Church Bells: Their Antiquities And Connection With Architecture.

copper to one of tin . Bell-founders say that such a proportion is liable to render the metal somewhat brittle ; and this , coupled with the thinness of the bells in the present generation , greatly increases the risk of a fracture . There is a rcmedy for this , however -. there is no reason why the

metal should not be allowed to run into the mould . Then , again , in the present day , the melting process is a rapid one in a roaring furnace . In former times it was slower , mostly with timber fires , and dross hacl opportunity of escape , which now is all fused into the bell .

I need hardly tell you that the prevalent idea of silver entering largely into the composition of ancient bells is a pure myth . So far as sound goes , silver is little better than lead , and would spoil any bell where largely used . Mr . Lukis relates in his little work on Wiltshire bells , that when the peal

of Great Bedwyn Church was taken down to be re-stocked , the canons were found to become white in places where there had been friction , aud nothing would persuade the work-people that it was tin , not silver , that they saw . The eld bell of St . Laurence Chapel , Warminster , in which tin

had been largely used , was also traditionally said to be rich in silver . When it was re-cast in a field adjoining the chapel in 1657 , a good of additional silver was thrown in by the inhabitants , as they thought to improve its tone still further . An old foreign bell at St . John's

CollegeCam-, bridge , from its sweet tone is populary called the silver bell ; this , of course , being a similar delusion . The same may be said of another very pretty bell at Ac-ton , Middlesex , called the Acton Nightingale . ( To be continued . )

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

" jpiLG-imi ' s PHOCIHESS , " MA-SOXIC ALLEGORY . Many brethren see Masonic allegories in some of our most popular books . To such the following article , cut from " The American Freemason , " may be interesting . — -Ex . Ex . —[ Tho enlightened Mason , thirsting for increased knowledgeseeking on every

, hand to enlarge his Masonic acquisitions , ivill find hi Banyan's Pilgrim's Progress a fountain of thought as novel as it will prove acceptable . That Buuy-au was a Mason abundantly appears from the character of his symbolism ; that he was a religionist of the largest measure of grace , ancl a Christian of

uncommon experiences , is evident , ns well from his history as from every page of his writings . We propose to point out to our readers a few specimens of his Masonic method of dealing with his subjects . From boyhood we have been charmed with his figurative style , his never-ceasing variety , his quaint but

speaking language ; ancl the book wliich ive so dearly loved at early youth _ > _ quite as fascinating at mature manhood . Our visitors will find that the Pih / rim ' s Progress forms a volume in our private Masonic library . The idea of the book is that of a man journeying from the City of Destruction to the Heaven of Eternal j

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Rest . A person styled Christian is described as leaving friends and fortune , aud pilgrimaging amidst ten thousand trials , snares , and dangers , through the most discouraging scenes , through perils "in much patience , in afflictions , in necessities , in distresses , in stripes , in imprisonments , in tumults , in labours , in

watchings , in fastings , " to a scene as glorious as its preparation was severe . In all this , the Masonic theory of Initiation is closely followed and imitated . Every phrase of Masonry , such as the preparation and reception of the first degree up to the completion of the third , has its corresponding figure , aud the whole

completes the system of Symbolic Masonry . It is true that every reader of Bunyan does not see this ; and some who read our article , and then peruse the Pilgrim ' s Progress to identify our quotations , may fail to trace the analog } 1 " to which we refer . That will not he strange to us . Unless a man knows what

Masonry is out of Bunyan , he will fail to catch it in Banyan . Just as we say of the modern imitative societies , in which some Masons enter aud publish abroad their declarations that tliey find no imitations there—it is because they have never learned what

Masonry is outside of those societies ? How , then , could they recognise it ? Our quotations are taken somewhat at random . We do not desire to exhaust the subject , nor are we attempting a thorough review of the Pilgrim ' s Progress ,- but rather propose to allure our readers to its

perusal , and to furnish a suggestive key to the work . In explanation of the Lamb Skin or White Leather Apron , that glorious emblem of Masonic innocence , read the following : — "Then they lead them to another place called Mount Innocence . And there they saw a man

clothed all in white ; ancl two men , Prejudice and Ill-will , continually casting dirt upon him . Now , behold the dirt whatsoever they cast at him would in a little time fall off again , and his garments would look as clear as if no dirt hacl heen cast thereat . Then said the Pilgrimswhat means this ? The

, Shepherds answered : This man is named . Godly-man , and this garment is to show the innocence of his life . Now , those that throw dirt at him are such as hate his well doing ; but , as you see , the dirt will not slide upon Ids clolJies—so it shall be with him that liveth innocently in the world . "

We appeal to every brother who reads this passage , if he ever saw anything better expressed , or more consolitoiy under slander thau this . Our author gloriously adds : — "Whoever they be that would make such men dirtythey labour all in vain ; for Godby that a

, , little time is spent , will cause that their innocence shall break forth as the light , and their righteousness as the noon-day , "—to which let us all add , so mote il be ! A most impressive scene in the Masonic drama has au illustration in the following passage : —

" They went to a door .... it was on the side of a hill ; and they opened it and hearkened awhile : and heard one saying , Oh that I had been torn in pieces before I had to save my life , lost my soul ! Another said , If I were to live again , hon ' would I deny myself rather than to come to thn . place . A third declared , Cursed be my father for