The New Agricultural Hall.

designs and work passed not only favourably , but in the most satis tnM . nrr manner .

Subsequently tho party visited the works of Messrs . Woodhon . se , Raw-son , nnd Co ., electricians , in the EI immersmith-road , where th > y examined , under the courteous guidance of Mr . Upward , and representatives of the firm , tho Upward electric primary batfcory , which presents several entirely new and valuable features in the application

0 f electricity , tho chief characteristic being that tho battery is charged with gas instead of acids , and is so arranged as to require very little attention , even that being of an untechnieal description . In the evening the visitors :: et at dinnor at the Guildhall Tavern , tho president of the society , Mr . Narsey , occupying the chair . —Morning Post .

Gleanings.

GLEANINGS .

MASONRY AND MEN . —Masonry , like men , may and is liable to err , bnt true Masonry , like true meu , will correct those errors when they are pointed out . Masonry is generally what men make it , and is governed , like men , by circumstances , situations , and surroundings ; for instance , the Masonry in Franco is quite different from wdiat it

is in England ; the people of Franco have different ideas about tho governing of the Lodges and belief required of the candidates . The Lodges in different juri dictions do the work of initiation of candidates different , yet in substance Masonry is the same all over the world . Wherever a Mason is fonnd he will recognise the grand

hailing sign , and the language of Masonry is known by all Masons of all nations . Masonry is a system of morality veiled in allegory , and its teachings are only appreciated as they should be by men of intelligence who study its silences . Men who read , men who have capacities to think out those problems as are taught in Masonry . —Detroit Freemason .

The efficiency of Masonry does not consist in its numbers . Ifc is quality , not quantity , that determines power . The chisel of stoel will sever the thickest bar of iron , and n Lodge of thorough Masons —brethren who have a hearty , deep , and abiding love of the Craft—¦

will exceed in power , influence , and ultimately in numbers , any Lodge of half-hearted and feeble Masons , no matter what they may profess , or in what capacity , or under what auspices they assemble . —Masonic Record .

God makes the true Mason ; the Lodge only recognizes and affili ates him . A CURIOUS EPITAPH . —A grave-stone in the churchyard of Cray ford bears the following quaint inscription : —

"Here lieth the body of Peter Isnell , 30 yeav 3 clerk of this parish , He lived respected as a piou 3 and mirthful man , and died on his way to church to assist at a wedding , on the 31 st of March 1811 , aged 70 years . The inhabitants of Cray ford have raised this stone to his cheerful memory , aud a 3 a tribute to hi 3 loug and faithful services .

" The life of this clerk was just three score and ten , Nearly half of which time he had sung out Amen . In his youth ho was married , like other young men , But his wife died one day , so he chanted Amen . A second ho took ; she departed—What then ?

He married and buried a third with Amen . Thus his joys and his sorrows were Treble ; but then His voice was deep Bass as he sung out Amen ; On the horn he could blow as well as most men ,

So his horn was exalted in blowing Amen . Bur he lost all his wind after three score and ten , And here with three wives he waits till again The trumpet shall rouse him to sing out Amen . "

—From Cassell s Greater London , for September . Tho strength of Masonry is not in the number of its Lodges or the increase of its members , but in the spirit which lives and breathes

iQ both . The laws of Masonry are sense and reason ; its religion , truth and Purit y ; its object , peace on earth ; its disposition , goodwill toward men .

There are two London Lodges which must be strong , if there is anything in a name—Samson Lodge , No . 16 b' 8 , and Strong Man bod ge , No . 45 . One of our exchanges says : — - "The Masonic banquet in connection

Wjth Lodge work was as distinctly recognized as long ago as A . D . ^ •' •3 . ) , and in tho :-. a . ne year it is referred to iu tho minntes of the hed ge of Edinburgh , as au affair of common occurrence in the entry f ) l apprentices . "

MASONIC GUMUTY IN TURKEY . —Tho Chaine d'Unhn says : — "A i'risr" 1 ' - - ' b til , in aid 0 f the poor afc Constantinople- was held recentl y ¦

Uo new fcheafcro in that city ; 4-JO persons were present , including 'J'Hiy Masonic notabilities , aud tho affair was a great succe 33 ; GOO - 'ti'kish lire were netted , including a donation of 100 iire from the k'tllan . "

' htsonry bolts fcho world , and its influence can be felt in every " l , n ( \ and among all people . Let Masonry promote peace and fi-aj '_ j '' Y > and aid to bind up tho wouudsand heal oho briaches between ' ) n "r and capital . This ifc does silently , without special resolve or ' ' " , aud ia the natural course of conduct to which ifc has bjen

tl . ( . ' "' . or figes . Bub in this connection it is important to remember , sii ' . ' | Masonry is competent to maintain not only the peace of a ¦ j . ' : ° . ° untry , but the peace of tho world , ifc can rlo ifc only through e » J ''' f Ulte ? ' tl'at after all the problem is : Will Freemasons ex . » Wri ¦ " i - ^ rco £ n i » sour > - ? Will thev practise out of the Lodge tho f lif- ¦ 3 fcaughfc witf » a ifc ? If " ° y will > tIlCJ panacea for the Zoning social evil is afc hand . Tho Craft that extends every- 1

Gleanings.

where , includes the labonrer and the capitalist , and teaches both to love each : ther , and at tho same timo fco love justice and honour their Maker , can keep the peace of the world , can do more than the Metropolitan police , the posse comiarns , or the military , for the maintenance of orrh-r and the preservation of life and property . —P . G . M . Simons , New York City , in the Keystone .

Freemasonry is dearer to me than any other thing I know of , because , in my conception of ifc , it comprises all true religion and morality ; all family , social , and national duties ; all genuine

philanthropy , literature , scieuce , and art ; iu brief , all that can endear man to man , and mako us more like the Grand Geometrician of the Universe , in whose service alone is felicity for tho human race . —Bro . Markham Tweddell .

AN ANCIENT MASONIC MONUMENT . —In the possession of the Italian Government is a monument , recently unearthed , upon which is engraved tho square aud compass , plumb , level , and twenty-four inch gauge . It also bears an inscription in Latin giving the name of the person to whom it was orected , together with the significant

statement that he was a Master Mason . Experts have oxamined the stone and find that ifc has remained in the earth many centuries . It is evidently older than the Italian language , or else Master Mason seems fco havo belonged to the Latin speaking or highest class of

society prior fco the Middle Ages . The existence of this monument entirely refutes the assertions of fche enemies of the Craft that Masoury did not exist as such prior to 1700 . —Texas Masonic Journal .

PRINCE ALBERT AT BIRMINGHAM . —In the latter days of November 1843 , the Queen aud Prince Albert visited Sir Robert Peel , at Drayton Manor , the country seat of that statesman . While staying here , the Prince mado a visit to Birmingham , on the 20 th of the month . Owing to the turbulent character of that town , where the

principles of Chartism were in fche ascendant , and riots had occurred but recently , Sir James Graham and some members of the Government considered ifc imprudent for His Royal Highness to ventnre into such a vortex of extravagant opinions . The Prince , however , was not unaware that his greatest enemies were to be found rather in

the upper and official circles than among the populace ; and he therefore did not fear throwing himself npon the hospitality of the Birmingham people . " The Mayor , who accompanied the Prince in the carriage , " wrote Mr . Anson , on the same day , " is said to be a Chartist , and to hold extreme views . He said that the visit had

created the greatest enthusiasm;—that it had brought into unison and harmony opposite political parties , who had shown the deepest hatred towards each other ; aud that it had been productive of

the happiest results in Birmingham . He also said he would vouch for the devoted loyalty of the whole Chartist body . The Queen bad not mora loyal subjects iu her dominions . "—The Life and Times of Queen Victoria , for Augnst .

MASONIC LAW . —Without a thorough knowledge of fche foundation of Masonic law , those into whoso hands is committed the governing power are liable to fall into groat error , and perchauco , by unwise legislation ronder irreparable injury to our revered Institution . The Master of a Lodge , when installed is reqnired to give his assent to

the ancient charges and regulations , aud also , to promise to preserve tho ancient landmarks which the fathers set up . Ifc i 3 therefore his duty fco study those antique laws , not only for his own guidance in the

performance of the duties he has assumed as fche Master of the Lodge , but also , and more especially , that he may become qualified fco ba fche instructor of the Lodge over which he has been called to preside . —Masonic Record .

EARLY MASONS AND MAIUCS , 1189-1200 . —St . Hugh , Bishop of Lincoln , wrought at the choir and transepts of his Cathedral with his own hand , carrying stones , as it is said , in a Metrical life of 1220-1235 . The designs were by Gaufrido de Noieres , " Constructor Ecclesire ; " 1306 the Dean and Chapter contracted with Robert do

Sfcow , Master Mason , to engage others nnder him fco work at the transepts . Ifc is observed that there are soma singular Masons ' marks in this Cathedral . The first is like one afc the Church of St . Radegonde , Poicfciers ; and there is a similar one at Glasgow Cathedral , 1188-1258 ; but with a slight addition to ifc as though

two Masons with tho same mark were working on the building . It is asserted that from tho central tower of Lincoln Cathedral may be seen three large figures—a monk , a nuu , and au augel ,

each with tho sign of one ot our three degrees . There is also a gravestone of Rieardus de Gayuisburgh , G ; m > nt iritis , of the 14 th century ; on each side of the stone is a trowel and a square . —The Kneph .

C ONSEUVATISJI IN FREEMASONRY . —Hero is a body of meu composed of all classes and professions , entertaining every kind of opinion . ! upon religion aud politics , who come together and exhibit

among themselves the utmost harmony of freedom and action . No word of opprobrium escapes from tho lips of auy one to insult and wound the feelings of another . No fierce anathema of sections is heard . No extravagance is indulged in . Everything ia done decently

aud iu order . Everything is quiet , - ; cntlymaul y , respectful , dignified . The bitterest political oueuties meet face to face , arid you shall never know by their actions or words that they do not ; belong to the sarno party . Roligioui-its tho most . . w ,. ~ u i -- r ,

^ ^ opposite embrace each other iu the anna of an exult d charity . Fanaticism finds no entrance into the society of the Br < therhood . Nofc d wave of discord disturbs tho -water of tho inner temple , no j p lunge into tho abyss of atheism , rant , or lawlessness shocks tho i moral souse of mankind . No revolutionary hydia comes up from

oeueafcii to break up tee lonudatiuu ot order and send the tornado aver the fair face of society . BUD what is tho secret of their unanimity , or their harmony , of their brotherly love , of the conservative front which , -without a tiemour , they maintain amid the general commotion , hatred , and fanaticism existing around them . It i 3 fonnd , it seems to strike us , in one word—toleration . —A ew Orleans Bulletin !