Ar00200

for occupation , and when that happens , we trust it will be found that the zeal of the members and the sympathy of their friends will have been such us to si art them on their further journey free of all financial encumbrances . * * * THE case mentioned by " P . M . " in our Correspondence columns last week

only shows that the best ordered arrangements occasionally fail of their purpose . Our readers are no doubt aware that the Grand Lodges of England , Ireland , and Scotland exercise concurrent jurisdiction in the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown . As a rule the plan works admirably , and the instances are almost innumerable in which the lodges and

brethren meet and assist each other in carrying out their several functions in the most perfect harmony . In the Australian Colony of Victoria the government of the lodges holding under the three Constitutions has been entrusted to one and the same brother ; but , though this is a solitar } ' case , the same friendly spirit prevails generally wherever English , Scotch , and

Irish lodges work side by side together . But from what our correspondent " P . M . " described last week , the course of Masonic harmony does not appear to run quite so smoothly in Bermuda as it does elsewhere . To judge from his statement there must be a little jealousy between , at all events , some members of the Scottish Fraternity and their English brethren .

Otherwise we are at a loss to understand how , in the absence of the usual recommendation from the Scotch lodge ah eady existing and the Scotch Provincial Grand Master , a new Iodge under the Scotch Constitution should have been warranted . The circumstances appear to be a Utile mixed . The Master of English Lodge No . i Sao—the Broad Arrow , St . George ' s

—on being stationed at Hamilton , where another English Lodge—the Atlantic Phcenix , No . 224—is located , applied for , and obtained from the Grand Lodge of Scotland a warrant for a new Scotch Lodge , No . 726 . on the Scotch roll , in spite of the absence , as we have said , of any recommendation on the part of the already existing Scotch Lodge , No .

200 , and the Scotch P . G . M . A reasonable explanation may perhaps be found in thc fact that the said Master of English Lodge , No . 1 S 90—Bro . Surgeon-Major CAMPBELL—is , as his name betokens , of Scotch extraction , and though he may not on that account have loved the English Craft less , he must naturally have loved the Scotch Craft more , and so sought and

obtained a warrant for the new Lodge , No . 726 , S . C . We prefer this explanation of the circumstances to the one we hinted at in the rust instance , that Bro . CAMPBELL was prompted in the course he adopted by motives of jealousy . But whichever of the two explanations may be right , it will occur to most of our readers that , assuming the circumstances are such as

they have been described by "P . M ., " the facility with which a warrant may be obtained from the Grand Lodge of Scotland is exceptionally great . Probably further inquiries may elicit from Bro . LYON , the Grand Secretary of Scotland , whose anxiety for a well-ordered system of government is universally recognised , that , notwithstanding Bro . CAMPBELL failed to obtain

the recommendation ofthe Scotch Masonic powers that be in Bermuda , there were good and sufficient reasons for acceding to his petition and issuing the new warrant No . 726 . Let us hope , too , that any slight feeling of

dissatisfaction that may have been engendered among our English brethren by the success of Bro . CAMPBELL ' S application will speedily disappear , and that the members of the two Constitutions will in the future , as they have done elsewhere in the past , be found working together in harmony .

Masonic Bibliography.

MASONIC BIBLIOGRAPHY .

In [ No . 630 ] "Masonic Notes and Queries , " October ioth , 1 S 85 , Bro . Hughan gave an interesting account of the new work on " Masonic Bibliography " by Bro . Reinhold Taute , the publisher being Bro . J . G . Findel , of Leipzic . In the article the work was promised to be completed about December , and to consist , when finished , of 240 pages , so as to include some 2700 articles . Part 2 is now before us , and the pledge has been fulfilled , the

articles numbering in all about 2 S 00 . This extraordinary collection belongs to the "Carl Zu Den 3 Ulmen " Lodge , at Ulm , and the preparation of this valuable account of the character and contents of such a vast Masonic library has been undertaken b y Bro . Taute , the labour having involved several years of study , research ,

and preparation for the publication of the catalogue . It is , however , much more than a catalogue , for it abounds with critical and bibliographical notes and references , so much so as to render it a necessary work for all Masonic students . The aim of the compiler has been to supply the titles of works down to 1844 , omitted by Dr . Kloss in his great work of that year , and to furnish particulars of the numerous volumes issued since to the present

time . There are , as may be expected , some errors , and also some omissions of consequence , for there is no library , however great , which can have copies of all the scarce books on Freemasonry ; but , allowing for all such lapses , the " Masonic Bibliography " b y Bro . Taute is a monument of zeal and accuracy . It has been printed at the atelier of Bro . Findel ' s , at Leipzic , in a manner that is most creditable .

The titles of all the works on Freemasonry and cognate subjects are given " verbatim et literatim , " so that to brethren unfamiliar with the German language these exact reproductions of the title pages will prove a most attractive feature , and the excellent table of contents and comprehensive index will be of great help in facilitating an examination of its pages , as well as be of great value in consulting the work from time to time .

The sale , necessarily , will be limited , for there are never many who are interested in bibliography generally , though for the writer the subject has a great charm ; the two parts being issued at 12 s . complete , and may be had lrom Bro . J . G . Findel , Leipzic , from whom we have been pleased to hear lhat Bro . Hughan ' s appreciative notice has led to several copies being applied for from brethren hailing from England and the United States . We are surprised to find there are no Engraved Lists of English Lodges in the collection , and of Bode ' s Almancks , 177 G-8 , only the first is recorded .

Masonic Bibliography.

Of Masonic magazines at home and abroad there are many , and all departments of Masonic literature appear to be well represented ; even the " High Degrees , " occult , and other studies being carefully noted , so that Taute ' s " Bibliography of Freemasonry " will , therefore , take its stand as the supplement to Kloss of 1 S 44 . We hope now that Bro . Carson will soon complete his " magnum opus , " for his " Masonic Bibliography , " as far as it is published , g ives promise of great excellence and value .

Council Register Of Aberdeen, 1398-1570.

COUNCIL REGISTER OF ABERDEEN , 1398-1570 .

The records comprised in the Council Register of Aberdeen , which include the proceedings of the Council , the Baillie and the Guild Courts , begin in 139 S , and are contained in sixty-one folio volumes , down to the year 1 745 ( each one having an average of 600 pages ) , there being only one break in the series , viz ., 1414-33 . This was the period selected for examination and publication by the "Spalding Club , " the AVst volume , issued in 1 S 44 , being

now before me . The extracts are very numerous , and of great interest to Antiquaries and Historians generally , coveriug a most important period of Scottish History . Those of particular value to the Craft are herewith presented , and though not many , they are of significance Masonically . The historical importance of these Records have long been acknowledged by competent judges . 5 th September , 1442 , re loss of freedom .

" Item , that all the communytie , alsweile vunfree as freemen , be sworne to rise with Aldermen and balzeis in the defence of the towne , and of the nychbores of the towne ; and guhasa will noght riese and absentis him willfully , he sal tyne his fredome , and be baunysit out of the towne . " [ Loss of freedom and expulsion from Aberdeen threatened . ] 3 rd November , 1474 re Master of the Work .

, " It is appointit , and fullely accordit betwix David Menzes elder , on the ta pairt , and Schir Andro Wricht , Maister of the Kirk wark of Aberdeen , on that vther part in maner and fourme as efter folowis . "

A still older allusion to the Master is dated 2 nd December , 1439 , being an agreement between the" Alderman and the commowne consaile of this burg on that a pairt , and Maister John of Levington , Vicar of Inuerugy , on that other pairt , anes the biggyne of the brigg [ bridge ] on the water of Dee in maner and form as efter folowis . "

27 th June , 14 S 3 , Sic , re Lodge . "XXVII dai of June , yer LXXXIII , it was rehersit be David Menzes , Master of Kirk Wark , that it was oppoyntit , decretit in lentern last by past the tym of the aldermannis being- in Eninburgh , at the parliament , betuix the masownys of the luge : that is to say , Richard Ancram , Andro Murray , James of Barry , Johne Russal , Johne of Kyndrumy , and Matho Wrycht , efter that thai war frendit and accordit vpon certane debate and controversy betuix thaime , that gif ony tym tocum thairefter ony of thaim

oilendit til vther , that war fundin in a faute , for the first faute , he suld git XXs . to Sanct Nicholace wark vnforgevin , and for the the second faute gif thai fautyt agane , XLs . ; and , gif thai fautit the third tym , to be excludit out of the luge as a common fautour . The guhilk ordinance , ye masownis forsaidis has ratifit arid approvit this samyn da )' , before ye alderman and consel , and newlingis oblist thame til observe the saymn be the faith of thare bodiis . " 22 nd November , 1408 .

"The saide day , Mathou Wricht oblisthim be his hand vpholdin , to makgude service in the Inge and vtenche to the bigin and fumysing of the queqr ( choir ) at the command and sicht of the Alderman , & c . " " The saide day Nichol Masone , and Dauid Wricht oblist tham be the fathis of that bodiis , the gret aithc sworne , to remane at Sanct Nicholes werk in the luge and vtenche , there to make dely gude seurice , and to be let'le trew in all pontis , " & c . ' On 4 th May , 14 S 4 , " Maistre Johne Gray , Mason , was resauit be the

Alderman , Sec , in maistre of work , to the begging of Sanct Necolace work . " This appointment was for " al the dais of his lif , " and the service included not onl y his own personal labours , but the oversight and management of " uther is masons and workmen , " for which duties he had taken the " gret bodely aitk " before the Council and other officials aforesaid , the salary to be " twenty poundis and fyve merkis " annually . Several agreements were made respecting the Bridge , or its repairs , the

Masons entrusted therewith rot being permitted to leave their work without the express permission of the authorities . Then they had trouble , or feared so , in Aberdeen , with " our auld enemies of Inglami , " and a " blockhouse " was decided on for defence , Thomas Menzies and Alexander Gray , "Maisteris of Work to the town of Aberdeen , " agreeing with "Pate Franche and Sanderis Monypenny , Masonis , " for its being built accordingly .

23 rd February , 1541 , re Altar . "The said day , the provost , baillies , and counsell , present for the tyme , gaif , grantytt , and consentytt , and assignitt to the Craftsmen vnder wrytin , that is to say , Wrychtes ( Carpenters ) and Masonis of the said burgh , frely lycence to repair and byff thar altar , callit Sanct Johne the Baptistis alter , wythin the parroche kirk of Aberdene . " This was to be done at the expense of the Crafts , but to remain the property of the Town .

The Processions of the Crafts on "XXI . ( Corpus Christ !) day in the honour of God and the blissit Vinjine Mary , " were duly provided for , the Wricrtis , Masonis , Sclaters , and Coup l ers , " coming before the " Smithis and Hammerymen , " who were nixt the Sacrament , " each Craft with its own Banner , with the appropriate arms depicted thereon , and clothed "in thair best array . " In i 53 S-54 > the order of the Processions was broken through occasionally , and occasioned many heartburnings , for precedence was

much appreciated then as now , sometimes the Masons coming in for a share of blame in the matter . The earliest reference to the lodge in the Records is dated , as I have noted , June 27 th 1483 , the entries having to do with a quarrel between the Masons ; the assistance of the magistrates being required , and fines imposed , in the event of any more troubles of that kind . The word "Loge " ( Lodge ) occurs in the Fabric Rolls of York Minster , fully a century earlier . The misunderstanding , whatever it was , occurred at the building of St .

Nicholas Church , Aberdeen , and exclusion from the Lodge was threatened if the faults were persisted in . On August 5 th , 1527 , the Masons , with the Wrights and Coopers , were granted " A Seal of Cause , " or , in other words , were incorporated by the Magistrates and Council , empowering them to " ressaue , optak and inbring every one of ye said Craft yat enters of new . " In 1541 the privileges were again confirmed , and lrom this year the present old lodge at Aberdeen is supposed to date . We see no reason to doubt its venerable antiquity , at all events .

Unfortunately a lot of the old records pciished in a fire , but as many exist from the year 1670 , of great value , it will be seen that St . John ' s Lodge of Aberdeen , No . 34 , is not without evidence of its antiquity . For the latest particulars of its eventful history , I must refer my readers to Bro . Gould ' s History , and to my earlier notice of its records , in the " Voice of Masonry . " A separate History , however , of this ancient atelier should be published , for which their exists abundance of materials . W . J . HUGHAN .