Freemasonry In England.

¦ windows were long and narrow , with pointed arches and painted glass , which was introduced about that time , or at least became more common . The opulence of the clergy and zeal of the laity furnished ample funds ¦ for building these magnificent structures , and it was with great difficulty that workmen could be procured to execute ' such extensive works . The Popes granted many indulgences by their bulls , to the Society of Masons ,

in order to increase their numbers . These indulgencies produced their'full effect , and the Society became very numerous . " For ( as we are told by one who was well acquainted with their constitution ) the Italians , with some Greek refugees , and with them French , Germans , and Flemings , joined into a fraternity of architects , procuring papal bulls for their encouragement and particular privileges ; they sty led themselves Free Masons

and ranged from one nation to another as they found churches to be built ; their government was regular , and where they fixed near the building in hand they made a camp of huts . A surveyor governed in chief ; every tenth man was called a warden , and overlooked each nine . The gentlemen in the neighbourhood , either out of charity or commutation of penance , gave the materials and carriages . Those who have seen the accounts in records of the charge of the fabrics of some of our cathedrals , near four hundred years old , cannot but have a great esteem for their economy , and admire how

soon they erected such lotty structures . Edward I . succeeded , A . D . 1273 , and being engaged in wars , left the craft to the care of successive Grand Masters , as Walter Gilford , Archbishop of York , Gilbert de Clare , Earl of Gloucester , aud Half , Lord of Mount Hermer , the progenitor of the Montagues , and by these the King fortified many castles , especially against the Welsh , till they submitted to

him ; when Edward , the King's son and heir was bom at Caermarthen , A . D . 1284 , and was the first English Prince of Wales . This King celebrated the fixing of the cape stone of Westminster Abbey , A . D . 1286 , sixty-five years after the laying of the foundation stone : —this is the present pile . No sooner was it erected , than the wealth of the kingdom flowed to it from all quarters ; the principal donors were , Queen Eleanor , wife of

Henry III ., and Thomas Becket , Archbishop of Canterbury . The abbey church ( which was stripped of many of its decorations by-Henry VIII ., and was much damaged within and without during' the

unhappy civil commotions under Charles I ., that defaced the ancient beauty of most of the religious houses in this kingdom , ) had continued from the death of Henry VII . without any considerable repairs , and was gradually falling into ruins , till parliament interposed and ordered a thorough reparation at the national expense . In this reign , Merlon CollegeOxfordthe cathedral of Norwichand about twentmore

, , , y religious houses were founded . Edward II . made Walter Staplesou , Bishop of Exeter , Grand Master , A . D . 1307 He built Exeter and Oriel Colleges , at Oxford , while others built C-larehal ] , at Cambridge , and eight religious houses . ( To le continued . )