The Mason: A Discreet Man.

" This reply betrayed him . Tho brethren rose simultaneously from their seats , in somo degree of unnecess .- ; alarm , like a flock of sheep in the presence of a strange doc Indeed , if the Wandering Jew had appeared among them in prom-id -vernond , they would scarcely have exhibited a

more urgent demand for his summary expulsion than wn * implied in the loud and universal murmurs of disapprobation which were heard from every part of the Lodge . The intruder was perplexed ; he saw his error , but knew not the remedy : and when the R . W . M . quietly observed : ' Now

sir , will you be kind enough to favour us with your version of the story , ' he replied in the language of Canning ' s Knife Grinder : — ' Story !—God bless you !—I have none to tell I was anxious to see a Lodge of Brethren at work , and one of your seceding members furnished me with answers to a

few questions , which he said would be proposed in the Tyler ' s room , and for a frolic I was determined to test the truth , as , at the very worst , I could only be ejected , which I did not conceive would be either a disappointment or a disgrace ; for , to say the truth , I scarcely expected to gain admittance into the Lodge . '

'What was to be done ? The dilemma was pressing . . . the delinquent was securely locked up in the preparing , room . . . The confusion . . . may carry some idea of the consternatian which ensued . All spoke together , and the reins of authority seemed to have been

unnaturally snapped asunder ; for the R . W . M . had retired with his Wardens behind the pedestal . . . One or two young members . . . jumped upon the benches . . . vociferating , ' Out with him ! Down with the intruder Turn him out ! ' Others were more moderate . . .

And others . . . . were clamorous that the watch should be called in , and the intruder transferred to the roundhouse . "Meanwhile , Bro . Dunckerley had matured his plan , and having ascended into the chair .... said , ' Brethren

I need not tell you that we are placed at this moment in a situation where a false step may involve not only this Lodge , but the entire Craft , in unknown difficulties . It was the maxim of Socrates , —it is well to punish an enemy , but it is better to make him your friend . Now wo must

not content ourselves with asking who examined him , or why he was admitted , for he is actually amongst us , and it is too late to prevent the intrusion . And if wc wore to adopt the worthy Brother ' s advice , who recommended him to be turned out , the matter would not be greatly mended

the principal difficulty Avould still remain . I conceive , therefore , that the wisest course we can pursue under those circumstances will be , to use our best endeavours towards converting this temporary evil into a permanent benefit , as the bee extracts honey from the most poisonous flowers

by transforming the unwelcome cowan into a worthy Mason . For this purpose I propose that , if his station of life be not objectionable , the provision of our bye-laws respecting the admission of candidates be suspended in this single instance , and that he be initiated on the spot . ' The proposition was

regularly seconded by tho S . W ., and was unanimously agreed to , and the intruder was again introduced hy the senior E . A . P The R . W . then first examined him , as to his residence , trade , and respectability of character ;

and these inquiries being satisfactorily disposed of , the question was proposed whether he would adopt the alternative of being made a Mason to avoid the disgrace of being posted as an impostor .

" He said nothing could be more acceptable to his wishes . In fact , it was the very proposal he intended to make himself , as an atonement for his error , and a means of wiping away his disgrace . He accordingly received the first degree , and not only proved an excellent and zealous

Mason , but in due course rose to the chair of the Lodge . " Such cases are little likel y to occur , but if they should , or , indeed , in any emergency , let us hope we may be able to exhibit the same presence of mind , the same tact and discretion as did Br . Dunckerly .

Commerce And Civilisation.

COMMERCE AND CIVILISATION .

THE producing power of a country is the very best evidence of its intellectual and physical capability . It may with truth be declared that , during the last century , no nation in Europe has so largely developed its industry , and proved its great productive power , as England . In 1764 , James Watt , a native of Greenock , in

Commerce And Civilisation.

Scotland , began his improvements in tho steam engine , . hereby the foundation was laid for tho prodigious advance iu wealth and population which mnrked < h « reign of George TIT . ]! y the aid of machinery , > X whi i ; ilio steam ono'ine is the rhii .-l moving powor . it is ostir . i . Vi'd ih-it an

individual ran now pro . hire : J !» il ( iin- 's more gi > isils ih ; m he could in 1 / 75 . Although ( lie lalr-ins of Watt aro almost unnoticed in the general history of tho period , they have proved of more importance to society than all the contemporary transactions of war and diplomacy in which Europe was involved at that time .

In 1767 , an ingenious person , Mr . James Hargreaves , a carpenter , at Blackburn , invented the spinning jenny , the first of a series of mechanical improvements in the cotton manufacture . The jenny was applicable only to the spinning of cotton for weft , being unable to give to yarn

that degree of fineness and hardness which is required in the warp . This deficiency was soon after supplied by the invention of the spinning frame — that wonderful piece of machinery , which spins a vast number of threads of any degreo of fineness or hardness .

The inventor of this extraordinary contrivance was Mr . Richard Arkwright , a native of Preston , and hy trade a barber . Living in a manufacturing district , his attention was drawn to mechanical operations carrying on around him . The difficulties he encountered wore great , both

from want of capital and practical skill in mechanics . At last he obtained pecuniary aid , and built a factory , but was eventually driven from Lancashire by fear of violence from those who had earned their living by tho old method of spinning ; he then removed to Nottingham . In 1769 he

obtained a patent for spinning with rollers , and in 1771 he took out a second patent for a now system of carding and roving by machinery . In 1780 Mr . Arkwright was knighted , and in the following year he was high sheriff of Derbyshire . About the same time the Rev . Mr .

Cartwright invented the power-loom . Tliese inventions have had an immense influence on tho industry of the country . In consequence of their introduction , the price of cotton goods has been greatly reduced , but , as the demand has been vastly extended by their cheapness , the quantity

produccd , aud tho number of persons employed are greater now than at any former time . Tho removal of taxes upon food has proved a large aid to commerce , and must ever have a tendency to civilisation . When all tho hard earnings of tho mechanic and the labourer aro expended upon the

physical needs of the human frame little elevation of character can be expected . Warm and decent articles of clothing , suitable to the seasons and climate in which we

live , ought to bo at the command of all , and none more so than those whose lot it is to labour with both head and hands . The statistical returns of tho country show an immense increase in our commercial exchanges during tho

last thirty years . In 1844 we imported six hundred and forty-six million pounds of cotton , while in 1873 we imported one thousand five hundred and twenty-seven million pounds . The home consumption of this article in 1844 was five hundred and ninety-eight million pounds ,

while in 1873 it had increased to the enormous amount of one thousand three hundred million pounds . Who can calculate the sum of human happiness and general comfort that this one branch of British commerce has afforded to tho sons and daughters of England ? And , as a further

illustration of the general prosperity of the country , it will be found that our exports and imports in ISiO were £ 172 , 182 , 716 , and in 1873 £ 682 , 282 , 137 , thus showing that in tho year 1840 the value of exports and imports was per head of

the whole population of the United Kingdom £ 6 10 s , while in the year 1873 they had increased to £ 21 4 s Od per head . These are facts that demonstrate the mighty power of the industry and intellects of tho nation , and make manifest to all reflecting' minds that commerce is the handmaid of

civilisation and tho herald of human progress . The policy and duty of England should be to hold free intercourse , commercial and social , with all nations , binding them to us by mutual ties of interest and friendship . Let the advocates of liberty and peace continue their efforts , and thov

will thereby aid in breaking down the war spirit of the nation , which is now absorbing the wealth and industry of millions , crippling- tho 'hands of commerce , ' and checking

the onward inarch of civilisation . With the principles ot peace must spread the principles of liberty , and then mankind will be ruled by moral power instead of physical force , and rise to a mental standard when fear and force will be subjected by the angel of Civilisation , who will hoist hor