-
Articles/Ads
Article Original Correspondence. ← Page 2 of 2 Article REVIEWS. Page 1 of 1 Article Masonic Notes and Queries. Page 1 of 1 Article Masonic Notes and Queries. Page 1 of 1 Article REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Page 1 of 6 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
LONDON ORPHAN ASYLUM . Dear Bro . Kenning , Can any reader of the Freemason spare a few votes for a good case—Frederick Sydney Miller , third application ? His father was for many years manager to the firm of Kell and Co ., lithographers , King-street , Covent Garden , and so was probably well known to several of our worthy brethren . —Fraternally yours , A . F . A . WOODFORD . 25 A , Norfolk-crescent , Hyde Park , VV .
Reviews.
REVIEWS .
IRISH FREEMASONS' CALENDAR AND DIRECTORY FOR THE YEAR A . D . 1 SS 5 . Dublin : Printed by S . Underwood for the Grand Lodge of Ireland , and to be had at Freemasons' Hall , Molesworth-street . Little more can be said of this useful annual than that the same care has been bestowed on its compilation as in
previous years and with the same result , namely , with as near an approach to accuracy as is shown by the majority of our best compilers . The contents are arranged in the same order , and there is the same fulness of information furnished , with the addition that more elaborate details are
given of the Masonic Orphan Schools in Dublin , while the lists of the Provincial Grand Lodges in foreign countries are given , as far as possible , in full . As regards printing , binding , and the general appearance of the Calendar , it is barely possible to speak of these particulars in terms of sufficient praise .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
481 ] JOHN MACLEAN . In the "Handbuch" we are told that a certain "John Maclean " was Grand Master of the French Freemasonry before Lord Derwentwater . A John Maclean appears in the list of Royal Arch Masons about 1761 . Is there any possible connection between ' the two persons or names ? Is anything known of John Maclean ? MASONIC STUDENT .
482 ] MASON , THE POET , As Bro . Mason , the poet , is not traced at York , can any one help to the place and date of his initiation ? He moved about a good deal , and was much in society , and he may have been initiated in the south as well as the north , or , in fact , anywhere . He does not seem to have been an enthusiastic Mason at any time .
MASONIC STUDENT . 4 S 3 J DR . MACKAY'S ENCYCLOPEDIA OF FREEMASONRY .
I am very pleased to announce the advent of a second edition of my lamented friend Dr . Mackay ' s " Encyclopedia of Freemasonry , " published by the eminent firm of Messrs . L . H . Everts and Co ., Philadelphia , U . S . A . The first issue had a large sale , and is now exhausted , but the second edition is precisely the same as the original one up
to the 935 th page , so that the Craft can still read this great work as it emanated from the pen of its ripe Masonic editor , Dr . Mackay . The new matter is an addendum to the original work , containing numerous subjects omitted previously , and the results of the latest researches down to March ist , 1 SS 4 , by Bro . Charles T . McClenachan , of New York , the additional matter raising the total pages to 1052 ,
so that it is truly a noble volume , and , beyond question , the finest single work on Freemasonry that has ever been published in America or elsewhere . Bro . McClenachan is alread y well known to the Craft as the author of the best manual on [ the " Ancient and Accepted Rite , " and also of other Masonic works , and his reputation will be enhanced by the careful and discriminative manner in which he has completed the Encyclopaedia , so as to bring it down to the
present time . , An appreciative memoir of Dr . Mackay and capital portraits of the two editors are among the chief attractions of the new volume , which is , typographically and Masonically , of great excellence and value . As the woik is expensive to procure in this country , because of its size and cost of carriage , I hope to arrange with Bro . George Kenning and the American publishers for its sale at the same price as in America , so that Masonic students may obtain copies at a reasonable cost . W . J . HUGHAN .
484 ] . STEPHEN MORIN . Will Bro . Woodford excuse my calling his attention to some back numbers of the Freemason ? My reason is that recent studies have rendered the various subjects of interest to me . And first I refer him to a study of Stephen 'worm , 22 nd March , 1 SS 4 . Why does he state that the Patent was not granted by the Council of the Emperors ?
1 admit that the Grand Sovereign Lodge of St . John of Jerusalem was one of the parties , but , to my mind , the Patent distinctly states that the Sovereign Council " nous grands inspecteurs , sublimes officicrs du Grand Conseil et Qe la Grand Loge " concurred . Will he also observe that every one of the signatories is a P . M .: i . e ., a Prince niason of the Royal Secret , the 25 ° and last Degree of the . emperors . Now . whatever thn CrAd f . nrf « r » m ^ v h ™ .
, been ( and 1 am not at one with Bro . Woodford on this P ° 'nt ) it is quite certain that it could claim no authority over the degrees ranging beyond the M . M . Therefore , in thrAr to r , ender Morin ' s patent valid , the concurrence of tne Louncil was necessaru ( nr ih » inf ^ nrla ^ n ..-n ^^« . «« j 1 — fc iw [ JUiuuag
1 he installation meeting' of the Bromley Saint Leonard Lodge , 1 S 05 , was held on Tuesday at the Vestry Hall , Bow . Bro . A . Peterken , P . M . 1349 , and W . M . elect 1 S 05 , was installed into the chair in very able style by Bro . R . J . Fennell , P . M . 1 S 05 . A handsome jewel was also presented to the outgoing W . M ., Bro . J . AI . Knight . We hope to give a report in our next issue . The brethren afterwards adjourned to thc Guildhall Tavern to banquet .
,. . ¦* "" ' * " -nuvu . auu VV « Se ] ° l " f '' is very distinctly given . Will Bro . vvoodrord also inform me of his authority that the Grand mk £ i ° f Pe cti ? , . was founded 1758-9 ? I believe he is rnn ^ en A T he Klt . « Perfection WAS then founded , but 1 u te , s , deI , tlcal with the Council of the Emperors ; expJ * J e n , ! lcre secn any statement that the Rite c , * ercised autllonty over the Craft : they left that to of P „ f and Lod ee * l ? fact l bclicvc that a Grand Lodge ut ' « ection never existed .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
I now refer to Notes and Queries , N 0 . 35 S , 14 th June , 188 4-What is the date of the correspondence there mentioned between Van Lennep and Arnott ? If the grades there mentioned were practised in Scotland , it is very curious , because I believe them to be those of the Knights of the East . Bro Woodford no doubt knows that these degrees have never been identified ; all that ^ we know is that the highest was the Chevalier de 1 'Orient . I think a comparison will
show why I hold this supposition . The Ch . of Clermont was founded 1 754 '; that of the Knights of the East 1756 ; and that of the Emperors 175 S . We should naturally expect each successive rite to incorporate the degrees of its predecessor , and to outbid it by adding a few more . The Clermont Degrees were—4 ° , the Scots Degrees —that is , the various " elects ; " 5 ° , the Knight of the Eagle Elect : G ° , Templar Illustrious ; 7 ° , Sublime
Illustrious Knight . The Knights of the East are known to bave rejected all Templar Degrees , and to have issued circulars against Templar Masonry ; therefore , in order to outbid the Clermont Ch ., they would have to work all their degrees , with the exception of the last three , and to considerably increase the Scotch or Temple Degrees . Bearing this reasoning in mind , it would appear probable that the degrees mentioned by . Bro . Woodford in 35 S are the long-lost 0
Knights of the East Degrees . They are—4 , Elect ; 5 , High Elect ; 6 ° , Elect of the Temple ; 7 , Perfect Master ; 8 ° , Master Elect ; 9 ° , Architect ; 10 " , Perfect Architect ; II ° , Elect Architect ; 12 , Knight of the East . It will be observed that these are all Temple ( not Templar ) Degrees , the last being chivalrous , but not Templar . In the Emperors we find their 5 asrrees with 7 of Knights ; their o ° with 8 ° of Knights ; their 11 ° with that of Clermont ; their 12 °
comprises the various architects of the Knights ; their 15 equals the last of the Knights ; and from thenceforth their degrees are all new to Masonry . It will be perceived that the analogy is not so clear as I could have wished it , but probably sufficiently so to lead us to infer that Bro . Woodford has discovered for us the lost nomenclature of the Knights . In that case , we may conclude that French Rites travelled to , and were worked in , Scotland . Now , in
France , from 1 740 onwards , the new degrees , lying between the Craft and the Chivalrous Grades , were called Scotch Masonry ; and if these degrees travelled to Britain , of course the name came also , and thus we might arrive at a plausible solution of our own " Scots Masons . " On 22 nd April , 1 SS 2 , Bro . Whytehead refers to a book published in London , 1796 , and inveighing against the high degrees . Almost every one ofthe degrees he mentions is included in
the series of the Emperors . Ihe Rosicrucians cannot be , as Bro . Whytehead supposes , the iS ° of the A . and A . S . R ., which at that time was probably not formed , and had certainly not appeared in Europe ; but it is doubtless the Sovereign Prince Rose Croix , iS ° of the Emperors , their parent and predecessor . G . W . SPETH . [ To save time , as Bro . Speth kindly sends his notes to me in the first instance , I beg to say that I will give an answer in detail next week , and that 1 hope to convince Bro .
Speth that my statements are quite correct , despite his very able criticism . To clear away one matter , I may add that the correspondence between Van Lennep and Dr . Arnott seems to have been between 1 S 41 and 1 S 44 . The 12 degrees were brought by a Dutch or English sea captain , —it is not quite clear who he was , —who had , however , been at Paris , and stated that there was a great difference between some of the ceremonies . I can lend Bro . Speth , if he likes , the explanatory communications . —A . F . A . VV . ]
485 ] THE THREE DEGREES QUESTION . I am not at all anxious to prolong the discussion , having no reason to regret the result so far . My motive for defining the Masonic meaning I attach to the word Degree was that no one should say that I deny the existence of grades or positions in lodges prior to the last century . Surely no one would deny , for instance , that long before the era of Grand Lodges there were Apprentices , Craftsmen , and
Master Masons ! The point to be elucidated , however , is this . Are there any old records which prove that during the period in question ^ there was any peculiar , separate , and special ceremony conferred upon Craftsmen , jr > o ;« which Apprentices mere excluded , and another given to Master Alasons , from -. vhich Craftsmen and Apprentices were excluded ? I say none have ever been produced . If there are any , where are they , and what are they ? Until
documentay evidence is forthcoming , I will take the advice of " Third Degree , " and " let the matter rest" between us ; but meanwhile , shall continue to object to random and incorrect statements on the subject . With respect to Bro . Woodford ' s statement that he " does not gather from Bro . Gould that Bro . Hughan was warranted in expressing , as the result of Bro . Gould ' s investigations , so decided an opinion on the subject of the
Degrees" ( Masonic Notes , No . 4794 ) . I desire to repudiate any attempt "to antedate Bro . Gould ' s original communications , which will duly appear in the iforthcoming volume of his history " ( No . 479 ) . I am sorry to find Bro . Woodfordilinks my name with such unworthy conduct . Time after time has Bro . Gould written in the Freemason , and in his published works , as to the Degrees question , and always in a manner that Bro . Lvon
and myself could support most thoroughly . Hence when " Third Degree " ( No . 46 S ) asks " Is Bro . Hughan quite satisfied in claiming Bro . Gould as his ally fully in this little controversy—I think Bro . Gould ought to be allowed to speak for himself in his fourth volume , " I simply , and at once replied , " I think it will be found on the publication of Vol . 4 of his splendid work that Bro . Gould agrees entirely with my views thereon , and also Bro . Lyon ' s " . ( No .
474 ) . Why should I think otherwise ? Am I to suppose that what Bro . Gould has already written is to be snuffed out by any subsequent communication ? Are the facts he has already given us , no longer facts ? What Vol . 4 has to say thereon is a sealed matter until its publication , but until then , I venture to again state my belief that it will in no wise lessen the value and importance of the facts which have been over and over again established . W . J . HUGHAN .
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .
i & mU jilasonrg . DOMATIC LODGE ( No . 177 ) . —This large and important lodge was seen at its best at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on Friday , the gth inst ., it being the occasion of the ninety-ninth installation meeting . The exceeding popularity of the W . M . elect , Bro . Robert Pierpoint , was shown by the very large number of brethren who had assembled to testify tbeir appreciation of his many sterling
qualities , and to congratulate him upon the well-deserved honour which had been cohferred upon him by the unanimous vote of the lodge . The lodge having been opened in due form by the W . M ., Bro . Foxcroft , the minutes were confirmed , and the statement of accounts , which was of a most satisfactory character , approved and adopted . Bro . John Barnett , of
the Fortitude Lodge , No . 105 , was unanimously elected a joining member , and the ballot taken for four candidates for initiation . Bros . VV . R . Spindler and J . H . Selby were passed to the Second Degree , and the chair was then occupied by Bro . Wm . Herbage , I . P . M ., who proceeded in his usual able and impressive manner to install Bro . R . Pierpoint into the chair of K . S . according to ancient
custom . Bro . VV . J . Furguson , P . M ., acted as Director of Ceremonies , to the great pleasure and satisfaction of the brethren . The officers appointed and invested by the VV . M . were as follows : Bros . Harry Price , S . VV . ; A . Simner , J . VV . ; Geo . Everett , P . M ., Treas . ; T . Morris , Sec . ; R . Montague , S . D . ; C . Chapman , J . D . ; R . Harvey , I . G .: C . Reichelman , Org . ; Sadler Wood , D . C ; N . Salmon ,
WS ., and A . Walkley , Tyler . The new Worshipful Master then proceeded with great efficiency to initiate Messrs . A . Grace , G . A . Weston , J . Kingley , and J . H . Ellis into the mysteries of ancient Freemasonry . A Past Master ' s jewel having been presented to Bro . VV . M . Foxcroft , and a vote of thanks accorded to Bro . W . Herbage , the Installing Master , the lodge was closed ,
and the brethren , no in number , repaired to the banquet room , where the Brothers Clemow were also found to be at their best , as the repast provided reflected upon them the greatest possible credit . The loud applause which greeted the W . M . on his taking the chair again testified to his popularity . The usual loyal toasts followed , that of "H . R . H . the Grand Master , " and the allusion to the coming of age of
Prince Edward eliciting loud applause . " The Health of the VV . M . " was given in an appropriate and ¦ kindly manner by Bro . Foxcroft , and received by the brethren with much heartiness . The VV . M ., in reply , thanked the brethren very sincerely for the honour they had bestowed upon him , and for the encouragement they had given him as he had advanced step by step to his present proud
position . In giving "The Initiates " the W . M . stated they were all old and much esteemed friends of his , and it had been a source of much pleasure to him to have the privilege of conferring upon them the light of the Order . " The Visitors " was next given , and responded to by a number of brethren . " The Past Masters " followed , and was ably responded
to by the I . P . M ., Bro . Foxcroft , and the Installing Master , Bro . Herbage . In reply to the toast of " The Treasurer and Secretary , " Bro . George Everett , P . M ., the Treasurer , in a most felicitous speech alluded to the fact that he had had the pleasure of initiating the present Worshipful Master some nine years ago , and taking his happy face to be an index of
the mind he had predicted for him a prosperous career in the lodge ; in this prediction he had made no mistake , as Bro . Pierpoint , by his genial manner and kindly disposition , had made for himself a host of friends , and by sheer merit and ability had worked his way from the lowest step on the ladder to his present distinguished position as Master of the good old Domatic Lodge , now on the eve of its
hundredth year . The musical arrangements for the evening were carried out in a most able manner by Bro . C . Riechelmann , the Organist of the lodge , and the singing of Madame Riechelmati and Madame Lansdell Sims was much applauded , whilst the recitation of " The Stroller ' s Story , " by Mr . J . K . Boddy , gave the greatest satisfaction . The officers of the lodge , without exception , performed
their duties in a most commendable manner , and in such able hands the great prosperity the Domatic Lodge now enjoys is not to be wondered at . Ihe following visitors were present : Bros . J . Oldes , S . W . 12 SS ; S . P . Knight , D . C . 1903 ; C . Arkell , P . M . 192 ; R . R . Harper , P . M . S 17 ; H . Stiles , P . M . 1733 ; H . Fruen , 2012 ; W . Wilkins , P . M .
002 ; E . J . Tabor , P . S . W . 1101 ; J . Westerby , W . M . 1613 ; D . VV . Cable , Sec . 163 S ; G . E . Court , W . S . 1559 ; S . Read , 753 ; F . A . Duffield , 619 ; James Baker , P . M . 1672 ; T . Skinner , 1 C 14 ; W . A . Dowling , 2012 ; W . Cork , S . W . 1597 : W . Kingwell , 1572 ; C . Zamzig , J . D . 201 ; VV . Blank , 704 ; C . VV . Bovis , 511 ; W . H . Baker , S . W . 1 O 41 and 2030 ; H . Hambling , 2030 ; J . E . Shand , Sec . 2030 ; A . G . Hayman , 2005 ; A . J . M .
Bradgate , 55 * , A . Hancock , W . M . 1950 ; John Bennett , I . G . 1415 ; H . M . Cappleton , W . M . 13 S 1 ; C . H . Spiller , 49 ; li . Storr , W . M . 167 ; F . H . Spiller , P . M . 49 ; S . Hill , W . M . 21 ; W . Marston , P . M . 55 ; H . L . turner , W . S . 16 93 ; C . H . Everett , S . VV . 2012 ; A . Potter , S . W . S 13 ; J . J . Avery , P . M . 70 , P . P . G . T . Devon ; and W . M . Stiles , W . M . 1 744 . FRIENDSHIP LODGE ( No . 206 ) . —The
installation meeting of the above important gathering took place on the Sth inst ., at the Ship and Turtle , Leadenhallstreet , E . C . The lodge was opened by Bro . C . T . Scrivener , W . M ., who was supported by the following officers , brethren , and visitors : Bros . C . T . Scrivener , VV . M . ; J , L . Anderson , S . W . ; VVm . Gowland , J . W . ; Samuel
Gamman , P . M ., Treas . ; A . R . Rumsey , P . M ., Sec ; Wm . H . Arber , J . D . ; } . M . Rooney , I . G . ; E . B . Barnard , P . M . ; H . M . Collier , P . M . ; E . Squirrell , P . M ., John Waters , P . M . ; VV . S . Sepson , Wm . Steel , John Graham , E . H . Marquis , VVm . Medcalf , A . Britton , H . A . J acobs , E . J . Gillespie , A . W . Tobin , C . H . Barrett , A . E . Painter , and C . D . Moore . Visitors : Bros . Henry Forss , W . M .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
LONDON ORPHAN ASYLUM . Dear Bro . Kenning , Can any reader of the Freemason spare a few votes for a good case—Frederick Sydney Miller , third application ? His father was for many years manager to the firm of Kell and Co ., lithographers , King-street , Covent Garden , and so was probably well known to several of our worthy brethren . —Fraternally yours , A . F . A . WOODFORD . 25 A , Norfolk-crescent , Hyde Park , VV .
Reviews.
REVIEWS .
IRISH FREEMASONS' CALENDAR AND DIRECTORY FOR THE YEAR A . D . 1 SS 5 . Dublin : Printed by S . Underwood for the Grand Lodge of Ireland , and to be had at Freemasons' Hall , Molesworth-street . Little more can be said of this useful annual than that the same care has been bestowed on its compilation as in
previous years and with the same result , namely , with as near an approach to accuracy as is shown by the majority of our best compilers . The contents are arranged in the same order , and there is the same fulness of information furnished , with the addition that more elaborate details are
given of the Masonic Orphan Schools in Dublin , while the lists of the Provincial Grand Lodges in foreign countries are given , as far as possible , in full . As regards printing , binding , and the general appearance of the Calendar , it is barely possible to speak of these particulars in terms of sufficient praise .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
481 ] JOHN MACLEAN . In the "Handbuch" we are told that a certain "John Maclean " was Grand Master of the French Freemasonry before Lord Derwentwater . A John Maclean appears in the list of Royal Arch Masons about 1761 . Is there any possible connection between ' the two persons or names ? Is anything known of John Maclean ? MASONIC STUDENT .
482 ] MASON , THE POET , As Bro . Mason , the poet , is not traced at York , can any one help to the place and date of his initiation ? He moved about a good deal , and was much in society , and he may have been initiated in the south as well as the north , or , in fact , anywhere . He does not seem to have been an enthusiastic Mason at any time .
MASONIC STUDENT . 4 S 3 J DR . MACKAY'S ENCYCLOPEDIA OF FREEMASONRY .
I am very pleased to announce the advent of a second edition of my lamented friend Dr . Mackay ' s " Encyclopedia of Freemasonry , " published by the eminent firm of Messrs . L . H . Everts and Co ., Philadelphia , U . S . A . The first issue had a large sale , and is now exhausted , but the second edition is precisely the same as the original one up
to the 935 th page , so that the Craft can still read this great work as it emanated from the pen of its ripe Masonic editor , Dr . Mackay . The new matter is an addendum to the original work , containing numerous subjects omitted previously , and the results of the latest researches down to March ist , 1 SS 4 , by Bro . Charles T . McClenachan , of New York , the additional matter raising the total pages to 1052 ,
so that it is truly a noble volume , and , beyond question , the finest single work on Freemasonry that has ever been published in America or elsewhere . Bro . McClenachan is alread y well known to the Craft as the author of the best manual on [ the " Ancient and Accepted Rite , " and also of other Masonic works , and his reputation will be enhanced by the careful and discriminative manner in which he has completed the Encyclopaedia , so as to bring it down to the
present time . , An appreciative memoir of Dr . Mackay and capital portraits of the two editors are among the chief attractions of the new volume , which is , typographically and Masonically , of great excellence and value . As the woik is expensive to procure in this country , because of its size and cost of carriage , I hope to arrange with Bro . George Kenning and the American publishers for its sale at the same price as in America , so that Masonic students may obtain copies at a reasonable cost . W . J . HUGHAN .
484 ] . STEPHEN MORIN . Will Bro . Woodford excuse my calling his attention to some back numbers of the Freemason ? My reason is that recent studies have rendered the various subjects of interest to me . And first I refer him to a study of Stephen 'worm , 22 nd March , 1 SS 4 . Why does he state that the Patent was not granted by the Council of the Emperors ?
1 admit that the Grand Sovereign Lodge of St . John of Jerusalem was one of the parties , but , to my mind , the Patent distinctly states that the Sovereign Council " nous grands inspecteurs , sublimes officicrs du Grand Conseil et Qe la Grand Loge " concurred . Will he also observe that every one of the signatories is a P . M .: i . e ., a Prince niason of the Royal Secret , the 25 ° and last Degree of the . emperors . Now . whatever thn CrAd f . nrf « r » m ^ v h ™ .
, been ( and 1 am not at one with Bro . Woodford on this P ° 'nt ) it is quite certain that it could claim no authority over the degrees ranging beyond the M . M . Therefore , in thrAr to r , ender Morin ' s patent valid , the concurrence of tne Louncil was necessaru ( nr ih » inf ^ nrla ^ n ..-n ^^« . «« j 1 — fc iw [ JUiuuag
1 he installation meeting' of the Bromley Saint Leonard Lodge , 1 S 05 , was held on Tuesday at the Vestry Hall , Bow . Bro . A . Peterken , P . M . 1349 , and W . M . elect 1 S 05 , was installed into the chair in very able style by Bro . R . J . Fennell , P . M . 1 S 05 . A handsome jewel was also presented to the outgoing W . M ., Bro . J . AI . Knight . We hope to give a report in our next issue . The brethren afterwards adjourned to thc Guildhall Tavern to banquet .
,. . ¦* "" ' * " -nuvu . auu VV « Se ] ° l " f '' is very distinctly given . Will Bro . vvoodrord also inform me of his authority that the Grand mk £ i ° f Pe cti ? , . was founded 1758-9 ? I believe he is rnn ^ en A T he Klt . « Perfection WAS then founded , but 1 u te , s , deI , tlcal with the Council of the Emperors ; expJ * J e n , ! lcre secn any statement that the Rite c , * ercised autllonty over the Craft : they left that to of P „ f and Lod ee * l ? fact l bclicvc that a Grand Lodge ut ' « ection never existed .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
I now refer to Notes and Queries , N 0 . 35 S , 14 th June , 188 4-What is the date of the correspondence there mentioned between Van Lennep and Arnott ? If the grades there mentioned were practised in Scotland , it is very curious , because I believe them to be those of the Knights of the East . Bro Woodford no doubt knows that these degrees have never been identified ; all that ^ we know is that the highest was the Chevalier de 1 'Orient . I think a comparison will
show why I hold this supposition . The Ch . of Clermont was founded 1 754 '; that of the Knights of the East 1756 ; and that of the Emperors 175 S . We should naturally expect each successive rite to incorporate the degrees of its predecessor , and to outbid it by adding a few more . The Clermont Degrees were—4 ° , the Scots Degrees —that is , the various " elects ; " 5 ° , the Knight of the Eagle Elect : G ° , Templar Illustrious ; 7 ° , Sublime
Illustrious Knight . The Knights of the East are known to bave rejected all Templar Degrees , and to have issued circulars against Templar Masonry ; therefore , in order to outbid the Clermont Ch ., they would have to work all their degrees , with the exception of the last three , and to considerably increase the Scotch or Temple Degrees . Bearing this reasoning in mind , it would appear probable that the degrees mentioned by . Bro . Woodford in 35 S are the long-lost 0
Knights of the East Degrees . They are—4 , Elect ; 5 , High Elect ; 6 ° , Elect of the Temple ; 7 , Perfect Master ; 8 ° , Master Elect ; 9 ° , Architect ; 10 " , Perfect Architect ; II ° , Elect Architect ; 12 , Knight of the East . It will be observed that these are all Temple ( not Templar ) Degrees , the last being chivalrous , but not Templar . In the Emperors we find their 5 asrrees with 7 of Knights ; their o ° with 8 ° of Knights ; their 11 ° with that of Clermont ; their 12 °
comprises the various architects of the Knights ; their 15 equals the last of the Knights ; and from thenceforth their degrees are all new to Masonry . It will be perceived that the analogy is not so clear as I could have wished it , but probably sufficiently so to lead us to infer that Bro . Woodford has discovered for us the lost nomenclature of the Knights . In that case , we may conclude that French Rites travelled to , and were worked in , Scotland . Now , in
France , from 1 740 onwards , the new degrees , lying between the Craft and the Chivalrous Grades , were called Scotch Masonry ; and if these degrees travelled to Britain , of course the name came also , and thus we might arrive at a plausible solution of our own " Scots Masons . " On 22 nd April , 1 SS 2 , Bro . Whytehead refers to a book published in London , 1796 , and inveighing against the high degrees . Almost every one ofthe degrees he mentions is included in
the series of the Emperors . Ihe Rosicrucians cannot be , as Bro . Whytehead supposes , the iS ° of the A . and A . S . R ., which at that time was probably not formed , and had certainly not appeared in Europe ; but it is doubtless the Sovereign Prince Rose Croix , iS ° of the Emperors , their parent and predecessor . G . W . SPETH . [ To save time , as Bro . Speth kindly sends his notes to me in the first instance , I beg to say that I will give an answer in detail next week , and that 1 hope to convince Bro .
Speth that my statements are quite correct , despite his very able criticism . To clear away one matter , I may add that the correspondence between Van Lennep and Dr . Arnott seems to have been between 1 S 41 and 1 S 44 . The 12 degrees were brought by a Dutch or English sea captain , —it is not quite clear who he was , —who had , however , been at Paris , and stated that there was a great difference between some of the ceremonies . I can lend Bro . Speth , if he likes , the explanatory communications . —A . F . A . VV . ]
485 ] THE THREE DEGREES QUESTION . I am not at all anxious to prolong the discussion , having no reason to regret the result so far . My motive for defining the Masonic meaning I attach to the word Degree was that no one should say that I deny the existence of grades or positions in lodges prior to the last century . Surely no one would deny , for instance , that long before the era of Grand Lodges there were Apprentices , Craftsmen , and
Master Masons ! The point to be elucidated , however , is this . Are there any old records which prove that during the period in question ^ there was any peculiar , separate , and special ceremony conferred upon Craftsmen , jr > o ;« which Apprentices mere excluded , and another given to Master Alasons , from -. vhich Craftsmen and Apprentices were excluded ? I say none have ever been produced . If there are any , where are they , and what are they ? Until
documentay evidence is forthcoming , I will take the advice of " Third Degree , " and " let the matter rest" between us ; but meanwhile , shall continue to object to random and incorrect statements on the subject . With respect to Bro . Woodford ' s statement that he " does not gather from Bro . Gould that Bro . Hughan was warranted in expressing , as the result of Bro . Gould ' s investigations , so decided an opinion on the subject of the
Degrees" ( Masonic Notes , No . 4794 ) . I desire to repudiate any attempt "to antedate Bro . Gould ' s original communications , which will duly appear in the iforthcoming volume of his history " ( No . 479 ) . I am sorry to find Bro . Woodfordilinks my name with such unworthy conduct . Time after time has Bro . Gould written in the Freemason , and in his published works , as to the Degrees question , and always in a manner that Bro . Lvon
and myself could support most thoroughly . Hence when " Third Degree " ( No . 46 S ) asks " Is Bro . Hughan quite satisfied in claiming Bro . Gould as his ally fully in this little controversy—I think Bro . Gould ought to be allowed to speak for himself in his fourth volume , " I simply , and at once replied , " I think it will be found on the publication of Vol . 4 of his splendid work that Bro . Gould agrees entirely with my views thereon , and also Bro . Lyon ' s " . ( No .
474 ) . Why should I think otherwise ? Am I to suppose that what Bro . Gould has already written is to be snuffed out by any subsequent communication ? Are the facts he has already given us , no longer facts ? What Vol . 4 has to say thereon is a sealed matter until its publication , but until then , I venture to again state my belief that it will in no wise lessen the value and importance of the facts which have been over and over again established . W . J . HUGHAN .
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .
i & mU jilasonrg . DOMATIC LODGE ( No . 177 ) . —This large and important lodge was seen at its best at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on Friday , the gth inst ., it being the occasion of the ninety-ninth installation meeting . The exceeding popularity of the W . M . elect , Bro . Robert Pierpoint , was shown by the very large number of brethren who had assembled to testify tbeir appreciation of his many sterling
qualities , and to congratulate him upon the well-deserved honour which had been cohferred upon him by the unanimous vote of the lodge . The lodge having been opened in due form by the W . M ., Bro . Foxcroft , the minutes were confirmed , and the statement of accounts , which was of a most satisfactory character , approved and adopted . Bro . John Barnett , of
the Fortitude Lodge , No . 105 , was unanimously elected a joining member , and the ballot taken for four candidates for initiation . Bros . VV . R . Spindler and J . H . Selby were passed to the Second Degree , and the chair was then occupied by Bro . Wm . Herbage , I . P . M ., who proceeded in his usual able and impressive manner to install Bro . R . Pierpoint into the chair of K . S . according to ancient
custom . Bro . VV . J . Furguson , P . M ., acted as Director of Ceremonies , to the great pleasure and satisfaction of the brethren . The officers appointed and invested by the VV . M . were as follows : Bros . Harry Price , S . VV . ; A . Simner , J . VV . ; Geo . Everett , P . M ., Treas . ; T . Morris , Sec . ; R . Montague , S . D . ; C . Chapman , J . D . ; R . Harvey , I . G .: C . Reichelman , Org . ; Sadler Wood , D . C ; N . Salmon ,
WS ., and A . Walkley , Tyler . The new Worshipful Master then proceeded with great efficiency to initiate Messrs . A . Grace , G . A . Weston , J . Kingley , and J . H . Ellis into the mysteries of ancient Freemasonry . A Past Master ' s jewel having been presented to Bro . VV . M . Foxcroft , and a vote of thanks accorded to Bro . W . Herbage , the Installing Master , the lodge was closed ,
and the brethren , no in number , repaired to the banquet room , where the Brothers Clemow were also found to be at their best , as the repast provided reflected upon them the greatest possible credit . The loud applause which greeted the W . M . on his taking the chair again testified to his popularity . The usual loyal toasts followed , that of "H . R . H . the Grand Master , " and the allusion to the coming of age of
Prince Edward eliciting loud applause . " The Health of the VV . M . " was given in an appropriate and ¦ kindly manner by Bro . Foxcroft , and received by the brethren with much heartiness . The VV . M ., in reply , thanked the brethren very sincerely for the honour they had bestowed upon him , and for the encouragement they had given him as he had advanced step by step to his present proud
position . In giving "The Initiates " the W . M . stated they were all old and much esteemed friends of his , and it had been a source of much pleasure to him to have the privilege of conferring upon them the light of the Order . " The Visitors " was next given , and responded to by a number of brethren . " The Past Masters " followed , and was ably responded
to by the I . P . M ., Bro . Foxcroft , and the Installing Master , Bro . Herbage . In reply to the toast of " The Treasurer and Secretary , " Bro . George Everett , P . M ., the Treasurer , in a most felicitous speech alluded to the fact that he had had the pleasure of initiating the present Worshipful Master some nine years ago , and taking his happy face to be an index of
the mind he had predicted for him a prosperous career in the lodge ; in this prediction he had made no mistake , as Bro . Pierpoint , by his genial manner and kindly disposition , had made for himself a host of friends , and by sheer merit and ability had worked his way from the lowest step on the ladder to his present distinguished position as Master of the good old Domatic Lodge , now on the eve of its
hundredth year . The musical arrangements for the evening were carried out in a most able manner by Bro . C . Riechelmann , the Organist of the lodge , and the singing of Madame Riechelmati and Madame Lansdell Sims was much applauded , whilst the recitation of " The Stroller ' s Story , " by Mr . J . K . Boddy , gave the greatest satisfaction . The officers of the lodge , without exception , performed
their duties in a most commendable manner , and in such able hands the great prosperity the Domatic Lodge now enjoys is not to be wondered at . Ihe following visitors were present : Bros . J . Oldes , S . W . 12 SS ; S . P . Knight , D . C . 1903 ; C . Arkell , P . M . 192 ; R . R . Harper , P . M . S 17 ; H . Stiles , P . M . 1733 ; H . Fruen , 2012 ; W . Wilkins , P . M .
002 ; E . J . Tabor , P . S . W . 1101 ; J . Westerby , W . M . 1613 ; D . VV . Cable , Sec . 163 S ; G . E . Court , W . S . 1559 ; S . Read , 753 ; F . A . Duffield , 619 ; James Baker , P . M . 1672 ; T . Skinner , 1 C 14 ; W . A . Dowling , 2012 ; W . Cork , S . W . 1597 : W . Kingwell , 1572 ; C . Zamzig , J . D . 201 ; VV . Blank , 704 ; C . VV . Bovis , 511 ; W . H . Baker , S . W . 1 O 41 and 2030 ; H . Hambling , 2030 ; J . E . Shand , Sec . 2030 ; A . G . Hayman , 2005 ; A . J . M .
Bradgate , 55 * , A . Hancock , W . M . 1950 ; John Bennett , I . G . 1415 ; H . M . Cappleton , W . M . 13 S 1 ; C . H . Spiller , 49 ; li . Storr , W . M . 167 ; F . H . Spiller , P . M . 49 ; S . Hill , W . M . 21 ; W . Marston , P . M . 55 ; H . L . turner , W . S . 16 93 ; C . H . Everett , S . VV . 2012 ; A . Potter , S . W . S 13 ; J . J . Avery , P . M . 70 , P . P . G . T . Devon ; and W . M . Stiles , W . M . 1 744 . FRIENDSHIP LODGE ( No . 206 ) . —The
installation meeting of the above important gathering took place on the Sth inst ., at the Ship and Turtle , Leadenhallstreet , E . C . The lodge was opened by Bro . C . T . Scrivener , W . M ., who was supported by the following officers , brethren , and visitors : Bros . C . T . Scrivener , VV . M . ; J , L . Anderson , S . W . ; VVm . Gowland , J . W . ; Samuel
Gamman , P . M ., Treas . ; A . R . Rumsey , P . M ., Sec ; Wm . H . Arber , J . D . ; } . M . Rooney , I . G . ; E . B . Barnard , P . M . ; H . M . Collier , P . M . ; E . Squirrell , P . M ., John Waters , P . M . ; VV . S . Sepson , Wm . Steel , John Graham , E . H . Marquis , VVm . Medcalf , A . Britton , H . A . J acobs , E . J . Gillespie , A . W . Tobin , C . H . Barrett , A . E . Painter , and C . D . Moore . Visitors : Bros . Henry Forss , W . M .