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try and natural history, and also believed in the immortality of the soul. They had an Arch-Druid in each nation, who held sufficient authority to convene the others at pleasure, or whenever the general good required counsel. And it was their uni form practice, on receiving any youth under their instructions, to retire to some remote place, where he was duly taught their mysteries. These circumstances are calculated to induce every person to believe, certain mysteries, unknown to the people in general, were attached to their ceremonies.

Pythagoras is considered to have been the founder of those institutions of the Druids, and as he was ever thought to have been a Mason, we have strong circumstantial reasons to believe something of Masonry was known to the Druids. Masonry therefore, might have existed amongst the ancient Britons and Gauls, previous to their having been conquered by the Romans. However this may be, we find no country in which it has flourished to that degree, or been productive of greater good to mankind than on the island of Great Britain. In consequence, however, of those various

* Harris's Encyclopædia, vol. 2-and other Histories of the Druids.

struggles between the Picts and Scots, the Britons, Saxons and Danes, Masonry was not extensively cultivated until about five hundred and fifty years after the commencement of the Christian era. About that time, St. Austin, with a number of brethren came from Italy to England, where they devoted their time and talents, exclusively, to the interests of Christianity and Masonry. At this time St. Austin presided, in person, in laying the foundations of several important buildings.

In the year six hundred and twenty-six, king Athelstan summoned all the brethren of the kingdom to attend a general meeting; he then granted them a charter, and established a Grand Lodge, which has continued, by succession, until the present day. Hence arose the ancient York Masons. In consequence of this high patronage many of the nobility immediately came forward, and were united to the society.

In the year six hundred and ninety, Edgar became a distinguished patron of the order. In eight hundred and ninety-six, Alfred the great, having expelled the Danes from his kingdom, became a zealous and hearty encourager of Masonry. Such was his attachment to the Order, that he appropriated one seventh part of his revenue to promote the Institution.

In one thousand and sixty-six the tower of London, the palace and hall of Westminster, and London bridge were begun under the joint patronage of the bishop of Rochester and the earl of Shrewsbury, both of whom were distinguished Masons. During the reigns of Henry I. and Stephen, the Order was liberally patronised by the crown; and the chapel at Westminster, the house of commons and many other magnificent edifices were erected. In the reign of Edward III. lodges became numerous, and Masonry highly honourable. Richard II. and Henry IV. V. and VI. devoted much of their time to promote the respecfability and usefulness of the Society. Henry VI. however, was a most virulent enemy, during the former part of his reign; but his prejudices having in a measure subsided, he was initiated, in fourteen hundred and forty-two, and, thenceforward, was as eminent for his attachment, as before for his enmity.

James I. of Scotland, honoured the lodges with his royal presence, often presided in person, and actually settled an annual revenue of an English noble, to be paid to every Master Mason in Scotland.

On the twenty-fourth of June, fifteen hundred and two, Henry VII. formed a grand lodge in his palace, proceeded in

great splendour to the east end of Westminster abbey, and, with his own hand, laid the first stone in that excellent and much admired building.

During the reign of James I. of England, men of literature came from all parts of Europe, and attended the lodges in England, as seminaries where the arts and sciences were properly taught.

Charles I. the successor of James, assembled the brethren, and, in person, laid the corner stone of St. Paul's cathedral, with great solemnity.

Sir Christopher Wren surpassed all who had gone before him, in his constant and indefatigable exertions to promote Ma

sonry.

After the great fire in London, in sixteen hundred and sixty-six, the Masons had abundant employ to display their skill, and a multitude of objects on whom to bestow their charity.

Thus we find that Masonry has probably existed in England since the time the Druids received their instructions fromPythagoras, about five hundred years before Christ. And not to speak of what has transpired in more modern times, yet, from the expulsion of the Danes, by Alfred the great, in eight hundred and ninety-six, till William III. in sixteen hundred and nine

ty-five, more than one hundred publc buildings of the first importance, were either founded and completed, rebuilt or repaired, under the immediate superintendence and direction of the Masonic order.* Amongst this number, the following kinds are the most important, viz. colleges, chapels, towers, palaces, cathedrals, monasteries, churches, abbeys, nalls, bridges, and the house of commons of England.

After the great fire in London, in sixteen hundred and sixty-six, the whole plan of the new city was committed to Sir Christopher Wren, then Grand Master of England. The plan on which that excellent Mason designed the city should be rebuilt, although admirably calculated for health, convenience and elegance, was unfortunately disapproved by the citizens, in consequence of their enthusiastic, superstitious attachment to their former local situations. Thus the most favourable opportunity was lost of rendering that city the ornament of the world.*

By these brief remarks, we may see in what manner, and by whom, Masonry has been patronised in England. Men of the highest rank, in state and church, have been its most active encouragers. Kings have

* See Britannica Encyclopædia, first Amer. edition, vol. x.

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