Freemasonry.

Paul's Churchyard , called the Goose and Gridiron —a lodge , we may mention , which is still in existence under the name of the Lodge of Antiquity , although the place of their meeting is now in the congenial quarters of the Freemasons' Tavern . Daring the reign of Queen Anne , Masonry

made but little progress ; and subsequently , the number of lodges fell off , the annual festivals Avere but very thinly attended , and the number of Masons rapidly diminished . It was then determined by the brethren that the privileges of the Order should no longer be confined to operative

Masons only , but that anyone duly proposed , approved , anel initiated , should be admitted to a participation in them ; so that Freemasonry from an operative became but a speculative science . The different tools and implements made use of in architecture Avere selected to imprint serious and

solemn truths on the memory of Freemasons , whose principal object is to afford mutual aid , support , and protection to one another . Freemasonry is the centre of union betAveen good men and true , and the happy means of conciliating friendship among those who must otherwise have

remained at a perpetual distance ; and being founded on the broad principles of morality , virtue , and brotherly love , unites under its banners men of every country , sect , and opinion—JBAV or Gentile , Mohammedan or Hindu ; anyone , in fact , Avho believes in the existence of that Supreme

Being , who was the glorious architect of heaven and earth ; and as Freemasonry is universally spread over the four quarters of the globe , wherever a member of the Craft may go , in every nation he Avill find a friend , aud in every country a home .

Mr . Laurie , in his " History of Freemasonry in Scotland , " mentions that in 1748 , M . Preverot , a gentleman in the navy , was shipwrecked on an island whose viceroy Avas a Freemason . Along Avith his ship , M . Preverot had lost all his money and effects . In this destitute conditionhe

pre-, sented himself to the viceroy , aud related his misfortunes . The viceroy made the Masonic signs , Avhich being immediately returned by the Frenchman , they recognised and embraced each other as brethren of the same Order . M . Preverot was

conducted to the viceory's house , where he was furnished with all the comforts of life , till a ship bound for France touched the island . Before his departure in this vessel , the viceroy loaded him Avith gifts , and gave him as much money as Avas necessary for carrying him into his native

country . During the first American Avar , a young English officer Avas lying Avounded in an intrenchment , and was about to receive the coup do grace from a bayonet , when he caught sight of an . American officer , and indicated to him that he Avas a

Freemason ; the officer knocked aside the bayonet Avith his sword , and thus saved the life of his enemy , whom he took to his own home , treated as

a brother , aud kept for two or three months m his family until his wounds had healed . The officer thus saved , came back to Scotland , and married a young lady , a relative of the noble family of Erskine ; and the issue of that marriage was Lady Alison , the wife of the historian of

Europe . Freemasons are a body recognised and alloAved by the State , and favoured by the law , and in the act of parliament Avhich was passed for the suppression of secret societies , a saving clause was inserted in favour of Freemasons' lodges . It is

thought by some—and among others by the Pope —that a Freemasons' lodge is notMng more or less than a religious and political discussion society . It is true that in some cases Freemasonry has been brought to bear upon politics j and in Americasome fortyears agoa somewhat

, y , serious agitation was caused among the Masons and the anti-Masons , the latter headed By John Quincey Adams , who used his influence as President of the United States , to put down " the abominable institution . " It is said that one

Wilham Morgan having announced for publication a book professing to divulge the whole secrets of Freemasonry , was kidnapped , under pretended forms and warrants of law , by his brother Masons , removed from the State of New York to the borders of Canada , near the falls of Niagara , and there

most barbourously murdered . The different States Avere for many years much excited upon the subject—a regular warfare arose between the Masons and anti-Masons ; newspapers and magazines were started , and many pamphlets and volumes published . Several persons were punished

for the abduction , but the actual murderers , it is said , Avere sheltered by Masonic lodges , and rescued from justice . But , notwithstanding all this , Masons' lodges have as much to do with religious and political discussions as the attendants at a county ballor the guests at a wedding

break-, fast ; and when Ave consider the number of eminent men AVIIO have been aud are Freemasons , Ave cannot believe them such a dangerous and -wicked sect as some folks Avould have us believe . Frederick

the Great , Washington , the present Emperor of the French , the late President Lincoln , and the King of the Belgians , princes and dukes by the dozen ( including the Duke of Wellington ) , archbishops , bishops , and many of the leading men of modern times , have gone in boldly for the

mystic gripe , ( sic ) and been initiated into the secrets and mysteries of Freemasonry . George IV . and William IY . were both Masons , and it is hoped by the fraternity that before long the heir-apparent Avill become a brother . Until the year 1813 the Freemasons in

Eng-, land were governed by two Grand Lodges , each presided over by a royal duke ; but in the year named , both lodges became amalgamated , under the title of the United Grand Lodge of Englandthe Duke of Sussex being appointed the Grand