Freemasonry In England.

of oak , often plated with iron , and with an iron portcullis 01 giatc let down from above . Within this wall was a large outer space or court , called , in the largest and most perfect cas les-the oiuer hayle or ballium , in which stood commonly a church or chapel , un tue inside of this outer bayle was another ditch , wall-gate ¦ mA ™ ° > le court within which the duel towei 01

inclosing the inner bayor _ keep was built . This was a very large square labnc four or five sto . lies high , having small windows in prodigious thick walls , which lencleied the apartments within it , dark and gloomy . This great ower was . uhe palace of the prince , prelate , or baron to whom the castle bekragea , Under groundwe

and tlie residence of the constable or governor . , dismal vaults for the confinement of prisoners , which made it sometimes called the dungeon . In this building also was the great hall , m which the owner displayed his hospitality , by entertaining his numerous friends and followers . At one end of the great halls oi castles palaces little above the rest ol tue

and monasteries , there was a place raised a floor , called the dais , where the chief table stood , at which , persons ol the highest rank dined . Though there were great variations oi construction at this period , the most magnificent were nearly all on the awn e plan . The roofs of the best buildings were generally covered with lead , must have been a worfc or

and the windows glazed . These structures prodigious expense and labour . And the master masons and craftsmen , by which the work was planned and executed , had evidently attained considerable dexterity in the work , as it is impossible to view the remains of many magnificent fabrics , both sacred and civil , erected at this period , without admiring the genius of those who planned , and the dexterity ol

those by whom thev were executed . -, -, Stephen , his nephew , succeeded A . D . 1135 . During the civil wars in this reign , the nobles and gentry laid hold of the occasion to build about 1100 castles . At this period , Masons were as much employed as soldiers , under their Grand Master , Gilbert de Clare , Marquis of Pembroke , through whom the King built four abbies and two nunneries , with bt . Stephen's Chapel in the palace of Westminster , whilst others built about

ninety religious houses . He died A . D . 1154 . _ _ .. Henry IL . succeeded . This King fortified some castles against the Vj elsli and Scots , built some little palaces and ten religious houses , while others built about 100 such . The Grand Master of the Knights Templars , a military Order , then lately instituted at Jerusalem for the protection oi _ the Hol and of the ilgrims who flcked to itand who derived

y Sepulchre p o ; their name from stationing themselves on a spot where King Solomons Temple stood , and who soon spread themselves over Europe ; built then-Temple in Fleet Street , London . This King was succeeded by his son , Eichard I ., A . D . 1189 . In his reign about twenty religious houses were

built . John , his brother succeeded A . D . 1199 , and employed his chaplain Peter tie Cole Church , Grand Masterof the Masons , inrebuildiiigLondon Bridge of stone . This was finished by the next Master , William Almain . The continual expense of repairing a wooden bridge being burdensome to the citizens