Freemasonry In England.

FREEMASONRY IN ENGLAND .

Continued from page 202 . On the accession of James I ., the great alteration in the style of building introduced in the former reign , became more generally adopted } the Gothic , which had been brought over by tlie Saxons , and in use for upwards of a thousand years , now gave way to the Italian or Augustan style ,

an innovation no doubt caused in a great measure by increased intercourse Avith the Continent ; and it having become a general custom for gentlemen to travel for improvement , during which they coidd not fail to be fascinated with the remains of the noble works of our ancient Roman , and Greek brethren , which caused them to imitate , if not to endeavour to excel themTo such an extent was this enthusiasm carriedthat

. , the word Gothic became almost synonymous with barbarism . ' But , perhaps , the greatest cause of the change , was the appointment by the King ( who was a great patron of Masonry ) , of Br . Inigo Jones , ns his acting Grand Master . This extraordinary man was born in London , 1572 , and was the son of Mr . Innatius or Inigo Jones , a citizen ancl clothworker . He

Avas educated at Cambridge ; and first clsiplayed Ms genius in the art of designing ancl landscape painting . Under the patronage of the learned William Herbert , afterwards Earl of Pembroke , lie made a tour of Italy , during , which he suffered no work of merit to escape his observation . Architecture at length engrossed his attention , and he displayed such extraordinary ability in it , that Christian IV ., of Denmark , appointed him his

architect-general . After enjoying this post for some years , he returned to England , and was made architect to the Queen . He afterwards took a second tour in Italy , where lie stayed some years , still improving Ms taste and perfecting himself in his favourite art . On the place of surveyorgeneral , of which the King had' promised Mm the reversion , becomingvacant , he returned to England , and commenced ornamenting and

enriching his native country with the fruits of his genius and industry the great elegance and beauty of his classic designs , together with the increased security of the times , which rendered fortified dwellings unnecessary , and the improvement of all classes in arts and civilization causing a greater demand for ease ancl comfort . This being afforded by the Roman and Grecian style of architecture , was the principal reason of its great

popularity for although in the Gothic of the reigns of the Vllth and VHIth Henrys ' , called Tudor , the most successful attempts had been made to adapt it to the increased luxury of the times , the majority were of opinion that it thereby lost its greatest beauties . James employed the new surveyor-general to plan a palace at Whitehall , worthy of the residence of the Kings of England ; and when the

old banquettmg house was palled down , the King , with his Grand Master , Jones , and his Grand Wardens , William Herbert , Earl of Pembroke , and Nicholas Stone , Esq ., Master Mason to His Majesty , attended by many brothers in due form , and other eminent persons , walked to Whitehall gate , and levelled the foot stone of the new banquetting house with 0 2