Chips Of Foreign Ashlar.

become a companion of the Royal Arch . It is easy to see the inevitable abuses that arise under this system , and we feel sure that before long the good sense of our brethren will bring about a different state of things .

There are a number of such degrees worked in Scotland , as for example , the Order of High Priesthood ; Hieroglyphic Master , which embraces a system of Masonic shorthand writing , very useful in some cases ; Knight of St . Paul , Heroine

of Jericho , and others , which may be variously classed as " good , bad , and indifferent . " It was a matter of regret to us that we did not meet a brother who is said to be in some respects the most erudite in Scotland , Bro . Donald

Campbell , editor of the English edition of " Mackay ' s Lexicon of Freemasonry , " in which capacity he has placed the whole of our brotherhood under obligation . We also regretted that we did not see the talented historian of " Mother Kilwinning , " Bro . D . Murray Lyon , but we hope to have that pleasure some day .

It is satisfactory to find after having been " tc the adjacent , " that however modes of operation may vary , the spirit of Freemasonry is still the same all the world over . As in the Gospel there is neither " Jew nor Gentile , bond nor free , " but "God hath of oue blood created all the

nations of men , " so iu our Order , temporal and earthly as it may be in its scope and influence , yet heavenly in its fulfilment of the Divine command to "love one another , " we have something richer than jewels , higher than dignities ,

grander than rituals , nobler than nationalitiesthe genius of honest , heartfelt brotherhood . So mote it be !

Burgh Records. —No. 6.

BURGH RECORDS . —No . 6 .

BY BKO . W . P . BucitAii . ( Continued from page 88 . ) _ F .-o . ft " Ancient Laws ancl Customs of tlie Burqlis of Scotland , A . D . 1124—1424 . " Edited Ig COSHO INN ' ES . Curia quatuor Burgorurn .

( The Court of the Four Burghs . ) " Quod nullus templarius eiciat mercimonia pertinentia ad gildani . " "Item quod nullus templarius debet se intromittere cum aliqnibus mer cermonijs vel bonis

pertinentibus ad gildam emendo vel vendendo infra terrain suam vel extra nisi fuerit confrater gilde . " " [ That na templair sail intromit with merchandise joerteining to the gild . ]

Item na templair sail intromet with any merchandise or gudes perteining to the gilde , he buying or selling within or without their awin land , hot gif he be ane gilde brother . " It has struck me that the above practise is probably the foundation of the idea of the Knights

Templar being Freemasons , whereas they became simply freemen of the burgh , or joined the gild , in order to have liberty to trade , not in order to get imaginary Masonic secrets , as has been erroneously given out by the Fraternity .

Regiam Maiestatem . Lib . II ., c . is . "Quibusmodis deseruitute ad libertatem peruenitur . Pluribus autem modis potest quis in villenagium positus ad libertatem produci . ... Si natiuus seruus cuiuscunque fuerit seruus quiete per vnum

annum et vnum diem in aliqua villa privilegiata sicut in burgo domini regis manserit scilicet in eorum communia vel gilda tanquani burgensis sine calumpnia domiui sui vel alterius nomine suo scilicet balliui eo ipso facto a iugo seruitutis liberabitur ''

" Be what way ane man may come fra servitude to libertie . Divers and sundrie waies ane bond man may be made frie Gif ane native bondman , whaia bond that ever he be , remaine quietlie the

space of ane year and ane day , in anie privileged toun ( sic as the king's burgh in their communitie or gild ) and is not challenged he his maister , nor be nane in his name , sic as his baillie or steward , in that case he sal be frie and delivered fra bondage . "

xxxv . De Heredibus Burgensium . " Heredes burgensium etatem dicuntur habere cum nummos discerne nouerint et pannos ulnare et alia negocia paterna similia exercere .

Anent the Heirs of Burgesses . The heire of ane burgess , is of perfite age , when he can number and tell silver , or measure claith with ane elwand , or doe other his father ' s busines and affairs . "

Juramenta Officianorum . ( The Oaths of Officers . ) Integrum juramentum hurgensit et confratris gilde . " Quod erit leel et feel domino Regi et communitati

illius burgi in quo factus est burgensis . Et quod dabit Regi iirmam fideliter pro terra quam defendit . Et quod erit obediens in Ileitis preposito et balliuis . Et quod eelet archanum consilium communitatis . Et si dampnum eorum nouerit premuniet eis uel in hoc

ponet remedium si poterit . Et quociens requisitus fuerit pro communi negocio fidele consilium et auxilium eis dabit pro posse suo . Et quod lihertates