Thomas Dunckerley.

still it is only an act of justice to Bro . Sadler to say that not only is the biography he has just written of this eminent brother more complete than any that has heretofore been published , but

that his researches have been so laborious and at the same time so successful that it is doubtful if there can be anything of material importance left for others to discover . As far as we can judge , Bro . Sadler has fairly exhausted his subject .

In his style of treatment , Bro . Sadler has been , perhaps , somewhat discursing , nor can it be said that he has acquired the art of subordinating the minor to the more important details . This is particularly noticeable in those chapters which relate to " Dunckerley ' s Lodges , " and in which the mere fact of his

having been connected with or done something to _ assist a lodge appears to have been thought sufficient justification for writing—at least , in one or two instances—a somewhat elaborate sketch of the lodge itself . But though in this respect the book is overladen with matter , no fault can be found with the

arrangement of the several parts or sections , which follow each other in regular date , and are , at the same time , clearly defined and distinct from each other . Thus we have first of all the story of Dunckerley ' s parentage , and we are glad to see ' that , after comparing the several versions which appeared in

the Freemasons' Magazine and Gentleman ' s Magazine of last century , Bro . Sadler has come to the conclusion that Dunckerley ' s claim to be a natural son of George II . is an acceptable one , the evidence in its support outweighing that which found favour with its opponents . Next , his career in the Navy is described , and then his connection with the Craft in Quebec . The

chapters devoted to " Dunckerley s Lodges are very interesting , but , as we have said , they are overladen with details which , however interesting in themselves , do not properly come

within the scope of the book . In the case of his Provincial labours there is far greater excuse for the introduction of matters not directly connected with Dunckerley , who appears to have been the first to realise the extent of the duties and

responsibilities pertaining to the office of a Prov . G . Master ; and when it was a question of fulfilling a duty or undertaking what he considered to be a responsibility attaching to that office , the evidence which Bro . Sadler has accumulated shows unmistakably that Dunckerley never gave a thought to himself or the

trouble and inconvenience it might put him to . The chapter headed " Memorials of Royal Arch Masonry " is one of the most important in the whole volume . As many of our readers are aware , Dunckerley is by some considered to have been the originator of the Royal Arch on the " Modem " side of English

Masonry . Bro . Sadler , however , does not attempt to discuss this point , but is content with showing how many and how valuable were the services which Dunckerley rendered to this branch of Freemasonry , and on the other hand how unscrupulous and at the same time how unjust

were the attempts made after his death to detract from the merit of those services . Almost equally interesting and important is the chapter on Templar Masonry and Dunckerley ' s services on its behalf , while the reader will certainly derive much pleasure from studying the lecture or charge , entitled , " The Light and

Truth of Masonry Explained , " which Dunckerley delivered in April , 1757 , at Plymouth , and from a perusal of the letters written by him to the Earl of Chesterfield . There is , indeed , hardly a page in Bro . Sadler ' s memoir which does not contain information of value or interest , much of which is entirel y

new , and which , probably , could only have been brought to light by one occupying Bro . Sadler ' s position , and at the same time possessing his love of research , and his ability to appreciate the value of such records as he has had the good fortune to unearth .

That Bro . Sadler has formed a just estimate of Dunckerley ' s character and position in the Craft will , we imagine , be conceded by all who read this volume , nor is there any exaggeration in his remark in the concluding chapter that " every branch of Masonry , as well as each province and lodge with which he identified

himself , seems to have had an upward tendency from the moment of his taking an active part in its affairs . " This is certainly borne out by the evidence which Bro . Sadler has been at such pains to collate , and so , too , is the further statement , made with reference to the improvements and method introduced in

Freemasonry as an organisation in his day , that , " although I have no desire to claim for him exclusive credit for these and many other improvements , I am fully satisfied that if they were not actually the outcome of his suggestions , by his earnest enthusiasm , methodical habits , energv , and example , he did far more than

any one else towards bringing them about and establishing them as essentials in the Masonic system . " However , as regards these and other points , we must leave the reader to judge for himself . The book is now before the public , and we are convinced there is not one who reads it who will not be edified and instructed , and indeed delighted , by a perusal of its contents .

An Old Warrant.

AN OLD WARRANT .

The West Yorkshire Library has been the fortunate recipient of two valuable presents lately . Bro . Ensor Drury , P . M . 296 , Sheffield , has given a copy of the rare " Book of Constitutions , " 1738 , which is certainly a very handsome gift , and Bro . Harold Thomas , P . M ., P . Prov . G . Reg ., of the same town , has presented

the original Warrant of No . 85 , Sheffield . The second edition of the " Book of Constitutions , " 1738 , is a great acquisition , * and being complete and perfect , save the frontispiece , is a most

desirable addition to this rapidly increasing Library . These gifts were sent to the Honorary Librarian , Bro . William Watson , of Leeds , to whom I am indebted for the following transcript of the rare old Warrant of A . D . 1761 :

Copy of "Ancient" Warrant , of A . D . 1761 . Kelly Grand Master ! Willm . Dickey in Ihe Abslance of David Fisher s . G . w . Win . Osborn D . G . M . Willm . Dickey . G . W .

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN We the Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honble . FRATERNITY of Free and Accepted Masons ( according to the old Constitutions ) in ample form assembled ( viz . The No . 85 Right Worshipful and Right Honble Thomas Erskine ,

Viscount Fenton , Lord Pittenweem and Grand Master ! of , - —*\ Masons ; Mr . William Osborn , Deputy G . M . ; Mr . David / \ Fisher , Senr Grand Warden ; Mr . William Dickey , J . G . ( Seal . I Warden , by and with the Approbation and Consent of 34 \ / regular Lodges held within the cities and suburbs of and do

V ____^ London Westminster ) hereby Appoint , constitute & impower our Trusty & well beloved Brethren John Digby Preston , Master Mason ; Fras . Halford , "Senior Warden , and John Cheatham , Junr . Warden ( with proper Assistants ) to form & hold a Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons

al Ihe Sign of the Swan in King Street or elsewhere in Sheffield in the County of York , and in said Lodge ( when duly Congregated ) to admit , Enter and make Masons according to the most Ancient Honble Custom of the Royal Craft in all Ages and Nations throughout the known world . And we do hereby farther Authorise &

impower our said Trusty & well beloved Brethren Messrs . John Digby Preston , Fras . Halford , and John Cheetham ( with proper Assistants ) To nominate , Chuse and Instal their Successors & c & c & c such Installations to be on every St . John ' s day during the Continuance of of this Lodge for ever .

Providing the above-named Brethren and their Successors always pay due Respect To this Right Worshipful Grand Lodge , otherwise this WARRANT to be of no Force nor Value . Given under our Hands and Seal of the Grand Lodge , London , this Twenty-first day of January ,

In the year of our Lord , One thousand seven hundred sixty and one . And in the year of Masonry , Five thousand seven hundred sixty and one . Note this Warrant is Registered " ) in the Grand Lodge Voll . 3 d . > Lau . Dermott , G . Secretary . Letter C . )

The lodge , thus chartered in 1761 , is noted in Bro . John Lane ' s " Masonic Records , 1717-1886 * " ( p . 53 ) . It appears that it was originally No . 85 , as before stated , but in 176 4 the number 75 being vacant , the members secured that hi gher position on the Roll , but even that dignity failed to keep the lodge afloat , as

it "lapsed about 1765 . In this invaluable work no place oi meeting is given , but now the Warrant is forthcoming it is found to have been at the " Sign of the Swan , in King Street . " The wax seal is attached to two pieces of ribbon , one of

bine and the other yellozu , and is of the kind generally used before the advent of the seal by Kirk , of 1775 . The motto is " Virtue and Silence , " and below are the words " Grand Lodge , London , " which enclose a Sword and Square and Compasses .

The earliest original Warrant of the "Ancients" known is the one by which No . 11 , the "Enoch " works , viz ., 18 th June , 1755 , when it became No . 6 , but prior to that , from its formation , 19 th August , 1754 , the lodge was No . 37 . The ori g inal No . 6 , of 17 th July , 1751 ( one of the five which are said to have " revived the ancient Craft , " 17 th July , 1751 ) , lapsed in 1754 .

This Warrant of 1755 is a very meagre affair compared with several of the later issues , and is in striking contrast to those ol the prosperous era of the "Ancients . " No . 6 , " Ancient " Warrant , begins ( after the usual signatures ) " To all whom it may

concern , We , the Grand Lodge in ample form assembled , " the names and titles of the Grand Officers not being given , but the Master and Wardens are nominated . The authority is " to form and hold a Lodge of Free and Accepted Ancient Masons , due respect having to be paid the " Ancient Grand Lodge . "

"St . Mary ' s , " No . 6 3 ( now No . 6 3 ) , of the year 1757 ( H * - * April ) , was issued during the Grand Mastership of the " Earl of Blesington ; " the title of the ruling body being amplified to " Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons , " and due respect was to be paid to the " Rip-lit Worshipful Grand Lodge !'

On December 27 th , 1757 , No . 66 , Halifax , Nova Scotia , wa ;> signed , the Warrant being in many respects very different to its predecessors . The imposing title , " We , the Grand Lodge 0 the Most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and