Grand Masters of Scotland - Onondaga and Oswego Masonic ...

An interesting reference to Scott having frequently attended the meetings was made in 1841, when a motion was submitted by
the Secretary, Bro. John D. Douglas, to change the name "St. David" to "Sir Walter Scott's Lodge." Speaking in favour of the
change, the Secretary said: —
.... The circumstances of his father (Walter Scott W.S.) being a very zealous member, as well as Office Bearer would almost
account for his choice of this particular Lodge, independent of the reputation which it at that time, and has ever since enjoyed. He
seemed to have entered considerably into the spirit of the meetings, by attending them frequently and in bringing forward members
to be initiated. It is unfortunate, however, that the records were so slovenly compiled at that time and for many years after as to
prevent us now from ascertaining the actual part he took in promoting the prosperity of the Lodge, but I am credibly informed that he
was often called on to add his mite to the harmony of the evening, when he would electrify his audience by some quaint story
illustrating the character and customs of his countrymen, or by the powers of his wit and humour shedding around him a halo of
pleasure which there was no man of his day more capable of doing....
The motion to change the name of the lodge was defeated by a majority. Several of the older members were present and took
part in the discussion, among others being Bro. Alexander Deuchar of Morningside, initiated in St. Davids in May, 1801, two months
after Scott was made a mason. Bro. Deuchar was R.W. Master of the Lodge of Edinburgh, Mary's Chapel, No. 1., during the years
1810 to 1814, 1824-25 and 1834. He published a work on heraldry which he dedicated to Sir Walter.
Chapter III.
Sir Walter lays Foundation Stone at Selkirk.
Elected Honorary Member of Lodge at Selkirk. Death.
Sir Walter, the 2nd Baronet. Walter Scott Lockhart Scott.
The Scott Monument, Edinburgh.
In 1805 Scott's first great work, the "Lay of the Last Minstrel," was published. The poem of "Marmion" appeared in 1808, and the
"Lady of the Lake" in 1810. In 1805 also, about seven chapters of the story of "Waverley" had been written, but, discouraaged by
one of his critical friends, to whom he had shown the manuscript, Scott threw the work aside. Accidently coming across the
fragment, in 1814, he completed it in three weeks, and in July of the same year it was given anonymously to the public. In rapid
succession the other novels were written, and no fewer than eighteen, comprising about sixty volumes, appeared in eleven years.
The second, "Guy Mannering," appeared in 1815, and in 1816 followed "The Antiquary" and the first series of the "Tales of my
Landlord."
On June 4th of this year, Scott, in the absence of the Provincial Grand Master of the district, the Most Noble the Marquis of
Lothian, laid the foundation stone of a new lodge room at Selkirk, and was elected an honorary member of the lodge there, "St.
John," now No. 32 on Grand Lodge roll. The following appears in the records of the lodge. —
June 4. 1816. This being the day appointed for Laying the Foundation Stone of the Free Masons hall, a most numerous meeting
of the Brethren along with a respectable deputation from Hawick and visiting Brethren from Peebles & Jedburgh went in procession
according to the order of Procession inserted on the 143d & 144th page hereof, when the stone was laid by Walter Scott Esquire of
Abbotsford Sheriff Depute of the County of Selkirk, who, after making a most eloquent, and appropriate Speech, Deposited in the
Stone the different Coins of his Majestys Reign, with the Newspapers of the day, and the Inscription as inserted on the 145th page
hereof. The Revd. Mr. James Nicol of Traquair, gave an excellent prayer well adopted for the occasion. After the ceremony of laying
the Stone was over the Brethren returned to the Town hall, and on the motion of Brother Walter Hogg the unanimous thanks of the
Brethren was voted to Mr. Scott for the honour he had conferred upon the Lodge by his presence and laying the Foundation Stone.
On the motion of Brother Andrew Lang, the unanimous thanks of the Brethren was also voted to the Revd Mr. Nicol for the obliging
manner he had consented to come to this place to act as Chaplain and for his conduct throughout. On the motion of Brother James
Robertson Mr. Scott was admitted an Honorary Member with three Cheers.
The meeting then walked to Mr. Minto's Inn where they dined, and spent the evening with the utmost conviviality, Mr. Scott filling the
Chair to the satisfaction of all present.
The Inscription deposited in the Stone was as follows:
E.D.O.M.
Walter Scott Esquire of Abbotsford
Sheriff Depute of Selkirkshire
Laid this foundation Stone of the Free Masons Hall
Selkirk
Upon the 4th day of June
In the year of our Lord 1816
And the reign of G III. K of Great Britain
56th year
And of the Era of Masonry 5816
James Inglis & David Laidlaw
Contractors of the Work
Q.D.B.V.
Writing next day to the Duke of Buccleuch, the Grand Master of 1801-02, Scott made reference to the laying of the Foundation
Stone in the following terms:
Abbotsford, June 5th, 1816. 6
My Dear Lord
... I was under the necessity of accepting the honour done me by the Souters, 7 who requested me to lay the foundation-stone of
a sort of barn which is to be called a Free Masons Hall. There was a solemn procession on this occasion, which, that it might not
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