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Article A CENTURY OF FREEMASONRY. ← Page 6 of 10 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Century Of Freemasonry.
these outward changes in the appearance of the house , a great number of footmen and equipages , as well belonging to citizens as to the nobility , together with public vehicles , were remarked in the square before the house . The commissary ordered the assemblage , for whom there were fifty covers provided , to disperse ; upon which these persons declared ' that they had no intention of doing anything wrong . ' He then interrogated Chapelot ,
who excused himself by affecting ignorance of the objects of the meeting ,-had he known them , he said , he would not have admitted them . Still he did not appear in court , and was condemned to 1 , 000 livres fine , and deprivation of license for six months . "
It seems , hoAvever , that even on this occasion the affair was not directed especially against the Freemasons , but it Avas prompted rather by the consideration that the persons had assembled " contrary and against the express ordinances of the kingdom , and the decrees of the Parliament , which forbid meetings and all descriptions of unauthorized societies . " There
is certainly nothing which testifies to the honest , independent manner in Avhich the Craft has made its way to the pitch of public esteem it has now attained , than the quiet and bluff way in which it sought no aid from the support of kings and princes , but rather trusted to time and its oAvn merits , together with the DiAdne aid , to win its way to the hearts of men .
Begue Clavel informs us that about this time , rather later in . the year , all French subjects , whether noble or base in family , were forbidden the court if belonging to the Craft . Still , as Begue Clavel goes on to say ( writing in 1744 ) , " all France knows that the excellent Prince de Conti is an open member of the Order of Freemasons . " The persecutions , however , of the CroAvn ,
Avhen they became absolute persecutions , had only reference to French Lodges , and not to English ones ; for it was argued , " that as the English were strangers , and only for a time residing in Paris , the Lodges would end of themselves ; but the French Lodges they had always Avith them . " And of course , until Freemasonry became an institution of the lewhile it yet
peop , remained among the higher nobility , it would remain unassailed ; but Avhen it did come down among the middle classes , the royal edicts flew about , the police commissioners were set to work , and the adA r antages gained Avere attempted to be taken aAvay as soon as attained .
It does not seem , however , that the king ' s decree Avas carried out Avith much severity beyond the boundaries of Paris . According to the newspapers , a grand Masonic festival was held on the 12 th of February , 1738 , at Luneville . The company were arrayed in Avhite satin , but no aprons were Avorn ( an interdict having come doAvn from court ) , and no trowels , compasses , or
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Century Of Freemasonry.
these outward changes in the appearance of the house , a great number of footmen and equipages , as well belonging to citizens as to the nobility , together with public vehicles , were remarked in the square before the house . The commissary ordered the assemblage , for whom there were fifty covers provided , to disperse ; upon which these persons declared ' that they had no intention of doing anything wrong . ' He then interrogated Chapelot ,
who excused himself by affecting ignorance of the objects of the meeting ,-had he known them , he said , he would not have admitted them . Still he did not appear in court , and was condemned to 1 , 000 livres fine , and deprivation of license for six months . "
It seems , hoAvever , that even on this occasion the affair was not directed especially against the Freemasons , but it Avas prompted rather by the consideration that the persons had assembled " contrary and against the express ordinances of the kingdom , and the decrees of the Parliament , which forbid meetings and all descriptions of unauthorized societies . " There
is certainly nothing which testifies to the honest , independent manner in Avhich the Craft has made its way to the pitch of public esteem it has now attained , than the quiet and bluff way in which it sought no aid from the support of kings and princes , but rather trusted to time and its oAvn merits , together with the DiAdne aid , to win its way to the hearts of men .
Begue Clavel informs us that about this time , rather later in . the year , all French subjects , whether noble or base in family , were forbidden the court if belonging to the Craft . Still , as Begue Clavel goes on to say ( writing in 1744 ) , " all France knows that the excellent Prince de Conti is an open member of the Order of Freemasons . " The persecutions , however , of the CroAvn ,
Avhen they became absolute persecutions , had only reference to French Lodges , and not to English ones ; for it was argued , " that as the English were strangers , and only for a time residing in Paris , the Lodges would end of themselves ; but the French Lodges they had always Avith them . " And of course , until Freemasonry became an institution of the lewhile it yet
peop , remained among the higher nobility , it would remain unassailed ; but Avhen it did come down among the middle classes , the royal edicts flew about , the police commissioners were set to work , and the adA r antages gained Avere attempted to be taken aAvay as soon as attained .
It does not seem , however , that the king ' s decree Avas carried out Avith much severity beyond the boundaries of Paris . According to the newspapers , a grand Masonic festival was held on the 12 th of February , 1738 , at Luneville . The company were arrayed in Avhite satin , but no aprons were Avorn ( an interdict having come doAvn from court ) , and no trowels , compasses , or