Imatges de pàgina
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ing parts of a building, which united with those of a column form a beautiful, perfect, and complete whole.

From the first formation of society, order in architecture may be traced; for when the rigour of the seasons compelled men to contrive some shelter from the inclemency of the weather, we read that they first planted trees on end, and then laid others across to support a covering.

The bands, which connected these trees at top and bottom, are said to have given rise to the idea of the base and capital of pillars, and from this simple hint originally proceeded the more improved art of architecture.

The five orders are these; the Tuscan, the Doric, the Ionic, the Corinthian, and the Composite. The Doric, the Ionic, and the Corinthian, are called Grecian, the other two are called Roman orders.

SECTION 1.-OF THE TUSCAN ORDER.

The Tuscan Order is characterised by its plain and robust appearance, and is, therefore, used only in works, where strength and plainness are wanted. It has been used with great effect and elegance, in that durable monument of ancient grandeur, the Trajan column at Rome. Indeed, general consent has established its proportions for such purposes beyond all others. It was invented in Tuscany, from whence it derives its name. Its column is seven diameters high, and its capital, base and entablature, have but few mouldings or ornaments; yet there is a peculiar beauty in its simplicity, which adds to its value, and makes it fit to be used in structures where the more rich and delicate orders would be deemed improper.

SECTION 2.OF THE DORIC ORDER.

The Doric is the most agreeable to nature, and most ancient. It was invented by the Dorians, a people of

Greece, and has seldom any ornament on its base or capital, except mouldings, though the frieze is distinguished by triglyphs and metopes, and triglyphs compose the ornament of the frieze. Its column is eight diameters high. The composition of this pillar is both grand and noble, and is, therefore, principally used in warlike structures, where strength, and a noble, but rough simplicity is required.

SECTION 3.-OF THE IONIC ORDER.

The Ionic partakes of more delicacy than either of the former, and, therefore, as well as on account of its origin, is called Feminine, and not improperly supposed to have a matronic appearance. The first idea of its invention was given by the Ionians, a people of Greece. Its column is nine diameters high, its capital is adorned with volutes, and its cornice has dentils or simple modillions; and history informs us, that the famous temple of Diana at Ephesus, was of this order.

SECTION 4.-OF THE CORINTHIAN. ORDER.

The Corinthian possesses more delicacy and ornament than any other order; the beauty and richness of the capital, and the delicacy of the pillar, render it the most suitable in those edifices, where magnificence and elegance are required. On this account, it is frequently used for the internal decoration of large state rooms, in which it has a chaste, though at the same time, superb appearance. It is deemed a master piece of art, and was invented at Corinth, by Calimachus; its column is ten diameters high; its capital is adorned with two rows of leaves, and eight volutes, which sustain the abacus. This order is principally used in stately and superb structures.

SECTION 5.-OF THE COMPOSITE ORDER.

The Composite or Compound Roman order, is deriv

ed from the other four orders, and we are indebted to the Romans for its invention, its column is ten diameters high, and is quartered round as the Tuscan and Doric. Its capital hath the volutes of the Ionic; the two rows of leaves of the Corinthian, and its cornice has dentils or simple modillions; this order is principally used in structures where strength, elegance, and beauty are displayed.

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CHAPTER XVI.

Jeptha's decisive battle over the Ephraimites.

Ir dates its origin from the time that the Ephraimites crossed the river Jordan, in order that they might pick a quarrel with Jeptha the general of the Gileadites, because he had not called them out to partake of the rich spoils of the Ammonitish war, as their former leaders had done. The Ephraimites had long been a clamorous and turbulent people, but they, at length, came to extremities, threatening to destroy Jeptha and his house with fire. Jeptha tried all lenient means to pacify them; but finding his efforts unsuccessful, he gave them battle, and defeated them with great slaughter.

Jeptha, in order to secure himself from the like mo lestation in future, sent and guarded the passes of the river Jordan, which he knew they must cross in their return to their own country, with strict injunctions to his guards, that if any came that way and owned themselves Ephraimites, to kill them immediately; and if they said that they were not of that people, there was a test word put to them, which was to pronounce the word Shibboleth, which they, for want of an aspiration peculiar to their dialect, could not contrive to articulate; but called it

Sibboleth, which small deviation discovered their coun. try and cost them their lives, so that there fell, on that day, in the field of battle, and on the banks of the Jordon, as holy writ informs us, forty and two thousand Ephraimites, and that test word was afterwards used among the Gileadites to distinguish friend from foe. Judges Chap. xii.

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CHAPTER XVII.

Of the Working Tools of Free-Masons.

THE uses to which these tools are appropriated by operative masons, are well known; but from the manner, in which they are used in every ancient and regular lodge by speculative masons, it will be found, that lessons can be drawn from them of a moral and spiritual nature.

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If we trace our order by the science which gave it

birth, without recurring to the creation, or to man, the chief subject of creation, we shall find it of great antiquity; but without contending for an higher origin, we refer it with confidence to the building of Solomon's temple.

The general history of this memorable building is well known. Consummate wisdom delineated the plan, and the craftsmen achieved the grand design. Under this knowledge, we cannot be surprised, that science and morality went hand in hand. We are taught, that the workmen were divided into classes, under competent

directors; that the implements of operative masonry were made symbols of moral duties, and from the nature and interpretation of those symbols, handed by tradition down to us, we learn, that the purport of them was to form good men; to inspire a love of fidelity, truth, and

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justice, to promote friendship and social intercourse, and to associate men under the banners of virtue, friendship, and harmony.

It is from this high origin, that we derive our existence as a society; from this source, we draw our line, our rule, and our compass. It is from hence, that we adopt the measures of space, used as such by the operative mason, and apply it to ourselves as a measure of time, giving us an orderly routine of duties. The instrument, which is here alluded to, is the twenty-four inch guage. Alfred the Great divided his time into three portions, viz. eight hours for sleep, eight for business, and eight for study and devotion,* and it would be well, if all free-masons would endeavour, as far as may be practicable, to follow his example.

The Square,

Which enables the artist to form and fashion his works, teaches us symbolically to form and fashion our lives. It is an emblem of morality, and instructs us in that most important moral obligation, to do as we would be done unto, and to live upon the square with all mankind.

The Level,

Used in art to make the building plain and even, morally teaches us the equality of our nature. It serves as a memorial, that we are equally subject to diseases, to accidents, to sorrows; that we are equally under the care and protection of the Great Parent of all; that we are equally doomed to die, to be levelled with the earth, to corrupt, and be forgotten. Art and accident vary our

* An intelligent man, in a letter to his son, advises him, that for the advancement of his health, virtue, and fortune, as well as the happiness of his connections, he should distribute the twenty-four hours in the following manner, viz. six to sleep, two to exercise, eight to business, four to study, two to meals, and two to the pleasures of society.

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