A couple of signal events over the past couple of weeks (sorry for my absence, but my upcoming book will be worth it!).
Firstly, I presented a copy of my translation of Saint-Martin’s book to M:.W:. Jean-Pierre Servel, Grand Master of the G.N.L.F., during his visit with over 100 French Masons to the Grand Lodge of New York last week. Hence the ‘coals to Newcastle’ comment (which translates as ‘porter de l’eau à la rivière’ or ‘carrying water to the river’ to our French colleagues). After all, the book is readily available to him in French at any bookstore in France! Still, he understood the gesture, and was most appreciative!
Secondly, I was published in the prestigious Masonic research organ of the Southern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite in the US!
A ‘bumper week’, as we Brits say!
Brother Vaughan: Much enjoyed your scholarly article in the spring issue of ESM. I would guess your Fig 2, “Temple of Dendur”, comes closest to what King Solomon’s Temple might’ve looked like, sans the gold leaf and cedar roof. Having just finished reading Walter Isaacson’s book on Leonardo da Vinci, I recall seeing a picture much like your Fig 7, representing what Leonardo and Vitruvius considered the ideal proportions of both man and a temple – can’t look it up as I’ve given it to an old friend who is truly an art connoisseur.
One of these days I might seek your advice as to whether the lodge in NYC would be interested in a “sporting piece” I have in my possession which was purchased by John Jay in 1780 while on his mission to Spain. It has his name and the date engraved on the butt-plate. I am descended from Jay’s parents thru two of his sisters. I am also responsible for a large painting of John Jay in his King’s College robes which has been on indefinite loan to he Department of State for many years. I believe John Jay was a Mason. You would know better than I. How I pass these priceless family possessions on depends, of course, on whether my son, Scott, and his first cousins have an interest in retaining them.