Wonders Of Operative Masonry.

cloisters of the Abbey are now built into the mansion , and on the east side of these cloisters five highly enriched arches remain . Many of the rooms in the mansion are of great extent and magnificence , the walls of which are covered with paintings of kings , nobles , and eminent men ,

including Chancellor Oxenstern , Charles XII . of Sweden , and Archbishop Laud . One room is called the " Beauty Parlour , " from its containing portraits of the beauties of Charles II . ' s court . There is also a curious old picture of a lady with a golden drinking horn , and a Latin legend of Count Otto . While he was out hunting

she offered him her horn . He was suspicious of the liquor , and pouring it behind him , part of it fell on his horse , and took off the hair like fire ! Other noted rooms are the Hunting Parlour and Gallery , both of which contain portraits by the most celebrated mastera . " The

Baronial Hall . aud Picturesque Edifices of England , " contains a remarkably handsome view of one of the grand halls in Combe Abbey . WROXHALL ABBEY , Warwickshire , 90 miles north-west from London , was a

monastery of nuns , founded iu King Stephen ' s time . At the Dissolution it was given to Robert Burgoyn , from whose family the mansion into which it was fashioned was purchased in 1713 by Bro . Sir Christopher Wrenthe celebrated

, Freemason , and architect of St . Paul ' s Cathedral . His son Christopher Wren , died in 1747 , and was buried here . It is at present the residence of Mrs . Wren , a decendant of the "Teat architect . The

present structure is on the original site of the Abbey , its walls having been adapted and its western front rebuilt . The present Chapel formed part of the old cloisters and contains some monuments of the

Wren family . The mansion has a castellated tower , and jiresents a picturesque appearance .

Time And Patience.

TIME AND PATIENCE .

From the " Masonic Advocate . " To learn to wait with time and patience , is one of the first lessons made known to a

candidate for Masonic light . Wishes are not ordinarily . gratified at once—time is required , that the case may be considered , and the character of the applicant be fully investigated . Then there is a lesson in waiting . It teaches the applicant the

helplessness of his condition , and lets him know that he stands without the gales as one wrapt in darkness . Light comes with time—travels with it , and can only come in time ' s footsteps , that is gradually and in accordance with nature .

To learn to wait the realization of our wishes is the beginning of wisdom , the true philosophy of a successfid life . Advantages , blessings and good fortunes are not always hurried up . We have to wait for them , as the mariner waits for the favourite breeze to . waft his vessel to her destined harbour .

We do not mean that the expectant , like Micawber , should " waitfor something to turn up . " No , that is not it , for where there is a definite and rational desire , there will be a corresponding anxiety on the part of the candidate for advancing fortunes to bide his time , to wait' for the golden opportunity when the door of blessing shall be opened and the genii within shall bid him enter .

The exercise of patience is always necessary in waiting for anything , and more particularly is it so when one stands on the threshold of the mystic temple , prepared in his appropriate paraphernalia , and waiting for the answer to his request to enter .

All men are apt to be impatient in their expectations as well as in then- disappointments . It is often true of them that they even speak out with great large complaints against somebody who may have been doing everything in their power to meet their wishes . They should learn to wait

, for it will teach them practical philosophy , and they should learn to wait patiently , for in so doing they will learn to subdue the obstinacy of their dispositions , and also learn that oonservativeness of spirit which is essential to Masonic life .

To wait with time and patience for the fulfilment of all our wishes is life ' s true theory of success , as well as the hi ghway to happiness—personal , relative and eternal .