Masonic Notes.

good account , and that some effort would have been made in order to obtain more assistance in raising the supplies , especially as there is a large extra sum needed this year for sanitary and other expenses . We do not hear , however , of much being done in the lodges , and

it is evident , from the smallness of the addition in the past two weeks to the Board of 220 with which we started , that but little trouble is being taken to advance the prospects of the Anniversary . One thing is certain .- ^ supplies are not raised by magic , and if more money

than usual is needed , there ought to be more canvassers than usual going about to raise it , and generally more activity everywhere . There is little more than a fortnight left , and it is not impossible that the Boys ' School , which needs it most , may have a less productive Festival than the Girls' School .

# # # We have been favoured with some correspondence from New Zealand relating to the vexed question of establishing an independent Grand Lodge in that Colony . We have not space to insert it considering

the present heavy demands that are being made on our space just now . We gather from it , however , that Bro . the Earl of Onslow , P . S . G . W ., has definitively declined to accept the Grand Mastership , his

stipulation that 120 out of the 142 lodges in the Colony should support the movement not having been realised . The Executive Committee thought they might manage to obtain the adhesion of 100 , but his lordship stood firm . * + *

The Grand Mastership has since been offered to and accepted by Bro . H . Thompson , D . G . M . Canterbury , E . G ., who will accordingly have the pleasant task thrust upon him of heading one section of the Craft in New Zealand in its efforts to establish itself to the

detriment or , at all events , discomfort of the other section . Would it not have been better if the question of a separate Grand Lodge had been shelved until such time as practical unanimity among the lodges was obtainable ? That would have been a reasonable and

proper course , and dignified withal , while the end would have been secured peacefully , as in South Australia , New South Wales , and Victoria . We

suppose , however , this would have clashed with the supposed interests of the Grand Lodge-at-any-price party . * * *

We give an account in another column of a Masonic service held in St . Giles' Cathedral , Edinburgh , in aid of the new Benevolent Fund now being formed in Scotland . A great crowd was present , and an excellent

discourse was delivered by the Rev . J . Glasse , but the result was not at all what mi ght have been expected considering the large number present and the object of the gathering .

* * * We are very pleased to note that the idea of a testimonial to Bro . R . Clay Sudlow has been so well received by the many friends connected with the lodges and chapters with which he is associated , more especially

the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . Those who believe in maintaining a high standard of Masonic working are greatly indebted to Bro . Sudlow for the admirable services he has rendered to the Craft during the past 10 years in this direction , while the affectionate

regard in which he is held by those with whom he works renders this recognition of his worth a pleasure as well as a duty . The presentation takes the form of a complete set of clothing and jewel of Grand Standard Bearer , to which office he has been recently appointed , together with an illuminated address .

* * * A Grand National Bazaar to raise a fund of ^ 5000 for the extension of juvenile temperance work throughout the United Kingdom is to be held at Exeter Hall during the week commencing July 7 th . In the list of

stalls we notice " The Temperance Masonic Stall , " which will be under the charge of Bro . R . A . Gowan , of Gresham-street ; while Bro . Deputy Hughes , of 3 , West-street , Finsbury , is responsible for the " City of

London Stall , " which has also the assistance of the Lord and Lady Mayoress . For such an excellent object there should be much sympathetic and zealous aid , and we wish it all success .

* * * It may interest those brethren who took part in the recent discussion in our columns on " Hearty good wishes " to know that we have it on the authority of

Bro . Dr . Hill Drury , Secretary of the Universities ' Lodge , that at the consecration of that lodge in February last the representatives of no less than 44 lodges tendered their " Hearty good wishes . "

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]

CALENDAR AND DIRECTORY FOR THE PROVINCE OF ESSEX . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In your review of the Calendar and Directory for the Province of Essex , 1890 , you allude to the

growth of the Craft lodges in the province , and to the small numberof chapters and Mark lodges . According to the Pocket Book , there are only six chapters and four Mark lodges . It certainly does appear strange that these two Degrees do not make more progress , especially as regards the chapters . The Mark lodges

form part of the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of East Anglia , and the province consists of no less than four counties , viz ., Essex , Cambridge , Norfolk , and Suffolk —the whole of the East of England . I do not suppose that any one is desirous of severing his connection with East Anglia and its ruler , Lord Henniker , but it is a

question whether the province could not be sub-divided with advantage . Even in matters of attending Grand Lodge ( Mark ) it means a very long journey , and it is not every brother that can afford the time on any particular day . I offer the suggestion to the powers that be . —Yours fraternally , M . M . M .

SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir , May I appeal to your readers for help in sending to the sea-side and other country homes children from our Sunday and Mission Schools whose parents

are unable to pay for such needed recreation . The cost for each child is 5 s . a week , and the time of holiday one fortnight , so that each donor of £ 1 has the satisfaction of sending two children for a fortnight ' s holiday where they will have either the sea breezes or country air . Last year nearly 1300 were sent away , and it is

hoped that a larger number may this year be enabled to go . Cheques and Postal Orders should be made payable to , and will be thankfully acknowledged by , —Yours faithfully , JOHN E . TRESIDDER , Hon . Sec . June 2 .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

904 ] K . T . JEWEL . Can any brother enlighten me , and also others , as to the meaning of the letters "SW . SS . " engraved on

K . T . jewels ( apparently ) early this century ! I have met with several , but as yet have failed to see clearly what the reference is to . If esoteric , a line to the Editor of the Freemason , marked private , will be dul y appreciated . CHISHOLM . 905 ]

WESTMINSTER JOURNAL , MAY 8 TH , 1742 . Bro . General Lawrence ( P . G . M . Mass . ) has had an excellent reproduction made of No . 24 of The Westminster Journal for May Sth , 1742 , and has kindl y sent me a copy . As this number contains an account of the " Solemn and Stately PROCESSION of the SCALDMISERABLE-MASONS , as it was martiall'd on TUESDAY

the 27 th past [ April 27 th ] by their Scald Pursuivant , Black Mantle , set forth by Order of the Grand Master PONEY , " as likewise a representation of that extraordinary event in a humorous drawing , it will be seen that our distinguished brother has conferred a boon on Masonic students . The real value , however , to me is

" The Mystery of Free-Masons , " which follows the farfetched caricature . Bro . Jacob Norton , of Boston , U . S . A ., has just written me as to the text of this exposure , which has led me to search or trace out the facts of the case . I find that the original of this piece was not "The Mason ' s Examination" of A . D . 1723 ,

given by Bro . R . F . Gould in his " History of Freemasonry , " nor the work by Prichard of 1730 , so handsomely reproduced by Bro . E . T . Carson , of Cincinnati , nor the "Grand Mystery of A . D . 1724 , " of which an excellent facsimile has been issued by the same zealous Craftsman . All these have many points in common ,

though each of them possesses certain peculiarities by which the text of either can easily be fixed . " The Mystery of Free-Masons , " however , has a different reading , evidently a typographical error , relative to the position of the Wardens , as follows : O . " How do Masons take their place in work j- ' '

A . "The Masters place East , the Wardens East , and the Fellows the Eastern passage . " The Wardens were located in the West , and are so noted by Prichard and others . Now , this error is to be found in "The Mystery of Free-Masons , " circa 1730 , a copy of which is owned by Bro . Thomas Francis , of Havant , and another by Bro . Carson . The latter indefatigable

Masonic Notes And Queries.

collector bought it from the Spencer sale of iSlS- I saw it , and duly examined that rare quarto engraved sheet then , but was not aware at the time that it is so rare . This very scarce print had the Wardens located in the " East , " and save a few minor differences in the orthography , it and the Westminster Journal read as one and the same text . Bro . G . B . Abbott discovered

what is possibly another copy in the Guildhall Library , London , but I cannot say as to the word " East" until an opportunity occurs for me to examine the original . The description by that expert certainly leads me to incline to believe that the Guildhall copy is third so

far traced . It is noted in the Freemason for 24 th July , 1880 . Spencer ' s was Lot 2 , and entitled "The Mystery of Free-Masons . From the MS . of a deceased Bro . 1 page engraved 4 to ., curious early Ritual , unique , n . d . " Are there any more , I wonder . W . J . HUGHAN . 906 ]

FREEMASONRY AT MACCLESFIELD , 1789 , & c . Copies of letters to Rev . Thomas Crane , P . G . Orator for P . G . L . of Cheshire . " Reverend Brother ,

" I have taken the liberty of addressing you by desire and on behalf of the Lodge No . 47 , held at the New Angel , in this town . They have hitherto acted under a Warrant granted at London in the year 1764 , and are now desirous ( with the consent and approbation of the Grand Provincial Lodge ) of obtaining a Sanction under the Irish Constitution , for which purpose this application is made to you , hoping that , if this

proposal be agreeable , you will favour us with your assistance and advice how to compleat this Business as soon as possible . The Lodge desire their brotherly respects , and beg the favour of your immediate answer , which will be esteemed a particular favour . —I remain , " Revd . Sir , with much regard , your " obedient servant and faithful brother , "JOHN BIRTLES , Sec .

" Macclesfield , nth April , 1789 . " " Reverend Brother , " Your obliging letter came duly to hand , and has since been laid before the Lodge . The Brethren are unanimous in their wish of obtaining a Warrant under the Duke of Cumberland , and beg the favour of you to

send us a Dispensation till a regular Warrant can be had , and will remit the money when and to whom you shall appoint , and we must depend on your future advice and assistance for the completion of this Business . " We remain with much esteem , Sir , your most " Hbl . servants and faithful brethren ,

: "THOMAS LOMAS , Master ) , , , XT "JOHN BIRTLES , Secretary J of Lod S e No 47 " Macclesfield , 27 th April , 1789 . " We wish the new Lodge to be distinguished by the name of the Reciprocal Lodge , and the time of meeting the second Thursday in the Month . "

[ These two letters have been copied for the Freemason , and kindly sent for publication b y Bro . J . C . Robinson , formerly of Chester . According to Bro . John Lane ' s invaluable " Masonic Records " the " Beneficent " Lodge , No . 545 , Macclesfield , was warranted 19 th June , 1789 , and was erased in 1827 . The lodge of 176 4 was under the " Ancients . "—ED . F . M . ~\

907 ] THE GRENADIERS' LODGE , No . 66 . I am unable to fix the date of the by-law to which Bro . Hughan refers . The books were shown to me by the Secretary , a solicitor , at his office , and " the certificate of constitution" was what he particularly wished me to see . This he called " the original

warrant of the lodge , and stated that as such he had exhibited it to the then Grand Secretary . Between the late Bro . John Hervey , at that time G . S ., and my informant there had evidentl y been some conversation with regard to the ori ginal document under which members of present No . 66 first met as a regular

lodge , for the latter told me that in answer to Bro . Hervey he had said " I know where it is , " and had next proceeded to show him the certificate of constitution . I have met with several certificates of a like character among the records of our early lodges , and imagine that in practice the lodges in and near

London , either on being newly established or on surrendering their independency , were " constituted " by the Grand Officers in person ; while those at a distance from the Metropolis , like present No . 39 , Exeter ( see Hughan ' s " English Rite , " 29 ) , and others ( of which numerous examples might be given ) were "

constituted" by deputy , i . e ., by some local brother or brethren to whom a written Deputation had been issued , " Impowering and Authorising" him or them to perform the duty which , in strictness , should have devolved upon the Grand Officers . For the origin of the custom we should have to go

back to very early times . It clearl y antedates the first Book of Constitutions ( 1723 ) , and must have arisen , I think , from the determination of the Grand Lodge to " stamp out" all those associations of Freemasons which decline to acknowledge its supremacy . This , indeed , is somewhat plainly indicated by certain regulations in the

aforesaid Book of Constitutions , entitled " The Antient Manner of Constituting a Lodge , " wherein it is enjoined that " A New Lodge , / w avoiding many Irregularities [ italics mine ] should be solemnl y Constituted by the Grand Master with his Deputy and Wardens , " '' or , " the regulations go on to say , in the absence of the Grand Master , by the Deputy or one of the Grand