" Masonic Records " And Brother Jacob Norton.

that may assist them in arriving at a correct solution of the question , I subjoin the names of the members of

No . 79 , " Castle at Highgate , " as extracted from the Grand Lodge Minute Book , viz .:

Thos . Moore Esq . Mar . Mr . Thos . Crawford . Dr . Philip Chandler . Alexr . Chocke . .. Nathanl . Blaokerby . /

James Smythe . > Esqrs . John Pollexen . \ John Bridges . Mr . Edwd . Price . Mr . Humph . Primate .

Mr . John Plumert . Mr . Henry Stonestreet . Mr . Thos . Jeffreys . Mr . Thos . Clypperton . Mr . Eioh . Bushby .

Claude Crespigny , Esq . "Vinall Taverner , Esq . Shearwood , Esq . Page , Esq . Mr . Bichd . Bangh .

Mr . Harry Malthoe . Mr . Joshua Lewis . Dr . Colton . John Pawlett , Esq . Mr . Lester King . Mr . Peter Wright .

Out of these twenty-six names I have traced 19 or 20 as members of other Lodges , and probably if all the Lists were complete ( thirteen London Lodges being without member ' s names ) , the whole of them might be found to have had least a dual membership . In the List of 1731-32 , already alluded to , and from which the foregoing is extracted , Thos , Moore appears as a

member of Nos . 64 , 69 , and 74 ; he was a Grand Steward in 1731 . Thos . Crawford was a member of No . 63 . Dr . Philip Chandler was a member of No . 19 . Alexr . Chocke was a member of Nos . 5 and 62 in 1725 [ neither of

these Lodges have members registered in 1731-2 ] , and was G . W . in 1726 , and D . G . M . in 1727 . Nathanl . Blackerb y was also a member of No . 5 in 1725 , G . W . in 1727 , D . G . M . in 1728-30 , and Grand Treasurer 1730-37 . James Smythe

was a Warden of No . 74 and member of No . 63 , being described in the List of members of that Lodge as Grand Warden . [ As he was not appointed Grand Warden until 19 th April 1732 , this supplies additional evidence that this

portion of the list was not compiled until aftor April J 732 ] . John Pollexen [ or Pollexfen ] was a member of Nos . 64 , 69 and 74 , and was a Graud Steward in 1733 . John Bridges was a member of No . 63 and Master of No . 74 . Edwd . Price was Warden of No . 19 and member of

No . 40 . Humph . Primate was member of Nos . 19 and 53 , and Master of No . 61 . John Plumert [ Plymerfc or Plnymert ] was Warden of No . 19 and member of Nos . 53 and 61 . Henry Stonestreet was member of Nos . 19 and

61 . Thos . Jeffreys was Master of No . 19 and member of No . 40 . He was also Grand Steward in 1737 and G . W . 1747-51 . Claude Crespigny was Master of No . 8 and member of No . 63 ; also Grand Steward in 1732 . "Vinall

Taverner was member of No . 63 , and Warden of No . 74 ; also Grand Steward in 1732 . Shearwood Esq . may be Brownlo Sherrard Esq ., a member of No . 64 . Fage Esq . is doubtless George Fage Esq ., Master of No . 69 . Richd .

Baugh was member of Nos . 41 and 63 , and Grand Steward in . 1733 . Harry Malthoe was member of Nos . 64 and 69 ( in the latter as Harry Walthoe ) , and Joshua Lewis was Warden of No . 69 .

Thus we have the Master of No . 8 , the Master and both Wardens of No . 19 , the Master of No . 61 , the Master and one Warden of No . 69 , and the Master and both Wardens of No . 74 as members of this No . 79 , " Castle at Highgate , " at the same period .

From the foregoing evidences I have no hesitation in stating my conviction that there could have been no necessit y or cause for the non-payment for a Warrant of Constitution in 1731 , if it was then applied for and granted .

-These men whose names I have cited , were most of them of good social position , and were not at all likel y to run into arrear with Grand Lodge , neither is it reasonable to suppose that a Lodge composed of such members would

n > ot have been duly and adequately represented at the wand Lodge meetings , according to the Regulations , during one at least of the five meetings which took place between May 1731 and June 1732 inclusive . Estimating carefully the whole of the circumstances , aud

" Masonic Records " And Brother Jacob Norton.

bearing in mind the fact that a Lodge composed of such members , had , at the longest , such a very brief existenco ( because it is undoubtedly out of the Lists the very next year , 1733 ) , I am fully convinced that the character and environments of this Lodge were extraordinary if not

unique , and so , having referred to all the evidence that is obtainable , and having given to it a candid investigation and my best consideration , I am strengthened in the belief already expressed that there was a Lodge at No . 79 prior to this Lodge at the Castle at Highgate , which Lodge at Highgate , for the reasons and on the grounds previously stated , I conclude was not constituted there until 1732 .

Further regret at the absence of other and clearer information is unavailing . We must be guided by such facts as are ascertained and capable of verification . To the best of my ability I have given all the facts , without

concealment or reservation . On them my inferences and opinions are based . If they are acceptable to Bro . Norton , well and good . If not , let him estimate them for what

they are worth . I have now done with the subject , being quite content to let time , with its unfoldings , scatter the clouds of error by making manifest the truth . Magna est Veritas , et prmvalebit . TORQUAY , 7 th October 1887 .

Masonic Sociality.

MASONIC SOCIALITY .

WE take up onr pen to-day to call attention to a subject , confessedly one of the most difficult and delicate which Masonic " litterateurs " can seek to approach

or handle ; namely , the alleged too great expensiveness of our social circles , objectionable as it is often alleged , on every gronnd , whether of expediency or neglected obligations .

We stated at the outset that this is one of the most difficult and delicate of questions , and it is so for the following reasons : — We impinge when we attempt to interfere with it , on a

subject matter wbich is altogether beyond our province , inasmuch as it is admittedly within the rights and liberties of each Lodge alone , to settle and arrange as best beseems its own sense of its dignity , its comfort , and its convenience .

It is doubtful whether any one outside that particular Lodge has a " loens standi " to express an opinion , or can even claim a hearing on a matter in which he has really no concern .

In the next place , we are trenching not only on the sole prerogative of others , as we have just seen , but wo are approaching a most delicate and vexed question , particular tastes , particular ideas , particuiar views of things .

Now , as we all know , in such matters men differ widely , and seem to agree to differ widely here . We cannot look for uniformity of taste , opinion , or habits on questions concerning which no objective standard of uniform consent or

practice prevails , especially when we have regard to the requirements , the arrangements , the proclivities of our social circle . What suits one body of men or Masons , hardly accords with the tastes of auother ; what fully satisfies

one little assembly , often as directly dissatisfies a second . What is in truth the "beau ideal " , of a third Lodge ' s social gathering , is openly disapproved of by a fourth ; and even what one good Lodge loudly praises , another as forcibly condemns .

It is also , as we know full well from life experience , impossible to affect to lay down a " maximum" or "minimum " on all these things , since they all alike are governed more by passing fancies and prevailing modes of tastes or idea , than by any thing else in the world .

In such personal and material concerns it is useless to appeal to precedent or lay down sumptuary laws , since we all of us in such things seem but to echo the common easy going philosophy of the hour , which appears but to accord with what we have to deal with , what we are iutent upon :

" To-day is alone oar own . " Now there are several views of what Masonic Sociality entails and demands , which we may do well to try and

realize . There are those for instance who take a special and unchanging view of the matter , which instead of yielding to ; i ny other expression of opinion , they unhesitatingly cling to and uphold .