The Masonic Book Club, Vol. 5

This fifth volume of the Masonic Book Club presents material that is rare and not easily accessible to the average Masonic reader. Dr. D'Assigny's works are not earth-shattering. His literary effort should be read in the light of the days in which he lived. They caused only a faint ripple in a narrow field when they were published, and very promptly dropped from sight, only to be unearthed over a century later. They are curiosities, yet; but most interesting curiosities. His Serious and Impartial Enquiry engages in the usual flights of historical fantasy, after the pattern so well initiated by Dr. James Anderson a few years before. His Answer to the Pope's Bull and his Answer to the Enemies of Free-Masonry may have required more courage than most of us realize today. So let us not underestimate the effect such a strong defense of the Craft might have had upon the readers of that day.