Freemasonry In England.

"three great knocks , " loud hussas , and sound of trumpets . At the conclusion of this ceremony , a purse of broad pieces of gold was laid upon the stone , for the masons to drink to the King and the Craft . The want of parliamentary funds prevented more than the banquetting house ( which , contained the finest room , of the extent , since the times of Augustus , ) being built . It Avas a magnificent building of three

stories , and the finest piece of architecture executed in this reign . The beauty of its proportions were not to be surpassed , and its projections produced those happy effects of light and shade so Mghly esteemed in the best specimens of architecture . The ceiling of the grand room was richly painted , by the celebrated Sir Peter Paul Rubens , who was ambassador to the court of Charles I . It was considered one of the best performances

and not to be surpassed by any iu the world . The Grand Master , Jones , was much esteemed by his craftsmen for the excellence of his government of the Lodges , which he constituted with bye-laws calculated to render them like the schools or academies of the designers , in Italy . He alloAved good wages , and was much resorted to by Masons from all parts of the world . He held quarterly

communications of the Master and Wardens , and an annual festival on St . John ' s day , when lie was annually recliosen Grand Master , until 1618 , when William , Earl of Pembroke , was elected in Ms stead ; and being approved by the King , he appointed Br . Inigo Jones , his Deputy Grand Master . In this reign Masonry flourished exceedingly , and many eminent , wealthy , and learned men Avere accepted as brothers , who , by their works , reflected great honour on the Craft .

Charles I . became Grand Master , by prerogative , A . D . 1625 , and was well skilled in the science of Masonry . He much encouraged foreign bretliren , but none at that time were so distinguished for the beauty of their works as Inigo Jones and his disci ples . Henry Danvers , Earl of Dauby , succeeded the Earl of Pembroke , in Solomon ' s chair , by the King ' s approbation , in 1630 ; ancl at his own

cost , according to the design of Jones , his deputy , erected the beautiful gate of the physic garden at Oxford . Thomas Howard , Earl of Arundel , afterwards became Grand Master , and appointed Inigo Jones his deputy . Indeed , he AA * as never out of office , being employed under this and the succeeding Grand Master , the Duke of Bedford , in many great works .

Inigo Jones again succeeded to Solomon ' s chair , ancl was employed by the King to build the stately gallery of Somerset House , fronting the Thames . It was also intended to carry on Whitehall , according to original Jones ' s plan , but this was prevented by the civil Avar , during wMch the King unhappily lost his life , A . D . 1649 . The unfortunate death of his Royal Masterclosed with sorrow tlie last

, days of Inigo Jones ; he died in the eightyeth . year of Ms age , after a life of great usefulness , during which lie reflected great honour on the land of his birth , ancl no more than justice has been clone to Ms memory in styling him the British Vitruvms . During this interval , between the death of Charles I ., and the