THE OLD CHARGES OF BRITISH FREEMASONS.
Mr
63
Woodford, whose opinion
As
correct estimate.
MS. No.
it is
is entitled to great weight, considers that the sixteenth
centnry woiild be a more
" better to eiT on the safe
" York
side," I have bracketed them virtually with the
and the two valuable documents which next follow.
1,"
8.
"
IxiGO Jones."
a.d.
The Eev. A.
1607.
F. A.
Woodford, London.
Published only in the " Masonic Magazine," July 1881. Its right to the above title is based upon the claim
made in the document itself, which was sold 12th Novemljer 1879 by Messrs Puttick & Simpson. The
"
it as
The ancient Constitutions of the Free and Accepted Masons. A very curious fulio
ornamented title and drawing by Inigo Jones, old red morocco, gilt leaves, dated 1607." Mr
manuscript,
Woodford subsequently became its fortunate possessor, and, as usual with bim, lost no time in making the craft
with its contents.
on accoxmt
He mentions that " it is a curious and valuable MS.
not
cataloguer described
acquainted
only
ftr se,
'
work, with the words fiiigo Jones
delin ^ at the bottom.
It is also highly ornamented throughout, both in the capital letters, and with finials.'
It is, we apprehend, pretty certain that it did
Mr Woodford also
It is of date 1607."
belong to Inigo Jones.
of its special verbiage, but because
it
masons
possesses a frontisjiiece of
at
'
'
states that
points,
he considers "
a peculiarly interesting
it
and agrees with no one copy extant."
will be again referred to later on.
"
latest
Its
MS.
in that
it
differs
from
validity of these claims
is
all
open
known
transcripts in
many
to remark, but the subject
importance has been rather under than over stated
discoveries," is certainl3' to be classed
"
The
;
for this,
one of the
amongst the most valuable of existing versions of our manuscript
Constitutions."
9.
"Wood."
The Eev. A.
a.d 1610.
F. A.
Woodford, London.
Published only in the " Masonic Magazine," June 1881. For the acquisition of this scroll in 1879, the craft
has again to thank the fortunate owner and discoverer of the " Inigo Jones" MS.
Mr Wood, from whom it
was obtained, is unable to furnish particulars of its history, beyond that the MS. had been in his possession
" It
^
In
twenty years.
belonged to a family who died out many years ago, and is of great age."
the manuscript, Mr Woodford informs us that it is " written on parchment (or vellum), with partially
editing
illuminated letters here and there.
The 'Finis de Tahula,' at the end of the Index (for it has also an
.
for about
.
index),
is,
some
according to
It therefore deserves careful
.
authorities,
most
archaic,
and may
"
It is entitled
noting and perusal."
refer to
an original two hundred years older.
Wherein is
of Masonrye.
The Constitution
With divers
and principally the Science of Masonrye.
Then follow the first verse of
good Eules, Orders, and Precepts, necessary to be observed of all Masons."
Psalm cxxvii., and the declaration " Newlye Translated by J. Wliitestones for John Sargensonne, 1610." If, as
briefly declared the first foundation of divers Sciences,
Mr Woodford
suggests.
the term " Translated "
No. 9 was copied from another MS. of the fifteenth century, which
may be simply an equivalent for modernised.
10.
"
York, No.
3."
a.d,
third in order on the " Inventory" at
The MS.
1630.
York
At York
is
not at
all unlikely,
1779.
a.d.
of a.d. 1779 (already alluded to), has not been traced
was a version of the " Constitutions" by the description " No. 3. A parchment
Roll of Charges on Masonry, 1630;" and it is just possible that No. 41 may have been this document.
At
all events, it is not No. 15,
some plausible reasons have been adv