Secret Societies In China.

Under this arch the new members aro led , and at the same time are mulcted of an entrance-fee of twenty-ono cash . After this they are taken to the Hung-gate , where stand two generals , who introduce the " new horses , " to the Hall of Fidelity and Loyalty . Here tho neophytes are instructed in the objects of the society ; and , finally , thoy are conducted into the presence of tho assembled council

in tho " Lodge of Universal Peace . " As a preliminary to the administration of the oaths , the master examines the vanguard in the 333 questions of the catechism of tho society , and then orders them to bring forward those neophytes who are willing to take the oath , and to cat off the heads of those who refuse to do so . As the vanguard is supposed not to bear the sword in vain , few decline to the

oath , and tho ceremony of affiliation is proceeded with by cutting off the queues of the recruits ( though this operation is dispensed with if the members ave living amongst Chinese who are faithful to the Tartar rule ) by washing their faces , and exchanging their clothes for long white dresses , as tokens of purity and the commencement of a new life . Straw shoes , signs of mourning , are also put on their feet ,

to signify tho death of their old nature ; and thus attired they are led up to tho altar . Here some questions with reference to the immediate objects of the League are put to tho vaDguard , and then each member offers np nine blades of grass and an incense stick , while an appropriate stanza is repeated between each offering . A red candle is now lighted , and the brethren worship heaven and earth by

pledging three cups of wine . This done , the seven-Btarred lamp , the precious imperial lamp , and the Hung lamp are lighted , and prayer is made to the gods , beseeching them to look down upon the members and to accept the incense burned in their honor . The oath binding them to observe obedience to the League , and to display a spirit of fraternity , devotion , and righteousness towards the brethren , is then

read alond , and is followed by eaoh member drawing some blood from his middle finger and letting it drop into a chalice partly filled with wine . Each neophyte then having drunk of the mixture , andrepeated the appointed stanzas , strikes off the head of a white cock , as a sign that so shall all unfaithful and disloyal brothers perish . And now the ceremomy of affiliation is over , and it remains but for the

president to give to each recruit a diploma , the book containing the oath , law , secret signs , & c , a pair of poniards , and three Hung coins . With these emblems of their obligations the new members return to their homes at break of day . The laws of the society bind the members to observe a cheap kind of morality , and to protect their brethren as far as in them lies , even

to the extent of concealing such as are criminals from justice , and of rescuing any who may have fallen into the hands of the police . Naturally enough , the society protects itself by holding out fearful threats to any who may be inclined to reveal the secrets of the League or in any way to endanger it . Bat apart from those clauses which refer to the main object of the League—the destruction of the

Tsing dynasty—the laws enjoin peace , and brotherly kindness , justice and truth . Tho secret signs are numerous , and by means of them a brother can make himself known by the way in which he enters a house , puts down his umbrella , arranges his shoes , holds his hat , ties his handkerchief , takes a cup of tea , uses his chopsticks , and performs a number of other actions . The signals by word of month are

equally numerous , and it is almost impossible to imagine any condition of time or place of meeting for which there are not appropriate questions and answers . It has been said there exists a strong likeness between somo of the rites of the Leagues and those of Freemasons , and no doubt a certain similarity can be traced between the formularies of tho two associations , but the principal interest which attaches to the League

lies in its political importance . The number of its members and the discipline which is maintained in its ranks render it a formidable political weapon , but fortunately for tho peace of the country there is in the Chinese character a want of that enthusiasm which makes rebellion successful . At any time the Hung League might turn the day by throwing in its weight on the side of one of two equally matched combatants , but it is as an instrument , and not as a principle , that its action will be felt . —Pall Mall Gazette .

Literature.

LITERATURE .

Bye-laws and Regulations of the Victoria Masonic Lodge , No . 4 , Dublin , As approved by the brethren of the Lodge , 19 th July 1859 . Dublin : Printed by Brother John Chambers , 1 Capel Street . IT may seem strange to notice a code of Bye-laws , seeing that one code is BO very much like another . In this case , however , there is

attached to the Bye-laws a highly interesting " Supplementary Record , " and further , the Bye-laws themsolves aro more comprehensive than we usnally find them in the case of onr English Lodge Regulations . We purpose , therefore , noticing sundry of their most important features as well as the nature of the interesting record appended .

Bye-law 2 fixe 3 not only the day on which tho monthly meetings shall be held , but regulates likewise tho hour of meeting for labour and of adjourning for refreshment in the cose of eight Lodges , the others , in June , August , September and December , being hold " for labour only . " Bye-law 5 provides that " at the first stroke of the Master ' s mall strict silence shall bo observed . " If a brother fail to obsorve this

rule " ho may be reprimanded by the Master , and if he persist in neglecting it , he shall be ordered to leave tho Lodgo room , and shall not be re-admitted until due submission shall havo been made . " No . 8 enacts that , in balloting for a candidato , " one black bean "

shall" exclude . " No . 10 , that military and naval brethren ( except officers on the staff in Dublin being on full pay ) may be eligible to become members , subject , of course , to the ballot , on payment of one guinoa entrance fee , the fee of an initiate being £ 6 , and of a joining member # 3 , ua by tho nreoecing law , A fourteen days . ' notice only is required

Literature.

in the case of military brethren instead of the usual month s , nor are they to be reckoned among the fifty members , to which , by law , the Lodge is limited . No . 11 provides for the admission of honorary members . No . 13 fixes the payments at lis per quarter . No . 14 arranges tho amount of the dinner cheque , and that tho

members who absent themsolves from dinner without giving two clear days' notice will be charged the same . No . 15 provides that the Master , Wardens , and Deacons shall pay respectively £ 5 , £ 1 , and 10 s apiece to the Lodge funds . No . 16 ia to the effect that " the Master ' s expenses in attending the Committee of Charity and Inspection shall be defrayed out of the

Lodge funds ; " but all fines for non-attendance of officers at Grand Lodge to be defrayed by the delinquent officer . No . 17 . Members on the country list to pay £ 1 annually as dues , bnt not to vote or join in any discussion . No . 18 . A member may rejoin , but as a new member , on paying a read mission fee of £ 1 .

No . 19 . Leave of absence for a period not exceeding twelve months may be voted by the Lodge , all dues , fines , & c , having previously been paid over by the applicant to the Treasurer . No . 20 . Grand Lodge Certificate not to be issued till all fees , 4 o . have been discharged . No . 22 . Officers to be elected at the April and Ootober meetinga , and installed at tho meeting succeeding St . John ' s day in eaoh half

year . No . 23 . The Master to be elected from among those who have served the offioe of Master or Senior Warden ; the Wardens , Deacons , and Inner Guard from Master Masons . Officers elect to pledge their word of honour they have " neither directly nor indirectly" applied for the vote of any brother .

Nos . 24 and 25 . The Secretary and Treasnrer to be elected annually in the month of April from among the Past Masters of the Lodgo . No . 26 . The Director of Ceremonies , from , among the P . M . 's , to bo elected annually in April , and to " wear a , blue collar of office , bearing the crown and number of the Lodge . " No . 27 provides a " Standing Dinner Committee , " to consist of tha

W . M ., J . W ., Seo . and D . C . The Lodge not accountable for refreshments ordered by individual members . No . 28 ' regulates the appointment of an Auditor and audit committee , and the time and mode of audit . No . 29 . The Treasurer ' s accounts to be submitted half-yearly , in January and July .

No . 30 . Touching visitors and the amount chargeable to them a 3 dinner cheques . No . 31 . The W . M . privileged to invite the W . M . or a P . M . of any Dublin Lodge free of expense ; the Secretary and Treasurer to enjoy the same privilege alternately . No . 33 . Costume to bo evening dross and Lodge apron , subject to

a fine of one shilling , to go to the Female Orphan School Collection It further provides that " Any member of the Lodgo who purp wn < t dining , and may desire to attend in the Masonio costume of a highe ; degree than the blue , must appear in tho dress of the degree he represents , or the samo penalty to the Female Orphan School . No . 34 provides an interval of one month at least before advance .

ment from 1 st to 2 nd degree , and of not less than two months from the 2 nd to the 3 rd degree . No . 35 . The Treasurer to pay away no Lodge money except for current expenses , without a vote given by a Lodgo oxpressly summoned for that purpose . No . 36 . Collections at refreshment to be paid to the Female

Orphan School . Tho Lodge apron to be the usual M . M . ' s apron with the Roman numerals IV . between the inferior rosettes . The Supplementary Record contains interesting particulars of how , in the year 1836 , the Lodge resolved to ask for , and did at once obtain , permission to style itself " The Victoria Lodge , " in honour

of H . R . H . the Princess Victoria , then heiress presumptive to the throne of Great Britain and Ireland ; as well as of the two addresses it presented to Her Majesty , firstly , in 1837 , when she ascended the throne , and secondly , on the occasion of the Royal visit to Ireland in the year 1849 . The addresses are highly creditable evidence

and the official acknowledgment of their reception are equally satisfactory proof of the loyal attachment to the throne of the Members of Victoria Lodge , No . 4 , Dublin . We wish our brethren a long career of prosperity under the beneficent rule of Victoria and her descendants .

Neivtons Seamanship Examiner . Being the Seamanship required of Candidates for Masters' and Mates' Certificates of Competency , at the Board of Trade Examinations , at the Various Ports . Containing plates of the Commercial Code of Signals ; also of tho Distance Boat , and Semaphore Signals ; and a Now " Rule of the Road" Diagram . By John Newton , F . R . A . S ., Navigation School , Sailors'Home , Dock-street , E . Tenth Edition . London : Published by John Newton , Sailors' Home , Dock-street .

WE thank Bro . Newton for his courtesy in forwarding us a copy of his most useful little publication . Tho greatest care has been taken to meet overy possible requirement of the examiners . Both questions and answers are clearly and concisely given . The plates , exhibiting the different codes of signals , are clearly drawn , while tho " Rule of the Road " Diagram will provo invaluable to seamen .

It is hardly necessary for us to speak in further terms of praise of onr worthy Bro . Newton ' s "Seamanship Examiner . " Conclusive proof of its excellence lies in the fact of its having already attaiued the honour of a tenth edition . It is a 3 well , however , wo should call attention to its merits , for some of onr readers may at some time stand in need of its

services , if not for themselves , at all events for some of their friends or belongings . We strongly advise any who may stand in need of such an examiner , to invest their shilling in the purchase of this pamphlet of Bro . Newton ' s . The investment is flare to be a most profitable one ,