Freemasonry In France.

suicidal policy . It is to you that ifc belongs to shoAv to the Government , and to make knoAA'ii to ifc that the Masonic authority in France is composed as follows : of the Grand Master , who holds the executive , administrative , and directing power ; of the Grand Master in his council , of all the Presidents of the lodges AA'ho , united , form the legislative assembly of the Grand Orient . The Grand Master

possesses poivers Avhich are set forth in the constitution , and the Grand Master in his council also possesses poivers . The council has only a consultative voice , for it cannot meet except on the convocation of the Grand Master , and he can take no decisions without its approbation . As to the assembly of the Presidents of lodges , it has legislative powers , bufc only on matters submitted to ifc by the Grand

Master . I do not doubt thafc the Government , for the sake of the general interest , the principal object , I am sure , of its pre-ocenpations , will , from respect to our laws , and without listening to the factious men who want fco seize poiver for purposes contrary to the interests of Masonry , and I venture fco say of fche Government itself—the Government , I say , will render easy the accomplishment ; of the duties

which , in nominating you , I imposed on you . My dear brothers , in calling you to the eminent- functions you fulfil , I by that act proclaimed the sentiments of esteem and of real fraternity with Avhich you inspired me during the period iu Avhich Ave laboured together for the Avelfare of Masonry . I have ceased to be Grand Master ; I hai * e no longer any authority ; and yet I am morally responsible for all your acts toAvards our brothers ; but- I am without apprehension , for I know you all . —Believe me . & c , "L . MTIE . IT . "

Architecture And Archæology.

ARCHITECTURE AND ARCH ? OLOGY .

GENERAL APtCHITECTUEAL INTELLIGENCE . The no * . ' , * chapel at Sfcowmarket for the Independents has been opened . The building is in the Decorated style . The interior dimensions are 62 feet from east to west , by 46 feet from north to south ; with north and south transepts , 63 feet long by 21 feet *> vidc . Tho edifice is divided transversely

by three arches of carved timbei'Avork forming the roof ; the centre arch being 20 feet AA'ide and 4-8 feet high to the apex of the ridge , ancl the side arches spanning the galleries , AA * hich extend round three sides and into the transepts ; the fronts being formed of moulded Avoodwork , filled in ivith open cast-iron panels . Cast-iron columns of ornamental design , from the foundry of Messrs . Turner , of Ipswich ,

carry the gallei-ies , and extent upivards to receive the arched principals of the roof . The ceiling is formed of wrought timber and boarding , stained and varnished . Afc the west end of the chapel are the school buildings , consisting of , on the ground story , infant school , 35 feet by 21 feet , and 14 feet high , to be used also for week-day service , with four class-rooms adjoining , and minister ' s vestry : above these is a school-room , CO feet by 25 feet , open to the ridge , and communicating with the galleries in the transepts ; a room is attached for the preparation of

refreshments on public occasions . The exterior has its principal front to fche street . The entrance to fche ground sfcory is through an open porch , with stone archway 15 feet high by 11 feet Avide . On either side is the entrance to the gallery stairs , hai-iug corresponding arches of stone , moulded ancl finished with carved crockcted canopies . BetAveen the gables of fche staircases on the apex of the roof is a central

spirelet of timber , 67 feet high to the top of fche A'ane , Avhich acts as a vencelator to receive the foul air . To the Avesfc is the gable of the front transepts , in Avhich is a four-light decorated Avindoiv below . Further Avest is fche entrance to the schools , formed in a Avide buttress from the angle of the transepts ; and beyond is the school gable Avith large threelight window to fche roomand two lower ivindoivs to

upper , the class-rooms . This is designed iu a simpler and less decorated style . The materials are Kentish rag stone facings ana Jaen scone details , Avith slated roofs and ornamental ridges of brick-earth . The Aviudows are glazed in lead

quarries , with crimson borders , executed by Mr . Steam , of Ipswich . The chapel ivill contain 1054 sittings—560 on the ground-floor , 323 in the galleries , aud 166 children , —all in open benches of stained deal , with carved traeeried panels in the beuch ends . Sfc . Patrick ' s Eoman Catholic Cemefcry , afc Low Leyton , Tower Hamlets , has been consecrated . The cemetry is situate in Unionlan

-e , closely adjoining fche Loiv Leyton station of the Eastern Counties Eailway . Ifc covers an area of something like twelve acres of gently rising ground , AA'ith gravel subsoil , the whole being drained to a depth of 12 ft ., and surrounded by an cak fence . The entrance to fche grounds is from Union-lane , by pannelled iron gates of ecclesiastical desi harmonizing Avith the character of the

gn , erections in the rear , and with that of the institution itself . The group of buildings AA'hich adjoins the gateway is of Gothic architecture . It consists of a sexton ' s lodge , Avith a covered porch way and cloister for monumental inscriptions and tablets , leading into the transept of the chapel , and by a staircase to fche catacombs beneath . The chapel itself is 70 ft . longand 25 ft . wide . At its AA'estern extremity is a

, rose window , surmounting a group of lancet windows , AA'hilsfc the eastern end is occupied by the altar , standing in an apse , ivhich as ivell as fche chancel is A-aulfced under the wood roof , the nave having a plain open roof , with stained timber . The altar has a front of alabaster , with bosses of serpentine , sienna , and Irish green marbles , arranged in cruciform ornamentation . On the north side of the chapel

is a porch , arcaded afc the sides , with shafts of red stone , and affording a means ol exit fco the grounds . These are intersected by broad gravelled paths , laid out in the form of the cross ; and at the central and most elevated point is a conspicuous ornamental monument , consisting of a base , a shaft of coloured stone , and foliated capital carrying a large plain cross of Calvary worked in polished grey ' granite . roof

The of the chapel is surmounted by a "Holy Rood , " the figures being nearly life-size and painted . The church ( Sfc . John ' s ) Little Barford , Beds ., which is a chaise ! under Adderbmy , has recently uudei'goiie considerable alterations and repairs . The north , south , and east Avails have been taken doivii and rebuilt , and the toAver has been removed from its former position , within the square of

tue naA * e at the south-west corner , to the outside , forming a porch topped AA'ith a broach . The old Norman doorway and the windows have been reset . The roof is new , of a good pitch , and on arched timbers . The seats are open benches , as afc Decldingfcon , and of . stained deal . The pulpit has its base of stone , the upper parfc being of carved oak , and open . The masonry of the interior Avails is bare , and the floor

covered with small encaustic tiles . The church is , as it were , re-arranged . The old porch was between the two southern Aviudows , by ivhich arrangement the congregation was divided . The tower , of the date of Archbishop Laud , ivas inside the church , the bell-ropes hanging in view . The chief points in the alterations are , as regards the exterior , the neiv toiver and broach , the cross over the chancel arch ,

and the restoration of the old windows ; and in the interior , the roof and the pulpit . The accomodation of Christ Church , Saudown , Isle of Wight . is about to be considerably augmented by the erection of a neiv north aisle and other works . Additional sittings will bo provided for upwards of 200 persons . The funds have been aided bgrants from the Incorporated and

y Diocesan Church Building Societies ; but there is still a considerable deficiency , aud the incumbent and churchwardens appeal , not only to the residents , but to the A'isitors of this part of the island , for pecuniary help . The ancient chantry or crypt of Sfc . John ' s Church , Yeovil , is advancing towards completion as vestry accommodation . If funds are forthcoming , the work of restoration will bo

continued . The TOAVII Council have liberally voted two sums of £ 50 each , for fche purpose of commencing the improvement of the churchyard and its approaches . Christ Church , Shieldfield ( Newcastle-upon-T yne ) , has been consecrated . The plan of the edifice comprises nave and chancel , ivith north and south aisles to each , a vestry under a distinct gable at the north-east corner , ancl a tower , crowned with a spire , afc the south-west corner ; as well as a north-west porch . The last is triangular in plan , to suit