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Printed by WM. HUNTER, for JOHN SENEX, at the Globe, and JOHN HOOKE
at the Flower-de-Luce, over-against St. Dunstan's Church, in Fleet st.
In the Year of Masonry, 5723-Anno Domini, 1723.

NEW YORK:

ROBT. MACOY, 29 BEEKMAN STREET.
CLARK, AUSTIN & SMITH, 3 PARK ROW.

1859.

H5440 A6 1859

AMERICAN PUBLISHER'S PREFACE.

THE year 1723 forms an important epoch in the history of the Order, and among the Masonic writers of that period there are few more deserving of notice than the author of the "Constitutions of Freemasonry." The Masonic world have already dignified him with the reputation of a classic, and enrolled his name among that select number whose works belong alike to every nation, and are destined to float down the stream of time, untouched by the flood of oblivion, which soon overtakes the mass of authors, as it does the mass of other men.

"Incredibili industria-diligentia singulari," said the ancients in their descriptions of individuals eminent for merit; and, indeed, it must be owned that, in his laborious compilations, "extracted from the ancient records of lodges beyond sea❞—a work characterized by industry and the love of truth-no writer is more eminently entitled to the encomium than JAMES ANDERSON. His varied acquirements, deep research, wonderful industry, great experience and boundless resources of knowledge, both practical and theoretical, have done much to advance the cause of Masonry.

M510949

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AMERICAN PUBLISHER'S PREFACE.

Dr. ANDERSON's work made its appearance at a most seasonable time; for he himself says, "It is highly probable that many valuable documents relative to the Society were destroyed, at the revival of the Order in 1717." No pains were spared no labor lost-in examining the old records for Masonic information. Six years afterwards the work which has done so much honor to its author, appeared as a vehicle of valuable intelligence to the craft, and without which no Masonic library is now complete.

In presenting an American edition of "Anderson's Constitutions" to the Masonic Fraternity, the Publisher feels confident that there are but few readers in the Order who have not dwelt with interest and delight on the pages of this most popular work-popular at least with Masons, and esteemed by them as the written Landmarks of Masonry.

"The orthography of the original London edition of 1723, of which this work is a reprint, is scrupulously followed and retained. The typographical execution of the present edition will render it, no doubt, an ornament to the library, so that by this means the Publisher is able to include in a neat, economical and substantial form, a large amount of instruction on the most important principles of the Order.

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