are used on that occasion. It enables him to judge of the importance of those rites, and convinces him of the necessity of adhering to all the established usages of the Order. Here he is entrusted with particular tests, to prove his title to the privileges of this Degree; and satisfactory reasons are given for their origin. The duties which cement, in the firmest union, well-informed brethren, are illustrated; and an opportunity is given to make such advances in the Art, as will always distinguish the talents of able Craftsmen.

Besides the ceremony of initiation into the Second Degree, this Section contains many important particulars, with which no officer of the lodge should be unacquainted.

Charge at Initiation into the Second Degree.*

ВКОТНЕК,

Being advanced to the Second Degree of the Order, we congratulate you on your preferment. [The internal, and not the external, qualifications of a man, are what Masonry regards. As you increase in knowledge, you will consequently improve in social intercourse.

It is unnecessary to recapitulate the duties which, as a Mason, you are now bound to discharge; or enlarge on the necessity of a strict adherence to them; as your own experience must have established their value. It may be sufficient to observe, that] Your past behaviour and regular deportment have merited the honour which we have conferred; and in your new character, it is

* The sentences inclosed in brackets [ ] may be occasionally omitted.

expected that you will not only conform to the principles of the Order, but steadily persevere in the practice of every virtue.

The study of the liberal arts [that valuable branch of education, which tends so effectually to polish and adorn the mind] is earnestly recommended to your consideration; especially the science of Geometry, which is established as the basis of our Art. [Geometry, or Masonry, originally synonymous terms, is of a divine and moral nature, and enriched with the most useful knowledge: whilst it proves the wonderful properties of Nature, it demonstrates the more important truths of Morality.]

As the solemnity of our ceremonies requires a serious deportment, you are to be particularly attentive to your behaviour in our regular assemblies; you are to preserve our ancient usages and customs sacred and inviolable; and induce others, by your example, to hold them in due venera

tion.

The laws and regulations of the Order you are strenuously to support and maintain. You are not to palliate, or aggravate, the offences of your brethren; but, in the decision of every trespass against our rules, judge with candour, admonish with friendship, and reprehend with mercy.

As a Craftsman, in our private assemblies you may offer your sentiments and opinions on such subjects as are regularly introduced in the Lecture, under the superintendance of an experienced Master, who will guard the land-marks against encroachment. By this privilege you may improve your intellectual powers; qualify yourself to become an useful member of society; and, like a skilful Brother, strive to excel in what is good and great

[* All regular signs and summonses, given and received, you are duly to honour, and punctually obey; inasmuch as they consist with our professed principles. You are to encourage industry and reward merit; supply the wants and relieve the necessities of brethren and fellows, to the utmost of your power and ability; and on no account to wrong them, or see them wronged, but timely to apprise them of approaching danger, and view their interest as inseparable from your own.

Such is the nature of your engagements as a Craftsman; and these duties you are now bound, by the most sacred ties, to observe.]

The Second Section.

The Second Section of this Degree presents an ample field for the man of genius to perambulate. It cursorily specifies the particular classes of the Order, and explains the requisite qualifications for preferment in each. In the explanation of our usages, many remarks are introduced, which are equally useful to the experienced artist and the sage moralist. The various operations of the mind are demonstrated, as far as they will admit of elucidation, and a fund of extensive science is explored throughout. Here we find employment for leisure hours; trace science from its original source; and, by drawing the attention to the sum of perfection, contemplate with admiration the wonderful works of the Creator. Geometry is displayed, with all its powers and properties; and in the disquisition of this science, the mind is filled with rapture and delight. Such is the latitude of this Section, that the most judicious may fail in an

*This and the following paragraph are to be omitted, if previously used in the course of the ceremony.

D

attempt to explain it; the rational powers being exerted to their utmost stretch in illustrating the beauties of Nature, and demonstrating the more important truths of Morality.

As the Orders of Architecture come under consideration in this Section, the following brief description of them may not be improper:

By Order, in architecture, is meant a system of the members, proportions, and ornaments of columns and pilasters; or, it is a regular arrangement of the projecting parts of a building, which, united with those of a column, form a beautiful, perfect, and complete whole. Order in architecture may be traced from the first formation of society. When the rigour of seasons obliged men to contrive shelter from the inclemency of the weather, we learn that they first planted trees on end, and then laid others across, to support a covering. The bands which connected those trees at top and bottom, are said to have suggested the idea of the base and capital of pillars; and from this simple hint originally proceeded the more improved art of architecture.

The five Orders are thus classed: the Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite..

The Tuscan is the most simple and solid of the five orders. It was invented in Tuscany, whence it derives its name. Its column is seven diameters high; and its capital, base, and entablature have but few mouldings. The simplicity of the construction of this column renders it eligible where solidity is the chief object, and where ornament would be superfluous.

The Doric order, which is plain and natural, is the most ancient, and was invented by the Greeks. Its column is eight diameters high, and it has seldom any ornaments on base or capital, except mouldings; though the frieze is distinguished by

triglyphs and metopes, and the triglyphs compose the ornaments of the frieze. The solid composition of this order gives it a preference in structures where strength and a noble but rough simplicity are chiefly required.*

The Ionic bears a kind of mean proportion between the more solid and delicate orders. Its column is nine diameters high; its capital is adorned with volutes, and its cornice has denticles. There is both delicacy and ingenuity displayed in this pillar; the invention of which is attributed to the Ionians, as the famous temple of Diana at Ephesus was of this order. It is said to have been formed after the model of an agreeable young woman, of an elegant shape, dressed in her hair; as a contrast to the Doric order, which was formed after that of a strong robust man.

The Corinthian, the richest of the five orders, is deemed a master-piece of art, and was invented at Corinth by Callimachus. Its column is ten diameters high, and its capital is adorned with two rows of leaves and eight volutes, which sustain the abacus. The frieze is ornamented with curious devices, and the cornice with denticles and modillions. This order is used in stately and superb structures.†

*The Doric is the best proportioned of all the orders. The several parts of which it is composed are founded on the natural position of solid bodies. In its first invention it was more simple than in its present state. In after-times, when it began to be adorned, it gained the name of Doric; for when it was constructed in its primitive and simple form, the name of Tuscan was conferred on it. Hence the Tuscan precedes the Doric in rank, on account of the resemblance to that pillar in its original state.

+Callimachus is said to have taken the hint of the capital of this pillar from the following remarkable circumstance:-Accidentally passing by the tomb of a young lady, he perceived a basket of toys, covered with a tile placed over an acanthus root; having been left there by her nurse. As the branches grew up, they encompassed the basket, till, arriving at the tile, they met with an ob