London

John Pine – A remarkable 17th century engraver and Freemason

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In 1748, the celebrated English artist and Francophobe, William Hogarth, surprisingly decided to take a holiday in France. His behaviour in France was appalling. He was ‘clamorously rude’ to everyone he met. Whenever anybody admired a view, Hogarth sourly remarked: ‘What then? It is but French! Their houses are all gilt and bullshit!’ Waiting in Calais for the boat home, Hogarth made sketches of some old fortifications, and was arrested as a spy.

Robert Burns – Freemason, Bard of Ayrshire & Ploughman Poet

Robert Burns

Burns’s rise in popularity for his poems also contributed to his rise in Freemasonry. At a meeting of Lodge St. Andrew in Edinburgh in 1787, at which the Grand Master and Grand Lodge of Scotland was present, Burns was toasted by the Worshipful Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Francis Chateris, with the words “Caledonia and Caledonia’s bard, Bro. Robt. Burns”

Famous Members of our Ancient and Honourable Institution

Winston Churchill

talk is aimed primarily at our younger brethren who have as yet not had time to absorb the immensity of our great Masonic institution. During the ceremony of your initiation you stated that you were prompted to solicit our privileges by a favourable opinion, preconceived, of the Institution, a general desire for knowledge and a sincere wish to render yourself more extensively serviceable to your fellow creatures


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