the real benefit of this ancient fraternity, provided 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." 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.

By this precaution, the original constitutions were established as the basis of all succeeding masonic jurisdiction in the south of England; and the ancient land-marks, as they are called, or the boundaries set up as checks against innovation, were carefully secured from the attacks of any future invaders. No great progress, however, was made during the administration of Mr. Sayer, only two lodges being constituted, though several brethren joined the old ones. In 1718, Mr. Sayer was succeeded by Mr. George Payne, who collected many valuable manuscripts on the subject of masonry, and earnestly requested, that the fraternity would bring to the grand-lodge, any old writings or records concerning the fraternity, to show the usages of ancient times: and in consequence of this invitation, several old copies of the Gothic constitutions were produced, arranged, and digested. Another assembly and feast were held on the 24th of June, 1719, when Dr. Desaguliers was unanimously elected grand-master. At this feast the old, regular, and peculiar toasts were introduced; and from this time we may date the rise of free-masonry on its present plan, in the south of England. Many new lodges were established, the old ones visited by many masons who had long neglected the craft, and several noblemen initiated into the mysteries. In 1720, however, the fraternity sustained an irreparable loss by the burning of several valuable manuscripts, concerning the lodges, regulations, charges, secrets, &c. (particularly one written by Mr. Nicholas Stone, the warden under Inigo Jones.) This was

done by some scrupulous brethren, who were alarmed at the publication of the masonic constitutions. At a quarterly communication it was this year agreed, that, for the 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.

In the mean time masonry continued to spread in the north as well as the south of England. The general assembly, or grand-lodge at York, continued to meet as usual. Several lodges met in 1705, under the direction of sir John Tempest, baronet, then grand-master; and many persons of worth and character were initiated into the mysteries of the fraternity. The greatest harmony subsisted between the two grand-lodges, and private lodges were formed in both parts of the kingdom under their separate jurisdiction. The only distinction which the grandlodge in the north appears to have retained, is in the title of the Grand Lodge of all England; while the other was only called the Grand Lodge of England. The latter, however, being encouraged by some of the principal nobility, soon acquired consequence and reputation, while the other seemed gradually to decline; but, till within these few years, the authority of the grand-lodge at York, was never challenged; on the other hand, every mason in the kingdom held that assembly in the highest veneration, and considered himself bound by the charges which originated from that assembly. It was the glory and boast of the brethren, in almost every country where masonry was established, to be accounted descendants of the original York masons: and from the universality of the idea that masonry was first established at York, by charter, the masons of England have received tribute from the first states in Europe. At present, however, this social intercourse is abolished, and the lodges in the north and south are almost entirely unknown to one another; and neither the lodges of Scotland nor Ireland, court the correspondence of the grand lodge at London. This is said to have been owing to the introduction of some innovations among the lodges in the south; but for the coolness which subsists between the two grand-lodges another reason is assigned. A few brethren at York, having, on some trivial occason, seceded from

their ancient lodge, they applied to London for a warrant of constitution. Their application was honoured without any inquiry into the merits of the case; and thus, instead of being recommended to the mother-lodge to be restored to favour, these brethren were encouraged to revolt, and permitted, under the sanction of the grand-lodge in 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 has never yet been made up.

The duke of Buccleugh, who, in 1723, succeeded the duke of Wharton as grand-master, first proposed the scheme of raising a general fund for distressed masons. The duke's motion was supported by lord Paisley, colonel Houghton, and a few other brethren; and the grand-lodge appointed a committee to consider of the most effectual means of carrying the scheme into execution. The disposal of the charity was first vested in seven brethren; but this number being found too small, nine more were added. It was afterwards resolved that 12 masters of contributing lodges, in rotation with the grand officers, should form the committee; and by another regulation since made, it has been determined that all past and present grand officers, with the masters of all regular lodges which shall have contributed within 12 months, to the charity, shall be members of the committee. This committee meets four times in the year, by virtue of a summons from the grand-master, or his deputy. The petitions of the distressed brethren are considered at these meetings; and if the petitioner be considered as a deserving object, he is immediately relieved with five pounds. If the circumstances of the case are of a peculiar nature, his petition is referred to the next communication, where he is relieved with any sum the committee may have specified, not exceeding 20 guineas at one time. Thus the distressed have always found ready relief from this general charity, which is supported by the voluntary contributions of different lodges out of their private funds, without being burdensome to any member in the society. Thus has the committee of charity for free masons been established; and so liberal have the contributions been, that though the sums annually expended for the relief of the distressed brethren have, for several years past, amounted to many thousand pounds, there still remains a considerable sum.

The most remarkable events which of late have taken place in the affairs of masonry, are the initiation of Omitul Omrah Bahauder, eldest son of the nabob of the Carnatic, who was received by the lodge of Trichinopoly, in the year 1779. The news being officially transmitted to England, the grand-lodge determined to send a congratulatory letter to his highness on the occasion, accompanied with an apron elegantly decorated, and a copy of the book of Constitutions, superbly bound. The execution of this commission was entrusted to sir John Duy, advocate-general of Bengal; and 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. The letter was written in the Persian language, and inclosed in an elegant cover of cloth of gold, and addressed to the grandmaster and grand-lodge of England. A proper reply was made; and a translation of his highness's letter was ordered to be copied on vellum, and, with the original, elegantly framed and glazed, and hung up in the hall at every public meeting of the society.

After such a long history of the rise and progress of masonry, it must be natural to enquire into the uses of the institution, and for what purpose it has been patronised by so many great and illustrious personages. The profound secrecy, however, in which every thing relating to masonry is involved, prevents us from being very particular on this head. The masons themselves say, in gencral, that it affords relief to the poor and needy, promotes philanthropy, friendship, and morality; and that in propor tion as masonry has been cultivated, the countries have been civilized. How far this can be depended upon, the fraternity themselves best know. Another advantage, however, seems less equivocal, viz. that its signs serve as a kind of universal language, so that by means of them, people of the most distant nations may become acquainted, and enter into friendship with one another. This certainly must be accounted a very important circumstance; and considering the great number which have been, and daily are, admitted to the society, and their inviolable attachment to the art, we must in candour conclude, that it contains something of great importance to mankind at large.

GENERAL REGULATIONS.

The following General Regulations for the Government of the Masonic Craft, are extracted from a work, entitled "The True Ahiman Rezon," compiled and published by Laurence Dermott, Esq. at that time, 1772, R. W. D. G. M. of Ancient York Masons, in England. Much stress having been laid on the opinions of this author, I have judged it proper to insert them at large, leaving the experienced brother to read and compare the sentiments therein contained, with the various regulations by which the Grand and Subordinate Lodges in the respective states are at present governed. Few brethren, after a careful perusal, will hesitate to admit, that they contain the principal foundation on which our stupendous fabric is erected. The author concludes his introductory remarks under the head of a Philacteria, for such gentlemen as may be inclined to become Free Masons, as follows:]

In the first place, when you intend to be made a freemason, go with your friend to the lodge, and desire him to shew you the warrant, or dispensation, by which the lodge is held: that is to say, an instrument printed or written upon parchment, and signed by some noble grand-master, his deputy and grand wardens, and grand secretary, and sealed with their grand lodge scal, &c. constituting and appointing particular persons [therein named] as master and wardens, with full power to congregate and hold a lodge at such a place, and therein make and admit freemasons, according to the most ancient and honourable custom of the royal craft, in all ages and nations throughout the known world, with full power and authority to nominate, chuse and instal their successors. When they produce this authority, or warrant, then call for the bye-laws, and, having seriously perused them, consider whether your natural disposition will incline you to be conformable to them. Next call for the roll, or list of members, where you may find the names of some of your intimate and most esteemed friends, or perhaps the names of such [other of your acquaintances] as you would not chuse to associate with. If these researches prove agreeable, then you may venture to lay down the deposit money, [as it is called] but if they do not produce the grand-master's authority by warrant or dispensation, you are to look upon them not