The Scottish Cradle Of Freemasonry*

the historian of Kilmarnock , and an article on Burns and Freemasonry . From these samples it will be perceived that Mr . Wylie ' s historical essay is exceedingly diversified in its contents , and that he has overlooked feAV , if any , of the topics that properly came within the scope of his work . It remains to he added that upwards of tAvo hundred pages are devoted to condensed reports of all the occasions on Avhich the office-bearers of the Mother Lodge have officiated at the laying of foundation-stones from the time of

the Burns Monument on the Banks of Doon ( 1820 ) down to the Kilmarnock Monument to the Ploughman-Poet ( 1878 ) . Theser eports are leaves of local history of the utmost interest , and of great permanent utility . They tell us much concerning piers , harbours , bridges , hospitals , to \ A'n halls , schools , and churches ; and they rescue from the oblivion of newspaper columns some of the Avisest , Avittiest , and most eloquent orations that Avere ever uttered in this Avestern region of Scotland by some of its noblest sons . It Avas a

happy thought to embody these speeches in a hook , and their presence' will make this A'olume one AA'hich no future historian of our Avestland shires can safely overlook . Meanwhile , it is sure to find a large circle of delighted readers ; and these will not only unite in thanking the author for the manner in which he has performed his labour of loA'e , but also- in paying a tribute to the publisher for the excellent get-up of the volume , and especially for the lavish supply of illustrations which , unlike so many contemporary engraA'ings , are really Avorthy of the name .

Bro. Hughan's New Work.

BRO . HUGHAN'S NEW WORK .

A S Ave knoAV many will be interested in the above , Ave have procured a few particulars ~ a- as to the neAv Avork by Bro . Hughan—viz ., " A Numerical and ' Numismatical Register of the United Grand Lodge of England . " The Introduction will refer to early Freemasonry , the Avhole of the allusions to the craft hi the "Natural History of Staffordshire , " by Dr . Plot , of A . D . 1 G 86 , being gh'en verbatim et literatim . The " Articles of Union" of A . D . 1813 have also been

, , carefull y reprinted from an original copy by Bro . Harper . Then MIOAA ' an account of many curious points in the histories of old Lodges as to numeration , etc ., and . many particulars are afforded as to the " modern " and " ancient" Lodges , before and after the " union . " The " Arms of the Freemasons " receive careful attention from Bro . Hughan , those adopted by the Grand Lodges before December , 1813 , and by the United Grand Lod ge being fully considered , and indeed more so than ever before , the Arms of the

" united Grand Lodge , " in appropriate colours , forming a unique and special feature ot the Avork , in fact is placed as the frontispiece to the volume ; which , as Ave have said before , is to be dedicated to the E . W . Bro . Sir Albert W . Woods , Garter ( P . G . W . ) , the G , D . 0 f Ceremonies . Tlie subject of Masonic Numismatics is not neglected , for several pages are devoted to that purpose , and in ivhich the Masonic tokens and medals ot this and the last century are enumerated , from those soon after the institution of the Grand

Lodge doAvn to the Eoyal Installation Medal struck by Bro . Kenning quite recentl y . Sketches are also presented of the special Medals and JeAvels belonging to the following Lodges : — BOTAIi MEDAIS . Lodge of Antiquity , No . 2 , London . Prince of Wales ' s Lodge , No . 259 , London .