Magazines Of The Month.

able proposal . Perhaps the exigencies of tho story demanded it , but wo do not like to find our heroine cheating and deceiving her father and mother . We had a better opinion of her . As usual , the articles on domestic matters form a prominent feature . Phillis Browne writes of " Removing : A Lady's Troubles . Experiences , and Advice . " Mr . Payne offers some valuable suggestions as to " Game and Gravy" in his genial kind of way , and Mr . G . Mauville Fenn introduces to our acquaintance

Mr . "Edward Brown , the Stoker . " Professor Anstedtellsusmuchthat is both interesting and instructive about " Greece aud its islands , " the special arlieledetailing"Aflyiiig visittoNauplia" while the "Gatherer " has a goodly collection of notes on Batting , Needlework as an Art , How to eat Oysters , Old Hats , & c ., & c . By tho way , why are there no papers on matters sanitary ? These are essentially of family interest and a few homely papers thereon would be very acceptable no doubt by the readers of this Magazine .

There can be no question as to Belgravia being a success this month . We have seen better illustrations , but we do not think tho literary matter has been surpassed , though oftentimes it may have been equalled , for Belgravia observes a pretty even standard of merit , rarely deviating from it even a hair ' s breadth . We need not dwell on the serials which are old friends , but tho contributions of such well

known writers as Messrs . SalaandEscott , are worth noting . The former writes in his happiest and most amusing vein , abmt " Wills and Bequests , ""notfi-omtheinus < ra < edLojulo » i ] yeMJS , and thelatteris chatty over the " Warriors in Town . " "Herring town" at Great Yarmouth , of which we gave a few particulars , will of course be recognised . The second part of " A Passage from the Life of Mr . A . Plassington , "

edited by Mr . F . Frankfort Moore , is amusingly told . The number concludes with an essay " Upon Sticks , " from which we quote the following : — " The sticks that footmen carry on state occasions , when their hair is powdered and they wear their best clothes , are not , as you might suppose , varieties of the wands used by chamberlains and other

ceremonial functionaries . They represent tho poles with which footmen were formerly armed , to act as levers to prise up the wheels in the frequent event of the carriage on which they attended sticking fa .-t in a deep rut among the old-fashioned miry ways . The custom of carrying sticks is , wo think , rather on the wane iu England . We have no statistics on the subject , but a general idea

that we don't see so many people carrying sticks as of old . Is the habit of any service ? There is perhaps a certain advantage in carrying a stick on a long walk , as the handling of it prevents the fingers from swelling and becoming still ' , and it gives a kind of rhythm to the inarch ; but as an indispensable companion and

adjunct to gontlo and simple the stick has fallen from its high estate . The nice conduct of a clouded cane is no longer of any importance ; and many a youth leaves his paternal dwelling and pilgrimages in search of fortune without thinking of going through the onco indispensable ceremony of cutting his stick . "

We need not dwell at great length ou the merits of Baily . They aro too widely appreciated to bo greatly affected by praise of ours . But there is never a number which has not some capital stories iu them . The driver of " Our Van" has not been influenced in the slightest degree by the seasonable dnlness which affects so many . Otherwise he would not recount such lively jokes as the following , which we take leave to quote verbatim et literatim as the phrase

goes : — "A story comes to us from the shires anent a gentleman now very well known in tho hunting world , but who took to the noble science rather late in life , and , with a certain praiseworthy idea of making up for lost time , rode accordingly . One of his first meets was with the A Hounds , and determining to choose a good leader , followed old D , then the huntsman , and ere the hounds had gone threo fields knocked the old man and his horse both down . He was

overwhelmed with grief , apologized profusely , and gave D a sovereign , the latter being perfectly satisfied . Both got up and renewed tho chase , but not very long afterwards the gentleman bowled over the huntsman again . The same scene was enacted : tho same apology and another sovereign produced and accepted , D simply observing ' Well , sir , 1 must say yours is a most liberal style of

riding . ' "The subject of driving four-in-hand was being discussed the other day in tho snuggery of a certain dealer well known in tho Midlands , aud out of them too , when some one said , 'I saw Colonel driving a team just now : I believe he is a very good hand ; but whose coach was be driving ? ' Replied the dealer , ' Mr . of . ' ' What !'

said another , ' docs he drive a team ? What sort of a performer is ho ? ' 'Well , ' was the great dealer ' s answer , ' whenever I see Mr . driving four horses , ho always reminds me of a butcher ' s boy drawing entrails out of a pail . ' If our readers will only suit the action to the word , they will see how ludicrous was the simile . It

was received with immense laughter in tho snuggery . "' Dear Jim , ' wrote lately one of the most aristocratic of horsedealers to a frieud aud customer , 'I can't get any money out of tho swells , so I must ask yon to let me havo five hundred on account . Yours over , Bob . ' The reply was prompt . 'Dear Bob , —put me down among the swells . Yours ever , Jim . ' "

Of tho other contents a sketch or that fine old cricketer , Fuller Pilch , and a paper on " Provincial Coaching , " with a further chapter of " Frank Raleigh , of Watercombe , " are the most readable . Wo must , this , as last month , call attention to Redspinuor ' s

contribution to tho Gentleman ' s , the subject , " Walton ' s River , " the treatment admirable . Tho Table Talk is good , and so is Part II . of "Tiio Recollections of Writers known to an old couple , when young , " by Mr . and Mrs . Cowdon Clarke , among those to whom we are introduced being Leigh Hunt .

Le Mnnde Maronnique contains several items of foreign news of considerable interest , together with a long aud interesting letter from its Louden correspondent , Bro . II . Valletun , the absence of whose notes , for some months past , has beeu a source of great regret ,

The Duties Of A Freemason.

THE DUTIES OF A FREEMASON .

"OEFORE engaging to become a member of the Fraternity , it would * J be well for the uninitiated to reflect upon what would be required of him by the profession he is about to adopt ; and not to think of entering upon it lightly , or without serious thought of what his duties as a Mason would be . Before he can be entrusted with any of the " hidden things" of our venerable Institution , certain vows havo to be made by which he engages to live up to his

profession so as to reflect honour upon the Craft , and that , while he enjoys their fellowship , he will not in any way contribute toward that which would cause them pain or discomfort . He sees a Brother turning from tho " straight and narrow path , " and is not to join the mob in hue and cry at the erring one ' s wrongdoing , bat must gently , and ia the true spirit of Brotherly Love , throw the mantle of charity over his sin , and , with pleasant words of counsel , lead him back to where he has made the misstep .

He must jealously guard the honour of the Institution , and , through sunshine or cloud , stand by the Craft at all times . The newly-made Mason is not to selfishl y look out for number one , but is to havo the welfare of the Craft at heart more than his own ; this is what he pledged himself to do , and , oven supposing that he had not , it is simply his duty . It may be all very well for him so long as Freemasonry enjoys prosperity , - bnt will he still acknowledge himself a Mason should misfortune ever again overtake the Craft ?

If he docs not in his heart pledge himself to " stand by the ship through weal or woe , " he is already a traitor , and , as such , deserves the contempt of his fellow men . Masonry is not all show , as many profanes assert ; ifc means more than showy uniforms or cocked hats and feathers ; and he who seeks for admission solely on account of his desire to rule or dress up , had much better stay out and save his money .

If a man becomes a Mason of his own free choice , he has no right to talk of expense , for he knew all this before he applied for admission . Still many will , when they become tired of listening to lectures upon morality , throw out the expense of the Institution as a reason for not doing their duty , as sufficient ground for leaving the company of those who care the most for them and their welfare . Charity is the great

duty of a Freemason , not only in giving alms to the needy , but in studiously covering the faults of others from the gaze of the rude world , and assisting the fallen to regain their lost position among their fellows . Locked in the faithful breast of a Brother Mason , the secrets of the unfortunate arc secure from prying eyes , and he finds one ready to receive him regardless of the height from which he has

fallen . God demanded of Cain the whereabouts of Abel , and He will make the same demand upon each and all of ns , " Where is thy Brother ? " Have a care then that , through your neglect , you do not slay him , and cannot face the inquiry with a clear conscience . If you see Win falling , and assist him not , you are accessory to his fall , aud responsible for the injuries sustained .

The heated term is rapidly drawing to a close . Tho quarries are full of rough material which will be presented for the labour of tho Craft . Masonic celebrations have been numerous all over the country , and the attention of many have been drawn to our Institution . Beware , then , of curiosity . seekers ; of such as desire initiation , not from any resolve to practise the virtues for which the Craft is

renowned , but simply to gratify their idle curiosity or vanity , love of titles or fine dress . Such material is better thrown aside , for it will not prove serviceable toward completing tho Temple . Now is tho opportunity for the exercise of Masonic duty in studiously keeping out such as would not contribute honour to tho Craft ; they who seek

admission from purely selfish motives , the vicious and the immoral . Stand firm at your post , and , if you know that tho applicant is unworthy , prevent him from joining tho Fraternity ; onco inside , he cau do incalculable mischief ; therefore meet him at the door . Do not let foolish sympathy for the man stay your hand , for " mercy to the one is cruelty to many . " Be firm . Do your duty as a Mason .

Have a care that the quarrelsome man gains not admittance . Onco within tho precincts of your Lodge , he will change that abode of peace to a bear-garden . He will bo continually full of arguments . Nothing can transpire but what he must take up the time of the Brethren in foolish talk , and no motion can be made but what he must object to it . Prevent this mischief-maker from troubling you by simply keeping him out .

Keep an eye on the profane man , for be would pollute any society , however old or honourable . There is no honour in him , and he casts discredit upon the Craft . A simple remedy for this evil : Keep him out . Beware of the drunkard . Here is a class of applicants not to bo desired at all . He will disgrace a tavern , and cannot reflect honour upon a Masonic Lodge . He will go from tho Lodge-room to a dram shop , and be the cause of foul slanders . Keep him out .

Wo need not mention the immoral applicant , for no man who lives up to his profession would allow such a man to come into tho Fraternity . Keep your eyes and cars open , Brethren , for there will be lots of material , but not all desirable . —The Square .

According to Pomeroy's Democrat dancing at Masonic festivals has been prohibited by the Grand Master of Iowa , and our brethren of that State are restrained from the enjoyment of this innocent amusement by an order from him , prohibiting it under no less a penalty than that of having the charters of their Lodges arrested . An appeal has beeu taken from his action , aud the matter will receive tho attention of the Graud Lodge at tho next Annua ! Meeting .