designation of "Lux" is unquestionably more appropriate, because, in order to obtain a clear conception of the subject, we must investigate into the nature of that moral and scientific light, which was first kindled by the Almighty Architect of the Universe-which was never entirely quenched even in the darkest periods of man's history-and still through the divine blessing continues to endure.

These remarks seem necessary, in order to direct to such a course of study as will be necessary to arrive at a correct elucidation of the subject of Masonic antiquities. In tracing the history of the Order, therefore, we must not alone confine our attention to the various colleges, lodges, and societies of builders, and the history of their works (wonderful as in many instances they must be acknowledged to be); but we must regard the rise and progress of the arts, the influence of peculiar systems of religion, the development of the intellect, and the advancement of knowledge. This will enable us to trace the history of the human mind and the march of science, a study far more interesting than the sanguinary records of conquests, wars, and massacres-and will teach the initiated Brother to appreciate more highly the excellence of that peculiar system which for so many centuries, and in such different regions, has attained results so vast and lasting, though its operations have for the most part been "veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols."

This course of study must necessarily open a wide and most discursive field of enquiry, and it will be seen, that in order to investigate it correctly, Masonry must be regarded in its speculative and moral, as well as in its operative character (and this too in the most extended sense), otherwise we shall be unable either to form a correct judgment ourselves, or understand those who have already made laborious researches, and given luminous expositions upon this most interesting subject.

END OF CHAPTER I.

FREEMASONRY IN LIVERPOOL.

The unmasonic attacks which certain scribes who are uninitiated into the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry are prone to make upon what they conceive to be its principles, always render the duty of impugning the wisdom of the government of any particular Lodge, and questioning the prudence and justice of the course which the Brethren connected with it may deem proper to pursue, in the highest degree painful, as we never wish to moot matters which may have even a remote tendency to give a colourable excuse for their prejudicial interference: still, as the accredited censors of the Craft and an admitted authority in points affecting its doctrine and discipline, we dare not shrink from the due performance of our obligations, though we may be required to animadvert upon the proceedings of one of the oldest and most respected assemblages of the Brethren, holding a warrant under the Grand Master of England, in the provinces. Indeed, in such a case we feel ourselves the more responsible to condemn a departure from the ancient landmarks and true spirit of the Order, on account of the warning which is exhibited to less prominent Lodges against falling or being led into similar error.

VOL. IV.

E

We very much regret to hear that in the St. George's Lodge of Harmony, No. 35, held at the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool, a course of action has been admitted, which, if not at once corrected and discarded, It must prove dangerous to the credit and integrity of the Order. has been deemed so insulting to an honourable and zealous Brother as to occasion his secession, and cannot for one moment, with propriety, be maintained as consistent with the rules and spirit of genuine Masonry.

The facts have been communicated to us, and are as follow :

Brother Augustus Robert Martin was regularly received into Freemasonry on the 24th day of January, 1842, and was admitted to the third degree on the 24th of April following. The readiness which he invariably evinced to advance the interests of the Order, and the capacity which he displayed to render it the best service, soon drew to him the attention of the Worshipful Master presiding, as a fit and proper person to be entrusted with office. During eighteen months he acted as the Inner Guard, and acquitted himself so ably that at the commencement of the next year the incoming Master requested him to undertake the Secretaryship. For the mode in which he discharged those duties he was greatly complimented, was admitted into the Chapter, appointed Scribe N, and invested with the badge of a Provincial Grand Steward. The Worshipful Master for 1845 solicited him to undertake the Senior Wardenship, which he filled for the year so successfully as to elicit a complimentary notice from the Deputy Provincial Grand Master. His general conduct in the important offices which he had occupied so won the good feeling of the Brethren who attended the working of the Lodge, that on the approach of the usual period for the election of Worshipful Master he was spoken of as deserving to be elevated to that exalted position. The wishes of the Brethren who designed this compliment having been communicated to the Provincial Grand Registrar (a Past Master of the Lodge), who had never once attended the working, and but twice visited for refreshment during the four years in which Bro. Martin was doing his best to promote the harmony, utility, efficiency, and conviviality of the Lodge, the very unmasonic objection was raised that "Bro. Martin's position in life did not warrant him in aspiring to preside over so aristocratic' a Lodge as 35," and the Past Master referred to indulged in the insulting remark, but in somewhat coarser terms, that "no assistant editor of a newspaper, nor any editor either, should ever be permitted to occupy the chair which he had sat in whilst mayor of Liverpool.'

On this hint others of the Brethren, who did not attempt to dispute Bro. Martin's deserts, entered upon an active canvass, not altogether in favour of another Brother whom they had selected, and who, though entitled to the confidence of the Lodge from the length of time with which he had been conneeted with it, did not wish to have the office forced upon him, but against the younger Brother, representing that if the latter were elected several subscribing Brethren, whose wealth and standing in the town are supposed to give a tone of respectability to the Lodge, would resign.

The result of their exertions was apparent on the day of election. There are seldom more than fourteen or fifteen Brethren in attendance on such occasions, but this time there were thirty-four present, twenty handing in their votes for Bro. Foster and fourteen for Bro. Martin.

Though Bro. Martin felt severely that the article of the Constitution, "that all preferment among Masons is, or ought to be, grounded upon real worth and personal merit alone," had been violated in this election, that he had fairly earned the honours from which he had thus been ungenerously excluded, and that as far as the Lodge was concerned, the principle of

equality amongst Masons had been destroyed, he rigidly adhered, for the evening, to the Masonic virtue of silence; but at the ensuing meeting he sent in the subjoined letter, which was read immediately after the Installation.

Mail (Newspaper) Office, Liverpool, January 26th, 1846.

WORSHIPFUL MASTER,-I have ascertained, beyond the possibility of denial, that a very unmasonic canvass, on MOST UNMASONIC GROUNDS, was prosecuted against me, out of doors, by several of the Brethren in reference to the MASTERSHIP.

This canvass was responded to, within the Lodge, by the votes of a majority, and though I am willing to believe that more than a moiety of that majority were uninfluenced by any views derogatory to the genuine principles of the Craft, yet I am well convinced that the remainder were prompted by very unworthy feelings in opposing my election.

Admitting, to the fullest extent, the justice of Bro. Foster's claims to the preference, I should have repressed the desire of my friends to see me so early elevated to that high and responsible position, on the instant that I was informed he would accept the office if conferred, but that I was anxious to give the Lodge an opportunity of repudiating that SPURIOUS MASONRY which certain of the Brethren sought to introduce.

I shall ever remember with satisfaction that THREE Masters of 35 deemed me worthy, though unrecommended by the external advantages of rank and fortune, to fill successively three of the most arduous offices in their gift, that I was twice permitted to discharge the duties of the Master in the Chair, and though only Senior Warden allowed to give the First and Second Degrees, and that fourteen of the Brethren voluntarily tendered their votes in my favour, as Worshipful Master, notwithstanding the influences which were brought to bear against me.

But, in the deep conviction that I cannot expect my just dues from the Lodge, on account of the unmasonic feeling that has unhappily been brought within its walls, and if not openly, at least tacitly encouraged by those who have gained an ascendancy there, I am reluctantly compelled to withdraw my name as a subscriber to its funds, until I find that the spirit of true Masonry is regarded by the members as well as the observance of its mere forms.

I remain, Worshipful Master,

Yours fraternally,

AUGUSTUS ROBERT MARTIN,

To the W. M. of the St. George's Lodge of Harmony, No. 35.

This letter, some of the Brethren, including Past Masters of the Lodge,→ who must have discarded from their memory all recollection of the personal insult offered to the writer-affected to consider " intemperate," and moved that the resignation be accepted, which was agreed to. After refreshment one Brother suggested, that "as the letter might have been penned under excitement, for which there had evidently been some just reason, the resolution should be withdrawn, and that probably at the next meeting he might be enabled to submit a proposition which should satisfy Bro. Martin's wounded feelings, remove a stigma from the Lodge, induce him to continue amongst them, and again place him on good terms with all the members. This Brother was told that the motion could only be made when the minutes should be brought forward for confirmation at the next meeting. It is doubtful, however, that the Olive branch will be thus held out, as the Brethren most active in the canvass against Bro. Martin have intimated that the proposal cannot be legally entertained,* and if made would be rejected.

These are the facts of the case as they have been communicated to us, and we believe their truth is unquestionable. Bro. Martin does appear to have been exceedingly ill-used and to have come to an accurate conclusion, that the treatment which he experienced was altogether unmasonic. There must be some allowance made for the natural irritation which such conduct must of necessity have produced upon a sensitive mind. It was doubtless excessively annoying to him to find the poetry of a system which he seems to have pursued with ardour, so ruthlessly destroyed by his Mother Lodge, to which he had

Which is quite an error,

given his entire confidence. He may have been wrong in holding the Lodge responsible for the improper acts of some of its members, but we cannot learn that there has been any attempt on the part of the former to disclaim participation therein. The Past Masters, in our opinion, on the first approach of division ought collectively to have interfered for its avoidance. They should have assured Bro. Martin that they deprecated the introduction of the unmasonic objection taken by individuals to his further promotion, and that as far as they were able they would not permit it to have any influence in the Lodge. They were, unfortunately, passive in the matter, and their very passiveness was open to the construction of a jealous and susceptible mind that the objection had their approval. We are instructed that since the election, and before the above letter was sent in, one of them candidly told Bro. Martin that so strong was the feeling which had been excited against him, that had he been elected he could not have ruled the Lodge, and another with equal candour admitted that there was no chance of his ever being elected. This, of course, must have been a great mortification to an ardent aspirant for masonic honours, who had pursued his labours with untiring zeal, and in whose favour the tongue of good report had ever been heard. Had there been any dislike to his profession, which is rather difficult to conceive, it should have been stated when he was proposed as a candidate for admission into Masonry, and not for the first time announced just as he was attaining to welldeserved honours and in the prime of his usefulness. It is too bad that such an objection should be raised after the Lodge has received his money and availed itself of his services for four years, during which space of time it is admitted his demeanour has been that of an accomplished Mason. It is somewhat puzzling to imagine why the Lodge has all at once assumed an "aristocratic" air, as we are informed that it has not scrupled to admit within its walls artists, actors, musicians, paper-hangers, watchmakers, inn-keepers, share-brokers, cotton dealers, and others rejoicing in the comprehensive title of merchants. Surely an intelligent conductor of a public newspaper-celebrated as one of the most powerful in the provinces-might be received on a footing of equality with any of these, in any society, irrespective of the Brotherhood of Freemasonry.

But the grievance does not rest in the injustice above complained of. There is an understanding in the Chapter attached to Lodge 35, that the Worshipful Master for the year shall always be the Third Chief, and fill the other chairs successively, and thus Companion Martin, at present Scribe N., is not only prevented ascending in the Lodge, but his advancement in the Chapter is stopped, even though he might be promoted to the Mastership by any other Lodge. A double injustice has been done to him, and the whole affair must receive Masonic condemnation.

[Since the foregoing was placed in type, we have been informed that an attempt of the late W. M. of the Lodge to obtain a postponement of the confirmation of the minutes, as far as regarded the resolution accepting Brother Martin's resignation, and with a view to reconciliation, was repelled, and the minutes, as they stood, were adopted.]

A LEGEND OF SIRIAD.

"You still are, what you were."

VCLPONE, OR THE FOX.

"Since it is, as it is, mend it
For your own good."

SHAKSPERE.

In the days immediately succeeding the death of Cainan, the posterity of Seth were in great danger of contamination, from occasional intercourse with the children of Cain, who had departed greatly from the pure worship of the Most High, and given themselves up to vain delusions, worshipping the starry host of heaven; thus preferring the handiwork of the Creator to the divine essence itself.

The simple yet efficient form of worship, as handed down from Adam, was interwoven with vain forms, and rendered captivating to the deluded multitude by the adventitious aids of music, poetry, painting, and gorgeous, though unmeaning spectacles. Led away by these gilded pageants of their neighbours, many of the seed of Seth were tempted to renounce the pure faith of their fathers and attach themselves to the less spiritual, though more dazzling system of the children of Cain.

At that time there lived a man of most excellent understanding, whose mind was stored with the wisdom of the past, and comprehended in its prophetic nature the wisdom of the times to come. His age was so considerable, that the oldest of his contemporaries could not remember him but as an old man in their greenest youth. His name was Masonicus, and the voice of tradition ascribed to him a divine origin untainted by the dust of human nature. The aim of his being seemed to be the alleviation of human anguish, and the diffusion of peace and goodwill. Grieved at the apostacy he saw daily spreading around him, he called a meeting of the rulers of the people and explained to them the inevitable consequences which would result, were not some means adopted to stay the defection of the people. The wisdom of his words was at once perceived, and by the unanimous voice of the rulers and the people themselves, he was deputed to draw up such a system of morality as his knowledge of human nature and vast wisdom should suggest. Thus solicited, he immediately commenced those godlike labours which he fondly hoped would secure to the children of Seth both temporal and eternal felicity.

Convinced that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, he commenced his system with a revelation of the power, wisdom, and goodness of the Great Architect of the universe; he explained to them their utter dependence upon His providence, and showed them His power and willingness to aid all those who sought His assistance. He taught them the moral and social virtues, and explained to them the divine truth, that next to the love of God is the love of our neighbour. He then taught them to read the heavens and the earth, and to draw from their expressive pages fresh proofs of the wisdom of Him who formed them. Then advancing still higher, he taught them to consider this life but as a prelude to a more perfect state of being, which,