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Article MASONIC ANECDOTES. ← Page 4 of 4 Article TO THE EDITOR. Page 1 of 2 →
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Masonic Anecdotes.
in Oporto Roads , where we had an opportunity of seeing the constant firing of shell , shot , and small arms , carried on the whole night between the armies of Pedro and Miguel . We sailed next morning for the south , but were most unfortunately wrecked on the following morning at Peneche , a strongly fortified place belonging to the enemy , Don Miguel , and lost every thing we had , except our clothes that we had on at the moment . We had amongst us a petty officerwho spoke good
, very Portuguese , and who had an opportunity of making himself known to the Provost Marshal , who , it appeared , was enlightened as well as ourselves . From that moment , he devoted all in his power to our interest and comfort , always giving us the lightest work to do , and sometimes a little wine , a great luxury at times , and sometimes a little extra food , our allowance being a pound of coarse black bread per day , with some boiled beansthat an English iwould not eatand were worked
, pg , very hard , from five in the morning until seven at night , resting about three hours in the middle of the day , our employment burying those who died of the cholera ( about fifty or sixty a day ) . We had to carry the naked dead bodies about two miles in the broiling sun , and lost four of our own men by the same dreadful disease . I had an attack myself slightly , and attribute my recovery to the indulgence received as above alluded to . In a country like Portugaltorn by contending armieswhere father was
, , divided against son , and brother against brother , I consider it as an un looked-for mercy , that a man should , from principle , protect and shelter a foreigner fighting against him on his own native shore ; and shows , at once , the full advantage , as well as sound principle , of Freemasonry . I am , Sir , yours respectfully , AN OLD SOLDIER .
To The Editor.
TO THE EDITOR .
SIR , —Your opinion is requested on a point of discipline and practice , to settle , if possible , some doubts as to the custom of assuming the Chairs in the Grand Chapter . On a recent occasion the second Chair was assumed by an officer whose rank certainly ivould appear to have entitled him to precedence ; but as , in consequence of his assuming such position , his own office became vacant , you will oblige many of your readers by stating whether the duties of an Office-bearer be not confined
to his appointed station , whereby confusion would be saved . I will add , that I heard it stated that some Companions of higher rank did not enter the Grand Chapter from diffidence , and that several Companions of much older standing , and of the highest attainments as Royal Arch Masons , were present , who could and would have conferred honour on the office , by infusing dignity into the ceremony . It was also noticed that both scribes were present , but did not vacate their seats : should it be inferred
from this circumstance that their duties compelled them to sit officially , I reply that the business was unusually limited , and that on several former occasions the scribe E . has assumed the higher Chair . While . on this subject you will , perhaps , extend your kindness by stating how and when the appointments for the evening are made . Having derived much information from your recorded opinions , I anxiously await your sentiments , and am , very fraternally , NON-EDAX . Non-Edax has infused into a small space much room for comment ; we will endeavour to meet his wishes .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Anecdotes.
in Oporto Roads , where we had an opportunity of seeing the constant firing of shell , shot , and small arms , carried on the whole night between the armies of Pedro and Miguel . We sailed next morning for the south , but were most unfortunately wrecked on the following morning at Peneche , a strongly fortified place belonging to the enemy , Don Miguel , and lost every thing we had , except our clothes that we had on at the moment . We had amongst us a petty officerwho spoke good
, very Portuguese , and who had an opportunity of making himself known to the Provost Marshal , who , it appeared , was enlightened as well as ourselves . From that moment , he devoted all in his power to our interest and comfort , always giving us the lightest work to do , and sometimes a little wine , a great luxury at times , and sometimes a little extra food , our allowance being a pound of coarse black bread per day , with some boiled beansthat an English iwould not eatand were worked
, pg , very hard , from five in the morning until seven at night , resting about three hours in the middle of the day , our employment burying those who died of the cholera ( about fifty or sixty a day ) . We had to carry the naked dead bodies about two miles in the broiling sun , and lost four of our own men by the same dreadful disease . I had an attack myself slightly , and attribute my recovery to the indulgence received as above alluded to . In a country like Portugaltorn by contending armieswhere father was
, , divided against son , and brother against brother , I consider it as an un looked-for mercy , that a man should , from principle , protect and shelter a foreigner fighting against him on his own native shore ; and shows , at once , the full advantage , as well as sound principle , of Freemasonry . I am , Sir , yours respectfully , AN OLD SOLDIER .
To The Editor.
TO THE EDITOR .
SIR , —Your opinion is requested on a point of discipline and practice , to settle , if possible , some doubts as to the custom of assuming the Chairs in the Grand Chapter . On a recent occasion the second Chair was assumed by an officer whose rank certainly ivould appear to have entitled him to precedence ; but as , in consequence of his assuming such position , his own office became vacant , you will oblige many of your readers by stating whether the duties of an Office-bearer be not confined
to his appointed station , whereby confusion would be saved . I will add , that I heard it stated that some Companions of higher rank did not enter the Grand Chapter from diffidence , and that several Companions of much older standing , and of the highest attainments as Royal Arch Masons , were present , who could and would have conferred honour on the office , by infusing dignity into the ceremony . It was also noticed that both scribes were present , but did not vacate their seats : should it be inferred
from this circumstance that their duties compelled them to sit officially , I reply that the business was unusually limited , and that on several former occasions the scribe E . has assumed the higher Chair . While . on this subject you will , perhaps , extend your kindness by stating how and when the appointments for the evening are made . Having derived much information from your recorded opinions , I anxiously await your sentiments , and am , very fraternally , NON-EDAX . Non-Edax has infused into a small space much room for comment ; we will endeavour to meet his wishes .