Sketches Of Notable Masonic Works.

the " Curious Copper-Plate . " It may , however , have been nothing more than a copy of the " Euofraviuo- adorning the Constitutions of A . D . 1 . 723 or 173 S like in many other works of that period .

At present the nature of the " Curious Copper-Plate " seems far removed from discovery . The author dedicates the " Enquirry " to the most noble and puissant " Prince Truth " because he has " endeavoured to preserve those lasting and

unalterable principles which the subjects of its kingdom so remarkably possess . " About 400 subscribers names are inserted immediately after the dedication , commencino ; with the Right Hon . John Lord Viscount Allen , G . M ., the Hon . Eliz

Alldworfch , Boyle Alldworth of Copsneld , and Laurence McDermott , " ( Lawrence Dermott . ) This celebrated " Lady Freemason " is supposed to have been initiated about A . D . 1739 ( by the author of the "Memoir" issued by the noted Masonic Publisher Bro . Richard Spencer . ) Some writers however think the date was earlier , while

others fancy it was later-The fact of her name occurring as a subscriber to Dr . D'Assigny ' s "Enquiry , " A . D . 1744 , somewhat narrows the inquiry , and is of itself confirmatory of the account of her being a "Free and

Accepted Mason . " It seems quite inexplicable though why the extraordinary initiation of this lady is neither mentioned by Dr . D'Assigny nor by Bro . Edward Spratt , the Grand Secretary , in either of the works or constitutions published

under their superintendence . The latter states that the " Right Worshipful and Right Honourable the Lord Viscount Duneraile was proclaimed Grand Master of Masons , and installed on Tuesday , 24 th June , 1740 . We take it that his lordship

succeeded the Right Honourable Arthur St . Leger , created first A iscount Duneraile , June 23 rd , 1 . 703 ( who died A . D . 1727 ) , and consequently was a brother to the Honourable "Elizabeth St . Leger , who married Richard Aldworth , Esq ., of

Newmarket , County Cork , who was son to Sir Richard Aldworth , Provost Mareschal of Minister . " Those anxious to pursue the enquiry cannot do better ( linn procure the "Memoir" from Bro . R . Spencer . A sketch of the " Lady Freemason "

has also appeared in the "Devon and Cornwall Masonic Calendar , 1868 , " the FREEMASONS ' MAGAZINE , and other publications . Dr . D'Assigny having had so numerous and influential a body of subscribers , several of whom took " six copies , "

we are certainly surprised to find that the work has been lost sight of for upwards of a century . We think , however , that the doctor must have told some unpalatable truths , as his name never appears in the list of officers from A . D . 1730 , to

A . D . 1750 ; neither is there any notice whatever taken of him or his publications by any compiler of the Irish Constitutions . Probably the work itself was " bought in , " or condemned by the authorities , as we know how averse they were

then , and for sometime afterwards , to publish anything in Masonry but the regulations .

But to return to the main subject of this article . The preface commences thus : — " No government can properly subsist without certain wholesome laws and regulations , and as our commonwealth not only pleads the pride of

antiquity , but with equal justice boasts of the beauty , order , regularity , and happy disposition of its fundamental constitutions , and as the happiness of the Craft also depends on a perfect intimacy with those rules handed down to us by our wise

legislators , whose labours and skill iu the everlasting art of architecture well demand the praise and admiration of the learned brethren in future

ages , I have endeavoured in the following sheets to represent some mistakes , irregularities , and unseemly transactions which have been occasioned by the want of an acquaintance with them , nor will the brethren , I hope , take it amiss ( as I have

chose Truth for my patron ) that I should strictly adhere to its principles , and point out the base and impure from the generous and brave . " After alluding in a most laudable manner to the motives that should incite members of the fraternity

to practice morality and good fellowship , so that they might " meot with a general esteem from all mankind , " the following "hearty good wishes " are expressed in conclusion : — " That plenty , peace , and unanimity may crown the brethren ' s

days , so that this life ended , they may receive the recompense of their toils , aud dwell in the presence of that immortal Stone belonging to our building , even the Alpha and Omega _ of our redemption . " The author observes that " it is with the

utmost anxiety of mind that he has any occasion to employ his pen in representing the decay of Freemasonry ; the increase of its welfare and advancement would have been a more pleasing task to him , but as the design of the present labour is to