Transactions Of The Quatuor Goronati Lodge.

TRANSACTIONS OF THE QUATUOR GORONATI LODGE .

The second part of Volume VII . will prove a most acceptable and interesting number , because of its varied character , instructive papers and numerous reviews . The latter feature has been paid more attention to of late , and , to my mind , is one of the most useful departments of our

Transactions , not only because the admirable notices are by brethren familiar with ihe works and subjects reviewed , and who sign their brief and pointed critiques , but they are sure indications of the scope of each volume so treated , and enable the readers to judge of the nature and value of the works published , so as to decide whether they need copies or otherwise .

The " Ancient Masonic Constitutions , or the York MSS . of the " Old Charges , " is most appreciatively described by Bro . Speth , and I feel the quartette of us interested in its production cannot fail to be gratified at the reception our labours have met with , especially Bros . Todd and Whytehead , the Editors , and the excellent publisher—Bro . Peck . Copies of this beautiful book , so ablv edited , can still be had at five shillings each , from M . C . Peck

and Son , Printers and Publishers , of Hull . The Secretary has also done the " History of the Lion and Lamb Lodge , No . 192 , London , " written by me , and presented by the publisher , Bro . George Kenning , to the members and other favoured brethren ; besides a capital notice of the " Catalogue of the Medals in the Grand Lodge of the Netherlands , " and other works . Bro , John Lane has said a few words in praise of Bro . Speth ' s " Builders' Rites

and Ceremonies , " and I hope his endorsement of this extraordinary paper will lead many to speculate in a florin and secure copies for themselves from the gifted author . Bro . E . Macbean , the J . W ., is to the fore with a most friendly notice of Bro . Willox ' s " versified relation of the author's feelings and experiences when receiving the E . A . and F . C . Degrees , " and I say ditto to the wish that he " may long be spared to carol forth lays that are both

pleasant and instructive . " The Junior Warden has also contributed a racy sketch of the " Newcastle College Roll" of the " Old Charges , " recently edited by Bro . Schnitger , C . C ., and has so pleasantly discharged that duty , that many of us will be glad to see his signature more frequently in this roost useful department . The most important of the reviews is on the great History of the Phcenix Lodge , Chapter , & c ., Portsmouth , of Bro . Alexander Howell ' s , and is by the

facile pen of Bro . R . F . Gould , who has . done justice to the merits and importance of this sumptuous volume . " New Masonic Periodicals " are also duly noticed by the Secretary . The first paper printed in the order of reading is mine on " The Masters ' Ledge at Exeter , " the separate minutes running from 1777 to early in this century , some of which are very curious , and all are most interesting . The

account of the discussion has made me still more sorry because of my enforced absence . The Secretary kindly read the paper for me . The second paper , read by Bro . Edward Macbean , J . W ., is an able review of the magnificent tome lately published by the Rev . R . Scott Mylne , on " The Master Masons to the Crown of Scotland , " which Bro . Macbean has admirably described , and has also cons dered the subject in relation to

the Masonic Craft generally , so it is really an independent paper of considerable importance , and of great interest to all those who are anxious to know reliable particulars as to the Crown Master Masons and their connection with the Fraternitv of Free and Accepted Masons .

Of the general Papers , No . 2 on " Freemasonry in Mexico , " is a most judicious and thorough examination as to the evidence , condemnatory or otherwise , of the Masonic authorities in that country . As it is by Bro . Gould , we all know he has grounds for each of his statements , and undoubted facts on which to build' his denunciations of the vagaries and unmasonic deeds of the local Bodies ; for the ' evidence clearly points to the initiation of Females , and their presence in open Lodge . These facts are denied , but the negatives are not proved . We only wish they were , for the witnesses for and against appear to be at variance most seriously as to many details , and I am bound to say the authorities have , as yet , not cleared themselves from the charges made . ' Let us hope they will , though from the facts submitted b y Bro . Gould , ' I fear there is no chance of that . The article deserves to be most carefully studied , especially by the Grand Lodges of the United States . V

Bro . L . de Malczovitch continues his extremely able and exhaustive account of Masonry in Austria and Hungary , a proper notice of which I must reserve for the contribution when completed . The labour involved in " •s preparation must be immense . I he "Notes and Queries " are attended to this time at rather more

length than usual , and so much the better . The illustrations of the old Jewels sent b y Bro . J . McN . Campbell are of interest , and quite curiosities ¦ n their way , and some of the Marks collected recently in India by Mrs . 'Murray-A ynsley , are most welcome additions to our store of these ancient souvenirs .

Bro . G . W . Bain ' s Grand Collection of Masonic Works , MSS ., & c , 'ave been wisely utilised , and 1 think much good might be done by his sending brief descriptions of the unique pieces in his Library , whether Books , MedasnrMcc r ^ r

full ^ V' H > !* > lands , ias called attention to the pretty gold jewel beautify engraved , and having the field cut out , presented to Bro . J . Gregor in w U l - olc' Inverntss ' - ° d ge , and written a most pleasing sketch of it tl P ' ' of the presentation ; besides furnishing an illustration of j ' de «> ration . The arrangement of the symbols and tools is much like a rger medal or jewel in the Grand Lodge of England . This one is the sue

Transactions Of The Quatuor Goronati Lodge.

of half-a-crown , but the Grand Lodge piece is about twice the size , and , I believe , of silver . Bro . Rylands has also obtained the loan of the plates which illustrate his valuable paper on " Masonic Marks in the Transactions of the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire , " by desire of our zealous Secretary , which will be a boon for those not having copies of that scholarly production . This series of county Masonic Marks is unequalled , and suggests what other

students might do , m concert , who are moving about the country , and have the necessary time and knowledge , to make copies of these memorials in stone . Last , but not least , is the imposing picture , reproduced most faithfully , illustrating Bro . Macbean ' s paper of the members of the Incorporation of Trades , Mary ' s Chapel , Edinburgh , represented as engaged in their several Crafts in front of the Royal Palace , Holyrood , by Roderick Chalmers in 1721 . My space cries " stop , " but I have much more to say if there had been room . W . J . HUGHAN .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hertfordshire

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF HERTFORDSHIRE

A meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Hertfordshire was held at the Hall , Bushey , on Tuesday , the 31 st ult ., under the banner of the Bushey Hall Lodge , No . 2323 . Amongst the brethren present were Bros . T . K . Halsey , M . P ., P . G . M . ; G . E . Lake , D . P . G . M . ; Rev . S . R . A . Buller , P . G . C . ; Rev . R . A . Pope , P . P . G . C . ; T . Fenn , P . Pres . B . of G . P . ; C . E . Keyser , P . G . D . ; J . Terry , Sec . R . M . B . I ., P . G . S . B ., P . G . D . C : F . S .

Knyvett , P . G . D ., P . G . Treas . ; C . Bullock , P . G . Sec . ; T . S . Carter , P . P . G . W . ; R . Lomas , P . G . Reg . ; C . M . Coxon , P . J . G . D . ; D . Field , P . G . S . B . ; W . Metcalfe , P . G . P . ; W . Warr , P . P . G . O . ; T . Kent , P . P . G . D . j J . Purrott , P . P . G . D . ; W . Wilson , P . P . G . P . ; Dr . G . Mickley , P . P . S , G . W . ; F . Levick , P . P . G . W . ; J . Robinson , P . P . G . W . ; Rev . G . Finch , P . P . G . C ; and many others .

Prov . G . Lodge was formally opened , the minutes confirmed , and the roll of Prov . G . Officers and lodges called . On the motion of Bro . T . S . CARTER , P . P . G . W ., seconded by Bro . C . E . KKYSKR , P . G . D ., Bro . F . Sumner Knyvett was unanimously re-elected Prov . G . Treasurer for the 19 th time . The following Prov . Grand Officers were appointed and invested :

Bro . John Purrott , P . M . 1479 ... ... Prov . S . G . VV . „ C . E . Birch , W . M . 2323 ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . R . H . Pope , 504 ... ... ... " ) „ r p . „ Rev . S . W . Tidswell , 504 ... } I rov . O . Chaps . „ F . Sumner Knyvett , P . M . 404 , P . G . D . ... Prov . G . Treas . .. H . Wiean . P . M . 400 ... ... ... Prov . G . Ree .

„ Charles Bullock , P . M ., 504 ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ R . W . Wilson , P . M . 2054 ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ H . J . Nell , W . M . 2278 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ C . P . Ayres W . M . 404 .. ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ Jas . Terry , P . M . 2372 , P . G . S . B . ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ O . Wigginlon , W . M . 403 ... ... Prov . Asst . G . D . C

„ R . Middlehurst , P . M . 1327 ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ F . Fisher , P . M . 1984 ... ... ... 1 p Q -. „ „ li . W . J aquet , P . M . 2323 ... ... ) ^ Md * brs * „ E . Apelt , Org . S 6 9 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . ,, Alfred Prudames , P . M . 504 .. ... Prov . A . G . Sec . .. R . Carlev . W . M . I 7 C 7 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst .

„ F . R . Adams , P . M . 2136 ; ... Prov . A . G . Purst . „ A . S . Gilbertson , W . M . 449 ... ... } „ F . C . Collingwood , W . M . 1385 ... ... | „ H . L . Barrett , W . M . 2218 ... ... > D , „ r Cf A ~ f M r ¦ u . c 1 x 7 - c * Prov . u . otwds . ,, C . N . Cornish , S . W . 2323

„ H . Trash , W . M . 2372 ... ... . „ Williams , J . W . 2518 ... ... ... J The report of the Board of Finance was adopted , and the following grants were made : 20 guineas to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , £ \ o to the Bushey Hall Lodge towards defraying the expenses of entertaining Prov . G . Lodge , and £ \ o to the Watford Cottage Hospital . £ 20 was ordered to be invested in Consols to increase the sum of £ 278 2 s . id . already invested .

Bro . C . E . KEYSER gave an interesting account of the work of the Charity Committee of the Province , from which it appeared that £ 795 « s . 6 d . had been contributed to the three Masonic Institutions during the past year . One candidate was elected to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys on the first application with 2458 votes , and a brother was assisted in securing an annuity in the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . He appealed to the brethren to send their votes to their representatives , and thus secure the

election of provincial cases . He suggested to those lodges where it was the custom to elect the W . M . as the representative , that it would be far preferable to re-elect a brother year after year , as he then became accustomed to the work and knew the voting power of the various members . Having been honoured by bjing elected as Treasurer of the Boys' School , he ( Bro . Keyser ) could no longer be their representative on the Board of Management of that Institution , and he therefore proposed Bro . Levick as the nominee of the province .

Bro . LAKE , D . P . G . M ., seconded the resolution , which was carried unanimously . The PROV . GRAND MASTER having endorsed the remarks of Bro . Keyser ¦ with reference to the Charity Committee , the Prov . Grand Lodge was closed After an excellent banquet , the customary toasts were duly honoured . The "Oueen and the Craft" having been given ,