Some thoughts on the history of the Tracing Boards

PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

PART 4

ILLUSTRATION INDEX

Anderson’s Constitutions
Frontispiece
TRACING BOARDS HISTORY ILLUSTRATIONS: FIGURE 4

Explanation of the Frontispiece.
The architectural part represents the inside of Free-masons' Hall.The uppermost figure is Truth, holding a mirror, which reflects its rays on divers ornaments of the Hall, and also on the Globes and other Masonic Furniture and Implements of the Lodge. Truth is attended by the three Theological Virtues, Faith, Hope and Charity: under these, the Genius of Masonry, commissioned by Truth and her Attendants, is descending into the Hall, bearing a lighted Torch; she is decorated with some of the Masonic Emblems, and on her arm hangs a ribbon with a Medal pendant, with which she is to invest the Grand Master, in token of the Divine approbation of a Building sacred to Charity and Benevolence. [reprinted from an unnumbered page inserted after Abstract of the Laws and before Sanction.]¹

"On the tables were two globes, the perfect Ashlar suspended from a Lewis, and affixed to a wrench, an air pump, another philosophical apparatus as well as the usual ornaments, furniture and jewels"²

Frontispiece. Constitutions of the Antient Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons containing their History, Charges, Regulations, &. by James Anderson. A new edition by John Noorthouk. J. Rouza, London: 1784. [plate drawn by Giovanni Battista Cipriani and Paul Sandby and engraved by Francesco Bartolozzi and James Fittler.] Cf. Tours of Dr. Syntax by William Coombe.

The Square and Compasses New Orleans : August 1911, vol xviii. p.16. From a description of "how lodges were furnished previous to 1830."