2.

"a

of a brief paper of questions which he considered more characteristic than any that had preceded them. I allude to Bro. Dunckerley, a name which will live as long as Masonry shall endure. His Tests were only ten in number, but each possessed a significant reference to some important landmark of the Order. 1. How ought a Mason to be clothed? When were you born? 3. Where were you born? 4. How were you born? 5. Did you endure the brand with fortitude and patience? 6. The situation of the Lodge? 7. What is its name? 8. With what have you worked as a Mason? 9. Explain the Sprig of Cassia. 10. How old are you? "About this period," the Square proceeded to say, young man named Preston appeared in town from the north, and was initiated in an Athol Lodge, where he displayed such extraordinary intelligence and zeal as elicited the applause of all classes of the Fraternity. Our R. W. M., Bro. Hesletine, heard of his fame, and sought his acquaintance. An attachment sprang up between them, which produced some extraordinary results. Bro. Hesletine induced him to dissolve his connection with the Athol Masons, and to legitimatize himself in a constitutional Lodge. This young man, as the first fruits of his labours, placed in the hands of our R. W. M. a new arrangement of the Tests, which, though not actually introduced till a later period, were read in the Lodge, and highly approved by the Brethren. He divided them into three sections of seven questions each, and they contained, as you will hear, some novelties. First Section. 1. Whither are you bound? 2. Are you a Mason? 3. How do you know that? 4. How will you prove it to me? 5. Where were you made a Mason? 6. When were you made a Mason? 7. By whom were you made a Mason? Second Section.-1. From whence come you ? 2: What recommendation do you bring? 3. Any other recommendation? 4. Where are the secrets of Masonry kept? 5. To whom do you deliver them? 6. How do you deliver them? 7. In what manner do you serve your Master? Third Section.-1. What is your name? 2. What is the name of your son? 3. If a Brother were lost, where should you hope to find him? 4. How should you expect him to be clothed? 5. How blows a Mason's wind? 6. Why does it thus blow? 7. What time is it?"

"In this country, in accordance with ancient practice, we admit only three degrees; but on the Continent the list was swelled out to the enormous category of twenty degrees of

Apprentice,* twenty-three of Fellowcraft,† and sixty of Master. Although such innovations were prevalent in France and Germany, and found their way secretly amongst ourselves, yet

they received no sanction from the Masonic authorities; and the Fraternity were cautioned to beware how they introduced any of the foreign fallacies into their Lodges. In many cases, however, curiosity prevailed over expediency, and individuals received them as genuine Masonic truths, and had no little pride in their acquisition.

About this time a remarkable Essay, on the application of Geometry to the requirements of moral duty, was circulated amongst the Lodges.§ It was adapted to symbolical Masonry alone, and was generally attributed to the pen of Bro. Dunckerly. But in 1768 a severe attack on Masonry was commenced by an anonymous writer, who published a pamphlet under the extraordinary title of "Masonry the Way to Hell," || which created some sensation amongst the Metropolitan Craft, and produced a paper-war. I remember hearing a discussion

*These were, besides the simple E. A. P. of primitive Masonry, an Apprentice Architect; App. Perfect Architect; App. Prussian Architect; Cabalistic App.; Coen App.; App. of Paracelsus; Egyptian App.; Secret Egyptian App.; Female Egyptian App.; Scotch App.; Scotch Trinitarian App.; Hermetic App.; Male App.; Female App.; Adoptive App.; Mystical App.; App. Philosopher of the number nine; App. Hermetic Philosopher; App. Philosopher of the number three; and the Theosophic App.

For the second degree they admitted a Fellowcraft Mason; F. C. Architect; F. C. Perfect Architect; F. C. Prussian Architect; Cabalistic F. C.; F. C. Coen; F. C. of Paracelsus; Scotch F. C.; Scotch Trinitarian F. C.; Egyptian F. C.; Hermetic F. C.; Mystic F. C.; F. C. Hermetic Philosopher; F. C. Philosopher by the number three; F. C. Sublime Philosopher by the number three; F. C. Philosopher by the number nine; F. C. by the number fifteen; Theosophic F. C.; Biblical F. C.; Discrete F. C.; Female F. C.; Female Egyptian F. C.; and Obligated F. C.

And as a corollary to these fictitious degrees, they had an English Master; a Little English Master; Ancient M.; Grand Architect M.; Perfect Architect M.; Prussian Architect M.; M. by the number fifteen; M. of all degrees; Cabalistic M.; Coen M.; Crowned M.; M. of the Key of Masonry; M. of English Lodges; M. of French Lodges; Mark M.; M. of Paracelsic Masonry; M. of Neapolitan Chapters; M. of Legitimate Lodges; M. of Masters; Most High and Puissant M. of Masters; Perfect M.; Perfect M. of Secrets; Perfect English M.; M. of Egyptian Secrets; M. of Hermetic Secrets; Scotch M.; Egyptian M.; Elect M. of nine; Little Elect M.; M. in Israel; M. in Perfect Architecture; Hermetic M.; Illustrious M.; Illustrious M. of the number fifteen; Illustrious M. of the Seven Cabalistic Secrets; Irish M.; Perfect Irish M.; Puissant Irish M.; Provost Irish M.; Symbolic M.; Mystic M.; M. by Curiosity; Perfect Hamburg M.; Particular M.; Past M.; M. of Hermetic Philosophy; Philosophical M. by the number three; Philosophical M. by the number nine; Pythagorean M.; Four Times Venerable M.; Royal M.; Wise M.; Secret M.; Illustrious Symbolical M.; Sublime Ancient M.; Theosophic M.; M. ad Vitam; True M.; and Absolute M.

See the Golden Remains, vol. i. p. 15.

66

Masonry the Way to Hell; a Sermon, wherein is clearly proved, both from Reason and Scripture, that all who profess the Mysteries are in a State of Damnation." London, Robinson and Roberts, 1768.

on the subject in our Lodge. Some Brethren were inclined to understand it as a serious attack on the Order, while others considered it only as an ill-natured joke; however, it was concluded that the only way of ascertaining the real sentiments of the author would be to feel his pulse by a reply. Bro. Thomson was therefore deputed to answer it, which he admirably effected; and another reply came from a quarter with which our Lodge had no connection.+ The author of the obnoxious pamphlet did not respond, and it was believed that his conscience accused him of having basely slandered a benevolent institution, and that he thought it expedient to atone for his calumny by silence; and the controversy-if it may be called by that name-terminated with a pamphlet bearing the triumphant title of "Masonry the Turnpike-Road to Happiness in this Life, and Eternal Happiness hereafter."

"Amidst all this trifling, the age was not barren in legitimate and well-authenticated publications on pure Masonry.§ But the gem of the period was the Candid Disquisition of Wellins Calcott, || in which he has traced primitive Masonry from its origin ;-explained its symbols and hieroglyphics, its social virtues and advantages; suggested the propriety of building halls for the peculiar and exclusive practice of Masonry, and reprehended its slanderers with great but judicious severity; for the unprincipled charlatans were still working at their masked battery, catering for the morbid curiosity of the profane world, and their shafts flew in clouds about our heads.**

* "Remarks on a Sermon lately published, entitled 'Masonry the Way to Hell;' being a Defence of that Order against Jesuitical Sophistry and Calumny. By John Thompson.' 1768.

"An Answer to a certain Pamphlet, lately published under the solemn Title of A Sermon, or Masonry the Way to Hell.' By John Jackson, Philantropos." 1768.

London, Bladon, 1768.

S "Love to God and Man inseparable; a Sermon before the Masons." 1765. "Charge to the Wolverhampton Lodge." 1765. "Masonic Sermon, by the Rev. Thomas Bagnall." 1766. "On the Government of the Lodge; delivered before the Brethren of St. George's Lodge, No. 315, Taunton. By John Whitmash." 1765.

"A Candid Disquisition of the Principles and Practices of the Most Ancient and Honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons; together with some Strictures on the Origin, Nature, and Design of that Institution. By Wellins Calcott." London, 1769.

** The following spurious publications were supplied about this time to gratify the curiosity of the uninitiated :-" The Secrets of Masonry revealed; by a disgusted Brother. Containing an ingenious Account of their Origin, their Practices in the Lodges, Signs, and Watchwords, Proceedings at the Makings, &c." London, Scott. 1759. "Allegorical Conversations organized by Wisdom." "Hiram, or the Grand Master Key to the Door of both Ancient and Modern Freemasonry; being an accurate Description of every Degree of

"In 1769 our R. W. M. was appointed to the office of Grand Secretary by the Duke of Beaufort, and in that capacity I accompanied him on a visit of inspection into the north of England; and we found considerable variations in the several systems of working amongst the brethren of different localities. At the Lodge No. 209, holden at the Plume of Feathers, Bridge Street, Chester, we inspected a curious floorcloth, which had been painted only a short time previous, and contained some reference to the Masonic innovations of France and Germany. It consisted of a Mosaic pavement, accessible by three steps, marked VIDE, AUDI, TACE, with the five-pointed blazing star in a circle occupying the centre, flanked by two Corinthian pillars, on the summit of which were placed the sun and moon. The plinth of the sinister column was charged with a diagram, representing, probably, the Mark key-stone, while that on the dexter-side of the pavement was occupied by a ladder in clouds. Each of these pillars was attended or guarded by a naked sword, the one pointed and the other flaming, to represent Justice and Mercy, together with a Level and Plumb. Over the pavement, and resting on the pillars, was an arch inscribed SIT LUX ET Lux fuit, with a double key-stone supporting a sphere, and upon it the head of the Redeemer, as T. G. A. O. T. U., surrounded by a nimbus; beneath which was an altar supporting the Holy Bible, placed on a cushion, flanked by Masonic emblems. Amongst the clouds above the arch, there appears a radiated triangle, with the word mm. At the base of the floorcloth are three objects; the one an oblong square chest or lodge,

the Brotherhood, as authorized and delivered in all good Lodges. Containing more than any Book on the Subject ever before published. By a Member of the Royal Arch." London, 1764. Second Edition, London, Griffin, 1766. "An Institute of Red Masonry." 1764. "Shibboleth; or every Man a Freemason. 1765. "Solomon in all his Glory, or the Master Mason; being a true Guide to the inmost Recesses of Freemasonry, both Ancient and Modern. Containing a minute Account of the Proceedings. By T. W. Translated from the French Original, published at Berlin, and burnt by Order of the King of Prussia at the Intercession of the Freemasons.' London, Robinson and Roberts, 1766. Second Edition, London, 1768. "The Three distinct Knocks, or the Door of the Ancient Freemasonry opened to all Men, neither naked nor clothed, barefooted nor shod; being an universal Description of all its Branches, from its first use to this present time, as it is delivered in all Lodges. By W. O. V. M." The sixth Edition. London, Sergeant, 1767. Seventh Edition, London, 1768. Eighth Edition, Clench, 1811. Ninth Edition, London, Hughes, 1825. "The Freemason stripped naked; or the whole Art and Mystery of Freemasonry made Plain and Easy to all Capacities, by a faithful Account of every Secret, from the first making of a Mason till he is completely Master of every Branch of his Profession. By Charles Warren, Esq., late Grand Master of a regularly constituted Lodge in the City of Cork." London, Isaac Fell, 1769.

with an endless serpent on its lid, and the word ABPAZAΣ in front; the centre, a cube, with the three Masonic colours, and the word (AGLA), one of the cabalistic names of the Deity; and the other, a tumulus, with the sprig of Cassia. Above them, the following inscription, OEON ZEBOY ZENOYZ ZENIZE. I remember this floorcloth distinctly, for it underwent a very particular examination;* and Bro. Hesletine took a sketch of it, and delivered a lecture on its peculiarities when he returned to town.

"From Chester we proceeded to Barnard Castle, in the county of Durham, where we found Masonry shining with unsullied lustre under the active superintendence of Bro. Hutchinson, who worked the details after a perfect model. He delivered his own Lectures, Charges, and Orations, strictly adhering to the ancient landmarks of the Order; and his example was followed by the Masters of other Lodges, who visited the Barnard Castle Lodge for the advantage of his instructions. Many of these detached pieces appeared in print, and were so much admired for the pure principles of Masonry which they enunciated, that the fraternity at length requested Bro. H. to make a selection from his Lectures, and publish them in a permanent form. He complied with the request, and produced a volume of such surpassing interest, that after going through many editions, it still retains its value, and is read with avidity by all who are desirous of information on the sterling and unchangeable doctrines of the Order. §

*This floor-cloth is now in the Cestrian Lodge at Chester; of which my friend, Bro. Willoughby, of Birkenhead, has kindly favoured me with a sketch. See my edition of the Spirit of Masonry, which includes all the works of Bro. Hutchinson.

"The Spirit of Masonry, in Moral and Elucidatory Lectures, by W. Hutchinson." London, Wilkes and Goldsmith, 1775. Second Edition, Carlisle, Jollie, 1795; Third Edition, Carlisle, 1802; Fourth Edition, Edinburgh, MacEvan, 1813; Fifth Edition, Carlisle, 1814; Sixth Edition, London, 1815. Other Editions have been published, and the last contains all Bro. Hutchinson's detached Pieces. London, Spencer, 1843.

§ In an Address prefixed to the Second Edition, he says, with his usual benevolence of character, "I have been induced to give this edition to the press for the purpose of relieving the family of a worthy but indigent Brother, by the whole profits of the subscription and sale; and doubt not that the motive to the present publication will procure it the attention of the Brethren of this excellent institution. It is hoped that these Lectures may serve to detect the wretched artifices used by wicked men to impose upon the world; and may also excite in the fraternity the due exercise of those moral works which our profession enjoins."