Freemasonry In England.

FREEMASONRY IN ENGLAND .

( Continued from p . 590 . ) On the death of George I ., his son , George IL , ascended to the throne , June llth , 17 * 27 , and on the 2 < ith of the same month a Grand Lodge ivas held at the Devil ' s Tavern , Temple Bar , at AA'hich ivere present , the Earl of Inchknim , G . M ., his officers , and the Masters and Wardens of forty

Lodges . ¦ At this Lodge , it ivas resolved to extend the privilege of voting in Grand Lodge to Past Grand Wardens , that privilege having been preA'iously restricted to Past Grand Masters , by a resolution , 21 st November , 1724 , and to Past Deputies , 28 th February , 1726 . This AA-as a peculiar favour ; for the Grand Lodge , according to the old constitutions , coidd consist only of the Masters and Wardens of Begular Lodges , with the

Grand Master and his Wardens at their head ; and it was the custom , even for these officers , at their annual election , and on other particular occasions to Avithdraw , that they might not appear to use any undue influence .

A Grand Lodge Avas convened "b y Br . GoAA'pev , D . G . M ., on the 19 th December , 1727 , AA'hen Lord Coleraine Avas nominated Grand Master for the ensuing year , and unanimously approved . On the 27 th of the same month , he ivas regularly installed in his high office ; after Avhich he appointed Br . Choke , D . G . M ., Blackerby and Highmore , Grand Wardens , Br . Beed , Secretary . During his administration , several UBAV Lodges

ivere constituted , and a dispensation Avas granted to hold a Lodge in St . Bernard Street , Madrid . At the last Grand Lodge convened by his Lordship , Dr . Desaguliers moved—that the ancient office of Stewards should be revived , for the purpose of assisting the Grand Wardens in providing the Feast . This was agreed to , their number restricted to tAvelve , ancl their appointment made annual .

Lord Kingston succeeded as G . M ., and Avas invested and installed on the 27 th December , 1728 , at a grand feast held at Mercers' Hall , Avhen he appointed Brs . Blackerby , D . G . M ., Thornhill and 0 'Coimer , Grand Wardens . His Lordship distinguished himself by Ms zeal in attending the Quarterly Communications , as n ell as by several costly presents to the Grand Lodge , consisting of a curious pedestal , a rich

cushion , a A'elvet . hag , and a new jewel set in gold , for the use of the Grand Secretary . During his administration the Society flourished exceedingly . Many Lodges were constituted , and a deputation Avas granted to George Pomfret , Esq ., authorizing him to open a UBAV Lodge in Bengal . This may be deemed the first introduction of Masonry into our Indian Settlements . It has been attended Avith the most prosperous results , and , by its rapid progress , the annual remittances to the Grand Lodge from this and other parts of India , haA'e amounted to a considerable sum .

At a Grand Lodge , held at the Devil ' s Tavern , 27 th December , 1729 , Br . Blackerby , D . G . M ., by authority of Lord Kingston , proposed the Duke of Norfolk as Grand Sfaster for the ensuing year , which nomination M M 2