Red Apron Lodges.

RED APRON LODGES .

HAVING been asked at different times to devote some attention to the qualifications of the Grand Stewards of English Freemasonry , and the privileges posseseed by the Lodges which have the right of nominating them every year , we had much pleasure in inviting the co-operation of Bro . VV . J . Hughan , the

eminent Masonic writer , who has favoured us with the following particulars in regard to the matter , he prefacing his remarks by saying that his comments " must be brief . " We are convinced they will be none

the less appreciated on that account , although we can imagine our readers , like ourselves , would have liked to hear more on the subject from so high an authority . Bro . Hughan says :

The best account of the matter is to be found in the " Freemason " for July and August 1886 , and is by my friend and Brother , Henry Sadler , and there is also my article on " The Country Stewards' Lodge" in the " Christmas Number" of the same year , with two

illustrations of the special medal worn by its members . This Lodge , having collapsed long ago , need not now be referred to at any length . Besides these two sources of information there are Bro . John Lane ' s invaluable

" Masonic Records , 1717-1886 , "his " Centenary Medals , " and his " Handy Book to the Lists , & c . " that might be consulted with advantage . A still earlier notice of the " Red Apron Lodges" is to be found in the " Freemason , " 1884 ( p . 605 , & c . ) by Bro . E . L . Hawkins , and is one of considerable interest .

Almost as soon as the Grand Lodge of England was formed there were " Grand Stewards ; " for the Feast then , as now , was an important matter , and required careful and competent regulation . The highest number reached appears to have been twelve , in 1728 , and a

dozen annually , for many years , managed the Festival who were really volunteers accepted in open Grand Lodge , or nominated by Brethren who had previously served in that capacity . Bro . Sadler has been at considerable pains to trace the Lodges to which these

Brethren belonged , but the enquiry is too extensive , and concerns the last century , so 1 shall not quote from him now save to say that some are still represented in the

selected list . The same excellent authority points out that the first mention of a special colour for the Grand Stewards' clothing was in 1731 , red being agreed to by the Grand Lodge , hence the above title .

The " Grand Stewards' Lodge " was formed in 1735 , for Brethren who had been , or were Grand Stewards . For some time it took its place on the Register according to date of constitution , but later on was placed at the head of the Roll , and has so continued to the present

time . Originally this arrangement did not give satisfaction , but doubtless as time rolled on and it was found that the Feasts were well arranged—presumably at considerable cost or loss to the Stewards at all timesthe innovation was accepted without complaint , and

finally the Craft became reconciled to the change . It was , and is , a Lodge of Master Masons , so no " work " is done , and the members are recruited from the regular Lodges , the honour of being a Grand Steward being much valued in this country .

What is known as the Grand Stewards' Jewel—a very choice and pietty decoration—was designed by Brother Hogarth , probably in 1736 . Some doubt has been suggested as to this point , but Bro . Sadler ' s

researches have , to my mind , proved most conclusively that the Hogarth Jewel is genuine , and we are indebted to that great genius for the handsome decoration . Those interested in the subject can see fine specimens

in the Library of the Grand Lodge , and also of the Supreme Council 33 ° . The latter deserves to be more widely known , because of its varied and most valuable character , and the National Craft Library is increasing in leaps and bounds under the esteemed Sub-Librarian ' s fostering care .

1 need not refer to the Lodges from which the Grand Stewards were selected under the " Modern" regime , until the blessed union of 1813 . Many of the particulars noted by Bro . Sadler are very curious indeed , and especially so as to the rules of these Grand Stewards .

The " Red Apron " Lodges , the date of their establishment , & c , now are :

Red Apron Lodges.

1 Grand Masters' Lodge of A . D . 175 S * 2 Lodge of Antiquity Time Immemorial ¦ 1 Royal Somerset House ifcc . Lodge ditto . 5 St . George' . s and Corner-sfcono Lodge ... of A . D . 1751 *

G Lodge of Friendship 1721 8 British Lodge , 1721 14 Tuscan Lodge „ 1722 21 Lodge of Emulation „ 1723 23 Globe Lodge , 1723

26 Castle Lodge of Harmony „ 1725 29 St . Alban ' s Lodge , 1728 46 Old Union Lodge „ 1735 58 Lodge of Felicity „ 1737 60 Peace and Harmonv Lodcre 173 ft

91 Lodge of Regularity „ 1755 99 Shakespear Lodge „ 1757 197 Jerusalem Lodge „ 1771 259 Prince of Wales ' s Lodge „ 1787

* " Ancient" or " Atholl" Constitution . —Dates are from the Grand Lodge Calendar . These eighteen Lodges continue as arranged at the Union , save as to two , which replaced the same number that retired . All vacancies in the List are filled by the

M . W . G . M ., but so highly is the privilege valued that it is not likely either of the eighteen will fall out of the line . The Grand Stewards are chosen by the members from these Lodges , one from each , annually . I believe the system is unique , and has , beyond question , worked exceedingly well . W . J . HUGHAN .

Board Of Benevolence.

BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .

THE usual monthly meeting was held on Wednesday evening , in the Board Room of Freemasons' Hall . After the formal opening Brother Letchworth Grand Secretary informed the Brethren that Brother Robert Grey the President of the Board was unable to be

present . Brother James Brett Senior Vice-President took the President ' s chair , Brother Cottebrune took the chair of the Senior Vice-President , and Brother W . P . Brown Past Grand Standard Bearer acted as Junior

Vice-President . From G . Secretary ' s Office attended Bros . E . Letchworth , A . A . Pendlebury Assistant G . S ., W . Dodd , and W . H . Lee . The other Brethren who were present included W . Vincent , George R . Langley ,

George B . Chapman , W . Fisher , W . M . Bywater , Henry Garrod , T . W . Whitmarsh , Charles J . R . Tijou , Major-General Frederick Gadsden , S . H . Goldschmidt , James Bunker , Charles Dairy , E . C . Mulvey , Walter Martin , S . Valentine P . G . P ., H . Massey , G . Mansford , George

Hill , Charles E . Collins , R . J . Rogers , C . H . Webb , J . Pickett , M . D ., H . R . Dewson , Ed . C . Talbot , R . Pain Walkden , and Charles Schmidt .

The Board first confirmed a recommendation made at the August meeting to the Grand Master for £ 40 . They then considered fifteen new cases , which were

qualified through Lodges in the London District , and at Bradford , Portsmouth , Plymouth , Kidderminster , Cyprus , Liverpool , Hyderabad , Bristol , Sunderland , Harrow , Halifax ( Nova Scotia ) , and Cleckheaton .

One of the cases was deferred on account of being incomplete , but £ 255 was voted to the remainder , in one recommendation to Grand Lodge for £ 50 , one to the

Grand Master for £ 40 , and one for £ 30 . Four petitioners were voted £ 20 each , four £ 10 each , and three £ 5 each .

It is expected many very prominent members of the Craft will be present on the occasion of the Installation of Lord Llangattock as Provincial Grand Master of the Eastern Division of South Wales , at Cardiff , on the 27 th inst . In all probability these will include the Earl

of Lathom , the Earl of Mount-Edgcuinbe , Lord Kensington , Viscount Dungarvan , Sir Michael Hicks-Beach , Bro . Vassar Smith the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Gloucestershire , and others . Amoug the local Masons attending the ceremony will be the Mayors of Newport ,

Neath , Aberavon and Swansea . The tickets for the banquet are limited to 400 , of which 370 have already been applied for , so that members of the Order who desire to attend should make application to Bro . J . Munday without delay .