venture to repeat , that , as a general rule , the Mason ' s Marks we see in the great ecclesiastical buildings in this and other countries at the present hour ,

whatever may have been their use as tests of work done ancl wages to be received , were nevertheless the outward signs and symbols of that inner

bond of secresy and organization , which seems from the earliest times to have specially distinguished ail the building confraternities of the world .

And thus it was , as I believe , that , the Guilds of Freemasons in all countries , using the same marks , and recognising the same tokens , were kept together in their separate yet cosmopolitan

organisation , though the changes of time and the convulsions of society , and were enabled to raise in all their beauty of ornamentation and skilfulness of execution , these mighty avid noble

buildings , which still exist in this and other countries , attracting both the admiration and the wonder of all , who gaze on their perfect proportions and realize both their excellence of workmanship and their unity of design .

I trust , that this , my very imperfect contribution on so interesting a subject , may draw from some abler hand a still clearer communication

which will serve to throw light on a subject , full of increasing interest to every archaeological student , and to every intelligent Freemason . A MASONIC STUDENT . London , June 12 th , 1873 .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft Utanjj ; . METROPOLITAN . MACDONALD LODGE ( No . 1216 . )—This lodge met at the Lodge Rooms , at Head Quarters of First Surrey Rifles , Camberwell , on Wednesday , the 12 th inst ., when there were present : —Bros . G . Waterall , W . M . ; S . Wagstaff , I . P . M .: James Stevens , P . M .:

Newingham Bridges , S . W . ¦ W . J . Messenger , J . W . ; J . J . Curtis , Sec : J . H . Hastie , S . D . j M . S . Larlham , J . D . ; F . H . Cozens , Org . ; T . W . Carnell . I . G . j A . S . Fletcher , Steward ; . also Bros . Haggar , Doulton , Hale , Allen , Gray , Harper , Ross , Fountain , Grant , & c . ; and visitors ,

Bros . T . White , P . M . 22 ; G . J . Brittain ,, 183 ; J ohn Read , P . M . 720 ; and W . C . Crick , P . M . 6 j / . The lodge having been opened in the three degrees , Bros . Cozens and Doulton were raised to the M . M ., Bro . E . Eldridge was passed to the second degree . The initiates proposed at former meeting ** were not in attendance . Several

matters of Masonic business having been disposed of , amongst which was an important provision for a sustentation fund to secure repairs and additions to the elegant lodge furniture , the brethren adjourned to supper , and passed an agreeable hour in honouring the usual loyal toasts , and in promoting harmony .

HAMPSHIRE .

ALDERSHOT . —Aldershot Camp Lodge ( No . I 33 )'—The regular meeting of this lodge was held in the Royal Hotel , on the 4 th inst . Bro . J . Fenn , W . M . presided , and was supported by the following brethren : —C . Carnegie , I . P . M ., and Treas . ; Captain Richardson , R . E .,

S . W . ; A . Mc Kenzie , J . W . ; R . White . Sec ; J . Hanley , S . D . ; Denison , J . D . ; Anderson , I . G . ; Swann , Org . There was a good muster of the brethren , and several visitors . The lodge was opened in form , in the first degree , and the

minutes of the last regular lodge , read and confirmed . The lodge was then opened in the second degree , and Bros . Silk , and Moore , candidates for the sublime degree , were questioned respecting their knowledge of the previous

degree , which , proving satisfactory , they were entrusted , and retired . The lodge was then opened in the third degree , and Bros . Silk , and Moore , were raised to that degree ; Bro . Capt . Richardson presenting the working tools . The

lodge was then closed down to the second and first degrees . A vote of condolence was passed , sympathising with Bro . Osmond , P . M ., in the

great loss lie had sustained by the death of his wife . Some further business having been transacted , tlie lodge was closed in peace , harmony , and brotherly love .

HERTFORDSHIRE .

WALTHAM CROSS . —Gresham Lodge ( No . 869 ) . —The installation meeting of the above lodge was held at the Four Swans , Waltham-cross , on Saturday , the Sth inst ., the W . M ., Bro . James Forsyth , P . Prov . G . Supt . of Works , in the chair of King Solomon , who in his usual impressive

manner , initiated Messrs . H . Lister , Geo . Cullum Marchant , Alfred Nicholls , and Geo . John Baker , into the Light of Freemasonry , the charge being given in an excellent manner by Bro . Hy . Muggeridge . P . M ., 192 . The S . W ., Bro . Capt . Barnes , was then presented for installation , the

unanimous votes of the brethren having designated him as the Worshipful Master for the ensuing year . The ceremony was performed by Bro . W . E . Gompertz , P . M . 862 , P . Prov . G . P ., Herts , in a very impressive manner , indeed it has seldom fallen to our lot to witness the ceremony of installation so ably conducted . The W . M .

having been saluted in due form , the following officers were invested : —Bros . F . D . R . Copestick , as S . W . ; Joseph Copestick , J . W . ; John Grocott , Treas . ; W . E . Gompertz , Sec . ; W . C . Barnes , jun ., S . D . ; A . C . Wylie , J . D . ; W . H . Etherington , I . G . ; J . Lewis , O . ; T . Chapman , Steward . A jewel was voted to the immediate P . M ., for the earnest attention paid to