Freemasonry In England.

The necessity for the charges contained in . these old constitution ; , is an evidence " of the rude state of manners and civil policy a , that time , as well as the salutary tendency of an institution , which by Us private regulations enforced what the laws hacl not the power to et eel . Kino- Edward III . having buried his eldest son , Edward , the hope -ot 1376 affected

England , commonly called the Black Prince , A . D . , was so at his loss , that he died A . D . 1377 . r , Eichard II ., his grandson , succeeded , ancl employed William ot v \ \ keham , Bishop of Winchester , Grand Master , to rebuild ^ Westminster 1 . ail as it now stands . This building is of stone , in the Gothic stile , with _ a the entrance adorned with

narrow front , and a tower on each side of abundance of carved work . The hall within is esteemed the largest in Europe unsupported with pillars , being 270 feet in length , and . 4 in breadth , ancl the construction of its roof is much admired . VYilliam oi Wykeham , at his own cost , built New College in Oxford and rounded about fifteen religious Houses

Winchester College , while other persons built , The wars about this period , foreign and intestine , but more particularly the latter ( which ever tend to foster despotic measures lor the time ) , " could not fail of being opposed to an Order , founded on Uie basis of freedom and good will to all . Many improvements were made in the art of war , and the science of shedding blood—ine nnWfis nnrl o-fintw mn . de everv exertion lo briii « - as many ot their

retainers into " the field as possible , some from motives ot foyalty , _ otiiers of aggrandisement , and perhaps the greater part to detenu then- very existence—and so great were its devastations , that many parts ol the country became nearly depopulated . To prevent the laud from being entirely uncultivated , many harsh laws were enacted to compel the le to follow ricultural pursuitsamongst which was one m

peop ag , the 7 th year of the reign of Henry IY . "That none who had not lands or " rents to the value of twenty shillings a year ( equivalent to ten pounds at present ) , should be permitted to put any ot their sons to any other trade , but should bring them all up to husbandry . These severe laws ivere enforced by very heavy penalties . influence of Jus

This King was deposed by parliament , under the cousin , Henry , Duke of Lancaster , and was afterwards murdered . Henry IY „ of Lancaster , succeeded A . D . 1399 , ancl appointed Thomas Fitz-Allen , Earl of Surrey . Grand Master . He founded Battle Abbey , at Shrewsbury , and afterwards that of Fotheringay-six religious houses were also built , ancl the present Guildhall , in London , was founded .

Henry V . succeeded A . D . 1413 , and caused the Palace and Abbey at Sheen , now called Richmond , to be rebuilt under the direction ot the Grand Master , Henry Chicheley , Archbishop of Canterbury Eight other religious houses were built during this reign . Henry YI . came to the throne A . D . 1432 , a minor of nine months old , In his third year the parliament endeavoured to disturb the Lodges by an act entitled— "Masons shall not confederate in chapters and congregations . " It recited—