Art Knowledge Formed On The Study Of Nature.

not be confined to one . That this art knowledge must be formed on the study of nature alone , and particularly on the human figure , 'fhe host practical illustration of the truth of these conclusions consists in the fact , that tbe schools of design , which were founded on principles contrary to them , failed in realizing the objects for which they ivere instituted ; till at last , under the masterly guidance ofthe present head ofthe departmentthc whole system has been

, remodelled , to suit all the wants of thc nation , and HOAV embraces amongst its students every class in the community , manufacturers , general art students ancl designers ; whilst its system of instruction -offers almost equal encouragement and honours to evevy hriinch of art , decorative or pictorial .

The Connexion Between The Study Of Architecture And Geology.

THE CONNEXION BETWEEN THE STUDY OF ARCHITECTURE AND GEOLOGY .

1 1 'i ' oin : i paper read hy Mr . JAMES PARKER , before tho Oxford Architectural . Society . ] THE sad state of the buildings in the A'arious parts of the country , arises from error in the choice of stones . In early times it was part of thc duty of the master of the works not , only to decide upon the stone that was to be used , . but even to arrange for its conveyance to the spot where it was Avantcd . Canterbury

Cathedral is an example of this in the tAvelfth century , where stone was sent from Normand y , the district , only yielding chalk and flint , of AA'hich materials the numerous churches arc built in the neighbourhood . In the Eon districts the fine churches ivere owing to the facility with which the stone was brought down the rivers from the west . We were perhaps apt to look too much upon the choice of stone by the mediaival architects as a matter

of chance ; but it mi ght bo shown that far more study Avas given to the nature of the stone they used than we generall y suppose , and that though , as a general rule , the material nearest the spot , or most easily accessible , ivas used , it was not ahvays so , and that they had rules known to the craft by ivhich they could , judge of the value of the stones which they found . In the true ' spirit of the Gothic stylethe lan and design of the building was adapted

, p to the materials of which it was constructed ; and the marked difference betivecn tbe buildings before the Conquest and those of subsequent date was not so well described as that betAveen the work of the carpenter and the work of the masons . It ivould he more to the purpose to say that the latter work was that of men who knoAv how to quarry , and the early work that of men dependent upon the chance surface stones ; and in this way many of the

features of a Saxon design seemed to be the result of the use of these small slabs of stone . An exact investigation of the various kinds of stones used , anp the way in which they have severally withstood the effects of

tune , Avould not onl y bo very interesting , hut also profitable . There were some points of coincidence in the study of the two sciences of architecture and geology . The principles of construction AA'hich Dr . Buckland pointed out iu the ammonite are identical with those adopteel in Gothic architecture . The Gothic style affords illustrations of the mechanism of some of the extinct species of animals . As in the geological specimens it had been SIIOATO

that thc features which might at first si ght be regarded simply as ornamental , and for thc purpose of beauty , did in reality contain deep and true principles , which rendered them most applicable to the purpose for ii-hich they were intended , so in Gothic architecture , many of the features ivhich AVC are to regard onl y from an architectural point of vieiv , such as the arch and vault , were in reality the natural results of the true application of nature ' s first

principles to obtain a certain given result . And it is from Gothic architecture in these her principles , and not only in her forms , approaching so much more nearly to nature than other styles , that arose the charm , which to the eyes of so many hangs round a true Gothic edifice . These was a connection in the very grammars of the two sciences . The primary , secondary , ancl tertiary , preceded by the igneousmust be compared to the firstsecondand

, , , third pointed , preceded by the Norman , on which the others rested , if indeed it could not he said from which they were developed . In the stone of the quarry marked by the impressions of living things , if AVC Avill read faithfully and carefull y , ive can trace the history of the earth ; so in the stone of thc ' lmildmg , marked by the chisel , if Ave will but care to open the book ri ghtlwe can read the history of our countryEnglish

architecy , . ture does not present a series of men ' s fancies , any more than the strata of the earth presents , as AA-as thought some years hack , a series of " lusus naturaj . " And so Ave should study architecture as an historical truth , not as a . mere matter of art . Wo should bring to bear upon it the same research and the same labour as is bestowed pn geology , and adopt the same csu-e hi driving at con- ' '

The Connexion Between The Study Of Architecture And Geology.

elusions . Nor do I think we should despise the former , simply because its pages but lay before us the history of scarcely a thousand years , ivhilc the latter science opens to our view millions ; Both histories deserve study , and both , I think , may advantageousl y he studied together .

Archæology.

ARCH ? OLOGY .

BRITISH ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION . AT the meeting of this society , on the 25 th of January , the chair was occupied by N . Gould , Esq ., one of the vice presidents . Messrs . W . Burr , W . II . Bayley , G . Maw , M . , 1 . Adams , W . Mount , . 1 . Corhonld , C . White , W . Frcndenthal , M . D ., and R . Scaife , were elected associates . Dr . Palmer exhibited a bronze spear headfound with remains ofthe Caledonian ox at Newbury .

, Dr . Palmer also communicated a short notice of thc examination of ground belonging to Mr . Banbury , at Marisfone , Berks , in ivhich ivere found various portions of pottery , Roman flue and pavement tiles , tessera : , & c . ; together with hones of several animals , but no human . remains . Mr . Syer Cuming made some remarks upon Memorials of Charles the First , sent for exhibition by Mr . Corner , Mr . Fitch , Mr .. Forman , Mr . Pratt , aud from his

oivn collection . Mr . Dollman exhibited an extensive series of drawings illustrative of buildings in Scotland , and remarked upon their several peculiarities . The } 'consisted of views and details of the Old Tolbooth at Edinburgh , llagg's Castle , Glasgow , an Ancient House at Elgin , Newark Castle on the Clyde , Maybole Castle , Dirlcton Castle , Roslyn Castle , Dunfermline Castle , Bortliwick Castle , Gridiron Castle , Stirling Castle , Clackmannan Tower , & c , exhibiting features not to he met with in English architecture , and presenting details of much beauty and interest .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

CUSTOM OV LODGES . [ Our correspondent , who sends an inquiry with this heading , should knoAV that we do not answer such questions . Our department is confined to the history , literature , biography , and kindred subjects connected with Freemasonry . We have nothing to do with ritual observances , much less to * recommend " books shelving the various Avays of Avorking tbe Ceremonies and Lectures" ( if there are any such ) , and Aye are inclined to propose a query of our OAA-U in reply , i . e ., "If persons asking such questions can be Masons' ?]

MASOXRA- ntmixci Till . IXTI .-lRECIXOt . " T . Jones" is referred to Anderson ' s Book of lhe Constitutions , ! 7 oS , where , from page 98 to 101 , he may perhaps find the answer he requires . — -J . P . ASHLEY , Bath . , ST . nnxs'i'AJS ' , rat . ixn . AIASTKI :. In some Masonic works St . Dunstaii , of the red hot tongs

notoriety , is said to have been Grand Master from about A . D ., 9-11 . On what authority does such a tradition rest?—A T . I ' . X . Till . GliAXD SI-CIlKTAliY ' S . Tl . lVKl .. In the year 1728 , so says Bro . Anderson , Lord Kingston was appointed M . W . G . M ., anil he evinced his zeal for the Craft by several costly presents , amongst which was a neiv jeivel , set in gold , for thc use of the Grand Secret _ ry . Is this jewel worn noiv , or , even in existence ?—A . Tiwrri . E .

imOA'iXClAl , O . K . VXD MA . STF . ns FIRST Al'I'OlXTEn . When were Provincial Grand Masters first appointed ' ?—A PiiOvixciAi , BROTHER . [ On the 10 th of May , 17- ' 7 , Bro , Hugh Wai-burton being appointed for North Wales , and Sir Edward Hansel , Bart ,, for South Wales , on thc 24 th of June , folloiving . ] THE CIlA-tGP . S OF I . IVK . Can one ii-e me the words and music of a Masonic song

any g bearing the above title , or tell me the author ' s or composer ' s name ?—Mi . 'sious . FORF . ICIX AlASOXie I'EMOniCAT . S . Wanted the exact titles of all Masonic periodicals published abroad at the present time . Any brother knowing of such works will confer a favour h transmittingthrough the " Masonic

y , Notes and Queries , " any single , or numerous , title , or titles , to LITKRATO . REFORMED RITE OF MEMPHIS . Since the communication respecting the ahoi-e illegal society of Masons was rend , by order of the Board of General Purposes in