Original Correspondence.

this night to purchase a nexv lodge book and a new waste book for the nexv constitution , to be in the lodge by Monday morning , and to be entered by the Secretary according to order . " On September 17 th " Bro . Thomas Dunckcrley read the xvarrant of constitution , ancl the lodge was accordingly constituted under the name of thc Royal Gloucester

Lodge . " Among several questions these proceedings indicate , it xvould be interesting to knoxv xvhetlicr this title xvas really suggested , as our brother in Gloucester seems to think , by the " alleged " removal of thc lodge thence , or rather xvhether it had not reference to the Duke of Gloucester ,

xvho ( as brother to thc Duke of Cumberland , at this time dead , after filling the office of Grand Master ) had joined the Masonic Order . It is curious to add that the minutes of this 12 th of September go or . to record that Bro . Dunckcrley was pleased to appoint the Tyler of this lodge to be Grand Tyler

for the county ; likexvise Bros . Graves , Baker , and Clark to be Grand Stexvards . Bro . Dunckcrley then proposed himself and Bro . Gricrson ( his D . P . G . M . ) to become members , which xvas seconded by Bro . Macklin ( a well knoxvn local name in Masonry ) . Henceforth the lodge acted sometimes as ancient and

sometimes as modem Masons . The ancient book on the 24 th June , 1794 , records that it was agreed to hold a lodge and that the transactions should be entered in the old book as heretofore . In 179 S , June 27 th , it was agreed to drop the modern constitution , and not to xvork under it any more , and on thc 14 th October

a letter was xvritten to the Grand Master , the Duke of Athol , begging to discontinue the modem x \* arrant ; but in September , 1 S 01 , txvo sets of returns xvcre made and sent one to each Grand Lodge . Finally , at the Union in 1813 , the brethren renounced their modern 503 xvarrant and adopted the Athol xvarrant , 174 , under xvhich the lodge celebrated its centenary 11 years ago , xvhen the Marquis of

Ripon granted it a centenary jexvel , and with his Grand Officers attended the centenary celebration . As I have already mentioned , both the 1772 and 1792 xvarrants now hang in our lodge room xvith the centenary xvarrant . —Fraternally yours , C . J . PHILLIPS , P . M . Royal Gloucester Lodge , 130 , P . Prov . G . S . D . Hants and Isle of Wight . Southampton , Feb . 20 th .

MASONRY IN FAMILIES . To the Editor of thc " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Under thc above heading in your last issue you notice the family of the Duke of Richmond . You will be interested to know that besides the Earl of March txvo other of the Duke's sons arc Craftsmen , viz .,

Lieut .-Col . Lord Algernon C . Gordon-Lennox , and Captain Lord Francis C . Gordon-Lennox , of the Grenadier and Scots Guards respectively . They xvere initiated in the Wanderers Lodge , No . 1604 , in February , 1 S 77 , during my year of office as J . W . —I am , dear sir and brother , fraternally yours , F . J . \ VRAY , P . M . 1604 , and J . W . 1257 . James-st ., Buckingham-gate , S . W ., Feb . ioth .

PETITIONS TO THE ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION . To thc Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — It is very fortunate for Bro . Thomas Jones that his petition for assistance to the Royal Masonic Benevolent

Institution is repotted in your issue of the 17 th inst . as " approved . " Still , there may be some sturdy members of the Craft unfortunately knoxvn by the same familar names xvho would suffer from the direct necessity rather than burden any of our Charities for assistance . The . writer is one of these . May he suggest that in order to prevent

inferences , which however warranted by premises yet may be unpleasantly xvrong , that the lodge number of applicants should be quoted xvith the name ? The disadvantages of passing through the xvorld xvith common names may sometimes make their oxvner anything but grateful to the various "fathers" xvho bestowed them

upon an unconscious being . Poverty , too , may cause a feeling of gratitude that our Craft provides succour in time of need ; and yet a Mason may prefer xvorking to begging . Kindly find space in your next issue , most revered Editor , from another brother named , THOMAS JONES , Formerly of 25 and 1 G 57 .

Reviews

REVIEWS

NINTH ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE GRAND LODGE OP QUEBEC . By M . W . the G . M ., Bro . T . H . GRAHAM . LL . D .

This is a very able address and xvill xvell repay perusal . Wc may in England be tempted perhaps to deem it rather lengthy , accustomed as xve arc to very brief and condensed reports of Masonic proceedings , but as each jurisdiction

has its oxvn customs and laxvs , so each nationality has its oxvn ideas and proclivities . Masonic toleration and fairness would enjoin on us a full recognition of absolute liberty of remarks and feeling in this respect . We said the address is a very able one , and so it is , and distinguished alike by clearness of exposition , thoughtfulnessof utterance , and dignity of tone , and demonstrates to all xvho read such documents , that Bro . Graham is not only a very able and conscientious

Reviews

ruler , but a sound expositor of Masonic law , as well as a "bright Mason . " Into all that portion of his address xvhich deals xvith local matters xve do not profess to enter , but xve can fully realize that upon them all Bro . Graham speaks in lucid terms and decided authority . Thc part xvhich most concerns us is the section xvhich deals with the difficulty of the " English lodges . " But wc shall not be

tempted to rc-open the question , though xve might do so , for in our humble opinion our original objections to Bro . Graham's position and Bro . Driimmond's laxv have never been answered . We note , that in order to get rid of one pressing difficulty , Bro . Graham throxvs over the admissions and arrangement of the G . M . of the Grand Lodgeof Canada . But " verbum sat . " Even if we xverc disposed to reopen an old

controversy and continue our ancient if friendly polemics , Bro . Graham's parting xvords quite disarm us and move us much . They are equally simple and kindly , eloquent and touching . His last advice is an "Eirenicon . " After nine years he declines as xve understand re-election , though we should never be astonished to hear that he is re-elected . He recommends patience and conciliation , and practically

adopts the recommendation of our Grand Secretary to axvaitthe natural " efflux of time . " We give his oxvn xvords , as we think our readers xvill like to see them . " And noxv , brethren of this Grand Lodge , for reasons xvhich I think will be obvious to all of you , let me earnestly advise you not to take any special legislative action on this subject at the present communication , but in the still further

exercise of the true spirit of our Fraternity , calmly axvait the result of what has already been said and done and what is likely to transpire in the near future , xvith the hope not wanting among the members of this Grand Body , and shared in by not a fexv other brethren , good friends of Quebec , both here and in Great Britain , that the consummation devoutly desired may be peacefully and fraternally

realized at an early day . So mote it be . " We also beg to give here thc closing xvords of this address of our xvorthy brother , xvhich xve have read xvith pleasure . " Officers and Brethren , —Having by your over-partial suffrages presided in this Grand East for nine laborious and eventful years , 1 beg gratefully to return to you thc symbol of ' supreme command ' which you have so

frequently xvith entire unanimity placed in my hands : and with a profound sense of the distinguished honour xvhich y ; u have thus conferred upon me—an , honour enjoyed by few living Grand Masters—xvith a grateful appreciation of the many favours received at your hands , and xvith hearty thanks to my fellow officers and other members of this Grand Body for their long-continued and efficient support

and co-operation ; and although not having brought to the fulfilment of thc important duties of this high office those talents and that worth and leisure xvhich it demands , and while doubtless having made mistakes , for it is ever true that to ' err is human , ' yet claiming to have been actuated by a sincere desire faithtully to promote the best interests of this Grand Lodge and of the Craft in general , I noxv , in justice to

myself and others , bid you as Grand Master an affectionate and fraternal farexvcll ; and at thc same time begging to assure you that it xvill be my purpose to seek in some gjood degree at least to exemplify thc folloxving loyal and patriotic sentiments of one of not thc least renoxvned of Rome ' s great Consuls , xvho on an occasion of vital import to the commonxvealth declared in these xvords , familar to so many

of you— ' Illud perhciam profecto , Quintes , ut ea quae gessi in Consulatu , privatus tuear atque ornem . ' " And may he upon xvhom this mantle xvill more xvorthily fall * look well to this Grand East j' may he and all after him xvho wield this sceptre be endued xvith a jroodly portion of the xvisdom bestoxved upon that monarch after xvhom this scat of honour is fittingly named , * may all their official acts

fully accord xvith the unchanging laxvs and constitutions of our ancient Fraternity , and xvhich this Grand Lodge has hitherto sought to enunciate , to uphold , and maintain ; and may thc Most High prosper them and you in all your lawful undertakings , and may He evermore abundantly bless the Grand Lodgeof Quebec and our beloved Order throughout thc xvhole xvorld . So mote it be . "

THE RECORDS OF ST . GEORGE'S LODGE , No . 342 . By W . M . DELANOY , P . M . 242 . Doncaster : Hartly and Son . . This valuable contribution , directly to lodge life amongst us , and indirectly to Masonic history , is ushered in by a preface from our xvell-knoxvn Bro . VV . J . Hughan , xvho has long taken a most intelligent interest in all similar enquiries . Thc lodge it seems dates from July 4 th , 17 S 0 .

lt seems strange at hist sight that Freemasons in Doncaster should have come to London , the Grand Lodge at York being still a living and xvorking body . Indeed , there is something so peculiar about the position of the Grand Lodge of York , and so many odd developcments in regard to the York Masons , that it must strike all careful students of its history and proceedings as being so far inexplicable in itself .

The letter at York is probably a report from Doncaster as to the fact of thc application to London , and seems to prove one of txvo things , —either that the Masons atDoncasterhad xvorked xvithout an actual charter , xvhich xve fancy xvas often the case then , or that for some reason the Grand Lodge at York was out of favour . The warrant appears to be dated in i 7 So , as from the Duke of Manchester , G . AI ., though curiously

enough xve note the able editor does not give us in this xvork a copy of the actual xvarrant , though he gives us one of the "Dukeof York Lodge . " Warrants of lodges ought alxvays to be set out , as Masonic students and experts can find a good deal often in them . The history of the lodge , though not important , is interesting , and its minutes contain some valuable records of Masonic progress . The lodge has noxv

a centenary xvarrant—one of four in Yorkshire . It is just possible that there was another lodge in Doncaster ; but if so it must , we think , have been " charterless . " Perhaps Bros . Todd or Whytehead can tell us if among the old correspondence at York a chance allusion occurs to Masons at

Doncaster . H would be a very interesting point to establish . Bro . Hughan , who knows as much of the subject as anyone , evidently leans to the idea that there may have been an earlier lodge . At any rate the xvork xvhich is before us is full of interest to the Masonic student , and xve thank Bro . Delanoy heartily for his careful and valuable contribution to lodge life and history .

MASONIC BOOK CATALOGUES . Mr . John Wilsonjs catalogue , No . 64 , of Occult Literature deserves the attention of all Masonic students and lovers of Hermetic and Alchemical literature . We recommend them to send for a copy to Mr . J . Wilson , 12 , King William-street , Charing Cross , W . C .

Reviews

ARABIAN NIGHTS . Part VI . Cassell , Petter , and Galpin , London . We still are as it xvcre in the realms of Oriental shadows and myths . We are carried back on our " magic carpet " to old hours and long forgotten scenes , and such is the effect of these xveird old talcs on our imagination and memory , that xve are almost inclined to believe that xve are young again , and listening to thc stories of the agreeable

Scheherazade and the accommodating Dinarz ' ade . And yet what a stolid brute that sultan xvas ! Happy hours of ideal fancies and golden dreams , gone with years , alas , never to return here . What wondrous vistas seemed opened to us one and all , as believing and confiding wc listened in startled awe and rapt deli ght to the serious , romantic , sensational , and facetious myths of the Eastern "Raconteur . " This edition is admirably kept up , alike in beautiful clearness of type and artistic elegance of illustration .

POVERTY TAXATION , THE REMEDY , & c . By THOMAS BKIGGS . Wm . Reeves , 1 S 5 , Strand . This work , undoubtedly cheap at a shilling , has been sent to us , though xvhy xve knoxv not , or cannot even pretend to attempt to guess . It is simply a political book , most political in argument , dcvelopcment , and outcome . The Freemason ispurely anon-politicalpaperand cares nothing

tor the cries of party or thc " shibboleths " of contending factions ; as Punch said years ago most reasonabl y , it is liberal , truly liberal , in its love of " small change " ( ready money ); it is conservative , most conservative , in its appreciation of " duly discharged accounts . " Beyond this it does not go , and so it must decline xvith the greatest possible respect to reviexv Mr . Briggs .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

124 J CHARLES SACKVILLE .

borne very important points arise out of this question more important than at first sight they might semi to be which cannot be dismissed hastily . "G . H . A . ' s" idea o ' f circumstantial evidence—may I say it xvithout offence '—is very circumstantial indeed . The only evidence so farbein" - that both these

persons had the name of Charles , that his biographer says he xvas in Italy , and that lie is supposed to have written some verses on the "Vale of Arno " Beyond this there is not a stitch ot evidence to connect the txvo . Suppose he did not write thc verses on the " Vali-? L £ " ? - / ' , ' W r , at lhcn ? ls h 'l itc c , car "' at he did so ? It the Duke of Dorset be one and the same xvith

person Carolus Sackvillc , he xvas in England after 1734 , when Freemasonry xvas reviving . when many of his friends and confreres were I'rcemasons , when his royal friend was initiated ; and yet , as far as I knoxv , there is not thc slightest " sign or token to prove that he knew anything of Masonry ; if < u he could hardly be the " Magister Florcntinus" of 173 * - At this present period of Alasonic enquiry xve must have

facts , not presumptions , not theories , not even circumstantial evidence . So faras I understand anything of what evidence means , there is reall y no evidence to connect the txvo names together , except , as I said before , thc coincidence of "Charles , " and thc fact that the Dukeof Dorset was once in Italy . Charles , second Duke of Dorset was born in 1710-11 . He xvas elected for East Grinstead

in 1734 , and again 1741 , and xvas member for the county of Sussex in 1 743 and then a Lord of the Treasury . He xvas made Master of the Horse as Earl of Middlesex to iM-edenck , Prince of VVales , in i 74 r , and atiended as such at his Royal Highness ' s funeral in 1757 . What he was called m early years seems somewhat uncertain . Tlic lust creation was Baron Buckhurst in 15 CO , Earl of Dorset iniCos , Baron Cranlield and Earl of Middlesex in 1675 and Duke of Dorset in 1720

. In 1710 he xvould be cither the Hon . Charles Sackville , Lord Sackvillc , Lord Cranlield or Lord Buckhurst ; in 1732 Earl of Middlesex . He succeeded to the title of Dorset onl y in 17 ^ 5 , dying in 176 . 1 . A friend of mine asks mc this question , Where is thc medal ? Who has seen it ? Where is it first mentioned ? The earliest mention of it , that 1 knoxv , ( perhaps Bro . Hughan or Gould can give mc an earlier ) , is in thc •¦ Almanack " of the Strict Observance , privately printed in 1777 . In Hii «

little xvork is recorded the death of Von Hufid or Von Hundt , his real name being Carl Gotthelf Von Hundtand Alten Grotkau , who died at Meiningen , November Sth 1776 . the letterpress states that this medal xvas struck bv the brethren of a lod ge in Florence , in honour of their founder , Lord Sackvillc , Duke and Earl of Middlesex . We arc not told where it is . The exact xvords are " Carolus Sackville , Magister W ., L . N . 1733 . " On the reverse . " Ah

ungme , b . Natter , tr . Horent . " The head is very fine on the obverse , and there is a fi gure of Harpocrates with his finger to his mouth , and some Masonic xvorking tools on the reverse . The xx-ords " ab origine" seem to throxv a doubt on the medal . They are Strict Observance xvords , and if the Handbuch is correct , Natter went from Stockholm to St . Petersburg !! in 1 7 C 2 , there introduced the Strict Observanceand this

, fable of the Order . If the English biography is correct he settled in London in 1742 , and never left it . Were there txvo Natters ? Is the medal a true medal ? Ihe abbreviation FI . does not necessarily mean Worentinus . " It may mean " Floruit . " " Florent " no doubt is an abbreviation tor " Florentine " " G B A " says you have the medal ! Be it so , but unless ' xve ' can

disconnect this medal from the Strict Observance I think we may save ourselves some trouble by requestin . r further proof of the reality , and even existence , of the actual medal It is possible that in the loose xvay in xvhich things xvere done in those days a lod ge existed at Florence . I doubt it , and fear we have in this long assumed authentic evidence another fraus pia " or " impia " as you like . DRYASDUST .

125 J EASTERN MYSTERIES IN ENGLAND . About six years ago , in October or November , there appeared in the Illustrated London News a sketch and short description of an inscribed stone bearing the figure of a goddess seated on a lily-leaf ; this xvas discovered in

Northumberland , and the inscription a Roman one stated that it xvas erected by the Batavian Cohort , in memory of a comrade and dedicated to the goddess Covin tina Does not the above shoxv signs of an oriental origin , and xvho xvas the goddess above stated ? T . F 804