The Albert Chapel At Windsor.*

in other than architectural works , we find it regarded as only a branch of marcjueterie , we can realize how thoroughly this fine old art had been lost , or rather , perhaps , superseded by the coarser expedient of mosaic .

Beautiful as this latter art may be when exerted by the hands of the cunning craftsman , and more effective , though it may prove , than the earl y TcM-sia-work such as can be seen at the Florentine Church of S . Miniatio ; it cannot for

a moment compare with the exquisite work of such a master hand as the late Baron Triqueti . The ancient Tarsia-work we have alluded to above was nothing more than an example of incised marble , the engravings

being filled in with black cement , but in the Triqueti Marbles the black is superseded by various coloured enamels and marbles , thus giving the effect of beautifully finished pictures in colour—pictures as truly works of art as frescoes , whilst being as nearl y as possible imperishable . Nor does the Baron ' s fame rest on this Tarsia

work alone , for the bas-reliefs which surround these marble figures have raised him to the eminence of a famous sculptor . The subjects of these mural decorations in the nave of the chapel are taken from the Old Testament , whilst those in the apse

are selected from scenes of New Testament History ; and it is almost needless to add that they are designed to typify the virtues and mental adornments of the departed Prince . Such scenes as David inspired by the angel , suggest his musical abilities ; the tribute

to Solomon , his widespread popularity ; the death scene of Jacob , his own death-bed surrounded b y his family ; and Josiah mourned by Jerusalem , our country ' s grief at his early death . Over each tablet in the nave is a medallion portrait of a member of the Royal Family executed b y the late Miss Durant , a pupil of the Baron .

Having thus called the attention of the Craft to the revival and improvement of an ancient art , whilst strongl y urgm * " the Brethren to view these beautiful examples '(] themselves , we cannot do better than recommend such of them as cannot do so at first-band to procure a collection of photographs of these marbles beautifull y executed by the Misses Davison , which will

The Albert Chapel At Windsor.*

g ive them an excellent idea of the magnificent work so recently executed at AVindsor ; whilst to all , these pictures will form a splendid memorial of that beloved Prince whose virtues and accomplishments have descended in no mean degree to those Brethren , high in rank , as well Masonic as profane , of whom he was the illustrious father . AV . T .

Shall Masonry Be?

SHALL MASONRY BE ?

THE following very pointed remarks are taken from an address delivered by Bro . N . K . GRIGGS at a public installation of lodge officers in Beatrice , Neb ., last St . John ' s day . They have the merit of not being stereotyped , and of boldly handling questions which deeply concern all who love Freemasonry , pure and unsullied :

Ladies and gentlemen , our Masonic Institution is not valuable , simply , as an heir-loom ; it is not valuable , simply , because secrets , signs , words and grips have come clown from faithful breast to faithful breast for thousands of years ; we

do not honour it , simply , because it has numbered such men as AVashington . AVarren , Lafayette , and Franklin as its proselytes ; nor because six hundred thousand hale and hearty men answered to its roll-call in America . No ! 'Tis for what

Masonry is , itself , for what it teaches , for what it does for its children , for what it does for truth , justice , and humanity at large , that we honour and admire it . True , because of its hoary-headedness we revere it the more ; but its age is only valuable as showing that there must be something of

stern uprightness and intrinsic value in that Institution that hath stood the storms of all times ; that hath seen nations fall , yet hath it not fallen ; that hath seen a political earthquake shake a form of government into oblivionyet hath changed

, it not a whit ; that hath seen its children thinned by persecution , yet hath it not been weakened ; that hath seen its votaries reviled with an almost irresistible tide of public clamour , iu 1830 , and yet in less than fifty hath seen its adherents

years ride on the same wave that had scoffed it , the child of power , petted and honoured by all ; that hath not gone forth to the schoolroom or to the church to educate or to