Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Night engraving; plate IV, titled "Night", one of four engravings in the satirical series "The Four Times of the Day" (second state); depicted is a nightime alley scene (Hartshorn Lane, Charing Cross) outside the Rummer & Grapes Tavern, in which a tipsy Worshipful Master of a Masonic lodge, distinguished by his collar, jewel and apron, is being assisted home by the lodge Tyler, identifiable by his sword, apron and key; a chamber pot is being emptied on their heads from a window above; a bonfire in the alley celebrates the restoration of the monarchy and King Charles II (May 29, 1660); at right, the "Salisbury Flying Coach" appears to have overturned; imprint line at left reads "Invented Painted Engraved & Published by Wm. Hogarth March 25, 1738, According to Act of Par.mt".

Night is one of four engravings in Hogarth's satirical series "The Four Times of the Day." Depicting an alley scene outside the Rummer & Grapes Tavern in London, it is perhaps the earliest popular representation of Freemasons. The Freemason wearing collar, square, and apron may be Thomas deVeil (1684-1746), a judge as notorious for the severity of his punishments as he was for his immoral private life. The other, carrying a sword, may be Andrew Montgomerie, who served as Grand Guarder, or Tyler, of the Grand Lodge of England in the 1730s. Although he portrayed these Freemasons in an unflattering light, William Hogarth served as a Grand Steward for the Grand Lodge in 1735. He also designed several lodge officer insignias that were used for many years. For further information, see Tabbert, Mark A., "American Freemasons: Three Centuries of Building Communities", 2005, p.26.