General Architectural Intelligence.

St . Andrew ' s , Worcester , has for some months been under repair . The improvements consist in nearly rebuilding the east end , putting in an Early Decorated east window , and new roofing the chancel . It is in contemplation to put in a painted window at the east end . A great portion of tho restoration of Malvern Priory Church has been completedbut much still remains to be

, done . The operations have ceased in the nave for the present , and this part of the church is used for Divine service . It is closed from the tower by hoarding , which fills the arch on the nave side of the tower , and from the north transept in the same manner . The expense of completing the restoration will be considerable , and there is room for renewed appeals for further assistance . Upwards of £ 4000 have

already been spent in the present restorations . The plans and specifications for the new Corn Exchange , Newbury , have been sanctioned by the Home Secretary , for the raising of the sum required , which is £ 3400 . The design is Italian . The front is to be of Bath stone , with pilasters and Corinthian capitals . The principal entrance is in the centre , and on each side are circular-headed windows .

The roof , a great part of which is to be covered with glass , will be constructed with circular wooden ribs in one span , springing from moulded stone corbels , and the spandrels filled in with ornamental ironwork . Ventilation is provided by means of louvre boards running the whole length of the exchange . The internal dimensions of the building are 160 feet long , 50 feefc wide , and nearly 50 feet high .

The chief stone of the new schools in connection with Brunswick Wesleyan Chapel , Pendleton , has been laid . They are to be erected in Gardner-street , near to the Mechanics' Institution , from plans drawn by Messrs . Hayley and Sons , Manchester , architects . The building will be only one storey high , in the Gothic style , and of red brick , the ornamental work and tracings to the windows being of

stone . The roof will be of open timber . There will be accommodation in the schools for 650 Sunday , and 420 day scholars . The school will include a mixed or juvenile school , ivith four class-rooms , lavatories , and lobbies . A master ' s house , costing about £ 380 , is also included in the estimates . The estimated outlay will be about £ 3200 , which includes £ 700 , the cost of land and law charges .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

OE . DER OP THE TEMPLE . " M . C . G . C . > J « . " corrects my assertion that the Templars were regulated by the rules of the Augustinians . My authority is Elias Ashmole ' s History of the Order of the Garter . Ihe passage is as follows : — "At the council held at Troyes , in Champaigne , anno 3127 , they

had certain rules drawn up by St . Bernard , Abbot of Clairvaux ( a Prench gentleman , Lord of Fontaines , a village and castle distant about half a mile from Dion ) , hy the appointment of Pope Honorius II . and Stephen , patriarch of Jerusalem ; in the presence of which patriarch they made their vows of obedience , poverty , and chastity , and to live under the rules of Canons Megular of St . Augustine . They were also enjoined to wear a white habit , to which ( but not

till the time of Eugenious III . ) they assumed the red cross , and of the same form that the Knights Hospitallers of St . John of Jerusalem wore ( though Pavin saith it was a patriarchal cross ) , and sewed it on the left shoulder of their mantles , to distinguish them from the Knights of other Orders in the Holy Land ; ancl thus as by their white habits their innocence was notified , so hy the Pv . ed Cross their resolution to shed their blood in defence of the Christian

faith . " Would " M . C . G . O . W kindly give his authority for stating thafc the Order was nofc so regulated . Permit me to thank " M . C . G . O . * £ > . " for the information supplied . The paper appended is hi g hly interesting , and I hope every Knight ofthe Order will " readmarklearnand

, , , inwardly digest . " Unfortunately no action has , I think , been taken upon it , though it has been issued upwards of four years . "In union is strength , " and such union is a thing dear to tlio heart of many ; suffer me , therefore , to throw out a few crude hints , in the faint hope thafc it may induce some one among us to take the matter up in a more able

manner , and work it out to a successful issue . As the Erench branch of the Order claims to possess a regular succession , I would suggest that we endeavour to induce our Grand Conclave to set the example , and to solicit an alliance with them , forming a union on some such terms as follows : — 1 . The power of the Grand Master to be limited , each langue or country being allowed to form its own laws with his approval , our present Grand Master taking the title of Grand Commander .

2 . In accordance with the system of that Order , I would suggest , if it is necessary , the formation of a superior and inferior militia , the difference to consist in the appointment ofthe former by patent from the Grand Master , countersigned by the Grand Commander ( this would leave any Knight who did nofc approve of the union in the same position as before ) , such patent to be obtained on petition ofthe

Knight and recommendation of his encampment or commandery , after he had been twelve months or so a member of the Order , for which an extra fee should be paid . The petition to set forth the arms the candidate was entitled to bear ; such Knights to wear the proper tunic of the Order , and the girdle or belt , in placo of the Masonic apron , the ring of profession , and spurs , and , if desirablea different

, cross ; or , in case two classes should not be thought advisable in our democratic countries , then—3 . The whole to reject the apron ( worn only in the French ¦ inferior militia ) and adopt the tunic , girdle , or sword belt of the colour of the Knight ' s sash , the ring , and spurs . ( This alteration I would even recommend as tee are . in order

to bring the English dress and equipments near to that of all other countries . ) All patents to be signed by the Grand Master , and countersigned by the Grand Commander and Grand Chancellor of the country * 4 . The place of holding the General Chapter to be left to the Grand Master ( as anciently ) , but it ought occasionally or alternately to be held in each country .

If from any causes we could not form a union with France , we might bring about a union of British and perhaps American Templars alone , omitting the suggestions in " So . 2 as inapplicable and unnecessary , the system of government being almost identical , with the exception of that of Ireland , which would require modification . In Scotland the Order appears to be well carried out on the ancient systemthe

, Duke of Athol being Grand Master , and they claim to have maintained the dignity of the Order since the suppression of religions houses . If we could only lay aside party jealousy , such a union appears feasible ; and what a glorious thing it would be to unite this Brotherhood of Christian Masons in one mi ghty bond as of heretofore .

I nave also to thank " K . T . " for correcting me on a point of law . 3 STo doubt he is righfc , but I must say ifc appears anomalous , that while the Grand Master is elected triennialhj , the inferior dignitary should be appointed for his life . Sl y own impression was , that on the death of a Grand Master , a new , or reappointment , must take place . I am glad to see " K . T . " has taken the bull by the horns ; and I would sayin

, all those cases where the appointment has been a dead letter , and where neither enthronement has taken place nor the Past Grand Commander held a meeting , let the New Grand Master take the matter into his own hands , and appoint a more worthy Knight to succeed him . —I .

K 03 IAN CATHOLIC CLERGY . The earliest introduction of Ereemasonry ' infco this country appears to have been by the influence of priests and bishops ; and the Masons of the seventh century are said to have greatly improved tho architecture of the kingdom . The society kept themselves a distinct body from other artificers , and preserved their scientific knowledge secret from those

not admitted to the Order , by means of their peculiar signs and tokens . Passing on to the 12 fch century we find it recorded that many bishops and priests were members of this fraternity , and they encouraged the building of churches and other religious " edifices by offering pardons and indulgencies to those who were builders . In the 13 th century , the science still improving , and the demand for builders