Masonic Reminiscences.

" I am thoroughly convinced that their claim to antiquity is entirely unfounded . If lecturers would cease to press the unfounded claims of the Chapter and Council Degrees , admit their want of antiquity and give their real history , they might well be perpetuated for their dramatic beauty . " He adopted " Rob" as a prefix early in his Masonic career . Tbe

immediate cause of this was , lie stated , a determination not any longer to bo confounded with Robert Morris , the author and poet , of Philadelphia , of whom ho for many years complained that whenever he wrote anything in prose or verse that was good , it was credited to the Philadelphia Morris , and

whenever the Philadelphia Morris wrote anything more than ordinarily dull and flat he got tho discredit of it I To obviate this , and give each Morris his due , the change referred to was made . —Daniel McDonald P . G . M ., in " Masonic Advocate . "

Masonic Literature And Literary Culture.

MASONIC LITERATURE AND LITERARY CULTURE .

WHEN the Masonic historian of the future deals with tho history of tho last twenty years of Freemasonry ho will assuredly point to the present period as a remarkable one in the annals of the Craft , if only as having witnessed the birth of what may be justly termed a sound Masonic historical literature . Not that we desire to say that before that period

Masonic writers were unknown , for their name is legion . It has , however , only been in recent years that Masonic authors have awakened to tho thought that the Craft required something more than a mixture of fact , legend , and " Fond things vainly invented " in the mental pabulum provided for it .

The works of Anderson , Preston , Oliver , Kloss , and others , which in the past were authorities to conjuro by , are no longer accepted as containing tho true history of tho Craft . They have been subjocted to the closest scrutiny , and the rules of literary criticism , when applied to them , havo conclusively

proved that they are no longer entitled to rank as text-books , although they will probably for all time be cherished as literary curiosities . The educational progress of the times has had a beneficial effect on Masonic literature , and in a few years it has been raised from the levol of fairy tales to a position of which it need no longor be ashamed .

Masonic history and archaeology may now be thoroughly studied , and the names of such writers as Mackoy , Gould , Lyon , Hughan , Speth , Sadler , Lane , Whymper , Woodford , Whytehead , Yarker , and others , are as familiar to reading Masons as are thoso of the old school above mentioned . Their

labours in the cause of Masonic literature have beon enormous , and the excellence of their work has widoned tbe field of study and greatly increased tho number of Masonic students , thereby benefiting the Craft in a high degree .

The Masonic newspaper press , too , has become a real power for good in Masonry ; and although it has not nearly reached the standard of perfection which all earnest Masons must desire for it , yet it is , in English-speaking countries , doing much for the welfare of tho Craft by keeping before the

Musons the progress of the institution in all parts of the world , stirring them up to the performance of their Masonic duties , materially assisting in the establishment of international Masonic law and uniformit y of legislation .

We must not omit to say a word of praise for that form of periodical Masonic literature which is , we are sorry to say , almost confined to America We mean the annual reports of the Committees on Correspondence of American and Canadian Grand Lodges . We consider that they occupy a

most important place in Masonic literature , but , as iu a recent issue of this paper we specially dwelt upon their merits , we regret that we must refrain from again setting forth their value to the Craft . We recommend our Brethren to get one of them and read it . We know the verdict will be favourable .

The growing taste for the study by Masons of Masonic literature has naturally stirred up a desire for tho formation of Masonic libraries . In England tho Grand Lodge of England has for many years been slowly gathering together a collection of works on Masonry , but as yet the authorities of that body have not developed any ardent desire to provide the

home of English Freemasonry with such a library as becomes the position it occupies in the Masonic world , and unless some change is made it is probable that it is the Lodge Quatuor Coronati , No . 2076 , that now

worldfamed Lodge of Masonic students , that the English Craft will have to thank for supplying the wants which the ruling body should tako in hand . The Library of that Lodge already numbers many volumes , besides ia . re MSS . and Masonic curiosities .

The formation of Masonic libraries is receiving attention from several Lodges and Provincial Grand Lodges in England . Choice collections of Masonic books are possessed by several Masonic students , notably by Bro . Whymper , of India . In America our Brethren appear to realise more fully the value of Masonic libraries . Many of their Grand Lodges have given

their attention to the matter , whilst the Masonic library of the Grand Lodi'e of Iowa , at Cedar Rapids , is justly entitled to encomium as the finest Masonic library in the world . To Bro . T . S . Parvin the Grand Secretary of Iowa , is due the credit of gathering together and housing this splendid collection ,

and it is no little compliment to him that the United States Government has showed its appreciation of his work by ordering all State publications to be u * iit to tho Masonic library at Cedar Rapids . — " South Australian Freemason . "

A Model Lodge.

A MODEL LODGE

A MODEL is a pattern , a type of perfection . A model Lodge , therefore is one approaching such perfection that it can be chosen as a pattern which others may safely imitate . Tho whole machinery runs smoothly There is no friction or rattling of loose joints . Tho members are at peace with each other , and the harmony of brotherly affection and proper friendly

regard is manifest in pleasant intercourse . There is a zealous interest in all that pertains to the Lodge , apparent to even casual observers . If one member is sick , or in distress , the whole body feels it in a sincere and expressed sympathy . " Behold how these Brethren love one another , " may bo correctly said . The Officers aro zealous and earnest in their work . They

arc in their places as the Master's gavel calls the Brethren to ordor exactly on the minute for opening the meeting . There is no locking around to find some one to act as Junior Deacon or to fill tbo station of Senior Warden . As jn a great engine , every wheel and piston respouds at once to the manic touch of the master hand that controls it , and it becomes a thing of life so

when the Master sets tho wheels of tho Lodge in motion every Officer at once responds to the magic touch , and the work begins . The Junior Deacon is not pouting because ho is not Junior Warden , nor is the Sonior Deacon " mad " because he is not Master , but each one , in his own place , feels that his work is as important as that of any other Officer . There is no loose

screw at the door , or broken dog-wheel in the West , or a rusty joint in the South . In performing their duties they act in harmony . There is an earnest desire to do ovorything as perfectly as it can be done . There is promptness in every movement , ready and quick response to every question , an intelligence of expression , which makes the oponing ceremonies interesting and

pleasant . There is an earnestness all through the degree work , a knowledge of the text and ritual , that makes it instructive and enjoyable . The Master of Ceremonies is as particular to do his part as tbe Senior Deacon or tho Master . In the singing all unite , and when the members are invited to participate in any part of the work , tho Marshal does not have to punch a

dozen or more and urge them to " get up . " Nor does the Senior Deacon have to wake up a sleeping Brother in the " Amen Corner . " All are awake and on the alert to do their share . Such a Lodge will have a large attendance , an active , harmonious membership , and a full treasury . — "New York Dispatch . "

The "National Shilling Testimonial to Dr . Grace , " started some few weeks back by the " Daily Telegraph , " has met with an enthusiastic response among cricketers and lovers of sport in all parts of the world , among tho more recent contributions being ono from five hundred subscribers in Ceylon , who forwarded -E 27 8 s , through the " Times of Ceylon . " The Editor of our contemporary desires it to be distinctly understood that while the rate of subscription has been designedly fixed at a very small sum , the object of

tbe movement is to testify to the universal appreciation in which athletics and its most prominent champion are held throughout the community . It is doubtful if there are any among our readers who have not had an opportunity of contributing to the Fund , but if there are any such we take this opportunity of bringing the matter under their notice , and shall be pleased to hear they have supported the testimonial , either by remitting direct to the " Daily Telegraph , " or to our care .

Holiday Train Arrangements.

HOLIDAY TRAIN ARRANGEMENTS .

LONDON AND NORTH WESTERN RAILWAY . rpHE usual facilities are offered by this Company for passengers who may I desire to obtain tickets for any destination on the line on the day prior to the starting of the different trains , the principal ticket offices being kept open for the purpose thoughout the week preceding the Bank Holiday . Tickets may also be obtained at the different Town Receiving Offices of tho Company , which are to bo found in all parts of the metropolis , these being dated so as to suit the convenience of passengers .

Several excursions are announced in connection with the Holiday , chief among which are trips to Scotland for five or eleven days , with the arrangement now so popular with this Company , of allowing passengers , on payment of a single fare for the double journey , to return at any time within sixteen days from date of issue . Such trips arc arranged to leave Euston Station both on Friday and Saturday .

On Friday midnight a special excursion will be run to Livorpool , Manchester , and most other important towns . of Lancashire , as also to tho chief points served by the Company in Cheshire and Wales , while the Lake District and other attractive points further north will be duly catered for . Other trips are arranged for Saturday and Sunday , the latter including a two days' excursion to Manchester , while special accommodation will also bo provided on Monday , fuller details in regard to all of which will be found in our advertisement columns .

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY .

riIHE Great Western Company issue ordinary as well as excursion tickets X at their principal City and West-end Offices , and this arrangement is probably never so much appreciated as during the week preceding the Bank Holiday , when large numbers of people avail themselves of the opportunity thus afforded for obtaining tickets at their own time and without tbe crowding and worry inseparable from a large railway station at holiday seasons . The fares charged arc the some as at Paddington and the tickets are available for use under precisely the same conditions as those issued at that station .

The following are the offices at which tickets are issued , viz . —193 ana 407 Oxford Street , 23 New Oxford Street , 269 Strand , 4 Holborn Circus , 29 Charing Cross , Cambridge Circus , Shaftesbury Avenue , The Piazza , Covent Garden , 26 Regent Street , 5 Arthur Street East , London Bridge , 82 Queen Victoria Street , 181 Tottenham Couit Road , 07 Gresham Street , 4 Chcapsidc , 17 Brompton Road , Minories ( opposite Goodmnii ' a Yard ) , Nags Head , Vol