A Short Analyis

Masters , but this fact does not prove that the Mark Master ' s degree was originally conferred upon Fellow Crafts , as the degree was unknown then , neither was the Master Mason ' s degree , so far as we know .

" Overseers " are so often referred to by Bro . ,, \ Kerr that it would be well to give one * 9 ( 7 excerpt from lodge records , dating before 173 6 , that mentions such ar . officer being appointed over Fellow Crafts 1 An instance is to be found in Bro . Lawrie ' s History of Freemasonry ( 2 nd edit ) , pages 446-8 .

According to Bro . Lyon , tlie Lodge of Edin-/ ,, burgh never worked the three degrees " ^ ' before the last century , and the minutes of all other lodges confirm his position .

In fact , Masonic degrees were unknown before A . D . 1716 , so that they are all inventions of modern times , and though some of them have actually continued ancient Masonry , the majority are wholly recent productions .

My opinion is , the Mark Master ' s degree , . belongs to the jurisdiction of the " ' '' Supreme Grand Chapter in Scotland , ancl I have information on that point to prove its correctness , ancl to demonstrate that the

Grand Lodge of Scotland has no business to control or be connected with more than three degrees . Even as late as the 26 th May , 1800 , thc Grand Lodge of Scotland resolved to "Prohibit and discharge all lodges having charters from the Grand Lodge from holding any other meetings than- those of the three orders . "

I have a copy of a French work 111 1745 , . . , which gives the " ancien mot de 24 <" ' maitre , " as Bro . Rev . G . R . Portal describes . The degree of Royal Arch was instituted about A . D . 1738 .

In conclusion , allow me to slate that before 1717 there were no Grand Lodges , and therefore in that year the institution of a Grand Lodge was an innovation . About 1766 a Grand Chapter was formed by the " Moderns , "

although it appears they had no chapters at that time , but several members had received the Royal Arch of the " Ancients . " The Xo . 2 Chapter was not warranted until 1769 , the original charter for which I now hold . These

bodies being instituted , however , rcas justifiable under thc circumstances . In like manner the Mark lodges were justified in forming a Grand Lodge . They had individual lodges working before their Grand Lodge was instituted , some even during

the last century , and in consequence of the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter declining to incorporate the degree with their organisations , the Mark Mastrrs were as a body without a head . Hence the constitution of these lodges into a Grand Lotlge was as much a necessity as

the Grand Lodge lormed 111 1717 , and more so than the formation of the Grand Chapter about 1766 . 11 seems , llicn , . Masonically legal to form such a Grand Lotlge , and that being the cas * , its members , desire recognition by thc Grand Chapters who support the Mark degree throughout the world .

The objection of the Grand Chapter of Ireland to recognise tbe Mark Grand Lodge has really no foundation in fact , because the Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland is recognised by that body , although not recognised by the

Grand Lodge ; and what is more to the point , one ofthe belies composing the Irish " Council of Rites , " viz ., The Supreme Grand Council for , 33 ° , actually recognises lhc Supreme Grand Council for 33 ' of Kngland , notwithstanding

the Grand Lodge of this country does not . Now it is no more for the Grand Chapter ( another ofthe bodies composing the authorized deg-ees ) for Ireland to recognise the Mark Grand Lodge than for the Supreme Grand Council of

the same country fo recognise tlie Supreme Grand Council for this jurisdiction , seeing that in each case both are unrecognised by the Grand Lodge of England , MV \ the arguments that would justify the latter certainly would also permit the former . 1

If the degrees op Excellent Master and Royal and Select Masters are worked it tloes pot seem to me that thc Mark Grand f odge

A Short Analyis

ought to be the Conservator of them , but the Grand Chapter should be . As , however , the Grand Chapter cannot do so according to the " Articles of Union , " it would be far better for these degrees to be worked under the Supreme Grand Council of ^ then for Mark Masters to seek to rule degrees superior in gradation to their own ,

Tlie Royal and Select Masters are simply copies of certain degrees under the Ancient and Accepted Rite , and they are not at all essential to Royal Arch Masonry . They had better be left alone , as tlie are not worth the trouble of incorporation with any rite in this country .

The success of the Mark Grand Lodge will be best insured by thc members keeping closely to the ancient landmarks , and by refusing to incorporate into their organization any degrees of mushroom growth and questionable Masonic antiquity . WILLIAM TAMES HUGHAN .

* The earliest Laws of the Royal Arch known ( which T published in the first numbers of THE FREKMASON ) refer lo the Super Excellent as follows : IJanfi " , Scotland , 7 th January , 1765 . " Any member who wants to attain to that part of Royal Arch anil Super Excellent shall pay two shillings and sixpence to the public fuiul . " It is questionable if the Marie Master's degree wes known then .

Summer Excursion To Sevenoaks.

SUMMER EXCURSION TO SEVENOAKS .

On Saturday sc ' nnight , Uro . George Kenning , of Little Britain , entertained his employees , ninety in number , to a very delightful trip by rail to Sevenoaks , Kent .

After luncheon , tne company , as is usual with visitors to this favourite town , did not fail to visit Knole Park and its noble mansion , which is beautifully pourtrayed in the following lines : •-See with majestic pride , the work of years ,

It ' s reverend front the stately mansion rears , Within whose ample space thc eye surveys The labour'd excellence of former days : The model whose perfection art supplies , Sculpture ' s light touch and Painting ' s deathless dyes .

The following historical account of the ancient structure and manor will not , perhaps , be unaccepttable to our readers . The House is built principally in the Elizabethan style of architecture , and is situated on a commanding and healthy eminence near the town . The building itself covers a space of

ground said to be nearly 3 J 4 acres . The principal portions of the mansion of "Knole" form a spacious quadrangle , built in the castellated style , with several square towers . The front of the building is not distinguished by ornamental details , but has an air of great plainness and simplicity . It would be in

vain to attempt , in this short space , to describe the interior of the noble mansion so as to give our readers any just idea of its magnificence and beauty . . Suffice it to say , a visit to Knole House will amply renay the most studious . The park is very extensile ancl beautifully varied in its features , with a luxuriant

growth of timber , especially of oak and beech trees , for which the soil is naturally adapted . Thc girth ot one of these venerable oaks is no less than 30 feet . Much assiduity and taste have been displayed in the arrangement of the plantations ; the trees are not disposed in solitary clumps , but in broad and

undulating masses , which rise and fall with the varying nature of the surface . From one point , viz ., on gaining ihe summit of a hill near the House , a prospect of great extent bursts at once upon tne sight—woods , heaths , towns , villn ;; e , , and Hamlets are all displayed in bright confusion , the eye

commanding the greater part ot West Kent , a considerable portion of Sussex , and a distant view of thc hills of Hampshire . The manor and mansion ot Knole were in possession of the Archbishops ot Canterbury during thc reigns of Henry trie 6 th , 7 th , and Sth . but in the last of these reigns ihey were

voluntarily surrendered to the Crown by Archbishop Cranmcr . After passing through several hands , ihe estate was finally bestowed , in the reign of Elizabeth , on Thomas Sac ' kville , Ksq ., afterwards . Huron iittckhurst and Earl of Dorset , in whose hands it has continued almost uninterruptedly up to the present time , the present possessor being Lord liuckiiurst .

After visiting Knole House , our party reassembled at the Rose and Crown Hotel , wliere they all partook of a sumptuous dinner , presided over by Bro . Kenning , and lo which ample justice was done . Thc cioth being removed , ihe usual loyal and friendly toasts were given and drunk with much enthusiasm .

After a few songs , the company adjourned to the grounds , wliere they enjoyed themselves to their hearts' content with dancing and other amusements ; adjourned to a social and bountiful tea , resumed their outdoor games , anti finally returned to town highly pleased with th ? day ' * e ^ ursion ,

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

» The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . COMMITTEE OF ENQUIRY .

( To the Editor of Thc Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I am very glad to see that your able remarks on this point have called forth a letter from " W . M . " ( p . 474 ) , It is well known to me that , in certain foreign countries , a laudable custom has long been in force , by which

the sponsor or next friend of the candidate has been held liable for the conduct of such candidate during the interval between his proposition and admission , and it has been found to work exceedingly well , ensuring earnestness and real purpose on the candidate ' s part .

Would it not be easy for lodges to frame a bylaw to this effect ? rendering it actually incumbent on thc proposer or seconder to observe more attentively the general carriage of those seeking to enter the Fraternity . I know of more than one instance in which the proposer and seconder absolutely knew nothintr whatever of the candidate , and in

consequence it has led to circumstances greatly to be deplored . I could name an instance in which this occurred no later than a month ago , but as I am not wishful to injure the lodge in which the affair took place , it would perhaps be wrong to name that lodge ; one , indeed , for which I entertain a sincere regard .

A regular form is issued out in French lodges to this end , and a similar one might easily be devised for this country . By the French provisions , two brethren are detailed off to make suitable enquiries—not , however , of a kind liable to endanger thc candidate ' s worldly status—and to

report generally upon such points as might guide the lodge in their ballot . This report is read in open lodge , previous to the ballot , and materially enhances the honour conferred upon the candidate at his initiation . No good man would at any time hesitate to undergo this preliminary ordeal , and unscrupulous or interested persons would thereby

meet with a merited rebuff . I will endeavour to find a copy of the French form , which , with slight and appropriate emendations , I am disposed to think would work very efficaciously amongst us in England . I have it not at hand , just now , but will seek for it . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , CRYPTONYMUS .

August 1 , 1871 . To the Editor of the Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In your impression of the 22 nd'July , a letter appears signed Frederick Binckes , in which that brother talks very learnedly about certain matters connected with the Order of

Royal Ark Mariners . This , Sir , calls for no reply on my part other than , as a matter of courtesy to your readers ancl for their benefit , 1 beg to state that Bro . Binckes is not fully acquainted with thc working of the Order over which 1 have thc honour to preside , and therefore I do not feel justified ,

bciiv . ; of a very superior grade , and having privileges and immunities not enjoyed by the Mark degree , to reply to any questions propounded by those of inferior standing . I will also stare that the treaty signed by thc duly authorised representatives of thc Mark degree on

July 6 th , not having been ratihed by the G . Mark Lodge on the 1 st August , as stipulated in such treaty , the Royal Ark Mariner Grand Lodge is now an entirely independent body , and the degrees of the Order will from this date be conferred on all

Master Masons in good standing who may desire to have them . I am , dear Sir nnd Urother , vours fraternally , MORTON EDWARDS , ' S . G . C . R . A . M ! Master Masons in good standing who may desire to have them . I am , dear Sir nnd Urother , vours fraternally , MORTON EDWARDS , ' S . G . C . R . A . M !

Office of the Grand Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners , 7 . ( lower-street , Bedford-square , London , August 2 nd , 1 S 71 . Office of the Grand Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners , 7 . ( lower-street , Bedford-square , London , August 2 nd , 1 S 71 .

SUBORDINATION IN THE HIGHER DEGREES . ( To lhc Editor of The Freemason . ) SUBORDINATION IN THE HIGHER DEGREES . ( To lhc Editor of The Freemason . )

Di-. AR SIR AND BiioTiuru , — In reply to Bro . Yarker I have but two words to say . No one has a greater objection to personalities than I have , but some people are best fought with their own weapons . Fourteen years ago 1 had over , £ noc , ooo through

my hands in one month . As to my statements , generally , I have very good authority for all 1 have ; put in print ; and it may perhaps interest Bro . Yarker to know that in consequence , no doubt , of

his attacks on thc S . G . C ., over thirty good Masonshave joined thc Rose Croix under the A . and A . Rite in Lancashire alone within the last month . Yours fraternally , A MASON WHO BELIEVES IN HIS O . B . 1