Laborious Pleasure.

down to what we have just spoken of , a too rigid observance of etiquette , and a too strict consideration for a musical party in attendance ; and as this party had neither the ability nor tact to adapt themselves to

circumstances , iailure was the result ol these enorts . There is an old story that you may take a horse to the water , but you cannot force him to drink ; and on the same principle you may provide entertainment for a company , but you cannot force them to enjoy themselves . Much in this respect may be done by the Worshipful Master , but here everything does not

rest with him , although a display of tact on his part will often set matters right . But what is tact ? Some appear to think it is to enforce a strict observance of custom or of some pre-arranged programme ; others regard it as the ability to adapt oneself to

circumstances , even if old established customs , programme and other arrangements , have to be sacrificed in doing so . Those who have had experience in this respect will agree with us that the latter system usually results the most successfully , ancl so we may regard it as being the proper definition of tact .

We should be among the last to advocate any overthrow of established customs , but we think there are many occasions where a modification or a departure from rule is both justifiable ancl desirable . As an instance we may cite a trivial matter . Trivial in regard to its general effect , but really of moment to those who make a study of securing the enjoyment of the masses . We allude to the practice of smoking after Masonic banquets . We know that in many quarters the custom rules that no smoking shall be

allowed until after the toast of the Worshipful Master has been honoured ; others draw the line at thePtulers of the Craft , others again would and do commence smoking as soon as they feel disposed . Each and all of these . systems is right , provided it is understood that there is a rule ; but it is absurd to say that the Master or Chairman for the time being has no power to depart from such a rule ,

providing he may deem it better to do so . It would certainly be making a trouble of pleasure if the inclination of the company in regard to this luxury , or mere habit as some will have it , was disregarded in consequence of some peculiar idea or notion that it was not right . It is the ability to arrange such little matters as these which marks the efficient ruler ,

and which , absent in others , causes trouble and a want of harmony in the affairs of a Lodge . Whatever form we may take our pleasure in it is well to bear in mind that the easier we make it the more likely is it to be appreciated ; while , on the other hand , the more we surround it with rules and laws

the less likely is it to meet with success . True pleasure is free ; it comes from the heart , and is wholly distinct from that which is derived from forced enjoyment . Let us then remember that the less we surround our hours of Masonic pleasure with laws and regulations the more likely are we to achieve our object , but at the same time we must not omit to pay due obedience to those in authority .

Lodge Histories.

LODGE HISTORIES .

UNITY LODGE , No . 80 , CHESTER COUNTY , PA . 1799-1808 . BY BRO . JULIUS F . SACHSD . ( Continued from page 121 . )

The Grand Master on issuing bis edict improved the occasion to admonish both the Master and Brethren as to the duties they owed to themselves as well as the Craft . For a time matters went on well ; prosperity seemed to

have come to stay ; the Brethren met in peace and the Lodge closed in harmony . Many of the best kuown citizens of Sadsbury and adjoining townships applied at and Were admitted through its portals and there first saw

Lodge Histories.

Masonic light , prominent among whom were Col . James Parke and John Hammill . Andrew Charles was the leading spirit of the Lodge and was elected Worshipful Master

for five consecutive terms . He was succeeded by Bro

Parke , who served one term ; he in turn was followed by Bro . Hammill , who occupied tho Oriental chair for three tf-rms ; then Bros . Jas . Gamble , John Moyars and John Brown , each respectively served one term as Worshipfnl Master of the Loclcre . Wifch the close of Bro . Brown ' s

^ orm as W . M . trouble again obscured the horizon of the Lodge . Andrew Charles , who lately had drifted away from the old teachings , and become imbued with notions foreign to the ancient landmarks and ritual , soon found

that his influence among the right-minded Brethren of the Lodge had materially declined . Still at the time in question he mustered strength enough to secure his election to * he Oriental chair as successor to Bro . P . M . Brown . This

was in 18 u 5 . Bro Charles , who was now a sort of Joseph Balsamo , to regain his lost power attempted to pose both in and out of the Lodge as a veritable Cagliostro , professing to have

> btained Masonic secrets beyond the comprehension of ordinary mortals . Ho claimed to have received the ninety . *> ix degrees of some French or Ancient Egyptian rite , which gave him , so he said , power even over the Grand

Master of the State . He further claimed the right to make Masons at sight , and confer the Royal Arch afc his pleasure , while he created Knights Templar as a pastime ifc any time or place as suited his convenience .

These actions of Bro . Charles were met with the severest condemnation from the right-minded Brethren , marshalled by Bros . Parke , Hammill and others . Still Bro . Charles

soon gathered round himself a number of dupes , both within as well as without fche fcyled portals , many of whom looked upon this charlatan as almost a demi-god . The Lodge was now convened afc any time to suit the

pleasure of the Master . The Brethren were frequently called off from labour to liquid refreshment ; the sideboard in the Lodge room was counted of more importance than fche altarandfche great lights there displayed , the orgies being

kept up frequently until daybreak . This un-Masonic conduct was strenuously objected to by the Brethren led by Bro . Parke . Many of the besfc members and mosfc

respectable Brethren absented themselves from the meetings , and such as persisted in attending and objecting to the un-Masonic conduct of the Master and his supporters were promptly expelled by Bro . Charles .

During the year 180 G no less than sixteen good and true Brethren were thus branded .

It now became evident that all further appeal to this would-be " Alberfcus Magnus , " and his deluded followers , was in vain , and that some action would have to be taken to save the Craffc from fche opprobrium being heaped upon the Fraternity in general by these actions .

Consequently a meeting was called by the right-thinking Brethren , which resulted in an appeal to the Grand Lodge , in a letter setting forth the state of the Lodge , and the unlawful proceedings of the Master ; this was signed

by Bros . P . M . James Parke , P . M . John Hammill , John Rodgers , John Gormaly and Samuel Ramsey . The appeal also urged that immediate action be taken in reference to the petition . ;

This communication was read before the Grand Lodge at their meeting , Wednesday , 7 th September 1808 , and a committee was appointed to proceed to Sadsbury on the next day , the stated meeting of the Lodge being on Friday ,

the 9 th , and investigate the charges made and the state of affairs by personal inspection . The chairman of this committee was no less a person than fche noted Masonic scholar and Deputy Grand Master , Bro . Peter Lee Barbier Duplessis .

Early on the next morning the committee met at the stage office near Eighth and Market ; a special stage was chartered for the trip , and before the sun stood high in the

heavens the coach , drawn by four spirited horses , was well over tbe permanent bridge and climbing the hills west of the Schuylkill , along the smooth hard turnpike , stopping bat a few minutes at the " Buck " to water the horses . It

was not long before the Spread Eagle was reached , on the extreme eastern end of Chester county . Here a stop was made for a relay , while the committee refreshed

themselves with a lunch furnished by Julius Siter , the host of the Eagle , the main feature of which was the generous bowl of punch provided by my host for the Brethren . Half an hour had hardly elapsed ere the coach , drawn by