Notices Of Meetings.

able way the Officers performed their respective duties was most satisfactory . The brethren , about forty , adjourned to dinner , which gave every satisfaction , everything provided boing of tho best . English waiters having been substituted for the foreign ones , a most enjoyable evening was spent ,

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R . M . I . FOR BOYS , WOOD GREEN . SCIENCE AND ART EXAMINATION , SOUTH KENSINGTON . DRAWING . ( 1 . ) FREEHAND—Whyatt passed , Grimes passed ; Parker passed ( Prize ) . ( 2 . ) PERSPECTIVE—Sawtell passed ; nazeland passed ( Prize ) . ( 3 . ) GEOMETRY—Sawtell passed , Widdowson passed , Sergeant passed ; Bryant passed ( Prize ) . ( 4 . ) MODETJ— Pearson passed , Whyalt passed .

"The Praise Of Drunkenness.—1723."

" THE PRAISE OF DRUNKENNESS . —1723 . "

IN appreciation of your "Masonic Column" allow mo to present to your readers the following sketch of the " Praise of Drunkenness " : —The little book so entitled was published in 1723 by " Boniface Oinophilns de Monte Fiasono , A . B . C ., " and is certainly a very curious production ; the sub-titles aro startling , and tho author evidently—though so early in the last century—was a strong advocate

for temperance , if not of total abstinenco , as the " Praiso " bestowed on drunkenness is really unmitigated and a most severe rebuke , and full of sarcastic references . The writer undertakes to prove tho necessity of frequently getting drunk , nnd " that the practice of getting drunk is most Ancient , Primitive , and Catholic" But I fancy some of your numerous readers will bo wondering what

all this has to do with Freemasonry . Not much , certainly , so far ; but friend Oinophilns states that the foregoing is " confirmed by the example of Heathens , Turks , Infidels , Primitive Christians , Saints , Popes , Bishops , Doctors , Philosophers , Poets , Freemasons , and other Men of Learning in all Ages ! " Of other examples we need not say aught , but at once refer to what " Ebriotatis Encomium " has to offer

in reference to the Craft . The dato of tho work ( 1723 ) is of value , for very few indeed have been the works on or of Freemasonry that have come down to us from that period . The first distinctly Mn sonic book was printed in 1722 , and then had to do with tho operative Regulations ; the regular " Constitutions" of the Premier Grand Lodge of the World ( England ) not having been published until 1723 , the year that

this "Book of Praise was issued . In Chap . XV . of "Freemasons and Other Learned Men that Used to Get Drunk , " there are three page 3 devoted to the Fraternity , and from them I quote a few sentences : — "If what Bro . Eugenius Philalethes , author of 'Long Livers , ' a book lately printed and dedicated to the Freemasons , says in his preface to that treatise be true , those Mystical Gentlemen

very well deserve a place amongst tho learned . But , without entering into their peculiar jargon , or whether a man can be sacrilegiously perjured for rovealing secrets when he has none , I do assure my readers they are very great friends to the Vintners . An eye-witness of this was I , myself , at their late geueral meeting at Stationers ' Hall , who , having learned somo of their Cathechism , pass'd my

examination , parting five shillings and took my place accordingly . We had a good dinner , and to their eternal honour the Brotherhood laid about them very valiantly . . . . However , to do them justice , I mnst own there was no mention made of Politics or Religion . " Tho author afterwards states that one of the toasts was " to the Church as by Law established ! " tending rather to throw

doubt as to his being present at the meeting in question . After the Banquet he tells us " the faces of tho most ancient and most honourable Fraternity of tho Freemasons brightened with ruddy fires . " Bnt leaving the Freemasons and their invaluable secrets , for I know not what they aro worth , come we now to speak of other men of learnine . "

In the postscript we aro informed , "thirdly and lastly , I wish in Chap . 23 , in yonr answer to the objection , that one cannot trust a man that gets drunk , you had been pleased to have taken notice of the taciturnity and continency of the Right Worshipful tho Freemasons in this respect , for though otherwise they are free enough of speech ; yet I do assure yon , as to secrets , though somo of them Jove

the creature very heartily and carouse abundantly ; yet has it never been known , though never so fuddled ( for Freemasons will get fuddled ) that they ever discovered any of their secrets . This is irresistible , irrefragable , irrefutable ; or , if you will , to speak ( nomvt dialectici ) in stylo infinite , non-resistible , non-rcfragablc , and nonrefutable , and indeed is very Arcjumcntv . m palmare Scotisticum . " The preface concludes as follows ( a translation ) : —

" Though numerous faults I see iu this small book , ( And so may any one that will but look ) 1 know but two of much consideration , Of which I here mako public declaration , The undertaking and tho execution , Faults too extravagant for absolution . "

Whilst freely admitting his estimate of the Society was a wrong one in many respects , I must acknowledge that in 1723 no Society was conducted ns now . W . J . H ., in Touchstone .

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Price 3 s Gd , Crown 8 vo , cloth , gilt . MASONICPORTRAITS. HEPBIHTED PEOM "THH FHEBJTASOX ' S CHRONICIE . " LIST OP THE PORTRAITS . 1 . OUR LITERARY BROTHER 17 . THE CHRISTIAN MINISTER Bro . H . M . Levy . Bro . Rov . 0 . J . Mavtyn . 2 . A DISTINGUISHED MASON 18 . THE MYSTIC Bro . J . ii . Monckton . Bro . R . Wcntworth Little . 3 . TnE MAN OF ENERGY 19 . A MODEL MASON Bro . John Constable . Bro . L . F . IattoU . 4 . FATHER TUIE 20 . A Cnip FROM JOPPA Tiro . Sir John Bennett . Bro . E . P . Albert . 5 . A CORNER STONE 21 . A PILLAR OF MASONRY Bro . Alderman Stone . Bro . E . J . Page . 6 . TnE CRAFTSMAN 22 . BAYARD Bro . Horace Jones . Bro . Capt . Philips . 7 . THE GOWNSMAN 23 . A RIGHT HAND MAN Bro . JEneas J . Mclntyro . Bro . II . G . Buss . 8 . AN EASTERN STAR 24 . OUR CITIZEN BROTHER Bro . John G . Stevens . Bro . John Symontls . 9 . THE KNIGHT ERRANT 25 . AN ABLE PRECEPTOR Bro . W . J . Hnghan . Bro . E . Gotthoil . 10 . THE OCTOGENARIAN 26 . AN ANCIENT BRITON Bro . T . Adams . Bro . J . L . Thomas . 11 . A ZEALOUS OFFICER 27 . THE ARTIST Bro . James Terry . Bro . E . J . Harty . 12 . THE SOLDIER 28 . THE FATHER OF THE LODGE Bro . Lieut .-Col . Crcaton . Bro . Richard Spencor . 13 . FROM UNDER THE CROWN 29 . A SHINING LIGHT Bro . , T . C . Parkinson . Bro . 51 ignus Oliron . 14 . OUR HERCULES 30 . AN A RT STUDENT Bro . Frederick Binekes . Bro . E . M . Haigh . 15 . A MERCHANT PRINCE 31 . THE MARINER Bro . Sir F . At . Williams . Bro . Thomas Cubitt . 16 . THE CHURCHMAN 32 . A SOLDIER OF FORTUNE Bro . the Rev . J . Huysho . Bro . Jas . Stevens . 33 . " OLD MUG . " Bro . Henry Muggeridgo . OPINIONS OP THE PRESS . "A series of articles , biographical , descriptive , and eulogistic , of some of tho principal Masonic worthies of tho day . They aro well writton , and though personal , by no means offensive , or intrusivo into private life , and in Masonic society will be welcomed as an interesting sorios of word paintings of mombers of the Craft . —Standard . "We do not remember to havo road any similar series of sketches which surpass this in merit . "—Land and Water . " Tho book will bo of great interest to Masons , containing as it does pen-andink sketches of tho most distinguished men among them , and giving some considerable information on matters Masonic , from various points ot * view . "Lloyd ' s Newspaper . " Admirably written , being free from what aro too ofton observed in composition—inelegant language and prolixity . "—Sunday Times . "' J . G . ' writes with a considerable amount of freedom , never hositating to 'hit off ' a weakness when ho finds it publicly displayed by a ' distinguished brother ; ' at tho same timo ho novor loses sight of a good trait whan it is displayed , either in connexion with tho Craft or in tho sorvico of tho public out of doors . Tho sketches live lively reading . "—City Press . " This is a neat book . Tho Portraits consist of a sories of ' word pictures ' of eminent English Masons . It styles Bro . W . J . Huglian ' Knight Errant , ' and sketches thirty-two others under equally unique titles . Wo commond tho book as worthy of a placo in ovory Masonic library . "—Voice of Masonry . " Evinces much literary ability , and is a valuable addition to the few works we have in Masonic biography . ' '—Philadelphia Keystone . " The book ought to bo iu every well arranged Masonic Library . "—New York Courier . " Wo value tho work , and heartily thank Bro . Morgan for our copy . " — Masonic Jewel . "The portraits consist of a series of what wo call ' pen and ink sketches' of brethren prominent in all tho noblo undertakings of English Masonry . . . . Prominent among his brethren wo find Bro . Fred . Binekes , ( ' Our Hercules , ' whose herculean efforts in behalf of those blessed institutions , tho charities of English Masons , have a world-wide reputation , which will live long after the zealous Craftsman has been , ' laid away to rest . ' "—New York Square . " The style of the author is pleasing , and tho quality of his productions highly complimentay to his ability as a writer . "—Masonic Adcocate . " It is a viiluablo contribution to English current literature . "—Masonic Review . " They belong to a kind of writing which lias come to be amongst the most popular reading of tho day The types are as general as they are graphic . The salient characteristics are seized with an easy power , and happily hit off in felicitous phrase . "—Sheffield Post . " Good sensibly writtenarticles . The writer prefaces each of his sketches with some pithy common sense remarks . "—Cashel Gazette . " Cleverly aud agreeably sketched , and tho work altogether forms a valuablo addition to Masonic literature . "—Hyde News , " Very amusing , and beyond doubt , faithful portraits of tho worthies who unconsciously sat for them . "—Deal , Walmer and Sandwich Mercury . "The members of the Craft will take it as an acceptable addition to their biographical literature . "—Monmouthshire Chronicle . " They are written in a fair and genial tone , thoroughly Masonic . "—Leigh Clironicle . " Should have a very largo sale . "—Kingslridgc Gazette . " These- sketches aro drawn with sparkling ability . "—Banffshire Reporter . "We must sincerely congratulate tho author on the success of his endeavour to aim at faithful portraiture , while there is an entire absence of what might give offence to tho most sensitive mind . "—Folkestone Express . "A very acceptable contribution to the history of tho Order . Tho volume has our warmest commendation . "—Kelso Courier . " Drawn with no little humour , and embellished with many a deft stroke of good natural satire . "—Figaro . " Tho inquiring Brother who may wish to know something of the strength and beauty of the . iirinciples of Masonry , will find a pleasure in scanning tho characteristic pictures in this book . "—The Brighonse A ' ew * . " There is a piquancy in tho ready oft-hand dash that lends much zest to tho subject , and bars it from studied rhetorical expression . "—Hebrew Leader . " There can be no doubt that the writer has produced a series of Portraits which will be n . source of amusement and pleasure to Masons throughout tho world . "—Surrey Comet . "Will be found very interesting and pleasant reading , especially to the Masonic world . "—Iiarnrt Press . " Calculated to raise the Order—if that bo possible—in the estimation of its mombers , if not of tho outer world . "—Troivbrith / r and North Wilts Advertiser "Written in a spirited , racy style , and conveying , in as clear a manner an possible , a ' counterfeit presentment' of somo of the rulers of tho Craft . " — Essex Standard , London : W . W . MORGAN . By Order of all Booksellers , or will bo sent free by post , direct from the Office , 67 Barbican .