which as it contains the mell and the rose (which however is merely a pun upon the name) seems to be their definition of "Melrose." Authorities, however, give the origin from the words Muli and Rhoss, signifying a bare promontory, which is said to have been the characteristic feature of the site of old Melrose. The Melrose brethren have been wont to turn out in great force upon the eve of St. John, 27th December, when, with lighted torches, they march through the town, and arriving at the abbey, all gather round the spot where the heart of Bruce was deposited, there the band strike up "Scots wha hae."

I have a copy of their income and expenditure from September, 1866, to September, 1867, in which I observe £3 13s. 3d. for "Torches and carriage of do. ;" £5 for Music from Jedburgh; Tyler's salary for one year, £1 6s.; Treasurer's do., £1; and Secretary's do., £3. Their funeral money, £7 10s.; Sick and superannuation money, £60 3s.; altogether the expenditure is £90 14s., while the income is £106 6s. 8d., of which £50 11d. 3d. is quarter dues and fines; £6 for eight entries; and £3 6s. for six passings. Their total funds, as at September, 1867, £364 11s. 10d. Signed by "James Fairbairn, Secretary, and Wm. Scott, Treasurer." The above is very creditable to the Melrose Masons, and from what I have seen-although I have not examined their documents-I should say they will probably deserve a high place upon the roll of the Grand Lodge of Scotland whenever they see fit to offer to come

under her banner. I enclose the "New Regulations of the Brotherly Society of Masons of Melrose Lodge, Roxburghshire, upon the 28th day of December, 1796," reprinted 1861. I hoped to have been able to give some further data, but I see I must wait till another time.

The following is the copy of Regulations referred to:

At a general meeting, held in Melrose, of the Ancient Brotherly Society of Masons, of Melrose Lodge, the following new regulations were agreed upon for the right government of said society, for securing the funds, admitting of members, and for relieving such, as in course of providence, may be visited with want, either by affliction or other lawful causes.

Art. 1.-That none shall be admitted into this society, but those who are of unblameable characters, free of bodily distempers, and approved of by the managers; and not above thirty-five years of age.

2.-Every person proposing to join this society, must bring with him to the managers, a satisfactory certificate of his character, age, and health, attested by two of the members, before he be admitted.

3. The name, age, and date of admission of every member shall be entered in the register, but if it afterwards be found that any person, or persons, shall have imposed upon the society, by not agreeing with Article first, such person shall be expelled: but no member once admitted shall be expelled but by the majority of the annual general meeting, and every memberjustly excluded shall have no return of money.

4. That each member shall first enter as Apprentice

and pay as entry money 15s.

5. That each Apprentice shall, within three years, pass and be raised to Fellow Craft, upon paying 10s., and 1s. to the Clerk. (Members not complying with Article fifth, are not to be entitled to aliment until two years after they are passed and raised to Fellow Craft.)

6. That each member shall pay to the Treasurer 1s. 6d. per quarter of a year, making these quarterly payments at four meetings; the first three to be held on the last Saturdays of March, June, and September, and the fourth upon the twenty-seventh day of December yearly, which is to be the annual general meeting of the society to celebrate the anniversary of St. John; electing managers for the ensuing year, and examining the state of the funds, and Clerk's account.

7.-Any member failing in these quarterly payments, shall for the first quarter be fined 3d.; the second, 6d.; the third, 9d.; the fourth, 1s.; and for the fifth, be excluded.

8. That all the money arising from entries, quarter's payments and fines, shall be appropriated to the funds.

9.-That the managers shall have full power to lend out the society's money, on bond or other good security, and the security of the money thus lent shall be vested in the hands of the Clerk for the time being; and from and after the death, or removal of any Clerk, the said security shall be vested in the hands of the succeeding

cording to this Article, when desired by the master, shall

be fined.

28. In case any member comes into the meeting intoxicated with liquor, proposes gaming, quarrels, swears by the name of God, or does anything of the like nature such offending member shall be fined 3d. for the first offence; 6d. for the second; Ed. for the third; 1s. for the fourth; and if he offend a fifth time he shall be excluded.

29.-No member shall carry anything out of the society to the prejudice of any member, neither shall any member npbraid another for receiving out of the funds. Whosoever shall be convicted of breaking this article, shall be fined.

30.-The society shall never be broken up, while there are five members willing to contiuue it,-whoever shall

promote the breaking up of the society, or obstinately

break any of the articles, shall be excluded.

31.-No member of the society shall be admitted as cautioner for any member who may borrow money out of the fund.

32.-Every new member at his admission shall receive a printed copy of these regulations, for which he shall pay 6d.

MASONIC CELESTIAL MYSTERIES.

By Bro. HENRY MELVILLE. PAPER 1.-SECOND SERIES.-LABOR OMNIA VINCIT. George the Third King of Great Britain, informs us on his coins, that he was King of France. George was much more entitled to the dominions of the Sun-King, than he was to that portion of the earth possessed by Napolean the Great. The said George sacrificed hundreds of thousands of human beings, and expended hundreds of millions of pounds in order to remove Napolean from the French throne; and perhaps reasonably so if France belonged to England, and he George represented the English. But what an unjust and silly mortal must that King have been, when he wasted so many lives and so much money belong ing to his subjects merely to reinstate on his own throne of France an individual whose race had

George the Third was King of France, he had no right nor could he relinquish the national property to any one, more especially not to a frenchman— to a ruler distasteful to the french nation. Supposing England had the right to possess France, that right has never been ceded, although George the Third about the year 1800 thought it prudent not to urge any longer his claim on his coins-the demand being considered a mere joke by his majesty's loyal subjects, and an insult to the french nation. The salique law bars Victori's claim to France, but surely Albert Edward, as presumptive heir of his great grandpapa George, has title of Napolean the third! Albert then ought a better hereditary title than the mere possessional to push forth his claim which in equity Napoleon will of course at once admit, so that when in possession of France our Prince of Whales (with more reason than his great grandpapa did) may have superscribed on his coins "Albertus Edwardus Dei gratia Brit Franc and Hib Rex F.D." which "F.D." was formerly understood by learned Masons to mean Fiddle-de-d. Seriously! if people must believe the records of an astrological age as facts, and that Charles the 1st did have his head cut off in 1649, surely they cannot possibly disbelieve all the public records, Acts of Parliament and so forth, besides the numerous gold, Third the King of France! and yet there are many silver and copper coins which make George the assert that these documents and these metallic English and french men now alive who actually witnesses give evidence of gross falsehood, for France, nor was George's great grandpapa more that King George the Third never was King of than a trumpery Elector of Hanover, &c.

And now it may be as well to observe that there and that the oldest genuine English coin with the are not any coins bearing the date of Anno Mundi, date of Anno Domini is one of 1552! All coins

mattered it to Englishmen whether Louis the obnoxious, or Napolean the adored, reigned as King of France? it mattered thus much eventually, that the foolery of George entailed a grevous debt for the English people, which debt never can be liquidated, but by some state convulsion*

National debt in 1783 before the war of the French revolution was 272 millions, which were it to be laid down in guineas in a line would extend above 4,300 miles in length; if laid down in shillings would extend three and half times round the globe; if in solid silver

were minted, according to years reckoned from the accession of the reigning monarch. All the symbolical effigies on ancient coins are of celestial derivation, and can be "accurately pointed out by the system of laws" alluded to by the Grand Treasurer-but on refering to celestial matters it becomes questionable whether some Masons are

would require 60,400 horses to draw it at 15 cwt. for each horse, (Tab. of memory 1790). Since then the National debt has increased with an average of six millions annually.

aware there are such things as stars; and certain is it that some writers in this MAGAZINE, are as ignorant of astronomy as they are of common courtesy. Matt. 5, 22. The print and printing on Masonic certificates are readable in three languages, the picture is allegorical and symbolical, then there is the latin for the learned, and the English for the vulgar. Centering the picture is a Corinthian pillar, before which are, a mother (Virgo) two children (the Gemini) and little Horus. Corinth means "beauty" and the the pillar commemorates the beautiful celestial phenominon of the conjunction of the planets in the Gemini. See CL PTOLOMAEI Anno 1537. This has nothing to do with the two pillars of Hiram cast in the celestial furnace (formax). Hiram's pillars are also on the certificate, one on either side the Corinthian, that on the left hand having on its summit symbols pointing it out to apply to the first degree of Aries. The type however of Samsons or Hirams pillars were taken up to the Gemini as heretofore described. The two pillars are seen frequently on coins, and only 50 years back the pillars dollars

were the most current medium of the civilised

world+ Here is a coin of Corinth, of its antiquity

from the back of Antinous above can rise Tamar "the palm tree" vel el cedúr. (Use compasses and the truth will become manifest). Modern English coins when embellished with symbols also obtain those symbols from the heavens. There is a female called Britannia, a modern "made up beauty," who with the unicorns and the lions shall receive due attention; besides these are the Irish harp Psaltarium, and the golden crown Corona Borialis. The coat of arms of royality does not include the sceptre, but there is Branden burgium sceptrum in heaven ready whenever it is required. The rose and thistle seen on the coins is still "veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols," the nearer approach to matter of fact being the "rose et croix" or circle and cross, (see page 266 No. 509).

After all, coins were but Masonic tokens carrying pass signs for the learned throughout the world, the imprints were all classical celestial symbols for the learned to make use of, whilst the swinish multitude valued the coin according to their weight and the value of their metal. These tokens afforded the Order. For instance take that of Corinth—a a speedy means of discovering those belonging to scholar on giving or receiving the coin might remark "Cetus vel delphinus," and if the party to whom he was giving or from whom he was receiving made no response it would be evident he was uninitiated, or if a scholar was not desirous of being known as such. If on the contrary he was initiated and willing to prove himself so, he would offer "Tamar as a rejoinder; little more would be required, a shake of the hands completed the introduction, but the greatest care was necessary to prevent imposition, and to this day do Masons say at my intiation I was taught to be cautious but with you &c., &c. Tamar!

To the vulgar people of Corinth the little boy with the palm tree was no doubt considered a "very funny fellow," and the cockney perhaps thinks the unicorn is a rum customer, and such a beast as he never set eyes on." Classic knowledge is at an awful discount, its rule no longer triumphant. Formerly every thing was more or less under classic guidance, a culprit could not have his head cut off unless accurately pointed out by the system of celestial laws, and a man if hanged, was conveyed to that bourne the styx from whence there was The no return (viz., tie-bourne). Masonic cable tau was the prototype of the rope,

(Prov. 31 6 7)* Dionysius or Bacchus still retains the cup, the branch of the tree from whence suspended is Ramus, and the time of execution, the termination of the year when the sun-king has run his course, and is always hanged drawn and quartered on the 30 Dec., pendentisqui dei! The gold and silver age of intellect is indeed passed, and there remains little but spurious brass as the current coin of classic literature. Symbolism is ended— mental poetry no longer understood, and brotherly love has become a by-word and reproach-silver sixpences instead of bearing little naked boys and palm trees which afforded food for the mind, now have "sixpence" stamped upon them, denoting their value in exchange of food for the body. The beautiful copper coins of old, impressed with mysterious symbols speaking to the mind of the learned, have been superceded by pence and halfpence with "one one penny" stamped on the one, and "half-penny" on the other, lest the reading

educated multitude should mistake the pence for the half-pence. The school master is indeed abroad and the consequence is, that at home the mind is not taught and intellect has become no longer requisite. Intellect says Bailey, is "the faculty of the soul." It may have been so before the 18th century commenced-before ignorance usurped the domain of intelligence. Since then, what is called education, has gradually equalised all men, so that now the charity boy oftentimes is better educated than the Lordly Collegian, no wonder therefore that mechanism with matter of facts, have conquered the classics. Modern intellect and knowledge are scrambling after sixpences for the soul of the Licenciate Pedro Garcias has been transmuted into copper.

THE ANCIENT RECORDS OF "THE LODGE OF EDINBURGH (MARY'S CHAPEL)," No. 1.

BY BRO. D. MURRAY LYON.

Having observed in the MAGAZINE the favourable association of our name with the minutes of Mary's Chapel, we wish it to be understood that it is to the kindness of the R.W. Bro. Wm. Officer, S.S.C., and his colleagues, that the Fraternity are indebted for the opportunity that is at present being given for a thorough examination of the most ancient lodge records extant, and that in doing so these gentlemen have been actuated solely by a desire

NON-OPERATIVE OFFICE-BEARERS OF SCOTCH LODGES IN

THE 17TH CENTURY.

In tracing the early connection of non-operatives with that are inconsistent with fact-the result, in the first Masonic Lodges, currency has been given to assertions instance, perhaps, of carelessness on the part of those examining the MS. from which the alleged information is said to have been drawn.

One of several errors into which the historian of the Grand Lodge of Scotland has fallen is the statement, Edinburgh (Mary's Chapel), that Thomas Boswell, Esq., that "it appears from the minutes of the Lodge of of Auchinleck, was made a Warden of the Lodge in the year 1660."

We shall not further anticipate the History of "The

Lodge of Edinburgh (Mary's Chapel)," now in course of preparation, than to say that the minutes of this famous have taken exception. Boswell's name appears only in lodge do not afford ground for the assertion to which we one sederunt of the lodge's meetings; and the minute of that particular meeting shows that he was not the Warden of the lodge. In the course of his remarks anent respected P.G. Sec. of Peebleshire has very properly the minutes of the old Houghfoot Lodge, to which the

directed attention, our friend Bro. Hughan quotes the version of Boswell's connexion with the Lodge of Edinburgh as given by Lawrie; but it is no fault of his that the statement is incorrect. Like Bro. Findel and others, he has in this instance been misled by a mis-quotation. The election in 1672 of John Earl of Cassillus as Deacon of the Lodge of Kilwinning, is the earliest instance that we have as yet found of a non-professional architect or builder holding office in a Scotch Masonic lodge. In 1674 Lord Eglinton was Deacon, and one of the Stewarts of Blackhill Warden, of Mother Kilwinning.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES.

THE CONFLICT OF JURISDICTION.

Is not Bro. Pictus hypercritical when he takes me to task for writing of the " Grand Chapter and Grand Lodge" of Scotland instead of the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter?" For the argument I had in view it mattered not how the names were arranged, and I scarcely expected to offend anyone's susceptibilities. Bro. Pictus reminds me of a vegetarian friend, who boasted of his change of diet because he had "eggs and potatoes" one day and "potatoes and eggs the next.

to advance the cause of Masonic Literature.

able cross in her left hand-cruse et croix.

as to this particular Order?- J.A.H.