Inauguration of poet Robert Burns : Canongate Kilwinning Masonic Lodge Edinburgh

The Inauguration of Robert Burns as Poet Laureate of Canongate Kilwinning Lodge No. 2

From the original painting by Stewart Watson, now in the Grand Lodge of Scotland

This little fold-out etching of the Burns inauguration appears to be extremely rare as we could find no other recorded copies. Perhaps this was privately printed for members of the Canongate Kilwinning Lodge?

Published by J. W. Watt & Co, 17 London Street, Edinburgh. Undated but circa 1862. (it is known that J W Watt & Co published etchings by Charles Ewart of the inauguration in 1862). Small hardback case measuring 12 x 13cm. Bevel-edged boards. Blue cloth with gilt title to upper board. Contains a fold-out lined etching of the inauguration of Burns, with each of the characters numbered and named. The fold-out etching measures 32 x 24.5cm.

CONDITION
Very good cloth binding with light signs of age. The initials RB stamped to rear board. The fold-out is in good condition with no tears but there is some age-toning to the bottom left portion of the engraving (see images provided). Overall a good copy of this scarce little item.

Lodge Canongate Kilwinning is one of the oldest Lodges operating under the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland. It was founded in 1677 and has met in the Chapel of St John since 1735 and given the distinction of meeting in the oldest purpose built masonic room in constant use in the world.

ABOUT THE BURNS INAUGURATION
The painting “The Inauguration of Robert Burns as Poet Laureate of Lodge Canongate Kilwinning 1st March 1787” has evoked some controversy, circa 1873 onward, but members of Lodge Canongate Kilwinning at the time were adamant that Robert Burns was given the accolade of Poet Laureate of the Lodge. Some say the event did not take place. Who are they and what are the facts that have given rise to these claims?

There is no doubt that Robert Burns was a member of Lodge Canongate Kilwinning. The minutes of the meeting on 1st February 1787 record the event: “The RW 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, submitted that he should be assumed a member of this Lodge, which was unanimously agreed to and he was assumed accordingly”.

There is no other reference to Robert Burns in the minutes of the Lodge during his lifetime but this is not unusual and does not necessarily imply that he only made one visit to the Lodge. While the minutes in the 1750s and 1760s listed each member and visitor attending each meeting, this practice unfortunately died out in the 1770s, probably because of the increasing work involved as meetings became more and more popular.

The minute of The Lodge meeting of 1st March 1787 was signed by Alexander Fergusson of Craigdarroch as Master and Charles More as Depute Master suggesting that it was a Regular Meeting of the Lodge and may not therefore have been such a Grand Event as some would have us believe. There is no reason to doubt that the ceremony took place less formally during Harmony and in a more jovial setting. This was not uncommon at such meetings where the formal ceremonies and the informal gathering took place in the same room. As is the practise to this day, minutes are not taken during Harmony and nothing is ever recorded officially by the Lodge Secretary.

(Location : Small books Shelf)