The Builder Magazine
February 1922 - Volume VIII - Number 2
Memorials to Great Men Who Were Masons
GENERAL HUGH MERCER
BY BRO. GEO. W. BAIRD, P.G.M. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
THIS FAMOUS General Officer of the Revolutionary Army was a member of Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4, in Virginia - the lodge in which George Washington was made a Mason. General Mercer was a close personal friend of Washington, and the idol of the people of Fredericksburg. Not only was he held in high esteem by the Fredericksburg citizens, but they also raised a monument to him. In Philadelphia, where he died, the Saint Andrew's Society (Scotch), with 3000 others, followed his remains to the grave, and erected a monument to his memory in Laurel Hill Cemetery.
Hugh Mercer was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1870; received his education in the Aberdeen University, and graduated a Doctor of Medicine. It is remarkable how many medical men were General Officers in our Revolutionary War. Mercer was an Assistant Surgeon in the Army of Prince Charles Edward, and was in the battle of Colloden in 1745. His participation in that rebellion, it is thought, was the reason for his migrating to the Colony of Virginia, in 1747. He made his first home at Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, where he practiced medicine.
The so-called French and Indian War was well understood by Mercer - it was a war between the Protestant Colonists and the French Romish Colonists, and it did not take Mercer long to see that his future religious liberty was at stake.
In 1755-56 Mercer became a Captain in the Company of Colonel George Washington. In the expedition of General Braddock, and at his terrible defeat at the battle of Monongahela, July 9th, 1765, Mercer was severely wounded and left on the field for dead. But he revived in a few hours and made his way to a stream of water and thence to a thicket. He was weak from loss of blood, and hungry, and managed to kill a rattlesnake which he skinned and on which he subsisted until he had gained a little strength and finally was enabled to reach Fort Cumberland.
The Corporation of Philadelphia afterwards gave him a gold medal in appreciation of his conduct during that that campaign.
When the Provincial forces were reorganized in 1758 Mercer was promoted to a Lieutenant-Colonelcy, and accompanied the Army of General Forbes to Fort Duquesne (Pittsburg) where he commanded the Post until relieved. He then fixed his residence at Fredericksburg, Virginia, and resumed the practice a medicine.
When the Revolutionary War broke out Mercer warmly espoused the cause of the Colonists, quitted his profession and became the commandant of three regiments of Minute Men, in the year 1775. In 1776 he organized and drilled the Virginia Militia. On February 13th of the same year he was promoted to be Colonel of the Third Virginia Regiment, and on June 5th, 1776 was commissioned a Brigadier General by the Continental Congress, at the request of General Washington.
When the American Army retreated through New Jersey General Mercer was with it, and he led the column to attack the enemy at Trenton on December 6th, 1776, and it is claimed that he advised the daring night march on Princeton, on January 3rd, 1777.
The situation of the American Army on the evening of January 2nd was extremely perilous, Washington having but five thousand men, half of whom were militia who had been in camp but a few days. To fight the veteran soldiers before them looked like madness - to attempt to recross the Delaware river under the fire of the enemy would have been futile. The march to Princeton having been decided upon, the advance command was given to Mercer.
This was at the time when the British regiments at Princeton were about to begin their march to reinforce Lord Cornwallis in the south, and it was these regiments that discovered the approach of Mercer, at Princeton. Mercer attacked, but was repelled, and the enemy followed the Americans until they were reinforced by Washington's Regulars and the Pennsylvania Militia. During the fighting Mercer was felled by the blow of a Briton's musket, for the fighting was hand-to-hand. Mercer rose, refused quarter, and defended himself with his sword. He was bayoneted, and left on the field for dead. After the battle a farmer carried Mercer to his house, where he suffered great pain until his death, which occurred on January 12th.
In the year 1773 Congress made provision for the education of the younger son of General Mercer, in appreciation of the great services the General had rendered to his country.
The Secretary of Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4 has gone to great pains to search out and give to the writer the Masonic history of General Mercer, and, I may say, it was recorded in no other place. From the excerpt furnished the writer, and its wording, it is evident that the brother who served as Secretary of that lodge during the particular period mentioned in this article, set a splendid example. Fredericksburg changed hands at least twenty times during the Civil War, but not a Masonic possession was
disturbed. Those were days of gallant men.
----o----
MASONIC BIBLIOGRAPHY
BY BRO. SILAS H. SHEPHERD, WISCONSIN
The homely adage that one cannot make rabbit soup until he has captured his rabbit is brought home to the Masonic student times without number, for if there is anything difficult to capture it is a Masonic Bibliography. And they who undertake to fashion the same, and who succeed therein, even in small measure, deserve the plaudits of the Craft. All this is by way of introducing one of the most successful essays in Masonic Bibliography that has ever come to the ink-stained desk of ye editor. The literary engineer responsible for the success of this venture is Bro. Silas H. Shepherd who has been for years a member of the Committee on Masonic Research of the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin, and whose name is familiar to our readers, albeit not as familiar as it should be, and will be, we trust. "Masonic Bibliographies and Catalogues" is published in paper bindings by the above mentioned Committee, and is number 11 in the series of their publications. Bro. Shepherd has been assisted by Brothers Henry A. Crosby and George C. Nuesse, his colleagues on the Committee.
(Concluded from January Issue)
98. Masonic Publishing Co. *
Semi-annual Catalogues of Masonic Works, sold by the Masonic Publishing Co., in their salesroom in the City of New York, from June, 1877, to May, 1899. 8vo. 1000 pages. (Listed in Catalogue No. 46 of the Masonic Pub. Co., Nov., 1899.)
The writer has an incomplete set of 21 of these old "auction catalogues" from 1877 to 1902. They afford a fund of information in regard to the works then offered for sale. It causes regret that many of the items listed are now impossible to procure at any price.
99. Masonic Publishing Co. *
Semi-annual Catalogues of the Masonic Publishing Co., dating from 1899 to 1902. (Numbers 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51.)
No. 51 was the last eatalogue issued in the series. The business changed hands and has since been conducted by the Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Co., which has issued many catalogues.
100. Miner, William Harvey *
Freemasonry. A Catalogue of Books, for the most part of Masonic interest, with a selection of standard and important works on allied subjects. No. 65, The Torch Press Book Shop, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (No date - about 1915.) 47 pages.
The Torch Press Book Shop is no more. William Harvey Miner now issues catalogues for The William Harvey Miner Co., Inc., St. Louis, Mo., and still sells Masonic books, although the No. 66 of the Torch Press had more scarce items than have since been offered, and was of more value to the student than the ordinary trade catalogue.
101. Miner, W. H. *
Catalogue No. 6 from the William Harvey Miner Co., Inc., Antiquarian Booksellers, 3518-20-22 Franklin Ave., St. Louis, Mo. 36 pages.
Practically all of this catalogs is devoted to Masonic items, and is well compiled.
102. Miner, W.H. *
Catalogue No. 11. The William Harvey Miner Co., Inc. 20 pages.
103. Missouri, Grand Lodge of
A correct list of the works collected and bound for the use of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, as referred to in the Grand Secretary's report of 1872. By George Franz Gouley, Grand Secretary. St. Louis, 1872. 8vo. paper, 6
pages.
104. Moore, C.
Catalogue of the Masonic Library of C. Moore, editor of "The Masonic Review," Cincinnati. (No date - about 1865.) 15 pages.
This catalogue contains 264 numbers and is noted in the Masonic Bibliography by E.T. Carson. "The entire collection was purchased by the Masonic Library Association of Cincinnati."
105. Morgan, W. W.
A Catalogue of Rare, Interesting and Curious Books pertaining to the Craft Universal, by W.W. Morgan, London, 1889. 8vo. 16 pages.
106. Morrison, Dr.
A Catalogue of the Rare and Valuable Collection of Masonic Books. Sold by Mr. Bernardy. London, 1850. 8vo. 27 pages.
107. Morton, John Metcalfe *
A Catalogue of Books, Rare, Curious, Occult, Masonic and Miscellaneous, etc., for sale by John Metcalfe-Morton, Antiquarian Bookseller of Ye Olde Booke Shoppe, No. 1 Duke Street, Brighton, England. No. XLVIII. 192C
This catalogue contains 72 Masonic works, some of considerable interest. The catalogues of John Metcalfe-Morton are issued quite frequently, and always contain enough to make them very desirable to the Masonic collector and bibliophile
108. New York Grand Lodge Library
Annual Report of the Librarian:
1879 13 pages 1888 16 pages
1884 11 pages 1889 11 pages
1886 16 pages 1890 12 pages
1887 16 pages 1891 12 pages
1892 6 pages 1906 not paged
1899 32 pages 1908 36 pages
The series is probably continued
109. New York Grand Lodge Library
Library of the Grand Lodge of New York. (Catalogue.) Included in the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of N. Y. of 1888. A catalogue of additions in the 1891 proceedings.
110. New York
Collection made by Committee of Antiquities of the Grand Lodge of F. & A. M. of New York. 1905.
111. Nova Scotia Grand Lodge
Catalogue of Ancient Masonic Documents, in possession of Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia, A. F. & A. M. Halifax, N. S., 1890. 74 pages.
This Catalogue is the subject of a bibliographical article in the “Northern Freemason" of 1906, by R.F. Gould. (See "Gould, R. F.," in second section.)
112. Oliver, George
Works on Freemasonry, lately published by George Oliver. London: Spencer. (1842.)
113. Oliver, George
Works on Freemasonry by George Oliver. Published by Richard Spencer, London, 1860. 22 pages. 8mo.
114. Oriental Consistory Library *
Catalogue of Oriental Consistory Library, S. P. R. S. 32d, Chicago, Ill., 1919, by Miss Mabel K. Dixon, Librarian. 61 pages.
This Catalogue was compiled and arranged according to the Dewey Decimal System, and is strictly a catalogue. The Catalogue compiled serially by George Warvelle may be used to advantage in connection with this one. See "Warvelle, George." (No. 166.) Parvin, Theodore Sutton
See "Iowa Masonic Library." (Nos. 70 to 75.)
115. Pennsylvania, Library of the Grand Lodge of
Catalogue of the Library of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Phila., 1881. 66 pages.
As Pennsylvania has been among the foremost of Grand Lodges in the promotion of its literary phases this Catalogue is of more than ordinary interest. The Grand LoIge of Pennsylvania is now compiling an up-to-date catalogue, and this will be a boon to the Pennsylvania brethren. as well as a very welcome help to librarians and bibliophiles in sister jurisdictions.
116. Peterborough (England)
Catalogue of the Museum and Library. Peterborough, 1915. 20 pages.
117. Peterborough
Supplement and Catalogue. Peterborough, 1920. 15 pages.
118. Pope, A. Winthrop
Remarks on some Masonic book-plates and their owners. By A. Winthrop Pope. Boston, 1908-1911. 61 pages. In two parts.
119. Prescott, Winward *
Masonic Book-plates. Boston. The Four Seas Co., 1918. By Winward Prescott. 29 pages.
A little booklet which tells the book lover’s life through his book-plate. Many of the illustrations contain studies in symbolism of more than ordinary interest.
120. Purnell, Jesse R.
Catalogue of Standard and Rare Masonic Books Pamphlets, Proceedings, etc., contained in the library of the late Jesse R. Purnell. 10 pages. (No date.)
Pythagoras Lodge
We list three catalogtles of the Library of Pythagoras Lodge viz., 1869 and May and Nov., 1887. These three catalogues tell the story well known to the book lover. The first Catalogue represents the collection and classification, and the last two the final dispersion that other libraries may be enriched.
121. Pythagoras Lodge (1)
Catalogue of Books and Medals, collected by Pythagoras Lodge, No. 1, in Brooklyn. New York, 1859. 8vo., pages XII - 145.
This Catalogue contains 1,395 numbers, many of which are in foreign languages, and most of which are of a philosophical and occult nature.
122. Pythagoras Lodge (2) *
Twenty-first semi-annual sale Catalogue of the Masonic Publishing Co., embracing the extensive collection of Rare and Antique Masonic Books, Catalogues, Magazines Periodicals, etc., in the late Masonic Library of Pythagoras Lodge, No. 1 of N. Y., to be sold at their salesrooms, 63 Blenker Street, N. Y., on Wednesday, May 18th, 1887. New York. Masonic Publishing Co.
This sale attracted such collectors as Hughan, Lawrence, Watson and others, and such works as "Multa Pancis" (1763) were included in the many rare bargains they obtained. The catalogue of Not., 1887 (No. 3) contains a reprint from the London Freemason describing the May sale.
123. Pythagoras Lodge (3) *
The Masonic Library of Pythagoras Lodge No. 1, Free and Accepted Masons of New York. New York, (November.)
This is one of the "Auction Catalogues" of Geo. A. Leavitt & Co., and contains the remainder of the Library of Pythagoras Lodge after the previous sale in May, 1887. See No. 122.
124. Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, London*
A Classified Index to the Catalogue Slips, Lodge of the Quatuor Coronati, No. 2076, London. Edited by G.W. Speth, Secretary. Margate, 1893.
The index of 105 pages gives ready aceess to the 2247 "Catalogue Slips," many of which are enriched by the notes of Brother Speth
125. Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, London*
A List of Articles Contained in Ars Quatuor Coronatorum, volumes I to XXX, with an Enumeration and Roll of Authors, compiled by Rodk. H. Baxter. Margate, 1919. 23 pages.
This is a valuable asset to the student fortunate enough to have access to the "Ars," and makes reference to the many distinguished contributors easy.
126. Reading, England
A Catalogue of the Library in the Masonic Hall, Reading. Reading, 1896. 12 pages.
127. Reeves, James S.
Catalogue of the Masonic Library of the late Dr. James S. Reeves, East Tawas, Mich. 103 pages. (No date.)
An interesting Catalogue in manuscript in the Library of Supreme Council, S. J., at Washington, D. C.
128. Riggs, W. H.
Catalogue of Standard and Rare Masonic Books, Magazines, Pamphlets, Proceedings, etc., contained in the library of W. H. Riggs, Martinsburg, W. Va., 1884. 14 pages.
129. Ross, Peter
Rough list of Books, Pamphlets, etc., bearing upon the Morgan Controversy, by Peter Ross. 1902. 7 pages.
Sadler, Henry
See "England, United Grand Lodge." (No. 36.)
130. Scotland*
Grand Lodge of Scotland. Catalogue of Books and Manuscripts in the Library at Freemasons' Hall, Edinburgh. Published by authority of Grand Lodge by the Grand Secretary, 1906.
This catalogue is of particular value to the student on account of containing the valuable library which Dr. Charles Morison, who died in 1849, bequeathed to the Grand Lodge of Scotland. “The Books and Manuscripts consisted of over two thousand works, mainly in the French language. They chiefly consisted of the larger part of the library of the Grand Lodge of 'The Scots Philosophic Rite' at Paris." The objects of this rite were Masonic archaeological research, etc.
131. Simons, John W.*
Catalogue of Masonic and Miscellaneous Books, Pamphlets, Magazines, etc., contained in the library of John W. Simons, of New York. N. Y. Masonic Publishing (No. date.)
This is one of the "Auction Catalogues," and was issued subsequent to 1870, as works up to that date are included. Brother Simons is best known through his "A Familiar Treatise on the Principles and Practice of Masonic Jurisprudence" (1864). The catalogue shows the interest he took in this phase of Freemasonry by the large percentage of Constitutions, Ahiman Rezons, Monitors and manuals it contains.
132. Shanklin, England
Masonic Exhibition held at "The Chalet," Pylstone, Shanklin. Catalogue of exhibit edited by Alfred Greenham, with archaeological notes by Wm. J. Hughan, Shanklin, 1886. 102 pages.
The custom of holding these exhibitions combined the raising of funds for benevolent purposes with improvement in historical and archaeological phases of Freemasonry.
133. Sheffield, England
Sheffield Masonic Library Scheme. Sheffield, 1876. 15 pages. Pages 10 to 15 contain list of Masonic Books.
134. Sheffield, England
Catalogue of Books in the Library of the Hallamshire College. (Soc. Ros. in Anglia.) Sheffield, 1917. 72 pages.
135. Snyder, William
Catalogue of William Snyder's Masonic Library. Lafontaine, Indiana. (No date.) 9 pages.
136. Spencer, R.
Catalogue of a valuable collection of books on Freemasonry (500 titles). London. (No date.)
137. Spencer, London
Catalogue of a valuable collection of books on Freemasonry, comprising many curious, rare and interesting works relating to the Order in this and foreign countries; including Histories of the Knights Templars, Knights of Malta, and of St. John of Jerusalem; the Rosicrucian Brethren, Mystic Writers, etc.; also a small collection of Masonic engravings, portraits, etc., the whole illustrating the origin, principles and progress of Masonry throughout the world. 8vo., 31 pages. London. Spencer. (No date - about 1860.)
Enoch T. Carson describes this catalogue as "A fine collection, the largest and best that has been offered for sale in England. It contains about 600 numbers of books, manuscripts and engravings, in English, French and German. It was sold en bloc."
138. Spencer, R.
Catalogue of Books sold by R. Spencer. London, 1875.
Richard Spencer was one of the foremost promoters of the Masonic book trade, and his catalogues are of great interest. The older ones are now very scarce. The firm of Spencer & Co. still do a large business in Masonic books. The first Richard Spencer published Masonic books in 1799. "Early in the next century he was succeeded by the second Richard Spencer, his nephew. He in turn was succeeded by Walter Spencer, his (the second Richard’s) son, and since about 1878, the firm has been known as 'Spencer & Co.' "
139. Spencer & Co.*
Spencer & Co.'s Masonic Illustrated Price List of Jewels, Clothing, Furniture, Banners, and all Requisites for Freemasonry. London. 19th edition.
A Portion of this catalogue is given to books (a large percentage of which are rituals). To the American Mason the advertising of rituals "in a form intelligible only to the initiated" appears a strange phraseology.
140. Spencer & Co.
Catalogue of a valuably collection of books on Freemasonry.
1870 81 pages 1874 31 pages
1873 19 pages 1885 43 pages
1873 7 pages 1892 30 pages
141. Spencer & Co.*
Catalogue of Standard Works on Freemasonry, Music, etc., Spencer & Co., 19-20-21 Great Queen Street, London, W. C. Established 1801. 25 pages. (No date.)
A full set of all the catalogues issued by this old firm would be a splendid treat for the Masonic bibliophile.
Speth, G. W.*
See "Quatuor Coronati Lodge, No. 2076, London." (No. 124.)
142. Speth, G. W.*
A Masonic Curriculum, by G. W. Speth. American edition, published by the Palestine Bulletin, Detroit, Mich., 1901.
An English edition was issued several years before this one. This work is a proposed course of study and refers the student to the best works to be read and consulted on the many phases of Freemasonry and allied subjects. It is one of the best works of one of the most profound and thorough Masonie scholars. It is now out of print. but we hope to see a reprint soon.
143. Staton, James W.*
Catalogue of the Masonic Library of James W. Staton, deceased. Now offered for sale by his administrators, R. E. & H. W. Staton, Brooksville, Ky. 1904. 155 pages.
This catalogue is largely made up of "proceedings," and when the library was placed on the market it afforded an opportunity for many libraries to obtain numbers of proceedings they desired. It is of considerable interest in having the proceedings well classified.
144. Staton, James W.
Bibliographical notes on the proceedings of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of the State of Kentucky. By James W. Staton, Brooksville, Ey., 1881. 5 pages.
145. Staton, James W.
Masonic Bibliographical memoranda relating to reprints. By James W. Staton, Brooksville, Ky., 1887. 19 pages.
The reprints of early proceedings are of great value to students, and it is now very difficult to obtain many of the reprints.
146. Steinbrenner, G. W.*
Catalogue of Important Masonic Books. Being a private collection gathered during many years, with much care and at a large cost, comprising choice and scarce works in several languages, on the Origin, History, Usages, etc., of the Order of Freemasons throughout the world. Bangs, Merwin & Co., New York, 1867. 17 pages.
This is one of the many "Auction Catalogues" which were issued during the last half of the Nineteenth century. These old catalogues are of interest in showing many works which are now extremely scarce advertised for sale. At present it is customary for the one desiring a rare book to advertise for it. Such rare works as Preston's Illustrations of Masonry (2nd edition) and Thory's Acta Latomorum are advertised in this catalogue. This was the collection of the Masonic historian and writer, G. W. Stembrenner.
147. Stevens (London)
Catalogue of a valuable Library founded by the late Dr. H. B. Leeson, to be sold by auction. London, 1873. 31 pages.
148. Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction, U. S. A.*
Catalogue of the Library of the Supreme Council, 33d, for the S. J. of the U. S. Washington, D. C., 1880. 42 pages.
149. Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction, U. S. A.*
Libraries of the Supreme Council of the 33d for the Southern Jurisdiction of the U. S. A. at Washington, 1st Jan., 1884. J. J. Little & Co., 1884. 267 pages.
150. Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction, U. S. A.
The Taylor Collection in the Library of the Supreme Council 33d, A.A.S.R. Washington, D. C., 1905. 98 pages
One of the best collections of occult works in the United States.
151. Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction, U. S. A.
The Busby Collection in the Library of the Supreme Council, Washington, D. C. Press of the Wilkin-Shiery Printing Co., 1907. 82 pages.
All scientific books.
152. Tait, William*
A Catalogue of Books, Ancient and Modern, 1914. Freemasonry, Kabalah, Mythology, Oriental Religions, Symbolism. William Tait, Bookseller and Publisher, Belfast, Ireland. (No. 16.) 40 pages.
This is one of the best catalogues issued as a trade catalogue recently.
153. Tarratt (Leicester)
Catalogue of the Library of the late W. Kelly, to be sold at auction by W.H. Tarratt, Feb., 1895. Leicester. 21 pages. Taylor, George
See "Worcestershire Masonic Library and Museum.” (No. 172.)
154. Taylor, T.
A Catalogue of Books on Freemasonry, the Templars, Astrology, Platonists, by T. Taylor, London. Gardner, 1897
Thorp, J. T.*
See "Leicester, England." (No. 84.)
155. Triibner & Co.
Catalogue of American Books on Freemasonry, on sale by Trubner & Co., London, 1857. 8 pages.
156. Warvelle, George*
Library of Oriental Consistory, Chicago, Ill. A serial catalogue in ten parts, by George Warvelle. (No date. 156 pages.
This catalogue was compiled by an ardent book lover who was thoroughly conversant with Masonic literature, but did not compile it with sufficient system to make its valuable contents readily available to those who used it. It is, however, an interesting bibliographical treasure to the student and may be used to advantage with the later catalogue of Oriental Consistory.
157. Watson, William
Catalogue of Masonic Works. The property of W. Watson, Leeds. Leeds, 1890. 12mo. 24 pages.
This catalogue is noted in "Catalogue slip" 1053, of Speth's "A Classified Indent to the Catalogue Slips."
158. Westcott, Dr. Wm. Wynn*
Catalogue of Books from the Library of Dr. Willian Wynn Westcott, by F. L. Gardner, 14 Marlborough Road Gunnersbury, London, W. 4. 1919.
Dr. Westcott was a Masonic and Rosicrucian student, whose library reflects the zeal and labor of his quest for Light.
159. West Yorkshire
Provincial Library Report, West Yorkshire.
Provincial Library Report. Leeds, 1890, 19 pages.
Provincial Library Report, Leeds, 1891, 12 pages.
Provincial Library Report, Leeds, 1892, 16 pages.
Provincial Library Report, Leeds, 1894, 28 pages.
West Lancashire
See Liverpool. (No. 88 and 89.)
160. West Yorkshire Provincial Priory
First Annual Report of the Provincial Librarian. 1912 18 pages.
Contains lists of Masonic books donated.
161. Whymper, H. J.
Acts of Parliament, referring to Freemasonry, by H. J Whymper, 1892. 20 pages.
162. Whymper, H. J.
Catalogue of Works on Freemasonry. Gora Gali, 1888 8vo. 19 pages.
163. Whymper, H. J.
Catalogue of works on Freemasonry. H. J. Whymper, London, 1899. Printed by Ram Saran. First edition. 54 pages.
A second edition was issued in 1891, which was enlarged to 66 pages. Both editions were limited and are now very scarce.
164. Whymper, H. J.
Catalogue of works on Freemasonry, by H. J. Whymper, London, 1891.(See No. 163.)
165. Whymper, H. J.
A Catalogue of Bibliographies, Lists, and Catalogues of Works on Freemasonry, by H. J. Whymper, London, January, 1891. Only 100 copies printed.
We know of only two copies of this catalogue in America, being the one in the Congressional Library at Washington, D. C, and one owned by F. H. Marquis of Mansfield, Ohio.
166. Whymper, H. J.
Minutes of the Proceedings of Lodge "Albert Victor," No.2370, E. C., of a Regular Meeting held on the 31st January, 1891. Lahore. Printed at the Albert Press, 1891. Appendix B. Catalogues and Bibliographies, by H. J. Whymper, C. E. I.
This is a choice bibliographical item, and is an address on Masonic literature by H. J. Whymper, who was among the very few students who have left records of their knowledge of the literature of Freemasonry. This pamphlet is included in "'Masonic Miscellany," second series, vol. 1, of Oriental Consistory Library, Chicago, Ill., catalogued as 366.1 M. 3.
167. Whymper, H. J.
Early Printed Literature Referring to Freemasonry, by H. J. Whymper, 1892, London.
In this work special reference is made to Academie of Armorie (1688) by Randle Holme Natural History of Staffordshire (1686) by Dr. Plot Diary of Elias Ashmole.
168. Wigan Public Library*
Works relating to Freemasonry catalogued by Henry Tennyson Folkard, Public Librarian, Wigan, and Secretary Wigan Lodge No. 2326, Wigan. Privately printed for presentation only, by Strowger & Son, 1892. Third edition. 64 pages. Only 100 copies printed. 1st edition, 1880, 12mo. 2nd edition, 1882.
The Manchester Association for Masonic Research has discovered records which warrant their claiming a Grand Lodge being established at Wigan, in 1823, which makes this catalogue of further interest, as Wigan is to most American Masons an unknown place
169. Wilson, John
Occult Literature: catalogue of 1000 works, all curious and interesting and many of great rarity. London, 1884. 8vo. 32 pages.
170. Woodhead, Thos. M.*
Catalogue of Books on Freemasonry in the Library of Thomas M. Woodhead. Bradford. 1903. 96 pages.
818 books are catalogued with the full title pages of most of them. The compiler says, “If it is successful in arousing some interest in Masonic Literature in the minds of the brethren it will have fulfilled the purpose for which it has been issued."
171. Worcester, England
Masonic Soiree and Exhibition, held at Guild hall, Worcester. Catalogue of exhibits edited by George Taylor, with archaeological notes by Wm. J. Hughan. Kidderminster, 1884. 73 pages.
172. Worcestershire Masonic Library and Museum*
Catalogue of Books, Manuscripts, Articles, Engravings, Aprons and other curios relating to Freemasonry, and now forming the Worcestershire Masonic Library and Museum. Edited by George Taylor, with bibliographical notes by Wm. J. Hughan. London. Published by George Kenning, 1891.
The 75 pages of this catalogue which are devoted to Masonic books are of the greatest value to the student. The library contains some very rare works, and all the works of importance are given attention in the notes by Brother Hughan.
173. Yarker, John*
A Catalogue of Books on Freemasonry. By John Yarker. Belfast, 1909.
This catalogue is included in “The Guild Charges," by Yarker. (1909.) Only 600 copies printed.
174. York, England
Masonic Conversazione and Exhibition held at York, 20th July, 1884, under the auspices of York College (Society Rosecrucia in Anglia). Catalogue of exhibits. York, 1884. 24 pages.
175. York, England
Catalogue of Masonic Exhibits at reception to the British Association at York on Sept. 6, 1881. York. 19 pages.
176. Zacharias (Bro. Ernest)
Catalogue of the Masonic Library of. Dresden, 1847.
SUPPLEMENTAL REFERENCES
References to bibliographical notes in other than strictly bibliographical works or catalogues.
NOTE - Supplemental to the list of Catalogues and Bibliographies, a few references to articles of interest to bibliophiles, and portions of standard Masonic works dealing with its literature are here given. This reference portion might be made much longer with the information in the hands of the compiler, but the present list will point the way to the best sources, without becoming burdensome with details.
1. Begemann, William
An Attempt to Classify the Old Charges, by William Begemann.
Contained in "Are Quatuor Coronatorum," volume 1, page 162.
2. Calvert, A. F.
The Grand Lodge of England, 1717-1917, by A. F. Calvert, London, 1917.
This work contains a facsimile reproduction of the first 33 pages of the 1738 edition of the "Book of Constitutions": eighteen frontispieces of the "Engraved list of Lodges": a frontispiece of "The Freemason's Calendar" for 1775, a frontispiece of Dermott's "Ahiman Rezon" (1764): and three frontispieces of different editions of the "Book of Constitutions."
3. Clarke, Clyde
Notes on Masonic Bibliography, by Hyde Clarke.
Contained in “The Freemasons Magazine" of Feb. 16th and 23rd 1859 pages 307 and 348. Referenee to it in Ars Q.C. vol. 18 (1905).
4. Crowe, Fred J. W.
Inaugural address. Q. C. Lodge.
Ars Q. C. volume 22 (1909).
5. Gould, R. F.
An Inventory of Ancient Craft Documents, by R. F. Gould.
An article in The Northern Freemason of 1906 reviewing a catalogue of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia entitled "Ancient Masonic Documents." The Nova Scotia catalogue has 74 pages.
6. Gould, R. F.*
Collected Essays and Papers Relating to Freemasonry, by R. F. Gould, Belfast, 1913.
Chapter XV. “Notes on Historical Freemasonry " and XVI "On the Masonic Press" contain much of bibliographical interest.
7. Hughan, W. J.
Bibliography of the Old Charges, by W. J. Hughan.
Contained in Ars Q. C. volume 9 pages 85 to 87.
8. Hughan, W. J.
George Oliver's Unpublished Masonic Works, by W. J Hughan.
An article in the Masonic Review No 48 page 8 (1876) describing 18 of Oliver's then unpublished works. Three have since been published viz.:
Discrepanices of Freemasonry.
A Dissertation on the Grand Hermesian Anaglyph.
The Pythagorian Triangle.
9. Hughan, W. J.
Notable Rosicrucian Works, by W. J. Hughan.
A series of articles in The Freemason of London in 1869. The first of the series commences on page 227.
10. Hughan, W. J.
Sketches of notable Masonic works, by W. J. Hughan.
A series of reviews in the Freemasons' Magazine and Masonic Mirror of 1868 and 1869.
11. Hughan, W. J.
Masonic Bibliography, by W. J. Hughan.
A series of articles in The Voice of Masonry commencing October, 1876. Among the splendid reviews which Hughan wrote in this series the 22 page description of Godfrey Higgins' "Anacalypsis" is of particular interest. Richard Carlile asserts that Godfrey Higgins once observed to him that there were but two Masons in England himself (Godfrey Higgins) and the Duke of Sussex.
12. Hughan, W. J.
Masonic Bibliography, by W. J. Hughan.
"A general artiele making reference to the leading catalogues" in The Freemason of 1898. No. 29 page 52.
13. International Bureau for Masonic Affairs
Year Book of the International Bureau for Masonic Affairs, 1917.
This contains a list of books which the compilers deemed the most important. It is particularly valuable in giving the English reader an acquaintance with the standard foreign works.
14. Iowa
Quarterly Bulletin of the Iowa Masonic Library. Volume 1, No. 1, January, 1898.
Published quarterly until Nov. 1906 when it became an "occasional" bulletin. Resumed as a quarterly January 1, 1911. This publication is largely devoted to bibliographical items, and no attempt will be made to more than mention that W. J. Hughan was a contributor from the first issue and the first volume contains some of his best articles among which is "The Spencer Masonic Sale 1875.”
15. Mackey, A. G.
Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, by A. G. Mackey and Chas T. McClenachan. Revised edition, by Edw. L. Hawkins and W.J. Hughan
Concluding pages of this work are given to bibliography and while the list is comparatively short it is the most available one to the average reader.
16. Mackey, A. G.
Thoughts on the Selection of a Masonic Library, by A. G. Mackey.
An article In The Masonic Trowel No. 6 (1867).
17. Marquis, F. H.
The Early Editions of Webb's Freemason's Monitor, by F. H. Marquis.
This is the best description of the Webb Monitors available. It is contained in Vol. 1, No. 9, of "The Masonic Bibliophile." (Dec. 1912.)
18. Marquis, F. H.
The Pocket Companions, 1735-1831, by F. H. Marquis.
This is a description of the many editions of Pocket Companions and will be appreciated by all who desire to become familiar with this important textbook of our brethren when the Pocket Companion served as a history, monitor, music manual, and in fact every function that was utilized by a book on a large percentage of the brethren. The article is contained in The Masonic Bibliophile. vol. 2, No. 8 (Nov., 1913).
19. Masonic Magazine
A Catalogue of Masonic Books in the British Museum.
April, 1879, to March, 1880. Believed to have been compiled by A.F.A. Woodford.
20. Morris, Robert
The Universal Masonic Library Advocate, a bimonthly publication devoted to the single interest of establishing a library of Masonic literature in every lodge. Vol. 1, No. 3 Robt. Morris, Fulton, Ky. 1855.
In addition to the notices of The Universal Masonic Library, the publication contains catalogues of the E. T. Carson, John W. Leonard, Iowa, and Georgia Masonic libraries. The History of Freemasonry in Kentucky, by Robt. Morris (1859), contains many bibliographieal notes.
21. Oliver, George
Masonic Institutes, by George Oliver.
The introduction of 21 pages is entitled, "Remarks on the Masonic Literature of the Eighteenth Century," and contains many interesting features, among which the list of spurious works is one. Oliver's Revelations of a Square has many notes of bibliographical interest.
22. Oliver, George
Works on Freemasonry, by George Oliver, pub. by R. Spencer.
Contained in Oliver's "A Dictionary of Symbolic Masonry.' (1853.)
23. Rebold, Emmanuel
A General History of Freemasonry in Europe. By Emmanuel Rebold. Amer. Ed. Cin. O. 1869. J. F. Brennan.
Chapter on "Documentary Evidence" contains a list of 24 works which Rebold considered authoritative.
24. Steinbrenner, G. W.
The Origin and Early History of Masonry, by G. W. Steinbrenner, New York, 1864.
Chapter 2, "The Historical Literature of Masonry." Chapter 3, "The Legend of the Guilds." Reference is made to the "Old Charges" and the early "Constitutions."
25. Thorp, John T.
List of 29 early editions of Prichard's "Masonry Dissected.” ed." 1907 Masonic Reprints of Leicester Lodge of Research.
26. Thorp, John T.
History of 23 editions of "Pocket Companions." Trans. Leicester Lodge of Research, 1918.
27. Waite, A. E.
An Alphabetical Catalogue of works on Hermetic Philosophy and Alchemy.
Contained in “Lives of Alchemystical Philosophers," by A. E Waite, London, 1888. Pages 276 to 306.
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DR. WM. STUKELEY, F. R S.
BY BRO. DUDLEY WRIGHT, ENGLAND
Among the lesser figures that live in our memories because of their association with early English Masonry there are few more lovable, or more picturesque, than the erudite Dr. Stukeley, of whom Brother Wright gives us a speaking likeness in this brief sketch. It is urged upon the careful Masonic student that he pay especial heed to the extracts from Dr. Stukeley's diary, for therein he will find items of much importance, inasmuch as they furnish us with certain undeniable facts about early eighteenth century Freemasonry, facts that are often disputed.
DR. WILLIAM STUKELEY may well be described as "a man of many parts," although it cannot be said that he mastered thoroughly any of the subjects on which he posed as an authority. From his earliest days he was imbued with an earnest desire for knowledge of all kinds of subjects, but he was not successful in becoming as he wished, and, indeed, claimed to be, an authority on any one in particular, least of all, a number of them. He was born at Holbeach, Lincolnshire, on 7th November, 1687, the son of John Stukeley, an attorney, and his wife, Frances, the daughter of Robert Bullen, of Weston, Lincolnshire, who was descended from the same ancestors as Annie Bullen, or Boleyn, the ill-fated queen of Henry VIII. His father was also the descendant of an ancient family, his ancestors having been lords of Great Stukeley, near Huntingdon.
In 1692, William Stukeley was sent to the Free School at Holbeach, where he received a good preliminary education. It is recorded that as a boy he was fond of retiring into the woods to read and also to collect plants. A pen picture has been drawn of his listening occasionally behind a screen in his father's study to his learned conversation with a Mr. Belgrave, whom the son describes as "an ingenious gent." and in refutation of whose arguments he says he wrote a small manuscript book. Young Stukely says that he also collected coins, bought microscopes and burning glasses, and learned something of wood-carving, dialling, "and some astrology withal."
On 7th November, 1703, William Stukeley was admitted as a pensioner to Bennet (now Corpus Christi) College, Cambridge, of which he became a scholar in the following April. He was intended by his father for the legal profession, but the study of law and its attendant subjects was distasteful to him and he turned early to scientific subjects, and particularly anatomy. He says that in his undergraduate days he "went frequently a simpling and began to steal dogs and dissect." When at home he "made a handsome sceleton of a cat." Stephen Hales of the Royal Society and Dr. John Gray of Canterbury were among his botanical associates and he made large additions to Ray's Catalogus Plantarum circa Cantabrigiam. On 21st January, 1709, we find his name among the graduates as a Bachelor of Medicine. On leaving Cambridge in that year he studied medicine under Dr. Mead at St. Thomas's Hospital and Anatomy Under Rolfe, a surgeon in Chancery Lane.
In 1710, he set up in practice at Boston, in Lincolnshire, where he, remained until 1717, when he removed to Great Ormond Street, London, next to Powis House. On the 20th March of the same year he became a Fellow of the Royal Society on the nomination of Dr. Mead. In 1718 we find him taking a part in the establishment of the Society of Antiquaries, of which body he acted as Secretary for nine years. On the 7th July, 1719, he graduated at Cambridge as a Doctor of Medicine and on the 30th September of the same year he was admitted as a candidate of the College of Physicians, becoming a fully-fledged Fellow exactly twelve months afterwards, i.e., on 30th September, 1720, the same year in which he published in account of Arthur's Oon and Graham's Dyke.
About this time he began to turn his thoughts to Freemasonry. Masters, in his History of the College of Corpus Christi, says that "his curiosity led him (Stukeley) to be initiated into the mysterys of Masonry, suspecting it to be the remains of the mysterys of the antients, when with difficulty a number sufficient was to be found in all London. After this it became a public fashion not only spred over Brittain and Ireland, but all Europe."
Stukkey himself refers to this fact in his Common Place Book, wherein he says: "I was the first person made a free mason in London for many years. We had difficulty to find members enough to perform the ceremony. Immediately after that it took a run and ran it self out of breath thro the folly of members." Stukeley's initiation took place on the 6th January, 1721 at the Salutation Tavern, Tavistock Street, with Mr. Collins, Capt. Rowe, who wade the famous "diving engine."
For a time, at any rate, Stukeley appears to have taken a great interest in the doings of the Craft. At any rate he seems to have become sufficiently prominent and active to secure an invitation to the Quarterly Commiunicatian of Grand Lodge held in the June following his election, judging from the following entry in his Diary:
"1721. 24th June. The Masons had a dinner in Stationers' Hall. Present, Duke of Montague, Ld. Herbert, Ld. Stanhope, Sr. And. Fountain, &c. Dr. Desaguliers pronounc'd an oration. The Gd. Mr. Mr. Pain produc'd an old MS. of the Constitutions which he got in the West of England 500 years old. He read over a new sat of articles to be observ'd. The Duke of Montague chose Gd. Mr. next year. Dr. Beal, Deputy."
The following extracts from his Diary are also of interest: "27th December, 1721. We met at the Fountain Tavern, Strand, by consent of Grand Mr. present. Dr. Beal constituted a new Lodge there, where I was chosen Mr."
Commenting on this entry in The Freemason of 31st July, 1880, Bro. T. B. Whyteheid wrote: "Nothing is named about the qualification for the chair, and as Bro. Stukeley had not been twelve months a Mason, it is manifest that any Brother could be chosen to preside, as also that the verbal consent of the Grand Master, or his Deputy, was sufficient to authorise the formation of a Lodge."
"25th May, 1722. Met Duke of Quensboro, Lord Dunbarton, Hinchinbrok, &c. at Fount. Tav. Lodg. to consider Feast on St. John's."
"3rd Nov. 1722. The Duke of Wharton & Ld. Dalkeith visited our Lodg. at the Fountain."
"7th Nov. 1722. Order of the Book Instituted."
"28th Dec. 1722. I dined with Ld. Hertford introduced by Ld. Winchelsea. I made them both members of the Order of the Book or Roman Knighthood."
It would be interesting to know more about this Order, of which Stukeley gives no further particulars. In 1722, also, he became a member of the "Gentlemen's Society" at Spalding, a literary association which was patronised by many members of the Craft, including Dr. Desaguliers, the Earl of Dalkeith, and Lord Coleraine, Grand Masters in 1719, 1723, and 1727 respectively; Martin Folkes and Dr. Thomas Manningham, Deputy Grand Masters, 1724 and 1752-1756; Francis Drake, Grand Master of All England, 1761-1762; Joseph Ames, David Casley, Sir Richard Manningham, and Andrew Michael Ramsay.
In 1722 he was Gulstonian Lecturer when he delivered a discourse on the spleen. About this time he began to suffer from the gout, which he partly cured by using Dr. Roger's "oleum arthriticum" and partly by long rides in search of antiquities. The first fruits of his antiquarian expeditions appeared in 1724, when he published his Itinerarium Curiosum. About the same time he became one of the Censors of the College of Physicians, a member of the Council of the Royal Society, as well as of the Committee appointed to examine into the condition of the astronomical instruments of the Royal Observatory at Greenwich. He was well known to the Earl of Pembroke, the Earl of Winchelsea, and to "all virtuosos in London" and had a particular friendship with Sir Isaac Newton. He went on long expeditionary tours with Roger Gale, whose brother-in-law he afterwards became, the twain visiting various parts of England. He traversed the whole length of the Roman wall and drew out plans and descriptions of numerous old cities, roads, altars, etc. In 1723 he presented an account of a Roman Ampitheatre at Dorchester to a Masonic lodge which had that year honoured him by appointing him Master.
In 1726 Stukeley went to live at Grantham where he quickly secured a lucrative medical practice. Here he laid out a garden and a sylvan "temple of the Druids," with an old apple tree, overgrown with mistletoe in the centre. It was at Grantham where Sir Isaac Newton received the first part of his education and where he intended to have ended his days if he could have met with a suitable house. Stukeley was consulted by the Dukes of Ancaster and Rutland, the families of Tyrconnel, Cust, etc., indeed, most of the principal families in the county were glad to seek him for advice. He declined an invitation from the Earl of Hertford to settle as a physician at Marlborough.
He refers in his Common Place Book to his life at Grantham in the following words:
"June, 1726, being sadly plagu'd with the gout, I retired to Grantham, thinking by country exercise to get the better of it, and by means of that, and a method of life and management which I found out, I was not disappointed in my expectation. Here I set up a lodg. of freemasons, wh. lasted all the time I lived there."
Later on in the Diary he also wrote: "In two years time I lost an incredible number of my most intimate friends there, Sr. lsaac Newton, Ld. Winchelsea. . . . my friend Mr. Ja. Anderson, a scotsman, a learned & ingenious Antiquary . . . My Land lord Lambert of the Fountain Tavern, Strand, where I was Mr. of a new lodg. of Masons: & many others."
On 6th February, 1727, he wrote from Grantham to Samuel Gale, as follows: "In the town we have settled a monthly assembly for dancing among the fair sex, and a weekly meeting for conversation among the gentlemen. We have likewise erected a small but well- disciplined Lodge of Freemasons."
In 1728 he married Frances, daughter of Robert Williamson, of Allington, Lincolnshire. Whether this had anything or not to do with his decision is not stated, but a few months afterwards he decided upon a change of profession, giving as his excuse "being overcome with fatigue in his profession and repeated attacks of gout." He decided to enter the Church and in this decision he was encouraged by Archbishop Wake, who ordained him at Croydon on 20th July, 1729. Almost immediately he was offered the living of Holbeach, his native place, by Dr. Reynolds, Bishop of Lincoln, while the Earl of Winchelsea also offered him another, but he declined them both, accepting that of All Saints, Stamford, to which he was presented by Lord Chancellor King, and to Stamford he removed, but on his removal from Grantham to Stamford he appears to have ceased all Masonic activity.
In 1736 he publised his Palaeographia Sacra, the object of which was to demonstrate "how heathen mythology is derived from sacred history, and that the Bacchus of the poets is no other than Jehovah in Scripture." Four years later he published his book on Stonehenge, as the outcome of his frequent visits. Druidism was to him "the aboriginal patriarchal religion" and his intimate friends called him "Chyndonax" and "the Arch-Druid of this age." In 1739 he was given the living of Somerby by Grantham, which he held in conjunction with that of Stamford until 1747, when he accepted from the Duke of Montague the rectory of St. George the Martyr in Queen Square, Bloomsbury. From 1748 onwards he lived in Queen Square and at a house in Kentish Town, over the door of which he placed the following inscription:
O may this rural solitude receive And contemplation all its pleasures give The Druid priest.
His wife had passed away in 1737, leaving him with three daughters, but, in 1739, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Gale, Dean of York, and sister to Roger and Samuel Gale, the celebrated antiquarians.
Stukeley's interest in his original profession and in the College of Physicians continued right up to the end of his life. He not infrequently attended meetings and took part in business of the College, as seen from several notes made by him in his own copy of the Pharmacopoeia of 1746. As a clergyman, he was noted for his unconventionality. It is said that on one occasion, in April 1764, he postponed the service for an hour in order that the congregation might go outside the church and witness an eclipse of the sun. When he was nearly seventy-six years of age he preached for the first time in spectacles, selecting for his text the words: "Now we see through a glass darkly," while, in his discourse, he dwelt on the evils of too much study.
He was seized with paralysis on 27th February, 1765, and passed away on 3rd March following at his rectory in Queen Square, in his seventy-eighth year. He was buried in the churchyard of East Ham, and, according to his special request, without any monument.
Stukeley was undoubtedly a clever man, but in many instances he gave expressions to opinions before they were matured and before he had carefully weighed the pros and cons. As a result he made some curious and amusing blunders. He published a pamphlet on "Oriuna, the wife of Carausius" through his misreading of the word Fortuna on a coin of that emperor. It was he, however, who drew up the plans, prospectus, and rules of the Society of Antiquaries, so that he is entitled to be claimed as the principal founder of that body. His Diary contains some interesting notes and reminiscences of famous people. He tells us, for instance, under date of 22nd August, 1754 that "Sir Christopher Wren smoaked to his death. I have smoaked a pipe with him when he was almost 100. (He was 91 when he died)." Later, he vouches the information that Wren was a great drinker of coffee. Munk, in his Roll of the CoRege of Physicians, refers to Stukeley as "that learned and indefatigable antiquary," and Canon Richard Parkinson, the editor of some of the publications of the Chetham Society, says that "his learning was extensive and profound, and his writings prove him to have been a divine, philosopher, and antiquary of a high order." There is in the possession of the Chetham Society a Manuscript collection of poems by Dr. Stukeley which have never been published.
Dr. Warburton, the learned author of the Divine Legation of Moses, writing on 4th March, 1765, to Richard Hurd, afterwards Bishop of Worcester, said: "Poor Dr. Stukeley, in the midst of a florid age of eighty-four, was last Saturday struck with an apoplectic fit, which deprived him of his senses. I suppose he is dead by this time." A few days later he wrote: "You say true. I have a tenderness in my temper which will make me miss poor Stukeley; for, not to say that he was one of my oldest acquaintance, there was in him such a mixture of simplicity, drollery, absurdity, ingenuity, superstition, and antiquarianism, that he often afforded me that kind of well-seasoned repast, which the French call an Ambigu, I suppose for a compound of things never meant to meet together. I have often heard him laughed at by fools, who have neither his sense, his knowledge, nor his honesty; though it must be confessed that in him they were all strangely travestied."
Sir John Evans, in his Ancient British Coins, wrote: "Dr. Stukeley, prior to his death in 1765, had prepared twenty-three plates of the coins of the ancient British kings, which were published by his executor Richard Fleming. They are not accompanied by any letter-press description, but on the first fifteen plates, which appear to have been engraved from Dr. Stukeley's own sketches, many of the coins have inscriptions beneath them, giving the names of the princes to whom he attributed them. The coins themselves are most inaccurately drawn, and in many instances are merely bad copies of the engravings in Camden and elsewhere."
Weld, in his History of the Royal Society, has another criticism. He says: "It is to be feared that Stukeley's love for Geology did little to advance the Science: for it appears that he communicated some geological papers to the Society, containing so many absurd hypotheses, that even at that period (1751) when Geology was so little understood, the Council determined that they should not be printed. He also made several communications in which he asserted in the most positive manner that corals were vegetables. These papers were likewise rejected, whch made the sturdy antiquary very angry. He gives vent to his feelings in forcible language and concludes: 'Whoever has eyes must see that they are vegetables.
Stukeley's library, which consisted of 1121 items altogether, occupied in its sale the six evenings of the week commencing Monday, 28th April, 1766. It contained nothing of Masonic interest, unless an excepti is made in favour of the two "Catalogues of the MSS. of Thomas Rawlinson, Esq."
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MORMONISM AND MASONRY
By BRO. SAM H. GOODWIN, GRAND SECRETARY, UTAH
In THE BUILDER for February and March, 1921, appeared two articles on the subject of Mormonism and Freemasonry, which attracted much interest and received many laudatory comments. We consider it a matter of great good fortune to be able to present herewith a third and concluding article by the same writer.
The several articles by Brother Goodwin have been reprinted in pamphlet format and will be found listed in the monthly book list on the inside back cover of the magazine.
UNDER all circumstances great care should be exercised in the selection of material for membership in Masonic lodges. This holds true everywhere and at all times and is a duty that in an especial sense devolves upon those who in a representative capacity first pass upon the qualifications of applicants for our mysteries. A number of reasons for this might be given some of which it is the purpose of this article to set forth.<
