Illustrations of Masonry
by
William
Preston
Book Four
The History of Masonry in England
Sect. 1 -
Masonry early introduced into England, - Account of the Druids. - Progress of
Masonry in England under the Romans. - Masons highly favoured by St. Alban
The history of Britain,
previous to the invasion of the Romans, is so mixed with fable, as not to
afford any satisfactory account, either of the original inhabitants of the
island, or of the arts practised by them. It appears, however, from the
writings of the best historians, that they were not destitute of genius or
taste. There are yet in being the remains of some stupendous works, executed
by them much earlier than the time of the Romans; and those vestiges of
antiquity, though defaced by time, display no small share of ingenuity, and
are convincing proofs that the science of masonry was not unknown even in
those rude ages.
The Druids, we are informed,
retained among them many usages similar to those of masons; but of what they
consisted, at this remote period we cannot with certainty discover. In
conformity to the antient practices of the fraternity, we learn that they held
their assemblies in woods and groves, and observed the most impenetrable
secrecy in their principles and opinions; a circumstance we have reason to
regret, as these, being known only to themselves, must have perished with
them.
They were the priests of the
Britons, Gauls, and other Celtic nations, and were divided into three classes:
the bards, who were poets and musicians, formed the first class; the vates,
who were priests and physiologists, composed the second class; and the third
class consisted of the Druids, who added moral philosophy to the study of
physiology.
As study and speculation were
the favourite pursuits of those philosophers, it has been suggested that they
chiefly derived their system of government from Pythagoras. Many of his tenets
and doctrines seem to have been adopted by them. In their private retreats,
they entered into a disquisition of the origin, laws, and properties of
matter, the form and magnitude of the universe, and even ventured to explore
the most sublime and hidden secrets of Nature. On these subjects they formed a
variety of hypotheses, which they delivered to their disciples in verse, in
order that they might be more easily retained in memory; and administered an
oath not to commit them to writing.
In this manner the Druids
communicated their particular tenets, and concealed under the veil of mystery
every branch of useful knowledge, which tended to secure to their order
universal admiration and respect, while the religious instructions propagated
by them were every where received with reverence and submission. They were
entrusted with the education of youth; and from their seminaries alone issued
curious and valuable productions. As judges of law, they determined all
causes, ecclesiastical and civil; as tutors, they taught philosophy,
astrology, politics, rites, and ceremonies; and as bards, in their songs they
recommended the heroic deeds of great men to the imitation of posterity.
To enlarge on the usages that
prevailed among those ancient philosophers, on which we can offer at best but
probable conjectures, would be a needless waste of time; we shall therefore
leave the experienced mason to make his own reflections on the affinity of
their practices to the rites established among the fraternity, and proceed to
a disquisition of other particulars and occurrences better authenticated, and
of more importance.
On the arrival of the Romans in
Britain, arts and sciences began to flourish. According to the progress of
civilization, masonry rose into esteem; hence we find that Cæsar, and several
of the Roman generals who succeeded him in the government of this island,
ranked as patrons and protectors of the Craft. Although at this period the
fraternity were employed in erecting walls, forts, bridges, cities, temples,
palaces, courts of justice, and other stately works, history is silent
respecting their mode of government, and affords no information in regard to
the usages and customs prevalent among them. Their lodges and conventions were
regularly held, but being open only to the initiated fellows, the legal
restraints they were under, prevented the public communication of their
private transactions.
The wars which afterwards broke
out between the conquerors and conquered, considerable obstructed the progress
of masonry in Britain, so that it continued in a very low state till the time
of the emperor Carausius, by whom it was revived under his own immediate
auspices. Having shaken off the Roman yoke, he contrived the most effectual
means to render his person and government acceptable to the people, and
assuming in the character of a mason, he acquired the love and esteem of the
most enlightened part of his subjects. He possessed real merit, encouraged
learning and learned men, improved the country in the civil arts, and, in
order to establish an empire in Britain, he collected into this dominions the
best workmen and artificers from all parts, all of whom, under his auspices,
enjoyed peace and tranquillity. Among the first class of his favourites, came
the masons; for their tenets he professed the highest veneration, and
appointed Albanus, his steward, the principal superintendant of their
assemblies. Under his patronage, lodges, and conventions of the fraternity,
were regularly formed, and the rites of masonry practised. To enable the
masons to hold a general council to establish their own government, and
correct errors among themselves, he granted to them a charter, and commanded
Albanus to preside over them in person as Grand Master. This worthy knight
proved a zealous friend to the Craft, and afterwards assisted at the
initiation of many persons into the mysteries of the Order. To this council,
the name of Assembly was afterwards given *.
Some particulars of a man so
truly exemplary among masons will certainly merit attention.
Albanus was born at Verulam,
(now St. Alban's, in Hertfordshire,) of a noble family. In his youth he
travelled to Rome, where he served seven years under the Emperor Diocletian.
On his return home, by the example and persuasion of Amphibalus of Caer-leon,
(now Chester,) who had accompanied him in his travels, he was converted to the
Christian faith, and, in the tenth and last persecution of the Christians, was
beheaded, A. D. 303.
St. Alban was the first who
suffered martyrdom for the Christian religion in Britain, of which the
venerable Bede gives the following account. The Roman governor having been
informed that St. Alban harboured a Christian in his house, sent a party of
soldiers to apprehend Amphibalus. St. Alban immediately put on the habit of
his guest *, and presented himself to the
officers. Being carried before a magistrate, he behaved with such a manly
freedom, and so powerfully supported the cause of his friend, that he not only
incurred the displeasure of the judge, but brought upon himself the punishment
above specified.
The old constitutions affirm,
that St. Alban was employed by Carausius to environ the city of Verulam with a
wall, and to build for him a splendid palace; and that, to reward his
diligence in executing those works, the emperor appointed him steward of his
household, and chief ruler of the realm. however this may be, from the
corroborating testimonies of ancient historians, we are assured that this
knight was a celebrated architect, and a real encourager of able workmen; it
cannot therefore be supposed, that free-masonry would be neglected under so
eminent a patron.
Sect. 2 -
History of Masonry in England under St. Austin, King Alfred, and Athelstane;
and also under the Knights Templars
After the departure of the
Romans from Britain, masonry made but a slow progress, and in a little time
was almost totally neglected, on account of the irruptions of the Picts and
Scots, which obliged the southern inhabitants of the island to solicit the
assistance of the Saxons, to repel these invaders. As the Saxons increased,
the native Britons sunk into obscurity, and ere long yielded the superiority
to their protectors, who acknowledged their sovereignty and jurisdiction.
These rough and ignorant heathens, despising every thing but war, soon put a
finishing stroke to all the remains of ancient learning which had escaped the
fury of the Picts and Scots. They continued their depredations with
unrestrained rigour, till the arrival of some pious teachers from Wales and
Scotland, when many of these savages being reconciled to Christianity, masonry
got into repute, and lodges were again formed *;
but these being under the direction of foreigners, were seldom convened, and
never attained to any degree of consideration or importance.
Masonry continued in a declining state till the year 557, when Austin, with
forty more monks, among whom the sciences had been preserved, came into
England. Austin was commissioned by pope Gregory, to baptize Ethelbert king of
Kent, who appointed him the first archbishop of Canterbury. This monk, and his
associates, propagated the principles of christianity among the inhabitants of
Britain, and by their influence, in little more than sixty years, all the
kings of the heptarchy were converted. Masonry flourished under the patronage
of Austin, and many foreigners came at this time into England, who introduced
the Gothic style of building. Austin seems to have been a zealous encourager
of architecture, for he appeared at the head of the fraternity in founding the
old cathedra of Canterbury in 600, and the cathedral of Rochester in 602; St.
Paul's, London, in 604; St. Peter's, Westminster, in 605; and many others
*. Several palaces and castles were built
under his auspices, as well as other fortifications on the borders of the
kingdom, by which means the number of masons in England was considerably
increased.
Some expert brethren arrived from France in 680, and formed themselves into a
lodge, under the direction of Bennet, abbot of Wirral, who was soon after
appointed by Kenred, king of Mercia, inspector of the lodges, and general
superintendant of the masons.
During the heptarchy, masonry continued in a low state; but in the year 856,
it revived under the patronage of St. Swithin, who was employed by Ethelwolph,
the Saxon king, to repair some pious houses; and from that time it gradually
improved till the reign of Alfred, A. D. 872, when, in the person of that
prince, it found a zealous protector.
Masonry has generally kept pace with the progress of learning; the patrons and
encouragers of the latter having been most remarkable for cultivating and
promoting the former. No prince studied more to polish and improve the
understandings of his subjects than Alfred, and no one ever proved a better
friend to masonry. By his indefatigable assiduity in the pursuit of knowledge,
his example had powerful influence, and he speedily reformed the dissolute and
barbarous manners of his people. Mr. Hume, in his History of England, relates
the following particulars of this celebrated prince:
"Alfred usually divided his
time into three equal portions: one was employed in sleep, and the refection
of his body by diet and exercise; another in the dispatch of business; and a
third, in study and devotion. That he might more exactly measure the hours,
he made use of burning tapers of equal lengths, which he fixed in lanthorns;
and expedient suited to that rude age, when the art of describing sun-dials,
and the mechanism of clocks and watches, were totally unknown. By this
regular distribution of time, though he often laboured under great bodily
infirmities, this martial hero, who fought in person fifty-six battles by
sea and land, was able, during a life of no extraordinary length, to acquire
more knowledge, and even to compose more books, than most studious men,
blest with greater leisure and application, have done in more fortunate
ages."
As this prince was not
negligent in encouraging the mechanical arts, masonry claimed a great part of
his attention. He invited from all quarters industrious foreigners to repeople
his country, which had been desolated by the ravages of the Danes. He
introduced and encouraged manufactures of all kinds among them: no inventor or
improver of any ingenious art did he suffer to go unrewarded; and he
appropriated a seventh part of his revenue for maintaining a number of
workmen, whom he constantly employed in rebuilding his ruined cities, castles,
palaces, and monasteries. The university of Oxford was founded by him.
On the death of Alfred in 900, Edward succeeded to the throne, during whose
reign the masons continued to hold their lodges, under the sanction of Ethred,
his sister's husband, and Ethelward, his brother, to whom the care of the
fraternity was intrusted. Ethelward was a prince of great learning, and an
able architect; he founded the university of Cambridge.
Edward died in 924, and was succeeded by Athelstane his son, who appointed his
brother Edwin, patron of the masons, This prince procured a charter from
Athelstane, empowering them to meet annually in communication at York, where
the first Grand Lodge of England was formed in 926, at which Edwin presided as
Grand Master. Here many old writings were produced, in Greek, Latin, and other
languages, from which the constitutions of the English lodges are originally
derived *.
Athelstane kept his court for some time at York, where he received several
embassies from foreign princes, with rich presents of various kinds. He was
loved, honoured, and admired by all the princes of Europe, who sought his
friendship and courted his alliance. He was a mild sovereign, a kind brother,
and a true friend. The only blemish which historians find in the whole reign
of Athelstane, is the supposed murder of his brother Edwin. This youth, who
was distinguished for his virtues, having died two years before his brother, a
false report was spread, of his being wrongfully put to death by him. But this
is so improbable in itself, so inconsistent with the character of Athelstane,
and indeed so slenderly attested, as to be undeserving a place in history
*.
The activity and princely conduct of Edwin qualified him, in every respect, to
preside over so celebrated a body of men as the masons, who were employed
under him in repairing and building many churches and superb edifices, which
had been destroyed by the ravages of the Danes and other invaders, not only in
the city of York, but at Beverley, and other places.
On the death of Edwin, Athelstane undertook in person the direction of the
lodges, and the art of masonry was propagated in peace and security under his
sanction.
When Athelstane died, the masons dispersed, and the lodges continued in an
unsettled state till the reign of Edgar in 960, when the fraternity were again
collected by St. Dunstan, under whole auspices they were employed on some
pious structures, but met with no permanent encouragement.
After Edgar's death, masonry remained in a low condition upwards of fifty
years. In 1041, it revived under the patronage of Edward the Confessor, who
superintended the execution of several great works. He rebuilt Westminster
Abbey, assisted by Leofrick earl of Coventry, whom he appointed to superintend
the masons. The Abbey of Coventry, and many other structures, were finished by
this accomplished architect.
William the Conqueror having acquired the crown of England in 1066, he
appointed Gundulph bishop of Rochester, and Roger de Montgomery earl of
Shrewsbury, joint patrons of the masons, who at this time excelled both in
civil and military architecture. Under their auspices the fraternity were
employed in building the Tower of London, which was completed in the reign of
William Rufus, who rebuilt London-bridge with wood, and first constructed the
palace and hall of Westminster in 1087.
On the accession of Henry I. the lodges continued to assemble. From this
prince, the first Magna Charta, or charter of liberties, was obtained by the
Normans. Stephen succeeded Henry in 1135, and employed the fraternity in
building a chapel at Westminster, now the House of Commons, and several other
works. These were finished under the direction of Gilbert de Clare marquis of
Pembroke, who at this time presided over the lodges.
During the reign of Henry II. the Grand Master of the Knights Templars
superintended the masons, and employed them in building their Temple in
Fleet-street, A. D. 1155. Masonry continued under the patronage of this Order
till the year 1199, when John succeeded his brother Richard in the crown of
England. Peter de Colechurch was then appointed Grand Master. He began to
rebuild London-bridge with stone, which was afterwards finished by William
Alcmain in 1209. Peter de Rupibus succeeded Peter de Colechurch in the office
of Grand Master, and Geoffrey Fitz-Peter, chief surveyor of the king's works,
acted as his deputy. Under the auspices of these two artists, masonry
flourished during the remainder of this and the following reign.
Sect. 3 -
History of Masonry in England, during the Reigns of Edward I. Edward II.
Edward III. Richard II. Henry V. and Henry VI.
On the accession of Edward I.
A. D. 1272, the care of the masons was entrusted to Walter Giffard, archbishop
of York; Gibert de Clare, earl of Gloucester; and Ralph, lord of Mount Hermer,
the progenitor of the family of the Mantagues. These architects superintended
the finishing of Westminster Abbey, which had been begun in 1220, during the
minority of Henry III. In the reign of Edward II. the fraternity were employed
in building Exeter and Oriel colleges, Oxford; Clare-hall, Cambridge; and many
other structures; under the auspices of Walter Stapleton, bishop of Exeter,
who had been appointed Grand Master in 1307.
Masonry flourished in England during the reign of Edward III. who became the
patron of science, and the encourager of learning. He applied with
indefatigable assiduity to the constitutions of the Order; revised and
meliorated the ancient charges, and added several useful regulations to the
original code of laws. He patronized the lodges, and appointed five deputies
under him to inspect the proceedings of the fraternity; viz. I. John de
Spoulee, who rebuilt St. George's chapel at Windsor, where the order of the
garter was first instituted, A. D .1350; 2. William a Wykeham, afterwards
bishop of Winchester, who rebuilt the castle of Windsor at the head of 400
free-masons A. D. 1357; 3. Robert a Barnham, who finished St. George's hall at
the head of 250 free-masons, with other works in the castle, A. D. 1375; 4.
Henry Yeuele, (called in the old records, the King's free-mason,) who built
the Charter-house in London; King's hall, Cambridge; Queensborough castle; and
rebuilt St. Stephen's chapel, Westminster: and 5. Simon Langham, abbot of
Westminster, who rebuilt the body of that cathedral as it now stands. At this
period, lodges were numerous, and communications of the fraternity held under
the protection of the civil magistrate *.
Richard II. succeeded his grandfather Edward III. in 1377, and William a
Wykeham was continued Grand Master. He rebuilt Westminster-hall as it now
stands; and employed the fraternity in building New College, Oxford, and
Winchester college, both of which he founded at his own expense.
Henry, duke of Lancaster, taking advantage of Richard's absence in Ireland,
got the parliament to depose him, and next year caused him to be murdered.
Having supplanted his cousin, he mounted the throne by the name of Henry IV.
and appointed Thomas Fitz Allen, earl of Surrey, Grand Master. After the
famous victory of Shrewsbury, he founded Battle-abbey and Fotheringay; and in
this reign the Guildhall of London was built. The king die in 1413, and Henry
V. succeeded to the crown; when Henry Chicheley, archbishop of Canterbury,
obtained the direction of the fraternity, under whose auspices lodges and
communications were frequent.
Henry VI. a minor, succeeding to the throne in 1422, the parliament
endeavoured to disturb the masons, by passing the following act to prohibit
their chapters and conventions:
3 Hen. VI. cap. 1. A. D.
1425.
Masons shall not confederate
in Chapters or Congregations
'Whereas, by the yearly
congregations and confederacies made by the masons in their general
assemblies, the good course and effect of the statutes of labourers be
openly violated and broken, in subversion of the law, and to the great
damage of all the commons; our sovereign Lord the King, willing in this case
to provide a remedy, by the advice and consent aforesaid, and at the special
request of the commons, hath ordained and established that such chapters and
congregations shall not be hereafter holden; and if any such be made, they
that cause such chapters and congregations to be assembled and holden, if
they thereof be convict, shall be judged for felons: and that the other
masons, that come to such chapters or congregations, be punished by
imprisonment of their bodies, and make find and ransom at the king's will
*.'
This act was never put in
force, nor the fraternity deterred from assembling, as usual, under archbishop
Chicheley, who still continued to preside over them
*. Notwithstanding this rigorous edict, the
effect of prejudice and malevolence in an arbitrary set of men, lodges were
formed in different parts of the kingdom; and tranquillity and felicity
reigned among the fraternity.
As the attempt of parliament to suppress the lodges and communications of
masons renders the transactions of this period worthy attention, it may not be
improper to state the circumstances which are supposed to have given rise to
this harsh edict.
The duke of Bedford, at that time regent of the kingdom, being in France, the
regal power was vested in his brother Humphrey, duke of Gloucester
*, who was styled protector and guardian of
the kingdom. The care of the young king's person and education was entrusted
to Henry Beaufort, bishop of Winchester, the capacity and experience, but of
an intriguing and dangerous character. As he aspired to the sole government of
affairs, he had continual disputes with his nephew the protector, and gained
frequent advantages over the vehement and impolitic temper of that prince.
Invested with power, he soon began to shew his pride and haughtiness, and
wanted not followers and agents to augment his influence
*.
The animosity between the uncle and nephew daily increased, and the authority
of parliament was obliged to interpose. On the last day of April 1425, the
parliament met at Westminster. The servants and followers of the peers coming
thither, armed with clubs and staves, occasioned its being named THE BATT
PARLIAMENT. Several laws were made, and, among the rest, the act for
abolishing the society of masons *; at
least, for preventing their assemblies and congregations. Their meetings being
secret, attracted the attention of the aspiring prelate, who determined to
suppress them *.
The sovereign authority being vested in the duke of Gloucester, as protector
of the realm, the execution of the laws, and all that related to the civil
magistrate, centered in him: a fortunate circumstance for the masons at this
critical juncture. The duke, knowing them to be innocent of the accusations
which the bishop of Winchester had laid against them, took them under his
protection, and transferred the charge of rebellion, sedition, and treason,
from them, to the bishop and his followers; who, he asserted, were the first
violators of the public peace, and the most rigorous promoters of a civil
discord.
The bishop, sensible that his conduct could not be justified by the laws of
the land, prevailed on the king, through the intercession of the parliament,
whose favour his riches had obtained, to grant letters of pardon for all
offences committed by him, contrary to the statute of provisors, and other
acts of præmunire; and five years afterward, procured another pardon, under
the great seal, for all crimes whatever from the creation of the world to the
26th of July 1437.
Notwithstanding these precautions of the cardinal, the duke of Gloucester drew
up, in 1442, fresh articles of impeachment against him, and presented them in
person to the king; earnestly intreating that judgment might be passed upon
him, according to his crimes. The king referred the matter to his council, at
that time composed principally of ecclesiastics, who extended their favour to
the cardinal, and made such a slow progress in the business, that the duke,
wearied out with their tedious delays and fraudulent evasions, dropt the
prosecution, and the cardinal escaped.
Nothing could now remove the inveteracy of the cardinal against the duke; he
resolved to destroy a man whose popularity might become dangerous, and whose
resentment he had reason to dread. The duke having always proved a strenuous
friend to the public, and, by the authority of his birth and station, having
hitherto prevented absolute power from being vested in the king's person,
Winchester was enabled to gain many partisans, who were easily brought to
concur in the ruin of the prince *.
To accomplish this purpose, the bishop and his party concerted a plan to
murder the duke. A parliament was summoned to meet at St. Edmondsbury in 1447,
where they expected he would lie entirely at their mercy. Having appeared on
the second day of the session, he was accused of treason, and thrown into
prison; where he was found, the next day, cruelly murdered. It was pretended
that his death was natural; but though his body, which was exposed to public
view, bore no marks of outward injury, there was little doubt of his having
fallen a sacrifice to the vengeance of his enemies. After this dreadful
catastrophe, five of his servants were tried for aiding him in his treasons,
and condemned to be hanged, drawn, and quartered. They were hanged
accordingly, cut down alive, stripped naked, and marked with a knife to be
quartered; when the marquis of Suffolk, through a mean and pitiful affectation
of popularity, produced their pardon, and saved their lives; the most
barbarous kind of mercy that can possibly be imagined !
The duke of Gloucester's death was universally lamented throughout the
kingdom. He had long obtained, and deserved, the sirname of GOOD. He was a
lover of his country, the friend of good men, the protector of masons, the
patron of the learned, and the encourager of every useful art. His inveterate
persecutor, the hypocritical bishop, stung with remorse, scarcely survived him
two months; when, after a long life spent in falsehood and politics, he sunk
into oblivion, and ended his days in misery *.
After the death of the cardinal, the masons continued to hold their lodges
without danger of interruption. Henry established various seats of erudition,
which he enriched with ample endowments, and distinguished by peculiar
immunities; thus inviting his subjects to rise above ignorance and barbarism,
and reform their turbulent and licentious manners. In 1442, he was initiated
into masonry, and, from that time, spared no pains to obtain a complete
knowledge of the Art. He perused the ancient charges, revised the
constitutions, and, with the consent of his council, honoured them with his
sanction *.
Encouraged by the example of the sovereign, and allured by an ambition to
excel, many lords and gentlemen of the court were initiated into masonry, and
pursued the Art with diligence and assiduity *.
The king in person presided over the lodges, and nominated William Wanefleet,
bishop of Winchester, Grand Master; who built at his own expence Magdalene
college, Oxford, and several pious houses. Eton college, near Windsor, and
King's college, Cambridge, were founded in this reign, and finished under the
direction of Wanefleet. Henry also founded Christ's college, Cambridge' and
his queen, Margaret of Anjou, Queen's college, in the same university. In
short, during the life of this prince, the arts flourished, and many sagacious
statesmen, consummate orators, and admired writers, were supported by royal
munificence.
Sects. 4 -
History of Masonry in the South of England from 1471 to 1567
Masonry continued to flourish
in England till the peace of the kingdom was interrupted by the civil wars
between the two royal houses of York and Lancaster; during which it fell into
an almost total neglect, that continued till 1471, when it again revived under
the auspices of Richard Beauchamp, bishop of Sarum; who had been appointed
Grand Master by Edward IV. and had been honoured with the title of chancellor
of the garter, for repairing the castle and chapel of Windsor.
During the short reigns of Edward V. and Richard III. masonry was on the
decline; but on the accession of Henry VII. A. D. 1485, it rose again into
esteem, under the patronage of the Master and fellows of the order of St. John
at Rhodes, (now Malta,) who assembled their grand lodge in 1500, and chose
Henry their protector. Under the royal auspices the fraternity once more
revived their assemblies, and masonry resumed its pristine splendor.
On the 24th of June 1502, a lodge of masters was formed in the palace, at
which the king presided in person as Grand Master; and having appointed John
Islip, abbot of Westminster, and Sir Reginald Bray, knight of the garter, his
wardens for the occasion, proceeded in ample form to the east end of
Westminster Abbey, where he laid the foundation stone of that rich masterpiece
of Gothic architecture, known by the name of Henry the seventh's chapel. This
chapel is supported by fourteen Gothic buttresses, all beautifully ornamented,
and projecting from the building in different angles; it is enlightened by a
double range of windows, which throw the light into such a happy disposition,
as at once to please the eye, and afford a kind of solemn gloom. These
buttresses extend to the roof, and are made to strengthen it, by being crowned
with Gothic arches. The entrance is from the east end of the abbey, by a
flight of black marble steps, under a noble arch, leading to the body of the
chapel. The gates are of brass. The stalls on each side are of oak, as are
also the seats, and the pavement is black and white marble. The capestone of
this building was celebrated in 1507.
Under the direction of Sir Reginald Bray, the palace of Richmond was
afterwards built, and many other stately works. Brazen-nose college, Oxford,
and Jesus and St. Jon's colleges, Cambridge, were all finished in this reign.
Henry VIII. succeeded his father in 1509, and appointed cardinal Wolsey, Grand
Master. This prelate built Hampton court, Whitehall, Christ church college,
Oxford, and several other noble edifices; all of which, upon his disgrace,
were forfeited to the crown, A. D. 1530. Thomas Cromwell, earl of Essex,
succeeded the cardinal in the office of Grand Master; and employed the
fraternity in building St. James's palace, Christ's hospital, and Greenwich
castle. In 1534, the king and parliament threw off allegiance to the pope of
Rome, and the King being declared supreme head of the church, no less than 926
pious houses were suppressed; many of which were afterwards converted into
stately mansions for the nobility and gentry. Under the direction of John
Touchet lord Audley, who, on Cromwell's being beheaded in 1540, had succeeded
to the office of Grand Master, the fraternity were employed in building
Magdalene college, Cambridge, and several other structures.
Edward VI. a minor, succeeded to the throne in 1547, and his guardian and
regent, Edward Seymour, duke of Somerset, undertook the management of the
masons, and built Somerset house in the Strand; which, on his being beheaded,
was forfeited to the crown in 1552. John Poynet, bishop of Winchester, then
became the patron of the fraternity, and presided over the lodges till the
death of the king in 1553.
The masons remained without any nominal patron till the reign of Elizabeth,
when Sir Thomas Sackville accepted the office of Grand Master. Lodges were
held, during this period, in different parts of England; but the General or
Grand Lodge assembled in York, where the fraternity were numerous and
respectable.
The following circumstance is recorded of Elizabeth: Hearing that the masons
were in possession of secrets which they would not reveal, and being jealous
of all secret assemblies, she sent an armed force to York, with intent to
break up their annual grand lodge *. This
design, however, was happily frustrated by the interposition of Sir Thomas
Sackville; who took care to initiate some of the chief officers which she had
sent on this duty. They joined in communication with the masons, and made so
favourable a report to the queen on their return, that she countermanded her
orders, and never afterwards attempted to disturb the meetings of the
fraternity.
Sir Thomas Sackville held the office of Grand Master till 1567, when he
resigned in favour of Francis Russel, earl of Bedford, and Sir Thomas Gresham
*, an eminent merchant, distinguished by his
abilities, and great success in trade. To the former, the care of the brethren
in the northern part of the kingdom was assigned, while the latter was
appointed to superintended the meetings in the south, where the society had
considerably increased, in consequence of the honourable report which had been
made to the queen. Notwithstanding this new appointment of a Grand Master for
the fourth, the General Assembly continued to meet in the city of York as
heretofore, where all the records were kept; and to this assembly, appeals
were made on every important occasion.
Sect. 5 -
Progress of Masonry in the South of England from the Reign of Elizabeth to the
Fire of London in 1666.
The queen being assured that
the fraternity were composed of skilful architects, and lovers of the Arts,
and that state affairs were points in which they never interfered, was
perfectly reconciled to their assemblies, and masonry made a great progress at
this period. During her reign, lodges were held in different places of the
kingdom, particularly in London, and its environs, where the brethren
increased considerably, and several great works were carried on, under the
auspices of Sir Thomas Gresham, from whom the fraternity received every
encouragement.
Charles Howard, earl of Essingham, succeeded Sir Thomas in the office of Grand
Master, and continued to preside over the lodges in the fourth till the year
1588, when George Hastings, earl of Huntingdon, was chosen, who remained in
that office till the death of the queen in 1603.
On the demise of Elizabeth, the crowns of England and Scotland were united in
here successor James VI. of Scotland, who was proclaimed king of England,
Scotland, and Ireland, on the 25th of March 1603. At this period, masonry
flourished in both kingdoms, and lodges were convened under the royal
patronage. Several gentlemen of fine taste returned from their travels, full
of laudable emulation to revive the old Roman and Grecian masonry. These
ingenious travellers brought home fragments of old columns, curious drawings,
and books of architecture. Among the number was the celebrated Inigo Jones,
son of Inigo Jones, a citizen of London, who was put apprentice to a joiner,
and had a natural taste for the art of designing. He was first renowned for
his skill in landscape painting, and was patronized by the learned William
Herbert, afterward earl of Pembroke. He made the tour of Italy at his
lordship's expence, and improved under some of the best disciples of the
famous Andrea Palladio. On his return to England, having laid aside the pencil
and confined his study to architecture, he became the Vitruvius of Britain,
and the rival of Palladio.
This celebrated artist was appointed general surveyor to king James I. under
whose auspices the science of masonry flourished. He was nominated Grand
Master of England *, and was deputized
by his sovereign to preside over the lodges. During his administration,
several learned men were initiated into masonry, and the society considerably
increased in reputation and consequence. Ingenious artists daily resorted to
England, where they met with great encouragement. Lodges were constituted as
seminaries of instruction in the sciences and polite arts, after the model of
the Italian schools; the communications of the fraternity were established,
and the annual festivals regularly observed.
Many curious and magnificent structures were finished under the direction of
this accomplished architect; and, among the rest, he was employed, by command
of the sovereign, to plan a new palace at Whitehall, worthy the residence of
the kings of England, which he accordingly executed; but for want of a
parliamentary fund, no more of the plan than the present Banqueting-house was
ever finished. In 1607, the foundation stone of this elegant piece of true
masonry was laid by king James, in presence of Grand Master Jones, and his
wardens, William Herbert earl of Pembroke, and Nicholas Stone esq.
master-mason of England, who were attended by many brothers, clothed in form,
and other eminent persons, invited on the occasion. The ceremony was conducted
with the greatest pomp and splendor, and a purse of broad pieces of gold laid
upon the stone, to enable the masons to regale. This building is said to
contain the finest single room of its extent since the days of Augustus, and
was intended for the reception of ambassadors, and other audiences of state.
The whole is a regular and stately building, of three stories; the lowest has
a rustic wall, with small square windows, and by its strength happily serves
as a basis for the orders. Upon this is raised the Ionic, with columns and
pilasters; and between the columns, are well-proportioned windows, with arched
and pointed pediments: over these, is placed the proper entablature: on which
is raised a second series of the Corinthian order, consisting of columns and
pilasters, like the other, column being placed over column, and pilaster over
pilaster. From the capitals are carried festoons, which meet with masks, and
other ornaments, in the middle. This series is also crowned with its proper
entablature, on which is raised the balustrade, with attic pedestals between,
which crown the work. The whole is finely proportioned, and happily executed.
The projection of the columns from the wall, has a fine effect in the
entablatures; which being brought forward in the same proportion, yields that
happy diversity of light and shade so essential to true architecture. The
internal decorations are also striking. The cieling of the grand room, in
particular, which is now used as a chapel, is richly painted by the celebrated
Sir Peter Paul Rubens, who was ambassador in England in the time of Charles I.
The subject is, the entrance, inauguration, and coronation of king James,
represented by pagan emblems; and it is justly esteemed one of the most
capital performances of this eminent master. It has been pronounced one of the
finest cielings in the world.
Inigo Jones continued in the office of Grand Master till the year 1618, when
he was succeeded by the earl of Pembroke; under whose auspices many eminent ,
wealthy, and learned men were initiated, and the mysteries of the Order held
in high estimation.
On the death of king James in 1625, Charles ascended the throne. The earl of
Pembroke presided over the fraternity till 1630, when he resigned in favour of
Henry Danvers, earl of Danby; who was succeeded in 1633 by Thomas Howard, earl
of Arundel, the progenitor of the Norfolk family. In 1635, Francis Russel,
earl of Bedford, accepted the government of the society; but Inigo Jones
having, with indefatigable assiduity, continued to patronize the lodges during
his lordship's administration, he was re-elected the following year and
continued in office till his death in 1646 *.
The taste of this celebrated architect was displayed in many curious and
elegant structures, both in London and the country; particularly in designing
the magnificent row of Great Queen-street, and the west side of Lincoln's Inn
Fields, with Lindsey-house in the centre; the late Chirurgions's hall and
theatre, now Barbers-hall, in Monkwell-street; Shaftesbury-house, late the
London lying-in hospital for married women, in Aldersgate-street;
Bedford-house in Bloomsbury-square; Berkley-house, Piccadilly, lately burnt,
and rebuilt, now in the possession of the duke of Devonshire; and York-stairs,
at Thames, &c. Beside these, he designed Gunnersbury-house near Brentford;
Wilton-house in Wiltshire; Castle-abbey in Northampton-shire; Stoke-park; part
of the quadrangle at St. John's, Oxford; Charlton-house, and Cobham-hall, in
Kent; Coles-hill in Berkshire; and the Grange, in Hampshire.
The breaking out of the civil wars obstructed the progress of masonry in
England for some time. After the Restoration, however, it began to revive
under the patronage of Charles II. who had been received into the Order during
his exile *.
On the 27th December 1663, a general assembly was held, at which Henry Jermyn,
earl of St. Alban's, was elected Grand Master; who appointed Sir John Denham
knt. his deputy, and Mr. (afterwards Sir) Christopher Wren
*, and John Webb his wardens. Several useful
regulations * were made at this assembly,
for the better government of the lodges, and the greatest harmony prevailed
among the whole fraternity.
Thomas Savage, earl of Rivers, having succeeded the earl of St. Alban's in the
office of Grand Master in June 1666, Sir Christopher Wren was appointed Deputy
under his lordship, and distinguished himself more than any of his
predecessors in office, in promoting the prosperity of the few lodges which
occasionally met at this time; particularly the old lodge of St. Paul's
*, now the lodge of Antiquity, which he
patronized upwards of 18 years. The honours which this celebrated character
afterwards received in the society, are evident proofs of the unfeigned
attachment of the fraternity toward him.
Sect. 6 -
The History of Masonry in England from the Fire of London, to the Accession of
George I.
The year 1666 afforded a
singular and awful occasion for the utmost exertion of masonic abilities. The
city of London, which had been visited in the preceding year by the plague, to
whole ravages, it is computed, above 100,000 of its inhabitants fell a
sacrifice *, had scarcely recovered from the
alarm of that dreadful contagion, when a general conflagration reduced the
greatest part of the city within the walls to ashes, This dreadful fire broke
out on the 2d of September, at the house of a baker in Pudding-lane, a wooden
building, pitched on the outside, as were also all the rest of the houses in
that narrow lane. The house being filled with faggots and brush-wood, soon
added to the rapidity of the flames, which raged with such fury, as to spread
four ways at once.
Jonas Moore and Ralph Gatrix, who were appointed surveyors on this occasion to
examine the ruins, reported, that the fire over-ran 373 acres within the
walls, and burnt 13,000 houses, 89 parish churches, besides chapels, leaving
only 11 parishes standing. The Royal Exchange, Custom-house, Guildhall,
Blackwell-hall, St. Paul's cathedral, Bridewell, the two compters, fifty-two
city companies halls, and three city gates, were all demolished. The damage
was computed at 10,000,000 l. sterling *.
After so sudden and extensive a calamity, it became necessary to adopt some
regulations to guard against any such catastrophe in future. It was therefore
determined, that in all the new buildings to be erected, stone and brick
should be substituted in the room of timber. The King and the Grand Master
immediately ordered deputy Wren to draw up the plan of a new city, with broad
and regular streets. Dr. Christopher Wren was appointed surveyor general and
principle architect for rebuilding the city, the cathedral of St. Paul, and
all the parochial churches enacted by parliament, in lieu of those that were
destroyed, with other public structures. This gentleman, conceiving the charge
too important for a single person, selected Mr. Robert Hook, professor of
geometry in Gresham college, to assist him; who was immediately employed in
measuring, adjusting, and setting out the grounds of the private streets to
the several proprietors. Dr. Wren's model and plan were laid before the king
and the house of commons, and the practicability of the whole scheme, without
the infringement of property, clearly demonstrated: it unfortunately happened,
however, that the greater part of the citizens were absolutely averse to alter
their old possessions, and to recede from building their houses again on the
old foundations . Many were unwilling to give up their properties into the
hands of public trustees, till they should receive an equivalent of more
advantage; while others expressed distrust. Every means were tried to convince
the citizens, that by removing all the church-yards, gardens &c. to the
out-skirts of the city, sufficient room would be given to augment the streets,
and properly to dispose of the churches, halls, and other public buildings, to
the perfect satisfaction of every proprietor; but the representation of all
these improvements had no weight. The citizens chose to have their old city
again, under all its disadvantages, rather than a new one, the principles of
which they were unwilling to understand, and considered as innovations. Thus
an opportunity was lost, of making the new city the most magnificent, as well
as the most commodious for health and trade, of any in Europe. The architect,
cramped in the execution of his plan, was obliged to abridge his scheme, and
exert his utmost labour, skill, and ingenuity, to model the city in the manner
in which it has since appeared.
On the 23d of October 1667, the king in person levelled in form the foundation
stone of the new Royal Exchange, now allowed to be the finest in Europe; and
on the 28th September 1669, it was opened by the lord mayor and aldermen.
Round the inside of the square, above the arcades, and between the windows,
are the statues of the sovereigns of England. In the centre of the square, is
erected the king's statue to the life, in a Cæsarean habit of white marble,
executed in a masterly manner by Mr. Gibbons, then grand warden of the
society.
In 1668, the Custom-house for the port of London, situated on the south side
of Thames-street, was built, adorned with an upper and lower order of
architecture. In the latter, are stone columns, and entablement of the Tuscan
order: and in the former, are pilaster, entablature, and five pediments of the
Ionic order. The wings are elevated on columns, forming piazzas; and the
length of the building is 189 feet; its breadth in the middle, 27; and at the
west end, 60 feet.
This year also, deputy Wren and his warden Webb finished the Theatrum
Sheldonium at Oxford, designed and executed at the private expence of
Gilbert Sheldon, archbishop of Canterbury, an excellent architect and able
designer. On the 9th of July 1669, the capestone of this elegant building was
celebrated with joy and festivity by the craftsmen, and an elegant oration
delivered on the occasion by Dr. South.
Deputy Wren, at the same time also, built, at the expence of the University,
that other master-piece of architecture, the pretty museum near this theatre.
In 1671, Mr. Wren began to build that great fluted column called the Monument,
in memory of the burning and re-building of the city of London. This
stupendous pillar was finished in 1677. It is 24 feet higher than Trajan's
pillar at Rome, and built of Portland stone, of the Doric order. Its altitude,
from the ground, is 202 feet; the greatest diameter of the shaft or body of
the column, 15 feet; the ground plinth, or bottom of the pedestal, 28 feet
square; and the pedestal 40 feet high. Over the capital, is an iron balcony,
encompassing a cone 32 feet high, supporting a blazing urn of gilt brass.
Within is a large stair-case of black marble, containing 345 step, each step
ten inches and an half broad, and six inches thick. The west side of the
pedestal is adorned with curious emblems, by the masterly hand of Mr. Cibber,
father to the late poet-laureat Colley Cibber; in which eleven principal
figures are done in alto, and the rest in basso relievo. That to
which the eye is particularly directed, is a female, representing the City
of London, sitting in a languishing posture, on a heap of ruins. Behind
her, is Time, gradually raising her up; and at her side, a woman,
representing Providence, gently touching her with one hand, while, with
a winged sceptre in the other, she directs her to regard two goddesses in the
clouds; one with a cornucopia, denoting Plenty; the other, with a palm branch,
the emblem of Peace. At her feet is a bee-hive, to shew that, by industry and
application, the greatest misfortunes may be overcome. Behind Time, are
the Citizens, exulting at his endeavours to restore her; and beneath,
in the midst of the ruins, is a dragon, the supporter of the city arms,
who endeavours to preserve them with his paw. At the north end, is a view of
the City in flames, the inhabitants in consternation, with their arms
extended upward, crying for assistance. Opposite the City, on an elevated
pavement, stands the King, in a Roman habit, with a laurel on his head,
and a truncheon in his hand; who, on approaching her, commands three of his
attendants to descend to her relief. The first represents the Sciences,
with a winged head, and circle of naked boys dancing thereon, and holding
Nature in her hand, with her numerous breasts, ready to give assistance to
all. The second is Architecture, with a plan in one hand, and a square
and pair of compasses in the other. The third is Liberty, waving a hat
in the air, and shewing her joy at the pleasing prospect of the City's speedy
recovery. Behind the King, stands his brother, the duke of York, with a
garland in one hand, to crown the rising city, and a sword in the other, for
her defence. The two figures behind them, are Justice and Fortitude;
the former with a coronet, and the latter with a reined lion; while, under the
pavement, in a vault, appears Envy gnawing a heart. In the upper part
of the back ground, the re-construction of the city is represented by
scaffolds and unfinished houses, with builders at work on them. The north and
south sides of the pedestal have each a Latin inscription, one describing the
desolation of the city, the other its restoration. The east side of the
pedestal has an inscription, expressing the time in which the pillar was
begun, continued, and brought to perfection. In one line continued round the
base, are these words: "This pillar was set up in perpetual remembrance of the
most dreadful burning of this Protestant city, begun and carried on by the
treachery and malice of the Popish faction, in the beginning of September, in
the year of our Lord 1666, in order to the carrying on their horrid plot for
extirpating the Protestant religion, and old English liberty, and introducing
popery and slavery." This inscription, upon the duke of York's accession to
the crown, was erased; but, soon after the Revolution, restored again.
The rebuilding of the city of London was vigorously prosecuted, and the
restoration of St. Paul's cathedral claimed particular attention. Dr. Wren
drew several designs, to discover what would be most acceptable to the general
taste; and finding persons of all degrees declare for magnificence and
grandeur, he formed a design according to the very best stile of Greek and
Roman architecture, and caused a large model of it to be made in wood; but the
bishops deciding that it was not sufficiently in the cathedral stile, the
surveyor was ordered to amend it, and he then produced the scheme of the
present structure, which was honoured with the king's approbation. The
original model, however, which was only of the Corinthian order, like St.
Peter's at Rome, is still kept in an apartment of the cathedral, as a real
curiosity.
In 1673, the foundation stone * of this
magnificent cathedral, designed by deputy Wren, was laid in solemn form by the
King, attended by Grand Master Rivers, his architects and craftsmen, in the
presence of the nobility and gentry, the lord mayor and aldermen, the bishops
and clergy, &c. During the whole time this structure was building, Mr. Wren
acted as master of the work and surveyor, and was ably assisted by his
wardens, Mr. Edward Strong and his son.
St. Paul's cathedral is planned in the form of a long cross; the walls are
wrought in rustic, and strengthened, as well as adorned, by two rows of
coupled pilasters, one over the other; the lower Corinthian, and the upper
Composite. The spaces between the arches of the windows, and the architecture
of the lower order, as well as those above, are filled with a variety of
enrichments.
The west front is graced with a most magnificent portico, a noble pediment,
and two stately turrets. There is a grand flight of steps of black marble that
extend the whole length of the portico, which consists of twelve lofty
Corinthian columns below, and eight of the Composite order above; these are
all coupled and fluted. The upper series support a noble pediment, crowned
with its acroteria; and in this pediment is an elegant representation in bas
relief, of the conversion of St. Paul, executed by Mr. Bird, an artist whose
name, on account of this piece alone, is worthy of being transmitted to
posterity. The figures are well executed: the magnificent figure of St. Paul,
on the apex of the pediment, with St. Peter on his right, and St. James on his
left, produce a fine effect. The four Evangelists, with their proper emblems,
on the front of the towers, are judiciously disposed, and skilfully finished;
St. Matthew is distinguished by an angel; St. Mark, by a lion; St. Luke, by an
ox; and St. John, by an eagle.
To the north portico, there is an ascent by twelve circular steps of black
marble, and its dome is supported by six grand Corinthian columns. Upon the
dome is a well-proportioned urn, finely ornamented with festoons; over the urn
is a pediment, supported by pilasters in the wall, in the face of which are
carved the royal arms, with the regalia, supported by angels. Statues of five
of the apostles are placed on the top, at proper distances.
The south portico answers to the north, and, like that, is supported by six
noble Corinthian columns; but as the ground is considerably lower on this side
of the church than the other, the ascent is by a flight of twenty-five steps.
This portico has also a pediment above, in which is a phoenix rising out of
the flames, with the motto, RESURGAM, underneath it; as an emblem of
rebuilding the church. A curious accident is said to have given rise to this
device, which was particularly observed by the architect as a favourable omen.
When Dr. Wren was marking our the dimensions of the building, and had fixed on
the centre of the great dome, a common labourer was ordered to bring him a
flat stone from among the rubbish, to leave as a direction to the masons. the
stone which the man brought happened to be a piece of a grave-stone, with
nothing remaining of the inscription but this single word, in large capitals,
RESURGAM; and this circumstance left an impression on Dr. Wrens' mind, that
could never afterwards be erased. On this side of the building are likewise
five statues, which correspond with those on the apex of the north pediment.
At the east end of the church is a sweep, or circular projection for the
altar, finely ornamented with the orders, and with sculpture; particularly a
noble piece in honour of king William III.
The dome, which rises in the centre of the whole, is superlatively grand.
Twenty feet above the roof of the church is a circular range of thirty-two
columns, with niches placed exactly against others within. These are
terminated by their entablature, which supports a handsome gallery, adorned
with a balustrade. Above these columns is a range of pilasters, with windows
between; and from the entablature of these, the diameter decreases very
considerably; and two feet above that, it is again contracted. From this part
the external sweep of the dome begins, and the arches meet at 52 feet above.
On the summit of the dome, is an elegant balcony, and from its centre rises
the lantern, adorned with Corinthian columns. The whole is terminated by a
ball, on which stands a cross, both of which are elegantly gilt.
This noble fabric is surrounded, at a proper distance, by a dwarf stone wall,
on which is placed the most magnificent balustrade of cast iron perhaps in the
universe, four feet six inches in height, exclusive of the wall. In this
inclosure are seven beautiful iron gates, which, together with the balusters,
in number about 2500, weigh 200 tons and 85 pounds.
In the centre of the area of the grand west front, on a pedestal of excellent
workmanship, stands a statue of queen Anne, formed of white marble, with
proper decorations. The figures on the base represent Britannia, with
her spear; Gallia, with the crown in her lap Hibernia, with her
harp; and America, with her bow. These, are the colossal statues with
which the church are adorned, were executed by the ingenious Mr. Hill.
A strict regard to the situation of this cathedral, due east and west, has
given it an oblique appearance with respect to Ludgate-street in front; so
that the great front gate in the surrounding iron rails, being made to regard
the street in front, rather than the church to which it belongs, the statue of
queen Anne, that is exactly in the middle of the west front, is thrown on one
side the straight approach from the gate to the church, and gives an idea of
the whole edifice being awry.
Under the grand portico, at the west end, are three doors, ornamented at the
top with bas relief. The middle door, which is by far the largest, is cased
with white marble, and over it is a fine piece of basso relievo, in which St.
Paul is represented preaching to the Bereans. On entering the door, the mind
is struck by the extend of the vista. An arcade, supported by lofty and massy
pillars on each hand, divide the church into the body and two aisles; and the
view is terminated by the altar at the extremity of the choir; subject,
nevertheless, to the intervention of the organ standing across, which forms a
heavy obstruction. The pillars are adorned with columns and pilasters of the
Corinthian and Composite orders; and the arches of the roof and enriched with
shields, festoons, chaplets, and other ornaments. In the aisle, on one hand,
is the consistory; and opposite, on the other, the morning prayer chapel.
These have very beautiful screens of carved wainscot, which are much admired.
Over the centre, where the great aisles cross each other, is the grand cupola,
or dome, the vast concave of which inspires a pleasing awe. Under its centre
is fixed in the floor, a brass plate, round which the pavement is beautifully
variegated; but the figures into which it is formed, can nowhere be so well
seen as from the whispering-gallery above. Here the spectator has at once a
full view of the organ, richly ornamented with carved work, and the entrance
to the choir directly under it. The two aisles on the side of the choir, as
well as the choir itself, are inclosed with very fine iron rails and gates.
The altar-piece is adorned with four noble fluted pilasters, painted and
veined with gold, in imitation of lapis lazuli, and their capitals are
double gilt. In the intercolumniations below, are nine marble pannels, and
above are six windows, in the two series. The floor of the whole church is
paved with marble; and within the rails of the altar, with porphyry, polished,
and laid in several geometrical figures.
In the great cupola, which is 108 feet in diameter, the architect seems to
have imitated the Pantheon at Rome, excepting that the upper order is there
only umbratile, and distinguished by different coloured marbles; while, in St.
Paul's, it is extant out of the wall. The Pantheon is no higher within than
its diameter; St. Peter's is two diameters; the former shews its concave too
low, the latter too high: St. Paul's is proportioned between both, and
therefore shews its concave every way, and is very lightsome by the windows of
the upper order. These strike down the light through the great colonnade that
encircles the dome without, and serves for the abutment, which is brick of the
thickness of two bricks; but as it rises every way five feet high, it has a
course of excellent brick of 18 inches long, banding through the whole
thickness; and, to make it still more secure, it is surrounded with a vast
chain of iron, strongly linked together at every ten feet. This chain is let
into a channel, cut into the bandage of Portland stone, and defended from the
weather by filling the groove with lead. The concave was turned upon a center,
which was judged necessary to keep the work true; but the center was laid
without any standards below for support. Every story of the scaffolding being
circular, and the ends of all the ledgers meeting as so many rings, and truly
wrought, it supported itself.
As the old church of St. Paul had a lofty spire, Dr. Wren was obliged to give
his building an altitude that might secure it from suffering by the
comparison. To do this, he made the dome without, much higher than within, by
raising a strong brick cone over the internal cupola, so constructed as to
support an elegant stone lantern on the apex. This brick cone is supported by
a cupola formed of timber, and covered with lead: between which and the cone
are easy stairs, up to the lantern. Here the spectator may view contrivances
that are truly astonishing. The outward cupola is only ribbed, with the
architect thought less Gothic than to stick it full of such little lights as
are in the cupola of St. Peter's, that could not without difficulty be mended,
and, if neglected, might soon damage the timbers. As the architect was
sensible that paintings are liable to decay, he intended to have beautified
the inside of the cupola with mosaic work; which, without the least fading of
colours, would be as durable as the building itself: but in this he was
over-ruled, though he had undertaken to procure four of the most eminent
artists in that profession from Italy, for the purpose. This part, therefore,
is now decorated by the pencil of Sir James Thornhill, who has represented the
principal passages of St. Paul's life, in eight compartments. These paintings
are all seen to advantage by means of a circular opening, through which the
light is transmitted with admirable effect from the lantern above; but they
are now cracked, and sadly decayed.
Divine service was performed in the choir of this cathedral for the first time
on the thanksgiving day for the peace of Ryswick, Dec: 2, 1697
*; and the last stone on the top of the
lantern laid by Mr. Christopher Wren, the son of the architect, in 1710. This
noble fabric, lofty enough to be discerned at sea eastward, and at Windsor to
the west, was begun and completed in the space of 35 years, by one architect,
the great sir Christopher Wren; one principal mason, Mr. Strong; and under one
bishop of London, Dr. Henry Compton: whereas St. Peter's at Rome was 155 years
in building, under twelve successive architects, assisted by the police and
interest of the Roman see, and attended by the best artists in sculpture,
statuary, painting, and mosaic work.
The various parts of this superb edifice I have been thus particular in
describing, as it reflects honour on the ingenious architect who built it, and
as there is not an instance on record of any work of equal magnitude having
ever been completed by one man.
While the cathedral of St. Paul's was carrying on, as a national undertaking,
the citizens did not neglect their own immediate concerns, but restored such
of their halls and gates as had been destroyed. In April 1675, was laid the
foundation stone of the present Bethlehem-hospital for lunatics, in Moorfields.
This is a magnificent building, 540 feet long, and 40 broad, beside the two
wings, which were not added until several years afterward. The middle and ends
of the edifice project a little, and are adorned with pilasters, entablatures,
foliages, &c. which, rising above the rest of the building, have each a flat
roof, with a handsome balustrade of stone. In the centre is an elegant turret,
adorned with a cloak, gilt ball, and vane. The whole building is brick and
stone, inclosed by a handsome wall, 680 feet long, of the same materials. In
the center of the wall, is a large pair of iron gates; and on the piers on
which these are hung, are two images, in a reclining posture, one representing
raving, the other melancholy, madness. The expression of these
figures is admirable; and they are the workmanship of Mr. Cibber, the father
of the laureat before mentioned.
The college of Physicians also, about this time, discovered some taste in
erecting their college in Warwick-lane, which, though little known, is
esteemed by good judges a delicate building.
The fraternity were now fully employed; and by them the following parish
churches, which had been consumed by the great fire, were gradually rebuilt,
or repaired:
Allhallows, Bread-street,
finished 1694; and the steeple completed 1697.
Allhallows the Great, Thames-street, 1683.
Allhallows, Lombard-street, 1694.
St. Alban, Wood-street, 1685.
St. Anne and Agnes, St. Annes's-lane, Aldersgate-street, 1680.
St. Andrew's Wardrobe, Puddledock-hill, 1692.
St. Andrew's, Holborn, 1687.
St. Anthony's, Watling-street, 1682.
St. Augustin's, Watling-street, 1683; and the steeple finished 1695.
St. Bartholomew's, Royal Exchange, 1679.
St. Benedict, Grace-church-street, 1685.
St. Benedict's, Threadneedle-street, 1673.
St. Bennet's, Paul's Wharf, Thames-street, 1683.
St. Bride's, Fleet-street, 1680; and farther adorned in 1699.
Christ-church, Newgate-street, 1687.
St. Christopher's, Threadneedle-street, (since taken down to make room for the
Bank,) repaired in 1696.
St. Clement Danes, in the Strand, taken down 1680, and rebuilt by sir
Christopher Wren, 1682.
St. Clement's, East Cheap, St. Clement's-lane, 1686.
St. Dennis Back, Lime-street, 1674.
St Dunstan's in the East, Tower-street, repaired in 1698.
St. Edmond's the King, Lombard-street, rebuilt in 1674.
St. George, Botolph-lane, 1674.
St. James, Garlick-hill, 1683.
St. James, Westminster, 1675.
St. Lawrence Jewry, Cateaton-street, 1677.
St. Magnes, London-bridge, 1676; and the steeple in 1705.
St. Margaret, Lothbury, 1690.
St. Margaret Pattens, Little Tower-street, 1687.
St. Martin's, Ludgate, 1684.
St. Mary Abchurch, Abchurch-lane, 1686.
St. Mary's-at-hill, St. Mary's-hill, 1672.
St. Mary's Aldermary, Bow-lane, 1672.
St. Mary Magdalen, Old Fish-street, 1685.
St. Mary Somerset, Queenhithe, Thames-street, 1683.
St. Mary le Bow, Cheapside, 1683. This church was built on the wall of a
very ancient one in the early time of the Roman colony; the roof is arched,
and supported with ten Corinthian columns; but the principal ornament is the
steeple, which is deemed an admirable piece of architecture, not to be
paralleled by that of any other parochial church. It rises from the ground a
square tower, plain at bottom, and is carried up to a considerable height in
this shape, but with more ornament as it advances. The principal decoration of
the lower part is the door case; a lofty, noble arch, faced with a bold and
well-wrought rustic, raised on a plain solid course from the foundation.
Within the arch, is a portal of the Doric order, with well-proportioned
columns; the frieze is ornamented with triglyphs, and with sculpture in the
metopes. There are some other slight ornaments in this part, which is
terminated by an elegant cornice, over which rises a plain course, from which
the dial projects. Above this, in each face, there is an arched window, with
Ionic pilasters at the sides. The entablature of the order is well wrought; it
has the swelling frieze, and supports on the cornice an elegant balustrade,
with Attic pillars over Ionic columns. These sustain elegant scrolls, on
which are placed urns with flames, and from this part the steeple rises
circular. There is a plain course to the height of half the scrolls, and upon
this is raised an elegant circular series of Corinthian columns. These support
a second balustrade with scrolls; and above there is placed another series of
columns of the Composite order; while, from the entablature, rises a set of
scrolls supporting the spire, which is placed on balls, and terminated by a
globe, on which is fixed a vane.
St. Mary Woolnoth's, Lombard-street, repaired in 1677.
St. Mary, Aldermanbury, rebuilt 1677.
St. Matthew, Friday-street, 1685.
St. Michael, Basinghall-street, 1679.
St. Michael Royal, College-hill, 1694.
St. Michael, Queenhithe, Trinity-lane, 1677.
St. Michael, Wood-street, 1675.
St. Michael, Crooked-lane, 1688.
St. Michael, Cornhill, 1672.
St. Mildred, Bread-street, 1683.
St. Mildred, Poultry, 1676.
St. Nicholas, Cole-abbey, Old Fish-street, 1677.
St. Olive's, Old Jewry, 1673.
St. Peter's, Cornhill, 1681.
St. Sepulchre's, Snow-hill, 1670.
St. Stephen's, Coleman-street, 1676.
St. Stephen's, Walbrook, behind the Mansion-house, 1676. Many encomiums have
been bestowed on this church for its interior beauties. The dome is finely
proportioned to the church, and divided into small compartments, decorated
with great elegance, and crowned with a lantern; the roof is also divided into
compartments, and supported by noble Corinthian columns raised on their
pedestals. This church has three aisles and a cross aisle, is 75 feet long, 36
broad, 34 high, and 58 to the lantern. It is famous all over Europe, and
justly reputed the master-piece of sir Christopher Wren. There is not a
beauty, of which the plan would admin, that is not to be found here in its
greatest perfection.
St. Swithin's, Cannon-street, 1673.
St. Vedast, Foster-lane, 1697.
While these churches, and other
public buildings, were going forward under the direction of sir Christopher
Wren, king Charles did not confine his improvements to England alone, but
commanded sir William Bruce, bart. Grand Master of Scotland, to rebuild the
palace of Holyrood-house at Edinburgh; which was accordingly executed by that
architect in the best Augustan stile.
During the prosecution of the
great works above described, the private business of the Society was not
neglected, but lodges were held at different places, and many new ones
constituted, to which the best architects resorted.
In 1674, the earl of Rivers resigned the office of Grand Master, and was
succeeded by George Villiers, duke of Buckingham. He left the care of the
brethren to his wardens, and sir Christopher Wren, who still continued to act
as deputy. In 1679, the duke resigned in favour of Henry Bennett, earl of
Arlington. Though this nobleman was too deeply engaged in state affairs to
attend to the duties of masonry, the lodges continued to meet under his
sanction, and many respectable gentlemen joined the fraternity.
On the death of the king in 1685, James II. succeeded to the throne; during
whose reign the fraternity were much neglected. The earl of Arlington dying
this year, the lodges met in communication, and elected sir Christopher Wren
Grand Master, who appointed Gabriel Cibber and Mr. Edward Strong
* his wardens. Masonry continued in a
declining state for many years, and a few lodges only occasionally met in
different places.
At the Revolution, the Society was so much reduced in the south of England,
that no more than seven regular lodges met in London and its suburbs, of which
two only were worthy of notice; the old lodge of St. Paul's, over which sir
Christopher had presided during the building of that structure; and a lodge at
St. Thomas's-hospital, Southwark, over which sir Robert Clayton, then lord
mayor of London, presided during the rebuilding of that hospital
*.
King William having been privately initiated into masonry in 1695, approved
the choice of sir Christopher Wren as Grand Master, and honoured the lodges
with his royal sanction; particularly one at Hampton Court, at which it is
said his majesty frequently presided during the building of the new part of
that palace. Kensington palace was built during this reign, under the
direction of sir Christopher; as were also Chelsea hospital, and the palace of
Greenwich; the latter of which had been recently converted into an hospital
for seamen, and finished after the design of Inigo Jones.
At a general assembly and feast of the masons in 1697, many noble and eminent
brethren were present; and among the rest, Charles duke of Richmond and Lenox,
who was at that time master of a lodge at Chichester. His grace was proposed
and elected Grand Master for the following year, and having engaged sir
Christopher Wren to act as his deputy, he appointed Edward Strong senior and
Edward Strong junior his wardens. His grace continued in office only one year,
when he was succeeded by sir Christopher, who continued at the head of the
fraternity till the death of the king in 1702.
During the following reign, masonry made no considerable progress. Sir
Christopher's age and infirmities drawing off his attention from the duties of
his office, the lodges decreased, and the annual festivals were entirely
neglected *. The old lodge at St. Paul, and
a few others, continued to meet regularly, but consisted of few members
*. To increase their numbers, a proposition
was made, and afterwards agreed to, that the privileges of masonry should no
longer be restricted to operative masons, but extend to men of various
professions, providing they were regularly approved and initiated into the
Order. In consequence of this resolution, many new regulations took place, and
the Society once more rose into notice and esteem.
Sect. 7 -
History of the Revival of Masonry in the South of England
On the accession of George I.
the masons in London and its environs, finding themselves deprived of sir
Christopher Wren, and their annual meetings discontinued, resolved to cement
under a new Grand Master, and to revive the communications and annual
festivals of the Society. With this view, the lodges at the Goose and Gridiron
in St. Paul's Church-yard, the Crown in Parker's-lane near Drury-lane, the
Apple-tree tavern in Charles-street Covent-garden, and the Rummer and Grapes
tavern in Channel-row Westminster, the only four lodges in being in the south
of England at that time, with some other old brethren, met at the Apple-tree
tavern above mentioned in February 1717; and having voted the oldest
master-mason then present into the chair, constituted themselves a Grand Lodge
pro tempore in due form. At this meeting it was resolved to revive the
quarterly communications of the fraternity; and to hold the next annual
assembly and feast on the 24th of June, at the Goose and Gridiron in St.
Paul's Church-yard, (in compliment to the oldest lodge, which then met there,)
for the purpose of electing a Grand Master among themselves, till they should
have the honour of a noble brother at their head. Accordingly, on St. John the
Baptist's day 1717, in the third year of the reign of king George I. the
assembly and feast were held at the said house; when the oldest Master-mason,
and Master of a lodge, having taken the chair, a lift of proper candidates for
the office of Grand Master was produced: and the names being separately
proposed, the brethren, by a great majority of hands, elected Mr. Anthony
Sayer Grand Master of masons for the ensuing year; who was forthwith invested
by the said oldest Master, installed by the Master of the oldest lodge, and
duly congratulated by the assembly, who paid him homage. The Grand Master then
entered on the duties of his office, appointed his wardens, and commanded the
brethren of the four lodges to meet him and his wardens quarterly in
communication, enjoining them at the same time to recommend to all the
fraternity a punctual attendance on the next annual assembly and feast.
Among a variety of regulations which were proposed and agreed to at this
meeting, was the following: "That the privilege of assembling as masons, which
had hitherto been unlimited *, should be
vested in certain lodges or assemblies of masons convened in certain places;
and that every lodge to be hereafter convened, except the four old lodges at
this time existing, should be legally authorised to act by a warrant from the
Grand Master for the time being, granted to certain individuals by petition,
with the consent and approbation of the Grand Lodge in communication; and that
without such warrant no lodge should be hereafter deemed regular or
constitutional." In consequence of this regulation, some new lodges were soon
after convened in different parts of London and its environ, and the masters
and wardens of these lodges were commanded to attend the meetings of the Grand
Lodge, make a regular report of their proceedings, and transmit to the Grand
Master, from time to time, a copy of any bye-laws they might form for their
own government; that no laws established among them might be contrary to, or
subversive of, the general regulations by which the fraternity had been long
governed.
In compliment to the brethren of the four old lodges, by whom the Grand Lodge
was then formed, it was resolved, "That every privilege which they
collectively enjoyed by virtue of their immemorial rights, they should still
continue to enjoy; and that now law, rule, or regulation to be hereafter made
or passed in Grand Lodge, should deprive them of such privilege, or encroach
on any landmark which was at that time established as the standard of masonic
government." When this resolution was confirmed, the old masons in the
metropolis, agreeably to the resolutions of the brethren at large, vested all
their inherent privileges as individuals in the four old lodges, in trust that
they would never suffer the old charges and ancient landmarks to be infringed.
The four old lodges then agreed to extend their patronage to every new lode
which should hereafter be constituted according to the new regulations of the
Society; and while they acted in conformity to the ancient constitutions of
the order, to admit their Masters and Wardens to share with them all the
privileges of the Grand Lodge, excepting precedence of rank.
Matters being thus amicably adjusted, all the brethren of the four old lodges
considered their attendance on the future communications of the Society as
unnecessary, and therefore trusted implicitly to their Masters and Wardens,
resting satisfied that no measure of importance would ever be adopted without
their approbation. The officers of the old lodges, however, soon began to
discover, that the new lodges, being equally represented with them at the
communications, would, in process of time, so far out-number the old ones, as
to have it in their power, by a majority, to subvert the privileges of the
original masons of England, which had been centered in the four old lodges:
they therefore, with the concurrence of the brethren at large, very wisely
formed a code of laws for the future government of the Society, and annexed
thereto a conditional clause, which the Grand Master for the time being, his
successors, and the Master of every lodge to be hereafter constituted, were
bound to preserve inviolable in all time coming. To commemorate this
circumstance, it has been customary, ever since that time, for the Master of
the oldest lodge to attend every Grand Installation; and taking precedence of
all present, the Grand Master only excepted, to deliver the book of the
original constitutions to the new installed Grand Master, on his promising
obedience to the ancient charges and general regulations. The conditional
clause above referred to, runs thus:
"Every annual Grand Lodge has an inherent power and authority to
make new regulations, or to alter these, for the real benefit
of this ancient fraternity; providing always THAT THE OLD
LAND-MARKS BE CAREFULLY PRESERVED: and that such alterations and new
regulations be proposed and agreed to at the third quarterly communication
preceding the annual grand feast; and that they be offered also to the perusal
of all the brethren before dinner, in writing, even of the youngest
apprentice; the approbation and consent of the majority of all
the brethren present, being absolutely necessary to make the same binding and
obligatory."
This remarkable clause, with thirty-eight regulations preceding it, all of
which are printed in the first edition of the Book of Constitutions, were
approved, and confirmed by one hundred and fifty brethren, at an annual
assembly and feast held at Stationers'-hall on St. John the Baptist's day 1721
*, and in their presence subscribed by the
Master and Wardens of the four old lodges on one part: and by Philip duke of
Wharton, then Grand Master; Theophilus Desaguliers, M. D. and F. R. S. Deputy
Grand Master; Joshua Timson, and William Hawkins, Grand Wardens; and the
Masters and Wardens of sixteen lodges which had been constituted between 1717
and 1721, on the other part.
By the above prudent precaution of our ancient brethren, the original
constitutions were established as the basis of all future masonic jurisdiction
in the south of England; and the ancient land-marks, as they are emphatically
styled, or the boundaries set up as checks to innovation, were carefully
secured against the attacks of future invaders. The four old lodges, in
consequence of the above compact, in which they considered themselves as a
distinct party, continued to act by their original authority; and so far from
surrendering any of their rights, had them ratified and confirmed by the whole
fraternity in Grand Lodge assembled. No regulations of the Society which might
hereafter take place could therefore operate with respect to those lodges, if
such regulations were contrary to, or subversive of, the original
constitutions by which they were governed; and while their proceedings were
conformable to those constitutions, no power known in masonry could legally
deprive them of any right which they had ever enjoyed.
The necessity of fixing the original constitutions as the standard by which
all future laws in the Society are to be regulated, was so clearly understood
by the whole fraternity at this time, that it was established as an unerring
rule, at every installation, public and private, to make the Grand Master, and
the Masters and Wardens of every lodge, engage to support these constitutions;
to which also every mason was bound by the strongest ties at initiation.
Whoever acknowledges the universality of masonry to be its highest glory, must
admit the propriety of this conduct; for were no standard fixed for the
government of the Society, masonry might be exposed to perpetual variations,
which would effectually destroy all the good effects that have hitherto
resulted from its universality and extended progress
*.
During the administration of Mr. Sayer, the Society made no very rapid
progress. Several brethren joined the old lodges; but only two new lodges were
constituted.
Mr. Sayer was succeeded in 1718 by George Payne esq. who was particularly
assiduous in recommending a strict observance of the communications. He
collected many valuable manuscripts on the subject of masonry, and earnestly
desired that the brethren would bring to the Grand Lodge any old writings or
records concerning the fraternity, to shew the usages of ancient times. In
consequence of this general intimation, several old copies of the Gothic
constitutions were produced, arranged, and digested.
On the 24th of June 1719, another assembly and feast was held at the Goose and
Gridiron before mentioned, when Dr. Desaguliers was unanimously elected Grand
Master. At this feast, the old, regular, and peculiar toasts or healths of the
free-masons were introduced; and from this time we may date the rise of
free-masonry on its present plan in the South of England. The lodges, which
had considerably increased by the vigilance of the Grand Master, were visited
by many old masons who had long neglected the craft, several noblemen were
initiated, and a number of new lodges constituted.
At an assembly and feast held at the Goose and Gridiron on the 24th June 1720,
George Payne esq. was re-elected Grand Master, and under his mild but vigilant
administration the lodges continued to flourish.
This year, at some of the private lodges, to the irreparable loss of the
fraternity, several valuable manuscripts, concerning their lodges,
regulations, charges, secrets, and usages, (particularly one written by Mr.
Nicholas Stone, the warden under Inigo Jones,) were too hastily burnt by some
scrupulous brethren, who were alarmed at the intended publication of the
masonic constitutions.
At a quarterly communication held this year at the Goose and Gridiron on the
festival of St. John the Evangelist, it was agreed, That, in future, the new
Grand Master shall be named and proposed to the Grand Lodge some time before
the feast *; and if approved, and present,
he shall be saluted as Grand Master elect: and that every Grand Master, when
he is installed, shall have the sole power of appointing his deputy and
wardens, according to ancient custom.
At a Grand Lodge held in ample form on Lady-day 1721, brother Payne proposed
for his successor, John duke of Montague, at that time master of a lodge. His
grace, being present, received the compliments of the lodge. The brethren
expressed great joy at the prospect of being once more patronised by the
nobility; and unanimously agreed, that the next assembly and feast should be
held at Stationers'-hall; and that a proper number of stewards should be
appointed to provide the entertainment; but Mr. Josiah Villeneau, an upholder
in the Borough, generously undertook the whole management of the business, and
received the thanks of the Society for his attention.
While masonry was thus spreading its influence over the southern part of the
kingdom, it was not neglected in the North. The General Assembly, or Grand
Lodge, at York, continued regularly to meet as heretofore. In 1705, under the
direction of sir George Tempest bart. then Grand Master, several lodges met,
and many worthy brethren were initiated in York and its neighbourhood. Sir
George being succeeded by the right hon. Robert Benson, lord mayor of York, a
number of meetings of the fraternity was held at different times in that city,
and the grand feast during his mastership is said to have been very brilliant.
Sir William Robinson bart. succeeded Mr. Benson in the office of Grand Master,
and the fraternity seem to have considerably increased in the North under his
auspices. He was succeeded by sir Walter Hawkesworth bart. who governed the
Society with great credit. At the expiration of his mastership, sir George
Tempest was elected a second time Grand Master; and from the time of his
election in 1714 to 1725, the Grand Lodge continued regularly to assemble at
York under the direction of Charles Fairfax esq. sir Walter Hawkesworth bart.
Edward Bell esq. Charles Bathurst esq. Edward Thomson esq. M. P. John Johnson
M. D. and John Marsden esq. all of whom, in rotation, during the above period,
regularly filled the office of Grand Master in the North of England.
From this account, which is authenticated by the books of the Grand Lodge at
York, it appears, that the revival of masonry in the South of England did not
interfere with the proceedings of the fraternity in the North. For a series of
years the most perfect harmony subsisted between the two Grand Lodges, and
private lodges flourished in both parts of the kingdom under their separate
jurisdiction. The only distinction which the Grand Lodge in the North appears
to have retained after the revival of masonry in the South, is in the title
which they claim, viz. The Grand Lodge of all England; while the Grand
Lodge in the South passes only under the denomination of The Grand Lodge of
England. The latter, on account of its situation, being encouraged by some
of the principal nobility, soon acquired consequence and reputation; while the
former, restricted to fewer, though not less respectable, members, seemed
gradually to decline. Till within these few years, however, the authority of
the Grand Lodge at York was never challenged; on the contrary, every mason in
the kingdom held it in the highest veneration, and considered himself bound by
the charges which originally sprung from that assembly. To be ranked as
descendants of the original York masons, was the glory and boast of the
brethren in almost every country where masonry was established; and, from the
prevalence and universality of the idea, that in the city of York masonry was
first established by charter, the masons of England have received tribute from
the first states in Europe. It is much to be regretted, that any separate
interests should have destroyed the social intercourse of masons; but it is no
less remarkable than true, that the brethren in the North and those in the
South are now in a manner unknown to each other. Notwithstanding the pitch of
eminence and splendor at which the grand Lodge in London as arrived, neither
the lodges of Scotland nor Ireland court its correspondence. This unfortunate
circumstance has been attributed to the introduction of some modern
innovations among the lodges in the South. As to the coolness which has
subsisted between the Grand Lodge at York and the Grand Lodge in London,
another reason is assigned. A few brethren at York having, on some trivial
occasion, seceded from their ancient lodge, they applied to London for a
warrant of constitution; and without any inquiry into the merits of the case,
their application was honoured. Instead of being recommended to the Mother
Lodge to be restored to favour, these brethren were encouraged in their
revolt; and permitted, under the banner of the Grand Lodge at London, to open
a new lodge in the city of York itself. This illegal extension of power justly
offended the Grand Lodge at York, and occasioned a breach, which time, and a
proper attention to the rules of the Order, only can repair.
Sect. 8 -
History of Masonry from its Revival in the South of England till the Death of
King George I.
The reputation of the Society
being now established, many noblemen and gentlemen of the first rank desired
to be received into the lodges, which had increased considerably during the
administration of Mr. Payne. The duties of masonry were found to be a pleasing
relaxation from the fatigue of business; and in the lodge, uninfluenced by
politics or party, a happy union was effected among the most respectable
characters in the kingdom.
On the 24th of June 1721, Grand Master Payne and his wardens, with the former
grand officers, and the masters and wardens of twelve lodges, met the Grand
Master elect at the Queen's Arms Tavern in St. Paul's Church-yard
*, where the Grand Lodge was opened in ample
form. Having confirmed the proceedings of the last Grand Lodge, several
gentlemen were initiated into masonry at the request of the duke of Montague;
and, among the rest, Philip lord Stanhope, afterwards earl of Chesterfield.
From the Queen's Arms the Grand Lodge marched in procession in their clothing
to Stationers'-hall in Ludgate-street, where they joyfully received by one
hundred and fifty brethren, properly clothed. The Grand Master having made the
first procession round the hall, took an affectionate leave of his brethren;
and, being returned to his place, proclaimed the duke of Montague his
successor for the ensuing year. The general regulations compiled by Mr. Payne
in 1721 *, and compared with the ancient
records and immemorial usages of the fraternity, were read, and met with
general approbation; after which Dr. Desaguliers delivered an elegant oration
on the subject of masonry.
Soon after his election, the Grand Master gave convincing proofs of his zeal
and attention, by commanding Dr. Desaguliers and James Anderson, A. M men of
genius and education, to revise, arrange, and digest the Gothic constitutions,
old charges, and general regulations. This task they faithfully executed; and
at the ensuing Grand Lodge held at the Queen's Arms St. Paul's Church-yard on
the 27th of December 1721, being the festival of St. John the Evangelist, they
presented the same for approbation. A committee of fourteen learned brothers
was then appointed to examine the manuscript, and to make their report; and on
this occasion several very entertaining lectures were delivered, and much
useful information given by some old brethren.
At a Grand Lodge held at the Fountain Tavern in the Strand, in ample form, on
the 25th March 1722, the committee reported, that they had perused the
manuscript, containing the history, charges, regulations, &c. of masonry, and,
after some amendments, had approved thereof. The Grand Lodge ordered the whole
to be prepared for the press, and printed with all possible expedition. This
order was strictly obeyed, and in little more than two years the Book of
Constitutions appeared in print, under the following title: "The Book of
Constitutions of the Free Masons: containing the History, Charges,
Regulations, &c. of that Most Ancient and Right Worshipful Fraternity. For the
Use of the Lodges." London, 1723.
In January 1722-3, the duke of Montague resigned in favour of the duke of
Wharton, who was very ambitious to attain the office. His grace's resignation
proceeded from the motive of reconciling the brethren to this nobleman, who
had incurred their displeasure, by having convened, in opposition to the
resolutions of the Grand Lodge, on the 25th of March, an irregular assembly of
masons at Stationers'-hall, on the festival of St. John the Baptist, in order
to get himself elected as Grand Master. The duke of Wharton, fully sensible of
the impropriety of his conduct, publicly acknowledged his error; and promising
in future a strict conformity and obedience to the resolutions of the Society,
was, with the general consent of the brethren, approved as Grand Master elect
for the ensuing year. His grace was regularly invested and installed on the
17th of January 1722-3 by the Grand Master, and congratulated by upwards of
twenty-five lodges, who were present in the Grand Lodge on that day. The
diligence and attention of the duke of Wharton to the duties of his office
soon recovered and established his reputation in the Society; while under his
patronage masonry made a considerable progress in the South of England. During
his presidency, the office of Grand Secretary was first established, and
William Cowper esq. being appointed, that gentleman executed the duties of the
department several years.
The duke of Buccleugh succeeded the duke of Wharton in 1723. This nobleman was
no less attached to masonry than his predecessor. Being absent on the annual
festival, he was installed by proxy at Merchant-taylors'-hall, in presence of
400 masons.
His grace was succeeded in the following year by the duke of Richmond, under
whose administration the Committee of Charity was instituted
*. Lord Paisley, afterwards earl of
Abercorn, being active in promoting this new establishment, was elected Grand
Master in the end of the year 1725. Being in the country at the time, his
lordship was installed by proxy. During his absence, Dr. Desaguliers, who had
been appointed his deputy, was very attentive to the duties of his office, by
visiting the lo9dges, and diligently promoting masonry. On his lordship's
return to town, the earl of Inchiquin was proposed to succeed him, and was
elected in February 1726. The Society now flourished in town and country, and
under the patronage of this nobleman the Art was propagated with considerable
success. This period was rendered remarkable, by the brethren of Wales first
uniting under the banner of the Grand Lodge of London. In Wales are some
venerable remains of ancient masonry, and many stately ruins of castles,
executed in the Gothic style, which evidently demonstrate that the fraternity
must have met with encouragement in that part of the island in former times.
Soon after this happy union, the office of Provincial Grand Master
* was instituted, and the first deputation
granted by earl Inchiquin, on the 10th of May 1727, to Hugh Warburton esq. for
North Wales; and on the 24th of June following, to sir Edward Mansell bart.
for South Wales. The lodges in the country now began to increase, and
deputations were granted to several gentlemen, to hold the office of
Provincial Grand Master in different parts of England, as well as in some
places abroad where lodges had been constituted by English masons. During the
earl of Inchiquin's mastership, a warrant was issued for opening a new lodge
at Gibraltar.
Among the variety of noble edifices which were finished during the presidency
of this nobleman, was that excellent structure the church of St. Martin in the
Fields; the foundation stone of which, it being a royal parish church, was
laid, in the king's name, on the 29th of March 1721, by brother Gibb the
architect, in presence of the Lord Almoner, the surveyor general, and a large
company of the brethren.
Sect. 9 -
History of Masonry in England during the Reign of King George II
The first Grand Lodge after the
accession of George II, to the throne was held at the Devil Tavern,
Temple-bar, on the 24th of June 1727; at which were present, the earl of
Inchquin, Grand Master, his officers, and the Masters and Wardens of forty
lodges. At this meeting it was resolved to extend the privilege of voting in
Grand Lodge to Past Grand Wardens; that privilege having been heretofore
restricted to Past Grand Masters, by resolution of 21st November 1724; and to
Past Deputies, by another resolution of 28th February 1726.
The Grand Master having been
obliged to take a journey into Ireland before the expiration of his office,
his lordship transmitted a letter to William Cowper Esq. his Deputy,
requesting him to convene a Grand Lodge for the purpose of nominating lord
Colerane Grand Master for the ensuing year. A Grand Lodge was accordingly
convened on the 19th of December 1727, when his lordship was regularly
proposed Grand Master elect, and being unanimously approved, on the 27th of
the same month was duly invested with the ensigns of his high office at a
grand feast at Mercers'-hall in the presence of a numerous company of his
brethren. His lordship attended two communications during his mastership and
seemed to pay considerable attention to the duties of his office. He
constituted several new lodges and granted a deputation to hold a lodge in St
Bernard's Street in Madrid. At the last Grand Lodge under his lordship's
auspices, Dr Desaguliers moved, that the ancient office of Stewards might be
revived, to assist the Grand Wardens in preparing the feast; when it was
agreed that their appointment should be annual, and the number restricted to
twelve.
Lord Kingston succeed lord
Colerane, and was invested with the ensigns of his high office on the 27th of
December 1728, at a grand feast held a Mercer's-hall. his lordship's zeal and
attachment for the fraternity were very conspicuous, not only by his regular
attendance on the communications, but by his generous present to the Grand
Lodge, of a curious pedestal, a rich cushion with gold knobs and fringes, a
velvet bag, and a new jewel set in gold for the use of the Secretary. during
his lordship's administration, the Society flourished at home and abroad. Many
lodges were constituted and among the rest, deputation was granted to George
Pomfret Esq, authorising him to open a new lodge at Bengal. This gentlemen
first introduced masonry into the English settlement in India, where it has
since made such rapid progress, that, with these few years, upwards of fifty
lodges, have been constituted there, eleven of which are now held in Bengal.
The annual remittances to the charity and public funds of the Society from
this and other factories of the East India Company amount to a considerable
sum.
At the Grand Lodge held a Devil
Tavern on the 27th of December 1729, Natheniel Blackerby Esq, the Deputy Grand
Master, being in the chair, in the absence of lord Kingston, produced a letter
from his lordship, authorising him to propose the duke of Norfolk Grand Master
for the ensuing year. This nomination meeting with general approbation, the
usual compliments were paid to his grace, and he was saluted Grand Master
elect. At an assembly and feast at Merchant-taylors'-hall on the 29th of
January following his grace was duly installed, according to ancient form, in
the presence of a numerous and brilliant company of masons. His grace's
absence in Italy soon after his election, prevented him from attending more
than one communication during his mastership; but the business of the Society
was diligently executed by Mr Blackerly his Deputy, on whom the whole
management had devolved. Among other signal proofs of his grace's attachment
to the Society, he transmitted from Venice to England the following noble
patents for the use of the Grand Lodge:
1. Twenty pounds to the
charity.
2. A Large folio book, of the
finest writing paper, for the records of Grand Lodge, richly bound in Turkey
and gilt, with a curious frontispiece in vellum, containing the arms of
Norfolk, amply displayed, and a Latin inscription of the family titles, with
the arms of masonry emblazoned.
3. A sword of state for the
Grand Master, being the old trusty sword of Gustavus Adolphus king of Sweden,
which was next wore by his brave successor in ware Bernard duke of Saxe-Weimar,
with both their names on the blade, and further enriched with the arms of
Norfolk in silver on the scabbard. For these presents his grace was voted the
public thanks of the Society.
It is not surprising that
masonry should flourish under so respectable a banner. His grace appointed a
Provincial Grand Lodge at New Jersey in America. A provincial patent was also
made out under his auspices for Bengal. From this period we may date the
commencement of the consequence and reputation of the Society in Europe; as
daily application were made for establishing new lodges, and the most
respectable character of the age desired their names to be enrolled in our
records.
The duke of Norfolk was
succeeded by lord Lovel, afterwards earl of Leicester, who was installed at
Merchers'-hall on the 29th of March 1731. His lordship being at the time much
indisposed with an ague, was obliged to withdraw soon after his installation.
Lord Colerane, however, acted a proxy during the feast. On the 14th of May,
the first Grand Lodge after lord Lovel's election was held at the Rose Tavern
in Mary-le-bone, when it was voted that in future all past Grand MAsters and
their deputies shall be admitted members of the quarterly Committees of
Charity, and that eevry committee shall have power to vote five pounds for the
relief of any distressed mason; but no larger sum, without the consent of the
Grand Lodge in Communication being first had and obtained. This resolution is
still in force.
During the presidency of lord
Lovel, the nobility made a point of honouring the GRand Lodge with their
presence. The dukes of Norfolk and Richmond, the earl of Inchiquin, and lords
Colrane and Montagu, with several other persons of distinction, seldom failed
to give their attendance; and though the subscriptions from the lodges were
inconsiderable, the Society was enabled to relieve many worthy objects with
small sums. As an encouragement to gentlemen to accept the office of steward,
it was ordered that in future each Steward should have the privilege of
nominating his successor at every annual grand feast. the most remarkable
event of lord Lovel's administration, was the initiation of Francis duke of
Lorraine, afterward emperor of Germany. by virtue of a deputation from his
lordship, a lodge was held at the Hague, where his highness was received into
the frist two degrees of masonry. At this lodge, Phillip Stanhope earl of
Chesterfield, then ambassador there, presided; Mr Strickland, esq, acted as
Deputy, and Mr Benjamin Hadley with a Dutch brother as Wardens. His highness
coming to England in the same year, was advanced to the third degree at an
occasional lodge convened for the purpose at Houghton-hall in Norfolk, the
seat of sir Robert Walpole; as was also Thomas Pelham, duke of Newcastle.
The Society being now in a very
flourishing state, deputations were granted from England, for establishing
lodges in Russia and Spain.
Lord Viscount Montagu was
installed Grand Master at an assembly and feast at Merchant-Taylors'-hall on
the 19th April 1732. Among the distinguished personages present on that
Occasion were the dukes of Montagu and Richmond; the earl of Strathmore; and
lords Colerane, Teynham and Carpetner; sir Francis Drake and sir William Keith
barts. and above four hundred other brethren. At this meeting it was first
proposed to have a country feast and agreed that the brethren should dine
together at Hampstead on the 24th June, for the purpose cards of invitation
were sent to several of the nobility. On the day appointed, the Grand Master
and his Officers, the dukes of Norfolk and Richmond, earl of Strathmore, lord
Carpenter and Teynham, and above a hundred other brethren, met at the Spikes
at Hampstead, where an elegant dinner was provided. Soon after the dinner, the
Grand Master resigned the chair to Lord Teynham, and from that time till the
expiration of his office never attended another meeting of the Society. His
lordship granted a deputation for constituting a lodge a Valenciennes in
French Flanders, and another for opening a new lodge at the Hotel de Buffy in
Paris. Several other lodges were also constituted under his lordship's
auspices; but the Society was particularly indebted to Thomas Barton esq. the
Deputy Grand Master, who was very attentive to the duties of his office, and
carefully superintended the government of the craft.
The earl of Stratmore succeeded
lord Montagu in the office of Grand Master, and being in Scotland at the time,
was installed by proxy at an assembly at Mercers'-hall on the 7th of June
1733. On the 13th December, a Grand Lodge was held at the devil tavern, at
which his lordship and his officers, the earl of Crawford, sir Robert Mansel,
a number of Past Grand Officers, and the Masters and Wardens of fifty-three
lodges were present. Several regulations were confirmed at this meeting
respecting the Committee of Charity; and it was determined, that al
complaints, in future to be brought before the Grand Lodge, previously be
examined by the Committee, and from thence referred to the next Communication.
The history of the Society at
this period afford no remarkable incident to record. Some considerable
donations were collected, and distributed among distressed masons, to
encourage the settlement of a new colony which had been just established in
Georgia in 'America. Lord Strathmore showed every attention to the duties of
his office, and regularly attended the meetings of Grand Lodge; under his
auspices the Society flourished at home and aboard, and many genteel presents
were received from the East Indies. Elven German masons applied for authority
to open a new lodge in Hamburgh under the patronage of the Grand Lodge of
England, for which purpose his lordship was pleased to grant a deputation; and
soon after, several other lodges were constituted in Holland under the English
banner.
The earl of Strathmore was
succeeded by the earl of Crawford, who was installed at Mercers'-hall on the
30th March 1734. Public affairs attracting his lordship's attention, the
Communications during his administation were neglected. After eleven months
vacatioln, however, a Grand Lodge was convened, at which his lordship attended
and apologized for his long absence. To atone for past omission, he commanded
two communcations to be held in little more than six weeks. The dukes of
Richmond and Buccleugh, the earl of Balcarras, lord Weymouth, and other
eminent persons, honoured the GRand Lodge with their presence during the earl
of Crawford's presidency.
The most remarkable proceedings
of the Society at this period related to a new edition of the Book of
Consititutions, which brother James Anderson was ordered to prepare for the
press; and which made its appearance in January 1738, considerably enlarged
and improved.
Among the new regulation which
took place under the administration of lord Crawford, was the following; That
if any lodge with the bills of mortality shall cease to meet during twelve
calendar months, the said lodge shall be erased out of the list, and if
re-instated, shall lose its former rank. Some additional privileges were
granted to the Stewards, in consequence of an application for that purpose;
and to encourage gentlemen to serve the office, it was agreed, that in future
all Grand Officers, the Grand Master excepted, shall be elected out of that
body. A few resolutions also passed respecting illegal conventions of masons,
at which it was reported many persons had been initiated into masonry on small
and unworthy considerations.
The earl of Crawford seems to
have made the first encroachment on the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge in the
city of York, by constituting two lodges within their district; and by
granting, without their consent, three deputations, one for Lancashire, a
second for Durham, and a third for Northumberland. This circumstance the Grand
Lodge of York highly resented, and ever after viewed the proceeding of the
brethren in the metropolis with a jealous eye. All friendly intercourse
ceased, and the York masons from that moment considered their interest
distinct from the masons under the Grand Lodge in London.
*
Lord Weymouth succeed the earl
of Crawford, and was installed at Mercers'-hall on the 17th April 1735, in
presence of the dukes of Richmond and Athol; the earls of Crawford, Winchelsea,
Balcarras, Wemys and Loudon; the marquis of Beamont; lords Catheart and Vere
Bertie; sir Cecil Wray and sir Edward Mansel barts. and a splendid company of
other brethren. Several lodges were constituted during lord Weymouth's
presidency; and among the rest the Stewards' Lodges. His lordship granted a
deputation to hold a lodge at the seat of the duke of Richmond at Aubigny in
France; and, under his patronage masonry extended considerably in foreign
countries. He issued warrants to open a new lodge at Lisbon, and another at
Savannah in Georgia; and, by his special appointment, provincial patents were
made out for South America, and Gambay in West Africa.
Lord Weymouth never honoured
any of the Communications with his presence during his presidency; but this
amission was less noticed on account of the vigilance and attention of his
Deputy, John Ward, esq. after lord viscount Dudley and Ward, who applied with
the utmost anxiety to every business which concerned the interest and
well-being of the Society.
One circumstance occurred while
lord Weymouth was Grand Master; of which it may be necessary to take notice.
The twelve Stewards, with sir Robert Lawley, Master of the Stewards' Lodge, at
their head, appeared for the first time in their new badges at a Grand Lodge
held at the Devil Tavern on the 11th of December 1735. On this occasion they
were not permitted to vote as individuals; but it being afterwards proposed
that they should enjoy this privilege, and that the Stewards' Lodge should in
future be represented in Grand Lodge by twelve members, many lodges objected
to the measure as an encroachment on the privilege of every lodge which had
been previously constituted. When the motion was put up for confirmation, such
a disturbance ensued, that the Grand Lodge was obliged to be closed before the
sentiments of the brethren could be collected on the subject. Of late years
the punctilio has been waved, and the twelve Stewards are now permitted to
vote in every Communication as individuals. *
The earl of Louden succeeded
lord Weymouth, and was installed Grand Master at Fishmongers'-hall on the 15th
of April 1736. The dukes of Richmond; the earls of Albermarle and Crawford,
lords Harcout Erksine and Southwell; Mr Anstis garter king at arms, Mr Brady
lion king of arms, and a numerous company of other brethren, were present on
the occasion. His lordship constituted several lodges and granted three
provincial deputation during his presidency, viz, one for New England, another
for South Carolina, and a third for Cape Coast Castle in Africa.
The earl of Darnley was elected
Grand Master, and duly installed at Fishmonger's-hall on the 28th of April
1737, in presence of the duke of Richmond, the earls of Crawford and Wemsys,
lord Gray, and many ohter respectable brethren. The most remarkable event of
the his lordship's administration, was the imitation of the late Frederick
prince of Wales, his present majesty's father, at an occasional lodge convened
for the purpose at the palace of Kew, over which Dr Desaguliers presided as
Master. Lord Baltimore, col. Lumley, the hon. major Madden, and several other
brethren, were present. His royal highness was advanced to the second degree
at the same lodge; and at another lodge. convened at the same place soon
after, raised to the degree of a master mason.
There cannot be a better proof
of the flourishing state of the Society at this time, than by adverting to the
respectable appearence of the brethren in Grand Lodge, at which that Grand
Master never failed to attend. Upwards of sixty lodges were represented at
every Communication during Lord Darnley's administration, and more Provincial
patents were issued by him, than by any of his predecessors. Deputations were
granted for Montserrat, Geneva, the Circle of Upper Saxony, the Coast of
Africa, New York, and the Islands of America. *
The marquis of Carnarvon,
afterwards duke of Chanos, succeeded lord Darnley in the office of Grand
Master, and was duly invested and congratulated at an assembly and feast hled
at Fishmonger's-hall on the 27th of April 1738. At this assembly, the duke of
Richmond; the earls of Inchiquin, Loudon and Kintore; lords Colerane and Gray;
and a numerous company of other brethren, were present.
The marquis showed every
attention to the Society during his presidency, and in testimony of his
esteem, presented to the Grand Lodge a gold jewel for the use of the
Secretary; the device, two cross pens in a knot; the knot and points of the
pens being curiously enameled. Two deputations for the office Provincial Grand
Master were granted by his lordship; one for the Caribbee Islands and the
other for the West Riding of Yorkshire. This latter appointment was considered
as another encroachment on the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of York, and so
widened the original breach between the brethren in the North and the South of
England, that from thenceforward all future correspondence between the Grand
Lodges totally ceased.
On the 15th of August 1738,
Frederick the Great. afterwards king of Prussia, was initiated into masonry,
in a lodge in Brunswick, under the Scots constitution, being at that time
Prince Royal. So highly did he approve of the initiation, that, on his
accession to the throne, he commanded a Grand Lodge to be formed at Berlin,
and for that purpose obtained a patent from Edinburgh. Thus was masonry
regularly established in Prussia, and under that sanction it has flourished
there ever since. His majesty's attachment to the Society soon induced him to
establish several new regulations for the advantage of the fraternity; and
among others he ordained,
1. That no person should be
made a mason, unless his character was unimpeachable and his manner of living
and profession respectable.
2. That every member should pay
25 rix-dollars (or £4. 3s 0d) for the first degree; 50 rix-dollars (or £8. 6s.
0d) on his being initiated into the second degree; and 100 rix-dollars (or
£16. 12s. 0d) on his being made a master-mason.
3. That he should remain at
least three months in each degree; and that every sun received should be
divided by the Grand Treasurer into three parts: one to defray the expenses of
the lodge; another to be applied to the relief of distressed brethren; and the
third to be allotted to the poor in general.
No other remarkable occurrence
is recorded to have happened during the administration of the marquis of
Carnarvon, except a proposition for establishing a plan to appropriate a
portion of the charity to place out the sons of masons apprentices, which,
after a long debate in Grand Lodge, was rejected.
Some disagreeable altercations
arose in the Society about this period. A number of dissatisfied brethren
separated themselves from the regular lodges, and held meetings in different
places for the purpose of initiating persons into masonry, contrary to the
laws of the Grand Lodge. These seceding brethren taking advantage of the
breach which had been made in the friendly intercourse between the Grand
Lodges of London and York, on being censured for their conduct, immediately
assumed, without authority, the character of York masons. The measures adopted
to check them stopped their progress for some time; till, taking advantage of
the general murmur spread abroad on account of innovations that had been
introduced, and which seemed to authorize an omission of, and a variation in
the ancient ceremonies, they rose again into notice. This imprudent measure of
the regular lodges offended many old masons; but, through the mediation of
John Ward esq. afterwards lord viscount Dudley and Ward, matters were
accommodated, and the brethren seemingly reconciled. This, however, proved
only a temporary suspension of hostilities, for the same soon broke out anew,
and gave rise to commotions, which afterward materially interrupted the peace
of the Society.
Lord Raymond succeeded the
marquis of Carnarvon in May 1739, and under his lordship's auspices the lodges
were numerous and respectable. Notwithstanding the flourishing state of the
Society, irregularities continued to prevail, and several worthy brethren,
still adverse to the encroachments on the established system of the
institution, were highly disgusted at the proceeding of the regular lodges.
Complaints were preferred at every succeeding committee, and the
communications fully employed in adjusting differences and reconciling
animosities. More sessions taking place, it became necessary to pass votes of
censure on the mist refractory and to enact laws to discourage irregular
associations of the fraternity. this brought the power of the Grand Lodge in
question; and in opposition to the laws which had been established in that
assembly, lodges were formed with any legal warrant, and persons initiated
into masonry for small and unworthy considerations. To disappoint the views of
these deluded brethren, and to distinguish the persons initiated by them the
Grand Lodge readily acquiesced in the imprudent measures which the regular
masons had adopted, measures which even the urgency of the case could not
warrant. Though this had the intended effect effect, it gave rise to a new
subterfuge. The brethren who had seceded from the regular lodges immediately
announced independency, and assumed the appellation of ancient masons. They
propagated an opinion, that the ancient tenets and practices of masonry were
preserved by them; and that the regular lodges, being composed of modern
masons, had adopted new plans, and were not to be considered as acting under
the old establishment. To counteract the regulations of the Grand Lodge, they
instituted a new Grand Lodge in London, professedly on the ancient system, and
under that assumed banner constituted several new lodges. There irregular
proceeding they pretended to justify under feigned sanction of the Ancient
York Constitution, and many gentlemen of reputation were introduced among
them, so that their lodges daily increased. Without authority for the Grand
Lodge of York, or form any other established power of masonry, ther persevered
in the measures they had adopted, formed committees, held communications, and
appointed annual feasts. Under the false appellation of the York banner, they
gained the countenance of the Scotch and Irish masons, who, placing implicit
confidence in the representations made to them, heartily joined in condemning
the measures of the regular lodges in London, as tending, in their opinion, to
introduce novelties into the Society, and to subvert the original plan of the
institution. The irregular masons in London, having acquired an establishment,
noblemen of both kingdoms honoured them with their patronage for some time,
and many respectable names and lodges were added to this list. Of late years
the fallacy has been detected, and they have not been so successful; several
of their best members have renounced their banner and come under the patronage
of the Grand Lodge of England. It is much to be wished, in that a general
union among all the masons in the kingdom could effected, and we are happy to
hear that such a measure is likely soon to accomplished, through the mediation
of a Royal Brother at present abroad.
During the presidency of lord
Raymond, no considerable addition was made to the list of lodges and
communications were seldom honoured with the company of the nobility. His
lordship granted only one deputation for a provincial Grand Master during his
presidency, viz: for Savoy and Piedmont.
The earl of Kintore succeeded
lord Raymond in April 1740 and, in imitation of his predecessor, continued to
discourage irregularities. His lordship appointed several provincials:
particularly, one for Russia; one for Hamburgh and the the Circle of Lower
Saxony; one for the West Riding of York, in the room of William Horton esq.
deceased; and one for the island of Barbadoes.
The earl of Morton was elected
on the 19th of March following, and installed with great solemnity the same
day at Haberdashers'-hall, in preference of a respectable company of the
nobility, foreign ambassadors, and others. Several seasonable laws were passed
during this lordship's mastership, and some regulations made concerning
procession and other ceremonies. His lordship presented a staff of office to
the Treasurer, of neat workmanship, blue and tip't with gold; and the Grand
Lodge resolved, that this officer should be annually elected, and, with the
Secretary and Sword-beaker, be permitted to rank in future as a member of
Grand Lodge. A large cornelian seal, with the arms of masonry, set in gold,
was presented to the Society, at this time, by brother Vaughan, the Senior
Grand Warden; and William Vaughan esq. was appointed by his lordship,
Provincial Grand Master for North Wales.
Lord Ward succeeded the earl of
Morton in April 1742. His lordship was well acquainted with the nature and
government of the Society having served every office from the Secretary in a
private lodge to that of Grand Master. His lordship lost no time in applying
effectual remedies to reconcile the animosities which prevailed; he
recommended to his officers, vigilance and care in their different
departments; and by the his own conduct, set a noble example how the dignity
of the Society ought to be supported. Many lodges, which were in a declining
state, by his advice, coalesced with other in better circumstances; some,
which had been negligent in their attendance on the Communications, after
proper admonitions were restored to favour; and others, which persevered in
their contumacy, were erased out of the list. Thus his lordship manifested his
regard for the interests of the Society, while his lenity and forbearance were
universally admired.
The unanimity and harmony of
the lodges seemed to be perfectly restored under his lordship's
administration. The free-masons at Antigua built a large hall in that island
for their meetings, and applied to the Grand Lodge for liberty to be styled
the Great Lodge of St John's in Antigua, which favour was granted to them in
April 1744.
Lord Ward continued two years
at the head of the fraternity, during which time he constituted, many lodges,
and appointed several Provincial Grand Masters; viz. one for Lancaster, one
for North America, and three for the island of Jamaica. he was succeeded by
the earl of Strathmore, during whose administration, being absent the whole
time, the care and management of the Society devolved on the other Grand
Officers, who carefully studied the general good of the fraternity. His
lordship appointed a Provincial Grand Master for the island of Bermuda.
Lord Cranstoun was elected
Grand Master in April 1745, and presided over the fraternity with great
reputation two years. under his auspices masonry flourished, several new
lodges were constituted, and one Provincial Grand Master was appointed for
Cape Breton and Louisburg. By a resolution of the Grand Lodge at this time it
was order, that public procession on feast-days should be discontinued;
occasioned by some mock processions, which a few disgusted brethren had
formed, in order to burlesque those public appearances.
Lord Byron succeeded lord
Cranstoun, and was installed at Drapers'-hall on the 30th of April 1747. The
laws of the Committee of Charity were, by his lordship's order, revised,
printed, and distributed among lodges, and a handsome, contribution to the
general charity was received from the lodge at Gibraltar. During five years
that is lordship presided over the fraternity. no diligence was spared to
preserve the privileges of masonry inviolate, to redress grievances, and to
relieve distress. When business required his lordship's attendance in country,
Fotherly Baker esq. his Deputy and Secretary Revis, were particularly
attentive to the business of the Society. the former was distinguished by his
knowledge of the laws and regulations; the latter, by his long and faithful
services. under the auspices of lord Byron, provincial patnets were issued for
Denmark amd Norway, Pennsylvania, Minorca, and New York.
On the 20th March, 1752, lord
Carysfort accepted the office of Grand Master. The good effects of his
lordship's application to the real interests of the fraternity soon became
visible, by the great increase of the public fund. No Grand Officer ever took
more pains to preserve, or was more attentive to recommend, order and decorum.
He was ready, on all occasions, to visit the lodges in person, and to promote
harmony among the members. Dr. Manningham, his Deputy, was no less vigilant in
the execution of his duty. He constantly visited the lodges in his lordship's
absence, and used every endeavour to cement union among the brethren. The
whole proceedings of this active officer were conducted with prudence, and his
candor and affability gained him universal esteem. The Grand Master's
attachment to the Society was so obvious, that the brethren, in testimony of
their gratitude for his lordship's great services, re-elected him on the 3d of
April 1753; and during his presidency, provincial patents were issued for
Gibraltar, the Bahama Islands, New York, Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark, and
Mann; also for Cornwall, and the counties of Worcester, Gloucester, Salop,
Monmouth, and Hereford.
The marquis of Carnarvon
(afterward duke of Chandos) succeeded lord Carysfort in March 1754. He began
his administration by ordering the Book of Constitutions to be reprinted,
under the inspection of a committee, consisting of the Grand Officers, and
some other respectable brethren. The Grand Master's zeal and attention to the
true interests of the Society were shewn on every occasion. He presented to
the Grand Lodge, a large silver jewel, gilt, for the use of the Treasurer,
being cross keys in a knot, enamelled with blue; and gave several other proofs
of his attachment.
Soon after the election of the
marquis of Carnarvon, the Grand Lodge took into consideration a complaint
against certain brethren, for assembling, without any legal authority,
under the denomination of ancient masons; who, as such, considered
themselves independent of the Society, and not subject to the laws of Grand
Lodge, or to the control of the Grand Master. Dr. Manningham, the Deputy Grand
Master, pointed out the necessity of discouraging their meetings, as being
contrary to the laws of the Society, and openly subversive of the allegiance
due to the Grand Master. On this representation the Grand Lodge resolved, that
the meeting of any brethren under the denomination of masons, other than as
brethren of the ancient and honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons
established upon the universal system, is inconsistent with the honour and
interest of the craft, and a high insult on the Grand Master and the whole
body of masons. In consequence of this resolution, fourteen brethren, who were
members of a lodge held at the Ben Jonson's head in Pelham-street,
Spitalfields, were expelled the Society, and that lodge was ordered to be
erased out of the list.
No preceding Grand Master
granted so many provincial deputations as the marquis of Carnarvon; in less
than two years the following patents were issued;
1. for South Carolina;
2. for South Wales;
3. for Antigua;
4. for all North America where no former provincial was appointed;
5. for Barbadoes, and all other his majesty's islands to the windward of
Guadaloupe;
6. for St. Eustatius, Cuba, and St. Martin's, Dutch Caribbean islands in
America;
7. for Scilly, and the adjacent islands;
8. for all his majesty's dominions in Germany, with a power to chuse their
successors; and
9. for the County Palatine of Chester, and the City and County of Chester.
The greater part of these
appointments appear to have been mere honorary grants in favour of
individuals, few of them having been attended with advantage to the Society.
The marquis of Carnarvon
continued to preside over the fraternity till the 18th of May 1757, when he
was succeeded by lord Aberdour; during whose mastership the Grand Lodge voted,
among other charities, the sum of fifty pounds to be sent to Germany, to be
distributed among such of the soldiers as were masons in prince Ferdinand's
army, whether English, Hanoverians, or Hessians. This sum was soon after
remitted to general Kingsley for the intended purpose.
Such was the state of masonry
during the reign of George II. On the 5th of October 1760, his majesty expired
at his palace at Kensington, in the 77th year of his age, and the 34th of his
reign. It may be truly said, that this period was the golden æra of masonry in
England; the sciences were cultivated and improved, the royal art was
diligently propagated, and true architecture clearly understood; the
fraternity were honoured and esteemed; the lodges patronised by exalted
characters; and charity, humanity, and benevolence, were the distinguishing
characteristics of masons.
Sect. 10 -
History of Masonry in the South of England from the Accession of George III,
to the end of the year 1779.
On the 6th of October 1760, his
present majesty George III was proclaimed. No prince ever ascended the Throne,
whose private virtues and amiable character had so justly endeared him to his
people. To see a native of England the sovereign of these realms, afforded the
most glorious prospect of fixing our happy constitution in church and state on
the firmest base. Under such a patron the polite arts could not fail of
meeting with every encouragement; and to the honour his majesty it is to be
observed, that, since his accession to the throne, by his royal munificence no
pains have been spared to explore distant regions in pursuit of useful
knowledge, and to diffuse science throughout every part of his dominions.
Masonry now flourished at home
and aboard under the English Constitution and lord Aberdour continued at the
head of the fraternity five years, during which time the public festivals and
quarterly communications were regularly held. his lordship equaled any of his
predecessors in the number of appointments to the office of Provincial Grand
Master, having granted the following deputations:
1. for Antigua and the Leeward
Caribbee Islands;
2. for the town of Norwich and county of Norfolk;
3. for the Bahama Islands, in the room of the governor deceased;
4. for Hamburgh and Lower Saxony;
5. for Guadaloupe;
6. for Lancaster;
7. for the province of Georgia;
8. for Canada;
9. for Andalusia, and places adjacent;
10. for Bermuda;
11. for Carolina;
12. for Musquito Shore;
and
13. for East India.
The second of these
appointments, viz. for Norwich, is that by which the Society has been most
benefited. By the diligence and attention of the late Edward Bacon esq. to
whom the patent was first granted, the lodges in Norwich and Norfolk
considerably increased, and masonry was regularly conducted in that province
under his inspection for many years.
Lord Aberdour held the office
of Grand Master till the 3d of May 1762, when he was succeeded by earl Ferrers,
during whose presidency nothing remarkable occurred. The Society seems at this
time to have lost much of its consequence; the general assemblies and
communications not having been honoured with the presence of the nobility as
formerly, and many lodges erased out of the lift for non-attendance on the
duties of the Grand Lodge *. By the
diligence and attention, however, of the late general John Salter, then Deputy
Grand Master, the business of the Society was carried on with regularity, and
the fund of charity considerably increased. Provincial patents were made out
during earl Ferrers's presidency;
1. for Jamaica;
2. for East India, where no particular provincial was before appointed;
3. for Cornwall;
4. for Armenia;
5. for Westphalia;
6. for Bombay;
7. for the Dukedom of Brunswick;
8. for the Grenades, St. Vincent, Dominica, Tobago, &c.;
and
9. for Canada.
From these appointments no
considerable emoluments have resulted to the Society, excepting from the third
and sixth; George Bell for Cornwall; and James Todd for Bombay. Both these
gentlemen were particularly attentive to the duties of their respective
offices, especially the former, to whom the Society is in a great measure
indebted for the flourishing state of masonry in Cornwall.
On the 8th of May 1764, at an
assembly and feast at Vintners'-hall, lord Blaney was elected Grand Master.
Lord Ferrers invested John Revis esq. late Deputy Grand Master, as proxy for
his lordship, who continued in office two years, during which time, being
chiefly in Ireland, the business of the Society was faithfully executed by his
deputy, general Salter, an active and a vigilant officer. The scheme of
opening a subscription for the purchase of furniture for the Grand Lodge was
agitated about this time, and some money collected; but the design dropped for
want of encouragement. A new edition of the Book of Constitutions was ordered
to be printed under the inspection of a committee, with a continuation of the
proceedings of the Society since the publication of the last edition.
During lord Blaney's
presidency, the dukes of Gloucester and Cumberland were initiated into the
Order; the former, at an occasional lodge assembled at the Horn tavern
Westminster, on the 16th of February 1766, at which his lordship resided in
person; the latter, at an occasional lodge assembled at the Thatched House
tavern in St. James's-street, under the direction of general Salter.
The following deputations for
the office of Provincial Grand Master were granted by lord Blaney;
1. for Barbadoes;
2. for Upper Saxony;
3 for Stockholm:
4. for Virginia;
5. for Bengal;
6. for Italy;
7. for the Upper and Lower Rhine, and the Circle of Franconia;
8. for Antigua;
9. for the Electorate of Saxony;
10. for Madras, and its dependencies;
11. for Hampshire;
and
12. for Montserrat.
The fifth, tenth, and eleventh
of these appointments have been faithfully executed. By the indefatigable
assiduity of that truly masonic luminary, Thomas Dunckerley esq. in whose
favour the appointment for Hampshire was first made out, masonry has made
considerable progress in that province, as well as in many other counties in
England. Since his appointment to this office, he has accepted the
superintendence of the lodges in Dorsetshire, Essex, Gloucestershire,
Somersetshire, and Herefordshire *. The
revival of the Bengal and Madras appointments have been also attended with
success, as the late liberal remittances from the East Indies amply shew.
Among several regulations
respecting the fees of constitutions, and other matters which passed during
lord Blaney's administration, was the following; That as the Grand Lodge
entertained the highest sense of the honour conferred on the Society by the
initiation of the dukes of Gloucester, and Cumberland; it was resolved, that
each of their royal highnesses should be presented with an apron, lined with
blue silk; and that, in all future processions, they should rank as Past Grand
Masters, next to the Grand Officers for the time being. The same compliment
was also paid to their royal brother the late duke of York, who had been
initiated into masonry while on his travels.
The duke of Beaufort succeeded
lord Blaney, and was installed by proxy at Merchant Taylors'-hall on the 27th
of April 1767. Under the patronage of his grace the Society flourished.
In the beginning of 1768, two
letters were received from the Grand Lodge of France, expressing a desire of
opening a regular correspondence with the Grand Lodge of England. This was
cheerfully agreed to; and a Book of Constitutions, a list of the lodges under
the constitution of England, with the form of a deputation, elegantly bound,
were ordered to be sent as a present to the Grand Lodge of France.
Several regulations for the
future government of the Society were made about this time, particularly one
respecting the office of Provincial Grand Master. At a Grand Lodge held at the
Crown and Anchor tavern in the Strand, on the 29th of April 1768, it was
resolved that ten guineas should be paid to the fund of charity on the
appointment of every Provincial Grand Master who had not served the office of
Grand Steward.
The most remarkable occurrence
during the administration of the duke of Beaufort, was the plan of an
incorporation by royal charter. At a Grand Lodge held at the Crown and Anchor
tavern on the 28th of October 1768, a report was made from the Committee of
Charity held on the 21st of that month at the Horn tavern in Fleet-street, on
the Grand Master's intentions to have the Society incorporated, if it met with
the approbation of the brethren; the advantages of such a measure were fully
explained, and a plan for the purpose was submitted to the consideration of
the Committee. The plan being approved, the thanks of the Grand Lodge were
voted to the Grand Master, for his attention to the interests and prosperity
of the Society. The hon. Charles Dillon, then Deputy Grand Master, informed
the brethren, that he had submitted to the Committee a plan for raising a fund
to build a hall, and purchase jewels, furniture, &c. for the Grand Lodge,
independent of the general fund of charity; the carrying of which into
execution, he apprehended, would be a proper prelude to an Incorporation,
should it be the wish of the Society to obtain a charter. The plan being laid
before the Communication, several amendments were made, and the whole referred
to the next Grand Lodge for confirmation. In the mean time it was resolved,
that the said plan should be printed, and transmitted to all the lodges on
record *. The duke of Beaufort finding that
the Society approved of Incorporation, contributed his best endeavours to
carry the design into immediate execution: though at first he was opposed by a
few brethren, who misconceived his good intentions, he persevered in promoting
every measure that might facilitate the plan; and a copy of the intended
charter was soon after printed, and dispersed among the lodges. Before the
Society, however, had come to any determined resolution on the business, the
members of a respectable lodge, then held at the Half Moon tavern Cheapside,
entered a caveat in the attorney-general's office, against the Incorporation;
and this circumstance being reported to the Grand Lodge, an impeachment was
laid against that lodge, for unwarrantably exposing the private resolutions of
the Grand Lodge; and it being determined that the members of the said lodge
had been guilty of a great offence, in presuming to oppose the resolutions of
the Grand Lodge, and endeavouring to frustrate the intentions of the Society,
a motion was made, That it should be erased from the list of lodges; but, on
the Master of the lodge acknowledging the fault, and, in the name of himself
and his brethren, making a proper apology, the motion was withdrawn, and the
offence forgiven. From the return of the different lodges it appeared, that
one hundred and sixty-eight had voted for the Incorporation, and only
forty-three against it; upon which a motion was made in Grand Lodge, on the
28th of April 1769, that the Society should be incorporated; which was carried
in the affirmative by a great majority.
At a Grand Lodge held at the
Crown and Anchor tavern on the 27th of October 1769, it was resolved, that the
sum of 1300l. then standing in the names of Rowland Berkeley esq. the Grand
Treasurer, and Mr. Arthur Beardmore and Mr. Richard Nevison his sureties, in
the three per cent. bank consolidated annuities, in trust for the Society, be
transferred into the names of the present Grand Officers; and at an
extra-ordinary Grand Lodge on the 29th of November following, the Society was
informed that Mr. Beardmore had refused to join in the transfer; upon which it
was resolved that letters should be sent, in the name of the Society, signed
by the acting Grand Officers, to lord Blarney the Past Grand Master, and to
his Deputy and Wardens, to whom the Grand Treasurer and his sureties had given
bond, requesting their concurrence in the resolutions of the Grand Lodge of
the 29th of October last. Mr. Beardmore, however, dying soon after, the desire
of the Grand Lodge was complied with by Mr. Nevison, and the transfer
regularly made.
At a Grand Lodge held at the
Crown and Anchor tavern on the 25th of April 1770, the Provincial Grand Master
for foreign lodges acquainted the Society, that he had lately received a
letter from Charles baron de Boetzelaer, Grand Master of the National Grand
Lodge of the United Provinces of Holland and their dependencies, requesting to
be acknowledged as such by the Grand Lodge of England, whose superiority he
confessed; and promising, that if the Grand Lodge of England would agree in
future not to constitute any new lodge within his jurisdiction, the Grand
Lodge of Holland would observe the same restriction with respect to all parts
of the world where lodges were already established under the patronage of
England. Upon these terms he requested that a firm and friendly alliance might
be established between the Officers of both Grand Lodges, an annual
correspondence carried on, and each Grand Lodge regularly made acquainted once
in every year with the most material transactions of the other. On this report
being made, the Grand Lodge agreed, that such an alliance or compact should be
immediately entered into, and executed, agreeably to baron de Boetzelaer's
request.
In 1771, a bill was brought
into parliament by the hon. Charles Dillon, then Deputy Grand Master, for
incorporating the Society by act of parliament; but on the second reading of
the bill, it having been opposed by Mr. Onslow, at the desire of several
brethren, who had petitioned the house against it, Mr. Dillon moved to
postpone the consideration of it fine die; and thus the design of an
Incorporation fell to the ground.
The duke of Beaufort
constituted several new lodges, and granted the following provincial
deputations, during his presidency:
1. for South Carolina;
2. Jamaica;
3. Barbadoes;
4. Naples and Sicily:
5. the Empire of Russia;
and
6. the Austrian Netherlands.
The increase of foreign lodges
occasioned the institution of a new officer, a Provincial Grand Master for
foreign lodges in general; and his grace accordingly nominated a gentleman for
that office. He also appointed Provincial Grand Masters for Kent, Suffolk,
Lancashire, and Cumberland. Another new appointment likewise took place during
his grace's administration, viz. the office of General Inspectors or
Provincial Grand Masters for lodges within the bills of mortality; but the
majority of the lodges in London disapproving the appointment, the authority
was soon after withdrawn.
Lord Petre succeeded the duke
of Beaufort on the 4th of May 1772, when several regulations were made for
better securing the property belonging to the Society. A considerable sum
having been subscribed for the purpose of building a hall, a committee was
appointed to superintend the management of that business. Every measure was
adopted to enforce the laws for raising a new fund to carry the designs of the
Society into execution, and no pains were spared by the committee to complete
the purpose of their appointment. By their report to the Grand Lodge on 27th
April 1774, it appeared that they had contracted for the purchase of a plot of
ground and premises, consisting of tow large commodious dwelling houses, and a
large garden, situated in Great Queen-street, Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, late in
the possession Phillip Carteret Webb esq. deceased, the particulars of which
were specified in a plan then delivered; that the real value appeared to be
£3,205 at the least, but that £3,180 was the sum contracted to to be paid for
the premises; that the front house might produce £90 per annum, and the back
house would furnish commodious committee-rooms, offices, kitchens, etc and
that the garden was sufficiently large to contain a complete hall for the use
of the Society, the expense of the which was calculated not to exceed £3,000.*
This report met with general approbation. Lord Petre, the dukes of Beaufort
and Chandos, earl Ferrers, and lord viscount Dudley and Ward, were appointed
trustees for the Society, and the conveyance of the premises purchased was
made in their names.
On the 22nd of February 1775,
the hall-committee reported to the Grand Lodge, that a plan had been proposed
and approved for raising £5,000 to complete the designs of the Society, and
granting annuities for lives, with benefit of survivorship; a plan now known
under the name of Tontine. It was accordingly resolved, that there should be
one hundred lives at a £50 each; that the whole premises belonging to the
Society in Great Queen-street, with the hall to be built thereon, should be
vested in trustees, as a security to the subscribers, who should be paid £5
per cent. for their money advanced amounting to £250 per annum; that this
interest should be divided among the subscribers, and the survivors or
survivor of them; and, upon the death of the last survivor, the whole to
determine for the benefit of the Society. The Grand Lodge approving of the
plan, the subscription immediately commenced, and in less than three months
was complete; upon which the trustees of the Society conveyed the estate to
the trustees of the tontine, in pursuance of a resolution of the Grand Lodge
for that purpose.
On 1st May 1775, the
foundation-stone * of the new hall was laid
in solemn form * in the presence of a
numerous company of the brethren. After the ceremony, the company proceeded in
carriages to Leathersellers'-hall, where an elegant entertainment was provided
on the occasion; and at the meeting the office of Grand-Chaplain was first
instituted.
The building of the hall went
on so rapidly that it was finished in little more than twelve months. On the
23rd of May 1776, it was opened, and dedicated *,
in solemn form to MASONRY, VIRTUE and UNIVERSAL CHARITY and BENEVOLENCE, in
the presence of a brilliant assembly of the brethren. A new Ode
*, was written and set to music on the
occasion and was performed, before a number of ladies, who honoured the
Society with their company on that day. An exordium on masonry, not less
elegant than instructive, was given by the Grand Secretary, and an excellent
oration delivered by the Grand Chaplain. In commemoration of an event so
pleasing to the Society , it was agreed, that the anniversary of this ceremony
should be ever after regularly kept.
Thus was completed, under the
auspices of a nobleman, whose amiable character as a man, and zeal as a mason
may be equaled, but cannot be surpassed, that elegant and highly finished room
on Great Queen-street, in which the annual assembly and quarterly
communications of the fraternity are held; and to the accomplishment of which
many lodges, as well as private individuals, have liberally subscribed. It is
to be regretted, that the finances of the Society will not admit of its being
solely reserved for masonic purposes.
The brethren of St John's Lodge
in Newcastle, animated by the example set then in the metropolis, opened a
subscription for the purpose of building, in the Low Friar Chair in that town,
a new hall for their meetings; and on the 23rd of September 1776, the
foundation stone * of that building was laid
by Mr Francis Peacock, then Master of the lodge. This edifice was speedily
completed, furnished and dedicated; but se since learn, that it has been sold,
and appropriated to other purposes.
The flourishing state of the
Society in England attracted the attention of the masons in Germany, who
solicited our friendship and alliance. The Grand Lodge at Berlin, under the
patronage of the prince of Hess-Darmstatd, requested a friendly union and
correspondence with their brethren in England, which was agreed to, on the
Grand Lodge of Germany engaging to remit an annual donation to the fund of
charity.
The business of the Society
having been now considerably increased, it was resolved, that the Grand
Secretary should be permitted in future to employ a deputy or assistant, at an
annual salary proportioned to his labour.
On the 14th February 1776, the
Grand Lodge resolved, that in future all Past Grand Officers should be
permitted to wear a particular gold jewel, the ground enameled in blue,; and
each officer to be distinguished by the jewel which he wore while in office;
with this difference, that such honorary jewel should be fixed with a circle
of oval; on the borders of which were to be inscribed his name, and the year
in which he served the office. This jewel to be worn in Grand Lodge pendant to
a broad blue riband, and on other occasions, to be fixed to the breast by a
narrow blue riband *.
Many regulations respecting the
government of the fraternity were established during lord Petre's
administration. The meetings of irregular masons again attracted notice, and,
on the 10th April 1777, the following law was enacted "That the persons who
assemble in London, and elsewhere, in the character of masons, calling
themselves Ancient Masons, and at present said to be under the patronage of
the duke of Athol, are not to be countenanced, or acknowledged, by any regular
lodge, or mason, under the constitution of England: nor shall any regular
mason be present be present at any of their proceedings, under the penalty of
forfeiting the privileges of the Society: nor shall any person initiated at
any of the irregular meetings, be admitted into any lodge, without being
re-made *. That this censure shall not
extend to any lodge, or mason made in Scotland or Ireland, under the
constitution of either of these kingdoms; or to any lodge, or mason made
abroad, under the patronage of any foreign Grand Lodge in alliance with the
Grand Lodge of England; but that such lodge and masons shall be deemed to be
regular and constitutional."
An Appendix to the Book of
Constitutions, containing all the principal proceedings of the Society since
the publication of the last edition, was ordered to be printed; also a new
annual publication, entitled THE FREE-MASONS CALENDAR; and the profits arising
from the sale of both, were to be regularly brought to account in the charity
fund. To preserve the consequence of the Society, the following law was
enacted at this time: "That the fees for constitutions, initiations, etc
should be advanced, and no person be initiated into masonry in any lodge in
England for less sum that two guineas; and that the name, age profession, and
place of residence of every person so initiated, and of every admitted member
of a regular lodge since the 29th October 1768, should be registered, under
the penalty of such mason made, or member admitted, being deprived of the
privileges of the Society.
Lord Petre granted provincial
deputations for Madras and Virginia, also for Hants, Sussex and Surrey.
though, during this presidency, some lodges were erased out of the list, for
non-conformity to the laws, many new ones were added, so that under his
lordship's banner, the Society became truly respectable.
On hte 1st of May 1777, lord
Petre was succeed by the duke of Manchester; during whose administration the
tranquility of the Society was interrupted by private dissensions. an
unfortunate dispute having arisen among the members of the lodge of Antiquity,
on account fo some proceedings of the brethren of that lodge on the festival
of St John the Evangelist after his grace's election, the complaint was
introduced into Grand Lodge, where it occupied the attention of every
committee and communication for twelve months. It originated from the Master,
Wardens and some of the members, having, in consequence of a resolution of the
lodge, attended divine service at St Dunstan's Church in Fleet-street, in the
clothing of the Order; and walked back to the Mitre-tavern in their regalia
without having obtained a dispensation for the purpose. The Grand Lodge
determined the measure to be a violation of the general regulations respecting
public processions *. Various opinions were
formed on the subject, and several brethren highly disgusted. another
circumstance tended still farther to widen the breach. This lodge, having
expelled three members for misbehaviour, the Grand Lodge interfered and,
without proper investigation, ordered them to be reinstated. With this order
the lodge refused to comply, conceiving themselves competent judges in the
choice of their members. The privileges of the the lodge of Antiquity
* were then set up, in opposition to the
supposed uncontrollable authority of the Grand Lodge; and in the investigation
of this important point, the original case of dispute was totally forgotten.
Matters were agitated to the extreme on both sides. Resolutions were
precipitately entered into, and edicts inadvertently issued. memorial and
remonstrances were presented; at last a rupture ensued. the lodge of Antiquity
supported its immemorial privileges; applied to the old lodge in York city,
and to the lodges in Scotland and Ireland, for advice,; entered a protest
against, and peremptorily refused to comply with, the resolutions of the Grand
Lodge, discontinued the attendance of its master and wardens at the committees
of charity and quarterly communications as its representatives; published a
manifesto in its vindication; notified its separation from the Grand Lodge;
avowed an alliance with the Grand Lodge of all England, held in the city of
York, and every lodge and mason who wished to act in conformity to the
original constitutions. The Grand Lodge enforced its edicts, and extended
protection to the brethren whose cause it had espoused. Anathemas were issued,
several worthy men in their absence expelled from the Society, for refusing to
surrender the property of the lodge to three persons who had been regularly
expelled from it; and printed letters were circulated, with the Grand
Treasurer's accounts, highly derogatory to the dignity of the Society. This
produced a schism, which subsisted for the space of ten years.
To justify the proceeding of
the Grand Lodge, the following resolution of the Committee of Charity held in
February 1779, was printed and dispersed among the lodges:
"Resolved, That every private
lodge derives its authority from the Grand Lodge, and that no authority but
the Grand Lodge can withdraw or take away that power. that thought the
majority of a lodge may determine to quite the Society, the constitution, or
power of assembling, remains with and is vested in, the rest of the members
who may be desirous of continuing their allegiance; and that if all the
members withdraw themselves, the constitution is extinct and the authority
reverts to Grand Lodge."
This resolution, it was argued,
might operate with respect to a lodge with derived its constitution from the
Grand Lodge, but could not apply to one which derived its authority form
another channel. long before the establishment of the Grand Lodge, and which
authority had been repeatedly admitted and acknowledged. Had it appeared upon
record, that after the establishment of the Grand Lodge, and original
authority had had been surrendered, forfeited, or exchanged for a warrant from
the Grand Lodge, the lodge of Antiquity must have admitted the resolution of
the Grand Lodge its full force. But as no such circumstance appeared on
record, the members of the lodge of Antiquity were justified in considering
their immemorial constitution sacred, while, they chose to exist as a lodge
and act in obedience to its ancient constitutions.
Considering the subject in this
point of view, it evidently appears that the resolution of the Grand Lodge
could have no effect on the lodge of Antiquity; especially after the
publication of the manifesto avowing its separation. The members of the that
lodge continued to meet regularly as heretofore, and to promote the laudable
purposes of masonry on their old independent foundation. The lodge of
Antiquity it was asserted could not be dissolved, while the majority of its
members kept together, and acted in conformity to the original constitutions;
and no edict of the Grand Lodge, or its committees could deprive the members
of that lodge of a right which had been admitted to be vested in themselves
collectively from time immemorial; a right which had never been derived from,
or ceded to, any Grand Lodge whatever.
To understand more clearly the
nature of that constitution by which the lodge of Antiquity is upheld, we must
have recourse to the usages and customs which prevailed among masons, at the
end of the last, and the beginning of the present century. The fraternity then
had a discretionary power to meet as masons, in certain numbers, according to
their degrees, with the approbation of the master of the work where any public
building was carrying on, as often as they found it necessary so to do; and
when so met, to receive into the Order brothers and fellows and practice the
rites of masonry. the idea of investing Masters and Wardens of lodges in
Grand Lodge assembled, or the Grand Master himself, with a power to grant
warrants of constitution to certain brethren to meet as masons on the
observance of certain conditions, at certain hours, had no existence. The
fraternity were under no such restrictions. the ancient charges were the only
standard for the regulation of conduct, and no law was known in the Society
which those charges did not inculcate. To the award of the fraternity at
large, in general meeting assembled, once of twice in a year, all brethren
were subject, and the authority of the Grand Master never extended beyond the
bounds of that general meeting. When a lodge was fixed at any particular place
for a certain time, an attestation from the brethren present entered on
record, was a sufficient proof of its regular constitution; and this practice
prevailed for many years after the revival of masonry in the South of England.
By this authority, which never proceeded from the Grand Lodge, unfettered by
any other restrictions than the constitutions of masonry, the lodge of
Antiquity has always been, and still continues to be governed.
While I have endeavoured to
explain the subject of the unfortunate dispute, I rejoice in the opportunity
which the proceedings of the grand feast in 1790 have afforded, of promoting
harmony, by restoring to the privileges of the Society, all the brethren of
the lodge of Antiquity who had been falsely and unjustly expelled in 1779. By
the operation of our professed principles, and through the mediation of that
true friend to genuine masonry, William Birch esq. unanimity has been happily
restored; the manifesto published by that lodge in 1779, revoked; and the
Master and Wardens of that truly ancient association, the first lodge under
the English constitution, have resumed their seats in Grand Lodge as
heretofore; while the brethren who had received the sanction of the Society,
as nominal members of the lodge of Antiquity, during the separation, have been
reunited with the original members of the real lodge, and all privileges of
that venerable body now center in one channel.
I have considerably abridged my
observations on this subject in the last as well as the present edition, but
think it proper still to record my sentiments, in justice to the gentlemen
with whom I have long associated; and to convince my brethren, that our
re-union with the Society has not induced me to vary a well-grounded opinion
or deviated from the strict line of consistency which I have hitherto pursued.
Sect. 11-
History of the most remarkable Events in the Society from 1779 to 1791
inclusive
Amidst these disagreeable
altercations, intelligence arrived of the rapid progress of the Society in
India, where many new lodges had been constituted, which were amply supported
by the first characters in the East. Omdit-ul-Omrah Bahauder, eldest son of
the nabob of the Carnatic, had been initiated into masonry in the lodge of
Trichinopoly near Madras; and had expressed the highest veneration for the
institution. This news having been transmitted to England officially, the
Grand Lodge determined to send a congratulatory letter to his highness on the
occasion, accompanied with a blue apron elegantly decorated, and a copy of the
Book of Constitutions superbly bound. To sir John Day, advocated general of
Bengal, the execution of the commission was entrusted.
* In the beginning of 1780, an answer was
received from his highness, acknowledging the receipt of the present , and
expressing the warmest attachment and benevolence to his brethren in England.
This letter, which is written in the Persian language, was enclosed in an
elegant cover of cloth of gold, and addressed To the Grand Master and Grand
Lodge of England.
This flattering mark of
attention from so distinguished a personage abroad,was peculiarly grateful to
the Grand Lodge; who immediately resolved, that a letter should be prepared
and transmitted to his highness, expressing the high opinion which the
brethren in England entertained of his merits, and requesting the continuance
of his friendship and protection to the masonic institution in the East. the
thanks of the Grand Lodge were voted to sir John Day; and a translation of his
highness's Letter * was ordered to be copied
on vellum, and, with the original, elegantly framed and glazed, hung up in the
hall at every public meeting of the Society.
Under the auspices of this
celebrated chief, there is every reason to expect that masonry will flourish
in the East; and it cannot fail of giving pleasure to every zealous brother,
to find that the venerable principles of the institution pervade the most
distant regions.
The first test testimony which
Odmit-ul-Omrah gave of his regard to the institution, was by the initiation
of his brother Omur-ul-Omrah, who seems equally attached with himself to
promote the welfare of the Society.
Another event has also taken
place at Madras, which must be very satisfactory to the brethren of England.
The division and secessions, which had originated in London in 1738, having
unfortunately reached India, by the intervention of brigadier general Horne,
who had been appointed, by patent from the duke of Cumberland, Provincial
Grand Master on the Coast of Cormomandel, an union of the brethren in that
part of the world has been affected, and the lodge No. 152, styling themselves
Ancient York Masons, joined a lodge under his auspices and voluntarily
surrendered the constitution under which they had formerly acted. This
desirable object being accomplished, and the wishes of the brethren fulfilled,
the General requested their assistance to form a Grand Lodge, when the
following Officers were appointed, and installed in due form.
Brigadier gen. Horne, Prov.
Grand Master.
Ter. Gahagan esq. Deputy Grand
Master.
Jof. Du Pre Porcher esq, Acting
Grand Master.
Lieut. col. Rofs. Grand
Architect.
Lieut. col. J Campbell, Sen,
Grand Warden.
Lieut. col. Hamilton esq,
Junior Grand Warden.
James Grierson esq, Grand
Secretary.
James Amos esq, Grand
Treasurer.
Lieutenant-colonel Moorhouse,
and colonel L Lucas esq. Grand Stewards.
Major Maule, Grand Orator.
Charles Bromley esq, Grand
Sword Bearer.
The Grand Lodge having been
regularly established, a proposal was made, that a new lodge should be formed
in Madras, under the name of Perfect Unanimity, No. 1. This being unanimously
agreed to, the Provincial Grand Master gave notice, that he should perform the
ceremony of consecration on Saturday the 7th of October 1787, in commemoration
of the union which had been so amicably formed that day; and requested the
proper officers to attend the occasion. Accordingly, on the morning of the day
appointed upwards of fifty brethren assembled at the house of Choulty Plain,
in which the public rooms are held , and at half past eleven o'clock the
ceremony commenced, After the preparatory business had been gone through in
Grand Lodge, a procession *
was formed and marched three times round the lodge; after which the business
of consecration was entered on, and completed in a manner suitable to the
solemnity of the occasion. Several old masons who were present, declared they
never saw a ceremony conducted with more dignity and propriety.
The following brethren were
installed as Officers of this new lodge, viz, Colly Lyons Lucas esq. Master;
Pullier Spencer esq. Senior Warden; George Robert Latham esq, Junior Warden;
George Maule esq. Secretary; John Robins esq. Treasurer.
At two o'clock, the brethren
sat down at an excellent dinner, provided by the Grand Lodge; after which many
masonic and loyal toasts were drank; and the day was concluded with that
pleasing festivity, harmony, and good fellowship, which has always
distinguished the Society of Free and Accepted Masons.
During the presidency of the
duke of Manchester, new lodges were constituted in different parts of the
kingdom, and considerable additions made to the general funds of the Society.
The sums voted to distressed brethren far exceeded those of any former period;
and among other instances of liberality may be specified, a very generous
contribution, of one hundred pounds, toward the relief of the brethren in
America, who had suffered great losses in consequence of the rebellion there,
and whose situation was very feelingly described in a letter from the lodge
No. 1 at Halifax Nova Scotia.
A singular proposition was made
in Grand Lodge on the 8th of April 1778, that the Grand Master and his
Officers should be distinguished in future at all public meetings by robes.
to be provided at their own expense; and that Past Grand Officers should have
the privilege of being distinguished in a similar manner. This measure was at
first favourably received; but, on further investigation in the Hall
Committee, to whom it was referred, it was found to be so diametrically
opposite to the original plan of the institution, that it was very properly
laid aside.
The finances of the Society
occupied great part of the proceedings of the Committees and communications
during his grace's administration. The debts due on account of the hall
appearing to be very considerable, it was determined to make an application to
the lodges to raise £2,000 to pay them off. For this purpose in consequence of
a plan offered to the consideration of the Grand Lodge in June 1779, it was
resolved, that a subscription should be opened, to raise money by loan,
without interest, at the discretion of the subscribers; that £25 should be the
sum limited for each subscriber, and the number of subscribers to be one
hundred; and that the monnies so subscribed should be repaid, in equal
proportions, among the subscribers, at such times as the hall fund would
admit. It was also determined, that an honorary medal should be presented to
every subscriber, as a mark of distinction for the service which he had
rendered the Society; and that the bearer of such medal, if a master mason,
should have the privilege of being present at, and voting in, all the future
meetings of the Grand Lodge. This mark of attention prompted some lodges, as
well as individuals, to contribute and the greatest part of the money was
speedily raised and applied for the purpose intended.
The Stewards Lodge, finding
their finances much reduced be several members having withdrawn the annual
subscriptions, applied to the Grand Lodge for relief; upon which it was
resolved, that in future no Grand Officer should be appointed, who was not at
the time a subscribing member of the Stewards Lodge.
A measure of more importance
attracted the attention of the Society at this period. It had been observed
with regret, that a number of worthy brethren in distress had been subjected
to much inconvenience and disappointment from a want of relief during the long
summer recess, as there was seldom any Committee of Charity held from the
beginning of April to the end of October. To remedy this complaint, the Grand
Lodge unanimously resolved, that an Extraordinary Committee should meet
annually in the last week of August, to administer temporary relief to such
distressed objects as might regularly apply, not exceeding five pounds to one
person.
This increase in the business
of the Society induced the Grand Lodge to appoint pro tempore, an assistant to
the Grand Secretary, who should hold equal rank and power with himself in
Grand Lodge.
* Among many regulations which were now
established, it was determined, that in future no person should hold two
offices at the same time in Grand Lodge.
The Grand Lodge of Germany
applied for liberty to send a representative to the Grand Lodge of England, in
order more effectively to cement the union and friendship of the brethren of
both countries, and brother John Leonhardi was appointed to the office. This
request being complied with, a resolution passed, that, in compliment to the
Grand Lodge of Germany brother Leonhardi should wear the clothing of a Grand
Officer, and rank next to the Past Grand Officers in all public meetings of
the Society.
This additional cement was
highly pleasing; and led the brethren to regret, that no intercourse or
correspondence should have subsisted nearer home, between the Grand Lodge of
England and the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland, thought all the members
were subjects of the same sovereign. At the communication in April 1782, this
important business came under consideration; when, after a variety of opinions
had been delivered, it was unanimously resolved, that the Grand Master should
be requested to adopt such means as his wisdom might suggest, to promote a
good understanding among the brethren of the three united kingdoms.
Notwithstanding this resolution, the wished for union has not yet been
accomplished; we trust, however, that the event is not far distant.
At this meeting also, the
pleasing intelligence was communicated, of the duke of Cumberland's intention
to accept the government of the Society. This having been regularly stated in
Grand Lodge, his highness was proposed Grand Master elect; and it was
resolved, in compliment to him, that he should have the privilege of
nominating a peer of the realm as Acting Grand Master, who should be empowered
to superintend the Society in his absence; and that, at any future period,
when the fraternity might be honoured with a Prince of the blood at their
head, the same privilege should be granted.
At the annual grand feast on
the 1st of May 1782, the duke of Cumberland was unanimously elected Grand
Master; and it being signified to the Society that his highness meant to
appoint the earl of Effingham Acting Grand Master, that the appointment was
confirmed, and his lordship presided as proxy for his royal highness during
the feast.
On the 8th of January 1783, a
very singular motion was made in Grand Lodge, and afterward confirmed, that
the interest of five percent on £1,000 which had been advanced for the
purposes of the hall from the charity fund, should cease to be paid; and
further, that the principal should be annihilated, and sunk into the hall
fund. However extraordinary it may appear, this event took place; and the
money has been regularly brought to account in the hall expendititures. A
number of other regulations were confirmed at this meeting, to render the hall
fund more productive, and to enforce obedience to the laws respecting it.
* How far some of the regulations are
consistent with the original plan of the masonic institution must be left to
abler judges to determine.In earlier periods of our history, such compulsory
regulations were unnecessary.
At the Grand Lodge held on the
23rd of November 1783, an addition was made to the Grand Officers, by the
appointment of a Grand Portrait Painter; and, at the request of the duke of
Manchester, that honor was conferred on the rev. William Peters, in testimony
of the service which he had rendered to the Society, by his elegant portrait
of lord Petre.
During the remainder of the
year, there was scarcely any further business of importance transacted. On the
19th of November, information was given in Grand Lodge, that two brethren,
under sanction of the Royal Military lodge at Woolwich, which claimed the
privilege of an itinerant lodge, had lately held an irregular meeting in the
King's Bench prison, and had there unwarrentbly initiated sundry person into
masonry. The Grand Lodge, conceiving this to be a violent infringement of the
privileges of every regular constituted lodge, ordered the said lodge to be
erased from the list; and determined, that it was inconsistent with th
purposes of making, passing and raising masons, in a prison or place of
confinement.
At this Grand Lodge also, it
was resolved, to enact certain regulations, subjecting the Deputy Grand Master
and Grand Wardens to fines, in case of non-attendance on the public meetings
of the Society; and these regulations were confirmed on the 11th February
following.
While those proceedings were
carrying on in England, the brethren in Scotland were prosecuting their
labours also for the good of the craft. The vast improvements made in the city
of Edinburgh, afforded ample room for ingenious architects to display their
masonic talent and abilities; and there the operative part of the fraternity
were fully occupied, in rearing stately mansions, and planning elegant
squares.
On the 1st of August 1785, a
very pleasing sight was exhibited to every well-wisher to the embellishment of
that city, in the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the South Bridge,
being the first step to farther improvement. In the morning of that day, the
right hon. the Lord Provost and Magistrates, attended by the Grand Master
Mason of Scotland, and a number of nobility and gentry, with the masters,
office-bearers, and brethren of the several lodges; walked from the
parliament-house to the bridge in procession. *
The streets were lined by the 58th regiment and the city guard.
Lord Haddo, Grand Master,
having arrived at the place, laid the foundation stone with the usual
solemnities. His lordship standing on the east, with the Substitute on his
right hand, and the Grand Wardens on the west, the square, the plumb, the
level, and the mallet, were successively delivered by an operative mason to
the Substitute, and by him to the Grand Master, who applied the square to that
part of the stone which was square, the plumb to the level edges, the level
above the stone in several positions, and then with the mallet gave three
knocks, saying' "May the Grand Architect of the Universe grant a blessing on
this foundation stone, which we have now laid; and by his providence enable us
to finish this, and every other work which may be undertaken for the
embellishment and advantage of this city." On this the brethren gave the
honours.
The cornucopia and two silver
vessels were then brought from the table, and delivered, the cornucopia to the
Substitute, and the two vessels to the Wardens, which were successively
presented to the Grand Master, who, according to ancient form, scattered the
corn, and poured the wine and oil, which they contained, on the stone saying,
"May the All-bounteous Author of Nature bless this city with an abundance of
corn, wine and oil; and with all the necessaries, conveniences, and comforts
of life! and may the same Almighty power preserve this city from ruin and
decay to the latest posterity!"
The Grand Master, being
supported on the right hand by the duke of Buccleugh, and on the left by the
earl of Balcarras, addressed himself to the Lord Provost and the Magistrates
in a suitable speech for the occasion. The coins of the present reign, and a
silver plater, with the following inscription, was deposited within the stone.
ANNUETE DEO OPTIMO MAXIMO,
REGNANTE GEORGIO III, PATRE
PATRIA,
HUJUS PONTIS
QUO VICI EXTRA MOENIA EDINBURGH,
URBI COMMODE ADJUNGERENTUR,
ADITUMQUE NON INDIGNUM TANTA
URBS HABERET,
PRIMUM LAPIDEM POSUIT
NOBLIS VIR GEORGIUS DOMINUS
HADDO,
ANTIQUISSIMI SODALITH
ARCHITECTONICI
APUD SCOTOS CURIO MAXIMUS,
PLAUDENTE AMPLISSIMA FRATRUM
CORONA,
IMMEMSAQUE POPULI FREQUENTIA
--------------------------------
OPUS
UTILE CIVIBUS GRATUM ADVENIS,
URBI DECORUM PATRIAE HONESTUM,
CONSULE JACOBO HUNTER BLAIR,
INCEPTI AUCTORE INDEFESSO,
SANCCIENTE REEGE, SENATUQUE
BRITANNIAE,
APPROBANTIBUS OMNIBUS,
TANDEM INCHOATUM EST
IPSIS KALENDIS AUGUSTI
A.D. MDCCLXXXV
AERAE ARCHITECTONICAE 5785
Q.F.F.Q.S.
Translation
"By the blessing of Almighty
God, in the reign of George the Third, the Father of his country, the right
hon. George, Lord Haddo, Grand Master of the Most ancient Fraternity of Free
Masons in Scotland, amidst the acclamation of a Grand Assembly of the
brethren, and a vast concourse of people, laid the first stone of this bridge,
intended to form a convenient communication between the city of Edinburgh and
its suburbs, and an access not unworthy of such a city.
This work, so useful to the
inhabitants, so pleasing and convenient to strangers, so ornamental to the
city, so creditable to the country, so long and much wanted and wished for,
was at last begun, with the sanction of the king and parliament of Great
Britain, and with universal approbation, in the provestship of James Hunter
Blair, teh author and indefatigable promoter of the undertaking, August the
1st, in the year of our Lord, 1785, and of the era of Masonry 5785. which may
God prosper."
An anthem was then sung , and
the procession returned, reversed, to the Parliament-house. After which the
Lord Provost and Magistrates gave an elegant entertainment at Dunn's rooms to
the Grand Lodge, and the nobility and gentry who had assisted in the ceremony.
The net public ceremony in
which the society bore a principal share, was in laying the foundation stone
of that valuable seminary of learning , the new College of Edinburgh. this
University has for many years been esteemed one of the most celebrated in
Europe, and has attracted a great number of students of physic and other
branches of science, from all parts of the world. The eminence of its
professors in every branch of learning is universally admitted; and it is most
fervently so be wished, for the honour of the kingdom, that the whole plan may
be completely executed agreeably to the intention of the original promoters.
as this is an event worth of record in the annals of masonry, I shall describe
minutely the ceremony observed on that remarkable occasion.
On the 13th of October 1789, Mr
Robert Adam, architect, presented the plans of the intended building, at a
public breakfast given by the Lord Provost, to the Magistrates, the Principal
and the Professors of the University, of Edinburgh, on the occasion; and
explained their uses for the various schools, halls, and houses. The whole
company expressed the highest satisfaction at the design; and it was
immediately resolved, that a subscription should be opened to carry the plan
into execution. Monday the 16th of November was then fixed for laying the
foundation stone of the new structure.
On the morning of the day
appointed for performing the ceremony, the brethren assembled at eleven
o'clock in the Parliament-house, to meet lord Napier, at that time Grand
Master of Scotland. When the lodges were arranged, the Grand Master sent
notice to the Lord Provost and Magistrates, who had assembled in the
Council-chamber; and to the Principal, Professors and Student of the
University, who had met in the High Church. At half past twelve, the
procession began to move in the following order:
1st. The Principal, Professors,
and Students of the University, with their mace carried before them. Principal
Robertson being supported on the right hand by the rev. Dr Hunter, professor
of divinity; and on the left, by Dr Handy, professor of church history. The
Professors were all robed, and each of the Students had a sprig of laurel in
his hat.
2nd. The Lord Provost,
Magistrates, and Council, in their robes, preceded by the sword, mace, etc.
The Lord Provost being supported on the right and left by the two eldest
Baillies.
3rd. A complete choir of
Singers, under the direction of signor Scherky, singing anthems as the
procession moved.
4th. The Lodges, according to
seniority, juniors preceding, with their different insignia.
5th. A complete band of
instrumental music.
6th. The Grand Stewards,
properly clothed, with white rods.
7th. The Noblemen and Gentlemen
attending the Grand Master.
8th. A large drawing of the
East Front of the New College, carried by two operative masons.
9th. The grand jewels, borne by
Past Masters of lodges.
10th. Officers of the Grand
Lodge, properly clothed.
11th. Past Grand Masters.
12th. Lord Napier, present
Grand Master, supported on the right hand by sir William Forbes bart. Past
Grand Master; and on the left, by the duke of Buccleugh.
A detachment of the 35th
regiment from the castle, together with the city guard, lined the streets.
At one o'clock, the Grand
Master reached the site of the College, when the foundation stone was laid
with the usual ceremononies. * After which
the Grand Master addressed himself to the Lord Provost and Magistrates as
follows:
"My Lord Provost, and
Magistrates, of the City of Edinburgh.
In compliance with your
request, I have now had the honour, in the capacity of Grand Master Mason of
Scotland, to lend my aid towards laying that stone on which it is your
intention to erect a new College. I must ever consider it a sign of the
fortunate events in my life, that the Craft of Free and Accepted Masons should
be called forth, to assist at an undertaking so laudable; and so glorious,
during the time that, from their affections, I have the honour of sitting in
the chair of the Grand Lodge.
The attention to the
improvement of this city, manifested by the Magistrates, your predecessors in
office, has for many years, excited the admiration of their fellow-citizens.
The particular exertions of your Lordship and your Colleagues have merited,
and it give me infinite satistfaction to say, have obtained, the universal
approbation of all ranks of men.
The business of, this day,
equally to be remembered in the annals of this city and of masonry, will
transmit your name with lustre to posterity. Thousands yet unborn, learning to
admire your virtues, will thereby be stimulated to follow the great example
you have set them, of steady patriotism, love of your country, and anxious
desire to advance the welfare, and increase the fame of the city of Edinburgh.
In the name of the Craft of
Free and Accepted Masons, and in my own, I sincerely implore the protection of
the Supreme Architect of the Universe on your lordship and your brethren in
the Magistracy! May you long continue here the ornaments of civil society; and
may you hereafter be received into those mansions, those lodges, prepared in
heaven for the blessed."
To this address the Lord
Provost, in the name of the Magistrates and Town Council of the City of
Edinburgh, mad a suitable reply.
The Grand Master next addressed
the Principal as representing the University of Edinburgh, as follows:
"Reverend Sir,
Permit me to congratulate you,
as Principal, and your brethren, as Professors, of the University of
Edinburgh, on the work which we have this day been engaged. -- A work, worthy
of your Patrons, who (ever considering the public good) will not permit the
seat of learning, established in this ancient metropolis, to bear the
appearance of decay, at a time when so much attention is bestowed on the
elegance and convenience both of public and private edifices.
Permit me, likewise, to
congratulate my country, on the probability of seeing the different chairs of
the magnificent structure now to be erected, filled by men so distinguished
for their piety, so eminent for their learning, and so celebrated for their
abilities, as those to whom I now have the honour to address myself.
Any panegyric that I can
pronounce, must fall so far short of what is due to you, Sir, and your
honourable and learned brethren, that it would be presumption in me to attempt
to express my sense of your deserts. Suffice it to say that the Grand Lodge of
Scotland, nd the lodges depending on it, are most happy, in having this
opportunity of assisting at, and witnessing, the laying of the foundation,
whence it is their earnest wish a building may arise, which, in future ages
may be renowned for the excellence of its teachers, and as much respected for
the propriety of conduct in its students, as the University now is, over which
you have the peculiar satisfaction of presiding.
May the Almighty Architect, the
Sovereign Disposer of all events, grant, that the Principal and Professors of
this College may continue to deliver their instructions, and the Students to
receive their admonitions, in such a manner as may rebound to the glory of
God, the promoting of science, and the extension of all useful learning."
To which the rev. Principal
made the following reply:-
"My Lord,
From very humble beginnings,
the University of Edinburgh has attained to such eminence, as entitles it to
be ranked among the most celebrated seminaries of learning. Indebted to the
bounty of several of our Sovereigns -distinguished particularly by the
gracious Prince now seated on the British throne, whom with gratitude, we
reckon among the most munificent of our royal benefactors - and cherished by
the continued attention and good offices of our honourable Patrons, this
University can no boast of the number and variety of its institutions for the
instruction of youth in all the branches of literature and science.
With what integrity and
discernment persons have been chosen to preside in each of these departments,
the character of my learned colleagues affords the most satisfying evidence.
From confidence in their abilities, and assiduity in discharging the duties of
their respective offices, the University of Edinburgh has become a seat of
education, not only to the youth in every part of the British dominions, but,
to the honour of our country, students have been attracted to it from almost
every nation in Europe, and every state in America.
One thing still was wanting,
The apartments appropriate for the accommodation of Professors and Students
were so extremely unsuitable to the flourishing state of the University, that
it has long been the general wish to have buildings more decent and
convenient erected. What your lordship has now done, gives a near prospect of
having this wish accomplished; and we consider it as a most auspicious
circumstance, that the foundation stone of this new mansion of science is laid
by your lordship, who, among your ancestors, reckon a man, whose original and
universal genius places him high among the illustrious persons who have
contributed most eminently to enlarge the boundaries of human knowledge
Permit me to add, what I regard
as my own peculiar felicity, that of having remained in my present station
much longer than any of my predecessors, I have lived to witness an event so
beneficial to this University, the prosperity of which is near to my heart,
and has ever been the object of my warmest wishes.
May Almighty God, without
invocation of whom no action of importance should be begun, bless this
undertaking, and enable us to carry it on with success! May he continue to
protect our University, the object of whose institution is to instill into the
minds of youth, principles of sound knowledge; to inspire them with the love
of religion and virtue; and to prepare them for filling the various situations
in society, with honour to themselves, and with benefit to their country!
All this we ask, in the name of
Christ; and unto the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we ascribe the
kingdom, power and glory! Amen!"
After the Principal had
finished his speech, the brethren again gave the honours, which concluded th
ceremony.
Tow crystal bottles, cast on
purpose at teh glass-house of Leith, were deposited in the foundation-stone.
In one of these were put different coins of the present reign, each of which
were previously enveloped in crystal, in such an ingenious manner that the
legend on the coins could be distinctly read without breaking the crystal., In
the other bottle were deposited seven rolls of vellum, containing a short
account of the original foundation and present state of the University,
together with several other papers; in particular, the different newspapers,
containing advertisements relative to the college, Etc, and a list of the
names of the present Lord Provost and Magistrates, and Officer of the Grand
Lodge of Scotland. The bottles being carefully sealed up, were covered with a
plate of copper wrapt in block-tin; and, upon the under side of the copper,
were engraven the arms of the city of Edinburgh, and of the University;
likewise the arms of the right hon. lord Napier, Grand Master Mason of
Scotland. Upon the upper side, a Latin inscription, of which the following is
a copy:
ANNUENTE DEO OPT. MAX
REGNANTE GEORGIO III, PRINCIPE
MUNIFICER
TISSIMO,
ACADEMIA EDINBURGENIS
/EDIBUS
INITO QUIDEM HUMILLIMIS
ET JAM, POST DUO SECLA, PENE
RUINOS
NOVI HUJUS /EDIFICH,
UBI COMMODITATI SIMEL ET ELGANTI/E
TANTODUCTINARUM DOMICILIO DIGN/E,
CONSULERETUR,
PRIMUM LAPIDEM POSUIT
FLAUDENTE INGENTI OMNIUM
ORDIUNIUM FREQUENTIA
VIR NOBILISSIUMUS FRANCISCUS
DOMINUS NAPIER,
REIPUB ARCHITECTONIC/E APUD
SCOTOS
CURIO
MAXIMUS.
XVI KAL DECEMB
ANNO SALUTIS HUMAN /E MDCCLXXXIX
/ER/E ARCHITECTIONIC/E
IOOIDCCLXXIX
CONSULE THOMA ELDER,
ADAMIE/E PR/EFECTO GULIELMO
ROBERTSON
ARCHITECTO ROBERTO ADAM
Q.F.F.Q.S.
TRANSLATION
"By the Blessing of Almighty
God, In the reign of the most munificent Prince George III, The buildings of
the Univeristy of Edinburgh, being originally very mean, And now, after two
centuries, almost a ruin. The Right Hon. Francis Lord Napier, Grand Master of
the Fraternity of Free Masons of Scotland, Amidst the acclamations of the
people, laid the foundation stone of this new fabric, In which an union of
elegance with conveniences, suitable to the dignity of learning, Has been
studied; On the 16th day of November in the year of our Lord 1789 And in the
era of Masonry 5789
Thomas Elder being the Lord
Provost of the City; William Robertson, the Principal of the University; and
Robert Adam the Architect.
May the undertaking prosper and
be crowned with success.
An anthem having been sung, the
brethren returned, the whole procession being reversed, and when the junior
lodge arrived at the door of the Parliament-house, it fell back to the right
and left, within the lines of soldiers; when the Principal, Professors and
Students; the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Town Council; and the Grand
Lodge; passed though, with their hats off.
The procession on this occasion
was one of the most brilliant and numerous that ever was exhibited in the city
of Edinburgh. The Provost and Magistrates had very properly invited many of
the Nobility and Gentry from all parts of the country, to witness the
solemnity of laying the foundation-stone of a college, the architecture of
which, it is agreed by all who have seen the plan, will not only do honour to
the city, but to the nation of Europe. But the number of persons invited was
far exceeded by the immense multitude of all ranks, who, desirous of viewing
so magnificent a spectacle, filled the streets, windows, and even roofs of the
houses, all the way from the Parliament-close, down the High-street and
Bridge-street, near the fourth end of which the foundation-stone was laid.
above 20,000 were supposed to be witnesses of this ceremony. It is, however,
worthy of notice, that, notwithstanding so immense a crowd, the greatest order
and decency were observed; nor did the smallest accident happen.
On the 7th of January 1795, the
brethren in Scotland had another opportunity of exemplifying their skill in
the practical rules of the Art, at opening the new bridge for carriages at
Montrose. This undertaking had been long deeded impracticable, on account of
the extent being near half a mile across a rapid influx and reflux of the sea.
The important work, however, was happily accomplished under the
superintendence of the fraternity, and the great post road from the fourth to
the north of Scotland is now united. A public procession was formed on this
occasion when the Grand Master, amidst an immense concourse of people,
critically eaminined the work and declared it well built and ably executed.
Having described the principal
works in which the brethren in Scotland have been employed, we shall now
resume the history of masonry in England, and trace the occurrences that have
taken place there, under the auspices of the duke of Cumberland, and his
successor the prince of Wales.
On the 4th of January 1787, was
opened in London, the grand chapter of Harodim. Though this order is of
ancient date, and had been patronised in different parts of Europe, previous
to this period there appears not on record the regular establishment of such
an association in England. For some years it was faintly encouraged, but
since its merit has been further investigated, it has receiveded the patronage
of the most exalted masonic characters; and, under the patronage of lord
Macdonald, meets regularly at Free-Masons tavern on the 3rd Monday of January,
February, March, April, October, November, and December; at which meetings any
member of a regular lodge may be admitted by ticket as a visitor, to hear the
lectures of masonry judiciously illustrated.
The mysteries of this order are
peculiar to the institution itself, while the lectures of the Chapter include
every branch of the masonic system, and represent the art of masonry in a
finished and complete form.
Different classes are
established, and particular lectures restricted to each class. the lectures
are divided into sections, and the sections into clauses. the sections are
annually assigned by the Chief Harod, to a certain number of is skillful
companions in each class, who are denominated SECTIONISTS; and they are
empowered to distribute the clauses of their respective sections, with the
approbation of the Chief Harod and General Director, among certain private
companions of the Chapter, who are denominated CLAUSE-HOLDERS. Such companions
as by assiduity become possessed of all the sections in the lecture, are
called LECTURERS; and out of these the General Director is always chosen.
Every Clauseholder, on his
appointment, is presented with a ticket, signed by the Chief Harod, specifying
the clause allotted to him. This ticket entitles him to enjoy the rank and
privileges of a Clause-holder of the Chapter; and no Clause-holder can
transfer his ticket to the another Companion, unless the consent of the
Council has been obtained for that purpose, and the Director General shall
have approved the Companion to whom it is to be transferred, as qualified to
hold it. In case of the death, sickness, or non-residence in London, of any
Lecturer, Sectionist or Clause-holder, another Companion is immediately
appointed to fill up the vacancy, that the lectures may be always complete;
and once in every month, during the session, a public lecture is delivered, in
a masterly manner, in open Chapter.
The Grand-Chapter is governed
by a Grand Patron, two Vice Patrons, a Chief Ruler, and two Assistants, with a
Council of twelve respectable Companions, chosen annually at the Chapter
nearest to the festival of St John the Evangelist.
On the 25th of March 1788,
another event worthy of notice in the annals of masonry took place, by the
institution of the Royal Cumberland Free-mason school, for maintaining,
clothing and educating female orphans, the children of indigent brethren. To
the benevolent exertions of chevalier Bartholomew Ruspini, the fraternity were
first indebted for this establishment. Under the patronage of her royal
highness the duchess of Cumberland, the school was originally formed; and to
her softening hand is owning its present flourishing state, by here
recommendation of it to the Royal Family,m as well as to many of the nobility
and gentry of both sexes. On the 1st of January 1789, fifteen children were
taken into the house provided for the purpose at Somers Town, St Pancras; but
since that time, by the liberal encouragement which the Charity has received
from the fraternity in India as well as in England, the Governors have been
enabled to augment the number of children at different periods to thirty-four.
The object of this Charity is
to train up children in the knowledge of virtue and religion; in an early
detestation of vice, and its unhappy consequences, in industry, as necessary
to their condition; and to impress strongly on their minds, a due sense of
subordination, true humility, and obedience to their superiors.
In 1793, the Governors, anxious
still farther to extend the benefits of this Institution, hired on lease a
piece of ground in St George's Fields belonging to the City of London, on
which they have erected as commodious and spacious school-house at the expense
of upwards of £2500 into which the children are now removed. This building is
sufficiently extensive to accommodate an hundred children; and from the
exertions of the fraternity at home an abroad, there is every reason to hope
that the Governors will soon have it in their power to provide for that
number.
the following are some of the
general regulations for the management of the school:
Every child who is admitted in
to the school must be the daughter of a mason who has been initiated into the
Society three years, and registered in the books of the Grand Lodge; and such
child, at the time of application; must be between the age of five and nine
years; not weak, sickly, or afflicted with any disorder or infirmity; must
have had the smallpox, and be free from any defect in her eyes or limbs. There
is no restriction as to her parochial settlement, whether it be in town or
country.
Children continue in the school
till they attain the age of fifteen years, during which time they are
carefully instructed in every domestic employment; and when they quit the
school, are placed out as apprentices, either to trades, or as domestic
servants, as may be found mist suitable to their respective capacities.
A quarterly General Court of
the Governors is held on the second Thursday in January, April, July, and
October, to receive the reports of the General Committee, order all payments
admit and discharge children, and transact all general business relative to
the Charity.
A General Committee, consisting
of perpetual and life Governors, and thirty annual Governors, meet on the last
Friday in every month, to receive the reports of the Sub-Committee, and give
such directions as they judge proper, subject to the confirmation or rejection
of the succeeding Quarterly Court.
A House Committee, consisting
of twelve members of the General Committee, meet on the Friday preceding each
meeting of that Committee, (or oftener, if any matter require their
attendance,) to whom the internal management is specially delegated; for which
purpose they visit the school in weekly rotation, examine the provision and
stores sent in for the use of the Charity, and see that the several
regulations are strictly complied with, and report their proceedings to the
General Committee.
A Committee of Auditors,
consisting of twelve members of the General Committee, meet previous to every
Quarterly Court, to examine the vouchers and accounts of the Treasurer and
Collector, see that the same are properly entered by the Secretary, and
prevent any payments being made, which have not been approved and by the House
and General Committees.
This Charity is under the
immediate supervision of her royal highness the duchess of Cumberland, the
patroness; their royal highnesses the prince of Wales, the duke of York, and
the duke of Gloucester, the Patrons; Chevalier Bartholomew Ruspini, the
Institutor; the right hon. lord Macdonald, James Heseltine, James Galloway,
William Birch, William Addington esqs. the Trustees; and sir Peter Parker,
bart. the Treasurer. *
To the benevolent and
indefatigable exertion of William Forsteen, Anthony Ten Broeke, Adam Gordon,
Henry Spicer, esqs. and a few other respectable brethren, the Society are
principally indebted for the complete establishment if this truly laudable
Institution; and such have been the care and pains bestowed on the education
of the children, that the sum arising from their work for the last year has
exceeded £200.
On the 10th of February 1790,
the Grand Lodge voted a subscription to this Charity, and particularly
recommended it to the lodges as deserving encouragement; in consequence of
which considerable sums have been raised for its support, and the annual
contributions have of late years so increased, that an Institution, which
reflects so much honour on the fraternity, promise fair to have a permenant
establishment.
The duke of Cumberland
continued in the office of Grand Master till his death in September, 1790; and
it may be truly said, that such a valuable acquistion was made to the Society
during his highness's administration, as is almost unparalleled in the annals
of masonry.
On Thursday the 9th of March
1786, his royal highness prince William Henry, now duke of Clarence, was
initiated into masonry at the lodge No. 86, held a the Prince George inn at
Plymouth.
On Thursday the 6th of February
1787, his royal highness the Prince of Wales was made a mason, at an
occasional lodge convened for the purpose at the Star and Garter, Pall-Mall,
over which the duke of Cumberland presided in person.
On Friday the 21st of November
following, his royal highness the Duke of York was initiated into masonry, at
a special lodge convened for the purpose at the same place, over which the
Grand Master presided in person. His highness was introduced by his royal
brother the Prince of Wales, who was present on the occasion and assisted at
the ceremony.
On the 10th of February 1790,
regular notice was given in Grand Lodge, that his royal highness Prince
Edward, while on his travels had been regularly initiated into masonry in the
Union Lodge of Geneva.
The Grand Lodge, highly
sensible of the great honour conferred on the Society by the initiation of so
many royal personages, unanimously resolved, that each of them should be
presented with an apron, lined with blue silk, the clothing of a Grand
Officer, and that they should be placed, in all public meetings of the
Society, on the right hand of the Grand Master, and rank in the processions as
Past Grand Masters.
On the 2nd of May 1790, the
grand feast was honoured with the presence of the duke of Cumberland, the
Grand Master in the chair; attended by his royal nephews , the Prince of
Wales, and the dukes of York and Clarence, with about five hundred other
brethren. This Grand Assembly confirmed the re-instatment of the members of
the lodge of Antiquity in all their masonic privilages, after an unfortunate
separation of ten years; and among those who were re-instated, the Author of
this treatise had the honour to be included.
On the 2nd of November 1790,
his royal highness the Prince of Wales was elected to the high and important
office of Grand Master of Masons, and was pleased to appoint lord Rawdon (now
earl Moria) Acting Grand Master, who had previously filled that office under
his late royal uncle, on the resignation of the earl of Effingham, who had
gone abroad, having accepted the governorship of Jamaica.
On the 9th of February 1791,
the Grand Lodge resolved, on the motion of lord Petre, that, in testimony of
the high sense of the fraternity entertained of the honour done to the Society
by his royal highness the Prince of Wales's acceptance of the office of Grand
Master, three elegant chairs and candlesticks should be provided for the use
of the Grand Lodge; and at the grand feast in May following, these elegant
chairs and candlesticks were presented to public view; but unfortunately the
Grand Master's indisposition at that time prevented him from honouring the
Society with his presence. Lord Rawdon, however, officiated as proxy for his
royal highness, who was re-elected with the most joyful acclamations.
Sect. 12-
History of Masonry from the Installation of the Prince of Wales as Grand
Master, to the Grand Feast in 1795 inclusive.
At the Grand Feast held at
Freemason's Hall on the 2d of May 1792, his royal highness the Prince of Wales
was installed Grand Master, to the inexpressable joy of the fraternity, in the
presence of his royal brother, the duke of ~York, the right hon. lord Rawdon,
now earl of Moria and above 500 other respectable brethren. The repeated
applause bestowed by the company upon the royal brothers were highly grateful
to their feelings, while the affability and heartfelt satisfaction of the
Grand Master at the head of his brethren were particularly noticed. His
highness performed the duties of his office in a style superior to most of his
predecessors. His observations were clear, acute and distinct; his expression
was fluent, manly and pertinent; and his eulogium on his deceased uncle, the
last Grand Master, pathetic, graceful, and elegant. The compliment he
conferred on earl Moira as Acting Grand Master, was truly masonic; and to all
his Officers, on their appointments, he paid a proper tribute to their
respective merits. In short, during the whole ceremony, his demeanor was
courteous, pleasing and dignified.
An era so important in the
annals of masonry must be recorded with peculiar satisfaction. Under the
auspices of so illustrious a patron, as the heir apparent to the Crown of
Great Britain, the Society must necessarily extend its influences, and the
fraternity derive great encouragement in their zealous endeavours to promote
the principles of the institution. Testimonies of loyality and attachment to
the family on the throne, and to the happy constitution of the country, were
therefore transmitted to hi highness in every quarter. The lodges in town and
country vied with each other in their expressions of duty and affection to the
Grand Master, and in various addresses testified submission and obedience to
the laws, and an ardent will to support that well-regulated form of
government, from which they and their ancestors had derived the invaluable
blessings of liberty, so truly essential to the happiness of his majesty's
subjects in general, and to the propagation of those principles which
distinguish the Craft of masons in particular - universal charity, brotherly
love, and peace.
On the 21st of June, the
brethren in the county of Lincoln transmitted their grateful acknowledgements
to his highness in a column of heart of oak, which was presented by the rev.
William Peters, their Provincial Grand Master. Stimulated by the same motive
several other lodges copied the example; and on the 7th January 1793, the
Freemasons of Cornwall unanimously voted an address to his highness, which was
presented by sir John St Aubyn, their Provincial Grand Master, and most
graciously received. one spirit seemed to animate the whole fraternity, who
joyfully hailed the rising splendour and prosperity of the Craft.
The unhappy dissension which
had brought about the revolution in France, having spread their contagion
among some of the inhabitants of this island, it became necessary to
counteract the measure of a few mistaken individuals, who were endeavour to
sow the seeds of anarchy, and to poison the minds of the people, against his
majesty's government, and the excellent constitution under which they enjoyed
the invaluable blessings of liberty and prosperity. This induced most of the
corporate bodies in the kingdom, and all the true friends of the constitution,
to stem the torrent of opposition, and promote their different departments a
just sense of the advantages enjoyed under the present government. Hence
addresses to the throne were daily presented, with assurances of a
determination to support the measures of administration; and among the rest,
it was deemed proper that the Society of Masons, by adding their mite to the
number, should shew that attachment to the King and Constitution which the
laws of the Order enjoined. Accordingly, on the 6th of February 1793, the
Grand Lodge unanimously resolved, that the following address should be
presented to his Royal Highness; who in compliance with the request of his
brethren, condescended to present it in person to his Royal Parent, by whom it
was most graciously received.
To the
King's Most excellent Majesty
The humble
address of the Grand Lodge of the Ancient Fraternity of Free and Accepted
Masons under the constitution of England.
Most Gracious Sovereign
At a time when nearly the whole
mass of the people anxiously press forward, and offer with one heart, and one
voice, the most animated testimonies of their attachment to your Majesty's
Person and Government, and of their unabated zeal, at this period of
innovation and anarchy in other countries, for the unequaled Constitution of
their own, permit a body of men, Sire, which, though not unknown to the laws,
has been ever obedient to them:- Men who do not yield to any description of
your Majesty's subjects, in the love of their country, in true allegence to
their Sovereign, or in any other of the duties of a good citizen, to approach
you with the public declaration of their political principles. The Times, they
think demand it of them; and they wish not to be among the last, in such
times, to throw their weight, whatever that may be, into the scale of Order,
Subordination, and good Government.
It is written, Sire, in the
Institute of our Order, that we shall not, at our meetings, go into religious
or political discussion; because, composed (as our fraternity is) of men of
various nations, professing different rules of faith, and attached to opposite
systems of government, such discussions, sharpening the mind of man against
his brother, might offend and disunite. A crisis, however, so unlooked for as
a present, justifies to our judgment a relaxation of that rule; and our first
duty as Britons superseding all other considerations, we add, without farther
pause, our voice to that of our fellow-subjects, in declaring one common and
fervent attachment to a government by King, Lords, and Commons, as established
by the glorious revolution of 1688.
The excellence of all human
institutions is comparative and fleeting: positive perfection, or unchanging
aptitude to its object, we know, belongs not to the work of man: but, when we
view the principles of government which have recently obtained in OTHER
NATIONS, and then look upon OUR OWN, we exult in possessing, at this time, the
wisest and best posed system the world has ever known:- a system which affords
EQUAL protection (the only EQUALITY we look for, or that indeed is
practicable) and impartial justice to all.
I may be thought, perhaps, that
being what we are, a private society of men - connected by invisible ties -
professing secrecy, - mysterious in our meetings, - stamped by no Act of
Prerogative, - and acknowledged by no law; we assume a post and hold a
language on this occasion, to which we can urge no legal or admitted right. We
are the free citizens, Sire, of a free state, and number many thousands of our
body. The Heir Apparent of the empire is our Chief, - We fraternize for the
purpose of social intercourse, of mutual affection, of charity to the
distressed, and good will to all; and fidelity to a trust, reverence to the
magistrates, and obedience to the laws, are sculptured in capitals upon the
pediment of our Institution. And let us add, that, pervading as we do, every
class of the community, and every walk of life, and disseminating our
principles wherever we strike root, this address may be considered as
speaking, in epitomes, the sentiments of a people.
Having thus attested our
principles, we have only to implore the Supreme Architect of the Universe,
whose almighty hand hath laid in the deep the firm foundations of this
country's greatness and whose protecting shield hath covered her amidst the
crush of nations, that he will continue to shelter and sustain her. May her
sons be contented and her daughters happy; and may your Majesty - the
immediate instrument of her present prosperity and power. to whom unbiased
posterity shall this inscribed the column:
TO GEORGE, the Friend of the
People and Patron of the Arts, which brighten and embellish life. With your
amiable Queen, and your Royal Progeny, Long, long continue to be the blessing
and the boast of a grateful, happy and united people!
Given , unanimously, in Grand
Lodge, at Freemason's Hall, this 6th day of February, 1793
Signed Rawson, A. G. M.
Counter signed
William White, G. S. Peter
Parker, D.G.M.
For the Grand Master's
attention to the interests of the Society, in presenting the above loyal and
affectionate Address, the Grand Lodge unanimously voted the following Address
To his Royal
Highness the Prince of Wales, Grand Master of the most Ancient and Honourable
Society of Free and Accepted Masons
Most Worshipful and Royal Sir,
Accustomed as we have been,
from the hour in which your name first adorned the roll of our Order, to the
manly vigor of your mind, and the winning benignity of your manners, we did
not look for any event which could raise you in our estimation, or draw you
nearer to our affections. With you at our head, we have seen our reputation
advanced in the opinion of our fellow subjects, our system expand itself ,
and added honour and increasing prosperity lie in unclouded prospect before
us. These things we ascribe to you, Sir, as to their proper source and yet the
silent homage of the heart has been hitherto the only return we have made you.
Such, however, has been the generous alacrity with which your Royal Highness
has offered to present his Majesty the accompanying tribute of our fervent
loyalty to him, and of our unshaken attachment to the Constitution, which
(happily for these nations) at once confirms his position and your
inheritance, and all the rights of all the people, and such the sense we
entertain of the proud distinction you have thus conferred upon our Body. that
it were inconsistent with our honour, we think, as well as irksome to our
feelings to continue longer silent.
Accept then, Royal Sir, our
warmest and most dutiful acknowledgments for your gracious condescension upon
this (to us) most momentous occasion. May he, by whom kings govern and empires
prosper, shower upon your royal parents, yourself, and the whole of your
illustrious line his choice of blessings! May you all long exist in the hearts
of a brave and generous people; and Britain triumphant; her enemies be abased!
Nay her acknowledged superiority, returning peace and the grateful reverence
of rescued nations, perpetuate the fame of her virtues, the influence of her
example, and the weight and authority of her dominion!
By the unanimous order of the
Grand Lodge.
Signed Rawdon A.G.M.
Counter signed William White,
G. S. Peter Parker, D. G. M.
While these proofs of the
prosperity of the Society in England were universally spread throughout the
kingdom, accounts were daily transmitted of the rapid progress of the
Institution in different parts of the world. Many dignified and respectable
characters had enrolled their names among the fraternity, and it is with some
degree of satisfaction, that among then we have to record the name of the
present king of Sweden, who was initiated into the Order at the Grand Lodge of
Stockholm on the 22nd of March 1793, under the auspices of Charles duke of
Sudermainia, regent of the kingdom, who presided as Grand Master on the
occasion.
The brethren in America at this
period also seem to have been no less zealous in expressing a dutiful
attachment to their patrons and protectors; for the Grand Lodge of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts in North America having newly arranged their
Constitutions, transmitted a copy of them to General Washington with the
following Address.
Address of
the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, to their Brother George Washington.
Whilst the historian is
describing the career of your glory, and the inhabitants of an extensive
empire are made happy in your unexampled exertions; whilst some celebrate the
Hero, so distinguished in liberating United America, and other the Patriot who
presides over her councils; a band of brothers, having always joined the
acclamations of their countrymen, now testify their respect for those milder
virtues which have ever graced the man.
Taught by the precepts of our
Society, that all its members stand upon a LEVEL, we venture to assume; this
station, and to approach you with that freedom which diminishes our
diffidence, without lessening our respect. Desirous to enlarge the boundaries
of social happiness, and to vindicate the ceremonies of their Institution,
this Grand Lodge has published "A Book of Constitutions," (and a copy for your
acceptance accompanies this,) which, by discovering the principles that
actuate, will speak the eulogy of the Society, thought they fervently wish the
conduct of its members may prove its highest commendation.
Convinced of his attachment to
its cause, and readiness to encourage its benevolent designs, they have taken
the liberty to dedicate this work to one, the qualities of whose heart, and
the actions of whose life, have contributed to improve personal virtue, and
extend throughout the world the most endearing cordialities; and they humbly
hope he will pardon this freedom, and accept the tribute of their esteem and
homage.
May the Supreme Architect of
the Universe protect and bless you, give you length of days and increase of
felicity in this world, and then receive you the harmonious and exalted
Society in Heaven
John Cutler, G.M. Josiah
Bartlet, S. G. W. Mungo Mackay, J. G. W. Bolton, Dec 27, A. L. 5792
To this Address General
Washington returned the following Answer.
Answer to
the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Massachusetts.
Flattering as it may be to the
human mind, and truly honourable as it is, to receive from our fellow-citizens
testimonies of approbation for exertions to promote the public welfare; it is
not less pleasing to know, that the milder virtues of the heart are highly
respected by a Society whose liberal principles are founded in the immediate
laws of truth and justice.
To enlarge the sphere of social
happiness is worthy, the benevolent design of a Masonic Institution; and it is
most fervently to be wished, that the conduct of every member of the
fraternity, as well as those publications that discover the principles which
actuate them, may tend to convince mankind, that the grand object of Masonry
is to promote the happiness of the human race.
While I beg your acceptance of
my thanks for "the Book of Constitutions" which you have sent me, and for the
honour you have done me in the Dedication, permit me to assure you, that I
feel all those emotions of gratitude which your affectionate Address and
cordial wishes are calculated to inspire; and I sincerely pray hat the Great
Architect of the Universe may bless you here, and receive you hereafter in his
immortal temple.
Geo. Washington.
The extended progress of the
Society in England under the royal auspices, far exceeds that of any former
period; and as the fraternity have increased in numbers; it is but justice to
add that the principles of the Institution seem equally to predominate. The
lodges in general are well regulated, and the masonic Lectures more clearly
understood.
On Monday the 25th of November
1793, the Prince of Wales laid the first stone of the New Chapel at
Brighthelmstone. His Highness was accompanied from the pavilion to the
appropriated place by the Rev. Mr Hudson the vicar, Mr Saunders, Etc. On
coming to the ground, Mr Saunders addressed his royal highness as follows:That,
as constructor of the building the high honour was allotted to him of pointing
out to the Prince the situation where the stone was intended to be placed, and
he respectfully requested that, as Grand Master of the Masons, he would be
pleased to signify if it met his approbation. On receiving an assurance that
it did, the stone, with the following inscription was laid:
"This stone was laid by his
royal highness GEORGE, PRINCE OF WALES, November 25, 1793."
On Mr Saunders covering it with
a plate of metal, he desired leave to say. That however late the period might
be before it was again exposed to the face of day, and he sincerely wished
that it might be a very distant one, he hoped that the descendants of his
royal highness's august family would be found, as now, happily governing a
happy people.
Mr Hudson then respectfully
addressed the Prince, and desired permission to return his most sincere and
grateful thanks to his highness for the honour that day done, not only to him
in particular as the proprietor, but to the town at large; and he hoped that
God would give his blessing to the undertaking those begun, and long preserve
his highness, their majesties, and every branch of the royal family, to
superintend our invaluable, unequaled and long envied Constitution in church
and state.
The day proved fine, and the
acclamations of the surrounding crowd showed how much they were gratified with
such an instance of goodness in the Prince, who, at the same time was both a
resident in, and a protector of, their town and liberties.
The Prince ordered a handsome
distribution to the workmen, Etc.
The promenade gardens were laid
open, and the company entertained with refreshments.
A party of gentlemen dined at
the Castle, and some lines were composed and sung on the occasion.
Among the other masonic
occurrences of the year 1793, it may be proper to mention the publication of a
new periodical Miscellany, entitled The Freemason's Magazine; or, General and
Complete Library: the first number of which appeared in June 1793, and a
number has continued to be published monthly since that time. Independent of
its being a general reposititory for every thing curious and important in
masonry, it contains a choice selection of miscellaneous and literary
articles, well calculated for the purpose of general instruction and
improvement. This Magazine has been honoured with the sanction of the Grand
Lodge, and while it is so ably conducted, will certainly merit the approbation
of the public.
On the 4th of June 1793, the
Shakespeare Lodge at Stratford on Avon was opened and dedicated in solemn
form, in the presence of a numerous assembly of brethren from different
lodges. The ceremony was conducted under the direction of Mr James Timmins,
D.P.G.M. for the county of Warwick.
On the 31st of July 1794, the
Lodge of Apollo at Alcester was constituted in due form in the presence of 121
brethren. At ten in the morning, a procession was made to the church, where a
sermon was preached before the Lodge by the rev. brother Green. After which
the brethren returned to the Hall, when the ceremonies of consecration and
dedication took place, according to ancient usage.
On the 28th of July 1794, the
Royal Brunswick Lodge at Sheffield was also constituted in due form. The
brethren made a very elegant procession to St. James's church, where an
excellent sermon was preached by the rev brother Chadwick; after which the
procession was resumed to the Lodge, when the ceremony of dedication took
place. Several anthems and psalms were sung, and the while was concluded with
a liberal subscription to the poor girls Charity School.
His royal highness the Grand
Master's marriage to Princess Caroline of Brunswick took place on the 8th of
April 1795, when the Grand Lodge on the 15th of April following unanimously
voted the following Address to his royal highness on the occasion:
To his Royal Highness
the Prince of Wales, Grand Master of the most Ancient and Honourable Society
of Free and Accepted Masons under the Constitution of England.
Most Worshipful and Royal Grand
Master.
Upon an event so important to
your own happiness, and to the interests of the British empire, as the late
nuptials of your royal highness, we feel ourselves perculairly bound to
testify our joy, and offer our humble congratulations.
To affect a degree of
gratification superior to that professed by others, when all his majesty's
subjects exhibit such heartfelt satisfaction at the union which you have
formed, would, perhaps, be in us an undue pretension; we cannot, however, but
be proudly conscious, Sir, that we posses a title beyond what any other class
of men can advance, to approach you upon an occasion like the present with a
tender of our particular duty. When your royal highness deigned so far as to
honour the Craft as to accept the trust of presiding over us, the
condescension not only authorised but demanded from all and each of us a
perculiar sensibility to whatever might concern your welfare; and the ties of
brotherhood, with which you invested yourself in becoming one of our number,
entitle us to express, without fear of incurring any charge of presumption,
the satisfaction we feel in contemplating such an accession to the prospects
of the nation, an those of your own felicity. That the interests of your royal
highness and those of the British people may ever continue as strictly united
as we feel them in this most auspicious occurrence, is the warmest with, and,
at the same time, the confident trust, of those who hold it the highest honour
to have your name enrolled in the records of their Institution.
To the obligation, which the
brethren already owe to you, Sir, it will be a material addition, if you will
render acceptable to you royal Consort, the humble homage of our veneration,
and of our prayers for every possible blessing upon your union.
By the unanimous Order of the
Grand Lodge.
Signed Moria, A.G.M.
Counter signed William White,
G. S.
The Right hon. the Earl of
Moira having, at the request of the Grand Lodge, presented the Address to the
Prince of Wales, his Royal Highness was graciously pleased to return the
following Answer.
The Grand Master has received
with great satisfaction the Address of the Craft, which he regards as not
indicating solely their sentiments towards him, but as also repeating those
declarations of devotion to the Sovereign and attachement to the House of
Brunswick, hereforto so becomingly expressed by them.
He has had peculiar pleasure in
explaining to the Princess of Wales their loyal congratulations; and he
desires to convey to the brethren the sincere thanks of the Princess for their
generous wishes.
At the grand feast at
Freemason's Hall on the 13th of May 1795, his royal highness being in the
chair, was accompanied by the duke of Clarence and prince William of
Gloucester, who had been initiated at an occasional lodge convened for the
purpose on the preceding evening. Five hundred brethren were present on this
occasion. Happiness was visible in every countenance while the benevolent
principles of Freemasonry cheered the heart. His royal highness thanked the
brethren for the repeated instances of their attachment and for the
affectionate reception which he had met with; and after expressing his warmest
attachment to the Society, concluded with a handsome compliment to the Acting
Grand Master, earl Moira, whom he styled "the man of his heart, and the friend
he admired" sincerely hoping that e might long live to superintend the
government of the Craft, and extend the noble principles of the Art.
Having thus traced the progress
of Masonry from its early dawn in England to a recent period, I shall conclude
with a sincere wish that an abler hand may prosecute this work; that, the
nature of the institution being more clearly understood, all narrow prejudices
may cease to operate; and that, the universality of the system being firmly
established, the Society at large may be regulated according to its original
principles.
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