The Arcana of Freemasonry (1915) - The Masonic Trowel

THE ARCANA OF FREEMASONRY 27
of the tactful intervention of three of the sons
of George III. The Prince of Wales, who was
initiated in 1787 at the Star and Garter Tavern,
in Pall Mall, became Grand Master of the Premier
Grand Lodge of England in 1790. When he
accepted the Regency he vacated the office, and
his Brother,
THE DUKE OF SUSSEX,
was elected to succeed him. The venerable and
worthy head of the " Ancients," the Duke of Athol,
was, says a contemporary record, " soon convinced
by the Royal Duke's arguments, strengthened by
his own good sense and benevolent mind, how
desirable must be an actual and cordial relation
of the two societies under one head ; for, to pave
the way for the Masons, his Grace, in the handsomest
measure, resigned his seat of Grand
Master." He recommended as his successor the
Duke of Kent, father of Queen Victoria, he having
been initiated under the " Ancient " constitution
in the Union Lodge of Geneva. The Duke of
Kent was acclaimed Grand Master in 18 13. The
two Royal Dukes, taking
into counsel three dis-
tinguished Brethren belonging to each society,
arranged Articles of Union between the two Grand
Lodges of England, and these were ratified, con-
firmed, and sealed in each of those Lodges on
1 st December, 18 13.