Masonic Sayings And Doings.

where five young ladies were initiated and two more adopted , as charges , by the lodge , and that the Orator delivered an oration on the origin of Freemasonry . How he could have avoided certains points , as known to us , seems wonderful , but perhaps he communicated the whole of the secrets to the received candidates .

It would seem very indecorous to us to subject them to some of our tests , but most likely the ritual of the Masonry for the ladies was used ; but , if so , what became of his oration , and how could it touch on the origin of our art ? Truly , it may be said , " they do these things wonderfully abroad . "

THE KING OE PRUSSIA . —Owing to an intolerant spirit eA'inced by the Eoman Catholic priesthood against some members of the Craft in Prussia , the Grand Lodge , Eoyal York of Friendship , petitioned the King , as Protector of Freemasonry , to prohibit such interference , to Avhich his Majesty was pleased to

reply in favourable terms . In Prussia the question has given rise to some severe animadversion in various quarters , many brethren arguing that Eoman Catholics could not become members of the Craft , as they are not to be considered free men . THE JEAVISH BRETHREN IN PRUSSIA . —The Jewish

brethren in Prussia are placed between two stools , and consequently their position is not an enviable one . Lodges under the Grand Lodge , Eoyal York , admit Hebrew brethren as permanent visitors , but not as

members , and the Grand Lodge , Aux trois Globes , demurs to this arrangement , and has requested the former to withdraw from the Jews even this privilege . By this it will appear that Eomanisin is not the only persecutor of the brethren , but that Freemasons , notwithstanding their defined duties , can be as intolerant

as any other association . TUEKET . —Thereare at Constantinople both French , German , and Italian lodges , all working irrespective of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Turkey , and it is somewhat amusing to find the reason given for . English brethren absenting themselves from such

irregular meetings , to be a Avant of acquaintance with the French or German languages . This is cooll y put forth as the sole cause , but Ave , Avho happen to know several Constantinople brethren , are well aware of the true cause which actuates all lovers of order and disci pline .

PROPOSED NEW GRAND ORIENT FOR GREECE . — Several of the foreign brethren , resident in Constantinople , have an idea of making hay while the sun shines , and have seized upon the new Greek kingdom as a convenient place where a Grand Orient may be easily established , with the young King at its head .

It our Grand Executive had any pretensions to activity , this project would be blown to the winds at once . "We who have been so long , as a nation , the protectors of Greece , would , particularly after the

Masonic Sayings And Doings.

handsome manner in which this country has dealt by it , be looked to first for such a Grand Lodge to emanate from . But our Grand Officer , who ought ever to be ready to seize on any event that may turn up and add to the prestige of our Grand Lodge , slumbers away the happy moments , and when awakened from

his lethargy devotes his spare energies to attacking the clerks in his own office , which appears to be the sole universe of his ambition . NEW STATUTES EOR THE GRAND ORIENT OE FRANCE . —The French brethren seem to be most wretchedly harassed by their Grand Master , whose

latest encroachment on their liberties , after tying them helplessly doAvn to be a mere civil body , now contemplates giving them a code of new Statutes , and , soldier-like , he and his deputy frame them entirel y by themselves , and submit them to the lodges for their adoption , a plan that savours more of command

than advice . MEXICO .- —The priestly influence which holds such . SAvay in Mexico endeavours to stir up much angry feeling against Freemasonry , and the Moniteur Frangais , the Journal des Debuts , and Le Temps , foster this spirit by spreading the most ridiculous reports and calumnies on the Order .

Professor Donaldson On The Position Of Architecture.*

PROFESSOR DONALDSON ON THE POSITION OF ARCHITECTURE . *

( From the Builder . ) To maintain the high standard of English art and science at a time when all the other branches of practical knowledge are cultivated with a zeal rich in fruits of the past , rich iu hopes for the future , is now the great aim of tho profession . But that which strikes the mind , as one contemplates the pi'esent condition of architectureis the

, remarkable phenomenon of the number of intelligent and gifted architects who now stand as men of mark before the world , aud the fine edifices which British genius has produced all over the United Kingdom , contrasted with the low and apparently neglected state of architectural education up to the present time . And when I say architectural education , I mean the absence of any

recognised and adopted system . Here the student is left to his own sympathies , his own inspirations , the suggestions of his own zeal more or less active , and to his unguided experience casually gained in the office of his

master , where he can become familiar only with the taste and science of the works there carried out . We do not possess the professional recognised ateliers of the professor , as in Erance , where gratuitous courses of lectures , also periodical prizes and grand competitions in the schools , and the stimulating intercourse with well-known associates , aud the pride of the school , keep up the

spiritual earnestness of the student to a high-wrought pitch of excitement , and nerve him to energetic efforts for eminence and success . On the other hand , we have to contratulate ourselves that we have no Governmental rigid routine scheme , as in Germany , binding down the taste and study of the youth to one formal line and process of artistic thought . Still I say , though many of these sources of encouragement and instruction are not available for our young aspirants , yet our profession has produced men of the highest merit , who have entered upon