THE
HISTORY OF MASONRY.
ORIGIN OF MASONRY.
The original institution of Masonry is laid on the foundation of the liberal Arts and Sciences; but more especially on the fifth, namely, Geometry: For ou the building of the Tower of Babel, the art of Masonry was first introduced; and from thence handed down by Euclid, a most worthy and excellent Mathematician in Egypt: and he communicated it to Hiram, the Master-Mason, concerned in the building of Solomon's Temple, at Jerusalem; where was an excellent and curious Mason, that was the chief under the Grand Master, Hiram, whose name was Mannon Græcus, who taught the art of Masonry to one Carolus Marcel in Franco, who was afterwards elected king of France: And from thence it was brought into England, in the time of Ethelstane; who ordered an assembly to be held every year at York, which was the first introduction of it into England. And Masons were made in the manner following:—
Whilst one of the Seniors holdeth the Book, then ho or they put their hands on tho Book, whilst tho Master ought to read the Laws or Charges.
Which Charges were:—That they should be
