Cu31924030290666 PDF
Cu31924030290666 PDF
Cu31924030290666 PDF
FROM THE
BENNO LOEWY LIBRARY
COLLECTED BY
BENNO LOEWY
1854-1919
modern
http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924030290666
PublisJied for the benefit of the Masonic Charities.
THE FOUR OLD LODGES,
jfounirers of JHoirrrn JTremasonrg,
BARRISTER-AT-LAW.
Past Ages Ume like Sivers comieied dovine to us, (upon thejloate) the more light and sophistooall pieces of Lea/rrdng;
hut what were Profound and Misterious, the weight and solidity thereof, smike to the Bottome; whence every one who
LONDON:
SPENCER'S MASONIC DEPOT,
Opposite Freemasons' Hall.
1879.
LONDON:
PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE FKEEMASON'S CHRONIOLB,
67 BARBICAN, B.C.
TO
BY
THE AUTHOI^,
. , ..
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Section Page SectioH
Design of Work 1 1 Position and Privileges of the London Masons
Parallelism between Grand Lodges of England and Bro. William Preston
Scotland 1 1 Secession of the Lodge of Antiquity
Revival of Masonry, A.D. 1717 2 2 Four Grand Lodges of England a.d. 1779 ...
List of Lodges (Constitutions), 1723 3 2 Precedency of the Grand Stewards' Lodge. .
List of Lodges (Bowen), 1728 4 3 Legality and Masonic character of the Grand Lodge
List of Lodges (Pine), 1725 4 3 disputed
Listsof" Old "Lodges, 1729-30 5 4 The " Complete Freemason," or " Multa Paueis " ..
PAET I.
§ 1 .
— I. It is the design of the following remarks, pri- Grand Lodge of England, remains to be written ; our
marily, to elucidate the history and status of the survivors premier Lodges yet await an adequate and enduring
of the Four Old Lodges who, on the Festival of St. John memorial, of their exertions as the pioneers of Masonic
the Baptist met and instituted the premier progress neither have they been compensated for this
A.D., 1717, ;
—
Grand Lodge of the World (') and, incidentally, to trace neglect of the Craft, by any especial favours from Grand
back to their earliest periods and places of assembly in the Lodge, which has not judged it unreasonable that the
last century, various Lodges now existing, vyhich were equanimity of its " Masonic parents " should be periodi-
called into being during the half century immediately cally disturbed, by having passed over their heads Lodges
following such Masonic revival. of later date, to higher positions of rank and precedency.
We all, as Masons, enter into the original inheritance of The following slight sketch of the history and privileges
tradition, but there is no brother who has a larger share of the Four Old Lodges, is, in the main, based on materials
in that noble inheritarice, than he who has had the good accessible to the entire Craft, viz., the Constitutions, pub-
fortune to be received into the Craft, under the auspices lished from time to time by order of Grand Lodge ; the
of either of those old Lodges, whose vigorous offspring, the various lists of Lodges, the "Illustrations of Masonry," by
United Grand Lodge of England, has now attained such a the late W. Preston, and other well known Masonic Text
meridian splendour. Books.
An interest, however, in the Time Immemorial Lodges,
(is not restricted to their own members, since every brother II. It is a curious coincidence, that the establishment of
holding under the English Constitution, is directly con- the Grand Lodge of Scotland, on 30th Nov. 1736, was also
cerned in the history, privileges, and status, of the Masonic due to the exertions of Four Metropolitan Lodges (Edin-
parents of all English Lodges now existing. But our burgh), who convened a meeting "at St. Mary's Chapell,"
" Old Lodges " have, in truth, been too much neglected and " in order to concur in the election of a Grand Master."
forgotten, to the lasting reproach of the English Craft; Thirty -three Lodges are recorded to have been represented
not so, however, under the Masonic government of a sister on this occasion, and at the first Quarterly Communication,
kingdom — the old Lodges of Scotland are encircled by a all Lodges who were not regularly constittited were enjoined
halo of prestige, enjoy an honourable precedency over all to apply for a new Constitution, in order that they might
Lodges of later date, and in Bros. D. M. Lyon and Laurie (^) be enrolled on the Grand Lodge Registry ; and those who
have found able chroniclers, with whom it has indeed been had ieen properly constituted were required to exhibit their
patents for confirmation thereof. In consequence of this,
a labour of love, to dilate upon their unrivalled antiquity.
The oldest Lodge records in the world, those of the Lodge almost all the Lodges applied for new Constitutions, and
of Edinburgh, St. Mary's Chapel, No. 1 ; the archives of by a ready and voluntary renunciation of their former
the store of manuscripts rights, evinced the steadiness of their attachment to the
the Grand Lodge of Scotland ;
§ 2.—" And after the Rebellion was over, A.D. 1716,* the few lodges
at London, finding themselves neglected by Sir Christopher Wren,
thought fit to cement nnder a Qrcmd Master, as the Centre of Union
and Harmony, viz., the Lodges that met
1. At the Qoose and Qridiron Ale-honse in St. Pauls Chwrchya/rd.
2. At the Crown Ale-house in Parkers Lane near Drury Lane.
3. At the Apple Tree Tavern in Charles Street, Oovent Qa/rden.
4. At the Rummer and Qrwpes Tavern in Cha/miel Bow, Westminster,
" They and some old Brothers met at the said Apple Tree, and
having pnt into the chair the oldest Master Mason (now the Master
of a Lodge), they constituted a Gkand Lodge pro tempore in due form,
and forthwith revived the Quarterly Communication of the Officers of
Lodges (call'd the Or and Lodge), resolved to hold the annmal
ASSEMBLY and Feast, and then to chuse a Gband Mastek from among
themselves till they should have the Honour of a noble Brother at
their Head.
Accordingly
On John Baptist day, in the 3rd year of King George the 1st, A.D.
St.
1717, THE ASSEMBLY and Feast of the Free amd Accepted Masons
was held at the foresaid Qoose and Qridiron Alehouse.
" Before Dinner, the oldest Master Mason (now the Master of a
Lodge) in the chair, proposed a list of proper candidates and the :
The identification of certain Lodges above, with their Prom the similarity of address (Aldersgate St.) it would
places in the previous list (Oonstit. 1723) has been effected
by an examination of the register of members. § 13 (VI.) * From Grand Lodge. See Appendix, List 10.
THE FOUR OLD LODGES.
seem Hghly probable that Eman Bowea and Jobn. Pine Both lists are evidently printed from the same plate,
were in some way connected in their business as engravers, the places of the Lodges, which have lapsed in the interval
the former, it may be, executing the order of the latter. between the two publications, being left vacant in the
The earliest edition of the Engraved Lists has no frontis- later List ; also down to the 61st entry on either list, the
piece, and bears the printer's name in very small letters at " Blew Posts " (the last) in the earlier, and the " Ceown
foot of the last page. The List for 1725, however, has a and ScBPTEB " in the later, the descriptions of the con-
distinct heading, and exhibits Pine's name in fair sized tinuing Lodges are identical, except in nine instances
1 734-5, (') the following resolution -was passed by Grand § 10. — I. Original No. 2, meeting at the Ceown, Parkers
Lodge :— " If any Lodge, within the Bills of Mortality, Lane, in 1717, was established at the Queen's Head,
shall cease to meet regularly during twelve months succes- Turnstile, Holborn, in 1723, or earlier. It had removed to
sive, its Name and Place shall be erazed or blotted out of the Green Letticb, Brownlow St. by 1725, whence it
the Orand Lodge Book and engraven List, and if they migrated to the Rose and Rummee 1728, and to the Rose
petition to be again inserted and own'd as a regular Lodge, and BuppLOE 1729. In 1730 it met at the Bull and
it must lose its former Place and Rank of Precedency, and Gate, Holborn, and, appearing for the last time in the en-
submit to a New Constitution," (^) Under which rule, aided graved list for .1736, was struck off the roU at the renum-
by a disposition of Grand Lodge, to visit with heavy bering in 1740.
penalties all Lodges who were irregular in attending the The above summary, may, I think, be relied upon, but
Quarterly Communications, a very wholesale clearing oflF of an entry in the minutes of Grand Lodge of " March 16
defaulting Lodges took place, though the reinstatements 1752," is a little confusing :
were very numerous. The present Tuscan Lodge, No. 14, "The meeting at the Cbown in Parkers
petition of several brethren
Lane (§ praying that the Lodge formerly held there might be
2),
then No. 9, meeting at the King's Arms, New Bond Street, restored, and have its former place in the Lodge Book. Bat it ap-
was thus struck off in 1 745, reappearing, however, on the pearing the said Lodge had been discontinued about 30 years, and
that no one of the Petitioners had ever been a member thereof :
shall neglect to contribute, to the General Charity . . The old or original Lodges meeting respectively at the
if no remittance is made, or satisfactory excuse given . . . Goose and Geidieon, the Apple Teeb, and the Rummer and
the said Lodges wiU be erazed out of the list of Lodges." Grapes, having been identified, beyond cavil, with Nos. 1,
10, and 2, in Anderson's list for 1738 (§ 6), and the remain-
§ 9. —Original No. 1, meeting at the Goose and Gridiron ing old Lodge of 1717, the Crown (§ 2), having lapsed about
in 1717, removed from this tavern between 1723 and 1729, 1722, whence came the No. 2 of 1729 with a Constitutioa
from which latter year, until 1767 (except for a short dating from 1712, considering that only /owr Lodges were
time in 1736, when it met at the Paul's Head, Ludgate existent in 1717, all of which are otherwise accounted for?
Street), its description, on the lists was the King's (or The most natural explanation of this mystery would be
Queen's) Arms, St. Paul's Churchyard, with the additional some such hypothesis as the following :
— viz., That an
title from 1760, of the " West-India and American Lodge." additional Pre-revival Lodge (§ 2) had somehow crept
Still retaining which designation it moved to the Mitre, into the new organization ?
Fleet-street, in 1768, and in 1770 became the Lodge of
Antiquity. (See §§ 19-20.) In 1794 it absorbed the II. Two solutions, however, of the difficulty present
Harodim Lodge No. 467 (constituted March 25th 1790). themselves :
At the Union in 1814, the rank of No. 1 having devolved (a) The period of discontinuance attributed to the
"
by lot upon No. 1 Ancient's" (^) (now the Grand Masters' Lodge, may have been recorded as thirty instead of twenty
Lodge), the premier English Lodge, was relegated to the years, an interval of almost precisely this latter period
position of No. 2 on the roll. (*) (May 29 1733) actually occurring between the latest
attendance at Grand Lodge of the representatives of the
(1 ) Constit. 1738, p 156. § 12 (II.) then No. 2 (Bull and Gate), constituted 1712. (§ 18, II.)
(' ) N.B. — Lodges reinstated in their former places in the list, if
(6) Assuming that a Lodge at the Crown had been dis-
the same are not filled np, on paying two guineas for a Constitution,
and two guineas to the pnbliok Charity. Constit. 1767. — continued " about 30 years," say in 1722, it is quite within
(3) Constit. 1767. the limits of probability that the Old Lodge at the Crown
(*) Appendix to Constit. 1767. Published 1775.
(1717) changed its place of meeting within a year or two
Grand Lodge of England according to the " Old Institutions."
(5 )
See §§ 20, 22 and 26. of the Revival. Masonic taverns, as experience shows,
( 6 ) The two first Lodges under each Grand Lodge to draw a lot in almost always remained true to their calling, and when one
the place for priority ; and to which of the two the lot No. 1 shall
first
Lodge left, another took its place ; this happened at the
fall the other to rank as No. 2; and all the others shall fall in
alternately, that is, the Lodge which is No. 2 of the fraternity whose Goose and Gridiron, the Apple Tree, the Horn, and
lot it shall be to draw No. 1, shall rank as No. 3 in the United Grand
Lodge, and the other No. 2 shall rank as No. 4, and so on alternately
indeed in almost every instance of Lodge removal. Is it
through all the numbers respectively.— Articles of Union (VIII.) not, therefore, a reasonable conjecture that the old Lodge
between the two Grand Lodges of Freemasons of England. Haghan, —
Masonic Memorials. See § 28. (original No. 2) having left the Crown, its successor at
; — ! — —
that tavern dropped out about 1722, and consequently was there appeared but one Time Immemorial Lodge, as original
omitted from the lists of the following year (1723) ? No. 4, then No. 2, had been struck off the roll in pursuance
(See § 26, IV., note.) of the following order of Grand Lodge :
is
Grapes to the Morn Tavern, Westminster, before 1723, and
quite possible that all fou/r of the original Lodges would
continued to meet there until 1766. In 1767 it met at the
now be found on the Roll
Fleece, Tothill-street, Westminster, taking the title of the
" Old Horn Lodge" in 1768. In 1772-3, it met at the
§ 13.—L The history of each of the "Four Old
King's Arms, New Palace Tard ; on 10th January 1774,
Lodges " has been briefly outlined, but it may here be
itwas united with, and took the name of, the Sommerset appropriately remarked, that the statements
of Dr. An-
House Lodge, under which title it met at the Adelphi derson with regard to them, embodied in the Constitution
Tavern, Strand, in 1776 and at F. M, Tav. 1785-1816. Book 1738 even had they stood alone, without any
(§ 6),
After the Union, on 26th Nov. 1828, it further absorbed corroboration from the early minutes of Grand Lodge,
the Royal Inverness Lodge,^) and it is now the Royal
might well have been taken as absolutely conclusive.
Somerset House and Inverness Lodge No. 4.
Dr. Anderson (a Scotch Presbyterian minister in
Original No. 4 became No. 3 in list of 1729, No. 2
on that of 1740 (1738 Constit.) ; but on List of 1750 (3) Constit. 1756, p 248.
is curious to reflect, that had one of the periodical closing np
(*) It
ofnumbers occurred during 1747-51, original No. 4 must have sunk to
Constituted 1753. Met at the Lion and Goat, Grosvenor St.,
(1) even a lower depth than original No. 3, with regard to position on
1756-1770 J Red Lion, Berkeley-sq., 1781 ; and styled in 1788 list the Boll.
the Old Gnmberland Lodge.
( 5 ) G. L. Min. Constit. 1756, p 252.
(i») No. 648, "Eoyal Inverness Lodge," Gray's Coffee House,
Holbom, was the first new Lodge on the Boll of the Vmited Grand C) § 8.
—
Lodge of England. Enghan, Masonic Memorials, ( ' ) Ibid. Note 2. See also Appendix, List 13 (Notes.)
—
London) was a leading actor in the early Masonic history III. Dr. Anderson in 1738 makes the following dispo-
of the past century, and was appointed to arrange and sition of the Pour Original Lodges (§6).
digest the old Gothic Constitutions on 29th September No. 1 Kings Akms Tavern, St. Paul's Church Yard.
1721. He published the Book of Constitutions 17th 2 Formerly the Ojbown in Pa/rkers Lane, now (i.e. recently),
extinct.
January 1723, and was authorised to print a second edition,
3 Queen's Head, Knaves Acre, formerly the Apple Tkee
with improvements, 31st March 1736, which was approved Ta/vern, Charles St., Oovent Garden, which having moved
to the Queen's Head, with its immemorial privileges
25th January 1738.(') His remarks upon the Old Lodges intact, afterwards, " ijpon some differeuGe, the members
that met there came under a new constitution, though
(§ 6) were approved in manuscript by Grand Lodge, and
they wanted it not," (27th February 172|), and was
were published with the express approval of Past Grand subsequently given a place and nvmiber (1729) in ac-
cordance with the date of this alteration.
Masters Payne and Desaguliers, both of whom were regular
4 Hokn Tamern, New Palace Yard, Westminster.
attendants at the Communications of Grand Lodge until
some years after 1740. All three brethren, moreover
lY. It is satisfactory to find upon a careful examination
(Payne, Desaguliers, and Anderson), were members of
of the early official lists, and the minutes of Grand Lodge,
Original No. 4 (Horn), and if tradition may be relied
that the statements of Dr. Anderson meet with most ample
upon, theirs were the guiding minds which planned and
confirmation.
carried out the Great Revival of Masonry in 1717. (^)
Precedency amongst Lodges, whilst they continued to be
independent Masonic communities, was necessarily unknown,
II. The merits of the Constitutions of 1738, as a record
nor did it become established (except possibly the broad
of eighteenth century facts, are unquestionable ; but it is
distinction between Lodges by inherent right, and Lodges
much to be regretted, that in his desire to exhibit the Craft
by creation of Grand Lodge) until 1729 : the engraved list
to the best advantage. Dr. Anderson should have claimed
for that year being the first printed book in which Lodges
as its rulers atsome period or other, nearly every celebrity
were arranged in order of seniority.
of ancient or modern times. Thus we have Noah and his
It is important to bear this in mind, as otherwise much
sons, figuring as the " Four Grand Officers," and amongst
confusion will seem apparent, in the arrangement of the
the Grand Masters, are gravely recorded the names of
earlier engraved lists. The " Horn" for example, which is
Nimrod, Moses (with Joshaa as his deputy), Solomon,
Nebuchadnezzar, and Augustus Csesar.
known to be original No. 4 standing 5th in order in the list
An elaborate reason,
—
for 1723, thereby conveying the impression that one war-
moreover, is assigned for excluding Samson from his
ranted Lodge, at least, has been bracketed with the Time
Masonic privileges ! !
V. The engraved list for 1723 (§ 4)C) is identical with the Lodge, have an important bearing upon the question of
Lodges appearing in the earliest minute book of Grand precedency.
list of
Lodge, indeed, the " Signs of the Houses " in the former Dec. 27th 1727. Ordered —
" That it shall be referred to the succeed-
ing Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, and Grand Wardens, to
correspond exactly with the written description of these inquire into the Precedency of the several Lodges, and to make report
taverns which appears in the latter, whilst the order of pre- thereof at the next Quarterly Communication, in order that the same
may be finally settled and entred accordingly."
cedency is the same in both instances. Clearly, therefore, " Then most of the Lodges present delivered the
April 17 1728.
the engraver simply reproduced, though in a different dates of the time of their being constituted into Lodges, in order to
have precedency in the printed book."
form, the descriptions of the then existing Lodges, as
June 25th 1728. " The Lodges which had not complyed with the
roughly set down in the original minute book of Grand order to give in the exact time when they were severally constituted,
were directed to do so before the next Quarterly Communication."
Lodge. " The ofiScers of the Lodge at the Queen's Head in
July 11th 1729.
Knaves Acre, represented that their Lodge was misplaced in the printed
hook, whereby they lost their Rank, and humbly prayed that the said
VI. The names of the members of the various Lodges,
mistake might be regulated."
at that time (1723) are only occasionally entered in the " Bro. Chocke (late D.G.M.) acquainted the Grand Lodge that the
several Lodges stood in the List according to the date of their Con-
book, but happily enough are shown to connect the
stitution. The said complaint was dAsmiss'd."
brethren named as Masters and Wardens of the first four
Lodges 0/ the earliest printed list (§ 3) with the Lodges X. With the exception of the "Home" (Original
meeting respectively at the Goose and Gridiron ; Queen's No. 4) which numbered 71 members in 1725, the Old
Head, Turnstile Queen's Head, Knave's Acre and Horn, Lodges were each composed of about 15 members.
; ;
Westminster, as shown in the engraved list for 1723 Bro. Anthony Sayer appears on the roll of Original No. 3,
but those of Nos. 1 and 2 contain no brethren either of
,(§ 4).e)
Masonic or of social mark.
VII. It should be borne in mind, that though in the Amongst the members of the "Home" were then
account of the revival (§2) numbers are prefixed to the Bros. Payne and Desaguliers, late Grand Masters (this
old Lodges, who together constituted the " Premier Grand latter brother not being a member of Original No. 1 as
Lodge of the World;" this narrative was published in 1738, commonly stated). Dr. James Anderson,(*) the compiler of
twenty-one years subsequent to the occurrence which it
the Books of Constitutions for 1723 and 1738, Lord Paisley,
records, consequently in designa,ting hy numbers, or other- Duke of Queensborough, Sir Richard Manningham,
wise implying any precedency eimongst the " Old Lodges," Lord Waldegrave, Count La Lippe, Baron des Kaw,
Dr. Anderson must have had in his mind a recollection of Sir Adolphus Oughton, Earl de Loraine, Sir Robt. Rich,
his own previous1723 (§ 3), also of the scale of Count Walzdorf, Marquis des Marches, Sir Thomas
list of
seniority introduced in 1727-29, which he evidently con- Prendergast, and Lord Carmichael.
sidered should properly relate to the period when the
original Lodges met for combined action. XI. The status of the old Lodges, and especially that of
original No. 3 (Fortitude and 0. C.) will be hereafter con-
VIII. The numbers assigned to the old Lodges, in the sidered, but it may not be inappropriate at this stage, to
narrative of the revival (§2) and in the earliest printed ofEer some remarks on the subject.
list (§3) confirm one another, Dr. Anderson being answer- It appears highly probable that from 1728 to 1730, or
able for the numeration in both cases, and the Lodges after, Nos. 1, 2 and 3, represented the operative, and No. 4,
numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively in § 2 may, without the speculative elements of the Society (§ 26) . It is scarcely
doubt, be identified with those bearing similar numbers in conceivable that the vigorous protest recorded by original
of all the fonr Lodges, appear for the years (2 ) Also the author of " Koyal Genealogies." He died 28th May
(2 ) Lists of members
but of Noa. 1 and 3 only, in 1730. 1739.
1723 and 1725 ;
— !
Grand Lodge, having become, so early as in 1724, a sup- speaks of Desaguliers and Hill as being the two first
Masters, are the only untitled brethren who have ascended Society, and was much respected by the President, Sir
the Masonic throne. Isaac Newton. He was excused from paying the subscription
The premier Grand Master, Bro. Sayer, as stated above, on account of the number of experiments which he showed
became so reduced in circumstances aa to be one of the at the meetings, and being subsequently elected to the office
earliest recipients of relief from the Committee of Charity, of Curator, communicated a vast number of curious and
him valuable papers, between the years 1714 and 1743, which are
it being recorded that the sum of £15 was voted to
from this source on 21st April 1730, also a further amount printed in the Transactions. He also published several
'
of £2 2s on 17th April 1741. works of his own, abounding with descriptions of the most
Bro. George Payne was a learned Antiquarian; he origin- useful machines and philosophical instruments. He re-
ally compiled, in 1720, when he was Grand Master for the ceived no fixed salary, but was remunerated according to
second time, the General Regulations, which were afterwards thenumber of experiments and communications which he
finally arranged and published by Dr. Anderson in 1723. made to the Society.^)
These General Regulations were called "Old Regulations," He had the honour of reading his lectures before George
in contradistinction to those which were afterwards added. II., and was appointed Chaplain to Frederick Prince of
Brother Payne continued an active member of Grand Wales. During the greater part of his residence in London,
Lodge until 1754, being appointed on 27th April of that
he lived at Channel-row, Westminster but eventually, ;
year a member of the Committee to revise the Constitutions moved to lodgings over the Great Piazza in Coven t-
(afterwards brought out by Entick, in 1756). He attended Garden, where he carried on his lectures till his death,
Grand Lodge for the last time in the following November. which occurred 29th February 1744. In June 1738, he
His death occurred on 23rd January 1757. had received the appointment of Chaplain to Bowie's regi-
completing his education at Oxford, he attained consider- " How poor neglected Desaguliers fell
able eminence as a mechanician and natural philosopher. How he, who taaght two gracioas kings to view
All Bayle ennobled, and Bacon knew,
In 1705, he gave a course of public lectures on experi- all
Died in a cell, without a friend to save.
mental philosophy (Buckle, in his History of Civilization,
Without a guinea, and without a grave."
List oi Lodges 1739* (Pine). Constituted. List of Lodges 1740* (Pine). Constituted.
1 Kings' Arms St. Paul's Church Yard 1 King's Arms St. Paul's Church Yard
2 2 Horn Westminster
3 Horn Westminster 3 Crown Behind the Royal Exchange 11th July 1721
4 Shakespear's Head Marlborough Street 17th Jan. 1722 4 Shakespear's Head Marlborough St. 17th Jan. 1721
5 Crown Behind the Royal Exchange 11th July 1721 5 Braund's Head New Bond Street 19th Jan. 1721
6 Braund's Head New Bond Street 19th Jan. 1722 6 Rummer Queen's St. Cheapside 28th Jan. 1721
Summer Queen Street, Cheapside 28th Jan. 1722 7 King's Arms Temple Bar 25th April 1722
7
8 King's Arms Temple Bar 25th April 1722 8 Red Cross Barr Barbican May 1722
9 Red Cross Barr Barbican May 1722 9 King's Arms New Bond Street 25th Nov. 1722
10 King's Arms New Bond Street 25th Nov. 1722 10 George and Dragon Portland St. Oxford Market 27th Feb. 1722
11 Queen's Head Knave's Acre 27th Feb. 172f 11 Crown New Crane, Wapping 1722
12 Castle Drury Lane No date 12 Bury's Cofiee House Bridges St. 28th Mar. 1723
13 Bury'a Coffee House Bridges Street 28th Mar. 1723
It will be seen that the No. 5 (Crown) of 1739 becomes No. 3 in the list of the following year, also that the dates
of Gonstitutiori of Nos. 4, 6, 7, 11, and 12 on the 1739 list, sustain a remarkable variation in the list for 1740: thus
(') No. 4 (1739) has its Seniority altered from 17th Jan. 1722 to 17th Jan. 1721.
(') No date is assigned this Lodge in Pine's List of 1729. In the tionsmade in 1740, and which appear in the Calendar of current date
Engraved Lists for 1734, 1736, and 1738, it appears as in 1739 but ; (1878) are probably incorrect.
in the Book of Constitntions for 1738 (See § 6) it is placed at 17th
(3) This Lodge appears, without date, in the Engraved Lists for
Jan. 172^, therefore the alteration in 1740 is almost certainly correct. 1734, 1736, 1738, and 1739 ; bnt is placed at March 1723, both in
Pine's List 1729, and in the Constitutions 1738. Therefore, the al-
(2) The dates given to these Lodges in the Engraved Lists for
teration in 1740 (continued until this day) is probably incorrect.
1729, 1734, 1736, and 1738 agree with those given in the List for 1739 ;
also, and this is of chief importance, with the dates assigned by —
Note. One of the periodical closings up of numbers occurred in
De. Anderson in the Constitutions for l738 ; consequently, the altera- 1740. (Appendix Lists 12 and 13.)
12 THE FOTJB, OLD LODGES.
LIST No. 9.
Giles; 1775-81 Sun, Curzon St., Mayfair ; 1 782 George, § 16. — I. The practice of any one tavern, being common
Wardour St.; 1783-94 White Horse, King St., Golden Sq.; as a place of meeting, to two or more Lodges, seems to have
17^5-1807 Nag's Head, Carnaby Sq. ; 1808-09 St. James been almost unknown in the last century : but it may not
Tav., Mary-le-Bonne St., Golden Sq.; 1810-16 P. M. Tav. be so well understood, that Metropolitan brethren were
then restricted, by Masonic law, to membership of a single
The " Westminster and Kbtstone " met in 1729-44 at the
Lodge ( ' ) :
Dials; 1758-66 Fox and Goose, Seven Dials; 1767-81 Feb. 19 1723-4. — " No brother shall belong to more than one
Lodge, within the bills of mortality, though he may visit them all,
Talbot, Tottenham Court Road 1782-84 Carlisle Arms, ;
except the members of a foreign Lodge."
Soho; 1785-86 Greyhound, New Compton St.; 1787-90,
Angel, St. Giles' Church; 1791-92 Coach and Horses, This regulation, however, having become obsolete, was
Frith St., Soho; styled the Tyrian Lodge in 1768 ; appear- neglected for several years, until re-affirmed by Grand
ing as the Westminster and Keystone Lodge, Horn Tavern, Lodge, March 23, 1742. C*) Upon which occasion Lodges
Palace Yard, in 1793-1800 ; 1801-13 King's Arms, Palace were directed to deliver lists of their members, in order
Yard ; 1814-15 F. M. Tav. that brethren belonging to more than one Lodge, might
be called upon " to make their election to what Lodge they
The "RoTAL Alpha " met 1729-37 at the One Tun, Noble
will belong for the time to come." The (Mstom of the
St.; 1738-45 Red Cross Barr, Barbican; 1745 Mitre,
by the foregoing regulation of Grand Lodge,
taverns, aided
within Aldersgate 1750-4 Sun, Milk St. 1755-61 Crown,
; ;
is styled the Lodge of St. Mary-la-Bonne, Cavendish Sq. decisions of Grand Lodge, in regard to private Lodges, ren-
Coffee House, retaining which distinctive title it met at dered it a task of extreme difficulty to follow the erasures
the Manchester Coffee House, Manchester Sq. 1800-02 and restorations, which, I have shown in my notes to the
1803-11 Mary-le-Bonne Coffee House, Titchfield St.; engraved list of 1740. (*) The names appearing in the
1812-15 Stratford Coffee House, Oxford St. official records being, as often as not, those which Lodges
the present century. Such being the case, some remarks V. The Bell (*) was frequently added to the signs of
on the " Signs," distinguishing a few of the " Houses," public-houses in honour of the bell-ringers, who were in
•where our oldest Lodges assembled, may be found inte- the habit of refreshing themselves there. Hence we have
resting. (') the Ravhn and Bell at Shrewsbury, Woherham'pton, (*) and
Newport: the Dolphin and Bell on the token of John
II. "The Goose and Geidiron (Antiquity) occurs at
Warner, Aldersgate 1668 the Fish and Bell (evidently ;
WoodhuU, Lincolnshire, and a few other localities it is The Fish and Bell
the same sign), Charles St., Soho.
:
said to owe its origin to the following circumstances The (Original No. '
the fresh air, and see all that was going on in the street
but as the scenes within were not always fit to be seen by VII. The (') Feench Hoen was once a very common
the '
profanum vulgus that passed '
by, a trellis was put up sign (Original No. 4). " The Hoens (') was a tavern of
in the open window. This trellis, or lattice, was generally note in Fleet St. in the reign of Qaeen Elizabeth."
painted red, to the'intent, it has been jocularly suggested, Highgate was the headquarters for the swearing on the
that it might harmonise with the rich hue of the customers' horn, and after taking the oath, the new-made member
noses ; which effect, at all events, was obtained by the became fully acquainted with the privileges of a freeman,
choice of this colour.' Thus in the Last Will and Tes- which consisted in
'
:
" If at any time yon are going through Highgate, and want to rest
Watched Bometimes ten hours together in an ale-honae, ever and
'
yourself, and you see a pig lying in the ditch, you have liberty to
anon peeping forth and sampling thy nose with the red lattice.'
kick her out and take her place ; but if you see three lying togeiier,
The lattices continued in use until the beginning of the you must only kick out the middle one, and lie between the other
two."
eighteenth century, and after they disappeared from the
windows were adopted as signs,' and such they continue
'
(' ) The History of Sign-boards, from the earliest times to the pre-
sent day (Botten and Larwood 1867), p 445. ( *) Hist, of Sign Boards, pp 165 and 230. (') Ibid, p 339.
(3) Ibid, p 374. (5 ) Lists 12 and 13. (8 ) Ibid, p 166.
(9) Ibid. (6 ) Hist, of Sign Boards, p 61. ( «) Ibid, p 381.
— —
IX. " The Theee Compasses. O This sign is a partionlar XIII. " Between Chancery Lane and Turnstile (says
favourite in London, where no less than twenty-one Pennant) (f) is to be seen a sign which I thought only existed
public-houses make a living under its shadow. , Perhaps in one of the prints of the humourous Hogarth : I mean
this is partly owing to the compasses being a Masonic that of St. John's Mead in a charger, inscribed Good
emblem, and a great many publicans '
worthy brethren,' Eating Within."
Frequently the sign of the Compasses contains between
The Three Ceanes, in the Vintry, was a wharf allotted
the legs the following good advice :
dark ;'
in the reign of George II. this same house became
a great resort for the Whigs." XrV. The Nag's Head (') Tavern, Cheapside, was
The Kit Oat Club, in winter, used to meet at this house. the fictitious scene of consecratioii of the Protestant
The name of the Club is said to have been derived from Bishops, at the accession of Queen Elizabeth in 1559, who,
the first landlord, who was called Christopher Cat he ex- on the refusal of Anthony Kitehen, Bishop of Llandaff, to
;
celled in the making of mutton pies, which were named perform the ceremony (it was asserted), determined to
after him Kit Cat, and were the standard dish of the consecrate one another, Scorey beginning with Parker, who
Club :— instantly rose Archbishop of Canterbury. A refutation
" Here did th' assembly's title first arise, of this tale may, however, be read in Strype's Life of
And Kit Kat's wits sprang first from Kit Cat's pies." (§ 4). Archbishop Parker, at p 57.
XI. " One of. the most famous Globe (') Taverns stood,
XV. The Apple Tkbe (*) Tavern, in Dorrington St., was
till the beginning of this century, in Fleet St. It had been
much resorted to by the discharged prisoners from the
one of the favourite haunts of Oliver Cromwell ; who, it
neighbouring House of Correction and their friends,
appears, was never tired of hearing a certain '
tun of a
" perhaps the only waggery in public-house customs (writes
man '
sing '
Nottingham Ale.' Goldsmith's face was so
J. T. Smith in his " Vagabondia ") now remaining is in
well known here that a wealthy pork butcher, another
the taproom of the Apple Tree, opposite Cold Bath Fields
habitue of the house, used to drink to him in the familiar
"
Prison. There are a couple of handcuffs fastened to the
words, '
Come, Noll, old boy, here's ray service to you.'
wires as bell pnlls, and the orders given by some of the
a
company when they wish their friends to ring, are '
agi-
XII. In a masque of 1683, (*) the constituents of
tate the conductors.' " This house was at one time kept
tavern are thus described :
seen in the Bayeux tapestry, in that part where a house is sign at a public-house in East Smithfield, called the
seton fire, with the inscription, Hia donvus mcenditur, next " Strong Man," represent Topham performing some of his
to which appears a large building, from which projects wonderful feats of strength (No. 45.)
something very like a pole and bush, both at the front and
the back of the building. The custom came evidently
from the Bomans, and with it the oft-repeated proverb, (9 ) Some Account of London, 1793, p 187.
" Good wine needs no bush." (Mourning Bush, now (6) Ibid, p 335.
Emulation, No. 21.) 423.
(') Ibid, p
(») Ibid, p 494. (*) Ibid. (9) Hist, of Islington (Nelson), 1811, p 124.
—
; — —
the eminent philosopher, chemist and antiquary, records Engraved Lists (36).— 1723; 1725; 1736; 1738-41;
1744-5; 1750; 1752-58; 1760-62; 1764-70;
in his Diary that he dined here with a company of Masons
1772-73 1775-78.— (Grand Lodge.)
;
(he having been 36 years a member of the Craft) in 1682. 1729; 1734; 1763. —
(Pub. by Bro. W. J.
The present Globe Lodge, No. 23, met at this tavern from —
Hughan.) 1762 (British Museum.)
1723 until after 1740 ; and here also was Preston's Miscellaneous Lists.— 1722 1738 1756.-— (Constit.)
; ;
" Mother " Lodge —formerly meeting at the White Habt 1730 (S. Prichard) 1733 (Rawlinson)
; 1785
(Picart); 1737 (Prichard); 1763-65 (Pocket Gom-
;
on the roll of the " Ancients " — constituted for the second panion) 1765 J. Cooke; 1766 1775-1815 {Free-
; ;
time in ample form, and became the Caledonian Lodge masons' Galendar) 1797 (E. Newberry) 1813-14
; ;
(Moderns). (§4.) The engraved lists commence in 1723, and the latest I
have been able to trace is that for 1778. Of the 56 lists
issued during this period, assuming the publication to have
XVII. The meetings of Grand Lodge were held at the been an annual one, twenty are missing, viz., 1724;
Kings Aems and the Fountaine, Strand, in 1721 at 1726-28; 1730-33; 1735; 1737; 1742-43; 1746-49;
;
the White Lion, Cornhill, and the Ceown, Threadneedle 1751; 1759; 1771 and 1774.
Street, in 1723 ; at the Bell, Westminster, and the The recovery of the lists for 1726-28 and 1730-33 is very
Devil, Temple Bar, in 1725. At the Devil was formed greatly to be desired.
place at the Queen's Head, Great Queen Street, in 1728 Grand Lodge, is the edition for 1725, the earlier one of
at the Three Tons, Swithin's Alley, in 1729 at the Eose, 1723 having been printed by Eman Bo wen.
;
The lists for
1742-3 are missing, but in 1744 the engraver was again
in Mary-la-Bonne, and the Half Moon, Cheapside, 1731
Eman Bowen. Benjamin Cole then followed during
and at the Castle, Drury Lane, in 1732. (^)
1745-66, being in turn succeeded by William Cole, in 1767,
About sixteen sessions of Grand Lodge were held at the who brought out, in 1778, the latest engraved list, which is
Ceown and Anohoe, in the Strand. It was at this tavern now owned by our National Masonic Library.
that on the 8th November 1813, was held an "Especial
The establishment of the Freemasons' Calendar in 1777,
Grand Lodge of the Ancients." In the following month in opposition to an unauthorised publication of the same
the Union with the Grand Lodge of the " Moderns " was name, published by the Stationers' Company in 1776-76,
accomplished, and thus was formed " The United Grand seems to have gradually extinguished the older official Hst,
Lodge of Ancient Freemasons of England."(^) In the Calendar for 1778 appears the following note:
" It being found impracticable to insert a correct list of the days of
meeting in this annual publication, on account of the very frequent
XIX. The following minute, attests that the habits alterations that are made, the Lodges are arranged in alphabetical
order, and the figures refer to the numbers in the engraved Hit, pub-
contracted by our ancestors, in the taverns at which their
lished under the authority of the Grand Master, by W. Cole, engraver
Lodges assembled, were not readily relinquished, during to the Society, No. 109, Newgate-street, where new impressions of
PAET IL
§ 17. —Let us now apply onrselves to the inquiry, what constituted by the Grand Lodge according to the new
are, or were the especial privileges of the four old regulations of the Society, and while such Lodges acted
Lodges ? (') in conformity to the ancient Constitutions of the Order
to admit their Masters and Wardens (') to share with
I.Prior to the formation of the Grand Lodge (1717) it them all the privileges of the Grand Lodge, excepting
seems to have been the settled usage that " a sufficient precedence of rank. Matters being thus amicably ad-
number met together within a certain district, justed, the brethren of the four Lodges considered their
of Masons,
had at that time ample power to make Masons, and dis- attendance on the future Communications of the Society
charge all the duties of Masonry, without any warrant of as unnecessary and, therefore, like the other Lodges,
;
Constitution, the privilege being inherent in themselves as trusted implicitly to their Master and Wardens, resting
individuals." At the first meeting, O however, of the Grand satisfied that no measure of importance would be adopted
Lodge, the following regulation was passed, viz., that the
without their approbation. The Officers of the Old
privilege of assembling as Masons, which had hitherto Lodges, however, soon began to discover that the new
been unlimited, shonld no longer be vested in the power Lodges, being equally represented with them at the Com-
of the Fraternity at large, but that every Lodge to be munications, might, in process of time, so far outnumber
thereafter convened, except ilie four old Lodges, at that the old ones, as to have it in their power, by a majority, to
time existing, should be legally authorised to act by a encroach on, or even subvert, the privileges of the original
Warrant from the Grand Master for the time being, Masons of England, which had been centred in the four
with the consent and approbation of the Grand Lodge in old Lodges, with the concurrence of the brethren at large.
I
Communication, and that without such Warrant, no Lodge
should be hereafter deemed regular or constitutional. V. Therefore they very wisely formed a code of laws for
the future government of the Society, and annexed thereto
II. In compliment to the brethren of the four old Lodges,
a conditional clause which it was agreed that the Grand
;
by whom the Grand Lodge was first formed, it was resolved, Master for the time being, his successors, and the Master of
" That every privilege which they collectively enjoyed, by
every Lodge to be hereafter constituted, should engage to
virtue of their immemorial rights, they should still continue preserve, and keep sacred and inviolable, in all time coming.
to enjoy, and that no law, rule, or regulation, to ie Tiereafter To commemorate this circumstance, it has been customary
made, shonld deprive them of such privileges, or encroach (says Preston) ever since that time for the Master of the
on any. landmark, which was at that time established as the oldest Lodge to attend every Grand Installation and, :
standard of Masonic Government." taking precedence of all present, the Grand Master only
excepted, to deliver the book of the original Constitutions to
III. This resolution being confirmed, the old Masons in
the new installed Grand Master on his engaging to support
the metropolis, agreeably to the resolution of the brethren at
the ancient Charges and the general Regulations. The
large, vested all their inherent privileges as individuals in
conditional clause above referred to runs thus :
—" Every
the four old Lodges, in trust, that they would never suffer
annual Geand Lodge has an inherent Power and
the old charges and ancient landmarks to be infringed.
Authority to make new Regulations, or to alter these,
for the real Benefit of this ancient Fraternity ; Provided
IV. Thei four old Lodges then agreed to extend their
always that the old Land Marks Be Carefully Preserved
patronage to every Lodge which shonld hereafter be
and that such alterations and new regulations be proposed
and agreed to at the third Quarterly Communication
( 1 ) Illustrations of Masonry,by Bro. W. Preston, Editions 1775, 1781, and that they be
preceding the Annual Grand Feast ;
1796, 1801, and 1804. See next page (notes 4 and 5) and § 18 (VII.)
(2) Bro. Findel (p 140) dates the passing of this resolution at 1723,
but though a similar one was re-affirmed in that year (§ 18 VI.) old
Eegulation Till. (Constit. 1723, p 60) approved in 1721, expressly ( ' ) The privilege of voting in Grand Lodge was only extended to
I forbids the formation of any Lodge without the Grand Master's Past Grand Masters, 21st Nov. 1724 ; to Past Deputy Grand Masters,
I Warrant. This regulation had probably been in force for some time 28th Feb. 1726; and to Grand Wardens, 24th June 1727. This
1 prior to 1720, and was doubtless
included in the code of rules then explains why Bros. Sayer and Payne (Past Grand Masters) appear at
Vdrawn up by Grand Master Payne. p 2 as Officers of private Lodges.
3
— —
offered also to tlie perusal of all Brethren before dinner, in of Bro. William Hawkins, demitted," as always out of
writing, even of the youngest apprentice ; the approbation Town."(*)]
and consent of the majority of all the brethren present
being absolutely necessary to make the same binding and VI. By the above prudent precaution of our antient
obligatory-''^)
bretliren, the original Constitutions were established as the
basis of all future Masonic jurisdiction in the South of Eng-
This remarkable clause, with thirty-eight regulations
preceding it, all of which are printed in the first Edition of
land ; and the Ancient Landmarks, as they are emphatically
styled, or the boundaries set up as checks to innovation or
the Book of Constitutions, was approved, ratified, and con-
absolute dominion, were carefully secured against the
firmed by one hundred and fifty brethren, at an annual
Assembly and Feast held at Stationers' Hall, on St. John the The four old Lodges, in con-
attacks of future invaders.
at Stationers' Hall on the 24th June 1721. On the while their proceedings were conformable to those Con-
29th September following, " fault having been found stitutions, no power known in Masonry could legally de-
prive them of any right or privilege which they had ever
with all the copies of the old Gothic Constitutions,"
Grand Lodge ordered Dr. Anderson " to digest the same enjoy ed.{'^)
Master, "the officers of twenty-five Lodges paying their Parker's Lane in Drury Lane, has been extinct above
homage,'' and " Grand Warden Anderson produced the fifty (^) years, by the death of its members. § 10 (II.)
new book of Constitutions, now in Print, which was again
approved. "(^) (*) The privileges of the old Lodges were first discussed by
Preston in the third edition of his work (1781), in which he states,
According to Preston (ante) the Compact of 1721 was " when the former editions of this book were printed, the anther
subscribed by the Grand Officers of 1723, who, more- was not sufficiently acquainted with this part of the History of
Masonry in England," (p 224).
ever, are incorrectly named. Dr. Anderson having on 17th
(^) Except where other authorities are cited, the Statements
January 1723 been appointed Grand Warden in the place embodied in this Section (17) rest on Preston's unsupported
narrative.
(B) See §§ 6, and 9-12.
(1) Conatitutions 1723, pp 58 to 70, Art. 39.
(7) Preston, Ed. 1781, p 224. See p 19, note 2.
(2) See note 5, also §§ 8 and 18 (VII.), and Manifesto of Lodge of This statement first appears in this edition (1781), and
(8) Ibid.
Antiquity, olanae 4. Post. is repeated verbatim in those of 1796, 1801, 1804, and indeed every
(3) Constit. 1738, pp 112, 115, and 152. other, including the l7th Edition, published in 1861.
— — —
III. " Lodge No. 3, formerly held at the Apple Tree Order, to which all Masons in England were bound to pay
Tavern, in Charles-street, Covent-garden, has been dissolved obedience.
many years. By the List of Lodges inserted in the Book
of Constitutions, printed in 1738, it appears, that in V. Upon this the Lodge of Antiquity withdrew from
February 1722-3, this Lodge was removed to the Queen's Grand Lodge, published a Manifesto in vindication
the
Head, in Knave's Acre, on account of some difference of its conduct, resumed its original powers, and having
amoDg its members and that the members who met asserted that the contract of 1721 had been violated by the
;
there came under a new Constitution, though, says Grand Lodge, proceeded to act as a Lodge in the same
the Book of Constitutions, thet wanted it not:(') manner it was authorised to do before that contract was
and ranked as No. 10 in the list. Thus they inconsider- formed.
ately renounced their former rank and every ancient
privilege which they derived from their immemorial Con- VI. Referring to the preceding paragraphs (I.— IV.),
stitution. the following note on the four old Lodges, by the same
writer, exhibits an entirely different view of their privileges
IV. Original No. 4, formerly held
and
at the Rummer
responsibilities. (') —" It is a question that will admit of
and Grapes, removed to the Horn Tavern, and then agreed
some discussion, whether any of the above old Lodges can,
to incorporate with the Somerset House Lodge, which
while they exist as Lodges, surrender their rights ; as these
immediately assumed their rank.(^) "The members of
rights seem to have been granted by the old Masons of the
this Lodge," says Preston, "tacitly agreed to a renuncia-
metropolis to them in trust, and any individual member of
tion of their rights as one of the four original Lodges, by
the Four Old Lodges might object to the surrender, and
openly avowing a declaration of their Master in Grand
in that case they never could be given up."
Lodge. They put themselves entirely under the authority confirmed by
The position thus advanced by Preston is
of the Grand Lodge claimed no distinct privilege, by
;
the Constitutions of 1723, containing the "old Regulations"
virtue of an Immemorial Constitution, but precedency of
so eulogised by him in § 17, to which is appended the
rank, and considered themselves subject to every law or
following
regulation of the Grand Lodge, over whom they could
admit of no control, and to whose determination they and APPROBATION.
every Lodge were bound to submit." Thekepoee we, the present Gramd Master of the Right Worshipful
and Most Ancient Fraternity of Free and Accepted, Masons, the
It was resolved in Grand Lodge, that the members of Deputy Ora/nd Master, the Grand Wardens, the Masters and Wardens
the Lodge of Antiquity should agree to the same pro- of particular Lodges, [with the consent of the Brethren and Fellows m
and about the cities o/ London and Westminsteb ( »)] having alsoperuaed
position, but they refused, it being, in their opinion, repug- this performance, do join our laudable Predecessors in onr solemn
formation of Approbation thereof, as what we believe will fully answer the end
nant to the contract established at the first
proposed : all the valuable things of the old Records being retained.(*)
the Grand Lodge, and to the original Constitutions of the
It admits of little doubt, that in its inception, the Grand
Lodge of England was intended merely as a governing
'
( 1 ) From this expression it is evident that the members of this
body for the Masons of the Metropolis. The minutes of
Lodge were understood to have an inherent right, at least collectively,.
without any new authority, to meet aa a Lodge, and to discharge the Grand Lodge sufficiently attest this, as will be presently
duties of Masonry ; and this in a more fall and ample manner than
any newly constituted Lodge conid do ; for it is very remarkable that shown, but it may also be mentioned that no Provincial
the four Old Lodges always preserved their original power of making, Lodges appear on the roll before 1724 :
Nov. 21 1724,(1)— Ordered— "That if any brethren shall meet by the repeal of this obnoxious Clause in the following
irregularly and ruake Masons at any place within ten miles of London
(the new brethren excepted) shall not be admitted even as visitors year (1549) on the express ground: —
"That ifForrens
into any regnlar Lodge whatsoever, unless thsy come and make such (non-freemen) sholde come and worke within the libtyes
submission to the Grand Master and Grand Lodge, as they shall
think fit to impose on them. same sholde be a great decay of
of the Cittie, that the
coaynge and an ympoverishment and drivinge awaye of
The position of the London Building Societies, from the the freemen being Artificers of the Crafts, Artes, and
earliest times, was of a very exceptional character, as will Mysteries aforesaide within the saide Cittie of London."(')
be best illustrated by a brief reference to the Statute Though the legal efiect of the foregoing enactment was
Book. a removal from Trade or Craft Guilds, in all Cities,
In 1 514-15, (^) it was enacted: —"That no Freemason, Boroughs, or Towns Corporate, of the restrictions im-
Mastir Carpenter, Rough Mason, etc., take no more, posed upon them by the legislation of 1548: it may
ne gretter wages than in this Statute is lymytted " —but reasonably be inferred that the Building Trades of
in the following year (^)
— " on the Humble Petycyon of London, in whose interest it was passed, derived the
the Artificers of the Oytie of London," it was ordered chief, if not the exclusive benefit of its provisions.
" that the seid Artificers and their prentices workyn The special consideration accorded by Parliament
wyiliin the seid Gytie, or the lihtie of the same, from ,to the building trades of London, might indeed favour
hensforth may take lyke wages as they did take before the the supposition that, from the influential and highly pri-
seid estatute hadde or made." vileged character of these societies, tliey preserved their
By one of the Clauses of a Statute of 1548,(*) it ancient customs unimpaired long after thoso of the pro-
was forbidden " to interrupte, denye, lett, or disturb any vincial Crafts had lapsed into desuetude ; until becoming,
Freemason, Rough Mason, Carpenter, Bricklayer, Plays- in the end, the sole depositories of whatever traditions
terer, Joyner, Hard Hewer, Sawyer, Tyler, Pavyer, Glasyer, were common to the associations of buildcrsC) — the four
Lyme Burner, Brickmaker, Tylemaker, Plumber, or old Architectural Lodges of 1717, the representatives of
Laborer, borne in this Realme, or made Denizon, to worke ancient Masonry in its latest phase — naturally enough, at
in anye Cittie, Boroughe, or Towne Corporate; albeit the the re- organisation of the institution on a speculative basis,
sayde pson or psons doe not inhabyte or dwell in the Cittie, only contemplated, in the first instance, its wider extension
Boroughe, or Towne, nor he free of the same." within the limits of the metropolis.
Bro. Fort has noticed this law, " as repealing the statutes
which prohibited the Craft of Builders from freely VII. It should be observed, in regard to Preston's
practising their trade according to ancient usage and connection with the Lodge of Antiquity, that having
custom." Almost identical language is used by Bro. previously delivered a course of Masonic lectures at the
Findel,(^) but a careful examination of its terms will Mitre, in Fleet-street, and published the first edition of his
render it quite clear, that the enactment was framed in " Illustrations of Masonry," this Lodge, on the occasion
continuation of the policy, of which the much quoted law of his appearing amongst them as a visitor, on 15th June
of 1425 (3 Henry VI. cap. 1)was but an intermediate 1774, not only admitted him a member, but actually elected
manifestation, (^) and constituted a further attempt to him Master at the same meeting. ("*)
check the increasing abuses of the trade or craft guilds in Though writing with a great bias in favour of the Lodge,
their restraint of skilled labour, native or foreign, from a
full and free participation in the privileges incident to the
(8)3 and 4 Edward VI. cap xx.
mechanical trades. (') (8) Prom the faot that almost identical versions of the Masonio
legend and charges were in circulation among the Scotch, York, and
That the privileges of the old trade guilds of London
London Masons in the middle of the seventeenth century, it may be
were not lightly suppressed is, however, clearly evidenced contended that in all essential features the secrets of the old opera-
tive Lodges were the same throughout both kingdoms. The practice,
however, in Scotland of authorising individual brethren to make
(1) G.L. Min.
Masons out of the Lodge, probably conduced to the same want of
C) 6 Henry VIII. cap. iii. uniformity in the secret ceremonial of the Craft in the seventeenth
Henry VIIL cap. T. as it admittedly caused in the eighteenth century (Lyon, pp 22 and
C) 7
105). Masonry in York had practically died out in 1717, no meeting
(*) 2 and 3 Edward VI. cap. XT. of the Old Lodge in that city taking place between 1716 and 1723,
(5) Antiqnities of Freemasonry, p ISO; Hist of Freemasonry, p 80. in which latter year it was probably galvanized into fresh existence
by the impetus which Masonry everywhere received from the in-
(6) Eden's State of the Poor (1797), Vol. I. p 35.
creasing importance of the Grand Lodge in the South.
(7) Brentano, History and Developement of Gilds, p 148; see (">) F. M. Mag. (1795), Vol IV. p 3. European Mag. (1811), Vol.
§ 22 (III.) LIX. p 323.
—
which had paid him so signal a compliment, Preston's pied the attention of every Committee and Communication for twelve
months. It originated from the Master, Wardens, and some of the
views on all points, excepting the relative merits of the
members, having, in consequence of a resolution of the Lodge,
" four old Lodges," carry with them great weight, and are attended divine service at St. Dnnstan's Chnrch in Fleet Street, in
the clothing of the Order, and walked back to the Mitre Tavern in
entitled to our utmost respect. their regalia, without having obtained a dispensation for the pur-
pose. The Grand Lodge determined the measure to be a violation
Whilst holding the office of Deputy Grand Secretary of the general regulations respecting public processions. Various
highly
(•which he afterwards resigned) he -was specially employed opinions were formed on the subject, and several brethren
disgusted. Another circumstance tended still farther to widen the
in arranging the general regulations of the Society, and in breach. This Lodge having expelled three members for misbe-
haviour, the Grand Lodge interfered, and without proper inves-
preparing for the press an Appendix to the Book of Con-
tigation, ordered them to be reinstated. With this order the Lodge
stitutions ; during this period he amassed a quantity of refused to comply, conceiving themselves competent judges in the
choice of their own members, the privileges of the Lodge of An-
memoranda from which was afterwards formed his His- tiquity were then set np in opposition to the supposed uncontrollable
tory of Masonry. authority of the Grand Lodge and in the investigation of this;
work (1775) was published with the formal sanction of the old Lodge in York City, and to the Lodges in Scotland and Ireland,
then Grand Master, it should be recollected that he wrote for advice entered a protest against, and peremptorily refused to
;
a party to the contract of the latter year (§§ 17 and 23). Treasurer's accounts, highly derogatory to the dignity of the Society.
This produced a schism, which subsisted for the space of ten years.
The original constitutions were no doubt approved by
the then existing Lodges, in 1721, but not being quite II. To justify the proceedings of the Grand Lodge, the following
resolution of the Committee of Charity, held in Feb. 1779, was
ready for the press, their final approbation was postponed
printed and dispersed among the Lodges :
§ 19.
(2) This is a hit all round at original Nos. 4, 2 and 3 respectively,
I. On the 1st of 1777, Lord Petre waa succeeded by the Dnke
May and illustrates the absence of cohesion amongst the four old Lodges,
tranquillity of the
of Manchester, dnring whose administration the who uniiedVy might have preserved their privileges for all time. The
Society was interrupted by private dissensions. An
unfortnnate
spoliation of No. 3 was powerfully assisted by a member of No. 4
dispute having arisen among the members of the Lodge of
Antiquity,
(Bro. Ohocke). The erasure of No. 4 elicited no protest from its
on account of some proceedings of the brethren of that Lodge on
election,
fellow " Immemorials" —
No. 2 passed off the scene unlamented ; and
the Festival of St. John the Evangelist, after his Grace's on No. 1 availing undoubted right to retire from the
itself of its
the complaint vras introduced into the Grand Lodge, where
it ooou-
Masonic Union in 1778, the remaining old Lodges raised no objection
to the name, status and privileges of the senior Lodge, being vested
in a few expelled members of it, who continued their allegiance to
and 1804. the Grand Lodge.
(1) Preston, Ed. 1781, 1796, 1801,
22 THE FOUR OLD LODGES.
of the Lodge of Antiquity were justified in considering their imme- Esq., present Master of the Lodge of Antiquity, unanimity has been
morial constitution sacred, while they chose to exist as a Lodge and happily restored, the Manifesto published by that Lodge in 1779
act in obedience to the ancient Constitntions. revoked, and the Master and Wardens of that truly ancient Associa-
Considering the subject in this point of view, it evidently appears tion, the first Lodge under the English Constitution, have resumed
that the resolutions of the Grand Lodge, could have no effect on the their seats in Grand Lodge as heretofore ; while the brethren who
Lodge of Antiquity ; especially after the publication of the Manifesto had received the sanction of the Society as nominal members of the
avowing its separation. The members of that Lodge continued to Lodge of Antiquity during the separation, have been reunited with
meet regularly as heretofore, aud to promote the laudable purposes of the original members of the real Lodge, and all the privileges of that
Masonry on their old independent foundation. venerable body now centre in one channel.
had never been derived from, or ceded to, any Grand Lodge what- separate Grand Lodge of its own, under the title of the
ever- To understand more clearly the nature of that Constitution, " Grand Lodge of England South of the Trent." There
by which the Lodge of Antiquity is upheld, we must have recourse to
the usage and customs which prevailed among Masons at the end of being in consequence, at such time, four Grand Lodges of
the last, and beginning of the present century. The Fraternity then
had a discretionary power to meet as Masons, in certain numbers,
England in contemporaneous existence, viz. :
— (^)
which never proceeded from the Grand Lodge, unfettered by any commentary thereupon, may here be appropriately cited. (*)
other restrictions than the Constitutions of Masonry, the Lodge of
Antiquity has always been, and still continues to be governed.
" A privilege has been lately granted to the Stewards'
Lodge, of taking precedence of other Lodges ; a measure
V. [(*) Audit is well known to have been an invariable rule, long incompatible with the Gonstitutions, and which can never
after the establishment of the Grand Lodge in London, on its present
system, for the Grand Master, at his installation, solemnly to engage he sanctioned hy the rules of the Society ; this privilege is
to observe the ancient Constitutions, and to preserve the ancient said to have been irregularly obtained, and therefore
privileges, of the Masons of England, as landmarks not to be removed.
From this state of the case, it must appear obvious that any regu- several Lodges have entered protests against it in their
lation of the Society that subversive of the original Constitutions,
is
must be an encroachment on the ancient privileges of Masonry ; and
private books, which in due time may have an effect, and
however, it may operate with respect to Lodges which have been con- probably induce a re-investigation of the subject."
stituted in conformity to that regulation, it can never affect
Bro. Preston further states, " that it having been
others which are not warranted by their constitution to give it a
sanction.]
reported to the Lodge of Antiquity, that a member of the
Stewards' Lodge, had threatened to enter a complaint,
TI. While I have endeavoured to explain the subject of this unfor-
tunate dispute, I rejoice in the opportunity which the proceedings of against the Master of a Lodge at Paddington, for having
the grand feast in 1790 have afforded of promoting harmony, by re-
storing tO'the privileges of the Society all the brethren of the Lodge
paid the usual compliment to the Master of the Lodge
of Antiquity who had been falsely accused and unjustly expelled in
1779. By the operation of our professed principles, and through the
mediation of that true friend to genuine Masonry, William Birch, (6) Hughan, Masonic Memorials, p 9; Masonic STcetches and Re-
prints, p 59.
(^) Before this date, the chief officer was styled the President, and
(1) § 24 (Y.) —
no such term as Qrand Lodge is recorded. Hughan, History of Free-
(2) See § 22 (III.) masonry in Yorlc, p 41. See §§23 and 27.
(3) N.B, —
In antient times no hrother, however skilled in the Craft, Warrant of Confirmation from the Grand Lodge
(') Established by
mas called a Master Mason until he had been elected into the chair of of aU England(York). Held at the Queen's Head, Holborn. His-
—
a Lodge. Constit. 1873, p 7. tory of York (Hargrove), Vol. II. p 476.
(*) Preston, Ed. 1781 {only). (») Preston, Ed. 1796, p 272. See § 24 (VI.)
" —
of Antiquity, on a visit, in preference to a member more, than that the foundation was defective in number,
of the Stewards' Lodge, it was resolved by the members, and consequently defective in form and capacity.
' That no Lodge, or member of a Lodge, under the con- " Nor can it be urged that such defection or irregular
stitution of England, shall take precedence of the Master formation was owing to necessity, as there were numbers
of this Lodge. And that a letter be immediately trans- of old Masons then in (and adjacent to) London, from
mitted to the Master of the Lodge at Paddington, thanking whom the present Grand Lodge of Ancient Masons received
him for the respect shown to the Master of the oldest the old system without adulteration." (^)
Lodge, and promising to defend him and his Lodge against
the said complaint.' '
The complaint,' continues Preston, II. The author or compiler of the Complete Free-
'
was never brought before the Society, and the matter mason, or Multa Faucis for Lovers of Secrets, an anony-
dropt of course.' mous work published about 1764-6, speaks of six Lodges
being present or represented at the Revival ; but as this
them, command no weight wrote at a time when many personally knew as to the facts
whatever, and were probably
narrated, and whose Book of Constitutions (1738) was
invented by Bro. Laurence Dermott,(') for the sole purpose
the official statement issued by the Grand Lodge,
of disparaging the Regular Grand Lodge — these, it must
really
tions ") (1753), was a member of a " Eegnlar " Lodge in London
that all the other Masons that come to such Chapiters and Congrega-
(Moderns) prior to his connection with the Ancients." tions be punished by imprisonment of their bodies, and make Fine and
(3) See p 17, note 2. Ransom at the King's Will.
) ;
hood.(') The construction thus placed upon the -wording bear in mind that from the eighth century, the organisation
of this enactment was first promulgated in the Constitution of the Guilds was so complete, that their ordinances were
book of 1723, C^) and has since heen universally adopted, imitated, or at least sanctioned in legislation, and that even
being relied upon by the more critical school of modern when tolerating the presence of the non-freeman, they
writers, as presenting the one indisputable fact, which alone could bind him by their regulations. (*) Being organised,
prevents the old Guild Legend from being consigned to the the Craft Guildmen provided for the maintenance of the
region of fable and romance. Thus we find in a recent customs of their Craft, framed further ordinances for its
work, whichmay be characterised as a monument of learning regulation, saw those ordinances properly executed, and
— —
andresearch "From this phraseology " " en leur generalz punished the Guild-brothers who infringed them.(^) The
Chapiters assemblez " —" There is no doubt, the Freemasons maintenance of their independence against the City
had long been accustomed to meet in a general or Grand authorities, and the possibility of carrying out and making
body each year, to legislate upon all matters pertinent to the efEcient their trade rules, depended, however, on the
well-being of the craft."(
'
condition that all who carried on the trade should belong
Almost identical language, however, with what has been to the Guild. (°) It is therefore scarcely to be wondered
so particularly dwelt upon as occurring in the law of 1425 at, that so summary a curtailment of their legislative pre-
(3 Henry VI. c. i.) is used in the earlier statute of 1360-61 rogative, to enact ordinances for the control and regulation,
(34 Edward III. cap. ix.) :— of their members, though directed in the first instance
" All Alliances and Covines of Masons and Carpenters, against the building trades only, should have defeated its
and Congregations, Chapters, Ordinances, or Oaths betwixt own purpose by the sweeping and revolutionary character
them made, or to be made, shall be from henceforth void of its terms.
and wholly annulled." We find, accordingly, that in 1436-7 an endeavour was
To comprehend these laws (and therewith, the import made to regulate what confessedly, was
Parliament,
of the language in which they were expressed), we must powerless to suppress. The Statute 15 Henry VI. cap. vi.,
after reciting
— " that the Masters, Wardens, and People of
the many Guilds, fraternities, etc., make many unlawful
(1) According to the "le!?end of the Gnilda," the Masons were
successively empowered by Bnclid, St. Alban, and Edwin of York, to and unreasonable ordinances," requires — "all Letters
meet annually in general convention. To this convocation the name
of " Assembly " was given, and all Masters and Fellows were required
Patent and Charters to be registered, and all future
to attend, upon due notice, and if within fifty (or according to some ordinances to be approved by Justices of the Peace or by
MSS. ten) miles of the place where the same was convened.
Trespassers against the Science of Masonry were to be called to Governors of Cities and Towns. "(')
account, though if any one felt aggrieved at the award of his brethren The particular expressions, " Congregations,"
and fellows, he was not debarred from the exercise of his legal rights.
and
Halliwell's Early Hist, of Freemasonry in England, Art. II.
" Chapters," which we have seen are employed alike
Hugban's Old Charges of British Freemasons, :passim ; and Fort's in the Statutes of 1425 and 1360-61, are further ex-
Antiquities of Freemasonry, pp 157-184.
plained by the proceedings of an intermediate year.(')
Inigo Jones is said to have instituted Quarterly Communications of
Grand Lodge, in place of the annual general meetings of the
Fraternity. This supposition, however, rests solely on the authority
(*) Brentano, Historical Essay on Gilds, pp 75-76. The Old
of a manuscript by Nicholas Stone, which was Iwrnt in 1720. See English Guilds (Axon) Brit. Almanack and Companion, 1878, p 45.
Constit. 1738, pp 99 and 111. The myth of an "annual assembly"
having been accepted as a fact, this regulation of Grand Master (?) ( 5 ) Also, —
if any one of the said Trade will not be ruled or
Inigo Jones has proved a very useful connecting link between the' old directed in due manner by the persons of his trade sworn thereunto.
and the new systems !
Such sworn persons are to make known his name under the Mayor
and the Mayor, by assent of the Aldermen and Sheriffs, shall cause
(2) P
35; ArchEeologia, Vol. IX. p 120. Preston states (on the
him to be chastised by imprisonment and other punishment; that so,
authority of a record of the Society, said to have been in the
other rebels may take example by him, to be ruled by the good folks
possession of Blias Ashmole, which was unfortunately destroyed),
of their trade. Regulations for the Trade of Masons, 30 Edward III.,
" Notwithstanding the appointment of a Grand Master for the South i
have been totally overlooked, not only by the English historians but ( ' ) By
the Statute 19 Henry VII. cap vii. (1503) CorporationB
in the Statutes." ! or fellowships of Crafts, Guilds, and Fraternities, were further
restrained from making by-laws or ordinances without the approval
(2) Fort, Antiquities of Freemasonry (1876), p 126, Note -"3.
Bro. Fiudel says " We must leave it undecided whether of the Chancellor. See § 18 (VI.)
:
these
meetings for the increase of wages were the same as the regular ( 8) Smith's English Gilds, pp 128-130. Hetbert's Companies
lodges held according to the usual custom of the Baiihutten. Hist, of of London, Vol I. p 36.
Freemasonry (1871), p 97 ; see also pp 111 and 127. The earliest Masonic MS. we possess (Eoyal MSS., 17 A.I.) if
— —
In 1388 (12 Rich. II.) writs were issued to the Sheriffs of —(P. 150) " The absence of any ordinances in the
London and of every Shire in England, ordering them to returns made (to the law of 1388) by the Craft Gilds is
make proclamation, calling on the Master and Wardens of much to be regretted. The ordinances of the (3ilds of
all Guilds and BrotAerhoods whatsoever, for returns as to Crafts would be of quite as much interest as those of the
the manner and form of the oaths, gatherings, feasts, and Social Gilds." This deficiency, however, he himself
General Meetings of the brethren and sisteren.(') The supplies, and we find
p 315), amongst the ordinances
(at
Masters, Wardens, and Overlookers of all the Mysteries of the Craft Guild of Tailors, at Exeter, that there were to
and Crafts, were also to be called upon to send up in the be four days of regular meeting of the Guild — " and att
same way, copies of their Charters or letters patent, when that dayys, the othe and the Ordynawnse-ys and Consty-
they had any. In a note to his " English Gilds," Mr. J. tusyons shall be radde."
Toulmin Smith, who had critically examined over iwe In a petition to Parliament against this Guild (22 Edw.
JiiMidred returns from these associations, observes :
— " the
Mayor and Corporation of Exeter, it is com-
IV.), by the
distinction between the gatherings (congregationes) and plained that " they oft-tymes haue made and caused to be
general meetings (assemblias) is seen at a glance in most of made dyvers Conuenticles, Commocions " etc. The expres-
the ordinances. The Gild brethren were bound to gather sion Conventicles would seem to be here employed in the sense
together, at unfixed times, for special purposes ; but besides of irregular or unlawful "Chapters," or secret meetings.(^)
these gatherings upon special summons, general Tneetings of Colour is lent to this supposition by the phraseology of a
the Gilds were held on fixed days in every year, for election proclamation of the " Mair, Shirreues, and Aldermen " of
of officers, holding their feasts," etc.(^) the City of London in 1388 (7 Rich. II.) which orders
Though the preceding note refers to the " Social " as " that noman make none Congraciouns, Oomientieules, ne
distinguished from the " Craft " Guilds, it applies with assembles of people in priue neu apert (in private nor
equal force to the latter of these associations. Mr. Smith openly), withoute leue of the Mair ne ouer more in none ;
the date assigned to it by Halliwell (1390) is correct, was probably empresonement, vche (each) man that is yfounde in swych
copied from the return made by one of the Guilds of Masons,
in conformity with the law of A.D. 1388 ? It is noteworthy that this defaute, and his bodi at the Kyngges will " etc.(4).
MS. makes no mention of King Solomon, though it alludes to the There can, conceived, be but doubt that at the
" Holy Martyres' Foure." Bro. Fort observes —
The operative Mason
:
it is little
of the Middle Ages in France and Germany, knew nothing of a General Meetings (or AssemMies) of all Crafts, Mysteries and
Jewish origin of his Craft. In case the traditions current in the
Thirteenth Century, or later, Jiad pointed to the time of Solomon, Fraternities, by which names the trade Guilds of the middle
in preparing the regulations for Corporate Government, and in order ages were indifferently described, it was the practice to
to obtain valuable exemptions, the prestige of the Israelitish King
would have by far transcended that of the Holy Martyrs, or Charles regulate the price of their merchandise or of their labour,
the Hammer-Bearer." Antiquities of Freemasonry, p 181. The
and to assert the prerogative of domestic legislation, by
Constitutions, however, of later date, claim hoth, King Solomon and
Charles Martel as patrons of the Masons, and maintain that a passing such ordinances as they deemed suitable and
pupil of the former, survived till the 8th Century of' the Christian
necessary for the proper government of their members. (°)
era, and became the instructor of the latter. ! !
English Gilds, pp 37, 155, and 184. Bro. Fort (p 314) accounts for {i) Eiley, Memorials of London, p 480.
their exclusion from Lodges of Masons, by reason of their inability This extract from the Civic records, is noteworthy, as being the
to take legal and formal oaths ? The York MS., however, of 1693, earliest entry in English in the Letter Books.
containing regulations for the Masonic Craft, has the following :
" The one of the elders takeing the Booke, and that Jiee or shee that is (^) By the rules of St. Katherine's Guild, London, the Wardens
to bee made mason shall lay their hands thereon." Haghau's Hist, were to make "none newe Statutes, ne newe ordinances w'oute
of Freemasonry in York, p 74, and Old Charges of Brit. Freemasons, assent of alle ye bretherhede, and that it be don on ye day of here
p 15i According to Herbert (Companies of London, Vol. I. pi""'' .ssemlle. Smith's English Gilds, p 8.
Sisters disappeared as members of the fraternities early iJi
J'JEi^ry Gild had its appointed day or days of meeting, once
seventeenth century.
a fear, three times, or four times, as the case might
twice,
(2) English Gilds, p 128. Inclusive of the returns made to the be, when all the brethren and sistren met together to transact
law of 1388; Mr. Smith had analysed the constitutions of more than their common affairs. At these meetings, called morn speeches
(in the various forms of the word) or "dayes of spekynggea
six Jmndred of these societies.
4
— —
Such a remarkable occurrence moreover, as the Assembly other eminent persons, that they always paid due allegiance to the
said Grand Assembly.(3)
of all the members of the building trades, in a general con-
country, the few remaining Lodges, in London and its anburbs, con- government of Masonry, by the present nominal Grand Lodge in
tinued, without any nominal Patron, in a declining state for about London, highly injurious to the institution itself, and tending to sub-
the space of seven years. (i) vert and destroy the ancient rights and privileges of the Society,
more particularly of those members of it under whose sanction, and
by whose authority, the said Grand Lodge was first established and
IV. now exists.
See the alterations in the last Edition of the Book of Constitutions, by com-
paring it with former Editions. See also State of Tacts, by Bfo. Preston, VIII.
passim.
We, the Master, Wardens, and Members of the Lodge of Antiquity,
And whbkeas, of late years, notwithstanding the said solemn considering ourselves bound in duty, as well as honour, to preserve
engagement in the year 1721, sundry innovations and encroachments inviolable the ancient rights and privileges of the Order, and, as far
have been made, and are still making on the original plan aud as in our power, to hand them down to posterity in their native
purity and excellence, do hereby, for ourselves and our successors,
solemnly disavow and discountenance such unlawful measures and
proceedings of the said nominal Grand Lodge ; and do hereby
(1) As against this disparagement of the other old lodges, it declare and announce to all our Masonic Brethren throughout the
will be sufScient to remind the reader that the 1st Grand Lodge was Globe, That the said Grand Lodge has, by such arbitrary conduct,
held under the banner of the lodge, meeting at the Apple Tree evidently violated the conditions expressed in the aforesaid 39th
Tamem, original No. 3, a member of which lodge was elected the first article of the general regulations, in the observance of which article
Qrwnd Master, upon whose vacation of this office, the honour of supply- the permanency of their authority solely depended. (=)
ing the head of the Craft for the next three years, devolved upon
original No. 4.
" It must be borne in mind that the seventeenth century had been IX.
very turbulent and full of commotions Masonry, therefore, which
:
can only flourish in times of peace, continued in a fluctuating state, And in consequence thereof. We, do by these presents retract
from, and reoal, all such rights and powers, as We, or our prede-
and found many difficulties to struggle with. In such unsettled
cessors, did conditionally give to the said nominal Grand Lodge in
seasons, particular Lodges could not be regularly attended in the
Southern parts of England, near the principal theatre of political London ; and do hereby disannul and make void all future Edicts
action ; but were held occasionally when circumstances favoured the
and Laws which the said Grand Lodge may presume to issue and
enforce, by virtue of such sanction, as representatives of the ancient
brethren, except in or near places where great Works were carried
on. Thus Sir Eohert Clayton held an occasional Lodge of his Brother and honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons. (°)
Masters at St. Thomases Hospital, ^outhwa/rk, A.D. 1693,' and to
advise the governours about the best design of rebuilding that Hos-
pital as it now stands most beautiful ; near which a stated Lodge (3) See §§ 6, 9-12, and 18.
continued for a long time afterwards. Besides that and the Old
PomIs, some brothers, living in 1730, remembered (*) Compare vrith Part III. post.
Lodge of St.
another in PiccaMlly over against St. James Church, one near West- (5) See § 24 (II.) ;post.
minster Abby, another near Oovent Ga/rden, one in Eolhorn, one on says (" History of Freemasonry in York," p 56),
Hnghan
(6) Bro.
Tower Hill, and some more that assembled statedly." (Oonstit. — " Beasona were not wanting to give a colour to the action on the
1738, p 106 f 1756 and 1767, p 176 ; and 1784, p 193.) part of the York authorities ; on the other hand, the ' Lodge of Anti-
See §§ 18 (VI.-VIL) and 24. quity ' presumed too much on their ' time immemorial ' privileges
C) 3, 17,
: : —— —
XI.
Most Worshipful Grand Lodge at York, as the truly ancient and hereby, from a firm persuasion of the justice of our cause, announce
only regular governing Grand Lodge of Masons, in England, to
a general union with all Regular Masons throughout the world, who
whom the Fraternity all owe and are rightfully bound to pay shall join us in supporting the original principles of Free Masonry,
allegiance. (*)
in promoting and extending the authority of the said truly ancient
Grand Lodge at York, and under such respectable auspices in pro-
pagating Masonry on its pure, genuine and original plan.
power, jurisdiction and right, which is not, by this confederation, ex- opinion of the Grand Lodge, and I declare I will never in future
pressly delegated to the United States in Congress assembled." Com- promulgate or propagate a doctrine of any inherent right, privilege.
pare aiso
or preemineuoe in Lodge No. 1, more than any other Lodge, except Grand Lodge under date of 25th November 1789, constitutes the
its priority as the senior Lodge." (Signed) Wiliiam Pkeston. official record of the termination of the sobiam
:— " Brothers
The motion for bis expnlsion was then rescinded. (^) John Wilson, Benjamin Bradley, John Sealy, Thomas Shipton,
the Reverend Gilbert Buchanan, Samuel Goddard, Hugh Lloyd, and
On 29th Jannary 1779, Bro. William Preston (described aa a William Preston, late members of the Lodge No. 1, who were
journeyman Prjnter) along with ten other members of the Lodge of expelled this Society in the year 1779, having Signified their Con-
Antiquity was expelled from the Society by the committee of Charity, cern, that through Misrepresentation, as they conceived, they should
which sentence was confirmed by Grand Lodge on the 3rd February have incnrred the displeasure of that Assembly, and their Wish to be
following. The alleged delinquencies of these brethren were thus
announced to the Craft : —
" That the same parties who had with-
restored to the Privileges of the Society, to the Laws of which they
were ready to conform; the Grand Lodge thereupon being satisfied
drawn themselves from that Lodge (Antiquity), as before mentioned, with their Apology, and also the Respectability of the Characters,
had, in defiance of every rule of Justice, Honour, and Decency, in and desirous of wiping away every Stigma against their Reputation,
the Deadest Hour of the Night, by Force, taken away all the Furni- thought proper to order, that the said Brothers be restored to all the
ture, Jewels, and Books belonging to the said Lodge, which were the
Privileges of the Society, and their grace granted, and that they be
joint and equal Property of the Members at Large." (2)
entitled to admission to every Lodge, as Members or otherwise, and
The following notification, which appears in the Proceedings of to share all the Privileges of other regular Masons."
PAET III.
Fraternity of Freemasons under the form it should retain tion, and on other particular occasions, to withdraw, and
in the future. Wardens of the Lodges to consult
leave the Masters and
" That the laws and regulations therein contained were together, that no undue influence might warp their opi-
really those which were found in the ancient documents, nion. (') The first innovation upon the usages of the
and in use up to that period, the official character of the Society, occurred 27th December 1720, when the office of
Book of Constitutions itself, as well as the repeated assur- Deputy Grand Master was established, and the Grand
ances of Anderson and Desaguliers, that everything was Master was empowered to a/ppovnt that officer, together
retained that was really ancient and authentic in the old with the two Wardens. This encroachment upon the
Constitutions, is a sufficient security on the one hand ; and privileges of members, seems to have been strenuously
on the other hand, the full and complete investigation of resisted for several years, the nomination of the learned
Kloss, who compared them with the old Constitutions natural philosopher. Dr. Desaguliers, as Deputy Grand
themselves, has established it beyond doubt." (*) Master, being only approved on the 24th Juno 1723, by a
majority of one ; the votes being 43 for, to 42 against.
On this occasion, the Duke of Wharton, late Grand
III. A power of subsequent amendment was vested in Master, who presided, though nominating Dr. Desaguliers
the Grand Lodge, subject to certain well-defined condi- on behalf of the actual G.M., the Earl of Dalkeith, took
tions :
care to vote against him, which led a Bro. Bobinson to
characterise his behaviour as " unprecedented, unwar-
1. It could be exercised at the Third Quarterly Commu-
rantable, and irregular ;" the result being, to quote the
nication, only, preceding the Annual Feast.
minutes of Grand Lodge, " that the late G.M. went away
'2. The old landmarks were not to be disturbed.
from the hall without ceremony."
(3) Page 147. Touching the names of those who signed the
Book of Constitutions, as well as the extract from the Minutes of the (5) §17 (IV.)
—
year 1723. See Kloss, History of Freemasonry in England, p 45.
(") O.B. XIL Constit. 1723.
(*) The Grand Lodge of England was fully entitled to propose
the fundamental laws of the Fraternityj for she was the first regu- (?) Prciston, Ed. 1804, p 227. O.K. XXIX.
larly organized Masonic Association on the whole terrestrial globe.
History of Freemasonry (Eindel), p 148. (8) See p 17, Note 3.
— — ;
to fall membership, it not having been settled till 1753 2. The Grand Lodge, (^) thus, to a certain extent, volun-
that the Treasurer " was a Grand Lodge officer, by vertue tarily delivered over to this Committee the residue of
of his office, and as such to be elected from amongst the that independence which had been left to it, in the passing
brethren who had served the Stewardship." (') of resolutions. This innovation, viz., the extension of the
Eventually,' however, the privilege of voting in Grand Committee for the administration of the Charity Eund, into
Lodge was extended to all Grand Officers, a meeting of Master Masons, on whom power was conferred
present and
past. By old Regulation XIV. in the absence of the Grand to make arrangements of the greatest importance, and to
Master and his Deputy, the right of presiding in Grand prepare new resolutions, (") not only virtually annulled the
Lodge was vested " in the Master of a Lodge, who authority vested in the Grand Lodge, but likewise greatly
should be the longest a Ereemason," providing there was endangered the equality of the brethren in the different
no one present who had been Grand or Deputy Grand Lodges.
Master, but before 1738 this privilege was transferred to
actual or Past Grand Wardens.
26th Nov. 1728, N.R. (New
PErVILEGUS OP THE GeAKD STEWARDS.
Regulation) XII. If any
VI. —
1. In —
Grand Mastership of Lord Weymouth, the Stewards'
the
Officer (Master or Wardens) cannot attend, he may send a
Lodge was estabhshed (1735), and with its forma-
Brother of that Lodge (but not a mere JEnter'd Prentice)
tion commenced the bestowal of those extraordinary
with his jewel to supply his Room, and support the honour
privileges, which produced so widely spread a feeling of
of his Lodge. (^^
dissatisfaction among the Craft, and was, according td
It has been well observed, that in agreeing to the old
some high authorities, one of the chief causes of the great
Regulations, the single' (private or original) Lodges, had
schism.
to sacrifice some of their former independence, which signi-
The twelve Stewards of the year(') had to attend the
fied the less, as at first the Grand Lodge was composed
Grand Lodge in their proper clothing and jewels, to pay at
entirely of representatives from the Lodges. (^)
the rate of four Lodges towards the expense of the Com-
munication, and (at first) " were not allowed to vote, nor even
V. Committee of CsAEiTy. — On 13th December 1733, to speah, exc&pt when desired, or else of what related to the
it was not possible for the Grand OfEoera to determine with any cer- munications, and to so regulate the Grand Festival, that no
tainty what the numbers on either side of the qnestion were. They
were, therefore, obliged to dismiss the debate and close the Lodge. expense whatever may fall on the Grand Lodge.
Since 1847, when it was first proposed by Bro. John Bigg,
On the 7tli February 1770 it was passed Grand Lodge P.M. Moira Lodge, now No. 92, that the distinction of the
in :
" As the right of the members of the Stewards' Lodge in " Red Apron " should be thrown open to all Lodges in
general to attend the Committee of Charity appears doubt- rotation, many motions to a similar effect have been sub-
ful, no mention of such right being made in the laws of mijited (though unsuccessfully) to Grand Lodge.
the Society, the Grand Lodge are of opinion, thai they have fairest and most equitable The
proposal bearing
no general right to hereby resolved, that upon the duties and status of Grand Stewards was
attend; but it is
the Stewards' Lodge be allowed the privilege of sending a made by Bro. John Havers (now Past Grand Warden) in
number of brethren, equal to any other four Lodges, to 1848, to the effect that the Grand Festival should be con-
every future Committee of Charity, and that, as the verted into a charitable festival, and that Stewards serving
Master of each private Lodge only has a right to attend, all the Charities should rank as Past Grand Stewards.
to make a proper distinction between the Stewards' Lodge
and the other Lodges, that the Master and three other VIII. —
The preceding paragraphs (I. VI.) will have —
memhers of that Lodge be permitted to attend at every amply illustrated the great abuses which had found their
succeeding Committee on the behalf of the said Lodge." way into our ancient Society. The numerous new regu-
This resolution, however, was declared not to be intended lations, which were introduced, caused dissatisfaction, as
to deprive any Lodge which had been 'previously constituted the rights of individual Lodges were more and more en-
of its regular rank and precedence. (^) croached upon, and the Grand Lodge was made gradually
Bro. Findel thus expresses himself :(^) to assume the character of an independent and arbitary
power.(*)
" The newly created Stewards' Lodge, which was permitted to send
a deputation of twelve members to the Grand Lodge, having the The Summary erasure of Lodges, who were irregular in
privilege of voting as individuals, and wearing distinctive aprons and their attendance at the Quarterly Communications, or in
ribands, as it was resolved that in future all the Grand Officers
should be elected out of that body. The office of Steward, which their contributions to the General Charity has been
was a very expensive one, became by this means assooiat' d with
favouritism, in which rank and wealth had the preference, in total
noticed in Part I., and it will be sufficient to remark that
opposition to the liberal and equalising spirit of Masonry. The the expulsion from the Masonic Union of original No. 4,
Grand Lodge, says Kloss, first introduced into Masonry that axiom,
so abundantly practiced in the so-called higher degrees, that the more and the high-handed supercession of amply
original No. 3,
largely a brother contributes, the greater his weight in the Lodge. attest, that in its career of innovation, the Grand Lodge
This unjust preference shown to the Stewards excited loud but
righteous indignation among the Brethren, and such a disturbance was in no degree restrained from the full exercise of its
ensued that Ward had to get up and make a, speech calling for
assumed powers, by any sentimental feeling of gratitude
'
decency ' and ' moderation.'
toward the Lodges which had called it into being.
as recorded in the previous section, or in other words, the The introduction into this country of the then newly-
repeated innovations upon the original constitutions, devised and so-styled "High degrees" was doubtless
gradually effaced from the old Lodges all, or nearly all, greatly aided by the foresight of their originators, who
their distinctive features of constitution, and in the result whilst refraining from any direct rivalry with the Antient
materially contributed to the great schism of 1739-1813, Craft degree, at the same time cleverly associated their
which was only healed at the cost of their permanent dis- invention therewith, by licniting the privilege of member-
placement from their Ancient precedency. (§ 28.) ship to Freemasons. (') They thus instilled a belief that the
alleged " High Grades" were a recovered portion of the
ancient mysteries of the Fraternity, and thereby persuaded
§ 26. — I. The causes of the great schism of the last uo inconsiderable section of the Craft, that their general
century are foreign to the scope of this work, except so adoption was " a return to the old lines," and instead of an
far as they can reasonably be identified with the " Inno- innovation, but the raising of a more stately and perfect
vations " carried out by the Grand Lodge, which, no superstructure, on the fowndations of the existing edifice of
doubt, in the judgment of many worthy brethren, were Masonry.(*)
rapidly effacing every vestige of the " Antient Landmarks." " The had the more time to
seeds thus disseminated
That the abuses, the leading features of which, only, have
Grand Master (Lord Byron), from 1747 to
thrive, as the
been outlined in § 24, produced great discontent, we know, 1752, was constantly absent from this country the Grand ;
but in the opinion of the writer, the great disruption of the Lodge (says Findel) becoming completely powerless, as no
Craft was attributable to three distinct causes. regularity in the business was observed."(^)
(c) Assuming the influences above summarized, to have
II. (fls) Speculative Masonry (^) was, so to speak, only on been in active operation for some years prior to 1752, it
its trial, during the generation which succeeded the authors may, I think, be reasonably concluded that the arbitrary
of the revival. The institution of a society of Free and and unconstitutional behaviour of Grand Lodge at last
Accepted Masons, on a cosmopolitan and unsectarian basis, turned the scale in favour of secession.
was one thing its consoKdation, however, opposed as its
;
practical working showed it to be, to the ancient customs III. From 1717 to 1722, the claims of the operatives,
and privileges of the operatives, was another and a very had been very fairly recognized in the distribution of
different affair. Grand Lodge office, as is attested by the appointments of
the latter year, when Mr. Joshua Timson, JBlacksmith, and
(&)The importation from Prance of many varieties of
spurious Masonry about 1740-56 had tended to disparage
parts of the kingdom from admitting the French novelties, full of
the primitive simplicity of the English Rite. (^) (§ 29.) tinsel and glitter, and.high sounding titles. Proofs of a Conspiracy,
(Eobison), 1797, p 9. The Abbe Barrnel and Professor Eobison wrote at
the same era, without mutual consultation ; one a French clergyman,
the other a Scottish professor, and both Freemasons. Their works
produced an immense sensation, and evoked an elaborate defence of
(1) It is stated by Preston (Ed. 1804, p 208) " that (abont the
the Order from the Earl of Moira, Acting Grand Master. This illns-
first decade of the last century) in order to avert the total lapse of
triouB brother, however, in 1809, practically admitted the justice of
the Society, it was agreed that the privileges of Masonry shonld no
the strictures, which ten years previously he had applied himself to
longer be restricted to operative Masons, but should be extended to
refute, by speaking " of mischievous combinations on the Continent,
men of various professions, provided they were regularly approved
borrowing and prostituting the respectable name of Masonry, and
and initiated into the Order." No authority is cited in support
sowing disaffection and sedition through the communities within
of this position ; but it has, nevertheless, been adopted by succeeding
Masonic historians, including Bros. Findel, Steinbrenuer and Fort, —
which they were protected." Speech at Leith, N.B.
the last named of whom (p 130) actually accords to this alleged (3 ) See Preface to Findel'i: History of Freemasowry, 2ud Edition,
decision of the operative Craft, the importance of a formal proelama- by Bro. D. M. Lyon, p vii.
Uon ! The Diary, however, of Elias Ashmole, and Dr. Plot's History
of Staffordshire (p 316, see also Lyon, p 51) conclusively establish (*) Michael Andrew Bamsay opened the door (1740) to the so-
that non-operatives were admitted into the Society in the seventeenth called High Grades, of which the injurious effects, notwithstanding
century, and it being the practice of all trade guilds, from their the utmost exertions of genuine Freemasons, are felt to this very day.
Findel, p 204. Dr. Oliver {Historical Landma/rhs, .Vol. I. p 9,
earliest existence, to admit occasional members,' who were not of
their " Craft," it seems, in the highest degree improbable, that 1846), speaks of the degrees practised on the Continent having
either the " Masons," or the " Freemasons," should have constituted settled down to about forty, though he mentions having before him
an exception to this general rule. Speculative Masonry, in the text, a list of nearly one thousamd, which had been or were then practised
is considered in its later phase, that is to say, from the period of its
under one or other denomination of Freemasonry. In this respect,
indeed, the palm must now be yielded to our American brethren,
becoming the sple representative of the two original elements of the
Society.
who, according to a recent writer Qlacmillan's Magazine, June
1878), "can boast of more Grand Lodges, more members, omiJ more
(2) Even England, the Urthplace of Masonry, has experienced degrees of Masonic folly, than the whole of the old world combined ! !"
the French innovations ; and all the repeated injunctions, admoni-
tions, and reproofs of the Lodges connot prevent those in different
(5) Findel, p 173.
) ; .
Mr. William Hawkins, Mason, appear as Grand Wardens. (') ings were held in open defiance of the regulations. (°) By
In 1723, however, a struggle for supremacy, between the way of detecting the schismatics, and thus excluding
operatives and specnlatives, had set in, and the former them from the orthodox Lodges, the expedient was
from that time conld justly complain of their total super- adopted of introducing a slight alteration in the system, (')
cession in the offices of the Society. or as otherwise expressed (*) "some trifling innovations
expence than two guineas, with an elegant entertainment, the regular Lodges, being composed of modern Masons, had
under the denomination of being put to charitable uses adopted new plans, and were not to be considered as acting
which, if justly applied, will give great Encomiums to so under the old establishment. Whilst, therefore, arrogating
worthy an Undertaking, but it is very much doubted, and to themselves, the high sounding title of Ancient " Masons, ''
most reasonable to think, wiU be expended towards the they branded the brethren of the Begular Lodges -with the
it
forming another system of Masonry, the old Fabrick being odious appellation of "Modems," who they averred never
so ruinous, that unless repaired by some occult Mystery, existed till 1717 (§ 22). This has been rightly styled by a
will soon be annihilated." distinguished living -writer, as (") "a paltry attempt to throve
doubts on the legality and Masonic character of a Body,
V. About 1738-89 certain brethren were charged with from -which they, as also the '
Moderns,' received their
H^prking a " different Master's part," when several meet- knowledge of the Craft.'' A similar view was expressed by
the late Dr. 01iver('^) :
—" I shall use the words ancient and
moderti in their general acceptation, the former to designate
(1 Besides the two brethren named in the text, we find amongst
and the latter the Constitutional Masons
the Grand Wardens of previous years —
Mr. Jacob Lamball, Carpenter,
:
the Seceders, :
—
(2) 28th Aug. 1730 A paper signed by the Master and 'Wardens
The two phrases are, indeed, very happily charac-
of the Lodge at the Queen's Head in Knave's-aore was presented and terised in work on Freemasonry,
Bro. Findel's great
read, complaining of great irregularities having been committed by
Bro. Anthony Sayer, notwithstanding the great ffavours he hath lately where we find, by way of commentary on the rituals of the
received by order of the Grand Lodge. (See p 10.) " The simpler one, the Catechism of
rival Grand Lodges :
15th Deo. 1730 — Carried by a majority that what Bro. Sayer had
done was irregular only, —
and not clandestine and was recommended
by the D.G.M. to do nothing so irregular in future. G.L. Min.
(<') Mas. Mem. p 4.
(3)"Masonry Dissected." By S. Priohard, late member of a
(') Some account of the Schism amongst the Free and Accepted
Constituted lodge .(1730). For an interesting criticism of this
Masons in England (1847). Oliver, p 16.
work, and of Dr. Anderson's reply, (" A Defence of Masonry,
occasioned by a pamphlet called Masonry Dissected " A.D. 1730) — (*) History of Freemasonry and the Grand Lodge of Scotland.
See Oliver's "Golden Eemains of the Early Masonic Writers" Laurie, p 59.
(1847), Vol. Lp 47.
(9) Ibid, p 60.
(*) Original No. 1, now Lodge of Antiquity. (i») Preston, Ed. 1804, p 242.
—
(s) Query Was the compliance and non-compliance respectively
(") Hughan, Mas. Mem. p 14.
of original Nos, 3 and 2 with this regulation, the cause in one
instance of degradation and in the other of effaoement ? (12) Some Account of the Schism (Oliver), p 18, foot note.
— ——
Moderns, is the more ancient ; and that of the Ancients is them from the fundamental rules which our ancestors laid
the more recent." (^) down for us." (^)
On the 5th December 1753, Robert Turner, W.M. 15, The same official (Spencer) who was Grand Secretary
was Grand Master of the " Seceders," by during 1767-67, had about two years previously thus ex-
elected the first
the representatives of some dozen Lodges. C) pressed himself in reply to an applicant for Masonic relief:
The distinctive epithets, " Ancients " and " Moderns," " Your being an Ancient Mason you are npt entitled to
were commonly employed by both parties alike, to denote any of our charity. The Ancient Masons have a Lodge at
the seceding and the regular Masons respectively, as may the Five Bells in the Strand, and their Secretary's name
be illustrated by two extracts from the minutes of the Moira is Dermott.
Lodge, No. 92, constituted 1765 (Moderns). Our Society is neither Aech, Royal Aech, or Antient, so
"4th December 1758, Brother Glover of St. John's that you have no right to partake of our Charity."
gation of this Lodge, paid the ujal fine of two shillings, "
Such was the character given of them by their own Grand
Secretary about fourteen years ago How much they have changed
:
true Spirit of Free Masonry in the South of England hath been in any of the degrees of the Orders of chivalry, accord-
subverted, and if not timely supported by the Masonic Legislature
might become totally destroyed. ing to the constitutions of the said Orders.''^
" Hence, however, the Grand Lodge in London, from its Situation,
being encouraged by some of the Principal Nobility of the Nation,
arose at Great Power, and began to despise the origin from whence it
rV. Art. VII. (Extract from, omitting the Grand
tprcmg. In an unbrotherly manner, wishing the Gr. Lodge at Officers.) The United Geand Lodge op Ancient Peeb-
York annihilated, which appears by one of their Almanacks, in-
sinuating, that though there are some Brethren remaining, who act MASONS OF England shall be composed of
under the Old Constitution of York, yet that they are few in number, " The actual Masters and Wardens of all "Warranted
and will be soon annihilated, (i)
Lodges, C) Past Masters of Lodges, who have regularly
" Upon the whole, let every dispassionate Mason but weigh im-
partially the several Facts here stated, and he must spurn at the served and passed the chair before the day of Union, and
daring Innovation offered by the Nominal Grand Lodge in London, who have continued without secession regular contributing
to so sacred aii Institution.
Members of a Warranted Lodge. It being understood that
If he wishes to partake of Masonry in its Original Purity, he will
turn his attention to that source, where it hath been Inviolably of all the Masters who, from and after the day of the said
maintained and continued for Successive Ages to this Day, and, Union, shall regularly pass the chair of their respective
where the Legislature of Masonry for this Kingdom stands fixed by
its true Title ' The Grand Lodge of All England, Established at the Lodges, but one at a time, to be delegated by his Lodge,
City of York.'"
shall have a right to sit and vote in the said Grand Lodge,
so that after the decease of all the regular Past Masters of
any regular Lodge, who have attained that distinction at the
§ 28.—I. On 27tli December 1813,(^) the Union of the
time of the Union, the representation of such Lodge shall
two Societies took place, under the Grand Mastership of
be by its actual Master, "Wardens, and one Past Master
H.R.H. the Duke of Sussex, there being at the period of
only."
this amalgamation 640 Lodges holding under the
Past Masters are admitted to membership in many
" Moderns," and 359 under the " Ancients."0
Grand Lodges, and by some the inherent right has been
claimed to sit in these bodies. But the most eminent
II. The articles of Union agreed to, by the rival Grand
Masonic authorities have made a contrary decision, and
Lodges, vs^ere twenty-one (*) in number, of which three
the general opinion now is that Past Masters obtain their
only bcLir distinctly upon the subject of the present
seats in Grand Lodge by courtesy, and not by inherent
work, viz., Nos. II., VII., and VIII.
right. (0
during that period annually filled the chair of a Lodge, and called Carmelites, Therapeutas and Esseniens, or that they
discharged its arduous duties. (^) constituted a part of, or were formed out of these Sects, and
were what we now call 'Freemasons.' They were also
particularly remarked (says Professor Rbbison), that all Flambard, Walsingham and Wykeham) as a little sacri-
our brethren abroad profess to have received the Mystery legious ; but I am bound to say that I have now changed
of Freemasonry from Britain. This is surely a puzzle in my mind. In short, the common belief in a race of Clerical
the history ; and we must leave it to others to reconcile Architects, and in ubiquitous bodies of Freemasons, seems to
this with the repeated assertions, in Anderson's Book of me to be altogether erroneous. "(^)
Constitutions, " that the fraternity existed all over the To those, indeed, who regard the " Guild " as the arche-
world. "(') His contention being, that the extraordinary type of the " Lodge," the conclusion will seem neither
antiquity claimed for the Craft, was irreconoileable with forced or unnatural — that British Masonry is of indi-
the admitted fact, of Masonry having so totally disappeared genous growth, and not a transplantation from any foreign
from the Countries in which it was originally practised, as country. Dr. Lujo Brentano, in the well-known essay,
to have heen received hacic in the form of an importation from which is referred, to by all writers who touch ever so
Britain ! remotely upon the subject of Guilds, states :
" What these causes were " (says Laurie) " which con- " England must be rep;arded as the birthplace of Gilds, and London
tinued the societies of Freemasons longer in Britain than in perhapsas their cradle. Neither Wilda, the principal writer on Gilds, nor
Hartwig, who has made the latest researches into their origin, is able
other countries, it may not, ^jerhaps, he easy to determine, to discover anything of the essential nature of Gilds, either in what
has just been related about the old family and its banquets, or in the
but the fact itself is unquestionably trne."(^)
The opinion of Sir Christopher Wren — " that a Frater-
sacrificial assemblies and it is only as to the one point of the cus-
:
of our early Masonic history, expressed by the celebrated In an instructive paper, " The Ordinances of some
designer of St. Paul's Cathedral, and some remarks bearing Secular Guilds of London, 1354 to 1496," Mr. H. L.
on the same subject, by a distinguished living architect. Coote, thus comments on the views expressed by Dr. Bren-
Writing in 1865, Mr. George Edmund Street observes tano : — ^ •
" I was strongly disposed once to regard the attempt to " In the various hypotheses which I have refered to, the pro-
pounders all agree in one point, viz., in ignoring the past history of
deprive us of our great clerical architects (Gundulph, Britain. They seem to have forgotten that England was a Latin
country for four centuries, and during that period, as she received
Latin colonists, so she received also Eoman Laws and Institutions.
Amongst the latter the collegia privata were planted here. The
collegium fabrorum which dwelt in the Civitatis Regnorum, is known to
( 1) Proofa of a Conspiracy. Ed. 1798, p 26.
all antiquaries.
(2) History of Freemasonry, p 28. "Mr. Lanrie has made it The Colleges remained in this country throughout the imperial
appear very probable' that the Churches erected in SootJand in the rale, and with the provincial inhabitants survived the Anglo-
twelfth century were built by foreign masons. Indeed the want of Saxon occupation of Britain. They were subsequently, through that
still in the natives is a snflScient evidence of the fact. But this is no marvellous imitativeness which distinguidf^ait the German in the
proof that they belonged to the Freemason Society. And the early stages of his national life, adopted by Hftu also. That this is
dissolution of the trading associations on the Continent, of which he the true origin of the English Guild, it wOl not be very difficult to
speaks, as soon as the rage for Church building had ceased, while demonstrate.C)
Freemasonry Jield its ground in England, is conclusive that there
was no connection between them. There is every reason to believe
{^) Some Account of Gothic Architecture in Spain, p 464; see
that Freemasonry was first established in England, and that there
also Gwilt's Encyclopaedia of Architecture (1876), Wyat Papworth,
it remained till the famous meeting of the brotherhood, at the Apple
"Tree Tavern, m
1717, when it took to wing, and visited all parts of
the civilised world." " The Mysteries of Freemasonry " (Fellows), (") History and Development of Gilds (1870), pp 68, 98. Mr. J.
1877, pp 246-48. See Findel, pp 65, 71, and 75. Toulmin Smith (see p 25, Note 2) seems to have shared in the
belief, " that English Gilds were of English origin." Introduction
( ^) Parentalia, or Memoirs of the Family of the Wrens (1750) to Smith's English Gilds (Lucy Toulmin Smith), pp xv. svi.
pp 306-7.
(') Transactions of the London and Middlesex ArchEeolcieal
Pownall on Gothic Architeotare (1788) Archseologia, Vol. IX.,
(4) Society, Vol. IV. (Jan. 1871), p 21. The arguments /or and against
p 118. Preston Ed. 1804 p 183. Sandy's Short View (1829), pp 31, the derivation of the English Guilds from the Eoman " Collegia
35.^' Hope on Architecture (1835), pp 243-4; and Halliwell, Early may be considered by comparing Mr. Coote's paper with Bro. Findel's
Hist, of Freemasonry in England (1844), p 44. remarks at pp 20-24 of his History of Freemasonry.
— ;
If, h owever, we turn from within to withoutjfhe pale of the it fails to convince, and shall pass on to a consideration of
Craft, and seek for positive information concerring the origin the essential simplicity of the original Masonic Rite.
of the Society, -wB are assured by one high authority :—(')
" that true Freemasonry, of which Freemasons, as a rule, hnow II. From the earliest period, at which any distinct
nothing, existed before the Templars." And by another (^): evidence is forthcoming of the usages and customs, which,
" that Masonic writers who reject the hypothesis of descent have finally crystallized into what we now know by the
from the Templars throw no light upon the matter ; in expression Freemasonry, a Simple Rite of one degree,
casting from them that theory they seem to have left them- or a single form of initiation, was the only ceremony (as
envelope the subject in still greater obscurity, and though "Master "only meant that member who was elected by
Bro. Godfrey Higgins asserts — " that etymology is not vote to preside in the Lodge, or who was charged with the
run down because it is wo< calculated to discover the truth, care of work, or with control over the workmen. The
but because it is calculated to discover too much?"(') — three titles, or in modern parlance, " degrees " of Appren-
the less partial view of the value of etymological research, tice, Fellow-craft (or Craftsman) &,nd Master-Mason being
expressed by Bro. John Northouck, will, I apprehend, only applied in reference to their art. (")
find more general acceptation (of Etymologists) he— The Apprentice, as the term signifies, being a learner
says
—
" There is little dependence to be had on their com-
: the Craftsman, an expert workman, who had acquired his
ing, adding, or subtracting letters, and upon occasion employer of labour. (^)
calling in two or three languages to expound the syllables, There were no secrets communicated by Lodges to
as best suits the hypothesis they set out in the establish- either fellows of Craft, or Masters, that were not known to
ment of any name may be made to signify anything."!(*) Apprentices, since members of the latter grade were
;
Of conjectural etymology, I subjoin one specimen, which necessary to the legal constitution of communications for
embodying a peculiarly British theory, (°) may interest, if the admission of Masters and Fellows. (*)
The Mason Woed is the only secret that is ever alluded
to in the minutes of St. Mary's Chapel, or in those of
(') Secret Societies of all Ages and Countries (Heokethorn), Kilwinning, Atcheson's Haven, or Dunblane, or in any
1875, Vol. I. p 196.
other, examined by Bro. D. M. Lyon, of a date prior to
(2) Secret Societies of the European Eevolation (Frost), 1876,
Vol. I. p 22. the erection of the Grand Lodge of Scotland (1736).('')
But that this talisman consisted of something more than
(') Anacalypsis Vol. I. p 23. The curious reader may be interested
to learn, that in the compilation of this work, Bro. Higgins was a word, is evident froni the " Secrets " of the " Mason
occupied nearly ten hours daily for almost twenty years. Preface
p V.
Word" being referred to in the minute-book of the Lodge
Majestas, and to the proper name among the Bomans of Mains, Abuse of Freemasonry (1783), p 72 ; Preston Ed. (1798), p 165 ; and
Magns, or Majins. Considering, too, that the May (May-pole) was Coustit. 1767, p 72. See also Borlase Ant. Corn, pp 53-146 ; Fort
eminently the great sign of Druidism, as the Cross was of Chris- p 296; Anacalypsis (Higgins), Vol. I. pp 715-16; Polwhele Hist.
tianity, is there anything forced or far fetched in the oonjectnre Views of Devon, Vol. I. ; and p 28, Note 1.
that the adherents to Druidism should take the name of Men of the
(8) Findel, p81; Masonic Eeprints (Hughan), p 10. Origin of
May, or May's-ons ?
Masonry (Steinbrenner), p 138 Fort, p 206. ;
(Oliver), p 219.
after that the real cause of the name of May's-on had been abolished,
and lost in the shades of antiquity. From the premises there also
(') Lyon, pp 20-23. That Masonic Initiation was formerly a
appears clearly the reason why the Society of the May's-ons, or
ceremony of great simplicity may be inferred from the curtness of
adherents to the Religion of the Qrove, should be more peculiarly
the Warden-General's "item" on the subject (1598), and also from
national to Britain than to any other part of the world. This country
the fact that a century after the promulgation of the Schaw Statutes,
was, in all probability, the parent of Druidism. Essay on the Eeal
the Mason Word was wont occasionally to be imparted by individual
Secret of the Freemasons (Gleland), 1766, p 120.
brethren, in a ceremony extemporised according to the ability of the
It was a prevalent contention among the Masonic writers of the initiator. Ibid. See p 20, Note 9.
40 THE FOUR OLD LODGES.
of Danblane,and from the further information drawn from exact date has not been recorded. It is very proba,ble that
that of Hanghfoot, viz., that in 1707 the word was accom- the degree of Master Mason first originated as a reward
panied by a grip. (') "The system of Masonic Degrees for Masonic merit, especially for brethren who had passed
now existing in Scotland (says Lyon), was an importation the chair during 1717-20; and that the second degree
from England. For seven years by the has been intercalated afterwards, to complete the three steps
after the adoption
Lodge of Edinburgh (St. of the operatives. (*)
Mary's Chapel, No. 1) of the The third degree could hardly have
speculative system of Masonic Degrees, very few aspired to been present to the mind of Dr. Anderson when, in 1723,
more than the first step. The minutes of 22nd November he superintended the printing of his " Book of Constitu-
1759 record the fact that on the brethren " resolving tions, for it is therein stated, that '
the Key of a Fellow-
themselves into a Fellow-Craft Lodge, and then into a Craft,' is that by which the secrets communicated in the
Masters' Lodge," the entered Apprentices were "put Ancient Lodges could be nnravelled."(^)
out " —an act indicative of the formal obliteration of an It was no common thing for many years after the revival
ancient landmark, and the rupture of one of the few to meet with members who had received a degree beyond
remaining links uniting Operative with Symbolical the Fellow-craft,(°) which was all that was required of the
III. Brother W. Hughan says —" I have care- remaining subject to the approval of the youngest appren-
J. :
fully perused all the known Masonic MSS. from tice. (*)
the fourteenth century down to A.D. 1717, (of Fellow-crafts and apprentices (') only, are named in 0. R.
•which I have either seen the originals, or have certified XXXVII. and by the provisions of 0. R. XVIII., in the
copies), and have not been able to find any reference to sickness or absence of the Deputy G.M., the Grand Master
three degrees. There exists printed evidence as early as was empowered " to chuse a discreet Fellow-craft, to act as
laws then in force prove these secrets were known to all his Diary (March 10th, 1682) " that being present at a meeting of
,
singular, that the Masonic MS. of A.D. 1714 (in the possession of
Mr. Wyatt Papworth) bears the inscription " In the Lord is aU:
—
our trust," which is identical with the motto of the existing Masons'
Lyon, pp 20-23. "
Company p Query, were the Masons," Carpenters," and " Black-
"
(1 )
smiths," who figure as Grand Wardens, in the early proceedings of
(a) " Hist, of the Lodge of Bdinbargb," pp 76 and 153. The adop- Grand Lodge, actual operatives, or members of the various City
tion in January 1735, by the Lodge of Kilwinning, of the diatingnish. Comparies, bearing the distinguishing titles of what had been their
ing title of free-masons, and its reception of English Symbolical respective Crafts ?
Masonry, were of simultaneous occurrence. Ibid, p 80.
The third degree ia referred to for the first time in the minutes of
(^) N.B. —When yon are
first made a Mason, you are only entered
Apprentice ;you are made a Master, or as they call it, pasa'd
and till
the Lodge of Edinburgh on 1st Nov. 1738, and Bro. Lyon notices the the Masters' Part, you are only an entered Apprentice. Note. —
presence of " seTerall visiting brethren" as proving that fhenoveWy was There is not one Mason in a hundred that will be at the expence to
then popular with Craftsmen of the Scottish metropolis.
212. See p 8, Note 2.
Ibid, p pass the Masters' Part, except it be for interest. The Mystery of —
Freemasons, 1750 (an engraved sheet in Brit. Museum).
(3 ) Hnghan, cited by Lyon, p 211. " Our present third degree is (?) See §§ 17, 23, and 24.
not architectural, bnt traditionary, historical and legendary i its Then the Grand Mastek shall allow any Brother, Felloin-
(s)
traditions being unfortunately hyperbolical, its history apocryphal, Craft or Apprentice to speak, directing his discourse to his Worship
and its legends fabulous." Freemasons' Treasury (Eev. G. Oliver, or to make any motion for the good of the Fraternity, &o. Constit.
D.D.), 1863, p 222. See p 22, Note 3. 1723, p 70.
" — :
In the minutes of the Moira Lodge, No. 92, which Bro. Findel forcibly observes (*) :
commence 17th July 1755 —the first mention of anything " The three degrees of Masonry are perfectly independent of any
beyond " mah'ng masons," is as follows, viz. other, and include within themselves the whole of Masonry. Every-
thing superadded or appended thereto is contraband and illegal."
"The Busness being over the Lodge was close in due subject. (')
form The Enter*. Apprintice and fellow Craft's parts." " It well known to the Masons of this country, that some men of
is
warm and enthusiastic imaginations have been disposed to amplify
parts of the institution of Freemasonry, and in their supposed im-
provements to have elevated their d/iscoveries into new degrees, to
IV. " The degrees recognised in 1723, being but which they have added ceremonies, rituals, and dresses, ill-suited to
three, the Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason, un- the native simplicity of the Order, as it was originally practised in
this country.
doubtedly all others not included in such a simple Rite are
Bat aU these degrees, though probably deserving reprehension, as
" Innovations " in the Body of Masonry."(^)
improper innovations on the original system of Masonry, I can never
believe that they have either proceeded from bad motives, or could
" It may be argued that so long as the consent of a be viewed in any other light tha/n as innocent and inoffensive amuse-
ments ! ! ,
amending or explaining the old Regulations for the good the thoughtful upholder of our Ancient Landmarks, may
of Masonry, without breaking in upon the Antient Rules well hold his judgment in suspense, whilst he pauses to
of the Fraternity, or infringing the Old Landmaeks ;' it is inquire —whether even a tacit recognition of degrees, which
evident that anything so revolutionary as extra degrees did not form part of the system of Masonry, formally
must be foreign and Antient Freemasonry, and con- approved by the fraternity in 1721, and officially promul-
to pure
trary to the ceremonies sanctioned by the Grand Lodge of gated in the Constitutions of 1723 is compatible with the —
England at the Revival. "(^) solemn pledge exacted of every Master at installation ; viz.
— " That he will discountenance all dissenters from the
On the 26th May 1800, it was resolved by the Grand
original plan of Freemasonry ?" (^)
Lodge of Scotland; that they sanction the Three Cheat
Orders of Masonry, and these alone, of Appeentice, Fellow- An authoritative definition of "the original plan of
Oeaft, and Mastee Mason, being the Ancient Order of Freemasonry," would seem therefore to be urgently needed,
St. John, and they expressly prohibit and discharge all since, without espousing the side either of brethren who
Lodges having Charters from the Grand Lodge, from affirm, or who deny, that the element of finality was present
holding any other meetings than those of the Three Orders in the arrangement of 1721 — it may be postulated —that if
above described. (')
that ifc is not in the power of any Man or .Body of Men to make
(5) Secret Societies of All Ages and Countries (Heokethorne),
innovation in the Body of Masonry." Antient Charges, Constit. Lp
Vol. 266.
1873, p 7..
(8) Ibid, p 348.
(") Constitntions of the Freemasons (Hnghan), p vii ; see § 24.
(3 ) Laurie, p 162. See § 28 (III.) The Grand Lodge of Scotland C) Illustrations of Masonry, Ed. 1804, pp 339-40.
still withholds its recognition of other than Craft Masonry. Lyon, p 96. ( 8) Antient Charges. Constit. 1873, p vii.
— " — — —
"
a solemn engagement to discountenance any extension of of levelling up," viz., the extension of this privilege to
the original scope of Freemasonry, is held by the governing all Lodges in 1725,(*) Lodges, old or new, are now on the
made acquainted with the precise limits within which the " The Lodge of Antiquity has long maintained a high degree of
" original plan of Freemasonry " is contained. preeminence not so much for its rank as the first Lodge under the
;
regarded this point as narrowed to the consideration of a 11th July 1729, was the next date on which all four
short statement of eight lines only, Lodge Lodges were present in Grand Lodge at the first call, and
viz., the note to
10 in § 6, upon which, therefore, it must especially be on this occasion the Goose and Gridiron, Rose and
recollected, Preston entirely bases Ms estimate of this Rummer, and the Horn, were numbered respectively 1, 2,
Lodge's position, (p 19.) and 3 the Queen's Head figuring as No. 10. ;
It should likewise be borne in mind, that the sweeping It should be noted, however, that a protest by original
conclusions arrived at by Preston in1781 " its misplacement in the printed book,
1778 and No. 3, against
(pp 19 and 21), and which were expressed by him whilst whereby they lost their rank," was recorded on the same
a seceder from, and an expelled member of, the Grand day. (§13, IX.)
Lodge of England, are quite irreconcileable with the views III. The action of Grand Lodge in this matter, must be
he placed on record in 1796. (§ 18, VI.) characterised as a glaring instance of ea;j30s</acfo legislation,
but, passing this by, as immaterial to the present inquiry,
II. Additional materials having recently been found
the loss of rank and precedency inflicted upon original
available, in the records of Grand Lodge, for the forma-
No. 3, amounted to a distinct breach of faith, and was, in
tion of a more accurate judgment in regard to the present
efiect, nothing less than a removal of the Ancient Land-
status of this Lodge, the enquiry will now be proceeded
marks, set up as checks to innovation or alsohite dominion
with. (§ 13.)
on the security of which alone, had the four old Lodges
From Grand Lodge, it appears that the
the minutes of
agreed to merge their inherent Masonic rights in the com-
" acceptance of a warrant " by original JN'o. 3, on 27th
mon stock.
February 1723, was followed by no penal consequences
In support of the foregoing statement, it may be men-
until 1729.
by the " four
tioned, that concurrently with the delegation
On November 1723, when the names of
or about 25th
old Lodges " of a qualified power of warranting new
the then subsisting Lodges were transcribed in what is
Lodges to the Grand Master, it was expressly provided :
relative positions of the old Lodges, as published on the prescribed manner, and practically gave to every member of
authority of 1723 (p 2), were entirely the fraternity, the privilege of voting upon such important
Grand Lodge in
(1) § 4, and see Appendix (List 10). being resident only in the aggregate brethren, so that
—
whatever power was vested in the " Grand Lodge " or (6) Assuming a renunciation of its rights to have been
governing body, coming by permission or appointment of possible, still, if authority and precedent be regarded, the
the fraternity at large, was expected to conform itself to " acceptance of a warrant " by original No. 3, could not
the conditions of that permission. (§ 24, III.) have involved an implied or constructive surrender of its
Neio Regulation 39, having been passed without the inherent privileges.
observance of the prescribed (and essential) formalities, Under the Grand Lodge of Scotland, it has been
must, therefore, in strictness, be regarded merely as an inferentially stated (*) that one of, if not both, the
two
arbitrary regulation of the Grand Lodge, but the opinion senior Lodges, Mother Kilwinning and the Lodge of Edin-
may, nevertheless, be somewhat confidently expressed, that burgh, accepted warrants from the Grand Lodge, and it is
assuming either the old or the new regulation to have been matter of history, not only that, believing their ancient
in full legal force in 1729, the loss of rank and seniority privileges to be assailed, they subsequently retired from
then inflicted upon original No. 3, constituted the assump- the Masonic Union, but also, that so far from their
tion of an unlawful prerogative by the Grand Lodge over acceptance of warrants being construed into a renunciation
original No. 3, and that the Grand Lodge, by such arbi- of pre-existing privileges, these were increased rather than
trary conduct, evidently violated the conditions expressed diminished on their return " within the fold." The Master
in the 39th Article of the General Regulations, in the of Mother Kilwinning, in particular (after the secession
observance of which article the permanency of their of this Lodge, from 1743 to 1807), being constituted ipso
authority solely depended. (') facto Provincial Grand Master for the Ayrshire district.
naturally occur nnder the old legal maxim, " Omne maj-us most probable that on its restoration to the Dmon, the
continet in se mmiis,"{^') as iUastrated by the rule, that same members belonged to it who had been such on its
" whenever a greater estate and a less, coincide and meet erasure ; although were this not the case, it would have
in one and the same person or body, the less is immediately been fully " within its rights" during the interim, in dis-
annihilated ; or, in the law phrase, is said to be merged, charging the duties of Masonry, by the initiation or admis-
that is, sunk or drowned in the greater. (^) sion of members, conformably with its immemorial consti-
tution. (^)
(c) The earhest amalgamation of Lodges, of which we
The entry in the minutes of Grand Lodge referring to its
possess any authentic record, occurred shortly before the
reinstatement is as follows :
by No. 185 (Three Tuns, Houghton-street, Clare Market, Which was ordered accordingly.
constituted 4fch November 1740) is recorded, on its joining
with No. 102 (Fountain, Katherine-street, Strand, con- § 35. — I. No very great antiquity can be claimed for our
oldest English Lodges, who, in this respect, contrast un-
stituted 23rd May 1733). (*)
favourably with the more ancient Lodges in Scotland. The
{d) It should be added., moreover, that the precedency minutes of the Lodge of Edinburgh (St. Mary's Chapel),
of original Noa. 1 and 4 (present Nos. 2 and 4) has been range back into the sixteenth century, the earliest recorded
entirely unaffected by their various unions with junior entry appearing under date of 28th December 1598. (°)
Lodges. The Atcheson's Haven Records, in point of antiquity, rank «
VII. It appears indeed somewhat anomalous, that next to those of St. Mary's Chapel (26th Oct. 1636). (')
whilst the meeting at the Old Apple Tree Tavern, in 1716, The earliest minutes of Mother Kilwinning date only from
is justly regarded as the most momentous event in the his- 20th Dec. 1642, but both the Lodge of Edinburgh and the
tory of the Craft, the old Lodge under whose ba/imer that
Lodge of Kilwinning are referred to in the Supplementary
meeting fooJc place, and who furnished the first Grand Master, by the Warden of the Masons in December
Statutes issued
The Lodge of Glasgow is mentioned in the oldest
1599. (')
who was elected to preside over the Premier Cfrand Lodge
minute book of the Masons Incorporation, under date of
of the World, has been so totally forgotten, that its ancient
22nd Sept. 1620. (") The Lodge of Aberdeen claims to
privileges have lapsed into abeyance, and even its very
disputed
have been instituted in 1541, but it possesses no record of
existence is ! !
Preston, who, indeed, loses no opportunity of extolling the names of original Nos. 1 and 2, in Pine's List for 1729
Lodge of Antiquity at the expense of the other old Lodges, (p 4), express the precise periods of their establishment ?
appears to have fully retained its Time Immemorial It is certain that, as an official of Grand Lodge, Pine
. privileges. would possess unusual facilities of information, besides
' (i) Broom's Legal Maxims, 4th Ed. p 174. (8) Ibid, pp 243, 408.
being placed in a situation of responsibility as regarded their seniority, which should be determined from the
accnraoy of statement. In Aubrey's Natural History of authentic documents they produced ; those producing
Wiltshire, a work written between 1666 and 1691, the none, to be put at the end of the roll.
following appears :
On 30th November 1743 (") a letter was read from the
—
Memorandum. This day, May the 18th, being Munday, Lodge of Kilwinning, complaining that they were only
second on the roll, while, as the mother Lodge of Scot-
1691, after Eogation Sunday, is a great convention at St.
Paul's Church, of the fraternity of the adopted Masons,
land, they were entitled to the first place. The Grand
Lodge decreed, that as the Lodge of KUwinning had pro-
where Sir Christopher Wren is to be adopted a brother,
Tower, and divers duced no documents to show that they were the oldest
and Sir Henry Goodric, of the
others. (')
Lodge in Scotland, and as the Lodge of St. Mary's Chapel
had shewn their records as far back as 1598, the latter
This passage, besides disproving the statement of Pres- had an undoubted right to continue first on the roll.(')
ton (Illustrations of Masonry), that Sir C. Wren had been
In consequence of this decision. Mother Kilwinning,
received into the Order at a much earlier date, would seem
although it had been a consenting party to the erection of
to justify the inference, that from about the period of his
Lodge of
the new Grand Lodge, withdrew from it in 1743, and,
actual initiation (1691), the meetings of the old
re-asserting its independence, continued to exercise all the
St. Paul began to be held statedly, and that from being
" occasional,"
functions of a Grand Lodge until, in 1807, a reconciliation
what was then termed an it became a
was effected between it and the present Grand Lodge of
" stated" Lodige.C)
Scotland.
The engraved list for 1729, by placing the date of con-
It being conceded that Mother Kilwinning should be
stitution of the Lodge at 1691, adds weight to this suppo-
placed at the head of the roll of the Grand Lodge, and
sition.
that her daughter Lodges, as soon as the roll should he
No. 3 cannot be even approximately by the Grand Lodge ; also that the Master of the Mother
The age of original
having been entered second on the engraved
Lodge Kilwinning for the time being, should be i'pso facto
determined, it
at least 1725, and probably until 1728 it may or Provincial Grand Master for the Ayrshire district. (^)
lists, till ;
England and Scotland respectively, (^) derives another (8) Laurie, p 106.
illustration, from the fact that the most ancient Lodge (' ) It was well known, and universally admitted, that Kil-
under the Masonic constitution of each of these coun- winning was the birthplace of Scottish Masonry; but, as the
records of the original Lodge were lost, the present Lodge
tries, seceded for a time from the governing body.(*) at Kilwinning could not prove that theirs was the identical Lodge
Freemasonry in Scotland.
was resolved by the Grand Lodge of Scot- which had first practised Laurie,
In 1737, it
p 101. Bro. D. M. Lyon says —
" The probability is, that the
:
land, (^) that all Lodges should be enrolled according to erection of the earliest Scotch Lodges, was of nearly simultaneous
occurrence, as wherever a body of the mediEeval masons were
employed, there also were the elements to constitute a Lodge. The
pretensions of the Lodge of Kilwinning to priority of existence,
(1) Ed. 1847 (Brittan), p 99. based as they are upon the story which makes its institution and the
erection of Kilwinning Abbey (1140) coeval, are weakened by the
Seep27,Notel. ItwasmaintainedbyBro. G.E. Leasing (1778)
( 2 ) fact that the Abbey in question, was neither the first nor second
that Freemasonry took its rise from the construction of St. Paul's Gothic structure erected in Scotland. Besides, a minute inspection
Cathedral ; bnt though the worts of this brilliant writer are still of its ruins, proves its erection to have been ante-dated by some
held in high esteem by Masonic students, his hypothesis concerning eighty or ninety years." Hist, of the Lodge of Edinburgh (1873),
the origin of the Society, commands no adherents at the present p 242. Bro. Findel observes of the German legend : " According
—
day. to an old tradition, the handicrafts were first created into a Brother-
hood in Magdeburg Cathedral, to which event the date 876 is most
(^)§1(II). unaccountably fixed, whereas the building was not commenced till
1211 !" p 58 J see ante, p 26, Note 3j and § 22 (III.)
(^) §§ 19, 20 and 23.
Grand Lodge, after the temporary secession of 1 778-90, (') instanced, as at present coinciding, with the policy pursued
it was shortly afterwards superseded by the Grand by our own Grand Lodge, is it not possible to follow the
Stewards' Lodge, a creation of 1735, and, in 1813, became precedent established by our Scottish brethren, and to
also junior to a Lodge dating from 1759 only(') original replace the Old Lodges at the head of the roll in their
:
Nos. 3 and 4 have experienced still harsher treatment. proper relative positions, without numbers ?
III. It will doubtless be contended, that the Masonic VI. The story of the great schism might have had a
re-union of 1813, was no mere healing of a schism, such as
very different ending, had the Old Lodges wavered in their
would admit of the rights of the parties being resumed, up a real flavour of
loyalty to the governing body they set ;
as they existed prior to the breach, but a union of two antiquity would thereby have been communicated to the
Masonic societies (by agreement), of coequal authority, so-called " Ancients," the countenance of the creators of the
who each contracted away its separate rights and privileges, Masonic Union of 1717, would doubtless have found general
in consideration of the ample power and authority which acceptation as a return to the " Old Oonstitutions," and the
was thereby to vest in the one Masonic body, produced by Masonic historian of to-day, might have hesitated to charac-
the fusion of the two independent Grand Lodges. an anachronism, the familiar title by which the regular
tise as
Lodges, would have been in any way jeopardised, had the represented by their Senior Lodge), were exalted to the
" Moderns " made the precedency of the " Old Lodges " over highest position on the roll
cedency claimed for the Grand Stewards' Lodge (Moderns), has derived yet a further illustration, from the hard measure
negatives any such conclusion. (') meted out to the survivors of the Four Old Lodges, who, as
their creation, the " Premier Grand Lodge of the World,"
V. If, however, the action of the Grand Lodge of Scot-
has advanced so as to have become a wonder and a pattern
land, with regard to " Mother Kilwinning," cannot be
to the universal craft, have themselves steadily retrograded
from the foremost position they once occupied, until, in the
end, their ancient privileges have passed out of the domain
(») P21.
of reality, and constitute an almost forgotten page of
(2) Present No. 1, Grand Master's Lodge. Formerly No. 1,
Ancients." See § 9.
Masonic history.
(') From the minutes Of the "Ancient " Grand Lodge, it appears
that their " Stewards' Lodge," (which was allowed to " drop out " at
the Union) was established on the 6th November 1754. (*) See § 27.
THE FOUR OLD LODGES. 49
APPENDIX.
This which was commenced 27th November 1725, seems to have been continued until 1729. It probably
List,
served as the official record of Lodges and their members, until succeeded by the revised list for 1 730 (see next Hst,
No. 11). The Lodges are entered in ledger form, two lodges to a page, and beneath them appear the names of
members.
" A List of the Regular Constituted Lodges, together with the names of the Masters and Wardens and Members of
each Lodge, as by account delivered at a Quarterly Communication held 27th November 1725."
Goose and Gridiron, St. Panl's Chnioh Yard. Devil Tavern, Temple Barr.
Qneen'aHead, in Knaves Acre. Tom's Coffee House, Clare Market.
Green Lettice, in Brownlow Street. Ked Lyon, Tottenham Court Bead.
Horn, at Westminster. Crown and Sceptre, St. Martin's Lane.
King's Head, in Ivy Lane. Bed Lyon, at Eiohmond, Surrey.
Griffin, in Newgate Street. Queen's Head, at Bath.
Three Compasses, in Silver Street. Nagg's Head, at Bristol.
Ffonntain Tavern, in the Strand. Maid's Head, at Norwich.
Eose & Crown, in King-street, WestminBter. Swan, in Chichester.
Globe Tavern, in Fleet Street. Sunn, in Chester.
Bnmmer Tavern, at Charing Cross. Spread Eagle, in Chester.
Half Moon, in the Strand. Castle and Fanlkon, in Chester.
Bedford Head, Covent Garden. Mason's Arms, in FJEulham.
Castle Tavern, St. Giles'. Legg Tavern, in Ffleet Street.
Cardigan, at Charing Cross. Black Posts, in Great Wild Street.
Swan Tavern, Ffish Street Hill. Swan, in East Street, Greenwich.
Bull Head, in Southwark. Queen's Head, in Hollis Street.
Anchor, in Dntchy Lane, Strand. Ffleece, in Ffleet Street.
Baptist Head, Chancery Lane. Crown and Harp, St. Martin's Lane.
Sun Tavern, in Clare Market. Bummer, in Henrietta Street.
Solomau's Temple, Hemming's Row.
Snn, South side St. Panl's.
Crown, behind the Exchange. Lebeck'a Head, Maiden Lane.
Three Tuns, Newgate Street. Bed Lyon, at Brentford.
Denmark's Head, Cavendish Street. Hand and Appletree, Little Queen Street.
Buffeloe, in Bloomsbnry.
King Hen. Head, Seven Dyalls.
Globe Tavern, att Moore Gate. Blew Posts, in Deveraux Court.
Mitre, at Beading.
King's Arms, St. Paul's.
Queen's Head, in Great Queen Street. Free Mason's Coffee House, New Belton Street.
Mitre Tavern, Covent Garden.
Lyon, in Brewer's Street.
Dolphin, in Tower Street.
Golden Lyon, Dean Street.
Bell Tavern, Nicholas Lane.
Duke of Chandois Armes, Bdgworth. Constituted 7th Jany. 1725
Crown, at Acton.
Cook and Bottle, in Little Britain.
East India Arms, at Gosport, Mr. Timothy Baggett. 27th Ffeb. 1728
King's Head, in Pall Mell.
Nagg's Head and Starr, in Carmarthen, South Wales. 96h June 1729
Dick's Coffee House, in the Strand.
King's Head, in Salford, near Manchester.
Ship, without Temple Barr.
Castle and Leg, in Holborn.
Nagg's Head, in Princes Street.
Ship, on Ffish Street Hill.
Green Lettice, in Brownloe Street, in Eolbom.
Bell Tavern, at Westminster.
Wool Pack, in the town of Warwick.
Star and Garter, Covent Garden.
. — .
LIST No. IL
This List seems to have been continued from 1730 to 1732, and is ttus headed in the earliest Minute Book of
Grand Lodge :
"List of the names of the Members of all the regular Lodges as they were returned in the year 1730.
The Right Hon. Thomas Lord Lovell being then Geand Master."
1 King's Arms in St. Panl's Church Yard. 53 Hoop and GriflSn, Leadenhall Street.
2 Bull and Grate in Holboum. 54 Rose and Crown, Greek St. Sohoe.
3 Horn in Westminster. 55 Red Lyon, Richmond.
4 Swan at Hampstead. 56 Anchor and Crown, Short's Gardens.
5 Ship behind the Royal Exchange. 57 Queen's Head, Hoxton.
6 Coach and Horses in Maddocks St. 58 Crown, Corn Market, Oxford.
7 Eummer, Queen St. Oheapside. 59 Three Tuns, Soarsburgh.
8 Devil Tavern within Temple Bar. 60 Three Tuns, Billingsgate.
9 One Tun in Noble St. 61 King's Arms in Cateton Street.
10 King's Arms in New Bond St. 62 The George at Northampton.
11 Queen's Head in Knaves Acre. 63 Bear and Harrow in the Butcher's Row.
12 Castle in Drnry Lane. 64 Rose Tavern without Temple Bar.
13 Anchor in Dutchy Lane. 65 St. Rooks Hill near Chichester.
14 (Jueen's Head in Gt. Queen Street. 66 Red Lyon in Canterbury.
15 Bull Head in Southwark. 67
16 Goat at the Foot of the Haymarket. 68 Goldon Spikes in Bridges Street.
17 Crown at St. Gyles's. 69 King's Head in Flat Street.
18 Crown, Ludgate Hill. 70 Duke's Head in Lynn Regis in Norfolk.
19 Queen's Arms, Newgate Street. 71 Bricklayers Arms in Barbican, now removed to Eose in the
20 French Lodge, Swan, Long Acre. Cheapside.
21 Anchor and Baptist's Head, Chancery tane. 72 East India Arms in Bengal.
22 Swan in Fish St. Hill. 73 Saraoins Head in Lincoln.
23 Half Moon, Cheapside. 74 University Lodge.
24 Crown without Cripplegate. 75 Rainbow Coffee House in York Buildings.
25 King's Head, Greenwich. 76 White Bear in King Street, Golden Square.
26 King's Arms, Strand. 77 Black Lyon in Jockey Fields.
27 Crown and Sceptres, St. Martin's Lane. 78 Fountain in Bury St. Edmunds.
28 Queen's Head, Bath. 79 Castle in Highgate.
29 Nag's Head, Bristol. 80 Angel in Macclesfield in Cheshire.
30 Queen's Head, Norwich. 81 Fleece in Bury St. Edmunds in Norfolk.
31 Swan, Chichester. 82 Three Tuns iu Newgate Street.
32 Pyot Bull, Northgate Street, Chester. 83 Three Tuns in Smithfield.
33 Castle and Falcon, Watergate St. Chester. 84 Daniel's Coffee House in Lombard Street.
34 Nag's Head, Carmarthen, S. Wales. 85 King's Arms in Russell Street.
'
35 East India Arms, Gosport, Hampshire. 83 King's Arms on St. Margaret's Hill in Southwark.
36 Red Lyon, Congleton, Cheshire. 87 New King's Arms in Leigh in Lancashire
37 Three King's in Spittlefields (removed to the Sash and Coooe 88 Bell and Raven at Wolverhampton in Staffordshire.
TreOjITpper Moore Fields). 89 Black Boy and Sugar Loaf in Stanhope Street.
38 Swan in Tottenham High Cross (removed to the Three Tuns 90 King's Head at Paris.
and Bull Head in Cheapside) 91 Sunin Fleet Street.
39 Swan and Rummer, Finch Lane. 92 King's Arms on Ludgate Hill.
40 St. Paul's Head, Ludgate St. 93 Crown inWalbrook.
41 Vine, Holboum. 94 Oxford Arms in Ludgate Street.
42 95 Horn and Feathers, Wood Street.
43 Cross Keys, Henrietta St. 96 White Horse in Ipswich.
44 Swan, Long Acre. 97 New Inn in Exeter.
45 White Hart, without Bishopsgate. 98 Prince Ugen's Head Coffee-house in St. Albans St.
46 Mount Coffee Hous, Grosvenor St. 99 Rummer in Charing X-
47 Three Crowns, Stoke Newington. 100 The George in the Butchers' Row.
48 King's Head, Salford, near Manchester. 101 Crown in Upper Moore Fields.
49 Castle and Legg, in Holboum. 102 Royal Vine Yeard in St. James's Park.
50 French Arms, St. Bernard's St. Madrid. 103 Ship without Temple Bar.
51 Gibralter Lodge. 104 Virgin's Inn in Derby,
52 Woolpack, Warwick.
(For dates of Constitution see corresponding numbers on the List for 1736-39).
THE FOUR OLD LODGES. 51
This is the latest List in wHcli all four of the Old Lodges appear. It will be seen tliat No. 13 is missing.
See § 7, Note 2.
" A List of Eegnlar Lodges, according to their seniority and constitution" {')
113 Bear and CoUar, City of Bath 18th March 1733 138 Anchor, Cook-lane, Snow-hill
114 The Fountain, in Catherine-street, Straud(*) 139 Savannah, in ye Province of Georgia
115 Daniel's Cofifee House, Temple Bar 1^ Ashley's London Punch House, Ludgate-bill 1736
116 Harrow and Boar, Master Masons' Lodge, 141 Three Cups, Colchester
Bntcher-row 142 Fountain, Shrewsbury 16th April 1736
117 Shakespeare's Head, Stewards' Lodge, 25th June 1735 143 Fountain, Gateshead 8th March 1735
Coveut Garden 144 Greyhound, Lamb-street, Spittlefields 11th June 1736
118 Bed Lion, Bury, in Lancashire 26th July 1733 145 Three Crowns, Weymouth
119 Dog, Stonrbridge, Worcester 1st Aug. 1733 146 King's Head, Norwich
lao Gate's Coffee House, Masters' Lodge, Great 147 George and Dragon, Tythe Bam-street, 25th June 1736
Whild-street Liverpool
121 Crown, Fleet Market(0 148 Sun, Fish-street-hill 16th Aug. 1736
122 Forrest's Coffee House, Charing Cross 149 King's Arms, Edgeburton-street, Bir.
123 Castle, Kingston, Middlesex mingham
124 Hamburgh, in Lower Saxony 150 Yorkshire Grey, Beer-lane, Thames-street 2nd Deo. 1736
125 Swan, Birmingham 151 Black Dog, Castle-street, Seven Dyals, 21st Dec. 1736
126 Boston, in New England( =) 30th July 1733 Masters' Lodge
127 Valenciennes, in French Flanders 152 Blossom's Inn, Lawrence-lane, Cheapside 31st Dec. 1736
128 D.M. and Fignre, Feticoate-lane, White- 5th Nov. 1734
chapell
129 Masons Arms, Plymouth
130 Mitre, Mint-street, near St. George's 11th June 1735 (1) From Engraved List (Grand Lodge).
Church, Southwark
1735 ( 2 ) These words are prefixed to the 1729 and 1734 Lists, but the
131 At the Hague
earlier List of 1725 is simply headed " List of Eegnlar Lodges as
132 Two Fencers, Newcastle-on-Tyne 24th June 1735
22nd Aug. 1735 constituted till March 25th."
133 At the Castle, Aubigny, in France
134 Sun, Old Kound-court 26th Aug. 1735
(3) Crossed out.
135 Lisbon Lodge
136 Lord Weymouth's Arms, Warminster, in (^) Pasted over the original printed description.
Wiltshire
137 Bummer, Bristol 12th Not. 1735 (*) Date written in.
The engraved list for 1740 constitutes one of the most It would appear that warrants changed hands very
important Unks in the chain of our Lodge History, easily. Thus the present No. 64, Fortitude, Manchester,
marking, as it does, the first change of wimibers; the met at the Flower Pot, Bishopsgate St., London, until
previous (and earliest) numeration having extended from 1743, when it was erased ; in 1744 it was off the list, but
1729 to 1739. reappeared the following year, as the Hare and Hounds,
Parsonage Lane, Manchester.
The numeration which this change inaugurates, ranged
No. 165 (present No. 67, Star in the East), or its place
from 1740 to 1755 inclusive, being followed by those of
or warrant, belonged to a London Lodge, meeting at the
1756-69, 1770-80, 1781-91, and 1792-1813.
Three Tuns, Houghton-street, Clare Market, up to 1745,
when the warrant of constitution was surrendered. In
It is remarkable, moreover, for containing more errors in
1760, however, the blank was filled by the name of the Third
regard to dates, than will be found (appearing for the first
Lodge, Calcutta, Bast India, dated at 1740. The list for
time) ia any other of the Official Lists. Successive en-
that year showing one other Bengal Lodge only, namely :
Albans) placed at the year this numeration (1756-69) its place was No. 239 in 1770,
No. 43 (present No. 29, St. is ;
1727/roml728— ^an en-or which has also survived to the it resumed its proper seniority, as No. 48; becoming No. 38
No. 9.3 (presentNo. 87, Anchor and Hope, in 1781, and 35 in 1792. During the continuance of the
present time.
engraved' lists, 1723-78, this Lodge was shown at its proper
Bblton) was permanently placed at the year 1731 /row 1732
date (1732), but in thenumerations of 1781-91, and 1792-
in the 1781-91 numeration.
1813, was placed hefore the fair date of its warrant, at The various erasures and re-instatements of Lodges
1731 where it has since remained. constituted prior to 1744, chronicled in the Constitution
The Lodges in this list (1740) which have ceased to books up to 1784, are, as far as practicable, noted below
appear on the roll, are shown in ordinary type, whilst the these changes however, are very imperfectly recorded.
still subsisting Lodges are in italic. (§ 16, L)
A List of Regular Lodges according to their Seniority and Constitution, by order of the Grand Officers.
Printed for and Sold by I. Pine, Engraver, in Old Bond-street, near Piccadilly, London.
No.
1729-39
Wo. and ITame 1740
1 1 King's Arms
3 2 Horn (i)
5 3 Crown (2)
4 4 Shakspeare
6 5 Brawnd's Read
7 6 Rummer
8 7 King's Arms (3)
9 8 Bed Cross
10 9 Kings Arms {*)
11 10 St. George amd
Dragon
12 11 Grown
13 12 Bwry's Coffee House
14 13 Queen's Head ( ^ )
15 14 Bummer ( ^
16
THE POrR OLD LODGES. 56
No.
1729-39
Uo. and Uame 1740 Cons
101 89 Kummer (2*) Old
( Fish St. Hill Aug.
102 90 Eoyal Vineyard (24) St. James' Park
103 91 King's Arms (") Leicester Fields
104 92 Virgin's Inn (36) Derby
105 93 A Private Room Solton-le-Moor
106 94 Crown Coffee Spittlefields
House (^)
107 95 Turk's Head (26) Greek Street, Soho
108 96 Seven Stars (3) Bury, St. Edmunds
109 97 Lamb Katharine St. Strand
110 98 Ship Coffee House Nr. Hermitage Bridge
111 99 Fleece (") Goodmans Fields
112 100 King's Arms Tower St. Seven Dials
113 101 Bear tmd Collar Bath
114 102 Fountain (36) Katherin St. Strand
118 103 Red Lion Bwy, LcmcasMre
119 104 Dog Stourbridge
121 105 Crown Ladgate Hill
122 106 Forrest's Co£Fee Charing Cross
House (2*)
123 107 Fountain (') Snow Hill
124 108 Hamburg, Lower
Saxony
125 109 Bwan Birmingham
126 110 Eoyal Exchange Boston, New England
127 111 Valenciejines, French
Flanders
128 112 D. M. & Figure (
'
) Petticoat Lane, White-
chapel
129 113 Mason's Arms (36) Plymouth
130 114 Bell Niclwlas Lane
117 115 Shakespears Head Stewards Lodge, Covent
Garden
131 116 Hague
132 117 Two Fencers Newcastle
133 118 At the Castle ( i3 ) Aubigny, in France
134 119 Bear with Collar( ^ ) Strand
135 120 Lisbon
136 121 Wey mouthArms ( ^ ) Warminster, in Wilt-
shire
138 122 Queen Elizabeth Hicks Hall
137 123 Rummer Bristol
139 124 Arms Savannah, Georgia
140 125 Ashley's London Ludgate Hill
Punch House (20)
141 126 r/wee Cv/ps Colchester
143 127 Fountain (=«) Gateshead
142 128 Fountain (29) Shrewsbury
144 129 Greyhound (21) Lambs St. Spittlefields
145 130 Three Crowns ( ^ ) WeymonthaudMelcome
Regis, Dorset
146 131 King's Head Norwich
147 132 St. George and Tythe Bam St. Liver-
Dragon pool
148 133 Bell (31) Nicholas Lane
149 134 St. George and Birmingham
Dragon
56 THE FOUR OLD LODGES.
197 New Lodge Copenhagen, Den- Oct. 25 1745 258 Cheswill Street April 5 1755
mark 259 Swan New St. Cov. Gar- May 5 1755
198 Bear Norwich May 9 1747 den
199 Maids Head Norwich Jany. 5 1748 260 Barbadoes April 23 1752
200 Mitre Plymouth Jauy. 15 1748 261 Barbadoes Dec. 16 1752
201 Bear Cambridge Mar. 31 1749 262 Barbadoes Jan. 31 1754
202 Lodge of Orange At Eotterdam May 5 1749 263 Swan Upper Mount St. June 17 1755
203 Plymouth May 1 1748 Grosvenor Square
204 Denmark Oct. 9 1749 264 Norwich June 17 1755
205 Guild Norwich Jany. 9 1749 265 Amsterdam June 24 1755
206 St. Christopher July 20 1750 266 Cardiff Aug. 1754
207 Hole in the Wall Norwich Peby. 12 1751 267 Cambridge 8ept. 1754
208 Jamaica April 29 1746 268 St. Eustatins June 6 1747
209 King's Arms Falmouth May 20 1751 269 St. Enstatiua 1754
210 Angel Great Yarmouth June 6 1751 270, White Bear Suffolk
211 West Gravesend
St. June 8 1751 271 Ship and Castle Penzance
212 Cross Hermitage Wapping
213 Minorca Feby. 9 1750
214 Minorca May 23 1750
215 Minorca June 24 1750 ( 1 ) Erased 3rd April 1747. Restored 4th Sept. 1751.
216 Minorca Nov. 26 1751
1752 ( 2 ) Erased 25th March 1745.
217 King's Arms Helstone in Com- April 14
wall (3) Erased 4th April 1744.
218 Ship Leaden Hall St. late July 13 1752 (*) Erased 25th March 1745. Eestored 7th March 1747. Erased
The Bull Alders- 23rd January 1764. Eestored 23rd April 1764.
gate
219 Bainbow Coflfee Cornhill Aug. 21 1752 (5) Erased 10th April 1782.
Honse (6 ) Erased 24th April 1776.
220 Truro Sept. 22 1752
(') Erased 21st Nov. 1745.
221 Chardenagore
•
222 Madrass ( 8
)
Erased 17th Nov. 1760, and 28th April 1775.
223 At the Hague (9) Erased 29th Nov. 1754.
224 Nottingham Jany. 7 1753
(W) Erased 14th April 1746.
225 Lion and Goat Feb. 24 1753
226 Burton's Coffee March 5 1753 (") Erased 24th June 1742.
House (12) Erased 9th April 1743.
227 Angel Piccadilly March 5 1753
228 Guernsey May 10 1753 (") Erased 27th January 1768.
229 Exchange, Bristol Aug. 22 1753 (14) Erased 28th April 1775.
230 Great Queen Street. Oct. ,
23 1753
(15) Erased 1786.
L. I. Fields
231 Balsover Street Nov. 5 1753 (16) Erased 21st November 1745. Restored, and by request
232 Norwich Nov. 10 1753 omitted from List 5th February 1759.
233 Antigua 1753 ( 17) Erased 27th July 1762.
234 Amsterdam Nov. 30 1753
Lancashire Dec. 20 1753 (18) Erased 23rd April 1773.
235
236 Virginia Deo. 22 1753 (19) Erased 17th Nov. 1760.
237 King's Arms Great Tower Hill Feby. 9 1754 (a>) Erased7th March 1747.
238 Mitre Union St. West- Mar. 2 1754
minster I
(21) Erased 5th May 1757. Eestored 31st Oct. 1757.
239 Chequers Norwich Mar. 4 1754 (22) Erased 11th Nov. 1783. Restored 11th February 1784.
240 Carmarthen Oct. 24 1753
(23) Erased 23rd Jan. 1764.
241 Bear Lemau St. Good- Feby. 18 1754
man's Fields (24) Erased 30th Nov. 1752.
242 Swan March 8 1754 (25) Erased 24th July 1755. Then meeting at the Ben Jensen's
243 Leeds Mar. 28 1754
Head (forassembling ttmiJer t?ie denomination of a Lodge o/ Ancient
244 Butcher Eow, St. Mar. 29 1751 Masons).
Clements
Aldersgate St. April 13 1754 (26) W'arrant surrendered 24th June 1742 on joining No. 38.
245 Star
246 Crown Without Oripplegate April 5 1754 (27) Erased 23rd April 1773 (then meeting at the Isle of Wight).
247 Swan Westminster Bridge May 13 1754
(28) Erased 17th Nov. 1760 and 27th Jan. 1768.
248 (3') June 7 1754
249 Lord Craren's Carnaby Market June 24 1754 (29) Erased 29th Nov. 1754 and 27th Jan. 1768.
Arms (30) Erased 1775-6.
250 Leicester Aug. 21 1754
Lowestoft Oct. 29 1754 (31) Erased 28th April 1775. Eestored 24th April 1776.
261
252 Chequers Charing X Nov.
Feby. 14
2 1754 (32) Erased 14th February 1758.
253 Eedruth 1754
(33) Erased 1781.
254 Crown Corner of St. An- Deo. 1,14 1754
drews St. 7 Dials (34) v^arrant surrendered 26th February 1745, on joining No. 102.
255 King's Own B«gt. Feby. 15 1755 (35) Erased 23rd April 1773.
256 St. Ann Square, Feb. 4 1755
(36) Erased 12th April 1780.
Manchester
257 Ark Moore St. March 2 1755 (» ) Vacant in all lists.
THE FOUH OLD LODGES. 57
A List of Regular Lodges accordmg to their Senioeitt and Constitution hy Obder of the Grand Master.
Printed for and Sold by Benj" Cole, Engeater and Copper Plate Printer, the Comer of King's-head Court, Holbourne.
No.
58 THE POUR OLD LODGES.
No.
THE FOUR OLD LODGES. 69
No.
60 THE POUR OLD LODGES.
—
Gonstitnted Constituted
353 Lodge No. 1 399 Hoop Fair St. Horsley- July 4 1767
Madras down
354 Lodge No. 2 400 British Union Eotterdam Aug. 1 1767
Madras 401 King's Head Hampstead Aug. 5 1767
355 Lodge No. 3 402 Three Pillars Eotterdam Ang. 21 1767
Madras 403 El. Wh. HartL. Halifax, N. Carolina Aug. 21 1767
356 Lodge No. 1 Bencoolen 404 Crown & Anchor Tnrn again Lane, Sep. 11 1767
357 Bine Boar Norwich Snow Hill
358 Eed Lion Fakenham, Norfolk 405 Castle Dartmouth, Devon Sep. 15 1767
359 Lodge of Persever- Amsterdam 406 Justice In the Mint Oct. 18 1767
anoe 407 L. of Amity Canton in China
360 Ship St. Ives, Cornwall Jnly 16 1765 408 Vine All Soul's Lodge, Oot. .24 1767
361 Crown and George Wakefield, York- Feb. 15 1766 Tiverton,Devon
shire 409 George George Yard, Lom- Nov. 27 1767
362 King's Arms Pnnch Honse, Shad Feb. 22 1766 bard St.
Thames 410 Cornnbian Lodge Launceston, Corn- Dec. 15 1767
363 English Lodge at Mar. 8 1766 wall
Bordeaux 411 Castle Long Alley, Moor Dec. 15 1767
have met since Fields
the year 1732 412 Lodge of St. Am- St. Albans Deo. 21 1767
364 Crown Operative Masons, May 17 1766 phibalus
Crown St. West- 413 White Lion Mansfield Jan. 8 1768
minster 414 Monmouth Jan. 27 1768
365 Dolphin Shoreham April 18 1766 415 LordBoston'sArms Holyhead, Flintshire Jan. 25 1768
366 Black Lyon Greenwich May 26 1766 416 White Lion Builders L.,Shadwell Feb. iB 1768
867 White Hart Lewis in Sussex May 29 1766 Market
368 Swan Oxford Road June 23 1766 417 Eoyal York of the At Berlin Middle June 24 1767
369 Eeoruiting Ser- Carlisle Aug. 1 1766 Friendship Mark of Brander-
jeant burgh
370 New Coflfee House Exeter Ang. 6 1766 418 Marlborough Marlborough Street Mar. 5 1768
371 Pewter Platter Norton Folgate Jnly 26 1766 Coffee House
372 Union Lodge Princes St. Bristol Sep. 9 1766 419 LeVictoire Eotterdam Mar. 17 1768
373 King's Head Islington Sep. 10 1766 420 Castle Kingston-upon- Mar. ,24 1768
374 Black Horse Oxenden St. Hay- Sep. 16 1766 Thames
market 421 Sun Lodge of Per- Bristol Mar. 28 1768
375 Le Lodge de Sa- Normandii Oct. 8 1766 petual Friendship
gesse a Havre 422 Sun Ludgate St. April 9 1768
376 Crown and Anchor Constitd ye Lodge of June 16 1766 423 L. of Sincerity Golden Anchor, April 23 1768
Lodge Immortality in ye Artichoke Lane
Strand 424 Jernsalem Lodge Eupert St. Leicester May 12 1768
377 Ship-Masters' Valiant Soldier, Oct. 31 1766 Fields
Lodge without South- 425 Windsor Castle Hammersmith May 21 1768
gate, Exeter 426 H.M. 24th Eegt. At Gibralter June 11 1768
378 St. Nicholas Newcastle upon Nov. 29 1766 of Foot, Genl.
Lodge Tyn6 Cornwallis
379 Sion Lodge North Shields 427 The Constant City of Gand, Flan- July 1768
380 Crown and Thistle Near Tower Hill Dec. 4 1766 Union ders
381 Star Watergate St. Ches- Nov. 28 1766 428 St. Christophers July 1768
ter 429 Castle Marlborough July 1768
382 Eose and Crown Lodge of Peace Dec. 19 1766 430 St. Marys Island Scilly July 13 1768
Thames St. 431 Kings Arms Black Wall Sept. 13 1768
383 King's Arms Bennet St. South- Feb. 9 1767 432 Grange Inn Carey St. Lincoln's Oot. 30 1768
warfc Inn Fields
384 Castle Holbom Feb. 16 1767 433 Lodge of Perfect In his Sicilian Ma-
385 Golden Fleece Nr. the Market Cross, 1767 Union jesty'a Eegt. of
Manchester Foot, Naples
386 Golden Lion Chatham Feb. 17 1767 434 Lodge Esperauce Turks Head, Gerrard
387 Stag Folkstone, in Kent Mar. 16 1767 St. Soho
388 At Grenoble in Mar. 18 1767 435 Coach Makers Noble St. Nov. 1 1768
France Arms
389 Admiral Hawke Jerusalem Lodge, Ap. 1 1767 436 Sun Lodge Flushing Feb. 3 1769
Bristol
'
A new and correct List of all the Requlae Lodges according to the dates of their Constitution, by order of the
Grand Master.
London : Printed for and Sold by William Cole, Engraver, and Copper Plate Printer, No. 109 Newgate-street.
4
THE FOUR OLD LODGES. 63
No.
64 THE FOUR OLD LODGES.
Constituted
May 12 1768
66 THE FOUR OLD LODGES.
Constituted
404 Eoyal Alfred Norfolk
L., Diss, July 26
405 New Inn, Christ Church, Hants
406 Hare and Honnda, Barnard Castle,
Dnrham
407 Queen's L., Black Horse and Crown,
Viotnalling OflBce Sq.
408 Jerusalem L., Jerusalem Tavern,
Clerkenwell
409 L. of Industry, Ben Jonsou's Head,
Shoe Lane
410 L. of Perfect Union, Leghorn
411 Grey Hound, Blandford, Dorset
413 L. of Sincere Brotherly Love,
Leghorn
413 L. of Friendship, Hand and Bottle,
Bridgnorth
414 L.' of Perfect Union, St. Petersburg,
415 Wynnstay L., Denbighshire
416 L. of Friendship, Bunch of Grapes,.
Plymouth Dock
417 Eoyal Oak, Vauxhall
418 Union L., Kingston, Jamaica, No. 2
419 Harmony L., do. do. No. 3
420 St. James's L., Montego Bay, No. 4
do..
421 Union L. St. James's Parish, do.. No. 5
•J- 22 New Lodge, Carlisle
423 Plough, Whitby, Yorkshire
424 Marlboro L., Fort Marlboro, E. Indies
425 L. of Vigilance, Island of Grenada
426 L. of Discretion, do. do.
427 Torbay L., Paignton, Devon
428 Union L., St. Eustatia, W. Indies
429 L. of Candour, Strasbourg
430 L. of Freedom, King's Head, Maiden,
Esses
431 L. of Friendship, Bull, Wrotham, Kent
432 Bose Tav., Cambridge
433 Eose and Bunch of Grapes, Snowfield,
Southwark
434 L. at Spreighta Town, Barbadoea
435 L. of Concord, Antigua
436 L. Unanimity, Half Moon, Holborn
437 R. Edmund L., Bury St. Edmunds
438 Union L., Venice
439 L. at Varona
440 L. of Liberty, Kings Arms, Vaux
Hall
441 5th L. of Bengal at Decca
442 6th L. of Bengal, Calcutta
443 7th L. of Bengal, with the 1st Brigade
444 8th L. of Bengal, with 3rd Brigade
THE POUR OLD LODGES. 67
Consfituted Constituted
481 Granidiers L., Savannah, Georgia 505 Social L., Horn, Braintree
482 12th L. of Bengal with ye 3rd 506 Knoll L., Neath, Glamorganshire Sept. 20 1777
Brigade 507 L. at Island of St. Nevis Nov. 28 1777
483 Green Island L., Jamaica 508 L. in the 6th or Inniskilling Regt. of Deo. 18 1777
484 L. of Justice, Kings Head, Preston, Deo. 28 1775 Dragoons
Lane. 509 Impregnable L., Sandwich
485 L. at Lucca, Hanover, Jamaica, 510 L. at Messina in Sicily May 12 1778
No. 9 511 White Lion, Woolwich, Kent
486 L. at Spanish Town, Jamaica, No. 10 of this List (1770-80) from MS.
The remainder
487 Union L., Jamaica, No. 11
488 Union L., Detroit in Canada 512 St. Peter'sL.,Black Ball, Sonthwark Nov. 25 1778
489 Temple L., King St. Bristol Feb. 6 1776 513 Northumberland L., Alnwick Mar. 24 1779
490 St. Andrew's L., Half Moon, Ckep- Feb. 28 1776 514 Mariners L., White Bear, Basinghall June 18 1779
stone St. Marabone Street
491 L. of Harmony, White Horse, Bal- Mar. 1776 515 L. of Independence, Swan, Eatcliff Aug. 7 1779
dook, Herts Highway
492 Arms L., Kew, Surrey
King's May 7 1776 516 Pilgrim L., Mitre, Fleet Street Aug. 25 1779
493 Weymouth L., Weymouth June 6 1776 517 L. of Fortitude, Maidstone, Kent
494 L. of Concord, Southa,mpton July 1 1775 518 L. of Unity, Dover
495 Eoyal Oak L., Ripou- June 22 1776 519 All Saints L., Rothbury, Northumber- Oct. 26 1779
496 L. of Unity, King's Head, Colchester June 11 1776 land
497 Cooper's Arms, Strntton Ground, Oct. 16 1776 520 L. in the Igt Regt. of Dragoon Guards Jan. 10
Westminster 521 St. Hilda L., S. Shields Mar. 15
498 The Industrious L., Fleece, Canter- Nov. 28 1776 522 Merchants' L., Golden Lion, Dale St.,
bury Liverpool
499 St. Peter's L., Grapes, King St. Dec. 16 1776 523 Phcenir L. of Honour and Prndencej Jan.
St. James Square Red Lion, Tturo, Cornwall
500 Queen's Head, Penrith, Cumberland 524 L. of Liebau in Courland
501 Falcon, Gravesend 525 L. at Naples Mar.
502 L. of ye nine Muses, Thatched House, March 25 1777
St. James Street
,503 St. Michael's L., Marazion, Cornwall
,504 Union L., York April 26 1777
68 THE FOUR OLD LODGES.
Owing, no doubt, to the discontinuance of the engraved lists after 1779, the earlier official lists of this numeration
(1781-91) published in the Freemasons' Calendar, are very incorrect.
The following numbers and descriptions of Lodges are, therefore, taken from the Calendar for 1788, so far as
it extends : the blanks, through lapse or erasure, being filled up from earlier lists of the same numeration.
The lists for 1781-82 are, to a considerable extent, just one number behind the edition for 1788. The dia-
crepancy first appears after No. 85 (Maid's Head, Norwich), which is the same in all editions. No. 86 isshown
as the Bear and Eagged Staff, Norwich, in 1781, and as the Prince George Lodge, Plymouth, in 1788.
The second Lodge of Boston, New England, No. 87 in 1781, is numbered 88 in 1788, and thenceforward the
difference is, in the main, preserved. No. 432 (St. George, Doncaster), the last Lodge on the 1781 list,
appearing as No 483 in 1788.
Time Immemokial.
1 1 Lodge of Antiquity, Freemasons' Tavern, Gt. Queen St.,
formerly the Goose and Gridiron, St. Paul's
Church Yard
2 2 Somerset-house Lodge, Freemasons' Tavern
1721.
LdSge of Friendship, Thatched-house Tavern, St,
James' St.
4 British Lodge, White-horse, King St. Golden Sqr.
Tyrian Lodge, Angel Ihd, St. Giles's Church
1722.
Lodge of Fortitude, Eoebnok, Oxford St.
Tuscan Lodge, Freemasons' "Tavern, Gt. Queen St.
Ionic Lodge, King's Arms, Brook St. Grosvenor Sqr.
Dundee Arms Lodge (Their Private Room) Red Lion
St. Wapping
1723.
Kentish L. of Antiquity, Poet Office, Chatham
King's Arms, Wandsworth
Lodge of Emulation, Paul's Head Tavern, Cateaton
Street
Anchor and Baptist Head L,, Crown and Rolls,
Chancery Lane
The Fraternal Lodge, Mitre, Church Street, Greenwich
Globe Lodge, Crown and Rolls, Chancery Lane
United Traders, London Punch House, Ludgate Hill
1724.
White Swan, St. Peter's, Norwich
Three Tuns, Portsmouth
Castle Lodge of Harmony, Horn, Doctors Commons
Black Lion, Stooktou-upon-Tees, Durham
THE FOUR OLD LODGES. 69
1734.
67 44 Strong Man, East Smithfield, late the Ship, at the
Hermitage
1735.
68 45 The Swan, Wolverhampton
69 46 Coal-hole, Fountain Conrt, Strand
60 47 The Stewards' Lodge, Freemasons' Tav., Gt. Qaeen's St.
61 48 Lodge of Industry, Rose and Crown, Swallwell near
Newcastle
62 49 Solomau's Lodge, Charles Town, South Carolina
63 50 Soloman'a Lodge, No. 1, Savannah, in Georgia
64 51 The Angel, Colchester
1736.
66 52 King's Head, Norwich
68 53 Lodge of St. George de I'Observance, Globe, Titoh.
field St.
70 54 Constitutional Lodge, Greyhound, Kensington Sqr.
71 55 Lodge of Brotherly Love, King's Head Tav. Holborn
1737.
72 56 Parham Lodge, Parham, Antigua
73 57 Black Swan, Brown's Lane, Spitalfields
74 58 Lodge of Felicity, Braund's Head, Bond St.
75 59 Vacation Lodge, Star and Garter, Paddington
76 60 Lodge of AfiFability, Bose and Crown, Kew Green
1738.
88
89 73 Grenadiers Lodge, Albemarle Arms, S. Audley St.
90 74 Philanthrophic L., Queen's Head, Grays Inn Gate
1740.
1742.
1747.
No.
THE FOUR OLD LODGES. 71
No.
1770-80
ITo. aiul Mamc 1781-91.
329 259
330 260
334 261
335 262
336 263
337 264
338 265
341 266
342 267
343 268
345 269
346 270
349 271
350 272
354 273
355 274
358 275
359 276
360 277
361 278
362 279
363 280
365 281
367 282
368 288
369 284
370 285
371
72 THE FOUR OLD LODGES.
No.
THE FOUR OLD LODGES. 73
506 Lodge Absalom Have met since 1740, Hambonrg 548 Wrekin L., Pheasant, Wellington, Shropshire
507 L. St. George do. 1743, Hambonrg 549 L. of Tranquility, Three Tuna, Manchester
508 L. Emannel do. 1774, Eamboorg 550 Independent L., Congleton, Cheshire
509 L. Ferdinand and Caroline do. 1776. Hambonrg 551 Albion L., Skipton, Yorkshire
510 L. of Perfect Harmony, St. Thomas Mount, No. 552 L. of Harmony, Halifax, Yorkshire
Coast of Coromandel 553 L. of Good Fellowship, Chelmsford, Essex
511 L. of Social Friendship, at Madras, No. 4, Coast 554 L. of Friendship, Oldham, Lane.
Coromandel 555 L. of the North Star, at Fredericksnagore, Bengal
512 L. of Trichinopoly, No. 5, Coast of Coromandel 556 Calpeau L., at Gibraltar
513 L. of Social Friendship, St. Thomas Mount, No. 6,
Coast of Coromandel 1790.
514 Prince of Wales L., White Lion, Gainsborough, Lincoln
515 St. Paul's Lodge, Montreal, in Canada 557 Friendly Lodge, Nag's Head, Leather Lane, Holborn
516 In the Eegiment of Anholt Zerbst, in Canada 558 Harodim L., F.M.T.
517 L. of Unity, Fort William Henry, in Canada 559 Harmony L., Dolphin, Chichester, Snasex
518 St. James's L., Cataragui, in Canada 560 Royal Clarence L., Frome, Somerset
519 Select L., Montreal, in Canada 551 Corinthian L., Newark, Nottinghamshire
520 New Oswegatchie L., in Canada 562 St. John's L., Leicester
521 St. John's L., Niagara, in Canada 563 L. Archimedes, of the Three Tracing Boards, Alton-
burgh, Germany
1788. 564 L. of the Three Arrows, at Nnrnberg, Germany
522 Pythagorean Richmond, Surrey
L., Castle, 565 L. of Constancy, at Aix la Chapelle, Germany
523 Wiltshire L., Black Swan, Devizes 566 L. of the Rising Sun, at Kempton in Swabia, Germany
524 L. of Unanimity, Swan, Ilminster, Somerset 567 L. of the Temple of 'True Concord, at Cassell, Germany
525 Salopian L., Fox, Shrewsbury 568 L. of Charles of Unity, at Carlarnhe, Germany
526 Bank of England L., Guildhall CofiFee House, King St.,
569 L. of Perfect Equality, at Greyfield, Germany
570 L. Astrea of the Three Elms, at Ulm, Germany
527 L. of Honour and Perseverance, Ship, Cockermouth, 571 L. St. Chai'les of the Red Tower, at Ratisbon, Germany
Cumberland 572 L. of Solid Friendship, at Trichinopoly, No. 7 Coast of
528 Philanthropic L., Bull, Melford, Suffolk Coromanandel, Germany
529 Duke of York's L., Black Boy, Doncaater 573 Red Lion, Stockport, Cheshire
530 Royal Yorkshire L., Keighley, Yorkshire 574 Raindeer Inn, Worcester
531 The Old Globe L., Scarborough 575 L. of Fortitude, Golden Shovel, Lancaster
532 L. of Napthali, Salford
533 L. of Unity, Royal Oak, Manchester 1791.
534 Blackmoor's Head, Churchyard, Manchester 576 Silurean L., Sun Inn, Kingston, Herefordshire
535 L. of Fidelity, Burnley, Lane. 577 L. of Friendship, Gibraltar
578 Bedford L., Tavistock, Devon
1789.
579 L. of Amity, Rochdale, Lane.
536 Bgerton Whitchurch, Shropshire
L.,
580 At Aberistwith, S. Wales
581 L. of the Silent Temple at HUdesheim, Germany
537 Star and Garter, Pall Mall
582 Doric L., Grantham, Lincoln
538 L. of Unity, at Dantzig
583 St. John's L., Henley in Arden, Warwickshire
539 St. John's L. of Secrecy and Harmony, at Malta
540 Country Stewards' L., F.M.T. In MS.
541 At Frederickton, New Brunswick
542 Cambrian L., Brecon, S. Wales 584 Loyal and Prudent L., Leeds
543 Royal Clarence L., White Horse, Brighthelmstone, 585 L, of Love and Harmony, Barbadoes. Constituted as a
Sussex Stewards' Lodge
544 L. ofHarmony, White Hart, in the Drapery, North- 586 L. at Bulam, on the Coast of Africa. Constituted 25th
ampton February 1792.
545 Beneficent L., Macclesfield, Cheshire • 587 North Nottinghamshire' L., East Retford. Constituted
546 Royal York L., White Lion, Bristol 21st March 1792.
547 L. Frederic, Charles Joseph of the Golden Wheel, at 588 L. of St. George, North Shields. Constituted 7th Apr
Mentz 1792.
10
74 THE FOUR OLD LODGES.
Lodges erased since tke Alteration of the Numbers in 1 781 for not conforming to the Laws of the Society,*
1787.
1784.
166 St. David's L., Holywell, N. Wales
276 Jerusalem L., King St. Golden Sq. 397 White Horse, Baldook, Herts
357 Union L., Taunton, Somerset 437 Dalston, Cumberland
THE FOUR OLD LODGES. 75
List of Lodges with their Numbers as altered, by order of the Grand Lodge, 18th April 1792.
The Stewards Lodge (constituted 1735) Freemasons' Tavern, Great Queen Street, 3rd Wednesday from
October to May. Public Nights, 3rd Wednesday in March and December.
Time Immemoeial.
1 L. of Antiquity, Freemasons' Tavern, Gt. Queen St. 27
(formerly Goose and Gridiron, St. Paul's Churoh-
yard)
2 Somerset House L., Freemasons' Tavern
1V21.
3 L. of Friendship, Thatched House Tavern, St James's
Street
4 4 British L., White Horse, King Street, Golden Square
5 5 Westminster and Keystone L., Horn Tavern, Palace
Yard
1^22.
1723.
1724.
1725.
1727.
1728.
1729.
17B8.
1740.
1742.
1747.
83 76 Queen's Head, Accle, Norfolk
77 L. at St. Eustatius
1748.
85 78 Maid's Head, Norwich
86 79 Prince George's L., Plymouth
1749.
91 83
92 84
93 85
94 86
95 87
96 88
97 89
90
91
100 92
102 93
193 94
104 95
105
THE FOUR OLD LODGES. l"!
No.
78 THE FOUR OLD LODGES.
333
THE FOUR OLD LODGES. 79
No.
80 THE POUR OLD LODGES.
'
No. No. and N aliie 179S-)S13. Ko. and Name 1793-1S13.
1781-91
1794. 1801.
535 L. of Emulation, Eose, Dartford, Kent 588 L. Gunther, of the Standing Lion, Eudolstadt (have met
536 L. of Minerva, Globe, Ashton-nnder.Line, Lane. since 1787)
537 Apollo L., Angel, Alcester, Warwickshire 589 L. Charles Augustus, at Alstaedfc, Germany
538 L. of Unity and Friendship, Brandford, Wilts
539 L. of Safe, Bradford, Yorkshire 1802.
540 Benevolent L., W. Teignmouth, Devon
590 St. Andrew's Union L., in 19th Eegt. of Foot, Madras
541 L. in Eoyal Regt. of Cheshire Militia
(No. 10, 0. of Coromandel)
542 Philanthropic L., Leeds
591 L. of Philanthropists, in Scotch Brigade, Madras (No.
543 Crown, Nantwioh, Cheshire f
11, C. of Coromandel)
544 Apollo L., Becoles, Suffolk
592 L. of Golden Hart, at Oldenburgh, in Germany (have
1795. met since 1776)
593 Globe L. at Lubeck (have met since 1779)
545 L. of St. Winifred, Holywell, Flintshire
594 L. of the Three Stars, Eostook
546 Alfred L., Leeds
Bartholomew's L,, Sutton Ooldfield, Warwickshire
595 Warren L., Warsergate, Nottingham
547 St.
596 St. Peter's L., Peterborough
548 L. of Peace and Good Neighbourhood, Wynnstay,
Denbighshire 1804.
1796. 597 L. of the Crowned Serpent, Goerlitz, Germany (have
549 L. of Prince Frederick, Stag, Heptonstall, Yorkshire met since 1764)
550 L. of Prince George, Bottoms, Stansfield
1805.
551 L. of Harmony, Gosport
552 Perfect L., E. A. Hotel, Woolwich 598 L. of Apollo, Leipsiok, in Germany
553 L. of Strict Benevolence, Wisbeaoh, Cambridgeshire
554 Vectis L. of Peace and Concord 1806.
555 Union L., Carlisle 699 L. of Unity, Unicorn, Stockport, Cheshire
600 li. of Peace, Coach and Horses, Stockport, Cheshire
* End of 1792 List. The following from later Lists. 601 L. of Concord, Queen's Head, Stockport, Cheshire
t From an earlier List. Out in 1814. 602 Moira L., New Inn, Staley Bridge, Lano.
— —
1809. 1811.
603 la Loge de L'Amitie dea Freres Eeunis, Port an Prince, 622 L. of Virtue and Silence, Hadleigh, Suffolk
Hayti 623 *L. of Loyalty, Gnemsey
604 La Loge de L'Henreuse Reunion aux Cayes, Hayti 623 *St. David's L. of Perfect Friendship, Carmarthen
605 St. John's L., Eooles, Lano.
624 Lodge of Friendship, Chichester, Surrey
606 Moira L., Bristol 625 Lodge of Virtue and Honour, Totnes, Devon
607 Wigton St. John's L., Wigton, Cumberland 626 Union York L., in 2nd Eegt. of West Tork Militia
608 Phoenician L., Collnmpton, Devon 627 L. of Content and British Union, Island of Cnracoa
609 St. Andrew's L., Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire 628 Boyal Preston L., Preston, Lancashire
610 Orange L., Island of Gnemsey 629 British L., at the Cape of Good Hope
611 Mariner's L., Island of Gnemsey
612 L. of Harmony, Island of Guernsey
613 L. of Unity, Island of Gnemsey 1812.
614 L. of Temperance and Morality, Market Lavington Surrey
631 St. John's L, Guildford,
* By an error of numbering, the L. of Loyalty, Guernsey, and St. David's L., Carmarthen, are both No. 623. No. 630 is omitted, the
L. of Loj'Mty having refused to take that number. Freemasons' Calendar {M8i)
The identification of Lodges, throughout the foregoing series of Lists, has only been rendered possible through the
courtesy of the Grand Secretary, in permitting access to and documents, to -whom I here express my
officials records
grateful acknowledgments ; H. G. Buss, the obliging Assistant Grand Secretary, whose opinion on points
also to Bro.
of difficulty having. been readily given, wiU vest the conclusions arrived at with greater authority than they would
otherwise command. My acknowledgments are also due to Bro. Walter Spencer (W.M. Bank of England Lodge,
No. 263), for the loan of rare Masonic works, as well as for his scholarly criticism of these sheets whilst passing through
the press.
In conclusion, I would echo the words of a brother Craftsman (Elias Ashmole), penned nearly two-and-a-half
centuries ago :
" And what presumptuous Mistaks, or Errors, the Candid Reader shall meet with, will (I hope) be censured with
no lesse Favour and Charity, than that whereby they are wont to Judge the Faults of those they esteem their Friends
and WelPwishersJ*
11
82 THE FOUR OLD LODGES.
ADDENDA.
pp 23-26 (§ 21 III.) The expression " Chapitres," which ooonrs quished its privilege of nominating one of the Grand Stewards on
in the original Norman-French of the Statutes 34 Edw. III. o. iz. 8th February 1834, in consequence of the reduction of its numerical
(1360-61) and 3 Hen. VI. u. i. (1425), is rendered as " Chapters " and strength. This surrender, it may be added (on the authority of the
" Chapiters " respectively, in the translations of the two enactments. original correspondence), was accepted by the Duke of Sussex " with
The publication, however, of these Statutes in English, waa| deferred much regret."
until the 16th century (circa 1519), and we possess direct evidence
that in 1383 (p 25) the meetings legislated against in 1360-61 and
1425, under the name of " Chapitres," were styled in the vernacular p 50, List No. 11 (List of Lodges 1730-32). No. 79 on this List,
"Conventicles." The language of a law of 1529 (21 Hen. VIII. c. The Castle, at Highgate (constituted 1731), paid two guineas for ita
xvi.) is confirmatory of this view —
"And that none of the said constitution on 21st November 1732. If, therefore, the Lodge at the
straungers, artyficers, or handycraftes men, should assemble in any Hoop, Philadelphia, was ever placed at this number (as contended by
company, felowship, congregacyon, or oonventyole, but onely in the Bro. Hughan), it must have got there after November 1732 ! All
Comon Hall of their Craffces," etc. experience shews, however, that if a foreign Lodge was once placed
on the roll, there it remained for a long series of years. Thus the
p 25, mote 5, to add .-—The Statute 1 Edward VI. c. xiv. has
the following—' Corporacioua, guy Ides, fraternities, companyes and Lodges at Madrid, Paris, and Aubigny (constituted respectively in
felowshippes of misteryes or Crafts.' " 1727, 1732, and 1735) were not removed from the Of&cial Calendar
until 27th January 1768, though they had probably ceased to work
p 32 (§ 24 Vn.) The Pilgrim Lodge, No. 238, the only Lodge in within a few years of the dates of their establishment. (See last
England conducting its proceedings in the German language, relin< No. 13, note 13).
CORRIGENDA.
p 37, note 4, line five from bottom, for " knew their origin " read p 42 (§ 30) to rend—" The power of passing and raising Masons,
" know their origin." continuously possessed by the old Lodges, from the introduction of
the second and third degrees respectively, may be dismissed in a few
p 40, note 5, line two from bottom, for " compariea " read " com.
words," etc.
panics."