Sir Christopher Wren.

these was a yonng Suffolk wood-carver , named Philip Wood who came to London to earn a fortune to enable him to marry a retired merchant ' s daughter , whom he loved in sp ite of her money . Having exhausted his funds in soliciting employment , he bethought himself that tho cathedral might employ him , but the foreman frequently repulsed him with the statement

that they wanted uo carpenters there . At last , Sir Christopher noticed him , and enquired his wants , and said , " Friend , yon want carving work , what have you been used to carve ? " The poor fellow lost his wits in the presence of the great architect , and replied , " Please your worship , I have been used to carve troughs . " Sir Christopher exclaimed , " Troughs ! then carve me , as a specimen of

your skill , a sow and pigs , it will be something in your line , and bring it to mo this day week ; I will be here . " The lond laughter of tho workmen and his own folly distracted tho poor carver , and but for the kind advice of his landlady , he would have despaired , but she advised him to take Sir Christopher at his word , and carve the best sow and pigs he could . He Bpent his last money for the wood , and

at the appointed time carried his work to Sir Christopher in his apron . Wren looked at it in silence , and engaged the young man , and then with his gentle courtesy said : " Young man , I fear I did you some injustice , but a great national work is entrusted to me , aud it is my solemn duty to mind that no part of the work falls into inefficient hands . " Wood was employed for seven years , and was well

compensated . Wren appears to have been able to practise deception when no harm was done . He had erected a town hall upon arohes , with a wide vaulted space below ; when finished it was inspected by the corporate officers , but one member decided in alarm that the room above the vaulted space was inadequately supported and would one

day topple and fall . Wren , who knew to a nicety the weight each arch would support , vainly endeavoured to assure him of the perfect security of the building , and to pacify the anxions man promised to put two columns below , but when they were erected about half an inoh space existed between them and the ceiling they were supposed to support .

In personal appearance he appears to have been thin and low of stature , and it is recorded that when he was ereotiug a hunting palace for Charles II . the King came to inspect it ; be expressed satisfaction at the general effect , but thought the rooms too low . Wren looked at the ceiling and quietly replied : " Sire , I think they are high enough . " At this the King stooped until he was of the

architect's height , and creeping about the room in this attitude laughingly answered , " Aye , Sir Christopher , I think they are high enough . " In character he is described as "loving , gentle , modest , and courteous ; he had been as a boy , and the famous , successful architect possessed those qualities still . In a corrupt age , all testimony

leaves him spotless ; in positions of great trust and still greater difficulty his integrity was but the more closely shown by the attacks made against him ; among the foremost philosophers of his age , he was a striking example that ' every good gift and every perfect gift is from above ; ' no child r . onld hold the truths of Christianity with a more undoubting faith than did Sir Christopher Wren . "

Ancient And Primitive Rite.

ANCIENT AND PRIMITIVE RITE .

Rose of Sharon Rose Croix Chapter , No . Q . ~ A meeting of this Chapter was held at the Freemasons' Tavern , Great QneRn Street , on Thursday , the 8 th Jnst . This was the Installation mpet . ing , and R . 111 . Bro . Henry Merer 33 M . W . installed his successor , R . 111 . Bro . J . H . Sonthwood 33 . The following Officers were

invested : —Illustrious Bros . A . Mnllord 30 S . K . W ., E . Harrison 31 J . K . W ., B . Meyer 31 K . Orator , Henry Meyer 33 Kt . Treasurer , R . 111 . Bro . James Hill 33 Secretary and Archivist , 111 . Bro . T . Sims 30 Kt . Conductor , 111 . Bro . Louis Honig Organist . Amonsrst others present were Sir Knights C . Bassett and C . Mussared ; Visitors—Bros . G . B . Chapman , John Green , H . A . Rattray , S . Jenkins , H . Banan , and W . W . Morgan . After tho business of the Chapter had been completed , the Sir Knights and their gnests partook of a ban .

qnet , which was supplied by Bro . Alfred Best . The Loval toasts were dnly honoured . In proposing the health of the III . Grand Master of the Ancient and Primitive Rite , the M . W . referred to the estimation in which Brother John Yarker is held throughout the world as an exponent of Masonic lore . He called upon those members present to drink to the better health , and lonsr life , of their III .

wand Master . Bro . Hill in responding stated that the amount of mental labour in which Bro . Yarker so persistently indulged undoubtedl y overtaxed his strength , and encroached heavily upon his domestic comforts . With him the midnight oil was unsparingly onrnt in the prosecution of studies for unearthing tho records of "eemasonry . Tlle Y ^ m 0 f jjj g onerons labours eonld only be estimated

at their true worth by the initiated . His business relations with the Executive of the Order — which was widely "istribnted throughout England , Ireland and Scotland — took up jnnch precious time . However , the Chapters of the Order were "creasing , and the Masonic public was extending 1 to the Rite a ' » ¦ ' amount of consideration . In conclusion , Bro . Hill thanked the jr Kniehts for the reception they had given the toast . Tho Visitors

thp \ * COTn P ' metlted , and each replied , expressing approbation of dnr - oa P ! tality shown , and satisfaction with what they had seen uring the evening . The health of the M . W . was given by 111 . Bro . H . zeaPh' v t 0 COTn Plimentea Bro . Sonthwood , not only upon the that "' f P'ayed in advancing tho Rite they were celebrating After 6 Ven , ' bnt in both Craft ancl ^ J" * Arch Masonry , perfp t on the EtlPhoninm , by Bro . Rattray , who displayed a ^ atifl 1 ffla . 3 fcer y 0 TOr the instrument , Bro . Sonthwood said ho was J ' neel at the way in which his health had been proposed and

accepted . His past services in Craft and Royal Arch might be taken as an earnest that he would not fail to do all he conld for the Ancient ancl Primitive Rite . The obligation he had taken should be conscien . tionsly observed . If his ability should fail , it would be owing to the mistake the Sir Knights had made in electing him . He trusted , however , he should be able to give a fair account of his doings during

his year of office , and the Rite wonld be even more flourishing when he laid aside the insignia of his office than it had grown to be up to the present time , both in London and the Provinces . After some further remarks , he proposed tho toast of the Past M . W . Sovereigns Sir Knights James Hill 33 , and James Meyer , of whose services to

the Order he spoke in highly eulogistic terms , and who , in reply , thanked the M . W . S . and members for the compliment they had paid them . The rest of the toasts were disposed of , and the evening camo to an end . Sympathetic reference was made to the death of General Garibaldi , a Past Graud Master of Italy .

Obituary.

Obituary .

It is with very great regret we announce the death , on Saturday , of Mrs . Barnes , wife of our highly-respected Bro . T . J . Barnes P . M . Yarborough Lodge , No . 554 , who takes such interest in all that concerns the Craft , and

whose attendance at our Lodges of Instruction is so constant . The loss of so near and dear a companion is irreparable , and we can only express our sincere sympathy with Bro . Barnes in his bereavement , and a hope that , in time , the grief , which is natural , will be alleviated .

A similar task devolves upon us in the case of Brother the Rev . 0 . J . Martyn , M . A ., Past Grand Chaplain and Deputy Prov . Grand Master and Prov . G . Superintendent Suffolk , who has also to regret the recent death of his wife .

Our Rev . Brother is so highly respected by the whole Masonic community , that we feel sure we are not taking upon ourselves too much in offering to him , on its behalf , as well as on our own , the sincere expression of our sympathy in his present bereavement .

The summer entertainment to the residents of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , at Croydon , has been fixed for Wednesday , the 21 st inst . The evening ' s entertainment -will be given by Lieut . Cole , the ventriloquist . The South Eastern Railway Company will make the usual provision for the conveyance of brethren who have been invited to attend .

At the last meeting of the General Committee of the Girls' School , some new candidatps for the Committees were withdrawn . The old members of the Committees therefore retain their place . Whether this will tend to the interest of the institution remains to be seen ; but it is hardly possible that an unaltered House Committee will be allowed to be reappointed year after year . There are

now on that committee brethren who have been membgrs of it for many years , and it seems hut fair that those who have been on it the longest should retire , and make room for new members . The argument against a change is that the men thoroughly know their work , and that to replace them by men who know nothing of the work wonld disorganise the whole conduct of business . The

argument wants solidity . If three of the oldest members retire each year , the remaining nine must know the work and be able to instruct the youngest , or they cannot be fit for their posts ; and by the time the whole twelve are replaced , each of the other divisions of three will have bad the experience of three years , two years , and one year respectively . Besides which any man

of ordinary intelligence could acquire a knowledge of the whole of the work in a day or two , and conld practically apply it in another day . It is to be hoped that the supporters of the Institution will look into , and not admit that there are mysteries about tho management of an Institution which can only be mastered by a long apprenticeship , and are not to be communicated beyond the present skilled workmen . — Evening News .

Bro . Arthur B . Hudson , of the Aldcrsgate Lodge , is one of the three candidates for tho appointment of surveyor to the Conrt of Lieutenancy , chosen by the committteo to be submitted to the Court for final selection . Bro . Hndson is a citizen of the City of London , and a liveryman of the Sadlers' Company .

Ad01103

WANTED , by a reduced Tradesman and Brother , a Situation as Store or Time Keeper , or iu any other capacity . Gavel , 10 Bettertonstrcot , Long Acre . J . E . SIIAND & Co ., Wino Merchant ( Experts ancl Valuers ) . Well fermented old Winos and matured Spirits . 2 Albert Mansions , Victoria-streot , Loudou , S , W .