FREEMASONRY

A well-known institution, the origin of which has given rise to much fabulous narrative and idle speculation. Some derive the mysteries of Freemasonry from those of the priests of Eleusis, and these again from Egypt; others from the secret a ociations of the Templars. (See Templars, Baphomet.) The last opinion was illustrated at great length by M. Barruel (Mcmoires du Jacobin is me), who conceived both Freemasons and Jacobins to be the relics of a long-established conspiracy for the subversion of religions and empires. But our distinct historical information merely amounts to this, that the fraternity of architects or builders in the middle ages extended over all Catholic countries, and was especially patronized by the see of Rome. It is to this craft that we owe the magnificent Gothic edifices dedicated to religion, which contrast so strongly with the barbarous efforts of those ages in most other departments of art. It is said that this a ociation was introduced into Scotland in the 13th century, and about the same time into England, it being ascertained that the Abbey of Kilwinning in the former country was raised by this fraternity; and it is believed to have continued to exist, nlthough small in number, in these two countries after it had disappeared from the Continent. The Kilwinning and York lodges are respectively the most ancient in either country. But the mode and period in which the a ociation became changed from a mere profe ional fraternity to a society of persons of all descriptions connected by secret symbols, is unknown. It cer- ' tainly excited great attention, and numbered individuals of liiili rank as honorary members, as early as the 15th century. The Scottish masons appointed St. Clair of Roslin as their hereditary grand-master in 1630; and the office was resigned by his descendant in 1736, when the grand lodge of Scotland was instituted. In 1725, the first French lodge was established; in 1730, the first American; in 1735, the first German. From that period until the present, while the society has existed among ourselves as a mere convivial and benevolent a ociation, and has been patronized even by royalty and the nobility, it has been subjected on the Continent to a variety of suspicions; and it is most probable that political intriguers have availed themselves of the secrecy alfbrded by it to further their schemes. Indeed, in this country, the " Royal Arch" degree is said to have been devised by the Scottish Jacobites. Pope Clement XII. excommunicated the Freemasons in Spain and Portugal: until recent events, their name was synonymous with that of deists and revolutionists. But the most singular chapter in the history 478 [s. 492]