Histo Ry Of The Lo Dge Of Emulation, No . 21.

Bottomley was a Coal Merchant , and eventually attained considerable celebrity in the Society of his adoption . He served as Grand Sword Bearer from 1778 to 1785 , and again from 1 788 to 1790 . Sept . 14 II 1 . — " Bro Newton desired to make a present of two Staffs for ( he Stewards of this Lodge . The same was accepted off , and he rec' the thanks of the Members for ( he same . "

At this period Deacons were not appointed in the lodges under the regular Grand Lodge , it is therefore probable that a part of the duties of the Stewards resembled those afterwards performed by the Deacons . 1768 , Jan . nth . —The minutes of this meeting contain nothing of particular import , except the names of the

members present , to ( he number of 2 T , ; and as it is the first occasion of their being so entered , I have deemed it worth y of being placed on record . It had become an annual custom for the lodge to have a " Summer or Country Feast , " and , as a rule , there was

considerable difference of opinion as ( o ( he best place to lix upon for it . May 9 II 1 . —The subject of a Country Feast was brought forward , and the following houses were put to the vote by " holding up of hands , " with the result that " there appeared

for Bro'' Brim ' s , The Mermaid , at Hackney , 8 , Bro Laney ' s , The Bell , at Edmonton , 2 , and for Bro ' Beech ' s , The Windsor Castle , Hammersmith , 9 . The matter was ultimately settled by ballot at the next meeting , The Green Man , at Dulwich , having been added to the houses already named , when a majority declared in favour of The Mermaid at Hackney .

Nov . 28 th . — "A Letter was read from Bro'' French , Grand Sec , requiring a List of the Members as they stood on the 28 th of October last , and a further account of all persons that should after that time be made Masons in this Lodge , and likewise an account of all Members of other Lodges that should be admitted Members of this Lodge , with an account oi the Fees respectively paid by them .

" 1 he said Letter also enclosed a scheme of New Regulations for raising a fund to defray the expences of building a Hall and purchasing Jewells , Furniture , 6 fcc , for the use of the Grand Lodge , which regulations were read and unanimously approved of . "It was also agreed that a Book should be immediatel y

provided for the entry of all Voluntary Contributions that should be made in this Lodge . " " Considering that the Society of Free and Accepted Masons are not yet incorporated , and that the Voluntary Subscription towards a fund for the laudable scheme for

building a Hall , & c , might not be hindered thereby , a motion was made , and seconded , That ( notwithstanding the Grand Secretary ' s Letter directed thai all Subscription money should be quarterly paid into the hands of the Grand Treasurer ) such subscription money should be kept in the hands of the Treasurer of this Lodge till an Act of Parliament

for the incorporation of Masons should be obtained , except a Determination of a Quarterl y Communication should otherwise direct . And it was carried by a great majority that the money should be so kept , till otherwise determined by the Qua : Com . or by this Lodge . "

The year 17 68 marks a most important epoch in the history of Freemasonry in England , as it witnessed the emergence of the Grand Lodge from a sort of " happy-golucky " condition to one of systematic order and stability , and , as a former member of this Lodge , the Hon : Charles Dillon took a prominent part in bringing about the new

order of things , I shall doubtless be excused if I here direct attention to the subject . During the first 59 years of the existence of the Grand Lodge , it had neither home nor habitation , nor , indeed , anything else in the shape of real estate . Its orclinary

meetings were held at various taverns , and the Annual Festivals at one of the Halls of the City Companies lent for the occasion—[ To he Continued . ^

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