The Knights Templars.

Order of Templars , to manage the affairs of the kingdom . He subsequently appointed Geoffrey , Chancellor , and taking the seal from the Bishop of Chichester , confided it to his keeping . Geoffrey , by the desire of the King , Avho was pressed for

money , ordered a massacre and persecution of the Jews , oppressing and imprisoning the survivors . After suffering extreme misery , the unhappy people , in order to enjoy life and tranquillity , paid to the King a third part of all their money .

Matthew Paris states that the original cause of this calamity was the perpetration of a clandestine murder committed by the Jews ; and that not long after this , owing to a boy having been circumcised by the Jews , four of the richest having

been clearly convicted of the crime Avere hung at Norwich . However , shortly alter this Geoffrey , on refusing to countersign an abominable warrant , derogatory to the dignity of the crown , by Avhich the Count of Flanders was to receive custom for every sack of wool carried through his provinces , was dismissed from office .

In 1240 the church of the New Temple at London , " a building of handsome construction /''' according to Matthew Paris , was dedicated in presence of the King and nobles . After the dedication , the assembly Avere entertained at a sumptuous banquet by the Hospitallers . ( To be continued . )

Cyrus, King Of Persia.

CYRUS , KING OF PERSIA .

By J . E . SPURR . There is something in the life and character of Cyrus , King of Persia , worthy of record in Masonic history—for Cyrus is considered as the Avisest conqueror and most accomplished prince handed

down to us in ancient history . He was the son of Cambyses , King of Persia , by Maudane , daughter of Astiages , King of the Medes . This prince was handsome in person , and still more amiable from the qualities of his mind . He was gentle

and humane , eager to learn , and ambitious of glory . He was educated according to the laws of the Persians , Avhich Avere then rigid and austere . But it may be said that he Avas indebted for his greatest talents to the manner in Avhich he was

brought up . He saAV himself in the same dependence as the rest of his father ' s subjects to the authority of masters , which soon deadened that pride so natural to princes . He had learnt to

Cyrus, King Of Persia.

obey before he Avas instructed to command . He was accustomed to a sober , frugal life , and enured to labour and fatigue . When he had attained his sixteenth year , he travelled to Media , to visit his grandsire , Astiages . He found the manners of

this court very different from those of his owncountry , the Medes being luxurious and effeminate . Cyrus , nevertheless , preserved the principles Avhich he had imbibed in his youth , and Avas greatly esteemed for his natural affability and

beneficence , and was much admired by his grandfather for his spirited and lively repartees . He Avas Avilling to avail himself , during his stay there ,

of the opportunity of learning to ride , an art that Avas little knoAvn among the Persians . As he already breathed nought but glory , he accompanied Astiages to the Avar that now broke out . Evilmedorac , son of Nebuchadnezzar , had

invaded the lands of the Medes . This was Cyrus ' s first campaign , and he had a great share in the victories which the Medes obtained . Upon his return into Persia to his father Cambyses , it was observed that the simplicity of his manners had

not been changed by his residence amongst the Medes . Though still a youth , he had already performed the career of a hero , and fulfilled every part of the character of a consummate general .

After the many victories he had gained , he Avent forth Avith great pomp aud magnificence to the chief temples of the city , to offer sacrifices to the gods , and return thanks for his success . At the ceremony lie Avas dressed according to the

fashion of the Medes , who wore long gowns of various colours , and embroidered with gold and silver , and his officers were dressed in the same . When he had conquered Babylon he did not imitate the effeminacy of the greatest part of the

princes Avho before him had mounted that throne . He set out for Medea , to visit his uncle , Cyaxares , being desirous of dividing this vast empire with him , though he had conquered it by his OAVU valour , It Avas accordingly divided into twenty provinces ,

the government of which was given to such of his officers as had the most distinguished themselves . After the death of Cyaxares , Cyrus united to the empire of the Persians that of the Medes and Babylonians , in Avhich had been founded that of the Assyrians , under Nebuchadnezzar .

It was in the first year of his reign , after the death of Cyaxares , that he published that celebrated edict , whereby the Jews Avere allowed to