Vernon's Masonic History.

Other illustrations call for mention , such as those of Melrose Abbe }' , and also Kelso and Jedburgh . Happily these plates have not been spoilt in the printing , but come up most creditably , and tend to make the work ns perfect typographically as it is Masonically . One feature is most pleasing , and doubtless will be most heartily welcomed by Mark Masons as well as ihe archicologist , and that is the several plates of Masons' Marks from the

Records of Old Lodges and the three Abbeys named . The periods when the latter were made being distinguished ( Norman Transition , Kelso , Decorated Gothic , Melrose , Early Norman , Decorated 15 th century , & c , ' Jedburgh ) , and also the portions of the buildings from which thc marks were copied . It would be a grand time for Mark Alasonry if every Masonic

lodge in England and Scotland had a copy of this work in their custody and lent it to their members for careful reading and examination . Its testimony conclusively illustrates the fact that in early days Speculative as well as Operative Masons selected marks and had them enrolled just as did the brethren of the Lodge of Edinburgh from the 16 th century and other old lodges in Scotland .

Some of the smaller illustrations and less important engravings are little gems in their way , and make the volume " a thing of beauty" as well as a joy and delight to all lovers of Masonic histories so accurate and trustworthy as Bro . Vernon ' s . Some idea may be formed of the extraordinary character of this massive History by noting the periods covered by several of the lodges , such as thc

Melrose from 1674 to 1892 (!) , which remained separate from the Grand Lodge until 1 S 91 , and is now No . 1 bis , Kelso from the year 1701 , but not joined the Grand Lodge before 1754 ; and particularly the extinct Houg h / - > t Lodge , with its most interesting and curious Records from 1702 , which never appears to have thrown in its lot with the regularly-constituted Masonic authority for Scotland , though possibly some of its lineal representatives have done so .

It is impossible to consider the various lodges of later date , graphically sketched in this most attractive volume , dating from early last century down to modern times , lor to render those of importance even scant justice , they would have to be dealt with in detail , as Bro . Vernon has so ably done . The fact is , that the work must be perused to be appreciated , and unless

one is well up in Scottish Masonic history , considerable surprise will be experienced in noting the wealth of material , and the value and importance of the extracts from the old minute books . The sketch of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Roxburghshire and Selkirkshire is a most welcome addition to the history , dating as it does from the year 1747 ; and nothing seems to be lacking in the volume from beginning to end .

I congratulate Bro . Vernon most sincerely and heartily on the production of this long-expected history , and am very gratified also to note its tpyographical excellence , which is not to bc wondered at , seeing it was printed by llro . George Kenning , ot 16 , Great Queen-street . I trust the work will meet with all the success it so richly deserves . 1 Of my part in the enterprise—the Introduction —I say nothing save to express the hope that Bro . Vernon will consent to its being printed in thc Freemason , so as to indicate the scope of his meritorious labours . W . J . HUGHAN .

The Grand Lodge Of Ulster.

THE GRAND LODGE OF ULSTER .

BY HENRY SADLER . ( Continued from page 103 ) . Masonry , but from the report of his private virtues , and the correctness of his Masonic conduct . According to your desire , 1 enclose you , for the information of the Right Worshipful the Grand Lodge of England , an authentic transcript of that part of the transactions of the Grand Lodge ot Ireland on tlu 2 nd April last respecting the expulsion of Mr . Seton , and for the further information of the Grand

Lodge , I shall state , as shortly as possible , the leading circumstances which occasioned his expulsion . On the death of Bro . Thos . Corker , Mr . Seton was appointed to the office of D . G . S . by Bro . Irvine , then Grand Secretary . In June , 1805 , Bro . Irvine was promoted to the rank of Junr . G . Warden , and Bro . Leech was elected Grand Secretary in his room—Bro . Leech re-appointed Mr . Seton as his Deputy . On the ist of May , 1806 the same Grand Oflicers were re-elected by the Grand Lodge for the

, ensuingyear . The appointments ofthe D . G . Sec . and D . G . Treasurer is , byourLaws , 1 vested ] in the Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer , subject by a late regulation to the approbation of ths Grand Lodge . Mr . Seton having failed in the regular communication which he ought to have held with the Grand Secretary and with the other Grand Officers , Bro . Leech , on the 2 nd May , informed him by letter that he could not continue him as his Deputy , and desired him to deliver up the Hooks and other documents of the Order . This Mr . Seton refused to do . The

Lommittee of the Grand Lodge ( which is composed of the Masters of all 'he Lodges in Dublin ) then sent a deputation to Mr . Seton to demand the Hooks , & c , the property of the Grand Lodge . Mr . Seton ' s answer was that / "' did not consider the Grand Lodge sitting in Dublin as the Grand Lodge ° f Ireland ; that on thc first Thursday in June he would shew them who composed the Grand Lodge of Ireland ; and that he would keep the Book I ° r that body . 1 immediately interposed as Deputy Grand Master , but

he equally denied my authority . On the 5 th of June , 1806 , there appeared in 'he Grand Lodge between 70 and 80 persons , who , Mr . Seton said , were representatives of Lodges in tho North of Ireland , they evidently acted in concert with him , and under his direction . They wanted to undo the regular ind legal election of Grand Officers held the month before . This I resisted as contrary to all law and custom of the Order , and after much violence and disorderl y conduct on their part , I was obliged to close the Grand Lodge at a very

' lie hour ( past 1 o ' clock in the morning . ) After 1 and the Dublin members ( a lew excepted ) had retired , they affected to open the Grand Lodge again , and to rescind the election of Bro . Boardman as G . Treasurer , and Bro . Leech as G . Secretary , and to elect in their room Uro . Latouche ( who has never ' ^ I i nor will not act ) , and Bro . Irvine , and also to appoint Mr . Seton Y P' G . Sec . for life . On the 3 rd July , 1806 , a number of nese people atrain attended , and exhibited such evident marks of

j turbulent disposition that I refused to open the Grand Lodge , both to preserve he public peace and to avoid a repetition of such disgraceful scenes as occurred 011 " lc Sth of June ; for this 1 received the thanks of the Committee , who warmly ¦ 1 'proved of my conduct , and requested me to discontinue the meetings of the rand Lod ge tor some time , to try whether the spirit of violence and insurcction would not subside , and lo give an opportunity for misguided , but probably e -disposed , Brethren to inform themselves of the truth , and to become sensible

Ih . lm P ropriety of their conduct . Mr . Seton and his party continued , however , ^ > r meetings , at which they affected to transact business as a Grand Lodge . On g ' 2 th of March last , they even went the length of issuing summonses , to Br . , Qatdn ian to deliver up to them the funds of the Order before the 7 th of May , and

The Grand Lodge Of Ulster.

to Br . Leech , the Gd . Secretary , to appear on said day and to shew why lie had presumed to issue counterfeit certificates ¦ both notices to be complied with o » pain of expulsion . At the meeting of the Grand Lodge of Ireland on the 5 th of March last , a notice was ordered to be served on Mr . Seton , requiring him to deliver up the Books and Muniments of the Order on or before the 12 th of March ; to this he gave no answer whatever , and in consequence , for this , as well as the other repeated

instances of his contempt of the authority of the Grand Lodge , and of the laws and constitutions of the Craft , he was by the Grand Lodge , at its meeting on the 2 nd of April last , expelled . On the 7 th of May last , Mr . Seton ' s Grand Lodge , crowned their other acts of violence and rebellion , by pretending to exclude Bro . John Boardman , Gd . Treasurer , Bro . John Leech , Grand Secretary , and Bro .

Wm . Francis Graham , Dep . G . Treasurer , from the rights of Masonry . On a line of conduct so extraordinary and so unexampled in the annals of Masonry it is unnecessary to remark . I shall only observe that in this country , where dangerous political principles have produced so much mischief , Masons , who by the Constitutions of the Craft ought to be good and loyal subjects , should be the last to set the example of disorder , contempt of authority , and violation of law .

The party , with the exception of two or three individuals , is composed of persons of a very inferior description , and unless when assisted by the attendance of their brethren from the North , they have assembled only to the number of from six to fifteen . The Northern brethren are , with few exceptions , of the lowest class ; are ignorant of the Constitutions and usages of the Order , and , irritated by the misrepresentations of the malcontents here , who tell them they have been illtreated by the Grand Lodge , they obstinately close up their minds against the truth , and become the blind tools of interested individuals .

1 will be extremel y happy in opportunitys of testifying my respect for the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of England according to the Antient form , and for its Officers ; and I will always zealously maintain that harmony and cordial intercourse which ought , and I hope will , subsist to the end of time between it and the Grand Lodge of Ireland . I remain with due regard , Right Worshipful Sir , your very obedient Servant and faithful Brother ,

ALEX . J AFFRAY , The Rt . Worshipl . Thos . Harper , Esq ., Dep . G . Master of Ireland . Dep . G . Master of England . The reception given to the foregoing , and thc action taken thereon by the " Ancients " will be found in the Freemason of the nth inst ., wherein is also mentioned a printed circular relating to the business . A copy of

this circular soon found its way into the camp of the enemy , where it doubtless occasioned some little commotion—indeed , this appears to have been the first real check received by the hitherto victorious rebels , and from this period may be dated the decline of their power , culminating some few years later in their total extinction as an organisation . It would appear , however , that the idea of surrendering at this their first reverse of fortune had not for a moment entered their calculations . Hitherto the only

persons mentioned as having taken a prominent part in the scheme arc Alexander Seton and Gorges D'Arcy Irvine , but it is evident that they must have had abettors in the ranks of thc Dublin brethren , or they could not have carried on the campaign in that city so long , and as future historians may be desirous of information on this point I shall embrace thc present opportunity for rescuing from oblivion the names of some of their colleagues , and at the same time furnish another example of the cool audacity which characterised all their proceedings .

As the following has not previously been printed I shall take the liberty of quoting it at length . It is addressed to Robert Leslie , thc Grand Secretary of the" Ancients" :

Extract from the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Ireland , held at Taylor ' s Hall in the City of Dublin on the t 2 th day of November , 1807 . The Grand Lodge met , the Right Worshipful Walter Wade , M , D ., Past Grand Master on the Throne . Present , the Representatives of 74 Lodges . A Paper purporting to be a Transaction of the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of England , according to the old Institutions , dated September 2 nd , 18137 , affecting to contain certain Resolutions of this R . W . Grand Lodge , and also

affecting to state who are the Grand Officers thereof , having been read , " lt was unanimously resolved , that said Paper be referred to a Committee of five , vizt . — Brothers Holden , Fowler , Greene , Warr , and Smyth , and that said Committee be and are hereby instructed and authorized , in the name of this R . W . Grand Lodge , to open a communication with the R . W . Grand Lodge of England , on the contents of said Paper . " ( Signed ) WALTER WADE , P . D . G . M . of Ireland .

Dublin , 21 st Nov ., 1807 , Right Worshipful Sir and Brother , We the Committee to which the above-mentioned Paper was referred by the R . W . Grand Lodge of Ireland , on the 12 th inst ., request that you will take the trouble to inform us by return of post , under cover to Brother Smollett Holden No . 26 , Parliament Street , Dublin , whether the Resolution contained in said Paper

is a transaction of the R . W . Grand Lodge of England , the same not being authenticated by any signature whatever . VVe hope you will not suffer any delay to occur in a case so plain and urgent , as it is our Instructions to make a full communication to the R . W . Grand Lodge of England on the subject ( which it appears by said paper is to meet on the 2 nd of December next ) , the manner of which communication must in a great measure be governed by your answer .

We have the honor to be , R . W . Sir and Brother , Yours & c , S . HOLDEN , J . FOWLER , THO . GREENE , WM . WARR , SAM . H . SMITH .

I his letter bears the signature of each member of the Committee , and evidently they were all practised penmen . It was received by the Grand Secretary on the 1 st of December , the day before the meeting of the Grand Lodge , but no notice whatever appears to have been taken of it , although probably Bro . Leslie deemed it too valuable ; i document to bc destroyed oil hand , as I gather from an endorsement on the cover that he paid 4 s . 2 d . postage for it . Thc postage now would bc one penny .

1 his so far as I can ascertain practicall y closes the correspondence referring to the Irish Masonic schism . During the year 1 S 08 , as has alread y been shown , the Ulster party relinquished their bold attempt lo pose as the Grand Lodge of Ireland , declared their independence , and formed a Grand Lodge in their own province . Probabl y Seton discovered a falling

off in the number of his supporters when it was found that his certificates were of no value for the purposes of " raising the wind . " Again , the distance of his forces from his base of operations would be another serious obstacle in thc way of his carrying on a Grand Lod ge in Dublin for any considerable period . ( To be continual ) .