M. M.'s Hymn, "Mark Masons all appear," &c., each puts

THE MARK MASTER'S DEGREE. Gl

liis hand into the S. W.'s wicket, the Cand. last whose
hand is seized by the S. W., who exclaims)

S. W. — An imposter! An imposter! (J. W. standing
at the left of S. W., with his arm uplifted, says — )

J. W.— Off with his hand.

S. D. — Spare him ! spare him ! he is not an imposter,
I vouch for him as a Craftsman, having worked with him
in the Quarries.

S. W. — I denounce him as an imposter, having at-
tempted to receive the wages of a Mark Master without
giving the Token ! The usual penalty must be inflicted.

S. D. — If you will confide the Craftsman to my care, I
will take him before the W. M., when, if he decides that
the penalty must be inflicted, I pledge myself to see it
duly executed.

S. W. — On these conditions I release him.

(S. D. leads him to the W. M., and says)

S. D. — W. Master, this Craftsman has been suspected
as an imposter, and is charged with having attempted to
obtain the wages of a Mark Master without giving the
Token.

W. M. — (To Cand.) Are you a Fellow Craftsman?

Cand. — I am.

W. M. — I demand the proofs.

Cand. — (Gives Sign of F. C, the W. M. sternly regard-
ing the Cand. says)

W. M. — Whilst acknowledging you as a F. C, I cannot
too strongly express my feelings that you should have
attempted to obtain the wages of a Mark Master without
being justly entitled to them, and such conduct merits

severe punishment, no less than having ! and

being debarred from all further privileges in Freemasonry.
But as your fault appears to have been the result of inex-
perience, and not of any wilful intention to defraud, I

C^ THE MARK MASTEe's DEGREE.

now order you to return to the quarries, where I hope you
will be able to produce some work which, when submitted
for inspection, may be received and approved, and entitle
you to share in the labours of this Honble. Degree.

(The Cand. takes a seat near the Overseers.)

S. W. — W. Master! the work is at a stand still!

W. M. — On what account ?

S. W. — The want of a Key-stone !

W. M. — I perfectly remember issuing the designs for
such a stone ! (here is a copy) Bro. J. Overseer, have
you seen such a stone?

(The W. M. shews a copy.)

J. 0. — Such a stone was brought to me for inspection,
but not being in accordance with my x^lan I passed it to
the Sen. Overseer.

W. M. — Bro. Sen. Overseer, what did you do with it?

S. 0. — Not being in accordance with my plan, or with
the instructions I had received, but j)ossessing a consider-
able amount of beauty of workmanship I passed it to the
Master Overseer for rejection or approval.

W. M. — Bro. Master Overseer do you recollect such a
stone being submitted to you ?