Observations On The Antiquity Of Masons And Masonry In England.

rewarded , AA'ere made and sold by the foot , or by the piece in the quarries , but there were many other articles Avhich the masons worked by the foot or by the piece . Statues or images Avere made by the piece when single , and by the foot AA'hen there

AA'ere several of them ; a statue of the king , over the great gate of King ' s Hall , * cost £ 1 6 s . 8 d . in the time of Henry the Sixth for Avorkmanship only ; and among the estimates for finishing and ornamenting King ' s College Chapel is one for carving

68 images containing 172 feet , in height , at 5 s . by the foot , amounting to £ 43 , exclusive of stone . The Avorks Avhich our Ancient Masons

have left behind them , if carefully examined , Avill be found to contain many things AA'orthy the notice of an ingenious architect , and though AA'e are ignorant , at present , of the secrets of then- art , it is possible by a judicious inspection of their AA'orks to investigate the most mysterious

parts of it , and by the assistance of those improvements AA'hich have been made in all other arts , AA'e may reduce them to such principles as Avould greatly improve the art of Building in general , and reduce the theory of architecture to a science , Avhich at present depends more on fashion and caprice than on reason and judgment . The revival of Roman architecture soon

put a stop to the study of Masonry and those arts Avhich Avere necessary in the construction of Gothic buildings , Avith their light and elegant vaults , Avere esteemed as of little or no use in the UOAV manner of building , hi Avhich a Avant of skill in the architect is generally supplied by the

quantity of the materials ; from this time stucco began to supply the place of stone in then' vaults , and if any Avere constructed of stone their strength depended more on then substance than on the abilities of the architect or skill of the mason ; and

those societies by Avhom the theory of Masonry Avas brought to perfection began to decline , for the most curious principles of the art , Avhich very feAV perfectly understood , Avere lost for want of practice , and from a societof artists they became

y a fraternit y of nominal Masons ; AA'ho in lieu of those practical instructions in Masonry , Avhich Avere given hi the ancient lod ges , have instituted a feAV allegorical

Observations On The Antiquity Of Masons And Masonry In England.

ceremonies expressive of those virtues Avhich every man must practise AA-IIO desires to become good and perfect , Avhich AA'as one of those arts Avhich their predecessors pretended to conceal ;* and the tools , Avhich the real Masons taught the use of in their lodgesare used by the nominal Masons

, as emblems to distinguish the several degrees of masonry , and are Avorn in the different assemblies of architects , masters , Avorkmen , and labourers ; the figures of those tools being embroidered or seAA'n on the habits they Avear in the lodge .

The Mountain Of Vision.

THE MOUNTAIN OF VISION .

Time was when on these earthly plains I wandered to and fro , Time was when on life's joys and pains I pondered oft below ; Dim clouds and mist around me here , A haze before my sight , Yet mine were aspirations dear Of a day of love and light .

And so one day , with pilgrim staff I sought the mountain ' s side , And from its crystal stream to quaff A refreshing draught I tried ; That , so the hill ascending 'Mid the sultry noon tide heat As the path-way seemed unending , I might stay my weary feet .

And on I went , and on , and on , Until at last I stood The topmost pinnacle upon , Amid its waving wood ; Above me was the iEther blue , Below the outstretched plain , And my sight embraced in placid vieAV The fair and far Champaign !

The mists no longer seemed to rest Upon that mountain Peak , Though weary and Avith toil opprest I felt neither dazed nor weak ; But there came upon me then and there A sight of Truth and Eight Which seemed to fill the surrounding air With a clear and wondrous Light .

How little all things then appeared , Like specks in the plain beloAV , How much , that I had once revered In the regions of long ago , Seemed now to dwindle in my view Almost to nothingness , And I found my sight was no longer true , As I sought those specks to guesi .