The Freemasons And Architecture In England.

Masonry continued to flourish till 1782 , Avhen H . R . H . the Duke of Cumberland Avas elected G . M . At this time the Duke of Kent was initiated iu Geneva , and the Duke of Sussex in Berlin . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales next became G . M ., the Marquis of Hastings A . G . M . In 1793 ,

the Durham Lodges laid the foundation stone of a bridge over the Wear at Sunderland , in the presence of Prince AVilliam of Glo ' ster . Covent Garden Theatre foundation stone was laid by the Prince of Wales , G . M . in 1813 . The two Grand Lodges of

England were united in 1813 , the mo _ t momentous year in modem Masonry . The history of Masonry is IIOAV the history of to-day . Little has happened to the Craft since the union of its two Grand Lodges , except such evidences of prosperity as the

initiation of the Prince of Wales , and his subsequent installation this year as G . M . — a never to be forgotten sight by those Avho Avere fortunate enough to Avitness it , ancl listen to the admirable address of Lord

Carnarvon , P . G . M . —and quite recently the initiation of Prince Arthur and Prince Leopold . Nothing but tranquility has reigned , ancl that tranquility has meant prosperity and peace . There are now 1 , 550 lodges under the banner of the Grand Lodge of Englandand between

, 7 , 000 and 8 , 000 are initiated annually . Some 75 , 000 are subscribing members , though strange to say , only 17 , 000 are Royal Arch Masons . NotAvithstanding Papal bulls and edicts , notwithstanding the lukewarmness of its friendsand the

, opposition of its enemies , Freemasonry has continued to progress , and is now perhaps the widest spread and most powerful institution in the Avorld . It is said that

there are 3 , 000 , 000 * Freemasons on the continent j something like 2 , 000 , 000 in France , ' | ' ; vuc ^ iu ^ his country its numbers cannot be less than 150 , 000 , including brethren under the Irish and Scotch Grand Lod ges . There are half a million subscribing members in the United States .

It is a universal brotherhood , extending its ramifications over the Avhole known world . England was the centre from which all other Grand Lodges have diverged . To England the Freemasons of

the old continent ancl the HCAV owe their origin , their A ery existence . It i . _ founded on the practice of every social ancl moral virtue . Its character is charity in the most extended sense , ancl brotherly love , relief and truth , are inculcated in it . Like

every other society of any magnitude it has been the subject of hyperbolical enconium by its friends , and obloquy from its enemies . Like every other society founded on general principles , and at the same time Avell organisedit has at

par-, ticular times been subservient to tbe production of much good , ancl at others of much evil , according to the different purposes for Avhich it has been employed , and like every other society Avhich ever flourished not of divine orgin it must sink Avith the

lapse of years , and the changes of society . Freemasonry is a grand , a noble science , but there are such things as exoteric and esoteric mysteries , ancl 1 cannot but say to' my brethren of the mystic tie—search deeperlook not to outward signs alone ; and to the

uninitiated I say , if any such there be AVIIO read this paper , yon Avant to knoAv who and what Ave are , join our antieut Craft , ancl Ave Avill instruct you in the Boyal Art

of Masonry . I have but Avritten of the Craft or Blue Masonry , of the Antient and Accepted Rite of 33 degrees , I have said but little . I have said nothing of the Sovereign Princes of the Rose Croix , descendants as some assert of the Rosicrucians of

the 16 th century . Of the Knights Templar and their connection Avith Masonry I have Avritten but little in this paper . Perhaps on some future occasion 1 may Avrite some scraps of their history , for the benefit of the younger readers of the " Masonic

Magazine , " but time will not now permit rne even to enter upon it . The subject of higher degrees ancl chivalric orders and their connection Avith the Craft is full of interest , ancl will Avell repay the attention of the Masonic

student . For the present , however , I Avill onl y say in concluding this paper that I am thankful to see the increased interest taken by Masons in restoration of Churches , ancl such truly Masonic works . The Masons of

Worcester , Gloucester , Bristol and Bath , have honoured themselves and their grand old Craft by the Avay in which they have helped to restore their noble Cathedrals—¦