Stray Thoughts On The Origin And Progress Of The Fine Arts.

the British Museum . The Temple of Apollo Epicurus , near Phygaleia , was the work of the same master mind , and it is supposed that the Phygaleiau were the early , aud the Parthenon the finished productions of the Phidian school . The Phygaleiau remains are to be seen in the British Museum . The statues in bronze by

Phidias were , in point of number and excellence , quite unrivalled ; his ivory statues , were without parallel . The most celebrated of these , Jupiter Olympins , Avas constructed and erected under peculiar circumstances . Phidias made a statue of Minerva , at the request of Pericles , ivhich Avas placed in the Parthenon at Athens .

It was of ivory and gold , and measured thirty-nine feet high . On the apex of the helmet of the goddess was a sphynx , and on each side were griffins ; the fig ure ivas erect , draped , the robe reaching to the feet : on the breast Avas a figure of Medusa , in ivory ; in one hand a figure

of victory , in the other a spear , and a shield at the feet ; the eyes , face , feet , and hands of this statue were of ivory , the rest being gold , so disposed that it could be taken off and weighed at any time . The execution of this splendid Avork raised many enemies to Phidias , ivho

accused him of having carved his own image and that of Pericles , his patron , on the shield of the statue in such a way that , if any one was to remove his figure from the

shield the Avhole would fall to pieces , aud for this he Avas banished from Athens hy the clamourous populace , lie retired to Olympia , a town of Elis , in the Peloponesus , where he took revenge of his countrymen , by making a statue , which eclipsed in fame that of Minerva . That statue was the one already alluded to , Jupiter Olympius ,

and ivas sixtyfeethigh . Tho Godwas represented as sitting ou a throne , composed , like the statue , of ivory and gold ; lie AA'ore a croivn , in imitation of an olive branch ; in his rig ht hand was a figure of victory , also of gold and ivory , with a filllet in its hand , and a crown on its head ; in its left hand ivas a sceptre , made of different metals ,

on the top of ivhich was an eagle ; the sandals and robe of the figure were of gold , and on the latter Avere figures of animals and floAA'ers . The throne was enriched with gems and precious stones , aud inlaid with gold , ebon )" , and ivoiy ; it was also ornamented ivith animals and figures . Pour figures of A'ictory , iu a dancing attitude

were represented at tlie four feet . Phidias having finished and erected tho statue , it is said that he prayed to Jupiter to make known to tlie people if ho ivere satisfied , and immediately the pavement of the temple AVUS struck by lightning •—such is tlie legend . Phidias also executed several statues in wood and clay . I will in 1113 ' next paper offer a few observations concerning the standard of beauty amongst the Greeks .

Ay EXCELLENT LAW . —The Grand Lodge of Indiana have passed the following resolution . — " liesolved , That no Master Mason , member of a subordinate lodge in this Grand Jurisdiction , shall bo eligible to the oflice of Junior AVarden , or Senior AVarden , or Worshipful Master , unless he is competent to confer the three firs t degrees in Masonry , together ivith the lectures appertaining to the same . "

Freemasonry In New Brunswick.

FREEMASONRY IN NEW BRUNSWICK .

[ Prom our Correspondent . ] I suppose your readers Avill think—such a length of time having elapsed since my last communication—that I have entirely forgotten my promise to furnish you with , an occasional account of Masonic affairs in this province . HoweverI can only asstu'e you that it was not from

, forgetfnlness , but from a variety of causes , ivhich it ivould be unnecessary here to mention . A number of changes have taken place since I last wrote you . Alex . Balloch , Esq ., has been appointed to the oflice of Prov . G . M ., under English jurisdiction . At first this appointment did not give that satisfaction to the

city ancl some of the country lodges which should exist ; but at the present time , I believe the brethren have come to the conclusion to " make the best of a bad bargain . " The Prov . G . M . appointed Bro . A . K . Smedes "W etmore , to be his Deputy ; this appointment gave general satisfaction to all the lodges except that of

Predericton , which expected that Bro . E . Gowan , a very intelligent and enthusiastic Mason , and one every way fitted for so important a position , would have receiA'ed the appointment . An Irish Lodge ( Leinster , No . 301 ) , and a Scotch Chapter ( Muir ) have lately been established in

Carleton , a suburb of this city . The present Master of the lodge is Bro . Edward Willis ; and the first principal Y J . of the Chapter is Comp . Ketchman . Both Lodge and Chapter are doing very fair business . The members of the Lodge have fitted up a neat aud commodious Hall , in which to hold their meetings . This building ivas duly consecrated some time sincean account of the

interest-, ing ceremony I duly forwarded to you . The brethren in this city at the present time , have attained great perfection in the work of the three first degress , having obtained the services of Bro . Caleb Band , formerly Grand Lecturer of the Grand Lodge of MassachusettsUnited Statesto instruct them .

, , The lodges in this city are UOAV in a very healthy condition . There has been for the past feiv years a large accession to their numbers . "We have recently had to deplore the death of a . worthy and much esteemed brother , Charles Vaughan Forsterwho occupied many important positions in the

, Fraternity . I send you the obituary notice which appeared in the Courier newspaper of this city . It is a just tribute to the memory of the departed worthy . More anon . ALPHA . St . Joint ' s October ! , I 860 .

C 1 IAKLE 3 VAUGHAX FOltSTER . It becomes our painful duty in this issue to record the demise of a AA'orthy citizen and an esteemed friend—Charles A aughan I ' orster , Esq . —AA'IIO departed this life on Thursday last , in the 62 nd year of his age , only son of Major Vaughan Forster , late of the 4 Gth liegiinent , and for some years Fort Major of Berivick-upon-Tweed . He has been for a length of time suffering from a complication

of diseases , and for the last six or eight weeks he was compelled to entirely relinquish the care of business . Tbe deceased occupied for a time , the office of landing Surveyor of If . M . Customs at this port , ivhich position he held with credit to himself and all concerned , until its entire abolishment . Since that period he has been proprietor of the Neivs-Koom . The duties dei'olving upon him in this latter capacity brought liini into

constant and intimate acquaintance with all the business men of the city ; and , by whom , Ave can safely say , he ivas most universally esteemed , both for the affability , kindliness of disposition , and gentlemanly deportment which he invariably exhibited to all with whom he came in contact . His death ivill be deeply deplored , not only by his family and the business community , but by tlie Alasonic fraternity , of Avhom he was a prominent member . He ivas first made a Mason in St . George ' s Lodge , in the fcoivn of St . George , Bermuda , ancl since that time he has helcl many prominent positions