Architectural Reveries.

but a kind of recessed altar fco the vast and lofty church ( of probably the fourteenth century ) , which was eventually added to ifc . It is this latter portion of the building that is massively crowned with an external roof of stone , of Avonderfully skilful structure . The slabs are 2 in . or Sin . thick , and of a very hard and compact kind of stoneon which the action of

, the air does not appear to produce the slightest effect . They are alternately toothed and grooA'ed , so as to overlap each other iu a very perfect manner , channels being cut doAvn the exposed surface of each , to carry off the great hulk of the rain-fall . The gutters at the foot of the slope are of similar structurethe Avhole of

, the massive stone roof being in all respects fitted to resist the Avear and tear of a long series of centuries . As almost a solitary instance of a Mediaeval stone roof of grand architectural character , it is Avell Avorth an express trip to Ireland to examine it .

Bufc , while in our sacred buildings , during the Mediaeval epochs , Ave did nofc develop the principle of a decorative external roof , except in the almost solitai * y example above described , yet , in domestic dwellings and in public buildings of a secular character , much more was achieved in that direction . In the serried lines of street housesthe gable end of tho

, roof Avas made a highly decorative feature ; aud if the flank of the roof had to be presented to the eye of a spectator in the street in case of AA'ide buildings , then , a succession of richly-decorated dormer windows supp lied the place of the ornamental gable ; and the ridge of the roofAvhich had in all cases become steepl

, y pitched , to prevent the accumulation of snow in our northern climates , Avas frequently enriched with a crest of richly-wrought metal-work . In public buildings in a more or less detached position , Avhen the great expanse of one or both sides of the high roof were in view , the monotonous effect of so large an

undecorated space Avas agreeabl y broken up by ranges of prettily-designed dormer Avindows , the upper rows being introduced , perhaps , only for effect , Avhile the apparent expanse was further reduced by a high parapet , great part of AA'hich consisted of rich open work in stone , Avhich Avas often a very important feature in

Mediaeval buildings of this class , particularly in Germany . A . t a somewhat later period , in France more especially , the architects of the French chateaux of the epoch , known as that of the Bennaisauce , perceived the A'alue of the roof as a feature by means of Avhich a flue variety of " sky-lines" might he achieved , and great nobleness of general effect imparted to the buildinrj-.

Of this feature in the epoch referred to , the roofs of the old Louvre aucl the Tuileries might he cited as well-known examples , though there are many better ; and also of somewhat similar kind , though inferior in scale and treatment , some of-our own mansions ofthe reigns of Elizabeth and James . But the roof , in this

form , though of imposing general effect , and forming , as it ought , a conspicuous feature in the general design , is yet unsatisfactory , as being of less durable materials than the rest ot fche building ; Avhile , as its crown and completion , ifc should be of fully equal , if not superior character , as to durability and massivel y monumental aspect .

In some of our vast neAv London hotels , the Louvre style of roof is being successfully enough adopted ; but beyond this there does not as yet appear to be a dis-

Architectural Reveries.

position on the part of our architects to advance . But they must eventually do so . Ifc is well known what would he the arguments used against an advance in the direction required , and that those arguments would refer to " the great Aveighfc of such roofs , " and the " vast increase required in the thickness of the Avails , " and much more of the same kind . But all this plausible

talk Avill have to be g iven up and the real thing done . For , until the roof—Avhich should be the main building what the capital is to the columns—has become of equal importance , solidity , and permanent monumental aspect , to the main walls of the structure , our architecture will remain in a comparatively rude and

incomplete state . In Avhat precise way this may come about is not at present very clear ; hut that the rick-cloth system as a substitute for a roof , cannot last , is clear enough . Rafters , clothed Avith either tiles or slate , Avill have to give p lace to something of far more solid and permanent character . —Builder .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

PEOOE OJ ? THE EXISTENCE OE GOD ADOPTED IN EBEEMABOKBY . "A Correspondent" will find , towards the close of Archbishop Fenelon's excellent "Treatise on the Existence of God , " the following passage;— "We have thus followed the traces of the divinity through

what are called the works of nature . We may observe , at the first glance , an all-poAverful hand , that is the first mover ot everything in every part of the universe . The heavens , the earth , the stars , plants , animals , our bodies , spirits , all discover an order , a nice arrangement , a skill , a wisdom far superior to

our own , Avhich is the soul of the Avhole Avorld , and which conducts everything to its destined end with a gentle and insensible , bufc all-powerful sway . We have seen , if we may so speak , the architecture of the universe , the just proportions of all its parts ; and one look is enough to discover to usin an insect yet

, more than in the sun , a Avisdom and a poAver that shine forth in its meanest works . These are views that strike the most ignorant . " This is the proof of the existence of God adopted in Freemasonry . The very title by which Ave address the Deity—The Great Architect of the Universe—indicates Avhat is

the kind of proof upon which Ave rely . There is no mind to AA'hich this proof is nofc perfectly intelligible . Every individual admissible to the lodge can thoroughly understand it . The same cannot be predicated of other proof . Some of such proofs require for the due comprehension of them an acuteness

joined with a power of close attention Avhich few men possess . Where there is the necessary mental subtlety , the capacity of long and continuous meditation of the same subject is very often wanting . —CIIABXES PUIITON Cooi'Eit .

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CoEEBCiioir does much , hut encouragement will do more . Encouragement after censure is like the sun alter a shower . ABUNDANCE is troube , want a misery , honour a burden , and advancement dangerous ; hut competency , happiness . TnocTCUr Jove cannot dwell in a heart , friendship may ; the latter takes less room—it has no wings . AVHEN we hear that a friend has detected some fault in us , wo are always disposed to do him tire same favour .