The Freemasons And Architecture In England.

Master , Avho , having appointed John Islip Abbot of Westminster , ancl Sir Reginald Bray , K . G ., his Senior and Junior Wardens for the occasion , proceeded in ample form to the east end of Westminster Abbey , where he laid the foundation-stoue of that master-piece of Gothic architecture known by the name of Henry VIII . ' s Chapel . * - * * ¦?; & * * *

The great fire of London afforded a singular ancl aAvful occasion for the exertion of Masonic abilities . It burnt down 1300 houses , 89 parish churches , besides chapels , leaving only 11 parishes standing . The damage Avas computed at £ 1 . 0 , 000 , 000 . The King and the Grand Master nppoiuted

Deputy Wren to draw up a plan for a new city . Dr . Wren ' s model and plan Avere laid before the king and House of Commons , and would have been adopted , but the greater part of the citizens chose to have their old city again with all its

disadvantages rather than a IIOAV one , ancl thus an opportunity AVUS lost of making the new city the most magnificent in Europe . The architect , cramped in the execution of hisplan , Avas obliged to abridge his scheme , and to order the city in the manner in Avhich it has since appeared . In 1673 the foundation stone of St .

Paul ' s , designed by D . G . M . Wren , was laid in solemn form by the king , attended by Grand Master Rivers , his architects ancl craftsmen . The mallet Avith Avhich the kirigt levelled this foundation stone Avas delivered by Sir 0 . Wren to the old Lodge of St . Paul'snow the Lodge of Antiquity

, , Avhere it is still preserved as a great curiosity . The Freemasons Avere now fully employed , and during this reign rebuilt or repaired no less than 54 churches in London alone . Whilst all these were going forward under

the direction of Sir C . Wren . King Charles commanded Sir Wm . Bruce , Bart .. Grand Master of Scotland , to rebuild the palace of Holyrood , which Avas done . In 1674 , Geo . Villiers , Dukeof Btickingham , succeeded to the Grand Master ' s chair .

In 1679 the Duke resigned in favour of Henry Bennet , Earl of Arlington , one of the members of the celebrated Cabal . Sir C . Wren was elected in 1 G 85 , on the death

of the Earl of Arlington . The Fraternity Avas now much neglected at the Revolution ; only seven lodges UOAV met in London ancl of these tAvo only Avere of any accountthe old Lodge of St . Paul ' s over which Sir C . Wren had presided during the building of the cathedraland a lodge at St . Thomas '

, Hospital , Southwark . King William * having been privately initiated into Masonry in 1695 , I think at Kensington Palace , approved the choice of Sir C . Wren as Grand Master , honoured the lodges with his royal sanctionancl it

, is said presided over one at Hampton Court and Kensington Palace . Chelsea and Greenwich Hospitals Avere finished in this reign under Sir C . Wren . In 1698 Charles Duke of Richmond ancl Lennox

Avas elected' Grand Master , ancl Avas succeeded 1 y Sir C . Wren , who continued at the head of the Fraternity till 1702 . He Avas now getting old and could not pay attention to the Craft , which Avas now at a very low ebb . The old Lodge of St . Paul ' s and a few others continued to meet

regularly , but consisted of but a few members . To increase their numbers a proposition Avas made and afterwards agreed to " that the privileges of Masonry should no longer be restricted to Operative Masons , but extend to men of A arious professions provided they Avere regularly

approved ancl initiated into the Order . " In consequence of this resolution the society once more rose into notice and esteem . " In 1717 , the only four lodges that remained in being in the south of England , and a few old masons met in London and constituted

themselves a Grand Lodge " pro tempore" in due form . Previous to this time a sufficient number of masons met together Avithin a certain district , with the consent of the sheriff or chief magistrate of the place , Avere empowered to make masons and practise the rites of Masonry Avithout

warrant of constitution . The priA'ilege Avas inherent in themselves as individuals , and this privilege is still enjoyed by the two old lodges noiv extant which act by immemorial constitution . It Avas now required that hereafter every

lodge convened should be legally authorised to act by a warrant from tho Grand Master with the consent of Grand Lodge .