Sketches Of Notable Masonic Works.

recognised by any regular Grand Lodge in tho world , and not not by our own Grand Lodge until as late as A . D . 1813 . It had , however , been virtually recognised by the Grand Lodge of England from 1780 ; and from

about that date to the " Union" was patronised by many of the leading members of the fraternity , who formed a Grand Chapter eventually and practised the degree . For fuller information on this point we would refer ouv readers to Dr . Oliver ' s

Royal Arch , and our " Analysis . " ( Part 2 . ) Dr . D'Assigny proceeds to observe that " as the land marks of the constitution of Freemasonry are universally the same throughout all kingdoms , and are so well fixed that they will not admit of

removal , how conies it to pass that some have been led away with ridiculous innovations , au example of which I shall prove by a certain propagator of a false system some years ago in this city , who imposed upon several very worthy men

under a pretence of being Master of the Royal Arch , which he asserted he had brought with him from the city of York ; and that the beauties of the Craft did principally consist in the knowledge of this valuable piece of Masonry . However , he

earned on his scheme for several months , and many of the learned and wise were his followers ; till at length his fallacious art was discovered by a brother of probity and wisdom , who had somo small pace before attained that excellent part of

Masonry in London , and plainly proved that his doctrine was false ; whereupon the brethren justly despised him , and ordered him to be excluded from all benefits of the Craft , and although *—( some of the fraternity have expressed an uneasiness at

this matter being kept a secret from them , since they had already passed through the usual degrees of probation , 1 cannot help being of opinion that they have no right to any such benefit until they make a proper application , and are received

with due formality , and as it is an organised body of men who have passed the chair , and given undeniable proofs of their skill in architecture , it cannot be treated with too much reverence ; and more especially since the characters of the present

members of that particular lodge are untainted , and their behaviour judicious and unexceptionable , so that there cannot be the least hinge to hang a doubt on , but that they are most excellent Masons )—I cannot help informing the brethren

that there is lately arrived in this city a certain itinerant Mason , whose judgment ( as he declares ) is so far illumined , and whose optics are so strong that they can bear the view of the most lucid rays of the sun at noon-day ; and although we have

contented ourselves with three material steps to approach our Summum Bonum , the immortal God ; yet he presumes to acquaint us that he can add three more , which when properly placed advances us to the highest heavens

For my part I shall profess a very great esteem lor any one who shall add to the beauty of our glorious art , or by any means improve or enhance the value thereof , and were I assured that this adept had skill sufficient to demonstrate the truth

of his assertion , I should pay him tho utmost veneration ; but until then he must excuse me from being one of his devotees , and I hope that no innocent and worthy brother may at any time be misled by false insinuations or foreign schemes .

On comparing " Ahiman Rezon" of A . D . 1756 , with this work one can easily see how much Bro . Dermott was indebted to Dr . D'Assigny for most of what is valuable in that compilation , although the source , whence he derived his information is

not acknowledged . It is quite impossible at this time to discover the name of the imposter meutioned . Both of the authors just noticed refrain from stating who he was , as their aim was rather to " reform tnau

offend . " We think , however , that Dr . D'Assigny never countenanced anything iu Masonry but the three degrees of the Craft , and that he was one of the few , who raised their voices against the alterations then being made iu the first and second

degrees , but who more especially objected to the removal of the lost word from the third degree to the Royal Arch , and the substitution of ' six or more steps for the " ' three material steps" which enabled Muster Masons to " approach the immortal God . " ILaviug

attempted to do justice to the memory of Dr . D'Assigiy , and thereby claimed him as an advocate of but " three degrees and no more in ancient free and accepted Masonry , " I shall conclude my agreeable labours by presenting the finishing

observations of that learned Mason . " . In ancient times , lodges wero only schools of architecture , and the presiding Masters were generally learned geometricians , wiio took care to instruct their brethren and fellows in the study of the liberal arts and sciences , and for their better government they formed such laws and general regulations as were