Masonic Jottings From Abroad.

found a German Lodge , in which case the Levantivies have promised their concurrence . A singular incident is related by Bro . J . C . G . Schultze , of Holzminden , somewhat comical of its kind , and showing the nature of some of the superstitions held by the ignorant with regard to Masonry . Our Bro .

was ju-esent lately at a christening , where lie stood as godfather to the child of Bro . P . As the ceremony was about to commence , a man appeared , who enquired for Bro . P . and having called him aside , expressed his wish , in a very mysterious manner , to become a Freemason , in order that he mi ght with the money to be received in

consequence , as he imagined , to drive a trade in j > igs . He farther said , in the presence of other Brethren , that he wished to sell himself to a Freemason ; and why ? It must be known that the vulgar , in Germany , entertain the silly belief , that no Freemason dies a natural death , that he can buy a substitute , who must die for him ; when

fate strikes , the substitute , of course , has to yield up the ghost . ' He said farther , that a shepherd boy had given him the advice , with the remark that he had onl y to go to an inn and announce himself as a Freemason , as all Ereemasons were known to inn-keepers . Thereupon he got ii ] i at 3 o ' clock in the morning , and must

have wandered somo 40 miles out of his way to reach Holzminden . To this step his cupidity had impelled him , and for greed would he have endangered his salvation . The Brethren , however , treated him kindly , showed him his error , gave him food and drink , and presenting him with some money , sent him on his homeward way , which must doubtless have been a sorry one , ivhen he firsttrod it .

Eeeurring to Masonic efforts and enterprises , we find that our Brethren in the ancient city of Cologne attached to the Lod ge of Minerva and Ehedeiina have erected a spacious building , devoted entirely to lodge purposes , at an expense of £ 10 , 000 . It contains , in accordance with tiie practice of Prussian Masonry ,

separate temples for each of the three degrees , all decorated with appropriate emblems and mottoes . The structure being finished , its opening was solemnly inaugurated on St . John ' s day last , the 2-lth June . ' The proceedings were commenced at noon , when there wero above 200 Brothers present , including the members of

the city of Cologne . Others came from Bonn , Aix-la-Chapelle , Coblentz , ancl from the Grand Loclge of Berlin . The ceremony was conducted b y the D . G . M . of Berlin in person . The whole of the proceedings were of the most impressive character , and occupied two full hours . The most striking event of the day was the uncovering of a fine statue of St . Jolm the Baptistivhich was

, enveloped in branches of acacia . The proceedings were closed with an appropriate hymn . An adjournment was then made to the banqueting-room , where 300 Bros , sat down to an excellent entertainment presided over b y Bro . S . _ Dec-hen , who discharged the duties of the chair with his wonted firmness , discretion , and kindness .

Many had eome from distant countries ; among others Bro . Henry Garrod , P . M . of i \ o . 1090 , to whose kindness we are indebted for this notice , from England . The foreign Bros , were much struck ivith the eloquent address of Bro . F . Strebel , the orator of the Loclge , Avhose kind reception of thc visitors will never be

forgotten by them . Tiie banquet ended at seven p . m ., and a most pleasant day was brought to a close by a brief adjournment to the lawn , which afforded an opportunity for much agreeable conversation , in the presence of a fine display of fruit . An excellent poetical address to the cliaiiTiiaii w . is sung , and thus closed the evening . The English Masons noticed many differences in working

Masonic Jottings From Abroad.

the degrees ; the first and second being reversed . "When the statue was unveiled , the floor was strewn with roses . We are happy to observe that Bro . Strehel is now on a visit to London , liaving been present at a recent meeting of the Crescent Loclge . We may , perhaps , be

enabled to jiresent our readers with a plan of the building ancl the disposition of the apartments . It cannot but strike English Masons with surprise that whilst they find a difficult y in raising a few hundred pounds for a building sacred to the Institution , one lodge in a continental town , with a population below some London parishes , contains within it enough of the true spirit of Masonry to devote £ 10 , 000 to build a house devoted solely to its own jim-poses .

Architecture And Archæology.

ARCHITECTURE AND ARCH ? OLOGY .

BRITISH ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION . Tho first meeting of the season of the British Archasological Association took place in the Town-hall , Shrewsbury , on Monday , August 6 . The weather was most uiipropifcious ; nevertheless a largo number of members , including a goodly collection of ladiesassembled .

, Tho Mayor ( Mr . Burr ) opened the proceedings by welcoming- the members of the Association to Shrewsbury . After ivhich an address of welcome was read by the Town Clerk from the Mayor , Aldermen , and Councillors , in ivhich allusion was made to the numerous objects of archreological interest in the county and in tho borough , and to the recent restoration of Luclloiv Church . Tho address concluded b

y than king thePrcsidcntnncl the Association for having selected Shrewsbury for their placo of meeting this year . The President ( Mr . B . Botficfcl , M . P . ) returned thanks on behalf ofhimsclf and the Association , and then proceeded to read an inaugural address of great length , in which the objects and advantages of the Association wero noticed , ancl commenting more particularlon thc history mid antiquities

y of Shropshire . Ho took an ample survey not only of the antiquities of Shropshire , but of tho general , features of tho county , and , when published in tho Transactions of the Association , it will form an interesting and valuable record . This survey commenced before tho Roman invasion , and

comprehended the county history to recent times . In speaking ofthe objects of the Association , he observed that one of its most 2 iractical benefits was the preservation and restoration of ancient buildings , and the tendency which thc study it jiromoted had to improve the Architecture of tho country . Archoaology was , ho said , the handmaid of history * , and brought to light many facts which , without its aid ,

would be hidden or obscured . Tho address ivas almost exclusively directed to the explanation of tho antiquities and topography ofthe county , and to the notice of the political events ivhich had occurred in or been connected with Shrojishirc . Without pretending to have made discoveries , or to take any new vieivs , Mr . Botfickl ' s address presented tho jH-oniiuent points of the history of the comity , and its

most remarkable places in a clear and attractive manner . Mr . Slancy , M . P ., moved the thanks of the meeting to the president for his address , which was seconded by the Hon . and Rev . Mr . Bridgeinaii . The meeting then adjourned , and the members went to visit tho Abbey Church , where Mr . Blanche Hose Croix explained sonic of thc monuments . Hesaid , the lirst in order ivas on cat the old south doorway , and was stated in tho guide-book to have been dug up , prior to 1623 , where Soger cle Montgomery , the first Earf of Shrewsbury had been buried , and the author and the heralds then

visiting the abbey imagined it would represent that warrior . This figure , and another in thc same church , supposed to be Earl Hugh ' s wero both said to bo cross-logged ; but this one never was so . Both the legs were broken oil ' , but enough rein . lined to show that they ivere perfectly straight . If these effigies were over intended for Soger and Hugh , thoy were made long after their death . This one was ofthe date of King Jolm , and very interesting-, —somewhat similar to those in thc Temple Church , London , ivhich ivere of that