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filled with painted glass , and that the principal and guiding motive in all the changes subsequently introduced into tha architecture of the age was to obtain tlie greatest possible space and the best arranged localities for its display .

FREEMASONRY . "The institution of Freemasonry is another matter on which , like the invention of the pointed arch , a great deal more has been said than the real importance of the subject at all deserves .

Still this subject has been considered so all-important , that it is impossible to pass it over here without some reference , if only to explain why so little notice will be taken of its influence , or of the important names which are connected with

it . * " Before the middle of the twelfth , and the beginning of the thirteenth century , it is generally admitted that the corporation of Freemasonst was

not sufficiently organised to have had much influence on art . At that time it is supposed to have assumed more importance , and to have been the principal guiding cause in the great change that then took place in architecture . Those who adopt

this view forget that at that time all trades and professions were organised in the same manner , and that the guild of Masons differed in no essential particulars from those of the shoemakers or hatters , the tailors , or vintners—all had their

Masters , Past Masters , their Wardens , and other officers , aud were recruited from a body of apprentices , who were forced to undergo years of probationary servitude before they were admitted to practice their art .

"But though their organisation was the same , the nature of their arts forced one very essential distinction upon the Masons , inasmuch as all the usual trades were local , and the exercise of them confined to the locality where the tradesmen resided , while the builders were forced to go wherever any great work was to be executed .

"Thus the shoemakers , tailors , bakers , and others lived among their customers , and just in such numbers as were required to supply their usual recurring wants . It is true the apprentices travelled to learn their profession , and see the

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world before settling down , * but after that each , returned to his native town or village , and then established himself among his friends or relations , where lie was known by all , and where he at once took his station without further trouble .

" With the mason it was different ; his work never came to him , nor could it be carried on in his own house ; he always was forced to go to his work ; and when any great church , or building was to be erected in any town , which was beyond the

strength of the ordinary tradesmen ofthe place to undertake , masons were sent for and flocked from all the neighbouring towns and districts to obtain employment . ( To he continued . )

Masonic Celestial Mysteries.

MASONIC CELESTIAL MYSTERIES .

By Bro . HENRY MELVILLE . PAPER III . —SECOND SERIES . LABOR OJIINA VINCIT . The shepherd David is with the lambs , and the

goat Capella and Raguel at AR 106 . "He shall feed them , even my servant David shall feed them and be their shepherd , "t David , therefore , kept his father ' s sheep , and there came a lion and a bear , and took a lamb out of the flock . J

As before asserted , the figures pourtrayed in the heavens express a universal language , legible to all people initiated in the science of celestial Masonry . David himself says : — The heavens declare the lory of Godand the

firmag , ment showeth his handy work . Day unto day uttereth speech , and night unto night showeth knowledge . There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard . Their rule has gone out through all the earth , and their words to the end of the world . In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun . He telleth the number of the stars : He callefch them by their names . §

As the stars are fixed , and their relative positions are laid down to the second of a degree , it may be imagined that laws made in accordance vjith the heavenly host must be unchangeable . The Bible authorises the construction of such laws

purposely so , that the celestial reading should be perpetuated . Unfortunately the laws are no longer known , nor is it necessary here to discuss the cause ofthe knowledge becoming lost . The Abbe Plucke ,