CHAPTER XXL

Monuments of ancient Architecture, and his* torical facts of the origin and progress of Geometry, and other Sciences, connect' ed with ancient, Operative Masonry.*
TO trace some of the ancient records and monuments of art, and the early intro- duction and progress of the more useful sciences, shall be the object of the present address. A subject, much of which is involved in that impenetrable darkness, which broods over the ruins of antiquity. We will, however, commence with the ori- gin of our species, and diligently search amongst the works of time, for such mate- rials as may afford us some information on this interesting subject.
The history of the arts and sciences in the antediluvian world, would be exceed- ingly interesting, could they be traced to their origin and followed in their progress. On this subject, our knowledge is princi- pally confined to the sacred record. From the account given by Moses, we learn that the first city was built by Cain, the eldest
* All those historical facts, embodied in this chapter, taken from the Encyclopaedia, Anacharsis's Travels during iht middle of the tourvh century, before Christ ; Muv«r*s Unifer- •al Hatory, and several publications on Asiatic antiquities.
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son of Adam; but of the extent and con- struction, we have no account. Tubal- Cain wrought in brass and iron, and pro- bably, from the fact that bis name is record- ed as such, was either the inventor of this craft, or the most experienced of his time. Jabal and Jubal, sons of Lamech, either invented, or greatly improved some of the useful and ornamental arts.
Jabal was the father of such as dwell in tents, and Jubal of such as handle the harp and organ. The Jewish Rabbins likewise, inform us, that the posterity of Seth were eminently skilled in astronomy.
Joseph us tells us, there were antediluvi- an stone pillars, to be seen in his day, co~ vered with astronomical inscriptions. That such pillars might have been erected and inscribed by the antediluvians, is not per- haps, improbable ; but we have reason to believe, their tradition, rather than their existence, remained till the time of Jose- phus. The construction of the ark, how* ever, was a distinguishing specimen of an* tediluvian art. Although its dimensions ivere Divinely communicated, yet there can be little doubt, that Noah was left to hi? own ingenuity, in the style of finishing.
Some writers have doubted, whether this fir-t race of men were acquainted with the Use of letters. But St. Jude inform* us, that
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Enoch, the seventh from Adam, delivered prophecies ; if so, we would naturally Mip- pose there wassomemedium,through which they could he recorded and pteserved.— When was it ever known, in any age, 1 hat' society had made such advances in the use- ful arts as the antediluvians evidently did, without some acquaintance of letters? or something, hy which to record their know- ledge ? It is also the opinion of the most learned and judicious antiquarians, that science, together with many brandies of the useful and ornamental arts, was under* stood and cultivated hy the antediluvians; the wrecks of which, in all probability, laid the foundation for their early introduction in the first ages of the postdiluvian world One specimen at least, of their architec- ture, the ark, survived the general destruc- tion.
The tower of Babel, and the city of Bab> Ion, are amongst the first displays of art, after the deluge. This ancient city, according to the concurrent testimony of history, was one of the most splendid works of human art ; yet who could l>e- lieve, such an extensive and rich combina- tion of civil architectural works should spring up, amongst any people, without the aid of long experience, or a previous knowledge of its fundamental principles.
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Ve will next recur to India, Egypt Persia, which, by antiquarians, are ught to be amongst the first countries, *re civil architecture, geometry, and sciences were advanced to any consi* able degree of perfection, Within the fines of those countries, are still to be nd the remains of the most proud archi* ,ural works ; the era of whose construc- i, has never been satisfactorily deter- .ed. Of these we will only mention a , as specimens of oriental art; The ient city Oude, northeast of Bengal, is I to be the first imperial city of that jjdom. According U> the Bramin^ it snded on a line of about forty miles, continued the imperial city one thou- I five hundred years, or till one thou- t years before Christi Canngue, ano- • ancient city of the Indians, according Strabo, from Megasthenes, who bad i it, stood on the Ganges, was of a quad- jular form, most strongly fortified, and tained some of the richest specimens of ient art. SherrifHden, a Persian historic informs us, that old Delhi contained a ice, built by some ancient king, in ch were one thousand marble columns, it richly ornamented, ^hese cities are thought, by sir William es and Maurice, with regard to extent
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and splendour, to have exceeded the most magnificent cities in the western world. To these rich specimens of ancient art, we may add, from the best authorities, p>ra* mids, vaiiou^ly constructed ; excavation* in the sides of rocky mountains, of vast ex- tent, divided into separate apartments, by ranges of sculptured pillars, while the walls are covered with a multitude of hu- man figures, elephants, horses and lions, of the most exquisite workmanship..
In the vicinity of Bamiyan, are two co- lossal statues, the one is said to be tilt}, the other eighty ells high, standing: erect, and adhering to the mountain from whence tbey were cut. And we are likewise told, that in Shoubab of Cashmere, are sculptured in rock^ similar figures of astonishing mag- nitude: and tbat before the great tempi* of the sun, there was a pillar, of an octa- gon form, fifty cubits high ; and two fi- gures of elephants, wrought in black stone, with two human figures on their trunks, and several horsemen near by, completely armed.
The ancient Persian history, as given by Tabari, contains many interesting con- siderations on this subject ; some t>f which,, however, may be fabulous- The first reign- ing prince is said to be Caiumeras, who is thought to have been a descendant of Sbem,
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the son of Noah. Other historians have considered him, the Chederlaomer, king of Elam, mentioned in the fourteenth chap* ter of Genesis. It is argued, however, by all, that be undertook the arduous task of civilizing mankind, and instructed them in many of the useful arts. Tabari considers this monarch, the founder of the city I*tak- har, which was afterwards called Perse- poiis, and of Baikal).
. Jemshid, the fourth in the regal line, brought to perfection, those useful arts which were introduced by his predecessors. Be divided his subjects into four classes; priests and learned men, fcoldiers, husband- lien and artisans. The same historian tells is, their religion, at this time, was that of Enoch. The use of the solar year was in- troduced by -this prince, and a feast insti- tuted in its commemoration, which is said still to be observed by the Persians. Cai- kobad, another of the Persian kings, on the testimony of Tabari, was cotempora- ry -with Solomon. H is successor devoted much time to the pursuits of astronomical studies, and actually erected a lofty build- ing for an observatory.
The ancient architecture of Egypt in said to bear a strong resemblance to that of the Indians, and is thought originall> to have been borrowed from that country.
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Of Egyptian art and science, we need say nothing, as they are distinctly known to have flourished to an extensive degree.
Of Grecian architecture, also, little need be said. It is believed they derived much aid, in their infant state, from Egypt and Persia. No nation, perhaps, ever stood on a prouder eminence, tjjan Greece in her glory. The first distinct character which architecture received in this coun- try, was denominated Doric, from the place of its invention. This was followed by the tonic, and Corinthian.
The Phenicians of Tyre arc, on aH hands, admitted to be the descendants of Canaan the grandson of Noah. Many ves- tiges of ancient art are still found rchrre T\ re once stood. From the eai liest .peri- ods of their history, civil and naval archi- tecture were understood, and philosophy, arithmetic and astronomy taught, with a degree of accuracy. Abihel is the first Tyrian prince distinctly known in pro- fane history; and he was cotempoiary with David, king of Israel. His son and successor, Hiram, formed an alliance with SolornoB, and furnished materials for the temple at Jerusalem. Many of Solomon's most skilful craftsmen wereTyrians; which sufficiently evinces the early architectu- ral .perfection of that people.
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Prom the history of the Romans, it ap- pears that little attention was paid to archi- tecture, until after the conquest of the an- cient Britons, the Macedonians, and some .parts of Persia* From those numerous and rich specimens of art, which were col- lected in their eastern conquests, and con- veyed to Rome, the attention of that peo- ple became engaged, and their history fur- bishes us ample proof of their skill and progress. Uniting the Ionic and Corin- thian orders, ihe Romans formed the Com- posite ; and by a change of style in the Dor- ic, instituted the Tuscan. In the schools of modern architecture, the history and the progress of the art, are within the reach of however, between tire ancient and modern style, there appears to have been a gradu* al change, from the boldness and strength of antiquity, to an extreme of delicacy, and profusion of ornament.
In proof of the early existence of an- cierft art, one more fact shall suffice ; and that is, the Artmdelian Marbles* These are now deposited in the University of Oxford, and are considered the mo«t stfperb re- mains of antiquity. The Earl of Arundel, leaving his native country, and residing in Italy, employed several men of eminent science, at vast expense, to explore many
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parts of the eastern world, in search of fbe monuments of antiquity. In this labori- ' ous undertaking, he procured more than five hundred pieces, of which, thirty-seven were statues, one hundred and twenty- eight busts, and two hundred and fifty ineciibed marbles, -together -with various cither fragments, of -various descriptions. These were obtained at Morea, Delos, Faros, Ephesus, Pergamus, Smy rna, and in other eastern countries. Some were pur- chased, and others dug up from ancient ruins : and notwithstanding the numerous inscriptions, found on most of these mar- bles and that profound erudition which ha- been employed to decipher them, yet the age of some. pieces has hitherto baffled every exertion, and 4he era of their for- mation still slumbers beneath the Jmpene- trahle veil of antiquity.
The origin of the arts, is most evidently founded in the natural wants of man. But 1he sciences are justly considered the ne- cessary and natural offspring of the arts. Such, in a -special manner, h geometry. For we can neither build houses nor tern- plcs, application of some of its principles. An- cient writers generally suppose it was first -cultivated- in .-Egypt. Herodotus fixes its arigin here, at the time Sesostris inter-
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sected Egypt with canals, and divided (be country amongst his people. This was the opinion of sir Isaac Newton. At the same time, the researches of the learned have actually brought to light astronomical tables, found in India, which must have been formed on geometrical principles* the era of whose construction cannot be de- termined. It is,* however, thought their date cannot be less- than three thousand years before Christ. The Hindoos have a treatise now extant, whose date is fixed at two thousand years. This treatise con- tains a rational system of trigonometry,, which is said to differ materially from the Egyptian and Grecian. But according to tbe natural progress of knowledge, astro- nomy and geometry must necessarily pre- cede trigonometry. It would, therefore, seem, that geometry had an origin anterior to this,.treatise on trigonometry. If so, it is also prior to that of Egypt. But this, perhaps, is not material, since the know- ledge of the science can be traced back* till lost in the remotest ages of antiquity. We are, however, well assured, that geo^ metry was understood in Egypt, and that Thales, of Miletus, transplanted this, with other sciences, to Greece in the sixth cen- tury before Christ. This philosopher, ac- cording, to Diogenes Laertius, first me a-
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sured the heights of the pyramids by their shadows; and Plutarch states the surprise of king Amasis, at this instance of sagaci- ty. It is however true, that some loose* geometrical principles were known in Greece, before the time of Thales ; be- cause Euphorbus discovered some of the principles of a triangle, and Theodorus, of Santos, the square and level. Yet it was Thales undoubtedly, who laid the foundation of this science in his native country. Many of the scholars of Thales, attained great celebrity ; amongst whom was Pythagoias. He, visiting Egypt, ex- amined the columns oTSoslhis, deposited i& subterranean vase?, on which were engra- ved the principles of geometry. This phi- losopher, before his return to his native country, visited India, and learned much of the Bramins. Titles founded the Ioni- an school, and Pythagoras, after his exam- ple, the Italian. In like manner arose the Platonic school. Plato, after the example of his predecessors, travelled into Egypt* and was instructed by the priests.- The fourth school was that of Alexandria, es- tablished by Ptolemy Lagus, three hun- dred years before Christ. This school con- tinued to flourish more than ten centuries. It was here that the celebrated Euclid flourished, whose works are held in the highest estimation at the present day. —
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"We might go on, and mention the many discoveries and inventions of Archimedes, Eratosthenes, Apollonius, and a multitude of others,- whose geometrical improve-' merits are more distinctly known. De- scending on the lapse of time, we pass over the many fluctuating stages of the sciences, as well as the arts. Vast revolutions were produced by the eruptions of the Saracen v and other barbarous nations, which were followed by the dark ages of the world. By degrees-, however, both art and science began to revive, and have gradually pro- gressed to 4 their present state of compara- tive perfection.
In the history of arithmetic, little need tfe said. For it is impossible to determine, with any degree of accuracy, at what peri- od of time, or to what individual, the world » "indebted for this important invention. It U the concurrent testimony of hi.-tory, however, both sacred and profane, that it arose in those eastern countries, where art and science first began to dawn on the* postdiluvian world. Some ascribe the in- vention to the Chaldeans ; but more to the ancient Indians of the east, amongst whom astronomy is known to have been under- stood at a very early period. St ra bo gives the invention to the Phoenicians, because the first system, as mentioned by Cedrenus,
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was written by Agenor, in the Phoenician language. Josephus ascribes it to A brain, who is said to have taught it to the Egyp- tians. Notwithstanding the precise date cannot be fixed, nor the early progress of tliiw science known, yet we have every rea- son to believe, from common necessity, it was almost, or quite, coeval with our spe- cies ; and that improvements were made, in every succeeding age of antiquity.
We will next inquiie into the probable origin and progress of astronomy. This sublime science, is said to have been un- derstood and cultivated by the antedilu- vians. The opinion is highly probable, al- though we have no certain proof of the fact. It is evident from ancient historical accounts, that astronomy was amongst the first of the sciences, cultivated in the ear- liest stages of society ; and from the fact of its existence, nearly at the same era, amongst those nations, it would seem, that the hint was given, and the excitement produced, by some wrecks of the science, which had escaped the convulsions of ages still more remote: For it is a natural and necessary conclusion, that its origin was from long and actual observation. From history it appears that astrology, and as- tronomy, were for many ages used nearly, or quite, as synonymous terms* In pro*
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cess of time, however, they were different- ly applied. Although the absolute origin is lost in antiquity, yet it can he traced till about twenty two centuries before Cluist. We have it on the authority of Porphyry, that Calisthenes, at the, request of Alexan- der the Great, collected the Chaldean as- tronomical observations, for one thousand nine hundred and three years, and sent them to Aristotle, And it is said by fiail- ly, that the rules and facts of the Chaldean and Indian astronomy, are the mere wrecks of a great system, which had been carried to a high degree of perfection in early ages, but through some mighty revolution in hu- man affairs has only left those fragments of the science, which have been gleaned from the ruins.
The Indians, the Babylonians, and the Egyptians hold the earliest historical tes- timony. Thales, of Miletus, whose name lias been mentioned, seems to have been the first of the Greeks, who made astro- nomical discoveries, and Pythagoras suc- ceeded him. When Anacharsis, in his tra- vels, visited Greece, he was informed by Euclid, three hundred and fifty jears be- fore Christ, that all their knowledge of this science, was originally derived from Egvpt arid Chaldea ; that he had in his possession, astronomical tables, some of which were of
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very high antiquity. From Greece, as- tronomy was transplanted to Rome, and other countries. But in those succeeding revolutions, which overturned the civilized world, this, with all the inestimable pro* ductions of antiquity, wa9 nearly lost a- midst those ruins ; and it remained, in more modern times, for Copernicus to revive, and restote to the world, the true know- ledge of the solar system.
It only remains to show* what connex- ion, if any, exists- between what you have- heard and the ancient principles of this In- stitution. I believe I am justified in say- ing, that Masonry in its original sense, ha^ ever been considered nearly, if not alto- gether, synonymous with geometry. But* we can neither build houses nor temples, nor designate and apportion territory, with- out the aid of Geometrical principles in : dome shape. Some rude application of these principles must, of necessity, have been coeval with the first constitution of local dwellings, and the first designation of personal and individual territory. This- application, in all human probability, had not, in the first instance, a single feature of a connected system. Necessity led the way* and human ingenuity pursued the hints. But geometry, as a science, must necessa- rily have preceded astronomy ; and trigo-
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&o me try is the legitimate offspring of them both. Hence we discover that- common u- aion, not only between t be sciences them- selves, but between an and science.. Uni- tedly, they constitute one common family, mutually subservient, each to the perfec- tion of the other.. But Masonry is admit- ted by all writers on that subject, ancient- ly to have been operative ; and geometry, from the same authorities, was anciently held synonymous with Masonry. I only state the facts, and leave my companions to draw the inference.
Permit me, in a few closing remarks, to fix on a definite period in our history, and travel back to the first landmarks of Ma- sonry, in its ancient character..
From modern history we learn distinct- ly, that in a very early period, an associa- tion of artisans was known under the name and style of Free-Masons. This associa- tion, was composed of Greeks, Italians, Franks, Germans and Flemish. Under the distinct name of Free-Masons, they obtain- ed special privileges, and travelled from country to country, to erect churches, cha- pels and other important public buildings. These members lived in huts erected near their works, where under a surveyor, or master, every tentli man was called a war- den, and had the oversight and superintend
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dence of those under his care. Moreover, history informs us, this travelling Lodge disseminated the mysteries of the Institu- tion through many parts of modern Eu- rope.
Now look back into ancient history, and here we are told, that the Dionysian arti- sans were associated for the same purpose, in the erection of temples, theatres, and other public buildings, some hundred years before Christ-. That this association tra- velled through Asia Minor, and the adja* cent countries, in the prosecution of the same art. That they erected; that very magnificent temple at Teos, and were, by the ancient kings of Pergamus, incorpora- ted, and enjoyed the exclusive privileges of their art, and were actually subdivided into different Lodges. These facts are sup- ported on the authority of Chandler's Tra» vels in Asia Minor, and Chishull's Asiatic Antiquities. Here then is a fact so stub- born, in the history of ancient, operative Ma- sonry, as never to have been denied. All historians, who have introduced this subject* admit the fact, and infer the connexion.
Once more, history gives us these words: " When Pythagoras, having visited Phoeni- cia, ChaJdea, India and Egypt, .returned to Saiiios, and the inhabitants of that place re- jecting his instructions, he established him*
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;elf in Italy, loaded with intellectual spoils, md the Mysterious Science of the east." &lso, at Cratonia, he established a secret issociatiou, where he taught the doctrines >f the Ionian school,. in connexion with that nysterious science he had acquired in his )\vn travels. ,But if we take for granted, 'what. 1 believe, has never been disputed >y any writer,) that geometry and Mason- ry, in their original acceptation, were ever iseH-as synonymous terms, that is, signifi- cant of the knowledge and application of such geometrical principles, as are subser- vient to human wants, and inseparably con- lected with civil refinement in all architec- tural works, we must draw an important conclusion. JFor, if this is a true definition i>f ancient operative geometry, it i* a true iefinition of ancient operative Masonry ; because both rest on the same foundation, and are likewise in accordance with every historical fact on this subject. If, there- fore, we admit this definition (and I believe it has never been denied) it will follow as a necessary, and certain consequence, that, in whatever age, or under whatever circum- stances, men have been associated in the study, or prosecution, of those useful arts involving geometrical principles of this description, they were to all intents and purposes, ancient Masons ; or if you please.
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they were ancient -Geometricians, which is only the other name. JNow the name is al- together immaterial, so long as we identify and describe the same art. It is, therefore, evident, if there is any truth In history, that Geometry was the ancient, and Masonry the modern name for the same art. Tbat the former preceded, and the latter follow- ed -the dark ayes of the world. The Greek and Italian associations, distinctly ca//ed Masons, in history, studied the -same prin- ciples, and prosecuted the same operative art, with other associations which had pre- ceded them, for many centuries.
Hence, it cannot be denied, that even the antediluvians were skilled inoperative geometry, and we know, from existing fads, that the postdiluvians were ; that even in the remotest periods of that age, the aiti- sans were classed, or associated, and, in some instances, history records the fact of their enjoying 'exclusive privileges, and travelling from country to country, in the prosecution of their art.
Taking history for our guide, and the monumental fragments of antiquity fortes* timonv, we are led to this unavoidable con* elusion ; that ancient Geometry, in connex- ion with its collateral branches, was to the ancients, under one name, what Operative Masonry, amongst theirs/ of the moderns,
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N2L8 under another name. But to put the natter beyond all reasonable doubt, as to :he inseparable connexion between the irts and sciences, whose history has been hus briefly given, and ancient, Operative Vlasonry, I need only refer Masons to a •egular Lodge, properly furnished. By jvhat principles are the dimensions of your Lodge taken ? Like the perfect workman- ihip of a spacious edifice, the whole are ?omposed of regular, geometrical propor- ions. Every Lodge is laid out on the principles of mensuration, and is an oblong square. This is emblematically support- ed by pillars, or columns, and in the same Tianner covered by the starry heavens. Light is occasionally intercepted by bro- ken clouds. The sun, the moon and the stars appear in their different splendour ir- radiating the whole scene.
Why are all Masonic signs, especially in the first degrees, an entire combina- ion of different geometrical lines ? You speak of the perfect square, the level, ind the plumbline ; the triangle, with its properties, proportions, and applica- tion. You speak of the circle, its centre, radii, and all its governing properties. You introduce the several orders of archi- .ecture, and fully explain their dimensions, >rnaments, and history. You speak of the
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globes, with their different circles, their lines of demarcation, and geometrical mea- surements. The cube, with length, aod breadth, and depth, is explained, and its numerous and important applications. In short, you rise from this terrestrial sphere, to a contemplation of the starry heavens, and consider their distance, their motion, and magnitude ; and travel over the ut- most boundaries of the universe, on the line and the circle. By the. aid of the tri- angle, the square, and the cube, you are taught to mark out, and describe the vast dimensions of the material creation. But why need I add ? Is there an impoitant IMasonic emblem, or symbol, connected with the operative branch of the Institu- tion, whose existence does not, in some shape, depend on the above sciences] Does not every ceremony of initiation, step by step, rest on some mathematical rule ? And is not the very name itself de- rived from geometiical science ? If such is the fact, can any man explain, in what ope- rative Masonry does consist, unless it is in the knowledge of the science of architec- tural art, founded on geometiical princi- ples ? Can any man, on any other giouud, assign one satisfactory reason, wbj Mason- ry as an operative science, from the foun- dation to the capstone, together with the
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whole superstructure, is an entire exposi- tion of the various and useful principles of geometrical science ?
Thus briefly, I have endeavoured to set before you the plain matters of fact, on this subject, as exhibited before you in every Lodge room, and as collected from the records and the ruins of antiquity ; and with this evidence,* and those facts, I leave every brother, and every companion, to draw his own conclusion.
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