The " Masonic Poem" Of A.D. 1390.

and he eqnally owes his position in Masonio history to an actual con nection with York and its famous Minster . If , indeed , in the skein of fable of which the Masonio Legend is composed , there be a solitary thread of fact , it appears to me that we must look for it among thoso of onr traditions which can be associated in any way with the city of

York and the Cathedral there , lt is noteworthy , also , as supporting the claim for its antiquity , thafc no other later king than Athelstan is referred to in the Legend . * * Ifc has seemed to me at least a reasonable supposition that the Old Charges or Manuscript Constitutions had become fixed or crystalised

before the Regius MS . took form as a writing . * * That the Masonio Poem was in fche possession of a Guild , and that the Guild so possessing ifc was not composed of Operative Masons , are piopositions which I think can be established . * * The last hundred lines of fche Masonio Poem are almost exactly the

same as the poem "Urbanitatis , " a facsimile of which is given in the present volnme . The latter consists of minute directions for behaviour—in the presence of a lord—at table—and among ladies . * * These rules of decorum read very curiously in tho present nge ,

but their inapplicability to the circumstances of the working Masons in the fourteenth or fifteenth centnry will bo at once apparent . They were intended for gentlemen of thoso days , and the instructions for behaviour in the presence of a lord—at table—and in the society of ladies—would all have been equally out of place in a code

of manners drawn up for tho use of a Guild or Craft of artizans . * * The conclusion , therefore , to which , as it teems to me , we aro directed by tho evidence , is thafc the persons to whom the tr xt of the Regius MS . was sung or recited , were a Guild or Fraternity from whom all bufc the memory or tradition of its ancient trade had departed . * *

Here we must bring these interesting quotations to a close . We doubt not , however , every reader of the Keystone will have his appetite quickened for a thorough acquaintance with this beautiful and remarkable Masonic Reprint , concerning a portion only cf tho contents of which we have in this article had space to refer . —Keystone .

Lodge Histories.

LODGE HISTORIES .

— : o : — THE LODGE OF PROBITY , No . 61 . * fl ^ HE volume of tho History of this Lodge , now presented JL to tho Craft , is indeed a handsome addition to the literature of the Order , and is in itself an unmistakable sign of the prosperity of the Lodge of whoso career it is a record . Unlike many of the Histories which have appeared

from time to time , and which have been undertaken by individual members , this work is stamped with tho authority of the Lodge itself , for its compilation was agreed to by a resolution of the members in open Lodge , and they are

therefore entitled to the distinction of being among the first to officially undertake tho production of a Lodge History , and thereby add another link to the chain of

evidence thafc we hope will some day be available for a general and complete history of the Craft . It was at the Lodge meeting in February 1885 that a request was made

that the records should be collected , with a view to the History of the Lodge being published . A Committee was appointed for this purpose , and the then Secretary , Bro . Herbert Crossley , was entrusted with the work . Mosfc faithfully has he discharged his duty , nofc only to his Lodge , but to the Craft Universal , for , as we have said on previous occasions , ifc is from reliable and comnlete His .

tories of private Lodges that the future historian of the Mason Craft will look for the materials wherewith to build up his more stupendous undertaking . Brother Crossley takes us , in his first chapter , to " Halifax and its surroundings at the time of the formation of the Lodge of Probity , " which , we are told , took place on the 12 th July 1738 , at the Bull ' s Head , Halifax . After

tracing the rise of the town to its present state of prosperity , and speaking of some few of the more important works carried out in the earlier days of its career , he says that in all these great and useful objects ifc will be found

that the brethren whose names are enrolled on our books as members , and often as rulers of the Craft , were by no means in the background , but were promoters in all objects which might prove useful to the well-beino- of the town . Here we have additional evidence of the ° way

Lodge Histories.

in which Freemasonry has always taken an active part in promoting the welfare of the country at large , just as it continues to do at tho present time , when , in spite of occasional taunts thafc the Masonic ceremony adds nothing to the dignity of local works , we find that in

all quarters the help and co-operation of the Craft is eagerly sought and generally appreciated . In fche next chapter the formation of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire is touched upon , and the compiler of this History thinks that the testimony at the disposal of the Lodgo of Probity should assist in

settling the dato of the establishment of thafc body , as distinct from that of the whole of Yorkshire—differences of opinion existing as to whether the separate establishment shonld date from 1738 or 1822 . The Grand Lodge of England gives the latter period , while , on the opposite side , Entick ' s Book of Constitutions for 1757 is quoted . Therein the Provincial Grand Lodge of the "West

Riding" of Yorkshire is accredited to 1738 , William Horton , Esq ., being given as the Master ( this brother is named by Grand Lodge as the first Provincial Master of " Yorkshire" ) . In addition to this proof Bro . Crossloy acknowledges his indebtedness to Bro . Sadler , Grand Tyler , who , after searching the records of Grand Lodge , supplies tho following extract therefrom : —

" William Horton , Esqrc for yo West Riding of ye County of York Carnarvon G . M . Edward Rooke Leeds , Esqre . Provincial for the West Riding of y ° County of York , instead of William Horton , Esqre . deceased . KINTOUB G . M . "

In addition to this extract from Grand Lodge records some other interesting particulars are given touching upon this period of the Craft's history in Yorkshire , and among other matters we have a fine reproduction of a portrait of the Bro . William Horton here referred to ( from a painting in the possession of Bro . Capt , J . T . Horton , J . P ., Howroydo ,

Barkisland ) . Summing up this question , Bro . Crossley says , "from the evidence here adduced the assertion is warranted that the West Riding of Yorkshire had a Provincial Grand Master in 1738 ; and as there is some doubt as to the truth of this statement , the writer felt he was justified in having gone out of his way to vindicate

this assertion ; and also as the Provincial Grand Masters , who were appointed , were men who resided in tho immediate vicinity of Halifax , and were probably members and founders of the Lodge of Probity Further he cannot but remark thafc one of the family of

Horton , a direct descendant of the before mentioned William Horton , is at the present time enrolled on the list of the members of the Lodge of Probity . " In the next chapter the historian commences on the

actual reconds of his Lodge , tracing it from its foundation , in 1738 , up to the year 1769 . Our consideration of this and subsequent chapters we leave for another time :

for the present we think thafc we have shown enough to prove the value of Bro . Crossley ' s work , not only as a memento of his own Lodge , but associated with the Craft of the entire neighbourhood .

In consequence of Dr . Hall ' s retirement from the post of Medical Officer fco the R . M . Institution for Boys , at Wood Green , a successor will shortly have to be appointed . Of the candidates already in the field we may mention Bro . R . F . Tomlin . Amongst the qualifications thia

gentleman puts forward is one that should not be overlooked—he resides close to the Institution , while as regards testimonials , those he submits speak highly of his ability as a Surgeon and general Medical Practitioner .

The annual meeting of Prov . Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Northumberland and Durham has been fixed to take place at Berwick , on Tuesday , the 20 th inst ., under the presidency of R . W . Bro . the Rev . Canon Tristram , D . D ., & c , P . G . M . M . M ., supported by W . Bro . R . B . Reed D . P . G . M ., Bro . J . Sfcraker Wilson Prov . Grand Secretary , & c .

HOLIOWAY ' S OitfTirEirT AITD PILLS . —Council for the Delicate . —Those to whom thc changeable temperature is a protracted period of trial should seek the earliest opportunity of removing all obstacles to good health . This cooling Ointment , pcrseveringly rubbed upon the skin , is the most reliable remedy for overcoming all diseases of the throat and chest . Qniisey , relaxed tonsils

sore throat , swollen glands , ordinary catarrh , and bronchitis , usually prevailing at this season , may be arrested as soon as discovered , and every symptom banished by Holioway ' s simple and effective treatment . This Ointment and Pills are highly commended ior the facility with which they successfully contend with influenza ; they allay in an incredibly short time tho distressing fever and teasing cough . "