              ROBERT BURNS AND FREEMASONRY IN EDINBURGH.

        By the late BROTHER DR R. T. HALLIDAY, Past Grand Warden.

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        Taking a comprehensive view, the Masonic career of Robert Burns,
from his initiation at Tarbolton on 4th July 1781, till his death at
Dumfries on 21st July 1796, may be divided into three stages.  These are
unequal in point of time and in importance; nor are they distinctive
periods as they dovetail into one another.  Yet they have each their own
significance.  In the first we have the humble ploughman in the natural
rural element of his Ayrshire circle, hard pressed to maintain his own
independence and that of his father's family, but surrounded by boon
companions of a jovial country brotherhood. During this stage all his
active Masonic work was done.  In the second we find him in Edinburgh in
a wholly different, and to him unnatural, atmosphere, lionised by the
society of the day as the latest curiosity of that Metropolis, and
flaunted for a time by Masonic associates of quite a dissimilar type.
It was a brief but hectic interlude not inaptly described as "the
circumstance of an opportunist", and though given a posthumous Masonic
importance wholly unwarranted by facts, it involved no Masonic work of
any kind.  In the third stage the bard was back for a spell to the
plough, tired and worried both physically and mentally, finally taking
an official post which he had vainly calculated would bring him
independence.  Here he was again in his real Masonic element, but his
day was far spent and his Masonic work practically over.

        The Ayrshire period I have dealt with in an earlier paper (*1)
During this period Burn published "Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish
Dialect", the first or Kilmarnock edition of his works, and for this the
Fraternity in Ayrshire were in large measure responsible.  The second
stage, the visits of the Bard to the Scottish Metropolis and his Masonic
doings and interests there, was a natural though unforeseen corollary
which merits some special reference.  The third stage may claim a like
attention at some future date.

        His initial venture in publication provided Burns with a
sadly needed twenty pounds with which he made preparation for his
intended departure to Jamaica in the autumn of 1786, and, but for a
series of accidental happenings which postponed his sailing week after
week, Burns might even then have been lost to Scotland.  But "the best
laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft agley".  The delay gave time for
more mature consideration and the decision to go to Edinburgh resulted.

        Burns had several impelling reasons for that decision.  The
success of his first edition imbued him with the desire for a second,
and we learn from his own pen of his futile endeavour to issue this in
Ayrshire.  But the poems had prompted Dr Thomas Blacklock to suggest
that a further edition should be issued from Edinburgh; and this
encouragement from, "one of a set of critics for whose applause I had not
even dared to hope", stimulated Burns to consider this proposal
seriously.  There was also some expectation, to which at that time he
had not given much heed, that influence might be available there to
secure for him a position in the Excise Service.  But strongest of all
was his sense of his responsibilities to Jean Armour who had borne him
twins on 3rd September.  He had ever a commendable feeling of moral
responsibility for his offspring.  In a letter to Robert Aiken citing
his uncertainties, disappointment, pride, remorse and general
wretchedness, he wrote, "All these reasons urge me to go abroad, and to
all these reasons I have only one answer, the feelings of a father.
This overbalances everything that can be laid in the scale against it."
He left Mossgiel on 27th November and reached Edinburgh the following
day.

        The move to Edinburgh for a man of Burns' temperament was a
dangerous and fateful hazard.  The fame of his poems had preceded him
and he was introduced into clubs such as the Crochallan Fencibles and
social circles as the Caledonian Hunt, where in that era of hard
drinking and dissipation many would have completely lost their heads.
"The Edinburgh of Boswell, Burns and Scott," wrote Professor Grierson,
"was a centre of dissipation - drunken, immoral and pious, the different
qualities blended sometimes in the most singular fashion."  And Scott
determined from his own close observation that his sons should never
settle in Edinburgh if he could help it.  Burns, however, kept steadily
before him the main purport of his journey and set about the
consummation of that business without delay.  His Masonic associations
again proved of value.  James Dalrymple of Orangefield, a prominent
Ayrshire Freemason, introduced him to the Earl of Glencairn and through
him he met those" other luminaries in that galaxy of Scottish Craftsmen
of which he for a time formed the centre of attraction" (Murray
Lyon's History).  By 7th December he was able to write to Gavin
Hamilton, "My Lord Glencairn and the Dean of Faculty, Mr H. Erskine,
have taken me under their wing.  Through my Lord's influence it is
inserted in the records of the Caledonian Hunt that they universally,
one and all, subscribe for the second edition."

        Mackenzie in his history of Canongate Kilwinning Lodge published
in 1888, makes the assertion that "the first Lodge to which he (Burns)
paid a visit was Canongate Kilwinning on 7th December, and after leaving
it that night he wrote to his friend Gavin Hamilton."  There is no
record in the minute book of the Lodge of his presence nor does Burns
mention such a meeting in his correspondence which at this time was
voluminous and detailed. Where Mackenzie gleaned his information he does
not state.  But we know the source of this and other myths of the
Bard's sojourn in Edinburgh to be Marshall's book, "A Winter with Robert
Burns", probably the most unreliable concoction ever penned about him.
Nor is Mackenzie trustworthy in other matters of detail.  There are two
inaccuracies in the opening paragraph of his chapter dealing with
Burns.  He notes that Burns was entered in Lodge St David's in 1781 and
in 1784 was elected Depute Master.  The name of the Lodge is St David
and Burns never held office therein.  He was one of the seceders who
re-established the older Lodge St James, now No. 135, and in St James as
Depute Master he "Presided o'er the Sons of Light".  Here all his
Ayrshire Masonic work was done.  Murray Lyon states that, "an examination
of the Canongate minutes shows that during Burns' residence in
Edinburgh, 1786-87, the Lodge held only three meetings and at only one
is Burns recorded as being present."  This effectively disposes of the
mendacious phrases "He was the life of the Lodge," and, "the seat he
always resorted to."

        The first Lodge he actually visited was St Andrew. now No. 48,
and in a letter to James Ballantine, dated 14th January, he makes
extended reference to this visit.  "I went to a mason lodge yesternight,
where Most Worshipful Grand Master Charters (*2) and all the Grand Lodge of
Scotland visited.  The meeting was numerous and elegant; all the
different lodges about town were present in all their pomp.  The Grand
Master, who presided with great solemnity and honour to himself as a
gentleman and a mason, among other general toasts gave 'Caledonia and
Caledonia's Bard, Brother Burns,' which rung through the whole assembly
with multiplied honours and repeated acclamations.  As I had no idea
such a thing would happen I was downright thunderstruck, and trembling
in every nerve made the best return in my power. Just as I had finished
some of the Grand Officers said, so loud that I could hear,  'Very well,
indeed', which set me something to rights again."  The argument has been
advanced that this incident is not recorded in the minute of the St
Andrew meeting, a statement strictly correct.  But the minute records
the visit of the Grand Master and the business transacted.  Toasts
follow at "Harmony" which it is unusual to record in minutes.

        An outstanding Masonic incident occurred a fortnight later when
Burns paid his sole recorded visit to Canongate Kilwinning Lodge on 1st
February, which was duly chronicled as business in its minute book.  The
minute of that meeting is very explicit and is printed in extenso in
Mackenzie's History. The paragraph referring to Burns is in these terms:
"The Right Worshipful Master having observed that Brother Burns was at
present in the Lodge, who is well known as a great Poetic Writer, and
for a late publication of his works, which have been universally
commended, and submitted that he should be assumed a member of this
Lodge, which was unanimously agreed to, and he was assumed accordingly."
Thus he became an Honorary member of the Lodge.  The History proceeds
on the following page to relate that at the last monthly meeting of the
season, held on 1st March, the Master conferred upon Burns "the title of
Poet Laureate of the Lodge".

        This statement of an obviously unconstitutional procedure has
engendered perennial discussion in Masonic circles, fostered by its
annual repetition in the Installation programme of the Lodge, probably
in the expectation that by continued reiteration its authenticity may be
eventually regarded as established.  The topic has bulked so largely
in Masonic annals and in books and papers on Burns, as to have become in
certain quarters the preponderant feature of Burns's sojourn in
Edinburgh.  The cause of this notoriety was the painting of a picture by
Stewart Watson in 1845 purporting to represent the scene of the
Inauguration of Burns as Poet Laureate of Canongate Kilwinning Lodge,
prints of which have been broadcast throughout the world; and the
concurrent issue of Marshall's volume already mentioned, "A Winter with
Robert Burns", which gave biographical details of the personages
depicted. These personages include some who were not members of the
Order; one who did not set foot in Scotland until two years later; one
who had left the country six years previously; and one who, never known
to be a Freemason, was in his 108th year in 1787.  It is noteworthy that
the minute of this March meeting is not reproduced or quoted in
Mackenzie's History and for a very excellent reason.  This minute is
also very explicit, much too explicit for satisfactory argument although
argument there has been in abundance.  it runs thus: "St John's Chapel,
1 March 1787.  The Lodge being duly constituted, it was reported that
since last meeting H. Dalrymple, Esq. (then follows a list of names)
who all paid their dues to the Treasurer.  No other business being
before the meeting the Lodge adjourned."  No mention is made of any
election or inauguration of Burns, who as an Honorary member was not
indeed eligible for office, nor of the institution of the new office of
Poet Laureate; and two such remarkable items of business could not have
escaped record if they had ever happened.  But there was definitely
other business.  There is no mention of such an important meeting in
Grand Lodge records; no registration of such a distinguished
office bearer,  If Grand Secretary Laurie, who published his "History of
Freemasonry in Scotland" in 1804, makes no reference to an incident with
which he must have been acquainted personally had it occurred.  No
items for the increased expenditure necessarily incurred in such a
gathering appear in the Lodge accounts or elsewhere.  Nor is there
record of annual re-election as with other office bearers of the Lodge,
and the Lodge had officially no Laureate for many years after Burns'
day.  The first mention of Burns in that capacity or of the office of
Laureate occurs in the minute of 9th February 1815, when "the R.W.
Master stated that he had observed a public subscription had been
commenced for the purpose of erecting a Mausoleum to the Memory of
Robert Burns, who was a member and Poet Laureate of this Lodge."

        In another record, "The Book of Robert Burns ", by Dr Charles
Rogers, the date of this presumed inauguration is given as 25th June.
This is demonstrably untenable as Burns on that date was on his West
Highland tour and wrote to Robert Ainslie on the 28th from Arrochar
after coming from Inveraray.

        It is inconceivable that Burns himself would be silent over such
an honour. In March 1787, he wrote to his friend, Mrs Dunlop, "The
appellation of a Scottish bard is by far my highest pride." With such a
pride the honour of a Laureateship in Edinburgh from the leaders of
society would undoubtedly have evoked some record.  Yet in none of his
multitude of letters, nor in his Commonplace Book or Diary which he
states he made his confidant, does he ever refer to the subject or even
to Canongate Kilwinning Lodge.

        The controversy had an important development in 1878 when Murray
Lyon was about to publish his "History of Freemasonry in Scotland".
Following up some information he had received, the Secretary of
Canongate Kilwinning Lodge, "felt it to be his duty", to request from the
author an assurance that in his forthcoming work any references to
Burns' connection with that Lodge would not discredit that connection.
A lengthy correspondence ensued - lengthy at least on the side of the
Secretary - and Mackenzie in his History devotes no less than a dozen
pages to it.  But we find what Murray Lyon cynically describes as that
same "tendency to represent the traditions of the Craft as historical
facts or so to embellish facts as to distort if not altogether to
obliterate them."  The arguments advanced by the Secretary are mere
sophistry, the main line being that as statements which had been widely
circulated had never been contradicted they must be assumed to be
correct.  No more absurd assumption could be imagined.  The arguments
adduced would never be accepted by any judicature and were amply refuted
at a later investigation.  Murray Lyon's conclusions were:   When
Marshall first made the assertion to a committee of the Lodge its
records bear that his statement created surprise.  There are many other
facts which all go to show that the Poet's election and inauguration as
Poet Laureate of this Lodge is a myth."

        The matter was not allowed to end there.  There was a lengthy
correspondence in the Masonic press and on 29th December 1892, Murray
Lyon, who bad become Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Scotland,
drew the attention of Grand Committee to the inscription under the
picture by Stewart Watson which was then on the wall of the Committee
Room, having been presented to Grand Lodge in 1863 by the family of the
late Sir James Burnes, Physician to the Army in Bombay.  Grand Committee
thereupon appointed a Special Committee consisting of Brothers William
Officer, David Sneddon and Allan Mackenzie to, "consider and report on
the whole question". There was a long and critical enquiry followed by a
detailed report which discredited not only the evidence advanced and the
witnesses who supplied it, but also the picture and Marshall's volume.
The witness, W. N. Fraser, for example, a Past Master of the Lodge, made
the statement that, "the honour was fully appreciated by the Bard.  He
alludes to the circumstances in the following lines:

To please you, and praise you,
Ye ken your Laureate scorns;
The prayer still -  you share still
Of grateful minstrel Burns."

Yet we know that these lines were sent to Gavin Hamilton on 3rd May
1786, before Burns had thought of a visit to Edinburgh.  Campbell, who
averred that he had spent two happy days with Burns at Auchtertyre
Castle, was born in 1776, according to the official register, and was
therefore in his eleventh year when Burns was at Auchtertyre and did not
join the Craft till 5th February 1801.  Yet he said that he, "had had
many opportunities of giving testimony in favour of the particulars
referred to".  The following were the conclusions of the Special
Committee: "The Sub-Committee has bestowed much time and consideration
on the matter remitted to it and enquired into it very fully.  It
regrets having to report:

        1st.  That in its opinion the statements made in 'A Winter with
Robert Burns' as to the creation of, election to, and inauguration of
the Poet as Poet Laureate of the Canongate Kilwinning Lodge is
fictitious.

        2nd.  That the office was not created during the lifetime of
Burns and that consequently he was not elected to and was not
inaugurated into it;

        3rd.  That the statement that Burns had been Poet Laureate of the
Canongate Kilwinning Lodge was first made by the publisher of an
engraving of Burns in October 1798; and

        4th.  That the statement that he had been inaugurated into that
office was first made in November 1845, by the author of 'A Winter with
Robert Burns' and the painter of the picture representing the alleged
inauguration."

        This report was signed by William Officer and D. Sneddon;
Mackenzie dissented, giving his reasons.  But the inscription remains,
with the picture, today.

        The Edinburgh edition of Burns's poems was published on 21st
April 1787, by Wm. Creech, the foremost publisher of the day and a
member of Canongate Kilwinning Lodge.  The printer was Wm. Smellie,
also a member of the Craft and mainspring of the Crochallan Club. For
the frontispiece Alexander Nasmyth, another member of Canongate
Kilwinning and an artist of note, gratuitously painted the most reliable
portrait of Burns from special sittings, and this was engraved for the
volume by another member, John Beugo. These and other members of the
Fraternity were the associates of Burns during this period, meeting, not
in lodges, but in the popular taverns of the day such as John Dowie's in
Liberton's Wynd or Dannie Douglas's Howff in Anchor Close.  Hence the
success of this second, as of the first, edition may be credited to
Masonic influence.

        Delays in reaching a financial settlement with the dilatory
Creech kept Burns in the city much beyond his original intention.  This
was unfortunate because it was disconcerting to his muse and afforded
time and opportunity for other matters than the contemplation of his
future vocation.  These do not concern us here.  That he had no
misgiving as to the temporary nature of his residence in Edinburgh is
evident from his letters.  To Dr Moore on 23rd April, he wrote, "I leave
Edinburgh in the course of ten days Or a fortnight and after a few
pilgrimages over some of the classic ground of Caledonia, I shall return
to my rural shades in all likelihood never more to quit them."  He set
out on the first of these pilgrimages on 5th May, with Robert Ainslie, a
member of Lodge St Luke, now No. 44, and toured the Border country.  At
Eyemouth they became Royal Arch Masons, Ainslie paying a guinea while
Burns, "on account of his remarkable poetic genius", was admitted without
fee.  Th his diary of the tour, under date 19th May 1787, he notes,
"Spent the day at Mr Grieve's - made a Royal Arch Mason at St Abb's Lodge
(Eyemouth)."  He returned to Edinburgh on 7th August, but Creech was
still dawdling and Burns set about arranging for his longest tour. On
23rd August he wrote to the "Men and Brethren" of St James Lodge: "I am
truly sorry it is not in my power to be at your quarterly meeting.  If I
must be absent in body believe me I shall be present in spirit," and he
repeated a stanza of his former song:

"Within your dear mansion may wayward Contention
Or withered Envy ne'er enter;
May Secrecy round be the mystical bound,
And brotherly Love be the centre."

        He set off on his Highland tour two days later with Willie
Nicol.  They visited Linlithgow and Stirling in each of which towns
Burns is said to have attended a local Lodge.  But here again the
reports are but legendary.  They were not recorded in any minutes nor
are they mentioned in letters or Diary as they would have been if true.
He returned to Edinburgh on 16th September.

        This second winter which he was fated to spend in Edinburgh
against all his inclinations had not the glamour of the first.  The
novelty had worn off both on the part of Burns and some of his former
friends and he was worried by Creech's continued failure to settle
accounts.  Freemasonry never came into the picture; an accident kept him
for a great part of the time indoors. He left Edinburgh in the middle of
February 1788, after a temporary financial arrangement with Creech and
returned home.  There was a bitter taste in his mouth, evidenced by his
feelings when he wrote of "the world of wits and gens comme il faut
which I lately left and with whom I never again will intimately mix."

        The Edinburgh periods in the career of Burns here touched upon
were short but as already indicated were fateful, and beyond providing
the original friendships which made them memorable, Freemasonry, as
such, had no direct part.  They were fateful for several reasons.  They
gave to the world at large the poems and in great measure the revealing
letters of Burns.  They afforded the opportunity for the display and the
preservation for posterity of his supreme gift of song, by his
association with James Johnson and the collaborating musician, Stephen
Clarke, in The Scots Musical Museum.  They introduced Burns to a new
profession which was his stand-by in later years. And they led him
into two branches of social life, the drawing room and the city tavern,
which even on his own admission had fateful consequences; they "ate up
slices of his constitution".

        Another great poet has told us that there is a tide in the
affairs of men which taken at the flood leads on to fortune.  Burns did
not reach that haven. Did he fail to take the tide at the flood or did
the flood come too late, if indeed it ever came during his lifetime.
Who can or dare venture to say?  During the ages of this world many men
have passed of whom it may with truth be said, "He being dead yet
speaketh."  High up on that list is Robert Burns.

Footnotes :-

(*1)  Published in "The Burns Chronicle." 1929.
(*2)  Francis Charteris, Lord Elcho, later 7th Earl of Wemyss.

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From a paper read to the Masters' and Past Masters' Association of
Renfrewshire West.

Also printed in the Grand Lodge of Scotland Year Book for 1976.
