Honorary Distinctions.

HONORARY DISTINCTIONS .

IT has often struck ns that one of the petty charges brought against our Order , has , at all events , something of a substantial groundwork to rest upon . It is a common subject of ridicule , not -with the hoipolloi so much as with the more intelligent classes , when they see ordinary

folk arrayed in all the gorgeous finery of the Foresters and other friendly societies . The leader of the procession , who has arrayed himself beautifully , and quite regardless of expense , so ns most nearly to resemble Robin Hood , or Little John , or some other " swell" of that remote period ,

is probably a most respectable and inoffensive tradesman , who , in his ordinary costume , and in the performance of his ordinary duties , is respected by all his neighbours . On the high days and holidays - of Forestry , however , his appearance is so bewildering that the small boys jeer him ,

and his friends know him not in his quaint apparel . He is beribboned and bejewelled from head to foot , and , as it not unfrequently happens that his mien is neither the most graceful nor the most commanding , the grandeur of his costume adds not a little to the ridiculousness

of his general appearance . Others there are who figure thus publicly , and cause more or less excitement and laughter among the spectators , according as they are more or less gorgeotisly arrayed . ISTow the public display of Masonic paraphernalia is not allowed except a dispensation

has been obtained from the supreme authority . But none the less do sundry of our Order exhibit an undue love of finery , this display , however , being strictly confined , except as aforesaid , within the sacred precincts of the Lodge . Now we have no objection as a rule to a little vanity . A

man may even be very justly proud of sundry of his decorations . The brother who has laboured in the performance of his arduous duties as W . M . of his Lodge , or as

Steward to one of our Charities , is certainly deserving of some recognition , and our late M . W . G . M . H . R . H . the Dnke of Sussex , fully appreciating how small a reward would serve as an incentive to creat exertion in the cause

of beneficence , graciously sanctioned the wearing of Charity Jewels by those who had served the office of Steward to two of our Charities , with additional tokens in the shape of bars or clasps for further service of a similar character . Again , no reasonable objection can be raised to a deserving

W . M . receiving some token from his Lodge of their appreciation of his services during his term of office . A P . M . ' s jewel is a token of the respect in which an eminent brother is held by his brethren . But there is a limit to all things . As a correspondent pointed out in our columns last week ,

it may happen that a member has filled the chair of more than one Lodge , and that each has presented him with a P . M . ' s jewel . He may have served also other offices and have received other tokens of respect for his services in those other capacities , the result being that some brethren

are so bejewelled that a young craftsman might almost be excused for mistaking them for veteran Field Marshals or gorgeously bedizened Court Chamberlains . " Charity " suggests that a retiring W . M . should receive a life subscribershi p in those cases where he was already decorated

as a P . M . The suggestion is a practical one , and we shall willingly give space in our pages to any of our readers who may be desirous of expressing an opinion on the subject . It is clear too , that the matter requires some "ventilation . "

Grand Lodge , while jealous in the case of all matters connected with the discipline of the Craft , is slow to intervene without just cause is shown for its intervention . We have leceived copy of a circular addressed to the Masters of our

Honorary Distinctions.

several Lodges , pointing out that no " Special or Commemorative Lodge Jewel " can legally be worn without the express sanction of the Grand Master . We hail this wholesome hint to members as to any undue display of jewellery with the utmost satisfaction , es'ieciallv as we feel that it

came not wholly uncalled for . The plain garb of a brother is more honourable than the decoration of the Garter or any other Order of Knighthood , and the more simple it is , the more it becomes our Craft , whose grandest claim to respect is its simple , quiet , and unobtrusive beneficence . The following is the circular above referred to : —

FUEEMASOXS' HAIL , Loxnox , W . C , 25 th August lS' / S . W . Master , The attention of tho Board of General Purposes having been directed to tho fact of " Special or Commemorative

Lodge Jewels " . being worn by Members of the Craft , without the authorization of the Most Worshipful Grand Master , I am directed to request you to warn all the Members of your Lodge that no " Special or Commemorative Lodgo Jewel" can legally bo worn without the express authority of His Royal Highness the Most Worshipful GRAND MASTER having been first obtained . I am , W . HASTEN , Yours fraternally , JOHN HEBVEY G . S , To The "W . Master Lodgo No .

Order Of Charles Xiii. Of Sweden.

ORDER OF CHARLES XIII . OF SWEDEN .

ri ^ HE following translation of the Manifesto of King JL Charles XIII . of Sweden , on the occasion of his establishing the Masonic Order which bears his name , and of the Statutes of the said Order , may bo interesting to our readers .

MANIFESTO . Wo , Charles XIII , by the Grace of God , King of the Swedes , Goths , and Vandals , & c , & c .,. tfcc , make known that among the cares which , under divine

Providence , we have assumed in accepting the Crown of Sweden , not one is dearer to us than that of inquiring into and rewarding merit whose aim is to benefit the commonweal .

We have seen that oar glorious ancestors and predecessors , animated by like sentiments , in renewing several ancient orders , strove to arouse their subjects to bold and patriotic acts , and bestowed some ostensible mark of honour on men of eminent virtue . If , not unfrequently , we

confer reward on those who have shown themselves faithful , brave , intelligent , or industrious , neither must we overlook those good citizens who , in a narrower and loss brilliant sphere , and guided only by a desire to be of service to

humanity , are secretly prodigal of succour to the distressed and the orphan , and who , in the form of refuges for the indigent , leave traces , not of their names , but of the benefits they have conferred .

As we are desirous of paying honour to these virtuous actions , which the laws of the Kingdom prescribe not , and which are but seldom brought under the notice of the public , we havo been unable to withhold certain proofs of

our special goodwill from that estimable Societ y in Sweden , which we ourselves have administered and pi-esided over , the dogmas ancl institutions of which we have studied and propagated , of which for so long a period of time we have