Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

G »] STONE-MASONS' MARKS . In the Keystone ( U . S . A . ) of January , 19 th , 1 S 7 S , appears an article , under the above heading , from the pen of Dr . Robert Morris . It begins : " We have received an instalment of Dr . Back ' s collection of ' stone marks , ' copied by him from German churches and other edifices . By the courtesy of Bro . E . A . Zeigler , of New Albany , Indiana ,

an excellent translation has been afforded us of the letterpress . " As the work alluded to is not to be found in the libraries of the British Museum , of Grand Lodge , of 33 , Golden-square , or even in the well-filled shelves of the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , 1 am desirous of inquiring , through the medium of the Freemason , whether any reader of this column possesses a copy of Dr . Back ' s work ? R . F . GOULD .

C 2 ] COMPAGNONAGE . Bro . Gould ' s most interesting and valuable work has sent me to Roquefort . It seems that of old , in the " Langue Romane , " or the intermediate " patois" between Latin and Norman French , and subsequently classic French , the word used for compagnon was " compaignon , " a " confrere " of the same profession , of the same body , ( corps ) ,

and derived from compaganus , or compagine , ablative of compago . There was also a word compaignie , or compaigne , a company , an association , a society , called in the Provancal " companha . " There were also the words cornpain , compaing , compans , compeing , compoign , compagnon , for a comrade , an associate , a confrere , a copartageant in a society , & c . In the Roman de la

Rose we find the word " compains used as comrades . " There are other words all derived from the same root , all bearing on familiarity , friendship , comradeship . The "Glossaire Occitanien , " which gives us the terminology of the Troubadours , we find the words compan , compans , companh , a comrade , a companion , ( compagnon ); and companha , a society ; as well as companhea , which seems to have had the meaning of a crowd . MASONIC STUDENT .

63 ] GUILBRETTE This technical word of the compagnonage ceremonial , seems to be a catch or close word peculiar to the confraternity . Roquefort gives the word "bret , " a cry ; but there is no trace of the compound or fuller word . Nor need we wonder at it ; it must be peculiar to the ceremonial and usage of the compagnons . There is no trace in the old French and German lexicons of any such usage .

But its meaning is probabl y to be arrived at , though hardly etymologically . Still it may be so . I may observe that the German word Gild or Gilde seems to be used in the Langue Romane as " Gheude ; " and as Hebrews in the Langue Romane were called " Geus , " it would serve to show that "Gilde" comes from another " original . " Collegium seems to have passed away from the Romane and Occitanien , though collegiat , a student , from collegiatus , still is to be found . MASONIC STUDENT .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Berks And Oxon.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF BERKS AND OXON .

The annual Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons for the Province of Berks and Oxon , was held at the Town Hall , Maidenhead , on Monday last , the brethren assembling under the banner of the Jersey Lodge , No . 237 , in large numbers , representing the following lodges in

the province , viz ., the Porchester , No . 27 , Newbury ; the University , No . 55 , Oxford ; the Abbey , No . 225 , Abingdon ; the Leopold , No . 235 , Reading ; the Alfred , No . 247 , Oxford ; and the Jersey , No . 257 , Maidenhead . In addition to these , visiting brethren from other parts of the kingdom were also present . Prior to the opening of the Prov . Grand Lodr / e . the business of the Jersey Lodge was transacted ,

Bro . W . Morris , Past Prov . Grand S . B ., being installed Worshipful Master by the V . W . Bro . Charles Stephens , Deputy Prov . Grand Mark Master Mason , in an able manner , the ceremony being honoured b y the presence of the R . W . Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Jersey , Prov . Grand Mark Master Mason . The following members and visitors were present .- Bros .

H . Howard Hodges , W . M . ; C . Stephens , P . M . ; Edwd . Margrett , P . M . ; W . B . Farr , P . M . ; W . Morris , S . W . ; R . Nicholson , J . W . ; Edwd . de Ewer , S . O . ; F . R . Spender , Treas . ; E . 1 . Shrewsbury , Reg . ; H . J . Mount , Sec ; H . Arrowsmith , S . D . ; A . E . Hewitt , J . D . ; E . Davey , LG . ; C . Nowel ) , Tyler ; Earl Jersey , P . G . M . ; T . J . Pulley , 335 , P . M ., P . G . S . D ., Prov . G . Sec . ; D . M .

Dewar , G . Asst . Sec ; G . M . Knight , W . M . 27 ; Stephen ; Knight , J . O . 27 ; J . Reade , 340 ; S . Bradley , S . W . 23 S Chas . G . Buker , J . D . 235 ; W . C . Moffatt , M . O . 235 ; J . M . Dormer , P . P . G . Asst . Sec . Berks and Oxon ; W . Ravenscroft , P . G . Asst . Sec ; Maurice Wheeler , J . O . 22 ,: Henri Brett ; F . H . Cozens , P . M . 104 , P . G . Org . ; I . Bauer , P . M . 27 , P . G . M . O . ; Geo . Boyer , P . P . G . P . ;

Geo . J . Cosburn , J . W . 27 , P . P . St . B . ; J . W . Lindars , 235 ; James Stevens , P . G . J . O ., P . M . 104 , 139 , & c . ; H . Lovegrove , G . O . ; G . Norwood , 55 ; W . Hemmings ; VV . Thompson , 55 ; Christopher Park , P . M . 247 ; A . Wheeler , 247 ; R . Payne , 247 ; H . G . Drinkwater , 247 ; G . VV . Dowing ; J . H . Thorogood , 247 ; and W . Lake , P . M . 78 , P . P . G . Reg . Cornwall ( Freemason ) .

At the conclusion ot the installation , the business of the lodge was conducted by the Worshipful Master , who appointed his officers for the year as under : Bros . H . H . Hodges , I . P . M . ,- Nicholson , S . W . ; De Ewer , J . W . ; C . W . Cox , M . O . ; Shrewsbury , S . O . j Beal , J . O . ; Spender , Treas . ; Vardy , Reg . ; Mount , Sec . ; Ilewett , S . D . ; Davey , J . D . ; Llewellyn , I . G . ; Deacon , D . C . ;

J . L . Silver , Org . ; and Puttick , Steward . The Prov . Grand Lodge was then opened , the Prov . Grand Mark Master Mason , Bro . the Earl of Jersey , presiding . Bro . T . J . PULLEY , P . M .. P . G . S . D ., the Prov . Grand Secretary , having called the rolls of the members and lodges , the minutes of the last Grand Lodge , held at Abingdon , were approved . The SECRETARY reported of the position of the variu-is lodges in the province on the 30 th of June this yeat .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Berks And Oxon.

^ In the Porchester Lodge there were 29 members , including three honorary members , showing an increase of four ; the University Lodge had 30 members ; the Abbey Lodge , 34 members , including eight honorary members ; the Leopold , 65 members , including seven honorary members ; the Alfred , 59 members , including 10 honorary members ; and the Jersey , 30 members , against 22 in last year ; or a total of 247 members , against 22 G in 1 SS 1—an increase of 21 . In

addition to these , there were SS life members on the roll of the University Lodge . The sudden decease of Bro . Walter Wilson , of the Porchester Lodge , in July last , was a matter for much regret , as he was highly esteemed . The Secretary further reported that since the last Prov . Grand Lodge H . R . H . the Duke of Albany had been installed as M . W . P . G . M . M ., at Freemasons' Tavern , when the lodges of this province were well represented . At the annual festival of

the Mark Benevolent Fund , held at the Crystal Palace in July last , all but one of the lodges in the province were represented by a Steward . ( Applause . ) Ihe PROV GRAND SECRETARY then read the Permanent Committee ' s Report , which was adopted , ; and the Finance Report was also agreed to . The Mayor of Oxford , Bro . J . J ENKINS , Alfred Lodge , in addressing the brethren , said he felt sure he was but

expressing the opinion of every Mark Master Mason in the Province , when he said they were all sensible of the great honour and advantage that accrued to the Provincial Grand Lodge in connection with Lord Jersey's rule . Nothing would , they felt , tend so much to promote the honour , influence , and interest of their lodge as the re-election of the Earl of Jersey for another three years , and he , therefore , proposed that Lord Jersey be re-elected for a further period

of three years . ( Hear , hear , and applause . ) The Mayor of Maidenhead , Bro . VV . B . FARR , seconded the motion with a great deal of pleasure , feeling sure that the proposition would meet with the hearty support of all the brethren , who well knew the great interest which the noble earl had taken in Mark Masonry during the time he had presided over the Province of Berks and Bucks . Earl J ERSEY , in reply , expressed his sincere thanks to the

brethren for the cordiality evinced in their proposal to initiate him as P . G . M . for a further term of three years . He further gratefully acknowledged the kindly references which had been made towards him by Bros . Jenkin and Farr , to the slight services he had been able to render . He felt the honour the Prov . Grand Lodge had conferred upon him by placing him at the head of the province to be a great honour , while , at the same time , he was sensible of

not being as good a Grand Master as the province deserved . The more frequent change of Grand Masters in a province , would , he had thought , be of advantage , and he asked them to consider the subject . In the meantime he highly appreciated the kindness they ; had shown him , and said he should accept office again with great pleasure . Bro . C . STEPHENS , D . P . G . M ., next proposed the reelection of Bro . Trendell as Treasurer , eulogising his past

services , and expressing the hope that he would return from the long cruise he was now enjoying in renewed vigour and strength . ( Cheers ) . The motion was seconded by Bro . TOMKINS of the Abbey Lodge , and adopted . Bro . WESTAU ., P . M ., on behalf of the Leopold Lodge invited the Prov . Grand Lodge to assemble at Reading next year to hold their lodge .

The invitation was accepted by the PROV . GRAND MASTER , who thanked Bro . VVestall and the brethren of the Leopold Lodge . The PROV . GRAND MASTER the moved , and the DEP . PROV . GRAND MASTER seconded a vote of money from the Grand Lodge Fund towards the cost of a wedding present to Bro . H . R . H . Prince Leopold . The motion was agreed to with unanimity .

Bro . Chas . Stephens was then appointed by the Prov . Grand Master , as Dep . Prov . Grand . Master for the ensuing year , remarking upon the assiduity and zeal with which he had performed his duties during the past three years . Bro . STEPHENS returned thanks . The P . G . M . then appointed and invested his officers for the ensuing year as follows : Bro . C . Stephens , 235 Prov . D . G . M .

„ I . Jenkin , 247 Prov . G . S . W . „ W . Morris , 257 Prov . G . J . W . „ S . Bradley , 235 Prov . G . M . O . „ H . Clarke , 225 Prov . G . S . O . „ R . E , Baynes , 555 Prov . G . J . O .

„ De Ewer , 257 Prov . G . Chap . „ E . J . Trendell , 225 Prov . G . Treas . „ E . P . Plenty , 27 Prov . G . R . of M . „ T . J . Pulley , 235 Prov . G . Sec . „ A . Wheeler , 247 Prov . G . S . D . „ H . J . Mount , 257 Prov . G . J . D . „ VV . Ravenscroft , 235 Prov . G . I . of VV . „ S . Knight , 27 Prov . G . D . C . „ H . Elliott , ss Prov . G . A . D . C . „ Maurice Wheeler , 225 Prov . G . Swd . B .

„ Geo . Boyer , 27 Prov . G . Std . B . „ Jas . Rutland , 257 Prov . G . Org . „ J . VV . Lindars , 2 35 ... ... Prov . G . A . Sec „ C . G . Butler , 235 Prov . G . I . G . „ Cordrey , 235 ") „ H . G . VV . Drinkwater , 247 ... > Prov . G . Stwds . „ Tench , 235 J ;; ^ Nor ^ fe ! ::: :: •>< -G . Ty . ers .

Other business was then transacted , letters of apology for non-attendance being read by the PROV . GRAND SECRETARY from Bro . the Rev . Canon Portal , Past Grand Master , Bro . Biggs , P . M ., and others . The lodge havingclosed , the brethren took a trip in three steam launches from Boulter ' s Lock up the Thames to Marlow and back , a most enjoyable time being spent . On their return to Boulter ' s Lock an adjournment was

made to the Ray Mead Hotel , where an excellent banquet was provided , Lord Jersey presiding . The loyal toasts having been proposed and duly honoured , Bro . VV . B . FARR proposed that of "The Grand Master , the Earl of Kintore , " who , he said , was a worthy successor to the distinguished Grand Masters who had preceded him . They were always glad to have the presence of officers of Grand

Lodge . It seemed only yesterday that Bro . Dewar came there to inaugurate the Jersey Lodge , and they were glad to welcome him again . They had also other members of Grand Lodge present in the persons of Bro . Davison , Grand Treasurer , J . Stevens , P . G . J . O ., and H . Lovegrove , G . O . ; their present officers they heartily thanked for work they were doing , and the past officers for what they had done .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Berks And Oxon.

Bro . DAVISON replied , and proposed "The Health of the Right Worshipful the Prov . Grand Master , " remarking that by their Constitutions the Grand Master could only hold office three years , and he thought the system a very good one . Notwithstanding the Illustrious Grand Masters they had had , he considered the Earl of Kintore was to be reckoned among the best . With regard to the Provincial Grand Master , he . wrmld advisp thatwhen fh . »„

, had such a good one as the Earl of Jersey , they should keep him . Bro : the Earl of J ERSEY , in replying , thanked them heartily ; and , while fully appreciating the kind expressions of Bro . Davison , he still thought whether it would not be good for the province to change , as in Grand Lodge ; but having been re-elected , he would cheerfully carry out the duties which , thanks to the Prov . Grand Secretary .

Bro . Pulley , and other officers , were made very easy for him . He thanked the Jersey Lodge for the entertainment , which , including the boat trip , had been most enjoyable ; and he sincerely trusted their meetings would continue , and that their range would be wider . The toasts of "The Deputy Grand Master , " "The W . M . of the Jersey Lodge , " and " The Wardens , Treasurer , and other Officers " then followed , after which

Bro . J . STEVENS , P . G . J . O ., proposed " Success to the Mark Benevolent Fund , " and Bro . D . M . DEWAR , G . Asst . Sec , returned thanks , affording some interesting particulars respecting the present state and prosperity of the fund ; and , in response to his request , the R . W . the Prov . Grand Master consented to take the chair at the next Mark Benevolent Festival in 1 SS 3 , unless prevented by unforeseen circumstances .

The proceedings were brought to a close by the toast of " The Visiting Brethren , " the " The Officers of the Jersey Lodge , " and the Tyler ' s toast . The arrangements made for the holding of the lodge were admirably carried out by the brethren of the Jersey Lodge , and Bro . Pulley , the Prov . Grand Secretary ,, spared no pains in securing the ' eomfort and pleasure of all present .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Leicestershire, Northants, And Derbyshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF LEICESTERSHIRE , NORTHANTS , AND DERBYSHIRE .

The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge and General Communication of Mark Masters of the above province was held under the auspices of the Fowke Lodge , No . 19 , at the Freemasons' Hall , Leicester , on Thursday ,

the 2 Sth ult . The Fowke Mark Lodge was opened at three o'clock by VV . Bro . Joseph Young , W . M ., assisted by the officers of the lodge . The minutes of the annual festival and installation meeting having been read and confirmed , a ballot was taken for Bro . Thomas Spearpoint , J . D . 523 , as a candidate for advancement . The ballot proving unanimous in

his favour , that brother was regularly advanced by the W . M . to the Honourable Degree of Mark Master Mason . At the conclusion of the ceremony , the Provincial Grand Master , R . W . Bro . William Kelly , F . S . A ., & c , and the officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge proceeded to open Provincial Grand Lodge . The R . W . Provincial Grand Master having been saluted according to ancient custom

the roll of lodges in the province was called over , the following being duly represented : Fowke , 19 ; Howe , 21 ; Knight of Malta , 30 ; Simon de Montfort , 194 ; Simon de St . Liz , 245 ; Duke of Connaught , 246 ; and the recentlyconsecrated lodge , the Derby , 302 . Amongst other formal business transacted , the following vote of condolence was moved by the R . W . PROV . GRAND

MASTER , seconded by W . Bro . S . S . PARTRIDGE , P . D . P . G . M ., and carried unanimously , ' that "The members of this Provincial Grand Lodge have received with deep regret the mournful intelligence of the decease of their highly esteemed and respected Bro . James Malcolm McAllister , P . M ., who during eight years had most zealousl y and efficiently filled the important office of Provincial Grand

Secretary in this Grand Lodge , and the brethren , whilst recording on their minutes this tribute to departed worth , desire at the same time to offer the widow and children of the departed , heartfelt expressions of sympathy and condolence in the irreparable bereavement with which it has pleased T . G . O . O . T . U . to afflict them . " The R . W . Prov . Grand Master appointed and invested the following brethren as Prov . Grand Officers for the

ensuing year : Bro . Rev . A . A . Bagshawe , P . G . C , P . M . 246 ( re-appointed ) ... Prov . D . G . M . „ Rev . F . H . Richardson , W . M . 194 Prov . G . S . W . „ Miles J . Walker , W . M . 21 ... Prov . G . J . W . „ Henry T . Atkins , W . M . 245 ... Prov . G . M . O . „ W . C . Moore , W . M . 24 G ... Prov . G . S . O . „ N . T . Hewens , I . P . M . 245 ... Prov . G . J . O . „ Rev . C . Henton Wood , J . W . 19 Prov . G . Chap . „ S . Cleaver , S . O . 194 Prov . G . Treas . „ H . C . Okeover , W . M . 302 ... Prov . G . R . of M .

„ Clement Stretton , I . P . M . 194 ... Prov . G . Sec . „ S . J . Simpkin . J . W . 30 Prov . G . S . D . „ G . Ellard , S . VV . 245 Prov . G . J . D . „ Edmund Jeeves , M . O . 21 ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ J . Young , W . M . ig ( re-appointed ) Prov . G . E . of C . „ I . O . Manton , S . O . 246 , l ' r . 302 Prov . G . A . D . C .

„ W . S . Black , S . W . 21 Prov . G . Swd . B . „ W . L . Ball , W . M . elect 246 ... Frov . G . Srd . B . „ R . Croft , Org . 245 ( re-appointed ) Prov . G . Org . „ S . A . Marris , Treas . 10 , Reg . 104 . Prov . G . I . G . „ W . S . Hall , S . D . 30 , J . O . 302 ;) Fred . Griffith , Reg . 19 , J . W . 5-Prov . G . Stwds . 21 ; J . D . Harris , Sec . 194 ... ) T . Dunn . Tvler 10 : L Tanser . "> _ _ . _ .

Tyler , 194 ( re-elected ) ... Prov' ° - lyIerSAn invitation was accepted to hold the next annual communication at Northampton , under the banner of the Simon de St . Liz Lodge No . 245 . After closing the Prov . Grand Lodge in due form , the business of the Fowke Lodire was resumed ; durinrr which a Past Master ' s iewel

was unanimously voted to the I . P . M ., W . Bro . T . Worthington , P . Prov . G . S . O . At the close of the Fowke Lodge the annual banquet of the province took place , under the presidency of the R . W . Prov . Grand Master , to which ample justice having been rendered , the customary loyal and Masonic toasts were duly proposed by the " veteran " Prov Grand Master , who has now for nearly a quarter of a century continuously presided over this Mark province toits great advantage and prosperity .