THE

HISTORY

OF

FREE MASONRY.

WHEN men are in a state of barbarity, and

are scattered over the surface of a country in small and independent tribes, their wants are as small in magnitude, as they are few in number. It is in the power, therefore, of every individual, to perform, for himself and his family, every work of labour which necessity or comfort requires; and while, at one time, he equips himself for the chace or the combat, at another, he is rearing a habitation for his offspring, or hollowing his canoe to surmount the dangers of the sea. But as soon as these tribes associate together, for the purposes of mutual protection and comfort, civilization advances apace; and,

in the same proportion, the wants and desires of the community increase. In order to gratify these, the ingenuity of individuals is called forth; and those, who, from inability or indolence, cannot satisfy their own wants, will immediately resort to the superior skill of their neighbours. Those members of the community, who can execute their work with the greatest elegance and celerity, will be most frequently employed; and, from this circumstance, combined with the principle of emulation, and other causes, that distinction of professions will arise, which is found only among nations considerably advanced in civilization and refinement.

ONE of the first objects of man, in a rude state, is to screen himself and his family from the heat of the tropic sun, from the inclemency of the polar regions, or from the sudden changes of more temperate climates. If he has arrived at such a degree of improvement, as to live under the dominion of a superior, and under the influence of religious belief, the palace of his King, and the temple of his Gods, will be reared in the most magnificent stile, which his skill can devise, and his industry accomplish*, and decked with those false ornaments, which naturally catch the eye of unpolished men. From that principle, which impels the lower orders to imitate the magnificence

* Robertson's America, vol. 2. page 316.

magnificence and splendour of their superiors, a foundation will be laid for improvement in the art of building; and it is extremely probable, from the circumstances, which have been mentioned, as well as from others, which the slightest reflection will suggest, that architecture will be the first profession, to which men will exclusively devote their attention; and for which they will be trained by an established course of preparatory edu

cation.

Nor is it from this ground only, that Masonry derives its superiority as a separate profession. While many other arts administer to our luxury and pride, and gratify only those temporary wants and unnatural desires which refinement has rendered necessary, the art of building can lay claim to a higher object. The undertakings of the architect, not only furnish us with elegant and comfortable accommodation from the inclemency of the seasons, from the rapacity of wild beasts, and the still more dangerous rapacity of man; they contribute also to the ornament and glory of nations, and it is to them that we are indebted for those fortresses of strength, which defend us from the inroads of surrounding enemies. Nor can the works of the architect be ranked among those objects which furnish amusement and accommodation for a few years, or at most during the short term of human life; they descend unimpaired from generation to generation; they acquire

A 2

acquire additional grandeur and value from an increase of age; and are the only specimens of human labour which, in some measure, survive the revolutions of kingdoms, and the waste of time. The splendid remains of Egyptian, Grecian, and Roman architecture, which, in every age, have attracted the attention of the learned, and excited the astonishment of the vulgar, are standing monuments of the ingenuity and power of man; and, in ages yet to come, they will reflect a dignity on the art of building, to which no other profession can arrogate the slightest claim.

BUT there is still another consideration, which entitles architecture to a decided pre-eminence among the other arts. It is itself the parent of many separate professions; and requires a combination of talents, and an extent of knowledge, for which other professions have not the smallest occasion. An acquaintance with the sciences of geometry, and mechanical philosophy, with the arts of sculpture and design, and other abstruse and elegant branches of knowledge, are indispensible requisites in the education of an architect; and raise his art to a vast height above those professions, which practice alone can render familiar, and which consist in the mere exertion of muscular force. It appears, then, from these considerations, that there is some foundation, in the very nature of architecture, for those.

extraordinary privileges, to which Masons have always laid claim, and which they have almost always possessed---privileges, which no other artists could have confidence to ask, or liberty to enjoy; and there appears to be some foundation for that ancient and respectable order of Free Masons, whose origin, we are now to investigate, and whose progress we are soon to detail.

BUT, that we may be enabled to discover Free Masonry under those various forms, which it has assumed in different countries, and at different times, before it received the name which it now bears, it will be necessary to give a short description of the nature of this institution, without developing those mysteries, or revealing those ceremonial observances which are known only to the brethren of the order.

FREE MASONRY is an ancient and respectable institution, embracing individuals of every nation, of every religion, and of every condition in life. Wealth, power, and talents are not necessary to the person of a Free Mason. An unblemished character, and a virtuous conduct, are the only qualifications which are requisite for admission into the Order. In order to confirm this institution, and attain the ends for which it was originally formed, every candidate must come under a solemn engagement never to divulge the mysteries and ceremonies of the Order, nor communicate to

the