Gothic Architecture.

The forms of buildings are far from being arbitrary ancl accidental in their origin . The climate , the building materials , and the character of the nation exercise a very essential influence on them , and cause those diversified appearances AA'hich vary as much as the physiognomy of countries and the situation of nations . Whatever is produced by these causes is singular in its kind , ancl in harmony Avith itself . EA'ery species of architectureon the contraryAvhichOAving its origin to foreign nationsto a different

, , , , climate and different circumstances , is transferred to other people ancl other countries , retains the character of unsuitableness and imconnectedness , until some artist of eminent talents successfully appropriates it to his OAAII use , and forms out of it a new , national , and consistent sty le of building . If this be admitted , that nation undoubtedly has the merit of a particular style of architecture , AA'hose edifices 1 . Gorresponel with the climatewith the style of construction adapted to the materials

, , emd with the sentiments and manners of the nation and of the times ; and 2 . Constitute in their principal forms , emd in their several parts ancl ornaments , a- whole in harmony with itself , -which excludes or rejects everything foreign and unsuitable . These principles , which , without a view to any particular school , may be applied alike in forming a judgment of the AA'orks of all ages and all nations ; they are a sure

guard against any partial over or under-rating , ancl Avill hereafter seiwe to regulate oui- examination of the several hypotheses concerning- the architecture of the middle age . ( To be continued . )

Another Roman Catholic Attack On Freemasonry.

ANOTHER ROMAN CATHOLIC ATTACK ON FREEMASONRY .

rPHE Eomanists will not leaA'e us alone , and each succeeding attack is marked by - * - increased bitterness , A'ileness , mendacity and vulgarity . A lloman Catholic priest , a Jesuit , we understand , has issued a most ridiculous book in Dubbn , and some of the " gobemouches " of the press , ancl they are many , haA'e eagerly ancl greedily transferred portions of it to their pages . Extracts from the Avork in question have appeared in the Liverpool DailPostthe

y , Southport Visitor , and the Bradford Observer ; and Ave think it AA'ell to transfer a portion of this unseemly rubbish to our pages , as information for our brethren , premising that AA'e need never expect to look for consistency , much less truth , from our rabid ultramontane assailant , to Avhom Freemasonry is like a bit of " red rag . " Listen to the words of a non-Mason , IIOAV accurate ancl truthful they are!—" I am not a Freemasonneither do I intend ever becoming oneno matter IIOAV the

, , brethren may press me to join the body . Not that I haA'e any particular reason for objecting to being made a Mason . Some of my most intimate friends are Masons , ancl notAvithstanding Avhat follows in this column , I am not aware of haA'ing suffered , any Avay in consequence . Freemasonry I haA'e in the past looked upon as being the means to a good deal of social enjoyment ; and if nine-tenths of the brethren spoke their minds they would admit that that is nearly all they obtain from being a Mason and a brother .

At all events , their AA'ires Avould say so , ancl the female A'iew of the question is to my mind not A'ery far off the square . For those AA'ho delight in a festive life Masonry should afford them the most pleasure ; but in the case of studiously-inclined people like myself , life is too short for such indulgences . There are others Avho take a widely different AUSAV of the craft to that Avhich I do , ancl who look' upon it as a social plaguea system Avhich aims at uprooting all the forms of Government AA'hich exist in this or any

other country on the face of the globe . Such a one is the author of a book Avhich has been placed in my hands , ancl AA'hich professes to be an exposure of the Avhole of the secrets , aims , and designs of the craft . These secrets , I admit , have ever excited the