THE OLD CHARGES OF BRITISH FREEMASONS.
68
who
an interesting account of the
also furnished
by an engraving
of the
Eoyal Arms
scroll,
which
is
by 11
of parchment (9 feet
The
after the fashion usual in deeds of the period.
inches),
and headed
date of the engraving
"
and under are emblazoned in separate shields
by the initials at the top I 2 R" (James II., King),
"Fear God and
the arms of the city of London and the Masons' Company. Then foUows the injunction,
The invocation beginning, " In the name of
whole duty of man."
keep his Commandments, for this is the
"The
the Great and Holy God," is in that respect diflferent from the majority of the MSS. which commence,
"
The word "Cratches"' occurs before the recital of the General Charges,"
might of the Father of Heaven."
was
which Preston quotes as " Crafties," but there is no doubt of the word being as stated, whatever meaning
Preston also makes an unwarrantable addition to the conclusion
intended to be conveyed by the term.
is
fixed
of the fifteen articles,
by
inserting,
^
" At the installment of
master," not to be found in the original.
" William
Bray, i^ree-man of London, and Free-masaa. Written
The
final
by Robert
sentences are very suggestive, viz.,
of the Free Masons of the City of London, in the second yeare
Padgett,^ clearke to the Worshipful Society
of the Eaigne of our most Gracious Soveraign Lord, King James the Second of England, etc., Annoq.
Domini, 1686."
24.
"Supreme Council, No.
1."
a.d.
Golden Square, London.
1686.
H.
Shadwell
Gierke,
lately in Wales, and acquired by Colonel
"
Supreme
in Hughan's hands for transcription,* and afterwards presented it to the
The " Old Charges " are written on two parchCouncil, 33"," London, for their extensive Masonic Library.
ment skins, sewn together, and headed with an ornate illumination, the arms of London and the Masons
"
of its partner and
Company (in two ovals), and the inscription J. 2d R. 1686," the date being the same as that
The text seems to be that of the " Dowland" version (MS. 39), slightly modernised.
predecessor, No. 23.
Not yet published.
who, in 1879, placed
The Roll was met with
it
25.
"
YoKK, No.
A.D. 1693.
4."
"
The
York
"
Lodge.
Published in Hughan's " Masonic Sketches." It is written on a large roll of paper, slightly mutilated, and
" Brother
Geo. Walker of Wetherby, to the Grand Lodge of York, 1777, No. 4, 1693;" and the date
endorsed,^
" These be the Constitucions of the noble and famous
is further certified by,
History, called Masonry, made and
now in practice by the best Masters and Fellowes for directing and guideing all that use the said Craft, scripted
Domini 1693
p. me vicesimo tertio die Octobris, anno Eegni regis et Regina Gulielmy et Marie quinto annoque
Mark Kypling." The following singular record is at the foot of the Roll.
" The names of the
Lodg.
—
William Simpson
Cristopher
Anthony Horsman
Cristopher Gill
Thompson
Sir Isaac Brent,
—
Lodg Ward,"
*
making, with the copyist five members, and the warden of the lodge six names in all.
The text of No. 25 is not only valuable, from its containing the " Apprentice Charge," which is absent
from the other York MSS., but especially so, from the anomalous instructions which are preliminary to the
" The one of the elders
"
takeing the Booke, and that hee or shce that is to bee made mason, shall
Charges," viz.,
lay their hands thereon, and the charge shall be given."' The possibility of females having been admitted
'
is
Cratch,
"a rack
for
hay or straw"
printed instead of manger (Luke
-
3
books
ii.,
(Bailey).
In the "Breeches" Bible, published a century before this MS., cratch
ver. 16).
Illustrations of Masonry, 1788, etc., p. 100-103.
" Robert
Padgett, we
of,
the Masons'
are assured
"
Company
on competent authority, did not belong
(Kenning's Masonic Cyclopajdia,
*
We know
nor
is
his
name
to be found in the
Freemason, October 11, 1879.
'
to,
p. 457).
nothing of
the Lodge, or one of
*
'
its
history prior to a.d. 1777, but
its offshoots
;
the latter most likely, as
Vide Facsimile in " Old Charges."
"I have seen tliis manuscript, and believe
Antiquities of Freemasonry,
p. 81).
But
see
it
probable that the Eoll was formerly the property of
"
was given by " Geo. Walker to the York Grand Lodge.
it is
it
correctly printed
by Hughan"
Lyon, History of the Lodge of Edinburgh,
(Fort,
p.
121.
The Early History and