the earliest and best History of the Craft in that country, and belonging as he does to our realistic school of Masonic students, he has been most diligent in his researches, so as to base his works on absolute facts, rather than on fanciful theories, which mainly charac terized his predecessors. I do not favour the belief, held by some, that there was any essential difference between the Freemasonry of the Northern and of the Southern parts of the kingdom. It appears to me that separate degrees, with peculiar ceremonies attached to each (worked on the modern system), had no existence in either country prior to early last century. With all my Scottish proclivities, I am bound to award the credit of the arrangement of ancient Freemasonry into three Degrees, to the English Craftsmen who belonged to the historic "four old Lodges" (or more), on the inauguration of the premier Grand Lodge in 1717, or about that period. How far or how much Scotland can claim to bave taken part in the creation or fabrication of additional Masonic Degrees, is not easy to decide; for the term "Scottish" has undoubtedly been frequently applied to Ceremonies, more or less connected with the Craft, some of which were not originated in Scotland, and others possibly not even by Scots. Owing to the number of adherents of the Royal Family of the Stuarts in Scotland, and the persistence with which, in some quarters, it was sought to identify the Pretender's cause, with that of the Craft, it is probable that the term Scottish became so used in connection with certain Masonic Degrees during the middle and latter part of the last century, especially on the Continent; but, so far as my researches have extended, there is a lack of evidence to justify any such claims, either as respects the Pretender's patronage or the origin of these Ceremonies in North Britain. Bro. CROWE has referred to the antiquity of Craft Lodges at sufficient length, for the purposes of the Handbook, so no more need be said as to their special characteristics, but a few words as to the Mark and Royal Arch may not be amiss. The earliest known Minutes of the Mark Degree in Scotland are those of Banff, of January 7th, 1778, in which it is stated that the "Mark Mason" may be conferred on Fellow Crafts, but that of "Mark Master Mason" on Master Masons only.* There are still older in England, especially those of the "Friendship" R. A. Chapter, Portsmouth (which was formed and constituted in 1769), and are of considerable value, because of their reference to a most enthusiastic Craftsman of the period. The first volume of records is in cypher, and on Sept. 1, 1769, it is therein stated that at a R. A. Chapter then held: "The 'Pro G.M.,' Thomas Dunckerley, bro't the *Hughan's "Origin of the English Rite of Freemasonry," p. 107. "History of the Phoenix Lodge, No. 257," by Bro. Alex. Howell, p. 211. In the next oldest conferring the two degrees, viz., of No. 142, London, dated August 9th, 1777, several Brethren were made Mark Masons and Mark Masters" in that Lodge; the records of the Marquis of "Granby " Lodge, Durham, of Dec. 21st, 1773, discovered by Bro. WM. LOGAN, apparently recording but one ceremony, termed "Mark Mason." Evidently the conferring of the "Mark Man" on Fellow Crafts has given rise to the fancy that the Mark Degrees generally were worked originally in Fellow Craft Lodges, but this is an error, the "Mark Master" being for Master Masons only. It is not yet settled as to when and where the Royal Arch was first worked. It is noted in print by Dr. DASSIGNY, as early as 1744, and as being then known at London, York, and Dublin. The latest information on the subject will be found in my Introduction to Bro. JACKSON'S reprint of this very scarce work.* The records of the "Stirling" Lodge contain the earliest references to Royal Arch Masonry so far traced; the misfortune, however, is that they are copies of the originals, the latter having been missed of late. The volume of Lodge Minutes, in folio, is still preserved, beginning on 28th December, 1741, and ending in 1822, and the entries agree with the copy made about 1790, of the Laws of 1745, as respects their preparation and acceptance by the members in that decade. The Code of Rules of 14th May, 1745, was ordered "to be engrossed in a book apart," on that day by the unanimous vote of the Lodge, as the original entry * Dr. Dassigny's "Enquiry," 1744. Reprint in full facsimile by Bro. R. Jackson, Leeds, 1893. proves, and, presuming that the transcript is correct, the fee of five shillings sterling was charged for “Excel· lent and Super-Excellent," and the same amount for the "Knights of Malta." In confirmation of the R.A. Chapter or Lodge being worked in that decade; when the Grand Chapter was formed in 1817, the precedence of the Chapters had to be settled, and that of Stirling was proved to date from 30th July, 1743,* according to the following sworn declaration, duly attested, and copied from the original record then existing, and kindly forwarded to me by the zealous Grand Scribe E., Bro. R. S. Brown, of Edinburgh. "Stirling, July 30th, 1743. "Which day the Lodge of Stirling Kilwinning being met in the brother Hutchison's house, and being petitioned by Mungo Nicol, Shoemaker, and brother James McEwan, Student of Divinity at Stirling, and being found qualified they were admitted Royal Arch Masons of this Lodge, having paid their dues to the Treasurer. (Signed) JOHN CALLENDER, R.W.M." The oldest R.A. records in England are of the seventh decade of the last century, though there are references from 1752. The earliest original Minutes of the Degree in existence are dated December 22nd, 1753, at Fredericksburg, Virginia, U.S.A., and have been given in facsimile by me, being those of a Royal Arch Lodge there and * Proceedings Sup. Grand Chap. Scotland, 21st March, 1818. "Ars Quatuor Coronatorum" ("English R.A. Masonry," by W. J. Hughan), vol. IV., 1891. then held, when three brethren were Raised to the Degree of a Royall Arch Mason." There are several important works published, which afford accurate information as to many interesting points, particularly the massive volumes by Bro. D. MURRAY LYON, and Bro. W. FRED. VERNON,* as also the "History of Freemasonry in Dumfries," by Bro. JAMES SMITH,† and smaller works, as to the Royal Arch, &c., by the same industrious and successful student. If the entry relative to the " Knights of Malta of 1745, at Stirling, may be relied upon, that ceremony was worked more than thirty years before we meet with the degree elsewhere; but, singular to state, the Knights Templars have still to rest content with the Records of "St. Andrew's Chapter," Boston, U.S.A., of A.D. 1769, for the first minutes, so far traced of that portion of chivalric Masonry. According to present evidence, 1743 was the earliest original Minute at Stirling, Scotland, of the Royal Arch; the oldest preserved being of 1753, and that for the Knights Templars, of 1769, both being in America. As to Records of Lodges, Scotland is far a-head of other countries, and it is to be hoped that the publication of such elementary works as Bro. CROWE's handy book, will lead to the discovery of other valuable Minutes and copies of the "Old Charges." DUNSCORE, TORQUAY, November 21st, 1894. W. J. HUGHAN. * "History of Freemasonry," &c. London, George Kenning, 1893. J. Maxwell & Son, Publishers, 1892, |