Masonic Facts.

Twenty-fifth year—Oue bag of lead for strengthening the joints of the vaulting , 7 s . Twenty-sixth year—A third mason , at work from November 19 to May 28 . Wages of a fourth Masonfrom November 24 to

, Michaelmas , 44 weeks , at 3 s . 2 d . per week , £ 619 s . 4 td . tunics for same . One bedder of stone , hired for a week for the expedition of the vaulting work , on account of the danger of frost , 2 s . 6 d . Account of Brother John de Moudon for the work

of the new cloister , from Michaelmas in the 26 th Edw . III ., to same feast in 27 th . Payments to four masons , two being occasional provided icith winter dresses " beside their own . Head mason ' s fee 26 s . Sd ., - nothing for Ms dress this year because he refused to receive it on account of the delay

in its delivery . Michaelmas 27 to 28 Edward III . Beceipts , £ 34 6 s . Sd . Expended , £ 63 8 s . 5 d . in excess . "Wages of one bedder of stone for 40 weeks , making the foundation of the work on the side of the refectory , 70 s . ; to a boy helping him 40 s . ; one mason hired for four

, weeks to make keys to the vaultings , 13 s . 4 cl . Michaelmas 28 to 29 , Edward III . "Wages of two regular masons , two casual , one bedder and helper . 100 feet of cut rag-stone bought for the lodgement of the foundation 58 s . 4 c ? .

, Given to one marble mason for two weeks , shaping and polishing the said stones and others . Twelve cartloads of stone making " lystes " in the vaulting , bought on account ofthe default of stone in

the quarry , 18 s . Account Boll 31 , to 32 Edward III . "Wages of 6 masons , some casual , one bedder of stone , 78 s . the year , and one servitor , 18 s ., by agreement , besides his table wifch the sick to save expense . Expenses of 2 masons at the quarry for 2 weeks ,

shaping and sculpturing stone for the windows and other necessaries , 6 s . Account 33 to 34 , Edward III . Wages of John Langelod , sculpturing stones for 8 weeks , 6 s . Account 38 to 39 , Edward III .

Recei pts , £ 45 4 s . 10 d . Three Masons at 2 s . per week , and their livery aud ale . Sum of all expenses , £ 45 4 s . 10 d . And so they are equal , the cloister ¦ being finished . ' n Account of Brother Peter Coumbe , keeper of the ew work of the Church of Westminsterof all

re-, ceipts and expenses from the vigil of Sfc . Michael llth , Bichaad II . ( 1388 ) , to same feast in next year . Eee of Master Yevelee , chief mason , 100 s . per annum , and for his dress and firs , 15 s . ; do . of Bobert Kentbury , 13 s . M . ; tunie of Thomas Badington , 10 s . Eive Masons for 17 weeks ( £ 15 lis . Sd . ) ¦ one for

five weeks ; 6 labourers for 17 weeks , at 20 «! . each ; four bedders of stone for three weeks , three others for four weeks , two others for ten weeks ; 4400 sacks of slacked lime ; 52 carts of sand ; hmicheons for the Masonsbeddersand labourers 53 s . Paid to a Mason

, , , of Couf , in part payment of £ 40 for a marble pillar , £ 10 . 17 to 18 Eichard 2 nd ( 1394 ) . Wages , £ 86 lis . 6 d . Henry Zgevely , chief Mason ; 6 regular and named

Masons ; 3 casual ; 3 casual setters . £ 61 0 s . 2 d . for luncheons ofthe icorkmen . 14 to 15 Eichard 2 nd ( 1391 ) . A chief and 6 regular Masons ; 2 casual do . ; 1 casual bedder ; three labourers and quarry men . Paid for a marble column , £ 70 ; carriage of same from the Thames , 10 s . ; paid for tables for moulds 21 s . Gd .

, 15 to 19 Biehard 2 nd ( 1395 ) . 1 chief Mason ; 10 regular and 6 casual Masons ; the "table" expenses of one mason ' s apprentice , Is . per week ; 2 casual setters ; two carpenters working upon the new house for the Masons , and another house in Toihill-street , for 22 weeks , at 2 s . Gel . each .

Paid for the dauber for the lodge for the Masons , and the house in Tothill-street , 15 s . 6 d . Account . lto 2 Henry IV . ( 1400 ) . Wages , & c , £ 62 5 s . lOd .: fee of Master William Colchester , chief Mason , 100 s . the year , and for his dress and furs ; two workers , four Masons , 2 setters , 3 labourers .

1 pillar marble bought , £ 40 . —Scott's Gleanings from Westminster Abbey . 165 . The trading confraternities of the City of London were reconstituted in the time of Edward the 3 rd , and were from this time called Livery Companies , and assumed a distinctive dress . The change of

name from guilds to crafts and mysteries , and substituting for the old name of Alderman that of Master or Warden . By a list in Norman Erench of the " number of persons chosen by the several mysteries to be the Common Council , " in 50 Edward 3 rd , it

appears that the Masons sent 4 , and the Ereemasons 2 members to the council . The following is a copy of the Oath required to be taken , before admission to office , by all the Wardens or other principals -. — " Te shall swere that ye shall well and treuly ov ' see the Craft of Masons , whereof ye be chosen Wardeyns for the yeere . And all the

goode reules and ordyn ' nees of the same Craft that hath been approved here be the court , and noon other , ye shall kepe and doo to be kept . And all the defautes that ye fynde in the same Craft ydon to the Chambleyn of ye Citee for the tyme beyng , ye shall weie and treuly p ' sente . Sparyng noo man for

favour , ne grevyng noo p ' sone for hate . Extorcion ne wrong , under colour of your office ye shall non . doo , nethir to noo thing that ye shall be ayenst the state , peas , and profite of our Sovereign Lord the King , or the citee , ye shall not consente , but for the tyme that ye shall be in office , in all things that shall

be longyng unto the same craft after the laws and franchise of the seid cityee welle and laufully ye shal have you . So helpe you God and all seyntes , & c . " In 1573 the Common Council ordered a loan of 2000 marks ( afterwards increased to £ 2000 ) to be raised towards the purchase of wheatin consequence

, of its great scarcity . The masons were assessed at £ 62 10 s . Od . ; the mercers and grocers at £ 500 each ; carpenters , £ 37 10 s . Od . ; plumbers , £ 12 10 s . Od . — Herbert ' s History ofthe Livery Companies of London , vol . i .

The statue of Earl Portescue is to be entrusted to Mr . E . B „ Stephens , who is a native of Exeter ; the fund of 1500 L , raised by subscription , being equally divided between this monument and building a new wing to the Dbrth Devon Infirmary , in which the late Earl took a warm interest .