Masterpieces Of The Architecture Of Different Nations.

fourth Olympiad , or four hundred and forty-four years before the Christian era ; ifc has thus aboufc two thousand two hundred and fifty years of antiquity . It was still quite complete in 1687 , when a bomb shell , thrown by the Venetians who were besieging the citadel of Athens , fell on this monument , which they hacl made a powder magazine of , and a terrific explosion was the consequenceivhich destroyed a

, great part of this magnificent temple . The Fropyleea or Vestibules of the Citadel of Athens . —It is also to Pericles that is due the erection of this superb monument , ivhich has such a fine effect ; Mnesicles was the architect . The same order , Greek Doric , channelled and without a base , is employed in its decoration . It was reached by a great

number of steps ; two pedestals , surmounted by equestrian statues , were the first objects thafc presented themselves . It is known from an inscription engraved on the die of one of these pedestals , that the statue which it supported must have been that of Agrippa , and the other that of Augustus . They must then have been laced at that periodeither as au

p , addition to the monument , or as a substitute for other statues , which may , perhaps , have been there before ; but this is what nobody knows . The small temple to the right , after having passed these ^ pedestals , was that of " 'Victory without Wings . " That which was in front contained the precious pictures of

Polygaobus ; and quite close to thafc , a little in front , was the temple of the heroine A glaura , where the Athenian youth went when they received their arms , to swear that they would die in fche defence of their country . All these edifices were built of fche most beautifal white marble . The roof of the propylasa , especially , was remarkable for ifcs

beautiful divisions and the size of the blocks employed in its construction ; they were from ten to sixteen and even twentytwo feet long and proportionately thick . For all these and further particulars of these vestibules of the citadel of Athens the works may be consulted Of Stwart and that of David Leroy , as well as the " Gallery of Antiquit" alreadquoted

y y , in which all the monuments of Athens are minutel y described and carefully analyzed with reference both to art and their former history . The Temple of Minerva Polias , Erechtheus and the Virgin Panclrosa , united in the citadel of Athens . —Up to this point only the Doric order has been seen loyed in the

monuemp ments of Athens . This model of three different temples , contiguous , ancl united on ground of unequal height , furnishes us with the most beautiful examples of the Ionic order of the Greeks in all its simple grace and in all its natural elegance , and carried even to the highest degree of richness in the orders which decorate the different facades and form the

porticos of these temples . These capitals and the delicacy of the jiroportions of these different orders may be regarded as masterpieces of grace ancl harmony . The ornaments of them are in the best taste and of admirable execution . The peristyle , formed of six draped figures , called Canephoroa or Caryatides , is an original monument of the most curious description . The stle of these fi is noble and majestic

y gures ; their execution in marble is large and learned , and the cornice which crowns them is remarkable for its great character , where firmness is combined wifch elegance . Nothing is more agreeable ancl more careful than the divisions of the caissons which decorate the sofit of the ceiling of this peristyle . Towards the commencemenfc of the present century

it was reproduced in all its purity at the Villa Choiseul , the magnificent gardens of which stretch from the Champs Elizees to the ancient barrier of Chaillot , hitherto the Garclin Marbeuf . M . de Choiseul Gouffier , the pi-oprietor of thafc house , having had models taken of these beautiful statues at Athenshad them executed of the same size to

, form the entrance to this pavilion , where he gathered together all the models ancl precious fragments that were collected by himself and many artists and architects , including principally MM . Cassas , Fauvol , and Fouchcrot . ( To be continued . )

Progress Of Masonry.

PROGRESS OF MASONRY .

Br BRO . BUIST , ! M . W . G . M . OF SOUTH CAROLIXA . WE have every reason to congratulate ourselves on the harmony which prevails among the fraternity , and the prosperity which attends them . It is said that the institution has accomplished its purpose , ancl that like all the relics of the past , it is imsuited to the refinements and civilization of the age . But those who know it best and love it most , subscribe not to this annunciation

, and indulge not in these forebodings . We live in an age of progress , and he who does not keep pace with that progress is unworthy to be a participant in those great measures of usefulness , which iu modern times have done so much for the amelioration of the human family . Ancl it is well that it should be so . The theory which would discard all innovation and improvement is at war with sound hilosoph There is stead

p y . a y , onward march , and with it wo should keep pace . The discoveries in the arts and sciences would be profitless—the great and good men , whose genius has accomplished so much for the advancement ancl happiness of our race , would have lived and laboured but for little purpose , were it not that their influence was to be appreciated . He knows little of Masonry who supposes that it repudiates the refinements ancl progressiveness of the age . Ancient ancl venerable it is

as , looming up from the mighty past as an institution grand and peculiar , encircled as it is with a halo of glory , it would scarce fulfil its destiny were it to-do so . It has a mission—one of transcendent interest—of mighty consequences . It wages the great irrepressible conflict—that of truth against falsehood , of ignorance against error . It would , therefore , be little calculated to effect its objects ; it would illy stand forth as a combatant , aucl achieve its victories , were it not to recognize the

developments of the age and yield some little obeisance to their requirements . But while we may not repudiate this spirit of improvement , and not neglect to accommodate ourselves to its behests , there is no axiom more worthy of inculcation than that the preservation of the institution is dependent on a ri gid and uncompromising adherence to its landmarks . These are the great lights by which we are to be guided , and if they become extinwill be

guished we enveloped in Cimmerian darkness . They need no change . They have and ever will stand stationary in the countless mutations to which all things human have been subjected . They need not vary with time , or place , or circumstance , but will ever , as they have in times long past , unchanged and unchangeable , serve as beacon li ghts to guide us through the storm and the tempestand our institution unsulliedand

, preserve , pure , , immaculate . It is not in the power of any man , or set of men , to make innovations upon tbe body of Masonry . It stands forth as a system unique and symmetrical , and to mar its fair proportions would be to inflict a fatal wound upon its vitality . Its course is onward , silent and imperceptible though it be . Unhurt by the fall of empires , or the struggles of revolution , it still stands firm and immoveable as the mighty rock around whose base the broad

billows of old ocean roll and beat without injury . Advancing , step by step , over barrier and obstacle , it lifts its " proud head to claim the obeisance of the nations . In the burning plains of Africa , in the frozen regions of the north , in the favoured and sunny spots of the south , it may be found prosecuting its noble designs of beneficence and love . In the north , and the south , and the east , and the west , on whatever spots its brilliant star has shed its radiance , joyous voices join exultingly in the anthem , " Hail , Masonry divine . "

Selfishness.

SELFISHNESS .

It- man lived for himself alone there would be no necessity for such an Order as ours . Masonry would have no element in which to exist . But man does not live for himself alone ; he is not only dependent upon others from the cradle to the grave , but the Creator has implanted in man ' s nature certain principles which attract him to his fellow man , and it is only as he acts in harmony with those principles that he can appreciate the great

boon of existence , breathe sincere aspirations to his Maker , and enjoy the blessings of life . Selfishness ancl humanity are incompatible . Masonry and humanity are , in the light of our subject , synonymous . The true Freemason cherishes a love for his fellow man , sympathizes with him in his griefs ancl cares , and participates with him in his pleasures anil joys . In his business relations he will not take any undue advantages of othersbut will al act

, ways upon the square . His affections and his sympathies arc not measured by reciprocity of benefits nor exchange of favours . The selfish man wraps himself in his statue of clay , considers himself as a magnet towards whom all others must be attracted , and to whose pleasures ancl gratifications all must contribute , and , like