Sheridan; and many a witticism have I heard uttered which created the most uproarious mirth; for loud laughter was not inconsistent with the manners of an age when high jinks in a sister country possessed attractions which led, as Sir Walter Scott expresses it, 'the best-educated and gravest men in Scotland gradually on, from wisdom to mirth, and from mirth to extravagance.'

"One evening, as these choice spirits sat round the table after supper, and suppers, I must tell you, in those halcyon days, generally terminated the business of the Lodge,-Brothers Lamball, Sorell, Beloe, Ware, Madden, Villeneau, Noyes, Cordwell, Salt, Gofton, Senex, Hobby, Mountain, and a few others being present with the W.M., all celebrated Masons, whose names are well known to the Craft, Brother Lamball, who was an incorrigible laugher, and that in no very mild tone of voice, being tickled by some witty remark, indulged his propensity in a regular horse-laugh. Brother Madden rose with much gravity, and addressing the chair, said,

"R. W. Sir, did you ever hear a peaceful lamb bawl (Lamball) so vociferously?'

"No,' said Bro. Desaguliers, but I've heard a mad'un (Madden) make an ugly noise (Noyes).'

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Oh,' rejoined Bro. Sorell, let him ride his hobby (Hobby) quietly, his lungs will be no worse for wear (Ware).'

Aye,' Bro. Ware snapped in, 'particularly if the colour of his hobby be sorrel (Sorell). Ha! ha! ha!'

“The lamb had better go to sea next (Senex),

and then he may bellow (Beloe) against the roaring of the salt (Salt) waves as they dash upon the тоипtain (Mountain),' shouted Bro. Hobby.

"Well,' replied Bro. Lamball, I shall never quarrel with any Brother who holds the cord well (Cordwell-cable tow) for this or anything else, provided he does not call me a villain O (Villeneau). Ha ha ha!'

"I shall not, Brothers and fellows,' responded Bro. Villeneau, 'question your good faith, although you carry on so briskly a Pun-ic war.'

"A truce to your wit,' Bro. Madden interposed. I thirst to mend my simile.'

"Nay,' said the W. Master, if Bro. Madden thirsts, why there's an end of it.'

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Oh, ho!' echoed Bro. Noyes, 'if a pun is meant, I move that we inflict the usual punishment.' "Why, then,' says the chair, 'we will replenish the glasses, and try to quench Bro. Madden's thirst with a toast.'

Now, all this may appear very puerile to you, Sir, but I assure you it is a correct sample of the wit of the age, and formed the staple commodity of a lively conversation at taverns and clubs, which were then the resort of the highest nobility and gentry in the land."

CHAPTER II.

ATTACK AND DEFENCE.-DR. ANDERSON,

1722-1740.

"The end and moral purport of Masonry is to subdue our passions; not to do our own will; to make a daily progress in a laudable art; to promote morality, charity, good fellowship, good nature, and humanity."-ANDERSON.

"She is the brightness of the everlasting LIGHT, the unspotted Mirror of the power of God, and the Image of His Goodness."-SOLOMON.

"In vain would Danvers with his wit

Our slow resentment raise ;

What he and all mankind have writ,

But celebrates our praise.

His wit this only truth imparts,

That Masons have firm faithful hearts."

SECRETARY'S SONG.

"THE Success that attended the re-establishment of Masonry," my strange companion continued, "created a very great sensation, and raised up a host of opponents, who either envied the popularity of the Fraternity, or were desirous of diverting it into some other channel; for the uninitiated were piqued at the respect and attention which it attracted so universally; and more particularly when the nobility began to interest themselves in its promulgation. Many were the consultations which, were held in the Lodge on this subject. Dr. Anderson, Grand Warden in 1723, had now become an active

colleague of Grand Master Payne and Dr. Desaguliers, who held the office of Deputy Grand Master, and was installed into the chair of Hiram Abiff in the same year; and with the assistance of other eminent Craftsmen, it was formally deliberated which of three proceedings it would be most expedient to adopt in this emergency. Brothers Lamball, Noyes, and Villeneau were of opinion that the most dignified method of treating the absurd publications of those cowans who distributed their anonymous effusions through the country, would be by silent contempt; others proposed ridicule as the most efficient weapon; while Brothers Desaguliers and Anderson thought that the interests of Masonry would be more effectually served by some public and authorised statement of their proceedings,-by an avowal of the real objects of the institution, and an explanation of the principles on which it is founded. And this course was finally agreed on.

Accordingly, these two learned Brothers entered on the work with great zeal and assiduity. Bro. Desaguliers, in 1721, made a public profession of a Mason's faith in an Oration, which was printed and distributed plentifully both in the metropolis and the provinces;1 in which he enlarged on the reorganization of the Grand Lodge, and stated seriatim the peculiar benefits, both moral and intellectual, which may be derived from a regular attendance on the duties of a Lodge. And Bro. Anderson pub

1 An eloquent Oration about Masons and Masonry. Delivered 24th January, 1721.

lished a well-written pamphlet on the rise and progress of the Order, and its application to the practical sciences.2

"In the same year, September 2nd, the Duke of Montague being Grand Master, and Bros. Villeneau and Morrice Grand Wardens, a Grand Lodge was holden at the King's Arms Tavern, St. Paul's Churchyard, at which Bros. Desaguliers, Payne, and Anderson were ordered to examine the old Gothic Constitutions, and to digest the same in a new and better method; and at the succeeding Grand Lodge in December, a committee of fourteen expert Brethren was appointed to revise the manuscript when completed, and to make their report accordingly. In pursuance of this order, our worthy Bros. Desaguliers, Payne, and Anderson commenced their proceedings by searching for manuscripts and authorities in every part of the kingdom where they were supposed to exist. They communicated with many Lodges under the Constitutions both of York and London, and in most cases were successful in the search; yet a few instances unfortunately occurred where certain fastidious Brethren took the alarm, and

2 "On the Rise and Progress of Freemasonry." The Rev. James Anderson, D.D., was minister of the Scots Presbyterian Church, in Swallow-street, Piccadilly, and well known in those days amongst the people of that persuasion resident in London by the name of Bishop Anderson. He was editor of the "Diplomata Scotia, and Royal Genealogies;" a learned man, who unfortunately lost a considerable part of his property in the South Sea bubble of 1720. He had issue a son and a daughter, the latter of whom married an officer in the army.