The Preface.

out the beginning of all crafts in tho Avorld . Tins Jabal Avas the oldest son and he found out the craft of Geometry , and he parted flocks , sheep and lambs in the fields ;

and he first wrought house of stone & c , there as it is noted hi the chapter abovesaid , & c , his brother Jubal found Musick of Harp ancl Organ , and the third brother Tubal found the smith ' s craft , as of hon

and steel , and their sister found out Aveaving , spinning and knitting , and these children did knoAV that God would take

vengeance for sin , either by fire or Avater therefore they Avrote the sciences , what they found in two pillars of stone , that they might be found aftfr the flood ; that one stone Avas called Marble , and that

cannot burn Avith fire . Tho other called Loterajs , that cannot drown Avith water ; our intent is to let you knoAV truly , and in Avhat manner these stones Avere found

that these crafts Avere Avritten on . This Greek Hermeu is he that Avas son unto Cus , and Avas son unto Sem , the Avhich Avas son unto Noah ; tho same Hermen Avas after called Hermos , the father of the Avise men , and ho found out the two pillars of

stone , the sciences written therein , ancl taught them hereinforth at the making of the toAver of Babylon . There Avas the craft of Masonry first found and made much of . And the king of Babylon that Avas called Hembroth , or Nembroth , was a Mason and loved well the craft , as it is said by the

masters of the stories ; and when the cities of East Asia should be made , Hembroth the king of Babylon sent thither sixt y Masons at the desire of the king of Niniveth his cousin , and they Avent forth , ancl

he gave them charges after this manner , that they should be true , and love trul y together ; and that they should serve their lord truly for their payment , so that ho might have AVorship for sending of them to him ; and other charges he gave them , and this was the first time that any Mason had

any charge of his craft . Moreover Avhen Abraham and Sarah his Avife Avent into Egypt they were taught the seven sciences unto the Egyptians , and had a worth y scholar called Eachlid and he learned ri ght

well , and Avas master of all the seven sciences , and in his days it befell , that the lords and states of the realm had so many sons , Avhich they had begat , some by their wives and some by their ladies of the realm ,

for that is a holy land , and a plenteous generation , and they had no living competent for their children , wherefore they made much sorrow ancl the king made u great counsel and a groat parliament to

knoAV IIOAV they might find their children , and they could find no good Avays ; and he caused a cry to bo made throughout the realm if there Avere any man that could inform him , that he should be Avell rewarded and hold him well paid .

After this cry Avas made came this worthy clerk , Eachlid , ancl said unto the king and all Ids great lords , if you will take us your children to govern and teach thorn honestly lot it bo under condition you Avill grant them and me a commission that I may have

poAver to rule them honestly , as the science ought to be ruled . And the king and his counsel granted them a VOAV , and sealed that commission , ancl then that doctor took to him the lords sons , and taught the worthy science of Geometry , practice to work mysteries of all maimer of Avorks that

belong to budding of castles , all manner of Courts , and Temples , and Churches , with all other building ; and he gave them charge on this manner , first , they should be true to the king and to the lord that they served , and that they should love AVCII

together and be true to one another ; and that they should call one anotlvr fellows and not servants , nor his knave , nor any foul names ; and that they should truly deserve their payment to tho lord that tin' )' serve ; and that they should ordain tho Avisost to be the masters of the work *