The Poet Burns.

portraits are portrayed in the picture , and beneath the photograph the following words are printed : "Inauguration of Robert Burns as Poet Laureate of Canongate Kilwinning Lodge , No . 2 . " I presume that Bro . Mackenzie desired his readers to understand that it was a " faithful representation" of the event ? If not , why publish it as such ?

As regards the minute of the ist March , 17 S 7 , Bro . Mackenzie states that , among other business , the lodge met that evening for the purpose " of conferring a tribute of respect on Burns . In the course of the evening , the R . W . Master conferred upon him the title of Poet Laureate of the Lodge , and the minute is signed by the Master , " & c I submit that anyone reading these words

would infer that the minute of that meeting instructed the author ' s statement . But there is no such statement in the minute ! The Secretary of the lodge , in his letter to Bro . Murray Lyon , places the matter in another light . He says , writing by authority , that at the meeting of ist March , 1787 , "it is understood the inauguration took place ; " and in a foot-note there is added , " The reference

to ist March , 17 S 7 , is not embraced in Lyon ' s History . " There was no occasion for embracing such a reference . Bro . Mackenzie says there was , because a Bro . More signed the minutes both of ist March , 17 S 7 , and 9 th June , 1815 . But what of that ? Nothing was said in the March minute of Burns , and there is thus no connection between the two . It is worthy of observation that the

Secretary of the lodge , writing on behalf of "the R . W . M . and office-bearers of the Lodge Canongate Kilwinning , " does not positively say that the "Inauguration" took place , but simply that it rested on an understanding ! . We are told that Bro . William Campbell , at a meeting of the lodge on the 12 th November , 1845 , stated that he had " had many opportunities of giving testimony in favour

of the particulars referred to , that he had travelled in company with Burns , and spent two of the most happy days with him at Auchtertyre Castle . " Whether Brother Campbell met Burns , as here stated , I have no means of knowing . Certainly he did not travel with Burns to Auchtertyre , and Burns , in his letters written from that place and elsewhere , makes no mention of this

brother . As regards the " particulars of which it is said that he had " many opportunities of giving testimony in favour of , " we are not told what these were , nor when , nor where Brother Campbell gave the " testimony " he refers to . But the minute of the lodge of 12 th November , 1845 , quoted in the History , is given at length in "A Winter with Burns , " and the words of the minute as there

quoted differ from the above quotation . As given by Brother Marshall , the minute of the 12 th November , 1 S 45 , reads as follows : " Brother W . C . stated that he was initiated a year or two after the Poet had left Edinburgh , yet he could vouch for the truth of what had been advanced in relation to the tradition of members a few years his seniors . He had himself spent three of the happiest days

of his life in the company of Burns at Auchtertyre House during the Autumn of 17 S 7 . " Tradition , as regards this matter , was thus appealed to before it could have arisen , for statements made so recently as a " year or two , " do not form tradition . Brother Campbell , according to the Grand Lodge Register , joined the Craft some time between February , 1 S 01 , and April , 1802 . If he travelled , as is

said , with Burns in his summer tour of 17 S 7 , he must have been on terms of close personal intimacy with the Poet j and , if the honour in question had been conferred , and so recently , on the Poet , it would , I think , have been spoken of in the course of their intercourse j but this is not said . The letter of Bro . George Simson , P . M . of the lodge , does not aid the lodge ' s contention . All that he says is

embodied in the lodge ' s minute ot 1 S 15 , and I admit the terms of that minute , and that , at that date , for the first time , the lodge claimed Burns as having held the office of its Poet Laureate . The question remains , was that claimfounded on fact ? The registration of the members of the lodge in the Register of Grand Lodge in the beginning of the present century was irregular , but I find from it that Bro .

Simson joined the lodge some time between 180 S and 1815 . He could not , therefore , have been present at the meeting of March , 17 S 7 , and he does not make any statement which he personally could have known . At the time Bro . Simson wrote Burns had been dead 19 years , and his name and genius had become famous throughout the world . Had the lodge on the Poet ' s death claimed him as

its Laureate , referred to the vacancy created by that event or have otherwise noticed it , the claim that the lodge has since put forward would have been rendered probable . But on the Poet ' s death it took no notice of the event in any way , and it passed no expression of commiseration with his afflicted widow and young children . Nor did it take any steps towards the appointment of a successor in its

Laureateship until after the lapse of 39 years ! But in 1815 the Poet ' s name had become renowned , and then those at the head of the lodge ' s affairs stepped forward , and subscribed with a flourish of trumpets 20 guineas towards the erection of a Mausoleum to his memory , and claimed him as its Poet Laureate ! It would have been much more to the lodge's credit had it sent on his death the 20 guineas

to his starving family . Bro . Mackenzie attempts to explain away the omission in his lodge ' s minutes of Burns' election to an office which , according to the minutes , had no existence , by asserting that " the minor office bearers receive but scant notice in the minutes of Scotch lodges , unless indeed as in the case under review , where the brother attained a high standard

of fame after the event ; or the reverse , as in the case of James Hogg , the Ettrick Shepherd . " This is a queer apology ! How could the framers of a lodge's minutes know whether a man was to become famous or otherwise ? The minutes of the Canongate Lodge at the period in question were kept by a practising solicitor . They appear to have been kept with care and ample fulness of detail .

The very minute assuming Burns a member of the lodge , illustrates this fact , for it bears evidence of careful revision , being partially erased in at least two places . The minutes show that the lodge created and elected Hogg to the office of Poet Laureate , but there is no similar entry as regards Burns ; and they further show that since Hogg ' s election the office has been regularly filled . Burn's

fame was in 17 S 7 much greater than that of Hogg in 1835 . Burns only on two occasions resided in Edinburgh continuously , and the dates I gave had reference to those occasions , and not to the short special visits he paid to it subsequently . Brother Marshall evidently considered Burns' residence in Edinburgh , subsequent to March , 1787 , so unconnected with his Masonic life , that he does

The Poet Burns.

not refer to it in his book ; and limits Burns' Masonic career in Edinburgh to the winter of 17 S 6-S 7 . Brother Mackenzie , however , thinks it probable that Burns' visited the Lodge Canongate Kilwinning during the flying visits he refers to . I think that it is much more probable that he spent his time among his numerous friends . But the monthly meetings of the lodge were then

held on the first of every month . Burns , in March , 177 S , came to the city on the ioth and left it on the 15 th of that month . Some time after the 9 th February , 17 S 9 , he was again in Edinburgh for a few days , and he was in it again for the last time on the 6 th December , 1791 . His latter visit must have been short , for he was then in active duty " as an Excise Officer ; and " Clarinda " writes , in her

Private Journal— " 6 th December , 1 S 31—This day I never can forget . Parted with Burns in the year 1791 , never more to meet in this world . Oh ! may we meet in heaven . " It is , however , not said that the Lodge Canongate Kilwinning held any meetings corresponding to these dates . If it did not , Burns could not have attended any . From all I can discover , he does not appear to have attended any

Masonic meetings in Edinburgh subsequent to the winter of 1787 . Great stress is laid by the Iodge on the alleged delay in contradicting Burns' alleged " Inauguration ; " but it was not propounded until 1 S 15 , and then only by the Canongate Lodge itself , the members of which had an interest adverse to its contradiction , It was not until 1846—59 years after

the alleged inauguration—that it was for the first time made known to the public , and then at least one of the reviewers of Marshall ' s " Winter with Burns " publicly doubted the story . Those at that time taking an interest in Freemasonry and in Scottish lodge history did not have access to the lodge ' s records , and had no means of ascertaining whether the statement made by Bro . Marshall was correct

or incorrect . Every biographer of Burns , all his letters , journals , and diaries , and other documents known to the public are silent on the subject . But about 1 S 70 Bro . Murray Lyon , for the purpose of his forthcoming " History of Freemasonry in Scotland , " happened to obtain access to the records of the Lodge Canongate Kilwinning , and it was then for the first time seen , by an independent

and able enquirer , that the pretension of the lodge , and the story of Bro . Marshall were baseless assertions . Bro . Murray Lyon's opinion on the subject having become known , prior to the publication of his history , to the lodge , the Secretary , by instructions , wrote to him enquiring if it were true that he "discredited" the lodge's connection with Burns , and assuring him that there was " ample

evidence " of its existence . The " ample evidence " was not given , but certain statements were made to Bro . Murray Lyon , which he , unfortunately , without enquiry , accepted as correct . He , in consequence , inserted in his History the substance of the statements made to him . I am glad to see that the story oE the jewel alleged to

have been worn by Burns , and the engraving on it , are virtually admitted incorrect . The fact that his name was engraved on a jewel in 1835 goes for nothing as evidence either that he wore it , or that he held the office which it represented . WILLIAM OFFICER , Past G . D . of Scotland .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The Committee of Management of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution held their first meeting of the year at Freemasons' Hall on Wednesday . Bro . Jabez Hogg , P . G . D ., presided , and there were present Bros . C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P . ; W . Belchamber , C . Kempton , H . Cox , Chas . G . Hill , E . West , J . Dixon , Hugh Cotter , B . E . Blasby , Thomas Cubitt , P . G . P . ; W . Hilton , Charles

Lacey , J . Newton , A . H . Tattershall , J . J . Berry , W . H . Murlis , Sam Brooks , Hugh M . Hobbs , Alex . Forsyth , Louis Stean , John Larkin , George Mickley , Charles F . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br . ; C . H . Webb , and James Terry , P . G . S . B . ( Secretary ) . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and verified , the Secretary reported the deaths of two male and one widow annuitants and one male candidate .

The Warden's report for the past month was read , and that of the Finance Committee read and adopted , and ordered to be entered on the minutes . An application from the widow of a deceased annuitant for half her late husband's annuity was acceded to . The report of Bro . Raynham W . Stewart , P . G . D ., as to the purchase of roadway in front of the Institution and the

question of a boundary fence was received . The Committee considered the various petitions , which were iS in number—six men and 12 widows—the result being that five of the men ' s petitions were accepted and 11 widows' petitions accepted and one defend . The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman .

NEW YEAR'S ENTERTAINMENT TO THE ANNUITANTS . The annual New Year's Entertainment , inaugurated more than 10 years ago by Bro , James Terry , to the annuitants resident in the establishment of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , at Croydon , was given on the premises , on Wednesday , the 2 nd inst ., when the following party of

visitors were _ accommodated by the South-Eastern Railway Company with saloon carriages attached to the 1 . 9 p . m . train from Cannon-street : Bro . C F . Hogard , V . P . ; Bro . T . Hastings Miller , CC , V . P ., and the Misses Miller ; Bro . Thos . Cubitt , V . P . ; Bro , Hugh Cotter and the Misses Cotter ; Bro . John J . Berry , V . P . ; W . J . Crutch , V . P . ; Bro . R . H . Halford , Mrs . Halford , and Miss Halford ; Bro .

Raynham VV . Stewart , V . P . ; Bro . J . Newton , V . P ., Mrs ., and Miss Newton ; Bro . Alex . Mullord and Mrs . Mullord ; Bro . J . A . Farnfield ; Bro . Tongue and Mrs . Tongue and daughters ; Bro . Cooper ; Bro . Henry Cox , V . P . ; Bro . Kempton and Mrs . Kempton ; Bro . Charles G . Hill , V . P ., and Mrs . Hill ; Bro . Tacon and Mrs . Tacon ; Bro . VV . VV . Morgan ; Mrs . Terry and the Misses Terry ; Mr .

and Mrs . Dury ; Bro . H . Massey , Miss A . R . Massey , and Miss Charlotte Massey ; Miss Edith and Miss Gertrude Smith ; the Misses Crutch ; Bro . Raikes and Mrs . Raikes ; Bro . James E . Terry , W . M . 1964 ; Bro . Charles Lacey , V . P . ; Bro . Cohu and Mrs . Cohu ; Mrs . Edmund Terry ; Miss Julia Halford ; Mrs . Moss ; and Mrs . Rovvbottom .

There was an agreeable change in the weather shortly before noon , and , in place of the distressing and dangerous fog with which the previous week had been troubled , a comparatively bright atmosphere prevailed . The visitors arrived at the Institution shortl y before two o ' clock , and received a hearty greeting and New Year's good wishes from Bro . Terry , who might be said to be host on the

occasion , and his energetic assistants , Bros . John Mason and John G . Stevens , and not the least prominent official of the establishment , the Matron , Miss Norris . The distribution of the presents of tea and tobacco to the lady and brother annuitants was first proceeded with , and then the Institution ' s bell was rung to summon all the residents whose health permitted them to leave their homes to the beautiful hall to dinner .

The customary bountiful provision was found by these duly spread , and , Dr . Strong having taken the chair , the dinner commenced , all the brethren acting as carvers and servers of the viands , and the lady visitors sitting down to the repast with the old people . The meal was , as it deserved to be , thoroughly enjoyed by those present , and the old ladies and brethren who were unable to join their

friends were accommodated with their banquet at their own residences . When the dinner was concluded all the company were asked to charge their glasses for the very few toasts which always precede theinterval between the morning and the evening's entertainments , and Dr . STRONG having proposed "The Queen , " and that toast having been duly honoured , proposed "The Founders of the Feast , " in

doing which he informed the company that the entertainment which was started ten years since by Bro . Terry , the Secretary of the Institution , was provided for by certain benevolent , and kind hearted , and true brethren , including those of the Province of East Lancashire , and no portion 0 the cost came out of the subscriptions to the Institution . One of the most delightful results of these gatherings was that

it brought a large number of the same friends together year after year , and enabled them to shake hands andonce more wish each other a Happy New Year . Bro . THOS . HASTINGS MILLER replied , and expressed the gratification all the contributors to the entertainment felt at affording a few hours' enjoyment to their dear old friends , the annuitants , and also to the visitors . The toast of "Success to the Institution , " associated

with the name of the matron , Miss Norris , was also proposed by Dr . SIRONG , who stated that every one who visited the Institution knew the debt they owed to Miss Norris for the valuable assistance she rendered towards the welfare of the residents . She devoted her whole attention and thought to them , and during her temporary holiday for a few days her first anxiety was to be back again to her " children . "

Bro . TERRY , replying for Miss Norris and fori the institutions , said that at these annual gatherings a manifesto was expected from him at a later period of the afternoon , and therefore at present he should content himself with only a few remarks . With regard to the matron , they all knew how well she performed her duties , and he might say that , although he had known her some years , she

certainly did not look any older . She made others happy , and he hoped she would do so for a long time to come . She was one of those who were very rare—only one or two of whom they came across in a generation . No one could discharge her duties better than Miss Norris , and the Committee of Management and the House Committee valued her highly . With respect to the Institution , as the Chairman had

alluded to the circumstance of these happy meetings or festivals . some years ago he ( Bro . Terry ) came down to Croydon and found that the residents in the Institution did not even know each other , and he thought , as a good and true Freemason , there was nothing like having them together at a banquet . Therefore , having spoken to some kind friends on the subject , they banded themselves together and

subscribed out of their own pockets for an entertainment . This had gone on from year to year , and it had grown to what they saw it that day . Of the Institution itself he could say that during the past year it had been successful . It had had the adverse circumstance of the centenary of the Girls ' School , an event the result of which had startled the whole of the Masonic world , as well as the world outside Masonry .

That Festival realised £ 50 , 500 , and'the brethten might be sure that sum could not be eot together by one Institution without the other Institutions suffering . However , the Benevolent Institution had not suffered so much as the Boys' School . The brethren had no doubt seen in the daily papers that the Girls' School received £ 49 , 259 last year . The Benevolent Institution took the

second place , having generally had the first for some years , and been lower only twice in ten years ; they received £ 21 , 361 . The Boys' Institution received only £ 12 , 393 . If they took the whole together , reckoning the Girls at over £ 50 , 000 , they would find that the three Institutions took nearly £ 85 , 000 in 18 S 8 . That sum was never known to have been collected till last year , and it was not

likely to happen this year . But in three years' time the Benevolent Institution would celebrate its jubilee , and if the Girls' School , at its centenary , could , with the Prince of Wales in the chair , get £ 50 , 000 , the brethren connected with the Benevolent Institution would not , at its jubilee , be content with £ 50 , 000 ; they would " pass it by as the idle wind which we regard not . " He did not

expect to see the centenary of this Institution , but he hoped to see its jubilee , and the centenary of the Boys . As to what the Benevolent Institution was doing , he might inform the brethren that they had 430 annuitants on their fund ; 50 residents , male and female , at Croydon , but , still some apartments vacant . The amounts paid by the Institution were about £ 15 , 000 a year . Some 12 years since , the

amount paid was £ 2 Soo , so that in 12 years they had been able to increase the payments , by the generosity of the brethren , to £ 15 , 000 . The present year would be a very eventful one , as the Institution had the largest number of candidates seeking the annuity , and there were only seven vacancies on the Widows' Fund , and it on the Male . That was a bad look out for those seeking admission

. He hoped they would have increased support , and he thanked the brethren for what they had done in the past . Bro . Terry then announced that the East Lancashire brethren were at that moment entertaining the annuitants of East Lancashire to an entertainment at Manchestersimiiar

to this one ; that , besides that , they contributed yearly five guineas to this entertainment at Croydon ; and that he had sent a telegram there conveying best wishes . He was sure the company all missed a brother who always contributed and came to these festivals—Bro . Edgar Bowyer . They all regretted they had lost him ; but he ( Bro . Terry ) had sent a telegram to Mrs . Bowyer .