Old Freemasonry Before Grand Lodge.

ing the Order of the " Red Cross of Constantme , this article is already too long , and I cannot accede to the request for other reasons ; I may however state , that at the request of eminent Masons the history of that venerable Order is being

collected from authentic family documents and other sources , and the history might possibly be obtained for these pages , should their readers desire it . I now refer to the ancient , legitimate , genuine decoration , of the family of St . Constantino , or the

Great , and not to the Masonic Order of the same name , fbrupon the Grand Mastership of thegenuine order the late Duke of Sussex could have no more claim than I have to those of the Golden Fleece of Philip of Burgundy , the Star of France , or the Garter of England .

The Haughfoot Lodge And Speculative Masonry.

THE HAUGHFOOT LODGE AND SPECULATIVE MASONRY .

By E . S . EXTRACTS EROH OLD RECORDS OE HAUGHFOOT LODGE . —contd . "At Haughfoot , Tuesday , the 27 th "December , 1709 .

" Being St . John ' s Day . " List of the Masons belonging to that lodge according to the seniority , John Hoppringle of yt ilk , James Pringle his brother , Andrew Thomson , Sir James Scott of Gala , Thomas Scott

bis brother , James Pringle in Haughfoot , Robt . Lowriein Stow , Willm . Cairncross in Soctkbridge George Cairncross in Galashiels , James Frier , there , William Borthwick of Falahill , Walter Scott now in Stow , Alexr . Young Chyrmgeon , Willm .

Lowrie in Stow , John Scott Chyrmgeon , Alexr . Baillie of . Athestiell , John Younger writer Edinburgh , Willm . Pringle now in Dalkeith , Andrew Eardie now in Dalkeith , John Young in Stow George Gray in Faims Louend , William Craig in

Torwoodlie , John Clapperton in Stow , Thomas 1 ? rier in Galashiels , John Sanderson there . "William Borthwick of Falahill was chosen

preses for the insuing year , till St . John ' s day next , with ye same privilidges and commission of former presses , "James Pringle , brother to Torsonce , John Scott Chyrmgeon , and William Pringle in Dalkeith , were excused for their absence . "John Pringle , wright , Alexr . Young ,

Chyrmgeon , Alexr . Baillie of Ashisteill , John Younger , writer in Edinburgh , and Andrew Hardie being absent , and having sent no excuse to the meeting are fined each in onepund Scotts , and the Box Master ordained to call in the sd . fines .

Andrew Thomson in Galashiels is continued Box Master for the insuing year till St . John ' s Day next . " The Box Master reports yt conforme to the warrant last St . John ' s Day he lent to James

Pringle , in Haughfoot , on his personall security twentie four punds . "The meeting allowed to the sd . James Pringle the use of the sd . £ 24 till this day gratis , and continued in the sd . James Pringle's hands , the

sd . soume till St . John' Day next , and ordained the Box Master to take a formall bond from him for it , bearing a rent from this day . "The former commission anent admitting of . intrants in the terms it was granted , St . John ' s

Day 1708 , is continued till St . John ' s Day 1710 . "William Boithwick of Falahill payd . in to the Box Master one pund Scotts as his fine for absence 27 Deer . 1708 .

" Sir James Scott of Gala , payd . in to the Box Master the deficiency of his entrie 13 sh ., and £ 2 10 sh . for his fines as marked in the state debts 27 Deer . 1708 . " James Pringle of Torwoodlie , gave in his

petition to be admitted apprentice and fellowcraffc which was agreed to , and he accordingly admitted , and he payd . in to the Box Master for his entry six punds Scotts . "William Cairncross yr and James Brysome

gave iu their petition to be admitted to the society which was agreed to as apprentices only , and they were admitted accordingly , and each of them were appointed to pay in to the Box Mastei for their entry one pund Scotts .

" James Brysone as youngest apprentice appointed officer for the insuing year , till St . John ' s Day 1710 . " The Box Master agrees to pay a rent for what money of the publick stock is found in his

hand at this day , from the date hereof till St . John ' s Day next . And it is remitted to Torsonce to state the same with the Box Master , and subjoin the state in this book . ( " Here follows again the state of the Publick Stock . )