Backsliding And Bigotry

and that the Governments which betrayed and persecuted her have been Freemason Governments ? " This admission covers the whole ground , and what the Pope is fighting

for is his own hand , which is not quite the same thing as absolute truth and right . All the fine phrases about infidelity , immorality , and plunder are used as they affect the Romish Church , and apparently have no wid f , rr ,: is driven to

\ " nn . We can forgive much when - ' desp & r „ evepfll 2 leBB it is only prudent to let the world know nov > ; . + hen tnafc the R omish scolds are not altogether the disinteresteu doings they themselves would

make out . Dr . Bagshawe cays " the principles of the movements have been consistently avowed and defended in Masonic journals and speeches . . . and the opeu acts of the society declared its complicity with the evil . " We take it that the writer intends these sentences to apply to what follows in reference to the acts alleged to have been

committed by French Freemasons from the great Revolution to the present time . We leave our French brethren

to defend themselves , as doubtless they are well able to do . For ourselves , we havo only pity and contempt for men who forget all the amenities of truth . We are not left long in doubt as to what Dr . Bagshawe

thinks of English Freemasonry . Our French brethren are paid the left-handed compliment of being more open in their evil work than ourselves . Apparently , we are

harmless , but really we are the wolf in sheep ' s clothing , and this is how we have gained this unenviable character . Says our jndge : " We do not doubt that a great multitude of

English Freemasons would hold such deeds [ of the French

Revolution ] in horror , for it is the avowed principle of Freemasonry to keep always a secret in reserve from its disciples , until its highest grades be reached , so that the three symbolic grades , and even the dignitaries , may

easily know little or nothing of what is done and purposed by their superiors in the Order in the higher secret grades . " How dreadful ! Companions and Knights Templars , what horrors are committed in your names . How do you

manage to concoct so much evil , and why , oh why , do you yield your secrets to the Romish Church alone ? A little further on Dr . Bagshawe twits the English Freemasons with their inconsistency in contending for the

acknowledgment of the name of God while they permit the omission of the name of Christ . The answer is obvious . Craft Freemasonry unites the whole religious world in one bond of Brotherhood , brings them together on one common

ground where the bitterness of controversy cannot enter , and where the persecuting priest and tho tyrant can find no foothold . The other degrees enlarge the scope of inquiry , while Knights Templary embraces the soldiers of

Christ . But this fact will not satisfy Dr . Bagshawe , for according to his theory it is amongst the disciples of the higher degrees of Freemasonry that all the evils he deplores are conceived and matured , from which even the profession of faith in Christ does not save them . In fact no

profession except that of belief in the Pope will satisfy this angry Bishop . He gets bolder as he proceeds with his pastoral , and says , "there are abundant proofs that the English and Scotch Masons are one with those on the

Continent . " He does not furnish any proof , however , but simply refers to the records of Mackey to show that " nearly all the Continental Grand Lodges were established by members of either English or Scotch Lodges . " This

proves nothing , unless it be the fact that the sire may be

good and the progeny sometimes degenerate . Perhaps Dr . Bagshawe could find some apt illustrations of this theory even in Holy Mother Church . Not only is Freemasonry bad in itself , but , urges our authority , " all

other secret societies , spreading their deadly poison and ruin to Christian States , are dependents and accomplices , and willing servants and instruments . " Then follow warnings and maledictions , and so ends this pastoral of a Christian Bishop to a Christian people .

What a mockery of that Charity which covereth a multitude of sins , which hopeth all things ; what a perversion of that spirit of humility which Christ exhibited . What a violation of truth . What can be the object of these

Roman Catholic bigots ? Surely it may be said of them , those whom the gods wished to destroy they first drove made . Silence would best become them if they do not wish the shame and sin of ages to be laid bare . With such a record , —written in blood , lighted with consuming flame ,

conceived in tyranny and carried into execution with barbarity — we marvel at the temerity of Romish

advocates . Let the past go ; a modern instance or two will

Backsliding And Bigotry

show that the old Adam is still alive . We are accused of being the accomplices of murder . We deny the charge , and hurl it back in the teeth of the Romish Church . We point to Ireland , where the priests have held unquestionable

sway and power for generations , and we ask—What is the record there ? We are told that tho Government of Italy »^ V . TL / uCl l / IlO Uniliuti , but wo arc nut iufuruiecl that tho head of the Government counted his kingly dignity of small

moment compared with his high sense of justice , that he voluntarily offered himself as a witness in a common court of law that right might be done . And is it not on record that this same king risked his life among the poor cholera

patients that he might lend succour and strength to tho sufferers ? Wo might multiply these suggestive comparisons , we might take the war into the enemy ' s country

with powerful effect , but we have said enongh to expose slanderers and correct misrepresentations . As Masons we are indifferent to the fulminations of Papal priests , but as citizens we repudiate them .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

: o : THE PRINCESS'S . THE play of "Junius , or the Household Gods , " by the late Lord LyttoD , presented by Mr . Barrett on Thursday week , for the first time on any stago , is a tragedy in the highest sense of tho word . Ifc relies in no way for its interest on well-drilled crowds , startling effects or clever theatrical situations . It is simple , intense , and powerful , —as the old classic tragedies . We feel that fate is dogging

the steps of the wrongdoer . The prophecy of the Sibyl , who announces that only with the destruction of the household gods shall vengeance awake and false Sextus'doom be sealed . Our interest ia in the development of the human emotions made living by the poet's words , as uttered in thrilling accents that hold us spell-bound .

There have boon many tragedies on the theme of the Tarquins ' fall—some making the assumed madness of Junius the centre of interest . Howard Payne's culminated in the intensely dramatic crisis where Junius condemns his own sons to death as adherents of the Tarquins . Lord Lytton avoids temptation to melodramatic points .

It may , perhaps , be regretted he has so slightly indicated the disloyalty of the sons of Brutus , thus foregoing the opportunity for the display of most poignant passion on the part of their patriotic father . Seeing ifc , however , as it is , we hesitate to wish it otherwise . The mounting is magnificent , not that we are impressed at once

by its costliness , but the Home through which Horatius went forth to meet Lars Porsena seems actually summoned from tho past , with its temples , palaces , and towers ; its humbler streets , and the life that filled the city in the brave days of old . The curtain rises on a street scene , with a distant view of the city . Here a group of conspirators

are assembled ; they are presently joined by Junius , whose simulated idiotcy is not made too prominent a feature by Mr . Barrett . No grander figure than this Junius—with his pale , classic face , white hair and white robe—has trod the stage in our generation . The Tarquin gens was of Greek origin , and Mr . Willard as Sextus , has marked

the difference of race in his manner and bearing . It is a fine scene where Sextus enters , with his rose-crowned companions ; breaks up the meeting of the conspirators , and mocks the patriot Jnnias , who is biding his time to avenge his own and his country ' s wrongs . A most pleasant surprise was afforded the audience by the entrance

of Miss Eastlake , who has endowed Lucretia with all the calm dignity befitting tho typical martyr of matron purity . The second scene brings us to Tarquin's palace , where Sextus makes the bet with Collatinus , despite Junius' effort to prevent it . Mr . Willard gave a fine picture here of the reckless tyrant , as he lolls on the triclinium

ryhilst his slaves sing , to the accompaniment of the citabo . Here Mr . Neville Doone ' s " Nonsense ! Yes , by Jove ! " is certainly out of place , and should be reformed . The scene that follows it is one of the most impressivo in the play . Ifc is night , and among lofty pine trees lie the ruined pillars of the temple of Eomulns , the moss-grown altar

still standing . Here Junius is met by Yindex , tne trusted slave and spy of Sextu 3 , who has been ordered to kill the dangerous madman . Vindex is disarmed , and his life spared ; whereupon he swears devotion to Junius . Here also a group of conspirators meet to discuss their plans , but they scornfully refuse the proffered adherence of Junius ,

who is left alone , to muse on the misery of his country . It is then the weird sybil emerges from the rocks , and foretells the downfall of Tarquin , when the measure of his iniquities is full , and the household gods are shattered . The third act passes in Lucretia ' s home . The curtain rises on a lofty hall ; it is late evening , the lamps burn dimly ;

the fire flickers on the hearth , round which stand the tutelary lares . Lucretia sits with her maidens beguiling her husband ' s absence" As she nlied the distaff .

In a sweet voice and loud she sang . " ' ; Sextus . enters and claims a night's shelter . Lovely Lucretia looks , in I her long soft drapery and Roman coiffure of tendril curls . He offers j her love . " Her husband may be divorced , and she , as Tarquin'a | wife , shall be Queen of Rome . " His offer Bcorned , he professes ifc ; was but made to prove her supreme virtue . Then , with troubled | mind , she commends him to the care of her slaves , and retires . Here

the most difficult part of the play has to be encountered . The desired end is , however , achieved by a fine inspiration of the author . The horror is acutely realised , but with no word or cry . Tarquin glides from his chamber to seek Lucretia's , and aa he approaches the