<.o 'y^ W/ PERKINS LIBRARY Uuke Uiuversity Rare Books u ^ ex LIBRIS ^ -DW- Ph. A CANDID DISQUISITION Ijjj^l*^*^ OF T H E ^; PRINCIPLES and PRACTICES OF THE MOST Ancient and Honourable SOCIETY of Free and Accepted Mafons 5 TOGETHER WITH Some STRICTURES on the Origin, Nature, and Design of that INSTITUTION. DEDICATED, BY PERMISSION, To the moft Noble and moft Worjhipful HENRY Duke of BEAUFORT, ^c, i^c. GRAND MASTER. By W E L L I N S C A L C O T T, F.M. Jbipfo Duck opes animumque ferro, HoR. Od, -LONDON: Printed for the AUTHOR, By Brother James Dixwell, in 5^ Martins Lane, A. L. '5769. A. D. 1769. w- -w ;^^ '^ *^>^- C"5^^':^^'^: :Ji^^ymyiiiym^wmm^mi^ymiymM A LIST O F SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. The Moft Noble and Moft Worfliipful Henry ^ Duke of Beaufort^ &c. &c. G. M. The Hon. Charles Dillon, W. D. G. M, Rowland Holt, Efq ; W. S. G. W. Mr. John Jaffray, W. J. G. W. Rowland Berkley, Efq; G. T. Mr. Thomas French, G. S. A ^WMy^ ^ Henry Adams, Attorney at Law, S. to th* ^ - - ^ Cornubian Lodge, at Launcefton, Cornwall W ^ w Mr. H. Adean, Long Acre L- ^^\5 Mr. J. Adams, Mariner 5RJ!^;«^ Mr. Adams of Torwood, Devon. Mr. Robert Adamfon, Page of the back Stairs to his Royal Highnefs the Duke of Glouceller Mr. Parmenas Adcock, Tower-hill Mr. Seth Agar, York Mr. Samuel Akerman, Grocer, Briftol Mr, Thomas Alker, Lawford's Gate, BriHol a Wil' ii Liji of Suhfcrihers. William Allen, Efq; St. James's, Roy. Pa. Mr. William Allen, of the Plymouth Diviiion of Marines, ■ \v. s. w. Mr. Thomas Allard, Taylor, Briftol, p. M. Mr. Ailimfon, Mercer, St. Clement's Church Yard Rev. Mr. Allen, Helfton, Cornwall Thomas Alleyne, Efq; Bennet Street, Weilminfler Mr. Allifon, Printer, Falmouth, P. M. Mr. William Aaderton, Surgeon, at Bath, P. M. Mr. Edward Anderfan, Chelfea Mr. Burt. AnderfDn, Ditto Mr. Anfell, Linen Draper, Bath Mr. Anthony, Mercer, St. Ives, Cornwall Mr. George Antrobus, Clog-maker, Briftol Mr. Andrews, DiiHllcr, Craven's Buildings, W. S. W. Mr. Arno, of Arno- s Vale, near Briilol Mr. Afhley, the Talbot Inn, Strand, R. W. M. Mr. Afnley, Purfer in the Royal Navy, Plymouth Mr. William Afn, ditto Mr. J. Afhfield, the King's Arms Lodge, Shad Thames Mr. William Askwith, Ripon, Yorkihire Mr. H. Atv/ood, Surgeon, Bath, P. M'. Mr. T. W. Atwood, of ditto Mr. R. Atwood, of ditto, S. Mr. Atkinfon, Apothecary, Pallmall, Roy. Pa. John Aubrey, Efq; Member of Parliament, R. Pa. William Aveline, Efq; Oxford Road Mr. Benjamine Axford, Brazier, Stall Street, Bath Lieutenant Richard Aylrxier, 17 th Pvegiment of Foot, Ilminfler B His Grace the Duke of Buccleugh, R. P. 2 copies Right Hon. Lord Vif:ount B-ateman, R. P. The Hon. Arthur Barry, Clisfnlre John Harris Barrington, Efq; Radnorlhire Mr. James Bayiey, Briilol Mr. James Barf, ditto Mr. William Ball, S. St. George's Lo. Exeter Mr. Ralph Banks, of Crcemill Paffage, Dcvonfliire Mr. Thomas Batty, Plyin'outh Dock Mr. J. Baylev, Attorney at Law, ditto Mr. M. Bailey, Half Moon Tavern, Salifbury Mr. Robert Barron, Brazier,, Plymouth Mr. Robert Bailey, Taylor, ditto Capt. John Barclay of the Marines, ditto Mr. John Badcock of Penzance Mr. Lift of Suhfcrihers. ill Mr. Andrew Banfield, at the King of Prufila, Marazion Mr. Edmund Pearfe Ban fill, Dartmouth Mr. Wilii:im Baftard, Exeter, Coroner for the County of Devon. P. M. Mr. S. Banton, Exeter Mr. John Bate, Swan Inn and Tavern, at PoleHor, near Exeter James Barton, Efq; St. James's Street, R. P. Pvir. Patiick Barry, Lymington Mr. Henry Barrar, Little Park, V/indfor Mr. Bali, attheFlaik, Chelfea Mr. John Baker, of the Salutation Inn and Tavern, Topfham Mr. Leopald Bachmire lAi\ Richard Barker, Surgeon, London, Royal Paper Mr. John Barton, Architect, Winchefter, R. P. Mr. Richard Betheil, V/'. I. W. of the Paladian Lo. Hereford Mr. Samuel Berry, Briftol Mr. Thoii.as Berinet, GlafsMaker, Briftol Mr. John Beard, Jun. Merchant, Penzance, P. M. George Bell, Efq; Falmouth, P. G. M. Mr. Stephen Bell, ditto, R. W. M. Mr. John Bearblock, Woollen Draper, Weftminfter Arthur Beardmore, Efq; London Mr. Birch, Wine ?/Ierchant, Bath Mr. Biggs, Surveyor, at Windfor, R. P. Mr. John Biggs, Butcher, a: ditto Mr. John Bidcock, Plymouth Mr. Richard Martin Bird, Baker, Fenchurch Street Mr. Thomas Blagden, Surgeon, Brdtol Col. Biackwell, of the Gioucefterfhire Militia Mr. William Blinch, Surgeon, Biddeford Mr. Ifaac Blight, of the- Salutation Lodge, Topsham Mr. Blackamoor, Surveyor of Land, Devon Mr. Pinkftan Blackwood, Surgeon, W. J. W. of St, Alban's Lodge Mr. James Bi.ickwood, Old Jewry Mr. Thomas Blachford, Lace Man, Lombard flreet Mr. Daniel Blachford, ditto John Blewett, Efq; Marazian, Cornwall Mr.' Thom.as Blewitt, OldKing-Street, Briftol Mr. Edward Bowen, Linen Draper, Briftol Mr. Kichard Bowfher, White Hart ditto Mr. Ephraim Booth, Plymouth a 2 , - Mr. iv Lift of 'Subfcribers, Mr. John Bown, ofthe White Hart, Exon Mr. Abraham Boothman, of the amicable Lo. Exon Mr. George Bo wdige, of the Dragon Inn, Axminfter Theo. Bourke, Efq; Dartmouth Street, Weftminfter R. P. James Bofwell, Efq; Author of the Hiftory of Corfica Mr. Francis Bowler, Mafter of an Academy, R. W. M. Mr. John Bottomly, S. of St. Alban's Lodge Mr. George Boulton, Charing Crofs Mr. J. Bowman, Gould Square, Crutched Fryars Henry Toye Bridgeman, Efq; R. W. M. of the Corin- thian Lodge, at Cardif, R. P. Mr. George Bradford, W. S. W, of the Paladian Lodge, Hereford Mr. John Brookes, P. M. Bath Mr. William Browne, R. W. M. of the Lodge of Per- fe£l Friendfhip, Bath Mr. Eliflia Bryne, Gun Maker, at Briflol Mr. Edmond Bryan, W. S. W. of the Union Lodge ditto Mr. Henry Brown, Tobacconift, Briflol Mr. Andrew Brice, Printer, at Exeter, P. M. Mr. Abraham Browne, Bookfeller, at Briflol Mr. John Brown, Mercer, at Evelham Mr. John Bryan, Sculptor, at Painfwick Mr. Richard Bryce, of the Lodge at Topfham Mr. Alexander Brice Mr. Robert Bryant., Attorney at Law, Ilminfler ; Mr. John Braddon, Boot Tavern, Plymouth Dock Lieut. P. Bruflis, ditto Mr. Michael Bradford, Surgeon, Launceflon Mr. James Bromley, Surgeon, at Poleflor, near Exon Mr. John Brake, jun. Wine Merchant, at Crediton, P.M, Mr. John Brutton, Haberdafher, Exon Mr. Nicholas Brooke, Merchant, ditto Mr. Samuel Bryant, Hofier, ditto Mr. Thomas Bryer, King's-Arms Inn,^ Dorchefler Mr. Nathaniel Brookes, Merchant, Poole, Dorfetfhire Robert Brown, Efq; Manchefler Buildiiigs, Weflminller, two Copies George Brown, Efq; Bedford Street, R. Pa. Thomas Browne, Efq; P. M. of St. George's Lodge, 'I'aunton. Mr. George Browne, Cavendifh Street Mr. Jof. Brown, of Long-Acre Mn- Lift of Sulfcrihers. V Mr. Samuel Brawn, Caftie Street Matthew Brickdale, Efq; Member of Parliament, R. P, Mr. William Brown, Watchmaker, Minories Mr. Braxiley, Carpenter, Long-Acre Mr. Coun, Bufh, P. M. of" the Lodge of perfed Friendfhip, Bath Mr." James Burr, Watchmaker, Brlllol Mr. W. Burton, R, W. M. Plymouth Dock Mr. Charles Burdon, Attorney at Law, Black Tor- rington Mr. John Burdon, at ditto Mr. Thomas Burdon, .Leather DrelTer, Launceflon Mr. Richard Bungey, W. S. W. Salilbury Mr. Robert Buffei, W. S. W. of St. George's Lodges Exon Mr. Thomas Bu(h, of Bradford, Wilts John Buller, Efq; Member of Parliament, Roy. Pa. Mr. John Bundy, Broad Street, P. M. Mr. Atkinfon Bulh, Great Ormond Street Mr. Ja. Burgefs, Hoiier, Coventry Street Mr. Thomas Burrow, Fcnchurch Street Mr. Thomas Butler, Admiralty Office Mr. Thomas Buckle, White Bear, Piccadilly c His Royal Highnefs the Duke of Cumberland, fix Co- pies, Royal Paper I-Iis Grace the Duke of Chandois 2 Cop. R. P. The Right Hon. the Marquis of Carnarvan, four Co- pies, Royal Paper The Right Hon. Lord Colville Hon. Seymour Conway, R. P. The Hon. William Craven, R. P. Hon. General Colville, Bath Mr. Carwardine, at Ledbury Mr. Cambridge, at ditto Mr. William Carey, Monmouth Cor. Carpenter, Efq; Launcellon Captain Peter Carteret, of the Royal Navy, at Newtcm Abbot Rev. Mr. Carne, at ditto Mr. Samuel Cam, jun. Bradford, W^ilts Alexander Campbell, Efq; P.I. G. W. Royal Paper Mr. Alexander Campbell, Sugeon, at Pool,' R. W. M. Mr. John Campbell, Cabinet-M:iker, High Holbourn Charles 'VI Lifi of Subfcrihers, Charles Carfon, Efq; Lambeth, Royal Paper Mr. Ifon Cant, Glazier, Mary Le Bone Mr. John Caufcv/ay, Brazier, DruryLane The Rev. Mr. Chalmers, P. M. of the Lodge at Chclmsfcrd Mr. Jacob Chaille, merchant, Plymouth, P. M. Mr. John Cheafe, P. M. Brillol Mr. Richard Champion, Merchant at ditto Mr. John Chandler, Coacli-raaker at ditto Mr. Thomas Chaliner, Bridewell Precindl Mr. Samuel Champion, Attorney at Law, Plymouth, R. W. M. Henry Chittick, M. D. Marlborough Street Jlev. Mr. Cheer, Rcdcr of White Booding, EiTex Mr. William Chapman, St. Martin's Lane Mr. John Chapman, Spingheid, ElTex Mr. Chiids, Silverfmitb, Winchefter Lieutenant Channdy, in the Marines, Plymouth Dock Lieutenant Chriftian of the Marines, ditto Mr. Peter Ciilfbld, Briftol Mr. Rob. Clitfome, of Taunton, P>.. P. Mr. Nicholas Clarke, at the Running Horfe, David Street, WeftminHer Mr. James Clego-, IMancheHer, P. M. J.Clarke, Efq;''Saltarn, Cornwall .Mr. Sam. Clarke, Mutton Cove, Plymouth Dock Mr. David Cloak, Penzance, Surgeon Mr. No-.h Clift,' New Inn, Dartmouth Mr. John Clyde, Purferin the Navy IvTr. } :.hn Cleave, Exon, P. M. Jclin Siratf^rd Collins. Efq; of the Vitruvian Lodge, Rofs Mr. Thom.as Collins, Holier, Bath Mr. Francis Collins, Union Ledge, Brifiol. Mr. Robert Collins, Brewer, at ditto Mr. Robert Collins, Topfliam, Devon, W. S. W. Rrch.:id Cox, Efq; Eriitol Mr. Da-vid Cox, George Inn, Ilminfrer R. H. Coxe, Efq; Tvlember of Parliament, R. P. Captain Cocks, of the Royal Navy, Plymouth Dock I\]r. Peter Cccks, Glouceiler I\ji-. William Cock, at Plymouth Mr. 'l"iomas Court, Briftol Mr. Philip Couch, jun. ditto Mr. Jarnts Coach, of Newton Bufliel, R.W. M. Mr. Alexander Cowan, PlymiOuth Deck. Lieutenant P».obert Cov/an, ditto Mr. Liji of Suhfcrihers. Vu Mr. Robert Corker Penzance Mr. John Cogdell, Great Gardens, St. Catharines John Hart Cotton, Elq; two Copies, Royal Paper Mr. William Cotton, Bedford Street, Covent-Gardea Rev. J.D. Cotton Vicar of Good Eailer, Eflex Mr. Abraham Cook, Silverfmith, Top of tiie Havmarket, P. M. Mr. William Cook, Admiralty Office Mr. WiliiamCole, Engraver, Nev/gate-flreet Mr. Alexander Collmer, Peruke-Maker, B:irail:aple Captain George Collier, Oxford Road Mr. Benjamin Collier, Ironmonger, ditto Mr. Cofferet, Merchant, Exeter, R. W. M. Mr. William Cooper, grocer, Caltle-ltreet, Oxford Pv^oad, W. S. W. of the Lodge of Regularity Robert Cooper, jun. Efq; Saiii'bury Mr. David Cooper, Padding-Lane Mr. John Collihoil, Brazier, Exeter Mr. John Colborne, Notary Public at Poole, Dorfetfiiire Mr. Copleftone, Attorney at Law, Exeter, P. M, Captain Carmouls, Warwick, Royal Paper Mr. Charles Cowley, Golden Lion, Lynn Regls^ Dorfet Mr. Frederick Comyn, White Chapel Colonel Craig, firft Groom of the Bed-Chamber to his. Royal Highnefs the Duke of Cumberland, R. P. Henry Crutchley, Efq; Royal Paper William Cuthbertfon, Efq; Craven Buildings, Pv. P. D The Right Hon. Lord Vifcount Dudley, R. P. George Durant, Efq; Member of Parliament, R. P, Mr. James Davis, LandafF Rev. Mr. John Davies, Reilor of Grofmonant, Mon- mcuthfliire Mr. Markes Davies, Bath, P. M. Mr. Charles Davies, Painter, Bath Mr. William Danford, of the Union Lodge, Briftol John Day, Efq; Cirenceiler, Captain in the Glouceiter- fhire Militia Mr. Matthew Dawfon, Plymouth Dock William Daw, Efq; Gatcombc, Devon Mr. Charles Daire, Biddeford, ditto Mr. William Daniel, Michael's Hill, Briflol Mn vSi Lifi of SuhfcrihefSi Mr. Davis, W. S. W. Londan Mr. Charles Peering, of the Union Lodge, Brifiot Mr. William Derby, Plymouth Mr. Abraham Freeman Dennis, Surgeon, at Creditoa The Lodge of Free-Mafons at Deal, ten Copies Mr. De Rippe, Baker, at Hammerfmith Mr. William Spicer Dix, Merchant, in Exeter Mr. Dibfdale, at the Chequers Inn, Winchefter Mr. James Dixwell, Printer, St. Martin's Lane Mr. George Dovvnton, Mercer, Bath , Mr. William James Dodd, Briftol Mr. Thomas Dovvnie, at the Unicorn, Leominfter Mr. Michael Downes, Piccadilly Mr. Alexander Dow, Great May's Buildings Mr. John Drew, at Ledbury Mr. Driver, Attorney, in Gloucefter Mr. Nathaniel Drake, Long- Acre Mr. Dring, Feathers Tavern, Strand Mr. John Dudley, Soapboiler, Gloucefter John Lenox Dutton, Efq; Captain in the Gloucefter^ fhire Militia Mr. JohnDunsford, Hot-prefs-man, St. George's Lodge, Exeter Mr. John Durand, Shop-keeper, Hammerfmith Mr. William Dyer, Peruke-maker, Bath E The Right Hon. George Lord Edgcombe, Royal Paper Mr. Jacob Eafterbrooke, Briftol Mr. John Eaftcott, Surgeon, Launcefton W. B. Earle, Efq; Saliibury William Earle, Efq; Chelfea, Royal Paper Mr. Thomas Edv/ards, Holywell^ P. M. Mr. Richard Edwards, Watch-maker, Hereford Mr. John Edwards, St. Ives, Cornwall Peter Edwards, Efq; P. S. G. V/. Robert Eden, Efq; Piercy-ftrcet Mr. John Edgar, Apothecary Salift)ury Mr. Elliot, at the Tnftrmary, Bath John Errington, Efq; two Copies, Royal Paper Mr. John Evans, Merchant at Carmaithen, South Wales, D. P. G. M. twelves Copies Thomas Evans, Efq; of Penant, Brecknockftiire. Mr. Thomas Evans, T.^ylor, Kclvwell Mr, Lift of Suhfcrihrs. Vt Mr. "^Thomas Evans, of Rumney> Glamorganlhirc Mr. James Ewing, Brewer, Bath Mr. Richard Evat, Upholflerer, Bath Mr. J. J. Fabian, St. James's-flreet Mr. James Faggotter, St. Ives, Cornwall Mr. William Farley, Surgeon, Chudleigh, Devon Mr. Farmer, Apothecary, Fleet-market Mr. John Fear, RedclifF-ftreet, Brillol Mr. William Field, Attorney at Law, ditto Mr. Pitman Scanderet Field, ditto Mr. Fiiher, Leicefter-Fields Mr. Thomas Flower, Briftol Mr. William Fleming, Mufician, Plymouth Dock Mr. John Fleming, Exeter, W. I. W. Mr. William Flamank, Newton Bulhel, DevonJ William Fortune, Efq; Monmouth Mr. Philip Foy, Briftol, W. J. W. Mr. Robert Foot, Plymouth, R. W, M» Mr. Jofiah Foot, jun. Mr. Auftin Foreft, Mercer^ Plymouth Mr. Jofeph Ford, jun. Nurfery-man, Exeter Mr. William Fort, Sec. of the Amicable Lodge, ditto Captain Fowkes, Equery to his Royal Highnefs the Duke of Cumberland, Royal Paper Mr. John Forbes, Surgeon, Chelfea Mr. Benjamin Foulfton Mr. Thomas Forfyth, Peruke-Maker, New Bond-ftreet Mr. Samuel Foyfter, Tottenham-court-road Napth. Franks, Efq, Great George-ftreet, Weftminller, Royal Paper Mr. Edward Francis, Mafter of a Veflel Mr. Thomas Frere, of the Thatched Houfe Tavern, St. James's, Royal Paper Mr. Jolhaa French, Horfe-Fair, ditto Mr. Fry, jun. Diftiller, Briftol Mr. Fricker, Pool, Dorfetihire Mr. William Fryar, Exeter Mr. John Fry, of the White-Hart Lodge, ditto His a Lift of Suhfcrihers. His Royal Highnefs the Duke of Glouceller, fix Copies, Royal Paper The Right Hon. Lord Vifcount Gormanfton, R. P. Sir Richard Glynn, Bart. Member of Parliament, R. P. Mr. William Garnfey, Briftol Mr. Ifaac Garcia, Merchant, London Mr. James Galloway, R. W. M. Pallmall Mr. George Gaily, Shug-Lane, P. M. Mr. William Gardiner, R. W. M. of St. John's Lodge, Exeter Mr. J. S. Gaudry, P. M. Bath, Royal Paper Mr. Edward Gapp, Attorney at Law, Chelmsford Mr. Samuel Geen, St. Ives, Cornwall Mr. Daniel Gell, New-ftreet, Devoftiire-fquare Mr. Jofeph Gerard, Plymouth Mr. George Gilbert, of All Soul's Lodge, Tiverton Captain Andrew Girardot, Royal Paper Edward Gibbon, jun, Efq; Royal Paper Mr. S. Gillio, Surgeon Mr. Robert Gill, jun. Attorney at Law, Doftor's Com. Mr. William Gilborn, R. W. M. of the Lodge of Ma- rines, Plymouth Dock Mr. Goldney, Draper, at Bath Mr. Edward Vernon Goodall, Attorney at Law, ditto Mr. Alexander Gordon, Plymouth Tavern, Plymouth Mr. Gough, Tallow-Chandler, Glanville-flreet Mr. GofF, Surgeon, Pallmall Mr. Lace Goodfellow, W. I. W. Salifbury Rev. Mr. Gower, Chelfea Nathaniel Gould, Efq; Colonel in the Guards, R. Pa. Mr. John Griffiths, New-ftreet, Covent-garden Mr. Henry Gretton, Fenchurch-ftreet Mr. John Griffiths, Hofier, Bond-ftreet Mr. Richard Gregory, Windfor Rev. Mr. Gretton, Rcflor of Springfield, EfTex Lieutenant Andrew Grant, 2 2d Regiment of Foot Mr. Henry Grinter, W. S. W. Amicable Lodge, Exeter Mr. Philip Gregory, Mercer, Biddeford Mr. Grundy, at the Green Dragon, Ledbuiy Mr. Giles Greville, Surgeon, Briftol Mr. Patrick Graham, Union Punch-houfe, Briftol Mr. John Griffiths, on the Back, W. S. W. ditto Mr, Lift of Suhfcrihers. xi Mr. Edward Crumley, Mafh-flreet, Briflol Mr. James Grave, P. M. Purfer in the Royal Navy Mr. John Griffiths, Plymouth-Dock Mr. Jofeph Gregg, Plymouth Mr. Thomas Green, Grocer, Launcefton Mr. John Grenfell, Mercer, Penzance Mr. James Gregory, Alresford Mr. Charles Gulla'm, Houfe Painter, Briftol Doa. Gufthart, Bath M. Gunter, Green Dragon, Hereford Captain John Gunning, Somerfet-houfe Mr. William Gueft, Halfmoon-ftreet Mr. John Gundry, Fountain-Court, Strand Mr. Charles Gwavas, Merchant, Penzance Rod. Gwynne, Efq; Deput)'-Governor of Berwick Caflle Marmaduke Gw^'nne, jun. Efq; Captain in the Radnor- fhire Militia John Gwatkin, Efq; Bullingham, near Hereford H Mr. Thomas Haviland, Apothecary, Bath Mr. William Harford, Baker, ditto Mr. James Hafkins, Briftol Mr. Richard Hardwicke, Hereford W. H. Hartley, Efq; Major in the Gloucefter MiKtia ^r. John Hart, Merchant, London Mr. Nathaniel Hart, Surgeon, Clerkenwell Mr. George Harding, Apothecary, Strand Mr. James Hardy, Clare-Market Mr. Robert Harris, Druggill, St. Paul's Church-yard Mr. Pymm Hammond, Carver, W. I. W of the Lodge of Regularity, London Mr. Samuel Hayes, M. D. Lincoln's-inn-fields Mr. William Hacket, Stafford John Halliday, Efq; Banker, London, P. M. Mr. Ifaac Hart, Great Pultney-ftreet, Golden-fquare Mr. Zach. Hardman, Long-acre Mr. Mofes Hart, ditto Mr. John Hankins, ditto Mr. John Harrifon, York Mr. Edward Harvey, Plymouth-Dock Mr. Robert Haydon, P. M. Plymouth 1l 3 Mr. xii Lift of Suhfcrihers, Mr. William Harrifon, Gunner in the Royal Navy, Plymouth Chrillopher Harris, Efq; Launcefton, Cornwall Mr. Edward Hambleton, of the Star Inn and Tavern, Marazion, Cornwall Mr. John Hall, Limner, Marazion, ditto Mr. Andrew Harward, Brazier, Totnefs, Devonfhire Mr. William Hatfwell, St. John's Lodge, Exon Mr. John Hawkins, W. J.W. of the White-Hart, Exeter Mr. James Hart, Mafter of a Veffel Charles Hanning, M. D. Crewkerne, Somerfetfhire Mr. Ifaac Harvey, Clothier, Axminfter Southcott Hallet, Efq; Dorfetfljire Mr. Samuel Alford Harbour, of the Bull-Inn, Bridport Mr. John Haberdine, King's-Arms Lodge, Shad-Thamos Philip Hales, Efq; Lower Brook-flreet Mr. Halford, Apothecary, Chelfea Mr. Thomas Edward Harris, King-Ilreet Mr. Henry Heath, P. M, Briftol Mr. John Henderfon, Tobacconill, Briftol Mr. Thomas Hemburg, jun. ditto Mr. S. Hewfon, Apothecary, Mary-le-bone-ftreet Mr. James Heywood, Land-furveyor, St. Martin's-lanej^ R. W. M. Mr. W. H. Heywood, Surgeon, Biddeford Mr. Richard Hearne, Corner of Brooks-ftreet, Holbourn Mr. James Hefeltine, Doftor's-Commons, R. P. Ifaac Head, Efq; Colleftor of the Cuftoms at Scilly, R. P. Mr. Alexander Hewet, at the Shoe-Warehoufe, Eaft- Smithfield Mr. John Higgens, of the Lodge of Perfedl Friend- Ihip, Bath Mr. Roger Hicks, Seend, near Devizes, Wilts Mr. James Hill, Brillol Mr. John Hill, ditto Mr. W. P. Hickiing, Leadenhall Market Mr. John Hinchcliffe, Stone-Mafon, Long-acre Mr. Nathaniel Hicks, W. J. W. St. Ives, Cornwall Mr. Nathaniel Hicks, jun. St. Ives, ditto Mr. William Hichens, Secretary, St. Ives Lodge, ditto Mr. Robert Hibbs, Seven Stars, Totnefs Mr. Aaron Hifcock, Exon Mr. Jofiah Hill, Plymouth-Inn, St. Thomas's, Exon Mr. Philip Hill, Tawftock, Devonfhire Mr Samuel Hill, Anchor Smith, Toplham Mr, Lift Qf Stihfcrihers. Sdii Mr. Thomas Hill, Shipwright, ditto Mr. John Hirfl, Tower-hill Rev. Mr. HoUings, Monmouth, Royal Paper Mr. John Horton, Apothecary, Bath Mr. John Hobbs, Briftol Charles Holland, Efq; London Mr. John Holdllock, Shirehampton Mr. Thomas Hooper, Surgeon, P. M. Plymouth-Dock Lodge Mr. Tyzack Hodges, Queen-Hythe Mr. Richard Holloway, Crown and Anchor, Strand, Royal Paper Mr. Henry Hofkyn, Launceflon, Cornwall John Hodcres, Efq; Brook Street, Royal Paper Rowland Holt, Efq; W. S. G. W. Royal Paper Mr. Charles Hodder, King's-Arms Lodge, Shad-Thames Mr. Robert Horn Homeward, W. S. W. Fair St, Horfleydown John Hobfon, Efq; Abington Buildings, Mr. Jofeph Holmdcn, Long-acre Samuel Hughes, Efq; of the Monmouthfhire Militia Mr. Edward Hutchinfon, Apothecary, Bath Mr. James Hughes, Attorney at Law, Briilol Mr. Robert Plafband, Plymouth-Dock Capt. Anthony Hunt, of the Royal Navy Mr. William Hunt, Purfer in the Royal Navy Mr. William Hum.e, Plymouth Rev. Mr. Thomas Hugo, Re6lor of Dunchidcock, De- vonfhire Mr. John Hugo, Surgeon, Crediton Mr. John Humphreys, Officer of the Excife, Saliibury Mr. John Hughes, Hooper, Briilol Mr. Mordecai, Hyams, ditto J Mr. Abraham James, Diftiiler, Briilol Mr. Lazarus Jacobs^ ditto ... Mr. Richard James, Wine Merchant, Falmoutli Mr. George Jackfon, of the Salutation Lodge, Topfham Mr. William James, of the Royal Edwin Lodge, Lynn Regis Mr. Jarrat, Pear-tree-ftreet Mr. Henry JafFray, W. J. G. W. Royal Paper George xiv Lifi of Subfcribers* George James, Efq; Soho Mr, Samuel Jacemard, Oxford Road Mr. Richard Jenn, Grocer, Plymouth Dock Mr. Thomas JefFerfon, St. John's Lodge, Exon Captain Jennings, Gentleman of the Bed-chamber to the Duke of Cumberland Mr. Henry JefFeries, P. M. Briftol Mr. Thomas Jenner, Windfor Mr. William Jelfe, New Palace Yard, Weftminfler Mr. J. Jeffreys, Brewer, Hammerfmith Mr, Edward lliffe, W. S. W. Union Lodge, Exon Mr. Jones, Draper, Bath Mr. Jolly, Perfumer, Bath Mr. John Jones, Brillol Mr. William Jones, Redcliffe-ftreet, ditto Mr. Gilbert Jones, Lower Bullingham, Herefordfhire Mr. James Johnfon, Proftor of Hereford Mr. John Jones, Chepftow, Monmouthihire Mr. Robert Johnfon, Plymouth-Dock Mr. Thomas John, Merchant, Penzance Ridiard Johns, Efq; Collector, Gweeke, Cornwall Mr. Tremenheer Johns, Attorney at Law, Helftone, do. Mr. Jofeph Johnfon, W. S. W. St. John's Lodge, Exeter Robert Jones, Efq; Foum.on Caftle, Royal Paper Mr. Francis Johnilon, Brewer, New-llreet, near Broad- Street Mr. George JollifFe, Attorney at Law, Air-flreet, Pic- cadilly William Johnfton, Efq; Hammerfmith Mr. Robert Jones, Chelfea Mr. John Johnilon, May's Buildings Mr. Thomas Jones, Long-acre Mr. J. Judfon* Great May's- Buildings Henry Norton Ivers, Efq; Bath, two Copies K Mr. Frederick Kandler, of St. Albari's Lodge Mr. Keene, Printer, Bath Mr. William Kennelly, Plymouth Dock Mr. John Keir, Surgeon, Marazion, Cornwall Mr. Chriflopher Kcrapfter, Chelfea Mr. Daniel Keeie, Watch-maker, Salifbury John Keeling- Efq; Clerkenweli Mr. Lift of Suhfcrihers, Kv Mr. Robert Kellie, P. M. two Copies Mr. Charles Key my s, Briftol Mr. Kitto, Bath Mr. W. Kirkpatrick, of the Navy, Briflol Mr. George Kingdon, Hat-maker, Plymouth Mr. William King, jun. Warebridge, Cornwall Mr. James Kimpland, of the Fleece Inn and Tavern, Barnilaple Mr. William King, R. W. M. of the Cullom-haufe John Knill, Efq; P. M. of St. Ives ' Lucy Knightly, Efq; R. Pa. Dr. Knox, Jermain-ftreet, R. Pa. Mr. Matthias Kulick, Surgeon, Lower Eaft-Smithfield L The Right Hon. Earl of Leven, R. Pa. Right Hon. Earl of Loudon, R. Pa. The Hon. Robert Lee, Bath Mr. William Lanfdowri, Silverfmith, Bath Mr. William Lane, of Launcefton ' - Rev. Mr. Thomas Lane, St. Ives Cornwall Mr. Lane, Attorney at Law, King-ilreet, Caveat- Garden Mr. Thomas Langdon, Long-acre Mr. David Lambert, Malton, Yorklhire Mr. Jofeph Lawlefs, Exeter - Mr. Richard Langdon, Secretary of the Union Loigs- Exeter Mr. WiiJiajn Langford, Hoppings, near Exeter Mr. John Lander, Cuftom-houfe, Pool, Dorfetfhire Stephen Ca^far La Maiftre, Efq; Piercey-ftreet Mr. Thomas Lander, Eaton, Berks, P. M. Mr. J, Laverick, Piccadilly Mr. David Lambert Mr. Lewis, Proaor, LandaiF Mr. Thomas Leach, Surgeon, at Chepftow Mr. Thomas Lev/is, Secretary of the V?truvian Lodge atRofs, Herefordihire Mr. Thomas Llev/ellin, Fifhmonger, Briilol Mr. Step. Lewis, Gay-llreet, ditto Mr. John Lean, ditto Mr, J. Lewis, Attorney at Law, Plymouth, P. M. Mr. George, Taylor, Plymouth, P. M. Mr. Charles Leadbetter, Jeweller, Carey-Lar.e, Lcn^ion Mr. John Leer, Attorney at Law, W. S. V7. Pool, l>Oiin Samuel XVI Lift of Suhfcrihers. Samuel Lewin, Efq; Chelmsford Mr. James Leifhman, W. S. W. Minories, R. P. Mr. Thomas Lewling, Rupert-Ilreet George Leg, Efq; Mr. John Lilly, Falmouth Mr. Thomas Linfoot, Crofs-lane, Long-acre John Lloyd, Efq. Cwmbrane, Carmarthenfhirc Mr. Lowdon, Apothecary, Briflol Mr. S. Lorrimore, ditto Mr. Henry Loveday, fen. Painfwick Mr. Thomas Lloyd, Plymouth Captain Logan, of the Marines, ditto Edward Lovel, Efq; Windfor-CalHe, R. Pa. Captain Jacob Lobb, Penzance Mr. Loveday, Apothecary, Hammerfmith Mr. William Lodder, the Lieu and Lamb Inn, Pool, Dorfetfhire Rev. IVir. Lock, W. J. W* Union Lodge, Exeter Mr. Samuel Lufcombe, Surgeon, Exeter, 2 Copies Mr. John Luckcombe, Tr. of St. George's Lo. Exon Mr. Steph. Luke, Merchant, W. J. W. Penzance Mr. George Lyne, Mercer, Launcefton Mr. Chriiiopher Lymebear, Fountain Inn, Oakhamp- ton, Devon Captain Lynch, of the 2 2d Regiment Treafurer of the Union Lodge, Exeter Mr. Alex. Lyall, Kings Arm's Lodge, Shad Thames Capt. Thomas Lynn, of the Royal Navy, 2 Copies Mr. John Jofeph Lyon, Hope Tavern, Horlley-down M Right Hon. Lord Vif. Molyneux, 2 Copies, Ro. Pa. Sir. Alex. McDonald, Bart. Mr. Daniel Mansiield, W. J. W. of the Vitruvian Lodge at Rofs Mr. Humphrey Matthews, of the Vitruvian Lodge at Rofs Mr. Maagee, Statuary, Bath Mr. James Richard Maud, Briilol "* Mr. John Merchant, Redcliffe-ftreet, Briflol Mr. Richard Broad, Manning, Three Crowns, Plymouth Mr. Richard Mac'Gannon, of the Plymouth Divifion of Marines Mr. Liji of Suhfcrihers. xvii Mr. Richard Maltby, Wine Merchant, James -Hreet, Long-Acre Rev. Mr. H. C. Manley, Bradninch, Devon Thomas Mailers, Efq; Royal Paper Mr. Geo'. Woodward Mallet, Attorney at Law, Plymouth Lieut. Mc'Kenzie, 43dRegim-ent of Foot, Plymouth Lieut. McNeil, of the Marines, Plymouth Mr. John Manning, Brazier, Launcellon Mr. Thomas Mc'Lellan, Falmouth Mr. Robert Martin, Launcellon, 2 Copies Lieut. Charles Mac Lean, of the 43d Regiment Mr. Mac Aufland, Merchant, Plymouth Dock Mr. John Marnell, Plymouth Dock-yard Mr. Nicholas May, Surgeon, Plymouth-Dock Mr. Phillip Matthew, Attorney at Law, Chudleigh, Devonihire Lieutenant William Marler, Exon Mr. Samuel Mayne, Hot-prelfer, St. John's Lodge, Exeter Mr. Benjamin Mace, Surgeon, 2 2d Regiment, 2 Copies Mr. Richard Mallock, Writing-Mailer, Axminller Mr, Robert Mapfon, King's-Arms Lo. Shad Thames Jof. Mauger, Efq; Member cf Parliament, R. Pa. L. M' Leane, Efq; two Copies, R. Pa. Mr. Henry John Maikall, Apothecary, Oxford Road, R. W. M. Mr. James M' Clary, Windfor, P. M. " Mr. Robert Mafon, Change- Alley Mr. John Mafon, Woollen-draper, Brillol Mr. Thomas Maxfield, Toy-maker, ditto Mr. Matthew Meafe, jun. ditto Mr. John Meaifey, Wincheller Mr. Thomas Mercer, S. Poole Mr. Thomas Martin, of the King's-Arms Lodge, Shad- Thames Mr. John Mills, Brillol Mr. Stephen Millet, St. James's Back Mr. J. Milton, jun. Cullom-houfe, Brillol Richard Michens, Efq; Penzance John Michie, Efq; Spring-gardens, R. Pa. Mr. Ifaac Mifaubin, St. Martin's-Court Px-ev. Mr. Ja. Minifie, of Fairwater, Sommerfetihire Mr. Edward Minifie, London Mr. James Mill, Ironmonger, Long-acre Mr. Henry Morgan, Rumney, near CardifFe xviii Lift of Subfcrihers. Mr. Lewis Morgan, Rumney, near Cardiffe Mr. Edmond Morton, Coach-maker, Bath Mr. Edward Morgan, P. M. of the Pythagoric Lodge, Briftol Mr. William Morgan, Leather-drefTer Mr. Samuel Moore, St. Peter's Hofpital, Briftol Mr. Thomas Moore, Guinea-ftreet, ditto Mr. Thomas Mountjoy, Wine-hooper, ditto Mr. John Morfe, Accomptant, ditto Mr. Edward MofFett, Painter, Temple-Lane Mr. William Moore, Hereford Mr. Paul Mounier, Attorney at Law, Plymouth Doclc Lodge, P. M. , , ^ Mr. D. Morris, Queen of Bohemia's Head, Wych-itreet Mr. R. Moody, Filhmonger, Leadenhall-Market Mr. F. Morgan, Optician, Ludgate-ftreet Mr. J. Mounier, Surgeon, Plymouth Mr. Job. Brookes Moone, Plymouth-Dock Captain Molefworth, of the 43d Regiment, Plymouth Mr. Alexander Mofes, Falmouth Mr. James Morton, of the King's-Arms Lodge, Shad- Thames, R. W. M. Mr. George Moore, Windfor Mr. Nathaniel Mullens, Goldfmith, Briftol Mr. John Mullens, the George, David-ftreet Mr. Stephen Munden, Fleet-ftreet Mr. Charles Munden, Windfor Mr. James MufTard, Coal-Merchant Mr. William Munden, Chelfea Mr. H. Munro, Conduit-ftreet N Mr. lames Nayler, Crofs-Keys, Mary le Bone Lane Mr. 'Robert Newman, Surgeon, R. W. M. of the Vi- truvian Lo. at Rofs, Herefordftiire Mr. Adam Newman, Innholder, Bath Mr. John Netterville, Temple-Crofs, Briftol Mr. Felix Neale, Briftol , t^ , t> tvt Mr. Richard Nelfon, Mercer, Plymouth Dock, V. M. Lieut. Jof. Neville, of the Royal Navy, Plymouth Mr. George Nelfon, Gatcombe, Devonfliire Mr. Holdfworth Newman, W. S. V/. of the Lodge, Dartmouth Mr . Gilbert Neyle, Exon, ^^^ Lift of Suhfcrihers, xix Mr. Obadiah Newell, Mailer of a Veflel Mr. James Newey, Cuflom-houfe, London Mr. Thomas Nevell, Svveedland-court Mr. Thomas Neale, Mary-le-bone Tho. Nichols, Efq; S. W. of the Vitruvian Lodge, Rofs. Mr. Jonathan Noad, Briftol Mr. Tho. North, R. W. M. of the Jerufalem Lodge, do. Mr. P. Norton, Wine-ftreet, ditto * Mr. William Northcote, Surgeon, Cornwall Mr. Nowell, of the Fountain Inn and Taverti, Taunton o C. Ogilvy, Efq; two Copies, R. Pa. Mr. D. (Dgilvy, Surgeon, Curfitor-ftreet, Chancery-lane Mr. John Ogilvie, Conduit-ftreet, W. J. W, John Ommanney, Efq; Plymouth Mr. Jof. Oldfield, York Mr. Edward Onion, at the Bull, High-Ilreet, Briftol Mr. Peter Ougier, Dartmouth Hugh Owen, Efq; Lower Grofvenor-ftreet Mr. Thomas Owen, Hatter, Briftol Mr. Francis Owen, Cabinet-maker, Briftol Captain A. Owen, of the Foot Guards Mr. John Owen, Officer of Excife, Monmouth, P. M. Mr. John, Oxley, Gardener, Briftol Sir Richard Phillipps, Bart. Member of Parliament, R. P. The Paladian Lodge, Hereford, ten Copies Francis Paget, Efq; at the Cocoa-tree CofFee-houfe Mr. John Palmer, P. M. of the Lodge of Perfea Friend- Ihip, Bath Mr. Palmer of the Pelican, Briftol Mr. Peter Pardoe, ditto Mr. Robert Paul, Surgeon, Ilminfter Mr. Jof. Parfett, Baker, Carnaby-market Mr. Thomas Parkinfon, King's-Head Tavern Mr. Jof. Parfloe, of the New Marlbro' Cofree-houfe, Great Marlbrough-ftrect George Palmer, Efq; R.W. M. York, Royal Paper Michael Henry Pafcall, Captain in the Royal Navy Mr, James Parfons, Merchant, Plymouth ' Mr. VViiliam parry, Taylor, ditto 'c 2 Mr. XX Lift of Suhfcrihers. Mr. John Parker, Leather-drefTer, Launceilon Mr. David Palmer, of Do. Mr. Anthony Page, jun. Barnllaple Mr. John Place, of Pilton Mr. James PartAdge, Exon Mr. John Paulyn, Exon George Patterfon, Efq; Great Marlbrough-llreet, R. P, John Parker, Efq; Member of Parliament, R. P. John Patterfon, Efq; Burlington-llreet, two Copies, Royal Paper Mr. J. D. Parker, Chelmsford John Patcinfon, Efq; London Peter Paumier, Efq; Do. R. Pa. Capt. Pafcall, of the Royal Navy Mr. Anthony Parquot, Wardour-ilreet Mr. John Pattinfon, Great Rider-llreet, St. James's Mr. William Perry, Bofton, New-England Mr. Charles Peer, Quarter-mafter Serjeant of Marines, W. S. W. Plymouth Dock Mr. Perkin's, 13rawn's-Head, Bond-ftreet Mr. Peters, Portrait Painter, Wellbeck-ftreet, 6 Copies Mr. V/iliiam Pearfe, W. S. W. Bath Mr. John Redley, Dean's-court, Doctor's Commons Mr. John Pearce, Surgeon, Penzance Mr. Thomas Penrofe, P. M. Attorney at Law, ditto Mr. William Pendar, Surgeon, Falmouth Mr. Thomas Pering, W. J. W. Dartmouth Mr. William Penny, Surgeon, P. M. Newton-Abbot Mr. Richard Pearce, Biddeford Mr. Edward Perry, Free-Mafon's Arms, PoleHar, near Exon Mr. John Perkins, Serge-rnaker, Amicable Lodge, Exeter, P. M. - Mr. James Peacock,- King's-Arnis, Shad Thames Mr. Samuel Penifcone, Bird-flreet Mr. Anfley Pellatt, V/. J. W. St. John-llreet, R. P. Mr. Edward Phillips, Attorney at Lav/, Gloucciler Mr. James Phillips, Secretary at the Rofe and Crown, Cuftom-houfe James Phipps, Efq; R. P. Kev. Mr. Pitman, Hereford, R. P. Mr. William Pichard, Water-gilder, Little Old Bailey Mr. V/illiam Pinckney, St. Paurs-church-yard Mr. Fleming Pinklian", Surgeon, P.M. IAy. John Pinkev, Suro:eon, Dartmouth Mr. Lifi of Suhfcrihers. xxi Mr. John Place, Pilton Mr. James Poole, Efq; Taunton William Richards, Powell, Efq; of Cardiffe Lodge Mr. V/illiam Powell, of the Paladian Lodge, Hereford Mr. William Powell, Briitol Mr. William Powell, of the Union Lodge, ditto Mr. Robert Poole, Watch-maker, Alderfgate-llreet Mr. Pohl, Great Maddox-Hreet Mr. Henry PoUexfen, Ship-Inn, Newton Bulhel, De- von fli ire Mr. Hugh Powell, Barnftaple Mr. Amb. Pinney, of the Amicable Lodge, Exon John Carter Pollard, Efq; R. P. Mr. John Pott, St. James's Capt. Price, Watford, Glamorganfhire Mr. Richard Prieft, CardifFe Rev. Mr. John Price, Briftol Mr. William Price, Linen-draper, Norwich Mr. William Prieft, Watch-maker, Brillol Pvlr. Peter Prigg, Carpenter, ditto Mr. James William Prefton, Botolph-lane J. P. Pryfe, Efq; Member of Parliament, R. P. Mr. Richard Prior, jun. Butcher-row, London Mr. E. Price, Silverfmith, R. W. M. Ludgate-flreet Mr. Francis Prior, P. M. Plymouth J. Price, Efq; Penzance, two copies Mr. John Price, Accomptant, Briilol Mr. V/illiam Pride, Goldfmith, Salifbury Mr. Charles Prater, Baker Mr. Thomas Prefton, Dufours-court, Broad-ftreet, Gol- den-fquare Mr. Purdie, Spring-gardens, Bath Mr. Charles Pugh, Bookfeller, Hereford Mr. H. Pulsford, St. Martin's-lane Mr. James Puddicombe, Newton Buftiell Mr. William Purchafe, Crediton Eerjamin Pugh, M. D. Chelmsford, P. M. Mr. Pyne, Poft-mafter, of Briftol Mr. Samuel Pye, Surgeon, ditto Mr. Benjamin Pyke, of the Golden Lion Inn and Ta- vern, Barnftaple P.obert Hampden Pye, Efq; Audley-ftreet, R. P. Mr. Maurice Pugh/ Chelmsford, Surgeon Colon d xxu Lifi of Suhfcrihers, R Colonel Rainsford, Equery to his Royal Highnefs the I>uke of Gloucefter Mr. John Rawlings, Plymouth Dock, P. M. Mr. William Rae, Woollen-draper, Cranbourne-alley Mr. Jof. Randill, Surgeon, Brownlow-ftreet Mr. John RatclifFe, Glafs-worker, Brillol Mr. Randal, Butcher, Hammerfmith Mr. John Vining, Reade, Portfmouth, P. M. Mr. Thomas Reynolds, one of the Coroners for the County of Devon, at Plymouth Mr. Luke Reilley, Lincoln's-Inn Mr. George Redaway, Crediton, Devon William Reynolds, Efq; Coroner for the County of Eifex, P. M. Mr. George Reynolds, Rofe and Crown, oppofite the Cuftom-houfe Mr. John Reynolds, at ditto Mr. Thomas Read, jun. Brillol Mr. John Ric, Sugar Baker, ditto Richard Ripley, Efq; P. S. G. W. Royal Paper Horatio Ripley, Efq; P. S. G. W. Mr. John Ridge, Taylor, Plymouth j. B. Rich, Efq; Cecil-ftreet, London, R. P. John Richardfon, jun. Efq; Piercy-ftreet, R. P. Mr. Benjamin Rinch, Painter, Plymouth Mr. Samuel Richards, Miniature Painter, Poland-flreet Mr. Ja. Richards, Maiden Down, Devonfhire Mr, Richard Richardfon, Stock-broker, in the Strand Mr. John Rigge, Attorney at Law, Inner-Temple, R. W. M. Mr. John P.oberts, of the Union Lodge, Briflol Mr. Marmaduke Roberts of ditto Mr. John Rogers of ditto Mr. Edv/ard P.ooke, Organift of All-Saints, Brillol Mr. John Rowand, Linen-draper, ditto Mr. Richard Rowdon, Attorney at Law, Plymouth- Dock Mr. William Rowe, Surgeon, Launceflon Francis Rod, Efq; of Trebartha-hall, Cornwall Mr, Peter Rogers, School-mallcr, Launceflon Mr. Thomas Robyns, Attorney at Law, Marazian, Cornvv'all M\\ Roger Rofe, of the Lodge of PerfeifuFriendHiip, Bath Lieut. Lift of Sulfcrihers, xxia Lieut. Col. John Roberts, Taunton, R. P. Rev. Mr. James Roberts, of Linton, Herefordfliirc Mr. William Rogers, Brandy Merchant, Monmouth Mr. Thomas Rogers, Watchmaker, Bath Mr. James Roe, James-ftreet, Covent-garden Mr. William Rofs, P. M. of the Lodge at the Feather^s Tavern, Strand Mr. Geo. Rous, Goldfmith, Noble-llreet, Fofter-laac Mr. William Roberts, Hofier, Jermyn-ilreet Mr. John Roberts, Hofier, Newgate-ilreet Mr William Rofe, Buffalo Tavern, Bloomfbury Mr. James Rowe, Baker, Lower Thames Street Mr. Thomas Rodda, Cabinet-maker, Marazian Mr. Samuel Rodda, Merchant, at ditto Mr. George Rooke, Barnftaple Mr. Edward Roebuck, Swallow Street Mr. Paul Roubel, W. J. W, of the Lodge of Perfed Friendfhip, Bath Mr. William Roberts, III eworth Mr. John Rogers, Craig's-court, Charing-O'ofs Mr. Henry Rowe, Falmouth Mr. Rufpini, Pallmall Mr. James Rufhen, R. W. M. zid. Regiment of Foot Mr. George Ruifel, Chelfea Mr. James Ryan, Surgeon, at Briflol Colonel St. Leger, Roy. Pa. Mr. Robert Savours, Mercer, Cardiffe Mr. Peter Salmon, Taylor, Bath Mr. Charles Sawyer, Union Lodge, Briflol P. M, Mr. William Sayer, Treafurer, Little Tower-hill Mr. Thomas Sanfon, P. M. Eafl-Smithfield Mr. Humphrey Sawden, Chelfea Mr. Chrillopher Saltren, R. W. M. Launceflon Mr. John Saltren, Biddeford Mr. Samuel Sanders, Poleflar, Exon Mr. John Salifbury, Joiner and Cabinet-Maker, do. Francis Salvador, Efq; Dover-flreet, R. P. Mr. James Scholefield, London, R. P. Mr. James Science, Barnflaple Mr. William Scott, St. John's Lodge, Exon James Scawen, Elq; Member of Parliament, R. P, Dr. Schomberg, Bath XX iv Lift of Suhfcribers* T), Scrafton, Efq; Chelmsford John Scawen, Efq; Rider-ftreet Mr. Pieter, Scheidechyer, South-audley-llreet Mr. John Searle, jun. Chudleigh Mr. Walter Prynne Seth, W. S. W. Exeter Mr. Shrowlbridge, Watch-maker, Albion's-buildings, Bartholomew-clofe Mr. James Sheridine, R. W. M. Mary-le-bone Mr. Shiercliffe, Brillol Molineux Shuldham, Efq; Plymouth Lieutenant Richard Shea, Plymouth Mr. Thomas Sheppard, Newton Bufhell Robert Shaftce, Efq; R. P. Mri Samuel Sheers, Surgeon, Brillol Mr. Jofeph Shapland, Apothecary, ditto Mr. Thomas Shapland, Tobacconiil, ditto Mr. Alex. Shedden, Secretary of the Union Lodge, do. Mr. John Shute, W. S. W. of St. George's Lodge, Taunton Mr. Thomas Sweeting, Attorney at Law, Sec' of St. George's Lo. Taunton Mr. William Sheppard, Secretary, Lymington Mr. Thomas Shaws Surgeon, Windfor Mr. John Shield, Gloucefter-houfe Mr. J. Sheppard, Charing-crofs Mr. William. Sheppard, Oxford-llreet Mr. John Sieban, Ironmonger, Briflol Mr. Richard Simpfcn, Apothecary, ditto Mr. Hum-p. Simmons, Stationer, Chancery-lane Thomas Singleton, Efq, P. S. G. W. Mr. D. Sill, Aullin-Fryars Mr. Simpfon, Taylor, Rolle's Buildings Major Skey, of the 43d Regiment of Foot, Plymouth Mr. Thomas Skinner, Secretary, Dartmouth Mr. Highmore Skeats, R. W. M. Salifbury Mr. William Slccombe, Briiiol Mr. John Slcm.an, Malfter, Newton Bufhell Mr. Smith Tobacconiil, Red Lion Street Mr. Sam.uel Smith, Agent, Tower Street Mr. lohn Smith, Mark-lane John Smith, Efq; Hammcrfmith, R. W. P. G. M. Royal Paper Mr. John Smith, Fiihmongcr, St. Paul's Church-yard Mr. William Smith, St. Martin's-lane, P. M. Mr. Martin Smith, of the College, Glouccftcr Mr, Lift of SubCcrihers. xxv Mr. William Smith, Attorney, in Uminiler Mr. Thomas Smith, Ilforde Combe Mr. William Smale, jun. W. S. W. of All SouPs Lodge^ Tiverton Mr. George Smith, Attorney at Law, Axminfter Mr. Jofhua Smith, W. S. W. Lynn Regis Mr. Smith, Confeftioner, Bath John Smith, Efq; Hammerfmith, P. G. M* Mr. Smith, Attorney at Law, Bath Mr. Ricliard Smith, Briflol Mr. John Smith, ditto Mr. John Smily, Caftle-ftreet, ditto John Smith, Efq; Member of Parliament, R. P. Mr. Thomas Smith, Carpet Warehoufe, Temple-bar Mr. Robert Smith, St. Paul's Church-yard Mr. Snailon, Bath Mr. Robert Snooke, Upholder, of Dorchefler Mr. Edward Snoxell, Falmouth Richard Spicer, Efq; London Mr. William Spencer, York Mr. William Spowers, St. Stephen's, near Launcefton, Cornwall Mr. Robert Sparke, Merchant, Dartmouth Mr. Thomas Spyring, Exeter Mr. Jofhua Springer, P. M. Briftol Mr. Samuel Spencer, Sadler, Fenchurch-ftreet Mr. Jofeph Squire, Merchant, Plymouth Mr. R. Stevenfon, Tobacconift, Strand Mr. J. Stephens, Stone-mafon, Long-acre Mr. William Strong, Queen's-Head, Mary-le-bone Mr. Steel, ^aker, Fleet-ftreet John Stephens, Efq; Mr. George Strong, Apothecary, St. Thomas's, Exon Mr. John Sturtridge, of the White-hart Lodge, ditto Mr. William Stephens, Sadler, ditto Mr. Thomas Stickland, Attorney, Dorchefter Mr. Thomas Stephens, Wine-merchant, Poole Sir Frank Standilh, Bart. Member of Parliament, R. P. Thomas Stapieton, Efq; two Copies, R. P. Mr. John Stephens, of Plymouth-Dock Lodge Mrr William Strange, Plymouth Mr. William Stephens, P. M. St. Ives, Cornwall Mr. John Stone, Penzance, ditto Mr. Natit. Steele, Ironmonger, Falmouth Mr. Jof. Stapieton, Dartmouth d Rev. xxvi Lift of Suhfcribers, Rev. James Stonhoufe, M. D. Briftol Rev. 'James Stonelioufe, L. L. D. two Copies Capt, Thomas Stonhoufe, Madrafs, Eaft-Indies Mr. John Stone, Cardiffe Rev. Dr. Stone, Hereford Mr. William Street, Apothecary, Bath Mr. Benj. Stevenfon, Briftol Mr. Thomas Stokes, Attorney at Law, Plymouth Mr. William Stacey, Braintree Phil. Sturgeon, Efq; Captain in the EfTex Militia Mr. George Stubbs, Warwick-ftreet, Charing-crofs Mr. Abraham Stiles, Secretary Mr. John Starkey, Broad-ftreet, Carnaby-market ■ — Stark, M.D. Princes-ftreet Mr. John Strahan, Doctor's Commons Mr. Thomas Sweeting, Attorney at Law, Taunton Mr. Ja. Sweetnam, Small-ftreet Mr. Charles Sweetland, St. George's-Lodge, Exon Mr. Hugh Sweetland, of all Soul's Lodge, Tiverton Mr. Abraham Symonds, Plymouth-dock Mr. William Symonds, jun. Hereford Mr. Thomas Symonds Sculptor, Hereford Mr. Francis Symonds, Penzance T Sir Charles Kemys Tynte, Bart. Member of Parlia- ment, R. P. John Tempeft, Efq; Member of Parliament,' R. P. David Tanner, Efq; Monmouth The Rev. Mr. Tafwell, Hereford Mr. Taylor, Bookfeller, Bath, W. J. W, Mr. Roger Tatam, Briftol Mr. Richard Taylor, Tobacconift, Gloucefter Mr. |ohn Tafker, Mercer, York Mr. John Taylor, P. M. Pool, Dorfetlhire Mr. Charles Taylor, New-Exchange, Strand, P. M. Mr. Thomas Taylor, Brewer, King-ftreet, Golden-fquare Mr.Tho. Mem. Thorn, Silverfmith, Plymouth-dock, P.M. Mr. Henry Thomas, Brewer, Plymouth Lieut. William Thorne, of the 43d Regiment Mr. Samuel Thorpe, Diftiller, Wardour-llreet, Soho, R.P. Mr, William Thompfon, Butcher, Clare-market Mr. Benj. Thornton, Haddock's Bagnio, Royal Paper Mr. Thredder, Coach-maker^ Wells-ftrect, Oxford-road Mr. Alex. Third, Hatter, Strand Mr. Lift of Suhfcrihers, -^xvil Mr. Thompfon, Upholder, Fenchurch-ftreet Mr. Matthew Thomas, of the Paladian Lodge, Hereford Mr. John Thomas, of Coedy-gorafs, Glamorganihire Mr. Tilfed, Sail-maker, Poole, Dorfet Mr. Charles Tindal, Briilol Mr. James Tovey, Surgeon, Penzance John Townfon, Efq; Southampton-BuUdings, R. P. Mr. Mark Tool, Chelfea , Rev. Jacqiies Touzeau, Plymouth Mr. Jofeph Troughton, Silkman, Briftol Mr. Rob. Trent, Surgeon, Ilminfter Mr. John Trengroufe, of St. Ives, Cornwall, W.S.W. Mr. Tregurtha, Merchant, Penzance, R.W. M. Mr. Wm. Tremenheer, Attorney at Law, ditto, W.S.W. Mr. Nicholas Trill, Grocer, Totnefs Mr. William Tringham, Engraver, Fleet-flreet Mr. Thomas Tremlett, jun. Dartmouth Mr. Andrew Tracey, Mariner, ditto Capt. J. Treby, of his Majefty's Army, Chudley, Devon Mr. Thomas Treflove, jun. St. Martin's-lane John Trent, Efq; two Copies, R. Pa, Pregrine Treves, Efq; Merchant, London, R. P. Mr. Nicholas Tucker, Painter, Bath Mr. William Tucker, at the Greyhound and Shake- fpear Inn and Tavern, Bath Mr. Richard Tucker, of Tiverton, Devon Mr. George Tucker, Ironmonger, Axminfter Mr. John Tucker, Linen-draper, ditto Mr. Fryer Tucker, Exeter Rev. Mr. Tucker, LymCrRegis, Dorfetlhire, 2 Copies, R. W. M. Mr. John Tuff, of ditto, W.S.W. Mr. Edward Turner, Chelfea Mr. Thomas Turner, Dyer, St. George's Lodge, Exeter Lieut. Col. Twiftleton, R. P. U Mr. Underwood, of Hereford, P. M. Rev. Mr. Underwood, of ditto Mr. James Upham, Toplham, Devon Mr. William Ullick, Mercer, Marazian V William Vaughan, Efq; P. G. M. for North-Wales Col. Van Teylingen, four Copies, R. P. d 2 \ift. jcxviii Lift of Suhfcrihers. Mr. Thomas Lewelling Vining, Briftol Mr. James Vivian, Alliflant at Mr. Downes*s Academy Briftol Mr. Rumbelow Vivian, Surgeon Falmouth Mr. William Vincent, Dorchefter w The Right Hon. Lord Vifcount Wenman, R. P. The Right Hon. Lord Waltham, R. P. Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart, four Copies, R. P. Sir Thomas Worfley, Bart, two Copies, R. P. Robert Boyle Walfingham, Efq; Member of Parliament, P. G. M. Royal Paper Major Edward Walpole, R. P. Mr. Thomas Walner, Briftol Francis Swaine Ward, Efq; Broad-ftreet Mr, Wm, Wallace, White-Hart, Five Fields, Chelfea Mr. Wade, Watch-maker, Great Brook-ftreet Mr. John Way, Bath Mr. Richard Walker, Windmill-ftreet Mr. Waters, Carpenter, in the Strand Mr. Thomas Watkinfon, Tower Mr, Peter Warren, Exchange-alley Mr. James Wallis, Bookfeller, Plymouth Mr. Jacob Watfon, Church-Tavern, Plymouth-Dock Mr. Wallis, St. Ives Lodge, Cornwall Mr. Chriftopher Wallis, Penzance Mr. Francis Walker, Woollen-draper, Great Tor-i rington Mr. William Walker, Exeter Mr. James Warfham, Peruke-maker, Briftol Mr. Thomas Warren, Tiverton Mr. John Walker, Surgeon, in the 2 2d Regiment Mr. John Wady, Jeweller, Briftol John Wallis, Efq; Clerk of the Peace of Dorfetfhire Mr. Samuel Watkinfon, Butcher, St. Mary-le-bone Mr. William Watts, Hooper, Briftol John Webb, Efq; P. M. Cavendifti-fquare Mr. Samuel Webber, at Topiham Mr. Richard Welland, Mafter of a Veftel Mr. John Weech, Treafurer, All Souls Lodge, Tiverton Mr. Richard Webb, of the Soap-houfe, Briftol Mr. Weaver, Barton-ftreet, Briftol Mr. James Wellh, City Marftial, Briftol Mr. William Weilick, Coach-maker, Briftol Mr. Lift of Suhfcrihers. ia^ Mr. Robert Weatherley, Printer, Plymouth Mr. Phillip Weftcott, W. S. W. Falmouth Mr. Henry Weir, Deputy Pay-Mafter of the Ma* rines. Mr. John Welllake, Serge-maker, Left Withiel Mr. Weft, Apothecary, Bath Mr. John Webb, W, S. W. Briftol Mr. Welch, Chefterfield-houfe Mr. Peter Wells, Surgeon, Briftol Mr. John Whitmafli, R. W. M. of St. George's Lodge, Taunton Mr. Henry Whitmafti, of ditto Mr. Jof. White, at the Talbot, Bath Mr. Zacheriah Whiting, W. S. W. Briftol Mr. Hugh Whitaker, R. W, M, Ruflel-court Mr. Timothy Wheelwright, W. J. W. Falmouth Mr. Nathaniel Wife, Union Lodge, Briftol Mr. John Williams, Book-keeper, ditto Mr. William Wigginton, Toyman, ditto Mr. James Williams, Cornfaclor, ditto Mr. Michael Wills, Change-broker, ditto Mr. Gilbert Williamfon, Sec. of the Lo. at the Duke of Beaufort's Head, ditto Mr, George Winter, Linen-draper, ditto Thomas Willoughby, Efqj Dublin Mr. Henry Willoughby, of North week, in Somer- fetihire Henry Williams, Efq; Crickhowell, Brecknockftiire Mr. Henry Wintle, Gloucefter Mr. John Winter, Plymouth-dock Jof. Willis Efq; Mayor of Salilhury, P. M. Capt. George Wife of Poole, Dorfet Mr. Wife, of Lymington Robert Wilfon, Efq; Weftminfter Mr. Charles Wigan, Diftiller, Charing.-crofs Mr. Richard Willbor, York Mr. John Williams, Stationer, Fleet-ftreet Mr. Wilburn, Grocer, Hammerfmith Mr. John Williams, Pembroke Mr. Henry Williams, Mercer of CardlfFe Mr. William Williams, Stationer, Monmouth Mr. Thomas Wilkins, of the Fryars, near Newport, Monmouthftiire Mr. XXX Lifi of Subfcrihers, Mr. William Winfton, Watch-maker, R. W. M. of the Paladian Lodge, Hereford John Williams, Efq; Wimpole-ftreet Mr. Vv'illiam Williams, Carver and Gilder, Briflol Mr. Charles Williams, Taylor, ditto Mr. John Wife, at ditto Mr. Nathaniel Windey, Attorney, ditto Mr. Richard Winilone, ditto Mr. Jofhua Williams, ditto Mr. William Wiltftiire, Bath Mr. Thomas V/illiams, of St. Catherines, Memb. of the Stewards Lodge Mr. Robert Williams, Hatter, Lombard-ftreet Mr. John Wilton, R. W. M. Chelfea Mr. Wood-cock, of the Paladian Lodge, Hereford Mr. James Wood, Hofier, in Abby Church-yard, Bath Mr. Thomas WooUey, . of the Lodge of Perfed Friend- fliip, Bath Dr. Francis Woodward, P. M. Briflol Mr. John Wood, Kingfton, R. W. M. Mr. William Worth Tower-ltreet Mr. Robert Worth, ditto Mr. Henry Wood, Gunner in the Royal Navy Mr. John WooUacott, of the Woolpack and White- Hart Lodge Mr. John Wollacombe, of the Topfham Lodge Mr. Beauvais Wood, R. W. M. Tiverton Mr. Ralph Wotton, Attorney at Law, Trentham, Staf- fordshire, R. P. Mr. Edward Woodward, Coach-maker, Mary-le-bone Thomas Wright, Efq; Mr. Samuel Wright, Haydon-fquare, Minories Mr. O. Wright, Nottingham Warehoufe, Holbourn Mr. William Wright, Philpot-lane, W. S. W. Mr. Chriltopher Wren, jun. Surgeon Mr. J. VVyatt, Surgeon, Great Newport-flreet Penruddock Wyndham, Efq; Salifbury Richard Wynne, Efq; Somerfet-houfe Lodge, R. P. Mr. William Wybrow, St. James's Colonel Wynard, W. S. W. Chelmsford Lodge Mr. Samuel Yeatherd, of the Lodge at Crediton Mr. Morgan Yeatmaa, Wine Merchant, Dorcheiler Mr. Lift of Suhfcrihers, xxxi Mr. John Yeomans, Hair-dreffer, Strand R.W. M. Mr. Thomas Yeaw, Brewer, Hanimerfmith Mr. Milford Young, Dodor's-Commons York, the Lodge at, ten Copies z Mofes Zuntz, Efq; Strand, The following Names have either been accidentally omitted, or were received too late to be inferted in thtir proper Places, A Mr. John Allen, Attorney at Law, Clements-Inn, R. W,M, and P. G. M. for Lancafhire Mr. John AiTey, Surgeon, Taunton B Thomas Brown, Efq; Plas-ftreet, near Taunton, Somcr- fetfhire Mr. Theo. Bell, W. S. W. of the Chequer Lodge, Charine-crofs _ ^ c Captain Ccefar John Cabbell, M.D.Taunton^ P, M, Roy. Paper Mr. Choyce, Peruke-maker, May's Buildings Mr. Mat. Clarke, Briftol Mr. Francis Cann, Park-lane, R. W. M. Mr. Church, Attorney at Law, Ledbury Capt. Arch. Campbell, of the Marin^ Mr. Thomas Dyne, Grand Sword Bearer William Dixton, Efq; Taunton, Somerfetfhirc F Mr. Fricker, Grocer, Taunton H Mr.WjEi. Henry, of the Craven Arms, Carnaby-raarket John William Hoi well, Efq; four Copies, Royal Paper [vir. zxxii Lift of Suhfcrihers^. M Mr.Henry May, Diftiller, W. S.W. of Greenwich N Mr. Thomas Newcomen, Merchant, at Taunton ERRATA. £rV/^rrt/ Miflakes, or Inaccuracies in pointing, if fuch there be, the Reader will have the Candour to pafs over ; but as the folloiving Errata affed: the Senfe, he will be pleafed to correal them with his Pen. Page lo, line 19, for fatis/yingt x^zA gratifying^ 16, 1. 3, read e'vert. J 8, I. 2, read Parent. 19, L 13, for of, read /i?. 24, 1. 2, r^Z-A entitled. 27, laft Line but one, re^ii. deli'vered him* 38, laft Line but one, rtdidi Go'vemment, 68, L 16, io^andif read if fuch ^ INTRODUCTION. J^^"^ F wc duly confider Man, we fhall ^ -T '^ fii^d him a y^a^/ being -, and in ef- ^ ^ fe6t, fuch is his nature, that he can- ^^^ not well fubfifl: alone : For out of fociety he could neither preferve life, difplay or perfed: his faculties and talents, nor attain any real or folid happinefs. Had not the God of Nature intended him for fociety, he would never have formed him fubjecft to fuch a variety of wants and infirmities. This would have been highly inconfiftent with divine wifdom, or the regularity of omnifcience : on the contrary, the very necefTities of human nature unite men together, and fix them in a ftate of mutual dependence on one another. For feled the moft perfeft ahd accomplifhed of the human B , race, ( 2 ) race, a Hercules or a Sampson", a Bacon or a Boyle, a Locke or a Newton, nay, we need not except Solomon himfelf, and fuppofe him fixed alone, even in this happy country, where nature, from her bounteous (lores, feems to have formed another Eden^ and we fhould foon find him deplorably wretched -, and by being dellitute of a fecial intercourfe, deprived of every ihadow of happinefs. Therefore, for the eflablifhment of our felicity, pro^/idence in its general fyilem with regard to the government of this world, has ordained a reciprocal connexion between all the various parts of it, which cannot fubufb without a mu- tual dependence -, and from the human fpecies, down to the lowed parts of the creation, one chain unites all nature. This is excellently ob- ferved, and beautifully defcribed, by a late ce- lebrated poet, in the following lines. God in the nature of each leing founds Its proper Utfs^ and fets its proper hounds ; But as he form'd a whole, the whole to hlefs^ On mutual wants built mutual happinefs. So from the firfl eternal ox Atx raUy And creature linked to creature, man to man. Pope. Under thefe clrcumftances, men mud of ne- ceffity form aflbciations for their comfort and defence, as well as for theirvery exiftence. Had ( 3 ) Had revelation been altogether filent in this point, yet we might by the mere hght of nature have eafily difcovered it to be our duty to be kindly affe^ioned one to another. No fyftem can be more agreeable to the common fentiments of mankind, nothing built upon furer terms of equity and reafon, thin that I fliould treat my fellow-creature with the fame candour and bene- volence, with the fame affedlion and fmcerity I fliould expecl myfelf. It is true this was not delivered in exprefs words till the timeof A%C^i, nor lb fully explained and underftood as at the coming of the prophets. Yet v/e have great reafon to believe that it was the firft law reveal- ed to Ada'in^ immediately upon his fall, and was a genuine precept of uncorrupted human nature. That every one is naturally an enemy to his neighbour, was the malevolent affertion of a late philofopher [Hobbs :] one who vainly thinking himfelf deeper vcrfed in the principles of man than any before him, and having miferably cor- rupted his 'own mind by many wild extrava- gancies, concluded, from fuch acquired cor- ruption, that all men were naturally the fame. How to reconcile a tenet of this kind with the juftice and goodnefs of a fupreme being, ieems a tafl^ too difiicult for the moil knowing perfon to execute •, and what the author himfelf was- contented barely to lay down, without the leaft Oiew of argument in its defence. That God ihould be a being of infinite juftice, creating us B 2 in. ( 4 ) in a neceffary flate of dependance dn, and at the fame time bring ns into the world with inclina^ tions of enmity and cruelty towards each other,, is a contradidlion fo palpable, as no man can aiTert confiftently with a reverential notion of his maker. And were there no fufficient proofs againft it, even from our imperfedt ideas of the creator, the very laws of nature would confute it. By the law of nature, I would be underflood to mean, that will of God which is difcoverable to us by the light of reafon without the afTiftance' of revelation. Now nothing is more evident than this grand maxim. That whatever prin- ciples and adbions have an infeparable connedion with the public happinefs, and are neceffary to the well-being of fociety-, are fundamental laws of nature, and bear the ftamp of divine autho- rity. This will more evidently appear from the fol- lowing confideration : When the Grand Ar- CHITECT OF THE Universe had, with thc greateft" wifdom and moft exact proportion, formed this globe, and replenifhed it with every thing neceffary for life and ornament, he lafl of ail created man^ after his own image, enduing him with rational and immortal powers, adequate- to the prefent and future happinefs for which he was defigncd. But though he found himfelf in paradife where every thing abounded for his fufbenance and de- light. ( 5 ) light, yet for want of a creature of the fame ra- tional nature with himfelf, his felicity was in- compleat -, fo much did the innate ideas of fo- ciety poffefs and influence the human mind from its firft evidence, that the higheft enjoyments without participation, were taftelefs and unaf- fe6ling '* -, a fiirong proof that even in the ori- ginal ftate of human nature, felRfh and narrow principles had no fhare ; and that to communi- cate bleflings was to increafe them. To gratify his wifhes, enlarge his mind, and eftabliih his (before imperfedl) happinefs, God created an help meet for him, " Woman^ his laft heft gift •,'* thereby enabling him to exchange the folitary for the [octal life ; an imperfedt for a perfe<5V bliis ! Now the human mind began to expand •, a new train of ideas and affeclions fucceeded ; its joys were increafed, and its wiflies accom- plifhed. Thefe difpofitions were continued witfl. the fpecies, and man has ever fmce had recourfe to fociety as an elTential means to humanize his heart and meliorate the enjoyments of life. But, alas ! he being created free in the ex- ertion of the faculties, both of body and mind. * Our grandfire A^'ajn, e'er of Eve poflel^. Alone, 2nd e*en in Paradice unblei>. With mournful look the bl;fiifal fceae furvey'd And wander'd in the folitary (hide; The Milker faw, took pity, and beliow'd Wcman, the laft, the beft referve of God t and ( 6 ) and thefe faculties being vitiated by fin in our firll parents, the taint became hereditary, and foon broke out in fymptoms which foreboded deftrudlion to the peace and happinefs of the world. Cain furnifhed an early and terrible in- ftance of the truth of this alTertion, when of the firil two brothers that ever were on earth, one fell a viclim to the envious fury cf the other, and demonfrrated that a train of new paffions had taken pofiefTion of the human heart. Env}\ hatred^ and revenge now made their appearance, and bloodjhed and difcord followed. Ties of con- fanguinity firft cemented mankind ; but after the Ibns of Noah had rendered the earth more po- pulous, and the confufion of languages had feparated one family from another, vice and impiety boldly reared then* heads. Therefore to remedy thefe dreadful evils, and avert their confequences, the uniting. various men and dif- ferent orders, in the bands of friendfhip, feemed the beft and furefl method ; and was ijideed the greateil and moil: effe6tual defence againU the univerfal depravity of corrupted human nature : It was here alone protection could be had, from the attacks of violence, or the infmuations of fraud, from the force of brutal llrength or the fnares of guilty defign. Further to promote thefe ends, and fecurc fuch bleffings, laws were now neceffarily intro- duced for the fafety and advantage of every in- dividual J and of their good effect we in this nation ( 7 ) nation ought to be better judges than the whole world befides, for ours^ we may extol, as St, Paul expreffes himfelf, " in confidence of boaft- ing." If we confine ourfelves to particular parts of fociety, and treat on bodies of men, who, though members of, and fubordinateto the general fyftem, unite themfelves into diftindt communities, for their own immediate advantage, and relatively for the public benefit, we Ihall find fome entering into fuch afibciations upon different views, and to anfwer various purpofes. We, of this nation in particular fear no enemy at our gates, no violence from our neighbours, and I hope no treachery from our friends ; but afTemble with men of fimilar opinions and manners, not out of necefTity for the prefervation of our lives, but to render them more beneficial to others and pleafing to ourfelves •, by enabling us to perform thofe duties, and afford that alTiflance to each other in a united capacity, which as individuals we were unable to do. To this kind of afTociations, 1 fhail confine myfelf in the foUov/ing work ; and fliali treat on the ancient inilitution o^ free and accepted Mafons in particular ; an eflablifhment founded on the benevolent intentions of extending and confirm' ing mutual happinefs, upon the beft and truefi: principles of moral and [ocial virtue. For ( 8 ) For among many inftances of the above truth, apparent to eveiy intelligent perfon, let us refledt, that in all focieties and governments there are fome indigent and miferable, whom rjoe are taught to regard as objeds of our compaflion and our bounty ; it is our indifpeiifable duty, to aid fuch with our council, commiferate their afHic- tions, and relieve them in their diftrefs. 'ST/V what the happy to tF unhappy owe^ For what man gives^ the gods on him hejlow. Pope. This principle is the bond of peace^ and the cement of majonic affeElion. Free Mafons efteem it as a virtue of the moft diffufive nature, not to be confined to particular perfons, but extended to the whole human race, to adminifler affiftance to whom, is their higheft pride and their utmoft wifh, eflablifhing friendfnips and forming con- nexions, not by receiving, but conferring bene- fits. As foon might the builder alone work through each tedious courfe of an edifice with- out the affiftance of his fellow-crafts-men, as poor helplefs unaffifled man, toil through each chpquered ftage of human life. The Almighty has therefore furnifhed men with different capacities, and blefTed them with various powers, that they may be mutually beneficial and ferviceable to each other-, and indeed ( 9 ) indeed wherever v/e turn our eyes and thoughts, we fhall find fcope fufficient to employ thofe ca- pacities, and exercife thofe powers, agreeable to the celebrated maxim of the great Socratic difciple, that we are not born for ourfehes alone. That we may not be too much elevated with the contemplation of our own abundance, we fhould confider^ no man comes into this world without imperfe5lions \ that we may not decline being ferviceable to our fellow-creatures, we fhould refle^^ that all have their portion for im- provement -, that we may not be remifs or re- ludlant in good offices, we fhould remind our- felves, however affluent our fortune, we are not entirely independent of others^ and where much is given, much will be required : we are com- manded to be fruitful in good works •, and .throughout the whole creation we fhall find no precedent for inutility or indolence, for he that contributes neither fludy, labour, or fortune to the pubhc, is a deferter of the community. All human affedions, if directed by the governing principle of reafon, tend to promote fome ufeful purpofe. Compaffion^ if properly exerted, is the mofl beneficient of all human jdrtues, extend- ing itfelf to a greater number of objeds, ex- citing more lafling degrees or happinefs, than any other. Some afTections are indeed more fierce and violent, but their adion, like a fudden explofion of combuftibles, is no fooner begun than its force is fpent. C The ( lo ) The rational, the manly pleafure, which ne- cefiarily accompanies compaffion^ can only be known to thofe who have experienced its effefts ; for who ever relieved the indigent, and did not at the fame time receive the higheft gratifica- tion ? to fee a fellow-creature labouring in agony and pain, or flruggling under the opprefTive burthen of helplefsnefs and want, prefently raifes pity in the human breaft, induces vis to fympa- thize with the objedl in his diftrefs, and infpires us with the tender difpofitions of charity and affiftance. If our pleafure was to be eftimated in propor- tion to its extent and duration, that of doing good mull rival and outlhine all others the mind is fufceptible of, being both from its nature, and the variety of obje6ls on which it a6ls, great- ly fuperior to the fleeting and unfatisfadtory enjoyment arifing from the fatisfying our fenfual appetites. Hence compajfion^ both on account of its duration, from its pleafmg effedls, and its unbounded utility to the world, ought to be highly valued and duly cultivated by all who confult their own felicity, or the profperity and interell of thag^rountry or people to which they belong. ^ It would be abfurd to dwell longer on this head, as I am addrelTmg a body who in every age, from the earliefl tim^es to this prefent day, have been juftly celebrated for their difmterefted liberality, and whofe proceedings have been con- conftantly direaed by the defires of doing good, to, and promoting the happinefs of every indivi-^ dual. From the foregoing confiderations, the necef- fity of conftituting particular focieties, is ftriking- ly obvious : for next to the veneration of the fupreme Being, the love of mankind feems to be the moft promifing fource of real fatisfaclion : It is a never- failing one to him, who, pofTefl of this principle, enjoys alfo the means of indulging it •, and who makes the fuperiority of his. fortune^ his knowledge, or his power, fubfervient to the wants of his feUow-creatures. It is true, there are few whofe abilities or fortunes are fo adapted to the necefTities and infirmities of human na- ture, as to render them capable of performing works of univerfal beneficence^ but a fpirit of uni^ verfal benevolence may be exercifed by all \ and the bounteous Father of nature has not propor- tioned the pleafure to the greatnefs of the effe5f^ but to the greatnefs of the caufe. Here let not my meaning be miilaken -, I would not be un- derflood, to infmuate that we are fo obliged to be bountiful that nothing will excule us ; for it is an univerial maxim among mafin^ that, " Jujiice mujl precede charity ;" and except where the exi- ^gencies of the difbrefled call for immediate relief, we fhould always recoiled our natural conne^iions and debts to the worlds whenever our difpofitions may prompt us to beflow any fingular bounty. •And give me leave to obferve, it is not the idle, G 2* in. ( 12 ) indolent or extravagant, but the induflrions, the* diilrefied brother, who has a juft title to our ex- traordinary beneficence •, a circumftance that ought always to dired the exertion of the above virtue. Having thus in fome meafure, deduced the fiature and neceffity oifociety^ and in part fhewn the duties incumbent upon us as members of it, May we as upright men and mafons faithfully difcharge the duties of our various llations \ and above all, be ever ready to do to others as we could in their circumftances reafonably wifh to be done unto. They who move in a higher fphere, have in- deed a larger province wherein to do good ; but thofe of an inferior degree will be as eminently diftinguifhed in the manfions of blifs, (if they move regularly^ if they are iifcful members of fo- ciety) as the highefl. He who performs his part beft, not he who perfonates an exalted character, ^ill meet with applaufe. For the moon^ though it borrows its light from the fun^ alfo fets forth the glory of God •, and the flowers of the field de- clare a providence equally with the flats of the firmament. To conclude then, let me exhort all my worthy brethren to be diligent in the cultiva- tion of every niorJt ^Xi^ f octal \\x\.\xt.^ forfo long only do v/e a6l confidently with the principles of our venerable inflitution. Then what has been faid, though on an occafion far more important to mankind, may not improperly be appropriated as the badge of our refpeftalDle order, " By this fhall C 13 ) lliall all men know that you belong to the brethren if your hearts glow with affedion, (not to mafons alone but) to the whole race of man- kind." And well indeed may ours be called a happy inilitution ! whofe fupreme wifh is founded on the trued fource of felicity, and whofe warmeft endeavours are ever exerted in cementing the ties of hun\an nature bv a6bs of benevolence, charity and focial affedlion : and who, amidft the corruption and immorality of the latter ages, have maintained in their afiemblies the genuine principles and unfullied reputation acquired and eflablifhed in the firft. Whilft qualities like thefe direct your pro- ceedings and influence your a6bions. Free Mafonry muft ever be revered and cultivated, by the juft, the good, and the exalted mind, as the fureft means of eftablifhing peace^ harmony^ end good 'will amongd men. ^.-^ "^ DISQUISITION, &c. &c. C^c. )S(XXX>C^'HE antiquity and utility of Free- VV'^"'*' VO Masonry, being generally ac- XX XX knowledged in moft parts of the VC^v:*VSS& habitable o-lobe. it would be as ■ '" abfurd to conceive it required new aids for its fupport, as for him who has the ufe of fight to demand a proof of the rij^ig and felting of the fun. Neverthelefs, in com- pliance with the requefts of many worthy bre- thren, I fhall lay before my readers fome ftri6lures ( i6 ) ftridures on the crigin^ nature and dej7gn of that INSTITUTION ; and with prudent referve con- fute and avert the many fhameful and idle falfe- hoods which are induftrioufly propagated by its enemies, the better to inform the candid and well meaning, who might not readily know how to invelligate the truth, or want leiliire and opportunity for that purpofe. With this view I have made it my bufinefs to colle6t a great number of pafTages from writers eminent for their learning and probity, where I thought they might ferve to illuflrate my fubjed. The propriety of fuch proceeding is too obvious to need any apology. If our firft parent and his offsping had con- tinued in the terreflrial paradife, they would have had no occafion for mechanic arts, or any of the fciences now in ufe •, Adam being created with all thofe perfe6lions and blefTings, which could either add to his dignity, or be conducive to his real welfare : In that happy period he ii^d no propenfity to evil, no perverfenefs in his heart, no darknefs or obfcurity in his underftand- ins *, for had he laboured under thefe maladies he would not have been 2iperfe5f man^ nor would there be any difference betwixt man in a ilate of innocence, and in a flate of degeneracy and corruption. It was therefore in confequence ot his wilful tranfgrefTion that any evils came upon him. And having loft his innocence, he in that dreadful moment forfeited likewife his fuper- natural ( 17 ) natural lights 'and infufed knowledge, whereby every fcience (as far as human nature is ca-^ pable of) was rendered familiar to him without the tedious labour of ratiocination, requifite to men even of the greatefl abilities, whofe ideas after all, remain weak and imperfed. From this remarkable and fatal ara^ we date the necefftty and orign of the fciences, Firft arofe divinity^ whereby was pointed out to fallen man the ways and will of God, the omnipotence and mercy of an offended creator : Then law*^ as direding us to diftribute juftice to our neighbour, and relieve thofe who are opprelTed or fuffer wrong. The 7'oyal art was beyond all doubt coeval with the above rciences,and was carefully handed down by Methufelah^ who dyed but a few days before the General Deluge^ and who had lived 245 years with Adam, by whom •No fooner Iwd Adam tranfgrefled the divine com- mand, than we find him cited to appear before the Almighty Judge, When, felfaccufed, after hearing his defence, fentence was pronounced upon him ; a method of proceeding in that fcience, which has been adopted In criminal cafes, by the more enlightened nations from that period and exampJe down to the prefent day. he ( i8 ) he was inflru6ted in all the myfleries of this kiblime Science^ which he faithfullycommunicated to his Gr^W/i';/NoAH,who tranfmitted it toPoJlerity, And it has ever been preferved with a veneration and prudence fuitable to its great importance, being always confined to the knowledge of the worthy only. This is confirmed by many inflan- cesj which men of reading and fpeciilation (elpe- cially fiich as are of this fociety) cannot fuffer to efcapethem. Atfirft mankind adhered to the leflbns of nature^ fhe nfed necefTity for the means, urged therrL to invention, and afTifted them in the ope- ration. Our primitive fathers feeing the natural face of the earth was not fufficient for the fuflenance of the animal creation, had recourfe to their faithful tutor efs^ who taught them hpw to give it an artificial face, by erecting habitations and cultivating the Ground ; and thefe ope- rations among other valuable Efix^dls, led them to fearch into and contemplate upon the nature and properties of lines^ figures^ fitperjices zndfoUds j and by degrees^ to form the fciences of geo- Trietry and circhite52ure^ which have been of the greateft utility to the human fpecies. Hence we were firft taught the means whereby we might z.x.tdir\praoficc^ and by pradice introduce fpecula- tion. * ( 19 ) From the flood to the days of king Solcmon^ the liberal arts and fciences gradually fpread themfelves over different parts of the globe ; every nation having had fome fhare in their pro- pagation •, but according to their different man- ners, fome have cultivated them with more accuracy, perfeverance and fuccefs than others ; and though the fecrets of the royal art^ have not been indifcriminately revealed, they have never- thelefs been communicated in every age to fuck as were worthy to receive them. But I am not at liberty to undraw the curtain, and publicly difcant on this head : It is facred^ and ever will remain lb •, thofe who are honoured with the truft, will not reveal it except to the truly qualified brother, and they who are igno- rant of it cannot betray it. I fhall however obferve, that this art was called royal^ not only becaufe it was originally pradtifed by kings X ^nd princes^ who were the X The celebrated Selden tells us, that civil fociety, beginning firft in particular families, under oeconomick rule, reprefenting what is now a common-wealth, had in its flate, the hulband, father, and mafter, as kwg^ (Selden*s works, torn. 3, col. 927.) And in Abraham's treaty, with the fens of He-th, for a burying place for Sarah, they ftile him a mighiy prince % as indeed he was. {Gen. xxiii. cu, 6.) In a word, not only Jdaoij but all the fucceeding patriarchs, as well before as after the food, had by the law of nature J/'w^/y power ovef their refpec- tive families. D 2 firft ( 20 ) firft profefTors of it, but likewife on account of the fuperiority which lb fublime a fcience gave its difciples, over the reft of mankind. This fupreme and divine knowledge being de- rived from the Almighty Creator to Adam^ its principles ever fince have been and ftill are^ moft facredly preferved and inviolably concealed. For as all things in procefs of time are liable to decay and corruption, the ancient profeflbra wifely forefeeing the great abufes which their exalted myfteries might fuftain, if generally made knov/n, determined to confine the knowledge of them only to fek5l brethren, men whom they had found by long experience to be well verfed in the general principles of the fociety, and who were eminent for their piety, learning and abilities. Hence it is that a man may be fufficiently able to acquit himfelf in every teft that is laid down by our prefent inftitution^ to prove his regular initiation therein, and alfo to fhew that he is not unacquainted with its general principles^ and yet at the fame time he may be totally ignorant and undeferving of the more valuable parts of the ancient fociety, Thefe, like the aduta of the ancient temples, are hid from vulgar eyes. It is not every one v/ho is barely initiated into Free-Mr.fonryy that is entrufted with all the great myfteries thereto belonging : They are not attainable as things of courfe,, nor by every, capacity, for as Mr. Locke very juftly obferves, (fpeaking ( 21 ) fpealcing of this fociety) " Though all have a right and opportunity (// they be worthy and able to learn) to know all the arts and niyjieries belonging to it, yet that is not the cafe, as fome want capacity and others induftry to acquire them." Neverthelefs, fuch is the real felicity, necefTarily reiulting from a knowledge and pra6lice of the general principles of this frater- nity^ as alone was ever found fufficient to intitlc it to a preference of all other human inflitu- tions. From the earliejl ages of antiquity, the royal art was ever taught witli the greateft circum- fpe^ioH^ not in Ichools or academies to a pro- mifcuous audience, but was confined to certain families ; the rulers of which inilru6l:ed their children or difciples, and by this means con- veyed their myfierioiis knowledge to pofterity. After the floods the profeiTors of this art (according to ancient traditions,) were firft dif- tinguifhed by the name of Noachidc^^ (or fons of Noah) afterwards by that of fagcs or wife meUy (men intruded as Moses in all the wifdom of the Egyptians^) Chaldeans^ philofophers^ maflers i^ Ifrael, &c. and were ever venerated z.^ facred per- fons. They confifted of perfons of the brightefl parts and genius, who exerted their utmoft abilities in difcovering and inveiligating the various myfleries of nature, from v/hence to draw improvements and inventions of the moil ufeful confcqucnces. Men, whofe talents v/ere not ( 22 ) not only employed in fpeculation, or in private a6ls of beneficence •, but who were alfo public bleflings to the age and country in which they lived, poffefTed with moderate defires, who knew to conquer their paiTions ; pradlilers and teachers of the purefl morality, and ever exerting themfelves to promote the har- mony and felicity of fociety. They were therefore confulted from all parts, and ve- nerated with that fmcere homage which is never paid but to real merit, and the greateft and wifeft potentates on earth, efteemed it an addition to their imperial dignities, of be en- rolled among fuch bright ornaments of human, nature. A principal excellence which rendered them famous among men, was 'Taciturnity^ which in a peculiar manner they pradlifed and inculcated as neceflary for concealing from the unworthy^ what few were qualified to learn, and ftill fewer to teach. In the firfl ages of the world, fcience was in a low ftate ; becaufe the uncultivated manners of our forefathers rendered them in general incapa- ble of that knowledge which their pojierity have fo amply enjoyed : the profefTors of the royal art^ therefore, found it abfolutely requifite, to exclude the more unworthy and barbarous part of mankind from their affemblies, and to conceal their ( 23 ) their myfteries under fuch * hicroglyphicks^ fym- boby allegory and figures^ as they alcne could explain, (even at this day it is indifpenfible in uSy to prevent future bad confequences, by conceal- ing from vulgar eyes the means ufed by them to unfold fuch myfteries) wherefore the greateft caution was ever obferved at their meecings, that no unqualified perfon might enter amongft them ; and ever)^ method was emiployed to tyle them fecurely^ and conceal the real intent and defign o{ their convocations. In order to render their proceedings more edifying and extenfively ufeful, charges were de- livered at certain tim.es, as well for regulating the condud- of the fraternity, as preferving that * Hieroglyphics are properly emblems cr figns of divine, facred or Supernatural things, by which they are diftin- guifbed from common ^^«^c//, which are figns of fenfible or natural things. Hermes Trismegistus is commonly eP.eemed the inventor ^^ hiercgJyphich\ he firft introduced them into the heathen theology, from whence they have been tranfplanted ino the Jewifh and Chriftian. Sacred things, fays Hipfocrates, ihould orily be com- municated to facred. perfons. Hence it was, that the an- cient Egyptians communicated to none but their kings and prielis, and thcfe who w ere to fucceed to the prielthood and the crown, the {eerets of nature and the myfteries of their morality and hiftory ; and this they did by a kind of CaixtU /«, which, at the fame time that it inflrudlcd them, o»]y amufed the reft of ihe people. Hence the ufe of hierogly' fhicks^ or myjxick figures, to veil their moralit)', politics, \^c. from profane eyes. Spon. mark ( 24 ) mark of diftin6Vion, which their fuperior merit juftly entitle them to. Several of thofe ancient orations are ilill extant, by which it appears, that among others, one of their principles was to inculcate by p'ecept^ and inforce by example^ a flridt obfervance of the moral lav/, as the chief means of fupporting government and authority. And it is evident that they thereby effected their purpofe, and fe- cured to themfelves the favour, refped, and efteem of the world in general ; and, notwith- ftanding the indolence and ignorance of fome ages, the various countries, languages, fedls, and parties, through which mafotiry has paffed, al- ways fubjedted to the neceflity of oral tradition, and under the numerous difadvantages with which the mafters of the royal art had to ftruggle in the courfe of many centuries^ ftill does it re- tain, in a great degree, its original perfedlion : — a circumllance that not only bears honourable teftimony of intrinfick worth, but is highly to the praife of thofe to whom this important truft has been from time to time committed. After this concife and general account of the encient profe£ors of the royal art^ and the fub- lime truths which they were poflelTed of, and were by them tranfmitted down to pofte- rity in the manner before defcribed, we will proceed to the building of that glorious edi- fice, at which period this fociety became a re- gular and uniform inftitution^ under the deno- minatioa ( 25 ) minatlon of Free end accepted Mafons^ wliofe ciifboins and proceedings I ihall defcribe, as far as tiiay be necejfary and prudent. Though the almighty and eternal ]Y.¥LOV AYi has no occafion for a temple, or houfe to dwell in, for the heaven of heavens is not capable of containing his immeniity, yet it was his divine will, that a tahernacle Ihoiild be ere6ted for him in the wildernefs by Mgses, and afterwards a temple^ by Solomon, at Jerufalem^ as his fane- tiiary •, both of which were to be conftrudled, not according to human invention, but after a pat- tern which the Lord himfelf had given. The whole model 01 the tabernacle ^2iS fhewn to Moses on mount Sinai -, {Exod. xxv. ver. 9.) and the patter 71 of the temple was like wife given to David by the hand of the Lord^ and by him delivered to Solomon his fon (i Chron. xxviii. ver. 11.) The tabernacle might be confide red as the palace of the mofl High^ the dwelling of the Gcd of Ifrael \ wherein the Ifraelites^ during their jour- neyings in the wildernefs, performed the chief of their religious exercifes, offered their facrifices, and worihipped God^. It was thirty cubits in length, ten in breadth, and ten in height; it was divided into two partitions, the firfi v/as called the Holy Place^ which was twenty cubits long and ten wide : here were placed the table of * The tabernacle was ere(5led about A. L. 2513* E f}HW» ( 26 ) Jhe^jo-hre^xd^ the golden candlefiick^ and the golden altar of incenfe. The fecond was called tbe moft holy place^ whofe length was ten cubits, and breadth ttn cubits, wherein, before the building of the temple y the ark of the covenant was kept, which was a fymbol of God's gracious prefence with the Jewijh church, ^e inoft holy place was divided from the holy place by a curtain or veil of very rich cloth, which hung upon four pillars of Shittim woody that were covered With, plates of gold. {Exod. xxvi. ver. 31. Heb. ix. ver. 23.) The temple eredled by Solomon (which was built after the 7nodel of the tabernacle) at Jerufa- lem^ had its foundation laid in the year of the world 2992, before Christ 1008, before the vulgar JEra 1012 ; and it was finifhed A. L. 3000, and dedicated 3001, before Christ 999, before the vulgar sra 1003. The glory of this temple did not confiilin the magnitude of its dimenfions; for though it was twice as long and capacious every way as the tabernacle^ yet, alone, it was but a fmall pile of building. The main gran- deur and excellency were in its ornaments : the workmanfhip being every where exceeding curious, and the overlayings prodigious : in its materials, being built of new large flones, hewn out in the moft curious and ingenious manner ; in its out-buildi7igSy which were large, beautiful and fumptuous : — but, ftill more admirable in this majeftic edifice, were thofe extraordinary marks of divine favour with which it was ho- noured. - ( V ) noiircd, viz. 'The ark of the covenant^ in which were put the tczhks of the law^ and the mercy featy which was upon it; from whence the divine oracles were given out, with an audible voice, as often as God was confulted in behalf of his people •, the Schechinah, or the divine prefence^ manifefted by a vifible cloud reiling over the mercy feat •, the urim and thummim^ by which the high-prieft confulted GOD in diiticult and momentous cafes, relating to the public interefl of the nation ; the holy f re, v/hich came down from heaven, upon the altar, at the confecra- tion : — thefe indeed were excellencies and beau- ties derived from a divine fource, diflinguifhing and exalting this facred ftrudure above all others, (i Kings xviii. ver. 38.) David, filled with the hopes of building this temple, declared his intentions to Nathan the prophet-, (2 Satn, vii. ver. i, 2, 3.) but this was not permitted him, becaufe his reign had been attended with wars, bloodilied and llaughter, and he ftill had to contend with many powerful enemies •, but, though forbid to execute this divine and glorious v/ork, he made confiderable preparations for that purpofe •, which having done, and drav/ing towards his latter end, lie aflem.bled ail the princes and chief perfons of his kingdom, and ordered and encouraged Solomon publicly, and in their prefence, to purfue fuch his intention, (i Chron. xxviii. ver. i— 10.) and delivered the pattern, or fche^ne, of all the houfes, &c. E 2 (ver. ( 28 ). (ver. II, 12.) the courfes of the priefis and le- viUs, (ver. ii — 31) and likewife the pattern oi the cherubims^ (ver. 18.) earne{l]y exhorting his fervants, in regard to the tender age of his fon, Solomon, who was yet but very young, to yield him their councils and afilftance, in eredling a palace, not defigned for man, but for the LORD GOD. David himlelf gave to- wards the building of the temple, out of his own treafurcs, befides a vail variety of precious ftones, three thoufand talents of gold of Ophir^ and feven thoufand talents of filver. (i Chron. xxix. ver. 25.) The princes of his kingdom followed the glo- rious example of their king, and gave/x;^ thou- fand talents and ten thoufand drachms of gold, ten thoufand talents of filver, eighteen thoufand talents of brafs, and one hundred thoufand talents of iron, as alfo a great many of the moll pre- cious Hones, (i Chron. xxix. 6, 7, 8. When David the king was dead '*, and So- lomon was eflabliilied on his throne, he refolved to carry into execution his father's defign, and to ere6l a temple to his great Creator. For which purpofe he applied to Hiram king of 'Tyre^ for aflillance -, and having readily obtained a promife of what he defired, and pro- cured from thence, and other parts, men and ma- * A. L. 2989. terials ( 29 ) terials fuilicient for his intentions, he began that great and majeftic fabrick ; and as method and order are known and confeiTed to be elTen- tials requifite in conducing all great defigns and undertakings, he proceeded in the follov/ing inanner. He numbered and clafTed his men ac- cording to their flciil and abilities, viz. .1. Harodim^ princes, rulers or provofls, in number - - - - 300 2. Menatzchmy overfeers and comfort- ers of the people in v/orking, that were expert mafter-mafons - 3300 3. Ghiblim^ flone-fquarers, polifhers and fculptors ; and IJhchotzeb^ men of hewing; ^f;?^/, fetters, layers or build- ers, being able and ing-enious fellow- crafts _ - - « 80,000 4. The levy out of Ifrael^ appointed to work in Lebanon one month in three, 10,000 each month, under the direction of noble Adoniram^ who v/as the junior grand warden - 3O5G00 Whole number emiployed, exclufive of the tv/o grand wardens^ and of the men of burthen, who were the re- mains of the old Canaanites^ who be- ing bondmen^ are not numbered a- mon^mafcns^ was - - - 113,600 Solomon likewife partitioned the fellow-crafts into certain lodges.^ appointing to each, one to prefide ( 30 ) preiide as a mafier^ afTifled by two others as guardians^ that they might receive commands in * a regular manner, take care of the tools and jewels, and be duly paid, fed, cloathed, &c. Thefe neceflary regulations being previoufly fettled, topreferve that crder and harmony which would be abfolutciy rcquifite among fo great a number of men, in executing fo large a work : He alfo took into confideration, the future a- greement and profperity of the craft, and deli- berated on the bell means to fecure them by a iailing cement. Now, brotherly love and immutahle fidelity, prefented themfelves to his mind, as the moft proper hafis for an inftituiion^ whole aim and end fliould be to efl'ablifh permanent unity among its members, and to render them a fociety, who, while they enjoyed the moil perfect felicity, would be of confiderable utility to mankind. And being defirous to tranfmit it under the ancient refcn6lions as a blefling to future ages, Solomon decreed, that v/henever they fhould affemble in tlieir lodges to difcourfe upon, and improve themfelves in the arts and fciences \ and whatever elfe fhould be deemed proper topics to encreafe their knowledge, they fhould likewife inftrudt each other in fecrecy and prudence., morality and * Vide. Book of Conftitutions, P. 21. good- ( 3' ) good fellow-fhip -, and for thefe purpoles he ep tahlijhed certain peculiar rules and ciiftoms to be invariably obferved in their converfations, that their minds might be enriched by a perfed: ac- quaintance v/ith, and pradlice of, every morale fo-' cial and religious duty\ left while they were fb highly honoured by being employed in raifing a temple to the great Jehovah, they ihould negled: to fecure to themfelves an happy admittance into the celeftial lodge, of which the temple was only to be a type. Thus did our wife grand ma[ier contrive a plan by mechanical and practical allufions^ to in{lru6b the craftfmen in principles of the moft fuhlime ' fpeculative pkilofophy^ tending to the glory of God, and to fecure to them temporal blefTmgs here^ and eternal life hereafter \ as well as to unite the^^- culative and operative mafons, thereby forming a two-fold advantage from the principles of Geome^ try and Archiieraire^ on the one part, and the pre- cepts of wifdom and ethicks on the other. The ne<)(t circumftance v/hich demanded Solomon's at- tention was, the readieft and moft effectual method of paying the wages of fo vaft a body of men, according to their refpe6live degrees, without error or confufion, that nothing might be found among the mafons of Sicn^ fave harmony and peace. J This was fettled in a manner well known ^s 6, -J, to ( 32 ) to all regularly made mafons, and therefore is tiit- necelTary, as alio improper, to be mentioned here. Thefe arrangements being adjuiled, the noble ftruaure was began J and conduded with luch grandeur, order and concord, as afforded So- lomon the moil exalted fatisfadtion, and filled him with the ftrongefl- affurance, that the rcyal crt woidd be further encouraged in future ages, and amongll various nations, from the exellencies of this temple, and the fame and flcill of the Ifraelites, in the beauty and fynimetry of archi- tecture therein difplayed. He was likewife fenfible, that when this build- ing fhould be compleated, the craftimen would difperfe themfelves over the v/hole earth •, and being defirous to perpetuate in the moil effec- tual manner, the harmony 2ind good-fellowjljip al- ready eflablifhed among them, and to fecure to themfelvesy ihtir future pupils, and their fuc- ceffors, the honour and refpecl due to men whofe abilities v/ere fo great, and would be fo juilly renowned : In conjunftioji v/ith Hiram king X This r.oble flru<5lure was erecled in mount Moriah, in the month Z//', which anfwers to our April, being the fecond m-onth of the facrcd year (A. L. 2992.) and was carried on with fuch prodigious expedition, thar it was compleatly finillied in little more than fe^ven years, in the month Bui, which anfwers to our Oclober, A. L. 2999, and was dedicated the year fcllov^ing. of ( 33 ) of Tyre and Hiram Ahiff^ the deputy grand maf- ter, concerted a proper plan to accomplifli his in- tentions *, in which it was determined, that, in conformity to the pra6tice of the original profef- fors of the royal art^ general diftinguiHiing cha- ra^erifticks fhouid be eftablifhed for a proof of their having been fellow labourers in this glori- ous work, to defcend to their fucceffors in all future ages, who fliould be in a peculiar man- ner qualified to cultivate the fubiime principles of this noble eftablilhment ; and fuch were a- dopted and received accordingly. With refped to the Method which would be hereafter necefTary for propagating the principles of the fociety, So- lomon /)/^ry/^^^ the uniform and ancient cuflom, in regard to degrees oi probation and injun^ians to fecrecy ; which he himfelf had been obliged to comply with before he gained a perfedion in the 7'oyal art^ or even arrived at the fummit of xkiz fcimces \ therefore, tho' there were wo appren- tices employed in the building of the temple ; yet as the craftfmen were all intended to be promoted to the degree of maj^ers, after its dedica- tion ; and as tbefe would fccure a fucceffion, by receiving apprentices who might themfelves in dice time alfo become majler mafons, it was determined, that the gradations in the fcience fhouid confiH: of three diilindl degrees^ to each of which fhouid be adapted a particular dif" ringulfhing teft, which tejly together with F * the ( 34 ) the explication^ was accordingly fettled and communicated to the fraternity^ previous to their difperfion, under a neceflary and folemn injundlion to fecrecy : and they haye been moft cautioufly preferved, and tranfmitted down to pofterity by faithful brethren, ever fince their emigration. Thus the center of union among free-mafons^ was firmly fixed; their cabala re- gulated and eftablifhed •, and their principles direded to the excellent purpofes of their origi- ns intention. S F'n 1^^ F"^ S^^ F^ ¥^ F'n ^ O M ittj^ ^"^ 1*."^ ^^ ^^' C H A P. 11. ^^■i^i^'^^ H E harmony and connexion JJ'V.A'^ of the fociety of free-mafons^ <5S..'.,/wc5 and the excellent precepts and I^>0 for it .i§ a fundamental maxim of this inftitution, ( 40 ) inftitiition, to prohibit all fuch difputes. The God of heaven, and the rulers of the earth, are by them inviolably refpedted. And with regard to the facred perfon of majefty^ every congregated lodge, folemnizes the name with all poflible grandeur and refped. Thus thefe accufations fall to the ground. It is alfo alledgedby the objedlors xo free-ma- fonry^ that upon the initiation of a member in- to this myftery, he lays himfelf under a fo- lemn obligation by an oath, with very fevere penalties. This by them is pronounced an unwar- rantable proceeding. Certainly thefe perfons are as ignorant as they are ungenerous, and for want of better judgments form erroneous no- tions, and from falfe premifes draw falfe con- clufions. To obviate this objedtion, we will trace the antiquity of fwearing, and obferve the different cuftoms adopted by the ancients on this head ; afterwards examining the nature of an oath, fuppofmg (for the fake of argument, but not granting) that one is required as fet forth by the adverfaries of mafonry ; we will confider how far, it is, or is not, warrantable in the prefent cafe. We are informed by facred hiflory, what was the cuftom oi fwearing among the Hebrews^ who fometimes fwore by Jlretching forth their hands (as in. Gen. xiv. v. 27.) fometimes the party fwearing put his hand under the other's thigh. (Gen. xxiv. v. 21. xlvii. v. 29. which was the manner f 41 ) manner of adminiftration ufed by Abraham and Jacob. Sometimes ^ ft an ding before the alt ar^ as we read in Kings \ which was alio the cuf- tom of the y^thenians^i), tht Cart baginians{2\ and the Romans^^). The Jews chiefly fwore by Jerufalem^ by the temple, by the gold of the temfle^ by the altar ^ and the gift on the altar. The Greeks efleemed it an honour paid their Deities, to life their names in folemn con- trads, promifes and afleverations ; and call them to witnefs mens truth and honefly, or to punifh their f alfehood and treachery. This was reputed a fort of religious adoration, being an acknowledgment of the omnipotence and omnipre* fence, and by confequence of the divinity of the Being thus invoked : and the infpired writers, for the fame reafon, forbid to fwear by the Pa- gan Deities, and c6mmanded to fwear by the true God. Thus in Deuteromony (chap. vi. v. 15) thou fh alt fear the Lord thy God, and ferve him, and fJoalt fwear by his name. And in Je* remiah (chap. v. v. 7.) How fh all I pardon thee for this ? thy children have for faken me, and fworn by them that are no Gods \ and to forbear other * Kings t viiJ. 31. —(i) Alex. ab. Alex. L. 5. c. 10.— (2) Li'vius^ Dec. 3. 1. I.— (3) Juuen. Sat. 3. Vol, Max, L. 9. c. 5. G inftances. ( 42 ) inftances, the worHiippers of the true God, arc by David, reprefented to fwear by him, i. e. by invoking his name. , The antiquity of fwearing, as well as the manner of adminiflring an oath, having now been fuffi- ciently fhewn •, we will in the next place, as far as may be neceffary, take notice of the fun- damental principles of this eflablifhment, as the propereft method to form a right judgment of it ; and thf n in anfwer to the prefent objection, we will e:jcamine how far an oath would, or would not be juftifiable, on the initiation of a mafon, and fuppojing it to be required even under fuch psenal fandlions as have been pre- tended. If we examine the laws and rezulations of free-mafonry^ it will appear that the end and pur- fort of it is truly laudable, being calculated to regulate our palTions, to aflift us in acquiring knowledge of the arts and fciences, and to pro- mote morality and beneficence, as well as to render converfation agreeable, innocent, and in- ftru6live ; and fo to influence our pra6lice, as to make us ufeful to others, and happy in our- jfelves. With regard to the relation we have (as members) to fociety in general, it will ap- pear equally evident from the faid regulations, that a free-mafon is to be a peaceable fubje6t, conforming cheerfully to the government under which he lives, is to pay a due deference to his ( 43 ) his fuperiors ; and from his inferiors is to r€-» ceive honour rather with relu6tance than to exr tort it. He mufl be a man of univerfal beneyor- lence and charity, not tenacious of his abunr dance, when the exigences of his fellow erfa.r tures lay thejufteft claim to his bounty. Mafons not only challenge, but have ever fupported that charadter amongfl the honeft and candid part of mankind, whofe equity and rear fon would never fuffer them to entertain ill- grounded prejudices. The great Mr. Locke appears to have been fo delighted with fome of our principles, that he tells Lady Mash am (to whom he was writ- ing on this fubjed) " that it was his wifh, they were communicated to all mankind, fmce there is nothing more true than what the ma- fons teach ♦, that the better men are, the more they love one another: virtue having in itfelf fomething fo amiable as to charm the heart of all who behold it*." And another if, fpeaking of free-mafom^ fays, " no abufe is tolerated among them, no intempe- rance allowed j modefty, union and humility. * The manufcript from which this and a fubfequent quotation are made, is printed in the appendix to tWs difqqifition. X Vid. Rel.Caft. vol. 6. fol. G 2 are ( 44 ) are ftrongly recommended." Again, " this fociety is no ways offenfive to religion, good manners or political government-, it has and does flill flourifh in Great Britain and its dominions under the prote6lion of the greatefl perfonages, cwtn princes of the royal blood." Mr. Chambers in his Cyclop^dia^ alfo tefli- fies, " that free and accepted inafons^ are a very ancient fociety, or body of men, fo called either from fome extraordinary knowledge of mafonry or building, which they were fappofed to be mailers of, or becaufe the iirfl founders of this fociety were of that profelTion." " They are very confiderable, both for num- ber and chara6ter •, being found in ever country in Europe, and confifling principally of per- fons of merit and confideration. As to anti- quity, they lay claim to a {landing of fome thoufand years, and 'tis faid, can trace up their original as early as the building of SolomorCs temple^'' " What the end of their inflitution is, feems flill to be a fecret, tho' as much of it as is known, appears laudable, as it tends to promote friendfhip, fociety, mutual aHlftance and good fellowfhip." " The brethren of this family, are faid to be poflefled of a number of fecrets^ which have been religioufly obferved from age to age. Be their other good qualities whatever they will, it is ( 45 ) is plain they are mailers of one^ in a very great degree, namely Secrecy." Now let us allc, if a number of perfons have formed themfelves into a body with a defign to improve in ufeful knov^ledge, to promote univerfal benevolence, and to cultivate the fa- cial virtues of human life, and have bound them- felves by the folemn obligation of an oath, to conform to the rules of fueh inllitution, where can be the impiety, immorality or folly of fuch proceeding ? Is it not the cuftom of moft com- munities \ in the flate, amongft the learned bodies, in commerce, &c. a cafe too common- ly known to require a recital of particular in- ftances. I Ihall therefore content myfelf with adding this obfervation, viz. That bifhop Saun- DERSON, an eminent cafuift, in his lectures on the fubje(5t of oaths, very judicioufly afferts, that when a thing is not by any precept or in- tetdi6l human or divine, fo determined, but every man may at his choice do, or not do, as he fees expedient, let him do v/hat he will, he finneth not. (i Chron, chap. vii. v. ^6.) As if Caius fhould fwear to fell his land to Titius, or to lend him an hundred crowns, the an- fwer is brief, an oath in this cafe, is both law- ful and binding. {Prak5f. 3 Se5i. 15.) And as the principles of this inftitution arc truly praife-worthy, containing thofe valuable re^uifites which will ever fecure the efteem anw ( 46 ) jand admiration of zWgood men^ (as well as moft afliiredly the envy of the had^) we will put this plain qiieftion •, is not the defign of it of equal importance to the publick, with the lending of an hundred crowns to a private man ? the anfwer and the confequences are both evident: that an oath on the fubjed oifree-mafonry^ if required, is both lawful and obligatory. As for the terror of a penalty •, it is a mif- taken notion to imagine that t\\t fokmnity of an oath, adds any thing to the ohligation : or that the oath is not equally binding without any penalty at all. I fhall add a few more quotations from the fame excellent cafuift^ and leave the explanation and application to the intelligent. A folemn oath of itfelf, and in its own nature, •is not more obligatory than a fimple one ; be- caufe the obligation of an oath^ arifeth precife- ly from this^ that God is invoked as a witnefs rand avenger, no lefs in the fimple one, than in the folemn and corporal \ for the invocation is made precifely by xht pronounciation of the words (which is the fame both in the fimple and fo- lemn) and not by any corporal motion or cm- cemitant fign in which the folemnity of the oath conjifls. Pr3ele<5l. 5. Sedl. 12. And it is a matter well worthy the confi- deration of every man, that as the objedl of a lawful Oath, is God alone, fo it contains a folemn ( 47 O foleinn confeiTion of his omniprefencey that he is with us in every place ; qf his omnifcience, that he knoweth all fecreU of the heart, that he is a maintainer of truth and an avenger of falfehood: of his juftice, that he js willing, and of his omni-- pQtence^ that he is ahk to punifh thofe that by difregard to their oaths^ Ihall diflionour him. It is therefore of a very dangerous tendency for perfons \yho have once taken an oath^ to trifle and play with the force of it, even fuppofing the occafion of fuch obligation was a6bually of fmall moment in itfelf. And this is pofitively determined by the fame writer, in the following words, and ought to be a caution to all^ not to yiolate ai) path, left they ii>cur the fatal confe- iqi)ences of real perjury. " A fvoluntary oath is the more binding for being voluntary ^ becaufe there is no ftrifter obli- gation than that we take willingly on ourfelves.*^ (Prasledt. 4. Se6l. 11.) And in another place he is more particular, where a matter is fp trivial^ that it is not worth the deliberation of a wife man, nor fignifies a ftraw whether it be done or i^ot done; as to reach up a chip, or to rub one's beard, or for tht Jlightnefs of it, is not much to be efteemed, as to give a boy an apple, or %Q lend a pin j an oath is binding in mat- ters of the leafi moment ; becaufe weighty and trivial things have a like refpe6l unto truth and * falfehood'^ ( 48 ) falfehood\ and further, becaufe every party fwearingy is bound to perform all he promifed^ as far as he is able, and as far it is lawful: to give an apple to a boy, is both poflible and lawful, he is bound therefore to perform it: He ought to fulfil his oath." (Prasled. 3. Sed. 15.) *This is likewife confirmed by Moses, {Numb, XXX. V. 2i) " If a man fwear an oath to bind his foul with a bond, he fhall not break his word; he fhall do according to all that pro- ceedeth out of his mouth." And {Zeck. chap, v.) It is threatened that every one that fweareth falfe- ly, fhall be cut off by the curfe: " I will bring it forth, faid the Lord of Hosts, arid it fhall enter into the hoiife of Mm the fweareth falfely hy my name \ and it fhall remain in the midfl of his houfe, and fhall confume it^ with the timber thereof, and the ftones thereof." The obje^ors being thus anfwered with re- fpe6t to the lawfulnefs of an oath, fuppofing one to be required on the initiation oi 2i free-mafon (as to the certainty of which conjecture is their only Support) I fhall next take notice of the charge brought againfl them on account oi fecrecy \ one of their grand charadcriflicks ; and the innocent caufe of all the perfecutions and reproaches they fufl^er. We are condemned for keeping the effentials of our inftitution from the knowledge of thofe who are not members of it: Which, 'tis faid, * ^ muft ( 49 ) muft fufliciently prove them to be of a bad na- ture and tendency, elfe why are they not made piiblick for the fatisfadlion of mankind. \i fecrecy be a virtue, (a thing never yet de- nied) can that be imputed to us as a crime^ which has been confidered an excellence in all ages ? Does not Solomon, the wifeft of men, tell us, He that difcovers fecrets is a traitor^ hut a man of a faithful jpir it concealeth the matter. In conducting all worldly affairs, fecrecy is not only effential, but abfolutely necefTary^ and was ever efleemed a quality of the greateft worth. Thus we find the great Fenelon makes Ulysses, in the fyftem of the education which he delivers to his friends for his fon Telema- CHus, particularly enjoin them above all, to render him juft, beneficient, fmcere, and faith- ful in keeping fecrets \ a precept that afterwards produced the beft of confequences to the young prince, of whom it is recorded, that with this great excellence of taciturnity, he not only di- veiled himfelf of that clofe myilerious air, fo common to the referved, but alfo conllantly a- voided telling the leaft untruth in fupport of this part of his chara6ler. A condudt ! highly worthy the imitation of every one to whom fecrets are intruded, affording them a pattern of opennefs, eafe and fincerity, for while hefeemed to carry his whole heart upon his lips, commu- nicating what was of no importance, yet he knew how to flop juft in the proper moment, H without ( 50 ) without proceeding to thofe things which might raife any fufpicion, or furnifh even a hint to difcover the purpofes of his mind. If we turn our eyes back to antiquity, we fhall find the old Egyptians had fo great a rcr gard for ftlence and fecrecy in the myfteries of their religion, that they fet up the God Harpo- crates (^vid. imagines deorum a vincentio char- tario) to whom they paid peculiar honour and veneration^ who was reprefented with his right hand placed near the hearty and the left down by his fide, covered with a fkin before, full of eyes and ears, to fignify, that of many things to be feen and heard, few are to be publifhed. And among the fame people, the great god- defs Ifis^ the Minerva of the Greeks^ had always an image of a Sphynx placed at the entrance of her temples, to denote that feCrets were there preferved under facred coverings, that they might be kept from the knowledge of the vul' gar^ as much as the riddles of that creature. Jamblicus, in his life of Pythagoras, cbn^ firms the above opinion, by obferving, that from the myfterious knowledge of the Egyptians^ that philofopher drew the fyflem of his fymbo- lical learning and inftrudtive tenets, feeing that the principles and wife do«5lrines of this nation, were ever kept fecret among themlelves, and were delivered down, not in writing, but only by oral tradition. And indeed fo cautious and prudent were they in thefe matters, that every difciple ( 51 ) dilciple admitted to their wife and fcientific myC- teries, was bound in the moft folemn manner to conceal fiich myfteries from the vulgar, or thofe whofe ideas were not fufficiently exalted to receive them. As a proof of this, we need only recoUedl the ilory of Hipparchus^ a Pytha^ gorcan^ who having out of fpleen and refentment, violated and broke thro' the feveral engage- ments of the fociety, was held in the utmoft deteftation, expelled the fchool as one moft infamous and abandoned, and as he was dead to the principles of virtue and philofophy, had a tomb ere6ted for him, according to their cuftom, as though he had been naturally dead. The fhame and difgrace that juftly attended fo great a breach of truth and fidelity, drove the un- happy wretch to fuch delpair, that he proved his own executioner •, and fo abhorred was even his memory, that he was denied the rites and ceremonies of burial ufed to the dead in thofe times ; inftead of which, his body was fuffered to lie upon the ihore of the lile of Samos, Among the Greek nations, the Athenians had a ftatue of brafs, which they awfully revered ; this figure was without a tongue-, by Y^hich fecreey was intimated. The Romans had a goddefs of filence, named Angerona, reprefented with her fore finger on her lips, a fymbol of prudence and taciturnity, Annaxarchus, who (according to Pliny) was apprehended in order to extort his fecrets H 2 from ( 52 ) from him, bit his tongue in the midfl, and afterwards fpit it in the tyrant's face, rather chuf- ing to lofe that organ, than to difcover thofe things which he had promifed to conceal. We read hkewife tliat Gato the Cenfor^ of- ten faid to his friends, of three things which he had good realbn to repent, the principal was divulging a fecret. The Bruids in our own nation (who were the only priefts among the ancient Britons) com- mitted nothing to writing. And C^sar ob- ferves that they had a head or chiefs who exer- cifed a fort of excommunication, attended with dreadful penalties on thofe, who either puhlijhed or prophaned their myfteries. Therefore^ fince it evidently appears from the foregoing inftances (among many other) that there ever were fecrets amongft mankind, as well refpedling focieties as individuals^ and that the keeping thofe inviolable^ was always reputed an indifpenfable duty, and attended with an honourable eftimation •, It muft be very diffi- cult to aflign a fufBcient reafon why the fame pradlice fhould be at all wondered at, or lefs approved in the free and accepted mafons of the prefent age, than they were among the wifeil men, and greateft philofophers of antiquity. The general pradlice and conftant applaufe of the ancients^ as well as the cufloms of the moderns y one would naturally imagine fhould be fufficient to juftify mafons againft any charge of ( 53 •) of lingularity or innovation on this account; for how can this be thought lingular, or new, ]by any one who will but calmly allow him- felf the fmalleft time for refledlion. Do not all incorporated bodies amongft us^ enjoy this liberty without impeachment or cen- fure ? an apprentice is bound to keep the fecrets of his mailer ; a freeman is obliged to confult the interefl of his company, and not proftitut^ in common the myileries of his profefllon ; fecret committees and privy councils^ are folemniy en- joined not to publifh abroad their debates and refolutions. In courts martial^ the members are bound x.ofecrecy\ and in many cafes for more ef- fedlual fecurity an oath is adminiilred. As mfociety in general, v/e are united toge- ther by our indigencies and infirmities, and a vafl variety of circumftances contributing to our mu- tual and necelTary dependence on each other^ (which lays a grand foundation for terreflrial happinefs, by fecuring general amity and the reciprocation of good offices in the world) {o^ in all particular focieties, of what ever denomi- nation, they are all conjoined by a fort of ce- ment j by bonds and laws that are peculiar to each of them, from the higheft affemblies to the lowell. Confequently the injundlions of fecrecy 2Lmong free-mafons, can be no more unwarranta- ble than in the focieties and cafes already pointed out : and to report, or even to inftnuate, that they are, muft argue a want of candour^ a want of ( 54 ) oF retifdrif and a want of tharity. For by the iaws of nature, and of nations, every individual^ and tvtry fociety^ has a right to be fuppofed in- no cent WW proved otherwife. Yet notwithftanding the myfteries of our profef- iion are kept inviolable, none are excluded from a full knowledge of them, in due tijTie and man- ner, upon proper application, and being found capable and worthy of the truft. To form other defigns and expedtations, is building on a a fandy foundation, and will only ferve to tefti- fy, that like a rafh man, their difcretion is always out of the way when they have moft occafion to make ufe of it. mm Sflf^r^'^^C "W ^ lllM'y^lsii (cpc:p«:jp(;:pc:p655&^(;;jpc:jp5;pc5pc^ CHAP. III. ^'^T^T,'!^*^ E will now proceed to the next ■^^w"^J ^^J^^^^^' ^^^- '^^^^ ^' mafonry is ^' >^X^ a triflin?- inftitution, and that our i^ig^S^)S$ principles contain nothing valuable in them." Thefe eenfurers finding it eafier to decry a fcience than to underftand it, are with wicked endeavours attempting to depreciate that which they cannot attain to, and would make their necejfity appear a virtue, and their ignorance the effed of choice. This turn of mind is the defpicable offspring of ent)y^ and fo felfilh are fuch men, that they would rather prefer having the whole circle of the arts and fciences abolifhed, was it in their power, than that others fhould be poiTefTed of a know- ledge, which they are themfelves totally ujiaC^ quainted with and undeferving of. But alas ! they difquiet themfelves in vain ; 'we who a7'e mafons, cannot but laugh at and pity fuch feeble attacks, and are heartily forry for thofe ( 56 ) thole who have no better imderfbandings than to regard them. Did they know any thing of our profejjion^ they could not but efleem ic, for they would be convinced that it is founded on the moft ex- alted principles of morality and focial virtue -, tending to promote the true happinefs of mankind in general, the peace and fatisfaclion of every in- dividual in particular •, to cenfure then and vilify what they are entirely ignorant of, difcovers the bafenefs of their difpofitions, and how little they are qualified to pafs their judgments in matters of fuch importance. Therefore, though we com- miferate their defeats, we mud at the fame time be allowed to pronounce them, unworthy our further notice. Had our infiitution contained nothing com- mendable or valuable in it, 'tis impolTible it ihould have exifted, and been patronized by the wife, the good and great, in all ages of the world. F'or we cannot fuppofe that men, diftinguiihed by every accomplifhment that can adorn human nature, would embrace or con- tinue in principles which they found to be nu- gatory, erroneous or contemptible. Therefore the advice which Gamaliel (A^s. v. ver. 38.) wifely gave to the perfecutors of the apoftles^ might with great propriety be recommended to thefe railers againft free-mafons. They may alTure themfelves, that if there was no more in our inftitution than their little minds fuggeft, it would ( 51 ) would have fallen to the ground ages paft, but the contrary being the cafe, they may fafely conclude, it will continue to exift notwithftand- ing any oppofition, for ages yet to come. Perhaps it will be faid, that the moral and focial principles we profels, are equally neceffary to the fupport oi every well regulated fociety ; how then came mafons to appropriate the merit of fuch principles to themfelves ? I anfwer, they are not only deemed neceflary, but taught^ and brought into practice in the lodge -, they are familiarized to us by fuch a plain, pleafmg and peculiar me- thod, that they feem no longer lefibns or rules, but become inherent principles in the bread of every free-mafon. But from the corrupt flate and difpofition of mankind, there are fome who will always make it their bufmefs to afperfe and ridicule whatever they fufped has the leaft beauty or excellency in it. Th^it envious /'^/;^^j, having juft fenfe enough to imagine, that fcandal is ealier hit off than fraife ; and that fatyr will fooner procure them a name xhdiXi panegyrick^ and looking at all focieties through falfe and narrow mediums, they form judgments of them from their trifling felves ; adting in dired: contradi6tion to the apoftles exhortation to the PhilippianSy " If there be any virtue, if there be any praife, they will condemn thofe things," notwithftanding the flrength of reafon with which they are accompanied j not- I withftanding ( 58 ) wkhftanding the apparent benefit a«d advantage they may bring to mankind •, fo little relifh have they for things excellent in themfelves, fo inat- tentive are they to the force of the cleareft rea- foning, and fo enveloped in ignorance and pre- judice, that nothing is fufficient to convince them. I don't mean that ignorance which implies a want of knowledge*, but that affeded and pre- fumptuous follyv^hichdefpifes it. Andoffuch Solomon fays, " feeft thou a man that defpifeth inftrudion ? there is more hope of a fool than of him." If therefore thefe accufers have any remains of modefly, if the a/Jertors of fuch calumny can ever blufh, they are now put to the trial •, for whilft they deal thus freely with the principles and proceedings of perfons of the greatefl ho- no\ir and diftindion, they are only difcovering to the judicious part of mankind, the weaknefs of their heads and the wickednefs of their hearts. How truely do they come under the ftandard of that defcription v/hich Justus Lipsius, art eminent writer, has given us of this abominable fed. * The natural and proper efFeft of a bare want of knowledge is, that men forbear to pafs any judgmefit, upon what they underftand not i and that they neither contend/^, nor againft any thing, before they ha^e /me ua/cn to determine them fo to da. Calumny^ ( 59 ) " Calumny^ fays he, is a filthy and pernicious infedion of the tongue -, generally aimed by the wcfft wicked and abandoned part of mankind, againft the moft zvcrthy and deferving of efteem, and wounds them unexpedledly. And to whom is it pleafing? To the ?nofl vile^ the perfidious^ the talkative. But what is its fource ? Froni what origin does it proceed ? from falfehood^ as it's father ; from envy^ as its mother ^ and from curiofity^ as its nurfe ?" Would fuch perfons exercife but a very fmall portion of reafon and refledlion, they would readily perceive the madnefs of their attempt to depreciate a fociety which has ever with- ftood and repelled every attack made againft it; ftill acquiring additional honour and ftrength; fuch proceedings afFe6ling it no more, than a ja- velin thrown by the feeble hand of old age, that never reaches, or at moft makes no impreflion on its deftined mark. I 2 CHAP. CHAP. IV. %:$^^.-M. H E laft accufation brought agalnft ^^^2^ /r^^ ^fid accepted 7nafons^ which I 5k.c$o d^ ^'^'^ ^^^^^ ^^y notice of, is, that they 1^&*^ make life of ^jy^?w//pi7/V figures, ^j- raholical and fymhoUcal ciiftoms and ceremonies, fecret words and ^;?^, with different degrees of prolation peculiar to themfelves : thefe are alfa cenfured. What evil thefe refined cafuifts can point out in fuch proceedings, is not eafy to imagine. But I think it no very difficult undertaking to juftify them againfl any obje6lion. It is well known that fuch cufloms and cere- monies, are as ancient as the firil ages of the world, the philofophers of which praclifed the method of inculcating their fuhlime truths and important points of knowledge by allegory and mythology^ the better to fecure them from defcend- ing ( 6i ) in or into the familiar reach of every inattentive and unprepared novice, from whom they might not meet with the veneration they deferved, and therefore become too familiar^ and contemptible ; for which reafon they were accuftomed to pro- ceed with the utmoft care and prudence. And Origen tells us, {Origen Contra Celftim) " The Egyptian philofophers had fuhlime notions which they kept fecret^ and never difcovered to the people, but under the vail oi fables and allegories^ alfo other eailern nations concealed fecret myjleries under their religious ceremonies, a cuilom//// - retained by many of them. An interpretation therefore of thefe allegories^ &c. as they come under my notice, Ihallbe at- tended to \ and will, I flatter myfelf, exadlly fquare with the prefcnt purpofe. Of all the fymbols appropriated to Jupiter, I fhall only mention the crown of rays^ with the petafus and caduceus^ with which he is repre- fented. The frjl denotes the^^^avrof thefupreme being •, the other, that power ought to be accom- panied with prudence. The cock was a fymbol peculiar to Mercury, as expreflive of that vigilance which was fo very necefiary to him, deftined to execute many func- tions ; as fometimes this emblem hath an ear of corn in his bill, it may ferve to point out to man, that plenty and happinefs will be the confe- quence of care and attention. The ( 62 ) The club is the iymbol of Hercules, and 6ei^otts,Jirengthi The various, fymbols l^doi-rging to the god defs Diana, wet^ Oxefty Lyons^ Gjiffins^ Stags^ Sphyrjx's, B€£S^ Boughs, Rofes^ Sec. which fignify ill a myftical lenle, the unlvei^fe^ wit-h all its pro- duiftions. The ftoiy-of' Minerva is entirely allegorkal^ relating, tli:at JtipiTf^R having devoured Me- tis, (i. e. prudence) conceived Minerva, and was deliver€€rs on their heads: The ^-^^ is reprefented by a woman mounted upon a carr, with four horfes^ rifing as they go. The ^uoeft is fignified likewife by a woman in a carr drawn by two h)rfes : The genius that precedes her, together with the horfes falling down^ by which the wefi^ or fun feiting is denoted. The fymhol of Asia, was a woman with a mu- ral crowM^ holding an anchor^ to denote that the way thither was to crofs the fca. Africa was ( 63 ) was reprefented by a woman wkh ^n Elephanfs trunk on h^v forehead. Tto were the different parts of the world reprefented imder their re- fpeclive fymbols and hieroglyphics. To improve properly on thefe myftical writ* ings, we mull bring them home to ourfdves, by way of appKration. Firft in a phyfical fenfe \ for under the various names oi pagan deities., are concealed the body and fubftance of natural philofophy : Under alle- gories., the poets exprefs tlie wondetfui worfcs of nature. Secondly in an ethical fenfe ; the fcope or in- tent of mythologifts., was not fable but morality. Their defign was to inform the underftanding, correal the paffions, and guide thie will. Exam- ples are laid down to kindle in the mind a can- did emulation, leading thro' the temple of vir- tue to the temple of Honour. They fet off in the fuileft colours, the beauty of virtue and defor* mity of vice. Thirdly in a theological fenfe j for let a fkil- ful hand modeftly draw afide the rail 'oi poetry., and he will plainly difc-over the majeftic form of divinity. I think it is an affertion of TertuUi^n (who lived in an early age of chriftianity) that tnmy of the poetical fi6lix3ns had their original from the ScRiP-ruR^s. And FlaTO is faid by the beft authorities, to have derived the fub- iirneft principles of his philofophy^ from fome writing* ( 64 ) citings of Moses, which he had met v/ith and ijudied in the courfe of his travels in Egypt^, Doubtiefs as the ancients before the inven- tion of letters, exprefied their conceptions in hieroglyphicks^ fo did t\it poets their divinity^ in fables and parables. We alfo find, that even when they fet up Jtones in order to conipofe any mcmcrial, there was fomething expreflive either in the number y of which the monument confiiled, or in their Jhape^ or in the order and figure in which they were difpofed ; of the firfl kind were the mo- nyments of mount Sinai-, {Exod. xxiv. ver, 4.) and that at Gilgal^ ereded by Joshua, upon the banks of Jordan •, they confifted of twelve ftones each, becaufe the people of Ifrael^ (for whofe fake the altar was built, and the ftreams of Jordan dividing themfelves, thereby opening a miraculous paflage for the whole nation) were principally clafTed into twelve tribes {Jcjh, iv. V. 8.) the fame number of ftones : and for the above reafon were fet up in the midft of the place where the ark had refted. (ib, v. 9.) * Whenever it is aflerted that the Pagan accounts of things were borrowed from Revelation recorded in the hiftory of Mnjes, it muft not be underftood, that all the fables and fiftions oi the Be^it bens were borrowed from thence, but only that the /r«/^/ which appear amongft their fables and fidions (when ftript of their mythological difguife) were derived from feme tractions they had of a Revelation recorded in the facred hijlory, LikewifcL ( ^5 ) Likewife the famous * pillars before Solo- mon's temple^ were not placed there for orna- ment alone j their fignification, ufe and myftical meanings * As there is a feeming contradidion in the accounts of the height of thefe pillars, it may not be amifs here to re- concile that matter. Jt is faid, he fet thetn up in the porch of the temple, (\ Kings vii. 21.) and ^^ made before the houfe t'wo pillars. And he reared up the pillars -reyoke the temple^ (2 Chron. lii. i^, 17. which expreffions taken together fuf- iiciently feem to imply x\iG pillars were hffore the temple in its porch. But it is not quite fo eafy to aflign the height of them. In one place it is faid of Solomon, He caji t'wo pillars of brafs, i^ cubits high each, (^l Kings, vii. v. ir.) In another we r-ead, he made two pillars of thirty and f've CU' bits high (2 Chron. iii. v. 15.) This feeming inconfif- tency between the two facred hiftorians, may be eafily re- conciled, but at the fame time it ferves to prove they did hot combine together, or were correded or amended by each other. To reconcile this feeming inconfjftency, let us only fuppofe the pedeHal or bafs of the columns to have been 17 cubits high, this added to the 18 cubits (i Kings vii. V. 16. Jer. lii. v. 21.) for the /haft, will together makeexaftly 35 cubits, the number mentioned, (2 Chron, iii. V. 15.) laftly taking (i Kings vii. v. 16.) five cubits, being the height of the chapiter, we Ihall have the true height of the pillars, viz. 40 cubits. It is true, that in another place (2 Kings xxv. v. 17.) the height of the chapi- ter is faid to have been 3 cubits ; but here we apprehend we have the dimenfions of the chapiter only, ftriftiy fo called {Cohereth, in the Hebrew, or crowning,) which i& expreffed to haye been three cubits, but then there is left to be underftood, the ^wreathen ixork on it round about, which was/oy© cubits more, both which fums added, make that oifiey require, for want of right underftanding and a found . mind, they might not produce their jufl and ne- cefiary confequences , as even the pureji morality and wifeji fyftems, have been too often ridiculed by the folly or per v erf enefs of weak or wicked men. Therefore the nam^e of rnafon is not to be eonlidered in the contradled implication of a builder of habitations, &:c. But figuratively* purfuant to the method of the ancient fociety on which this inffitution is founded •, and taken in this fenfe, a mafon is one who by * The apFj/rks alfo frequently made uf-; o^ this Term in the like reafe, Acts xx! ver' 32. Ephef. ii. ver. 22. ^ gradual { 71 ) gradual advances in the fublinie truths and various arts and fciences which the principles and precepts of free-majonry tend to inculcate and eflabiifh, is raifed by regular courfesxo fuch a degree of perfection as to be replete with happinefs himfelf, and extenfively beneficial to others. As to the appendage free^ that evidently owed its rife to the pra6tice of the ancients^ who never fuffered the liberal arts and fciences to be taught to any but the free-horn, I now prcfume I have fuiiiciently expofed and everted all the foregoing allegations. And having alfo traced back to earlieft ages, the ufe and meaning of fymhols and hiercgly- phicSy and likewife fully demonflrated the original intention and ufe of allegorical figures and ceremonies, and the reafonablenefs and necelTity of progreffive degrees in the purfuit of every art and fcience, no unprejudiced perfon will think it extraordinary that thofe cufloms and ceremonies eftabliihed and connedted with our inflitution, have been mofl facredly and in- violably preferved and adhered to by us to this day. But what fuch cufloms and ceremonies are, for what ends and purpofes ufed^ never can be known except to true and lawful brethren. Therefore, however anxious and refllefs the hufy and inviduous may be, and whatever attempts they may make to traduce our inflitution and proceedings, or difcover our myfleries, all their endeavours C 75 > endeavours will prove ineffedlual. They will ftiil find that the only means to attain to the knowledge of our myfleries, are abilities^ in- tegrity^ firmnefs^ and a due and conflant perfe- verance in the great duties^ of moral and facial fife, in principles of religion and virtue^ and whatever is commendable and praife-worthy. These are the fteps, and this the clue, that will lead and direct the pradlifers of fuch excellencies to the heights of free-mafonry^ and while they adhere to them, will effed:uallyfecure them favour and efteem from every able and faithful brother, and the wafmeft approbation and fatisfadlion from their own hearts. IT ^ APPENDIX |HnB| %^ F"*! kjtil ^^ ^JN^ ^^ APPENDIX. ^;XX><;0sAVING ihewn at what period and •-. .•■ v*y V' '■''■' V" OxuxO ^^ wh^t plan^ free-masohry Jirji Vs5vx/<5v became a regular inftitution ; I refer MXXX*<^! my readers to our book of excellent conftitutions (which no lodge ought to be with- out) for a particular account of its progrefs in the various parts of the globe ever fince. But as many may not have time and opportunity to confult fo ample a relation, I ihall for the benefit offucb, .take fome notice ^er^ of the firft eftablilhment of mafonry in this kingdom. And notwithftanding the obfurity which inve- lopes the hiftory of the early ages of our country, various * circumftances contribute to prove that * The remains of ancient architeflure of much earlier date than the Romans, the yfages and cuftoms of the Druid's, fo exa<5lly agreeable to the ufages of this injiituttonj which probably they gathered from the Magi ans, Sec. free- ( 80 ) free-fjfafonry was introduced in Britain by the Jirjl inhabitants, and though many ancient re- cords of this inftitution were either loft or de- ftroyed in the wars of the Saxons and Banes ^ yet we are ftill pofTefled of one, which teftifies that fo far back as the reign of king Athelstone, this fraternity were reftored to, and confirmed in their ancient rights and privileges by a new charter or royal grant of that king, which is re- corded in the old conftitution, and relates that, " King Athelstone, the grandfon of Alfred the great, a mighty architecSt, the firft anointed king of England, and who tranfiated the Holy Bible into the Saxon tongue, when he had brought the land into reft and peace, built many great works, and encouraged many mafons from France^ who were appointed overfeers thereof, and brought with them the charges and regulations of the lodges, preferved fmce the Roman times, who alfo prevailed with the king to improve the conftitution of the Englijh lodges, according to the foreign model, and to encreafe the wages of working mafons. That the faid king's brother, prince Edwin^ being taught mafonry and taking upon him the charges of a mafter-mafon^ for the love he had to the faid craft, and the honourable principles whereon it is founded, purchafed a free charter of his father for the mafons to have a correction among them- felves, (as it was anciently exprefted,) or a free- dom and power to regulate themfelves, to amend ( 8i ; amend what might happen amifs within the craft, and to hold a yearly 'coramunication, and general affembly. That accordingly prince Edzvin^ fummoned all the mafons in the realm, to meet him in a congregation at Tork, in June^ A. D. 926. who came and compofed a general or grand lodge, of which he was Grand Mafter : And having brought with them all the old writings and re- cords of the craft extant, fome in Greek, fome in Laiift, fome in French, and other languages, from the contents thereof, that affembly framed the conftitutions and charges of an Englifio lodge, made a law to preferve and obferve the fame in all time coming, and ordained good pay for the working mafons." And the craft was greatly encouraged by the Saxon and Danijh monarchs, and other eminent and wealthy perfonages in fucceeding ages ; and wholefome laws and regulations were occafionally made and eftablilhed to promote and render per- manent the profperity, honour and harmony of the fraternity. For it is alfo recorded, that in the glorious reign of king Edward the third, who became the patron of arts ^nd fcienccs, the charges and regulations of mafons were, " reviled and meliorated, and feveral new regulations were ordained ;" from which time to the reign of king Hen-f-y the Jixth, mafonry continued in 3. flourifhing ftate, lodges and communications being more frequently held than ever, and tran- M quility,_ ( S2 quility, joy and felicity, univerfally abounded amongft them. This happy fituation of the fociety proved a fufficient incitement with the commons of that day to attempt its overthrow, by a general fup- preflion of their lodges and communications \ and taking advantage of the king's minority, in the third year of his reign, and the fourth of his age, an adl was pafTed to prohibit, their con- federating in chapters or congregations. But the prudent and vipright deportment of the brother- haod^ and the excellence of their principles, pre- cepts, and regulations, had gained them fuch univerfal efteem, and good-will, that this fevere cdi6l, the effed of envy and malevolence in this arbitrary fet of men, was never once executed, nor did it in the leaft intimidate the mafons from holding their afTemblies, or caufe them to take any Reps to get it repealed \ confcious of their ov/n integrity, they dreaded not its force ; on the contrary, we find, that in the minority of the fame king, a very refpedable lodge was held at Canterlury\ and that a coat of arms, much the fame with that of the London company of freemeh-mafons, was ufed by them *, whence it is natural to conceive, that the faid company is defcended of the ancieyit fraternity ; and that in former times, no man was made free of that company y until he was initiated in fome lodge of free avul accepted mafons^ as a necafTary quali- ficatioa* C S3 ) Hcation*. And it not only appears, that before the troubles which happened in the reign of this unfortunate prince, free-mafons were liniverfally efteemed, but even king //^;/ry himfelf was made a mafon in the year 1442, and many Lords and gentlemen of the court, after his example, fo- Ucited and obtained admilTion into the fraternity. And by what follcwSy we find how very intent this prince was to acquire fome knowledge of the fundamental principles, hiftory and traditions of the Royal Art^ even before he was initiated ^ and from whence may alk) be gathered many of the original principles of the ancient fociety^ on which the inftitution of free-mafonry was in- grafted. No doubt but every reader will feel fome fa- tisfa6lion in looking over this antique relation, though none more lb than the true and faithful brother^ in obferving the glim.mering conjectures of an unenlightened perfon, upon the funda- mental principles, hiilory and traditions of the royal art^ though a philofopher of as great merit and penetration as this nation ever pro- duced. * This is the conftant praftice at this day amongft the o^rativi majons in our fifter kingdom, Scotland' M 2 A Utter ( §4 ) A letter from the learned Mr. John Locke., to the right Hon. 'Thomas Earl of Pembroke., with an old manufcript on the fubje^ of free-mafonry. My Lordy 6th May., i6()6, IHave, at length, by the help of Mr Collins procured a copy of that M.S. in the Bodleian library, which yen were fo curious to fee : and, in obedience to your Lordihip's commands, I herewith fend it to you. Moft of the notes annexed to it, are what I made yeflerday for the reading of my lady Mafham, who is become fo fond of mafonry, as to fay, that fhe now more than ever wiihes herfelf a man, that fhe might be capable of admilfion into the fraternity. The M. S. of which this is a copy, appears to be about 160 years old j yet (asyour lordfhip will obferve by the title) it is itfelf a copy of one yet more ancient by about 100 years : for the original is faid to have been the hand-writing of K. Henry VI. Where that prince had it is at prefent an uncertainty ; but it feems to me ta , be an examination (taken perhaps before the king) of fome one of the brotherhood of mafons ; among whom he entred himfelf, as it is faid, when he came out of his minority, and thence- forth put a Hop to a perfecution that had been raifed againft them : But I mufl not detain your lordfhip longer by my preface from the thing itfelf. Certayne ( S5 > Certayne queftyons^ with awnfweres to the fame\ concerning the myftery of maconrye v writtene hy the hande of kynge Henry e the Jixthe of the narne^ and faithfully e copyed by me ( i ) Johan Leylande antiquarius, by the commaunde of his (2) highneffe, ^hey be as follcweth^ ^efl, ¥T7HAT mote ytt be? (3) VV Anfw. Ytt beeth the flcylle of nature, the underilondynge of the myghte tliat ys hereynne, and its fondrye werckynges \ fbn- derlyche, the fkylle of redenyngs, of waightes and metynges, and the treu manere of f aeon- nynge al thynges for mannes ufe, headlye, dwel- lynges, and buyldynges of alle kindes, and al odher thynges that make gudde to manne. (i) John Leland yfizs appointed by Henry VTIJ. at the diflblution of monafteries, to fearch. for, and fave fuch books and records as were valuable among them. He was a man of great labour and induftry. (2) His highnejje, meaning the faid king Henry VIIL Our kings had not then the title of majefty. (3) What mote ytt be? That is, what may this myftery of mafonry be? The anfwer imports, that it confifts in nahiral, mathematical and mechanical knowledge. Some part of w.hich (as appears by what follows) the raafbns pretend to have taught the reft of mankind, and fome part they fhould conceal. Queft. ( 86 ) ^eft. Where dyd ytt begyne ? Anfw, Ytt dyd begynne v/ith the (4) fyrHc menne yn the efle, whych were before the (5) ftyrfle manne of the weft^ and comynge wefllye, ytt hathe brought herwyth alle comfortes to the wylde and comfortlelTe. ^left. Who dyd brynge ytt wefl.lye ? Anfw. The (6) Venetians, whoo beynge grate merchandes, corned flfyrft ffromme the eile ynn Venetia, for the commodytye of marchaundy- fynge beith efle and wefle, bey the redde and myddlelonde fees. ^eft. Howe comede ytt yn Engelonde ? (4) (5) Fy^'J^^ menne yn the EJle^ &c. It (hould fcem by tills that mafons believe there were men in the eaft before Adam, who is called the ffyrfte manne of the weft ; and that arts, and fciences began in the eaft. Some authors of great note for learning have been of the fame opinion ; and it is cerialn that Europe and Africa (which in refpedl to Alia, may be called weftern countries) were wild and favage, long after arts and polltenefs of manners were ici great perfeftion in China, and the Indies. • (6) 7he VeneiianSf &c. In the time of monkifh Ignorance it is no wonder that the Phenicians (hould be miftaken for the Venetians. Or, perhaps, if the people were not taken one for the other, fimilitude of found might deceive the clerk who firft took down the examination. The Pheni- cians were the greateft voyagers among the ancients, and were in Europe thought to be the inventors of letters, which perhaps they brought from the call with other arts. Anfw^ ( S7 ) Anfw. Peter Gower (7) a Grecian, joiirneyedde fFor kunnynge yn Egypte, and yn Syria, and yn everyche londe whereas the Venetians hadde plaun- tedde maconrye, and wynnynge entraunce yn al lodges of maconnes, he lerned muche, and re- tournedde, and woned yn Grecia magna (8) (7) Peter Goivey. This muft be another miftake of the writer. I was puzzled at firft to guefs who Peter Gower fhould be, the name being perfedly Englifti ; or how a Greek Ihould come by fuch a came : But as foon as i thought of Pythagoras, 1 could fcarce forbear frailing, to find that philofopher had undergone a metempfycofls, he never dreamt of. We need only coniider the French ppo- nounciation of his name, Pythagore, that is Petagore, to conceive hov/ eafily fuch a miftake might be made by aa- Hnlearned clerk. That Pythagoras travelled for knowledge into Egypt, kc. is known to all the learned; and that he wasinitated into feveral different orders of priefts, who hi thofe days kept all their learning fecret f om the vulgar, is as well known. Pythagoras alio, made every geometrical theorem a fecret, and admitted only fuch to the knosvledge of them, as had firft undergone a five years filence. Ke is fuppofcd to be the inventor of the XLVII. propofition of the firft book of Euclid, for which, in the joy of his heart, it is faid he facrificed a hecatomb. He alfo knew the true fyftem of the world, lately revived by Copernicus ; and wa^ certainly a moft wonderful man. See his life by Dion Hali, (8) Grecia Magna, a part of Italy formerly fo called, in which the Greeks had fettled a large colony. wachfynge. ( 88 ) wachfynge, and becommynge a myghtye (9) wyfeacre, and greatelyclie renowned, and her he framed a grate lodge at Groton (10) and maked many maconnes, fome whereoffe dyd jeurneye yn Fraunce, and maked many maconnes, where- fromme, yn procefTe of tyme, the arte pafled yn Engelonde. ^eji. Dothe maconnes defcouer here artes unto odhers ? Anfw. Peter Gower whenne he journeyedde to lernne, was ffyrfle (11) made, and anonne tech- edde ; eyenne foe fhulde all odhers beyn recht. Nathelefs (12) maconnes hauethe always yn eve- ryche tyme from tyme to tyme communycatedde to (9) IVyfeacre. This word at prcfent fignifies fimpleton, but formerly had a quite contrary meaning. Weifagrr in the old Saxon, is philofopher, wifemanor wizard, and hav- ing been frequently ufcd ironically, ac length came to have a dired meaning in the ironical fenfe. Thus, Duns Scotus, a man famed for the fubtility and acutenefs of his under- ftanding, has by the fame method of irony, given a general name to modern dunces. (10) GrotoH. Groton is the name of a place in England. The place here meant is Crotona, a city of Grecia Magna, which in the time of Pythagoras was very populous. (11) Fyrjli Tuade. The word made I fuppofe has a parti- cular meaning among the mafons ; perhaps it fignifies, initiated. (12) Maccnnes haucth commi.nycateddcy &c. This paragraph hath fomething remarkable in it. it contains a j unification ©f ( ^ ) to mannkynde foche of her fecrettes as general- lyche myghte be ufefulle ; they haueth keped backe foche allein as fhulde be harmefulle yfF they corned yn euylle haundes, oder foche as ne myghte be holpynge wythouten the techynges to be joinedde herwythe in the lodge, oder foche as do bynde the freres more ftrongelyche togeder, bey the proffytte and commodytye comyng to the confrerie herfromme. ^lej}. Whatte artes haueth the maconnes techedde mankynde ? Jnfw. The artes (13) agricultura, architefbura aftronomia, geometria, numeres, mufica, poefe, kymiftry, governmente, and relygyonne. ^efi, Howe commethe maconnes more tea- chers than odher menne ; ^nfzv. The hemfelfe haueth allein in (14) arte of of the fecrecy {0 much boafted of by mafons, and fo much blamed by others ; averting that they have ia all ages dif- covered fuch things as might be ufeful, and that they con- ceal fuch only as would be hurtful either to the world or themfelves. What thefe fecrets are, we fee afterwards. (13) The artSf agriculture, ^'Z, It feems a bold pretence this of the mafons, that they have taught mankind all thefe arts. They have their own authority for it; and .1 know not how we fhall difprove them. But what appears moft odd, is, that they reckon religion among the arts. (14) Arte offfynding neue artes. The art of inventing arts, muft certainly be a moft ufeful art. My lord Bacon*s No- vum Organum is an attempt towards fomething of the fame N kind. ( 90 ) of fyndlng neue artes, whyche arte the ffyrde maconnes receaued from Godde; by the whyche they fyndethe whatte artes hem plefedie, and the treii way of techynge the fame. Whatt odher mennedoethe ffynde out, ys onelythe bey chaiince and therfore but lytel I tro. ^cji, Whatt dothe the maconnes conceleand hyde ? Anfw. They concelethe the art of ffyndynge neue artrs, and thattys for her own proflfytte, and (15) preife : They concelethe the art of kepynge (16) fecrettes, thatt foe the worlde mayech no- thinge concele from them. They concelethe the art of wunderwerckynge, and of forefayinge thynges to come, thatt fo thay fame artes may not be ufedde of the wyckcdde to an euyell kind. But I much doubt, that if ever the mafons had it, they have now loft it ; fince fo few new arts have been late- ly invented, and fo many are v%'anted. The idea I have of fuch an art is, that it mall be fomethin^ proper to be ap- plied in all the fciences, generally, as algebra is in num- bers, by the hetp of which, new rules of arithmetic are, and maybe found. (15) Preife. it fecms the mafons have great regard to the reputation as well as the profit of their order ; fince they make it one reafon for not divulging an art in common, that it may do honour to the proflefTors of it. I think in this particular they fiiew too much regard for their own fociety, and too little for the reft of mankind. (16) Jrte ofkeepyvgefecrettu. What kind of an art this is, I can by no means imaoir.c. But certainly fuCh an art the mafons ( 9^ ) ^iiyell ende; they alio concelethe the (17) arte of chaunges, the vv cy of wynnyngethe facukye (18) cf Abrac, the fkylle of becommynge gude and perfyghte wythouten the holpynges of fere, and hope; and the iiniverfelle (19) longage cf maconnes. mnfons mufthave: For though, as Tome people fuppofe, they (hould have no fecret at all, even that muft be a fecret wliich beitig difcovered would expo fe them to the higheft ri- dicule : and therefore it requires the utmoft caution to con- ceal it. (r;) Arte ofcbaunges, I know not what this means, uii- lefs it be the tranfmutation of metals. (18) Tacuhye cf Abrac. Here I am utterly in the dark. (19} Unc-ver/eUe Ingage of tnaconres. An univerfal language has been much defired by.the learned of many ages. It is a thing rather to be wilhea than hoped for. But it feems the mafons pretend 10 have fuch a thing among them. If it be true, I guefo it mull be fomefhing like the language of the Pantomimes among the ancient Romans, who are faid to be able, by figns only, to exprefs and deliver any oration intelligibly to men of all nations and languages. A maa who has all thef^ arts and advantages, is certainly in a cou- dition to be envied : But wc are told, that this is not the cafe with all mafons ; for though thefearts are among them, and all have a ri^ht and opportunity to knew them, yet fome want capacity, and others induftry to acquire them. However, of all their arts and fecrets, tha: which I defirc mbft to know is, The (kyle of becommynge gude and perfyghte ; and I wiih it were communicated to all mankind, fince there is nothing more true than the beautiful fentence contained in the laft-anfwer, ^* The better men are, the more they love one another." Virtue having in itfelf fomeihing fo amiable as to charm the hearts of all that behold it, N 2 Sued. i 9^ ) ^eft. Wylle he teche me thay fame artes ? Jnfw. Ye Ihalle be techedde yff ye be warthye, and able to lerne. ^left. Dothe all maconnes kunne more then odher menne ? Jnfw. Not fo. Thay onlyche haueth recht and occafyonne more then odher menne to kunne, but manye doeth fale yn capacity, and manye more doth want induflrye, thatt ys perneceflarye for the gaynynge all kunnynge. ^ueft. Are maconnes gudder men then odhers ? Jnfiv, Some maconnes are not fo vertuous as fome other menne j but yn the mofte parte, thay be more gude than they woulde be yf thay war not maconnes. ^eft. Doth maconnes love eidther odher myghtylye as beeth fayde ? Jnfw, Yea verylyche, and yt may not odher- wife be : For gude menne and treu, kennynge eidher odher to be foche, doeth always love the more as thay be more gude. Here endethe the queftyomes, and awnfzvers. I know not what efFedl the fight of this old paper m.ay have upon your lordlhip ♦, but for iny own part I cannot deny, that it has fo much raifed my curiofity, as to induce me to enter my- felf into the fraternity, which I am determined to do (if I may be admitted) the next time I go to London, and that will be fliortly. I am, My Lordy Tour Lordjhtfs moft obedient ^ And moft humble fervant^ - Tqhn Locke. ( n ) A GlofTary to explain the old words in the fore- going manufcript. ^LLEIN, only Alweys^ always Beithe^ both CommodytyCy conve- niency Confrerie, fraternity Faconnynge^ forming Fore-fayinge^ prophe- cying Freresy brethren Headlye^ chiefly Hem plefethe^ they pleafe Hemfelfe^ themfelves Her^ there, their Hereynne^ therein Herwythy with it Holpynge^ beneficial Kunne^ know Kimnynge^ knowledge Make gudde^ are bene- ficial Metynges^ meafures Mote J may Myddlelonde^ Mediter- ^ ranean Myghte^ power Occafyonne^ opportu- nity Oder^ or Onelyche^ only Ferneceffarye^ abfolutely necefTary Preife^ honour Recht^ right, ReckenyngSy numbers Sonderlyche^ particularly Skylky knowledge Wackfynge^ growing Werck^ operation Wey^ way Whereas^ where Woned^ dwelt Wunderwerckynge^ working miracles Wylde^ favage Wynnynge^ gaining Tnn^ into ( 94 ) It would be next to an impofTibility to enu- merate all die Royal, Noble, and Eminent perfon- ages, who have thought it no diminution of their dignities to prote6t and patronize the crt?ft^ and to prefide as Grand Masters over the fraternity in different parts of the globe. However, the following catalogue of thofe who have fat in So- LORioi>j's chair in this kingdom*, together with their deputies 2,nd proviriclal Grand Masters for near ^o years paft, may not be unacceptable to the reader, and at the fame time mufl put to filence and fhame any who look upon free-mafon- ry^ as a trifling inflitution. 1/21. John Montague^ duke of Montague, grand m.afcer. John Beai, docbor of pliyfic, deputy grand mailer. 1722. Fhillp Wharton^ duke of Wharton, grand mailer J. Theo. Defaguliers, L. L. D. and F. R. S. deputy grand mailer. 1723. F. Scott ^ E. of Dalkieth, late duke of Eucckugh, grand mafter. ; J. Theo. Defaguliers, L. L. D. and F. R. S. deputy grand mailer. 1724. C. Lenox^ duke of Richmond, Lenox, and Aubigny, grand mailer. * For the Grand Mafiers in Scotland, Vide, further on. Martin ( 95 ) Martin Folkes, Efq^ deputy grand mafter. 1725. J. Hamiltcji^ Lord PaiHey, now E. of Abercorn, grand mafter. J. Theo. Defagiiliers, L. L. D. and R R. S. deputy grand mafter. 1726. Ifilliam Obrian^ earl of Inchlquin, grand mafter. William Cowper, Efq-, deputy grand mafter. 1727. Henry Hare^ lord Coleraine, grand mafter. Alexander Chocke, Efq-, deputy grand m.after. 172S. James King^ Lord Kingfton, grand mafter. Nathaniel Blackerby, Efq^ deputy grand mafter. 1729-30. ^hc7}2L23 Hczvard, duke of Norfolk, grand mafter. Nathaniel Blackerb}", Efq-, deputy grand mafter. 1 73 1. T. Cooke^ Ld. Lovel, after%vards E. of Leicefter, grand mafter. Thomas Batfon, Efq-, deputy grand mafter. 1732. Anthony Bro-jjn^ lord Vifc. Montacute, grand mafter. Thomas Batfon, Efq-, deputy grand mafter. 1733. James Lyon^ earl of Strathmore, grand mafter. Thomas Batfon, Efq-, deputy grand mafter. 1734. John Lindfay^ E. of Crawford, pri- micr earl of Scotland, grand mafter. Sir Cecil Wray, Bart, deputy grand mafter. ( 96 ) ^735' Thomas Thynne^ Ld. Vifc. Weymouth, grand m after. John Ward, Efq-, deputy grand mafter. I J '^6 John Campbell^ earl of Loudoun, grand mafter. John Ward, Efq-, deputy grand mafter. 1737. Edward Blight earl of Darnley, grand mafter. John Ward, Efq-, deputy grand m.after. 1738. H. Bridges^ marq. of Carnarvon, now D. of Chandos, grand mafter. John Ward, Efq-, deputy grand mafter. 1739. Robert Raymonds lord Raymond, grand mafter. William Graeme, Dr. of phyfick, deputy grand mafter. 1 740. John Keith ^ earl of Kin tore, grand mafter. William Grseme, Dr. of phyfic, deputy grand mafter. 1 74 1 -2. J. Bonglafs^ E. of Morton, Kt. of the thiftle, grand mafter. Martin Clare, M. A. and F. R. S. deputy grand mafter. 1743-4. John Ward^ now lord Vifcount Dudley and Ward, grand mafter. Sir Robert Lawley, Bart, deputy grand mafter. 1745-6. Thomas Lyon^ earl of Strathmore, grand mafter. William Vaughan, Efq-, deputy grand mafter. 1747-8. James Cranftcuriy lord Cranftoun, grand mafter. Edward ( 91 ) Edward Hody, Dr. of phyfic, and F. R. S. deputy grand mailer. 1 749-50- 1. William Byron^ lord Byron, grand mailer. p'otherley Baker, Efq; deputy grand mailer. 1752. John Prohy^ lord Carysfort, grand mailer. Thomas Manningham, Dr. of phyfic, deputy- grand mafler. 1754. James Bridges^ marq. of Carnarvon,' fon and heir to Henry Duke of Chandos, for- merly grand mafler, grand mafler. Thomas Manningham, Dr. of phyfic, deputy grand maflei*. 1757. Sholto Charles Bouglajs^ lord Aberdour, 410W earl of Morton, grand mafler. Mr. John Revis, deputy grand mafler. 1762. WaJJoington Shirley^ earl Ferrers, grand mafler. Mr. John Revis^ deputy grand mafler. 1 764. Cadwallader^ lord Blaney, grand mafler* Col. John Salter, deputy grand mafler. 1767. Henry Somerfet^ Duke of Beaufort, grand mafler. The Honourable Charles Dillon, Efq-, de* puty grand mafler. O DEPU- ( 98 ) DEPUTATIONS for Provincial Grand^ Masters were granted. In 1726, by Lord Taijley^ grand mafter. To Sir Edward Manfell^ Baronet, for South Wales; Hugh Warhurton^ Efqiiire, for North Wales. In 1728, by hord Kingftor?, grand mafter. To George Pomfret^ Efquire, for Bengal, in. the Eafl-Indies. 1729, by the Duke oi Norfolk^ grand mafter. To Captain Ral-ph Farwinter^ for the Eaft-Indies, Monfieur 'Thuanus^ for the circle of Lower Saxony. Mr. Daniel Cox, for New Jerfey, in America. In 1 73 1,- by Lord Lovell, late Earl of L^/V^/- ter, grand mailer. To Captain John Phillips, for all the Ruflias. Captain James Co?mnerford, for the Province of Andalufia, in Spain. Sir Edward Matthews for Shropfhire. Ini734, by the Earl of Crawfurd, grand mafter. ^To Edward Entwizle, Efquire for Lancafhire. Jofeph haycock, Efquire, for Durham. Matthew Ridley, Eiquire, for Northumberland, In 1736, by the Earl oi Loudoun, grand mafter. To Robert ^omlinfon, Efquire, for New-England. John Hammerton, Eiquire, for South Carolina. David Cr eight on, M. D. for Cape Coaft in Africa, ( 99 ) In I y27^ by the Earl ofDarnley, grand mailer; To James Watfon^ Efquire, for the Ifland of Montferrat. Ceorge Hamilton^ Efquire, for the State of Geneva. Henry William Marjhdch^ Efquire, Hereditary Marefchal of Thuringia, for Upper Saxony.- VAUiam Douglas^ Efquire, for the Coaft of Africa and Iflands of America, where no particular deputation had been granted. Richard Riggs^ Efquire, for New York. In 1738, by the Marquis of Carnarvon^ now Duke of Chandois^ grand mafter. To William Hcrton^ Efquire, for the Well Riding of the County of York. His Excellency Governor Matthew^ for the Eeeward Iflands. In 1739, by Lord Raymond^ grand mafler. To the Marquis Bes Marches^^ for Savoy and Piedmont. In 1740, by the Earl of Kintore^ grand mafter. To.his Excellency 7^;;;^j Keith, for all the Ruffias. Matthew Albert Luttman, Efquire, for Ham- burgh, and the Circle of Lower Saxony. Edzvard Rooke^ Efquire, for the Weft Riding of the County of York, in the room of William Horton, Efq; deceafed. Thomas Baxter, Efquire, his Majefty's Attor- ney-General, for the Ifland of Barbadoes, and of all the Iflands to the Windward . Ot GuardaJoun. O o In ( lOO ) In 1 741, by Lord IVardy now Vifcoiint Dudley, grand mafler. To Mr. William Raichdale^ for the County of Lancafler. Ballard Beckford^ George Hynde, and Alexander Crawfordy Efquires, for the Ifland of Jamaica. Thomas Oxnard, Efquire, for North America. In 1 744, by the Esivlof Sfratbmore^ grand mailer. 1 o Alured Popple^ Efquire, for Bermudas, In 1 746, by Lord CranftouHy grand mafler. To Captain ComminSy for Cape-Breton and Louif- burgh. In 1747, 1748, 1749, 1750, 1 751, by Lord Byron^ grand mafler. To William Aliens Efquire, Recorder of Phila- delphia, for Penfilvania, in America. Count Dennejkicld Laurwigy for Denmark and Norway. Lieutenant Colonel James Adolphus Oughton^ for the Ifland of Minorca. Francis Goelety Efquire, for the Province of New York, In 1752, 1753, by Lord C^r^'.c/'^r/, grand mafler. To William Pye^ Efquire, for the County of Cornwall. James Montr ifor^ Efquire, for Gibraltar. PI is Excellency Governor Tinker^ for the Ba- hama Iflands. Sir Robert de Corrrj^ally Baronet, for the Coun- ties of Worcefler, Glouceiler, Salop, Mon- niouih, and Hereford. George { 2-i ) George Harrifon^ Efquire, for the Province of New York. "Thomas Dorree^ Efquire, for Guernfey, Jerfey, Alderney, Sark, and Arme, in the Britiih Channel. In 1754, 1755, by the Marquis oiCarnarvoih grand mafter. To Peter Leigb^ Efquire, Chief Juflice of South Carolina, for South Carolina. David Jones Gwynne^ of Talliaries, Efquire, for South Wales, in the room of Sir Ed- ward Manfell. The Reverend and Honourable Frances Byam, D. D. for Antigua. The Honourable Roger Drake ^ Efquire, at Bengal, for Eaft India. Jeremiah Gridley^ Efquire, for all North Ame- rica, where no Provincial is appointed. William Maynard, Efquire, for Barbadoes, and all other his Majefty's Illands to the Windward of Guardaloup. Edward Galliard^ Efquire, for St. Eu flat i us, Saba, and St. Martin, Dutch Carribbce Iflands in America. John Head^ Gent. Colleclor of the Cuftoms at Scilly, for Scilly, and the adjacent Iflands. Johjl Anthony Hinuher^ for all his Ma jelly's Dominions in Germany, v/ith a Power to choofe Succeflbrs. John Tagp.^ of Hawthorn, Efquire, for the Countv ( 102 ) County Palatini of Chefter, and the City and County of Chefter. In 1758, 1759, 1760, by Lord Aherdour, grand m alter. To William Jarvis^ Efquire, for Antigua. £.divard BaeoHy Efquire, for Norwich, and the County of Norfolk. Raines Bradford^ Efquire, for the Bahama IflandSo Gottfried Jacob Jenifch, M. D. for Hambw^gh and Lower Saxony. "^ohn Smithy Efq-, for the County of Lancafler. Grey Elliot^ Efq-, for Georgia. In 1 76 1, 1762, by Lord Carysfort^ grand mailer. To William Vaughan^ Efq-, for North Wales. John Lewis^ for Andalufia, and places adjacent, Benjamin Smithy Efquire, for Carolina. "Thomas M-arriott Perkins. Efq-, for the Mtif- queta Shore. In 1763, hy lE.zv\ Ferrers J grand mafler. To Cutting Smithy Efq-, for Eaft India. Thomas Marriott Perkins^ Efq-, for Jamaica. In 170)4, 1765, by Lord Blaney^ grand mafler. To Captain John Blewitt^ for Eall India, where no other is appointed. "Dodtoi Byonyftus Manaffe^ for Armenia. George Aiigiiftusy Baron of Hammerilein, for Wcflphalia. James Tody Efq-, for Bombay. ErncH ( 103 ) Erneft Siegmond de Leftwitz^ for the Dukcdoin of Brunfwick. His Excellency Robert Afelville^ Efquire,. fbr the Greater and LefTer Granadoes, St, Vm- cent, Dominica, Tobago, &c, MillhorneWeft^ Efq-, for Canada. John Stone^ Elquire, for Barbadoes. John George Henry C\fS^ the lodf^e of iCAh^'mning as their mothir lodge. prcfcntativ( ( 107 ) prefentative William Sinclair of Roflin, Efq; (a real mafon, and a gentleman of the greatell candour and benevolence, inheriting his prede- ceffors virtues without their fortune) was obliged to difpone the eftate ; and, having no children of his own, was loth that the office oi grand mafier^ now veiled in his perfon, fhculd be- come vacant at his death : more efpecially, as there was but fmall profpe6b of the brethren of this country receiving any countenance or pro- tedlion from the crown (to whom the office na- turally reverted, at the failure of the Roflin fa- mily,) as in ancient days, our kings and princes continually refiding in England. Upon thefe confiderations, (Odlober 1 5, 1 736.) having aflembled the brethren of the lodges in and about Edinburgh, grand-mafler St. Clair repre- fented to them hov/ beneficial it would be to the caufe of mafonry in general to have a grand-maf- ter, a gentleman or nobleman of their own country, one of their own electing, to patronize and pro- ted the craft J and that, as hereditary grmd-maf~ ter over all Scotland, he had called this meetingj in order to condefcend on a proper plan for eledt- ingof 2i grand-mafler ', and that in order to pro- mote fo laudable a defign, he propofed to refign into the hands of the brethren, or whomfoever they fhould be pleafed to ele6b, all right, claim, or title whatever, which he or his fuc- cefibrs have to reign as grand-mafler over the mafons in Scotland ; and recommended to the P 2. brethren. ( io8 ) brethren, to look out for a noblenian or gentle-^ man^ one of the craft, fit to fucceed his noUe predecefTors, a man qualified to patronize and protedl the fociety^ and fupport the character of grand-rnqfier with the honour and dignity be- coming that high ftation ^ and concluded with recommending to them unanimity, harmony, and brotherly love, in all their proceedings thereanent. The brethren taking mto confideration v/hat the grand-mafter had above reprefented, refolv- cd upon proper rules and regulations, to be ob- ferved in the eledlion of a grand-mafter againft St. Andrew's day next j and that they might not be faid to take any ftep without the countenance and approbation of the more diftant lodges, they ordered the following letter to be wrote to all the lodges throughout Scotland, inviting them to appear by themfelves or proxies, in order to con- cur in promoting fo laudable a fcheme* Brethren, " rr^PIE four lodges in and about Edinburgh X having taken to their ferious confidera- " tion, the great lofs that mafonry has fuftained *' thro' the want of a grand-mafter, authorized^ " us to fignify to you, our good and worthy bre- " thren, our hearty defire and firm intention, " to chufe a grand-mafter for Scotland', and in " order the fame may be done with the greateft " harmony, we hereby invite you (as v/e have " dojK; ( 1^9 ) *' done all the other regular lodges known by *« us,) to concur in fuch a great and good work, «' whereby it is hoped mafonry may be reftored *« to its ancient luftre in this kingdom: And *' for effectuating this laudable defign, we hum- *' bly defire, that, betwixt and Martinmas day *' next, you will be pleafed to give us a brotherly *' anfwer in relation to the eledion of a grand- *' mafier^ which we propofe to be on St. An- ^ drew's day, for the firfl time, and ever there- ^' after to be upon St. John the Baptiji^s day, or " as the grand lodge fhall appoint by the ma~ ^' jority of voices, which are to be colledVed *' from the mafters and wardens of all the regu- " lar lodges then prefent, or by proxy to any " mafter-mafon or fellow-craft in any lodge in " Scotland : And the eledlion is to be in Mary^s *' Chapel. All that is hereby propofed is for ^' the advancement and profperity of mafonry *' in its greateft and moft charitable perfeftion. '' We hope and expect a fuitable return-, wherein " if any lodge are defedlive, they have tbeni- *' felves only to blame. We heartily wifh yon *' all manner of fuccefs and profperity, and ever " are, with great refpecV, your affecftionate and " loving brethren, i^c, (Mary's Chapel. Nov. 30. 1736.} This day being appointed for the eleclion of a grand-mafier and other ofHcers to compcfe the grand lodge of Scotland^ the following lodges appeared by themfelves or proxies ; viz. Mary's ( no ) Mary's Chapel, Kilwinning, Canongate Kilwining, Kilwinning Scots arms, Kilwinning Leith, Kilwinning Glafgow, Cupar of Fife, lainlithgow, Dumfermline, Dundee, Dallcieth, Aitckefon^s hftven, Sell^irk, iavernefs, Lafniahego, St» Bride's at Douglas, Strathaven^ Kamilton, , Lanerk, Dunfe, Kirkaldie, Journeymen mafons, Edin. Kirkentulioch, Biggar, Sanquhar, Peebles, Glafgow St. Mungo's, Greenock, Falkirk, Aberdeen, Canongate and Leith, Leith and- Canong. Montrofe» When the lodge was duly met, and the rolls called over, there was produced the followinor re- iignation of the office of grand-ma fie r, by Wilhani St. Clairof Roflin, Efq-, in favour of the bre- thren, or whomfoever they fhould be pleafed to elect to that high office* « y William St. Clair of Roflin, Efq-, taking *' JL to my confidcration, that the mafons in " Scotland did, by feveral deeds, conflitute and " appoint William and Sir William St. Clairs of "' Rodin, my anceflors, and their heirs, to be *^ their patrons, protedors, judges or mafters ; «' and ( III ) ** and that my holding or claiming any fuch ju- *' rifdidlion, right or privilege, might be preju- *' dicial to the craft and "vocation of mafonr\\ *^ whereof I am a member -, and I being defirous " to advance and promote the good and utility *' of the faid craft of mafonry to the utmoit of ** my power, do therefore hereby, for me and *' my heirs, renounce, quit claim, overgive and *' difcharge all right, claim or pretence that I, *' or my heirs, had, have, or any Vv^ays may have, *' pretend to, or claim, to be patron, protedlor, " judge or mafter of the mafons in Scotland, in " virtue of any deed or deeds made and granted *' by the faid mafons, or of any grant or charter " made by any of the kings of Scotland, to and " in favours of the faid William and Sir William " St. Clairs of Roflin, my predecefTors ; or any " other manner of v/ay whatfoever, for now " and ever: And I bind and oblig;e me, and mv " heirs, to warrant this prefent renunciation and '' difcharge at all hands : And I confent to the " regillration hereof in the books of council and ** feflion, or any other judges books competent; *' therein to remain for pi-cfervation *, and there- " to I conflitute my procurators, &i\ " in witnefs whereof I have fabfcribed thefc pre- " fents (written by David Maul writer to tlie " fignet) at Edinburgh, the twenty fourth dav " of November, one thoufind fcven hundred *' and thirty Jix year.% before tliefe witnefles, *' George P'^rafcr deputy-auditor of tlie exciie C 112 ) ^ m Scotland, mafter of the Canongate lodge *^ and William Montgomery merchant in Leith^ ^* mafter of the Leith lodge. WM. ST. CLAIR: Geo. Frafer, Canongate Kilwinning, witnefs, Wm. Montgomery, Leith Kilwinning, witnefs. Which being read, was ordered to be recorded in the books to be hereafter kept in the grand lodge of Scotland. After this the brethren proceeded to the elec- tion of a grand-'mafier \ and, in confideration of his noble and ancient family, for the zeal he Kimfelf had now Ihown for the good and prof- pcrity of the craft, they thought they could not confer that high honour upon any brother better qualified, or more properly entitled, than William %t. Clair of Roflin, Efq; whofe ancefbors had fa long prefided over the brethren, and had ever acquitted themfelvcs with honour and with digni- ty» Accordingly, By an unanimous voice, William St. Clair of Rodin, Efq; was proclaimed grand-mafler-ma* fon of all Scotland^ and being placed in the chair, was inflalled, faluted, homaged and ac- knowledged as fuch» Now we come to thofe halcyon days, whert mafonry began to flourifli in Scotland in har- mony, reputation and numbers ; and many no- blemen and gentlemen of tlie firft rank, befides other learned men, merchants, clergymen and tradcHnen, defircd to be admitted into the fra- ternity \ ( 113 > ternit7 ; and finding a lodge to be a fafe and pleafant relaxation from intenfe ihidy or hurry of bufmefs, without politicks or party, took great pleafure and delight therein. We fhall now proceed to the recital of thofe great perfonages who have thought it their ho- nour, to prefide asgrand^mafters, or other officers of the grand lodge ; and we congratulate the brethren on the happy profped: they ilili have of honourable and worthy brothers fucceeding to Solomon's chair, and prefiding as grand-maflers over them y under whofe benign influence, may the craft continue to flourifh and increafe ; may they be eminent and dillinguifhed amongft man- kind, .for harmony and virtue, as belonging to a focicty dedicated for promoting thefe great and valuable purpofes. Nov. 30, 1^0,6. IFilli am St, Clair y pfRoflin, Efq-, grand mafter. Captain John Young, deputy grand mafter, 1737. George earl of Cromarty^ grand mafter^ Captain John Young, deputy grand mafter. 1738. John earl of Kintore^ grand mafter. Captain John Young, deputy grand mafter. 1739. James earl of Morton ^ grand mafter. Captain John Young, deputy grand mafter, 1740. Thomas carl of Sirathmore and King- horny grand mafter, Ciiptain John Young, deputy grand mafter. 1 74 1. Alexander earl (9/Z^w;/, grand mafterp ( 114 ) Captain John Young, deputy grand maften 1742. }Filliam earl of Kilmarnock^ grand maftec# Captain John Young, deputy grand mafter. 1743. James earl of fFeemyfs^ grand mafter. Captain John Young, deputy grand mafter. 1 744. James earl of Murray^ grand mafter. Captain John Young deputy grand mafter. 1745. Henry David earl of Bucban^gr^ndrm&cr. Captain John Young, deputy grand mafter. 1746. William Nijbet of BirletoUy Efq*, grand mafter. Major John Young, deputy grand mafter. J 747. Francis Charter is of Amesfield^ Efq; grand mafter. Major John Young, deputy grand mafter. 1748. Hugh Set on of T^ ouch ^ Efq-, grand mafter. Major John Young, deputy grand mafter. 1749. Thomas lord Erjkine^ grand mafter. Major John Young, deputy grand mafter. 1750. Alexander earl of Eglinton^ grand mafter. Major John Young, deputy grand mafter, 1 75 1. James lord Boy d^ grand mafter. Colonel John Young, deputy grand mafter. 1752. George Brummond^ Efq-, grand mafter. Charles Hamilton-Gordon, Efq-, deputy grand mafter. 1753. Charles Hamilton-Gordon^ grand mafter. Jofeph Williamfon, Efq-, deputy grand mafter. 1754. James mafler of Forbes, grand mafter. David Dalrymple, Efq-, deputy grand mafter. 1755. Sholto Charles Douglas y lord Ah er dour y grand mafter. George ( "5 ) George Frafer, Efq-, deputy grand mafter. 1756. Shi to Charles Douglas, lord Ah er dour, grand mailer. George Frafer, Efq; deputy grand mafter. 1757 Alexander earl of Galloway, grand mafter. George Frafer, Efq-, deputy grand mafter. 1758. Alexander earl of Galloway, grand mafter, George Frafer, Efq-, deputy grand mafter. 1759. David earl of Lev en, grand mafter. George Frafer, Efq; deputy grand mafter. 1760. David earl of "Lev en, grand miafter. George Frafer, Efq; deputy grand mafter. 1 76 1. Charles earl of Elgin and Kincardine, grand mafter. 1763. Alexander Erjkine, earl of Kelly, grand mafter. 1765. James Stewart, Efquire, Provofl of Edir^ hurgh, grand mafter. I "jS"] The R. H. earl ofDalhouJie, grand mafter. 1769. His excellency James Adolphus Ought en.. Major General of the forces in Scotland, grand mafter. The fpirit, dignity, and decorum with which the craft is conduced in our fifter-kingdom, Scotland, are truly great ; and the praBice of holding lodges in buildings erected intirely for that purpofe ; or, in fpacious rooms in private houfes fet apart for that ufe folely, (which univer- fally prevails through the whole country) is highly comrnendable : muft it not therefore give fmgu- 0^2 lar ( xi6 ) lar pleafure to every good mafon in this kingdomi to find that our noble and worthy grand-mailer, (whofe zeal for the dignity and profperity of inafonry never was exceeded^ by any of his pre- deceflbrs) has propofed a plan for the laudable purpofe of raifing 2ifund to build a hall^ and pur- chafe jewels and furniture for the ufe of the GRAND LODGE, independenlr o^ the fund of charity F The reafons produced in fupport of this fcheme are numerous ; and, among others^ thofe contained in the following letter are worthy of regard ; and, notwithftanding this letter came to hand previous to the grand-mafler's propofal, Hill it may not be improper to infert it here, as it breathes the true fpirit of mafonry, and con- tains very reafonable arguments in fupport of this fcheme, and alfo, as I am perfuaded that this treatife will be read by many mafons^ who, on account of their not frequenting lodges^ might otherwife remain unacquainted with fo noble a defign, and thereby lofe the opportunity of gratifying themfelves by contributing towards it. To Mr. ITELLINS CALCOTf, Windfor O^oher^ i/. i;^^*' I Sir and Brother, Ujiderfland we fliall foon be favoured with your mafonic treatife, and fhaU eftccm my- feif ( "7 ) felf obliged, if you will afford me that oppor- tunity to recall the attention of our worthy bre- thren to an obje6b which well deferves their feri- ous confideration : I mean the erection of a com- modious Building, for the particular as well as general affemblies of the fociety. A propofal for this purpofe was made ia the reign of Grand Majier Ferrers \ but to whatever caufe it then owed its mifcarriage, I beg leave to promote fo laudable an intention, by making the necejfity and utility of it more gene- rally known, through the means of your publi- cation. I therefore take my pen, as an auxiliary to Mr. Edmondes^ who firft puhliftoed fuch a de- fign ; and though I am not acquainted with that gentleman, I honour him for his zeal^ and ap- prove mojl of his fentiments on this fubje(5l. Is it not greatly to be lamented, that a foctetj fo numerous, and fo highly honoured in its members, (being in a great degree compofed of perfons of rank and fortune) fhould, as oft as they have occafion for general meetings, be obliged to refort to taverns, or to hire halls of inferior communities, and thofe atthe beft, verj ill adapted for fuch meetings j as all places muil generally be, that are not particularly conilrudled for our purpofe. Give me leave to fay, it reflects great diilio- nour on this country, juflly ftiled " the grand local ftandard of mafonry." As Englifhmen ! we fliould blulh to be told, that in every other nation ( ii8 ) nation in Europe^ thqr hold their lodges in build- ings erefted and adorned for their particular ufe, and that only. I can appeal to your own expe- rience of the lodges in our fifter kingdom, Scot- land^ for one inllance j of whofe proceedings I have oft heard you make honourable mention, {>articularly taking notice that they alTembled in buildings, which were their own property, fet a part for that purpofe alone, whereby they not only were fecured from every danger of mo- leftation, or the infiilts and difrefpedlful treat- ment of publicans, but accumulated conjiderahk funds. Befides ! our meeting at the houfes of publi- cans, gives us the air of a Bacchanalian fociety, inflead of that appearance o^ gravity and wifdom^ which our order jufily requires. How properly might it be remarked on fuch condu6t, that as almoft all the companies that refort with fo much formality to the city-balls, have in view chiefly feafting and jollity. So mafons aflemble with an air of fcftivity at taverns, to perform the ferious duties of their profefTion, under the regulations of morality and philofophy. Such a condud in the eyes of every thinking man muft appear, even on the firft view, to be ridi- culous and abfurd, and I doubt not will be thouo-ht more fo by every one who fhall have the perufal of your intended treatife. Some may imagine that the expence of the propofed building (if fuch as it really ought to be) Y/iil prove too great for the ability of the fociety. ( 119 5 fociety. But I fancy many plans might be laid down that would render it no difficult undertaldng to raife a fum fufficient for the purpofe. One^ I will beg leave to offer for the prefent, and fhall be very happy in finding a better propofed and adopted. There are at prefent under the eonftitution of England^ near 400 lodges, fome of which con- fift of 60, 70, 80, and even 100 members: not including thofe mafons, who from a variety of caufes do not belong, as fubfcribers, to any particular lodge ; neverthelefs retain their re- lation to, and refpedt for the fociety, and who of themfelves, compofe a very confiderabl^ number. Perhaps it may be objected, there are many lodges that are not fo numerous as what I have above let down ; we will grant that, and take them on an average at 20 members each, which will give us the amount of 8000 mafons who attend lodges. Now I would propofe a volun- tary SUBSCRIPTION, and to promote fo laiidalk a defign^ it would be abfurd to fuppofe any one would offer, as a fre'e gift^ lels than five fhilHngs, (many more) which will produce 2000;/[, No inconfidcr- able fum ! Yet a trifle^ compared to what might modefily be expedled from that numerous catalo- gue oi Princes^ Nobles^ and other wealthy perfons who are of the fociety in mod parts of the globe, and conne=6led with the Englijjp conditution, who would rsadily and lihrally co;7tributej a$ fooa as ( 120 J 5S a proper plan was eftablilhed, and applica^ tion was made to them. Nor let it be wrongly thought, beneath the dignity of our fociety, or efpecially the grand eflabhfhment of it in this Kingdom, to Ibhcit fuch an aid from the fraternity under tht Engltjh conftitution in other countries •, all mafons regularly made under the conftitution of the Grand Mafler of England^ owe alle- giance to the eftablifhment here^ and never fail of its protedlion and afTiftance. If therefore a fcheme was fettled on the above, or fome other proper plan, there can be no doubt of effedlually accompliihing this defireable end. The necejfity of fuch a building is univerfally acknowledged through the fociety ; and a defire of feeing one erected, as generally prevails. Some time ago, indeed, a fubfcription was open- ed for the purpofe of puvchafing furniture fuit- able for the grand lodge : but the ftriking im- propriety of procuring furniture, without frjt providing a place for its reception, put a ftop at that time, to the progrefs of that affair •, yet, notwithftanding the proceeding was then judged premature, the ftrongeft aflurances were given from every quarter of their chearful concurrence^ if a proper building wkfirft ereded, to which they would readily contribute. How wounding muft it be tp the worthy ma- fon, a(Sing under the authority of ^^r grand maf- ter. ( 121 ) ter, to confider the accounts we daily receive from travelling brethren of the magnificence of the grand lodges abroad^ whilft that in England^ which in many refpeds is intituled to a prefer- ence in dignity of all others, is deflitute of a building, their own, of any fort. But, not to reft it on thefe general accounts, permit me here to fend you a particular defcription of the hanquetting room belonging to the lodge of S/. John at Marfeilles -, and from the magnifi- cence and fplendotir of that room, to which they only retire for refrejhment^ may be formed fome idea of the fuperior excellence of the hdg^ room, I am convinced, Sir, the intention with which I give you this trouble, being an hum.ble attempt to promote the honour and advantage of the fociety, will be a fufficient apology, with you, for defiring you will lay the foregoing fentiments before your numerous fubfcribers, who I earneft- ly hope will think fericufly on the bufinefs al- luded to, and, by a noble exertion of theif ge- nerofity, fnatch the glorious opportunity, jwhilll: we have the princes of the earth for our nurfing fathers, and a nobleman of diflinguilLed virtue, our 'zealous most worshipful grand MASTER, that it may be recorded to the honour of our country and ourfelves \ by the voluniarji. fubfcription of the free and accepted masons, in our day this much wanted ftructure was * R erecled. ( 122 ) created, for the acqtiifttion of knowledge of the crts and fc knees ^ and the cultivation of moral and foetal virtue, I am, SIR, your affefliionate brother, JAMES GALLOWAY, P.M. :/? D E S C R I P T I O N of the Banquetting- Hall of the Lodge at Marfeilles, intituled^ ^Z?^ Lodge d?/ St. JOHN. At the bottom of the hall, under a gilded ca- nopy, the valences whereof are blue, fringed with gold, is a painting, which reprefents the genius of mafonry fupporting the portrait of the kmg of France^ upon a pedeftal, under which there is this infcription. Dile5fi£imo rege Monumenimt Aincris Latomi, Maffilienfes, A genius feated below the pedeftal, prcfents with one hand this infcription, and with the other the arms of the lodge, with their motto. Deo regi et Patri^fidelitas. Above this Is a genius which crowns the king. To the right of this painting is placed another, reprefenting the wifdoni of Solomon, with this infcription above it, * Prudentia. To ( 123 ) To the left is another, reprefenting the courage of St. John the Baptift in remonftrating with Herod upon his debaucheries. The infcription above it is, Fortitudo, The right fide of the hall is ornamented with paintings of equal grandeur. The Jirfi reprefents Joseph acknowledging his brethren, and pardoning them for the ill ufage he had received from them, with this infcrip- tion, Venia, The fetond reprefents Job upon the dunghill, his houfe dellroyed, his fields laid waile by ftorm, his wife infulting him, and himfelf calm, lifting his hands towards heaven, with this in- fcription, Tatientia. The third reprefents St. Paul and St. Barna- bas, refufmg divine honours at Lyjlra^ with this infcription, Hi'jmliias, T\\Q fourth^ Jonathan, when he warned David to keep from the city, in order to avoid the danger which threatned his days, with this in- fcription, Amicitia. Thtffth^ Solomon fur^'-eying the works of the tcwfu^ and giving his orders for the execution R 2 of ( 1^4 ) of the plan, which his father David had left him of it, with this infcription, Pietds. The ftxth^ the charity of the Samaritan^ with this infcription, Charitas* Tht feventhi St. Peter and the other apoflles paying tribute to C^sar, by means of the piece of money found miraculoufly in the belly of a iifh, with this infcription, Fidelitas. The left fide of the hall contains three paint- ings. The/r/?, Tobias curing his father, with thefe words for the inicription, Filiale Dehitum, thefecond, the father of the prodigal fon, when he embraces him, and pardons his offences, with this infcription^ Pat em us Amor* The third reprefents the facrifice of Abraham, with this infcription, Ohedientia, On each fide the door are two paintings of equal grandeur. One reprefents the apoflles jgiving alms in common, the infcription^ Ekemofyma, The t 125 ) The other reprefcnts Lot, receiving the angels into his houfe, believing them to be ftrangers j the infcription is, Hofpitalitas. The four corners of the hall are decorated with four allegorical pictures. In o?je are reprefented twogeniufes holding a large medal, in which are painted three piiliirs of a gold colour, with this motto. Hie pofuere Locum^ Virtus^ Sapientia^ forma. In another^ two geniufes equally fupporting a large medal, on which are reprefented three hearts fet on fire by the fame flame, united by the bond of the order, with this motto, Peclorajungit Amor^ Pietas cue ligavit Amajttes, The two others are in the fame tafle, but fup- ported by one genius only, being a fmaller fize. The medals reprefent. The firfi^ three branches, one of oliz-e^ an- other of laurek and another of 7nyrtle^ with this motto, Hie pacetnmutuo damus accipmufque'vicijf'ni. The other a level in a hand coming from heaven, placed perpendicularly upon a heap of ftones of unequal forms and fizes, v/ith this motto, Eojia lege fortitur infignes ct imos. All thefe paintings are upon a line; thofo v/hich are placed oppofite the windows are in- tirely in front. Over the inner door of entrance is . this ( 126 ) this infcription, in a painting which is difplayed by a child, S. T. O. T. A. Faria hccc Virtutum Exempla Fratern^e Liheralita- tis Monufnenta D. V, & C. Latomi MaJJilienfes, Fratrihus qua affequenda prebent^ anno Lucis 57^5- The letters S. T. O. T. A. fignify. Supremo 'Totius Orbis Terrarum Archite5!o, Each painting bears below it, the arms and blazon of the brethren who caufed them to be painted. Every fpace, from one column to another^ forms an intercolumniation. Upon the middle of each pilafter, being twenty-four in number, are raifed corbals in form of antique Guaines^ upon which are placed the bulls of great and virtuous men of Antiquity. The curtains to the gilded canopy are in the Italian taftc, and are four in number. Three great branches of chryftal light this hail at proper times, and ferve as an additional ornament. This hall will contain fixty brethren, with- out making ufe of the iyifide of the horic-ilioe table. There are, moreover^ two grand defert buf- fctSj which take up a great fpace in the length. Fhom ( 127 ) Fp.om the foregoing letter ■ and defcripthn^ I fliall take occafion to confider the t-emples of the ancients^ their fituation, form, &c. the perufal of which, I flatter myfeif, will afford both en- tertainment and inftrticIiGn to the intelligent mafon. The Jirjl generations of men had neither tem- ples nor ftatues for their gods, but worfhiped towards heaven in the open air. The Perjians^ even in ages when temples were common in all other countries, ?iot thinking the gods to he of human Jhape^ as did the Greeks^ had no temples -, they thought it abfurd to confine the gods within walls, " whofe houfe and tem- ple was this whole world," to uie the v/ords of Cicero. The Greeks^ and moil other nations, worHiip- ed their gods on the tops of high nwmitains, Strabo obferves, that the Perfjans had neither itnages nor altars^ but only iacriiiced to die god? on foire high place. The nations which lived near Jndea^ facriiiced alio on the tops of mountains. Balak, king of Moab^ carried Balaam to the to'goi Bah al^ and other mountains, to facrifice to tlie gods, and curfe Ifrael from thence. The fame cufiom is atteiled in almoft innumerable places of the fa- cred fcriptures •, I fliail only add the following teftimonies, whence the anti'ojiity of this cuHom v/ill appear. Abraham vras connmanded by God C 128 ) God to offer Isaac his Ton for a burnt-offerinor upon * one of the mountains in the land of Mo- riah ; on which mountain David afterwards creeled an altar ^ and by facrifice and prayer ap- peafed the pellilence. And on the fame mountain, (mount Moriah) Solomon, by G O D's appointment, eredled a tem'^le^ according to the model of the tabernacle^ which Moses, by divine infbrudlion, built in the wildernefs. In fucceeding ages the temples were often built on the furnmits of mountains. Thus it is obferved of the Trojan temples, in which Hector is fuppofed to have facrificed. And both at Athens and Rome the mofl facred temples flood in the vc^d^ eminent parts of the city. The te?nfles of the ancients were- built and adorned with all pofiibie fplendour and magni- Ik ence •, no pains, no charges were fpared upon them •, this they did, partly out of the great r^fped: they had for the gods, to whom they thought nothing niore acceptable, and, partly * There were in l]ie fame tra£l of ground thi-Le hills, Sioriy 'Moriah^ and mount Calvary, On Sion was the city and cadlc of David 4 on Moriah was the temple \ and, on xiioimt Calvary Christ was crucified. But «// thefe three were generally called by the name of ^■io7i\ whence it is, that though the tei?-ph- was built on Moriah^ fcriprure fpeak^ of" it commonly as if it were upon mount /Sfe;v» that ( 129 ) that they might create a reverence of the deities^ in thole who came to pay their devotions there, (Vide D. Potter's Antig^. of Greece^ vol. I. and his comment upon Lycophron^ ad, vers. 42. As to the FORM of thefe ancient, ftruclures, they were built after that manner, which was thought moll agreeable to the gods to whom they were defigned to be dedicated : For as trees, birds, and other animals were efteemed facred to particular deities, fo almoil every god had a form of hiiilding peculiar to himfelfj and which they imagined more acceptable to him than any other. For inlVance, the Dorick pillars were facred to Jupiter., Mars., and Hercules: The loNicK to Bacchus., Apolh., and Diana : The Corinthian to Fejla the virgin. It mull be admitted that fometimes ali thcfe were made ufe of in the fame temple -, but this was either in thofe temples which w^re facred to more cods than one, or to fome of thofe gods who were thought to prelide over fe-vcral things ; for the ancients believing that the world was o-overned by divine providence, afcribed the management of every particular affair to this or that deity : Thus Mars was thought to prefide over ivar % Venus over love ; fo Mercury was the god of merchants^ orators^ and thieves \ Minerva was the goddefs of warriors., fchckrs, artificers, i£c. Therefore, it is no wonder that in fome of the temples dedicated to her., there were three rows S of ( 130 ) oipilk'rs', the firfl of the Dorick, the fecond of the Corinthian, the third of the Ionick order. With refpeft to the situation of their tem- plesj ViTRuvius informs us. Wherever they ftood, if the place would permit, it was con- trived, that the windows being open, they might receive the rays of the rifing fun, (lib. VI. c. 5.) The frontifpiece placed towards the weft^ and the altars and (latues towards the eaft ; fo that they who came to worfhip might have their faces towards them^ becaufe it was an ancient cuilom of the heathens to worfhip with their faces tov/ards the eaft. This is affirmed by Clemens of Alexandria^ (Strom. VIII.) and Hyginus, the freed-man of Augustus C^sar, (De agrorunt limit. Conf. lib. I.) to have been the moll ancient fituation of temples j and that the placing the front of temples towards the eaft Was only a de- vice of latter ages. Neverthelefs, the way of building temples towards the eaft.^ fo as the doors being opened fliould receive the rays of the rifing fun, was very ancient \ (Dion. Thrax.) and in later ages almoft univerfal j moil of the temples v/ere then fo contrived, that the en- trance and llatues Hiould look towards the eaft^ and they who paid their devotion towards the weft^ as we are exprefsly told by Porphyry, ifihro de Antra Nymph arum.) In the fame man- ner the caftern nations commonly built their tem> ( 131 ) temples, as appears from the temples of the Sy- rian goddefs in Luc i an. The temple of Mem- phis^ built by PsAMMENicus, king of Egypt^ in DiODORus the Sycilian. That of Vulcan erected by another Egyptian king. (Herodotus, lib. H. &c.) Hence it appears, that the reafbn why the heathens ereded their temples eaft and tveft^ was to receive the rays of the rifmg fun, which planet many of thofe nations were accuftomed to wor- fhip. And we find the tahernacky ereded in the wil- dernefs, and the temple at Jerufalem^ as alfo moll places of divine adoration in the prefent age, to be fituated in the farae manner^ but not for the fame reafon : for we read that the Jews were for- bid to worfhip with their faces towards the eaji : Accordingly, the temple had no avenue to it but from the eaft. So that in their approach to the temple, and during the time of their adoration therein, they had their faces towards the wejl^ and their backs to the riftng fun -, which was done, according to the opinion of the beft com- mentators, to prevent the people from worfhip- ing the fun and hoft of heaven^ a fpecies of idolatry they were very prone to. And as they were by this means to be prevented from failing into that xnode of idolatry in their v/orfhip, confequently the reafon for fituating the tabernacle^ and (after that example) the temple could not be the fame S 2 which ( 132 ) which influenced the heathens in the fituation of their temples. Therefore, we may reafonably ac- count for their fituation, by fuppofing that when the tabernacle was ereded, Moses, purfuing the pradlice of the Egyptians, who always inculcated their religious documents by means of allegory ^ and Jymbok forefeeing the difficulties which he would have to encounter before he fhould arrive in the promifed land, and having already expe- rienced the inflability of the Ifraelites, caufed tht tabernacle to be eredcd eaft and weft, to excite in thetn a firm reliance on the omnipotence of that G O D, who had then lately wrought fo great a miracle in their favour, by caufing a 'wind to blow firft eaft and then weft, v/hereby /^O' ^^^^^Y efcaped from the Egyptians upon dry land, even through the midft of a fea, which neverthelefs overwhelmed and totally deftroyed their pur- fuers. And as they were liable to meet with many diilrefTes in their fojournment in the wiU demefs, fo, as oft as they Ihould behold \\\^ fitu- ation of the tabernacle, their faith might be ftrengthened, and by a firm reliance on A L- MIGHTY GOD, they might be enabled to proceed with refolution and chearfulnefs. A-nd as the tahernacle was at that time to be a conftantexhortation to them, from that great in- ftance of Omnipotence, to confide in G O D un- der all their embarralinents, fo, the temple, after- v/ardj. built by Solomon, in the [ame form and ft til- ( ^33 ) fttuation^ was to be a lafting monument to tLeir poJierit)\ of the mighty works the LORD had performed in conducting their fire-fathers out of their captivity into the promifed land. And this alfo may be deemed a very fufficient reafon, why places for Chriftiait worfliip, after the pat- tern of the faid tabernacle and temple^ have ever h^Qn^ and ilill are, generally erected in thcfome iiianner ; for as human creatures w^, as well as our fire-fathers^ fland in need to be corainival' ly reminded of our weahtefs^ and a neceHf^ary conftant dependance, on an omnipotcrit and dll" gracious BEING. THE DUTIES O F A FREE-MASON, I N S E V E R A L CHARGE S, DELIVERED In regiiltii' LODGES, held under the Con- flitiuion cf the G R A N D --M A S T E R of ENG LylND. Hcncdir nil men. Lc-z'e the Brother-hood. Fear God. Honour the Kifjg, I Pet. ii. v. 17. I « F^ &« ^^^"""^^ xi ?* '^ « # ^CHARGE, delivered to the Members of the Lodge cf Free and Accepted Masons, held at /^f Caftle-inn, Marlborough, at a ~ Meeting for the Dijlrihution of Charity to twenty four poor People^ at which mofl of the Ladies in Marlborough were prefent^ Sept. II, A, Z. S7^9' By r HO MAS, BUNCKERLT, Efq; flight Worlhipful Provincial Grand Mafcer over the Lodges in Hampfhire^ and Right Wor- fliipful Mailer of that Lodge. Ble/Jed is he that coyifidereth the Poor. Pfalm xli. V. r. BRETHREN, %%%%%% T is with the greateft fatisfaclion I %^ I % ^^^^ y^^^ ^^^^ ^" ^^^ caufe of charity : 4# %%. ^^^^i^y is the baPis of our order ; it is %%%%%% for this purpofe we have a Grand Lod^e at Lcndony another at Edinburgh^ and a third at Dublin, Lodges are now held on every T par; ( 138 .) part of this globe, and charities aTe colleded and lent to the refpedlive grand lodge of each king- dom or ilate : there the diftrefl brethren apply and find relief : nor is any exception made to difference of country or religion. For, as in the fight of God we are all equally his children, having the fame com- mon parent and preferver — fo we, in like man- ner, look on every free-mafon as our brother ; nor regard where he was born or educated, pro- vided he is a good man, an honefl man, which is " the nobleft work of God." A laudable cuftom prevailed among our an- cient brethren ; after they had fent their dona- tions to the general charities, they confidered the diflrefles of thofe in particular that refided in tlieir refpecflive neighbourhoods, and affifled them with fuch a fum as could be conveni- ently fpared from the lodge. In hum^ble imi- tation of this mafonic principle, I recommend the prefent charity to your confideration ; to which you readily and unanimoufly confented, The fum is, indeed, but fmall : yet, when it is confidered that this lodge is in its infant flate ; having been confbituted little more than three months : I Iiope, as the widow's mite was ac- ceptable, this a6i: of ours will be confidered, not with refpedt to the fum, but the principles by which we are influenced. I have told you in the lodge^ and I repeat it now, that hrotherlyhve^ relief^ and truths are the ( ^39 ) the grand principles of mafonry, and as the principal part of the company are unacquainted with the original intention of this fociety, it may be proper for their information, and your in- itrudion, that I explain thofe principles, by which it is our duty in particular to be aduated." By Brotherly-love^ we are to underftand that generous principle of the foul, which refpe6ls the human fpecies as one family, created by an all-wife Being, and placed on this globe for the mutual afTiflance of each other. — It is this attrac- tive principle^ or power, that draws men together and unites them in bodies politic, families, fo- cieties, and the various orders and denomina- tions among men. But as moil of thefe are par- tial, contraded or confined to a particular coun- try, religion, or opinion -, our order, on the contrary, is calculated to unite mankind as ore family : Kigh and low, rich and poor, one with another •, to adore the fame God, and ob- ferve his law. All worthy members of this fo- ciety are free to vilit every lodge in the world •, and though he knows not the language of the country, yet by a filent univerfal language of our own, he will gain admittance, and find that true friendfhip, which flows from the brotherly- love I am now defcribins:. At that peaceable and harmonious meeting he will hear no difputes concerning religion or politics J no fzvcaring •, no ohfcene^ immoral^ or T 2 ' lu- ( HO ) ludicrous difcourfe •, no other contention but whg can work heft^ who can agree heft. To fubdue our pafTions, and improve in ufeful fcientific knowledge ; to inilru6t the younger brethren, and initiate the unenlightened, are principal duties in the lodge : which, when done, and the word of God is clofed, we in- dulge wit'i the fong and chearful glafs, ftill ob- ferving the fame decency and regularity, with flrid attention to the golden mean, believing with the poet, that - God is paid when man receives^ T^ enjoy is to obey. Let m.e travel from eaft to v:eft^ or betweert fiorth dindfouth^ when I meet a true brother I fhall find a friend, who will :io all in his power to- ferve me, without having the leaft view of felf- intereft : and if I am poor and in diilrefs, he will relieve mc to the utm.ofl of his power, inte- reft, and capacity. This is the fecond grand principle : for, relief will follow where there is brotherly-love. I have already mentioned our general charities as they are at prefent conducted •, it remains now that I confider particular donations given from private lodges, either to thofe that are not ma- fons, or to a brother in diftrefs. And firft, with refpedl to a charity like this before us •, perhaps it is better to be diftributed in fmall fums, that more may receive the benefit, than to give it ( 141 ' ) It in larger fums, which would confine it ta few. With regard to a brother in diftrefs, who fhould happen to apply to this lodge^ or any par- ticular member for relief, it is necefTary that I inform you in what manner you are to receive him. And here I cannot help regretting, that fuch is the depravity of the human heart, there is no religion or fociety free from bad profefibrs, or unworthy members, for as it is impofllble for us to read the heart of man, the bed regu- lated focieties may be impofed on, by the infmu- ations of the artful, and hypocrify of the aban-^ doned. It fhould therefore by no means lefTen the dignity and excellency of the royal crafty becaufe it is our misfortune to have bad men among us, any more than the purity and holi- nefs of the Chriftian religion fhould be doubted, becaufe too many of the wicked and profligate approach the holy altar. Since, therefore, thefe things are fo : be care- ful whenever a brother applies for relief, to cxa- miine ftriclly whether he is worthy of acceptance : enquire the coufe of his misfortunes, and ifyo\i are fatisfied they are not the refnlt of ^ice or ex- travagance^ relieve him with fuch a fum as the lodge ihall think proper, and aflifl him with your interefl and recomniendation, that he may hz employed according to his capacity, and not eat the head of idlcncfs. This will be ading ccn- fiilcnt C 142 ) fiflent with Truth, which is the third grand principle of mafonry. Ttuth is a divine attribute, and the founda- tion of all malbnic virtues : to be good men and true J is part of the fir ft great leflbn we are taught •, and at the commencement of our free- dom, we are exhorted to be fervent and zealous in the pradlice of truth and goodnefs. It is not fufHcient that we walk in the light, unlefs we do the truth. All hypocrify and deceit muft be banifhed from us — Sincerity and plain dealing compleat the harmony of the brethren, within and without the lodge ; and will render us ac- ceptable in the fight of that great Being, unto whom all hearts are cpen^ all de/ires known^ and from who?n no fecrets are hid. There is a charm in truth that draws and attradls the mind con- tinually towards it : the more we difcover, the more we defire, and the great reward is, uifdom^ lirtue^ and happinefs. This is an edifice founded upon a rock, which mal'ce cannot fhake, or time deflroy. What a fecret fatisfadlion do we enjoy, when in fearching for truth, we find the Jirft principles of ufeful fcience, ftill preferved among us, as we received them, by ^r^/ tradition from the earlieft ages •, and we alfo find tliis truth corroborated by the teftimonies of the bcft and greateft men the world has produced. But this is not all -, the facred writings confirm what I aiTcrt J the fublime part of our ancient myftery being ( 143 ) being there to be found ; nor can any Chriflian brother be a good mafon that does not make the word of God his firil and principal lludy. I fincerely congratulate you on the happy ef- tablifhment of this lodge, and the profpec5t you have of its utility and permanency, by the choice you have made of members capable to condud: it. Let wifdom diredt you to contrive for the befl. — Strengthen the caufe of mafonry, by mu- tual friendihip, which is the companion and fupport of fraternal love, and which will never fuffer any m.ifunderfbanding to inflame a brother, or caufe him to behave unbecoming a member of cur peaceable and harmonious fociety. Let us then refolve to beautify and adorn our order, by difcharging the duties of our refped:ive flations, as good fubjetls, good parents, good hufbands, good mailers, and dutiful children •, for by fo doing, we fhall put to filence the reproaches of fooliih men. As you know thefe things, bre- thren, happy are ye if ye do them ; and thrice happy Ihall I eileem it to be looked on as the founder of a fociety in Marlborough whofe grand principles are, brotherly dove, relief, and truth. Let us confider thefe poor perfons as our bro- thers and lifters, and be thankful to Almighty God, that he has been pleafed to make us his in- ftruments of affording them this fmall relief; mod humbly fupplicating the graxd Archi- TECTOF THE UNIVERSE, from "jjhotn all holy de^ fires ^ all good counf els ^ and all jiifi 'ujorks do fro- ceed^ ( 144 5 ts^S^ to blefs our undertaking, and grant tliat we may contiyiue to add fome little comfort to the -^oor of this town. Next to the Deity^ whom can I fo properljr addrefs myfclf to, as the moil beautiful part of the creation ? You have heard. Ladies^ our grand principles explained, with the inftrudiions given to the brethren ; and I doubt not but at other times you have heard many difrefpe6lful things faid of this fociety. Envy, malice, and all uncharitable- nefs v/ill never be at a lofs to decry, find fault, and raife objedions to what they do not know. How great then are the obligations you lay on this lodge ! with what fuperior efteem, refpedl, and regard, are we to look on every lady prefent, that has done us the honour of her company this evening. To have the fandion of the fair is our higheil ambition, as our greateft care will be to prefcrve it. The virtues of humanity are pe- culiar to your fex -, and we flatter ourfelves, the moil fplendid ball could not afford you greater pleafure, than to fee the human heart made liappy, and the poor and d'lftreft obtain prefent reliefs /t fiwiwtwtwtwtwtwt! if C H A R G E, delivered in St. George's Lodge at Tafnton in the County of Somerset, on the Feaft of St. John the Baptift, 4- Z. 5765, A, D. 1765. By the Right Worlhipful Brother JOHN WHIT MA S Hy on his refigning the chair ^ Worthy BRETHREN, f^^^f^^ ROVIDENCE having placed ^ p ^ me in fuch a fphere in life, as to ^ ^ afford me but little time for fpe- ^f^w^^^^ culation, I cannot pretend to have made mankind my particular ftudy ; yet, this I have obferved, that curiofity is one of the moft prevailing paflions in the human breaft. The mind of man is kept in a perpetual thirft after knowledge, nor can be bear to be ignorant of what he thinks others know. Any xKm^fecret or new immediately excites an uneafy fenfation, and becomes the proper fuel of curiofity, which will be found ftronger or weaker in proportion ■ U to ■ ( 146 ) to the time and opportunities that individuals have for indulging it. It is obfervable further, that when this pafTion is excited, and not in- llantly gratified, inftead of waiting for better in- telligence, and ufing the proper means of re- moving the darknefs that invelops the objedl of it, we precipitately form ideas which are generally in the extren-ies. If the objedl promotes pleafure or advantage, we then load it with commenda- tions; if it appears in the oppofite view, or if we are ignorant of it, we then ahfurdly^ as well as difingenuoujly^ condemn, and pretend at leaft to defpife it. This, my brethren, has been the fate of the moft valuable inftitution in the world, Cbriftianity excepted, I mtdinfree-mafonry. Thoie who are acquainted with the nature and defign of it, cannot, if they have good hearts^ but admire and efpoufe it ; and if thofe who are in the dark, or whofe minds are difpofed to evil^ fhould flight or fpeak difrefpedlfully of it, it certainly is no difgrace. When order fhall produce confufion, when harmony fliall give rife to difcord, and pro- ^^r//V«fliallbethe fource of irregularity, then, and not till then, will free- mafonry be unworthy the patronage of the ^r^^/, the w//?, zm^good. To love as brethren, to be ready to communi- cate, to fpeak truth one to another, are the dic- tates of reafon and revelation ; and you know that they are likewife the foundation, the con- Ilituent parts of free -mafonry. None, ( 147 ) None, therefore, who believe the divine ori- ginal of the facred volume^ and are influenced by a fpirit of humanity, friendihip, and benevo- lence, can with the lead propriety objed to our ancient and venerable inftitution. For my own part, ever fince I have had the honour to be enrolled in the lift of mafons, as I knew it was my duty, fo I have made it my bu- finefs, to become acquainted with the principles on which our glorious fuperftrudlure is founded. And like the miner^ the farther I have advanced the richer has been my difcovery ; and the trea- fure conftantly opening to my view, has proved a full and fatisfadlory reward of all my labours, Confcious that the fame pleafure would attend others, in the fame purfuits, I fincerely wifhed for the eftablifhment of a lodge in this toivn : but as wifhes, without endeavours, are not the means of accomplilhment, I became, therefore, a6live- iy concerned for the completion of lb valuable a defign. And you, and only you, who are ma- fons in hearty can form the leaft idea of the joy T felt, when, upon enquiry, I found that this neighbourhood was not deftitute of faithful bre- thren % brethren ! fired with an equal ardour for the profperity of 77kifonr)\ and who with equal alacrity and pleafure, embarked in the noble defign, and, like true craftfmen, laboured in this long wifh'd-for fabrick : The ftrength of whofe bajiSj the beauty of whofe fymmct'i'}\ the U 2 order ( t48 ) trJer of whofe parls^ have rendered it the admn ration of fome, the model of others, and the de- light of ourfelves. You will therefore give me leave mod fi ncerely to congratulate the lodge, on the fuccefs that has attended our united labours for the honour of the craft in this town^ as likewife on the return of this feflival, the general day of inftalment of new officers. M^iy we all live to celebrate re- peatedly this anniverfary with increafing felicity and honour -, and may the true mafonic fpirit of generofity, kindnefs, and brotherly -love, be our lafling cement. By the rules of this lodge 1 am now to refigrt the chair* But I cannot do this with entire fa- tisfadlion, until I have teftified the grateful fenfe I feel of the honour I received in being advanced to it. Your generous and unanimous choice of me for your Jirft mailer, demands my thankful ac- knowledgements, though at the fame time I fin- cerely wifh, that my abilities had been more adequate to the charge, which your kind par- tiality eledlcd me to. But this has always been, and ftill is my greateft confolation, that however deficient I may have been in the dif- charge of my duty, no one can boafl a heart more devoted to the good of the inftitution in general, and the reputation of this lodge in par- ticular. Though X H9 ) Though I am apprehenfive I have alreadf trefpafTed on your patience, yet if I might be indulged, I v/ould humbly lay before you a few refiedlions, adapted to the bufmefs of the day, which being the effufions of a heart tridy ma- Jonic^ will, it is hoped, be received with candour by you. Every afibciation of men, as well as this of frec-mnfons^ muft for the fake of order and har- mony, be regulated by certain laws, and for that purpofe proper officers muft be appointed, and empowered to carry thofe laws into execu- tion, to preferve a degree of uniformity, at leaft to reftrain any irregularity that might render fuch afTociations inconfiftent. For we m^ay as rea- fonably fuppofe an army may be duly difciplined, well provided, and properly conduced, without generals or other officers, as that a fociety can be fupported without governors, and their fub- al terns, or (which is the fame) without fom.se form of government to anfwer the end of the in- ftitution, And as fuch an arrangement muft be revered, it becomes a neceflary pre-requifite that e temper Ihould be difcovered in the fevers! members adapted to the refpedlive ftations they are to fill. This thought will fuggeft to yoti, that thofe who are qualified to prefide as off- 07t the Fejli* 'val of St. John the Evangelifl, A L. S7^^% A.D. 176S. By Brother J, S. GAUD RT^ The Right Worfhipful Brother William Browne, Mafter, in the Chair, Worthy BRETHREN, Mm^W^fiHlS Lodge is fo ju% renowned vl T $ for its excellent pA?;^ 2in^'te,^ ^^k^ ^^a^ i^^W m^J^¥ii i^'^FM ^^F'>M )^ ^* ¥i •^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^'' id ^ CHARGE, delivered to the Members of the Union Lodge, regularly conftituted and held at the Union Punch Houfe, Princes Street, Briftol, A. L. S7^7'> By Brother ALEXANDER SHEDDEN, Right Worlhipful Maflen My Worthy BRETHREN, c^^^*^ HIS being our fecond quarterly ^ rp ^ meeting, fince I had the honour to ^ ^ fit in this chair, I embrace the op- ^^ww^S portunity again to return you my fincere thanks for that honour, and to aflure you I am determined, to the utmoil of my power, to execute the great trull which you continue to repofe in me, with freedom^ fervency and •zeal. That I may be enabled fo to do, let us unanimoufly concur in cultivating peace, harmony, and perfeft friendfhip, flriving who fliall excel in brotherly-love and benignity j then I doubt not but with the afTiftance of my brother officers, I m.ay be enabled to conduct the hufi- Z 2 nefs ( 172 ) nefs of the lodge, and difcharge 7ny duty to youf fatisfadion. To accomplilh thefe defireable ends, let me in the firfl place intreat your ftricl attention to our by-laws y ever keeping in view xh^^ general regula- tions, conftitutions, and orders of our ancient and honourable fociety. Let dire regard be paid to your officers in their refpective (lations, whofe duty it is to rcgv.late the proceedings of the lodge, and to carry the laws into execution, and may the only contention amongil us be, a laudable emulation in cultivating the royal art, and en- deavouring to excel each other in whatever is good and great. The moral and focial duties of life we Ihould make a principal fubje6l of con- templation, for thereby v/e fhall be enabled to fubdue our pafTions, and cultivate fraternal af- fedion, the glory and cement of this inftitutioHj laying afide ail malice^ and all guile nnd hypocri/ies^ and envies^ and all evil-fpeakings ; manifefling our love one to another, for " Love is of God; and he " that loveth God, ioveth his brother alfo. And " he that faith he is in the lights and hateth his *' brother, is in da-rknefs until now." Suffer nothing to be heard within the facred Wciiis of this lodge, but the heavenly founds of Sriab^ peace and concord^ with a chearful harmo- ny of focial and innocent mirth •, and, " be ye " liive minded, having the fame love, 'being of "'oViC.iL^cord ^nd,9;fiQne mind j let nothing be " done ( «7J )^ " done throngK flrifc or vain-gloiy, but in low- " linefs of mind, let each efteem other better " than themfelves." Never give caufe for it to be faid, that we v/ho 2i\'^ folemnly connected by the flridcfl: laws of miit)\ iliould ever omit the pradtice oi forbearance^ and allow our pafTions to controul us, v/hen one great end propofed by our meeting here is, tofuhdue them. Let us not fit down contented with the name only of a mafon^ but walk worthy of that glorious profefTion, an conftant conformity to its duties. To become brethren worthy of our mofl ancient and honour- able inftitution, we mufi: devote ourfelves to the ftudy and diicharge of the following duties, which are more or lefs within the reach of every Capacity, viz. a knowledge of the myflerious problems, hieroglyphics, and fymbolical cufboms and ceremonies of the royal art, together with the origin, nature, and defign of the inftitution, its figns, tokens, &c. whereby mafons are uhi- veriklly known to, and can converfe with each other, though born and bred in different coun- tries and lan2'uao;es. Afrce-7nnfon muft likewife be zgood man^ one who duly fears, loves, and ferves his heavenly mailer, and in imitation of the operalive maibn, v/ho erefe a temporal building according to tlic rules and defigns laid down for him, bv the maf- tcr mafon, en bis treiiel- board, raifcs a fpiritual building, accordiiig to the laws and injunctions ( 1/4 ) laid down by the fuprcme archite^ of the univerfe in die hook of life^ which may juftly be con- fidered in this light, as 2ifpntual trejjel hoard. He muft honour the king, and be fubordinate to his luperiors, and ever ready to promote the deferving brother in all his lawful employments and concerns. Thefe, my brethren, are qua- iificanons of a goodmafon^ wherefore they merit our peculiar attention \ and, is it is our duty we Ihould make it our pleafure to pra6lice them, by fo doing we fliall let our light fhine before men, and prove ourfelves worthy members of that inftitution, which ennobles all who conform to its moft glorious precepts. Finally, let me advife you to be very circum- fped, and well guarded againft the bafe attempts oi pretenders^ always fetting a watch before your mouth. And with refpect to any who may call themfelves mafons, but (pofTefTing refradlory fpirits) are at the fame time enemies to all order, decency, and decorum, fpeaking and acting as rebels to the conjlitution of mafons in this king- dom, let me exhort you to have no conne<5lion with them, but according to the advice of St. Paul, to the Thefalonians^ " withdraw yourfelves " from every brother that walketh diforderly," leaving fuch to the natural confequence of their own bad conduct j being well affured, that the vain fabric, which the^; mean to ered, having no other fupport than their own igncrance, dehili- ( ^1S ) /J, and deformity^ will of itfelf foon tumble to the ground, with Hiame and ruin on the builders heads. On the other hand, let us live in ftrid: amity and fraternal love with aily«/? and upright brethren, that we may fay with the royal Pfalihifty " Behold how good, and how pleafant it is, for " brethren to dw jll together in unity." Let G O D's holy word be the guide of our faith; and, juftice, charity, love and mercy, our charadlerifticks, then we may reafonably hope to attain the coeleflial pafs-word, and gain admittance into the lodge of our fup-eme grand majfer^ zvhere pkafures flew for evermore. This is the fervent prayer of him who glories in the name of z. faithful-mafon^ and has the honour to be mafter of this right worOiipful lodge. XL M Tht ^o^^f^^"^c^^^^c)^^^^"^^^c^^. ^le following ADDRESS was delivered, by the Rev. Mr. Henry Chalmers, P. M. in the Lodge of Perfe6t Friendfhip, ccnjlituted cmd held in the town of Chelmsford, in the County of EfTex, on the Fefiival of St. John theBaptift, ^. L. 5y6y. On which occap.on a Sermon had alfo been preached in the forenoon by the Rev. Mr. Panting. Rt. JVorfhipful Mafter., and worthy Brethren, ?^^)^^"^ Defire to entertain each other with ^-^ -V ^S locial, virtuous and chearful fenti- ^y{ P^^ ments, js the duty as well as the ^L^^-Mji happinefs of every member of our ancient and honourable fociety. Animated by brotherly good-will (which I hope is deeply engraved on the heart of every free-mafon,) permit me to congratulate you on the return of this feftival, thus refpedfully cele- brated by a lodge wherein I have had the honour to pre fide : — a lodge in its infancy diilinguifhed for its regularity and choice of its members ; but ( ^n ) but, under the prudent condudb of our prefent * guardian^ flourifhing beyond expedation, and by his afTiduity and care, honoured with the ad- dition of many illuftrious and worthy bre- thren. Happy am I likewife to fee all the offices this day fupported by brethren, who I am perfuaded want neither inclination or abilities, to recom- mend and enforce whatever may be found necef- fary to maintain the univerfal reputation of the inftitution, and particularly the felicity of this lodge. Our reverend brother in his ingenious dif- courfe this morning judicioufly expatiated on thofe glorious principles, on which our royal art IS foundedy and proved its hafu ftill to be firm and permanent. Let it be our peculiar care, as it is our indifpenfible' duty, not to undermine it by any inattention, omifTion, or irregularity. Knowledge (which is attained by diligence) muft precede pradice, and till we know a duty, it is impofible for us to difcharge it. The lodge is the properefl: fchopl wherein we can expe6V to ar* rive at any proficiency in our noble ftience, and by a conflant and regular attendance here^ we may hope to become mafters of the royal art j John Reynolds, Efq; coroner of the county of £^jf. A a whereas (178 ) whereas the negledl of this duty can produce nought but ignorance and error. Indeed! were tbefe the only conlequences of a wilful or in- dolent abfence, the- craft might not fufFer much by fuch lukewarm brethren ^ but I am forry to fay this is not all, the eye of the cenfurer is ever upon us, and the lips of the Jiammerer fpeak plainly againft us, and when the members of our fociety defert the body, the unenlight- ened are ever ready to impeach the harmony and improvement which we profefs and know to be the infeparable companions of every well . regulated lodge, where virtue finds a real plea- lure, and vice^. iufl abhorrence. Let us- therefore be ever vigilant in the dif-'- charge of our duty, and particularly afTiduous in . cultivating thofe grand efientials of our con- ftitution, brotherly -love^ beneficence^ and truth. Thus we. fhall be always happy in alTembling ■-■ together. - Thus will our lodge Ihine with undiminiOied' IiSlr^, even as long as the ra- diant,. fun fhall rife in the eaft to gild our days, . and the pale moon appear to illuminate our nights. " 'Thus fupported by wifdom, ilrength, and beauty, F A a 2 nr The following ADDRESS was delivered in a Lodge of Free and accepted Masons, immediately after the Expulsion of a Mem- ber who had been repeatedly ^ hut in vain^ ad- monifhedfor the illiberal pratiice ^backbiting and flandering his Brethren. BRETHREN, Ki^g^^ S in ALL numerous bodies and focie- ^ ^ ties of men, fome unworthy will ever f^ be found, it can be no wonder, that >>^Q^j«( notwithfbanding the excellent prin- ciples and valuable precepts, laid down and in- culcated by our venerable inflitution, we have fuch amongft us : men ! who, inftead of being ornaments or ufeful members of our body, I am forry to fay, are zfJoame and difgrace to it. Thefe are fufficiently charaderized by a natural propenfity to /^f?c;^Z'//^ and 77^;?^^r their brethren, vices ! truly deteflable in all men, and more peculiarly fo in Free-Masons, who by the reg-ulations of their inflitution, are fpecially ex- horted and enjoined " to fpeak as well of a bro- ther { iSi ) ther if al?fent as frefent •, to defend his honour and reputation wherever attacked, as far as truth and juftice will permit : and where they cannot reafonably vindicate him, at leaft to refrain from contributing to coiidemn him." But alas ! regardiefs of their duty in general, and of thefe laudable injunctions in particular. We frequently find fuch men afTiduoufly employ- ed in traducing the charatflers of their brethren ; and inftead of rejoicing at their good fortune, pitying their misfortune, and apologizing for their weaknefies and errors, envying their pro- fperity, and (unaffecled by their adverfity) with a fecret and malicious pleafure exploring and publifhing their defeds and faihngs \ like trading vejfels they pals from place to place, re- ceiving and difcharging whatever calumny they can /r^<:/^r(? from others, or invent themfelves. As v/c liave jull now had a mortifying in{lanc b 2 " Let ( i88 ) " Let us accuftom ourfelves to be truly forry for the faults of men, and then we fhall take no pleafure in publilhing them. Common humanity requires this of us, confidering the great infirmi- ties of our nature, and that we alfo are liable to be tempted *, confidering likewife how fevere a puniihment every crime is to itfelf, how terribly it expofeth a man to the wrath of God, both here and hereafter.'* " Whenever we hear any man evil fpoken of, if we have heard any good of him, let us fay that. It is always more humane and more honourable to vindicate others, than to accufe them. Were it necelTary that a man fhould be evil fpoken of, his good and bad qualities fliould be reprefented together, otherwife he may be flrangely mifre- prefented, and an indifferent man may be made a mcnjter,'* •' They that will obferve nothing in a wife man, but his overfights and follies ; nothing in a good but his failings and infirmities, may ren- der both defpicable. Should we heap together all the paflionate fpeeches, all the imprudent adlions of the beft man, and prefent them all at one view, concealing his virtues, he, in this dif- guife, would look like a mad-man or fury, and yet if his life v^^rt fairly reprefented in the man^ ner it was led, he would appear to all the world to be an admirable and excellent perfon. But how numerous foever any man's ill-dualities are, it ( i89 ) it is but juft that he fhould have due pra'iie of his few real ^virtues^ *' That you may not ppsak ill, do not delight in hearing it of any. Give no countenance to bufy-bodies : if you cannot decently reprove them becaufe of their quality, divert the dif- courfe fome other way •, or by feeming not to mind it, fignify that you do not like it." *' Let every man mind his own duty and con- cern. Do but endeavour in good earned to mend yourfelf, and it will be work enough, and leave you little time to talk of others." In the foregoing Sentiments, the Backbiter and Slanderer may fee himfelf fully repre- fented as in a true mirrour -, and deleft Me as the fpedlacle naturally appears, much more fo does it ieem when mafonkally examined. May all fuch therefore contemplate the nature and ctmfc- quences of this ahcrninable vice, and that they may ftill become worthy men and mafonsy let them . conftantly pray with the royal Ffalmifi^ (Pfal. cxli.) ^et a watch^ Lord, before vry mouthy keep then the dcor cfmy lips •, being afTured of their encouragement, that. He '-jjho backbiteth mt with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour^ nor taketh up a reproach agai^ift his neighbour, Jb.^U abide in the tabernacle of the Lord, andfJjall divell in his holy hilL A ^ Short CHARGE generally given to mm admitted Brethren, W^^^W^ O U are now admitted by the iina- ^^^ Y ^ nimous confent of our lodge^ afel- ^^ 5:i ^<^^^ ^^ ^^^^* I'^'^oft ancient and ho- k,J^)X MkLJMs nourable fociety ; ancient, as hav- i:ng fubfifted from time immemorial, and ho- nourable, as tending in every particular to render a man fo, that will be but conformable to its glorious precepts. The greateft monarchs in all ages, as well of Afia and Africa as of Europe, have been encouragers of the royal art, and many of them have prefided as grand mafters over the mafon^ in their rcfpedive dominions •, not thinking it any diminution of their imperial dig- nities to level then ife Ives with their brethren in mafonry, and to act as they did. The world's great architect is our fup-eme maftex-i and the unerring rule he has given us, is that by which we w^ork. Religious difputes are never fuffered in the lodge, for, ^^ frce-7}iafons^ we only purfue the univcrfal religion of nature : This is the ce^ nicnt which \inites men of tlic mofl; different ( 19' ) principles in one facred band, and brings toge- ther thole who were the mofl diftant from one another. There are three general heads of duty, whicli mafons ought always to inculcate, viz. to God^ our neighbours^ and citrfehes. To God, in never mentioning his name but with that rcve- " rential awe which becomes a creature to bear to his creator •, and to look upon him always as the fummum bonum which w^e came into the world to enjoy : And according to that view to regulate all our purfuits. To our jieighbciirs, in adling upon the fquare, or doing as we would be done by. To oiirf elves in avoiding all intemperance and excefies, whereby we m.ay be led into a be- haviour unbecoming our laudable profefiion. In thefiate^ a mafon is to adt as a peaceable and dutiful fubjeCL, conforming chearfully to the governmient under which he lives : he is to pay a due deference to his fuperiors, and from his inferiors he is rather to receive honour with fome reludtance than to extort it \ he is to be a nian of benevolence and charity, not fitting down contented v/hile his fellow-creatures (but much more his brethren) are in want, and it is in his power, without prejudicing himfcilf or family, to relieve them. In the lodge he is to behave with all due decorum, left the beauty and har- mony thereof fliould be difturbed and broke. He is to be obedient to the mafter and prefiding of* ( 192 ) ofHccrs, and to apply himfelf clofely to the bit- finefs of mafonry^ that he may fooner become a proficient therein, both for his own credit, and for that of the lodo'e. He is not to neslect his necefiary avocations for the fake of mafonry, nor to involve himfelf in quarrels with thofe wha tliroiigh ignorance may fpeak evil of, or ridicule it. He is to be a lover of the arts and fciences and to take all opportunities of improving him- felf therein. If he recommends a friend to be made a mafon, he muft vouch him to be fuch as he really believes will conform to the aforefaid duties : left by his mifcondu6l at any time the lodge fhould pafs under fome evil imputations. Nothing can prove more fhocking to all faithful mafons, than to fee any of their brethren pro- fane, or break through the facred rules of their order, and fuch as can do it they wifh had never been admitted. )«( ^ X< /f C H A R G E delivered by Brother Thomas French, G. S. ^/ the initiation of a Free-Mafoo, BROTHER, ^%'^ KING now regularly initiated into ^ ^ % this fociety, permit me to offer to ^ ^ your ferious confideration, thofe vir- *^#^ tues that will always diftinguifh you among men, efpecially mafons. The Holy Scriptures, the ftandard of truth, and the unerring didates of an unerring Being, I would recommend as the primary objed of your attention. Next, a general, an unlimited regard for men of virtus, honour and integrity, howfoever dif- tinguifhed by private perfuaiion ; mafonry wifely removes fuch diftinclions, and by uniting all countries, fecVs and principles into one infepara- ble band of affedlion, conciliates true friendfhip, and effeduates the noble purpofe of making each other happy, and rejoicing in each other's feli- city. C c Hence ( 194 ) Hence difputes on religion and politics are never fuffered to interrupt the friendly inter- coiirfe of our regular aJJ'emhlies — Thefe are de- figned to improve the mind, corre6t the morals and reform the judgment. Your experience in life, has no doubt made fa- miliar to you the three great duties of morality ; to God ; your neighbour ; and yourfelf ; which I hope your new charader as a free-mafon^ will Hill more deeply imprint upon your mind^ and render your condu5l not only regular and uni- form, but in every other rcfpedl agreeable to the dignity of this laudable profeflion. As a ynafon you are chearfully to conform to the government under which you live; to confider the intereft of the community as your own -, and be ready on all occafions to give proofs of /^ Grand Warden V Song. ByBro. 0^/^/. LET mafonry be now my theme, Thro'out the globe to fpread its fame. And eternize each worthy brother's nam.e. Your praife fhall to the f]<.ies refound. In lading happinefs abound. And with fweet union all your noble r Repeat deeds be crown'd. t this line. CHORUS. Sing then^ my mufe^ to mafonV^/^jry, T^our names are fo ^'ever'd inftory^ Ihat all tW admiring world do now adore ye I Let harmony divine infpire Your fouls with love and gen'rous lire. To copy well wife Solomon youv fire. Knowledge fublime fhall fill each heart. The rules of geometry t' impart. While wifdom, flrength and beauty c Repeat xrown the glorious art. t ^^^s line. Chorus. Sing thcn^ my Mufe^ &c. All ( m ) All charged. Let noble Beaufort's health go round. In fwelling cups all cares be drown'd. And hearts united 'mongfl the craft be found. May everlafting fcenes of joy, His peaceful hours of blifs employ, Which time's all-conquering hand fhall f Repeat ne'er, fhall ne'er deflroy, 1 ^^'^ ^i"^- Chorus. S'mg then^ my mufe^ dzc. My Brethren, thus all cares refign. Your hearts let glow with thoughts divine. And veneration fhew to Solomon's y^r/;/^. Our annual tribute thus we'll pay -^ :^ That late pcflerity fnall fay, I t=: We've crown'd v^ith joy this glorious, bap- i 5** py, happy day^ J ^ CHORUS. Sing then, my niufe, to mz{ons glory ^ Tour names are fo rever'^d injlory^ ^hat all the admirhig zvorld do now adore ye. To all the //^^/^LoRDs that have been^r^;;J;??t?/?^^j. VII. ^he Treafurer's Song, N. B, The two lall lines of each verfe is a Chorus, GRANT me, kind heaven, v/hat I requeft. In mafonry let me be blell. Direct me to that happy place y^h^TQ fricndJJjip fmiles in every face ; Where ( 23^ ) "Where freedom znd iwect innocence Enlarge the mind and chear the kn(c. Where fcepter'd reafon from her throne Surveys the lodge, and makes us one ; And hanno7Pi\ delightful fway Forever fheds ambroiial day ; Vv^here we blefl £^«'s pleafure tafte, Whilfl balmy joys are our repaft. 'No prying eye can view us here, No/(?^/or knave difturb our chear ; Our well-form'd laws fet mankind free. And give relief to mifery : The poor opprefs'd with woe and grief. Gain from our bounteous hands relief. Our ledge the focial virtues grace. And wifdomh rules we fondly trace ; Whole naturey open to our viev/. Points out tht paths we fliould purfue. Let us fubfift in lading peace. And may our happinefs increafe. To all charitable mafons. VIII. The Sword-bearer's Song. N, B. The lafltwo lines of each verfe is the Chorus. TO all v/ho mafonry defpife This counfel I beilow : Don't ridicule, if you are wife, A fecret you don't know. Your- ( 239 ) Yourfelves you banter, but not it» You fhew your fpken^ but not your wU^ With a Fa, la, la, la, la. Iufpiring virtue by our rules. And in ourfelves fecure. We have compafTion for thofe fools. Who think our aBs impure : We know from ignorance proceeds Such mean opinion of our deeds. With a Fa, &c. If union zndjincerity Have a pretence to pleafe. We brothers oi free-mafonry Lay juftly claim to thefe . To ft ate- difputes we ne'er give birth. Our moito friendjbip is, and mirtL With a Fa, &c. Then let us laugh, fmce we've impos*d On thofe who make a pother. And cry, the fecret is difclos'd By fome falfe-hearted brother : The mighty fecrefs gain'd, they boaft. From pvft'hoy and ^romflying-poft, WithaFa,-la,''la, la, la. To all mafters and zvardens of regular lodges, IX. An ODE to the Free-mafons. N. B, The two lafl lines of each verfe isth^ Chon^s. BY mafons art th' afpiring dom.es In ftately cohmns fhall arife : All climates are their native homes. Their learned anions reach the lldc?. C 240 ) Heroes and kings revere their name, ys'liil^ foets fing their lafling fame. Great, noMe, gen'rous, good and hravCy Are titles they moft juflly claim ; Their deeds fhall live beyond the grave, Which thofe unborn ilaall loud proclaim. Time fliall their glorious acts enrol. While love and friendlhip charm the foul. To the lailing honour of free mafons. X. An Ode to Mafonry, hy brother J. Bancks. N. B. The two laft lines of each verfe is the Chorus. C^ ENIUS . of mafonry defcend, J In myftick numbers while we fing •, Enlarge our fouls, the craft defend. And hither all thy influence bring. W^ith fecial thoughts our bofoms fill. And give thy turn to every will. While yet Batavia's wealthy pow'rs Negled thy beauties to explore ; And winding Seine, adorn'd v/ith tow'rs. Laments thee wand'ring from his fhore •, Here fpread thy wings, and glad thefe ifies, Where arts refide, ^nd freedom fmiles. Behold the ledge rife into view. The work of indujlry and art -, 'Tis grand, and regular, and true. For lb is each good mafon's lieart. Friendfjlp cements it from the ground. And fecrecy (liall fence it round. A ( 241 ) A ftately dome o'erlooks our eaji^ Like orient Phcehiis m the morn -, And two tall pillars in the weft At once fupport us and adorn. Upholden thus the ftru^ure ftands, Untouch'd by facrilegious hands. For concord form'd, our fouls agree. Nor fate this union fhall deflroy : Our toils and fports alike are free. And all is harmony and joy. So Salem's temple rofe by rule. Without the noife of noxious tool. As when Amphion tun'd his fong, Ev'n rugged rocks the mufic knew ; Smooth'd into form, they glide along. And to a Thebes the defart grew : So at the found of Hiram's voice We rife, we join, and we rejoice. Then may our vows to virtue move, To virtue own'd in all her parts : Come candour^ innocsnce and love^ Come and pofTefs our faithful hearts : Mercys who feeds the hungr}?- poor^ And. ftlence^ guardian of the door. And thou Astr^a (tho' from earth. When men on men began to prey. Thou fled'ft to claim cekflial birdi) Down from Olympus wing tliy way ♦, And mindful of thy ancient feat. Be prefent flill where mafojis meet. I i Liimortal ( 242 ) Immortal fctence too be near, (We own thy empire o'er the mind) Drefs'd in thy radiant robes appear. With all thy beauties train behind ; Invention young and blooming there, Yi^xz geometry with rule znd fauare. In Egypt's fahrick * learning dwelt. And Roman breads could virtue hide But Vulcan's rage the building felt, And Brutus, lall of Romans^ dy'd : Since when, difpers'd thtjijlers rove, Or fill paternal thrones above. But loft to half of human race. With us the virtues fhall revive ; And driv'n no more from place to place. Here fcience Ihall be kept alive : And manly tafte^ the child of fenfe^ Shall baniili vice and dulnefs hence. United thus, and for thefe ends, LiCt /corn deride, and eu-vy rail ; From age to age the crcft dcfcends, And what we build fliall never fail •' Nor flddl the world our works furvey \ But every brother keep the key ! The Ptol.'mttaK library. ( 243 ) A rRJNSLJriON of the Latin, in the defer ipion of the I anq netting hall of the lodge at Marfeilles ; for the benefit of fuch of my readers as are unacquainted with that tongue. The MASONS at Marfeilles have eredled this monument of their affedion to their moft be- loved king. Fidelity to God, our king and country. Prudence. Charity. Fortitude. Fidelity. Pardon. Filial debt. Patience. Paternal love. Humility. Obedience. ^Friendlhip. Alms-giving. Piety. Hofpitality. Here virtue, wifdom, beauty fixed their feat, Love joins their hearts, and piety the tie. Here peace we give, and here by turns receive. One equal law of high and low the lot. The mailer, vice-mafler, and- whole body of the mafons of Marfeilles have erecftcd thefe different examples of the virtues and monu- ments of fraternal liberality, propoled to the imitation of their brethren \ to the honour of the fupreme architedt of the whole world ; in the year of light 5765. FINIS, u<^ ^mm