The Catenarian Arch.

THE CATENARIAN ARCH .

On reference to that valuable work , Kenning ' s " Mnsonic Cyc ! op ; ecIia , edited by the late Companion Rev . Woodford , Past G . Chap . England , ftc , vvt 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 ils own weight when hangirg 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 . VVcodlord 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 , therefcre , 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 do we 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 , prcceeded to make reads 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 skilfull y 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 , vvhich 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 th ; - termination of an arch is the skew-back , which is always or should be at right angles to the diiectionof 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 remember 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 labours , 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

ot the stones from the arched roof , a vault of considerable extent appeared to view . A descent was made into thc vault , and in the result a portion of the long-lost Sacred Law promulgated at the foot of the Mount of Horeb by our G . M . M . was found , and its contents deciphered . A third stone vvas removed from the arched roof , and the sun , which shone with meridian splendour 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 comprehensive precepts of civil and religious polity , by which Israel was 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 alikp . "

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 , conch . ' •my remarks by mentioning that I once witnessed the working ofa model C . 'marian Arch in a regular chapter under the English Constitution , and lhat 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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<— 1 __ — __ .- _ 4-1 INCHES - — - *» CATENARIANARCH FOR USE ON THE FLOOR CLOTH IN THE ROYAL ARCH DEGREE . It is tlio result of much stud y , anil it is confidentl y anticipated will prove a welcome and valuable addition to the Furniture of a Eoyal 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 lied 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 separatel y by the crowbar . It will be readily understood that the ceremony benefits largely by this addition fo the appointments , as well us beautifull y illustrating the Ritual of the Degree . It has been favourabl y commcnteil on by the Grand Superintendent in the Provincial Grand Chapter of West Yorkshire , and has been adopted b y the following , viz .: Provincial Grand Chapter of Nottingham , the Harrogate and Claro Chajiter , No . I 00 l , the Sincerity Chapter , No . <) <¦¦ •¦ , Bradford , the All Saints' Chapter , No . 422 , the Wye Chapter , No . 2272 , the Elias Ashmole Chajiter , No . MS , the Alexander Chajiter , N'o . Kilil , the Mount Lebanon . Chapter , No . Il > 2 , the Prince Alfred . Chapter , No . !> 5 ( i , the . Mariners' Chapter , No . 21 ' . tho St . Peter ' s Chapter , No . 142 , the Norfhainjitoii Chapter , No . "XiO , the Wellosloy Chapter , No . I 80 !> , the Loyal Welsh Chap ter-No . : ! 78 , the . Marquess of Rijxm Chapter , No . K > 7 , the Sherborne Chajiter , No . 702 , the Yarborough Chajiter , No . . SI 1 , the Gilbert Greenall Chajiter , No . 1250 , the Phamix Chapter , No . LSii ( ') , the Jlorwich Chapter , No . 2 'i ; l | . , the Cliudderghal Ciiapter , No . I : > $ > and tlie Asher Barfield Chapter , No . •' !•" > , where it may be seen in practical form . Pull instructions are issued with the Arch as to its position upon , the Chequered Floor Cloth . Price , including Box , £ 3 : 10 : 0 . TO ISM OliTAlSI ' J ) US 1 A' AT GEORGE KENNING & SON'S MASONIC DEPOTS , LONDON—1 , 2 , fi , : ' ,.,, : > , i ; , •!. , Lnn , i' BKITAIX * li ) . " ., l !)( i , < V . 1 !) 7 , AI , IU'I : SI- ; STI : I : I ; T , E . G . ; Pi & Ki . \ , GT . ( . II ' - SritKirr , W . C . MANCHESTER—47 , BIIIUGK STKEI ; ' !' . LIVERPOOL—2 , MO . NLUK . NT J " , * . GLASGOW —!) , WEST HOWAHU S TJ : •*¦ : ¦" ¦