History | Page 85

THE OLD CHARGES OF BRITISH FREEMASONS. 67 by liis apprentice. The copyist has likewise certified the " Extracted be nie, A. M., upon the 1, 2, 3, and 4 dayes of December, anno mdcl-xxiiii." Mr Vernon, in his sketch of the old Melrose Lodge, suggests the clue to the name of the " JIutuall Agreemint Betwixt the Maisonis transcriber, viz., "Andro Mein," who wrote also a copy of the Inason," in favour, apparently, of the lawful service days and date of his transcription, viz., Lodge of Melros," of the year 1675, which still exists. The family of the Meins supported the craft for many generations, and in 1695, out of twelve signatures attached to a resolution of the lodge, no less than eight were those of members distinguished by that patronymic. of the 20. "Hope." *17tli Century. Lodge of " Hope," Bradford, Yorkshire. Published in Hughan's " Old Charges," pp. 58-C3. The transcript thus printed was a copy kindly supplied by the Rev. A. F. A. Woodford, and compared with the original parchment scroll by Mr William W. Barlow, " who, as the then Master of the Lodge, consented to its publication. It is slightly imperfect in the Apprentice Charge," and in its present state is about six feet in length, the deficiencies being easily supplied by comparison with MS. 25, which it resembles. Its title is, "The Constitutions, articles which are to be observed and by all those who are made Lodge or assemblie." fulfilled 21. " free YoKK, No. by the *17th Century. 5." and Brethren R'. Wor'. M''^ Fellowes " York " Lodge of Free Masons at any at York. Published in "Masonic Magazine," August 1881, from a transcript made by (the late) Mr William Cowling Mr Ralph Davison. It bears neither date nor signature, but seems to have been written about a.d. 1670. The roll of paper is 7J feet by 8 inches, and must have been still longer originally, as the first portion of the and is wanting at the present time. another Paper Roll of Charges on Masonry." Its text is that of introduction 22. " York, No. *1 7th Century, 6." MS. 5, The and was described in 1779 " York as " Part of " Lodge. Published in " Masonic Magazine," March 1880. It is described in the York Inventory as " a parchment Roll of Charges, whereof the bottom part is awanting," which description occasioned its identification by Hughan as being in the custodj- of the Grand Lodge of England, to which reference has already been made. It is strange that the part missing was found with the Roll, and appears to have been cut oif designedly from the original. The severed portion, when applied to the remainder of the scroll, clearly establishes, if further proof was but it is now scarcely probable that its history necessary,' that it is the roll so long missing from York In the Proceedings of F