The Minerva Lodge, At Leipsic.

THE MINERVA LODGE , AT LEIPSIC .

THE __ U _ . E _ . VA I , 0 . ' . ( 1 F . AT I . P . irSIC

THE important and celebrated Lodge , "Minerva of the Three Palms , " in the Orient of Leipsic , ivhich is so well known to every German brother , was founded on the 30 th March , 1741 , and ive have deemed it of sufficient interest to English Masons to devote a small portion of our space to some particulars concerning it . In the accompanying engraving ive present to our readers a view of the local

habitation of this venerable Lodge , ivhich may claim our respect for tho excellence of its working , ancl for more than a century has afforded to so many continental brethren solemn hours of edification , instruction , consolation , ancl comfort , as well as the purest social enjoyment . This Lodge is tlie source whence , in the year 1742 , the light of Masonry was

imparted to the Orient of Altenburg , and is also the Lodge in ivhich the highly gifted Bro . Mahlmann , of imperishable memory , held the Master ' s chair for thirteen years ( from 1813 to 1 S 2 G ) . It is not improbable that this Lodge may be well known to many English brethren who have travelled ou tho continent ; but among German Masons , it would be

difficult to find any who do not know , if not by experience at least by report , this " hallowed tranquil locality , " to use thc words of a German writer , in which the royal art has at all times been , and still is , zealously practised . It is , indeed , from such favoured spots as this , ivhere philosophy ancl philanthropy are fostered , untainted by mysticism , that the pure

ray of Masonry shines forth and enlig htens the world , streaming forth in unsurpassable lustre into all hearts and all countries . On entering the building , the visitor will hardly fail to bo pleased witli tho appearance of these simply , yet tastefully and handsomely fitted up rooms , whose emblematicall y

decorated walls exhibit to the eye of the enlig htened observer a whole treasure of Masonic lore ancl research . Surrounded as the building is by tastefully laid out grounds , tlie peaceful aspect of the groves and thickets of tho " Lodge gardens , planted with noble trees , has previously disposed the mind of the stranger to that solemn and earnest mood which every

Mason ought to bring to his labours . The very great number of travelling brothers whose names are recorded in the register of visitors , testifies that this Lodge has attracted , from its earliest existence , numerous , and we need hardly add , welcome guests . The view which our artist gives us this week will therefore not improbably revive pleasant

recollections in the memory of brethren now far away from the spot represented by his pencil . Founded on thc 20 tli March , 174-1 , by seven worthy brothers , the Lodge of Minerva oxjierienced many vicissitudes before it attained a firm stability . It was for some time without a name , and was conducted in the . French

language , and it assumed its present designation only after having previously been obliged several times to suspend its labours . U p to the time of the AVilhe . msbad conference it had admitted the spurious rite of the Strict Observance , whicli was smuggled in by Bro . the Baron Huiid . Having at length abandoned this system of error , the Lodge declared

itself at the same time free , permanent , and independent . During the years 180 . 5 to 1 S 11 , negotiations were , however , opened with the Grand Lodge in Dresden , to enter ( at the desire of that Lodge ) into a federative connexion with it . These negotiations did not lead to any result , owing to what were thought unreasonable stipulations on either side , and the Minerva continued to exist in its independent , state as an isolated Lodge , assiduously occupied in the