The state of the Society in England from the year 1800 was regular and progressive. Under the patronage of the Earl of Moira, Masonry was cultivated and considerably extended. Many eminent and illustrious characters enrolled their names among the Fraternity; and, through various branches of the Royal Family, application was made to the Grand Lodge, from the Masons in foreign countries, for renewing reciprocal alliances of permanent friendship. At the Grand Lodge in February 1802, the Earl of Moira stated to the Brethren, that the Lodges in Berlin, under the auspices of the King of Prussia, had solicited the influence of the Duke of Sussex to carry on a friendly communication with the Grand Lodge of England; and had expressed a readiness, on their part, as far as was consistent with the duty they owed to their own Masonic jurisdiction, to act in unison with their Brethren of England. in promoting all the general principles of the Institution, and in extending relief to distressed Masons; on which it was immediately resolved, that a friendly communication should be kept up with our Brethren in Prussia, and every attention paid to their future recommendations. At the Grand Lodge in May following, another application was made, through the same channel, from four Lodges in Portugal, which had empowered M. Hyppolito Joseph da Costa to act as their representative in the Grand Lodge of England, and in their name to solicit a regular autho The business, however, being now more clearly understood, it is expected that a general union will soon terminate all differences, and that a regular communication will be speedily effected among the regular Masons of both kingdoms.* In a subsequent part of the work it will be found that this very desirable object has been happily effected.-EDITOR. rity to practise the rites of the Order under the English banner and protection. After mature deliberation, it was determined that every encouragement should be given to the Brethren in Portugal; and a treaty was immediately entered into, and signed by Brothers Da Costa and Heseltine, then Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge, and approved by the Grand Master; whereby it was agreed, that as long as the Portuguese Lodges should conform to the ancient constitutions of the Order, they should be empowered to have a representative in the Grand Lodge of England, and that the Grand Lodge of England should have a representative in the Grand Lodge of Portugal; and that the Brethren belonging to each Grand Lodge should be equally entitled to the privileges of the other. In the private proceedings of the Society few material incidents occurred. In consequence of the death of Thomas Sandby, Esq. the office of Grand Architect remained vacant till 1799; when Robert Brettingham, Esq. was appointed his successor. William Tyler, Esq. the Architect of the Tavern, having been proposed as a candidate for the office at the Grand Feast in May 1801, the Grand Master observed, that the office of Grand Architect had been conferred on Brother Sandby only as a mark of personal attachment, he having been the Architect of the Hall, but that it was never intended to be a permanent office in the Society. The Grand Lodge, therefore, resolved, that the office of Grand Architect should be discontinued; but that, in compliment to Brothers Brettingham and Tyler, both these gentlemen should be permitted to attend the Grand Lodge, and wear an honorary jewel as a mark of personal respect. In November 1801, a charge was presented to the Grand Lodge against some of its members, for patronizing, and officially acting as principal officers in, an irregular society, calling themselves Ancient Masons, in open violation of the laws of the Grand Lodge. The charge being fully supported, it was determined that the laws should be enforced against these offending Brethren, unless they immediately seceded from such irregular meetings. They solicited the indulgence of the Grand Lodge for three months; in hopes that, during the interval, they might be enabled to effect a union of the two Societies. This measure was agreed to; and that no impediment might prevent so desirable an object, the charge against the offending Brethren was withdrawn; and a committee, consisting of the Earl of Moira, and several other eminent characters, was appointed, to pave the way for the intended union; and every means ordered to be used to bring back the erring Brethren to a sense of their duty and allegiance. Lord Moira declared, on accepting his appointment as a member of the Committee, that he should consider the day on which a coalition should be formed, as one of the most fortunate in his life; and that he was empowered by the Prince of Wales to say, His Royal Highness's arms would ever be open to all the Masons in the kingdom indiscriminately. On the 9th of February 1803, it being represented to the Grand Lodge that the irregular Masons still continued refractory,* and that, so far from soliciting re-admission among the Craft, they had not taken any steps to effect an union, their conduct was It affords me the most heartfelt pleasure to observe, that all recollection of the bitterness which characterized this revolting controversy is so entirely obliterated, that the distinction of ancient and modern are known only as matters of history, and remembered but with the sigh of regret, that such disputes should have ever occurred to cloud the amiable and decent spirit which ought always to distinguish the science of Freemasonry.-EDITOR. deemed highly censurable, and the laws of the Grand Lodge were ordered to be enforced against them. It was also unanimously resolved, That whenever it shall appear that any Masons under the English Constitution shall in future attend, or countenance, any Lodge or meeting of persons, calling themselves Ancient Masons, under the sanction of any person claiming the title of Grand Master of England, who shall not have been duly elected in the Grand Lodge, the laws of the Society shall not only be strictly enforced against them, but their names shall be erased from the List, and transmitted to all the regular Lodges under the Constitution of England. In February 1804, the Grand Lodge, desirous of expressing in the most public manner the high sense entertained of the services of the Right Hon. the Earl of Moira, the acting Grand Master, unanimously resolved, that his Lordship's portrait should be painted by an able artist, and put up in the Hall, with those of the Past Grand Masters, as a lasting testimony of the gratitude and esteem of the Society for his Lordship. The Noble Earl afterwards sent to the Society, as a present, his portrait painted by Shee. SECT. XV. History of Masonry from 1801 to 1812. THE Scottish Masons had another opportunity of exemplifying their zeal and attachment to the Society on the 29th of June 1801, being the birthday of his Grace the Duke of Gordon; when the foundation-stone of the bridge over the Spey was laid. The concourse of people was immense. All the Lodges round were assembled in their different insignia, and the whole order of procession was arranged and conducted by the Marquis of Huntly, Provincial Grand Master for Bamffshire, &c. The different Lodges, Societies, and private gentlemen, were formed on the square of Fochabers, which was lined by the neighbouring volunteer companies; and an excellent band of music, belonging to the Fochabers' company, added much to the solemnity of the procession. From the square the whole marched, according to their established rules, to the river, which the Provincial Grand Master, with his office-bearers, &c. passed on a temporary bridge of boats, as the stone was to be laid on the opposite side. The volunteers were drawn up on the south side, as the steepness of the rock, and the narrowness of the ground where the foundationstone was laid, prevented more from crossing the river than were absolutely necessary. The Grand Master then laid the first stone with the usual solemnities. Two inscriptions were deposited in it. The first was engraved on plate, and is as follows: In the reign of The most gracious Sovereign GEORGE III. His Grace, ALEXANDER, Duke of GORDON, On the 29th of June, Being the day on which the Duke of Gordon In the year of our Lord 1801, The other inscription was sealed up in glass, and is as follows: DEO ANNUENTE, Pontis hujus In Spey, olim Tuessi, flumine, |