The Sloane Manuscripts (original) (raw)

There are three copies of the Old Constitutions that bear this name. The first, No. 3848 in the British Museum, is dated "decimo sexto die Octobris Anno Domini 1646. It is one of the most complete copies extant. The second, known as No. 3323, is dated 1659. It is either an indifferent copy of the first one or else a record from a less than adequate memory. The third, No. 3329, is a description of the ritual. Unfortunately it cannot be accurately dated. Once thought to be previous to the middle of the seventeenth century, it is currently referred to as circa 1700. Sloanne MSS. 3,560 MSS, collected by Sir Hans Sloane, now in the British Museum. The museum of Sir Hans formed the basis of the British Museum. (1660-1753.) The Dictionary of Phrase & Fable, E. Cobham Brewer (1810-1897). Newark, 1898. p. 1162.