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of the soul are displayed, and the reward which we shall receive, if we conduct with dignity and propriety, will be the "testimony of our consciences," the fellowship of the good, and the approbation of our Supreme Grand Master.

A letter from the learned Mr. JOHN LOCKE, to the Right Honourable THOMAS, Earl of Pembroke, with an old manuscript, in which the principles of Masonry are ex plained.

MY LORD,

MAY 6, 1696.

alleviate the misfortunes of our fellow || called into exercise, the best affections creatures. Considering, however, the variety of objects, whose distress the dictates of nature, as well as the ties of Masonry incline us to relieve, we find it necessary sometimes to inquire into the cause of misfortunes; lest a misconceived tenderness of disposition, or an impolitic generosity of heart, might prevent us from making a proper distinction in the choice of objects. Though our ears are always open to the distresses of the deserving poor, yet our charity is not to be dispensed with a profuse liberality on impostors. The parents of a numerous offspring, who, through age, sickness, infirmity, or any unforeseen accident in life, are reduced to want, particularly claim our attention, and seldom fail to experience the happy effects of our friendly association. To such objects, whose situation is more easy to be conceived than expressed, we are induced liberally to extend our bounty. Hence we give convincing proofs of wisdom and discernment; for though our benevolence, like our laws, be unlimited, yet our hearts glow principally with affection toward the deserving part of mankind.

"From this view of the advantages which result from the practice and profession of Masonry, every candid and impartial mind must acknowledge its utility and importance to the state; and surely if the picture here drawn be just, it must be no triffing acquisition to any government, to have under its jurisdiction, a society of men, who are not only true patriots, good citizens and subjects, but the patrons of science, and the friends of mankind."

On the other cardinal Masonic virtues, we design, hereafter, to give further illustrations; and shall now close this section by observing, that Masonry, in all its degrees, is a regular system of morality, and that new beauties are unfolded to the faithful inquirer at every step. On this distinguished theatre of human action, the noblest energies of our nature are

I have at length, by the help of Mr. Collins, procured a copy of that manuscript in the Bodleian Library, which you were so curious to see: and in obedience to your lordship's commands, I herewith send it to you. Most of the notes annexed to it are what I made yesterday for the reading of my Lady Masham,* who is become so fond of Masonry, as to say, that she now more than ever wishes herself a man, that she might be capable of admission into the fraternity.

The manuscript, of which this is a copy, appears, to be about a hundred and sixty years old; yet, as your lordship will observe by the title, it is itself a copy of one yet more ancient by about one hundred years; for the original is said to have been the handwriting of King Henry VI: where that prince had it, is at present an uncertainty: but it seems to me to be an examination (taken, perhaps, before the king) of some one of the brotherhood of Masons; among whom he entered himself, as it is said, when he came out of his minority, and thenceforth put a stop to the persecution that had been raised against them: but I must not detain your lordship longer by my prefaces from the thing itself.

* This letter seems to have been written at Oates, the country seat of Sir Francis Masham, in Essex, where Mr. Locke died, Oct. 28, 1704, in the 73d year of his age.

I know not what effect the sight of this old paper may have upon your lordship; but, for my own part, I cannot deny, that it has so much raised my curiosity, as to induce me to enter myself into the fraternity, which, I am determined to do (if 1 may be admitted) the next time I go to Lordon, and that will be shortly.

I am, my lord,

your lordship's most obedient
and most humble servant,
JOHN LOCKE.

QUESTIONS BY KING HENRY VI.

Certayne questyons with answeres to the same concernynge the mystery of MACONRYE; wryttenne by the hande of kynge HENRYE, the sixthe of the name, and faithfullye copyed by me (1) JOHN LEYLANDE, Antiquarius, by the commande of his (2) Highnesse.

Ans. Ytt dyd begynne with the (4) fyrste menne yn the Este, which were before the (5) ffyrste manne of the Weste, and comynge westlye, ytt hathe brought herwith alle comfortes to the wylde and comfortlesse.

Quest. Who dyd brynge ytt wesytle?

Ans. The (6) Venetians, whoo benynge grate merchaundes, comed ffyrste ffromme the Este ynn Venetia, ffor the commodytye of marchaundysynge beithe Este and Weste, bey the redde and Myddlelonde sees.

Quest. How comede ytt yn Engelonde ?

Ans. Peter Gower (7) a Grecian, journeyedde ffor kunnynge yn Egypte, and yn Syria, and yn everyche londe whereas the Venetians hadde plauntedde Maconrye, wynnynge entrance yn al Lodges of Maconnes, he lerned muche, and retournedde, and woned

(4) (5) Fyrste menne yn the este, &c.] It should seem by this, that Masons believe They be as followethe, there were men in the east betore Adam," Quest. What mote ytt be? (3) who is called the 'ffyrste manne of the Ans. Ytt beeth the skylle of nature, weste;' and that arts and sciences began in the east. Some authors of great note the understondynge of the myghte that for learning have been of the same opiys hereynne, and its sondrye werck-nion; and it is certain that Europe and

ynges; sonderlyche, the skylle of rectenyngs, of waightes, and metynges and the treu manere of faconnynge al thynges for mannes use, headlye, dwellynges, and buyldynges of alle kindes, and al odher thynges that make gudde to manne.

Quest. Where dyd ytt begyne?

(1) JOHN LEYLANDE was appointed by Henry VIII, at the dissolution of monasteries, to search for, and save such books and records as were valuable among them. He was a man of great labour and industry. (2) HIS HIGHNESSE, meaning the said king Henry VIII. Our kings had not then the title of majesty.

(3) What mote ytt be?] That is, what may this mystery of Masonry be? The answer imports, that it consists in natural, mathematical, and mechanical knowledge. Some part of which (as appears by what follows) the Masons pretend to have taught the rest of mankind, and some part they

Africa (which, in respect to Asia, may be called western countries) were wild and savage, long after arts and politeness of manners were in great perfection in China and the Indies.

(6) The Venetians, &c.] In the times of monkish ignorance, it is no wonder that the Phenicians should be mistaken for the Venetians. Or, perhaps, if the people were not taken one for the other, similitude of sound might deceive the clerk who first took down the examination. The Phenicians were the greatest voyagers among the ancients, and were in Europe thought to be the inventors of letters, which perhaps they brought from the east with other

arts.

(7) Peter Gower.] This must be another

mistake of the writer I was puzzled at

first to guess who Peter Gower should be, the name being perfectly English; or how a Greek should come by such a name:

still conceal.

* This is a mistaken idea, as to the general opinion of the fraternity; for whatever might have been the opinion of some of the ancients, Masonry inculcates nothing con

trary to the true letter of the scriptures,

MASONIC.

In Grecia Magna (8) wachsyne, and || Netheless, (12) Maconnes hauthe albecommynge a myghte (9) Wyseacre, and gratelyche renowed, and her he framed

a grate Lodge at Groton (10) and maked many Maconnes, some whereofse dyd journeye yn Fraunce, and maked many Maconnes, wherefromme, yn procese to tyme, the arte, passed yn Englonde.

Quest. Dothe Maconnes descouer there Artes unto odhers?

Ans. Peter Gower, whenne he journedde to lernne, was ffyrste (11) made, and anonne techedde; evenne soe shulde all odhers be yn recht.

But as soon as I thought of Pythagoras, I could scarce forbear smiling, to find that philosopher had undergone a metempsy

chosis he never dreampt of. We need only consider the French pronunciation of his name, Pythagore, that is, Petagore, to conceive how easily such a mistake may be made by an uulearned clerk. That Pythagoras travelled for knowledge into Egypt, &c., is known to all the learned; and that he was initiated into several different orders of priests, who in those days kept all their learning secret from the vulgar, is as well known. Pythagoras also made every geometrical theorem a secret, and admitted only such to the knowledge of them, as had first undergone a five years silence. He is suppose osed to be the inventor of the 47th proposition of the first book of Euclid, for which, in the joy of his heart, it is said he sacrificed a hecatomb. He also knew the true system of the world, lately revived by Copernicus: and was certainly a most wonderful man. See his life by Dion. Hal. (8) GRECIA MAGNA, a part of Italy, formerly so called, in which the Greeks had settled a large colony.

(9) Wiseacre.] This word at present signifies simpleton, but formerly had a quite contrary meaning. Wiseacre, in the old Saxon, is philosopher, wiseman, or wizard, and having been frequently used ironically, at length came to have a direct meaning in the ironical sense. Thus Duns Scotus, a man famed for the subtilty and acuteness of his understanding, has, by the same method of irony, given a general name to modern dunces.

(10) Groton.] Groton is the name of a place in England. The place here meant is Crotona, a city of Grecia Magna, which in the time of Pythagoras was very popu

lous.

(11) Ffyrste made.] The word MADE, I suppose, has a particular meaning among the Masons; perhaps it signifies, initiated.

weys yn everyche tyme from tyme to tyme communycatedde to Mannkynde soche of her secrettes as generallyche myghte be usefulle; they haveth keped backe soche allien as shulde be harmefulle yff they commed yn euyle haudes, oder soche as ne myghte be holpynge wythouten the techynges to be joynedde herwythe in the Lodge, oder soche as do bynde the Freres more strongelyche togedert bey the proffsytte, and commodytye comynge to the Confrerie herefromme.

Quest. Whattes Artes haueth the Maconnes techedde mankynde?

Ans. The arts, (13) Agricultura, Architectura, Astronomia, Geometria, Numeres, Musica, Poesie, Kymistrye, Governmente, and Relygyone.

Quest. Howe commethe Maconnes more teachers than odher menne?

Ans. They hemselfe haueth allien the (14) Arte of fyndynge neue artes, whyche arte the fyrste Maconnes receaued from Godde; by the whyche arte they fyndethe whatte artes hem plesethe, and the true way of techynge

(12) Maconnes haueth communycatedde, &c.] This paragraph hath something remarkable in it. It contains a justification of the secrecy so much boasted of by Masons, and so much blamed by others; asserting that they have in all ages discovered such things as might be useful, and that they conceal such only as would be hurtful, either to the world or themselves. What these secrets are, we see afterwards.

(13) The artes, agricultura, &c.] It seems they have taught mankind all these arts. a bold pretence, this, of the Masons, that They have their own authority for it; and I know not how we shall disprove them. But what appears most odd is, that they reckon religion among the arts.

(14) Arte of fyndinge neue artes.] The art of inventing arts, must certainly be a Organum, is an attempt towards somewhat most useful art. My lord Bacon's Novum of the same kind. But I much doubt, that if ever the Masons had it, they have now lost it; since so few new arts have been lately invented, and so many are wanted. The idea I have of such an art is, that it must be something proper to be employed in all the sciences generally, as algebra is in numbers, by the help of which new rules of arithmetic are and may be found.

the same. Whatt odher Menne doethe ffynde out, ys onelyche bey chance, and herfore but lytel I tro.

Quest. Whatt dothe the Maconnes concele and hyde?

Ans. Thay concelethe the arte of flyndynge neue artes, and thatys for here owne proffyete, and (15) preise: they concelethe the arte of kepynge (16) secrettes, that soe the worlde mayeth nothinge concele from them. Thay concelethe the arte of Wunderwerckynge, and of foresayinge thynges to comme, that soe thay same artes may not usedde of the wyckedde to an euylle ende; thay also concelethe the (17) arte of chaunges, the wey of wynnynge the Facultye (18) of Abrac, the skylle of becommynge gude and parfyghte wythouten the holypnges of fere and hope; and the universelle (19) longage of Maconnes.

(15) Preise.] It seems the Masons have great regard to the reputation as well as the profit of their order, since they make it one reason for not divulging an art in common, that it may do honour to the possessors of it. I think in this particular they show too much regard for their own society, and too little for the rest of mankind.

(16) Arte of kepynge secrettes.] What kind of an art this is, I can by no means imagine. But certainly such an art the Masons must have: For though, as some people suppose, they should have no secret at all, even that must be a secret, which being discovered, would expose them to the highest ridicule; and therefore it requires the utmost caution to conceal it. (17) Arte of chaunges.] I know not what this means, unless it be the transmutation of metals.

(18) Facullye of Abrac.] Here I am utterly in the dark.

sired

(19) Universelle longage of Maconnes.] An universal language has been much deby the learned of many ages. It is a thing rather to be wished than hoped for. But it seems the Masons pretend to have such a thing among them. If it be true, I guess it must be something like the language of the Pantomimes among the ancient Romans, who are said to be able, by signs only, to express and deliver any oration intelligibly to men of all nations and languages. A man who has all these arts and advantages, is certainly in a condition to be envied: But we are told that this is

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A. Ye shalle be techedde yff ye be werthye, and able to lerne.

Q. Dothe alle Maconnes kunne more than odher menne?

A. Not so. Thay onlyche haueth recht, and occasyonne more than odher menne to kunne, butt many doeth fale yn capacity, and manye more doth want industrye, thatt ys pernecessarye for the ganynge all kunnynge.

Q. Are Maconnes gudder menne then odhers?

A. Some Maconnes are nott so vertuous as some odher menne; but yn the moste parte, thay be more gude then thay woulde be yf thay war not Maconnes.

Q. Dothe Maconnes love eidther odher myghtyly as beeth sayde ?

A. Yea verylyche, and yt may not odherwyse be: for gude menne, and true, kennynge eidher odher to be soche, doeth always love the more as thay be more gude.

not the case with all Masons; for though these arts are among them, and all have a right and an opportunity to know them, yet some want capacity, and others industry to acquire them.

However, of all their arts and secrets, that which I most desire to know is, "the skylle of becommynge gude and parfyghte;" and I wish it were communicated to all mankind, since there is nothing more true than the beautiful sentence contained in the last answer, "that the better men are, the more they love one another." Virtue having in itself something so amiable as to charm the hearts of all that behold it.

A GLOSSARY to explain the words in italic characters, as in the foregoing manuscript.

Allien, only. Alweys, always.
Beithe, both.

Commodytye, conveniency.
Confrerie, Fraternity.
Faconnynge, forming.
Foresayinge, prophecying.
Freres, brethren.

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Myddlelonde, Mediterranean.
Myghte, power.

Occasionne, opportunity.
Oder, or. Onelyche, only.
Pernecessarye, absolutely necessary.
Preise, honour. Recht, right.
Reckenynges, numbers.
Sonderlyche, particularly.
Skylle, knowledge.
Wacksynge, growing.
Werck, operation. Wey, way.
Whereas, where. Woned, dwelt.
Wunderwerckynge, working miracles.
Wylde, savage. Wynnynge, gaining.
Wyseacre, learned. Ynn, into.

not contain more than twenty-six lodges.

Hardcastle's Annual Masonic Regis ter, and Pocket Magazine.

A work under this title has been regularly published in this city, for several years past, by brother JOHN HARDCASTLE. His number for the present year, is now before the public, It contains a copious list of lodges, chapters, encampments, &c., together with the names of the officers of the different grades of the order, in the city of New-York; with a list of the past masters of the different lodges, &c. &c. It is comprised in thirty-six pages, neatly printed on good paper, and sold for twenty-five cents each.

We have received the copy of an excellent oration, delivered at Savannah, Georgia, by brother De La Motta,

which it was our intention to have inserted in this number, but owing to the length of the documents from PittsExtract of a letter, from a respect-burgh, with the remarks, we shall be obliged reluctantly to defer it till our

able and much esteemed brother, in Circleville, Ohio, to the editor of the Masonic Register, dated February 10, 1821.

"Masonry flourishes among us, there being now about sixty lodges in the state, besides a number of chapters of royal arch Masons, at Cincinnati, Chillicothe, Marietta, Worthington, &c.

"The proceedings of our grand lodge, at Columbus, in February last, which I attended part of the session, will give you a list of all the subordinate lodges, with the names of their officers, which I will forward you, if I can procure a spare copy.

"So far as I can learn, your valuable Magazine and Register, is very well received throughout the state."

The above extract shows the rapid increase of Masonry, in the growing state of Ohio, which, according to the best information, three years ago did

next.

MASONIC ODE.

Genius of Masonry descend,

In mystic numbers while we sing;

Enlarge our souls, the craft defend,
And hither all thy influence bring;
With social thoughts our bosoms fill,
And give thy turn to every will.
Behold the Lodge rise into view,

The work of industry and art; 'Tis grand, and regular, and true,

For so is each good Mason's heart; Friendship cements it from the ground, And secrecy shall fence it round. A stately dome o'erlooks our East,

Like orient Phœbus in the morn;

And two tall pillars in the West,
At once support us and adorn;

Upholden thus the structure stands,
Untouch'd hy sacrilegious hands.
Then may our vows to virtue move,

To virtue own'd in all her parts; Come candour, innocence, and love, Come and possess our faithful hearts; Mercy, who feeds the hungry poor, And silence, guardian of the door.

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