-
Articles/Ads
Article ANCIENT MASONS' MARKS. ← Page 6 of 9 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ancient Masons' Marks.
power in Rhodes and in Malta up to the seventeenth century , there was , most probably , no connection at all , we readily admit . That century , however , and the following , are not so easily disposed of . Masons' marks are found on most of the fortifications of the seventeenth century , and on the aqueduct of the same date almost every stone is marked . Crosses of
different shapes are commonly met with , as also the pentalpha , the ( 7 R shaped figure , formerly given from La Maison , and the square , as used by working masons . " The Masons of the middle ages have sometimes been compared to a kind of knighthood ; nor can chivalry be otherwise than honouredby embracingin the circle of its missiona
pur-, , , pose so grand as that of covering the earth with the finest structural efforts of human genius . In the secret societysecret not for the sake of darkness , but that it might peacefully and undisturbedly work by its own bright light—discovered mysteries seem to have been taught , and new combinations and varieties of beauty appear to have been discovered
and communicated , as if by electric wires , through all Christendom . How otherwise can we account for it , that while between all was dark and barbarous as Tartary or Kamschatka , the same light and flowery-topped pillars should arise beneath the blue heaven of Palermo , and the sullen sky of Jedburg ? or how find among the vineyards of the Rhine the
same massive form of column and arch which astonish and delight the northern traveller in distant Kirkwall ? or see the flamboyant riches of Rouen and the Notre Dame of Paris repeated at Linlithgow ? " *
Now we find , from Camden , that above a doorway in Melrose Abbey there is a shield charged with two compasses in saltire , between four crosses votomy or fleure , while around and under is this inscription : — " Sa gaye the compasse evyn aboute Sa truth and laute do but doute behalde to the end quoth John Murdo whose arms these were . He
was ' born in Parysse certainly , and had in keeping all mason werk , of Santandroys , the hye kirke of Glasgu , Melros , and Paslay , of Nyddysdayl and G-alway ; ' " f or , in other words , was superintendent of masonry over great part of Scotland . Whether the aforesaid John Murdo was knighted or not we take it not upon ourselves to say ; certain it is that , making a leap of five centuries , we find that
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ancient Masons' Marks.
power in Rhodes and in Malta up to the seventeenth century , there was , most probably , no connection at all , we readily admit . That century , however , and the following , are not so easily disposed of . Masons' marks are found on most of the fortifications of the seventeenth century , and on the aqueduct of the same date almost every stone is marked . Crosses of
different shapes are commonly met with , as also the pentalpha , the ( 7 R shaped figure , formerly given from La Maison , and the square , as used by working masons . " The Masons of the middle ages have sometimes been compared to a kind of knighthood ; nor can chivalry be otherwise than honouredby embracingin the circle of its missiona
pur-, , , pose so grand as that of covering the earth with the finest structural efforts of human genius . In the secret societysecret not for the sake of darkness , but that it might peacefully and undisturbedly work by its own bright light—discovered mysteries seem to have been taught , and new combinations and varieties of beauty appear to have been discovered
and communicated , as if by electric wires , through all Christendom . How otherwise can we account for it , that while between all was dark and barbarous as Tartary or Kamschatka , the same light and flowery-topped pillars should arise beneath the blue heaven of Palermo , and the sullen sky of Jedburg ? or how find among the vineyards of the Rhine the
same massive form of column and arch which astonish and delight the northern traveller in distant Kirkwall ? or see the flamboyant riches of Rouen and the Notre Dame of Paris repeated at Linlithgow ? " *
Now we find , from Camden , that above a doorway in Melrose Abbey there is a shield charged with two compasses in saltire , between four crosses votomy or fleure , while around and under is this inscription : — " Sa gaye the compasse evyn aboute Sa truth and laute do but doute behalde to the end quoth John Murdo whose arms these were . He
was ' born in Parysse certainly , and had in keeping all mason werk , of Santandroys , the hye kirke of Glasgu , Melros , and Paslay , of Nyddysdayl and G-alway ; ' " f or , in other words , was superintendent of masonry over great part of Scotland . Whether the aforesaid John Murdo was knighted or not we take it not upon ourselves to say ; certain it is that , making a leap of five centuries , we find that