Freemasonry: its outward and visible signs

IN THE EAST. MIRROR FOR THE JOHANNITE MASONS. BOOK OF THE LODGE AND OFFICER'S MANUAL. GOLDEN REMAINS OF THE EARLY MASONIC WRITERS; 5 Volumes. DICTIONARY OF SYMBOLICAL MASONRY. HISTORY OF FREE-MASONRY. PRESTON'S ILLUSTRATIONS OF MASONRY. ASHE'S MASONIC MANUAL. HUTCHINSON'S SPIRIT OF MASONRY. ORIGIN AND INSIGNIA OF THE ROYAL ARCH. HISTORY OF THE WITHAM LODGE, &C. APOLOGY FOR FREEMASONRY. THEOCRATIC PHILOSOPHY OF FREEMASONRY. FREEMASONS' TREASURY. JACOB'S LADDER. SIGNS AND SYMBOLS. PAPAL TEACHINGS IN FREEMASONRY. MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE.

With others well known to literary Brethren.* He then undertook the publication of the Freemasons' Quarterly Review, under the able Editorship of Dr. Crucifix, and continued to do so until the year 1852.

Up to this time, Masonic Costume, though nominally regulated by the Book of Constitutions the rule book of the Grand Lodge of England, was seldom uniform, and details differed widely. Aprons were trimmed indifferently with ribbon one and a-half inches and two and a-half inches wide; tints varied from dull ultramarine to watery grey. The clothing of Provincial Grand Officers regional officials of the lodge was little conformable to regulation; and even that of the Grand Lodge would have contrasted poorly with the improved style and make-up since introduced. In fact, the uniformity which now characterizes our efficient displays was unknown.

In 1857, the handsomest set of Masonic Regalia ceremonial clothing and insignia seen up to that day was supplied by my father to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, U.S.A. He divided the principal Masonic trade of the period with two competitors, W. Evans, of Great Queen Street, and the late John M. Thearle. The business,

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* See the List at the end of this treatise.

goodwill, and plant of the former, he purchased in 1857, removing into his warehouse, opposite Freemasons' Hall. Soon after the transfer, he furnished the handsomest appointments which were, probably, ever made for a Royal Arch Chapter a specific body within Freemasonry that confers higher degrees, to the Grand Chapter of Turkey.

The purveyal of appointments to about two hundred and fifty Lodges and seventy Chapters, gave him opportunity to effect numerous and varied improvements in every branch. The latest being fast dyes for the ribbons of Master Masons the third and highest degree of the symbolic lodge and other aprons which will resist the influence of sea-air and tropical climates.

In presentation Jewels for Past Masters those who have completed their term as head of a lodge, his taste was widely appreciated. The effective pattern, so often seen decorating distinguished Brethren, features the problem referring to the 47th Problem of Euclid, a mathematical proof used as a symbol of geometry and wisdom upon blue enamel, surrounded with an oval rim, cable-tow a ceremonial rope, wreath of corn and acacia, and capped with the pentangle a five-pointed star, &c. This is known as "Spencer's pattern."

Having been for years Past Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge of England, Past Master original: "P.M." and Past Z original: "P.Z."; the highest office in a Royal Arch Chapter of numerous Lodges and Chapters, as well as Vice-Patron of the Masonic Charitable Institutions, he retired from active business in 1874, and died in 1876. The Bank of England Lodge, of which he was the oldest member, erected over his grave in Nunhead Cemetery a handsome memorial, as a token of undying esteem.

Since his decease, the author has spared no effort to improve the manufacture of the manifold classes of goods tabulated in this volume, attested by over a thousand letters of commendation from customers of every degree.

We would call attention, amongst the testimonials which follow hereon, to those dated