56 LIFE AXD CORRESPONDENCE OF THE [l/Sl 



years ago, is here inserted ; which, with another famous record, pub: 

 lished by the great Philosopher John Locke, Esq. ; (and likewise herein 

 after inserted) will be enough on this subject. 



"Although the ancient records of the brotherhood in England were 

 many of them destroyed or lost in the wars of the Saxons and Danes, 

 yet it is known that King Athelstan, the grandson of Alfred the Great, 

 who was a mighty architect, the first true King of England, and who 

 translated the holy Bible into the Saxon tongue, when he had brought 

 the land into rest and peace, built many great works, and encouraged 

 many Masons from France, who were ai)pointed overseers thereof, and 

 brought with them the charges and regulations of the Lodges preserved 

 since the Roman times. These Masons likewise prevailed with the King 

 to improve the Constitution of the English Lodges according to the 

 foreign model, and to increase the wages of working Masons. 



"The said King Athelstan's youngest son Edwin being taught 

 Masonry, and taking upon him the charges of a Master Mason, for the 

 love he had to the said craft, and the honourable principles whereon it 

 is grounded, purchased a free charter of his father; giving the Masons 

 a right of correction among themselves (as it was anciently expressed) 

 or a freedom and power to regulate themselves, to amend what miglit 

 happen amiss, and to hold an Yearly Communication, or General 

 Assembly. 



" Li virtue of this charter, Prince Edwin summoned all the Masons in 

 England to meet him in a congregation at York ; who accordingly at- 

 tended his summons, and composed a General Lodge, of which he was 

 Grand Master; and having brought with them and collected together 

 all the writings and records which were extant concerning Masonry 

 (some in Latin, some in French, and other languages) from the con- 

 tents of the whole, that Assembly or grand Congregation did frame the 

 Constitution and Charges of the English or great ancient Yor'k Lodge ; 

 and made a law to preserve and observe the same in all future time, 

 ordaining likewise good pay for working Masons. — And the said con- 

 stitution, charges and laws, having been afterwards seen and perused by 

 Henry the VL and by the Lords of his Council (most of whom were 

 Masons) were consented to and allowed to be right, good and reason- 

 able to be holden, as they w^ere thus drawn out and collected from the 

 records of ancient times." The great Philosopher, Mr. Locke, already 

 mentioned, likewise tells us that the famous manuscript, on the an- 

 tiquity of Free Masonry, found in the Bodleian Library (herein after 

 published) is said to have been originally in the "hand-writing of the 

 same King Henry." 



'Tis true, while this Prince was an infant, and his Parliament, it is 

 believed, not very wise (learning being then deemed a crime, and 

 Geometry passing for Conjuration), a law was passed which dei)rived 

 Masons of some of their ancient charter privileges, by forbidding them 

 "to confederate themselves into Chapters and Congregations." 



