Masonic Archæological Institute.

was that , generally speaking , people did not know what to make of Freemasonry , with its secrecy and its awfully venerable antiquity . Although quite harmless , many desired to treat it as a rabid dog . In fact , some would seem to have

been endowed with an anti-Masonic bump , Avhich caused Freemasonry to act upon them something in the same way as the sight of a small piece of red cloth acts upon a bull . Freemasonry has had the benefit of being cursed by Rome , patronized

by England , and passed through the fire by America ; but with it all , here it is firmly fixed on its foundations fairer than ever .

"The true history of Freemasonry , which seemed to be about as difficult as Eureka as the source of the Nile , is now about to be systematically eliminated . Your MAGAZINE has recorded the foundation of many an archaeological society , and I do

not think it can go far wrong in adding the name of the one I now mention—viz ., the Masonic Archasological Institute , whose inaugural meeting was held in London on the 29 th of January , A . D . 1869 . Short as has been its life as yet , it has

done well ; its begining has been good , and if it honestly carries out its intentions , gives great promise of future good . One thing is certain , it has plenty of work before it . It comes at a good time too , just what was needed to assist in

building up a true historical Masonic temple , and , if it does its duty , to authoritatively set aside the mass of rubbish contained in our pretended ancient charters , legends , and histories , so many

of which have been from various motives—some , no doubt , in good faith , compiled since the beginning of last century . Some of our ancient writs , after being safely stored , by nobody knoAvs who , in their secret repositories , were in process of time ,

after a lapse of perhaps five hundred minutes , duly brought to light , just when their presence was necessary to settle some knotty point of precedence or pretension . The capacity for swallowany amount of Masonic Arabian Night ' s tales has

been truly wonderful . Credulity has ridden triumphantly through the length and breadth of the land , its votaries , with the most profound veneration , humbly bowing down to it , thankful if they may get near enough to disport themselves

in the dust raised by the passing wheels , or like the poor Hindoo , fairly prostrating themselves before it , so that they may be duly marked and known as true believers . This credulity seems to nave been taken advantage of by certain siieculating

bookmakers or booksellers , who caring little for the evil it might do , so being it paid them , sowed broadcast throughout the land pretended Masonic histories , & c , & c , which have been quickly bought up by thousands , AVIIO seem to have gladly

parted with their money for what had such a presumed flavour of united secrecy and antiquity . Attempts , however , at inquiry have been made by brethren Avho were not inclined to believe or take for granted as true all they heard ; but until

quite recently little came of it , as somehow they either fell through , took the wroug road , or wanted courage to persevere , or something of that sort ; e . g ., should a disbeliever manage to show some reason for not hailing Adam as a brother Freemason , and then keep a safe distance from the swing of Tubal Cain's hammer , he had thereafter to pass the

Tower of Bable , and having managed that , and also escaped being knocked down with a Pyramid , he Avas pretty certain to be set dead level by the Temple of Solomon . Few would-be sceptics , after passing the formerperils , retained sufficient breadth

to carry them past Solomon . People forget thatalthough the words "Masonry " and "Freemasonry" are so similar , the things themselves are quite different . " Masonry , " that is , operative Masonry or the art of building , has

existed for ages ; but the Institution of " Freemasonry" or speculative Masonry , is quite modern . Masonry deals with stone and lime , "Freemasonry " with men and their actions ; a similarity in the nomenclature , Avhich was adopted by the founders

of our system of Freemasonry , and Avhich assisted in giving it abetter start , lias tended to the current confusion of ideas .

In conclusion let me wish the Masonic ArcliEeological Institute long life and prosperity . And as for our Freemasonry , which may now be fairly called ancient , even although it should date no further back thanthe foundation of the Grand Lodge

of England , about A . D . 1717 , it is high time its history was got out of the nursery , and away from such companions as Jack the Giant Killer , or Sinbad the Sailor ; these wonderful stories please children , but Freemasonry is now old enough to

walk alone , and to be trusted with the real truth face to face . If the Freemasons of to-day must make themselves as ancient as a shadoAV of possibility will allow them , let them trace up and prove , if possible , some sort of connection—though it may be but a faint one—Avith the building fraternities who erected our noble cathedrals and mon-