Chips Of Foreign Ashlar.

the " Burghers of Ghent , who made it famous in the " good old times . " In Brussels he discovers a miniature Paris , and rambling on the plains of Waterloo thinks of the Iron Duke and Little Corporal who fought their greatest and final

battle there . Journeying on he finds a small Leeds and Manchester at Verviers and Liege , and while piercing the recesses of the Forest of Ardennies he enjoys magnificent scenery combined with what the Briton loves so well—good

sport . We have not referred to the grand old Cathedrals , the treasures of art and the diversified public amusements of Belgium . All these must be seen to be appreciated . Once seen they

can never be forgotten . Since the time when Bel gium declared its in--dependence , turned it back upon the Dutchmen , and called upon Leopold of Saxe-Coburg to rule its destines , this brave little kingdom has

presented an interesting" subject for students of political economy . A thoroughly free and yet a thoroughly catholic country , Belgium has been

exposed to a variety of dangers from autocracy on the one hand and priestcraft on the other , but the good sense and patriotism of the Vox Populi has hitherto surmounted all dangers . Most heartily may all Englishmen say— " Vivent les Braves

Beiges . " Onr first experience of Belgium Freemasonry was rather amusing . Staying one evening at the excellent Hotel de V Europe , presided over by our worthy Bro . Middleton , an Englishman who never

fails to take good care of his compatriots , we thought we would see if we could hunt up some members of the Craft . Accordingly we set out in the company of our friend Max , the courier de I'hotel , for the head-quarters of the Grand Orient

of Bel gium in the Marclie aux Poulets . Arrived there , we pulled the bell several times to no purpose , when Max with a solemn shake of the head informed us , it was " no use" for "they never answered unless it ivas pulled in their own way . "

The notion of pulling a bell Masonically was too much for our gravity , but nevertheless we had to give in , for no one appeared .

On subsequent occasions we often tried to meet with brethren , but were always unfortunate in being in Brussels at times when there were no lodge meetings . We were however introduced to Bro . Antoine Charles Hoorick the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted

Chips Of Foreign Ashlar.

Rite , who cordially invited us to the seances of that body , and we met several other brethren who promised to furnish us with valuable information on our next visit . The Grand Orient of Belgium has some fourteen or fifteen subordinate lodges

of which several are " sleeping " or dormant . Through the kindness of our esteemed Bro Barber of the Hotel cle VHurope , Antwerp , we were privileged to attend a meeting of the Lodge La Perseverance et Les Annis de

Commeria Beunis in that city , and there met our old friend Bro . Lowtenberger and many other excellent freres who warmly welcomed us . The system of Freemasonry , as witnessed by us in Belgium , was wholly different from everything

we have seen elsewhere , except as to signs and passwords , and we anticipate much pleasure in further investigations . For the present we reserve our explanations thereon . We found among our Belgian brethren hearty

enthusiasm for the Craft combined perhaps with a trifle less demonstrativeness than in France . The Belgian lodges have probably more foreign visiting brethren at their meetings than those of any other country , and hence they dwell with peculiar pleasure on the universality of the Order .

A popular lecturer of our acquaintance , is fond of addressing himself to public audiences on the inquiry— " Where shall we seek for the jewel content ? " In reply we would emphatically refer to Belgium , one of the smallest and yet happiest

of European nations , a commonwealth in which free-men march hand in hand surrounded with peace and plenty , a kingdom whose royal ruler is beloved by all , because he seeks no power nor aggrandisement at the expense of his subjects .

Bibles And Other Early Printed Books.—No. 2.

BIBLES AND OTHER EARLY PRINTED BOOKS . —No . 2 .

( Continued from page 107 ) . By W . P . BUCHAN .

I am obliged to Bro . J . Harris for his remarks at page 173 , in which he informs us that he executed the fac-similes I referred to in my former article . As to Bro . Melville's remarks , at page 123 , anent the title pages of the Coverdale Bible

including his foot note I am extremely sorry to say that he is wrong , the four titles I believe are all different , each being prefixed to its own portion of the Bible , 1 st Pentateuch ; 2 nd Joshua to Esther : Job to Song of Solomon , no title : 3 rd