Imperial Paris.

dually rising , and a Tvondei'ful buikliag it will he—a noble temple for the lyric muse . The Scala and the San Carlo must fall into subordinate positions—for not only will the scenery aud auditory be the most splendid in Europe , but every other adjunct that wealth and taste can supply will be superadded .

" To choose a graver theme we will go to Notre Dame . This has been restored iu the truest sense of the word , under the direction of the great mediasval architect—M . Yiollet le Due . Every detail has been respected and preserved . The Avhitewash has been carefully got rid of , and the old stone stands forth in its pristine aspect .

A very little colour has been used most sparingly on the rib of the groining ,-where there was authority for it , and nowhere else . This restoration of the graud historical cathedral of Paris is a great lesson to those Avho thrust their own notions into our old buildings , and tell you , ' Oh , I can assure you it is much prettier than

before , or Avho daub gaudy colours about tho interior of au ancient church till , as a celebrated writer has said of a restored chancel , 'it looks as if it had fallen into the hands of a mad haberdasher . ' The improvement to the building is obvious at the first glance . The visitor formerly complained that the building appeared so small .

The apparent size has been much increased by the judicious removal of incongruous modernisms , and the elegance of the proportion makes full amends for the want of the vasfcness we meet Avith at Antwerp . M . Viollet le Due has utilised the triformm by placing seats there . Why this should not be done at Westminster

Abbey we cannot couceive , as in the nunneries , as they are called , at Durham . The side aisles are vaulted , and over them is a large ambulatory . All that is Avauted is a suitable pavement aud proper seats , and a strong , safe , protecting iron rail , and a vast accommodation might be added to most of our cathedrals . Here is an excellent example , a case entirely iu point , as the lawyers would

say . " In most of the other churches works are going on , characterised by the same spirit of conservation and the same good tasto ; would it extended to England . ' We dread there to hear the word restoration ; it means innovation , destruction , jobbery—to get in the favourite

manufacturer of tiles , stained glass , brass gaseliers , daubers in distemper ; iu short , the ecclesiastical milliners and tailors Avho are the curse and torture of the English architect . " I propose sending you a few more notes ere long , further describing the vast changes in this superb city . "

Ar00302

WiMlNG TO BE LITTLE . —A great man is alwnys willing to be little . While he sits on the cushion of advantages , he goes to sleep . When lie is pushed , tormented , defeated , lie lias a chance to learn something ; he has been put on his wits , on his Manhood ; he has gained facts , learns his ignorance ; is cured of the insanity of conceit ; has got moderation and veal skill . The wise man always throws himself on the side his assailants . It is more to his interest than it is theirs to find his weak point

. The wound cicatrises and falls off from hiin like a dead skin , and when they would triumph , lo ! he has passed on invulnerable . As long as all that is said is against me , I feel a certain assurance of success . But as soon as honeyed words of praise are spoken for me , I feel as one that lies unprotected before his enemies .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

MOTHER KILWINNING . - A reader of your excellent MAGAZINE is desirous of knowing who the venerable lady is Avho so often figures in your pages under the name of Mother Kilwinning . Where does she reside ? and Avhat has she to do with Freemasonry either in several or particularly ?— -ANXIOUS INQUIRER .

BRO . G 0 D 3 TRET HIGGINS ' s DAUGHTER . Wanted to know Miss Higgins ' s husband ' s name ; if the lady ia living , and Avhere ?—f-i-t-INIGO JONES AND DEN JONSON . Ben Jonson wrote some severe lines ou Bro . Inigo

Jones . What Avas the cause cf their estrangement ? —a . MASONIC DUTIES . As a Mason you are to cultivate brotherly love , the foundation and cape-stone , the cement aud glory of this ancient fraternityavoiding all Avrangling and

, quarrelling , all slander and backbiting , nor permitting others to slander auy honest brother , but defending his character aud doing him all good offices , as far as is consistent with your honour aud safety , and no farther . —E . M .

MTSTERIES . The usages and customs of the ancients in their secret societies are called mysteries . If by mysteries we merely understand a secret religion , then , in the civilised part of the globe , there can be no mysteries , for God may be openly worshipped everywhere ; but

if by mysteries we understand secret ceremonies and doctrines , then Ave may say that there are still mysteries among Freemasons . But we do not call our secrets mysteries , and Ave thereby prove that with us there can be no secret reli gion . J ! o one among us isa mystagogue , and our outward appearance has nothing mysterious about it .- — -G-ADICKE .

DIBLE CHRONOLOGY TOR EREEHASONS . The late Bro . Albert G . Mackey made some valuable extracts from the Holy Scri ptures , Avhich Avere especially intended to elucidate certain points in Freemasonry , and , as they do not appear to be known in England , a specimen may prove acceptable . —Ex . Ex .

B . C . 2348 . A . L . 1656 . —The subsistence of the waters . Noah emerges from the ark , and offers his sacrifice of thanksgiving . A Masonic tradition informs us that this sacrifice Avas made upon the Masonic stone of foundation , which had been carried by him into the ark , and there found his anchor of hope .

The dove and the rainbow date their origin as Masonic symbols from this period . Masons UOAV take the distinctive appellation of Noacliidee , or the sons of rToah . " The rToachiclaj , " says Dr . Oliver , " met on the summit of high hills to practice their simple devotions , Avhich Avere

commemorative of their preservation amidst the destruction of mankind by the universal deluge , and the promise that the world should never again be subjected to a similar judgment ; of Avhich promise the rainboAV was the type or symbol . " This custom then gave origin to our landmark of the hi ghest hills and the lowest vales .