XVIII. GRAND ELECTION, Nov. 30. 1753 Charles Hamilton Gordon, Esq. Grand-Master. A PETITION was received from the Scotish lodge in Copenhagen, denominated Le Petit Nombre, requesting a charter of confirmation from the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and also the liberty of electing a Grand-Master, with full powers to erect new lodges in any part of the kingdom. This petition being considered, the Grand Lodge were of opinion, that they could not, consistently with their supreme dignity and authority, delegate the power of electing a Grand-Master. But as they were desirous to promote, as far as possible, the interests of masonry, they resolved to grant a patent of constitution and erection in the usual form, and a provincial commission to a qualified person, empowering him to erect new lodges. in the kingdoms of Denmark and Norway, and to superintend those which were already erected; provided that this provincial Grand-Master should be always subject to the Grand Lodge of Scot land; land; and that the lodges which he constituted, should recognise and acknowledge her as their paramount superior. XIX. GRAND ELECTION, Nov. 30. 1754. The Honourable James, Master of Forbes, Grand-Master. AFTER the election of the office-bearers, the brethren walked in procession from Mary's Chapel, to the High School, accompanied with bands of music, and directed by the light of torches. At this procession, above four hundred brethren were present, and amongst them, Colonel James Adolphus Oughton, provincial Grand-Master over the English lodges in the island of Minorca, &c. This is the first instance of a procession by torch light that occurs in the records of the Grand Lodge. It was agreed upon in the course of this year, that the quarterly communications should hereafter meet on the first Mondays of February, May, August, and November. XX. GRAND ELECTION, Dec. 1. 1755. Sholto Charles Lord Aberdour, Grand-Master. Alexander Macdougall, Esq. Grand-Secretary. Ir was represented to the Grand Lodge, that the interests of masonry would be greatly promoted by the division of Scotland into districts, and the appointment of provincial Grand-Masters to each district. This suggestion being taken into consideration, it was resolved to nominate a number of respectable gentlemen, who were qualified for the discharge of that important office. Sir William Dunbar, Bart. of Westfield, was appointed to the district of Inverness. Mr David Dalrymple, Advocate, to that of Aberdeen. Mr John Cunningham, younger of Balbougie, to the Fife district. James Liddersdale, Esq. Collector of Excise at Kelso, to the district comprehending the counties of East Lothian, Roxburgh, Selkirk, and Peebles. And Archibald Hamilton, Esq. of Dalserff, to the district of Glasgow, Dumfries, &c. THE THE Grand Lodge was requested by the lodge of Canongate and Leith, to appoint a proper person to consecrate a new room, fitted up for holding their meetings. In compliance with this request, Mr John Maclure, Grand-Chaplain, was appointed, who performed the ceremony in presence of the Grand-Master, and other officebearers of the Grand Lodge. IN In consequence of a petition from the lodge at Kelso, stating that the progress of the bridge, then building over the Tweed, would likely be retarded for want of money, and requesting assistance from the funds of the Grand Lodge; they agreed to allot twenty guineas for this important purpose. XXI. GRAND ELECTION, Nov. 30. 1756. Sholto Charles Lord Aberdour, Grand-Master. Alexander Macdougall, Esq. Grand-Secretary. LORD Aberdour was again elected to the of fice of Grand-Master; which is the first instance of a re-election since the institution of the Grand Lodge. In the course of this year, a provincial commission was granted to Colonel John Young, who had been for many years Deputy Grand-Master for Scotland, over all the lodges in America and the West-Indies. A patent of erection was also granted for a lodge at Boston, in New England. XXII. GRAND ELECTION, Nov. 30. 1757. Alexander Earl of Galloway, Grand-Master. A CHARTER of constitution was, during this year, granted to the lodge of Fredricksburgh in Virginia. XXIII. GRAND ELECTION, Nov. 30. 1758. Alexander Earl of Galloway, Grand-Master, THE |