Dr. Dassigny's Enquiry.

men , who have strayed from the ways of truth and virtue , and who have not followed the tradition which they received from us , nor pursued the equitable dictates of our excellent and antient common } wealth , whose laws are not only eas } ' in their performancebut agreeable to the

, interest of each individual , and even essential to future happiness . Regularity , virtue and concord , are the ouly ornaments of human nature ( which is often too prone to act in different capacities ) so that the happiness of life

depends in a great measure on our own election , and a prudent choice of those steps , for human society cannot subsist without concord and the maintenance of mutual

good offices ; for like the working of an arch of stone , it would fall to the ground , provided one piece did not properly support another . Therefore to afford succour to the distressed , to divide our bread with the industrious poorand to put the misguided

, traveller into his way , are qualifications inherent in the Craft , and suitable to its dignity , and such as the worthy members of that great body have at all times strove with indefatigable pains to accomplish . Now as the landmarks of the

constitution of Free Blasonry are universally the same throughout all kingdoms , and are so well fixt that they will not admit of removal , how comes it to pass that some have been led away with ridiculous innovations , an example , of which , I shall prove by a certain propagator of a false svstem some

lew years ago in this city , who imposed upon several very worthy men under a pretence of being Blaster of the Royal Arch , which he asserted . he had brought with him from the city of York ; and that the beauties of the Craft did principally

consist in the knowledge of this valuable piece of Blnsoury . However he carried on his scheme for several months , and many of the learned and wise were his followers , till at length his fallacious art was discovered by a Brother of probity and wisdom ,

who had some small space before attained that excellent part of Blasonry iu London and plainly proved that his doctrine was false , whereupon the Brethren justly despised him aud ordered him to be excluded from all benefits of the Craft , and altho ' some of the fraternity have expressed an uneasiness at this matter being kept a secret from them ( since they had already

passed thro' the usual degrees of probation ) I cannot help being of opinion that they have no right to any such benefit until they make a proper application , and are received with due formality , and as it is an organis'd body of men who have passed the chairand given undeniable proofs of their

, skill in Architecture , it cannot be treated with too much reverence , and more especially since the character of the present members of that particular Lodge are untainted , and their behaviour judicious and unexceptionable ; so that there cannot be

the least hinge to hang a doubt on , but that they are most excellent Masons . I cannot help informing the Brethren that there is lately arrived in this city a certain itinerant Blasou , whose judgment ( as lie declares ) is so far illumin'dand

, whose optics are so strong that they can bear the view of the most lucid rays of the sun at noon day , and altho' we have contented ourselves with three material steps to approach our Summum Bonum , the immortal GOD . yet he presumes to acquaint

us that he can add three more , which when properly plac'd may advance us to the highest heavens . It is universally allowed that the Italians

are excellent Blasons , and have produced to the world the most masterly designs , but I cannot be of opinion that their private usages or customs are different from the general method exhibited throughout all other nations , and I never yet could hear that there was any order in Blasonry ,

under that particular denomination of the Italic order , until this mighty Architect , or , I may rather say , extravagant climber , came to impart to his countrymen so valuable a production . For my part I shall always profess a

very great esteem for any one who shall add to the beauty of our glorious art , or ]_ > 3 ' any means improve or enhance the value thereof , and were I assured that this adept had skill sufficient to demonstrate the truth of his assertionI should pay him

, the utmost veneration ; but until then he must excuse me from being one of his devotees , and I hope that no innocent and worthy Brother ma 3 ' at any time be misled by false insinuations , or foreign schemes . In Ancient times Lodges were only

schools of Architecture , and the presiding Blasters were generally learned geometricans , who took care to instruct their Brethren and fellows in the study of the