which were continued until 1868. His compositions, many in number, are mainly for the piano. He published: 'Two Pianoforte Methods' (with E. S. Hoadley); Pianoforte Technics' (with W. S. B. Matthews); Touch and Technics (1878); Memories of a Musical Life' (1901); etc.

Mason, William Ernest, American legislator: b. Franklinville, N. Y., 7 July 1850. He removed with his parents to Bentonsport, Ia., in 1858, and after teaching school, 1866-70, was admitted to the bar and began practice in Chicago, Ill., in 1872. He was a member of the Illinois General Assembly in 1879, of the State Senate in 1881-5; and of Congress 1887-91. In 1897 he was elected United States Senator, in which capacity he warmly advocated the cause of Cuban independence.

Mason, Mich., city, county-seat of Ingham County; on the Michigan Central railroad; about 14 miles south by east of Lansing. It was settled in 1839, and in 1865 was incorporated as a village, and in 1875 chartered as a city. It is in a farming region and the industries are chiefly connected with farm products. The principal manufactures are foundry and machine-shop products, flour, fruit evaporators, dairy products, bricks, tiles, wagons, and carriages. The trade is chiefly in the manufactures, grain, fruit, and live-stock. The principal buildings are the court-house, the churches, and schools. The city owns and operates the electrical light plant and the waterworks. Pop. (1910) 1,742.

Mason City, Iowa, city, county-seat of Cerro Gordo County; on the Chicago, M. & St. P., the Chicago & N. W., the Iowa C., and the Chicago G. W. R.R.'s; about 115 miles in direct line north by east of Des Moines. It was settled in 1855 and its present charter was granted in 1870. It is in an agricultural and stock-raising region, fire-clay and valuable sandstone quarries are in the vicinity. Its chief industrial interests are connected with the manufacturing of sash and doors, brick and tile, flour, and lime, and the quarrying of sandstone. It has a large foundry and considerable trade in live-stock and grain. The city is a trade centre and distributing point for a large section of country, and has several wholesale establishments. The government is vested in a mayor, who holds office two years, and a council. The waterworks owned and operated by the city. Pop. (1890) 4,007; (1900) 6,746; (1910) 11,230.

are

Mason and Dixon's Line, in United States history, a line popularly known as dividing the slaveholding from the non-slaveholding States. The line was surveyed by two English engineers, Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, between the years 1764 and 1767, for the purpose of settling the disputed boundaries between Maryland on the one side and Pennsylvania and Delaware on the other. Their instructions were to begin at the Atlantic Ocean, and run due west to a point midway between the Atlantic and the Chesapeake Bay; thence north, so that the line should become a tangent to the northwestern boundary of Delaware, which was a circle described from Newcastle court-house as centre, with a radius of 12 miles. The line was then to follow the curve in a westerly direction till it reached a point due north of the point of tangency; thence due north till it intersected a line run due west

from a point 15 miles south of Philadelphia; and thence due west until it intersected a line running due north from the source of the Potomac River. The work was done with such skill and accuracy that a revision in 1849, with instruments of much greater precision, disclosed no error of importance. The line was again surveyed between 1901 and 1903 under the direction of a joint commission representing Pennmarked by stones or other designations placed sylvania and Maryland. The line was originally one mile apart. But in the course of time many of the markers disappeared, and disputes as to local boundaries arose. Pennsylvania and Maryof the line, and work was begun in April 1901, land each appropriated $5,000 for a new survey W. G. Hodgkins, of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, being in charge of the corps of engir eers. It is the portion of Mason and Dixon's line that extends as far as the western limits of Maryland, which has been re-surveyed. Some of the original boundary stones were found to be still in place. They had been chiseled in England from limestone, and weigh 500 pounds each, being four and one-half feet high and one foot square. On one side is the letter "P," and on the other the letter "M.» Every fifth stone bore the coat-of-arms of the two proprietaries. Hodgkin's men endeavored to trace the stones that were missing, and succeeded in recovering a large number. Some were doing duty as doorsteps, some were in bake-ovens, one served as a curbstone in Clearspring, Md., and two had been used in building a church along the national pike. The old markers in many instances bore curious inscriptions, some carved by soldiers of the Federal and Confederate armies during the campaigns of the Civil War. Every one of these stones that could be secured was placed in position on the boundary line. If broken, the pieces were clamped together. The stones were set in a bed of concrete, to guard against future removal. In a few localities a half-dozen or more of these the belief that possibly they were not put to stones were found in proximity. This leads to actual use as boundary markers. It is known that the full number of stones required by Mason and Dixon was imported, but in conveying them ties were encountered, it is supposed, that a porwestward through the forests, so many difficultion of the consignment was abandoned along the road; and in the course of years settlers found these stones useful for a variety of purposes other than that for which they were intended. This theory is substantiated by the fact that the western part of Mason and Dixon's line was found to be marked principally by mounds or wooden posts, few stones being discovered. Sufficient of the original stones were recovered to mark the entire line, with the exception of about 75 miles. Where none of the old markers was available, new marble monuments erected.

were

Mason-bees, a name given to the small wild bees of the genera Osmia, Ceratosmia, and Chalcidoma, which construct their nests with sand or gravel, agglutinated together by means of a viscid saliva, and fix them on the side of walls, under stones, within the hollows of plant stems whence the pith has been removed, or avail themselves of some other cavity for that purpose. The mason-bees, like the carpenter

bees, leaf-cutters, and other allied forms of the family Megachilide, are solitary in habits, not living in communities, although groups of cells are usually found near together, made by the same mother-bee, and each containing a single egg and food, a mixture of honey and pollen. Consult Howard, 'The Insect Book' (1901), which contains an extensive bibliography of the subject.

Masonic Fraternity, The, an organization of associated societies to which, by common consent, has been accorded the primacy among fraternal orders. Divided into groups of degrees, overlying one another like the foundation and superstructure of a symmetrical building, these constitute the three great rites of universal recognition, namely, English, American, and Scottish Masonry. The first and second are acknowledged to compose the great masonic institution as it exists in Great Britain and dependencies, and in the United States; while the elaborate Scottish Rite of 33 degrees, comprising a more limited membership therein, is the one most widely disseminated in other portions of the world. Each rite is complex in its inter-dependent system of government, and is essentially cosmopolitan, bearing upon its rolls the names of emperors, kings, princes, presidents, and governors, together with scholars, statesmen, and men of affairs, as well as those of lesser stations in church and state. The full legal title is, "The Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons and Concordant Orders.»

The Appeal to Antiquity.- During the 18th and first half of the 19th century masonic writers laid great stress upon the possible origin of the society in the remote ages of the past. Absolutely without any historical basis of fact or record as were most of these theories, yet men of learning loaned their influence to perpetuate the fables extant concerning the fraternity. Some asserted (a) that the history of the race was the story of masonry, beginning with the migration from the Garden of Eden; others (b) that it sprang from the Patriarchal period; and still others contended (c) that the society was the successor of the ancient mysteries of the Orient; (d) that the Temple of Solomon was its cradle; (e) that the Crusaders and the Knights Templars carried it forward from their times; (f) that the Roman colleges of artificers and builders of the Middle Ages handed down the craft to posterity; (g) that the civil strifes in Great Britain of the 15th and 16th centuries, and subsequent political events, made the institution possible; (h) and a later class of writers placed its origin to the credit of the Rev. James Anderson, D.D., and the Rev. John Theophilus Desaguliers, LL. D., F.R.S., and their compeers of "The Revival of 1717 A.D." Several of these authors changed their views later in life; and, during the past 50 years, the intelligent masons of Great Britain, and the T'nited States, have attempted to build up fron, the broken fragments of the past,-contained in fugitive lodge records extending back nearly three centuries,a reasonable history of the "operative" masonry of the British Isles and the continent of Europe, as well as that of the present "speculative craft." In this effort assistance has been rendered by scholars not connected with the fraternity. The critical reader will note, in the enumeration

-

above, that many plausible theories might be founded upon both history and legend, but the strongest factor in the appeal to antiquity, nevertheless, is the "Legend of the Third Degree." In one form or another the allegory of the fall of man, the sacrificial redemption of the race, the doctrines of the resurrection and im mortal life, permeated the peoples of every age and bcame the motive of many migrations. This discoveries made in Bible lands during the 19th fact is likewise of record,- established by the When, century,- dating four millenaries B.C. therefore, a society arose which claimed to solve descended from those periods, it is not singusome of these mysteries,- nay, even to have lar that the cult should have attracted disciples; especially when shielded from public gaze by a veil of secrecy, the universality of the printed page not having yet been established! In Great Britain and on the Continent.— The that the premier Grand Lodge of England, consensus of reliable historical opinion affirms organized 24 June 1717 A.D., is the mother of all regular masonic lodges of the three craft degrees, and, therefore, peculiar interest centres in the landmarks, legends, and authentic narratives pertaining to the English rite itself, as well as in the American rite, the daughter thereof, so to speak. The apocryphal history of masonry recites that it was introduced into England by Prince Edwin, 926 A.D., and that lodges were "warranted at York," by King Athelstan. This «Legend of the Guild and much other traditional story, is based upon curious manuscripts called "Old Constitutions," or "Old Charges of British Freemasons.» The oldest of these is dated, by English antiquaries, 1390 A.D., and is registered as the "Regius MS., or Halliwell Poem." The next in age, beginning of the 15th century, is called the "Matthew Cooke MS."-both in custody of the British Museum. Within the past half-century, notably the last 25 years, many more of these documents have been discovered, transcribed and printed, or published in facsimile, so that, including the missing versions, used or referred to therein, the catalogue has nearly 75 entries. These manuscripts have been grouped into families, because of certain characteristics common to two or more, the whole forming a valuable collection of ancient masonic remains. Each manuscript consists of three parts: (a) the introductory prayer, declaration, or invocation; (b) the alleged history of the order, or the "Legend of the Guild"; (c) the peculiar statutes and duties, the regulations and observances, which masons in general, or the craft as a unit, were bound carefully to uphold and inviolably to maintain. The precise value of the "Old Charges" lies in the fact that they were the formulas used in the ceremonies of initiation by our masonic ancestors of from two to five centuries antecedent. All known copies are of English origin, even those used in Scotland; and, being of a distinctly Christian character, it has been thought they indicate ecclesiastical supervision and composition. A manuscript version of 1583 A.D., in possession of the United Grand Lodge of England, has the following "introductory prayer," and is quoted as an example:

The mighte of the Father of Heaven and ye wysdome of ye glorious Soonne through ye grace & ye goodnes of ye holly ghoste, yt bee three psons & one God, be wh vs at or beginning

and give vs grace so to govrne vs here in or lyving that wee maye come to his blisse that nevr shall have ending. AMEN.

Signs, tokens, and words, by which the masonic craft became differentiated from all other trades than builders do not appear in the earlier forms. In time, however, this initiation was exclusively its own; and in the Melrose manuscript 1581 A.D. (known to posterity by the transcript of 1674), reference is made to "Ye privilidge of ye compass, square, levell, and ye plum-rule." The early records show that the lodge system was used from the first as a bond to preserve the art of building as a monopoly. The secret of the organization was then,-in contradistinction to all others,-"the way to build"; and tyled lodges contributed best toward this end. But, in spite of every precaution, another body of operatives arose,-called "Cowans" by the regulars, which in spite of its lack of prestige, not being in possession of "Old Charges and the "mason's word," contrived to prosper, eventually breaking down the monopoly and prepared the way for the "speculative" society of modern times. The term "speculative" has reference to a class of members who were not operatives and had no intention of becoming artisans, but were denominated "accepted" masons. The admission of this element proved the wisdom of the fathers, and to it is probably due the permanency of the institution and its continuity to succeeding ages. By its influences the masonic fraternity secured governmental favor, and became free of the guilds," that is, free of the restrictive laws, which, even now, regulate the "Friendly Societies" of the British empire, enjoying a liberty which did not inhere in the organization of exclusively operative masons who were not Free-Masons, the so-called "Cowans." (Free + Mason, originally written as two words, not mentioned prior to the 14th century.) Just what proportion of the membership was speculative during the earlier or operative period, unfortunately is not known, the first lodge record preserved being of a meeting held "Vltimo, July 1599," but of its mixed character there is no doubt. Old records, recently discovered, and examined in the light of present-day research, have led masonic writers to revise the usually accepted assertion that the cathedrals and other public edifices in Great Britain, erected during the Middle Ages, were planned by church dignitaries. The opinion now obtains that the architects thereof were the Master Masons of that period, the divisions among the builders of the operative era being apprentices, journeymen (Fellow Crafts), and Master Masons. Each man's work bore a distinguishing mark by which the piece could be identified, and the wage scale regulated. As for example:

York Minster Crypt
(1190)

N>>>

I

+

By the opening years of the 18th century the decadence of the society had become so great that four of the surviving masonic lodges proceeded to a reorganization in 1717 A.D., as before stated, and this movement is known in history as "The Revival." Four old lodges in London are known to have participated, and probably

others, but the minutes are not extant. Two divines, associated with these brethren, were destined to figure as masonic architects and authors of the new régime: James Anderson, D.D., born in Edinburgh, 5 Aug. 1684, a minister of the Scottish Presbyterian Church in Piccadilly, London; and John Theophilus Desaguliers, LL.D., F.R.S., of Christ Church, Oxford, who was born in Rochelle, France, 12 March 1683. Anthony Sayer, a distinguished gentleman, was installed Grand Master. He was of the "speculative» craft, and of the class called "accepted." The Grand Lodge instituted was a governing body, and in no wise a successor of the "General Assemblies" of the operative or legendary period. To Dr. Anderson was entrusted the duty of compiling the "general records and faithful traditions from the beginning of time," and to enable him to do so all the available documents were collected for his use. These were afterward destroyed, an irreparable loss. In 1723 the "New Constitutions" were published, when it was discovered that Drs. Anderson and Desaguliers had completely changed the theory of the institution,- from Christian to the adoption of a universal creed based on the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man,-so as to admit men of all religions, nationalities, and stations in life. These authors included likewise all that is now known of the transactions of the craft from 1717 to 1722 A.D., when the official records commence. The second edition of the "New Constitutions" was published in 1738, with "New Regulations" added, which became the basis of the Freemasonry of the present day. From 1717 the evolution of the society made rapid progress, both as to the increasing area of its operations, and in the multiplicity of its degrees. But the masons of "the revival" and their immediate successors did not long dwell together in unity. Those at York organized a "Grand Lodge of All England," in 1725, and kept it alive for some twenty years. A reorganization took place in 1761, and the body ceased to exist in 1792, never having chartered lodges outside of England. In 1751 a great schism occurred, whereby a part of the premier Grand Lodge withdrew and instituted a rival. In common parlance the latter body became known as "ancients," the former as "moderns," a transposition which is firmly settled in history. A deputation from the Grand Lodge of All England, dated 29 March 1779, created still another body called the "Grand Lodge of England South of the River_Trent," and this survived until 2 May 1790. The two rival Grand Lodges,-"Moderns" and "Ancients," - happily entered into a concordat on St. John's Day, 27 Dec. 1813 A.D., constituting the present United Grand Lodge of England, declaring that the English Rite of Freemasonry "Consists of three degrees and no more, namely: those of the Entered Apprentice, the Fellow Craft, and the Master Mason, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch."

In Ireland no Grand Lodge records are extant of date prior to 24 June 1780 A.D. It is known that there was a lodge at Cork, the first minute of which is dated "December ye 8th, 1726." The city archives refer to a charter for a "Society of Freemasons," and a "Grand Lodge of Munster"; and it is known that other lodges existed prior to 1726. There was also a Grand Lodge of Cork, and one at Dublin. The last

named was of record in 1728-1729; reorganized 1731 A.D., electing Lord Kingston, who is described as "Grand Master of all the lodges of Free Masons in the Kingdom of Ireland." Irish Masons possessed "Old Charges,” and like their English brethren propagated the order far and wide. It was in Lodge No. 44, of Irish register, - warranted in 1735,- that the Hon. Mrs. Richard Aldworth (Elizabeth St. Leger), was initiated, and became the celebrated and only "Female Freemason" of history.

Scotland enjoys the honor of "Mother Kilwinning Lodge, No. o," universally recognized as the oldest in existence. Its records comprise a minute of 1599, and others ranging from 20 Dec. 1642 to 5 Dec. 1758, A.D., and these communications were held in Kilwinning. Traditional history ascribes to the architects of the Abbey of Kilwinning the pre-eminence which inhered to the Masons of York, in England. A dozen other old lodges are of record, possessing fragmentary minutes and "Old Charges» of rare Masonic value, but the Scottish Craftsmen did not follow the examples set by England and Ireland until St. Andrew's Day, 30 Nov. 1736 A.D., when Baron William St. Clair of Roslin (Earl of Orkney and Caithness), was chosen Grand Master. The following year he was succeeded by George, the third and last Earl of Cromarty. It will be noted that in Scotland, as well as in England and Ireland, the craft was patronized by those of exalted civil rank and station. Scotland's "Masonic gem" is the "Prentice's Pillar," standing in the chancel of Roslin Chapel, Edinburgh.

An unsuccessful attempt has been made to connect, historically, the building crafts of Continental Europe with the Operative Masons of Britain and Scotland. But, in Germany, in pre-Reformation times, the "Independent Stonemasons" arose, coming out from the Monastic orders as the zeal for building magnificent edifices, under ecclesiastical patronage, declined. These "lay brothers" were possessed of "Old Charges," but no authentic documents remain which refer to their most flourishing period of existence. Within the short space, however, of from 10 to 20 years, subsequent to the revival in England, Masonry of the British type had obtained a foothold in all the countries of Europe. It had crossed the seas to America, and in a list of lodges published in 1734 A.D., No. 126, of English register, is shown as located at "Boston, in New England,”-known since 5 March 1792 as St. John's Lodge.

Introduction and Early History in America. It is a well-settled opinion that very early in the settlement of North America masons of the three classes,-operative, speculative, and the irregulars,-- met in lodges, without much regard to warrants or charters, and these organ izations continued until long after the revival in 1717, especially in the British colonies. Indeed, these assemblies of the craft were quite apart from regularity and the sanction of Grand Lodges. This was the fact in Philadelphia, in 1730-1; and, again, in New Hampshire soon afterward (the last named apparently having "Old Charges"), though nothing has yet been discovered to connect such meetings with the working of the "historic three degrees" of 18th century notation, and post-Grand Lodge era. This raises the mooted question as to

priority in the United States. On June 1730, Daniel Coxe of Burlington, N. J., was appointed Provincial Grand Master of the "provinces of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, in America,” by the Duke of Norfolk, Grand Master of the premier Grand Lodge of England. On 30 April 1733, Lord Viscount Montague, Grand Master, issued a like deputation to Henry Price of Boston, appointing him "Provincial Grand Master of the province of New England, the dominions and territories thereto belonging." Masonic history is obscure as to the part Coxe took in establishing the society, but there is a complete record of the acts of Price. Because of this, Massachusetts was acknowledged to be the "mother jurisdiction" for nearly 150 years; while documents now in the archives of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and "Libre B," of the Historical Society of that commonwealth, appear to give the primacy to the Keystone State. In support of this contention evidence discovered during the last half of the 19th century goes to show that on 29 Jan. 1731, Coxe visited his Grand Lodge at London, and that a toast was there drunk in his honor, as "Provincial Grand Master of North America"; that from 1732 and for several years, a list of Grand Lodge officers was regularly printed in the Pennsylvania Gazette, published in Philadelphia; that, in 1734, Benjamin Franklin being elected Grand Master_ thereof, wrote to Provincial Grand Master Price in Boston, as to the status of masonry in Pennsylvania; that in June of that year Franklin met Price in Boston and was recognized to the extent of being "further instructed in the Royal Art," by the Provincial Grand Master; and that Grand Master Franklin himself visited the Grand Lodge of England, 17 Nov. 1760 A.D.

The rival Grand Lodges in England, together with those of Ireland and Scotland, chartered lodges everywhere, at home and abroad. Patronized by the Royal family and nobility of Great Britain the craft acquired greater prestige than history records of any other society, and a system of "military lodges" fostered expansion. The roll of warrants issued during the 18th century and subsequent to 1730, would make a large volume. From these beginnings Grand Lodges were formed in America, composed of lodges of English ("ancients" and "moderns"), Irish, Scottish, and "Army" register, increased in number by those holding Provincial Grand Masters' warrants, together with lodges chartered by the earlier American Grand Lodges in the United States and Canada, until regular governing bodies existed in every State, province and territory. Thus the craft has "followed the flag," wherever unfurled.

Knights Templars and Masonry. The tradition that the "Baldwin Encampment," which, up to the middle of the 19th century, had been conceded to be the witness that Masonic Knights Templars were descendants of the Knights of the Crusades, is not now accepted. Its earliest accredited document bears date 20 Dec. 1780 A.D. The first reference to the Knights Templars as allied to Masonry is contained in the (lodge warrant) minutes of St. Andrew's Royal Arch Chapter, Boston, Mass., dated 28 Aug. 1769 A.D.; the earliest in England is that of Phoenix Lodge, No. 257, Portsmouth, 21 Oct. 1778. Kilwinning Lodge of Scotland, on 8 Oct. 1779, by its master,

Earl Eglinton, warranted the "High Knights Templars of Ireland," at Dublin. The Grand Lodge at York sanctioned the degree of "Knight Templar" in 1780. Similar references, at dates between the St. Andrew's Chapter's record and the institution of the Grand Encampment, Knights Templars, U. S. A., 11 June 1816 A.D.,may be found scattered throughout the fugitive minutes of lodges and chapters wherever the British army had been stationed. Whence, then, came the modern "Order of the Temple"? An answer, founded upon historical facts, has never been made. Two theories have been advanced: (a) It is within the range of possibility that a connection existed between the chivalric order of Knights Templars and the fraternity of Operative Masons of medieval times, because bodies of skilled workmen erected Templar strongholds in the Holy Land, and built their preceptories, priories, and round churches in Europe. The famous Temple Church, London, is an example. What, then, was more natural than that the Knights Templars in the 14th century, proscribed, persecuted, and despoiled of all things, should seek their perpetuation among the affiliated bodies of mechanics of whose universality and antiquity they had abundant evidence? (b) On the other hand, no historical doubt exists that every Freemason living since the Revival of 1717 A.D., can trace his pedigree only to Great Britain." No other as sociation, guild or otherwise, ever grew into a society of Freemasons, nor was any connection with the building trades of the Continent ever claimed by the first Freemasons of Europe. The craft there was a direct importation from England, and in its infancy and for many years, was confined to the upper classes, without the least admixture of the artisan. This was true in Germany, where the French language that of the court and diplomacy, was the one used in keeping minutes, and the early lodges bore French names. In 1740, however, in contradistinction to English, a Scottish Masonry arose,reputed to hail from Scotland, but having no real connection with the regular society; and from this source have emanated most of the traditions relative to the alleged transmission of the chivalric degrees from the Knights Templars, of whom Jacques de Molai,-executed II March 1314 A.D.,— -was the last Grand Master. In order to prove the Templar succession, and the legend of Scottish Masonry, it becomes necessary to account for an interregnum between the year 1309, when Walter de Clifton, Preceptor of the Scottish Knights Templars, admitted the dispersion of his brethren, and the date when modern Templary appears of record, during the 18th century, at Boston, manifestly a historical impossibility. Nevertheless, "history fails to record much that actually occurs; much that subsequent ages would gladly know." Notwithstanding, as late as 185, an authorized edition of "The Templars' Chart," by Jeremy L. Cross, published in New York, gave a succession of Grand Masters from Jacques de Molai,-based on a clumsy forgery of the Swedish Templars, to the year 1838 A.D. Like many another ingenious theory, framed to connect the "old" with the "new" dispensations, tradition may be true, but it is unsupported by documentary evidence.

Organization and Degrees.- Craft Masonry

was universally organized on the bases that within itself was conserved all the powers of the entire Institution. A Grand Lodge once duly established must sui generis be sovereign in its jurisdiction, the bounds of which soon became restricted to a state, province, or other recognized political division. The territorial imits of a Grand Lodge being sacred from invasion, and this principle enforced, Masonry has escaped the successful competition of alleged rival rites purporting to be the craft itself, and also has been secure in its privileges from any and all plans to confederate these bodies into one centralized government, -a guaranty of the perpetuation of the democracy inherent therein. But the symbolism of "Solomon's Temple" as the most glorious edifice of ancient times, probably introduced by Drs. Anderson and Desaguliers (whether from the lost MSS., or otherwise, is not essential), required a more ornate adornment and furniture than a foundation and the bare superstructure upon which Operative Masons had wrought, hence, naturally, suggested degrees above the original three of the Revival, et seq. For more than a century men toiled to perfect the society,- often building better than they knew,- until the three Rites became settled as at present established. The best minds contributed toward this end. As in the Old World, so in the New, the institution had attracted to itself men of high character and standing in the governments thereof, and men of letters contributed their full quota to develop the fraternity, which was expected to endure, as these promoters believe it had already existed, for ages. France, in particular, was prolific in the "fabrication" of degrees and rites, the great volume of which survive only in the musty tomes of 18th century literature. As before inferred, the so-called Scottish Masonry became the forerunner of a rite that, perfected by scholarly masons, ultimately became the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. This title is now applied to a system which was first definitely organized at Charleston, S. C., 31 May 1801 A.D. The rite in several of its degrees can boast of a very respectable antiquity, having descended from a "Council of Emperors of the East and the West," at Paris in 1758. It is also based on the three craft degrees, and its postulants must be Master Masons in good standing, in whatever other regular rite they may hold membership. The original Supreme Council in America passed through an experience similar to that of the premier Grand Lodge of England before its authority as "Mother of the Rite" was fully established in the masonic world; but peace came finally, and two recognized bodies exist in the United States: the primate, as the "Southern Jurisdiction," and the present "Northern Jurisdiction," established by a concordat, signed at Boston, Mass., by several rival Supreme Coun. ciis, 17 May 1867. This rite was introduced into England in 1845; and other Supreme Councils of this obedience exist in Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Egypt, and colonies of Great Britain; in France and dependencies, and in other countries fo Europe, excepting Russia; in South and Central America; and in the West Indies. As before stated, the masonic government is complex, no two rites-nor even Grand jurisdictions of the same rite, being alike, owing to variances in the sequence of their degrees. The English