History Of The Lodge Of Emulation, No. 2 1.

information would be unattainable , even in the archives of the Grand Lodge . On the lirst two pages of the book are two lists of members in double columns , one probably begun in 1742 , containing twenty-five names , the other a revised list begun about 1750 , containing thirty-two names of regular members and seven honorary members ; the lodge was

therefore in a satisfactory condition as regards membership . The accounts begin on the next page with a balance in the hands of the Master of £ 2 os . od ., on April yth , 1742 . The fee for Initiation , or Making , as it was termed , was Two Guineas , this included the second degree which was

conferred on the night of Initiation , but for Raising , another proposition was required and 5 s . extra was charged . The Joining Fee was 10 s . 6 d ., the quarterage 13 s ., and the visitor ' s fee one shilling , increased in 1760 to eighteenpence . The lodge then met every fortnight throughout the year ,

the Master being elected every six months , in June and December . I assume that the keeper of the tavern was Joseph Jones , a member of the lodge , as the fortnightly bills were in his name , and very moderate they were , seldom exceeding 20 s .

each meeting , except during the winter season . There is very little in these accounts worth y of special attention . I shall therefore pass lightly over them and only notice such items as appear of sufficient interest to merit reproduction : — 174 6 , Jan . 10 th . " Br . Rowland Berkeley ' s admittance , 1 os . 6 d . "

174 6 , Oct . 10 th . " To Br . Montgomery for cleaning y " Candlesticks , 2 s . " 1747 , June 26 th . " By cash to Montgomery for cleaning y ° tops of y ° 3 Chairs , 2 s . 6 d . " Montgomery was the Tyler of the lodge , and from an inscription on a portrait of him published in 173 8 , we learn

that he styles himself " Garder of y" Grand Lodge . " At this period and for many years afterwards the Master was allowed 2 S . 6 d . for attending the Committee of Charity , and the Master and Wardens 5 s . for attending the Quarterl y Communications .

1750 , July 27 th . "To Feese of Hon from v ° Wardens , ' ' " It seems to have been customary for the Master to pay four shillings , and the Wardens two shillings each on taking oflice for the lirst time . 1731 , Jan . 5 th . " By the Tyler for Drawing a Lodge ,

2 s . 6 d . " This item refers to an ancient practice in use prior to the invention of Tracing Boards , of a representation of the interior of a lodge with the various emblems appertaining to the degree being drawn , either on the lloor of the room or

on a large board provided for the purpose . 1751 , Feb . 8 th . "By Thomas Onin for mending and repairing lite Chairs , £ 1 ifis . " At this period the aprons used by the brethren were paid for out of ( he lodge lands , and were doubtless left at the lod ge house ; they were of plain white leather and cost ¦ s . 6 d . each .

J 75- > Dec . 22 nd . "To Bro' Ion for not sending his Jewell , as . " f > ro . John Ion was then Master of the Lodge . 1753- —This year a Secretary is first mentioned , John Be Havilktnd signing his name as such in witnessing the si gnatures of the auditors .

1754 , J - nth . "To Bro . Garden's line for drinking uncloathed , 6 d . " litis offence and punishment was b y no means uncommon . As there is nothing else in these accounts which appears lo merit special notice 1 will now deal with the lirst minute book . This bookwhich is of the same description as the

, Cash Book , contains the minutes from December 24 th , 1736 , to October yth , 1780 . As the minutes of the lirst meeting are in the handwriting "f Rowland Berkeley , one of the foremost Masons of his bine , I purpose transcribing them in their entirety tis an

i- ' . xamplc of the rest . " Mourning Bush Lodge , Bro . Titos . Glegg , R . W . M ., - ' 4 lh December , 1756 . "

" The lodge was regularly open'd , Bro'' Glegg , R . W . M ., in the Chair . The min" of the last Lodge Night was read and confirm'd . " According to the min of hist Lodge Night , the R . W . M . declared this to be Election Night , therefore put up the Brethren qualify'd to serve as Master of this Lodge for

the ensueing half-year , and upon casting up the Ballott there appear'd for Bro . Glegg , Eleven , for Bro ' Garden , Two and for Bro Andrews , One . Bro Glegg was duly Elected and chose his Officers as follows , Bro Garden , S . W ., Bro Andrews , JAY ., Bro Berkeley , Secretary .

" It was agreed that a Committee should meet next lodge night to audit the late Master ' s acct" . Accordingly the following brethren was appointed , the R . W . M ., S . W ., J . W ., Treasurer , Secretary , Bro Deprez , Bro'' Richford , and Bro' La Marchant . " The R . W . M . receiv'd a Letter from the Grand Master

acquainting him he should hold a Quarterl y Communication at the Devill Tavern , Temple Barr , on Fryday the 14 th January next , when the RAY . M . order'd attendance should be given , and that Bro Garden do attend as R . W . M ., Bro ' Lemateyer , S . W ., Bro Oriell , JAY . After a Lecture being gone through ; nothing further proposed , the Lodge was regularly closed . " Confirmed . "

I'AST . MASTI-ai'S . U'WEI . OK Till-: I . OIIitl-: OK I'MKLATIOX , Xn . l'l . It was ; m ahno't invariable custom to finish the business of the evening by the delivery of one or two Lectures , the practice being occasionally varied by reading a portion of the

Book of Constitutions , which book was also frequently borrowed by the members for home perusal , it being the only Masonic work authorized , and containing in addition to the Laws of the Craft , a history of Freemasonry from the earliest period , and a summary of the proceedings of the

Grand Lodge since its formation . It would appear that at this period attendance at the Grand Lodge by the actual principal officers was not essential , and that it was allowable for representatives to be appointed by arrangement amongst the members , such

substitutes of course wearing the jewels of the offices represented . 1737 , Jan . 28 th . — " Il was agreed y' as the next Lodge Night being appointed for a general Fast , the brethren do not meet . " The general Fast above mentioned was by " Royal

Proclamation to implore the Almighty ' s protection and blessing on his Majesty ' s arms against the enemies of this Kingdom . "