Architecture In France.

noticed it particularly at Chartres itself , and at Le Mans ) , the buttresses are so close together , and reach so nearly to the parapets or eaves , as quite to exclude the windows and the wall-lines from most points of view . There is at Le Mans a good opportunity of comparing the effects of these

heavily buttressed apsidal ends ivith the simpler form of an earlier date ; for the lady-chapel there is shown projecting its simple apsidal outline in direct contrast with the flying- buttressed end of the church ; and , certainly , I could not hesitate to say that the earlier simple form was the most

pleasing - . Then the excessive height of the French cathedral seems to require such depth in the buttresses as , in many cases , to obscure the side walls , as I have above described they do the apse . Then , again , the triforium is treated , generally ,

in a very different way to ours . We have , as a rule , in our early work , a deep practicable gallery , lighted from the back , low in height compared with the aisles and the clerestory , and giving thus a scale to the whole of great value . The darkness , too , offers a fine contrast to the li ghtness of the clerestory over .

In France , as a rule , the triforium is a mere gallery in the thickness of the walls , and is glazed throughout . Great lightness is , of course , the result , but one misses much the deep shadow of our own cathedrals . This great lightness , too , has another defect , viz ., that the great solid piers of

the nave and choir seem too heavy for their jvork . This is particularly the case , I noticed , at Bourges , and the effect is increased by the want of massiveness as well as richness , in the effect of the great aisle arch mouldings . On the other side , however , the French have many advantages over our lans .

p No one can , I think , contrast our square-ended churches , as compared with the French apse and chevet , without feeling the superiority of the French plan .

In a few instances , as at Strasbourg and St . Hilaire , Poictiers , the Italian arrangement of the apsidal end , raised above the Saints' Confessional , is to be found . But , in general , the French j > lan is strictly a congregational one , the aisle being continued round the apse as a regular path . Then ,

externally , we have in French works , the great crowning cornices—a feature of very great importance , and that gives a remarkabl y bold finish to the walls . This is found , too , in the domestic work as well as ecclesiastical , and in work of all dates . It deserves attentive studyboth for detail

, and for general effect ; and seems to supply the only want ( and to my mind a very great want ) which we find in the great Gothic palaces of Venice , viz ., that of a great crowning cornice . Finally , we have the domical vaulting—a beautiful variety of groining in itself for one compartment

seen separately , but very difficult to manage well when seen in a long succession of bays . ( To be continued . )

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

ZOKOASTEK . I am anxious to ascertain the best modern edition of Zoroaster as I am informed there is much to he found in his writing which hears on Masonic Templary?—A- —[ The Magi , Templars , and Rosicrucians , one and the same body holding the identical philosophy ofthe first school of Zoroasterbut each clothing

, it in the language of his age and country , are very prominently brought forward in J . P . Corry's Oracles of Zoraster , 12 mo ., 1835 . Baptista Porta ; Cornelius Agrippa ; Robert Pludd ; cum multis aliis , all were disciples of the great Persian mystic . We know what you require and therefore give a hint , begging

that you will apply our scriptural conclusion literally . The school looked upon fire as the cause of motion , generation , and primary source of forms , besides being the alpha and omega . Air—not the common element as we speak of it hut pure ether—is the cement and universal bond of nature . This is the " universal world , spirit , " of Baptista Porta . Water

—in its purest form—such as we are told of in Genesis , " the waters above the firmament , " is to be looked upon as moisture , a symbol of life . Earthanimal , vegetable , or mineral—is the common mother in ivhich all the other elements produce their influences and from whose fruitfulness all things spring under the threefold operation of fireairand water

, , . A certain Egyptian statue bore for its inscription , - —¦ " I am all which is ; ivhich has been ; which shall he . JSTo mortal hath withdrawn my veil and the result which I have brought forth is the sun . " The Cabiric aud Druidic priesthoods are said to have certain bonds of connection . The serpent was believed , in both , to

he generated by the sun , ancl , as such , was an emblem of the initiates , in both these mysteries , they being said to be the sons of the sun or of light . It was therefore a symbol of wisdom , and a title of the priesthood . So in our Christian dispensation we have the image continued iu the words , "Be ye , therefore , wise as serpents , and harmless as doves . " ]

JfAlIE THE POET . I attended a lodge consecration some time ago and the following " versification " of the 133 rd Psalm was sung . Can you say who is the poet that has given birth to such a wonderful travestie of the sacred Scripture ?—RAP . Behold ! how pleasant and how good For Brethren , such as we , Of tbe " Accepted " Brotherhood , To dwell in unity .

Tis like tbe oil on Aaron ' s head , Which to bis feet distils ; Like Ilermon ' s dew , so richly shed On Zion's sacred hills . Por there the Lord of Light and Love , A blessing sent with power ; Oh ! may we all tbat blessing prove , lifefor

E'en , evermore . On Friendsbip ' s altar rising here , Our bands now pligbted be , To live in love , with hearts sincere . In peace and unity . —[ We don't know . Perhaps some one will kindly inform us . ]