Masonic Archaeology.

1642 ; the first English Speculative Mason , so far known is Elias Ashmole , 1646 . ' Another very interesting fact is ; that apprentices were sometimes received in open air lodges , as by the IaAvs of the Aberdeen Lodge 1670 :

, ' ' Wee ordaine lykewayes that all entering prentiesis be entered in our ancient out-field lodge , in the mearnes in the Parish of Negg , at the Stonries at the poynt of the Ness . " The use of the word "CWan" in the

16 th century settles deoisi \ ely its real meaning and use , AA-hatever may be its actual derivation . It is eA'idently a technical term ] of Scotch Masonry , and borroAved by us in England . I confess that I cannot agree with

Bro . Lyon as regards the St . Clair Charters . I cannot get over those precise AA'ords in the first Charter , AA'hich aver that the " Lairds of lloslim ? lies

OA'er bene patrons and protectors of us and our pre \ dleges ; Lykas our predecessors lies obey it and ackuowlegeit thame as patrones and protectors . " The Charter further alludes to the fact that this right had been in abeyance

these " feAV yiers . " and Avithout entering into the question of the Eoyal Charter , I think words so clear and precise must be credited , and that Ave are bound to believe that before 1600 the St , Glairs of Rosling had been patrons and - protectors of the operative body . Neither can I concur in Bro . Lvon ' s

vieAv as regards the Aitcheson Haven MS . It is clear to me , that , it has come from a different original from that of the Kilwinning MS . Its Invocation is very peculiar ; it leaves out the " true liedgeman of the

King of England , " and it seems to betray an entirely different and independent origin . , At the same time , the question of the likeness or difference of MS . is one of 'he most difficult points in their stud

, y , and I do not like to speak too dogmaticall y on the subject . But having seen a » d carefully studied for many years all our known Masonic MSS ., and having copies of nearly all , I think , I feel bound

Masonic Archaeology.

to say that Ave must not look to the KilAA'inning MS . as the original of the Aitcheson Haven MS . They are probably independent MSS . of different dates . The Aitcheson Haven MS . independently of the date of transcription 1666 ,

betrays an older date considerably , and many of its " archaisms " are not only very striking , but very peculiar . The Invocation , at the commencement is , as I said before , a very special feature in it , and I am quite certain , that AA'hile it may be true , that the Edinburgh Kil-Avinning is an independent MS ., the Aitcheson Haven is so also .

I have , thus , endeavoured to give in the pages of the Magazine a fair , though necessarily very short . " resume' " of Bro . D . M . Lyon ' s most praiseAvorthy work . I have not endeavoured to conceal my humble difference of opinion from him , and our esteemed Bro . Hughan ; but I feel sure that both those able brethren

Avill feel that , after all , Truth is the great object to be sought , historical certainty and archaeological accuracy , and that our OAVII individual opinions are really only valuable as they serve as " media" for careful thought and honest and manly criticism . Bro . D . M Lyon lias merited the thanks of the Universal

Craft for his most interesting work , and I trust that this is not the last contribution to a scientific and authentic History of our Order , Avhich Ave may look for from his ready pen and zealous enquiries . A . F . A . WOODFORD .

Ms. Masonic Constitutions (Or Charges) No. 2.

MS . MASONIC CONSTITUTIONS ( OR CHARGES ) No . 2 .

THE "HARLEIAN MS . NO . 2051 . " ( MS . H HUGHAN ' S CATALOGUE ) A . D . 1650 ( CIRCA ) . [ Copied direct from the original in the British Museum . ] " THE FREE MASON ' ORDERS AND

CONSTITUTIONS . " The might of the father of heaven , with the Avisdome of the glorious sone through the goodnesse of the holy ghost that be 3 psons in one God , and be Avith us at our