convents or preceptories, with elrarches and chapels, and raised up in each western province a framework of government similar to that of the ruling province of Palestine. The chief house of the Temple in England, for example, after its removal from Holborn Bars to the banks of the Thames, was regulated and organised after the model of the house of the Temple at Jerusalem. The superior is always styled " Master of the Temple," and holds his chapters and has his officers corresponding to those of the chief Master in Palestine. The latter, consequently, came to be denominated Magnas Magister, of Grand Master,* by our English writers, to distinguish him from the Master at London, and henceforth he will be described by that title to prevent confusion. The titles given indeed to the superiors of the different nations or provinces into which the order of the Temple was divided, are numerous and somewhat perplexing. In the East, these officers were known only, in the first instance, by the title of Prior, as Prior of England, Prior of France, Prior of Portugal, &c, and afterwards Preceptor of Englaud, preceptor of France, &c. ; but in Europe they were called Grand Priors and Grand Preceptors, to distinguish them from the Sub-priors and Sub-preceptors, and also Masters of the Temple. The Prior and Preceptor of England, therefore, and the Grand Prior, Grand Preceptor, and Master of the Temple in England, were one and the same person. There were also at the îîew Temple at London, in imitation of the establishment at the chief house in Palestine, in addition to the Master, the Preceptor of the Temple, the Prior of Loudon, the Treasurer, and the Guardian of the church, who had three chaplains under him, called readers, f The Master at London had his general and particular, or his • Also summus mitgistcr, magistcr getiiirautj. f Coutil. Mg|. Uril. lorn. ii. p. 333, 339, 340. Monaet. Augi. p. 313.