Prorogation Of Parliament.

the improvement of the dwellings of the working classes in large towns , which will , I trust , lead to the decrease of many of the principal causes of disease , misery , and crime . I feel sure that this legislation , together with that relating to the consolidation and amendment of the sanitary laws , and of the laws relating to friendly societies , will greatly promote the moral and physical welfare of my

people . It has afforded me much satisfaction to give my assent to two important statutes for the amendment of the acts relating to master and servant and trade offences , and of the law of conspiracy as con . nected with these offences—statutes which will , I trust , place tho relations of employers and employed on a just and equal footing , and

add to the contentment and goodwill of large classes of my subjects . Among the enactments which you have passed for the improve , ment of the law , I am well pleased to observe that a comprehensive measure for simplifying the title and facilitating the transfer of land in England has taken its place in the statute book ; that an act has been passed for the amendment of the law of entail in Scotland ; and

that you have mode provision , by amending the Judicature Act of 1873 , for bringing the great changes in my civil courts , and their procedure which it inaugurated , into immediate and practical effect . The state of public business and the dift ' erences of opinion naturally arising on a varied and comprehensive scheme , have unfortunately prevented you from completing the consideration of the Merchant

Shipping Bill , but I rejoice that you have been able , by a temporary enactment , to diminish considerably the dangers to which my seafaring subjects are exposed . By the Agricultural Holdings' Act , you have greatly and beneficially enlarged the powers of owners , limited in interest , to offer to their tenants a sufficient security for judicious outlay upon the farms

they occupy , and , while maintaining absolute freedom of contract , you have raised a presumption of rights , under which a new inducement will be given to expend capital upon the improvement of land . I have every reason to hope that the progress of the revenue , which has marked recent years , will be fully sustained in the present . The arrangements which yon have made with respect to the reduction of the National Debt , and those for the better regulation of loans for

public works will lead to valuable improvements in our system of Imperial and local finance . The enactment for a registration of trade marks will supply a deficiency that has for some time been felt in our commercial system . I trust that the act constituting a new bishopric at St . Albans may prove advantageous to the vast population of the dioceses affected by

the measure . In bidding yon farewell for the recess , I pray that the blessing of Providence may fall on your recent labours , and accompany you in the discharge of all your duties .

Masonic Honour

MASONIC HONOUR

THIS attribute of Masonic faith is no doubt frequently abused , Men put faith in others because they are members of the Craft , and , as the fruit of their trust , they are often deceived . The obligations of the Masonic Brotherhood , as all who have taken thorn well know , can only be violated at the expense of honour , as well as of one ' s general integrity . That which is gained by such derelictions is nothing less than perjnred gold , which the years will cover with rnst , and which will blast Masonic integrity as with the breath of a

sirocco . What is called honour , even in ordinary society , demands civility and respect , as well as a strict regard for truth , and all promises as well . No one can be an honourable man who violates or trifles with his own words or his own promises . They are his notes in the bank

of honour , and if he suffers them to go to protest , his honour is gone , and he goes into moral bankruptcy . This is the result , even in general business society , as well as in the common walks of life . But much more than all this is required in Masonic relationships ; for there men take upon themselves voluntarily obligations of relative integrity which they cannot violate without being guilty of moral

perjury . A Mason owes to his brothers who are worthy—that is , who are in good standing in tho Order—respect aud decent treatment , and in all dealings he is pledged by his obligations to treat a brother Mason , " or any other man , " with a strict regard to justice , right and honourable equity ; so that if tho transaction is ever reviewed it will

bo seen that no wrong was done or intended . The integrii y of Masonic honour has ever been the boast of the Craft ; so that it has grown to be a general conviction that he who has taken upon himself the obligations of tho Fraternit y is reliablethat is , that he will be true to his word , and that he will go to tho length of his cable-tow in serving his brethren . But that all Masons

idl the measure of this conviction is never claimed . Wo well know that it is human to err , and Masons have been taught that it is divine to forgive . It is said that the eagle delights to ride above the fury of tlie storm , because there ho dwells in safet y , and feels the dignity of his kingship . It is , in some respects , the same with the Mystic Brother .

In his Lodge he is secluded from the world , and taught the lessons of wisdom which enable him to govern himself with prudence , and conduct himself properly among his brethren . It is there he " -aius strength to build up his integrity , aud , therefore , it is not remarkable that Masons , as a general rule , arc honourable men . Why this is

so may not be acknowledged by the world , for they do net sec it , and consequently cannot comprehend it . What men are in their faith aud honour , in their integrity and principles , is the result of education , usually obtained after they have come to the years of maturity . The schools onl y instruct them iu the sciences , aud oven the churches too often rel y upou excitement ,

Masonic Honour

or upon tho doctrinal influences of theological dogmas , which are much more apt to sectarianize the mind than to mould the heart in the dignity of an enlarged capacity . It is possible for men , under certain religious training , to make pretensions to religion , without becoming moral , as they get tho impression that devotion to the Deity is paid in songs and prayers

ancl sermons , instead of services to poor perishing humanity . Even Masonic honour teaches a different doctrine than this , because it demands that a true and faithful regard bo paid to the wants and character , tho complaints and sufferings , of humanity around us . This is honour worthy of any profession , and the world , and even our Masonic Order needs much more of it . The Mason who travels

in his thought no further than the mere ritualistic services of tho Order still remains a novice , and it is not wholly strange that many sach fall below the standard of Masonic honour and integrity . To bo faithful to one ' s word ; to be frank in action , sincere in purpose , and true to our obligations , are the continual demands of Masonic honour .

Men may be rich , intelligent , enterprising , and even popular j they may hold office and place , and live in the full tide of public prosperity , and yet may be wanting in true honour . Many do not see it until it is too late , and they retire to their last resting place with a very few regrets . Honour grows not save upon honest soil . It is never the product

of pride , or even of policy . It is the outshoot , the foundation basis , the result of careful thought and honest purposes . Some men borrow books , aud never return them . The ownership , they imagine , is a small matter , and if not guilty of direct theft , they certainly are of obtaining goods under false pretences . Such men are usually loose in moral principles , and reckless of any nice sense of honour , no

doubt , in many other matters . Honesty and honour are very near akin , and it is a difficult matter for any man to display the one when he does not possess the other . Among creditors and debtors it does not always follow that delinquency involves the latter , for , in many instances , the creditor is full handed , and might , if he would , show some leniency , such as would

set the poor debtor up again . But , alas ! for the selfish spirit of human cupidity , many a poor debtor is hung without ceremony , demonstrating that his creditor had neither mercy nor honour . Among Masons , honour is an especial attribute—an essential virtue , and the perfect character of the Craft cannot be sustained without it .

" Act well your part ; there all the honour lies , Is recognised as being soundly ethical , as well as correct in principle , in all fraternities . That this noble principle should be . wisely vindicated by every Mason is the expectation of the Craft everywhere ; for that which is rig ht and honourable is strictly enjoined in every law of Masonic jurisprudence . Eveu what the world sometimes calls

honour will not always fill the Masonic requirement , for that is often founded on wealth , or office , or scholarship , or in some honorary relationship . Masonic honour mnst be an indwelling principle , aud must show itself in every department of business , as well as in social life . It is not enough that any one should be a " bright Mason , " for ethical and philosophic Masonry requires more than mere mystic

brig htness . To be well versed in mechanical Masonry , it is true , is a universal obligation , and to serve in the temple of honour is equally so , for without honour there is no Masonry , and he who fails in its evincement is just that far below the Masonic profession . In Masonic teachings , it is not supposed that any man will bo brought to the threshold of the temple unless he is honourable , and it

is on this account that honourable action is so strictly demanded of the Brotherhood . Of course dull and stupid men , as well as thoso who may bo educated shysters , are not apt to pay any very strict regard to this particular Masonic feature . Their conceptions of Masonry are often crude and sinister , and if the institution does not work to suit their notions , their interest dies away like the sanguine

hopes of defeated candidates . Honour , indeed , is essential to the peace and progress and happiness of society everywhere , and well would it be if men generally would watch themselves more strictly in this particular trait of character , for if they did , the world would certainly have fewer causes for

litigation , and the standard of human respectability would be greatly elevated . Among us , as Masons , a more tenacious adherence to its demands would increase our influence largely , as well as add greatly to our mystic prestige . — " H . " in Masonic Advocate .

Enthusiastic Freemasons.

ENTHUSIASTIC FREEMASONS .

A SPLENDID passage up the Scheldt , the sea almost as smooth as glass ; the unclouded sky , decked with countless stars , and illuminated by tho brilliancy of tho harvest moon , reflects upon the gently rippling surface . AU was full of life aud enjoyment on board the good ship . Song floated upon the balmy air , varied by the sound of graceful movement on the "light fantastic toe . " Gradually the

gleeful spirits depart to rest , and there remain on deck nine members of the sterner sex . Some were known to each other as Masons , tho remainder were soon discovered to belong to the mystic brotherhood . " We arc more than enough to form a Lodge , " suggests one . The hint is at once acted upon . A place was soon found , in which they

were as isolated and secure from observation even as were the ancients iu tho valley of Jehoshaphat . A well known Past Master WM elected to preside , the Lodge formally opened , aud tho wholo of tho fifteen sections rehearsed . "And , " says our informant , "I can toil

you they were worked exceedingly well , considering the impromptu arrangement of the accidental mooting . " Well done , brethren ! similar cases may have occurred , but certainly have not beeu recorded . You employed your time wisely , while gently floating up the Scheldt .