Church Architecture Of The Thirteenth And Fourteenth Century:

n "Tytler ' s History of Scotland " ( vol . 2 , p . 276 ) , which has a direct bearing upon the point raised by Bro . Buchan ; and , not only so , but is valuable as giving Tytler ' s version of the origin of the travelling fraternities of Masons . Tytler's History may not be readily accessible to some of the readers of the Magazineaud the quotation may notthereforebe

, , , out of place ; viz .: — " The art of executing large and magnificent buildings in timber frame work was carried to high perfection in the northern countries of Europe during the tenth , eleventh , and twelfth centuries . It had made great progress in Englandand was there known and

, practised iu the buildiug of churches , under the name of the Teutonic style . Owing , however , to tho perishable nature of the materials , and to accidents by fire , these churches were frequently either destroyed or reduced to a state of extreme decay , so that the ruinous state of the ecclesiastical edifices in

the northern parts of Europe became a subject of inquiry at Rome about the commencement of the thirteenth century , and measures were taken to obviate the grievance The Pope created several corporations of Roman aud Italian architects

and artizans , with high and exclusive privileges ; especially with a power of settling the rates and prices of labour by their own authority , and without being controlled by tho municipal laws of the country where they worked . To the various northern countries where the churches had fallen into a state of decay were these artists deputed ; andas the first

, appearance of the Gothic architecture in Europe was nearly coincident with this mission of Eoman artists , and , as has already been observed , the new style of imitating tho arched framework of wood by ribbed arches of stone was known by the Roman style , there arises a presumption that we owe this magnificent

style of architecture to these travelling corporations of artists , who , in consequence of the exclusive privileges they enjoyed , assumed to themselves the names of Freemasons , and under this title became famous throughout Europe . " What follows will also be read with interest b y the

Masonic student , whom I must refer to the work itself , as I fear my quotation , giving the salient points having a bearing on Bro , Buchan ' s remarks , has already occupied too much of the valuable space of the Magazine . Tours fraternally , S . Z .

Masonic Relief In The Provinces.

MASONIC RELIEF IN THE PROVINCES .

TO TnE EDITOE OF THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIBBOE . Dear Sir and Brother , —In reading an article in your valuable paper entitled "Masonic Relief in the Provinces " ( page 212 ) , I was sorry to see that the author of that article was so much annoyed with those who call themselves Masons in distress . More

especially with the Scotch , ( or those who call themselves so ) Masons ; he says , " as a rule , they are little better than artizans , " and he fears that " too many are admitted into the Order for a small fee who may not be in respectable circumstances . " Now , in saying a few words in regard to the above quotationI hope I may

, give offence to no Mason who may happen to read it . When I was Ob . as a M . M ., and when the tools of Masonry were explained to me , I recollect that the Level taught me a lesson to meet all worthy brethren

Masonic Relief In The Provinces.

upon it , because we are all of one stock , ana although some may acquire more of the yellow dirt than others , yet Death , the poor man ' s dearest friend , will make no respect of persons , but will lay us all on a level . On this side of the Border we do not object to a man becoming a Mason , provided that he believes in a Supreme Being , has a good characterand

recom-, mended by a well-known Bro . Mason . We do not look to his respectable circumstances , because an honest man , " though e ' er so pjoor , is king o' men for a that . " In saying a word or two about a small fee , I would ask the D . P . G . M . if a Mason who has been admitted

into the Order lor 30 s . may not become as good a Mason as he who has paid 30 guineas , and who may call himself a respectable man because he can afford to pay so much ; but we should keep in mind that" The rank is but the guinea stamp , The man ' s the govvd for a that . " I think that any ordinary learned Mason ( not even

a D . P . G . M . ) might detect an impostor from a Free and Accepted Mason . I fear that the D . P . G . M . has been a little " rusty , " and was not at the trouble of " trying " those who have of late imposed upon him . Surely something is wrong somewhere if a true Bro . of the Order ot Free and Accepted Masons

cannot detect impostors . Again , he says , " the greatest tax upon us is made by Scotch Masons who come , not in single files , but in whole battalions . " I fear this is an exaggeration , and an exaggeration is equal to a Well—well , never mind . Hoping you will excuse me for taking up so so much of your valuable space , I

am—Tours fraternally , OtfE WHO HAS SAT EST EoBEltT BuiWS ' s CHAIR IS TAEBOLTOX , ST . JAMES ' , NO . 135 , S . C . Cumnock , by Carlisle , 20 th Sept . 1 SGS .

EDUCATION . —The perfection to which systematized technical instruction has been brought on the continent , and especially in Germany , is causing increased attention to be directed towards some of tho German educational institutions as fitting seminaries for the rising generation of various countries ; foremost amongst such institutions is one superintended by our esteemed Bro . Dr . C . Vogel , at Greiz , in the Voigtland , one of the most picturesque parts of Central Germany . The prospectus

we have before us shows that Dr . Vogel's school is conducted upon the most rational and advanced modern principles ; the syllabus combines most of the subjects generally comprised under tho heading of technical training , with the whole of the preparatory teaching requisite for the mati-icnlatijn at German Universities , and , last and not least , physical accomplishments such as gymnastics , and calisthenics , occupy a suitable place in the educational plan . Bro . Vogel's establishment being patronized

and highly recommended by many names of high standing among the German , French , and American branches of the Craft , we shall be most happy if , in responding to Bro . Vogel's appeal by bringing his establishment under the notice of the British Masonic public , we should be instrumental in , and contribute our mite to , the furtherance of the objects to which our esteemed brother has devoted the whole of his energies in a most creditable manner for upwards of five years .

THE POPE A FBEEAUSOX—The Steele s .-iys : — " Who would have suspected it ? The pope is a freemason 1 Impossible 1 ifc will be said ; but lie really is . In the register of a Sicilian Lodge the minute of his initiation has been discovered ; and behold the fraternity , in order to revenge itself for the excommunication pronounced against it , publishes the document accompanied by a photograph representing the successor of the Apostles wearing the Masonic emblems . His Holiness Pius IX . is no other than Bro . Jean Mastai Ferretti . As Pope , he has his eternal safety ; but as a Mason , he is condemned to the infernal regions . Poor Pio Nom , what a vexatious adventure ! '