The Library And Museum Of The Grand Lodge Of England.

worn on a ribbon round the neck , and was given to the Grand Lodge collection , several years ago , by a descendant of the original owner . The Royal Lodge—so-called because two of our Royal Dukes were initiated in it—was constituted in 1764 , and was

a rather remarkable Lodge in its clay . It was a " Red Apron Lodge , " and at one time had the privilege of being represented by two Grand Stewards at each Grand Festival . It fell into abeyance in the early part of the last century , but was retained on the list until 1824 , when it was united to the Alpha Lodge , No . 16 , the latter taking its name and thus becoming the Royal Alpha Lodge .

il'hoio mite Portrait Co ) FRENCH MASTER'S JKIVKL , Ism CENTURY . Pretriiteil hi / Samuel Vatleiitiue , 1 ' . (•' . !' . Al'KOXS AND OTIIKK RliGAUA . The large and interesting collection of aprons and other regalia appertaining to the various degrees of the Fraternity in many countries , for the exhibition of which no adequate

( Photo Elite Portrait Co . ) PAST MASTER'S JEWEL OF THE ROYAL LODGE . Presented hy a ttryeemlat / t of the original owner . provision has yet been made , is well worthy of inspection . It includes the Grand Master's aprons worn by the late Duke of Sussex and the Earl of Zetland , as well as the Grand Chapter apron worn by the latter , and also the Royal Arch

apron worn by the late Duke of Leinster , many years Grand Master of Ireland , and the plain Master Mason ' s apron worn by His Majesty King Edward VII ., on his attending the Grand Lodge to be invested as Past Grand Master . This historic badge was presented to the museum by the late Sir Albert Woodswho wrote the tablet affixed to the

, Hap , which , owing to the necessary reduction in the size of the photograph , is somewhat indistinct . The inscription isas follows : — "This is the apron worn by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales on his introduction into Grand Lodge , and prior to his investiture as Past Grand Master . Albert W . Woods ,.

G . D . C ., ist December , 1869 . " In striking contrast to the plain regulation apron worn by the subsequent head of the Order , is the artistic apron of an earlier period . This badge of the past is of white leather , the ornaments being carefully painted in gold and colours . It may be termed a combination apron , as , like many others of the same period , it bears the

( l'l , o /„ Klil ,- Portrait C „ . >

[ Photo Elite Portrait Co . ) OHVKHSE AND RI'VEHKH OF OLD SILVER MEDAL . I ' lwuW I ,, / Y 7 M . I » II » H ' iiJ 7 .-. i ( ,, / if »*„ P . a . n . emblems of the Order of Royal Arch Masonry , as well as those of the Craft degrees . The pre-imion Grand Lodge arms on the

flap indicates that it was painted prior to 1814 . This apron has a history which may probably interest our brethren of the theatrical profession . On the back neatly written on a slip of pink paper , pasted on the leather , is the following inscription : — " This was the Masonic apron of Lional

Benjamin Raynes of the Theatre Royal , Covent Garden , original proprietor of the Strand Theatre . He was the most successful of the followers of the celebrated John Emery , and was selected to succeed him on his death , in or about the year 1820 . Mr . Raynes , a few clays before his death , presented his apron to his friend , John Reddish , who now