Historical Sketch Of Masonic Events During 1864.

that the Avorking out of the neiv platform is drawing to a close j and at the same time it reprehends the " injudicious zeal" of certain lodges AA'hich , it is stated , are so utterly ig-noi-ant of the real bases of Freemasonry as to propose to admit to the

Craft every honest and upright man , irrespective of religious persuasion . It seems most desirable that the frontiers of this ukase should at least be made acquainted with the real foundation of all Masonry , i . e ., the historical obligations , that they

may no longer try to impose their individual opinions upon the brotherhood as principles not to be deviated from .

In face of these much to be regretted occurrences it gives us great satisfaction to notice that the Hamburg Grand Lodge has drawn the attention of the Prussian Grand Lodges to the serious objections and the blame they lay themselves open

to by their rescripts . Some Prussian lodges have protested against the latter , while others have merel y laid them ad acta .

Of other Grand Lodges Ave notice that the Eclectic Grand Lodge has requested its daughters to send in proposals for reform , and has appointed a committee to examine such proposals , and report thereupon . We perceive , also , that the Baireuth

Grand Loclge , "Zur Sonne , " has taken in hand the revision of its statute , ancl the Darmstadt Grand Loclge , "Zur Eiutracht , " has taken steps to do away with the existing inequality of rights amongst the lodges of its province . An

incident most remarkable in the German Masonic world is the declaration issued by the Bishop of Munster to the Roman Catholic members of the Clevo and other lodges in this diocese , by which they arc refused the administration of the

sacraments , unless they break off their connection with the Craft . We notice , furthermore , a circular addressed by the somewhat eccentric Bro . Leutbrecher , of Erlangen , to the uninitiated , requesting them to join him in the formation of a neiv lodge .

This circular elicited a protest from the Libauon Lodge , of the same toii'ii . Bro . Leutbrecher's endeavours not having proved altogether unsuccessful , a very peculiar entanglement may arise from this conflict .

The Weissenfels Lodge has developed a very commendable actiA'ity throughout the past year ; but AVC are sorry that the same cannot be saicl of many other lodges . On the other hahd , some of those Masonic unions ( Maurerkrajnzcheu ) that have become rather numerous of late , have Avorked

Historical Sketch Of Masonic Events During 1864.

very successfully . In the Alzei Lodge it is usual for the W . M . to lay on the table a list of Masonic subjects , from Avhich each brother is alloAved to selecfcone for a dissertation , without , hoivever , being confined to that list . The W . M . decides as to the

admissibility and expediency of the dissertation , Avith the concurrence of the other officials . ( To be continued . )

Church Bells: Their Antiquities And Connection With Architecture.

CHURCH BELLS : THEIR ANTIQUITIES AND CONNECTION WITH ARCHITECTURE .

Read at the Architectural Museum , by the Rev . JOHN H . SPERLING , M . A . ( Concluded from Page 336 . ) Another great difference between bells , ancient and modern , is in their shape . The most ancient

bells Avere very long in the waist , and high in . the shoulder , many of them to an exaggerated degree ; ive now run into the ojmosite extreme of short AAT . ists and flat shoulders . The reason of this change is obviously connected AA'ith the art of ringing , short bells being much easier to raise , and

takinoup less room than bells of the olcl proportions . The modern founders are all in favour of this change , asserting * that the note is identical in both cases , and that metal lying in the waist is useless . If they Avould be content with saying that it is a more convenient formboth for the pockets of the

, customers , the ringers , and their own moulds , I should agree with , them j but their is no denying that thougl 1 the note may be identical , the quality of tone is very different , and this is . evident on acoustic principles . The waist of a bell is , so to

speak , its sound-board . The scientific view of a bell is that of au elastic instrument composed of an infinite number of rings or circles , varying in tone according to their several dimensions , the sound arising from tho vibratory motion of all of them Avhen set in motion by the clapper . A bell

properly and truly cast , AA'ill give the notes of a common chord more or less blended into one , and major or minor according to its height . This fact is easily ascertainable by striking the bell AA'ith the hand , or Avith a stick , in tliree different places ; the note of the bell ivill form the base where the

clapper strikes , and its third and fifth will be given at certain distances above . This flat bell-founding is , I fear , on the increase , and the lips are noiv so extended that a section of the bell Avould almost describe an ogee arch ; hence Ave get the same notes at about half the ivelglit of metal employed by our

ancestors . I believe tliis system Avas first brought out at DoAvnham , late in the last century . It was certainly adopted with Dobson into the Whitechapel foundry , for their earlier bells were of a more pleasing shape . Where money , however , is not a