tion, after having been thus honoured with your approbation.'

"A few evenings after this literary reunion," continued the Square, "the subject of begging Masons, and the impositions practised on the liberality of the Craft by mendicants travelling with false certificates, was introduced by Bro. Arthur Tegart, during the hour of refreshment; and the Treasurer of the Lodge communicated some interesting facts which had occurred to him in the discharge of his official duties since the previous Lodge.

"But to make the subject intelligible,” said the Square, "you must understand, that at this period begging Masons, and pretended Masons, abounded in this metropolis; and by their importunity gave the Treasurers a great deal of trouble. The Athol Lodges initiated unworthy persons for a trifling fee, and having furnished them with certificates, they converted their Masonry into a regular trade. If one of these men died in a lodging-house, there was sure to be a fierce struggle among the survivors for his diploma. Others gambled away their certificates at all-fours or dice; and hence numbers of common beggars, who had never seen a Lodge, were spread over the country, soliciting charity on the strength of these documents. The Treasurers and Masters of Lodges were obliged, therefore, to exercise the utmost caution in their examinations, lest these unprincipled scamps should glean any hint which might be usefully employed in other places to favour their imposture.

"This being premised, I proceed in my Revelations. The Treasurer loquitur :

"About a fortnight ago,' he said, 'I was applied to by a Brother in deep distress, who described himself as a stonemason out of work. He was a man of medium height, neither tall nor short, with light hair, and a beard of a month's growth. His dress was a light-coloured fustian jacket, with horn buttons, a long leather apron, with the skirts tucked under his belt to allow free motion for his legs in walking; and on his head a dirty white hat, with a broad brim and a low crown. Altogether, his appearance was that of a common working mason. He had a mallet in one hand, and a piece of rough stone in the other, and humbly begged relief.

"In the exercise of my discretionary power of relieving any indigent Brother to the amount of one shilling, without reference to the R. W. M., I proceeded to ascertain whether the applicant were really a Mason, for I had some doubts about his certificate. I was, however, soon satisfied on that point, for he met all my inquiries very adroitly.

?' I said.

"Your name is "John Wilkins,' he replied; or Lewis, if you like it better. But here, some would probably answer by using the word Caution.'

""" Then I am to understand that you are a Mason?' I rejoined.

6666

"I am so taken and accepted,' was his prompt reply.

"Where were you made a Mason?' I asked.

"His answer was perfectly orthodox, although it was accompanied by a sardonic smile, which indicated, if it did not absolutely express, knavery.

66 6 6

What is that in your left hand?'

"If I answer as a Free-mason,' he replied, 'it is a rough ashlar or broached thurnel; but as a working mason I should say it is a boulder-stone.'

"So far, so well,' I thought; and said aloud'Since you appear so confident, can you tell me what that stone smells of ?'

"The rogue put it to his nose scientifically, and with another smile, gave me a direct and proper

answer.

"What recommendation do you bring?' was my next inquiry.

"The fellow knew his points, however he might have become acquainted with them, and told me without the slightest hesitation. And being satisfied that he was a Mason, I gave him the shilling, and he thanked me, and went about his business.

"A few days afterwards, a poor shoemaker applied to me for assistance, with hammer in hand, apron before him, buttoned up to his chin, and an awl stuck in his girdle, which was fastened with a wax-end. His hair was black, his face dirty, his hat divested of its brim, and fitting close to his head; ribbed worsted stockings, and shoes very much the worse for wear. Divested of his apron, he might have passed for a respectable chimney-sweep, or a worn-out coal-porter. Altogether he was a disgusting object, and redolent of the combined odour of stale

tobacco and shoemaker's wax.

He said he was on

tramp, and could not fall into work. He was averse to begging, as he had not been used to it, and the necessity was galling to his feelings. But being hard up, he was obliged to have recourse to the liberality of his Brother Masons for assistance.

"I asked his name, and he answered the question by inquiring whether I alluded to his paternal or his Masonic appellation.

“ ́ ́ Your Christian and surname, sir?' I replied, sternly, for I was piqued at the fellow's pertinacity. "James Patchett.'

"And your place of abode ?'

"Faith,' said he, I can scarcely tell you that, for my whereabouts has been sufficiently diversified of late, but I was born and brought up at Hinckley, in Leicestershire.'

6

"You say you are a Mason,' I continued; will you do me the favour to describe the mode of your preparation ?'

"""Describe to you, sir!' he said, with some humour. Come, that is a prime joke. As if you did not know all about it! If you must have it, it was thus; and he satisfied the inquiry correctly. 'Certes,' he added, I remember my initiation as well as if it had occurred only yesterday.'

"I then tried him with a few of Grand Master Sayer's quaint examination questions, and found him au fait even there.

"""Will you give or take?'

Both, or which you please.'

Change me that.'

With pleasure.'

"The fellow knew his catechism, and I failed to puzzle him.

666

Seeing in his hand a hammer,' the Treasurer continued, I asked him whether it had any moral or Masonic reference.

"''Call it a mallet, if you please,' he answered, with a knowing smile. 'Crispin's hammer is the Mason's gavel, though one is made of wood, and the other of iron; but iron tools and he gave me an orthodox illustration of the implement.

"I then observed, for the purpose of hearing his reply 'I see you wear an apron out of the Lodge as well as in it.'

"I belong to the Gentle Craft,' he replied, 'which is the designation of my trade as a cobbler, as well as of my profession as a Mason. The apron, sir, is common to both. I cannot, indeed, say much in favour of the whiteness or purity of my present badge, but, for all that, I may be as innocent as a new-born babe,' laying a peculiar emphasis on the word may. 666 6 You carry your awl about with you, I

observe.'

6666

My all, sir,' he replied, 'is under my hat, and a shocking bad hat it is! and my end will soon overtake me, if not prevented by the exercise of your kindness and commiseration.'

"The fellow's ready wit amused me, and I freely