Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Was Dean Swift A Freemason?
others , and he cites the case of "the Rev . Dr . SAVAGE , of St . George ' s , Hanover Square , a divine and scholar , whose memory is yet green at Westminster . School , " who is described in the list of the lodge at thc Goat as "Mr . JOHN
SAVAGE . * " Here , then , wc have thc rase of a careless clerk or copyist , who , to use Bro . CRAWLEY ' S own words , " evidently knew little or nothing about * the identity of thc people whose names hc was copying , " interpreting the signature of thc Dean
of Si' . Patrick ' s— "J ON . SWIFT "—as "J OHN SWIFT , " and adding to the difficulty of identification by substituting the prefix " Mr . " for his true " ecclesiastical designation , " as he has also done in the case of another divine and scholar of thc same period .
There is yet another circumstance to which we are desirous of calling attention before entering upon the third and final stage of the argument . Bro . CRAWI . KY points out that " at this very time —1726 and 1727—Swil- 'T was in London , thc guest of POPE , at
Twickenham , " that is to say , during the earlier of thc years covered by the 1 730 list . " He sunned himself in thc society of ARBUTHNOT and POPE , and shared with them all the convivialities of London , from which hc had been so lonsj absent . If
they took part in Freemasonry wc may be sure he joined them . " And this brings us to the final stage , in which the arguments appear to us to demonstrate to a " moral certainty " that SWIFT was a Mason . In the course of his researches Bro .
CRAWLEY has had the good fortune to discover evidence that in thc year 1688 , the existence of Freemasonry , in its present speculative form , was so well known in the Irish capital , lhat the Society and its characteristics werc made thc subject of spccif . l
reference in " a ¦ npos or Speech delivered at a commencement in the University of Dublin , held there July 11 , 16 SS , b y JOHN JONES , then A . B ., afterwards D . D . " In reference to this , Bro . CRAWLEY says , "itisimpossible to credit SwiFT with any share in
the composition , * but he adds " thc real author and he were intimate , and the conditions of college life render it incredible that one should know and the other should not know thc Society ou which the main illustration of the Tripos depended . "
Then only a few months before Swil-T started for London , in 172 G , the procession which accompanied thc Karl of ROSSE , Grand Master , on St . John ' s Day , 1725 , passed through thc streets
of Dublin , starting from within a stone ' s throw of the Deanery , so that it is incredible that it can have escaped the Dean ' s notice , Lastly , there is the reprint which appears in Bro . SADLER ' book entitled " A Letter from tho
Grand Mistress of the remale I ' reemasons which Bro . CRAWI . F . Y holds to be " not a satire on Freemasonry , but a travesty of a pretended exposure of Freemasonry "—many of which had been published a few years earlier—and of which
Swil-T was the writer . All these points , as successively taken up by liro . CRAWI . KY—the close friendship of SwilT with ARBUTHNOT and POPE , who were both Masons ; his familiarity wilh Freemasonry in early life and later—which appears to us
to be undoubted ; and his authorship of this " Letter from thc Grand Mistress ot tin : Female Freemasons , " all these appear to us to justify the conclusion at which Bro . CRAWLEY , after a most
searching investigation , has arrived , namely , thai it is " a moral certainty " that lhe " Mr . J Swil-T , " ol the 1 730 List , and thc famous JONATHAN SWIFT , Dean of St . Patrick ' s , are one and the same person .
We strongly recommend all who desire to estimate for themselves the merit of Bro . CRAWLEY ' proposition to study carefully the arguments by which he supports it in his Introductory
Chapter to Bro . SADLER ' " Masonic Reprints and Historical Revelations , " lo which we shall have occasion to * jgain refer on some future occasion .
Festival Of The Islington Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1471.
FESTIVAL OF THE ISLINGTON LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 1471 .
i his pleasant reunion havingbeen abandoned since 1 S 95 , in consequence of the imuli quale accommodation at the meeting place of the lodge—the Cock Tavrrn , Highbury -- was once more rendered possible through the entc-i prise of the present proprietor of the establishment , Bro . Frank Evans ; and on Tuesday , the 14 th inst ., the brethren assembled , in considerable numbers , in the handsomely . decorated banqueting-room , under the presidency of Bro . C . M . Coxon , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Herts , and did justice to an excellent and wcllseivc-d dinner , which recalled to them the days gone by when this noted house was
Festival Of The Islington Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1471.
a Masonic centre for North London . The good taste shown in the restoration of the rooms , the skill in catering , and the evident desire of the proprietor to mike his Masonic guests comfortable are much appreciated . The festival was one of especial interest , as a presentation was to be made to Bro . Tames Duncan , P . M . Ko , one of the Secretaries of the lodge . This arose
from the desire of the brethren to show their appreciation of the willing services that Bro . Duncan had so long devoted to the interests of the lodges . A considerable sum of money was subscribed , and this was expended in the purchas *; of a splendid gilt carriage clock , on which was engraved— " Presented by the Islington Lodge of Instruction , No . 1471 , to Bro . James Duncan , P . M . 59 , Secretary , as a mark of esteem , 14 th March , 1899 . "
The Chairman was supported by Bros . Hancock , P . 3 L 2191 , Preceptor ; J . Petch , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . Herts , Treasurer ; and C . Isler , W . M . E . J . Harrison , I . P . M ., S . Napper , P . M ., H . B . Harding , P . M ., G . E . Walker , W . Taylor , W . F . Roberts , L . Danielsson , J . R . White , J . H . Thurman , W . Goring , G . A . Hopkins , G . Fullbrook , J . Jauncey , J . Camp , and H . Theobald , of the mother lodge ; R . W . Nicole , P . M ., C . Nicole , C . C . Renaud , F . H . Johnson , and S . Butler , of 227 S ; R . P . Upton , P . M ., C . T . Rayner , A . E . Hubsch , and J . Ewings , of 1328 ; W . H .
Onyett , 2426 ; J , W . Stevens , P . M . 701 ; R . Addis , 2048 ; A . L . Langtoi , W . J . North , G . Popham , 145 ; E . C . Kilsby , P . M . 1702 ; | . E . Thomis , 198 7 •A . G . Beale , P . M ., R . H . Stimpson , P . M ., H . A . Tobias . P . M ., and M . Relph , LG ., of 59 ; A . Williams , 1584 ; W . Sergeant Lee , P . M ., S . W . 2488 ; G . Wheeler , F . Louis Schneider , 2512 ; A . F . Hardyment , W . M . elect 269 S ; C . B . Bu / ow , 52 ; A . Oliver , P . M . ; F . Stallard , P . M . 1613 ; W . F . Cran" , 773 ; C . Bone , 2332 ; R . E . Maskall , J . D . S 20 ; J . Birks , P . M . 95 ; F . F . Nichols , 16 77 ; A . A . Kelly , S . W . 1288 ; W . C . Fowler , 13 S 1 ; and others .
The dinner ended , Bro . COXON , P . M ., proposed the toasts of "The Queen and the Craft" and " His Royal Highness the Most Worshipful Grand Master . " " Prosperity to the Islington Lodge of Instruction " was proposed by Bro . E . J . HARBISON , I . P . M . 1471 , and the toast was replied to by Bro . W . HANCOCK , P . M ., thc popular and highly respected Preceptor , in a speech which was listened to with marked attention and interest .
The presentation to Bro . Duncan was then made by Bro . R . P . UPTON , P . M . Bro . DUNCAN , P . M ., thanked the brethren for their handsome gift , and assured them that whatever he had done for the lodge had been a labour of love . "The Visitors" was proposed by Bro . A . OLIVER , P . M ., and replied for by Bro . H . A . TOBIAS , P . M ., who said ( hat Bro . Stimps > n , Beale , Relph , and himself , of Bro . Duncan ' s mother lodge , Royal Naval . 59 , had considered it their duly to be present to witness the presentation to one o ( their number .
Bro . SIDNKV NAI'IM'R , P . M . 1471 , then proposed "The Health of the Chairman" in complimentary terms , and Bro . COXON briefly expressed his thanks for the cordial reception the toast had received , and for the support the brethren had given by their presence . Hearty thanks were then accorded to the brethren who had so ably assisted in the attractive programme that had been arranged by Bro . T . E . Newman , who on their behalf acknowledged the same .
The programme , which was one of co nsiderable variety , consisted of son ^ s by Bros . F . H . Johnson , W . F . Roberts , A . Williams , R . P . Upton , Fowler , Camp , andBulo-v ; amusing recitations by Bro . W . Sergeant Lee , P . M . ; violin solos by Bro . F . Louis Schneider ; selections from the gramophone by Bro . Hopkins ; and an able accompanist in Bro . A . Kelly .
Annual Supper Of The Rose Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1622.
ANNUAL SUPPER OF THE ROSE LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 1622 .
This very happy event took place at the Ship Restaurant , 45 , Charing Cross . S . W ., on Saturday , the 18 th instant , under the able presidency of Bro . Walter Jeffery , the W . M . of the mother lodge , and supported by Bros . Win . Diwson , ' . P . M . 1622 ; D . Rose , P . M . 162 a , Preceptor 1622 ; Isaac Dunn , P . M ., Treas . ; S . J . Derham , P . M . 1622 ; John Loader , P . M . and Sec . 1622 ; S . W . Ballard , P . M . 1622 ; G . Thompson , P . M ., J . W . 1622 ; C . Ryan , 1622 ; T . R . Cass ,
P . M . 1320 ; Klyne , P . M . ; T . Grummant , P . M . and Sec . 1559 ; C . Sjwton , P . M . 1679 ; Gomm , W . M . 16 79 ; Drayner , 1 G 22 ; Sobel , 1622 ; Crisp , 1622 ; G . H . Beard , 93 6 , P . P . G . Stwd . Suffolk ; Hill , P . M . ; T . J . Smith , 1622 ; Wright , 1622 ; J . Robinson , J . W . 7 SS j Sims , 1973 ; Reap , S . D . 1622 ; Johnson , 1622 ; Choveaux , Org . 1622 ; Brokensheire * , Itenke , 1622 ; Holmes , W . M , 1981 ; Walter Kirby , 1622 ; J . Parr , 1622 ; Taylor , 217 ; and Chas . Hy . Stone , P . M 507 , S . VV . 1641 .
After an excellent repast , supplied by the manager , E . L . VaUerie , for which he was highly complimented and which was much appreciated by the brethren , the W . M . gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , which were duly responded to . The next toast was submitted by Bro . WM . DAWSON , LP . M . —that of " The Bro . President "—whom he was pleased to congratulate upon his partial recovery ,
after sufTering from influenza . The brethren were proud of having the W . M . of the mother lodge to preside on such an occasion as the Rose Lodge of Instruction annual supper , in which capacity he was carrying out the duties , as in the lodge , with eclat . He ( Bro . Dawson ) and the President had been fast friends for many years , and it was with pride that he proposed the toast of his health . The toast was drunk with great cordiality .
Bro . WAI . THK J KI-TKKY , President , in reply , said he heartily thanked thc brethren fcr their cordial greeting . He was better , he was happy to say , but not quite himself in health . However he had looked forward to the evening with pleasure , and was delig hted that the number present was quite the average . Ever since the institution of the annual supper it had been his good fortune to bs present on each occasion , and certainly he was much gratified with such an array of friends supporting him on that occasion .
The PRESIDENT next gave the toast of the evening , that of " Success to the Rose Lodge of Instruction , " which was one of the besi in London , and having for its Preceptor the universally knawn and able worker Bro . David Rose , P . M . Bro . Wal Jeffrey remarked he had bjen associated with the lodge since a fendays after his initiation , and having acquired Masonic knowledge sullhient to fill
the honourable position of W . M ., he could strongly recommend the brethren who were not already members to place themselves under the excellent tuition of Bro . Rose , who was one of the best of Preceptors and always ready to assist those who sought for Masonic knowledge . He coupled with the toist the names of the permanent ofliceis . Bros . D . Rose , Preceptorj Isaac Dunn , P . M ., Treas . ; C . H . Stone , P . M ., Sec ; and C . Sowton , P . M ., Asst . Sec .
Bro . D . ROSE stated he had spoken so many times in response to the toast that it was difficult to find a new topic to dilate upon . Hc would in the first p lace mention the somewhat smaller attendance than of old , bat it might be somewhit explained by the following : that where there was one lodge of instruction , now there were five or six , and it could only be supposed that many brethren
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Was Dean Swift A Freemason?
others , and he cites the case of "the Rev . Dr . SAVAGE , of St . George ' s , Hanover Square , a divine and scholar , whose memory is yet green at Westminster . School , " who is described in the list of the lodge at thc Goat as "Mr . JOHN
SAVAGE . * " Here , then , wc have thc rase of a careless clerk or copyist , who , to use Bro . CRAWLEY ' S own words , " evidently knew little or nothing about * the identity of thc people whose names hc was copying , " interpreting the signature of thc Dean
of Si' . Patrick ' s— "J ON . SWIFT "—as "J OHN SWIFT , " and adding to the difficulty of identification by substituting the prefix " Mr . " for his true " ecclesiastical designation , " as he has also done in the case of another divine and scholar of thc same period .
There is yet another circumstance to which we are desirous of calling attention before entering upon the third and final stage of the argument . Bro . CRAWI . KY points out that " at this very time —1726 and 1727—Swil- 'T was in London , thc guest of POPE , at
Twickenham , " that is to say , during the earlier of thc years covered by the 1 730 list . " He sunned himself in thc society of ARBUTHNOT and POPE , and shared with them all the convivialities of London , from which hc had been so lonsj absent . If
they took part in Freemasonry wc may be sure he joined them . " And this brings us to the final stage , in which the arguments appear to us to demonstrate to a " moral certainty " that SWIFT was a Mason . In the course of his researches Bro .
CRAWLEY has had the good fortune to discover evidence that in thc year 1688 , the existence of Freemasonry , in its present speculative form , was so well known in the Irish capital , lhat the Society and its characteristics werc made thc subject of spccif . l
reference in " a ¦ npos or Speech delivered at a commencement in the University of Dublin , held there July 11 , 16 SS , b y JOHN JONES , then A . B ., afterwards D . D . " In reference to this , Bro . CRAWLEY says , "itisimpossible to credit SwiFT with any share in
the composition , * but he adds " thc real author and he were intimate , and the conditions of college life render it incredible that one should know and the other should not know thc Society ou which the main illustration of the Tripos depended . "
Then only a few months before Swil-T started for London , in 172 G , the procession which accompanied thc Karl of ROSSE , Grand Master , on St . John ' s Day , 1725 , passed through thc streets
of Dublin , starting from within a stone ' s throw of the Deanery , so that it is incredible that it can have escaped the Dean ' s notice , Lastly , there is the reprint which appears in Bro . SADLER ' book entitled " A Letter from tho
Grand Mistress of the remale I ' reemasons which Bro . CRAWI . F . Y holds to be " not a satire on Freemasonry , but a travesty of a pretended exposure of Freemasonry "—many of which had been published a few years earlier—and of which
Swil-T was the writer . All these points , as successively taken up by liro . CRAWI . KY—the close friendship of SwilT with ARBUTHNOT and POPE , who were both Masons ; his familiarity wilh Freemasonry in early life and later—which appears to us
to be undoubted ; and his authorship of this " Letter from thc Grand Mistress ot tin : Female Freemasons , " all these appear to us to justify the conclusion at which Bro . CRAWLEY , after a most
searching investigation , has arrived , namely , thai it is " a moral certainty " that lhe " Mr . J Swil-T , " ol the 1 730 List , and thc famous JONATHAN SWIFT , Dean of St . Patrick ' s , are one and the same person .
We strongly recommend all who desire to estimate for themselves the merit of Bro . CRAWLEY ' proposition to study carefully the arguments by which he supports it in his Introductory
Chapter to Bro . SADLER ' " Masonic Reprints and Historical Revelations , " lo which we shall have occasion to * jgain refer on some future occasion .
Festival Of The Islington Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1471.
FESTIVAL OF THE ISLINGTON LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 1471 .
i his pleasant reunion havingbeen abandoned since 1 S 95 , in consequence of the imuli quale accommodation at the meeting place of the lodge—the Cock Tavrrn , Highbury -- was once more rendered possible through the entc-i prise of the present proprietor of the establishment , Bro . Frank Evans ; and on Tuesday , the 14 th inst ., the brethren assembled , in considerable numbers , in the handsomely . decorated banqueting-room , under the presidency of Bro . C . M . Coxon , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Herts , and did justice to an excellent and wcllseivc-d dinner , which recalled to them the days gone by when this noted house was
Festival Of The Islington Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1471.
a Masonic centre for North London . The good taste shown in the restoration of the rooms , the skill in catering , and the evident desire of the proprietor to mike his Masonic guests comfortable are much appreciated . The festival was one of especial interest , as a presentation was to be made to Bro . Tames Duncan , P . M . Ko , one of the Secretaries of the lodge . This arose
from the desire of the brethren to show their appreciation of the willing services that Bro . Duncan had so long devoted to the interests of the lodges . A considerable sum of money was subscribed , and this was expended in the purchas *; of a splendid gilt carriage clock , on which was engraved— " Presented by the Islington Lodge of Instruction , No . 1471 , to Bro . James Duncan , P . M . 59 , Secretary , as a mark of esteem , 14 th March , 1899 . "
The Chairman was supported by Bros . Hancock , P . 3 L 2191 , Preceptor ; J . Petch , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . Herts , Treasurer ; and C . Isler , W . M . E . J . Harrison , I . P . M ., S . Napper , P . M ., H . B . Harding , P . M ., G . E . Walker , W . Taylor , W . F . Roberts , L . Danielsson , J . R . White , J . H . Thurman , W . Goring , G . A . Hopkins , G . Fullbrook , J . Jauncey , J . Camp , and H . Theobald , of the mother lodge ; R . W . Nicole , P . M ., C . Nicole , C . C . Renaud , F . H . Johnson , and S . Butler , of 227 S ; R . P . Upton , P . M ., C . T . Rayner , A . E . Hubsch , and J . Ewings , of 1328 ; W . H .
Onyett , 2426 ; J , W . Stevens , P . M . 701 ; R . Addis , 2048 ; A . L . Langtoi , W . J . North , G . Popham , 145 ; E . C . Kilsby , P . M . 1702 ; | . E . Thomis , 198 7 •A . G . Beale , P . M ., R . H . Stimpson , P . M ., H . A . Tobias . P . M ., and M . Relph , LG ., of 59 ; A . Williams , 1584 ; W . Sergeant Lee , P . M ., S . W . 2488 ; G . Wheeler , F . Louis Schneider , 2512 ; A . F . Hardyment , W . M . elect 269 S ; C . B . Bu / ow , 52 ; A . Oliver , P . M . ; F . Stallard , P . M . 1613 ; W . F . Cran" , 773 ; C . Bone , 2332 ; R . E . Maskall , J . D . S 20 ; J . Birks , P . M . 95 ; F . F . Nichols , 16 77 ; A . A . Kelly , S . W . 1288 ; W . C . Fowler , 13 S 1 ; and others .
The dinner ended , Bro . COXON , P . M ., proposed the toasts of "The Queen and the Craft" and " His Royal Highness the Most Worshipful Grand Master . " " Prosperity to the Islington Lodge of Instruction " was proposed by Bro . E . J . HARBISON , I . P . M . 1471 , and the toast was replied to by Bro . W . HANCOCK , P . M ., thc popular and highly respected Preceptor , in a speech which was listened to with marked attention and interest .
The presentation to Bro . Duncan was then made by Bro . R . P . UPTON , P . M . Bro . DUNCAN , P . M ., thanked the brethren for their handsome gift , and assured them that whatever he had done for the lodge had been a labour of love . "The Visitors" was proposed by Bro . A . OLIVER , P . M ., and replied for by Bro . H . A . TOBIAS , P . M ., who said ( hat Bro . Stimps > n , Beale , Relph , and himself , of Bro . Duncan ' s mother lodge , Royal Naval . 59 , had considered it their duly to be present to witness the presentation to one o ( their number .
Bro . SIDNKV NAI'IM'R , P . M . 1471 , then proposed "The Health of the Chairman" in complimentary terms , and Bro . COXON briefly expressed his thanks for the cordial reception the toast had received , and for the support the brethren had given by their presence . Hearty thanks were then accorded to the brethren who had so ably assisted in the attractive programme that had been arranged by Bro . T . E . Newman , who on their behalf acknowledged the same .
The programme , which was one of co nsiderable variety , consisted of son ^ s by Bros . F . H . Johnson , W . F . Roberts , A . Williams , R . P . Upton , Fowler , Camp , andBulo-v ; amusing recitations by Bro . W . Sergeant Lee , P . M . ; violin solos by Bro . F . Louis Schneider ; selections from the gramophone by Bro . Hopkins ; and an able accompanist in Bro . A . Kelly .
Annual Supper Of The Rose Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1622.
ANNUAL SUPPER OF THE ROSE LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 1622 .
This very happy event took place at the Ship Restaurant , 45 , Charing Cross . S . W ., on Saturday , the 18 th instant , under the able presidency of Bro . Walter Jeffery , the W . M . of the mother lodge , and supported by Bros . Win . Diwson , ' . P . M . 1622 ; D . Rose , P . M . 162 a , Preceptor 1622 ; Isaac Dunn , P . M ., Treas . ; S . J . Derham , P . M . 1622 ; John Loader , P . M . and Sec . 1622 ; S . W . Ballard , P . M . 1622 ; G . Thompson , P . M ., J . W . 1622 ; C . Ryan , 1622 ; T . R . Cass ,
P . M . 1320 ; Klyne , P . M . ; T . Grummant , P . M . and Sec . 1559 ; C . Sjwton , P . M . 1679 ; Gomm , W . M . 16 79 ; Drayner , 1 G 22 ; Sobel , 1622 ; Crisp , 1622 ; G . H . Beard , 93 6 , P . P . G . Stwd . Suffolk ; Hill , P . M . ; T . J . Smith , 1622 ; Wright , 1622 ; J . Robinson , J . W . 7 SS j Sims , 1973 ; Reap , S . D . 1622 ; Johnson , 1622 ; Choveaux , Org . 1622 ; Brokensheire * , Itenke , 1622 ; Holmes , W . M , 1981 ; Walter Kirby , 1622 ; J . Parr , 1622 ; Taylor , 217 ; and Chas . Hy . Stone , P . M 507 , S . VV . 1641 .
After an excellent repast , supplied by the manager , E . L . VaUerie , for which he was highly complimented and which was much appreciated by the brethren , the W . M . gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , which were duly responded to . The next toast was submitted by Bro . WM . DAWSON , LP . M . —that of " The Bro . President "—whom he was pleased to congratulate upon his partial recovery ,
after sufTering from influenza . The brethren were proud of having the W . M . of the mother lodge to preside on such an occasion as the Rose Lodge of Instruction annual supper , in which capacity he was carrying out the duties , as in the lodge , with eclat . He ( Bro . Dawson ) and the President had been fast friends for many years , and it was with pride that he proposed the toast of his health . The toast was drunk with great cordiality .
Bro . WAI . THK J KI-TKKY , President , in reply , said he heartily thanked thc brethren fcr their cordial greeting . He was better , he was happy to say , but not quite himself in health . However he had looked forward to the evening with pleasure , and was delig hted that the number present was quite the average . Ever since the institution of the annual supper it had been his good fortune to bs present on each occasion , and certainly he was much gratified with such an array of friends supporting him on that occasion .
The PRESIDENT next gave the toast of the evening , that of " Success to the Rose Lodge of Instruction , " which was one of the besi in London , and having for its Preceptor the universally knawn and able worker Bro . David Rose , P . M . Bro . Wal Jeffrey remarked he had bjen associated with the lodge since a fendays after his initiation , and having acquired Masonic knowledge sullhient to fill
the honourable position of W . M ., he could strongly recommend the brethren who were not already members to place themselves under the excellent tuition of Bro . Rose , who was one of the best of Preceptors and always ready to assist those who sought for Masonic knowledge . He coupled with the toist the names of the permanent ofliceis . Bros . D . Rose , Preceptorj Isaac Dunn , P . M ., Treas . ; C . H . Stone , P . M ., Sec ; and C . Sowton , P . M ., Asst . Sec .
Bro . D . ROSE stated he had spoken so many times in response to the toast that it was difficult to find a new topic to dilate upon . Hc would in the first p lace mention the somewhat smaller attendance than of old , bat it might be somewhit explained by the following : that where there was one lodge of instruction , now there were five or six , and it could only be supposed that many brethren