The Knights Templars.

man de Perigord , by the grace of God , humble Master of the poor Knights cf the Temple , to his beloved brother in Christ , Master Robert Sanford , Preceptor of the House of the said Knights in England , greeting in the Lord . We have to

inform your community , thafc after fche Christian army had lain for a long time on the sand , weary and inactive , could not decide what course to hold , or what to do , until at length the Lord , rising on high , has visited it , not owing to the urgency of

its merits , but in the clemency of his usual mercy . For the Sultan of Damascus , not through fear of the Christians , by the miraculous intervention of ihe Lord , has restored fco the Christian power the

whole of the country entire , from the river Jordan , with this covenant and agreement between the two parties , namely , that the one shall assist the other to the utmost of his power in defending their country against the Sultan of Babylon , neither

party to make terms with the said Sultan , without the others agreeing to it . This agreement was received with unanimous consent . Blessed be God

for all things who has effected this . " * The Grand Master of the Hospitallers , however , declined subscribing to this agreement , alleging that he had entered into a treaty with the Sultan of Egypt . The jealously which existed between

the two Orders may have had more to do with this refusal than the treaty , aud once more the Orders stood forth antagonists . Upon the conclusion of the treaty , the Templars marched to Joppa , where they were joined by Richard Earl of

Cornwall , who had just landed in the Holy Land . The Hospitallers attempted to seduce the Earl to their faction , but he refused , declaring that he had come to Palestine to fi ght the infidel wherever they were to be found . f Proceeding to

Ascalon , the Crusaders rebuilt the walls , and upon their completion the Duke returned home again . Tbe Templars thereafter marched upon Gaza , leaving a strong force to garrison Ascalon . The possession of Gaza was all important , as it

commanded the passes from Egypt to Jerusalem . They were accompanied by Saieh Ismael , and easily obtained possession of it , the Egytians fleeing at their approach . Quarrels ensued between the Templars and Hospitallers upon the departure of the Earl of Cornwall . Paris says that the Earl , on his departure .

The Knights Templars.

would not intrust the city of Ascalon , nor the money which he left there for the purpose of finishing some parts of the castle , to the Templars , but handed it to the Emperor ' s agent , whence the Templars felt great rancour against

the Earl . He accuses them of shutting the Hospitallers up in Acre , as if in a state of siege , not allowing them to purchase provisions , nor even to bury their dead . * We scarcely think thesecharges are tenable .

Gaza in their possession and garrisoned , the-Templars marched upon Jerusalem . No resistance was offered to their entrance , the Musselmen fled at their approach , and the Holy City was once more the possession of the Christians ..

The Templars entered the town bearheaded and barefooted , and singing hymns of praise ; the holy places were rededicated to God , and the sound of the Vesper bell , superceded the shrill cry of the muezzins .

( To be continued . )

Arkism.

ARKISM .

Those who want to know what Arkism is , and how it is made to refer to Masonry , may read with advantage the following interesting article from the Alhenmum : — At the outset , and in spite of the many

singuhrities of style and creed which pervade thisvolume , let us say that it is the work of a thinker and a student . It possesses also a distinction which is uncommon in mere lectures , viz ., individuality . Its author is not a simple repeater of '

other men ' s views and discoveries , but he fuses alltill they run in his own mould ; and those whohave gone over the same ground as he has , may frequently discern that Mr . Lesley is distinguishedby clear observation , considerable penetration , and

lively fancy . We seldom receive a Transatlantic volume so thoughtful , though so doubtful . Other qualities than these named , and not good ones , may appear to our readers in the course of theremarks which we make and the extracts which

we give from a book which certainly claims perusal and invites criticism . The title , as respects fche actual book , is nearly a misnomer , and a piece of platform rhetoric . The author professes to show how far the sciences , as