(17) the Arte of chaunges, the Wey of Wynnynge, the Facultye (18) of Abrac, the Skylle of becommynge gude and parfyghte wythouten the Holpynges of Fere, and Hope; and the Universelle (19) Longage of Maconnes. Quest. Wylle he teche me thay same Artes ? Answ. Ye shalle be techedde yff ye be werthye, and able to lerne. Quest. Dothe alle Macynnes kunne more then odher Menne? Answ. Not so. Thay onlyche haueth recht, and Occasyonne more than odher Meenne to kunne, but many doth fale (17) Arte of Chaunges, I know not what this means, unless it be the transmutation of metals. (18) Facultye of Abrac. Here I am utterly in the dark. (19) Universelle Longage of Maconnes. An universal language has been much desired by the learned of many ages. 'Tis a thing rather to be wished than hoped for. But it seems the Masons pretend to have such a thing among them. If it be true, I guess it must be something like the language of the Pantomimes among the ancient Romans, who are said to be able, by signs only, to express and deliver any oration intelligibly to men of all nations, and languages. A man who has all these arts and advantages, is certainly in a condition to be envied; but we are told that this is not the case with all Masons; for though these arts are among them, and all have a right and an opportunity to know them, yet some want capacity, and others industry to acquire them. However of all their arts and secrets, that which I most desire to know is, The Skylle of becommynge gude and perfyghte, and I wish it were communicated to all mankind, since there is nothing more true than the beautiful sentence contained in the last answer, "that the better men are, the more they love one another." Virtue having in itself something so amiable as to charm the hearts of all that behold it. I know not what effect the sight of this old paper may have upon your Lordship; but for my own part I cannot deny, that it has so much raised my curiosity, as to induce me to enter myself into the fraternity; which I am determined to do (if I may be admitted) the next time I go to London, (and that will be shortly.) I am, my Lord, Your Lordship's most obedient, JOHN LOCKE. yn Capacity, and manye more doth want industrye, thatt ys Pernecessarye for the gaynynge all Kunnynge. Quest. Are Maconnes gudder menne than odhers? Answ. Some Maconnes are nott so Vertuous as some other Menne; but in the moste parte, thay be more gude then thay woulde be yf thay war not Maconnes. Quest. Doth Maconnes love eidther odher myghtylye as beethe sayde? Answ. Yea verylyche, and yt map not odherwyse be: For gude Menne, and true, kennynge eidher odher to be soche, doeth always love the more as thay be more Gude. Here endethe the Questyonnes, and Answeres. A Glossary to explain difficult words in the foregoing. Allein only, alweys alwas, beithe both, commodytye conveniency, confrerie fraternity, faconnynge forming, fore sayinge prophecying, freres brethren, headlye chifly, hem plesethe they please, hemselfe themselves, her there their, hereynne therein, herwyth with it, holpynge beneficial, kunne know, kunnynge knowledge, make gudde are beneficial, metynges measures, mote may, Myddlelonde Mediterranean, myghte power, occasyonne opportunity, oder or, onelyche only, pernecessarye absolutely necessary, preise honour, recht right, reckenyngs numbers, sonderlyche particularly, skylle knowledge, wacksynge growing, werck operation, wey way, whereas where, woned dwelt, wunderwerkynge working miracles, wylde savage, wynnynge gaining, ynn into. POETRY. [We exhibit the following picture of one of the worthiest of our friends, with great pleasure. The fidelity of the likeness must be acknowledged by all who are acquainted with the original.] EPITAPH ON A LIVING CHARACTER-IN THE MANNER OF GOLDSMITH. Here lies our queer friend with a grave solemn phiz, That none could help laughing, though cursing his wit. And Homer-like sung of a terrible fight; But deuce take his fancy so low it descended, That the Muse with the subject was justly offended. While industriously anxious for wealth, he ne'er spent it, A fellow so curious sure ne'er lived before, Both the grave and the gay his sad loss will deplore. Adieu then friend " tho' thy faults were not few, Yet chiefly from careless good-nature they grew. True friendship can never exist with a throng, LINES ADDRESSED TO MISS BY HER MOTHER, WHILE ABSENT WITH A DISTANT FRIEND. Once more I'll touch the long neglected lyre, And thou, Eliza, fondly shalt peruse. Though well I know a mother's fondest care, To check thy errors and thy virtues guide. Just stepping now on life's precarious stage, While Hope's bright finger points to prospects gay. When from the East the bright Aurora glows, Nor let thy hours pass unimproved along, Be thine the joy, the satisfaction thine, Which flows from innocence and spotless truth; When sage Experience tells the tale, For all may feel misfortune's rigid sway. Where fortune smiles, look not with envious eye, With meek respect address the aged form, Let affectation have thy utmost scorn, But know, my child, within thy youthful breast, Banks of the Susquehanna, April 20. ADVICE TO A FRIEND. Gaze not, my friend, on Celia's eye Now, while thou canst the danger fly, The warrior feels it, and he dies. ELVIRA. |