The Revise Of The Constitutions.

evidently many copies unsold in 174 6 , another title page was inserted and dated for that year , but else it was unchanged . The Third Edition was published in 1756 , the Rev . John Entick , M . A ., being the editor . Owing to some cause or other this issue is not so generally met with now as its immediate predecessor . The Fourth Edition made its appearance in 1767 , under , it is said , the same auspices or editorial supervision . A side issue of 176 9 in octavo

( the others being in quarto ) was a singular publication and so far has not been explained . Bro . Woodford in the "Cyclopaedia" maintains that this was an unauthorized edition , so also do Carson and myself . It was the same text as that of 1767 , save that the proposed " Charter of Incorporation " was added . In 177 O an appendix was printed , compiled doubtless by Bro . Wm . Preston , which was sold bound up with the work of 1767 , and is a creditable compilation . This explains the Fourth Edition being somtimes met with either with or without the ' * Appendix . "

The Filth Edition was printed and published in 1784 , the editor being Bro . John Noorthouck , who acted under the direction of the " Hall Committee . " The frontispiece is a representation of the Freemasons' Hall . The issue of 1769 was reprinted in Dublin and embellished with several curious copper plates , a book now rarely met with . The 1784 Constitutions was the last to contain the historical introduction .

Music And Freemasonry.

MUSIC AND FREEMASONRY .

One of the chief enjoyments of our lodge meetings is the musical entertainment which it is usual to intermingle with the speeches that follow the banquet . This entertainment varies in degree from the half-dozen songs that may be volunteered by members of the lodge or their guests on ordinary occasions to the more elaborately arranged programme we are wont to associate with our most importantgatherings , aswhenanew W . Master

is installed in the cbair of K . S ., or on the occasion of a new lodge being consecrated , and its Master designate installed . The introduction of this harmony is by no means confined to Masonic banquets , but in their case at all events there is a certain appropriateness which has escaped the notice of the casual student of our Crait usages . Among the seven sciences which are included in the curriculum of Masonry , we learn from ancient MSS .

which have been preserved to us that music holds an honoured place . Thus in the Buchanan MS ., so named after the brother who presented it to United Grand Lodge in 18 S 0 , which is assigned by Bro . Gould in his " History of Freemasony" to the seventeenth century , we read that "the sixth " of the sciences so included " is musicke , and it teacheth the Crafte of Songe and voice of tonerue oreeann harpe and Trumpett . " Thus , as we have said , the

« ' Crafte of Songe" being a part of the Craft of Masonry , there is a certain fitness in its introduction into our after-dinner proceedings , and yet it seems there are those who deprecate this usage , because , forsooth , it involves what they consider a needless expense , and protracts a meeting unduly . Now wc have had many years' experience of Masonic meetings , and we have invariably found that these harmonies are very pleasant . They may not in the

case of amateur performances possess any great degree of artistic merit , though , of course , there are many amateur musicians whose abilities , be they vocal or instrumental , will compare well with the abilities of the professional artist . But they are indicative of a desire on the part of those who contribute them to promote the general enjoyment , while with the performances

of the trained singer or instrumental artist , m mnety-ninecasesoutoi a hundred they afford a real pleasure to the brethren present . Why then should attempts be made to limit the musical programme which so desirably constitutes a part of the proceedings of our lodge meetings , on the score that it involves a needless expense to have the services of professionals engaged , and a considerable waste of time ?

Again , there are other grounds on which the retention of music should be advocated . It is usual at our gatherings to have a certain list of toasts , and the list is almost invariably the same , no matter what the occasion may be which has called us together . Thus we begin with what are known as the loyal and Masonic toasts , and these are followed by similar honours paid to the Worshipful Master , the Past Masters , the Masonic Charitable

Institutions , the Visitors , the Officers of the Lodge , & c . It is impossible for even the most eloquent of speakers to impart anything of novelty into the speeches in which they severally introduce or acknowledge these compliments . There maybe local or other circumstances which occasionally justify a departurefrom the ordinary phraseology employed , but these seldom present themselves ; and what is an unfortunate W . M . to do in submitting the same toasts at

successive meetings but address his audience in set terms in behalf ol the several propositions he brings forward 'i What , for instance , can he say of the Past Masters , as a rule , than that they are a capable body of men , who fully deserve the honours that have been conferred upon them , and that he has derived great benefit from their loyal advice and assistance ' t What can he do more in proposing " The Visitors " than extend to them a hearty

welcome ? And what can these do more than express their sense of the hospitality they have received ' : or the Past Masters than thank the W . M . for his appreciation of their services ? Of course the language that is used is capable of being varied on occasion ; but it is impossible to speak of a stereotyped subject in other than stereotyped terms , albeit the terms themselves may be both graceful and sincere . Then it is not every one who can play

the part of orator—even though after-dinner oratory may not , as a rule , be of very much account . Some men break down from extreme nervousness , others are verbose , others inconsequential , and others egotistical or didactic . When music is introduced between the speeches , the audience finds immense relief from the monotony of the speechmaking , and the separation of the brethren "in peace and harmony" very truthfully describes the close of a Masonic

gathering . Some of course will rejoin that , while these arguments may be satisfactory enough in the case of amateur singing , they will not apply to lodges which on important occasions secure the services of professional singers , and that , too , at considerable outlay . A set banquet , they say , is costly enough in all conscience without incurring the further expense of a set concert . But we have yet to learn that a Master is to be blamed for sanctioning or incurring an expenditure which he knows is well within the compass of his

means . It is not the man of large fortune who is to be condemned for spending freely cf his superfluous moneys , but the man who pinches or impoverishes himself in order to make a display . There . are lodges which could well afford to have a set concert by prolessional artists at every one of their meetings , and there are others which , even with the utmost practice of economy , find it by no means an easy task to keep the balance on the right side of the account . But this is no " reason why all our lodges should be placed on a dead level as regards expenditure . It is no argument against

Music And Freemasonry.

the rich lodges spending freely of their wealth that poor lodges may follow in their wake , and , like the frog in the fable , attempt to rival or outvie them . The rigid economist may urge that all expenditure which is not absolutel y necessary is a mistake , because it affords a direct encouragement to luxury

on the part of those who are unable to afford it . In other words , A , who has ^ 2000 a yea r , is not to buy the luxuries he can afford because B , with an income of only ^ , " 500 , may outrun the constable . This wc have said is no argument , at least in our judgment , and we shall be very sorry if it is allowed to have weight with our wealthier lodges and brethren .

But if the wealthy are to be discouraged from spending liberally , what will become of the luxuries of civilised life and those who make an honest living by purveying them ? The musical profession does not exist for the mere purpose of contributing to the entertainment of Masonic brethren , but being in existence , it is open to brethren , as to others , to engage the services of the professional artist , if they can afford the luxury of so doing . If we

are never to incur any expenditure but what is absolutely necessary , then there will be an end to every profession which supplies or contributes towards the luxuries of life . Music , painting , sculpture , the drama , are not among the necessities of our existence . We can do without them , as we can do without expensive clothes or costly food . But it is one of the privileges of wealth that it is in a position to encourage the arts , and without the exercise of this privilege , the hundreds and thousands of people who now

live , and live comfortably , by art labour would be deprived of their means of subsistence . We are not advocates of extravagance , but a liberal expenditure according to one ' s means is justifiable and we see no reason wh y those who can afford it should forego the pleasure of engaging professional musicians at our installation and other meetings , because there is danger that other people may engage them who have not the means to spare for such a luxury .

Records Of Extinct Lodges.

RECORDS OF EXTINCT LODGES .

BY BRO . T . B . WHYTEHEAD . ROYAL LODGE , CHESTER . ( Concluded from page 551 . )

It will be seen that there is a good deal of interest in this old book , which has been rescued from destruction by Bro . Robinson , and its contents may perhaps materially assist some local brother , with better opportunities than I have of later information , to write a complete history of the Royal Lodge or the Prov . Grand Lodge of Cheshire .

I append a list of the members of the lodge during the period covered b y these minutes . It is of interest as showing the class of men who supported masonry , and may interest Chester antiquarians and srenealojrists .

173 S . Edward . Orme , W . M . 1739 . John Browne , W . M . 1740 . John Dicas , VV . M . 1741 . Benjamin Powell , W . M . > 743-Thomas Cole .

John Gother . George Buckton . John Goffe . fhos . Vernon . Thos . Dean . Chas . Corn . Joseph Briscoe . Ambrose Orme .

Griffith Biggins . John Rowley . Thomas Wilbraham . George Cotgrave . John Matthews . Robert Newton .

William raulkner . William Ince . Richard Whiteman . Charles Parry . Thomas Dean . Rev . Thomas Pollen . John Boswell . George Leigh .

Matthias Wilson . Rev . John Carmichael . John Gother . 1 S 44 . John Williams . John Gough . 1846-9 . Fisher Tench .

John Page , Esq . Henry Hancock . 1750 . Thos . Kirkes , Esq . 1751-4-John Hodden . John Lavvton . Thos

. Bovvers . Thos . Farrington . S . Jackson . Thos . Liddell . Rev . J . Prince . John Golborne . ohn Hancock .

William Gittins . Holme Burrowes . John Thomas . W . Delacour , Francis O'Brien . S . Bagnall . Robt . Bowers .

' 755-John Goulter . Alexander Racketta . Wm . Boivcock . 17 S 6 . John Croughton . James Folliott .

, Richard Lane . John Arden . Dani . Bonner . vir r - I 757 > Wm . Lewis . Thos . Cholmondeley . Rev . Milliquett . Charles Townsend . Charles Maltas . Richard Montgomery .

Arthur Barber . 175 - George Lee . John Edwards . Hon . Richard Barry . Hon . Arthur Barry . Hon . J . Smith Barry . Capt . James Mason .

Jonathan Cotgrave . Daniel Smith . Lieut . James Knox . Wm . Bovvers . Capt . Wm . Butler . Allen Holford , Esq .

John Barker . Honoratus Leigh Thomas . Benjamin Flewitt . Capt . Ralph Barker . Rev . Richard Markham . Rev . Theophilus Meredith . Rev . Ralph Markham . Gerald Fitzgerald , Esq .

John Ingram . Richard Francis Powell . Richard Ollerhead . Christopher Davenport , Esq Bell Lloyd , Esq . Rev . John Kymaston . Peter Walthall , Esq . Francis EllcockEsq .

, Boulter Brereton . Silvester Richmond . George Smith . Joseph Dyson . R . W . Griffith . Henry Guyon . Rev . Thos . Holme .

Rev . Richard Owen . Thomas Hale . Thomas Parry . S . Welchman Wynne . Thos . Parry , of Wrexham . „ l 8 59 ' Rev . Ravenscroft .

William Griffith . Charles Woods . Thomas Hale . Rev . W . Jefferies , St . Asapl Jos . Turner , of Hawarden . Jas . Banks , of Christleton . Meyrick Meredith .

Robert Young , Esq . Roger Willbraham , Esq . Antonie Haslem , Esq . Wm . Gibbins , of Barr , nea Birmingham . 1760 . Henry Stanley .

Henry Pretty . Rev . John Gleavc . Thomas Doland . Charles Pickering . Lieut . Robinson , Altringham . Rev . Wm . Windus . Lieut . John Barrow . Lieut . Thomas Macklin . Ensign George Jackson . Robert Frith .

1761 . lohn Barry . ftichard Whitvvorth , Esq . Rev . John Prince . — . Vernon . Thomas Cookes . W . Travers . Peter Edwardsof Wrexham .

, Thos . Price , of Llangellcn . William Lewis . 1762 . R . A . Williams . Pattison Ellanes . Michael Connor , of Madeira .

17 G 3 . Thomas Swamvick , serving brother . Thos . Cotgreave . . John Parry , jun . Ensign J . Dimmock Griffith . Nicholas Lechmere . l 74 '

_ . p Thos . Price , jun . Rev . Hinton Maddock . Francis Smedley . 1765 . J . Hennerley , of Nantwich . Ralph Capper , of Nantwich . Capt . Williamson . Robt . Salusbury CottonEsq

, . Henry Bennett , Esq . Samuel Harvey . — . Barsley . Richd . Walthall , Esq . John Edwards , flax dresser . Richard Whitvvorth . 1766 .

Henry Harvey Aston , Esq . John Edwards , jun . . William Sumner . Thos . Kyffin , Esq . Thos . Porter . Wm . Wynne , of Wern , Esq . William Jordan

. Edward Griffith . Thos . Griffith . William Seller . 1 . Geo . Bushel } . Henry Rider , jun . John Haygarth , M . D . Gerard 'townsend .

Robt . Worrell , of Wrexham . John Jackson . 1767 . : r — . Waller , Esq . Jonadab Maddock . Thos . Ince , Esq .

It only remains to add that in a flyleaf of the book is written " Given to me by John Lloyd , Esq ., of the Mount ., Boughton , at Chester , March , A .D .1840 . William Henry Black . "