Masonic Notes And Queries.

but the following is a somewhat brief summary of the material points in relation to Freemasonry as we understand it . They are to observe all former ordinances as to the privileges of the Craft ; none is to take work he is not qualified to perform , nor to take another Master ' s work over his head . Then follow detailed

regulations as to apprentices . None shall be received as Fellow Craft , save in the presence of six Masters , the Warden of the lodge ( sic in orig . ) being one , and of two entered apprentices ( sic ) . No Master or Fellow Craft shall receive any " Cowanis " * to work in his company , nor send any of his servants to work with

Cowanis . Any strife or variance is to be settled by the Master or Deacons of the lodge , any obstinate parties not being allowed to work until they have submitted themselves to reason . Then follow other provisions relative to operative Masonry . The text then continues— " On the same day were drawn up and

subscribed a series of ordinances for the Lodge of Kilwinning and those within its bounds . " Edinburgh is declared to be the principal lodge in Scotland , Kilwinning is the second , and Stirling is the third . [ Kindly communicated by Bro . Brackstone Baker , P . G . D . Particulars of these statutes will be found in Bro . D . Murray Lyon ' s " History of Freemasonry . "ED . F . M . l

The Old Alnwick Lodge.

THE OLD ALNWICK LODGE .

864 ]

•For some time past the records of the old lodge at Alnwick , dating from 1701 , and the most valuable and ancient of the kind preserved in England , have been missing . I have been most anxious to have them traced , having seen the volume in 1870 , and gave a sketch of its most interesting contents in the Freemason

for January 21 st , 1871 . Bro . Robert Hudson , the esteemed Provincial Grand Secretary of Durham , has ' done his utmost to discover the whereabouts of the precious records , and has , happily , and at last , been successful . In the excellent hands of Bro . Adam Robertson , of Alnwick , he has examined the curious

old book , and reports that it is in a fair state considering its age , & c . He and Alderman Robertson have kindly perused the volume , especially in relation to certain points which the Masonic historian , Bro . Gould , has raised in his noble "History of Freemasonry , " Chapter xvi ., based on the lamented Bro . F .

Hockley s examination , subsequent to mine . They agree that the Rule 3 is ^ 3 6 s . Sd ., and the 4 th is £ \ 6 s . 8 d ., as I give them , and not £ 3 6 s . Sd . and £ 2 6 s . 8 d ., as my old friend stated . Also they confirm my opinion that the word is Master ( Mastr . ) , and not " Masters , " in the 12 th and 14 th Rules . Also that in

the minute of 1708 the word is " Christmas , " as I have it , and not " Church , " as Bro . Hockley noted . Bro . Hudson considers I am wrong as to the penalty for " swearing " in 10 th Rule , which he says is 9 c ! ., and not Ss . 4 d . I am delighted that this , the senior lodge minute book in England , dating from ifoi , owned by

( the deceased ) Bro . Edwin Thew Turnbull in 1871 , is now in such good hands , and feel personally indebted to my friend Hudson for the trouble he has taken in the matter . He and Bro . Robertson have furnished me with facsimiles of several portions of the old book , which came on me as such a surprise in 1870 . W . J . HUGHAN .

Reviews

REVIEWS

THE BAIRNS' ANNUAL OF OLD-FASHIONED FAIRY TALES . Edited by ALICE CORKROW . London : Field and Tuer—The Leadenhall Press . This enterprising firm has become famous for the number of quaint reproductions of works in which our grandmothers and grandfathers deli ghted at the beginning of the century . Not content with giving us

the well-known stories and songs , they have managed in almost every instance to illustrate them with what appears to be the veritable wood blocks employed in the ancient editions , and very funny they are . As specimens of what our ancestors were content with in the way of illustration , if for no other reason , they are worth the small coin asked for them , and the Bairns ' Annual is a fair sample of the series .

THE ROMANCE OF THE FORESTS . B y ASCOTT R . HOPE , with 12 illustrations . London : John Hogg , 13 , Paternoster-row . The title of this work savours somewhat of the early English novel , so familiar to the youth of a generation or two ago , but there is little of the

romanticisms of that period m its contents , although there will be found plenty of exciting adventurous stories and legends . The title is well chosenfor what more prolific field of legend and romance is to be found than the awe inspiring and grandest of nature ' s creations , the great forests . Their disappearance before the march of civilisation is

only a question of time , and the writer who can enshrine and preserve for us the legends and memories of forest life deserves well of his fellows . As mi ght be expected , Robin Hood and his merry men fill a good space in these pages , while the weird stories of German forest life and the Red Man of the New World furnish material of which the writer has not failed to make good use . Although dealing with well - worn

Reviews

materials , the author has so re-cast and arranged each subject that the reader is irresistably drawn over the old familiar ground , and so attractive is the style that he can hardly realise that he is enjoying again the stories of his youth . The illustrations are well drawn

and the work altogether is attractively got up . The author claims for it that it is so composed that amusement shall hold in solution a considerable amount of instructive matter , with a special view to the more intelligent kind of young readers .

SONGS AND POEMS FOR CHILDREN . Edited by CARRIE DAVENPORT , with 60 illustrations . NOEL AND GEOFF ; OR , THREE CHRISTMAS DAYS . B y FRANCIS ARMSTRONG . EXILED ; OR , WHEN GREAT-GRANDMOTHER WAS YOUNG . By CATHERINE M . MACSORLEY .

DOLLY'S ADVENTURES ; OR , HAPPY DAYS AT CRANBERRY . By YVONNE . WE FOUR CHILDREN . By M . A . HAVER .

London : James Hogg , Paternoster-row . All these books are charmingly illustrated and attractively bound , and at the low price at which they are published will be sure to secure a large sale at this season . THE CHRISTMAS BOX ; OR , NEW YEAR'S

GIFT . London : Field and Tuer—The Leadenhall Press . This is a reproduction of the first book issued by the Religious Tract Society , and it is somewhat startling to find that although issued no further back than 1825 the illustrations and letterpress are of the most

primitive type . It would be difficult to imagine at this time the picture of a father in a dress coat reading aloud to his wife , with cap and flowers , engaged in needlework , with the boys and girls of the family stiffly seated around the fire—but it was no doubt a picture of the

time , and we are not sure that the famil y circle of today is a more happy one , although it may command so much more means of amusement . Like all other productions of this firm the little book is admirably printed .

MARTYRS TO FREEDOM ; OR , STRUGGLES FOR NATIONAL LIBERTY . A book for old and young , by the Rev . PHILLIP BARNES . London : John Hogg , Paternoster-row . In the roll of heroes from the Norman Conquest downward , there is , perhaps , no more picturesque

figure than Sir William Wallace , the patriot hero of Scotland , and the author of "Martyrs to Freedom " does well to tell the familiar story again , which he does in an attractive and eloquent way . Sir Harry Vane and Llewellyn and Davis of Wales are next dealt with , and as the exploits of these heroes belong to a

sufficiently remote past to be free from the criticism of the political partisan , the author is on perfectl y safe ground ; but the story of Robert Emmett , the patriot boy of Ireland , is somewhat too near to the practical politics of to-day to be dealt with in a non-political publication .

" Toussant L'Ouverture , " Lincoln , and John Brown , the friend of the slave , form separate chapters , and their story is graphicall y and well told . The work contains enough of stirring adventure to make it attractive to the young , and at the same time it furnishes very excellent historical readino-

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft flDasonry . metropolitan Meetings . Ionic Lodge ( No . 227 ) . —This old established lodge held its installation meeting on Thursday , the 5 th inst ., at the Ship and Turtle Tavern , Leadenhall-street . Bro . Barnes Williams , W . M ., was supported by Bros . James Castello , S . W ., W . M . elect ; Albert , J . W . ; Home , P . M ., Sec ; Mead , P . M ., P . A . G . D . C ., D . C ; B . A . Moore , S . D .,- Winder , I . D .: Richardson , I . G .: Duke ,

P . M . ; Thomas , P . M . ; and others . The visitors present were Bros . W . Side , P . M . 511 ; A . Russell , 1415 ; F . W . Bathurst , mo ; W . M . Pyke , 1017 ; F . Colliver , P . iM 194 ; Jno . Barnett , jun ., J . W . 2192 ; C . Tomkinson , P . P . G . S . of W . Sussex ; E . Walford , l . P . M . 005 ; and W . W . Lee , 1 S 97 . Lodge was formally opened , and the minutes confirmed ,

alter which a satisfactory balance-sheet was received and adopted . Bro . Wood was then passed to the Second Degree in an able manner by the W . M . The chair was then assumed by Bro . Mead , P . M ., P . A . G . D . C ., who proceeded to install the W . Master elect , Bro . James Castello , in a masterly and efficient manner . The following officers for the year were appointed and invested by the W . Master ,

who performed the duty with skill and ability , evincing the wisdom of the brethren in electing him to the chair : —Bros . Albert , S . W . ; B . A . Moore , J . W . ; Home , P . M ., Sec . ; Mead , P . A . G . D . C , D . C ; Winder , S . D . ; Richardson , J . D . ; Lumley , I . G . ; and Rowe , Tyler . Bro . Lewis Thomas , P . A . G . D . C , who was unanimously re-elected Treasurer , was unavoidably absent . The customary addresses were fluently rendered by the Installing Master , Bro . Mead

P . M . Ihe Worshipful Master presented the l . P . M . with a handsome jewel in recognition of his valuable services during the past year , remarking that Bro . Barnes Williams had richly deserved the gift , having ably performed his duties , and fully maintained the prestige of the lodge . Bro . Barnes Williams , I . P . M ., returned thanks in an appropriate speech , observing that he should prize the jewel as a souvenir of a very happy year . A sum was voted to the widow of Bro .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Radford , late Tyler to the lodge , and an appeal made to the brethren to secure her election for the R . M . B . I . The W . M . gave a further proof of his perfect knowledge of the ritual and of his ability to render it in a thoroughly impressive manner by closing down the lodge in the three Degrees . A sumptuous banquet having been enjoyed , the usual toasts were duly honoured .

Bro . Mead , P . A . G . D . C , in response to "The Grand Officers , " said he always esteemed it an honour to reply for that toast , and with the brilliant scene of the Grand Lodge meeting of the previous evening fresh in his mind , he regarded it as a special pleasure . Having referred to the business done by Grand Lodge , he thanked the W . M . for referring to him personally in proposing the toast . As it

had been a pleasure in the past , so it would be in the future , to assist the W . M . to the utmost of his power , and also to assist any brother coming forward in the lodge . " The Health of the W . M . " was next given by Bro . B . Williams , I . P . M ., in a humorous speech . He said that in Bro . Castello they had the promise of a very good W . M ., as he did his work remarkably well , and had given them a

Charity-box , which had rendered good service . Bro . James Castello , W . M ., said he was deeply indebted to the l . P . M . for the kind manner in which he had proposed the toast , and thanked the brethren for their hearty reception of it . He assured them he was deeply indebted to the brethren for the great honour conferred upon him by electing him to his present exalted position . He was initiated in the

lodge three years ago , and although he had taken a great interest in the Craft , he had no idea he should so soon attain the chair . He would use every nerve to merit the kind support given him . He admitted that when he entered the lodge that evening it was with mixed feelings of pleasure and regret—pleasure for the honour about to be conferred upon him , and regret that he did not feel capable of doing the

work . He was , however , pleased to hear from the . I . P . M . that his humble efforts had not been in vain , and he sincerely thanked the members for the great kindness shown him since his initiation . In proposing "The Visitors , " the W . M . said their lodge specially prided itself on its hospitality , and he was , therefore , glad to see several visiting brethren present . They

were always pleased to see visitors , for two reasons—first , they liked to extend their hospitality toward them , and secondly , they always liked to hear criticisms on their work , for it was a great stimulus to a W . M . to hear the opinion of the visitors . Bros . Colliver , P . M . 194 ; Side , P . M . 511 ; Tomkinson , P . P . G . Supt . of Wks . Sussex ; and Walford , P . M . 905 ,

responded , thanking the lodge for its profuse hospitality and referring in warm terms of praise to the excellent work witnessed in the lodge . The W . M . proposed "The Past Masters , " and said he was pleased to see one P . M . present , Bro . Harrison , whom he did not think he had met in the lodge befove , and whose name he should therefore couple with the toast .

Bro . Harrison , P . M ., in reply , said he was afraid he had been , like the Irishman , conspicuous by his absence , but it had been through circumstances over which he had no control . He was glad to find the lodge maintaining its prestige and also that good working was still the rule , and he congratulated the W . M . on the manner in which he discharged his duties .

In introducing "The Officers , " the W . M . said it would be presumption to criticise the Treasurer and Secretary , for their duties were so well performed that there was no room for improvement . He regretted that the Treasurer , Bro . Lewis Thomas , was absent , but Bro . Home , P . M ., their esteemed Secretary , was with them . He thought he could say , without flattery , that he was most fortunate in having

such Masonic workers as his officers for the ensuing year . Bro . Albert , S . W ., had the whole of the ritual at his finger ' s end , and Bro . Moore , J . W ., was an able Mason , and would , no doubt , do them great credit if he found time to devote to Masonry . Bros . Winder , S . D ., and Richardson , J . D ., were able and earnest workers , and took a great interest in the lodge . He was pleased to be able to give Bro . Lumley , I . G ., his first step in office , and had no doubt he would

perform his duties satisfactorily . Bro . Home , P . M ., Sec , said that in conjunction with the other officers he had always considered it his bounden duty to assist the W . M ., and they would always do so hereafter . They trusted that during the present year they would retain the approbation of the W . M ., and if that was so they would be well repaid for any trouble taken . Bro . Albert , S . W ., also responded , and the Tyler's toast closed a very enjoyable and pleasant meeting .

Royal Oak Lodge ( No . 871 ) . —A meeting of the above lodge was held on Thursday , the 2 Sth ult ., at the White Swan , Deptford . There were present Bros . E . G . G . Bax , W . M . ; Whibley , S . W . ; Dealer , J . W . ; Pakes , Sec . ; Dandridge , S . D . ; Williams , J . D . ; Sewell , I . G . ; E . Williams , Org . ; and a very large number of members and visitors . Bro . Albert Laws was duly passed .

Kennington Lodge ( No . 13 S 1 ) . —This influential surburban lodge held a meeting on the 3 rd inst ., at the Horns Tavern , Kennington Park . Among those in attendance were Bros . H . F . Foale , W . M . ; W . W . Westley , S . W . ; Ruffle , J . W . ; George Everett , P . M ., Treas . ; W . Stuart , P . M ., Sec ; J . La Feuillade , S . D . ; Dennis , J . D . ; Lundie , I . G . ; Burn , Org . ; Heard ,

Stwd . ; H . Higgins , P . M . ; Capt . T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . P . G . W . Middx . ; C . H . Kdhler , P . M . ; Cockburn , P . M . ; R . La Feuillade , P . M . ; and others . Among the visitors were Bros . Cochrane , W . M . 3 ; and Harry Price , W . M . 230 S . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . C . Richards was impressively raised .

The ballot was then taken for Messrs H . C . Everson and C . J . Shother , and it being unanimous , the former gentleman , who was in attendance , was duly inducted into Craft mysteries . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet . Mine host , the genial Bro . Buxton , was most attentive , as usual , to the wants of the brethren . Upon the

removal of the cloth the preliminary toasts received full justice . "The Health of the W . M . " having been drunk , the W . M ., in reply , remarked that the proposer of the toast had said too much in his favour . He was far from well , and had not given the rituals the justice they deserved . He was , however , pleased to think that others thought otherwise . In conclusion , he said that his year of office had that far