THE OLD CHARGES OF BRITISH FREEMASONS.
and
the
all
other forms either
The
to the relationship.
of
name
which
is
is
and the years
The omission
also chronologically arranged,
unusnal in these documents.
is
"
noteworthy, also that of Naymus Grecus," but otherwise
more remarkable for the additions to, rather than the deviations
of Charles JMartel
the text, as I have said,
Brother to King Athelstane,"
spoken of as
as a son, or maintaining a discreet silence as
is
historical narrative
of the events are inserted,
many
of the
Edwin
describing him
reproductions, that Prince
its
93
"
is
Under these circumstances I cordially endorse the opinion
from, the ordinary versions.
of the Eev. A. F. A. Woodford as to its "special verbiage" and
peculiarly interesting
character.
(H)
Under
this description
same
be ranged all the MSS. not included in the four divisions
such as are merely reproductions, which naturally belong
to G), excepting only
preceding (D
to the
may
OKDINARY VERSIONS.^
class as their originals,
whether or not the connection has been noted.
division includes a majority of the transcripts,
each MS. contains some peculiarity of
them
The
all.
recital of the legend
its
which are thus grouped
own, there
is
a substantial agreement between
"
also the various
Charges,"
generally speaking, similar
is,
This
together, because whUst
;
whilst the differences being nominal are virtually referable to the transforming influences of
"
"
time and circumstances.
In aU, the " Apprentice Charge
and the " New Articles are
wanting, whilst they contain none of those clauses, which, in the previous division (G), confer
a special value on the text for purposes of comparison with the early editions of the Grand
Attention having been already directed to the special differences in the
"
of other types (D to G), the reproduction of an " ordinary version will give the general
Lodge Constitutions.
MSS.
reader a fair conception of the prevailing characteristics of the different " Old Charges."
this
purpose
I
Eor
have selected the text of the following Eoll, with the consent of jMr Buchanan,
as previously stated.
The prose
now be
Constitution, which will
a fair specimen of the
only in minor details. In
making a selection for purposes of illustration and reference, I have chosen a document of the
"
seventeenth century, which combines the chief points of agreement between the Old Charges,"
others
;
all
these scrolls being
and has not hitherto been
much
given in
printed.*
THE "BUCHANAN
I.
—
its entirety, is
alike, and, indeed, differing
MS."
(15).
Lord God Father of Heaven with the wisdom of the glorious Sonn through the
grace and goodness of the Holy Ghost three persons in one Godhead Bee with us att our
begining And give us grace soe to governe us in our Lives here that wee may come to his
heavenly
'
bliss that
never shall have ending Amen.
This classification leaves out of consideration the value of MSS. on the grounds of their antir^uity, or of being
now unhappily missing, such as the Dowland MS. (39) and others but I apprehend
transcripts of important versions,
the chief point to aim at
is,
can only interest paleographers.
^ The Buchanan
MS., No. 15.
copy, and
I
;
what they
really say, ratlier
"
is
to waste
time in the mere study of their antiquity, which
Mr W. J. Huglmn, from Mr Buchanan's
Grand Lodge. To facilitate reference, tlsis
This Constitution has been transcribed by
have also collated the text with the
" Old
Charges
sample of the
than
original, iu the library of
divided into thirty-four paragraphs, with a marginal numeration.