The Duke Of Atholl, K.T.

defined , the proceedings concluding with a vote of thanks to thc Duke not only for his attendance on the occasion , but also " for his steady attachment to the best iiitores ' s of this Right Worshipful Grand Lodge , and for his Grace ' s linn and determined resolution strictly to adhere to and preserve the Ancient Land Marks of the

Order and the Immunities of the Grand Lodge . " An answer to the Grand Lodge resolutions having been received from the Committee of the Prince of Wales ' s Grand Lodge , and forwarded for his Grace ' s consideration , the following letter dated " Dunkeld , Feb ' - V- 25 th , 1817 , " was read at the Quarterly Communication on the Gth March next ensuinc :

" R . W . Deputy Grand Master of Ancient Masons , " I dul y received yours of the 12 th Communicating the information that a conference between the Grand Lodge of Alasons under His Roy ' Highness the Prince of Wales , and that , of the Grand

Lodge over which I have tlie honour to preside has in consequence of a letter from the Grand Secretary been resumed , and the Meeting took place , which 1 am sorry to learn Lord Moira was prevented from attending on account of business .

" It appears by your letter that at that meeting the Resolutions of our Grand Lodge on the 1 st May last ( made preliminary for further discussion ) have been in a considerable degree acceded to , whether sufficiently so as to enable us to proceed with minor objects will be for the Grand Lodge to judge of at their next Quarterly Meeting . "I am satisfied there is benevolence as strict as Masonic Live in

the Grand Lodge sufficient ( if the root and mam stem of Ancient Masonry is preserved ) to receive and protect the Modern scions . If therefore this is sufficiently done in your and their opinion by their accession to the material points of our resolutions of tho 1 st Maythe groundwork of the whole ; you will no doubt give the more

ample powers lo the Committee of the Grand Lodge appointed to settle and arrange thc lesser articles , in order that no obstacle may appear to he thrown in the way by the Grand Lodge towards the effecting of an Union between thc Modern and Ancient Craft-,

whenever that can be carried into elleef , preserving , as I have already said ' the root and main stem of Ancient . Masonry entire and unimpaired . ' " 1 remain ,

" Brother Harper , Yours in Masonry , "ATHOLL , G . M . " But the proceedings for a Union did not go smoothly at ihe outset . The joint Committee of the two Societies adopted sundry resolutions , which when they cainc to be submitted to the

"Ancient' Grand Lodge were rejected , and it was not until the latter body had invested its Committee with "full power " to ( rent with the other Society that the conferences were resumed , and ultimately carried to a successful issue . But with these matters we have no present concern . From the letter we have

just quoted it is evident that ( he Duke of Atholl took a deep interest in all that concerned the welfare of Ancient Masonry , and on the few remaining occasions ou which he attended his Grand Lodge we find him animated b y the same spirit of devotion to its interests . At a meet ing convened by his Grace ' s express desire on the Pith April ,

1813 , he expatiated al length on the benefits of the Order , congratulated those present on the prosperit y of the " Ancient " Craft , am ! expressed his iinaiferable attachment to its principles ; while he attended a further special meeting convened on the 18 lh May following for the purpose of receiving I [ . 11 . 11 . the Duke of Kent , who had been

G . Master of the "Ancient " brethren of Canada . On this occasion his Grace occupied the throne , and the Duke of Kent , in acknowledging the Grand Master ' s welcome , expressed himself in the strongest terms in favour of maintaining under all circumstances

the principles of Ancient Masonry . At the close of this special meeting the brethren adjourned to the Festival of the Boys' Institution , at which the Grand Master had arranged to preside , the Duke oi Kent and the leading dignitaries of Grand Lodge being present

The Duke Of Atholl, K.T.

to support his Grace . Later in the year , finding it impossible to attend G . Lodge , his Grace wrote recommending that H . R . H . the Duke of Kent should bo invited to act in his stead , thc letter containing this recommendation being couched in the following terms : — "Dunkeld , July 30 th , 1813 . " Right Worshipful Brother Harper ,

" Your letter enclosing one from flic G . L . of tho Masons , under the patronage of His Royal Highness thc Duke of Sussex , and wrote by 11 . R . Highness ' s order , I have only just received , owing to its having followed me about while from Home . " I regret the impossibility of 1113-attending swy meeting of the

Ancient Craft on the subject matter of the letter at this time , but I am perfectly persuaded that our interests would be eminently guarded in any discussion that might arise , and the land-marks of the Ancient Craft adhered to by our noble Brother , His Royal Hi g hness tlie Duke of Kent , if he could be prevailed upon to act in

1113 * stead , and I am perfectly read } ' to either solicit our noble Brother by letter or to authorise you to wait on His Royal Highness in my name , whichever a Committee of the Grand Lodge maj * think most convenient and fitting . " I remain , " Y sincere Brother in Masomy ,

"ATHOLL , G . M ., " Ancient Masons . " What followed—liow the Duke of Kent was solemn ]} " installed ( 1 . Master in succession to his Grace , and shortly after , in conjunction wilh his brother , the Duke of Sussex , effected thc Union of the two Societies , ou " terms equal and honourable to both , " is matter of

hisioiy . But with the above letter John , the fourth Duke of Atholl , ceases to fake an active part , in Masonry , aud though , doubtless , he attended Masonic meetings in Scotland or in England , we do not meet with him again officially . He remained Patron of the School until his death in 18 . ' ! 0 , after having been a prominent figure in ( he

history of our Craft for upwards ol half a century , and having contributed more than any of its other G . Masters towards establishing the Society of Masons according to the Old Institutions on a sure niul certain foundation .

Our illustration of the noble Duke is from a portrait painted b 3 " John Hoppner , R . A ., and engraved by Charles Kni ght , 1811 , which is in the possession of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and was very kindly placed at our disposal , for the purpose of having a copy taken , by its Board of Management . G . BLIZARD ABBOTT .

Bro. William Burwood, Of United Mariners Lodge, No. 23 "Ancients."

Bro . William Burwood , of United Mariners Lodge , No . 23 "Ancients . "

3 nstitntor anfc first treasurer of tbe flfcasonic Cbnrit \? for Bops ( Undents , ) 170 S . BjpPgf ^ H I . 'rc , ] . - ; s )) nt lime to record of Bro . AVilliam Burwood , P / z ^ f ^ fl l ' -M- > 'Treasurer , United Mariners Lodge , No . 2 : 3 on l \ ( Pff ) If " ro " oi the " A " ' ' " " "' ' "Atholl" Masons , and rKv % «^> ' I successively Junior aud Senior G . Warden of its lLlfe « i £ § y , Grand Lodge . He was a man who moved in the

humbler walks of life , and for many years was " mine host" of flic King ' s Arms Tavern , Greenbank , Wapping . About 1805 or 1800 he fell into monetary difficulties and became bankrupt .

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