Some Rare Certificates.

the plate of which has long been lost . 1 have a copy of this in my own collection , dated 18 47 , but as it is verywrinkled my friend , Brother XV . J . Hughan , has lent me his own diploma of Honorary Membership from the same plate , for reproduction , which will , ol course , be doubly

interesting . At the top is an all-seeing eye , then on a riband the motto , " Sit lux et lux fuit , " beneath which are the words "Existing in 1535 . The Lodge of Edinburgh , Mary ' s Chapei , holding of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , No . 1 . To all whom it may concern . These are to certify that our trusty and

well-beloved Brother IVillinm'Jamcs llitgfian , who has on the centre column hereof signed his name , was regularly affiliated [ Honorary ) in the Lodge of Edinburgh , holding of the Gd . L . of Scotland No . 1 , in testimony whereof We , the Master , Wardens , Treasurer , Secretary of said ancient Lodge , have

subscribed these presents , and caused the Seal of the Lodge to be appended hereto at Edinburgh , the eig hth day of October , in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and seventytwo , and of Light Five Thousand Eight Hundred and

seventysix . " On the opposite side the same matter in Latin . The Signatures are J . Muirhead , Master ; E . XV . Nightingale , S . W . ; J . Philp , J . W . ; John R . Campbell , Treasurer ; J . Webster , Sec , and at the bottom is impressed the old seal of the lodge .

No . 4 is the new and handsome certificate of Honorary Membership recently issued in connection with the Tercentenary celebration . Thc group on the left represents the building of Holyrood Chapel in 112 S , and in panel beneath is the famous extract from the Schaw statutes stating that , " Edr salbe in all

tyme cuming as of befoir the lirst and principal ! ludge in Scotland . " It is signed by Peter L . Henderson , R . W . M . ; J . A . Trevelyan Sturrock , W . S . W . ; J . F . Officer , W . J . ., and R . Wood Hawks , Sec , and dated ) nne 1 } tb , i 8 o 0-

No . 5 is a handsome plate with inscriptions in English and Celtic of the Celtic Lodge of Edinburgh and Leith , now No . 291 . At the top over an irradiated field containing the

allseeiiii . eye , sun , moon , anel seven stars , is the inscription " In the East there is a place full of light where : silence and peace reign & the darkness comprehended !! it not . "—A slight variant of the usual wording of this we : ll known phrase . The : design is bold and effective . ' . On the uppermost of three steps are two columns , Doric and Corinthian , the latter

Some Rare Certificates.

surmounted by a figure of King Robert the Bruce , in kilt and sporan , and the former by Sir William Wallace in full armour and plaid . In the centre , on a cushion , is the Royal Crown of Scotland , with the sword of state and two sceptres ; and

standing between the pillars are figures of Charity , and of the R . W . M . wearing an apron adorned with emblems and holding a gavel . On the step are the Three Great Lights , and the level and plumb . The name has not been Iiiled in , and I am informed that the certificate is not in use at present .

No . 6 is without exception the most beautiful and artistic diploma 1 have ever seen . It was designed by Bro . S . D . Douglas , and engraved by Bro . J . Gellatly , of Edinburgh , for the Lodge Edinburgh St . David No . 3 6 ; the lodge in which Sir Walter Scott was made . It was yranted to Bro .

Thomas Eccleston , Surgeon , on May 17 th , 18 47 , and is signed by Archibald Douglas , S . W . ; Joseph Harkom , J . W . ; Daniel Robertson , Sec ; and by Bro . J . Gellatly himself as Treasurer .

The Master , for some reason , omitted to sign . The certificate proper is in the centre , between Ionic and Corinthian columns , surmounted b y figures of Justice and of Atlas bearing the globe , between which is an all-seeing eye surrounded by clouds . On ...- ¦ -. - . .. •a ' *** *¦* 1 * 0 - "'¦ •. *' •¦ " '' . '' •'

the left thc full moon and seven stars shine over what looks like tlie Forth , near which arc the ruins of Holyrood , whilst in the nearer foreground is a Greek temple . On the left , various celebrated works of antiquity are grouped in a landscape over which the sun is rising . They include the Tower of Babel , the Pyramids , the Parthenon , Stonelicnge , tin- Three Crosses of

Calvary , aud , in addition to these , the modern Scott memorial . At the bottom are two interesting scrolls . That on the left reads thus : — - "Memoir of the Lodge Edinburgh S - David for one hundred years . This lodge , a branch of the Leith Kilwinning N" 5 in the Grand Lodge roll ( now extinct ) obtained a charter of erection on 7 "' Feb ' - , 1739 , under the title of 'The

Canongate from Leith Lodge . On 2 nd August , 175 6 , with sanction , the present name of " St . David's " was assumed . The lirst meetings were held successively in the Laigh Coffee-house , Canongate ; Shoemakers' Hall , Potterow ; Hammerman ' s Hall , Canongate . The present Hall ( Hyndford ' s Close ) , purchased on 9 th Novr ., 1757 , was consecrated by the Grand I . odge on 12 th Deer , thereafter . The records of the Grand Lodge , as well

as those of the sister lodges , bear testimony that St . David ' s has ever been held in the highest estimation for its uniform strict attention to every Masonic duty , while its own members evince the anxiety of its members at all time to preserve ; from encroachment the ancient landmarks ol" the Craft . Its list of upwards of 3000 members comprises many names of brethren , distinguished for worth , rank , and talent . Among these will be found the illustrious name of Walter Scott . "

The other is the " List of Masters of St . David ' s Lodge . " Klcclcel |/ , ; S Ai-e-hilialel Smart . KUrlcel 17 *> S William ISa'lie-„ 1741 W'lli .-iin Wilsnn ,, 17711 Anelivev Uall ' iiur 17- ) 7 Colin M ' le-lu-ll ., 1771 Kiil . i-n llin-iii ' 1751 John Orr ,, 1 77 . ' I ) r . 11 . Wareir .-l-e . •>1754 Wallt-r l'V-vauMin ,, 177 . * ; Anelre-w Yule : 1755 . | aiiiL's Kw .-iri ,, 1774 I le-nr . - I li >

i-m-11 175 G Dr . J . -Illli . 's Walke-r ,, 1775 Davi- ' l . \ l .-ixwe-i ! 11 1 / . S 7 William Buek-v ,, [ 77 s | . ,, ;•¦ I | - * ,, r ! ii-s ,, 175 * 8 Tlu- Karl of Leveii ,, 17 s ,, I ); - . . \ . Kudu-be 11 17 O 4 James I ionic „ 17 S 3 James Hurili *