Classical Theology.—Liii.

rep ellant than attractive ; therefore her constant care was to keep him as near to her person and under her authority as possible to prevent and prohibit him from ever attempting to leave her . The princess Psyche , the femineus se . vus of the place of her birth , the soul's immortal , rare , unsophisticated , pureand sweet-temperedresided in a peculiarly fair

, , palace belonging to the most original ancl complete figured style of architecture that has come down to us , although now seen of a more ornamental character than it then w-as , but still in its essential proportions , if not construction , but little changed . This princess was herself so lovely

that her charms were compared to those of the Queen Yenus , and after a careful examination of the beauty of each , judgment was unreservedly pronounced in favour of Psyche . This decision was received by the goddesses of Olympusor rather the female spirits at largeas an

, , unpardonable indignity and offence sufficient to subject the young ancl beauteous new creation in soul to the implacable vengeance of their queen , her reigning rival , and of themselves . Yenus , therefore , sought the presence of her son whom she peremptorialy commissioned to punish tlie

presumptuous little upstart , as she angrily termed the gentle and innocent Psyche , by inflaming her purity with a passion for some monster—the most ugly and brutal of the sons of clay . The spirit of love consented to obey the command of his mother , the Spirit of Beauty . But Cupid here for the first time addressed and adjusted himself to his power , or his arrow to his bow , without its ability , ancl had a lesson to learn , even in

the affairs of love , beyond his skill to master , save that "love begets love . " At any rate the son of Yenus on beholding the modesty ancl loveliness of Psyche , let fall his arrow and his bow , a purer and swifter shaft than any of his own having entered his breast , or then unknown had he been wounded by one of his own arrows ? The happy and contented look and

bearing of Psyche absorbed his wondering thoughts , and admiring gaze from the moment he beheld her , "Ah , " he mentally exclaimed , "is it not by my power that every naturalliving creature becomes enamoured ? I have given of my spirit , figuratively called my arrowsto all flesh . In Psyche I now contemplate

, the beauty of the soul . I came into the world the source of the greatest happiness to others . Was it therefore to be denied the enjoyment of my own nature in the happiness I bestow ? Wherefore should it so be ? There is , as I have divined to see , a different description of beauty than that of mj-mother

Yenus . Is not Jupiter my father ? Yes , I am his son . I feel I am no longer a stranger to myself in the sentiments I create . I will constantly nurture this new feeling of love inspired by Psyche . My arrows hitherto have been tempered by the Spirit of Passion , whom they call my brother . Henceforward

I will make my own arrows . My mother may engage the Spirits of Envy , Jealousy , and Misery , to accomplish her bidding , her ends , and her devices , until I can wholl y reveal myself . Psyche , sweet virgin , creation of heaven and earth , farewell ! I go from you cherishing the hope of our mutual love , and of one

day making and seeing you my beloved and loving bride . " But these two assuredly omnipotent powers , Cupid

Classical Theology.—Liii.

and Psyche , as representing the spirit of love and the soul of humanity , not only bring us to another chapter in our compilation of the Histories of Theology , but also to another chapter consequent on their own pre-eternity , eventual union , and co-operation in perfecting the tempi-- ; of life , as , figuratively speaking , the unpolluted abode , or holy sanctuary of love .

Masonic Facts.

MASONIC FACTS .

( Continued from page ) 264 166 . The foundation stone of the Church of Nortre Dame de Pamele , at Audenaerde , in Belgium , was laid by Arnould , Lord of Audenaerde , on the 14 th March , 1235 . The church was built from the designs

of Arnould de Binche , the earliest known Belgian designer . — Weale ' s Quarterl y Papers on Arcldtectwre . 167 . A Gothic inscri ption , at one of the angles of the Town Hall of Louvain , informs us that the foundation stone was laid on Monday after Eastertide , 1317 and the works superintended by three Master

, Masons , called Jean Stevens , Arnould Hore , and Gort Eaes : — " Mest Jan Stevens en mest . Art Hore en mest . Gort Eaes , dese dry mestere begonste dese halle in't jaer ons heere lucccxxii s ' maen daegs na bevloke Paeschen . —Weale ' s Quarterly Papers on Arcldtectwre .

168 . The chancel of the Parish Church of Aerschat , in Belgium , commenced in 1337 . An inscription on the side door of the sacristy informs us that it was designed by Jean Pickart : — " M semel X , scribis ter C ter et Y semel I bis , Dum chorres iste pic fundatur honoro Marie . Saxa basis prima juliani lux dat in itna Pickart artifice Jacobo pro quo rogitate . —Weale ' s Quarterl y Papers on Architecture .

169 . The foundations of the body of Strasbourg Cathedral were laid in 1015 , by Bishop Werntier , and during 13 years , 100 , 000 hands were daily employed in its erection . This church was destroyed * by fire in the 12 th century . The present "West front and towers were designed by Magister Ervin de Steinbaehin 1275 : he

, finished the lowest division , and died in 1318 . He was succeeded by his son Jean , who carried the front up to the platform , or summit of the third division : he died in 1339 .

The spiral staircase and spire of the Northern Tower were constructed by John Hiiltz , of Cologne , and were finished in 1449 . The ori ginal drawing of this front is preserved at Strasbourg ; it is on vellum , and some feet in length . Above the archway of the middle porch of the West

Front , forming the central ornaments of the sharper angles , are figures of the Almi ghty , the Yirgin and Child , and Solomon . They are accompanied by lions below and Scriptural figures above . Tradition says , that the daughter of Steinbaeh worked a good deal at this middle porchand even

, sculptured several of the figures . At the South Porch there are three dictls , the bust of our Saviour and Solomon are beneath them . This porch is said to be of the same date as the "West Front . —Dr . Dibdin ' s Tour , vol . iii .