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the Englishman, in the completion of the choir of Canterbury cathedral, in the year 1179.

At the commencement of the next century, we may consider the Fraternity to have been consolidated in England, as it had been for some years previously both in Germany and France. Beside the abbey church of Westminster, there were not a few sumptuous and extensive ecclesiastical structures, which, at that time were making a contemporary progress. Authors maintain distinct opinions as to the priority of the German schools, from whence it is contended that the Master-Masons, with their confreres, or operatives, have emigrated into France and Italy. Certain it is, that several architects were employed in both those

scurity in the expressions and terms used, and a substitution of one for the other in their description of any great building. We must not, however, allow the claim of the Masons of Cologne and Strasburgh to supersede the French and Italian establishments, with respect to more than priority.

*It is evident that the founders were eager to employ these scientific men upon their arrival in England in a sufficient number. The only persons connected with the building of Salisbury and Westminster were Elias de Berham and Robertus Cæinentarius. Leland. Itin. volume iii. page 60. A writ was likewise directed, "Magistro Johanni de Gloucester, cœmiterio suo, et custodibus operationum de Westminster." Fitz Otho Aurifex, a German, was likewise employed not as an architect but as a carver.-Walpole's Anecdotes, last edition.

+There were two great colleges in Germany, one at Cologne and the other at Strasburgh. Grandidier, in his manual relating to the last mentioned cathedral, attributes the origin of that Masonry to the erection of that celebrated edifice by Irwin von Steinbach, in the thirteenth century. All the German Lodges, when established, considered Strasburgh as their common parent, and their original statutes are preserved there. The celebrated Hammer, of Vienna, asserts them to be contemporary with the Knights Templars." I defy all the Masons of England, France, Germany, or Scotland-even those who have attained to the highest degrees in the society, to prove as much, in spite of Hiram and the temple of Solomon, and in spite of Phaleg and the tower of Babel. The Cathedrals of Vienna, Cologne, and Lanshut, were all of them being built at the same time. I believe that the tower of Strasburgh is a more sensible and certain monument of the origin of the society, than the brazen columns of Jachin and Boaz." This chivalrous challenge is given by an anonymous author, in a letter affixed to Grandidier's Essais sur la Cathedrale de Strasburgh, 1782, 8vo. Notwithstanding that this period is so peremptorily fixed as to the confraternities, it is certain that individual German architects were employed in other countries-as Zamodia (Tedesco) at Pisa; Lapo, or Jacopo, at Arezzo, 1240; and John and Simon of Cologne, who built the cathedral of Burgos in Spain. The French strenuously contest the claim of the Germans, nor do I find the record of any of their architects who were employed in France or England, excepting Enguerand, or Ingelramme, the Master-Mason of the cathedral of Rouen, 1244, and of the second abbey of Bec, in Normandy. "The vaults of many very large churches are only from nine to ten inches thick; and the outer walls, though more than sixty feet high, are frequently but two feet thick." Moller. - A more complete proof of their consummate skill and proficiency need not be given. Previously to the commencement of Westminster Abbey, Henry III. is said to have had consultations with mauy Master-Masons-" convocati sunt artifices Franci et Angli" T. Walsingham, X. Script-Upon the introduction of these artificers, the building of the following cathedrals was going on almost simultaneously: Wells, 1212-1230; Salisbury, 1220; Worcester, 1218-1230; Peterborough facade, 1233-1246; Litchfield, 1235; Durham, 1230; Ely, 1235; Lincoln, 1240; York, 1227. Many of the largest and most sumptuous buildings and abbey churches were likewise contemporary. For such works a great number of these Fraternities were indispensable.

countries, and perhaps before their own countrymen, both in point of time and preference. The style denominated "The Teutonic, or German," was the invention of this bold and very highly scientific order of architecture, which may be referred to those chosen and selected artists, who have shown themselves, in repeated instances, great mathematicians, and perfectly skilled in mechanics; and who, on assured principles of science, executed some of the boldest and most astonishing works which were ever erected by man.

It has been observed by a celebrated modern architect, that "the incorporation of Masons, in the thirteenth century, may have finally brought the pointed arch to that consistency and perfection to which it had not then attained."t

Two principal Colleges were formed at Strasburgh and at Cologne, by the Master-Masons of those stupendous cathedrals, who at that period assumed, and were allowed a jurisdiction over all inferior societies, wherever they exercised their Craft. In these Conventions regulations were formed, which were religiously preserved under the strong sanction of good faith and secrecy. They were probably very numerously attended, at least by Master-Masons; and as all communications relative to their art were delivered orally, the subordinate associates had only the experience which the practice afforded them of applying the principles thus detailed. A difficulty occurs, if it be considered that none but oral instruction was given even to the Master-Masons, how to account for plans and working drawings which have been preserved in the archives of so many of the foreign cathedrals. We know the cause of their destruction in England.

It has been asserted that in the early part of the thirteenth century, “THE COLLEGES OF MASONS," in every country of Europe where they had assembled themselves received the blessing of the Holy See, under an injunction of dedicating their skill to the erection of ecclesiastical buildings; and that certain immunities were conceded to them, such as forming themselves into small and migratory societies, under the government of a MASTER of the Craft, with the privilege of

*Dibdin's Tour, v. iii. Strasburgh.

+Archaelogia, vol. xxiii. essay by R. Smirke.

#Bishop Lucy, for building his cathedral in 1202, instituted a confraternity of workmen to endure for five years. Milner's History of Winchester, vol. ii. p. 14. 4to.-As a fact which has not been questioned, the first complete example of the Gothick style in England is De Lucy's addition to Winchester cathedral in 1202. It has been remarked by Whittington in his Essay "That from the first rise of Gothick in the twelfth, to its completion in the fifteenth century, the improvements are owing to the munificence of the Church, and the vast abilities of the Freemasons, in the Middle Ages. These scientific persons have great claim to our admiration, from the richness and fertility of their inventive powers. By them the eastern style was transplanted into the west; and under them, it was so much altered and amplified, that it assumed an entirely new appearance." Did they accompany the Croisaders, and learn the Arab architecture for the purpose of adopting it upon their return?" These immense works produced a host of artificers, out of whom, in imitation of the confraternities, which for various purposes had existed from ancient times, companies were formed, academies, schools, and bodies were established. An oath of secrecy was administered to the noviciates; a veil of mystery pervaded their meetings, which, in an age when many were ig norant, conferred importance. Such institutions, in the infancy of science, were siugularly beneficial. By their efforts new lights were elicited, and valuable discoveries extensively diffused."-Gunn on Gothick Architecture, p. 60. Muratori, Disc. 75.

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taking apprentices, who, after a due initiation, became FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.* But it is certain that such a papal rescript or document has been industriously sought for in the Vatican library, and without success. If this indulgence took place in the first half of the thirteenth century, as it is said to have done, there were three popes before 1250.

Some writers on the subject have claimed for these fraternities a close connexion with the Knights Templars,† from the similarity which is presumed to have subsisted with respect to both, of their mysterious rites of initiation. Be that as it may, it is allowed that they came into England nearly at one and the same time. Nor is there decided proof of their alliance, but a great resemblance in their mysterious pretensions. Exclusion was imperatively ordained by both, as the sure guardian of mystery. They adopted the anathema of Eleusis, "Protul! O procul este prophani!”

Yet, in candor, we may allow the assertion, that these secret meetings of the Master-Masons, within any particular district, did not foster political objects, but were, in fact, confined to consultations with each other, which mainly tended to the communication of science, and of improvement in their art. An evident result was seen in the general uniformity of their designs in architecture, with respect both to plan and ornament, yet not without deviations.

We may conclude that the Craft or mystery of architects and operative Masons was involved in secrecy, by which a knowledge of their practice was carefully excluded from the acquirement of all who were not enrolled in their Fraternity. Still it was absolutely necessary that when they engaged in contracts with bishops, or patrons of the great ecclesiastical buildings, a specification should be made of the component parts, and of the terms by which either contracting party should be rendered conversant with them. A certain nomenclature was then divulged by the Master-Masons for such a purpose, and became in general acceptation in the middle ages.

[To be continued.]

KNIGHTS OF CHRIST.

THE Queen of Portugal has lately conferred the commandership of the Order of Christ upon the Duke of Sotomayor. This Order is the direct continuation of the Order of the Temple, having merely undergone the transmutation of name, at the time of the suppression of the Templars. In old documents, indeed, the Templars are as often designated as the soldiers of Christ as of the Temple, and the terms are frequently conjoined; so that the alteration was not a very violent one. It is now a mere honorary title, though some emoluments are understood to accompany the higher commands, accruing from the remnant of property yet preserved in the Order. The whole, however, is under the exclusive patronage of the crown of Portugal.

*Wren's Parentalia. Archaelogia, vol. iv. 150; vol. ix, 110-126. Shakspeare has an accurate idea of a Master-Mason: "Chief architect and plotter," i. e. the layer of the foundation.

†The Knights Templars in the east gave constant employment to several thousands of these Masons in the erection of fortifications, &c.-Ed. Mag.

VAGRANTS AND IMPOSTORS.

We have frequently taken occasion to caution our Brethren against the impositions of a class of vagrants who are roaming through the country, relying upon the charity of the Lodges, and individual Masons, for means of support. They generally represent themselves as coming from a distant place, and as on their way to some relatives or friends at another place equally distant in an opposite direction; and they ask for the means to carry them forward. This would be well enough, and a proper case for the exercise of charity, if the story was true; but in a large proportion of these cases the representations are false, and the persons making them, impostors. We are personally knowing to instances of this kind, and have occasionally exposed them. We have also personally suffered several times in lending money, under a promise that it should be returned immediately on the borrower's reaching his destination; but have never, in a single instance, realized the promise thus given. We may hereafter publish some of them, in the form of due bills, for the benefit of others. In the mean time, we again caution our Lodges and Brethren,―never to turn away, unrelieved, a worthy Brother needing their assistance, but to be on their guard against vagrants and impostors, even though they may have sometime or other been admitted to Masonic privileges.

Since writing the above, we have received the following letter, and in compliance with the request of the Lodge, give it publicity, that the Lodges may have the means of protecting themselves in future against the impositions of the person referred to:

Hartford, Nov. 9th, A. L. 5848.

BR. MOORE:-By direction of St. John's Lodge, No. 4, of the city of Hartford, and under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the State of Connecticut, I hereby inform you, and through your valuable Magazine desire to inform our Brethren generally, that one Dr. W. H. Hodgdon, a Botanic Physician, hailing from Aurora Lodge, East Thomaston, State of Maine, in January last, called on the Worshipful Master of St. John's Lodge, and borrowed $10, under a solemn promise to return the same within ten days-which promise he has not fulfilled, although he has been followed from one town to another, with requests to fulfil his engagements. He also procured from other Brethren in this city and State direct charities, under the plea of destitution-and wishing the money to get home with; but instead of going directly home he took an opposite direction, begging of Brethren of the different Orders in the Masonic Fraternity. This is therefore to apprize Brethren generally of the foraging disposition of the said Dr. W. H. Hodgdon, and to put them upon their guard against his further impositions. E. GEER, Secretary.

We know nothing more of the above than is communicated by our correspondent. But it is by no means an isolated or rare case. Similar impositions are almost constantly occurring, and we are informed that one of the above class of persons was recently in this city. He called on the Secretary of the Masonic Board of Relief, and received a proper rebuke and dismissal!

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THE above is an accurate view of the proposed National Monument to Washington and the Patriots of the Revolution. This noble structure is to be located on the banks of the Potomac, near the spot where the Smithsonian Institute is building, west of the Capitol, and about midway between it and the President's house. The corner stone was laid by the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, on the 4th day of July last. A full account of the ceremonies observed on the occasion, was given in this Magazine for August, to which the reader is referred.

"The most prominent and imposing object of the proposed structure," says the

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