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have been a great loss to historical Freemasonry if Bro . Smithett ' s history had not been written , and he not only mikes known a number of very curious entries from 1737 , but has considerably relieved the " dry details" of ordinary minutes , by interposing , every now and then , a series of comments on contemporary events , which add much to the value of his labours , and will render the volume most

entertaining and instructive to all who consult its pages . The "Warrant" of the lodge , if so it may be callled , bears date August 24 th , 1737 , and simply consists of the consent ot the Grand Master , Lord Darnley , to the "constitution " of the lodge , on the day named , and a certificate of its regular formation accordingly , signed by the Grand Master aforesaid , the acting D . G . M . ( Bro . Lawley ) , and

the two Grand Wardens . It appears that the validity of this authority had been called in question , but Lord Moira , when appealed to , declared it was " as good and satisfactory as any extant . " Probably , prior to this , some other authority had been obtained by way of confirmation , as in the inventory of December , 1 S 12 , is the item , "Copy of Warrant Fram'd and Glaz'd . " No payment is mentioned

in the Grand Ledge archives for such , so it was likely enough to have been an additional Charter . rather than one of confirmation . In the Freemason for September 27 th , 18 S 4 , will be found another instance of the petition , appointment of the day , and certificate of the Constitution , doing duty for the warrant , just as with the " Lodge of Felicity . " We refer

to the charter for the " Lodge of Peace and Harmony , " No . Go , of May 3 rd , 173 S . Singular to state , however , the older lodges , such as 39 , Exeter , 41 , Bath , and 42 , Bury , have regular warrants . The earliest minute of the lodge , prior to its consecration , is dated April 6 th , 1737 , when there were 15 members . The total increased to some 10 . owing to initiations at the several meetings held

ad interim , so that the petitioners numbered 26 who sought the constitution of the lodge . The by-laws of 1737 are exceedingly curious , and , as they are given in full , they furnish a good index to the inner life of the members at that period ; ( a ) the names of the brethren were inscribed on " a roll , " according to ancient custom ; ( b ) Masters were " chosen" quarterly ; ( c ) four keys were kept for

the use of the Master , Wardens , and Secretary , for the time being , as a measure of caution , opening as they did the box containing " the treasure and other implements in their charge and trust ; " ( d ) forfeits were numerous , and merely consisted of "bottles of wine , " the number of which " was regulated according to the nature of the offence ; ( e ) " A lesson of Masonry shall be examined and gone

through every lodge night for the edifying young Maisons ;" (/) fee ; were exigible for visitors , extra being paid by those who belonged to no lodge ; ( g ) five shillings was charged on a brother "Passing Master ; " ( h ) swearing , & c , in the lodge led to a fine of one shilling , and " striking a brother in lodge hours" was visited with a fine of "ten shillings ; " ( i ) visitors unknown to members were required

to " perform the obligation ; " ( j ) " eating anything " during the hours of business was prohibited , and stringent rules were laid down respecting the proposition of candidates . A unique feature of the volume , is the fac-simites of engraved lists for 173 S , 1744 , 176 S , and 1769 , so far as regards this lodge , thus exhibiting the " signs of _ ihe houses" chosen for its habitation from time to time .

These lists , according to Bro . Hughan , were continued down to 177 S , but lacked the " signs" after 1769 . * " The Gun " wai the first selected , then the " Blue Posts , " "Chapman's Coffee House , " and the " Braund ' s Head " following in due course . The original number was 162 , altered eight times later on , the last being in 1 S 63 , when the lodge became 58 , which represents exactly its numerical

position in 17 S 0 . This is not the only instance of the kind , but there are so few , that it is well to note the circumstance . We are not prepared to say that the lodge had no existence prior to the recorded minutes of April 6 th , 1737 , for evidently it was not until the eighth meeting that the members agreed to petition the Grand Master to have their lodge constituted , and there is , therefore , a possibility that it was

held years before that period , only without any regular authority , as with other lodges . The " constitution " was a serious drain on the funds for sometime , but eventually , all difficulties , whether financial pr otherwise , were surmounted , and the prosperous period of the lodge set in , which has happily continued to this day . At page 13 a sketch is given of an old Master's jewel , kindly forwarded

by Bro . J . Todd , the esteemed Treasurer of the York Lodge , No . 23 6 . Although Bro . Smithett does not say so , it looks like a representation of the jewel used by the old lodge at Scarborough , of the year 1729 , and so is worth commemorating . On November 9 th , 1737 , > ' resolved that " the Past Masters shall have an apron bound with red ribbon . " As the lodge only obtained the privilege of

the "Red Apron" after the "Union of December , 1813 , " the author does not consider this reference had to do with the Grand Stewards , and possibly it had not , though else it is not easy to account for the resolution . We are not aware that the seceders ever called themselves " York Masons , " even so early as the year 1751 , when they established their Grand Lodge , and certainly not before then . Bro . the Rev .

Dr . James Anderson , the Historian of the regular Grand Lodge ( to which the Lodge of Felicity belonged ) was a visitor on Sept . 13 th , 173 S , when the members agreed to subscribe for thesecond edition of his "Book of Constitutions . " A noteworthy minute occurs of October 24 th , 1743 , to the effect that "if any one brother shall presume to go out ol the lodge room with his or their jewel , and be deprived

thereof by Cowans or otherwise , the value of the articles shall be paid . It is one of the earliest instances we know of in England of the use of the word "Cowan . " Of course , in Ireland , it was well known , Masonically , ages before then . The minutes throw light on the term *• St . John's Brother . " Clearly that meant one who was not- ^ subscriber to a lodge , but visited the Festival meeting ,

and paid an extra fee to the ordinary visitors . After 1750 the records are missing for many years , considerable credit being due to the author for the able manner in which he has "bridged over" the period , in which he was kindly assisted by Bro . Henry Sadler , whose valuable aid is gracefully and heartily acknowledged . Apparently the minutes

preserved begin about 40 years later , but , though there is this unfortunate lapse , the continuity of the lodge is not affected in any way , as that can be proven to the satisfaction of all concerned , by independent and offical testimony . Many most entertaining sketches are given of lodge celebrities , several of whom we should like to mention , but as the

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work is published on behalf of the " Charity Fund , " and copies can still be obtained , we do not think it wise to refer at length to these capital biographies just now , but we hope yet to do so , when the handsome volume is no longer on sale . We cannot say much for the " embellishments , " or portraits , but of the work itself we can speak most heartily . We congratulate Bro . Smithett most cordially on his debut as a Lodge Historian ; he has done

nobly for the members , having produced a very readable volume , and the publishers have done their best to make it good typographically , as it is Masonically . The interest is maintained down to the last record of early this year , and we advise all who value the records of old lodges to procure the History of the "Lodge of Felicity" for themselves , as we are persuaded they will not regret the expenditure , and cannot fail to be satisfied with the manner in which Bro . Smithett has discharged his onerous duties .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

({ Draft Jlasanrg , PROSPERITY LODGE ( No . 65 ) . —There was an unusually numerous attendance of brethren at the installation meeting of this lodge , held on Thursday , the 24 th ult ., at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham-street . Bro . R . Dyson , the . outgoing W . M ., presided , supported by Bros . W . Walker , S . W ., W . M . elect ; G . Haller , J . W . j J . Roberts , P . M ., Treasurer ; G . T . Brown , P . M ., Sec ;

F . Ruse , S . D . ; B . Haynes , J . D . ; C . J . Rich , P . M ., D . C ; J . A . Pemburyand R . F . Bourn , Stwds . ; Past Masters Bros . G . Schadler , W . Chicken , C . E . Ferry , C . Daniel , J . H . Hawkins , and about fifty other members , with Bro . W . Lane , Tyler . The visitors included Bros . Edgar Bowyer , P . G . Std . Br . ; J . T . Mather , P . P . S . G . L ) . Herts ; J . Muser , P . P . S . G . D . Middx . ; J . Mason ,

R . M . B . I . ; C . J . Scales , P . M . 1507 ; T . Maid well , P . M . 27 ; J . Brown , P . M . 975 ; D . Moss , P . M . 1275 ; A . Peterkin , P . M . 1349 ; C . H . Webb , P . M . 174 ; E . Allen , P . M . 173 ; T . T . Fillan , P . M . 1673 ; R . Voysey , W . M . 1329 ; C . Walker , W . M . 862 ; and many others . The lodge having been opened in due form , and the preliminary business disposed of , Bros . Cole , Johnson , and

Trask were passed to the Second Degree . Bro . Walker was then installed in the chair of K . S ., the ceremony being most impressively rendered by the retiring W . M ., who acquitted himself admirably throughout . The newly-installed Master having received the salutations of the brethren , he invested his officers lor the year as follows : Bros . R . Dyson , l . P . M . ; Wall , S . W . ; G . Haller , J . W . ;

] . Roberts , P . M . Treas . ; G . T . Brown , P . M .. Sec . ; F . J . Ruse , S . D . ; Harris , J . D . ; B . Haynes , I . G . ; CM . Rich , P . M ., D . of C . ; Ackerman , Asst . D . of C . ; R . F . Bourn , Stwd . ; and W . Lane , Tyler . A Past Master's jewel , manufactured by Bro . George Kenning , was presented to Bro . Dyson on his retirement from the chair as a mark of esteem , and in recognition of

the ability and zeal with which he had fulfilled the duties of thechair during his year of office . A Committee was appointed to make the necessary arrangements for the summer banquet ; and after the transaction of some nvnor business , the lodge was closed with the usual fraternal greetings . The banquet was served in the Throne room , covers being laid for nearly one hundred guests . At the

conclusion of the elegant repast , provided in Bros . Ritter and Clifford's best style , the W . M . proposed the loyal toasts , briefly alluding to the Jubilee year , and extolling the Prince of Wales as the most popular Grand Master that had ever ruled over English Freemasonry . Bro . Edgar Bowyer , in responding for "The Grand Officers , " expressed the pleasure it afforded him of attending

once more a meeting of the good old lodge in which he was initiated . The Grand Officers strove to do their duty , and that they succeeded in their endeavours was evidenced by the able way in which the affairs of the Grand Lodge were administered . Bro . R . Dyson , I . P . M ., in proposing "The Health of the Worshiplul Master , " said as the elect of the brethren

of the Lodge of Prosperity , Bro . Walker was entitled to command from him the fulfilment of that duty , but beyond that was the fact that the W . M . was his personal and very dear friend ; therefore , he had additional gratification in submitting the toast to their heartiest consideration . Seeing that they had unanimously elected Bro . Walker to the chair , he felt sure the brethren would act up to their

convictions , and do all they could to render his year of office a happy and'prosperous one . Bro . W . Walker , W . M ., after returning thanks for the cordiality with which the toast had been received , assured the brethren he should do all he possibly could to carry out the duties which had been entrusted to him . He had always striven to promote the best interests of the lodge ,

and should continue to persevere in the same direction . In proposing "The Health of the I . P . M ., " he said it was unnecessary to remind the brethren of Bro . Dyson's good qualities , which were already known ; but when it came to speak of him as the Installing Master , it became a different matter altogether . He had never heard the installation ceremony better performed in any lodge in his life , although

he had been present when many eminent Masons had done the same work . But Bro . Dyson had certainly eclipsed them all , and therefore he had great pleasure in proposing the toast of his health . He then presented to the l . P . M . a handsomely fitted liqueur case , subscrsbed for by the brethren , in recognition of the kindness and ability he had displayed during his year of office , and he also asked his

acceptance of a massive gold bracelet , as a present from the lodge to his estimable wife . Might they both live long to enjoy the esteem and regard in which they were held by every member of the Lodge of Prosperity . Bro . Dyson , after thanking the brethren for the reception they had accorded the mention of his name , said it was no light thing to undertake the duties of the chair in a lodge

of this description , and if a man could pass through his year of office with satisfaction to the brethren , it was the very highest reward he could possibly covet . He ventured to hope , from the unanimous and hearty reception they had given him that evening , he had succeeded in fulfilling the duties with a fair amount of credit to himself and satisfaction to the lodge . He assured them that from the

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

moment he was installed into that chair he made up his mind that no effort should be wanting on his part to make his year of office productive of happiness to the brethren . He had striven by all means in his power to promote peace and harmony , and the comfort and happiness of the brethren all round . No man ever quitted the chair of his lodge with more sincere feelings of gratitude than he did ;

and he hoped when Bro . Walker ' s turn came to respond for the first time as l . P . M . he might enjoy the hearty goodwill of the brethren , such as had been manifested towards himself on this occasion . He thanked them for the beautiful gifts which they had presented to his wife and himself ; at the same time , had he not received them he should have thanked the brethren just as heartily for the many

kindnesses he had received at their hands . The Worshipful Master then extended a cordial welcome to " The Visitors , " on whose behalf responses were made by Bros . Voysey , W . M . of the Sphinx Lodge ; C . Walker , W . M . of the Whittington Lodge ( brother of the W . M . ); T . Maidwell , P . M . of the Egyptian Lodge ; and others . In DroDosint * " The Masonic Charities , " the Worshipful

Master referred to the Charitable Association attached to the Lodge of Prosperity , and urged all who had notyet joined it to do so without delay , in order that they might qualify as Lite Governors or life subscribers of thelnstitutions . There had been two associations in connection with the lodge , the first of which was worked out in four years , and they sent up in that time 700 guineas . The second ,

up to the present , had forwarded 300 guineas in three years , and in the 12 months yet to elapse he hoped they might supplement this by at least another 100 guineas . It was his intention to go up as a Steward to the next Festival of the Benevolent Institution , and he hoped the brethren would enable him to take up a list equal in amount to that presented by their l . P . M . this year .

Bro . John Mason , P . M ., representing the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , made an earnest appeal for continued and increased support to the three Institutions , after which The Worshipful Master proposed "The Past Masters , " associating with the toast the names of Bro . Haynes , as senior , and Bro . Hawkins , as junior P . M . 's . Those

brethren responded . The valuable services rendered by the Treasurer and Secretary were duly recognised , the complimentary remarks of the W . M . being suitably acknowledged by Bros . Roberts , P . M ., and Brown , P . M . "The Officers of the Lodge , " and the Tyler ' s toast

closed the list . During the evening a choice selection of vocal music was given , under the direction of Bro . Alfred Moore ; and a couple of recitations given by Bro . T . T . Fillan , P . M ., elicited unbounded applause . Altogether a most agreeable evening was passed .

FAITH LODGE ( No . 141 ) . —A regular meeting of this lodge was held at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street , on Tuesday , the 2 gth ult . The chair was taken by the W . M ., Bro . G . Coop , who was supported by Bros . Hakin , J . W . ; Carter , P . M ., Treasurer ; W . Stuart , P . M ., Secretary ; Steng , S . D . ; Weizlar , J . D . ; Johnson , I . G . ; Langdale and Corsons , Stwds . ; C Dairy , P . M . ;

T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . Middx . ; Fromholtz , P . M . ; Jordon , P . M . ; Green , P . M . ; and others . Visitors : Bros . E . Rosenberger , 2021 ; J . Slack , P . M . 834 ; R . E . H . Davison , 1503 ; W . Mathan , 1539 ; A . Grundy , 15 S 5 ; and W . W . Lee , 1 S 97 . The lodge having been opened , and the minutes confirmed , Bro . Davison , of the Burdett Coutts Lodge , was

passed to the Second Degree . Bros . C . Taylor and C . A . Muller were then raised to the Sublime Degree of M . M . The ceremonies were rendered by the W . M . in his usual impressive style . On the motion of Bro . Fromholtz , it was unanimously agreed that the sum of ten guineas should be taken from the lodge funds and placed on Bro . Dairy's list for the R . M . I . B . A petition of a distressed brother

was recommended to the Board of Benevolence , and other business having been transacted , the lodge was closed in due form . The brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet , and the usual toasts were wattnly given and received . Bro . G . Coop , W . M ., in response to "The Health of the W . M ., " proposed by the I . P . M ., thanked the brethren for

the compliment paid him . He assured them it was a great pleasure to him to see the lodge prosper . He regretted he had not been entrusted with more work , but was pleased to say that they had that evening had the Second Degree to work unexpectedly for a brother of another lodge . The gentleman who was to have been initiated , was unavoidably absent , being in the Scilly Isles , but he hoped to have the

pleasure of initiating him at the next meeting . There was another question that would no doubt interest the brethren . It had been mentioned to him that several members considered it desirable that a summer festival should be held . An outing to which they could take their . better halves or sweethearts . He would be happy to associate himself with anything of the kind , and if a suitable place were chosen ,

and the clerk of the weather should be in good humour , there was every reason to suppose that it would be a success . He believed the Treasurer would give notice to bring the matter before the lodge for the consideration of the brethren . This being a Jubilee , and therefore a ladies year , he hoped it would be carried to a successful issue . Bro . Slack . P . M . Sl / I . resnnnrM fnr " Thp Visitors ,

and expressed the satisfaction of the visiting brethren at the impressive working it had been their good fortune to witness . Also for the hospitality which had been so kindly and generously bestowed upon them . Bro . Stuart , P . M ., Secretary , on behalf of " The Past Masters , " tendered thanks for the hearty reception accorded the toast , and assured the W . M . that the Past

Masters would endeavour in the future , as they had done in the past , to promote the welfare of the lodge and support the W . M . " The Officers " was given by the W . M ., who remarked that he was supported by a body of officers , all of whom were able to work the Three Degrees . The Tyler ' s toast brought a pleasant evening to a close .

LODGE OF UNITY ( No . 183 ) . —A meeting f this lodge was held at the Ship and Turtle , Leadenbal' - street , on the 2 Sth ult ., when there were present Bros . = Richardson , W . M . ; G . R . Langley , S . W . and W . M ; elect ; E . A . Francis , J . W . ; G . P . Britten , P . M ., Treas . , G . W . Speth , P . M ., Sec ; H . Hooper , S . D . ; £ ^ Mawer , J . D . ; G . W . Pinnock , P . M . ; H . O . Archer ,