Freemasonry And Architecture.

To our thinking , the question of the origin and development of the Gothic order of Architecture is no sin . !; mystery as these writers would have us believe . In the first plncv it is sm-ely unnecessary to point out how closely , in its more primitive and general forms , the Gothic arch resembles the inferlacmor bousrhs of a Northern forest . Nor

need our readers to be informed that all arts are of necessity imitative . The early Celtic and Teutonic builders constructed their rude huts from the timber which surrounded their settlements , and when they desired to erect more imposing dwellings they naturally took their ideas

from the appearance of forest groves . Before long the builders became a distinctive body , and the services of the most skilful were sought far and wide for the erection of fortresses and churches . The migratory character they thus acquired was of itself sufficient to raise them above the

common herd . In their wanderings they probably very soon came in contact with the Collegia Huriorum of Rome , and the traditions of these old schools would in time and in part be grafted on their own . In process of years there would come to be recognised amongst these artificers a certain

bond of fellowship , based upon their possession of a common knowledge and their pursuit of the same occupation . Like the Dionysiacs of old , and the Freemasons of to-day , they were naturally jealous of any interference from without , and carefully avoided committing to paper the secrets

of their calling and organisation . No one could be admitted into the fraternity without undergoing some sort of apprenticeship or noviciate , in addition to the formal process of initiation . The value of such a confederation to the cause of art can hardly be exaggerated . At a time , so

different from the present , when books were scarce , and the cacoethes scribendi confined to the learned few , these guilds were the means of keeping alive , from century to century , the principles of the art . The pupil of the one generation became the teacher of the next . Nor is this all . The

enthusiasm which all the initiates were taught to feel for the cause of art and the glory of the Order , prevented in a great measure these pretty jealousies and personal antagonisms which so frequently mar the lives and works of great artists . Who , that has ever studied

the life of painter or sculptor , will not recognise the force of this consideration ? The architects of the Middle Age avoided personal rivalries , by ascribing the glory of their productions , first of all to the Great Architect of the Universe , and in a secondary sense to their Craft . If any

memorial of authorship was inscribed on the edifice at all , it was not the name of the individual designer , but a symbolical indication of the fraternity . The architect of the magnificent Cathedral of Cologne , which , in its design ,

forms probably the grandest conception that ever proceeded from the mind of man , remains unknown to the present day . The edifice itself is incomplete , but the original design is , we believe , extant , complete to its minutest detail .

We know of but one other Association that can in any way be compared to these Masonic guilds , in the respect to which we have just alluded . The Oomedie Francaise , it cannot be doubted , has exercised a most salutary effect upon the art of acting in France . Here , as in the old

Masonic fraternities , the Societaires are bound together by a kind of constitution , and every individual has a distinct voice in the management . The various officials are elected by the majority , and no one can be admitted to membership in opposition to the will of the existing members .

When the Comedie Francaise came to England , some few years since , English audiences were astonished to see actors of world-wide reputation playing , at times , subordinate parts . The hero of one night ' s performance would , perchance the night after , appear in a part that did not contain a dozen words . The individual was

content to sink his own importance to secure the general effect , and to enhance the credit and honour of the institution Thus it was with the Masonic Guilds of the Middle Ages , with the further advantage , however , that the bond of union partook of a quasi-religious character , and was

consequently of a more abiding and effective character . Students of the History of Architecture who omit this important factor from their consideration will find the rise , progress , and decline of Gothic art involved in mystery . Let them but recognise the value of these confederations , based upon

lofty and enduring principles , inspired by a noble enthusiasm , by friendly emulation and fraternal sympathies , actuated , moreover , by a profound veneration for the Great Supreme , and by the mediaeval rule of life , laboraro est rare , and they will begin to comprehend how those

Freemasonry And Architecture.

colossal monuments of human ingenuity , those marvellous onbodiments of religious fervour , which be-stud Teutonic and Celtic Europe , were wrought to so hig h , a summit of perfection .

Lodge Quarters.

LODGE QUARTERS .

IT is in the order of things , perhaps , that when a new Lodge is constituted , or an old one changes its quarters , some difficulty should occasionally arise in selecting a desirable habitation . Masonic Halls are not numerous in England . We have a host of Lodges

distributed throughout the country , and many of them are in sparsely populated districts , where , as a matter of course , a Lodge room is not easily to be met with . Were any comfirmation of this needed , it would be found in a letter that was recently forwarded to us for publication , but

which , as it appeared in the columns of our London Masonic contemporary last week , we have thought it unnecessary to reproduce . We may state , however , that Bro . Gompertz , P . M . and Secretary of the Gresbam Lodge , 869 , and P . P . G . P . Herts , experienced no small amount of

difficulty in finding new quarters for his Lodge . There bad , for some time past , been a general desire on the part of the members to make a move from the Four Swans , Waltham Cross to some other neighbourhood . The taverns were unable to afford the necessary accommodation , and at

last it occurred to Bro . Gompertz to ask Bro . Rev . C . Erskine Mayo , Prov . Grand Chaplain , Herts , if he would allow them the use of the Banqueting Hall of Cheshunt Great House , Cheshunt Park , formerly one of the palaces

of Cardinal Wolsey . The request was no sooner made than it was acceded to , and the Gresham Lodge is to be congratulated on having thus secured such admirable quarters . Our object in noticing a matter of apparently so little moment is to draw attention to a much vexed

question as to the propriety of holding Lodge meetings in taverns . It is not every Lodge that can afford to build a hall of its own . In towns , of course , a hall can be used by several Lodges , and the expense is thus distributed over a wider field . In some country places there is a

townhall available for Masonic meetings , but generally speaking , and especially in remote districts , a Lodge must fall back on the tavern . This is most unfortunate , but we do not see any way out of the difficulty . In towns where there is an inn of the good old-fashioned type , such as were in

full activity in the fine old coaching days , there is every reason why , in the absence of the accommodation , such inn should be selected for Lodge meetings , and we see no reason why , in such cases , more than one , or even half-a-dozen Lodges in the same neighbourhood ,

should not assemble in the same inn or hotel . It would only be necessary to arrange their meetings for different nights in the week . It is not , of course , to be expected that so loyal a brother as the Rev . C . E . Mayo will be met with often . Town Halls do not exist everywhere , and are

not always securable when found . Masonic Halls are less numerous still . There is , then , in too many cases , no option but to fall back on taverns . Thus this use , which has been so frequent a subject of regret , and even of outcry , must be looked upon , to a certain extent , as a necessary evil .

There are always plenty of people on the look out for profitable , and at the same time safe investments . A high rate of interest has been described as involving a great amount of risk , but a good substantial profit may , nevertheless , be obtained in many cases without the slightest

danger of loss . A case in point is the Lombard Deposit Bank Limited , which has been in existence for the last six years , and during that time has been working steadily , and most profitably , so that , by strict economy and skilful management , the investors have benefited to the

extent of ten or twelve per cent , on the amount invested . Being a limited company , the shareholders' liability is necessarily limited to the amount of their shares , which the fact that the bank has existed for six years , and has enjoyed throughout an uninterrupted course of prosperity ,

fully justifies the hope that the future progress of the company may be equally satisfactory , as will be seen from the advertisement in another part of our columns , the Offices of the Lombard Deposit Bank are at Nos . 43 a : id 44 Lombard-street , City , and ' 277 and 279 Regent-street , W .