Some Continental Lodge Jewels .

zuiii gekrdnten Pelikan . " The jewel consists of a silver Maltese cross , on which is a golden irradiated A , enclosing a crowned pelican feeding her young . On the reverse is an endless snake and the dale of founding , " J I Oct . 5805 . " This lodge was really a revival ( by its old members ) of the Strict Observance Chapter , Pelican of 1768 , which , like the other lodges , had closed their doors voluntarily , owing to the Act of 1782 forbidding " all secret societies . " When Alexander

ascended the throne in 1801 . he soon made it apparent that be was more liberal minded , and accordingly the lodge re-started with the added name of the Czar , and flourished until the suppression . German jewels are very varied and interesting , and it is noteworthy how often the number "three" appears in the title ,

a / ., " three seraphim , " " three crowns , " " three pillars , " " three swords , " "three steps , "three clasped hands , " etc ., etc . Many of them are beautifully enamelled in colours , and No . 20 is a good example of this . The metal is golden , and the arms of the cross bear the words " Zur deutscben Redlichkeit " ( to German honesty or candour ) in gold letters on blue

enamel . In the centre , also enamelled in colours , are two clasped hands , issuant from clouds , above a flaming altar . Pendant to the cross are a trowel , gavel and compass . The lodge was founded at Jserbohn . in 179 ( 5 , under the Grand Lodge of the Three Globes . No . 21 is of the Prinz von Preu ^ sen , zu den drei Schwerten ,

founded at Solingen in 1840 , under the National Grand Lodge of Germany . It consists of three golden swords piercing a wreath of oak leaves , \ ihich bears on one side the inscrip tion " aur 22 Mai , 1840 , " the centre of the wreath being , filled with deep blue enamel , on which is a golden crown and \ V . The other side shows a golden crowned eagle holding a thunderbolt in its claws , and beneath , the inscription "Sub umbra alarum tiiarum , an 31 Mai , 1840 . "

No . 22 shows the jewel of Lodge Georg zur wacbsenden Palme , found tinder the Grand National Mother Lodge of the Three Globes at Arolsen in 1841 . In the centre of an eightpointed golden star is a palm tree , on the top of which rests a white marble cube , whilst the sun rises ( or sets ) behind a plain , the whole beautifully enamellec" in colours . Around is the

inscription , " Palina sub pondere Crescit . " On the back of the jewel is the inscription . " G . \ zur wacbsenden P . i : O . - . z . - . A ., " that is , "George of the growing Palm , in the East of Arolsen . " The ribbon is crimson , with a narrow edging of black and yellow . No . 23 belonged to the . extinct Lodge Zum hellHannnendeii

Schwert ( the bright flaming sword ) , which only existed from 1803 to 1854 . On a crowned golden star is a silver snake , surrounding a triangle surmounted by a flaming sword . The triangle is tilled in with blue steel , and on its sides are the words , "Tutamen silentio et lideli merces . " The last specimen shown in the illustrations is the old jewel

of the famous Lodge Zu den drei Balkcn des neuen Tempel , founded under the Grand Lodge of the Three Globes at Minister in Westphalia in 1778 . On a blue enamelled ground is a temple , and beneath it three beams , around which is a gilt tasselled cord , 'from which hangs a golden square . On a while edging is the name of the lodge , and the whole is set in a gold

case . The lodge now uses a different , and , in my opinion , less handsome jewel . These twenty-four specimens give a good general idea of the style of continental Masonic decorations , and in addition to their interest to the collector and student , they undoubtedly tend to keep up a personal interest in the individuality of each

lodge , and so are a distinct advantage to the Fraternity in the countries where they are in use . 1 may mention that , the examples are selected from my own large collection . The photographs are by Bro . C . Bardon , of Chichester .

The Library And Museum Of The Grand Lodge Of England.

The Library and Museum of the Grand Lodge of England .

cTheir Origin and ( Progress . BY HENRY SADLER .

L i T NEVER knew there was such a place , " is a remark I often made by members of our Order when , for the first time , visiting the new Library at Freemasons ' Hall , in Great Queen Street . In the hope that this expression may be heard less frequently in the future , the writer will endeavour to direct attention to the origin and progress of

the Library and Museum , as well as to some few of the rarities and Masonic relics preserved therein . Like many other important undertakings its beginning was small , and for many years its progress was exceedingly slowso slowindeed , that it may be said to have been

, , almost stationary until about a quarter of a century ago , when the Grand Lodge authorities took the matter in hand on the motion of Robert F . Gould , and decided that the very modest sum of £ 25 per annum should be granted from the General Purposes fund for library purposes . It was not imagined

that much could be done with this small sum , still it was a beginning , and as at that time there were a great many unbound volumes in the Library , it was chielly for binding these that the amount was voted . As far back as the year 18 37 the desirability of establishing

, a Library and Museum at the headquarters of the English Craft was enunciated by John Henderson , Grand Registrar , and President of the Board of General Purposes , who , at the Quarterly Communication on the 6 th of September in that year , proposed "That it is expedient to form a Masonic

Library and Museum in connection with the Grand Lodge . " This motion having been duly seconded , it was " Resolved that il be referred to the Board of General Purposes to

consider and report on the mode of forming , preserving , and regulating a Masonic Library and Museum . " John Henderson may , therefore , be fairly designated the father of the valuable collection cf books and relics of the past that form so attractive a feature of the historic buildings in Great Queen

Street . His efforts were most abl y and warmly seconded by the late Dr . Robert T . Crucelix , P . G . D ., Vice-President of the Board , and one or two other brethren of " light and leading " in the Grand Lodge . The subject of the Library was deferred by the Board of General Purposes at several meetings on account of the absence from town of the

President ; meanwhile , Dr . Crucelix , evinced his earnestness and liberality by making the first presentation for the Library , in the shape of four volumes of The Freemasons'' Quarterl y Review , of which he was the proprietor , handsomely bound , all then published . At a meeting of the Board of General Purposes on the

27 th of February , 18 38 , the matter of the Library was taken seriousl y in hand , and a room on the ground floor was selected for the purposes of a Masonic Museum and Library . It was deemed advisable "That a sum of money not exceeding . 4 * 100 be placed at the disposal of the Board for

thc purpose of providing for the reception of books , manuscripts , and objects of Masonic interest , and for commencing the formation of the Library and Museum . "That such contribution in books and otherwise as Brethren shall be disposed to make , may be at once received b y the curators .