Mother Kilwinning.

earlier . It is unaddress'd , as I was ignorant to whom to direct it , therefore left that with the rest to ' your friendly care . I have no doubt of succeeding thro ' your exertion , but shall be glad to obtain along with it a copy ( if there is auy ) of their Code of Regulations , & an account of their Records & Establishment ,

if not too much trouble ; and shall only add that if it could be done in such a manner as to Establish us Provincial or Deputy to thetn without hurting the Mother Lodge , it would make us all very happy ; if it Cannot , at all events have the Charter ; but from my conversation with you , I have every reason to

hope everything that can be done will be by your interposition , which will ever be most gratefully acknowledged by us all . In the Name of the Body , I beg leave to subscribe myself , " Tour much obliged , " Humble Servt . & Brother , "WILL :, ! . EAINSPOED . " Sth April , 1779 . "

Petition alludea to in the preceding letter : — " BEETIIEEN , —Studious to follow FreeMasomy on the justest principles of the Ancient Craft , and willing to derive an Authority from the first Source , a Regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons , held in Dublin , have been long desirous to obtain a Character from their Esteemed Brethrenthe Ancient Lodge of

Kil-, winning , as they are fully satisfied of their just title of Primogeniture . Anxiously soliciting after the Attainment of this much deserved Object , but at a loss to whom to turn for advice , or where to apply , they count it a fortunate iEra , their meeting with their much beloved Brother George Cunningham ,

Esq , whose friendshi p has pointed out a Clue to lead them out of their Labyrinth of Doubt . Under his auspices , therefore , they apply for a Charter from you , to Hold a Lodge , to be called The High Knight Templars Lodge of Ireland , and hope ever to walk worthy of their Yocation , and the high Favour you will Confer on them by granting it .

"We remain with the greatest Respect , wishing you the Salutation of Peace , Love , and Harmony , Tour truly Affectre . Brethren , " HENRY WHEELER , Master . "PETER GRANT , Senr . Wdn . " ROBT . CoiTVILLE , J ' UU . W .

"RICHD . GAEDET , Secy . . "Dublin , April , 1779 . " [ To he continued . )

Is Taste As Expensive Indulgence ?

IS TASTE AS EXPENSIVE INDULGENCE ?

In a receut Parliamentary debate it was stated by a high personage , '• ' that the indulgence of taste proved very expensive , " and this caused some merriment from those who unthinkingly concurred . But it may be well , in these days of art museums , of schools of design , and of truthful work , to consider briefly whether

this is borne out by facts , and whether it be not something besides taste that costs so much . This abused quality seems in places to be quite misunderstood ; and it appears to"be thought that taste and extravagance are synonymous terms ; an exercise of the one being carried out only by an unlimited supply of the other .

Now , as the subject under discussion was a matter of building , it will be right to consider it with reference to that , in the first place .

Buildings cost more or less as they arc large or small , substantially constructed , or otherwise , and if plain or enriched ; amS herein lie so many points of taste . The value of a building is computed , not merely from its original cost , but from its substantial condition , or otherwise , after some years of wear and tear , and is raised or reduced

accordingly . So the taste of the person who builds is exercised , in the first instance , by having it well or ill built , and taking measures accordingly , by the employment or not of proper advisers in the matter , and paying an adequate amount for the work . It is exercised again by the condition of the design , by its

beauty or faultiness , and its fitness for the proposed erection , for its consistency and unity . Further , it is exercised by the elaborations in the form of structural and superposed decorations which are intended to give eclat to the whole thing . jSTow , be it observed , that the design , the strudture , and its

decorations form three points of necessity : we must have all three to make one building complete ; and unless true taste beexercised in every part , and under all circumstances , it will prove to be a very dear building indeed . If badly designed , ill built , and vilely " decorated , " it will be a perpetual discomfort , and entail an endless expense in repair , alterations , and

improvement ; while , if taste have been exercised , it will form almost a . sacred protection to it , and elicit expressions of continuous enjoyment and satisfaction , while outlay for improvement will not be needed at all . If we look to the old buildings , both sacred aud secular , which now rear their heads amongst us , perhaps not so complete and entire as when first erected , but in which , if there be only ruin or the mutilation left by the fanatic , there will yet be

perceptible the presence of taste—of regard for consistency and the elements of beauty and strength of which the present day is more regardful . And these remains—these bold , plain stones and oaken rafters , parts of the structural necessity itself—would not have cost less had they been shaped in any other way , which would have equally suited the purpose of their position and use ; and the moulded edges , sculptured bosses , and enriched

details which meet the eye at every turn , they are joys for ever as things of true beauty , which no doubt delighted those in whosegeneration they were built , and now serve as examples and guides in this distant day of their existence ; when , if left only to time , many of them would have still retained much of their original freshness and perfection . But the hand of man lias

been laid on with violence , thus hastening their disruption and ruin . Thus the point of substantiality is vindicated ; and it may here be asked , How many of our present buildings will last 500 , 300 , or 200 years ? Do contracts , competitions , andspeculation aid the cause of really cheap and effectual building ? This may be well doubted , seeing the method of construction in

ordinary use in the present day . On the other hand , some really fine structures have been and are in course of rearing , which will do honour to their projectors now and for many years hence , from the simple reason that ,, having exercised in them the threefold taste , all will honour them ; and indeed everyone feels , from reasons perhaps which ,

he cannot explain , that he is bound to give his assistance in upholding such desirable works , which , perhaps , have afforded him only a gratification of the eye in passing . Put if , on the contrary , an outrage be perpetrated upon even ordinary taste , its removal and destruction are universally acquiesced in . Taste in building may be said to be the most perfect adaptation of the mean 3 to the end : the best expenditure of money