Dr. Dassigny's Enquiry.

themselves to hand them down to their successors , Avhich valuable priviledges Ave are possessors of at this time . The confusion of tongues did not obstruct the improvement of the royal art ; for Nimrod who founded the Assyrian monarchy , built after the general dispersion many

famous cities , as Nineoah , Rhohoboth , § c ., upon the Tygris and Euphrates flourished afterwards many learned men , knoAvn by the names of Magi aud Chaldees , who being skillful in mathematicks preserved and adorned that excellent science

Geometry , which in succeeding ages became the favourite of royalty and nobility . But of these premises the Craft will receive a clearer information in a formed Lodge . So likewise did the descendants of Shem , Ham and Japhet in their respective colonies , viz . in Asia , Africa and Europe , give

undeniable testimonies of their masterl y designs , Avhich are sufficient vestiges to demonstrate their skill in Masonry . But of these the Assyrians and Egyptians made the greatest progress , as Babylon ' s stately Avails and the famous Pyramids of the latter most

evidently prove , and so distinguishable was the early taste and genius of that ancient kingdom , that they Avere justly styled tAvo of the seven Avonders of the universe . The glorious temple of Diana at Ephesus next engages our admiration , which Avas

finished b y those excellent Master Masons Dresiphon and Archiphron , aud bears the name of the third wonder ; nor shall the tomb of Mausolus king of Curia be passed over in silence , which together Avith the temple of Babylon , the famous light house , or tower of Pharos , and the colossus at Rhodes , claim characters not inferior to the rest .

The learned A braham instructed his sons in the Assyrian learning , who made no great figure in Architecture Avhile under Pharaoh ' s cruel yoke , or during their peregrination in the desarts of Arabia , until the inspired Aholiab and Baxaleel erected

a most glorious tabernacle Avhich afterwards proved the model of Solomon ' s temple , according to the pattern Avhich God gaA'e Moses in the mount , AVIIO then became the Grand Master Mason of the Lodge at Israeland imparted to the Brethren such

, Avise charges and orders , that they daily adA'anced in the art of Geometry and even excelled the Canaanites ; yet Dagon s temple , or the most beautiful structures of

Tyre and Sidon could not equal that stupendous and finished piece , tlie Temple of the Eternal God , built by the peculiar influence of hea \ 'eu , under the direction of that ever memorable Prince of peace and Architecture king Solomon , Grand Master

of the Lodge at Jerusalem , Avhose father David was deprived of that immortal honour because he Avas unhappily engaged in Avars , and seemed fond of destruction , Avhereby his hands Avere oft polluted Avith ' innocent blood .

This gorgeous and splendid edifice , fit for the special refulgence of the Almighty Glory must transcend the utmost bounds of our imagination , for it certainly was the most curious piece of masonry that ever yet appeared or eA'er will upon earth ;

Avherefore 'tis natural to believe , that such a beautifull structure soon engaged artists from all nations to vieAv the excellency of the work , which Avas carried on by the wisdom and dexterity of the learned Hiram , Grand Master of the Lodge of TyreAvho

, together Avith the inspired . Hiram abif , Master of the work , Avithout the noise of tools , produced the most perfect pattern of Architecture the Avonder and amazement

of the travelling world . Masonry , soon after the erection of Solomon ' s temple became in a most flourishing condition , and the artists employed in that grand Avork dispeised themselves thro' all the neighbouring nations , Avhere they instructed the free-born sons of eminent

persons in this useful and liberal art , insomuch that kings , princes , and potentates , became Grand Masters in their respective territories ; and being filled Avith the glorious spirit of emulation , they strove to excell each other in improA'ing and advancing the Royal Art .

This wonderful model of workmanship the Temple , in 416 years after being finished , felt the dreadfull effects of warlike rage , and by the absolute and despotick poAver of that grand monarch Nebuchadnemr Avas reduced to ashes ; and tho '

after a general peace proclaimed , his heart relented and he studied with the utmost diligence the rules of Architecture , and raised several stately piles , yet Avere they A'astly inferior in the sublime perfection of masonry to the sacred and amiable Temple of God , Avhich still remained inimitable . In the reign of grand Cyrus the Jews , who were carried captives to Babylon , on