THE ARCANE SCHOOLS - Fort Myers Beach Masonic Lodge No. 362

was another at Swalwell, which will be referred to when it comes under the
Grand Lodge in 1735.
We may add a few lines here in regard to Masonry in Scotland, which had many
ancient Lodges at work; and which were societies sanctioned by law for mutual
assistance and the regulation of business, and over which the Clare family had
an hereditary jurisdiction, and had to be in possession of the "Masons' Word."
From early times they had admitted traders unconnected with building, and
gentlemen of position; the one termed "Domatic" or operative Masons, the other
"Geomatic," or Speculative Masons. These bodies met together in 1736, and
established a Grand Lodge upon the London {504} system, and consolidated it
by the election as Grand Master of Brother William St. Clair, who then resigned
the rights if such still existed which he had from his ancestors who had been
appointed in the 16th century Lord Wardens General, and patrons of the Masonic
Craft; with the consent of Lodges, and sanction of the Kings, Judges of all
matters in dispute. From this period, Scotland gradually conformed to the ritualistic
system of England, but as proved by the "Dumfries MS.," quoted in our last
chapter, for a long period retained its Christian character.
In this condensed account it is unnecessary to repeat the mere names of the
Grand Masters of England; these are found in any modern Cyclopaedia, or in the
Grand Lodge calendars. Various old Lodges must have united themselves with
the Grand Lodge, but as the entries are made from the date of admission, it is
impossible in all cases to trace their origin by the Grand Lodge Register; one
notable exception is Lodge 65, of St. Rook's hill, Chichester, which is registered
as dating from the time of Julius Caesar. An old Lodge of Swalwell, nr.
Gateshead, with minutes from 1725, accepted a Deputation, or joined the Grand
Lodge, 21st March, 1735, and the Earl of Crawford appointed one of its
members, namely Brother Joseph Laycock of Winlaton, as Prov. Grand Master at
the same date with a second Lodge at Gateshead, 3rd March, 1736, No. 256.
The Lodge was frequented by "brethren from all the surrounding country as the
Grand Master conferred the Harodim at his residence." That these Lodges had the Harodim is proved by an Address
which he gave the Lodge in 1735, and which is printed in "The Book M, or
Masonry Triumphant," Newcastle, 1736, and which contains subscribers from
this Lodge at Swalwell, from Hexham, and Gateshead; but the minutes do not
confirm the statement that Laycock continued the Harodim. It is the "Pocket
Companion" of Brother Smith {505} of Dublin adapted to English use; its full title
being: "The Book M: or Masonry Triumphant. In two parts. Part I. containing the
History, Charges, and Regulations of FREE MASONS, with an account of Stately
Fabrics erected by the Illustrious Society. Part II. containing the Songs usually
sung in LODGES, Prologues and Epilogues spoken at the Theatres in LONDON
in honour of the Craft, with an account of all the places where Regular Lodges
are held. "Be wise as Serpents, yet innocent as Doves." Newcastle upon Tyne.
Printed by Leonard Umfreville and Company. MDDCCXXXVI." It is dedicated to
the Brethren and Fellows, "assembling in Lodges in the Northern Counties of
England." In 1735 Anderson complained to Grand Lodge in evident allusion to it.