Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Legend Of The Introduction Of Masons Into England.
structures of gold and silver [ r shrines , ] built mth surpassing magnificence , at his direction ? Of royal halls and chambers , erected of stone and wood , at his command , with surpassing grandeur ? Of royal vills removed from their ancient sites , and handsomely constructed of stone in mor-e suitable places , at the King- ' s command . "
Some of his commands * " were not fulfilled on account of the sluggishness of the people ; or when tardily begun at the moment of necessity , they were not finished to the advantage of those who executed them . I need only allude to the castles which he ordered to be built , which were either never begun at all , or begun so late that
they were never completely finished , " etc . Another of Alfred ' s works at Athelney was the " single bridge f which was constructed between two other heights of laborious workmanship . At the extremity of this bridge , a well-fortified tower of very beautiful work was constructed by the command of the aforesaid king . "
Asser also informs xis that before the invention of the horn , lanthorn by King Alfred , the regularity of the burning of his candles , was disturbed " in consequence of the violent gusts of wind , which often blew , without intermission , day and night , through the doors and windows of the churches , and through the numerous chinks of the buildings , and planks and walls , and also through the thin canvas of the tents . "
The king did not omit to provide for the various craftsmen ; he devoted one-half of the whole produce of every year to secular purposes . This was divided into three portions , with which he helped strangers and paid his army , and the ministers and nobles who attended the royal court . The second portion was assigned £ " to the
workmen , whom he had collected from , many nations , and whom he employed in almost countless numbers , for their skill in all sorts of construction . " It may be wondered if there is any connexion between the above and the statement : § "Many Franks , Frisians , Gauls , Pagans , Britons ,
Scots , and Armoricans , both noble and ignoble , voluntarily submitted to his sway ; he governed , loved , honoured , and enriched them all with money or power , according to their deserts , just as if they were his own people ; " or whether it was done from his love of charity . || It is strange that this king , so renowned in history as a warrior , as an encourager of learning , and . a patron of craftsmen , finds no place in our legendary history !
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Legend Of The Introduction Of Masons Into England.
structures of gold and silver [ r shrines , ] built mth surpassing magnificence , at his direction ? Of royal halls and chambers , erected of stone and wood , at his command , with surpassing grandeur ? Of royal vills removed from their ancient sites , and handsomely constructed of stone in mor-e suitable places , at the King- ' s command . "
Some of his commands * " were not fulfilled on account of the sluggishness of the people ; or when tardily begun at the moment of necessity , they were not finished to the advantage of those who executed them . I need only allude to the castles which he ordered to be built , which were either never begun at all , or begun so late that
they were never completely finished , " etc . Another of Alfred ' s works at Athelney was the " single bridge f which was constructed between two other heights of laborious workmanship . At the extremity of this bridge , a well-fortified tower of very beautiful work was constructed by the command of the aforesaid king . "
Asser also informs xis that before the invention of the horn , lanthorn by King Alfred , the regularity of the burning of his candles , was disturbed " in consequence of the violent gusts of wind , which often blew , without intermission , day and night , through the doors and windows of the churches , and through the numerous chinks of the buildings , and planks and walls , and also through the thin canvas of the tents . "
The king did not omit to provide for the various craftsmen ; he devoted one-half of the whole produce of every year to secular purposes . This was divided into three portions , with which he helped strangers and paid his army , and the ministers and nobles who attended the royal court . The second portion was assigned £ " to the
workmen , whom he had collected from , many nations , and whom he employed in almost countless numbers , for their skill in all sorts of construction . " It may be wondered if there is any connexion between the above and the statement : § "Many Franks , Frisians , Gauls , Pagans , Britons ,
Scots , and Armoricans , both noble and ignoble , voluntarily submitted to his sway ; he governed , loved , honoured , and enriched them all with money or power , according to their deserts , just as if they were his own people ; " or whether it was done from his love of charity . || It is strange that this king , so renowned in history as a warrior , as an encourager of learning , and . a patron of craftsmen , finds no place in our legendary history !