Bro. Henry Himsworth, Broom House, Beal, of St. David's Lodge No. 393, Berwick upon Tweed, became a joining member of the Prince of Wales on 4th February 1895. Shortly afterwards he presented to the Lodge a very valuable and handsome Ram's Head, beautifully and tastefully mounted in silver, set with magnificent cairn gorms, and fashioned as a snuff box, cigar and cigarette cabinet. Around the neck, suspended on a silver chain, in addition to the brush, spoon and rake, is a small ivory mallet and the Pentalfa upon which the words Wisdom, Beauty and Truth, are engraved.
The presentation took place on 5th July 1897, and was made by W.Bro. Thomas Lewens on behalf of Bro. Henry Himsworth who unfortunately was unable to be present due to ill-health.
There appears to be an idea existing in the minds of some brethren that the Ram's Head has a significant connection with Freemasonry; extensive enquiries and research reveal nothing to support this viewpoint but, on the other hand, tend to dispel an illusion, probably born of wishful thinking.
Be that as it may, snuff boxes fashioned as Ram's Horns - either single or in pairs, sometimes mounted on wheels - are popular with the craft over the Border and occassionally may be found adorning the Festive Board of English Lodges.
St David's Lodge No 393, Berwick upon Tweed have, in their possession, a Ram's Horn snuff-box which stands on the pedestal of the Senior Warden in open Lodge. Whenever the ballot was taken, the brethren, after recording their will in the East, continued in procession round the Lodge and they were invited to partake of a "little refreshment" as they passed the Senior Warden.
This incident probably a survival of the custom, prevalent in the Operative and early Eighteenth century Speculative Lodges, of calling the brethren from labour to refreshment and dispensing hospitality in the Temple.
It may well be, by means of his gift, that the intention of our generous brother was that the Lodge should possess a talisman, or mascot, attracting Good Fellowship, Good Health, and Good Fortune. This view is supported by the silent testimony of the Pentalfa or Five-pointed Star. The Five-pointed Star is a mysterious symbol of great antiquity, credited with magical powers, more particularly as a harbinger of health, and what is more important, alludes to the F..... P..... O..... F.....
The Ram's Head is sacred to Mercury, the messenger of the Gods and, in modern Lodges, it may very well be that the Deacons are his counterpart and sybolically discharge simlar duties. At any rate, the Caduceus, the staff or rod of Mercury, surmounted with wings and entwined with two serpents, was used in pre-union days as a badge of a Deacon and, more particularly was associated with Atholl Lodges. These old badges of Mercury are still worn today by the Deacons in Newacstle upon Tyne Lodge No. 24, our Mother Lodge, dating from it's Atholl Lodge connections.
A Pinch of snuff, proffered from a Ram's Horn is synonymous to smoking the pipe of peace; it is a gesture of Goodwill, a token of Fellowship and a pledge of Protection, thos time honoured laws of hospitality which is the bounden duty of every host to observe without hesitation and perform with courage and iron resolution.