Masonic Archaeology, No. 2.

cation existing between the three degrees , and it is not , " a priori , " probable , that , all this had grown up within the first three decades of the 18 th century , the more so as the Brechin minutes acknowledge "passing" in 1714 .

In 1738 , according to their most interesting records , " John Stevenson , " an operative Mason , " after due examination , " was " found to be ane sufficient brother , and was and hereby is passed ane Free Master Mason of this Lodge . "

In 1 . 739 , " Harry Galloway , " a speculative Mason , " was admitted a Free Master Mason of this Lodge after due examination . " Whether these minutes mean that " passing and being made a Free Master Mason" were identical , I cannot pretend to say . I am inclined -to think that these

minutes point to a Scottish custom still existing , of giving more than one degree the same ni ght . But all these records and minutes make me feel more strongly than ever , how much we should still hesitate before we

dogmatize on that wide question of the antiquity of our " degrees , " and that we must still wait for fuller " light " on the subject , before we can really venture to speak positively on what is still enveloped in difficulty and doubt . There is one remark I also feel bound to make here .

Minute books are very interesting in themselves and good collateral evidence as far as they go , but we must not rely upon them too much . Some of our earlier minute books in this century are very carelessly kept , very few even

are forthcomin g , and some future Bro . D . M . Lyon , or Bro . Hughan , in all the ability of their criticisms , may argue tor the non-existence of some portion of our present well-known degrees or I'ltual owing to the "laches" of

, some lod ge Secretary of the 19 th century . Collateral evidence , all such minute books are interesting and important in , th emselves , but they require , as every-^ ing else , to be considered carefully , criticall y , dispassionately , and in

their general bearing on all the known and established , facts of the case . So far Scotland is far ahead of us in England as regards the minute books of our lodges ; but I do not by any means yet despair of finding early

English minute books , to throw considerable light on the part of our English Freemasonry . But until we find them wo have , let us not forget the Sloane MS . 3329—which to my mind is incontestable evidence of the three

degrees amongst us in the 17 th century . It is sometimes overlooked that Dr . Plot , in the latter part of the 17 th century , had evidently seen this very MS . or a transcript of it , and we have , therefore , independent evidence of its existence

iu the 17 th century . With these remarks I close this humble contribution of mine to day . One of the attacks made on our

earlier Masonic historians is , that , they were too credulous , let us not learn to be too incredulous ; but while we sift away the rubbish which , in the lapse of time , has accumulated around our Masonic building ' , let us treat that building

itself with tender and reverent hands , and let us not sacrifice too hastily , traditions not " a , priori" impossible or improbable , to gratify the tendencies of the age , which undoubtedly lean to a hasty and destructive criticism . I

have read my able Bro . Hughan ' s remarks on the same subject , with the greatest interest and attention , as I always do all that emanates from his pen , and though we differ a little on the value and importance of special

points of historical evidence , Ave are agreed on the main question , the operative origin of Freemasonry , and are equally anxious to promote , by our studies and endeavours the cause of Masonic Archaeology , and the interests

of Masonic truth . A . F . A . WOOHFOKD .

IT is reported that while the importation of Australian meat in 1 SG 6 was only £ 300 last year it amounted to £ 890 , 000 .