Stray Thoughts On The Origin And Progress Of The Fine Arts.

with the dimensions of the human body—the average height of which is six times the breadth . They therefore made the diameter of the column at the lower part equal to one-sixth of its whole length , and the system or order resulting from these proportions they are said to have named the Dome , because the Dorians were the people who first adopted it . The order was alsoperhaps

, , called Doric to distinguish it from another order , which was invented or adopted , says Vitruvius , by Ion himself , and hence called the IO 2 * TC order . Vitruvius states that the proportions of the Ionic were derived from the female form . The height of the columns was increased to eight diameters , thus giving them a lighter and more

-slender appearance , and representing the slender beauty of the female form , rather than the robustness of the male . The ornamental parts were , in like maimer , suggested by various parts of the female dress . The mouldings of the base represented the shoe ; the volutes of the capital , the tresses of hair , curling on either side ; and the flirtings of the shaft , the graceful folds of the hanging garment . According to the same authority , a third order was invented by Callimachus , a sculptor ,

who flourished about the end of the Peloponnesian War , 400 years B . C . This order was called the COELN ' THIAS ' , but it does not seem to have been determined what part of the whole length was equal to the diameter the practice of different architects being various . The ori gin of the Corinthian capital is represented to have been as follows : —A young woman of Corinth was

betrothed , but previous to her marriage fell ill and died . After her burial , her nurse collected in a basket her favourite toys , & c , placed the basket on her grave , and covered it with a tile . It so happened that the basket was placed immediately above an acanthus root , which afterwards grew up round the basket , and cm-led up

from under the angles of the tile . This was observed by Callimachus , and it suggested to him the idea of a- new capital for a column . He , therefore , perpetuated it in marble . A comparison between the general form and ornamental details of a wooden hut , constructed by an infant community , and a Grecian temple , will occupy my next paper , and may , perhaps , set the origin of ¦ Grecian architecture in a clearer light .

Masonry In New York.

MASONRY IN NEW YORK .

( From the Address of AL IF . G . M . John L . Lewis , Jun . ) Measuring the history of the Masonic fraternity during the present century by decades of ten years each , the facts presented are most striking , and are herewith presented in tabular form , with such notes as may illustrate the several periods to ivhich they relate : —• Ratio of

MaYears . Xo . of Erfim . Population S . KIS to Inlodses . Mem . of State . habitants . 1800 91 5000 588 , 603 1 to 117 1810 172 8600 961 , 883 1 ., Ill 1 S 20 295 15 , 000 1 , 372 , 812 1 ., 91 1825 4 S 0 20 , 000 1 , 614 , 493 1 .. SO 1830 82 3000 1 , 913 , 131 1 ., 637 1840 79 5000 2 , 428 , 921 1 „ 4-S 5 1850 172 12

, 000 3 , 097 , 394 1 „ 258 I 860 432 25 , 000 * 4 , 000 , 000 1 „ 160 The first decade was the era of Livingston , Morton , Hoffman , Aster , Jay , and Van . Wyck ; the second , that in which Clinton , Tompkins , Ames , Flicks , and others , were prominent actors . In the third decade , Wadsivorth , Enos , Van Eensellaer , Myers , Walworth , and a splendid galaxy of genius and Avorth ivere foremost in action , and * in them all a light of steady lustre ; then , as he is in this sixth decade ,

Masonry In New York.

was Salem Town—a revered and honoured name . In 1820 , the lodges were 295 , numbered to 308 ; in 1830 , but numbered to 508 ; and these dAvindled to 62 lodges in two years , for this and the three preceding years had witnessed the tornado of fury AA'hich sivept over the State , leaving a reliable membership of scarce 3000 . At the commencement of the fourth decade , in 1840 , the

institution began to exhibit symptoms of resuscitation , aud brethren awakened from the blight aud persecution of the thirteen preceding years as from a terrible dream . In 1838 the lodges were re-numbered ; and of the 79 in 1840 , 22 were in New York , and 27 others were limited to 14 counties . The increase was slow , but steady , to the year 1850 , at which time there were 172 lod under the three Grand

ges Lodges then existing . At this time ( 1860 ) there are 432 Avorking lodges ( numbered to 477 ) , exclusive of those under dispensation ; and our aim has been io shoiv that all that was lost in the , days of the persecution has been regained , together Avith an increasing intelligence and spirit of inquiry in the community to justify us in cherishing brilliant hopes for the future . In

examining the ratio at the present period , it should not be forgotten that there are computed to be 5000 unaffiliated Masons in the State Avho are recognised as such , making the ratio now to be one Mason to every 133 in this state . These statistics have been presented as furnishing the incontrovertible facts upon which are predicated an opinion as to the true condition of the Fraternity , and the period

over Avhich they extend has been divided into portions of ten years each , as convenient points by which to mark our progress . Looking at the dark period of 1830 , well might the enemies of Masonry indulge in the boast that its life was extinct . Another , a personal , perhaps a selfish , reason . It is now ten years since the present speaker entered the Grand Lodge , as the representative of the lodge OA * er which

he presided . The prospect Avas gloomy . The Fraternity was unhappily divided into three parties , each recognising a distinct governing body . The fires of controversy Avere raging on every side . Ancient friends and brethren had become estranged . Party strife and local jealousy were in the ascendant . " The sad and terrible lesson of 1826 and the folloAA * ing years had not impressed our hearts with the

necessity of union . Neiv tests were sought or invented , and new measures of expediency were devised to accomplish even legitimate results . Nor did the differences alone exist as betiveen these distiuct bodies . The baleful spirit of contention was enkindled Avithin the bodies themselves . Our brethren in other jurisdictions looked upon us with astonishment and dismay—astonishment that men professing

brotherly love should engage in strife ; dismay , lest the example of New York should become contagious , and affect their own peace . To hail from our State ivas to incur suspicion and distrust . Such was the condition of affairs iu 1850 . True it is , that at that annual communication a union of two of the bodies ivas formed , attended Avith beneficial and happy results ; but yet the evil spirit ivas not exorcised till a period lone subsequent .

Freemasonry Among The Jews.

FREEMASONRY AMONG THE JEWS .

( From the Israelite . ) It is an historical fact , that the Jews in Spain and Portugal were the standard-bearers of philosophy , astronomy , philology , pharmacology , and other sciences ancl arts in those countries , during the reign of the Moors , and e \ 'en farther down , to the end of the fourteenth century : but , whether they were also the guardians of geometry , and especially of

architecture , is a matter which remains to lie ascertained , and which Ave think would open a wide field for the student of ancient history , in all its branches . We maintain that they were also masters of the latter sciences ; and , as strange as this idea may appear , it is not a mere phantom , but rather founded on the basis of some historical , or at least traditional facts .

It is a Avide-spread tradition among the Spanish Jeivs ( now generally known under the name of "Portuguese Jews " ) . that Israelites who AA'ere dissatisfied with the reign of King Solomon ( who , according to 2 Kings , xii . 4 , put a heavy yoke upon the people ) , migrated to Tarshish , which ,