Franc-maçonnerie

1921 · 176628 — Cawnpore 1921-38. Masons in the Raj An intriguing grouping of material shedding light on the hierarchical structures and elaborate social life of freemasons in northern India between the wars. This material concerns the activities of two Cawnpore lodges: the venerable Lodge of Harmony Number 438 consecrated in 1836; and the "Ark in Cawnpore" Lodge of Royal Mark Mariners attached to the Sir John Edge Lodge of Mark Master Masons Number 497 consecrated in 1918. Included is a 1929 edition of the bylaws of the "Ark in Cawnpore" a 1930s edition of the bylaws of the Sir John Edge Lodge and a 1936 detailed history of the Lodge of Harmony. This tells how Harmony was formed in Cawnpore in 1834 by a group of British military officers and warranted two years later. "Of records prior to the Mutiny of 1857 and from that date until 1859 there are none. All the property of the Lodge including documentary records and regalia was lost. There are many stories or surmises perhaps regarding what happened to the Lodge property during this period. Probably the most authentic and the certainty the most interesting theory is that Wor.-Master R. A. B. Johnston took all the property from the Lodge building and buried it or deposited it in General Wheeler's Entrenchments" p. 5. Accompanying these publications are 17 finely printed programmes not including 2 duplicates for ceremonial dinners at various lodges primarily the Lodge of Harmony between 1921 and 1936 many marking the installation of a new officer. Some list the names of officers reinforcing that their credentials "must not be disputed" and the toasts given at the conclusion of banquets traditionally beginning with a salute to the "king emperor". The cuisine was comfortably BritishL attendees at a Lodge of Harmony dinner in 1922 tucked into turkey ham tomato soup and Devonshire cream and roast fowl and Oxford sausage was a regular menu item throughout the decade. But chefs also occasionally served curries and other local delicacies. Entertainment came in the form of musical performances of pieces by Schubert Sousa Beethoven and Benyon and tended to include a rousing chorus of "Roast Beef of Old England". Provenance: the history of the Lodge of Harmony is signed on the front pastedown by R. Paton a Cawnpore freemason who served as Harmony's president in 1925. He is named in a number of the programmes including one from 15 March 1928 marking his installation as P.Z. Together 22 items: octavo vol. in blue cloth; two small booklets pp. 10 and 16 in printed wrappers; 19 finely printed folding card programmes 150 x 100 mm to 220 x 150 mm some with ribbon tassels and paper inserts variety of gilt and coloured lettering and embossed decoration. Signs of handling light soiling one programme with worm track not affecting text: a very good collection. hardcover