The Life-Boats Of The United Kingdom.

and for a period of thirty-four years it struggled with the difficulties incidental to the want of professional super vision over the Life-boats stationed at tho different localities , and inadequate funds to meet the numerous

expenses peculiar to the service . It was also found difficult to maintain a full working central committee , for the principal subscribers and supporters were scattered all over the county , and could only give their attendance at meetings in an irregular manner .

Towards tho close of 1857 , negotiations were entered into with the National Life-boat Institution—the ability

of which to undertake the important duty of saving life from ^ shipwreck was at this time beginning to be recognised—to consider the expediency of its absorbing the Norfolk society . Meetings were consequently ,, held , at which evidence was produced of the existing condition of

the stations under the control of the association , and they were found to compare most unfavourably with those under the management of the Institution . After much deliberation and correspondence with the London society , it was resolved at a meeting held 19 th December 1857 , to transfer the entire administration of the Norfolk

Association to the National Institution in the following terms : — "That the Royal National Life-boat Institution will proceed at once to place the whole of the Life-boat establishments on the Norfolk coast in a state of complete efficiency , according to the approved standard of the

Institution , and that the expense of the same be defrayed by the ' Norfolk Shipwreck Association ' from its funded capital , the interest on the remainder of the capital , as well as its annual subscriptions , being paid to this Institution to aid in enabling it to maintain in a state of efficiency the several Life-boats so transferred . "

Since the amalgamation took place in January 1858 , the Caister Life-boats have been instrumental in saving 945 lives and 75 vessels from destruction , and the Yarmouth Life-boats 373 lives and 18 vessels . Great changes have of late taken place in the constitution

of the Yarmouth station , for reasons already alluded to , and the large sailing Life-boat Mark Lane has been transferred to Gorleston , while the small surf-boat Abraham Thomas has been placed under the management of the coastguard .

A large and influential committee of gentlemen resident in and about Yarmouth have interested themselves in the

Life-boat cause , zealously watching over the welfare of the boats committed to their charge . It is with much regret that the Institution has had to record , within the past three years , the loss of two gentlemen—Mr . Wm . Worship ,

and Dr . Aldred , both of whom filled the office of chairman , and had for many years been active members of the Local Committee . Mr . Charles Diver has recently been selected to succeed Dr . Aldred . —The Life Boat Journal .

Tale-Bearing.

TALE-BEARING .

TALE-BEARING is often the result of intellectual poverty . The Masonic tale-bearer does not study Masonry as a science ; he does not relish the literature of Masonry ; his Masonic taste has not advanced

sufficiently far to carefully read a Masonic journal , and he must tell what he knows , must talk about the small affairs of his friends and acquaintances . He has nothing better to talk about .

It is often the result of the absence of intelligent interest in the institution and its great principles , and a want of devotion to the noble and elevated pursuits of the Masonic art . The brother who has a love for Masonic history and philosophy , who watches with a Masonic eye

and solicitude the affairs of his own country , or the fortunes of foreign nations , who is keenly interested in the triumph of its great principles in political and religious bodies , or who is personally engaged in zealous endeavours to benefit his brethren and to diminish the

sufferings of mankind , will seldom be a tale-bearer himself or encourage others in this vice . This habit is frequently the sign of a weak judgment .

Tale-bearers will tell in the most innocent way tales about their brethren which , if not contradicted or modified by explanatory circumstances , must destroy the commercial stabilitv of the merchant , the personal honour of

Tale-Bearing.

the gentlemau , or the integrity of the Mason . Such mischief-mongoi- ; need pity for their feebleaess . Somo brethren thus assert their self-importance . They wish to exhibit their confidential relations with men of

wealth , position , or intellectual power . They do not perceive that they are exposing their own baseness in betraying information obtained confidentially , professionally , or officially .

Some are tale-bearers through the love of being listened to and producing a sensation . They can produce nothing from their own hands to interest , so instead of wit they talk scandal .

Tale-beard's who stir up strife , and whose " words aro as wounds , " are subject to Masonic censure . They deserve ifc . They should never find a homo among us . —Iltibreiv Leadet

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

— : o : — PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF ESSEX . IjIX . COMP . Fred . A . Philbrick , Q . C ., and Superin-II tendent of the Province of Essex , held his first Grand Chapter on Wednesday last at Southend , under the auspices of the Priory Chapter , No . 1000 , the Companions of which had made excellent arrangements for the occasion .

The chief business of the day was to receive a report from the Committee appointed last year to frame bye-laws for the Province , which came np in the form of draft bye-laws . These were read seriatim by the P . G . S . E ., and , with a few additious and amendments , passed . TheTrovincial Grand Officers were invested as follows : —

Comp . the Rev . F . B . Shepherd P . G . H . E . E . Phillipa P . G . J . Thos . J . Balling P . G . S . E . Fred . Wood P . G . S . N . G . F . Jones P . G . P . S . Wm . Sowman P . G . 1 st A . S . Bev . H . J . Hatch P . G . 2 nd A . S . Andrew Dnrrant P . G . Treas . Fred . Adlard P . G . R . A . Lucking P . G . D . C . J . J . C . Turner P . G . Org .

A . W . Martin P . G . Janitor The Grand Superintendent addressed the Companions , congratulating them npon the flourishing state of R . A .

Masonry in the Province . The sum of five guineas was voted to tbe R . M . B . I ., to be placed on the list of the Steward of the Priory Lodge . At the conclnsion of the business the Companions dined together at the Middleton Hotel .

Masonic Re-Unions

MASONIC RE-UNIONS

WE are glad to note that within the last few years there is a greater tendency amongst members of Lodges to visit Lodges en masse . It is a system that should be very generally adopted , as it necessarily proves

of vast advantage to all , but more particularly the young Masons . Ifc produces a social , friendly feeling , that it is highly desirable to cultivate , and at the same time , expands the ideas , and proves the true spirit of Freemasonry .

The social features of our Society should be cultivated . Some brethren would have it all work and no play , but we contend these gathering of the Craft , these exchanges of fraternal courtesies , are highly desirable , and should be

popularised . Let Masons know each other ; talk round the refreshment table , listen to the reminiscences of the old , and the impressions of the young , and they will find their energies enervated , aud their love for the craft increased .

A young Mason that never sees or visits a Lodge but his own , is apt to become cramped in his ideas , and very probably self-opiniated . He is like the boy that has never left his native village , and imagines it a London ,

Paris and New York , combined . But take the young Hiramite to sister Lodges , let him there receive a brother ' s welcome , and he will feel that there is something real and tangible in Freemasonry , worthy of his best efforts and his best endeavours . —The Canadian Craftsman .

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