Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reviews.
REVIEWS .
All Books intended for Review should be addressed to the Editor of The Freemason ' s Chronicle , 07 Barlbican , E . C . — : o : — Oliver's Masonic Jurisprudence ; a New Edition . Edited by Walter Spenser , Esq ., F . K . G . S . London : Spenser . 1874 .
SECOND NOTICE . Ovu former notice of this work extended only to Craft Lodges , and we havo now to redeem our tacit promise , and follow the author through the higher grades of Masonry , upon which ho throws considerable light . He has collected a . body of precedent and ceremonial which posseses tho great advantage of boiiig perfectly accurate ;
and his strictures upon thoso who irotn tnno to time havo attempted to degrade Masonry , or who Avero too apathetic to perform the high functions pertaining to the Provincial Grand Lodge , avo very just . Tho Provincial Grand Master naturally claims the lirst consideration of our author , AVIIO sets forth his duties aud privileges most clearly
and ably . "A Provincial Grand Lodgo should bo formed of tho master spirits of each Lodge ; for thoy aro tho only men who aro likely to promote its iuterests , and make its machinery conduce to tho general benefit of society in tho province . " As Dr . Oliver justly observes , if especial caro were always taken in tho
introduction of members , the laves would bo punctually observed , and ho cites tho well known practice of tho Swiss Lodges , which , in our opinion , err on the side of two great strictness and severity . Upon the question of tho qualifications necessary for the Provincial Grand Officers , it is somewhat difficult to speak fully here , but wo may say
that a little care in judging of the talents and acquirements of candidates will never be thrown away . A man who is half-hearted , or whoso zeal for Masonry is on the decline , should never be permitted to wear the purple . It has happened before now that a Provincial Grand Master , careless of the iuterests of the Craft
has spread apathy or discontent through an entire district ; and even when this high functionary ia inspired with proper enthusiasm , ifc is highly necessary that he should be seconded by able and energetic subordinates . Tho right man in tho right place is a homely maxim , which applies to the Craft as fully and completely
as it does to the Avorld . Freemasonry is a great social compact , and he who aspires to distinction must place his talents at the disposal of his brethren , for tho general good of the Order . With respect to the Provincial Grand Lodge , AVO rather regret that the editor of tho work before us has not thrown out a suggestion for moro frequent
meetings . Our laws enact that it shall assemble at least once a year ; iustauces have indeed occurred where ifc has not been called together for a period of three years , but such cases , in theso days of perfect railway communication , aro , wo hope , exceedingly rare . As the Provincial Grand Lodgo is , so to speak , tho fount
of Freemasonry , towards which all tho Lodges within its jurisdiction look for light and guidance , more frequent meetings could not but conduce to the good of the Order ; zeal for the cause would be excited by their more frequent ceremonials , which are interesting and instructive in the highest
degree . The old system of public processions , no doubt , attracted a certain class to our rauks , but we canuofc agree with our author in the opinion that their suppression was disastrous . Ifc is onl y an uneducated mind which is influenced by the display of Masonic regalia , and at the period when public processions were discountenanced , the " Odd Fellows" and " Old Friends , " aud other similar secret
societies , frequently attempted a burlesque of Masonic form . The public visit to the parish Church was doubtless a good old custom , but Masons are able to show their respect for T . G . A . O . T . U , without resorting to public ceremonial , in which , often , tho meaniii " was lost or forgotten in the blaze of jewellery and costume .
Of the author ' s remarks upon the Grand Lodge , tho r . ^ eat legislative centre , of Freemasonry , wo need say little , siuco wo cordially agree in tho main with his opinions . Wo may , however , romindj our readers of the attempt , which was made in the year 1768 , to incorporate ifc by Act of Parliament . Tho design was
supported by the Duke of Pcaufort , tho then Grand Master , and in 1771 a bill was brought into Parliament by tho Hon . Charles Dillon , the Deputy Grand Master , but on the second reading it was opposed by Mr . Onslow , on behalf of a number of the brethren who had petitioned against it , and the design of au incorporation fell to
tho ground . This curious episode in the history of the Order is carefully recorded in tho work before us , and to some of our readers it will be quite new . We have loft ourselves no space to comment upon the last section
of the Avork , Avhich is devoted to the laws relating to tho Itoyal Arch Degree , and we must , therefore , refer the Mason desirous of instruction in the customs and ceremonials of this snWimo step in Masonic progress to the bo ; k itself , which will afford him all the information ae may aeed npou this uud kindred questions ,
Reviews.
Social Pressure . By the author of " Friends in Council . " London . ' Daldy , Isbistcr and Co ., 5 G Lndgato Hill . 1875 . AMONG the essayists of tho day , none stand so deservedly high n the estimation of tho public as tho author of " Friends in Council . ' Sinco the appearance of that now familiar work , the author has
published many books—some historical , and some biographical . Ho has essayed the r ' Ae of romancisfc ; he has published " Thoughts on Government , " and other similarly interesting volumes . In all cases his labours havo been duly appreciated by the public . Yet , successful as ho has been thus far , Sir Arthur Helps seems determined that hia
literary fame shall go on increasing . " Social Pressure " may not pei'hap 3 surpass his " Friends in Council , " to which , in fact , ifc is a sequel ; but it is fully equal to it , and that is saying much , for sequels aro not unfrcquently failures . We arc apt to institute a too sevei'o comparison between tho first and tho latest of any series of essays .
We fancy we soe tho same thoughts or line of thought reproduced , only in somewhat different language . Wo mark the recurrenco of any weak points that may formerly havo attracted our attention ; we pass , with hardly a word of praiso , tho repotition of former excellence . We become , in fact , hypercritical , and unintentionally , no
doubt , iuclino toAvards severity when our duty is to bo impartial . In the present instance thero is no fear even of hypercriticism . " Social Pressure" will bear even the pressure of the severest and least friendly criticism . The same " Friends" appear in conclave , aud discuss sundry topics of popular interest . In the essays which deal with
thoso topics , as in tho discussions that follow the se \ -eral essays , these amiable friends preseut always tho idrosyncrasies which havo marked them on all previous occasions . One is practical , another caustic , a third argumentative , Avhilo a fourth indulges somewhat in repartee . All , however , display the same admirable qualities , while tho style in .
which the subjects are treated , aud afterwards talked over , leaves little , if anything to be desired , either as regards language or matter . Among the topics to which our friends direct their attention in these pages , two will especially recommend themselves to the notice of our readers . Those are the essays on " Uidicnle " and " Over .
Publicity . In the former case , the form of ridicule which is so severely and , we may add , so justly censured , is the kind vulgarly known as " chaffing . " Chaff , we all know , is harmless enough if confined ivithiii proper limits . It may , and indeed often does , amount to nothing more than a friendly interchange of banter . Falstaff is
chaffed , for instance , about his adventure Avith tho men in " buckram " aud in " Lincoln Green ; " but the toue which Prince Hal and Poins adopt towards their fat comrade in dissipation is essentially a friendly one ; thero is nothing ill-natured or unkind iu what they say . Gratiano was severe iu his chaff of the rascal Shylock ; but our
sympathies are not with the Jew , who , had ifc been possible , would have taken " his pound of flesh . " We feel he merits the severe verbal chastisement which Gratiano inflicts upon him . The antiquary , again , chaffs his nephew , Hector Mclntyre , about his misadventure with the phoca ; but here again the chaff , though a little trying to
the choleric young lliolandcr , has nothing ill-natured in it . The chaff to which tho essayist objects is that witless , inane , and enrol kind of ridicule , Avhich is so common among the lower order of Cockneys—the chaff which selects for its butt a scar that recals unpleasant memories , a deformity of the body , respecting which the
person attacked is keenly sensitive ; a defect of speech or vision , or some old slip in manners or language , which he deeply regrets , or is heartily ashamed to have committed . Chaff of this kind is rightly described as cruel , for it canses pain , and as witless , for , in ninety * nine cases out of a hundred , the man who chaffs simply repeats
himself again and again ad nauseam . We are entirely at one with the author in his severe animadversion on this description of ridicule , and we feel assured our readers , while they never object to the harmless interchange of pleasantry , aro as strongly opposed as ourselves to saying or hinting at anything likely to embarrass a frieud
or brother . Chaff of this sort is un-Maaonic , and no Mason would intentionally indulge in it . The essay on Over-Publicity almost equally commends itself to tho brotherhood . We are Sony to say the world of late years has become over inquisitive , not about matters generally and properly interesting
to tho whole body politic , but respecting those which direct and regulate the private relations of individuals . Nothing pleases a mixed company so much as the narration of some little scandal aflx'ctin " tho character or habits of one known to them , either personally , or even by name only . A certain honour attaches to him who relates this
latest piece of news . Mysterious nods and winks follov the narration , as though each one hearing it were delighted beyond measure , "I thought as much , " says one ; "I fully expected ifc , " chimes in another , and each chuckles and goes his Avay . It never occurs , cither to the tell-tale , or to the listeners , that this amounts to a cruel
invasion of the privacy of life . Tho weaknesses or shortcomings of our neighbours should be repressed and kept as privato as possible . Thoy are not a lit subject for the tittle-tattler who cares not whom he injures , so he retains or extends his fame as a newsmonger of what is or should bo private and confidential . But there is a worse kind of over-publicity tL . au eyeu this , or perhaps , we should rather pay , {^
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reviews.
REVIEWS .
All Books intended for Review should be addressed to the Editor of The Freemason ' s Chronicle , 07 Barlbican , E . C . — : o : — Oliver's Masonic Jurisprudence ; a New Edition . Edited by Walter Spenser , Esq ., F . K . G . S . London : Spenser . 1874 .
SECOND NOTICE . Ovu former notice of this work extended only to Craft Lodges , and we havo now to redeem our tacit promise , and follow the author through the higher grades of Masonry , upon which ho throws considerable light . He has collected a . body of precedent and ceremonial which posseses tho great advantage of boiiig perfectly accurate ;
and his strictures upon thoso who irotn tnno to time havo attempted to degrade Masonry , or who Avero too apathetic to perform the high functions pertaining to the Provincial Grand Lodge , avo very just . Tho Provincial Grand Master naturally claims the lirst consideration of our author , AVIIO sets forth his duties aud privileges most clearly
and ably . "A Provincial Grand Lodgo should bo formed of tho master spirits of each Lodge ; for thoy aro tho only men who aro likely to promote its iuterests , and make its machinery conduce to tho general benefit of society in tho province . " As Dr . Oliver justly observes , if especial caro were always taken in tho
introduction of members , the laves would bo punctually observed , and ho cites tho well known practice of tho Swiss Lodges , which , in our opinion , err on the side of two great strictness and severity . Upon the question of tho qualifications necessary for the Provincial Grand Officers , it is somewhat difficult to speak fully here , but wo may say
that a little care in judging of the talents and acquirements of candidates will never be thrown away . A man who is half-hearted , or whoso zeal for Masonry is on the decline , should never be permitted to wear the purple . It has happened before now that a Provincial Grand Master , careless of the iuterests of the Craft
has spread apathy or discontent through an entire district ; and even when this high functionary ia inspired with proper enthusiasm , ifc is highly necessary that he should be seconded by able and energetic subordinates . Tho right man in tho right place is a homely maxim , which applies to the Craft as fully and completely
as it does to the Avorld . Freemasonry is a great social compact , and he who aspires to distinction must place his talents at the disposal of his brethren , for tho general good of the Order . With respect to the Provincial Grand Lodge , AVO rather regret that the editor of tho work before us has not thrown out a suggestion for moro frequent
meetings . Our laws enact that it shall assemble at least once a year ; iustauces have indeed occurred where ifc has not been called together for a period of three years , but such cases , in theso days of perfect railway communication , aro , wo hope , exceedingly rare . As the Provincial Grand Lodgo is , so to speak , tho fount
of Freemasonry , towards which all tho Lodges within its jurisdiction look for light and guidance , more frequent meetings could not but conduce to the good of the Order ; zeal for the cause would be excited by their more frequent ceremonials , which are interesting and instructive in the highest
degree . The old system of public processions , no doubt , attracted a certain class to our rauks , but we canuofc agree with our author in the opinion that their suppression was disastrous . Ifc is onl y an uneducated mind which is influenced by the display of Masonic regalia , and at the period when public processions were discountenanced , the " Odd Fellows" and " Old Friends , " aud other similar secret
societies , frequently attempted a burlesque of Masonic form . The public visit to the parish Church was doubtless a good old custom , but Masons are able to show their respect for T . G . A . O . T . U , without resorting to public ceremonial , in which , often , tho meaniii " was lost or forgotten in the blaze of jewellery and costume .
Of the author ' s remarks upon the Grand Lodge , tho r . ^ eat legislative centre , of Freemasonry , wo need say little , siuco wo cordially agree in tho main with his opinions . Wo may , however , romindj our readers of the attempt , which was made in the year 1768 , to incorporate ifc by Act of Parliament . Tho design was
supported by the Duke of Pcaufort , tho then Grand Master , and in 1771 a bill was brought into Parliament by tho Hon . Charles Dillon , the Deputy Grand Master , but on the second reading it was opposed by Mr . Onslow , on behalf of a number of the brethren who had petitioned against it , and the design of au incorporation fell to
tho ground . This curious episode in the history of the Order is carefully recorded in tho work before us , and to some of our readers it will be quite new . We have loft ourselves no space to comment upon the last section
of the Avork , Avhich is devoted to the laws relating to tho Itoyal Arch Degree , and we must , therefore , refer the Mason desirous of instruction in the customs and ceremonials of this snWimo step in Masonic progress to the bo ; k itself , which will afford him all the information ae may aeed npou this uud kindred questions ,
Reviews.
Social Pressure . By the author of " Friends in Council . " London . ' Daldy , Isbistcr and Co ., 5 G Lndgato Hill . 1875 . AMONG the essayists of tho day , none stand so deservedly high n the estimation of tho public as tho author of " Friends in Council . ' Sinco the appearance of that now familiar work , the author has
published many books—some historical , and some biographical . Ho has essayed the r ' Ae of romancisfc ; he has published " Thoughts on Government , " and other similarly interesting volumes . In all cases his labours havo been duly appreciated by the public . Yet , successful as ho has been thus far , Sir Arthur Helps seems determined that hia
literary fame shall go on increasing . " Social Pressure " may not pei'hap 3 surpass his " Friends in Council , " to which , in fact , ifc is a sequel ; but it is fully equal to it , and that is saying much , for sequels aro not unfrcquently failures . We arc apt to institute a too sevei'o comparison between tho first and tho latest of any series of essays .
We fancy we soe tho same thoughts or line of thought reproduced , only in somewhat different language . Wo mark the recurrenco of any weak points that may formerly havo attracted our attention ; we pass , with hardly a word of praiso , tho repotition of former excellence . We become , in fact , hypercritical , and unintentionally , no
doubt , iuclino toAvards severity when our duty is to bo impartial . In the present instance thero is no fear even of hypercriticism . " Social Pressure" will bear even the pressure of the severest and least friendly criticism . The same " Friends" appear in conclave , aud discuss sundry topics of popular interest . In the essays which deal with
thoso topics , as in tho discussions that follow the se \ -eral essays , these amiable friends preseut always tho idrosyncrasies which havo marked them on all previous occasions . One is practical , another caustic , a third argumentative , Avhilo a fourth indulges somewhat in repartee . All , however , display the same admirable qualities , while tho style in .
which the subjects are treated , aud afterwards talked over , leaves little , if anything to be desired , either as regards language or matter . Among the topics to which our friends direct their attention in these pages , two will especially recommend themselves to the notice of our readers . Those are the essays on " Uidicnle " and " Over .
Publicity . In the former case , the form of ridicule which is so severely and , we may add , so justly censured , is the kind vulgarly known as " chaffing . " Chaff , we all know , is harmless enough if confined ivithiii proper limits . It may , and indeed often does , amount to nothing more than a friendly interchange of banter . Falstaff is
chaffed , for instance , about his adventure Avith tho men in " buckram " aud in " Lincoln Green ; " but the toue which Prince Hal and Poins adopt towards their fat comrade in dissipation is essentially a friendly one ; thero is nothing ill-natured or unkind iu what they say . Gratiano was severe iu his chaff of the rascal Shylock ; but our
sympathies are not with the Jew , who , had ifc been possible , would have taken " his pound of flesh . " We feel he merits the severe verbal chastisement which Gratiano inflicts upon him . The antiquary , again , chaffs his nephew , Hector Mclntyre , about his misadventure with the phoca ; but here again the chaff , though a little trying to
the choleric young lliolandcr , has nothing ill-natured in it . The chaff to which tho essayist objects is that witless , inane , and enrol kind of ridicule , Avhich is so common among the lower order of Cockneys—the chaff which selects for its butt a scar that recals unpleasant memories , a deformity of the body , respecting which the
person attacked is keenly sensitive ; a defect of speech or vision , or some old slip in manners or language , which he deeply regrets , or is heartily ashamed to have committed . Chaff of this kind is rightly described as cruel , for it canses pain , and as witless , for , in ninety * nine cases out of a hundred , the man who chaffs simply repeats
himself again and again ad nauseam . We are entirely at one with the author in his severe animadversion on this description of ridicule , and we feel assured our readers , while they never object to the harmless interchange of pleasantry , aro as strongly opposed as ourselves to saying or hinting at anything likely to embarrass a frieud
or brother . Chaff of this sort is un-Maaonic , and no Mason would intentionally indulge in it . The essay on Over-Publicity almost equally commends itself to tho brotherhood . We are Sony to say the world of late years has become over inquisitive , not about matters generally and properly interesting
to tho whole body politic , but respecting those which direct and regulate the private relations of individuals . Nothing pleases a mixed company so much as the narration of some little scandal aflx'ctin " tho character or habits of one known to them , either personally , or even by name only . A certain honour attaches to him who relates this
latest piece of news . Mysterious nods and winks follov the narration , as though each one hearing it were delighted beyond measure , "I thought as much , " says one ; "I fully expected ifc , " chimes in another , and each chuckles and goes his Avay . It never occurs , cither to the tell-tale , or to the listeners , that this amounts to a cruel
invasion of the privacy of life . Tho weaknesses or shortcomings of our neighbours should be repressed and kept as privato as possible . Thoy are not a lit subject for the tittle-tattler who cares not whom he injures , so he retains or extends his fame as a newsmonger of what is or should bo private and confidential . But there is a worse kind of over-publicity tL . au eyeu this , or perhaps , we should rather pay , {^