The Catenarian Arch.

THE CATENARIAN ARCH .

On reference to that valuable work , Kenning ' s " Masonic Cyclopa ; dia , " edited by the late Companion Rev . Woodford , Past G . Chap . England , & c , we read on page 99 : " Catenarian Arch . —This expression is taken from the word 'catenaria , ' a catenary , which is the curve which a rope or chain forms by its own weight when hanging freely between two points of suspension . This curve has been called a catenarian curve , and this inverted is the technical arch of

the ^ same name . " Comp . Woodford then quotes that eminent authority Noorthouck in the following words : " It is a known truth that a semicircular arch will not sustain its own weight , the crown crushing out the sides ; it depends , therefore , on abutments for support . But the Catenarian Arch , if truly constructed , will stand independent of any collateral aid . The Catenarian Arch is alluded to , as companions will remember , in the R . A . ceremonial . "

Up to the present we have been satisfied with merely an allusion to a very important emblem or symbol in the R . A . Degree , and I think I am correct in saying we have in our chapters working tools and emblems which are not as important symbolically as a model Catenarian Arch , and yet how seldom dolwe see the latter in its place on the floorcloth , to illustrate the ritual of this beautiful Degree , so properly described by the late Comp . Woodford as the completion and cope-stone of our Masonic system .

I have had the pleasure to inspect some models of the true Catenarian Arch at Messrs . Kenning's establishment , and I then learnt they were being more generally adopted for use in Royal Arch chapters , and that orders had been executed for the West Indies , South Africa , Australia , and India , and also for several provinces in England . I have since made a diligent study of the peculiar characteristics of the Catenarian Arch , and I now attempt to present the subject in an interesting form to Masonic readers , and more especially to companions of the Royal Arch .

The catenary curve , as applied to arches , was made use of by the Operative Masons employed by the Roman Emperors to erect those great and remarkable edifices for which they were noted . The application , if not the invention , of the arch is attributed to the Romans , who used it in

an ingenious manner in the construction of aqueducts . Actual examples of the Catenarian Arch are to be seen in this country ( more especially in North Britain ) , which are undoubtedly the work of the Romans , who after conquering the country , proceeded to make roads and bridges and open up the communications , which they regarded as the essential means for the maintenance of their vast empire .

Their roads and bridges were skilfully laid out and solidly constructed , and for centuries after the Romans left England , their highways continued to be the main internal communication . The word " catenary" is derived from the Latin—catena , a chain , the catenary curve being obtained by suspending a stout rope or chain from two fixed points in the same plane . Prof . Henry Adams , M . I . C . E ., a high authority on the subject , tells us that " everv arch may be reduced to a single line , which by its shape indi-

The Catenarian Arch.

cates the type ' of arch , and is really the foundation of its construction , and in connection ; with the arch there will always be the supports , either piers or abutments , which receive the weight and thrust . " The true . termination of the Arch may sometimes be obscured , as in certain stone arches" ( Catenarian ) , but otherwise the termination ol ar arch is the skew-back , which is always or should be at right angles to tns

direction of the curve . The Catenarian Arch has no termination , it being possible to extend the catenary curve to an unlimited distance , the Only requisite being a chain of sufficient length . Companions will no doubt remembsr how tradition informs us that an arch of the catenarian form was used in the construction of a compact piece of masonry in the form of a dome which served as an impenetrable

covering to the vaulted shrine , in the basement of that wonderful structure the Temple of Solomon , wherein the volume of the Sacred Law was deposited-. Do we not further remember how , while pursuing their Iabiurs , the Sojourners found their progress impeded by the rubbish which had fallen during the conflagration of the former temple , and how , on its removal , they found what at first they believed to be a solid rock , but which

eventually proved to be a compact piece of Masonry in the form of a dome . The eminence and character of the architect of the building told them the importance of making still further examination , and , wrenching forth two of the stones from the arched roof , a vault of considerable extent appeared to view . A descent was made into the vault , and in the result a portion of the long-lost Sacred Law promulgated at the foot of the Mouit of Horeb by our G . M . M . was found , and its contents deciphered . A third stone was

removed from the arched roof , and the sun , which shone with meridiansplendour through the opening , enabled a clearer view to be taken of all that the vault contained . As to ^ the contents of the vault , do we not always behold with pleasure , when seated in any of our chapters , the beautiful emblems and symbols which adorn our floorcloths ? Each of these emblems and symbols appeals to , us , and reminds us of the Sacred Law and of God's holy , sublime , and cora-, prehensive precepts of civil and religious polity , by which Israel wis a chosen vessel for His service , and an example to us for all time .

As Oliver well puts it— "With such a series of emblems as the Royal Arch Degree sets before us it will be impossible ( let us hope ) to forget the moral which they are intended to convey to Sojourners and companions alike . "

As the subordinate members of the Catenarian Arch naturally gravitate towards the centre , or keystone , which compresses and connects the whole together , so we are taught to look with reverence , and submit with cheerfulness , to every lawfully-constituted authority , whether of Masonic or civil regulation .

However , I must not enter too minutely into details ; I will , therefore , conclude my remarks by mentioning that I once witnessed the working of a model Catenarian Arch in a regular chapter under the English Constitution , and that I was much pleased with the illustration of the ritual afforded by the model . Personally , I think every Royal Arch chapter should possess such a valuable addition to its paraphernalia . P . Z .

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GATE N A RI AN ARCH FOR USE ON THE FLOOR CLOTH IN THE ROYAL ARCH DEGREE . It is the result of much study , and it is confidentl y anticipated will prove a welcome and valuable addition to the Furniture of a Royal Arch Chapter . The Arch is made in solid wood and finished in imitation of either White Marble , to match the Pedestal , or in Grey or Red Granite , and is built up of Seven Arch Stones—the Keystone and the two Arch Stones on either side being made loose , can be removed separately by the crowbar . It will be readily understood that the ceremony benefits largely by this addition to the appointments , as well as beautifully illustrating the Ritual of the Degree . It has been favourably commented on by the Grand Superintendent in tho Provincial Grand Chapter of West Yorkshire , and has been adopted by the following Chapters : PKOVINCIAI . GUANO CHAITKR OP NOTTINGHAM . Harrogate and Claro , No . 1001 . Prince Alfred ... 95 G . Sherborne 702 . Rosario 1800 . Sincerity GOO . Mariners' 249 . Yarborough 811 . Concord ... ... 804 , All Saints' 422 . St . Peter ' s 442 . Gilbert Greenall .. 1250 . Wycombe 1501 . Rye 2272 . Northampton ... 300 . Phoenix .. ., 1800 . Alfred Wootton ... J 27 . Elias Aslimolo ... 148 . Wellesley 1899 . Horwich 2 : 334 . St . John 36 . Alexander 1001 . Loyal Welsh ... 378 . Chudderghaut ... 159 . Sir George Elliot ... 900 . Mount Lebanon ... 492 . Marquess of Ripon ... 837 . Asher Barfield ... 35 . Marmaduke Tennant 1992 . where it may be seen in practical form . Pull instructions are issued with the Arch as to its position upon tho Chequered Floor Cloth . Price , including Box , £ 3 : 3 : 0 . TO BE OBTAINED ONLY AT GEORGE KENNING & SON'S MASONIC DEPOTS , LONDON—1 , 2 , 3 , 3 A , 3 II , 4 , Limn BIUTIAX ; 195 , 196 , & 197 , ALDEKBOATB STREET , E . C ; 16 & 10 A , GT . QUELN STUKKT , W . C . MANCHESTER—47 , BKIDOE STREET . LIVERPOOL—2 , MO . NT . MEKT PLACE . GLASGOW—9 . WEST HOWARD STIIEKT