Freemasonry In Scotland. No. I.

aprons—customs that have obtained since 1736—are peculiarities of Scotch Masons which attract the attention of English visitors . The usage of our lodges in the former respect is gradually becoming

assimilated to that of England—but the taste for fancifully-trimmed clothing continues . In former times , full dress was regarded as essential to appearance at Grand Lodge communications , public Masonic demonstrations , or the festive meetings of the Craft . IToAv-a clays , on such occasions undress has

liecome common . A point of dissimilarity between the English and Scottish Craft , of , greater importance than anything relating to dress or conviviality , is the absence from lodges

in this country of " subscribing members , " as the term is understood on the other side of the border . Our Masonic Charities are scarcely worthy of the name . The minimum fee for initiation is 31 s . 6 d ., and in the case of nine-tenths of the initiates it is

all they are ever required to pay in connection Avith Freemasonry , apart from Avhat they may spend for their oivn personal gratification . Even Avhere a money test of membership is exacted—and this obtains

to but a very limited extent—the sums so raised are applied to general purposes . The institution in 1846 of the Fund of Scottish Masonic Benevolence folloAved a prolonged but unsuccessful attempt to

establish by voluntary effort a Masonic Orphanage . This Fund is supported by the compulsory contributions of members of Grand Lodge , supplemented by a portion of the registration fees paid for

intrants . Its operations have hitherto been confined to the administration of casual relief : and through the economy that lias been observed in this respect a reserve fund ,- of about £ 3 , 000 , has beeii acquired with a view to the future

endOAVment of a permanent charity—a step Avhich recent enactments of Grand Lodge are expected to facilitate . The outcry Avhich Avas raised by tho daughter lodges against Lord Eosslyn ' s recent proposal to leA r y

from every craftsman under the Scotch Constitution a small quarterly subscription , tOAvards the liquidation of a debt of some . £ 13 , 000 incurred in the erection of Freemasons' Hall at Edinburgh , and thereby to

place Grand Lodge hi a position to carry out the object contemplated in the institution of its Charity Fund , was the result of our defective education in the matter of making the practice of the Craft square

Avith its benevolent principles , The Scottish Fraternity does not concern itself about its OAVU history and antiquities . Masonic authorship is consequently at a discount amongst us . Where instruction is professed to be given by lodges , it consists chiefly of rehearsals of

the ceremonial peculiar to making Masons . Although the ritual is IIOAV communicated oftener by print or writ than orally , it is ' seldom read during initiation . In former times masters who from disinclination or

incapacity failed to commit the ritual to memory Avere relieved from conferring degrees by the " Initiator , " an official UOAV almost unknoA \ r n , though his duties still , in many lodges , devolve upon private

members . This proceeds from the custom of advancing brethren to the mastership more on account of their social position than because of their Masonic acquirements—a custom Avhich was common also hi

Operative times . Men of all ranks congregate in our lodges , where much social intercourse is enjoyed , ancl friendships are formed Avhich but for the mystic tie Avould never haA r e existed . It Avas to his introduc- '

tion to Masonic circles on his visit to Edinburgh that our' national Poet OAVed his E 2