Masonic And Anti-Masonic Processions, Caricatures, Etc.

MASONIC AND ANTI-MASONIC PROCESSIONS , CARICATURES , ETC .

BY BRO . JACOB NORTON . GUILD processions during the Middle Ages were common both in England and on the continent . A guild usually turned out on its own patron saint ' s day , but in some places all the guilds would parade the streets on the Baptist ' s clay . The Reformation in a measure destroyed faith in saint patronage .

Thus , the goldsmiths in London , after the death of Henry VIII ., broke np the image of their patron saint , and destroyed their great cup with an image of the same saint on the top . From that time , with the exception of the Lord Mayor ' s show , guild processions ceased altogether . After our so-called "Masonic revival , " public Masonic processions were revived—the only revival of an old customas far as I knowwhich the new Grand Lodge effectedand

, , , a very foolish revival it was . From 1721 to 1728 , both inclusive , the Masonic processions and grand feasts ' were held either on the Baptist ' s or on the Evangelist ' s clay , but afterwards saint day processions were discontinued . The annual feast and procession , as long as processions continued , varied between January 30 th and May 2 nd . In 1721 the brethren marched on foot from the Queen ' s Arms to Stationers '

Hall . In 1728 coaches were added to the show . In 1730 chariots as well as coaches processioned . In 1734 a band of music , consisting of trumpeters , kettle-drummers , French horners , and lumtboysers enlivened the brethren while inarching . In 1739 , instead of one band they had " three sets of music ;" how many more sets of music would ultimatel y have been required for a Masonic procession no one knows , but the following four Masonic processions were disturbed by burlesque procession , about which more will be said hereafter . These four processions took place March 19 th , 1741 ; April 27 th , 1742 ; May 2 nd , 1744 ; and April 18 th , 1745 .

" From hence in leather aprons drest , With tinsel ribbon on their breast , In pompous order marched the train . First two , then three , then two again , As through the street they passed along , Alt lands of music led the throng : Trumpets and kettle drums were there , And horns , too , in the / rout appear .

Girls left their needle , boys their book , And crowded in the street to look ; And if from laughing we guess right , They were much pleased with the sight . The above satire was provoked by a Masonic procession in Boston , U . S . A ., in 1739 . Another poem of the same st yle was published by the same author in . 1750 or 1751 ; but satirical poetry did not stop Masons from making a public

display of themselves . It required no less than four mock Masonic processions in London ere the brethren became sensible that their revival of Masonic processions was foolish . The first Masonic opposition manifested itself b y the formation of the " Gormagon Order , " which , according to Dr . Mackey , was in 1724 . The said order came from China . Confucius seems to have been its founder ; the chief officer was called the " Grand Volg-i . " The said order , by command of the Volgi , was frequently advertised between October 26 th , 1728 , and 1730 . The nature of the advertisements I do not know ; it is probable , however , as the