Narrative Of An Unrecorded Arctic Expedition.

AVe sat thus sad and sorrowful For a month , and nought us cheered , Till lo ! one day , the ice gave way , And a big whale ' s nose appeared ! " Hullo ! " he said , " my hearties , " ( We started when we heard him speak ) " Have you seen the pole 1 my eye , how droll!— _ - But it serves you rig ht for cheek !"

We thought his speech unfeeling , And our captain told him so ; But he said , " Look here , my bold buc caneer , If you really want to go—I have a friendly sentiment Toward every brother sailor , And particularly toward you , d ' ye see , Because you ain't a whaler .

"So listen , and do as I tell you , And don't be over nice ; Just shove your boat half down my throat , And I'll paddle you there in a thrice !" AVe held some consultation , But Yankee pluck prevailed ; So we shoved our boat half down his throat , And away to the pole we * ' whaled !"

We saw the pole at last , where it stands ( Perhaps not quite so thick As the Tribune tower or the Column Ven dome , But a good stout piece of stick ) . AVe thanked our big conductor , And prayed to be taken back ; So lie wheeled about , his fins struck out , And we reached our ship in a crack .

But alas ! my doleful story Here reaches its dolefullest note , For just as he got to the proper spot , He suddenly sivcdlowed the boat ! Now I am the sole survivor , For I just escaped his jaws ; And not one man—since the world began , Has yet been where I was !

Our Archaeological Corner.

Our Archaeological Corner .

CURIOUS OLD APRON

To the Editor of the " Masonic Magazine . " Castle Green House , Hereford , September 7 th , 1875 . My Dear Sir and Brother , —I have had Put into my hands what I venture to think

Our Archaeological Corner.

is rather a curiosity , viz ., an Apron , and Certificate of a Brother holding under the Grand Lodge , " according to the Old Constitutions . " The Apron , which is narrower at the top than at the bottom , is bound round with purple silk , and has long purple strings ; on it are figures of FaithHope

, , and Charity : the latter on the flap , and the two former standing on each side ; at the bottom on a platform of three steps with various Masonic emblems between , the Sacred Law opened at II Chron ., chs . 2 and 3 , with squares and compasses

on , and behind , the sun , Jacob's ladder , Tuscan and Corinthian columns , rule , level , and plumb-rule ; on each side , the moon , and seven stars ; and above , the all-seeing Eye ; underneath , the interlaced triangle with G in the centre , the three candlesticks

with lighted candles , perfect ashlar , and lewis ; rough ashlar , trowel and mallet : all these resting on the platform . Hope on the right hand , as worn , holds the traditional anchor , and Faith on the left , holds a cross in her right hand , and a bible under left arm with I H S on its

cover . All these appear to be engraved on the skin . The Certificate has at top a female figure blowing a i r umpet , from which depends a cloth on which is inscribed , " Grand Lodge of England , " on each side of the Certificate , the three columns , the Ionic on the left as you look at itwith the

, Doric behind : on the right , the Corinthian : on the Ionic aud Corinthian female figures , the first with a helmet , the second holding her hand to her mouth . At the foot of the columns is some wheat growing , and near a figure of Charity with children . At

the foot , in front , resting against the Ionic columns , are the plumb-rule and trowel ; and against the Corinthian , the level , compasses , and square . In the centre is the Certificate engraved in English and Latinas at present . The English reads

, thus— " Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of England , according to the Old Constitution . To all whom it may concern . These are to certify that our Brother Jonathan Smith who hath signed his name in the margin hereofis a regular Master

, Mason of Lodge , Number 258 on the registery of England , as appears to us by the Certificate of the said Lodge , and registered on the books of the Grand Lodge in London , the 4 th clay of December , in the year of Masonry 5800 . In testimony