Curiosities Of Architecture.

Great Salkeld , but more recent observers have not added to the number ; and , as Ave have hinted , there has been no attempt to string together those of the Northumbrian border . Their sturdy walls , arroAv-slits , and embrasures are unnoticed , save by the local antiquaries . Many a missionary

must have Avished that the toAver of his church Avas capable of defence ; and we mi ght learn from these the expediency of some modified strength for our outlying colonial edifices for the protection of those Avho teach in them , although we are no longer in need of similar contrivances at home .

As companions to these curiosities Ave might class the rare examples we possess of wooden churches , reared comparatively not long after the days AAdien our OAVII land Avas the resort of the Ohristian missionary . Of these , Greensted in Essex , and Stock , in the- same comity , possess two well-known

specimens . The half-timbered churches , too , such as those in Cheshire , Avould add further interest to the collection . The Avayside chapels that once greeted the Avayfarer on all sides are fast disappeai-ing ; but there are still several left worthy of study . That on Wakefield Bridge has been doubtfully restored , Avithout , unfortunately , any sufficiently explicit drawing having been made to show its former condition . Such loss of information

• would be spared us , if students made sketching the constant jjractice Ave would recommend . In matter of chantries , it is a question whether various buildings pointed out under that name are more in reality than the residences of the chantry-priests appointed to serve chantries in the parish churches ;

"but looking at them only in a constructional point of vieAV , they are curiosities . Crypts are worthy of more attention than they have hitherto received ; for they frequently contain details of much significance , and our principal Saxon remains are cryptogamous . Going nothwards through

Derby shire , Yorkshire , and Northumberland , four celebrated specimens might by visited by the Avay—Repton , Ripon , Hexham , aud Bamborough ; and others might be sought out . But it is , perhaps , in foreign travel that Ave

should find ourselves embarrassed Avith riches of this description . Architectural curiosities may be met Avith abroad for Avhich we have not even names . Roadside crosses , oratories , wells , meet the traveller ' s eye on all sides ; droll landingplaces , quaint recesses giving access to

picturesque courtyards , sculptured portals , niches , external staircases of much grace and movement , covered balconies , "bits" that it is impossible to pass Avithout staying to admire , are common surprises at every turn . As in our OAvn country these are constantly being displaced by the needs

of the day . Many objects are to be seen depicted on old tapestries that are no longer in existence . The curious fourches patibulaires are cases in point . In the nei ghbourhood of the principal abbeys and residences of the most poAverful nobles were erected quadrangular stone buildings , formed

Curiosities Of Architecture.

of tiers of arches , for the express purpose of hanging malefactors in chains . In some cases they assumed structural proportions . The tapestry of the Hotel de Ville shows the enormous gibbet that once existed at Mountfaucon , capable of holding upwards of eighty unfortunates at a

time . The base is of masonry , enclosing a chamber , into Avhich , perhaps , the bones were thrown Avhen they could no longer hang together . A flight of steps gave access to the platform from which the tiers of niches arose on three sides . Some of these niches Avere wide enough to take

two bodies , others only admitted one . M . Violletle-Duc , who gives an illustration of this remarkable object in his " Dictionnaire de 1 'Architecture Francaise , " remarks that its hideous aspect , and the pestilential odour emanating from it , did not prevent the establishment of canteens and places

of amusement in its vicinity . We are far from indicating the selection of this class of curiosity for the sketcher's industry ; for , it must be borne in mind , that the benefit to be derived from sketching is tAvofold . Not only does the artist gradually put himself in possession of valuable

material , but he , as surely , acquires a facility of drawing Avhich will be to him as " apples of gold in a picture of silver , " and imbues his creative faculty with a sense of beauty which will be to him a safeguaz'd in design . —Builder .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

GRAND MASTERS . Is there any list of the York Grand Masters in England previous to the "Onion?—EBOE . G . A . o . T . v . The Italian Masons being under the like influences participate Avith the French Masonic majority in the

desire to abolish the sanctions of religion . Many of their leadiug members particularly seek and invite candidates of positivist doctrines . —OBSERVER . K **** H IiADBERS . K . H . —The ladder is an astronomical riddle ,

founded on the progress of the sun through the signs of the Zodiac , from Aries to Libra . The names given to the steps , and their definitions , according to the French ritual , as published by Tessier , are : — 1 . Tse Dakah , said to signify justice .

2 . Schor Laban , candour . 3 . Mathak , good nature . 4 . EnAvirnah , truth . 5 . Ilamal saggi , progress . 6 . Sabbal , patience . 7 . Thebounah , prudence .

Whether the names have a meaning , or in what language they are , we are unable to say . The solution of the riddle , according to Bernard , adopting Dupuis' explanations of the labours of Hercules , one of the names of the sun , are thus given by Fellowes : — 1 . This has an allusion to the sun in the vernal