Dr. Dassigny's Enquiry.

their return to Jerusalem laid the foundation of the second Temple , but that monarch dying before it was finished , the cape stone Avas put on in the sixth year of Darius king of Persia , and Avas dedicated Avith joy and many large sacrifices by

Zerubabbel , their prince , and general master mason ; and tho' this stupendous fabrick came infinately short of the elegance and order of Solomon ' s temple , yet as it Avas raised exactly upon his foundation , and according to his model , it must be allowed

to he a most regular symmetrical and glorious edifice , as the enemies of the Jews have frequently testified . At length the royal art ivas carried into Greece Avhose inhabitants erected several noble structuresas the citadel of Athens

, , the temples of Minerva , Theseus , Jupiter Olymphw , with many other publiok halls , palaces , forums , gymnasiums , & c , do sufficiently Avitness , yet did they not arrive to

any considerable knoAvledge in Geometry until Thales Milesius , and his scholar the greater Pythagorus appeared , Avho proved the author of the 47 th proposition of Euclid ' s first book ; Avhich if rightly understood is the foundation of all Masonry sacredciviland military .

, , Geometry after Pythagorus became the darling study of Greece , and many learned philosophers arose , Avho invented sundry propositions and reduced them to the use of the mechanical arts ; nor is it to be doubted but Masonry kept pace Avith that

science , or rather followed it in gradual improvements , until the admirable Euclid of Tyre flourished at Alexandria , under the patronage of Plolomeus king of JEgypt , who gathered up its scattered elements , and digested into a method not yet

excelled , for Avhich laborious undertaking his name will always meet Avith renoAvn , and his memory be ever green amongst us .

The next king of JEgypt , Plolomeus Philadelphus , was a great improver of the liberal arts , as Avell as of all useful knowledge , Avho having collected the most curious library upon earth , he caused the old testament to be translated into Geeek , and became

an excellent Architect and General Master Mason . We have no reason to scruple but that the African nations , even unto the Atlantic shore , did soon imitate JEcpfpHs improvements , altho' history gives us no li g ht

therein , and travellers have not met with encouragement to discover the valuable remains of Masonry in those once renowned nations . The learned isle of Sicily demands our remembrance , for their flourished that

prodig ious Geometrician Archimedes , and the ancient Romans were obliged to that island , as well as to Greece , JEgtjpt , and Asia , for their knoAvledge both in the science and in the art ; for Avhen they subdued nations mihtdiscoveries appearedand the

emigy , nent professors Avere led captives to Rome , Avhich then became the centre of learning , and of imperial power , until the reign of Augustus Gcesar they advanced to their zenith of glory , at Avhich time the Messiah came , Avho proved the great Architect of

the church , and caused the uneasy multitude to taste delicacies of lovely quiet , and to enjoy the pleasing advantages of humble peace . In this happy state the Craft had many opportunities in making improvementsand iving due encouragement to

, g their dexterous artists Avhose learned scholars and pupils , but particularly the great V ' druvhis the father of all true Architects , erected several sumptuous buildings , Avhich are the standard of Masonry at this day .

Therefore it is rationally believed , that the great Augustus , Avho patronized Vitruvius , and promoted the welfare of the fel-IOAV Craftsmen Avas the Grand Master of the Lodge at Rome , as appears by the many magnificent structures of his reign , which are an epitome of the

AsiaticEgyp-, tian , Grecian , and Sicilian Architecture ; and which Ave . often express by the name of the Augustan style , altho' as yet Ave are only imitators thereof not having arrived to its perfection . From the beginning of the Avorld the

antient records of Masons afford indisputable proofs , that when the civil powers shewed an abhorrence to tyranny and slavery , and the bright and free genius of the Craftsmen had due scope , that then above all other artists they were the

favourites of the most eminent Avho protected them in order to carry on their grand undertakings . Nor should it be forgotten that all Craftsmen , Avho work by Geometrical Rules of building , deserved to be called good Masons as Avell painters , statuaries , as stone cutters , bricklayers , carpenters , ( fee . tho' no age hath since been adorned AA . 2