During the administration of Mr. Sayer, the Society made little progress. Several Brethren joined the old Lodges; but there appear to have been only two new Lodges constituted under his auspices.

Mr. Sayer was succeeded, in 1718, by George Payne, Esq.; who was very assiduous in recommending a strict observance of the Communications. He collected many valuable manuscripts on the subject of Masonry; and, being determined to spare no pains to make himself acquainted with the original government of the Craft, he earnestly desired that the Brethren would bring to the Grand Lodge any old writings or records concerning the Fraternity, to shew the usages of ancient times. In consequence of this general intimation, several old copies of the Gothic constitutions were produced, arranged, and digested.

On the 24th of June 1719, another assembly and feast was held at the Goose and Gridiron before-mentioned; when Dr. Desaguliers was unanimously elected Grand Master. At this feast the old, regular, and peculiar toasts or healths of the Free-masons were introduced; und from this time we may date the rise of Freemasonry on its pre

declining state, the members agreed to incorporate with a new and flourishing Lodge under the constitution of the Grand Lodge, intitled The Somerset-house Lodge, which immediately assumed their rank.

It is a question that will admit of some discussion, whether any of the above old Lodges can, while they exist as Lodges, surrender their rights; as those rights seem to have been granted by the old Masons of the metropolis to them in trust; and any individual member of the four old Lodges might object to the surrender, and in that case they never could be given up. The four old Lodges always preserved their original power of making, passing, and raising Masons, being termed Masters' Lodges; while the other Lodges, for many years afterwards, had no such power; it having been the custom to pass and raise the Masons made by them at the Grand Lodge only.

sent plan in the South of England. The Lodges, which had considerably increased by the vigilance of the Grand Master, were visited by many old Masons, who had long neglected the Craft; several noblemen were initiated, and a number of new Lodges constituted.

At an assembly and feast held at the Goose and Gridiron on the 24th June, 1720, George Payne, Esq. was re-elected Grand Master, and under his mild and vigilant administration, the Lodges continued to flourish.

This year, at some of the private Lodges, to the irreparable loss of the Fraternity, several valuable manuscripts, concerning the Lodges, regulations, charges, secrets, and usages of Masons (particularly one written by Mr. Nicholas Stone, the warden under Inigo Jones,) were too hastily burnt by some scrupulous Brethren, who were alarmed at the intended publication of the Masonic constitu

tions.

At a Quarterly Communication held this year at the Goose and Gridiron, on the festival of St. John the Evangelist, it was agreed, That, in future, the new Grand Master shall be named and proposed to the Grand Lodge some time before the feast ;* and, if approved, and present, he shall be saluted as Grand Master elect: and that every Grand Master, when he is installed, shall have the sole power of appointing his deputy and wardens, according to ancient custom.

At a Grand Lodge, held in ample form on Ladyday, 1721, Brother Payne proposed for his sucessor, John Duke of Montagu, at that time Master of a Lodge. His Grace, being present, received

*By an old record of the Lodge of Antiquity it appears, that the new Grand Master was always proposed and presented for approbation in that Lodge, before his election in the Grand Lodge.

the compliments of the Grand Lodge. The Brethren expressed great joy at the prospect of being once more patronised by the nobility; and unanimously agreed, that the next assembly and feast should be held at Stationers'-hall; and that a proper number of stewards should be appointed to provide the entertainment. Mr. Josiah Villenau, an upholder in the Borough, however, generously undertook the whole management of the business, and received the thanks of the Society for his attention.

While Masonry was spreading its influence over the Southern part of the kingdom, it was not neglected in the North. The General Assembly, or Grand Lodge, at York, continued regularly to meet as heretofore. In 1705, under the direction of Sir George Tempest, Bart., then Grand Master, several Lodges met, and many worthy Brethren were initiated in York and its neighbourhood. Sir George being succeeded by the Right Hon. Robert Benson, lord mayor of York, many meetings of the Fraternity were held at different times in that city; and the grand feast during his mastership is said to have been very brilliant. Sir William Robinson, bart. succeeded Mr. Benson in the office of Grand Master, and the Fraternity seem to have considerably increased in the North under his auspices. He was succeeded by Sir Walter Hawkesworth, Bart., who governed the Society with great credit. At the expiration of his mastership, Sir George Tempest was elected, a second time, Grand Master; and from the time of his election in 1714 to 1725, the Grand Lodge continued regularly to assemble in York, under the direction of Charles Fairfax, Esq., Sir Walter Hawkesworth, Bart., Edward Bell, Esq., Charles Bathurst, Esq. Edward Thomson, Esq. M. P. John Johnson, M. D. and John Marsden, Esq.; all of whom, in rota

tion, during the above period, regularly filled the office of Grand Master in the North of England.

From this account, which is authenticated by the books of the Grand Lodge in York, it appears, that the revival of Masonry in the South of England did not interfere with the proceedings of the Fraternity in the North. For a series of years the most perfect harmony subsisted between the two Grand Lodges, and private Lodges flourished in both parts of the kingdom under their separate jurisdiction. The only distinction which the Grand Lodge in the North appears to have retained after the revival of Masonry in the South, is in the title which they claim, viz. The Grand Lodge of all England; while the Grand Lodge in the South passes only under the denomination of The Grand Lodge of England. The latter, on account of its situation, being encouraged by some of the principal nobility, soon acquired consequence and reputation; while the former, restricted to fewer, though not less respectable, members, seemed gradually to decline. Till within these few years, however, the authority of the Grand Lodge in York has never been challenged; on the contrary, every Mason in the kingdom has always held it in the highest veneration, and considered himself bound by the charges which originally sprung from that assembly. To be ranked as descendants of the original York Masons, was the glory and boast of the Brethren in almost every country where Masonry has been regularly established; and, from the prevalence and universality of the idea, that, in the City of York, Masonry was first authorised by charter, the Masons of England have received tribute from the first states in Europe. *

* It is much to be regretted, that any separate interests should have destroyed the social intercourse of Masons; but it is no less remarkable than true, that the Brethren in the North and those in

SECT. VIII.

History of Masonry from its Revival in the South of England till the Death of King George I.

THE reputation of the Society being now established, many noblemen and gentlemen of the first rank desired to be received into the Lodges, which increased considerably during the administration of Mr. Payne. The duties of Masonry were found to be a pleasing relaxation from the fatigue of business; and in the Lodge, uninfluenced by politics or party, a happy union was effected among the most respectable characters in the kingdom.

On the 24th of June 1721, Grand Master Payne and his wardens, with the former grand officers, and the Masters and Wardens of twelve Lodges, met the Grand Master elect at the Queen's Arms

the South are now in a manner unknown to each other. Notwithstanding the pitch of eminence and splendour at which the Grand Lodge in London has arrived, neither the Lodges of Scotland nor Ireland court its correspondence. This unfortunate circumstance has been attributed to the introduction of a few modern innovations among the Lodges in the South. To remove this prejudice, the Grand Lodge resolved to resume the original practices of the Society, and instituted a Lodge of Promulgation, for the more regular diffusion of the Art. They also established a friendly intercourse with the Grand Lodge of Scotland. As to the coolness which has subsisted between the Grand Lodge in York and the Grand Lodge in London, another reason is assigned. A few Brethren at York having, on some trivial occasion, seceded from their ancient Lodge, they applied to London for a warrant of constitution; and, without inquiry into the merits of the case, their application was honoured. Instead of being recommended to the Mother Lodge to be restored to favour, these Brethren were encouraged in their revolt; and permitted, under the banner of the Grand Lodge in London, to open a new Lodge in the city of York itself. This unguarded act justly offended the Grand Lodge of York, and occasioned a breach, which time, and a proper attention to the rules of the Order, only can repair.