Freemasonry In England.

FREEMASONRY IN ENGLAND .

Freemasonry , is that noble science , which first taught man to hold out the hand of fellowship to Ids neighbour , and by the bond of brotherly love to consider the whole human species as one family—to help and relieve all those whose general character might render them worthy , no matter of what country , sect , or opinion . The most early traditions of this country , are so vaguethat it is impossible to trace first

, Preemasonry ' s appearance as a native science . The Druids , a venerable order of priests , had many ot the usages of masons amongst them . But the first English mason of any note , was Albanus , afterwards St . Alban , who formed the first Grand Lodge in Britain , A . D . 287 . Old constitutions assert , and oldmasons as tomly believe that Carausius employed StAlban to environ the

. City of Verulamwith a wall , and to build Mm a fine palace ; and the old chronicle asserts that « St . Alban loved masons well , and cherished them , and he made then- pay right good , viz ., two shillings per week , and threepence to then-cheer ; whereas before that time , a mason had but a penny a day and his meat—He also obtained of the King , a charter for the free masons to hold a general councdand

, gave it the name of assembly , and was thereat himself as Grand Master , and helped to make masons , and gave them good charges and regulations . " St . Alban was bom at VeruW , lT lT ^ - ' J youtlL lie took a Journey to Eome , in company , with Ampkbalusand there served for in the of

, _ seven years army the Emperor Dioclesian .-Leland tells us , that , in the time St . Alban flourished , learning and polite arts had lately been introduced by the liomans into Britain , and that the youth of quality and distinction used to travel to Some for improvement in . knowledge and the sciences . Being returned home he lived highly honoured in the town ' of Verulam tne

wnere , oy example and instruction of his fellow traveUer Amphibalus he became a thorough convert to the Christian religion , A . D . 303 in the tenth and last general persecution of the Christians , he was beheaded tor his religion ( a favour accorded him on account of his noble birth ) , at Hohnhuret , since called Derswald , where now the town of St . iUbanstands the rei

s . During gn of the Emperor Carausius , PreemmTers ^ ^^ encom ' S and employed by him in large Eumenius , the panegyrist , setting forth what great numbers of masons had lett the Island ; "Even your City of Autia , " says he " most devoted to your service , and in whose name I am especially to congratulate you , has been weU stored with artificers architects

( and mason !) since vow victory over the Britons , whose provinces abounded with them ; and now by their workmanship , the same cit y of Autin rises in splendour , by the rebuilding of their ancient houses , erecting public works , and the instarvation of temples : so that the ancient name of a Koman Brotherf ™! * ¦ i T ? S ? nce en i ° yed is again restored , by having your imperial majesty for their second founder " -Prom whence it is oMous