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( Kantcnts . PAGE . Illustrations of the History of the Craft—No . 3 301 Masons'Square in Gloucester Cathedral 302 The Haughfoot Loclge and Speculative Masonry—By R . S . ... 303 Masonic Orders of Knighthood 305 Masonic Jottings—No . IB 308 Masonic Notes ancl Queries 307

Correspondence 309 Why is it 310 Masonic Dirge for the Third Degree—concluding portion 311 Masonic Mems 313 CKAPT LODGE MEETINGS : — Metropolitan , 313 Provincial 315 Scotland 315 India 31 G

Royal Arch 317 Mark Masonry 318 Ancient and Accepted Rite 318 Masonic Lifeboat Fund 318 Reviews 31 S Scientific Meetings 320 List of Lodge , & c , Meetings for ensuing week 320 To Correspondents 320

Illustrations Of The History Of The Craft.—No. 3.

ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE HISTORY OF THE CRAFT . —No . 3 .

LONDON , SATURDAY , APRIL 16 , 1870 .

By A MASONIC STUDENT . ( Continued from Page 284 ) Prom a comparison and careful collation of authorities , we are warranted in thus summing up the Roman evidences .

The lodges or " macerias" were held in secluded rooms or buildings exclusively appropriated to the purpose , and most of the lodges had schools attached to them for the instruction of the apprentices and inferior workmen .

These lodges had their regular meetings and peculiar ceremonies , generally monthly . Their proceedings took place in secret . They met , we are told , to admit new members , to regulate the affairs of the college , and unfold their teaching in

art ancl science . The members took an oath mutually to assist each other , and indigent members received relief during their lives , and at their death were buried at the expense of the " area communis / - ' or common chest .

They kept a register of their members , some of which are still extant ib is said , * and these members were known to each other by signs aud words . They also paid monthly contributions . The

members of these colleges were exempted " a muneribus publicis " and " immunes " from taxes and service to the municipalities and the state .

Illustrations Of The History Of The Craft.—No. 3.

Hence pz-obably the real origin of the word Pree ** Mason . According to Yitruvius , the College of Architects admitted none into their mystery but their own children and relatives , though they elected

from time to time honorary members as " patroni , " and even ladies were admitted as " honoratas matrons , " honorary members and patrons . The names of their officers are preserved on many inscriptions . *

Their masters were called magistri , or quinquennales , as elected for five years ; their wardens decuriones ; their elders , seniores ; secretaries , scribse ; priests , " sacerdotes collegii " keepers of the archives , tabnlarii ; messengers , eranistas ;

serving brethren , viatores or servos ; and flagbearers , signiferos . The members were called " frataleas , " a corrupt Latin word for brethren , and collegiati or collegas . One inscription still declares that the collegium

commemorated yearly its foundation , " diem natalem , " by a feast for the members at the common cost—a custom not altogether unknown to the present members of our excellent Order .

As regards their ritual and mystical teaching , little has so far been discovered or has survived , but many emblems have been found on the tombs of Roman Masons , members of these collegia , which are clearly identical with our own .

There may still be seen , as well as on tesselated floors aud mural paintings , the triangle and double triangle , the square and compasses , the gavel and plumb-rule , the sprig of acacia , and five pointed star !

That such corporations existed among * tlie Roman municipalities in Italy and Gaul , Germany and Britain up to the fall of the Roman Empire , seems to admit of not the slightest doubt , and may be proved in a variety of ways .

In one of the famous Pliny ' sf letters to the Emperor Trajan , there is an interesting proof , if proof were wanting , of the existence and importance and secret organisation of such an order , and incidentally of the custom of admitting

honorary members even then . " Plinius Trajano Imperatori . "TuDomine despice , an institurndum piutes , collegium Pabrorum , duutaxat hominum 150 ; ego attendant ne qnis nisi Ji ' aber recipiatur , neve jure concesso in alind ututar . "