The author's intention in writing this little book was to present in a simple and concise form the results arrived at by the great modern students of the Craft, Gould, Hughan, Rylands, Speth and others, which are not readily available to the brother who wishes to know the leading facts about the origin and early history of Masonry, but is deterred by considerations of time and expense from studying the subject really thoroughly. Vibert confined the work to the early period of Masonic history, that being prior to 1717.