Illustrations Of The History Of The Craft.—No. 1.

under such different forms of correspondence , for some time past—a view , I do not hesitate to say , most mistaken , utterly unsupported by the evidence we already possess , and most opposed to tho evidence we shall gradually obtain . This I hope

convincingly to show iu the progress of these illustrations . Having thus pointed out what I believe is not aud cannot be the true history of Freemasonry , I propose in the next chapter to develope what I

believe that true history is , and where it is to be found . ( To he continued . )

The Haughfoot Lodge And Speculative Masonry.

THE HAUGHFOOT LODGE AND SPECULATIVE MASONRY .

EXTRACTS FEOM OLD RECOKDS OP HAUGHFOOT LODGE . —contd . "Haughfoot , Deer . 27 th , 1726 . " List of 38 Masons given , in which list 2-1 are marked absent , of whom ten are marked excused .

" Ihe which day William Henderson was chosen preses till next St . John ' s day , aud John Donaldson chosen clerk . " The sd . day Robert Frier was chosen Box Master till next St . John ' s day , and ordered that

upon the first Friday of February next there shall meet at this place , in order to take account of the deficients in payment to the last Treasurer , and the Treasurer's accounts , and filling up of the book , and disposing yrof , and to determine what

is to be payed to the clerk for filling up of the minutes since 1717 , ancl the Treasurer to attend that day , and appoints William Murray to have a box ready that clay for keeping , the book . "The Laird of Torwoodlie , Torsonce , Andrew

Thomson , Willm . Craig , Jolm Donaldson , William aud George Cairn cross , John Young , William Henderson , John Clapperton , Walter Scott , and AVilliam Murray , or any five of them with the Clerk , as a comittie for the forsd . effect , and

report throf to be given next St . John ' s day , and if there be not five of the forsd . members present , any in tiie lodge not named aro hereby empowered to assist any of the fornamed , not being under the number of five . " The meeting continues the commission to five for entrants for a year to come .

The Haughfoot Lodge And Speculative Masonry.

" The meeting orders the preses to get in the money from Archibald Hamilton , Jeames Rae , and Alexr . Hardie , that they owe to the lodge , or their bills payable here upon the first Friday of February next , and fines each of absents in one pound Scots . "

"Haughfoot , February 3 rd , 1727 . " This clay being appointed for the meeting of a certain number of the members of the lodge , and in case that number did not attend , that any five of the lodge , with the Clerk , might take in

George Cairncross , late Box Master ' s , accounts , and to take in the register and minutes from George Kirkwood , and lodge it in a chest * appointed to made for that use by the last meeting . " The which day AVilliam Henderson , preses ,

AV alter Scott , John Young , William Murray , Robert Frier , having met , ; but George Cairncross not attending , nor any for him , have therefore ordered that the sd . George do give in what money he has in his hand to Robert Frier , present Treasurer , betwixt and the fifteen day of May next , or documents therfor that the lodge shall

allow of , the sd . Hobert 1 rier giving receipts for what he recieves from the sd . George , and likeways order the preses to write to George Kirkwood to send tho papers and register , well sealed up , with an fit hand directed to the preses against

the foresd . day , ancl ordains Robert Frier , present Treasurer , to pay to William Murray one pound ten shillings Scots money for the chest forsd ., as also to the sd . William four pounds four shillings Scots as the price of the iron work belono-hip- to

the sd . chest , and allows Robert Frier intrest of that money so payed away , and while it be repayed to him , and likeways orders when the Register ancl papers come to his hand that he presently lodge them in the sd . chest , and give the inner kye to Walter Scott , and to keep the outer kye himself during the lodge ' s pleasure .

"Haughfoot , May 18 th , 1727 . " The which day met at this place John Clapperton , John Young , Jeames Frier , Eoberfc Frier , with the preses , and admitted AVilliam Brown , servt to Jeames Frier , in common form as member of this lodge . ( To be continued . )