THE ANTIQUITIES OF FREEMASONRY.
4
^
From this reproach, it will mit he contended that the
grounds by wliicli they are supported."
rreemasous of our own day merit an exemption, hut the stigma, if such it be, under which they
to the inaccurate historians
rest, must assuredly be deemed to attach with even greater force,
that the historian has no rules as to
It is true, no doubt,
by whom they have been misled.
In his court every document may be
exclusion of evidence or incompetency of witnesses.
But in proportion as he admits all evidence indiscrimistatement may be heard.
read, every
must exercise discrimination
nately, he
that long habit, combined with a
where
it is
happy
may
talent,
necessary condition that
it
recommend
There
is,
indeed, no doubt
enable a person to discern the truth
no special advantages.
invisible to ordinary minds, possessing
that the truth so perceived should
Much
in judging of its effect.^
In order, however,
the convictions of others,
itself to
it
is
a
should admit of proof w^hich they can understand.^
Freemasonry is so interspersed with fable and romance, that
of the early liistory of
however anxious we may be
at least of these familiar
to deal tenderly
with long-cherished legends and traditions, some
to violate every canon of historical
—unless we choose
superstitions
—must be allowed pass quietly into
In dealing with
—indeed, might almost say impossible— to lay down any fixed rules
criticism
oblivion.*
to
this subject, it is
for our guidance.
All the authorities seem hopelessly at variance.
Gibbon states, " the Germans, in the days of
Without that artificial help, the
Tacitus, were unacquainted with the use of letters.
difficult
I
.
.
.
"
To this,"
ever dissipates or corrupts the ideas entrusted to her charge." *
"
Lord Aruudell, I reply, that although records are valuable for the attestation, they are
says
human memory
not guarantees for the fidelity of tradition.
When mankind trust mainly to tradition, the
faculties by which it is sustained will be more strongly developed, and the adaptation of
^
Yet if we turn to one of the greatest
society for its transmission more exactly conformed."
masters of historical criticism, the comforting assurance of Lord Arundell is seriously assailed.
"A tradition," says Sir George Lewis, " should be proved by authentic evidence to be not of
A
subsequent growth, but to he founded on a contemporary recollection of the fact recorded.
historical event may be handed down by oral tradition, as well as by a contemporary written
record but in that case satisfactory proof must be given that the tradition is derived from
;
"
contemporary witnesses."
The principle just enunciated is, however, demurred to by another high authority, whose
words have a special bearing upon the point under consideration. The learned author of " The
1
"
Ou
the Influence of Authority in Matters of Opinion (Sir G. C. Lewis),
p.
Indeed, knowledge in
many departments
is
becoming more and more the
7.
Lord Arundell of Wardour says
and must be taken by
the outside world ou faith" (Tradition, principally with reference to Mythology and the
2
Lewis, Methods of Observation and Reasoning in Politics, vol. i., p. 196.
2
Lewis,
An
Inquiry into the Credibility of the Early
Homan
:
tra-'itions of experts,
History, vol.
i.,
Law
of Nations, 1872, p. 139).
p. 14.
*
The following mode of determining the authenticity of the Legends of the Saints, without dishonouring the
"Lea
autliority of the Church or disturbing the faith of her children, suggests indeed otic way out of the difficulty
:
II y a des reliques authentiques
legendes sont dans I'ordre historique ce que les reliques des saints sont dans le culte.
et des legendes certaines, des
reliques evidemment fausses et des legendes evidemment fabuleuses, eufin des reliques
douteuses et des legendes seulement probables et vraisemblables.
Pour les legendes comnie pour Ics reliques I'Eglise
cousucre ce qui est certain, proicrit le fableux et
permet le duuteux sans le consacrer" (C'ours. d'Hist. Eccl., par I'Abbe
Blauc, p. 552).
"
Gibbon, Decline and Fall, vol.
*
Arundell, Tradition, principally with reference to Mythology and the
Lewis, Ou the Influence of Authority in Mutters of Opinion, p. 00.
">
i.,
p. 353.
Law
of Nations, 1872, pp. 120, 121.