United Grand Lodge.

appeared to us to be of very little moment to what extent we gave them the lease . In fact , knowing that we should have good tenants in the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons , it seemed to us that the longer

term for which the lease was granted the better ; we , therefore , came to the conclusion that it was the wisest course to accept their offer , and I feel sure that this Grand Lodge will feel the same . I have heard that it is said this evening there is an objection on

the part of some of the Craft brethren to having the Mark Masons under the same roof . I have several answers to that . We have them not under the same roof—it is quite distinct ; and the wall of the aia

Tavern is between . ± sut suppose we ; aitnougn we do not acknowledge the Mark Degree as a part of Ancient Freemasonry , we cannot ignore their existence ; we are on perfectly friendly terms with

them . Many of our most eminent Cralt Masons are members of the Mark , and our Grand Master the Prince of Wales is their Grand Master . Altogether , it seems to me verv much like letting the premises to

ourselves . I , therefore , at once , without further comment , beg to propose that this Grand Lodge do approve of the lease of the premises known as Bacon ' s

Hotel to Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons . Bro . the Earl of Euston , Provincial Grand Master for Norths and Hunts , seconded the proposition . Airer irom & mim otewarc

some remarKS ro . nayn vv . P . G . D ., the motion was put and carried . Bro . Thomas Fenn : Having read to you the communication from the Assistant Grand Secretary of the Mark Degree , I think it my duty to propose to you now that the request of the G . Mark Lodge , with respect

to the remission of six months rent , while these alterations are going on , should be granted . It is merely a principle . These alterations will be large and extensive , and will occupy considerable time ,

and I think there will be no one who would say we should not act liberally in cases of this sort . Bro . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , Grand Eegistrar , seconded Bro . Fenn ' s proposition . He said your tenants are

going to spend , on a 49 years lease , something like £ 3000 . We know that £ 3000 is £ 150 a year interest at 5 per cent . If they pay that , and probably spend something more , I think the very least we can do is

to give them six months at a peppercorn rent until they have got a place to go into . The motion was carried , and shortly afterwards Grand Lodge was closed .

Masonic History.

MASONIC HISTORY .

THE members ofthe Masonic Order have never enjoyed the reputation of being staunch supporters of the literary art , or of taking even a lively interest in records of the paat or present doings of the Craft ; indeed , much has been written , and ranch more said , to prove that

Freemasons , as a body , are neither readers nor students ; while they are usually credited with taking things mnch as they find them , without inquiring as to the why or wherefore , or devoting a moment's thought to the labours of brethren

who have gone before—those who founded the Masonic Order , and helped to raise it to its present proud position . We cannot , however , believe that the stigma which has so long rested on Freemasons is wholly deserved , and more

especially is this the case at the present time , when every year witnesses the production of a goodly array of Masonic literary works ; even if we leave out of consideration the large number of weekly and monthly periodicals which

appear in various parts of the world , devoted entirely , or in great measure , to the interests of Freemasonry . We are of opinion that the greatest grumbler in this respect would be more than surprised were it possible to put beforo him a

copy of every Masonic book that has been issued within the last hundred years ; even the current issues of all the weekly and monthly papers of the Craft would form an

imposing spectacle , and if viewed by an ordinary observer would at once convince him that the members of the Masonic Order were wrongly described when spoken of

Masonic History.

as a non-reading sect — at least there is plenty of material at hand , and it hardly seems possible that the supply should be kept up , and even augmented from time to time , unless there was an active demand for

it . As a consequence , it would appear more consistent to regard the members of the Craft as liberal patrons of class literature , and , as far as possible endeavour to remove the imputation which has so long been associated with the Order , and which certainly does not redound to the credit

of its members . Among the literary productions of recent years are to bo found several devoted to matters of Masonic History , many of them treating of the past career of Private Lodges ,

others of a more pretentious character . Both produce items of general interest ; indeed in most cases the care and research of the authors have resulted in really interesting compilations being issued , the facts included

in the general summaries being of universal , rather than of local importance , while in not a few cases facts have been brought to light which have gone far to clear up some of the mysteries which are associated with the earlier doinsrs of the Masonic Craft .

We have before us the History of the Boyal Union Lodge , now No . 246 , of Cheltenham , compiled by Bro . George Norman , one of its Past Masters , with an Introduction by Bro . William James Hughan . This affords ua ample opportunity of demonstrating the truth of what we have already stated , as the book abounds with items of interest , and well repays perusal . In fact , were it possible

to get together such a history in connection with all our older Lodges we should find that Freemasonry had been much wider in its scope than is at present supposed , while many points would be cleared up which are now enveloped in doubt .

In his introductory remarks Bro . Hughan first glances at the position of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Gloucestershire in relation to older Provinces , and to

the two Grand Lodges from wbich its subordinate Lodges derived their warrants . prior to the year 1814 . In doing so he tells us that the " regular Grand Lodge of England

( known also as the 'Moderns ' ) " chartered seven Lodges

in the county , only two of which are still retained on the Roll ; the Foundation , now numbered 82 , and meeting at Cheltenham ; and the Royal Lodge of Faith and Friendship , now numbered 270 , and meeting at Berkeley . The five others are recorded as follows : Gloucester—warranted

28 th March 1738 , and numbered 171 , 157 and 95 , as tho various closings up took place , erased in 1768 . Tewkesbury—26 th October 1738 ( Nos . 177 and 163 ) , erased in

1754 . Shirebarapton and Wotton-nnder-Edge—14 th of August 1773 ( Bristol originally , Nos . 451 , 358 , 359 and 291 ) , erased in 1809 . Gloucestershire—10 th January

1785 ( Nos . 462 , 373 , 473 , 314 ) , erased in 1851 . Minchinhampton , Stroud , and Cirencester — 16 th of August 1789 ( Bristol originally , Nos . 546 , 455 and 514 ) , erased in 1820 . The rival Grand Lodge ( the " Ancients " ) was not at all popular in the Province of Gloucestershire .

the only two Lodges ever formed therein under its auspices being the "Royal Lebanon , " Gloucester , No . 316 , of 18 th January 1799 , erased as No . 278 in 1838 ; and the present "Royal Union" of 29 th July 1813 . Gloucestershire

occupies the ninth place in point of seniority among the Provincial Grand Lodges of England , having been constituted , in conjunction with Worcestershire and

Herefordshire , in 1753 , under the Mastership of Sir R . de Cornwall , Bart . This Brother , says Bro . Hughan in thia Introduction , is described in the " Constitutions " for 1756 as

Provincial Grand Master for five counties , the three already noted , with Salop and Monmouth ; he presided over the Communication of the Grand Lodge of England held on 23 rd November 1753 . Thomas Dunckerly Past S . G . W .

succeeded some thirty years later to tbe Grand Mastership of Gloucestershire , in conjunction with several other districts , ancl was followed by the Marquess of Worcester ( afterwards 6 th Duke of Beaufort ) , in 1799 , and by the 7 th

Duke in 1845 . In 1856 the Hon . James H . Legge ( afterwards 3 rd Lord Sherborne ) was appointed , and on his resignation , in 1880 , the present ruler of the Province , Sir Michael E . Hicks-Beach , Bart ., M . P ., assumed command ; there are now fourteen Lodges under his sway .

The Royal Arch Degree , continues Bro . Hughan , does not appear to have ever flourished very much in the county , the only Chapters working there at the present time being the Unanimity , No . 82 , at Cheltenham , and the

Royal Lebanon , No . 493 , at Gloucester . Prior to these