Wonders Of Operative Masonry.

in 1136 , was also the architect of Paisley . KIBKWALL CATHEDRAL , at Kirkwall , on the largest of the Orkney Islands , is north of the mainland , and the most perfectly preserved Cathedral in Scotland .

Rognwald , Count of Orkney , laid its foundation in A . D . 1138 . It is a massive pile , 226 feet in length , by 56 in breadth , with lofty towers , and is almost the only unimpaired specimen of the stately monuments of ecclesiastic grandeur which adorned Scotland prior to the Reformation . The roof is entire , and supported by 28 pillars , each 15 feet in circumference . The western

doors are magnificently pointed , as is also the great east window . The edifice is built of red sandstone , and has completely escaped the fury of the devastators of the Reformation era .

HOLY CKOSS ABBEY , Peebles , Scotland , 27 miles south from Edinburgh , was founded by King Alexander III . It was one of the four in Scotland called Ministries , and was erected for seventy Red or Trinitv Friars . The entire edifice was a hollow quadrangleone side of which was occupied

, by the Abbey Church , 164 feet long , while the cloistered residences of the Friars formed the other three sides . It was used until 1784 as a parochial Church , and afterwards as a school house . Only a fragment of the Abbey now remains . Like many

others of the ecclesiastic edifices of Papal times , it at a later day became a mere stone quarry , and piece by piece was carried away and built into other structures . Its present remains , however , are now carefully preserved .

In our next issue we shall supplement this series of papers with an account of the exact connection of the Freemasons of the Middle Ages with the erection of these splendid Cathedrals and Abbeys , and give a sketch of the origin and wonderful character of Gothic Architecture .

Masonic Ode.

MASONIC ODE .

EMPIRES and kings have passed away , Into oblivion ' s mine ; And tow ' ring domes have felt decay , Since auld lang syne .

Masonic Ode.

But Masonry , the glorious art , With Wisdom ' s ray divine ; 'Twas over so , the Hebrew cries , " In auld lang syne . " Behold the occidental chair , Proclaims the clay ' s

decline—Hiram of Tyre was seated there In auld lang syne . The south proclaims refreshment nigh , High twelve's the time to dine ; And beauty decked the southern sky In auld lang syne .

Yes , Masonry , whose temple hero Was built by hands divine , Shall ever shine as bright and clear , As in auld lang syne . Then brethren for the worthy three ,

Let us a wreath entwine , The three great heads of Masonry In auld lang syne . Bememb ' ring oft that worthy one , With gratitude divine ; Tho Tyrian youth—the widow ' s son Of auld lang syne .

The Adventures Of Don Pasquale.

THE ADVENTURES OF DON PASQUALE .

BY THE AUTHOR OF THE " OLD , OLD STORY . " CHAPTEB IV . " She wore a wreath of roses , The night that first we met . "

HAVSIIS BiYI . KY . PAESIELLO , after a short distance on the road , recovered both his tongue and his spirits ; for , like most of us , the hour of parting for him was an hour of trial , more severe even than he had expected . The

separations of life are often among our greatest troubles here below ! To bid adieu to a familiar face , or a well-known spot—to say " good-bye , ' ' with the irresistible feeling that we shall never meet again on earth , is not unfrequently a very painful " thorn in the flesh " to us all alike . We keep up until the actual hoiu '