Notes On Literature, Science And Art.

tion both of those who have honest prejudices against the craft , and also of all those who have been admitted amongst us . The former cannot but be convinced that our lodges are not really so many " devil ' s regiments of the line , " ancl the

luke-Avarm Mason Avill see his dut y more clearly , and be prompted to a more active ancl energetic discharge of the same . The book ought to have an extensive sale , and a very careful reading . In my own opinion it is one of the best contributions to our

Masonic literature , being certainly totally unansAverable from beginning to end . M . Nordenskjold , the enterprising explorer , has found in ice ancl SUOAV of the Arctic Polar Sea , a black dust , which on being melted and chemicalized , proved to

be composed of nickel ancl cobalt , and similar in constitution to the meteorites . Some suppose that this poAvder is really caused by the disintegration of these meteors at a short distance from the earth . Perhaps the ice seas Avhich this undaunted traveller , M . Fordenskjold , has explored ,

are the most lonely portion of our planet , rising about 3 , 000 feet above the level of the sea , with dangerous crevices concealed by snoAV ancl fog . Ancl yet he is organising another expedition to start this spring . May the Great Geometrician of the Universe have him in his safe keeping .

The Engineer states that "the largest trip hammer in the United States has recently been completed at Nashoa , N . H ., at an expense of 75 , 000 dollars . The weight of iron used in it is about 200 tons . The ram Aveighs 12 tons its striking force ,

; is about 100 tons , ancl four large boilers are brought into use to furnish steam to run the 600-horse poAver engine required to successfully operate it . The immense crane , Avith Avhich the iron that is manipulated is hoisted into position , is the

largest in the country , and is rigged Avith modern mechanism so nicely , that two men can easily hoist 50 tons dead Aveight . " The Academy informs us that "from his examination of the spectra of stars Professor d'Arrest has come to the conclusion that colour cannot be taken as a

certain indication of the nature of the spectrum , and that the connection between colour and temperature , though not improbable , has not been satisfactorily established ; Avhile the assertion that the red stars are older than tbe yellow , and the

Notes On Literature, Science And Art.

yelloAV than the white , is , according to M . d'Arrest , entirely without foundation . The spectroscopic examination of stars Avhich M . d'Arrest has made at Copenhagen has resulted in increasing the number of stars of Seccbi's third type threefold . These stars are distinguished by

channelled spectra , indicating that their temperature is so IOAV that combination of the elements in their atmosrjhere has taken place . " Stokesley .

Chippings.

Chippings .

A PIG ON SHARES . —Stephen ancl his mother oivned a pig in company , and on purchasing the animal , agreed hoAv they should divide the spoils in killing himthe mother was to have the head and fore-quartersStephen taking the hind

, quarters . Well , the old lady fed the pig at her . OAVU proper cost for three months , and then , thinking it about time to be relieved , she told her son that she thought he ought to buy some corn for the

porker . "No , no , mother , " said Stephen ; "I ' ve nothing to do Avith the head and forepart - that belongs to you—you take care of that—and I'll look out for my half . "

A priest Avho Avas examining a confirmation class in the south of Ireland , asked : " What is the sacrament of matrimony ?" A bright little girl at the head of the class answered :

" A state of torment into which [ SOAVIS enter to prepare for a better worrald . " " That ' s tbe ansAver for purgatory , " said the priest . " Put her clown fut of the class , " said

the sub-deacon . " Lave her alone , " retorted the priest ; ' " for anything you or I knoAV to the contrary she may be perfectly right . " A countryman Avas dragging a calf in a cruel manner . An Irishman asked him , if that Avas the Avay he treated his felloAV cratures .