A Masonic Incident In The Early History Of Baltimore.

When twenty years of age he engaged with Montgolfier ( the earliest aeronaut ) in perfecting balloons , and with thafc distinguished philosopher started from the coast of France on an aerial voyage across the Channel , an acconnt of which is given in the " Gentlemen's Magazine " of the year 1785 , where we read thafc both adventurers

were dropped in the sea , and would have been drowned but for the exertions of somo fishermen who happened to bo near the scene . This , however , was but one chapter in his adventurous life—he had lived in India , in South America , in the Western Wilds of North America , earning his bread in different ways , working as a teacher ,

a mechanic , a porter , a boatman on the Mississipi ; sometimes in good forfcnne , sometimes in poverty , but always hoping to gain the great prize he . had in view . He had married early in life , and had one daughter , but homo pleasures were too tame for him ; gambling , racing and every kind of dissipation carried him captive . Ho had

soon involved his fortune , and in desperation turned his back npon kindred and country , seeking in new scenes to drown the memory of the past . He had had no communication with his family for more than thirty years . The sympathy bestowed npon him seemed fco recall feelings of affection , that at first appeared dead for ever .

Thero were ab thafc time living in Baltimore several rich Irish merchants who had become interested in Sir Richard and had contribnted to his comfort ( unknown of conrse , to him ) who desired to visit him , but he refused , saying thafc he had out himself off by past conduct from men of his own age and class . " Yonng men , " he

said , " are as children to me ; toward you I feel differently . " By degrees he was afc last persuaded fco allow his kindred in Dublin to be informed of his existence and condition . Lord C , then one of the first noblemen of Ireland , and nephew of Sir Richard , was written to , and in about sixty days ( fche length of a voyage to

Europe and back afc thafc time ) an answer came , fall of astonishment and gratitude for what had been done , expressing the warmest desire for his return , and directing the young men to draw for any funds necessary forjjpasfc and future expenses . In tho spring of 1820 , in feeble health , though a good deal restored ,

ho took leave of his benefactors and embarked in a fine ship , sailing from Baltimore for Liverpool . In dne time news arrived of his reaching home in safety , and receiving the welcome of the Prodigal Son . He was now 80 years of age , and had never risen superior to the poison derived from fche writings of Voltaire , Rousseau and other

freethinkers of that day ; bufc God in His mercy softened his heart , first by gratitude aud then by love , so thafc tho closing years of hia life wero brightened by faith and hope . He lived two or three years after his return , and then calmly and happily passed away , surrounded by his kindred and friends .

During the 30 succeeding years Lord C continued to correspond with these gentlemen , always expressing his earnest desire to be able to thank them in person for tho great kindness thoy had extended to his ancle . He invited them repeatedly to visit him , but the duties of their several professions were too imperative . In

1850 , however , tho older brother , Gon . Geo . H . Steuart , in consequence of delicate health , determined to cross the ocean . He landed in Ireland , and on the morning after his arrival in Dublin , wishing to make some inquiries , requested his host to breakfast with him ! In the course of tho conversation General Steuarfc asked if he had

ever heard of Sir Richard Crosby . "Yes , " be replied . "I never can forget ifc . I was a boy of 10 years when the old gentleman came home . Ho was supposed to have died many years before , but was found and brought " back through

the Masons , aud what a welcome they gave him ! Ho was met outside of the town , and in a great procession carried through the streets in an open carriage , under triumphal arches and amid the cheers of the people . It was a great day for the Masons . "

When General Stenart told of his connection with the return , the man exclaimed with enthusiasm :

" Oh ! yon must lefc Lord 0 know you are hero . He is the warmest-hearted and the best man thafc ever lived . He loved his uncle and cherished him greatly after his return . Tho castle where he lives is not more than a mile from Dublin . The next morning General Steuart , tempted by the bright sunshine

and soft spring air , started for a walk . He was led on by interest and pleasure until he found himself some distance beyond the city limits , when , seeing on his right an imposing gateway , he inquired of a man standing near , whose grounds it led into .

" Lord C ' s , your Hononr , " he replied . " And do you live here ?" " Yes ; I am nnder gardener ? " "Perhaps you can tell me , General Steuarfc continued , if Lord C is at home . "

" He is , sir ; will you not walk in ? I can open the gate for you . " _ General Steuarfc accepted the invitation , and following the carriage-road soon came upon an elegant mansion . Tho ° front door stood open , showiug a spacious hall , the walls covered with portraits , and warm iu colour from a stained-glass window at one end A

servant appeared in answer to his summons , and taking his cird showed him into a large , well-furnished library , evidently ° the study of a working literary man .

In a few moments there entered a hue looking old gentleman who hurried towards him , and , extending both hands , exclaimed : " Is this General Steuart ; of Baltimore , tha friend of Sir Richard Crosby ? "

_ Receiving an affirmative answer , he opened his arms and embraced him as a brother , saying , with tears in his cyoa : " God has been good in lotting ns meet , for I never can tell you how much wc all owe to ycu and yonr brother . Our faith iu God ' s promises wero almost ahaken , aa year by year his old mother waited

believing that her prayers would bo answered and ho brought bad ; to his home , and at last dying , still trusting . To the younger ones her belief and trust appeared like tho imbecility of old age , until tbe return of hor

son mado her faith a reality . " Lord C bagged that ho would afc onca movj cat to hia house and remain thero during his sojonrn , bufc ho declined , as he had mauy mends WHO had elaima upon him ,

A Masonic Incident In The Early History Of Baltimore.

He , however , remained to lanoh , and was then driven back to the city by this warm-hearted Irishman . Every morning daring his stay Loi'd C 's carriage and servants were afc the hotel door awaiting General Steuart's orders . He dined frequently afc tho oasfcle with friends and relatives , who came from far and near to meet him .

Sir Richard ' s daughter , by this time an old lady , travelled over 100 miles to welcome and thank him for his attentions to her father . She had become quite a distinguished authoress . Nothing was left nndone to show fche warmth and sincerity of their feelings .

The Masons of Dablia desired to give him a public reception but his visit was too short fco permit ifc . Soon he turned his back upon Ireland , bufc with the feeling that the Irish people well deserved all the praise thafc had been given them for warmth of feeling and trne . hoarfcedness . S . E . S .

In War Time.

IN WAR TIME .

BY WILLIAM ROTJNSEVILLE . I DO nofc know why it should havo been so , that I , who had always been opposed to every secret order , when I had decided to enter the army , to assist in the reduction of the rebellion , should have a secret bufc strong desire to become a Mason . I have often wondered at fche fact ; myself . My father was a devoted believer in all that Blanohard and Finney had said , sung and written against Masonry ,

and my reverence for his character naturally led me to think thafc the essence of all evil was centred in a Lodge . Yet , so ifc was , after enlistment fche inscrutable desire to become a Mason was intensified ; tbe prejudices and convictions , as well as the reasons and arguments were forgotten , and the evils of secret

societies became less and less apparent , until they vanished altogether , or else were seen in dim mists floating away on the horizon of memory . I applied for membership , by way of initiation , much to the surprise of some of the members who had heard me so stiffly oppose the Fraternity afc whose portals I now knocked .

The usual time of probation was curtailed by an official dispensation , and iu a few days after my application I had passed through fche first ceremonies of Ancient Craffc Masonry . There was barely time enough to perfect myself in the work , so as to prove my title to the new character I had assumed , when my regiment was ordered

to the front , and in less than a week from that time the battle of Shiloh had taken place . It is nofc my place fco criticise the action of fcho commanding officers , or to write a history of the events of that hard-fought field . The night of the first day found our forceB driven under cover of fche gunboats , and hundreds of brave fellows

who arose the morning of that clay in the full tide of health and activity , laid cold and stiff within or beyond the enemy's lines . Early in the battle , a rifle shot had broken my righfc leg above tho knee . The Union troops fell back from the position which thoy first occupied , which brought mo between the two fires . Consulting

my own safety as much as my situation would permit , I managed to get ; into a hollow , the bed of a torrent then dry , and all day lay there , fche balls whistling across my retreat in what seemed to ma dangerous proximity to my person , and the shells bursting in the air above me , sending down their iron rain with no regard as to

whom ifc might injure . About dark the firing ceased , and the rebels took a position which left me in the rear . When all was still I made au attempt fco remove from fche field of battle , but found ifc made the pain from my wound unbearable . Besides tho loss of blood had so weakened me thafc ifc was impossible

for me to drag myself over the ground , and I fell back exhausted . Visions of homo and its enjoyment ; tho weeping thafc would be at fche hearthstone when the news of my death should be received , flitted through my mind as I laid me down on what I firmly believed fco be my death bed . Tired nature could endure no more , and a

state of insensibility supervened . How long this condition continued I had no method of knowing , but was startled from the trance by feeling my hand grasped , and hearing an exclamation of surprise that there was yefc life remaining .

Under fche impulse of the moment I returned the grasp and with ifc the grip of a Mason . To my unspeakable gratification there was a prompt response . " You are wounded !"

" My thigh is broken , " We are searching for our brother . Be as patient as possible and we will return and attend to your wants . " " Do not leave me to perish j you ara an enemy , but enemies may be magnanimous , " I cried . "You are a brother and shall bo treated as snch , " was fcho

response . Tho searchers wonfc away , and after being gone for a time , thafc seemed to me a century , returned , bearing in a spring wagon the lifeless body of the beloved one of whom thoy went iu search . With tho utmost earo and tanderness I was raised and placed beside the

cold body and driven to the rear , and afc last lodged in the house of my deliverers , where surgical aid was procured and I was nursed to health again . Many times small parties of the confederate troops passed that way , but owing to the representations of my hosts , fchoy nevor molested or offered to injure mo .

Tlio Union army had passed on its victorious march to the south before I was able fco travel , and when , with grateful heart for life preservation , I grasped tho hard hand of the Southerner and bade him good bye , unbidden tears fell from my eyes , aud words failed to express my feelings . There ia great satisfaction in believing thafc our esteem was mutual .

I reported myself afc fche nearest station occupied by the Union rroops , _ found I had been sot down among tho " missing , " and as I was still unfit for duty , obtained a discharge and went home , never more to enter ths ranks of the country ' s defenders , My wounds con-