Architecture Of Palestine From The Earliest Times To The Crusades.

To visit fche Sepulchres of fche Kings a court must be entered by a door excavated in the rock , ornamented oy a simple fillet in relief . This is underground up to the commencement of the arch . At the extremity of the court , is a vestibule , formerly adorned in the interior with tAvo columns , Avhich have been destroyed , partly by an earthquake , partly by violence . Above the vestibule fascia in scul

is a pture . The centre of the fascia is ornamented Avith a bunch of grapes , now sadly mutilated . On the right and left of this is a triple palm , a wreath of olive-leaves ancl triglyphs , ancl alternated Avifch patera three times repeated . Above these is a garland of leaves and fruits , Avhich droops at right angles from each side of the aperture of the vestibule . Above the line of the

triglyphs is a cornice ia a \ -ery ruined condition . Can this ornamentation have been executed at the period of the kings of Judah ? . I believe not ; but , if I err , I am open to conviction . AA ' ould that Ave coulcl find somethingmore satisfactory in Samaria , Cesaria , Antipatris , Herodium , Phszael , and at Castle Cypron ; but , excepting some columns , a feiv ruinous capitals , and immense

accumulations of stones , nothing can be discovered of the great Herodian constructions . I therefore turn to n more recent epoch . ( To be continued . )

Grand Lodge Property.

GRAND LODGE PROPERTY .

The folloAA'ing circular has been addressed to the members of the Craft anonymously . BBETHKEX , —As an old Past Master of thirty years ' standing , and Avith much Masonic and professional experience extending over that period , I venture to address you on the long-vexed epiestion— " The Grand Lodge

Property , " and its future appropriation . A report purporting to come from a sub-committee of the Board of ¦ General Purposes , called "The Building Committee , " has been recently issued , addressed to the Grand Lodge , professing to behmanimous , but which , lam well assured , is not so—several members of the committee having protested against it . The unanimity of the

sub-committee , as inferred in the report , is therefore incorrect . Without entering into the particulars of this report as -circulated , it is already matter of notoriety that many influential and experienced members of the Board object to its propositions , deny its conclusions , and are prepared to shoAV that whilst it is , ancl would be enormously eostlj-, ifc is altogether impracticable , opposed to the teachings of experience , ancl would , if carried outfrom tho incompatibility of its several parts—lead to disappointment ancl grave regret .

Fully sharing in these impressions , I venture to submit for the consideration of the brethren a feiv plain ancl practical suggestions , affording the basis of a scheme which , if adopted , would , I believe , be beneficial to the interests ofthe Craft generally , promote the enlargement and extension of the Charities , aid in tho advancement of the daily social comforts and Avants of the brethren , be

altogether most effectual in its arrangement , ancl economical in its cost . I Avill first draAV attention to tho newly-purchased property on the Avest of the present large hall—the acquisition of Avhich is due to the wisdom of our late Grand Secretary , in conjunction with other eminent ancl distinguished members of the Craft , forseeing , as they did , tho Avants Avhich have arisen , inthe

cluding necessity of extended accommodation for the Masonic ceremonies , ancl a bettor provision for the general ivauts of tho brethren . This site affords an excellent and sufficient space on which to erect a large ancl commodious dining hall for festivals ancl other occasions , a wantnoAV so imperatively felt that the charities are endangered by its absence . With those , it is capable also of administering to the daily comforts of the brethren by tho erection of commodious coffee ancl reading rooms , and spacious banqueting apartments ,

Grand Lodge Property.

U'hilsfc ifc would relievo the present portion occupied as the tavern from all public and tavern business , leaving this part of the property for the exclusive use of the Fraternity , in Avhich may be arranged most convenient and excellent lodge and chapter rooms , satisfying the AA-ishes of a large number of brethren Avho are desirous ofhaA'ing a considerable portion of their property set

aside ancl devoted exclusively to Masonic uses . This portion so appropriated , I may then advert to that most incoiiA-enient and objectionable part of tho property as afc present arranged in the use of the Grand Master , Grand Secretary , ancl the offices of tbe society , AA'hich I venture to suggest may be so far modified ancl improved as to afford enlarged apartments for the Grand Master

ancl Grand Secretary , convenient offices in Avhich to conduct the business of the Craft , ancl also to afford commodious committee rooms for the use of the several Boards , the Lodge of Benevolence , and the Committees of the three charities ; thus concentrating the AA'hole business of the Craft upon its OAVU property , economising the time of the brethrenancl altogether affording le

, amp accomodation for the exercise of their Masonic rites , and the conduct of all the official business . I will here observe that the Board of General Purposes , emanating as it does from the annual appointmentby the GrandMaster , ancl the elected by tho Grand Lodge , is a very proper and efficient

body for thejrarpose of taking all matters connected Avith the customs , usages , and privileges of the Craffc into consideration , and for adjudicating thereon , but inasmuch as , from the nature of its constitution , it is a constantly fluctuating body , ifc cannot be expected to be so well qualified for carrying out the object UOAV under consideration , viz ., the best method of appropriating the property

of the Grand Lodge , as a specially appointed committee . It seems to me , therefore , that tho amendment ( having for its objects the appointment of such a Committee ) Avhich was proposed at the Board of Masters on Wednesday 21 st instant made known through the ordinary channels of communication , and . which will come on for discussion at the next Grand Lodge on the 4 th of June

next , is of vital importance to tho interests of the Craft . This amendment adopted AVO may then arrive at a satisfactory termination of our present difficulties by the submission of a report for the consideration of the Grand Lodge , which may meet Avith an unanimous approval . That this most desirable end shall be speedily attained is not onltho Avish of correspondentbut I believe

y your , also of tho AA'hole of tho members of the Craft . Ajiologizing for this lengthened address , I am , Brethren , Yours truly and fraternally , Ax OLD P . M . AXD MEAIBEE OE TIIE GHAXD LODGE .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

A TllUE IIA 110 D . _ Iii Tim FIIEEAIASOKS MAGAZINE for May 1857 are some linos by Bro . Giles Fonda Yates on the " Masonic pledges of a true Harod . " What is a true Harod ancl AA'here arc such to bo found?—HEUEDOJL FEJIA 1 B SECRESY . To those Avho aro so unjust to the fair sex , as to think

thoin incapable of keeping a secret , wo offer the following anecdote from tho history of Athens : " Several Athenians had formed a secret plan for delivering their country from the yoke of tryanny . A woman , of the name of Lioness , Avas one among the number sworn to execute tho scheme . The tyrant ; was informed of ifc : he ordered her to be put to the torturefor the of

, purpose extorting Avho Avere her accomplices . This Avoman supported the most cruel torments , and , Avhen she found her strength failing , she tore out her tongue for fear the secret might othenvisc escape her . After the expulsion of the tyrant , the Athenians , full of gratitude for this .