Correspondence.

Correspondence .

We do not hold ourselves reaponsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limitsfree discussion .

BRO . ROBERT BURNS AS MASONIC POET-LAUREATE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I am glad to learn from Bro . Hughan ' s very interesting communication in to-day's Freemason that Bros . Hugh A . Peacock and Allan Mackenzie are throwing more light on the foolishly-disputed ( as I think ) question of Bro . Robert

Burns's inauguration as the Poet-Laureate of Lodge Canongate Kilwinning . Not having had the privilege of even seeing , much less of carefully perusing , the volume alluded to , and having no hopes of ever being able to do so , of course I can give no opinion of the no doubt arduous labours of Bros . Peacock and Mackenzie ; yet , nevertheless , as a Mason taking a lively interest in the subject ,

I may be allowed to thank them for publishing their work , though , unfortunately , too poor to hope ever being able to buy it . My own view of the matter was stated in the Voice of Masonry , a widely-circulated and beautifully got-up magazine , printed at Chicago , in September , 18 93 , in a couple of sonnets , which , as they will be new to most of your readers , perhaps you will allow me to quote here—I .

The lodge was duly closed , and Masons met Around the festive board , to share the " flowing bowl , " " The feast of reason and the flow of soul ; " And he , the greatest Bard which Scotland yet Can show of all her many sons of song , The gifted and true-hearted BURNS was there ; Masonic labours he well loved to share ,

And they were proud he did to them belong And prized the Craft . Some brother did propose That they should crown him Bard of Masonry , With which the others quickly did agree ; And so the Laureate's wreath , ' ere they arose ; ¦ Was placed upon the Poet ' s noble brow , And the lodge still feels proud of that act even now .

II . There are some dry-as-dusts who can ' t conceive That the account thereof each worthy brother Delighted to hand down to one another , Had any truth ; these Masons all believe Their brother Masons lied , just to deceive Their brother Masons . They have search'd the books ,

And find no entry of it ; so it looks To them false on the face of it . I grieve To think how much " Masonic History "_ is . But this not being business of the night Perform'd in open Lodge , what scribe could write A record in the minutes ? Yet the bliss Of that night's honour'd and fraternal glee Was life-long treasured in each Brother's memory .

As the office of Masonic Laureate was not one provided for in the Book of Constitutions , there woifid have been grave objections to making any such appointment in open lodge , and it has always seemed to me the height of folly to expect to find any entry of it in the records of the business of the lodge . Such has long been my view , and I have wondered that Masons who can swallow without doubt

the improbable fictions which are even yet taught as serious matters of fact , should seriously doubt the very reasonable tradition of the honour paid by his enthusiastic brother Masons to the greatest genius then under their banner—the wonderful poet of the people , ROBERT BURNS . —I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours very fraternally ,

GEORGE MARKHAM TWEDDELL Rose Cottage , Stokesley , Yorkshire , January 16 th .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

1094 ] — " Scribe " seems right : No W . M . can be elected at a lodge of emergency ; B . C . 130 is very clear . The election was doubtless bad and the business irregular . C . H . W .

Reviews.

Reviews .

( Continued from p . 44 . ) "MOTHER LODGE KILWINNING . —The Ancient Lodge of Srotland . " Discussion of an Old Historical Question . By Rev . William Lee Ker , M . A ., Minister of Kilwinning , Author of " Kilwinning Abbey , " & c . Alexander Gardner , Publisher to her Majesty the Queen , Paisley ; and 26 , Paternoster-square , London . 1 S 96 . —It is not necessary that we should follow Bro . Ker over the whole of the ground he has traversed in order to vindicate the rights of a lodge which of late years have never—as we have already more than once remarked—been seriously , but only academically , assailed ; indeed , the

lime ard space at cur disposal will not permit of our doing so . Bro . Ker rests his arguments in favour of Kilwinning ' s priority and supremacy mainly on the Schaw's Statutes of 1599 , and if they are held to determine the question , there is no need for us to concern ourselves about what by comparison with these Statutes is mere secondary evidence . Similarly , if we are deemed to have established our case in behalf of Edinburgh , on the evidence of these Statutes , and these Statutes alone , we need not trouble about the Roslin Charters , the Kilwinning Legend , and other matters . But the course pursued towards the Ledge of Kilwinning by the Grand Lodge of Scotland , firstly , after its

formation in 173 6 " , and , secondly , in 1 S 07 , when , after a series of negotiations with Kilwinning , it succeeded in effectinga reunion of all Scottish Freemasonry under its banner stand on a different footing . Both Kilwinning- and Edinburgh had up to the latter year been consistent in maintaining each its own claims to priority , but the conduct of the Grand Ledge of Scotland towards them both at the latter epoch—( 1807 ) —was in direct conflict with its conduct towards them both at the former epech , namely , in 1737 ; and as its decision at the latter of the two epochs may be

reasonably considered—at least without a full investigation into all the circumstances—of greater value than the earlier decision ; just as a revised code of laws is adopted as final and conclusive in preference to the code it supersedes , it devolves upon usto inquire how and why it came about that the settlement of 1 S 07 was directly subversive of that cf 1737 . It is not disputed that the Grand Lodge of Scotland , after its formation in 1736 , resolved that Ihe lodges constituting it should be placed on the roll according to the dates of the evidence they severally produced of their priority , with a proviso in respect of lodges which produced no such evidence . These latter were to be postponed , and if at

Reviews.

any subsequent time they produced " instruction of their being elder , then they shall have their place on the Rolls according to the dates of their erection and Constitution . " Under this arrangement , the Lodge of Edinburgh , which produced minutes dating from "Ultimo Julij , 1599 , " was placed No . 1 on the roll , and the Lodge of Kilwinning , whose documentary evidence went no further back than the 20 th December , 1642 , was assigned the second place . But it was not long before the latter , which nearly 100 years previously , had dubbed itself the " Ancient Ludge of Scotland , " evinced dissatisfaction

with the position thus assigned to it . In a few years it withdrew from Grand Lodge into its former state of independence , and subsequently issued warrants f Jr the constitution of daughter lodges . In 1 S 07 it was , to use an expression of Schaw ' s , "thocht neidfull and expedient , " and for reasons which must commend themselves to every lover of Freemasonry , that the whole of the Scottish Craft should be brought into the one fold under Grand Lodge . Ur .-official communications were therefore made on the part of the Grand Lodge of Scotland to the Lodge of Kilwinning with a view to

bringing about this most desirable consummation , the result being that Committees were appointed by the two bodies , and in the end a treaty of union was drawn up , under which Kilwinning was to be placed at the head of the roll without a number while the Lodge of Edinburgh remained at No . ' , it being arranged as regards the daughter lodges that they should be incorporated in their rightful places , according to seniority , in the roll of lodges about to be compiled . This treaty was agreed to in spite of the opposition raised by the S . W . of the Lodge of Edinburgh and subsequently renewed from time

to time . Ultimately , however , the remonstrance of the Lodge of Edinburgh was withdrawn by its W . M ., and since then , to repeat the words we quoted from Bro . Murray Lyon ' s History in the first portion of this revie > v , "Time has now effaced from Mary's Chapel the recollection of its wrongs in the matter of precedency , and through the discretion and good feeling of its rulers , this resuscitation has never during the past 50 years been allowed to break the harmony of the Craft . " But though the loyalty of the Lodge of Edinburgh to the past of 1 S 07 is praiseworthy in the highest degree , it does

not amount to a justification of the pact itself . No evidence that we have ever heard of was adduced in the course of the negotiations between Grand Lodge and Mother Kilwinning of sufficient weight to warrant any disturbance of the 1737 arrangement . The sole object of the negotiations was to re-unite the two sections of Scottish Freemasonry , and as Kilwinning was ready to sacrifice her independence and the power she exercised of chartering new lodges , it was " thocht neidfull & expedient" that some compensation should be made her . She was , in fact , a Grand Lodge , and in return for

abdicating that position she was placed at the head of the roll without a number , while the Lodge of Edinburgh retained its rank as No . 1 . But the question of priority as between the two lodges was not settled by this fact , but evaded . The Lodge of Kilwinning gained its point which it had in view when it entered into the negotiations with the Grand Lodge , and obtained for itself the " heidship " of the roll and certain other privileges , in iciurn for the sacrifices it agreed to make , while the Grand Lodge of Scotland gained its point by bringing- the whole of the lodges under its rule as the supreme

Masonic authority in Scotland . But the order of priority was not thereby settled . It was doubtless felt by the G . Lodge , at all events , to be too delicate and too difficult a question to be dealt with summarily . It was , therefore , pretermitted or postponed , in order that harmony and the re-union of the two contracting parties might be secured , and it will so remain and for Ihe same reason until the Greek Kalends . Kilwinning has added nothing to , nor has Edinburgh lost any of , its ancient prestige , but the Schaw Statutes of 1599 still remain , and the third paragraph of those Statutes provides that " Edinburgh sill be

in all tyme cuming , as of befoir , the first and principal ! ludge in Scotland , and tint Kilwynning be the secund ludge , as of befoir is notourlie manifest in our auld antient writtis . " The parties to the treaty of 1807 no doubt considered they had done a clever thing when they gave Kilwinning a place at the top of the roll without a number without disturbing the position of its No . 1 , and , what is still more important , without being required to settle the conflicting claims of these two oldest lodges , and this will

probably explain why , after a few protests , and threats , and petitions , the Lodge of Edinburgh acquiesced in the arrangement . As for the last two chapters , which are headed respectively " Records of Mother Kilwinning " and " Short Description of Kilwinning and its Abbey , " they are very interesting reading , and may be looked upon as in some measure offering a kind of compensation for the very serious weaknesses which are to be found in the chapters devoted to the so-called vindication of Mother Kilwinning ' s rights .

"THE STORY OF WESTMINSTER ABBEY" ( Offices of "Architecture , " Talbot House , Arundel-street , London , W . C ) . —This handsome volume is worthy of all praise , and has no equal of its kind . Although the size of the Freemason , and running to some 40 pages , profusely illustrated and published in the best manner possible , copies may be had from the publisher for the trifling sum of one shilling and sixpence each . This most deeply interesting story of our National Church has ' been told by the accomplished Editor of "Architecture" ( Mr . James Dudley Morgan ) , and in such an appreciative

and entertaining manner , that the very artistic brochure cannot fail to receive a most hearty welcome from the thousands and tens of thousands who take part in the frequent pilgrimage to this " one religious Building in the Kingdom that stands in its original finishing , with the proper lines of its stones displaying themselves , mellowed only by time . " As this choice production is still on sale , there is no need to quote from its pages at present , neither would it be quite fair so to do . As , however , it is sure to be

soon exhausted , farther on we hope to refer to not a few of the appropriate criticisms and opinions of the Author , as well as to mention the value and importance of the numerous plates , many of which have been drawn by Herbert Railton and other artistes of repute , whilst several portions of the Edifice have been not only faithfully sketched , but most carefully measured , accuracy and exactitude being special features of this choice souvenir of one of the most sacred and famous Buildings in the world .

"THE NEW ILLUSTRATED BIBLE "—( Messrs . Govims and Gray , 22 , Ann-street , Glasgow . )—This little gem , in i 2 mo . size , of nearly 050 pages , is most compact and handy for reference , the type { ruby ) being beautifully clear and the paper wonderfully opaque ( considering the small size ot the volume ) , and is a treasure for the many who desire and can appreciate an illustrated Bible of considerable excellence and beauty . There are many scores of illustrations , some full page , and not a few of the views will

be found quite new and to date . The Palestine Exploration Fund , Frith and Co . ; Religious Tract , Graphic Art , and other Societies , as well as professional and amateur photographers have permitted the use of their negatives , several of the views being reproduced lrom the beautiful series of coloured photographs by the Photochromo Company , Limited . Only 10 , 000 have been printed and copies may be ordered through any bookseller .

Craft Masonry

Craft Masonry

Lodge of Israel , No . 205 . The installation meeting of this centenary bdge wis hsIJ on Tuesday la > S at Cannon-street Hotel , the W . M ., Bro . John Berlyn , presiding . Anon * a very large body of brethren who attended were Past Masters—Bros . Joseph Levy , A . H . Cohen , H . J . Phillips , John A . Gartley , M . J . Emanuel , 13 . Marcus , S . W . Harris , E . H . Norden , W . Littaur , Charles F . Hogard , H . M . Harris , and S . Dincvger . There were also present the following visitors : Bros . C . Rotenberger , 1623 ; A . Kuttner , 1623 ; H . Pamment , S . W . 700 ; George Billings , 13 G 4 ; James Terry , P . G . S . B .. Sec . R . M . B . I . ;

Rev . S . J . Rcco , I . P . M . 1 S 8 ; Nathan Cohen , P . M . 654 ; S . A . Rothschild , W . M . 1017 ; J . H . T . Lyon , P . M . 720 ; Samuel Moses , iG 5 ( i ; S . Emden , 1349 ; Alex . Levay , iSS ; H . Massey , P . M . 619 and 192 S ; -S . Moses , 511 ; Henry a . Moses , 511 ; Emil Koenig , iSS ; L . S . Genese , W . M . 22 ( 15 ; W . Goldstein , J . D . 22 C 5 ; M . Moses , 1549 ; ) . Wych Moses , 1 S 5 ; R . Vallentyne , P . M . 1017 ; A . J . Acworth , P . M . and Sec . 22 G 5 ; W . Paine , I . G . 104 S ; J . F . Siunders , I . P . M . 1507 ; S . G . Thome , 1425 ; M . Boeckbinder , 22 ( 15 ; A . Bonalde , I . G . 1559 ; David Hills , W . M . 185 ; John M . Knight , P . M . 95 ; J . B . North , 15 ^ 3 ; L . M . Moses , P . M . 2665 ; and David Jewell , iOOS . '

Ihe brethren voted 50 guineas from the lodge funds to tie 1 ! mevolent Fun I of the lodge , 10 guineas to the Mansion House Indian Famine Fuid , and one guinea to Guy ' s Hospital . Later in the evening the brethren carried a motion by Bro . Coleman Jonas " That the lodge celebrate by a ball the long reign of her Majesty the Qaeen . " Thc W . M , installed in perfect style Bro . Isaac Rosalki as Master of the lodge tor the ensuing