Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
In like manner , that very venerable institution , the Lodge of Melrose , whose antiquity is only rivalled by that of the Jlother Kilwinning , Ayrshire , —both dating their origin from the building of their respective abbeys by the bands of architectural Brethren , who traversed the country towards the middle of the twelfth century , —renewed their annual ceremony of marching by the light of torches round the ruins of St . David ' s pile . A band of music preceded the processionlaying solemn
, p airs . Nothing could be more singular and impressive than the spectacle which here presented itself . The red glaring light of the flambeaux , as it flashed upon the pillars and projections of the ancient abbey , discovering the grotesque figures and faces of grinning monks , sculptured on the corbells and capitals of many a mouldering arch , contrasted strikingly with the deep mysterious gloom of the retiring aisles and cloisterswhose darknessindeedwas ever and anon partiall
, , , y illumined as the singular procession passed along . Every step which the Brethren trod , as they slowly advanced up the interior of the edifice , was hallowed dust . In the words of him whose name is linked with that of the place , — "Beneath the lettered stones were laid The ashes of their fathers dead ;
From many a garnish'd niche around , Stern saints and tortur'd martyrs frown'd . " Without much stretch of imagination , in sooth , the absorbed spectator might here deem himself transported back to that distant era , when " Slow up the dim aisle afar , AVith sable cowl and scapular , And snow-white stoles , in order due ,
The holy fathers , two and two , In long procession came ; Taper , and host , and hook they bare , And holy banner , flourish'd fair AVith the Redeemer ' s name . " But hark . ' that bugle blast is of no monkish strain : — " Scots wha hae wi' AVallace bled ! Scots wham Bruce has often led !"
Such is the martial melod y that now arouses the echoing vaults . It is an offering of the Brethren to the memory of him , the Hero of Bannockburn , whose heart is buried in this blessed spot , though his head and bones are far remote , deep in Dunfermline Abbey . Another grave is seen hard by , the which , if you be a believer in necromancy , you had as well keep off , —' tis that of Michael Scott , THE AA ' IZARD . A Master Mason Michael must have been , else how could he have known " The words that clove Eildon hills in three , And bridled the Tweed with a curl of Stone ?" Lay of the Last Minstrel .
But whether he was or not , certes , the architect of the abbey was one , and a Royal Arch Companion to boot . Yon time-worn tablet on the wall still tells the name of R . AV . Brother Jiurdo , and the compasses sculptured beside it , announce the Mason ' s mark . Aye ! full manya nameless Brother doubtless sleeps around , who , if the dead could wake at will , would be up and be doing , and join themselves in the procession of the Lodge of Jlelrose . But we are recalled to the realities of life by the heart-stirring sound of the Mason ' s Anthem , and the Brethren return
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
In like manner , that very venerable institution , the Lodge of Melrose , whose antiquity is only rivalled by that of the Jlother Kilwinning , Ayrshire , —both dating their origin from the building of their respective abbeys by the bands of architectural Brethren , who traversed the country towards the middle of the twelfth century , —renewed their annual ceremony of marching by the light of torches round the ruins of St . David ' s pile . A band of music preceded the processionlaying solemn
, p airs . Nothing could be more singular and impressive than the spectacle which here presented itself . The red glaring light of the flambeaux , as it flashed upon the pillars and projections of the ancient abbey , discovering the grotesque figures and faces of grinning monks , sculptured on the corbells and capitals of many a mouldering arch , contrasted strikingly with the deep mysterious gloom of the retiring aisles and cloisterswhose darknessindeedwas ever and anon partiall
, , , y illumined as the singular procession passed along . Every step which the Brethren trod , as they slowly advanced up the interior of the edifice , was hallowed dust . In the words of him whose name is linked with that of the place , — "Beneath the lettered stones were laid The ashes of their fathers dead ;
From many a garnish'd niche around , Stern saints and tortur'd martyrs frown'd . " Without much stretch of imagination , in sooth , the absorbed spectator might here deem himself transported back to that distant era , when " Slow up the dim aisle afar , AVith sable cowl and scapular , And snow-white stoles , in order due ,
The holy fathers , two and two , In long procession came ; Taper , and host , and hook they bare , And holy banner , flourish'd fair AVith the Redeemer ' s name . " But hark . ' that bugle blast is of no monkish strain : — " Scots wha hae wi' AVallace bled ! Scots wham Bruce has often led !"
Such is the martial melod y that now arouses the echoing vaults . It is an offering of the Brethren to the memory of him , the Hero of Bannockburn , whose heart is buried in this blessed spot , though his head and bones are far remote , deep in Dunfermline Abbey . Another grave is seen hard by , the which , if you be a believer in necromancy , you had as well keep off , —' tis that of Michael Scott , THE AA ' IZARD . A Master Mason Michael must have been , else how could he have known " The words that clove Eildon hills in three , And bridled the Tweed with a curl of Stone ?" Lay of the Last Minstrel .
But whether he was or not , certes , the architect of the abbey was one , and a Royal Arch Companion to boot . Yon time-worn tablet on the wall still tells the name of R . AV . Brother Jiurdo , and the compasses sculptured beside it , announce the Mason ' s mark . Aye ! full manya nameless Brother doubtless sleeps around , who , if the dead could wake at will , would be up and be doing , and join themselves in the procession of the Lodge of Jlelrose . But we are recalled to the realities of life by the heart-stirring sound of the Mason ' s Anthem , and the Brethren return