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Article ON FREEMASONRY. ← Page 10 of 10
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On Freemasonry.
of the historical groups which decorated the pediments , the friezes , the metopes , and other architectural details of temples and palaces , —throughout the whole extent of Greece we might behold obelisks and columns with richly ornamented capitals ; images of deities on their pedestals , some surrounded with crowds of worshi and victimsand
ppers , priests of venerable aspect ; others attended , perhaps , by a solitary devotee , who , in humble prostration , demands of the senseless idol , riches or honours , or exemption from calamity and pain . And here we may visit mountains , and vales , and streams , endeared to our recollection by early associations—Olympus and Parnassus , Pindus and
Hymettus , Helicon and Castalia , Peleus and the Vale of Tempeall stirring themes of classical remembrance ; and all combining , when Grecian literature was in its glory , to inspire the artist and the Mason with the enthusiastic feeling which produced immortal works ; the very sight and contemplation of which , excite , even at this distance of time ,
sensations of veneration and deli ght . Thus Winckelman describes the emotions which a view of the Apollo Belvidere produced in his bosom : — " Of all the productions of scul p-
ture winch have escaped the ravages of time , the Belvidere Apollo is , without contradiction , the most astonishing . His fine hair , similar to the tender suckers of the vine , floats softly around his divine head , as if it was agitated by the breath of the light zephyrs . It seems as if it was perfumed with celestial ambrosia , and fastened negligently upon the of the head b
crown y the hands of the Graces . At the sight of this prodigy , I forget the whole universe . I fall insensibl y into an attitude more noble , in order to contemplate it with dignity . From admiration I grow into ecstacy . Overpowered by my reverential feelings , I feel my bosom dilate and rise , like the bosoms of those who were filled ' with the prophetic
spirit . I am transported to Delos , into the sacred woods of Lycia—divine places , which Apollo sanctified by his presence ; for the beauty which I contemplate appears to animate it , like the nymph formed by the chisel of Pygmalion . ' Flow can I describe you , inimitable chef-d ' ceuvre ! Sculpture itself ought to condescend to inspire meand
, guide my pen . The features which I have just sketched , I lay at your feet . Thus respectful mortals , who cannot elevate themselves to the head of the deity whom they revere , lay at his feet the garland with wliich they burn to crown it , "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry.
of the historical groups which decorated the pediments , the friezes , the metopes , and other architectural details of temples and palaces , —throughout the whole extent of Greece we might behold obelisks and columns with richly ornamented capitals ; images of deities on their pedestals , some surrounded with crowds of worshi and victimsand
ppers , priests of venerable aspect ; others attended , perhaps , by a solitary devotee , who , in humble prostration , demands of the senseless idol , riches or honours , or exemption from calamity and pain . And here we may visit mountains , and vales , and streams , endeared to our recollection by early associations—Olympus and Parnassus , Pindus and
Hymettus , Helicon and Castalia , Peleus and the Vale of Tempeall stirring themes of classical remembrance ; and all combining , when Grecian literature was in its glory , to inspire the artist and the Mason with the enthusiastic feeling which produced immortal works ; the very sight and contemplation of which , excite , even at this distance of time ,
sensations of veneration and deli ght . Thus Winckelman describes the emotions which a view of the Apollo Belvidere produced in his bosom : — " Of all the productions of scul p-
ture winch have escaped the ravages of time , the Belvidere Apollo is , without contradiction , the most astonishing . His fine hair , similar to the tender suckers of the vine , floats softly around his divine head , as if it was agitated by the breath of the light zephyrs . It seems as if it was perfumed with celestial ambrosia , and fastened negligently upon the of the head b
crown y the hands of the Graces . At the sight of this prodigy , I forget the whole universe . I fall insensibl y into an attitude more noble , in order to contemplate it with dignity . From admiration I grow into ecstacy . Overpowered by my reverential feelings , I feel my bosom dilate and rise , like the bosoms of those who were filled ' with the prophetic
spirit . I am transported to Delos , into the sacred woods of Lycia—divine places , which Apollo sanctified by his presence ; for the beauty which I contemplate appears to animate it , like the nymph formed by the chisel of Pygmalion . ' Flow can I describe you , inimitable chef-d ' ceuvre ! Sculpture itself ought to condescend to inspire meand
, guide my pen . The features which I have just sketched , I lay at your feet . Thus respectful mortals , who cannot elevate themselves to the head of the deity whom they revere , lay at his feet the garland with wliich they burn to crown it , "