THE HISTORY OF FREE MASONRY, DRAWN FROM AUTHENTIC SOURCES OF INFORMATION; WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND, FROM ITS INSTITUTION IN 1736, TO THE PRESENT TIME, COMPILED FROM THE RECORDS; AND AN APPENDIX OF ORIGINAL PAPERS. EDINBURGH: PRINTED BY ALEX. LAWRIE AND CO. FOR ALEX. LAWRIE, BOOKSELLER AND STATIONER NO. 24. PARLIAMENT SQUARE; AND LONGMAN AND REES, LONDON, TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE GEORGE EARL OF DALHOUSIE, GRAND-MASTER ELECT; AND THE OFFICE BEARERS AND MEMBERS OF THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND, This Work is Inscribed By their Obedient And Obliged Servant, ALEX. LAWRIE. PREFACE. FROM the events which have lately taken place in Europe, the History of Free Masonry has a claim upon the public attention, to which, at another period, perhaps, it might not have been entitled. The history of a peaceful institution, whose proceedings are concealed from the public eye, can be interesting only to its own members, who are solicitous about the honour and advancement of their order. But, whenever it influences the opinions and practices of men; whenever it contributes to the disturbance or degradation of kingdoms; and whenever it is deemed an instrument in the promotion of those great revolutions, which involve, in their consequences, the happiness of individuals, and the stability of nations, it may then arrogate some title to public attention. That such allega |