committed many valuable manuscripts to the flames concerning ancient usages, regulations of Lodges, charges, and secrets, - particularly one written by Nicolas Stone, who was Grand Warden to Inigo Jones,-lest they should fall into the hands of our friends, and be submitted to public inspection in a printed form.

"At one of our Lodges, when this design was in progress, Bro. Payne expressed his indignation at the superlative folly of these misguided Brothers in no measured language; and it was seriously debated whether it would not be expedient, for the purpose of preventing a repetition of the offence, to move a vote of censure against them in the ensuing Grand Lodge for contempt. This was decided in the negative, as it was considered to be inquisitorial, and alien to the general design of Masonry, for the Grand Lodge to interfere with the disposal of private property.

"It was agreed, however, at the same Lodge, that the R. W. Master, Dr. Desaguliers, should move that the ancient office of Stewards be revived to assist the Grand Wardens in preparing for the feast, and in other things appertaining to the annual general assembly of Masons. Bro. Desaguliers accordingly proposed the appointment of twelve Brethren for those purposes; and the motion was unanimously agreed to. At the same Grand Lodge it was reported by the committee that they had perused Bro. Anderson's manuscript containing the History of Masons, the Charges, Regulations, and

Masters' Song; and, after some amendments, had approved of it. In consequence of this favourable report, the Brethren requested the Grand Master to order it to be published; and its appearance produced a wonderful impression on the public mind, and insured the triumph of the Craft.3

"At a Grand Lodge in the same year, the Duke of Buccleugh, G. M., seconded by Dr. Desaguliers, proposed a scheme for raising a fund for the relief of distressed Brethren, and a committee was appointed on the spot to consider what would be the most effectual means of carrying it into execution. This was the origin of the Fund of Benevolence, for which the Fraternity are indebted to the amiable disposition, coupled with the indefatigable exertions of Bro. Desaguliers; and the operation of the project proved so beneficial to the general interests of the Order, that it was publicly announced in Grand Lodge, that ingenious men of all faculties and stations, being now convinced that the cement of the Lodge was love and friendship, earnestly requested to join the Society, which soon flourished in harmony, reputation, and numbers. Noblemen and gentlemen of the highest rank,-learned men, merchants, and clergymen, found in the Lodge a safe and pleasant relaxation from intense study, or the hurry of business, without any intermixture of politics and

3 "The Constitutions of Freemasonry; containing the History, Charges, Regulations, &c. of that most Ancient and Right Worshipful Fraternity. For the Use of the Lodges:" London, printed by Will. Hunter, for John Senex and John Hooke,

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parties.' New Lodges were constituted, which the Grand Master and his deputy visited in person, and found in them a peaceful asylum, free from the turmoils and disputes by which all other societies were characterised and deformed.

"But I can assure you, sir, that the opponents of Freemasonry, although at their wit's end, were determined not to die without a struggle.5 They circulated all manner of ridiculous reports about the practices of Masons in Tyled Lodges, which were thus commented on by a Brother who was a member of our Lodge, in an address to the R. W. M., when the subject was mooted in open Lodge. I cannot recollect the whole of his speech; but he said, amongst other acute observations, which excited the unfeigned applause of the members: Though we envy not the prosperity of any society, nor meddle with their transactions and characters, we have not met with such fair treatment from others; nay, even those that never had an opportunity of obtaining any certain knowledge of us, have run implicitly

4 Not only in this country but on the continent, and these latter unfortunately became a fruitful source of innovation. In 1725 the Chevalier Ramsay introduced his Royal Arch and other manufactured degrees into a Lodge, under an English warrant held in the Rue de Boucheries at Paris, which was presided over by Lord Derwentwater; where they were practised as legitimate Masonry. Ramsay tried to introduce them into this country, but failed. See more of this in the Hist. Landmarks, vol. ii. Lect. xxv. Part I. p. 32.

5 They published about this time, "Observations and Critical Remarks on the new Constitutions of the F.M., written by James Anderson, etc."-London, 1725.

with the cry, and, without fear or wit, have vented their spleen in accusing and condemning us unheard -untried; while we, innocent and secure within, laugh only at their gross ignorance and impotent malice. Have not people in former ages, as well as now, alleged that Freemasons in their Lodges raise the devil in a circle, and when they have done with him, that they lay him again with a noise or a hush, as they please? How have some of our maligners diverted themselves with the wild story of an old woman between the rounds of a ladder !

Others

will swear to the cook's red-hot iron or salamander for marking an indelible character on the new-made Mason, in order to give him the faculty of taciturnity. Sure such blades will beware of coming through the fingers of the Freemasons?

"Not contented with having circulated these ricavoce calumnies," the Square continued, "pamphlets began to fly about in every form, denouncing the proceedings of Masonry; and several newspapers of

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6 In 1724, a year after the appearance of the new Book of Constitutions, we have the following pretended revelation of its secrets :- "The Grand Mystery of Free-Masons discovered; wherein are the several Questions put to them at their Meetings and Installations: as also their Oath, Health, Signs, and Points to know each other by. As they were found in the Custody of a Free-Mason who dyed suddenly; and now published for the Information of the Publick:" London, printed for J. Payne, near Stationers' Hall. Folio. Price Sixpence. To the second edition were annexed "Two Letters to a Friend." The first concerning the Society of Freemasons; the second giving an account of the Gormagons. London, printed for A. Moore, 1725. Folio. Price One Shilling. The fraternity will thank me for presenting them with the introduction to this catch

the day joined in the cry, for it contributed materially to the sale of the sheet. Are you aware, sir, what very poor productions these periodicals were ?Do not speak! Well, then, I'll tell you. They consisted of two leaves of pot paper, and were dreadfully stupid;-barren, sir, very barren of news; and therefore the present popularity of Masonry was a godsend ; and the writers did not fail to improve the occasion by inventing any sort of nonsense, which they nicknamed the doings of Masonry in secret Lodges ; and the more ridiculous the imputation, the greater was the demand for the paper. Danvers, a writer in the Craftsman,' so far exceeded his fellowjournalists in absurdity, as to have written a prosy

penny, as it will show how coarsely the enemies of Masonry endeavoured to accomplish their ends. "There was a man at Louvaine who proclaimed that he had, with great toil and difficulty, overcome and tamed, and was ready at his booth to show, at the rate of six stivers a-piece, that most hideous and voracious monster, the common disturber of mankind, especially in their adversity. People flocked from all parts to see this monster. They went in at the fore door, and after they had seen the creature, went out at the back door, where they were asked whether the monster were worth seeing? But as they had, at their admittance, promised to keep the secret, they answered that it was a very wonderful creature. By some accident, however, it was divulged that this wonderful creature was a Louse !!!"

7 Some of these amusing periodicals were called "The Daily Post," "The British Plaindealer," "The Daily Journal," "Thə Post Boy," in which it is asserted that "the Freemasons put out a sham discovery to invalidate their revelations; but the only genuine discovery is in 'The Post Boy' and 'The Flying Post.'