The particular disputes between the parties referred to by this poem, it is not easy to ascertain. Perhaps the humourous writer alludes to some schism or dissention now forgotten. Mr. Gray, in one of his letters to Mr. Walpole, says, "I reckon next week to hear you are a Free Mason, or a Gormogon at least." 4to edition, p. 188.
I learn from Masonry Dissected, &c. a pamphlet published in 1730, by Samuel Prichard, late member of a Constituted Lodge, that "From the Accepted Mason sprang the real Masons, and from both sprang the Gormogons, whose grand master the Volgi deduces his original from the Chinese, whose writings, if to be credited, maintain the hypotheses of the Pre-adamites, and consequently must be more antique than Masonry."—This circumstance will account for the Chinese names and habits in our artist's plate.
[1] On this occasion the print exhibits a trait of humour that may hitherto have escaped observation. To render the part presented for salutation more tempting, it has patches on, such as women wore at the time when the plate was published.
[2] Who would not laugh, &c. Parody on the concluding couplet of Pope's character of Addison.
[3] The contrivers of the Mock Procession were at that time said to be Paul Whitehead, esq. and his intimate friend (whose real Christian name was Esquire) Carey, of Pall Mall, surgeon to Frederic Prince of Wales. The city officers did not suffer this procession to go through Temple-Bar, the common report then being, that its real intent was to affront the annual procession of the Free Masons. The Prince was so much offended at this piece of ridicule, that he immediately removed Carey from the office he held under him.
[4] The print, representing a View of Somerset-House and of The Strand, is 3 feet 11½ inches in length, and ten inches in width; and is intituled, "A Geometrical View of the grand Procession of the scald-miserable Masons, designed as they were drawn up over against Somerset-House in The Strand, on the Twenty-seventh of April, An° 1742. Invented and engraved by A. Benoist, at his Lodgings, at Mr. Jordan's, a Grocer, the North East Corner of Compton-street, So-ho; and sold by the Printsellers of London and Westminster.—Note, A. Benoist teaches Drawing abroad.
"N° 1. The grand Swoard Bearer, or Tyler, carrying the Swoard of State (a Present of Ishmael Abiff to old Hyram King of the Saracens) to his Grace of Wattin, Grand Master of the Holy Lodge of St. John of Jerusalem in Clerkenwell.
"2. Tylers or Guarders.
"3. Grand Chorus of Instruments.
"4. The Stewards, in three Gutt Carts, drawn by Asses.