Francis Bacon and his secret society - Grand Lodge of Colorado

290 FRA XCIS BA CON
by pictures or
sculptures, but the passage just quoted may contain
a bint of tbe instruction which may be given by dumb
shows, or stage plays, for it continues as Bacon does where, in
in the Be Augmentis, he upholds the
benefits derivable from a
wise use of the theater. Yet in all that regards these arts of
concealment, there are, to the mind of the present writer, strong
hintsofa system not so much ofsecret studies as of secret methods of
communication, whether by means of cipher- writing, hieroglyphic
designs, pantomimic gestures, or double-meaning language.
This can only be tested by a comparison of many books in which
veiled information of the same kind is to be found. May some
industrious reader follow up the subject, which seems to become
easier as we plod on.
Tbe fourth and last book in this strange little volume professes
to give " The History of Masonry in England. "
Wbether
or not anyone was ever found to believe the* statements made in
the opening chapters of this " History" we know not, but
hitherto we have not found them repeated, excepting in Masonic
dictionaries and manuals. We are to believe that "Masonry"
flourished in England before the time of the Druids; that lodges
and conventions were regularly held throughout the period
of Roman rule until Masonry was reduced to a low ebb
through continual wars. At length the Emperor Carausius,
having shaken off the Roman yoke, contrived the most effectual
means to render his person and government acceptable to the
people by assuming the character of a Mason. ... He raised
tbe Masons to the first rank as his favourites and appointed Albanus,
his steward, the principal superintendent of their assemblies.
Later on, " he granted them a charter and commanded
Albanus to preside over them as Grand Master. Some particulars
of a man so truly exemplary among Masons will certainly merit
attention. Albanus was born at Verulam, now St. Albans, in
Hertfordshire, of a noble family. " Some account of the protomartyr,
St. Alban, is then introduced; it ends by saying that St.
Alban built a splendid palace for the Emperor at Verulam, and
tbat to reward his diligence " the Emperor made him steward of
his household and chief ruler of the realm. . . . We are assured