Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reviews.
leant to it , got himself involved in the difficult question of the aneient mysteries , and latterly seemed oven inclined to accept the High Grade theory . But a school of German critics had arisen who by an investigation and studof old
y documents , came to the conclusion that the Locke MS ., was not to be depended upon , that the York Constitution as an original document " per so , " was doubtful , but that , there was a clear connexion between Speculative Freemasonry and Operative
Freemasonry of old , and that tho guilds were but the continuation of the Eoman Building Colleges , and probably of older handiwork Con-fraternities .
Bro . Findel appeared some twelve years ago in this country on a mission of investigation . For some time the " York Constitution" had been a subject of much controversy and careful criticism . Krause and a school upheld its authenticity , but
others doubted of its genuineness on various groimds . And we are not wrong in saying , that many German writers , perhaps the majority of the present day reject it . In this we think they are also in error . Whether Krauso reallbelieved it to be
y an original document , is , we confess , a little doubtful to us , and we are rather inclined to think that he puts it forth as Preston put forth other documents , without critically asserting his belief in then actual authority . .
Soon after Bro . Findel ' s return into Germany he published his very valuable work " The History of Freemasonry " and followed up the German issue with an English edition ; and we believe Ms work has been translated into several languages .
The edition we are now considering is a second English edition , which had the great advantage of Bro . D . M . Lyon ' s able superintendence and editorship hi its English dress . There can be no doubt but , that so far , Bro . Findel ' s work is the most
complete work on Freemasonry which has yet appeared , and that he deserves the greatest credit for his careful and accurate treatment of all evidence on the subject , and for his honest desire after truth . Brother Findel ives in the view he has so
g up clearly and consistently put forth our early Masonic history , the older theory of tho Eoman Colleges , & c , and limits the origin of Freemasonry to about the twelfth
century , and as then arising from the operative Masons and specially the " Steinmetzen " and " Bauhiitten " of Germany . Bro . Fhidel gives us a good deal of evidence on this head , and one thing is clear from his workthat tho German
Free-, masons were at a very early period organized into lodges with a Master over them , and with outward regulations and inner ceremonies peculiar to tho Craft . Bro . Findel rejects all the views which have been from time to time put forward of a Templar or a
Bosicrncian origin . Whether or no Bro . Findel ' s theory of the date of the rise of Freemasonry be correct matters very little , we do not ourselves profess to accrpt it , but this we can fairly say , of Bro . Findel ' s work , it is marked from first to last by the most remarkable tokens of industry , ability and care , of patient research ; and of skilful criticism . We know of no work
which so clearly sets before us our amount of knowledge up to the present time on the great question of Masonic archaeology , and there can be ltttle doubt that what Preston's work is to English Freemasonry Bro . Findel ' s work is to cosmopolitan
Freemasonry . Indeed no student hi Masonry can now dispense with it , and it is a perfect storehouse both of Masonic evidence and Masonic illustrations . We earnestly recommend all the lodges hi this country to obtain a copy for the lodge
library , before the work is bought up for America ; and we believe that no Mason will rise from the perusal of its pages without a higher idea both of the historical truth and intrinsic value of Freemasonry , and of fraternal regard and recognition to the latest and not the least well-informed or effective of our Masonic Historians .
The present century has produced no such equal in authority and usefulness to the great work of our Bro . Findel , and we wish him and it in all of fraternal sympathy and kindly intent , many earnest readers , and more grateful students . W .
DAILY NEWSPAPERS . —According to the Printei's Register there are now published in Great Britain and Ireland 131 daily newspapers , distributed as follows : — London , 24 ; Vroftnces , 72 ; Scotland , 13 ; Ireland 18 ; Wales , 2 ; Channel Islands , 2 . Tho January number of this publication gives a complete list and full particulars ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reviews.
leant to it , got himself involved in the difficult question of the aneient mysteries , and latterly seemed oven inclined to accept the High Grade theory . But a school of German critics had arisen who by an investigation and studof old
y documents , came to the conclusion that the Locke MS ., was not to be depended upon , that the York Constitution as an original document " per so , " was doubtful , but that , there was a clear connexion between Speculative Freemasonry and Operative
Freemasonry of old , and that tho guilds were but the continuation of the Eoman Building Colleges , and probably of older handiwork Con-fraternities .
Bro . Findel appeared some twelve years ago in this country on a mission of investigation . For some time the " York Constitution" had been a subject of much controversy and careful criticism . Krause and a school upheld its authenticity , but
others doubted of its genuineness on various groimds . And we are not wrong in saying , that many German writers , perhaps the majority of the present day reject it . In this we think they are also in error . Whether Krauso reallbelieved it to be
y an original document , is , we confess , a little doubtful to us , and we are rather inclined to think that he puts it forth as Preston put forth other documents , without critically asserting his belief in then actual authority . .
Soon after Bro . Findel ' s return into Germany he published his very valuable work " The History of Freemasonry " and followed up the German issue with an English edition ; and we believe Ms work has been translated into several languages .
The edition we are now considering is a second English edition , which had the great advantage of Bro . D . M . Lyon ' s able superintendence and editorship hi its English dress . There can be no doubt but , that so far , Bro . Findel ' s work is the most
complete work on Freemasonry which has yet appeared , and that he deserves the greatest credit for his careful and accurate treatment of all evidence on the subject , and for his honest desire after truth . Brother Findel ives in the view he has so
g up clearly and consistently put forth our early Masonic history , the older theory of tho Eoman Colleges , & c , and limits the origin of Freemasonry to about the twelfth
century , and as then arising from the operative Masons and specially the " Steinmetzen " and " Bauhiitten " of Germany . Bro . Fhidel gives us a good deal of evidence on this head , and one thing is clear from his workthat tho German
Free-, masons were at a very early period organized into lodges with a Master over them , and with outward regulations and inner ceremonies peculiar to tho Craft . Bro . Findel rejects all the views which have been from time to time put forward of a Templar or a
Bosicrncian origin . Whether or no Bro . Findel ' s theory of the date of the rise of Freemasonry be correct matters very little , we do not ourselves profess to accrpt it , but this we can fairly say , of Bro . Findel ' s work , it is marked from first to last by the most remarkable tokens of industry , ability and care , of patient research ; and of skilful criticism . We know of no work
which so clearly sets before us our amount of knowledge up to the present time on the great question of Masonic archaeology , and there can be ltttle doubt that what Preston's work is to English Freemasonry Bro . Findel ' s work is to cosmopolitan
Freemasonry . Indeed no student hi Masonry can now dispense with it , and it is a perfect storehouse both of Masonic evidence and Masonic illustrations . We earnestly recommend all the lodges hi this country to obtain a copy for the lodge
library , before the work is bought up for America ; and we believe that no Mason will rise from the perusal of its pages without a higher idea both of the historical truth and intrinsic value of Freemasonry , and of fraternal regard and recognition to the latest and not the least well-informed or effective of our Masonic Historians .
The present century has produced no such equal in authority and usefulness to the great work of our Bro . Findel , and we wish him and it in all of fraternal sympathy and kindly intent , many earnest readers , and more grateful students . W .
DAILY NEWSPAPERS . —According to the Printei's Register there are now published in Great Britain and Ireland 131 daily newspapers , distributed as follows : — London , 24 ; Vroftnces , 72 ; Scotland , 13 ; Ireland 18 ; Wales , 2 ; Channel Islands , 2 . Tho January number of this publication gives a complete list and full particulars ,