Notes On Literature, Science, And Art.

The University of Oxford have resolved to print a catalogue of the letters and papers of Lord Clarendon , the author of the Sistory of the Rebellion . The Westminster Review will be published henceforth by Messrs . Triibner and Co ., of Paternoster-row . The Queen has signified her intention of giving a portrait of

the Prince Consort to the National Portrait Gallery . This gracious announcement leads to the thought that her Majesty's ov . 'n portrait would also he a most gratifying addition to the collection . It will interest English readers to know that the Prince of Wales employed some of his short stay in Munich in sitting to

Herr Albert , the court photographer , for one of his life-size photographs . The portrait of his Royal Highness is to appear in the Exhibition , and cannot fail to attract attention . We believe Herr Albert is the only photographer who has produced portraits the size of life ; they are certainly his invention , and we have not yet seen them imitated . The Prince of Wales ' s

portrait was finished in five hours' time , and it is at the Prince's own desire that it is to appear in the Exhibition . Mr . Macbean is forwarding to the International Exhibition the contributions of Roman exhibitors , of whom the list is headed by the Pope , who sends a magnificent missal , bound in crimson velvet , with gold clasps and mountings , and enclosed

in an inlaid ebony case , which , when opened , forms a leggio , or reading-desk , for the missal . This splendid work is entirely a Rome-made production , the paper haying been made expressly at the government manufactory at Snbaco , the types cast for the purpose in Rome , the printing executed in colours at the Stamperia Camerale , and the illuminated frontispieces painted hy a distinguished Roman artist . After having been exhibited , this gorgeous specimen of modern missals is to be sent to

Cardinal Wiseman as a souvenir . The Pope also exhibits an extremely handsome crucifix , which is ultimately designed to enrich the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St . George , Southwark . Cardinal Antonelli sends two splendidly printed and bound breviaries , which , after having been exhibited , are also to be presented to Catholic communities in England . Among the remains brought from Halicarnassus is an alabaster

scent-vase , eleven inches high , having upon it the name of Xerxes in two languages—one Egyptian hieroglyphics , and the other the arrow-headed characters of Assyria . It would seem to have been buried by Queen Artemisia iu the celebrated mausoleum , the tomb of her husband Mausolus , as one of his most valued treasures .

Professor Huxley , says the Critic , is preparing for the press a work in which he will discuss the Origin of Species and the Age of the Human Race .. The book will be an amplification of the lectures he has recently delivered in Edinburgh and at the Eoyal Institution , aud which he is engaged to repeat in Dublin . This , ivifch Sir Charles Lyell ' s forthcoming

Geological Evidences of the Antiquity of Man , and Mr . Darwin ' s Treatise on Intercrossing , will sure enough provoke some very lively , and probably some very hot , discussion . The Athenmnm announces thai Ignaz Casieili , the popular Vienna poet , died on the 6 th inst ., at the advanced age of eightytwo years . He was one of the last representatives in literature

of the good old merry Vienna times , before politics and revolutions had roused the Phaiacians of the Danube from their lethargy of pleasure , into which Metternich ' s despotism purposely plunged had them . Among his many works we only mention the libretto of Weigl ' s popular opera , Die Schioeizerfamilie . Casteili leaves the fame of a good and honest man , of a small poet , and a great collector of snuff-boxes . He amassed upwards of 2000 such articles .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . GEAND LODGE PEOPEETY .

TO THE EBITOE OF THE FilEEJIASOltS MAGAZIUE & . TST 1 ItASOMIC LHRSOI 1 .-SIB . AND BROTHER . —Under the above heading a letter appeared in your publication a few weeks since , to which no reply has been made , and of which , to my surprise , no notice has been taken . I should have thought that a subject of so much importance temperately treated and ably discussed , would have evoked expressions of opinion

from several of your correspondents , who cannot fail to feel greatly interested in a setfcleinenfc of this " momentous question . " My object in reverting to this question is not so much to obtrude any views I may entertain thereon , as to invite attention to it , and elicit the ideas of talented brethren competent to judge , in the hope that by some

means or other our rulers may be induced to arrive at a decision for which I , with many others , have now so long and so patiently waited . I have been given to understand that several schemes for dealing with the property , have been submitted to the Board of General Purposes , some emanating , ' doubtless , from practical and professional brethrensome

, , with as little doubt , from brethren who would be equally ready to undertake the squaring of the circle , the seai'ch for the philosopher ' s stone , the command of the Volunteers at Brighton on Easter Monday , or any difficult or impossible operation , but who are actuated by the best possible motives in offering to assist in cutting the Gordian Knot of difficulty with which this question

is hampered . The suggestion I am about to make will , in all probability , serve to ensure my being numbered with this class of rash and irregular aspirants for fame . This risk , however , will not deter me from offering my advice , which , at all events , has the merit of simplicity to recommend it .

I know something of the accommodation , nay , I would rather say , I feel acutely the want of accommodation for any gathering out of the ordinary routine , afforded by the present Freemasons' Tavern and Hall . To remedy the crying evil , 1 will , for the moment , discard the consideration of any and all of the elaborate and expensive —reserving my opinion upon them for another

occasionnow under discussion , and at once advocate simply the erection on the property in the rear of Queen ' s-court , of a spacious and commodious hall , adjacent to and communicating with our present beautiful Hall , which can be erected speedily at a moderate outlay , and which would enable the managers of our various festivals to renderthem what they ought to be , what they never yet have been in

consequence of there being no second room or hall sufficiently large , where the ladies who are invited to grace our festal gatherings may be entertained in the manner they have a right to expect . It appears to me that cogent arguments and long statistics are unnecessary to recommend the immediate adoption of this very simpleuncostly work . Its absolute

, necessity is jDatent to all . This accomplished , as an integral part of a yet to be completed whole , let the Board of General Purjioses , or whatever or whoever may be the authority charged with the execution of the work , take as long a time as they please in deciding upon the further portions . In the name , and on behalf , of a very largo number of brethren concerned in various ways in the

arrangements—provision for great Masonic assemblages —I respectfully press upon the attention of those " set over us the moderate prayer of this petition . That granted , their memorialist will ever pray , & c . I am , Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , AMICUS CUELE . London , Feb . 24 , 1862 .