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Article ANCIENT MASONS' MARKS. ← Page 3 of 9 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ancient Masons' Marks.
times against the Turks . A statue of our Lady of Victory is still to be seen on her proper pedestal , sword in hand , in the centre of an open space ( it is the only one ) in the Citta Vittoriosa . Facing the quay is a long line of building , —the Admiralty and naval victualling-yard . Our feet are again on terra firmaand our name is . We look at the
, up newly-finished pedimented archway , bearing above the Royal arms , and one glance assures us of our name , the proprietor of the victualling-yard , and the purposes thereof ; for on the projecting keystone of the arch is wrought in strong relief a bull ' s head , armed ; not learned in matters concerning the bovine racewe not to decide whether he represents
, presume Teesdale , or the old white Caledonian bull . Steps , as is the wont of this rock city , again present themselves , —mount , mount , mount , not an easy Gradns ad Parnassum . We are - encompassed by churches , and such bell-ringing , —it might have been useful in by-gone days , when dissonant tones from
consecrated bells were supposed to drive away the Prince of Darkness , when enthroned in the thunder-cloud he impiously launched the bolts of Heaven upon the dwelling of the sons of men * but now , in these days of constitution-mongering and Electro-Biology , marvels ana Mesmerism , it is—hut our indignation has evaporated . We have gained the summit of
the ascent , one street is traversed , three archways , one fosse , and _ drawbridge passed ( one of our failings is , being thus particular ) , a level space is before us , and two minutes more finds us inspecting the walls of Verdala , part of the inner Cottonera lines . The walls , as we see them at present , having been meant to form the inner face of a fort which was never
completed , the stones on the inner side of the rampart are unwrought , excepting at particular places , where even on completion of the works they would be exposed to sight . Pass through the archway into the dry fosse , and turn to the right , the path then is clear . The following are among the most frequent marks to be met with :
^ X / VW ^/^ X ^ VK But stones are proverbially dry , and the dust therefrom is pernicious ; a short , and not unpleasant walk brings us into close contact with a youthful and ardent band of cricketers , who have for the nonce forsworn broad cloth and adopted flannel . The occasion is a happy one , the meeting merry ; luncheon is but just numbered as among the things that were ; - —your countenance falls at the announcement , like the baro-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ancient Masons' Marks.
times against the Turks . A statue of our Lady of Victory is still to be seen on her proper pedestal , sword in hand , in the centre of an open space ( it is the only one ) in the Citta Vittoriosa . Facing the quay is a long line of building , —the Admiralty and naval victualling-yard . Our feet are again on terra firmaand our name is . We look at the
, up newly-finished pedimented archway , bearing above the Royal arms , and one glance assures us of our name , the proprietor of the victualling-yard , and the purposes thereof ; for on the projecting keystone of the arch is wrought in strong relief a bull ' s head , armed ; not learned in matters concerning the bovine racewe not to decide whether he represents
, presume Teesdale , or the old white Caledonian bull . Steps , as is the wont of this rock city , again present themselves , —mount , mount , mount , not an easy Gradns ad Parnassum . We are - encompassed by churches , and such bell-ringing , —it might have been useful in by-gone days , when dissonant tones from
consecrated bells were supposed to drive away the Prince of Darkness , when enthroned in the thunder-cloud he impiously launched the bolts of Heaven upon the dwelling of the sons of men * but now , in these days of constitution-mongering and Electro-Biology , marvels ana Mesmerism , it is—hut our indignation has evaporated . We have gained the summit of
the ascent , one street is traversed , three archways , one fosse , and _ drawbridge passed ( one of our failings is , being thus particular ) , a level space is before us , and two minutes more finds us inspecting the walls of Verdala , part of the inner Cottonera lines . The walls , as we see them at present , having been meant to form the inner face of a fort which was never
completed , the stones on the inner side of the rampart are unwrought , excepting at particular places , where even on completion of the works they would be exposed to sight . Pass through the archway into the dry fosse , and turn to the right , the path then is clear . The following are among the most frequent marks to be met with :
^ X / VW ^/^ X ^ VK But stones are proverbially dry , and the dust therefrom is pernicious ; a short , and not unpleasant walk brings us into close contact with a youthful and ardent band of cricketers , who have for the nonce forsworn broad cloth and adopted flannel . The occasion is a happy one , the meeting merry ; luncheon is but just numbered as among the things that were ; - —your countenance falls at the announcement , like the baro-