From the FOREWORD of Volume II. OWING to the favourable reception accorded by Freemasons, not only in England, but also in America and South Africa, to the Author's first volume of the "Short Masonic History," he has been encouraged to supplement it by the present work. This continues the account of the Craft, and attemps to shew how the mystical ideas of the Freemasons swept onward in full flood, and proceeded to form many tributaries to the main river in the shape of other Masonic bodies, which became known as Higher degrees. It is not always easy to trace the rise and course of these streams, from the rapidity with which they were formed, and the manner in which they gave way to other societies, which absorbed their ideas, and added to them. The author desires to thank his many Masonic friends who have aided him by advice and suggestion in this work, and in particular he desires to thank the proprietors of "The Freemason" and " The Connoisseur," and the British Museum authorities for permission to reproduce illustrations from their works. --FRED. ARMITAGE, P.M.