[From The Travels of Mirza Abu Taleb Khan in Asia, Africa and Europe during the years 1799-1803 - translated from the Persian language by Charles Stewart, 1810.]

At the distance of ------------ miles from London, there is a beautiful garden solely appropriated to the use of the Freemasons. Many wonderful stories are told of this sect. They have several regulations peculiar to themselves, and are able to know each other, at first sight, by some sign, which cannot be perceived by any other person. Even the fear of death will not make them betray the secrets of their order. It is reported, that the King, having some suspicions of them ordered the Heir Apparent to become a Freemason, and to inform him if there was any thing in their tenets prejudicial to good government, or dangerous to the State. The Prince, in obedience to the Royal orders, was initiated into all the mysteries of the sect, and declared to his father that their principles were favorable to his government, and that they were among the most loyal of his subjects. Thus far the Prince disclosed; but nothing respecting their mysteries ever issued from his lips.

The only information I could obtain on this subject was, that when King Solomon made his preparations for building the Temple of Jerusalem, he collected masons and workmen from all parts of the world, especially from Europe; and that these people, when assembled together, being desirous of commemorating the circumstance, and proud of their profession invented certain mysteries, which should only be communicated to persons of their own craft.

Many of their customs are very praiseworthy. They do not interfere with any man's religion, nor attempt to alter his faith. They are liberal to the poor; and always relieve each other when in distress. Variance and strife are banished from among them; and they consider each other as Brothers.

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