Freemasonry In England.

Restoration of his son , much damage was done to many of the most beautiful works of art in different parts of the country , through the mistaken zeal of the puritans , who then governed the nation . As must be supposed , such destructive feelings were ill calculated to encourage masonry , consequently , all the information we can gain of this period , is , that the pupils of Inigo Jones met privately for their mutual improvement ,

and preserved their drawings and designs until the Restoration . Charles II . was restored to the throne with great magnificence , on Ms birthday , the 29 th of May , 1660 . In his travels he had been made a Freemason , and having been a great observer of the finest buildings on the Continent , resolved to encourage the arts and sciences as much as possible in Ms own kingdom . The return of regal government was

peculiarly favourable to the encouragement of Masonry , as the majority of mens' minds were tired of looking on the gloomy picture which had been so long held up to them , by tlwse whose religious fears prevented their enjoying the beauties of nature and art which the Great Architect had bestoAved on man . Their narrow minded bigotry also made them shrink from holding out the hand of fellowship to any but those of their own

peculiar tenets , and rendered them incapable of understanding those vast conceptions and wonderful works of art , which claim our admiration , and are but blessings bestowed by the Great Creator on his creatures , who ,-in -endowing them with the faculty of communicating their thoughts to each other , but enables them to perform the duties assigned to each in completing the vast machine , the Avonders of which are not to be measured by the conception of the human mind , unless [ assisted by the emanations of Divine Wisdom .

Under the royal favour and protection , Henry Jernrjm , Eari of St . Albans , was chosen Grand Master . He appointed Sir John Denham , surveyor-general of the royal works , of which office he had been previously granted the reversion , by Charles I ., after the death of Inigo Jones . Br . Christopher Wren , and Br . John Web , were appointed Grand Wardens . According to a copy of the old constitutions , this Grand Master held a

great assembly and feast on St . John the Evangelist's day , 27 th December , 1663 , when the following regulations were made : — " 1 st . That no person of what degree soever , be made or accepted a Freemason unless in a regular Lodge , whereof one be a Master , or a Warden , in that limit or division where such Lodge is kept , and another to be a Craftsman in the trade of Freemasonry .

2 nd . That no person shall be accepted a Freemason , but such as are of able body , honest parentage , good reputation , and an observer of the laws of the land .

3 rd . That no person hereafter , who shall be accepted a Freemason , shall be admitted into any Lodge or assembly , until he has brought a certificate of the time ancl place of Ms acceptation , from the Lodge that accepted him , unto the Master of that limit or division , where such Lodge is kept ; and the said Master shall enrol tlie same in a roll of parchment to be kept for that purpose , and shall give an account of all such acceptations at every general assembly .