Masonic Notes And Queries.

writing . Another query , and I have done . What does " Dryasdust" mean by saying that Elias Ashmole received in 1 G 46 " what we should call the Entered Apprentice Degree , " and that the " words of 16 S 2 simply refer to the conferring and reception of a degree ? " I am familiar with Ashmole ' s Diary , and of course know the two entries well of 1646 and 1 GS 2 , but entirely fail to lind in them any

references to Masonic Degrees , and , moreover , 1 consider it positively misleading for any brother to speak of Degrees in Freemasonry being worked at that period . Ashmole says he was " made a Free Mason " on Oct . 16 th , 1 G 4 G . and " was admitted into the fellowship of Free Masons " March 1 ith , 16 S 2 . How such entries can be interpreted to mean Degrees I cannot imagine . W . J . HUGHAN .

3 THE DUKE OF RICHMOND , GRAND MASTER . There were two Dukes of Richmond who were said to be Grand Masters , the first the son of Charles the II ., who died in 1723-4 ; the other who is said to have assisted in revising the Constitutions of 173 S . It is a curious fact as bearing on recent controversies by which the former is rejected and the latter accepted as Grand Master , that in 173 S the 2 nd Duke of Richmond presented to a Lodge in

Chichester now extinct , a copy of the Constitutions of 173 S , still extant . When he gave this present to the Lodge , which seems to have been the one meeting occasionly at Rocks Hill , and probably the continuation of a previous lodge at the same place , there were many brethren living in Chichester who must have known as a fact whether the father of the then Duke had been a Freemason , and above all Grand Master . The first Duke only died in 1723-4 ,

and 14 years after his death his son gives the Book of Constitutions to the Chichester Lodge , which declared his father to have been W . M . of a lodge in Chichester itself and Grand Master . If these statements were solely invented " ad hoc , " and were not true " perse , " we should have been inclined to think that the faith of the Chichester Freemasons in the credibility of Masonic history and the v : racity'of its leaders must have been gravely shaken . It

h is been suggested that the Duke of Richmond never saw the revised Constitutions , but gave his assent" pro forma , " and we must also assume , it appears to me , that none of the leading Masons in London or Chichester , or , in fact , any where , had ever perused the alterations and additions ; but took all these accretions , Xc , on faith , as emanating from the Grand Lodge . It seems to me that such is an eminently unsatisfactory conclusion

to arrive at , and one so unreasonable in itself that I feel sure it cannot face sound or expert criticism . I am quite willihg to admit that the Wren tradition and the Richmond tradition in one sense stand and fall together , and that if one is true the other . is pretty certainly correct ; whereas if the Duke of Richmond was not Grand Master in the seventeenth century , it is also equally probable that Wren was not either . But until better advised , until positive

proof be added to negative criticism , I for one , as 1 have said repeatedly , hold by the bona fides of Anderson , whatever may be the reason why in 173 S his statement is so much fuller and more minute than in 1723 . I have always thought we are making too much of the 1723 book . It was compiled hastily for a purpose , and is simply what it professes to be , a modernization and arrangement of the Guild Legends . MASONIC STUDENT .

374 ] Since 1 wrote the above , Bro . Sadler , G . T ., has very kindly called my attention to a very important paragraph in G . L . minutes of date March , 2 nd , 1732 . It is as follows : " The petition of Bro . Edward Hall , a member of the lodge at the Swan , Chichester , being there made a Mason by the late Duke of Richmond , six-and-thirty years agoe , and now recommended by the present Duke of

Richmond as a proper object of the Charity of Free and Accepted Masons . His petition was read , and Bro . Hall was called in , and after some questions asked him he withdrew , and the question being put , Resolved , that six guineas be given to Bro . Hall for his present subsistance . " It appears that the son of the Duke of Richmond , himself G . M .

of 1724 , was present at this meeting , and though no mention of the G . Mastership is made , yet it seems to us that the probability of the essential accuracy ot Anderson's statement is greatly strengthened . Anderson is thus proved to be completely right as to the Duke of Richmond ' s father being Master of a lodge at Chichester in 16 9 G , and earlier , he probably is right also as to his being G . M . MASONIC STUDENT .

Annual Picnic Of The Lodge Of Antiquity, No. 178, Wigan.

ANNUAL PICNIC OF THE LODGE OF ANTIQUITY , No . 178 , WIGAN .

On Wednesday , the iGth inst ., 73 ladies and brethren assembled at the London and North-Western Railway Station for the purpose of proceeding to Eaton Hall , near Chester , the seat of the Duke of Westminster . The party were conveyed in saloons to Chester . The train started

at 9 . 20 and arrived at the old-fashioned city soon after ten . On leaving the train the company walked to the Blossoms Hotel , where a light luncheon was had . A walk on the Walls and a visit to the Cathedral and other interesting places occupied the time up to dinner , which was served at the Blossoms Hotel . From thence the party took steamer and barge on the Dee to Eaton Hall , the sail

being most enjoyable . The splendid gardens and hall were visited , and came in for their due share of attention and praise . The party then drove back in waggonettes to Chester , and partook of lea at the Blossoms Hotel . A vote of thanks was passed to the brethren of 1335 for their attendance , and goodwill shewn to 17 S . A vote of thanks was also passed to an old friend from Wigan now residing

in Chester who had conducted the party to the various " sights" during the day . The party left Chester at 7 . 50 and arrived in Wigan soon afer nine , having spent a most enjoyable day . Amongst the company were Bros . J . R . Col :, P . M . ; Thumas Milligan , P . M ., P . P . G . J . D . ; C . B . Holmes , P . M ., P . Z ., D . C ; H . D . Croft , P . M . ; Thomas

Milner , P . M ., Treas . ; James Ashurst , P . M . ; G . L . Campbell , P . M . 1335 ; James Murray , P . M ., Xc , 1335 ; Sames Hall , P . M . ; James Parker , W . M . ; James Holmes , Jecretaryj Thomas Str iwger , S . D . ; George Makinson , J . D . ; R . Layland , I . G . ; A . Riddlesworth , S . S . ; T . P . Simpson , J . S . ; R . Seddon , Sec . 1335 ; James Dawber , 9 rg- 1335 ; Pakerson , Tyler ; and others .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft JEasmtrjj . NELSON LODGE ( No . 700 ) . —The installation meeting of the above prosperous lodge took place on Wednesday , the 16 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , William-street , Woolwich , when Bro . T . Ovenden , S . W . and W . M . elect , was placed in the chair of K . S ., and saluted with the usual honours . Bro . J . H . Roberts , I . P . M ., was the Installing Officer , and | did the work splendidly ; his

delivery of the charges was most impiesswe . The following were invested as officers for the ensuing twelve months : Bros . C . Sweeting , S . W . ; J . Sanderson , J . W . ; T . Butt , P . M ., Treas . ; C . Norman , P . M ., Sec . ; R . J . Naylor , S . D . ; J . Swanson , J . D . ; W . Bidgood , Org . ; W . Wray , I . G . ; and Miller , D . C . A vote of thanks was tendered to Bro . Roberts for his services as Installing

Officer , and it was ordered to be entered on the minutes of the lodge . He was also presented with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel of the value of ten guineas , as a mark of the esteem of the brethren , and for valuable services rendered the lodge during his year of office . Bro . Roberts suitably returned thanks , and then the Iodge was closed , and the brethren went by rail to

Gravesend , where , at the New Falcon , Bro . Hubbard s famous hostelry , a superbly appointed and admirably served banquet awaited them . Besides the brethren above enumerated there were present : Bros . XV . Graham , P . M . ; E . Bowles , P . M . ; G . Crawford , P . M . ; C . W . Hobson , P . M . ; J . Warren , P . M . ; E . B . Hobson , P . M . ; Capt . W . Richey , P . M . ;

A . Woodley , P . M . ; J . Johnson , W . Orpwood , J . Marchant , J . Martin , J . Redhead , J . Logan , C . Bedo , T . Webber , J . McCollough , H . Lane , A J . Mitchell , XV West , H . Palmer , G . Porter , T . West , J . Trodd , Knowles , T . Graham , G . Shaw , W . Lacy , E . Medlicott , W . Wright , G . F . Taylor , J . Carty , S . E . Southgate , G . Nichols , and J . Prance , all of thelodge ; T . Vincent ,

P . M . 1861 , P . G . Stwd . ; Capt . J . Sculley , W . M . 70 G ; T . D . Hayes , P . M . 913 ; W . Rees , W . M . 913 ; A . Saunders , W . M . 153 G ; G . Masters , VV . M . 13 ; G . H . Wrigglesworth , P . M . 975 ; C . Farwig , P . M . iSo ; ~ G . Spinks , P . M . 143 G ; A . Burnett , S . W . 70 G ; R . Smith , P . M . 13 ; E . Palmer , S . W . 913 ; W . Moulds , S . W . 153 6 ; G . H . Letton , J . W . 913 ; Capt . J . McCaffery , 153 G ; D . Parker , 127 G ; A . T . Jewell , 115 S ; W . Cordir , 915 ; XV 1 11 11 1 i

.. _ . r * . . 1 , — - - _ . . u IT .-..-. c- _» J _ II Lucraft , H . Bonnor , 73 ; H . Unsell , 1305 ; J . F . Randall , 913 ; G . B . Frost , 13 ; S . Nichols , 1714 ; A . J . Potter , Si 3 ; A . Gasgoyne , 1491 ; T . Huntley , 97 ; and C . Jolly , 1472 , Xc . ( Freemason ) . " The Queen and the Craft ; " "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Ctrand Master of England , " having been honoured , " The Earl of Carnarvon , Pro G . M . ; " " Lord Skelmersdale , D . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present

and Past , were drank in loyal fashion . Bro . Roberts , I . P . M ., then proposed the toast of "The W . M ., " and in so doing drew attention to the zeal and ability displayed by Bro . Ovenden in the minor offices , and augured from that that under his rule the prestige of the Nelson Lodge would be maintained in all its ancient lustre .

Bro . Ovenden , in response , assured the brethren that nothing would be wanting on his part to render himself worthy of the confidence reposed in him . ' He then proposed "The Past Masters , " who , he said , were the stars that lightened the darkness of those who desire office . He was exceedingly proud to see such an array of Past Masters present , and called upon the brethren to drink

the toast in bumpers . Bro . Crawford , P . M ., in response thanked them for the toast . He had spent many happy hours during thc 20 years he had been a member of the Nelson Lodge . He was proud to see the lodge in such a prosperous condition . As to Bro . Ovenden , he was a good working Mason , and he knew no brother who deserved better at their hands than he did . As for the Past Masters , they , he knew , would

only be too happy to assist the W . M . in any way , and so add to the prosperity and continued success of the Iodge . Bro . C . Hobson , P . M ., after 10 years of Past Mastership , thought the time had arrived when those who had served that , or over that time , should be pensioned off , at any rate they might be let down lightly , for after so many years rusting their knowledge of l \ lasonry must be very

doubtful . He , however , trusted that the rising oflicers would do as well as the old ones had done , and then they might fairly , after 10 or 20 years' service , be pensioned off . The facetious manner of Bro . Hobson caused much merriment , and Past Masters Roberts and E . Hobson followed in the same genial strain . Bros . Vincent , Rees , Saunders , Hayes , and Sculley

responded for "The Visitors , " and . Bro . Jolly for "The Masonic Press . " " The Officers " were toasted , and Bro . Sweeting returned thanks . A cordial toast to the host , Bro . Hubbard , who was congratulated upon his splendid catering , concluded the proceedings . Bro . Matt Sherwin presided at the piano , and the singing was above " par . " ———

LEBANON LODGE , ( No . 1326 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held last Saturday at the Railway Hotel , Feltham , Middlesex . The lodge was called for the early hour of one o ' clock in the afternoon , as the business on the paper was very heavy . This business consisted of one initiation , five passings and two raisings , besides the installation of the new Worshipful Master ,

and the consideration of several notices of motion . Bro . David Steinhauer , VV . M ., presided , and there were also present the following brethren : Bros . D . Steinhauer , W . M . ; J . J . Marsh , S . W . and W . M . elect ; Fletcher Knight , J . W . ; W . R . Vassila , S . D . ; J . Laurence , J . D . ; S . Page , Organist ; E . A . Smith , C . S . ; H . Potter , P . M ., W . S . ; C . W . Baker , Steward ; F . Wallers , Sec . ; J . W .

Baldwin ; P . M . ; I ' . U . Mitchell , G . H . Eaton , S . Wheeler , J . A . Wilson , J . C . Goslin , W . Walters , VV . H . Walters , G . Verney , W . K . Datchler , R . J . Morley , VV . Kite , T . M . Prescott , Leo Schacffer , R . Pooley , F . Dunstan , W . R . Smith , G . Waddington , J . Robinson , J . V . Willis , G . S . Streeton , Raymond H . Thrupp , and James Stevens , P . M ., hon . members .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Visitors : Bros . Charles Greenwood , P . G . S . B ., P . G . Secretary , Surrey ; W . Stephens , G . P ., P . P . S . G . D . Middlesex ; Charles Greenwood junr ., P . P . G . R . and P . P . G . Secretary Surrey ; J . Brockett Sorrell , W . M . 1260 , P . M . 1760 ; C . Larkin , W . M . 1524 ; W . H . Lee , P . M . 1524 , P . M . 975 ; F . T . Keeble , M . M . 142 G ; H . Massey , P . M . 619-1928 ; D . Glass , VV . M . 212 ; H . Forss , S . W . 917 ; C . Graham , VV . M . 1540 ; R . I . Taylor , P . M .

144 ; W . H . Whelon , W . M . 1305 ; J . H . Wardell , P . M . 95 ; C . H . Ockerford , S 13 ; J . Ellwood , J . VV . 179 ; J . Catling , S . D . 1679 ; F . Brasted , P . M . 1524 ; W . Wright 1524 . Mr . Thomas Mill Prescott was initialed , and Bros . G . H . Eaton , S . Wheeler , F . G . Mitchell , G . Verney , and F . Dunstan were passed by the'W . M ., who was ably assisted in the ceremonies by Bro . Baldwin , P . M . The two candidates for raising did not attend . Before the installation of

the W . M . elect the notices of motion were taken up and disposed of . The installation ceremony was performed by Bro . Raymond Henry 'Thrupp , P . A . G . D . C , Deputy Prov . Grand Master Middx ., P . M ., Xc , to whom was presented Bro . Joseph John Marsh , S . VV . At the conclusion of thc installation of Bro . Marsh , which was performed in an admirably fluent style , the following brethren were appointed to office : Bros . David SteinhauerI . P . M . ;

, Fletcher Knight , S . W . ; William Robert Vassila , J . W . ; James William Baldwin , P . P . G . P . Middx ., P . M ., Chap . ; Edwin Gilbert , P . G . Stwd . Middx ., P . M ., Treas . ; Fredk . Walters , P . P . G . D . Middx ., P . M .. Sec ; fames Laurence , S . D . ; Edwin Arthur Smith , J . D . ; William Walters , I . G . ; James Robinson , Org . ; John Vickers Willis , A . D . C . ; Charles William Baker " , " D . C . ; Henry Potter , P . M ., W . S . ; William Henry Walters , C . Stwd . ; John

Alfred Wilson , Stwd . ; James Clark Goslin , A . W . S .: and John Gilbert , P . G . Tyler , Middx ., Tyler . After the delivery of the addresses the W . M . announced that at that time he expected to have had the pleasure of presenting Bro . Steinhauer with a Past Master ' s jewel , which was voted to him at the last lodge meeting ; but

from some cause or other , Bro . Gilbert , the Treasurer , who had the jewel , was not present , and he was afraid that some misfortune had happened , as he was never away from the lodge without giving notice . The presentation of the jewel would therefore be deferred either to a late hour in thc evening , or to some other occasion .

Bro . James Laurence , S . D ., then , b y the W . M . 's permission , occupied the attention of the brethren for a short time while he made a presentation to Bro . J . W . Baldwin , P . M . This presentation , which was subscribed for by thc individual members of the lodge , and did not in any way encroach on the lodge funds , consisted of some handsome massive silver dessert pieces for Bro . and Mrs . Baldwin , with a suitable inscription . Bro . Laurencein making the

, presentation , referred to the eminent services rendered to the lodge by Bro . Baldwin , not only while he was Master of the lodge and previously , but also two years ago , when the lodge lost its Master by death , and during the year of Bro . Steinhauer . It was these services the lodge could not forget , and he particularl y pointed out to Bro . Baldwin that the gift was made by the brethren , and not by the lodge , and that the brethren had come forward most readily with

their subscriptions to honour a brother whom they all considered as deserving of the highest honour . It was while they had such Past Masters in the lodge that they must expect the lodge to flourish , and it was by the efforts of such brethren that it had been brought to its present efficient state of working . Bro . J . VV . Baldwin , in accepting the present , acknowedged that he had made great efforts on behalf of the lod

ge ; but stated that he considered it was the duty of every brother member of the lodge to do the same , and he hoped that he should never lose the interest in the lodge which he now felt . Whatever he had done had been done with the sincerest desire for the prosperity of the lodge , which he trusted would go on increasing . No efforts would be wanting on his part to-further the objects he already had had in view , and if his endeavours stimulated any of the brethren to make the same exertions all the

trouble he had taken would be amply compensated . A vote of thanks was unanimously passed to Bro . Raymond H . Thrupp , P . G . D ., for performing the ceremony of installation . The Iodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet . The usual toasts followed . Bro . Charles Greenwood , Prov . G . Sec . Surrey , P . G . S . B ., returned thanks for the toast of "The Grand

Officers , " and in doing so referred to the rapid progress of the province of Middlesex , which , though a young province , had already 33 lodges in it . His own province of Surrey , which was an old province , had 24 lodges . His own connection with Surrey was a long one , as he had been Prov . Grand Secretary 28 years . At that time Surrey had only four lodges . The Worshipful Master next gave the toast of "The

Prov . Grand Master , Col . Sir Francis Burdett ; the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Raymond VV . Thrupp ; and thc rest of the Prov . Grand Officers . " In proposing the toast , he referred with satisfaction to the presence that evening in lodge of Bro . 'Thrupp , who had informed him that Sir F . Burdett would have been present but for illness . They had all seen the colonel in their lodges , and they all knew him as one of those kind , genial , lovinir sort of brethren that

they could all have an affection for . Bro . J . W . Baldwin acknowledged the toast , and said he was proud of the position he held as Past Provincial Grand Pursuivant . As Secretary of the Raymond Thrupp Lodge , he could assure the brethren that Bro . Thrupp had had great pleasure in being present in lodge and installing the W . M . 1 here was no doubt the ceremony was admirably performed , and gave a great amount of pleasure and satisfaction . Bro .

Baldwin also thanked the brethren for the Provincial Grand Officers , and , with respect to the Province of Surrey , said that , although there was a silver streak which separated the two provinces , the Province of Middlesex had a great respect for the Province of Surrey , and assured Bro . Greenwood lhat the brethren of Middlesex were always proud to meet the brethren of Surrey . Bro . Greenwood said he could only reiterate the fact that

he had had the pleasure of knowing the Provincial Grand , Master , and he did not know that there was a better Master than Sir F . Burdett , who felt a very great interest in all that appertained to Masonry . Middlesex was very fortunate in having such a Grand Master . As to Bro . Thrupp , he was an amiable man and Mason , and had shown himself such that afternoon in installing the VV . M . As faras Surrey was concerned , nothing pleased those brethren more than to know that Masonry flourished in Middlesex and every pro «