Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

26 S ] FREEMASON , & c . Mr . John Britton's " Dictionary of the Architecture and Arch .-cology of the Middle Ages , " published by Longman and Co ., London , 1 S 3 S , occurseveral important allusions for us . Britton seems to adopt thc Dugdale-Wren theory that the "French Accepted Masons" are the outcome of certain Italian artists patronized by the Popes and incorporated by Papal Bulls . Unfortunately history ,

critically severe , and which rejects alike the " ipse dixits and the "dogmata" of egotistical or inaccurate writers , knows nothing of these fraternities of Italian artists or of these Papal Bulls , at least which is practically the same thing , these statements cannot be verified or identified . At one time a great running was made on the " Magistri Comacenscs , " the Masters of Como , but it is quite clear now they were local notgencral . Mr . Britton , though incorrect evidence and

in his main theory , is invaluable as an a contributor of facts . For instance , he tells us that as to Mason from the French Macon the derivation is uncertain . Some take it he says from Macio , or Macena , and others Irom Mas , an old word for a house . To this associated body of Free and Accepted Masons Mr . Britton ascribes all the great mediaeval buildings . He remarks that the Latin word " Extructor " just as Structor , / Edificator , like

Architector , Architectus , is used for an architect or builder in ancient records . He mentions Henry the Latomus , or the Lathom , " at Evesham Abbey , in the end of the thirteenth century . He also alludes to Rosslyn Chapel , and states that in Arch . Antiqs ., vol . iii ., are " some interesting particulars relating to the Freemasons who built that edifice . " Can any student brother help us with the words of the reference i MASONIC STUDEN I .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The monthly meeting of the General Committee of this 1 nstitution was held on Thursday afternoon , at Freemasons ' Hall , Col . Creaton , Past Grand Treasurer , presided . The other brethren who attended were Bros . J . H . Matthews , E . H . Finney , A . H . Tattershall , Col . James Peters ,

G . Swd . Br . ; E . Letchworth , Frank Richardson , P . G . D . ; Thomas Kingston , Arthur E . Gladwell , John J . Berry , C . H . Webb , Robert Grey , P . G . D . ; William H . Bateman , George Gravely , ] . J . Caseley , Samuel H . Parkhouse , John Mason , George Mickley , W . H . Rudderforth , E . Spooner , F . I _ . XV . Hedges , Secretary ; and H . Massey ( Freemason ) . Alter the reading and confirmation of the minutes of the

former meeting Bro . FRANK R ICHARDSON , P . G . D ., moved that the salary of Miss Redgrave , the first assistant governess , be increased from £ 75 to _ Co ° a }' ear- T ' matter had been discussed by the House Committee , who had recommended the proposition uanimously , and he hoped it would be adopted unanimously by the present committee . When Miss Davis was taken six months Miss

ill last year and was away this year for Redgrave was put in authority , and he did not think it was saying anything in derogation of Miss Davis to say ( that her place was so well filled by Miss Redgrave that anyone could hardly tell that Miss Davis was away , everything going on the same as before . It ought to be a matter of great congratulation for the subscribers to the Institution

that when any emergency like the illness of Miss Davis occurred they could find from among the children educated in this school a governess who could at a moment's notice take the p lace of the head governess , and not only of this Institution but of any other . Looking at it in another light , they ought to be just . If they lost Miss Redgrave , and sought for a governess in her place

outside this Institution they would not get the services ot anyone so able for the same amount of money . Having discovered what her value was he thought it was only an act of justice to Miss Redgrave to raise her salary as proposed by this resolution . Bro . ARTHUR E . G LADWELL , P . M . 172 , seconded the motion . He had been to the Institution and seen how

admirably it was managed by Miss Redgrave . The resolution was carried unanimously . Notice of motion was given for next meeting that the salary of the Secretary be increased . Authority was given to the Chairman to sign cheques in discharge of liabilities , and two petitions of candidates fot next election were approved . One was deferred . The Committee then adjourned .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The first of a series of entertainments with which it has been determined to enliven the winter months , and to relieve the necessary monotony attending school work , was given to the pupils of the Institution at Wood Green , on Monday , the 20 th ult . The programme was an interesting

and diversified one , in which the vocal and instrumental talent of the pupils had fair opportunity for display , while the assistance of Bros . John Hodges , Hanson , and Edward Wharton ( of the Orpheus Lodge ) was warmly appreciated . The concert was organised by Bro . Joyce Murray ( V . Patron , and member of the House Committee ) , Bro . Charles E . Tinney ( Musical Instructor ) conducting ,

and also contributing to the general effect by his valuable assistance throughout . Votes of thanks were proposed and enthusiastically supported to those who by their kindness and thoughtfulness had enabled all present to participate in a thoroughly enjoyable evening . Amongst those present we noticed Bro . and Mrs . Edgar

Bowyer and party , Bro . Joyce Murray , Bro . and Mrs . H . S . Goodall and party , Bro . and Mrs . Matier and party , Bro . G . J . Row and party ; Bro . R . W . Stewart , Bro . W . Willev , Mrs . Jno . Constable and party , Mr . Cubitt and party . Rev . Dr . Morris ( Head Master ) , Mrs . Hogard and party , with several other friends , and Bro . J . Binckes ( Secretary ) .

Annual Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.

ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE EMULATION LODGE OF IMPROVEMENT .

The annual festival of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement which works under the sanction of the Lodge of Unions , No . 256 , was held on Friday , the 23 rd ult ., at Freemasons' Tavern . Preceding the festival the lodge of improvement met as a lodge in the Crown Room of the Tavern , and worked the Second Lecture . Thc Stewards

for the festival were Bros . Thos . Fenn , P . G . D ., Treas ; E . Almack , 176 S ; J . E . Anderson , J . W . iS ; J . J . Black , 1564 ; G . Brown , P . M . 140 ; H . Bue ' . J . W . 1 S 20 , Sec . 1965 ; F . J . Bennett , 211 ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Sec . ; W . A . Dawson , P . M . 17 GS ; G . Drysdale , P . M . 222 ; H . J . P . Dumas , P . G . D . ; R . K . Davis , P . M . 256 ; A . Escott , P . M . 1503 ; A . Fyson , 17 6 S ; Robert Grey , P . G . D . ; H . C . Heard , P . M . 449 , P . P . G . J . D . Herts ; E . B . Holloway ,

P . M . roS ; A . Heyes , 15 67 ; I . R . Jones , J . VV . 176 S ; W . H . Johnstson , S . D . 1925 ; J . W . Jones , G . Stwd . ; XV . G . Kentish , P . M . 1293 ; C . Lowther Kemp , 63 , S . W 1024 ; P . de L . Long , P . G . D . ; G . F . Marshall , S . D . 69 ; A . Marvin , W . M . 176 S ; E . M . Money , J . VV . 2 S ; C . A . Murton , P . G . D . ; J . H . Matthews , P . Dist . G . D . Bengal ; T . W . Ockenden , S . W . 176 S ; F . W . Prior , 90 ; G . C . Pulsford , W . M . 1593 ; H . Pritchard , J . D . 1415 ; A . A ,

Richards , P . G . S ., P . M . 8 , P . P . G . J . W . Middlesex ; J . A . Rucker , P . G . D . ; A . C . Spaull , P . M . 176 S ; F . R . Spaull , P . M . 1124 , Sec ; W . H . Spaull , P . G . S . North Wales and Salop ; R . C . Sudlow , P . M . G 5 ; S . W . Shaw , W . M . 1965 ; VV . Smallpeice , P . M . 1395 ; J . T . Tanqueray , S . W . 1965 ; E . L . Walford , 905 ; and S . B . Wilson , P . M . 59 . Among the brethren who attended were Bros , the Hon . Mr . Justice Prinsep , Dist . G . M . Bengal ; Rev . John

Sedgwick , Prov . G . Chap . ; Raymond H . 1 hrupp , Asst . G . D . of C . ; J . H . Devonshire , G . J . D . ; Rev . XV . Oswell Thompson , G . Chap . ; Ralph Gooding , M . D ., D . D ., S . G . D . ; Rev . C . W . Arnold , P . G . Chap . ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec ; James Lewis-Thomas , F . S . A ., P . A . G . D . C ; Rev . Thos . Cochrane , P . G . Chap . ; John Messent . P . G . Swd . Br . ; J . C . Parkinson , P . G . D . ; H . J . P . Dumas , P . G . D . ; J . Sampson Peirce , P . G . D . ; J . A .

Rucker , P . G . D . ; Robert Grey , P . G . D . ; C . A . Murton , P . G . D . ; Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . Chap . ; Rev . A . VV . Hall , P . G . Chap . ; H . J . Bing , George Drysdale , James Gladwell , George Graveley , Arthur Proudfoot , J . VV . Ockenden , Alexander Higerty , Thos . Francis Peacock , Chas . J . S . Ayling , St . Leonards Chubb , Frederick VVilliam Smith , Rudolph G . Glover , P . G . S ., John Skinner , G . Houlder , Bishop , Frank A . Abraham , \ V . I . Spratling , Arthur

Reynolds , VV . Winnett , 59 ; Alfred Richards , 1 759 ; H . L . de Montmorency , No . 1 ; Thomas Yeo , 905 ; C . li . Mortimer , 15 S 4 ; George Baker , I . G . 503 ; J . XV . Ford , 134 S ; George Freeman , 1409 ; Robert R . Dickinson , S 32 ; W . Howell Walters , 464 ; Isaac Paddle , 715 ; James Paddle , P . M . 715 ; G . W . Wigman , 1954 ; R . Goodchild , 554 ; Athelstan A . Angier , 19 ; E . B . Ingham , S 23 ; A . Baumann , 238 ; A . Auerbach , 1 S 39 ; C . G . Eastman , 179 ; Maitland H . Dicks ,

1470 ; j . C . Larner , 1586 ; l < . A . Pullen , _ . W . 742 ; John R . Maples , 211 ; W . F . Bloomfield , 910 ; Lewis Jones , 720 ; Hugh H . Riach , 1523 J J- F . Norbury , 1523 ; W , Rowley , 1924 ; Ernest H . Morrison , 416 ; J . F . Abraham , 539 ; Captain A . Nicols , VV . M . 1974 ; Henry Venn , 23 ; J . P . Clayton , 263 ; Joseph Russell , 59 ; Sidney E . Yates , 59 ; D . VV . Pearse , 1293 ; Tyson Crawford , 170 S ; J . E . Sheffield . 1 S 07 : G . I . E . Marsh , 15 SG : B . P . Jesse

1556 ; T . H . Hicks , 1597 ; Wm . Chew , 1470 ; B . de Danompierre , 1900 ; H . Rose , 1470 ; S . Spokes , 1470 ; A . Morcom , 1470 ; H . J . Walter , S 90 ; F . E . Percival , 475 ; H . Weld , 1 S 20 ; F . H . Williams , rS ; A . M . Catling , 1579 ; G . Willcocks , 1924 ; XV . N . St . Alphonse , 10 S ; VV . F . Denman , 1924 ; W . Simpson , 1924 ; C . Smith , 416 ; G . Harrison , 416 ; G . G . Barham , 256 ; C . I . K . Tvon . Sec . 1 S 04 ; G . Cowley , 1044 ; C . Ellis , J . D .

1044 ; J . W . Hulseberg , St . John ' s ; J . V . Morgan , 374 and S 18 ; G . Shearman , S 9 S ; A . Walter , 554 ; G . T . Austen , 1457 ; A . H . East , 1457 ; A . C . Wood , 1506 ; J . Fahey ; E . B . Holloway , P . M . 10 S ; W . W . Green , P . M . 10 S ; J . D . Tarr , I . G . 1293 ; G . Kennaby , C . J . Smith , P . M . 417 ; ' ! ' . F . Lloyd , 4 i 6 ; I . B . Glenn , 19 ; VV . G . Sams , 1 S 0 ; j . Hutt , F . Rendered , J . VV . Gordon , Wm . Hicklin , S . S . Hasluck , C . B . Cooper , G . Stacey , Wm . Sworder , A .

A . Coster , J . P . Houghton , T . H . Edmands , J . Chapman , VV . P . Brown , VV . Saints , J . J . Craske , F . J . Vialls , F . A . Warner , F . Knipler , VV . S . Dunkley , VV . Hollingworth , J . Brignall , J . O . Abbott , C . E . Wilson , J . Phillips , G . S . Bigley , j . D . Sykes , E . T . Smith , D . F . Wilson , J . D . Langton , J . VV . Sacon , T . Johnson , J . Adie , 1474 ; W . McLaine , 11 S 2 ; P . Howard , 1673 ; J . H . Garland , 1673 ; E . J . Walford , 905 ; and H . Massey ( p ' reemason ) .

Bro . T . Fenn , P . G . D ., presided as W . M . ; Bro . A . A . Richards , P . G . S ., P . M . S , P . P . G . J . W . Middlesex , acted as P . M . 5 Bro . R . C . Sudlow , P . M . 1965 , asS . W . ; Bro . W . A . Dawson , P . M . 17 GS , as J . W . ; Bro . F . R . Spaull , P . M . 1124 , Sec . ; Bro . A . Marvin , W . M . 176 S , as S . D . ; Bro . F . J . Bennett , 211 , as J " . D . ; and Bro . J . T . Tanqueray , J . W . 1965 , as I . G . After the formal opening of the lodge in the Three Degrees , the Second Lecture was worked as

follows : First Section , Bro . F . J . Bennett , 211 ; Second , Bro . J . T . Tanqueray , S . W . 19 G 5 ; Third , Bro . A . Marvin , W . M . 17 6 S ; Fourth , Bro . J . J . Black , 1564 ; and Fifth , Bro . F . F . Marshall , S . D . 6 g . The whole of the work was most admirably performed , and at its conclusion The Hon . Mr . Justice PRINSEP moved a vote of thanks to the working brethren . The excellent work which the brethren had witnessed , which had imparted instruction to

all , but particularly to the younger members of the Craft , deserved some recognition , and therefore he proposed a vote of thanks to the Preceptor and ofiicers of the lodge who had officiated that evening . The Rev . C VV . ARNOLO , P . G . C , seconded the motion , which was put and carried . Bro . THOMAS FENN , in acknowledging the vote , said that although he was not , properly spealcing , one of the

working officers that night , he would thank the brethren for the vote , as it was usual for the presiding officer to do so . He was sure that all the working brethren felt highly gratified that they had worked to the satisfaction of those who were assembled at the lodge . Before the lodge was closed a large number of brethren

gave in their names to be balloted for as joining members of the Lodge of Improvement . The lodge was then closed in the Three Degrees , and the brethren afterwards adjourned to the large hall of the Tavern , where a bountiful supper was provided by Messrs . Spiers and Pond , under the superintendence of Bro . Dawkins , The usual toasts followed .

Annual Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.

The toast of " The Oueen and the Craft" and " The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " having been disposed of , and the toast of "The Pro G . M ., the Deputy G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " having been proposed , The Rev . VV . OSWELL THOMPSON , Grand Chap ., in reply said it was an honour which any Mason might well be proud of to stand up in such a company and in such a

time honoured building to reply to this toast , and more especially did hc think it so when he was surrounded by so large a bod y of Grand Officers . It had been a great pleasure to him to receive the invitation to the ceremonies , and he had been very much delighted to see the work so admirably performed . Emulation working might generally be considered a model for all Masonic lodges , and all the Grand Officers had been highly pleased with what they had seen .

I he rev . brother next proposed " The Chairman . " It was the custom at these annual festivals to invite some brother of eminence to preside , and on this occasion the invitation had been accepted by a brother from the far eastern portion of the Empire , who was very much distinguished in his own province , who ruled that province with very great wisdom , tact , and judgment , and who was over here for only a few weeks , it might be to refresh his knowledge ot

the old country , to see some old friends , and more than all to keep his brethren " au courant" with the times in Masonry . Bro . Prinsep was a Judge of the High Court of Calcutta , a place where great interest was felt in Freemasonry ; and if the Emulation working was to be taken as the model of working for all Masonic lodges under the banner of England the brethren would hail with delight the presence of the Grand Master ot Bengal who would

take that working over there . If the District Grand Master of Bengal had been instructed by what he had seen that evening he ( the Grand Chaplain ) ventured to prognosticate that he would carry with him a lively sense of the hospitality shewn him and the zeal with which it was carried out . It was not for him just now to refer to the revision of the Book of Constitutions , but he would say that as long as the lodges of England would conform to the ritual of the

ceremonies which had been worked continuously for 60 years , and probably before that , whatever the final revision might be the lodges would still flourish as long as they were endued with the spirit which they drew from this centre . Bro . Mr . Justice PRINSEP in reply said he felt deeply the honour conferred upon him both in asking him to preside on so memorable an occasion and in proposing and drinking his health in so flattering a manner . He felt verv much

the inadequate manner in which he had filled the chair which had been so ably filled by many eminent predecessors . But he was supported by the consciousness that whatever migjht be their eminence he was second to none of them in his admiration of Freemasonry and also in his earnest desire to carry it out and assist its working in every way among his people afar off . Meetings like the present of a cosmopolitan lodge like the Emulation

carried out to the fullest extent the principles of Freemasonry , not only in exciting emulation and a desire of improvement in working among brethren generally , but in bringing together members of many lodges in distant parts of the country , who would , except for the existence of such lodges , never meet together . He had frequentl y in his own person recognised the benefits of such associations . As District Grand Master , and also in humbler positions ,

though occupied in an official capacity as a representative of Government in various places , he had bad the means offered him of associating and becoming acquainted with brethren with whom otherwise he might never have met , and he had , he hoped , acted on all occasions Masonically in all such interviews as he had had with them . Therefore he fully appreciated the existence of such a lodge as the Lodge of Emulation , as tiavinr . the power of brintring

people in so many walks of life together ; but the existence of a lodge and the prosperity of a lodge must entirely depend on the way it was conducted . There could be no two opinions , and especially among those present that night , as to the way in which the Lodge of Emulation had been conducted for years past , and at the present time it maintained its old reputation . Therefore , he wished it success , and he proposed as the next toast "Success to the

Lmulation Lodge of Improvement , " coupling with it the name of Bro . Thomas Fenn . Bro . Thomas Fenn , P . G . D ., responded in the name of the Committee for the kind wishes expressed towards the lodge in which they entertained so deep an interest . The President had on two occasions that evening made use of the word " Preceptor . " It was right that it should be pretty generally known that the Lodge of Emulation

differed in many respects from ordinary lodges of instruction , in that it had no Preceptor . It originated from a lodge of instruction wliich was formed in 1 S 1 S , under the sanction of the British Lodge , No . 8 , and in 1 S 23 a number of the members of that lodge of instruction , together with many other pupils of the famous Peter Gilks , united together and formed the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , in order to illustrate the working of the ceremonies and the lectures

strictly according to the system which had been taught to them by their Preceptor , Bro . Gilks . On the occasions when they met the work was perfectly performed by all those members who occupied the different offices in the lodge , and they were reall y the Preceptors while they occupied the offices . The Emulation Lodge of Improvement in like manner endeavoured , so far as they could , to carry out thc original intentions of the founders of this

lodge . They had their own bye-laws , one of which said that no brother should be eligible for the office of Master unless he was able to perform the ceremonies in the working according to the recognised system of this lodge ; and , therefore , when the Master took the chair under that principle wliich they knew to be accepted , he was for thc evening the Preceptor of the lodge . The duty of the Committee was to see that the principle was carried out in

its integrity , and that the ancient working of the lodge was maintained to the letter . Since they last met there were three of the pupils of the late Stephen Barton Wilson among the Committee , so that the traditions had been handed down only through three generations—Peter Gilks , Stephen Barton Wilson , and the members of the

Committee who were absent on the last occasion . It must be a subject of regret to all present that one of their brethren had retired from them , Bro . Murton . They would all agree that the services which that brother had rendered to this lodge for more than a quarter of a century quite entitled him to a repose from his Masonic duties , which they hoped he would enjoy for many years to come . The two remaining pupils of S , B , Wilson were Bro . Richards