The Haughfoot Lodge And Speculative Masonry.

roll , and proposing no solvant excuse for his late coming , is fined in one pund Scotts for the same . "The Laird of Ashisteill , * John Younger wryter , Edinburgh ; William Pringle in

Burnhous , Andrew Hardie in Shilie , and John Young , mason , in Stow , having petitioned to be admitted to the society both as apprentice and fellowcraft , their desires being considered and agreed to , they were formally admitted and they payd in to the

Box Master as follows : — " Ashiestiell , six punds four shillings Scotts . "John Younger , three punds five shillings , Scotts . " Wlliam Pringle , three punds Scotts .

" Andrew Hardie , four punds Scotts . " John Young , one pund Scotts . " Follows ane accompt of the haill stock belonging to the society , whither in the Box Master's hands or resting yet not payd in for entries , fines , or oyrways : —

Sir James Scott , of Gala entries 7 : Q 2 : — Thomas Scott , his broyr 3 : 00 : — David Murray 1 : 00 : — James Pringle in Haughfoot 1 : 00 : —¦ Bobt . Lowrie 1 : 00 : — John Pringle 1 : 00 : —

Ja . Frier 1 : 00 : — Falahill 3 : 14 : — Walter Scott 1 : 09 : — Alexr . Young 3 : 00 : — Willm . Lowrie 1 : 00 : — John Scott 4 : 00 : —

Ashistiell 6 : 04 : — John Younger 3 : 05 : — Willm . Pringle 3 : 00 : — Andrew Bardie 4 : 00 : — John Young 1 : 00 : — Sr James Scott , 14 Jany ., 1704 fines 1 : 10 : — Sr James Scott , 27 Deer ., 1704 1 : 00 : — Thomas Scott „ „ 1 : 00 : — Kobfc . Lowrie , 27 ,, 1706 1 : 00 : —

The haill stock from which SO : 04 : — to be reduced for the pryce of register book 00 : 14 : — There remains of publick stock ... 49 : 10 : — " Ane double of this amount ordered to be given in to the Box Master , which accordingly given , t

Masonic Ramblings.

MASONIC RAMBLINGS .

By REITAM . A few weeks ago , I found myself with a leisure day or two , and being in Edinboro , I resolved to visit Roslin Chapel and Castle , and examine the old ruins thoroughly . I had just undergone a

severe course of reading , in studying the arguments used by Bros . Buchan and Hughan , et hoc genus omne , to prove the modern origin of Freemasonry , and as I in a certain sense agreed with them , I was predisposed to be very sceptical about

the Wends of Roslin in connection with the ancient Masons and the St . Clair family . These traditions state , that iu ancient times the fraternity of Scottish Freemasons always recognised the King of Scotland as their head and

lawful Grand Master , and when he was not a Freemason himself he appointed a brother , nobly born , or an eminent ecclesiastic , who by virtue of his office regulated all disputes in the Craft , and to whom , when at variance , Mason and lord appealed ];

that is to say , the builder and the employer or founder . Thus we are told that James I . ( of Scotland )

countenanced the lodges with his presence until in the end of the thirteenth century , when he ordained that every Master Mason in Scotland should pay annually four pounds Scots , as revenue to a Grand Master to be chosen by the fraternity

and approved of by the Crown . This office was granted by James II . to-William St . Clair , Earl of Orkney and Caithness , and Baron of Roslin , the founder of the Chapel of Roslin , which is a masterpiece of Gothic

architecture . By another deed of James II ., this office was made hereditary in the family of St . Clair of Roslin , whose successors continued to act with ' becoming dignity as Grand Masters of Scotland ,

until in 1736 , the representative of this ancient and noble house — William St . Clair Esq . of Roslin in Grand Lodge assembled , formally resigned the high office , and recommended to the brethren that they should elect a Grand Master ,

well qualified to preside over and protect the Craft , ancl concluded by exhorting them to the principles of harmony and brotherly love .

On the next following St . Andrew ' s day ( the Patron Saint of Scotland ) the representatives of thirty-two lodges met , and by a unanimous vote proclaimed William St . Clair the first Grand