Reviews.

REVIEWS .

History of the Lodge of Eengist , ( No . 195 ) , Bournemouth , Hants , from . 1770 to 1870 . ' By Bro- Rev . P . H . Newnham , W . M . The history of any old lodge is full of interest to tbe Masonic Student . In this instance tbe autbor makes an apology for publicly bringing forward " tbe bistoi-y

of a small and obscure lodge ; a lodge too , which , may be said to bave existed , rather than to have flourished , in tbe remotest corner of a great and important Province , where any feeble rays of light which it may have emitted , bave necessarily been lost in the effulgence of brighter luminaries . " However , it is from such obscure

sources that much interesting lore auent our early history is gleaned . Our author proves bis appreciation of this by the adoption of the appropriate motto , " Fm uno disce omnes . " And be ventures to think that a careful and judicious study of the inner life of oven so small a Masonic Body as the Lodge of Hengist may

afford some interest and instruction . AVe are informed that the charter or warrant is dated Nov- 23 , 1770 , and the author congratulates the brethren that the centenary Festival of the lodge was held on tbe exact day . At the time of its constitution the lodge was distinguished only by its number and place of meeting , —tbe New-Inn , in tbe Town of Ohristchui-ch . The number was ¦ 105 .

Hengist Lodge , throughout its chequered career , can , notwithstanding , lay claim to a continuity of existence , for although removed from Christchurch to Bournemouth , it has ahvays been held in tbe same ecclesiastical parish aud parliamentary borough . The warrant ivas granted during the Grand Mastershi p

of the Duke ofBeaufort , C . Dill win , Deputy Grand Master ; James Heseltine , G . Sec ; and Thomas Dunckerley P . G . M . The signatures of these four distinguished Masons are attached to the document . Bro . Jas . Heseltine bad been appointed to the office of Grand Secretary during the year previously , and , says

our author , was one of the most zealous and enthusiastic Masons of the day , and especially devoted his efforts to the accomplishment of uniformity of working in the Craft , a design which , he fears , ( and in this we concur ) is not even now accomplished . In spite of the difficulties attend travelling in those days , he visited

every lodge celebrated for its working , and was associated ivith Preston in this effort . These two brethren -were tbe chief promoters of the "Order of Harodim , " originally a sort of College for Masonic instruction , and from which emanated tbe Prestonian Lectures , in nearl y the same stato as at present iu use . The name of Bro . Henry Daggo , which appears on the

warrant as the First Master , was a Mason of repute in London as well as in Hampshire . He was a personal friend of Bro . Dunckerley , and as he had preceded him in the chair of a London Lodge , Bro . Moivnhara . draws from this circumstance an inference as to how the scheme of starting the Lodgo of Hengist originated . He was installed Junior Grand Warden in 1775 and his name

, appeared on tho Foundation Stone of Freemasons' Hall , which was laid in that year . The author divides the history of tho Lodge of Hengist into four distinct periods , between each of ivbich occurred what he calls periods of suspended animation .

The first of these periods dates from the foundation of the lodge in 1770 till 1798 . The minutebook of the first four years has been lost ; the earliest commences in November , 1774 . The book is endorsed No . 2 , and the missing No . 1 is mentioned in an inventory of the effects of the lodge , and many references are made to resolutions recorded therein- At this time the records show an

annual average of three initiates , the lodges being frequent , and ivell attended . In 1766 fortnightly lodges were resolved upon , but the idea was not practically carried out . In 1783 it occurred that in three nights there were not sufficient members present to form a lodge , although at that time the Constitutions required only the moderate

number of "three to hold a lodgo . " In 178 ' .. a considerable falling off in the average attendance induced the lodge to levy a fine of sixpence on absentees , not sick or beyond the length of their cabletow ; but without effecting any great increase in the attendance . At this time tbe place of meeting was frequentl

y changed without formal resolution , the Master summoning the lodge wheresoever and whensoever be pleased , a practice which was in those days permitted . In 1789 initiations ceased for some time , the accustomed charity dole ceased , and nine months passed without a lodge being held . In 1791 a special notice , summoning the brethren to

meet to consider ' the state of the lodge , was issued , but failed to secure a meeting , and no lodge was held for ten months more . In 1793 the work was suspended entirely , and in 1784 only a single lodge is recorded , and not till 1797-8 does any renewal of tbe work take place . From 17 S 0 till 1785 one brother retained tbe chair . One year one brother was elected , but another was installed , and on another occasion a Past Master was

elected , but never installed , although recorded as being present at each meeting . A certificate of membership was at this time issued by the lodge , and a form , presumably used by the lodge , is preserved in the fly-leaf of the minute-book . It reads as follows : — " We , the undersigned , Master and other Officers of the Lodge of Do hereby certify ancl attest to all

Brethren on the Earth , That And that no profane hands may make an ill use hereof , our Brother hath set his name in his oivn handwriting , under the seal of our Lodge , so that by causing the Bearer to write his name in your presence you will be the better able to judge whether this be his Certificate or no . —Sealed with our Seal , & c , & c . "

We are informed of a fact that redounds to the credit of the brethren in those days , viz ., that while only one guinea was spent on the banquet , from £ 4 to £ 6 ' was voted to be spent on bread to be distributed to the poor . The second "period " of tho lodge dates from 1800 to 1820 . By this time the work was actively carried on . Bro . Thomas Jeans hold the chair eight years in succession .

In 1802 thirteen well attended lodges ivero hold , and twelve candidates initiated . In 1803 a code of by-laws was drawn up and formally approved . In that year the lodge received its name Hengist , ivhich , tho author states , "has no connection with the mythical Hengist of our nursery histories of England " but ivas chosen in allusion to the local

promonitory of Ilc-igistbnry Head . In 1804 tho work somewhat declined iu consequence of the Napoleonic war . In 1807 the Masons of G-osporb ask for assistance for the brother Masons , prisoners at that place . It was about this timo resolved to hold a Lodge of Instruction weekly , but tho resolution ivas not actively carried out , and a period of fourteen months followed , during ivhich not even a lodgo meeting was held .