Antiquity Of Masonic Regalia.

ANTIQUITY OF MASONIC REGALIA .

VEBY many learned and recondite essays have been written on the antiquity of our whole Masonic system , and tho rites , ceremonies and usages dependent thereupon . No archaeologist has , however , so far as we are aware , ever discussed at any length , or with any degree of research , the antiquity of Masonic clothing .

Is it , indeed , ancient in its origin ? It is impossible to view any great gathering of Masons for ceremonial purposes , or for Masonic festivals , without being impressed with the elaborate gorgeousness of our varied and beautiful paraphernalia . We do not

now refer to the ornate branches of our Order ; we simply confine our remarks to the degrees recognised as " pure ancient Masonry . " On such occasions as those to which we allude , the eye is dazzled with the brilliant sheen of

jewels , embroidery , silks , golden fringes , and lace . The highest ingenuity of embroiderers and workers in the precious metals appears to have been taxed for the adornment of the persons of those who prize honour and virtue beyond the external advantages of rank and fortune .

We see no objection to this ; on the contrary , there can be no reason why position and merit should not be adorned by suitable bravery of costume if desired . Moreover , there is in all this no more than the

manifestation of an inherent weakness of poor human nature which rejoices now and again in the assumption of bright colours and scintillating raiment . But , the question that arises in the mind of the reflective is , whether our

paraphernalia is really ancient ? The ritual will not help us much in this . After the first exordium upon the Entered Apprentice apron ( and

a very impressive one it is ) , our ritual is altogether silent . The Fellow Craft apron , the candidate is informed , is to mark the further progress he has made in the science ; he is told no more when invested as a Master Mason ,

except that the badge is to remind him of a certain moral obligation . In the Boyal Arch , indeed , there is more instruction . In this , as in all other respects , that supreme and beautiful degree is minute in all its details ; and the postulant is informed of the precise signification

of his apron and sash and their ornamentation , whilst the jewel forms the subject of a lecture in itself . However , we referred more expressly to our very highly elaborate and ornate collars and cuffs , and our much befringed aprons , with their purple environment . Are they ancient ? Is our private lodge clothing ancient ?

The ordinary Master Mason ' s apron worn by craftsmen under G . L . of N . S . W . is simply a replica of that worn by all English and Irish Master Masons . But in Scotland there is no such uniformity , and every Lodge

selects its own colours ; besides which the apron varies slightly in shape . So also with the Grand Lodge clothing ; that of the Grand Lodge of Scotland differs materially from that of Grand Lodge of England in pattern and design , and the jewels are dissimilar in many

respects . Then , at what time were these patterns fixed upon , and when did the gold lace , embroidery , and ornamentation begin to make their appearance ? We have in our possession an apron which belonged to a Brother ( now

many years gone over to the great majority ) who wore it when the century was young . This badge consists of the plain lambskin square with a flap , and three blue rosettes—one on each lower corner and one on the flap . It is , in fact , precisely similiar to an ordinary Fellow

Craft apron , with the addition of a third rosette . Is it not probable that this was actually the original Master Mason ' s apron ; and that the fringe and silk decorations were the additions of a subsequent age ? Probably many of our readers have , seen a famous

eighteenth century engraving , from an original picture , of Bobert Burns in the Kilwinning Lodge . The poet is surrounded by a great crowd of Craftsmen , whom he so pathetically eulogised in his famous " Farewell" to the Lodge ; and the picture gives us a very good idea of what

such a gathering at that time must have been . But one very noteworthy feature of it is the extreme simplicity of the regalia . The Brethren wear lambskin aprons without

adornment of any kind ; the Master and Wardens are alone distinguished by plain collars . No vestige of jewel or blazonry of any description appears . Yet there can be no doubt that the limner faithfully portrayed the

Antiquity Of Masonic Regalia.

scene he attempted to depict ; and in all probability it would have served to represent hundreds of others at that period . Whence do we derive the authority for the Past Master ' s breast jewel , which is so universally worn ?

Not from the ritual ; nor yet from the Constitutions of oar Order , which do not recognise anything beyond the badge worn for twelve months by the Immediate Past Master , on his broad collar . Certainly this jewel forms a convenient outlet for presentations involving a

maximum of sentiment and a minimum of individual expense . We doubt , however , whether the recipients gain by this , because , formerly , before this custom , Masonio testimonials ( which were matters of rare occurrence ) took the form of substantial presents of plate .

We thoroughly acquiesce in the sentiment that " whatever is is right . " It is the fashion of the present day for Masonry to be profuse in its ornamentation , and this profusion is sanctioned by custom and authorised by our rulers in the Order . Therefore , no person can

take exception to it ; nor , indeed , is there any reason why anyone should . It is brilliant and becoming to most people ; and it is probably also a factor in

stimulating young Masons to work their way on . Tho latter , however , should carefully avoid the evils of what may be termed " over-dressing , " and the assumption of extra Masonic badges . — " Sydney Freemason ' s Chronicle . "

Masonry Appreciated.

MASONRY APPRECIATED .

WHEN our fathers made long journeys to and from the Lodge , they appreciated aud valued Masonry at its truest worth ; the number wa 3 limited to a few choice spirits , and it was counted a very honourable thing for a man to be known in the community as a

Freemason . It is not to be denied that we have not gained in proportion to our increase of numbers in the public estimation , nor has our moral strength grown with our numerical . I recollect as a youth seeing all

the people uncover when the Masonic Lodge passed in procession ; it was the sterling worth of the men that comprised that moving body which compelled the act of homage . If Freemasonry were to guard its doors with

flaming swords and admit within its sanctuaries none but those whose characters had been established , it would not have to lament the fact that stones unfitted for the builders' use are to be found in its walls . — Frederick Speed , in " Masonic Tidings . "

If the Kansas lady who has embarked upon the mission of founding an order of Freemasonry for women in America succeeds in her object , as she very probably will , we shall , no doubt , soon find the institution taking

root in England also . It is not to be antagonistic to the existing male order ; but the two are to co-operate for all the " wonderfully uplifting and educational" ends for which Freemasons are supposed to labour . Coming down

from this transcendental plane , however , the argument of the American ladies who have joined her in the hobby is that if Freemasonry is a good thing there is no reason why women should not enjoy all the benefits of it .

That will be an unanswerable argument here at home among all those members of the fair sex who are on the point of revolting , not only against their mothers , but against their husbands and society as well . Half a

dozen daughters coming home from a Masonic Lodge at midnight might well upset the patience of the most longsuffering of fathers ; but the latter may as well make up

his mind for the inevitable in time , and the disruption of family life will be all the lighter a blow when it comes . —Liverpool Mercury .

o o o A great change has come over the relations between Freemasons and the females , and it seems they are likely , ere long , to be allowed to become members of the craft ,

also to be fully initiated into all the mysteries . This we shall believe when we see it being done ; see them in their aprons , sitting side by side with us ; till then , having no prejudice , we—er—wish—er—them all well . — Court Journal .