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Article THE SAILOR FREEMASON. ← Page 2 of 5 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Sailor Freemason.
ever and anon rolled about as he addressed his guests ; but to complete the picture , on his head he wore a 42 nd Highland bonnet , with a huge plume of black feathers , on one side of which was stuck a colossal red feather , which , towering over the whole , was constantly waving to and fro ; and when he walked , its undulations resembled those of a pendulum .
However , "Dickey Simpson , " as he was familiarly called , was with all his oddity a kind-hearted , well-meaning creature , for he seemed not to notice , or else not to care for the mirth which his presence created ; and he was moreover an enthusiastic Mason . Although out of place , I may here mention that the Celtic Lodge was then in its infancyand has since been
pre-, sided over by several eminent Brethren , it being now one of the most respectable Lodges in Edinburgh . But to my tale . The ball went off gallantly , many reels , dances , and strathspeys were tripped either to the band or the bagpipe , and , as the saying is , the company did not " go home till morning . " Some days after this fete , I asked my elder brother if he
would advise me to become a Mason . He told me , what I then thought a strange reply , that he could not possibly advise me ; I was at liberty to follow my own free will and accord . However , as he made no objection , I went to the Celtic Fraternity , and next Lodge night received the first degree . After work , the Brethren adjourned for refreshment , the
same Bro . Simpson being in the chair , with his ponderous head-gear waving proudly from the throne . All the Celtic Brethren were also covered , according to the custom of the country . The repast consisted of a cold collation of sandwiches , which we washed down with porter and ale . After supper , quart bottles of wine-negus and whiskey-toddy were
placed before the respective Brethren , which had been brewed for the occasion . The harmony of the evening then commenced , and was kept up till twelve o ' clock , at which hour we separated . I afterwards received the other degrees ; and as I was for some time at home , I spent much of my leisure in visiting all the Lodges round about , until my returning health enabled me to join my ship .
From that time I became enamoured of Freemasonry , and while on board ship I gave my mind up to that study , and frequently on our cruising excursions dropped ashore to visit some Lodge on the coast . It was a common remark on board , that if sailors had sweethearts at every port , I had brothers in every harbour . On one occasion I went ashore at Greenock , when a remarkable circumstance occurred , worthy of record .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Sailor Freemason.
ever and anon rolled about as he addressed his guests ; but to complete the picture , on his head he wore a 42 nd Highland bonnet , with a huge plume of black feathers , on one side of which was stuck a colossal red feather , which , towering over the whole , was constantly waving to and fro ; and when he walked , its undulations resembled those of a pendulum .
However , "Dickey Simpson , " as he was familiarly called , was with all his oddity a kind-hearted , well-meaning creature , for he seemed not to notice , or else not to care for the mirth which his presence created ; and he was moreover an enthusiastic Mason . Although out of place , I may here mention that the Celtic Lodge was then in its infancyand has since been
pre-, sided over by several eminent Brethren , it being now one of the most respectable Lodges in Edinburgh . But to my tale . The ball went off gallantly , many reels , dances , and strathspeys were tripped either to the band or the bagpipe , and , as the saying is , the company did not " go home till morning . " Some days after this fete , I asked my elder brother if he
would advise me to become a Mason . He told me , what I then thought a strange reply , that he could not possibly advise me ; I was at liberty to follow my own free will and accord . However , as he made no objection , I went to the Celtic Fraternity , and next Lodge night received the first degree . After work , the Brethren adjourned for refreshment , the
same Bro . Simpson being in the chair , with his ponderous head-gear waving proudly from the throne . All the Celtic Brethren were also covered , according to the custom of the country . The repast consisted of a cold collation of sandwiches , which we washed down with porter and ale . After supper , quart bottles of wine-negus and whiskey-toddy were
placed before the respective Brethren , which had been brewed for the occasion . The harmony of the evening then commenced , and was kept up till twelve o ' clock , at which hour we separated . I afterwards received the other degrees ; and as I was for some time at home , I spent much of my leisure in visiting all the Lodges round about , until my returning health enabled me to join my ship .
From that time I became enamoured of Freemasonry , and while on board ship I gave my mind up to that study , and frequently on our cruising excursions dropped ashore to visit some Lodge on the coast . It was a common remark on board , that if sailors had sweethearts at every port , I had brothers in every harbour . On one occasion I went ashore at Greenock , when a remarkable circumstance occurred , worthy of record .