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Article THE FIVE SHILLINGS CHARGE. Page 1 of 1 Article THE FIVE SHILLINGS CHARGE. Page 1 of 1 Article REVIEWS Page 1 of 1 Article Masonic Notes and Queries. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Five Shillings Charge.
THE FIVE SHILLINGS CHARGE .
To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I hardly think there can he any possible good in continuing the discussion . My object in calling attention to the fact , and the outcome of the official announcement , have been entirely missed and misapprehended . It was not
so much the charge of five shillings in itself , though 1 confess I did not realize at first that it was " Institutional " instead of being " Masonic , " as the novelty of ou r esteemed Grand Secretary being made the medium of collecting five shillings apiece from Past Grand Officers and others in order to obey their Grand Master'ssummons . Hadthe " addcndum " or slip simply read thus , " It is but fair that brethren should
know there will be a charge by the Institution of five shillings , " & c , I probably should have not ventured to trouble you and your readers with my lucubrations . But I objected , and obj ect still , to our Grand Secretary being made a " collecting officer" of Institutional or Masonic tickets . I object to the distinction made between the Grand Officers of the year and Past Grand Olficers ; and I object , on
principle , to those who go down at great loss and inconvenience , in answer to an official summons , paying their " footing " in order that they may appear in clothing when they get there . There are no doubt some difficulties in the case , but for the greater part of the Past Grand Officers who went down , 1 still venture to think such a charge somewhat of
a reflection on the known hospitality of Yorkshiremen . Of course the Masonic Committee , indefatigable in its exertions and most happily successful in its results , is entirely disculpated . No one would object to assist a praiseworthy institution , that is not the point , but I am for one a great believer in the " eternal fitness of things . "Fraternally yours , A MEMBER OF GRAND LODGE .
A CRY FROM THE RANKS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — As I see that a Special Grand Lodge is convened for the Sth of August , and which will probably have a long
sitting , is there no good Samaritan , or are there no good Samaritans , who will provide a reasonable ordinary , say at 7 . 30 , when the Grand Master in the chair can be moved to call Gravid Lodge from labour to refreshment for half-anhour ?—Fraternally yours , . DIGESTION .
THE "WILLIAM MORGAN" AFFAIR . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I was greatly interested in your editorial notice of my recent work on " William Vlorgan . " To tell the truth , 1 had waited with some anxiety for your criticisms , and am free to say they are more kindly than I anticipated . I
know that your people had never taken any interest in the "Morgan Affair , " which was only a matter of local politics , and naturally supposed you would question the propriety of issuing a volume upon the subject at this late day . Although so long gathering the threads of the Morgan history , it was not so much with the view of publishing them as to enrich our Historical Society with printed matter
and MSS . upon the subject . Controversy is not more opposed to the Masonic theory than it is to my fraternal feelings . Compelled at times to strike out in self-defence , I have always avoided contention , and terminated debate as soon as honour permitted . In the case before us , you can see how prudentl y I acted when I tell you that from 1846 to 1 SS 2 I was diligently engaged in gathering
information from the lips of living witnesses and from printed matter , yet all the time steadily refused the offers of publishers to furnish the facts for publication . It was the senile folly of Mr . Thurlas Weed that forced me to change my plan . Impelled by excessive egotism , anxious to inflict one more blow upon our institution before he passed to the world where wars and contentions cease , he
flung a poisoned arrow backward as he departed . Partisanlike , and in a long communication to the New York press , which has ever attacked us most bitterly , he repeats from memory ( he being 86 years of age ) events that occurred 56 years before . His dotage , rather than a deliberate purpose of falsehood , caused him to misstate the facts and to draw false inferences from the misstatements .
His epistle was copied far and near . Probably 5000 of our presses copied it , in whole or in part . Old animosities were hereby revived ; old prejudices were kindled anon ; the quiet , unassuming labours of Masonry were stigmatized as hypocrisy and treason to morals ; and it was felt that someone ought to show up the falsity of Mr . Weed's death-bed attack . As 1 was the only person who had
made a speciality of collecting the facts concerning Morgan , the charge devolved upon me . At heavy loss of time and that pecuniary loss which seem to be essential to Masonic publishing ( at least in this country ) , I sent forth the volume which you so gently review , and thus ends my labour in this direction . The charges are answered . Freemasonry takes the offensive . The truth is put on
paper , where all who are interested can find it . Since the publication of " William Morgan" I have discovered to my very great surprise that Col . Edward Sawyer , whose name frequently occurs in it , is still living ; but at the great age of 95 . He was one of those condemned to a fine and a month ' s imprisonment for an offence so trivial as to show the depraved condition of the public
wind that could permit it . I sent him a copy of my book and received a letter of acknowledgement which contains some remarks of general interest which I extract . " He says , " I presume no one suffered more from that unfortunate Morgan affair than I did . I lost nearly all my property . My business , which was prosperous , was ruined , and I was forced to seek a new home in the then wilderness
land of Michigan . 1 have ever since rested under a suspicion of guilt . And yet I never knew what became of Morgan , and had absolutely nothing to do with his deportation . I had every confidence in N . G . Chesebro ' , and when he informed me that Morgan desired to get away from his associates , and that arrangements had been made to carry out his wishes , I went unhesitatingly to the jail ,
The Five Shillings Charge.
and informed Mrs . Hall that I thought it proper for her to accept the money and release him . I confidentl y believed that Morgan went away of his own free will ; but when a few d lys after there began to be some excitement in the community , I thought that the good of the Order and all concerned required that the facts be published , and 1 went to Fort Niagara for the purpose of learning all the
facts and giving them pub'icity . But I could learn nothing . 1 went to Canada , but without success . " In all the excitement of that unhappy time I counselled moderation on the part of the brethren , and I now believe that many men who escaped prosecution would have been prosecuted , and perhaps imprisoned , but for me . M y love for the institution has never lessened . "
This venerable brother , whose memory is so clear at 95 , was made a Mason at 21 years . He has therefore laboured in the mystic calling for 74 years ! I think among the " old Masons" of whom so much has been recently said , we must place as the veteran and the eldest , Edward Sawyer , of Grand Blanc , Michigan . We have nothing in the way of news save the notes of
preparation for the triennial sessions of the Templars and Capitular Orders . Both occur in August next , the former at San Francisco , California , the latter at Denver , Colorado . I he hot month so unhappily chosen for these convocations , the long , wea-y journey to be reckoned by the thousands of miles , and the haavy expense , combine to keep many
of us _ away who are accustomed to attend the triennial gatherings . Such will be the case of your correspondent . Quite a shock was experienced by the American Craft when the news of your loss by fire reached us . We took it for granted that the whole edifice , with its records and gatherings , had gone to ashes . Thank G id it is no worse . La Grange , Kentucky . ROB . MORRIS .
Reviews
REVIEWS
THE TENURES OF KENT . By CHARLES 1 . ELTON . James Parker and Co ., London . The question of land tenure for various reasons has a great and special interest for all thinking persons at the present hour . Even the most inconsiderate , the most selfish , or the most flippant , to whom life may be a jest , and the general welfare void of interest , must admit , if they think at all , that the security and happiness of nations
and communities , nay , of society and mankind , must rest upon the secure and peaceful tenure of that great commodity with which is bound up for the most part all that constitutes the safe and satisfactory progress of civilized life . Even savage nations have some laws of land tenure , and certain principles of patriarchal or tribal inheritance , though " might" with them too often " makes right , " yetacertain recognized system extensively prevails .
It would be impossible to-day to go into the old-world land tenures , interesting as the subject is , and though some may not like to see it , it is one on which have centred many of the conflicts which have agitated nations , many of the crimes which have troubled humanity , many of the wars which have devastated the world . Mr . Elton takes up the peculiar history of the land tenures of a special p irtion of our country , sometimes
called the "garden of England , " and which from their specific character have always been a puzzle and a " Crux " to writers on the subject , fllany have written about them at length , and we apprehend have not clearly realized their full bearing . We ail of us hear , for instance , of the law of " Gavelkind , " and see the word in law treatises and county histories of Kent , but to a good many of us it is an expression which means very little , because
we do not fully understand its meaning , its origin , or its actuality . Even Mr . Elton , who writes about it sa ably , does not apparently feel quite certain as to its derivation . It is peculiar to Kent , a tenure , not a custom , and though it may rest on pre-Conquest land-tenure customs , hiving perhaps some traces of Roman legislation about it , and being in use in Anglo-Saxon times , it was greatly affected by the introduction of the Feudal tenures , and
the rules which became the common law . The lands under gavelkind were lands in "socage , " and in the case of a holder dying intestate , were divided among all the sons equally , just as in " Borough English , " a town tenure , which rested on Anglo-Saxon customs , the inheritance curiously enough went to the youngest son . The feudal law introduced what is now the common law , that real estate descends to the eldest
male representative . Lands claimed by the Crown and lands given in charity ( " Franc Almoigne " ) , and lands for chivalric service , were not lands of gavelkind nor subject to its partitional customs . But as time run on , these divisions of tenure became confused , and after the confiscation of the monastic property , and this merging ol lands in Franc Almoigne , & c , in the generality , it became necessary to introduce a "disgavelling law " to prevent the
confusion and difficulties which must have inevitably arisen . Even now a good deal of uncertainty seem to rest upon the subject , as all writers are not consistent , and the numberless cases quoted by Mr . Elton shew much of historical haze and specific doubt . Indeed , the whole question is surrounded by what someone has termed "the happy uncertainty of the law , " To Mr . Elton we are indebted for a thorough , clear , and straightforward work , and at the same time
satisfactory mode of dealing with such a " vexataquaistio . " Incidentally in this able and exhaustive labour of nearly 400 pages we have many most able illustrations bearing on the tenure of land generally , the position of freeholders , copyholders , tenants , and serfs . These old customs just now have the deepest importance and the most vital interest . We are probably living in an epoch when land will be held by smaller
owners than heretofore , and any work which throws light upon that most important topic deserves the thanks of the statesman and the student . We have read Mr . Elton's work carefully and with much pleasure , and though it is impossible in a purely non-technical paper like the Freemason to reproduce too many legal terms or abstract
statements , we have th . iught it a noc unacceptable , nay , a seasonable , u-se of this column of the Freemason to touch upon a subject which , though familiar to some , is positively , yes , positively "Caviare , " or anything el » e yuu like , to the great majority of our readers . All must recognize Mr . Elton as a great authority on the subject .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
209 J CENTENARY WARRANTS . Sometime recently I drew attention to the fact that there were lodges holding centenary warrants for special jewels , granted prior to 1 SG 1 , which are not acknowled ged in the " Freemason ' s Calendar and Pocket Book . " Of these I
enumerated the Royal Cumberland Lodge , Bath , and others . It seems that at the period of their being granted no fee was paid . M y opinion is that no fee was ° rcmiired though from 1061 to iSa 6 the sum of one . r ^ nea was charged . However , to set the nutter " right , i \ o . 41 , Bath , lias paid a guinea , as ner D . I » T m
ot the new volume of the Grand Lodge proceedings , ind is now acknowledged bv the letter " C " ( for centenary jewel ) being placed be ' fore its number , & ' c , in the Official .. atendar . " Of others who would do well to pav a like fee , I may mention No . 9 , Albion Lodie , London ; No . 11 , Enoch Lodge , London ; No . , , Kent Lod . re London 16 Al
, ; No . , Royal pha Lodge , London * - No V St . Alban Lodge , London ; No . 6 7 , Star in the Ea " st , Calcutta ; and No . 76 , Economy Lodge , Winchester . Bro . I . Francis , P . M ., has kindly sent me a copy of the Centenary Jewel Warrant of No . 76 , dated nth May . 7 . ? ' ^ n , \^ 'fued on the authority of the Earl of Zetland , M . W . G . M . w . I . HUGHAN
2 'oj MASONfC TOKENS . The token mentioned ( Note and Query 207 ) is no doubt one of the Provincial and Tradesmen ' s Tokens " so cotnmonlyissued from i S to ISI 7 . It ought not to be difficult to trace out the brother who issued it , as probably there ivniilH nc » f lif * of- fhif J-. * . , _ -t _ _ * < would not be at that date tradesmen
many carrying- on business at the three places named . Preston states that the Prince was elected Grand Master on 24 th November , 1790 , installed 2 nd May , 1722 . It is easy to understand a brother taking such an event as furnishing a design for his tokens . On referring to my own small collection of coins
i- 1 , ' ' . " r . 1 y fair P 9 servatl ° . a very similar token , which , but for the query in the Freemason , I should probably not have noticed . The reverse is evidently the same design ; the inscription is , of course , "Sit lux etlux fuit . " I he figure—an angel rather than a Cupid , 1 think-kneels on his right knee in the midst of a cloud and of the ravs of hgh descending from the eye . The object on which his left hand rests is the plumb ; but between the plumb and the left foot is a trowel , which no doubt in a worn token
wouia resemoie ttie nuke ot an anchor . Beneath the ri ^ ht knee ls a maul The obverse- " 24 Nov ., , 790 , Prince of Wales elected G . M . " The coat of arms appears to be-Gules ; on a chevron , a pair of compasses between three towers embattled . Crest—a globe , surmounted by a bird ( dove ?) , close or , a wreath . Supporters-two beavers . On the scroll— " Amor , honor , et justitia . " The chevron cither b
y accident or design , forms a perfect square . Or the rim of the token , m sunk letters , is the inscription , Masonic Half-penny Token , MDCCXCIV . \ - v v " Probably "P . M . 2 S 1 » will be able by this description more clearly to decipher his token . There are no doubt many other tokens in existence more or less alludinir to Masonry . S . R . BASKETT , W . M . 1367
211 ] _____ Allow me to state for the information of P . M 2 S 1 ( Note and Query 207 ) , that I have two tokens , which as taras regards the obverse and inverse answers to his descriptions , and I can correct and fill in for him the uhdecinherable superscriptions . It should read in full "Sit lux et lux fuit . ' A free translation of the Latin is " Let I here be light and there was light , " but I would vet like a little
more light as to the full Masonic meaning of the whole I have been told that what P . M . 2 Si calls a Cupid is really intended for a fatherless bairn , " but be that as it may I think an accurate search will show that what he takes for an anchor is in the first instance a plumb rule , and which Cupid (?) with his left hand is holding perfectly erect , while at his feet lies , not the blade ot the anchor , but a trowel
The gavel or mallet lies hard by , between the feet of Lupid , and that I think supports that theory . A little further light too upon the ball , which forms part of the crest , would be of much interest . It is possibly intended for the terrestial globe , but I would prefer it possible to make it out to be the usual helmet upon which in ancient times every crest was planted . I he blazoning of the coat or shield it mav be noted ™
sistsot the compasses extended upon the chevron , which in this instance forms a perfect square in the manner of a pair of rafters to a house , " and of what operative builders or beavers of that date would call " square pitch . " Then there are the "three castles garnished with doors and windows , ' ; which Bro . Hughan has so aptly elucidated from ancient script in the British Museum . Except for the discrepancy of the chevron being really souare and 0 this question of the ball , the whole design appears to be almost exact
an reproduction from the very vigorous ; ° ntTfS thah ? n ? ndo , liB ook of Constitutions which was printed b y authority of Grand Lodge in 1767 . I have anrfa P U nM er ' ° If' ^ JM *™ P >" of the tokens have apparently upon the rim this inscription : " Masonic Half-IITJZ K , MDC l cx Ciy ., " and a few more Roman figures undecipherable , which I take to be the day aj the A A nl " > -rarka r i ^'" S four y * l ^ r than the date ot the striking of the token . C . COBHAM , VV . M . 949 .
l , ™ l « '' , ? ' AV , 1 P ,, ™ •»*» Pnxs .-Notable Facts .-Summer heats augment the annoyances of skin disease , and encouram the S'Tl of c , ri ' , i Ji r , l < : rs ' Khm ! " <>* y « ho _™ . « theJ may , he remored by the detergent and purifying prepar . it ons . In ? A ° ^ , complaints , liver affections , ' pains and snlsm ?„ til *
meVir " ;; . ¦' a i " " * ™ hhc < l over the affected part im-Sati ^ y . *'"» «'' Srratait ease , p-events congestion and inlta ™ . 1 he poorer inhabitants of large cities will find ihese remedies to be a « , t 5 ° ' "' j eV " - , P " « "S " . ™ when from unknown causes erupt ons , boils , abscesses , or ulcerations betoken the pre . IZ £ ? , , a "" S or f ! I " V . ,: ! '"' «« system , and call for instant and ellective curative medicines . —LAnvr . l
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Five Shillings Charge.
THE FIVE SHILLINGS CHARGE .
To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I hardly think there can he any possible good in continuing the discussion . My object in calling attention to the fact , and the outcome of the official announcement , have been entirely missed and misapprehended . It was not
so much the charge of five shillings in itself , though 1 confess I did not realize at first that it was " Institutional " instead of being " Masonic , " as the novelty of ou r esteemed Grand Secretary being made the medium of collecting five shillings apiece from Past Grand Officers and others in order to obey their Grand Master'ssummons . Hadthe " addcndum " or slip simply read thus , " It is but fair that brethren should
know there will be a charge by the Institution of five shillings , " & c , I probably should have not ventured to trouble you and your readers with my lucubrations . But I objected , and obj ect still , to our Grand Secretary being made a " collecting officer" of Institutional or Masonic tickets . I object to the distinction made between the Grand Officers of the year and Past Grand Olficers ; and I object , on
principle , to those who go down at great loss and inconvenience , in answer to an official summons , paying their " footing " in order that they may appear in clothing when they get there . There are no doubt some difficulties in the case , but for the greater part of the Past Grand Officers who went down , 1 still venture to think such a charge somewhat of
a reflection on the known hospitality of Yorkshiremen . Of course the Masonic Committee , indefatigable in its exertions and most happily successful in its results , is entirely disculpated . No one would object to assist a praiseworthy institution , that is not the point , but I am for one a great believer in the " eternal fitness of things . "Fraternally yours , A MEMBER OF GRAND LODGE .
A CRY FROM THE RANKS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — As I see that a Special Grand Lodge is convened for the Sth of August , and which will probably have a long
sitting , is there no good Samaritan , or are there no good Samaritans , who will provide a reasonable ordinary , say at 7 . 30 , when the Grand Master in the chair can be moved to call Gravid Lodge from labour to refreshment for half-anhour ?—Fraternally yours , . DIGESTION .
THE "WILLIAM MORGAN" AFFAIR . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I was greatly interested in your editorial notice of my recent work on " William Vlorgan . " To tell the truth , 1 had waited with some anxiety for your criticisms , and am free to say they are more kindly than I anticipated . I
know that your people had never taken any interest in the "Morgan Affair , " which was only a matter of local politics , and naturally supposed you would question the propriety of issuing a volume upon the subject at this late day . Although so long gathering the threads of the Morgan history , it was not so much with the view of publishing them as to enrich our Historical Society with printed matter
and MSS . upon the subject . Controversy is not more opposed to the Masonic theory than it is to my fraternal feelings . Compelled at times to strike out in self-defence , I have always avoided contention , and terminated debate as soon as honour permitted . In the case before us , you can see how prudentl y I acted when I tell you that from 1846 to 1 SS 2 I was diligently engaged in gathering
information from the lips of living witnesses and from printed matter , yet all the time steadily refused the offers of publishers to furnish the facts for publication . It was the senile folly of Mr . Thurlas Weed that forced me to change my plan . Impelled by excessive egotism , anxious to inflict one more blow upon our institution before he passed to the world where wars and contentions cease , he
flung a poisoned arrow backward as he departed . Partisanlike , and in a long communication to the New York press , which has ever attacked us most bitterly , he repeats from memory ( he being 86 years of age ) events that occurred 56 years before . His dotage , rather than a deliberate purpose of falsehood , caused him to misstate the facts and to draw false inferences from the misstatements .
His epistle was copied far and near . Probably 5000 of our presses copied it , in whole or in part . Old animosities were hereby revived ; old prejudices were kindled anon ; the quiet , unassuming labours of Masonry were stigmatized as hypocrisy and treason to morals ; and it was felt that someone ought to show up the falsity of Mr . Weed's death-bed attack . As 1 was the only person who had
made a speciality of collecting the facts concerning Morgan , the charge devolved upon me . At heavy loss of time and that pecuniary loss which seem to be essential to Masonic publishing ( at least in this country ) , I sent forth the volume which you so gently review , and thus ends my labour in this direction . The charges are answered . Freemasonry takes the offensive . The truth is put on
paper , where all who are interested can find it . Since the publication of " William Morgan" I have discovered to my very great surprise that Col . Edward Sawyer , whose name frequently occurs in it , is still living ; but at the great age of 95 . He was one of those condemned to a fine and a month ' s imprisonment for an offence so trivial as to show the depraved condition of the public
wind that could permit it . I sent him a copy of my book and received a letter of acknowledgement which contains some remarks of general interest which I extract . " He says , " I presume no one suffered more from that unfortunate Morgan affair than I did . I lost nearly all my property . My business , which was prosperous , was ruined , and I was forced to seek a new home in the then wilderness
land of Michigan . 1 have ever since rested under a suspicion of guilt . And yet I never knew what became of Morgan , and had absolutely nothing to do with his deportation . I had every confidence in N . G . Chesebro ' , and when he informed me that Morgan desired to get away from his associates , and that arrangements had been made to carry out his wishes , I went unhesitatingly to the jail ,
The Five Shillings Charge.
and informed Mrs . Hall that I thought it proper for her to accept the money and release him . I confidentl y believed that Morgan went away of his own free will ; but when a few d lys after there began to be some excitement in the community , I thought that the good of the Order and all concerned required that the facts be published , and 1 went to Fort Niagara for the purpose of learning all the
facts and giving them pub'icity . But I could learn nothing . 1 went to Canada , but without success . " In all the excitement of that unhappy time I counselled moderation on the part of the brethren , and I now believe that many men who escaped prosecution would have been prosecuted , and perhaps imprisoned , but for me . M y love for the institution has never lessened . "
This venerable brother , whose memory is so clear at 95 , was made a Mason at 21 years . He has therefore laboured in the mystic calling for 74 years ! I think among the " old Masons" of whom so much has been recently said , we must place as the veteran and the eldest , Edward Sawyer , of Grand Blanc , Michigan . We have nothing in the way of news save the notes of
preparation for the triennial sessions of the Templars and Capitular Orders . Both occur in August next , the former at San Francisco , California , the latter at Denver , Colorado . I he hot month so unhappily chosen for these convocations , the long , wea-y journey to be reckoned by the thousands of miles , and the haavy expense , combine to keep many
of us _ away who are accustomed to attend the triennial gatherings . Such will be the case of your correspondent . Quite a shock was experienced by the American Craft when the news of your loss by fire reached us . We took it for granted that the whole edifice , with its records and gatherings , had gone to ashes . Thank G id it is no worse . La Grange , Kentucky . ROB . MORRIS .
Reviews
REVIEWS
THE TENURES OF KENT . By CHARLES 1 . ELTON . James Parker and Co ., London . The question of land tenure for various reasons has a great and special interest for all thinking persons at the present hour . Even the most inconsiderate , the most selfish , or the most flippant , to whom life may be a jest , and the general welfare void of interest , must admit , if they think at all , that the security and happiness of nations
and communities , nay , of society and mankind , must rest upon the secure and peaceful tenure of that great commodity with which is bound up for the most part all that constitutes the safe and satisfactory progress of civilized life . Even savage nations have some laws of land tenure , and certain principles of patriarchal or tribal inheritance , though " might" with them too often " makes right , " yetacertain recognized system extensively prevails .
It would be impossible to-day to go into the old-world land tenures , interesting as the subject is , and though some may not like to see it , it is one on which have centred many of the conflicts which have agitated nations , many of the crimes which have troubled humanity , many of the wars which have devastated the world . Mr . Elton takes up the peculiar history of the land tenures of a special p irtion of our country , sometimes
called the "garden of England , " and which from their specific character have always been a puzzle and a " Crux " to writers on the subject , fllany have written about them at length , and we apprehend have not clearly realized their full bearing . We ail of us hear , for instance , of the law of " Gavelkind , " and see the word in law treatises and county histories of Kent , but to a good many of us it is an expression which means very little , because
we do not fully understand its meaning , its origin , or its actuality . Even Mr . Elton , who writes about it sa ably , does not apparently feel quite certain as to its derivation . It is peculiar to Kent , a tenure , not a custom , and though it may rest on pre-Conquest land-tenure customs , hiving perhaps some traces of Roman legislation about it , and being in use in Anglo-Saxon times , it was greatly affected by the introduction of the Feudal tenures , and
the rules which became the common law . The lands under gavelkind were lands in "socage , " and in the case of a holder dying intestate , were divided among all the sons equally , just as in " Borough English , " a town tenure , which rested on Anglo-Saxon customs , the inheritance curiously enough went to the youngest son . The feudal law introduced what is now the common law , that real estate descends to the eldest
male representative . Lands claimed by the Crown and lands given in charity ( " Franc Almoigne " ) , and lands for chivalric service , were not lands of gavelkind nor subject to its partitional customs . But as time run on , these divisions of tenure became confused , and after the confiscation of the monastic property , and this merging ol lands in Franc Almoigne , & c , in the generality , it became necessary to introduce a "disgavelling law " to prevent the
confusion and difficulties which must have inevitably arisen . Even now a good deal of uncertainty seem to rest upon the subject , as all writers are not consistent , and the numberless cases quoted by Mr . Elton shew much of historical haze and specific doubt . Indeed , the whole question is surrounded by what someone has termed "the happy uncertainty of the law , " To Mr . Elton we are indebted for a thorough , clear , and straightforward work , and at the same time
satisfactory mode of dealing with such a " vexataquaistio . " Incidentally in this able and exhaustive labour of nearly 400 pages we have many most able illustrations bearing on the tenure of land generally , the position of freeholders , copyholders , tenants , and serfs . These old customs just now have the deepest importance and the most vital interest . We are probably living in an epoch when land will be held by smaller
owners than heretofore , and any work which throws light upon that most important topic deserves the thanks of the statesman and the student . We have read Mr . Elton's work carefully and with much pleasure , and though it is impossible in a purely non-technical paper like the Freemason to reproduce too many legal terms or abstract
statements , we have th . iught it a noc unacceptable , nay , a seasonable , u-se of this column of the Freemason to touch upon a subject which , though familiar to some , is positively , yes , positively "Caviare , " or anything el » e yuu like , to the great majority of our readers . All must recognize Mr . Elton as a great authority on the subject .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
209 J CENTENARY WARRANTS . Sometime recently I drew attention to the fact that there were lodges holding centenary warrants for special jewels , granted prior to 1 SG 1 , which are not acknowled ged in the " Freemason ' s Calendar and Pocket Book . " Of these I
enumerated the Royal Cumberland Lodge , Bath , and others . It seems that at the period of their being granted no fee was paid . M y opinion is that no fee was ° rcmiired though from 1061 to iSa 6 the sum of one . r ^ nea was charged . However , to set the nutter " right , i \ o . 41 , Bath , lias paid a guinea , as ner D . I » T m
ot the new volume of the Grand Lodge proceedings , ind is now acknowledged bv the letter " C " ( for centenary jewel ) being placed be ' fore its number , & ' c , in the Official .. atendar . " Of others who would do well to pav a like fee , I may mention No . 9 , Albion Lodie , London ; No . 11 , Enoch Lodge , London ; No . , , Kent Lod . re London 16 Al
, ; No . , Royal pha Lodge , London * - No V St . Alban Lodge , London ; No . 6 7 , Star in the Ea " st , Calcutta ; and No . 76 , Economy Lodge , Winchester . Bro . I . Francis , P . M ., has kindly sent me a copy of the Centenary Jewel Warrant of No . 76 , dated nth May . 7 . ? ' ^ n , \^ 'fued on the authority of the Earl of Zetland , M . W . G . M . w . I . HUGHAN
2 'oj MASONfC TOKENS . The token mentioned ( Note and Query 207 ) is no doubt one of the Provincial and Tradesmen ' s Tokens " so cotnmonlyissued from i S to ISI 7 . It ought not to be difficult to trace out the brother who issued it , as probably there ivniilH nc » f lif * of- fhif J-. * . , _ -t _ _ * < would not be at that date tradesmen
many carrying- on business at the three places named . Preston states that the Prince was elected Grand Master on 24 th November , 1790 , installed 2 nd May , 1722 . It is easy to understand a brother taking such an event as furnishing a design for his tokens . On referring to my own small collection of coins
i- 1 , ' ' . " r . 1 y fair P 9 servatl ° . a very similar token , which , but for the query in the Freemason , I should probably not have noticed . The reverse is evidently the same design ; the inscription is , of course , "Sit lux etlux fuit . " I he figure—an angel rather than a Cupid , 1 think-kneels on his right knee in the midst of a cloud and of the ravs of hgh descending from the eye . The object on which his left hand rests is the plumb ; but between the plumb and the left foot is a trowel , which no doubt in a worn token
wouia resemoie ttie nuke ot an anchor . Beneath the ri ^ ht knee ls a maul The obverse- " 24 Nov ., , 790 , Prince of Wales elected G . M . " The coat of arms appears to be-Gules ; on a chevron , a pair of compasses between three towers embattled . Crest—a globe , surmounted by a bird ( dove ?) , close or , a wreath . Supporters-two beavers . On the scroll— " Amor , honor , et justitia . " The chevron cither b
y accident or design , forms a perfect square . Or the rim of the token , m sunk letters , is the inscription , Masonic Half-penny Token , MDCCXCIV . \ - v v " Probably "P . M . 2 S 1 » will be able by this description more clearly to decipher his token . There are no doubt many other tokens in existence more or less alludinir to Masonry . S . R . BASKETT , W . M . 1367
211 ] _____ Allow me to state for the information of P . M 2 S 1 ( Note and Query 207 ) , that I have two tokens , which as taras regards the obverse and inverse answers to his descriptions , and I can correct and fill in for him the uhdecinherable superscriptions . It should read in full "Sit lux et lux fuit . ' A free translation of the Latin is " Let I here be light and there was light , " but I would vet like a little
more light as to the full Masonic meaning of the whole I have been told that what P . M . 2 Si calls a Cupid is really intended for a fatherless bairn , " but be that as it may I think an accurate search will show that what he takes for an anchor is in the first instance a plumb rule , and which Cupid (?) with his left hand is holding perfectly erect , while at his feet lies , not the blade ot the anchor , but a trowel
The gavel or mallet lies hard by , between the feet of Lupid , and that I think supports that theory . A little further light too upon the ball , which forms part of the crest , would be of much interest . It is possibly intended for the terrestial globe , but I would prefer it possible to make it out to be the usual helmet upon which in ancient times every crest was planted . I he blazoning of the coat or shield it mav be noted ™
sistsot the compasses extended upon the chevron , which in this instance forms a perfect square in the manner of a pair of rafters to a house , " and of what operative builders or beavers of that date would call " square pitch . " Then there are the "three castles garnished with doors and windows , ' ; which Bro . Hughan has so aptly elucidated from ancient script in the British Museum . Except for the discrepancy of the chevron being really souare and 0 this question of the ball , the whole design appears to be almost exact
an reproduction from the very vigorous ; ° ntTfS thah ? n ? ndo , liB ook of Constitutions which was printed b y authority of Grand Lodge in 1767 . I have anrfa P U nM er ' ° If' ^ JM *™ P >" of the tokens have apparently upon the rim this inscription : " Masonic Half-IITJZ K , MDC l cx Ciy ., " and a few more Roman figures undecipherable , which I take to be the day aj the A A nl " > -rarka r i ^'" S four y * l ^ r than the date ot the striking of the token . C . COBHAM , VV . M . 949 .
l , ™ l « '' , ? ' AV , 1 P ,, ™ •»*» Pnxs .-Notable Facts .-Summer heats augment the annoyances of skin disease , and encouram the S'Tl of c , ri ' , i Ji r , l < : rs ' Khm ! " <>* y « ho _™ . « theJ may , he remored by the detergent and purifying prepar . it ons . In ? A ° ^ , complaints , liver affections , ' pains and snlsm ?„ til *
meVir " ;; . ¦' a i " " * ™ hhc < l over the affected part im-Sati ^ y . *'"» «'' Srratait ease , p-events congestion and inlta ™ . 1 he poorer inhabitants of large cities will find ihese remedies to be a « , t 5 ° ' "' j eV " - , P " « "S " . ™ when from unknown causes erupt ons , boils , abscesses , or ulcerations betoken the pre . IZ £ ? , , a "" S or f ! I " V . ,: ! '"' «« system , and call for instant and ellective curative medicines . —LAnvr . l