SECTION I.

Masonry early introduced into England. — Account of the Druids. — Progress of Masonry in England under the Romans. — Masons highly favoured by St. Alban.
THE history of Britain, previous to the invasion of the Romans, is so mixed with fable, as not to afford any satisfactory account, either of the original inhabitants of the island, or of the arts practised by them. It appears, however, from the writings of the best historians, that they were not destitute of genius or taste; and there are yet in being the remains of some stupendous works exe- cuted by them much earlier than the time of the Romans; which, though defaced by time, display no small share of ingenuity, and are convincing proofs that the science of Masonry was not unknown even in those rude ages.
The Druids retained among them many usages similar to those of Masons ;J but of what they consisted, at this remote period, we cannot with certainty discover. In conformity to the ancient practices of the Fraternity, we learn that they held their assemblies in woods and groves,2 and observed the most impenetrable secrecy in
1 A full description of the Druidical ceremonies may be found in the History of Initiation, by the Editor.
3 These sacred groves were usually of oak. but, in Arabia, some of the tribes worshipped the ACACIA. " A tree," says Sale, in his pre- liminary discourse to the Koran (sec. 1), ''called 'the Egyptian thorn, or acacia, was worshipped by the tribes of Ghatf&n, under the name of AL Uzza, first consecrated by one Dh&lem. who built a chapel over it, called Boss, so contrived as to give a sound when any person en- tered. KMled Ebn Walid being sent by Mohammed, in the eighth year of the Hejira, to destroy this idol, demolished the chapel, and
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their principles and opinions ; a circumstance which we have reason to regret, as these, being known only to themselves, must have perished with them.
The Druids were the priests of the Britons, Gauls, and other Celtic nations, and were divided into three classes : the Bards, who were poets and musicians, formed the first class; the Vates, who were priests and physi- ologists, composed the second class; arid the third class consisted of -the Druids, who added moral philosophy to the study of physiology.
As study and speculation were the favourite pursuits of those philosophers, it has been suggested that they chiefly derived their 'system of government from Pytha- goras. Many of his tenets and doctrines seem to have been adopted by them. In their private retreats, they entered into a disquisition of the origin, laws, and proper- ties of matter, the form and magnitude of the universe, and even ventured to explore the most sublime and hidden secrets of Nature. On these subjects they formed a variety of hypotheses, which they delivered to their disciples in verse, in order that they might be more easily retained in memory ; and administered an oath not to commit them to writing.
In this manner the Druids communicated their particu- lar tenets and concealed under the veil of mystery every branch of useful knowledge ;3 which tended to secure to
cutting down this tree, or image, burnt it; he also slew the priestess, who ran out, with her hair dishevelled, and her hands on her head, as a suppliant. The name of this deity is derived from the root azza, and signifies Most Mighty." — EDITOR.
3 The Druids, however, had many superstitious usages, somewhat allied to sorcery, which were practised to overawe the people, and keep them in a state of abject subjection. What the precise nature of these practices was, we are not correctly informed ; but some idea may be gathered from the following superstitions, still used in many parts of this kingdom, which are justly referred to Druidical origin. "Many superstitions," I quote from the Introduction to Mey rick's Cardigan, " grew into importance, from the peculiarity of some cere- monies; such as cutting the mistletoe with a golden hook by the presiding Druid ; the gathering of the cowslip and other plants, con- secrated to the power of healing. The autumnal fire is still kindled in North Wales, being on the eve of the first day of November, and is attended by many ceremonies, such as running through the fire and Binoke, each casting a stone into the fire, and all running oft' at the conclusion, to escape from the black, short-tailed sow; then supping upon parsnips, nuts, and apples ; catching up an apple, suspended by
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their order universal admiration and respect, while the religious instructions propagated by them were every where received with reverence and submission. They were entrusted with the education of youth ; and from their seminaries issued many curious and valuable pro- ductions. As judges of law they determined all causes, ecclesiastical and civil ; as tutors, they taught philoso- phy, astrology, politics, rites, and ceremonies; and as bards, in their songs they recommended the -heroic deeds of great men to the imitation of posterity.
To enlarge on the usages that prevailed among those ancient philosophers, on which we can offer at best but probable conjectures, would be a needless waste of time ; we shall therefore leave the experienced Mason to make his own reflections on the affinity of their practices to tlic rites established among the Fraternity,4 and proceed to a disquisition of other particulars and occurrences, which are better authenticated, and of more importance.
On the arrival of the Romans in Britain, arts and sci- ences began to flourish. According to the progress of civilization, Masunry rose into esteem; hence we find that Caesar, and several of the Roman generals who succeeded him in the government of this island, ranked themselves as patrons and protectors of the Craft. At this period, the Fraternity were employed in erecting walls, forts, bridges, cities, temples-, palaces, courts of justice, and other stately works; but history is silent respecting their mode of government, and affords no information with regard to the usages and customs preva- lent among them. Their lodges or conventions were regularly held; but being open only to the initiated, the
a string, with the mouth alone, and the same by an apple with a tub of water; each throwing a nut into the fire, and those that burn bright betoken prosperity to the owners through the following year, but those that burn black, and crackle, denote misfortune. On the following morning^ the stones are searched for in the fire, and if any be missing they betide ill to those who threw them in. Another remnant of Druidical superstition, with which we are well acquainted, as practised all over England, is the gathering of the mistletoe at Christmas; and many others, such as dancing Found the Maypole. &o., may be traced to the aberrations from their original doctrines. — EDITOR.
4 A careful perusal of my History of Initiation, compared with the former part of the present work, will satisfactorily determine this point. — EDITOR.
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legal restraints they were under prevented the public communication of their private transactions.
The wars which afterwards broke out between the conquerors and conquered considerably obstructed the progress of Masonry in Britain, so that it continued in a very low state till the time of the Emperor Carausius, by whom it was revived under his own immediate aus- pices. Having shaken oif the Roman yoke, he contrived the most effectual means to render his person and govern- ment acceptable to the people; and, by assuming the character of a Mason, he acquired the love and esteem of the most enlightened part of his subjects. He pos- sessed real merit, encouraged learning and learned men, and improved the country in the civil arts. In order to establish an empire in Britain, he brought into his domini- ons the best workmen and artificers from all parts ; all of whom, under his auspices, enjoyed peace and tranquil- lity. Among the first class of his favourites he enrolled the Masons: for their tenets he professed the highest veneration, and appointed Albanus, his steward, the principal superintendent of their assemblies. Under his patronage, lodges and conventions of the Fraternity were formed, and the rites of Masonry regularly practised. To enable the Masons to hold a general council to estab- lish their own government, and correct errors among themselves, he granted to them a charter, and commanded Albanus to preside over them in person as Grand Master. This worthy knight proved a zealous friend to the Craft, and assisted at the initiation of many persons into the mysteries of the Order. To this council the name of Assembly was afterwards given.5
Albanus was born at Verulam (now St. Alban's, ir
5 An old MS. which was destroyed, with many others, in 1720, sale to have been in the possession of Nicholas Stone, a curious sculptoi under Inigo Jones, contained the following particulars:
" Si. Alban loved Masons well, and cherished them much, and made their pay right good ; for he gave them ijs. per weeke. and iiijc?. tc their cheer ;* whereas, before that time, in all the land, a Mason had but a penny a-day, and his meat, until St. Alban mended it. And he gott them a charter from the King and his counsell for to hold a general counsell, and gave itt to name Assemblie. Thereat he was himselfe, and did helpe to make Masons, and gave them good charges."
* A MS., written in the reign of James II., before cited in this volume (p. 68), containa an account of this circumstance, and increases the weekly pay to 3s. frl. and 3d. a-day for the bearers of burdens.
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Hertfordshire), of a noble family. In his youth he travel led to Rome, where he served seven years under the Emperor Diocletian. On his return home, by the exam- ple and persuasion of Amphibalus of Caerleon (now Chester), who had accompanied him in his travels, he was converted to the Christian faith ; and, in the tenth and last persecution of the Christians, was beheaded A.D. 303.
St. Alban was the first who suffered martyrdom for the Christian religion in Britain, of which the Venerable Bede gives the following account: — The Roman governor having been informed that St. Alban harboured a Chris- tian in his house, sent a party of soldiers to apprehend Amphibalus. St. Alban immediately put on the habit of his guest,6 and presented himself to the officers. Being carried before a magistrate, he behaved with such manly freedom, and so powerfully supported the cause of his friend, that he not only incurred the displeasure of the judge, but brought upon himself the punishment above specified.
The old Constitutions affirm, that St. Alban was employed by Carausius, to environ the city of Verulum with a wall, and to build for him a splendid palace ; and that to reward his diligence in executing these works, the Emperor appointed him steward of his household, and chief ruler of the realm. However this may be, from the corroborating testimonies of ancient historians, we are assured that this knight was a celebrated archi- tect, and a real encourager of able workmen ; it cannot, therefore, be supposed that Freemasonry would be neg- lected under so eminent a patron.
6 The garment which Alban wore upon this occasion was called a Caracalla ; it was a kind of cloke with a cowl, resembling the vest- im-iit of the Jewish priests. Walsingham relates, that it was preserved in a large chest in the church of Ely, which was opened in the reign of Edward II., A.D. 1314; and Thomas Rudburn. another writer of equal authority, confirms this relation; and adds, that there was found, with his garment, an old writing in these words : " This is the Caracalla of St. Amphibalus. the monk and preceptor of St. Alban; in which that proto-martyr of England suffered death, under the cruel persecution of Diocletian against the Christians "
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