Freemasonry In England.

Fidei Intemeratas Gratitudinis vEternee Hoc Testimonium Venerabunda Post-it Anno Salutis Humana . MDCLXXXIV . Gilbert Sheldon , Archbishop of Canterbury , an excellent Architect , displayed great skill in designing the famous Theatrium Sheldonium , at

Oxford , and at his expense it was conducted and finished by the Deputy Wren , and the Grand Warden Web , and the Craftsmen having celebrated the Cape stone , it ivas opened ivith an elegant oration by Dr . South , on the 9 th of July , 1669 . The D . G . M . Wren , built also another masterpiece , the pretty Museum near the Theatre , at the charge of the University . The before mentioned theatre was the first public work in architecture

by Br . Wren , and much admired for its magnificence , but more particularly for the skill displayed in the contrivance and construction of its geometrical ceiling , eighty feet one way , and seventy the other , without any pillars to support it , and its principal beams composed of several pieces of timber . In the year 1671 , the D . G . M . Wren , commenced building the great fluted column , usually called the Monument , in memory of the burning find rebuilding of the City of London , which lie completed , in 1677 , at

the expense of fourteen thousand five hundred pounds . The work ivas frequently delayed for want of stones of proper size , which caused it to be a longer time in hand than it otherwise would have been . In forming this column . lie took the liberty of exceeding the established proportion of the order , by half a diameter . This column , which is twenty-four feet higher than Trajan ' s pillar at Some , is built of Portland stone , of the Doric

order , and fluted . Its height from the ground is 202 feet , the greatest diameter of the shaft or body of the column is 15 feet , the ground plinth or bottom of the pedestal , is 28 feet square , and the pedestal is 40 feet high ; over the capitol is an iron balcony , encompassing a cone 32 feet high , supporting a blazing urn of gilt brass . Within , is a large staircase of black marble , containing 345 steps , each ten inches and a half broad

and six inches thick . In place of the brass urn , ivhich has notliiug to recommend it in point of beauty , and was placed there contrary to bis opinion , Sir Christopher intended to have erected a colossal statue in brass gilt of King Charles II ., as founder of the new city , in the manner of the Bcman pillars ; or else the figure of a woman crowned ivith turrets , holding . a sword and cap of maintenance , with other ensigns of the city ' s grandeur aud re-erection .

The west side of the pedestal is adorned with curious emblems , designed hj the masterly hand of Mr . Gibber , father of the Poet Laureat , Colley Gibber , in which the eleven principal figures are done in alto , ancl the rest in basso relievo . That to which the eye is particularly directed , is a female representing the City of London , sitting among the ruins in a languishing posture , with her head dejected , hair dishevelled ,

and her hand carelessl y lying on her sword . Behind is Time , gradually raising her up ; at her side a woman representing Providence , gently touching her with one hand , and with a winged sceptre in the other