History Of The Lodge Of Em Ulation, No . 21.

" A Motion was made and seconded : That the matter of Provincials for this Metropolis , be maturely considered the next Lodge Night , in order that the R . W . M . may know with certainty the opinion of the members concerning it , so as to be able to speak agreeable thereto at the next Committee of Charity , or at any other time or place he may be legally

called upon by the Grand Master or his Deputy for that purpose . " The foregoing paragraph , as well as that of Dec . 12 th , 1768 , on the same subject , will appear somewhat ambiguous without explanation , especiall y as the records of the Grand

Lodge contain no reference to the matter . The author of / inis / ni / foiis of Masonry—William Preston , who was well versed in the affairs of the Craft , being employed in the Grand Secretary ' s Office—in describing the progress of Masonry during the Grand Mastership of the

Duke of Beaufort , 1767—i 77 i , says : "Another new appointment likewise took place during his Grace ' s administration , viz ., the office of General Inspectors or Provincial Grand Masters for lodges within the bills of mortality ; but the majority of the lodges in London disapproving the appointment the authority was soon after withdrawn . "

hhl . OM ) TKACIXO liO . MM ) ()]•• 'J'lIK J . OIJOK OK KM l . 'J . ATJOX . The subject was again before the Mourning Bush Lodge on April 10 th , 1769 , when the question was put , " and on holding up of hands the Brethren were for the R . W . M . & Wardens voting against the appointment of Provincials for

this Metropolis . " June j 2 th . —At this meeting a ballot was taken for the removal of the lodge , twenty members voting on the question , when , b y a majorit y of seventeen , it was decided to remove the lodge to The Saint Paul ' s Hani , Cateaton Street .

On the 26 th December of this year the lodge was joined by Bartholomew Ruspini , a brother who subsequently attained considerable eminence both masonicall y and socially . He was surgeon-dentist to the Prince of Wales and one of the Founders of the Prince of Wales ' s Lodge in J 78 7 , a

lodge established by brethren attached to the person of His Royal Highness . In 1788 he was instrumental in establishing the Royal Cumberland Freemasons' School—so named after the Duchess of Cumberland , its first Patroness—now known as the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls .

He was appointed Grand Sword-Bearer in 1791 , and continued in that office until 1813 . His title of Chevalier he received from the Pope , who , in recognition of his general benevolence , and hospitality to foreigners in distress , created him a Knight of the Golden Spur , it is said " without solicitation from any quarter . " This honour conferred on a

distinguished Freemason being in such striking contrast to the treatment of our fraternity by more recent occupants of the Pontifical Chair deserves more than it appears to have received at the hands of the Chevalier ' s biographers—a mere passing mention—I have therefore much p leasure in stating ,

that to the best of my belief the name of the Pope , who thus evinced his freedom from prejudice and also his appreciation of real worth and personal merit , was Pius YI ., who occupied the Papal throne from 17 "/^ to 179 8 , when he was deposed b y Napoleon , and died in the following year .

The minutes of January 28 th , 1771 , contain an example of the good-fellowship which in those days generally existed between the landlord and the members of the lodge . " Bro . Wy lde en account of his leaving the house was pleased to present to the Lodge the sum of One Guinea , requesting the Brethren present to drink a parting glass with him which was agreeably comply'd with . "

1 771 , February nth . —This night the lodge passed a resolution disapproving of the proposed Incorporation of the Society and voted " a sum not to exceed live guineas ( in conjunction with other Lodges of the same opinion ) to defray the expences of opposing that unconstitutional measure . "

The new landlord ( Bro . Marriott ) " was this evening pleased to entertain the Brethren with a very ellegant supper . " At a " Convention Night" ( another name for an Emergency meeting ) on January 31 st , 1772 , a case of rapid advancement

is recorded in the Minutes : — "Cape . James Bunyan was proposed to be made a Mason in this Lodge , and as he is to sail in a few days requests that he be made this night , which was seconded and agreed to , and he was accordingly ballotted for and unanimously voted a Candidate , and was admitted in

the First and Second Degrees , and further requested to be raised to the Third Degree , which was granted , and he was accordingly raised to the Third Degree , and paid the usual fee . "

At this period it seems to have been customary to invite f lie Grand Officers and certain other distinguished brethren to the Summer Feast , and occasionally to the ordinary lodge meetings , for at the end of the minutes of February ioth , 1772 , is the following : — "This night the Lodge was honour'd with Bro'' Rowland

Holt , Esq ., Past S . G . W ., Charles Taylor , Esq ., Past J . G . W ., Bro Dunkelly , Provincial G . M . for Hampshire , Bro ' Sir Tliomas Tancred , Bart ., Provincial G . M . for Yorkshire , and Bro Hazeltinc , Grand Secretary , and many more respectfull Brethren of the Somerset House Lodge . "

1774 , February 281 I 1 . — "A message was received from the Grand Master concerning Building a Hall .... in consequence of which it was unanimously agreed that a voluntary subscription shou'd be opened , which was accordingly doneeach Bro ' agreeing to pay when call'd

, upon the sum afiix'd to his name , and as a further encouragement to the same a Motion was made and Seconded that the Lodge meet on Wednesday y" 9 II 1 March instead of the regular night , Monday y 14 th which will enable us to report to the Grand Master the

amount of what we are ready to pay when call'd upon for . " 1774 , April 25 th . — " Bro ' Frith made a Motion that Mr . Samuels do draw the picture of our W . Treasurer , and that he shall be allow ' cl Twelve Guineas for the same and

likewise that a sum not exceeding Five Guineas shall be