Notes On The Old Minute Books Of The British Union Lodge, No. 114, Ipswich. A.D. 1762.

in England , though still permitted in Scotland . At the December meeting we notice a visiting brother from the Lodge of Peace , Joy , ancl Brotherly Loxe , 361 , Penarth , Cornwall . According to that admirable compendum

of masonic fiicts ( the Cosmopolitan Calendar ) this Lodge is non est inventus , at least , so far as the little town of Penarth is concerned . It may have been removed to some other place in Cornwall , as many of our old Lodges have been removed from

time to time from "the place of their birth and infant nurture" into other and more congenial climes . Charles Cardinall of the Castle Lodge , No . 25 , appears as a visitor in 1803 . At a meeting in the previous year we find a memo : " When next send to

London to know particulars how money is applied ; " from which we may conclude the members were not altogether satisfied with the way in which Grand Lodge disposed of its funds . Under date June 16 th , 1803 , we find that the Lodge which was then numbered 147 , was opened this evening upon a very solemn occasion to attend the funeral

obsequies of our much respected brother It . AVorth . 21 of the brethren appear to have been present , ancl 17 from the Perfect Friendship Lodge . Brevity is the soul of wit , they say , —what an amount of humour seems to brim over from the short

records of the past . 24 June , 1803—" Joseph Cooper was accepted , ancl admitted to ye 2 nd degree ( good dinner provided ) 8 o ' clock , all happy . " Depend upon it the good brethren of the British Union Lodge at this time were a jocund lotand never neglected the inner man .

, AVe have a curious record at the Lodge meeting held 1 st November , 1803—"Bro . Thomas Rolp proposed AVm Laysonb y French to be modernised into masonry , at one guinea expense . " Under correction of my erudite , Bro .

Hughan , we take this as a proof that the British Union was under the modern Grand bod ge ; and Bro . French was probably wade in an Athol Lodge , or as they called Oiemselves , the Ancient Masons . On June' 25 th , 1804 , we find the pertinent memo that a certain person was proposed as a member , " and there

appeared 7 black or negafit ^ eans against him , —of course was rejected . " At a previous Lodge a candidate was rejected , so we may fairly conclude the brethren were careful who they admitted to the mysteries aud privileges of our

Antiout and Honorable Society . At the meeting on the 2 nd October , 1804 , we find a record that on the same evening there was " presented by Bro . Thomas Rolfe to the British Union Lodge , a Grand Tyler ' s medal , for which the

brothers return thanks . " On November 4 th , 1804 , a Lodge appears to have been convened at the Crown ancl Sceptre Inn , when a candidate , Thomas Plain . tain , was proposed as a member . The Lodge was then closed ; ancl on the

6 th following , at the regular meeting of the Lodge , which was held at the Golden Lion , this same candidate was initiated , — a most irregular proceeding , ancl one which would soon bring a Lodge now-a-days under the lash of the Board of General purposes .

This same brother Plain tain was passed ancl raised at the next meeting in December . From the Cash account given tit the next meeting we gather that the fee for

admission at this time into the Order was £ 2 2 s . Od . ; the price charged for an apron was 2 / . AVe are afraid few Masons would care to wear a 2 / apron now . At the meeting held on the 27 th December , 1804 , we find Bro . Hind " sent a

polite message requesting the Master to bespeak a play , after consulting the Lodge of Perfect Friendship , in unison with ourselves , have bespoke the play of 'The Mountaineers , ' with the farce of the 'The Midnight Hour' for Tuesday 1 st January ,

, , 1805 , with the sanction of Sir Wm . Middleton , the Provincial Grand Master . " AA e presume the members went in their regalia , or the dispensation of the P . G . M . would have been unnecessary . At the same time the late Treasurer

presented a purse to his successor , " hoping at the same time it may be handed down to posterity . " AVe greatly fear the purse is now amongst the things that were . On February 3 rd , 1805 , a meeting was held at Bio . Raymondswhen two candidates

, were proposed , who were afterwards duly initiated at the regular meeting on the 5 th , held at tho Golden Lion . From this ancl a similar proceeding al-