Oration Delivered At The Quarterly Meeting Of The Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

notes annexed to it are what I made yesterday for the reading of my Lady Masham , who is become so fond of Masonry , as to say that she now more than ever wishes herself a mau , that she might be capable of admission into the Fraternity .

" The MS ., of which this is a copy , appears to be about 160 years old ; yet ( as your lordship will observe by the title ) it is itself a copy of one yet more ancient by about 100 years ; for the original is said to be the hand-writing of K . Henry VI .

Where that Prince had it is at present an uncertainty j but it seems to me to be an examination ( taken perhaps before the king ) of some one

of the brotherhood of Masons ; among whom he entered himself , as it is said ; when he came out of Ms minority , and thenceforth put a stop to a persecution that had been raised against them . But I must not detain your lordship longer by my

preface to the thing itself . " I know not what effect the sight of this old paper may have upon your lordship , but for my own part , I cannot deny that it has so much raised my curiosity as to induce me to enter myself into

ike Fraternity , which I am determined to do ( if I may be admitted ) the next time I go to London , and that will be shortly . " I am , my lord , " Your lordship ' s most obedient , " And most humble servant , "JOHN LOCKE . "

No doubt Lord Cobham , the patron of Wicheliffe , was a Mason , and , as being- heretical in this particular as well as in religion , the statutes " de comburendis hcereticis" were enacted . But in every age in the history of our country

Masonry was distinguished by votaries from amongst the great , the learned ., and patriotic . Alfred the Great promoted the Order , and the art much prospered . Venerable Bede says he was "initiated at the College of Mayo , in Ireland , where

he was educated , and which was then the seat of learning for Europe , especially in the Scri ptures . William III ., of glorious memory , as the asserter of civil and reli gious liberty , was initiated in 1090 , I believe , during his campaigns in Ireland .

In our records are to be found the most illustrious names , Wolsey , Raleigh , Wren , Inigo Jones , Marlborough , Wellington , Eastings , Wclloslcy , the lamented Follett , Combermere , and v . host of others like a milky way in the starry firmament of Masonry . " If , then , to borrow the

eloquent sentiments of an Irish brother , there be here present a single member of this Order , who doubts the usefulness of our grand old institution , I would say to that sceptic , that dreamer , look around , and behold this vast assembly of men

of every class , party , and denomination , united through the influence of our system , and forming one great arch of peace , more beautiful , perhaps , from the variety of its colours . From our noble and beloved Prov . G . M ., so ably and worthily

represented here to-day by D . Prov . G . M . Shaw , Masonry descends with its genial influence to the humblest , who is unstained by dishonour , improving all it touches , and consecrating its professors to purposes of peace and good will to men ,

like the precious ointment poured on the head of Aaron , which went down even to the skirts of his garments , filling all our temple with the odour of the ointment , and proclaiming to all the sweetness of our system ,

"So when a ship n'ell freighted with the stores The sun matures on India ' s spiey shores , Has dropped her anchor , and her canvass furled , In some safe haven of our western world , "T were vain inquiry to what port she went , The gale informs us , laden with the scent . "

Certayne Questyons, With Answeres

CERTAYNE QUESTYONS , with ANSWERES

to tho same , concerning the MYSTERIES of MACONRYE ; turittene by the handle of Eynge HENKTE , the sixthe of the name , and faithfully c co-pyed by me , JOIIAN LETMNDE , Ant-iquarkis , by the

commande of his Higlmesse ; they be as folloiuethe : QUEST . What mote ytt be ? ANSW . Ytt beeth the skylle of nature , the understoudynge of the myghte that ys hereynne ,

and ytts sondrye wreckynges ; sonderlyche , the skylle of reckenyngs , of waightes and metynges , and the treu manere of faconnynge al thynges for mannes use ; headlye , dwellinges , and buyldynges of alle kindes , and all odher thynges that

make gudde to manne . QUEST . Where dyd ytt begynne ? ANSW . Ytt dyd begynne with the ffyrste menne in the este , whych were before the ffyrste manne of the weste , and comynge westlye , ytt

hathe broughte herwyth alle comforts to the wylde and comfortlesse . QUEST . Who dyd bryngo ytt westlye ? ANSW . The Venetians , who beynge grate nier-