Sketches Of Notable Masonic Works.

SKETCHES OF NOTABLE MASONIC WORKS .

LONDON , SATURDAY , DE 0 D 2 IBDJI 12 , 1 S 63 .

By J Bro . f WILLIAM JAMES HUGHAX , IS , W . M . 131 Truro , Hon . Meriiber , 75 , Falmouth , < Jv ; ., author of History of " Freemasonry in Cornwall , " < J- « ., < $ •<; .

No . 4 . FlFIELD D'ASSIGNY , M . D ., AS AN AuTHOE . My friend Bro . Findel considers there lias not . been sufficient information afforded , relative to Dr . D'Assignys' " Serious and Impartial Inquiry /'

A . D . 1744 , and lias written anent the subject so as to induce me to give a more lengthy account of the work itself for the " German Union , " of which I have the honour to be a corresponding member . Hence my adoption of this work , as the fourth article for the series of "Notable Masonic Works . "

I had the good fortune to discover the book during the latter part of ISO 7 , and soon after my purchase it was announced in " Die Bauhiitte " that I had become the possessor of a copy—believed to be unique—of this valuable work .

Subsequently in the FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE for Dec . 21 , ( No . 442 ) , this rare copy was also acknowledged to be in all probability unique , and references were made to well-known Masonic authors , such as Dr . George Kloss , Eev . Dr . George Oliver and

others , who had quoted from Dr . D'Assigny ' s work , but always second-hand , viz ., from " Ahimau Rezon" of A . D . 1756 , 1764 , 1778 or late editions , by Laurence Dermott , Grand Secretary of the " Ancients . ''' ' In no case have we been able to

find any writer on Freemasonry alluding to Dr . D'Assigny ' s "Enquiry" from personal observation of its contents , excepting in the case of Bro . Dermott , and , bub for his quotation , we should , np to the end of last year have been quite in

ignorance of the existence of any printed book mentioning the English Royal Arch degree before A . D . 1756 .

In our "Analysis of Ancient and Modern Freemasonry , " page 445 FREEMASONS MAGAZINE vol . IS , we mentioned that Bro . Findel in his comprehensive "History of Freemasonry" declares that , " He sought in vain for the book in the

British Museum , " and in Die Bauhiitte for 8 th August 18 G 8 , there is an interesting article by our learned brother on the importance of the work itself , and the presumed value of its statements respecting the Eoyal Arch , and Masonry generally .

We are not aware whether the book is , or is not in the British Museum , but would feel obliged for accurate information on the subject . It will be seen by turning to Dr . Kloss' invaluable " Bibliographic der Freimaureir " A . D . 1841 , article No . 1 , 859 , even that indefatigable brother was unable to do more than insert Bro . Dermott ' s notice of

Dr . D'Assigny and his notice of tho Royal Arch , ( Vide page 12 S , " Fineld D'Assigny fchrieb 1744 ein Buch , welches Dermott im AhimanRezon No . 151 , angiebt , als enthalte es Beziigliches auf den Royal Arch Grad . " ) This quotation is given by

Dr . George Oliver ( page 107 " Origin of the English Royal Arch , " and it is likewise adopted by various Masonic authors , with or without acknowledgment . The following is an exact conv of the title uago .

" A series and Impartial Enquiry iu the cause of the present Decay of Freemasonry in the kingdom of Ireland . Humbly addressed to all the brethren accepted of before , and since the Co-isututions . To which are added sash instruerivo

remarks as maybe found useful to revive tho honour of that ancient craft . As likewise , by way nf appendix , will be inserted the old and new regulations of tho London Constitutions , by the consent and approbation of the Grand Lodge of Ireland ,

and dedicated to the Right Worshipful and Right Hon . the Lord Viscount Allen , Grand Master of this kingdom . The whole adorned with a carious copper-plate suitable to the Order and design . By Fifield D'Assigny , M . D . author of the impartial answer to the enemies of Freemasons . Dublin .

Printed by Edward Bate in Georges' -Iane near Dame-street , M . D . OO . XL . IV ., Svo . SO na-es . There also a few " Select Songs of Masons " ( eight in number ) appended , and likewise a ii-t ofthe regular lodges in the City of Dublin , togeihe :-

with the names of the respective Masters aa-l Wardens , their times and places of msetin ^ ( iii in all , No . 1 declared " at this time to Le vacua ; . " ) Although not acknowledged in the " contents . " The " copper-plate unfortunately has been removed

by some regardless hands , and the 50 th ; o ¦ :.: ¦ . G 4 th pages inclusive , have been also oxLi-. ujtcd containing the 18 th to the 20 th clauses of t ; ie "Regulations . " So far as these regulatiuus aru concerned tho loss is of no importance , as . v .- ;

have them in the "New Book of Constitutions by Edward Spratt , Dublin 1751 "; Anderson ' s Constitutions , A . D . 1738 and other editions , but wo must confess to feeling much regret at the loss of