This glass was used for drinking toasts at Masonic dinners in Croydon.
It was banged down on the table after toasts and made a sound like a gun firing.
The glass is thicker at the bottom to stop it from breaking.
The Apprentice's Song
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The Apprentice's Song
The words from this Mason's song are read by an actor.
"Come let us prepare we brothers that are assembled on merry occasion.
To drink, laugh and sing: our wine has a spring here's health to an accepted mason.
Then join hand in hand, by each brother firm stand, Let's be merry and put a bright face on.
No mortal can boast so noble a toast, as a free and an accepted mason."
The Freemasons
Freemasonry or 'The Craft', started in London in the 18th century. It grew fast spreading to Ireland, Scotland, Europe and throughout the British Empire.
It was only ever open to men and was quite expensive to join but it was not a secret society.
Members of the Croydon Masonic Lodges met openly in the Greyhound public house and the Masonic Hall, both in Croydon High Street.
Find out more
To find out more about the history
of the Freemasons in Croydon
visit the Purley freemason's website
