Santeuil, Anecdote of, 408. Sermon, a Masonic one, by Dr. Grant, Shakspeare's Crab-tree, history of, 102. Sleep, cursory Thoughts on, 248. Stewards, Grand, chosen for 1795-6, Strahan, William, Esq. the King's Swearing, Essay on the Vice of, 47. Tasker, Rev. Mr. Letters by on different Theatre, 59, 133, 198, 279, 351, 427. Turkish Ambassador, particular Ac Vision of Semiramis, 397. Wales, the Prince of, Address of the the Princess of, her Arrival and War, its depopulating Influence, 259. his Answer to the above Wharfinger, a Decision upon a Case in- Wife, a good one described, 44. THE HE close of the FOURTH VOLUME of the FREEMASONS* MAGAZINE gives us an opportunity, of which we gladly avail ourselves, to return our grateful acknowlegements, first to the PATRONS and ENCOURAGERS of this undertaking, and in the next place to the several valuable CORRESPONDENTS by whom we have been so effectually assisted in acquiring that patronage and support. The plan of concentrating in this Repository every thing that has been, or that ought to be, published on the subject of Freemasonry, has met with the most flattering and distinguished approbation; and we pledge ourselves to spare neither labour nor expence to improve this body of information to the highest degree. As, however, the circulation of this Work is by no means confined to the Fraternity, and as its peculiar elegance of form and appearance, and its superior decorations, have obtained for it a place in the collections of amateurs of the graphic and typographic arts, we are not at liberty to occupy so large a portion of each Number with MASONIC MATTER as to exclude that VARIETY OF SUBJECTS usually expected in Magazines, and which indeed is necessary to render them suitable to different tastes and dispositions. To instruct and to amuse are equally our objects; we endeavour therefore on the one hand to avoid intruding too much Masonry on those whom it may not interest; and, on the other, endeavour to furnish a sufficient quantity of what must still be considered as the distinguishing feature of the Work. Having taken measures for securing a continual supply of original curious and entertaining articles, and having under consideration several plans for rendering this publication more extensively useful, we confidently hope for a continuation of public favour, and an increase of public patronage: for if our labours be thought to tend to the dissemination (under proper discretion) of Masonic knowledge, and to the eradication of ancient and absurd prejudices; if it be found, that as men's minds are enlightened on the subject of an Institution so favourable to the moral improvement of society, the various branches of that Institution are extended, and its charitable fruits rendered more productive; it is surely not unreasonable to hope that those at whose labour and risk so desirable an end is accomplished will be re-* munerated by the united exertions and co-operating influence of its numerous members. The personal support of the most exalted Characters in the Society do honour to our endeavours; but their collateral influence would considerably heighten our obligations to them, and enable us to give a still higher degree of effect to the purposes which the Work was intended, and (we think) is well calculated, to answer. When it was determined to embellish these volumes with Portraits of Illustrious Brethren as FRONTISPIECES, a respectful application was made to the Hall Committee, and from them to the Grand Lodge, for permission to the Proprietors to copy the Portraits of Grand Masters in Freemasons' Hall. We felt peculiar satisfaction on being informed, that in the Committee very strong sentiments of approbation of our humble endeavours were expressed; and we had ourselves the pleasure afterwards of witnessing at the Quarterly Communication the unanimous sanction of the Grand Lodge to the measure. If our previous conduct merited such a sanction, we hope and trust that we have not since forfeited in the smallest degree our title to favour. We thank 'with great sincerity our zealous coadjutors JoHN TAYLOR, Esq. of London; Dr. WATKINS, of the Faithful Lodge at Bideford; Mr. J. F. STANFIELD and Dr. TIPPING BROWN, of the Phoenix Lodge, Sunderland; Mr. J. SOMERVILLE, of Edinburgh; and many others whose contributions though liberal, yet coming anonymously, we do not feel warranted in speaking of by name. One feature of our Magazine will perhaps not be overlooked; we allude to the PORTRAITS and BIOGRAPHY of the most eminent BRITISH ARTISTS. Fidelity more than panegyric has been our object in the latter, while accuracy of resemblance has been, we believe, invariably preserved in the former. They have in every instance been engraved from genuine pictures by the first masters. We take this opportunity of saying, that, for the greater certainty as to accuracy of resemblance, we shall be thankful to artists for the loan of their own paintings. One of the Portraits in the Society's Hall in Great Queen Street will of course decorate our next Number as a Frontispiece to the Fifth Volume; and for the following month we have in preparation a very elegant representation of the New Building for the "Royal Cumberland Freemasons' School" in St. George's Fields. NUMBER I. JULY 1, 1795. SUBSCRIBING BRETHREN APPROVING THE PLAN. No. of Lodge. ASCITER, Mr. Thos. Maidstone, Kent, ....Prov. Gr. Ar. Westminster Chaplain 5. Ballantyne, Wm. Esq. No. 15, Savage Gard. Tower-hill, 23. 10. 2. BD 12. 350. Burges, Mr. H. Coleman-street, Borough, Southwark Chapman, Mr. Henry, Birling, Kent 314. Chevell, Mr. John, Canterbury, Kent,....Prov. Gr. Treas. Cuppage, Mr. Chr. Warwick-street, Golden-sq. R. W. M. 128. Edgar, Richard, Esq. Weymouth, Dorsetshire Fowle, Mr. Thomas, Maidstone, Kent, Prov. Gr. Sw. Bearer Goulding, Mr. John, Chelmsford .... Hannam, Mr. W. No. 3, James-street, Haymarket Hatherill, Rev. J. Queenborough, Kent Inwood, Rev. Jethro, Deptford, Kent, Prov. Gr. Chap. No. of Lodge. Ives, Chapman, Esq. Coltishall, Norfolk, R. W. M. 136. Jones, James, Esq. West-square, Surry I. 92. Marr, Robert, Esq. Post-office, Gerrard-street, Soho Naish, Thos. N. Esq. Gravesend, Kent, Prov. Gr. S. W. New, Thomas, Esq. Lieut. Royal Navy 350. 499. 5. Perfect, Wm. M. D. West Malling, Kent....Prov. G. M. Ruspini, Chevalier Bartholomew, Pall Mall Gr. Sw. Bea. Sanders, Mr. Whitaker, Birling, Kent Pr. Gr. M. C. Taylor, Clement, Esq. M. P. Kent... Dep. Prov. Gr. M. Venner, Mr. Canterbury, Kent, Prov. Gr. Record Keeper Watkins, Rev. John, LL.D. Bideford, Devon |