land antcipated an union between that respectable body and the Grand Lodge of Scotland.

IN the general History of Free Masonry we have already given an account of the schism which took place in the Grand Lodge of England, by the secession of a number of men, who, calling themselves Ancient Masons, invidiously bestowed upon the Grand Lodge the appellation of Moderns. These Ancient Masons, who certainly merit blame, as the active promoters of the schism, chose for their Grand Master, in the year 1772, his Grace the Duke of Athol, who was then Grand-Master Elect for Scotland. From this circumstance, more than from any particular predilection, on the part of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, for the Ancient Masons, the most friendly intercourse has always subsisted between the two Grand Lodges; and the Scotish masons, from their union with the Ancients, imbibed the same prejudices against the Grand Lodge of England under the Prince of Wales and Lord Moira, arising merely from some trifling innovations in ceremonial observances, which the Grand Lodge of England had inconsiderately authorised. From these causes, the Grand Lodges of Scotland and England, tho' the brethren of both were admitted into each other's lodges, never cherished that mutual and friendly intercourse, which, by the principles of Free Masonry, they were bound to institute and preserve.

Such

Such was the relative condition of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and that of England under the Prince of Wales, on the day of the present grand election.

In the course of the evening, however, an opportunity being offered for the discussion of this subject, the Earl of Moira, in an impressive speech, equally remarkable for the eloquence of its sentiments, and the energy of its enunciation, related, at considerable length, the conduct of the Grand Lodge of England to the Ancient Masons. He stated, that the hearts and arms of the Grand Lodge had ever been open for the reception of their seceding brethren; who had obstinately refused to acknowledge their faults, and return to the bosom of their mother-lodge; and that, though the Grand Lodge of England differed, in a few trifling observances, from that of Scotland, they had ever entertained for Scotish masons that affection and regard which it is the object of Free Masonry to cherish, and the duty of Free Masons to feel. His Lordship's speech was received by the brethren with loud and reiterated applause, the most unequivocal mark of their approbation of its sentiments. From this period we may date the origin of an union between the Grand Lodge of Scotland and that of England, which, we trust, will soon be completely effected. From such a junction, under the auspices of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales,

aided by the distinguished talents and respectabiility of the Earl of Moira, and the abilities and conciliating manners of the Earl of Dalhousie, Free Masonry, we hope, will receive additional respectability and vigour, and preserve, in these kingdoms, its primitive purity and simplicity. And, while its influence is diffused from the British empire to every corner of the world, we trust that it will continue to be, as it has ever been, the bane of despotism and oppression; the enemy of superstition and fanaticism; the promoter of civilization and good order; the friend of uncorrupted science, of true benevolence, and unaffected piety.

FINIS.

APPEN

APPENDIX.

No I.

CHARTER

GRANTED BY THE MASONS OF SCOTLAND

ΤΟ

WILLIAM ST CLAIR OF ROSLIN.

FROM HAY'S MSS. IN THE ADVOCATES' LIBRARY*.

BE it kend till all men, be thir p'nt letters, we dea

cons, maistres, and freemen of the masons, within the realme of Scotland, with express consent and assent of William Shaw, master of work, to our Soveraine Lord, for sa meikle as from adge to adge it has been observed amongst us, that the lairds of Roslin has ever been patrons, and protectors of us and our priviledges; likeas, our predecessors has obey'd and acknowledged them, as patrons and protectors, while that, within thir few years, throw negligence and slothfulness, the samyn has past furth of us, whereby, not only has the laird of Roslin been

out

This manuscript is entitled Hay's Memoirs, or a collection of several things relating to the historical account of the most famed families of Scotland. Done by Richard Augustine Hay, Canon Regular at Sainte Genevefs of Paris, prior of Sainte Pierremont, &c. Anno Domini 1700.

Pp

out of his just right, but also our hail craft has been destitute of ane patron, and protector, and overseer, which has engendered many false corruptions and imperfections, both amongst ourselves, and in our craft, and has given occasion to many persons to conceive evel amongst us and our craft, and to leive off great enterprises of policie be reason of our great misbehavour without correction, whereby not only the committers of the faults, but also the honest men are disappointed of their craft and profit: -As likewais when divers and sundrie contraversies falls out amongst ourselfs, their follows great and manifold inconveniencies through want of ane patron and protector; we not being able to waite upon the ordinair judges and judgement of this realme, through the occasione of our povertie and longsomenes of process, for remied whereof, and for keeping of good order amongst us in all time coming, and for advancement of our craft and vocatione within this realme, and furthering of policie within the saymn, We, for ourselves, and in name of our haill brethering and craftsmen, with consent foresaid, agrees and consents, that William Saint Clair, now of Roslin, for himself and for his heirs, purchase and obtain, att the hands of our Sovereigne Lords libertie, freedome, and jurisdictio e upon us, and our successors, in all times coming, as patrons and judges to us, and the several professors of our craft within this realme, whom off we have power and commission sua that hereafter we inay acknowledge him and his airs, as our patrons and judges, under our Sovereigne Lord without any kind of appellation on declyning from his judgement, with power to the said William and his heirs, to deputt judges, ane or maire under him, and to use sick ample and large jurisdictione upon us, and our successors, as well as brugh as land, as it shall please our Sovereigne

Lord