A Historic Lodge.

of the word cowan or cowaner , meaning a dyker or builder without lime , and not a full and properly qualified mason . Thus , on 27 th May , 16 3 6 , the minute runs" At the Cannogate the xxvii . of Maii , 16 3 6 , the qlk clay Henry Levingtoun , Deacone and haill Mrs . being convenit compeirit Johne McCoull , covvane , and is admittit during his

THE FIREPLACE OF THE OLD KITCHEN OF THE TENANDRIES OF ST . JOHN . lyftyme to work as ane cowane any work with stane and claj- allenarly w ' out Iyme w'in ye haill regality and barony of Brochtoun ffor the qlk he faithfully promittit to pay to ye

said craft or ye box mr . in their names . The sovvme of ffoure pounds money yeirly during ye said space of his lyftyme quarterly , viz ., at foure severill tymes yearly To witt Lambes , Hallowmes , Candlemes , and Beltane and geve he failz eies ony tyme at ye leist twenty dayis efter ony terme

that he sail pay ye doubill at ilk tymes tailzie as said is , viz ., forty shillingis for ilk twenty shillingis but ony objectioun . J . HAMILTOUN . " Another minute refers to the close connection of the Craft with the Royal House . It

runs"At ye kirk of Halyruid hous the sevent clay of October , 1630 . " The qlk clay the Deacone Mrs . and haill brethrene being conveint consentit to ye granting payt of xiv . capouns grantit to his Matie . as they wer accustomat of befoir .

J . HAMILTOUX . The illustrations which , by the courtesy of the Editor of the St . John ' s Card issued by the lodges , we are enabled

SOME OF THE JEWELS OF LODGE CANONGATE KILWINNING . to present to our readers , will give some idea of the valued relics possessed by the members , notably , the old fire-place which is in the property recently acquired with its ancient

inscription above referred to , the minute book of the incorporation of Masons with its list of Deacons from 1585 downwards , the poor ' s box of the lodge , the ancient Secretary ' s chair , & c . We extract the following from the interesting Historical Sketch , contained in a booklet , issued by R . W . Master ,

Bro . Murray , for the use of the brethren : — ST . J ' CHAPEL is of unique antiquarian interest , from the traditions associated with Lodge Canongate Kilwinning and with the site of the Chapel . The Lodge is one of the very few which holds its Annual

Festival on St . John the Baptist ' s Day corresponding with the Summer Solstice , and its bright red clothing and apt motto both pointedly refer to the dawn of day in the East and ancient Sun Worship . As the Sun never sets but to rise againsoaccording to the oldest forms at every

Communica-, , tion , the work is closed , but the Lodge is never closed—only adjourned . The Chapel is the oldest Masonic Lodge Chapel in the World . The Lodge preserves the ancient Scottish arrangement of the interior . This is the correct and most ancient form

or arrangement of a Scottish Lodge , corresponding with the so-called Higher Degrees , and also with the Continental Masonic systems , but differing from the English and American systems .

MASONIC SEAL CONNECTED WITH CANONGATE OF DATE ABOUT 153 ( 1 . The traditions of Canongate Kilwinning , as an operative body , begin with the building of Holyrood Abbey and Palace , when , by Royal Warrant , skilled builders and craftsmen

were brought from all parts of the country to assist in the work . The Abbey was founded by King David I . in 1128 for the Canons Regular of St . Augustine , and dedicated to the Holy Rood or Cross brought to Scotland by his mother , the pious Margaret . The Cross was called the Black Rood of Scotland . The Lodge was practically identified with the

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TATTOOING( Art Etching on the Human Skin ) by

ALFRED SOUTH , Tattoo

Artist22 , COCKSPUR STREET ,

Pall Mall , London , S . W

I ' litroiu ' scil by Royally , Officers of His Majesty ' s Services , anil leading Members of Society .

Masonic Jewels , Badges , and Emblematic Designs artistically and accurately etched on the Skin . Sporting Pictures , Studies of Animals , Dogs' and Horses' Heads reproduced in Tattoo from Sketches or Photographs . Coats of Arms , Crests , Monograms , Initials , and Inscriptions . Illustrated Articles and Press comments on Alfred South ' s work appeared in all the leading Papers at home and abroad . ELECTRIC INSTRUMENTS ( OWN PATENTA TKKMS MOIJKKATK . HOIKS 10 a . m . to 7 p . m . Telephone : . 1037 Central . Telegraphic Address : Tattooing , London .

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