The Recent Elections.

hundred , one just six hundred , four over four hundred , four over three hundred ; the two others being " out of the hunt" altogether . For the Boys' School there Avere fifty-eight candidates , one of Avhom Avas AvithdraAvn and Avill therefore be omitted

from the examination , and ten vacancies . Thirty-six of these had votes to their credit , one having already been a candidate six times , one five times , two four times , eight three times , nine tAvice , and fifteen once ; the remaining twenty-one were applicants for the first time . Of those

elected , three were neAV and seven old candidates . Thirty-nine of the fifty-seven Avere provincials , of Avhom eight ( one each from St . Helena , Cumberland , Foreign Stations , Staffordshire , Cheshire , Dorsetshire , W . Yorkshire , and Oxfordshire ) Avere elected , Avhile eighteen , of Avhom three succeeded , were

Londoners . There were six Avhom failure at this election would render further ineligible . Of these , two succeeded and four failed . Of previous candidates , nine already had over a thousand votes to their credit—five of these succeeded ; three had over eight hundred , and one succeeded ; three

over six hundred , ten had from one to four hundred , and of these onegained a place , and eleven underone hundred . None of these last made much way at this election . Of the neAV candidates , four made over 1 , 300 , and three Avere elected , and three scored 461 , 424 , and 328 votes respectively ; twelve

more scored respectively 143 , 138 , 116 , 106 , 99 , 15 , 10 , 9 , 9 , 7 , 6 and 2 ; the remaining two obtained no votes at all . Of the nine old candidates , Avho were the most to be dreaded , having already to their credit over one thousand votes , five were provincial and four London , but while four

of the former succeeded and one failed , three of the latter failed and only one succeeded . We may note here by the Avay that the most formidable of the old candidates for the Girls' School Avas a Londoner , Avith 614 votes already to the good , yet she came out seventh on the poll , being over three

hundred beloAV the sixth or last of the successful ones . We shall not pursue the investigation further . All we Avish to demonstrate is that energy in this , as in other things , is necessary to success . It is no good having a Avide circle of friends and acquaintances if you do not stir them into

active , zealous co-operation Avith you in promoting the case you have in hand . What can be done if those in charge of a particular child ' s election is shown by the fact that the boy Avho headed the poll Avas a Londoner , an applicant for the first time—and for tho last time also—yet he scored

2 , 157 votes right off , while the most formidable of his rivals , who already had , six months ago , 1 , 392 votes to the good , came in eighth only , and Avas not , therefore , so very far removed from failure . Again Nos . 3 and 4 on the list of the successful , and who were likeAvise candidates for the first time

scored 2 , 008 and 1 , 992 respectively ; these Avere provincials , yet London candidates Avith 1 , 199 , 1 , 127 and 1 , 110 to their several credits came out 13 th , 12 th and 17 th . The moral we deduce , and which we are anxious to impress upon our readers , is that if cases are deemed Avorthy of being

submitted to theballot , theymust be worthy of energeticsupport . If people Avho have experienced one failure mean carrying their candidate at the next election , they must commence canvassing the very day their failure is made knoAvn to them . It is no good leaving things to chance , or till the

election is close at hand , for in the latter case , scores of good votes are often lost , and instance after instance happens of people saying , " My dear fellow , if you had only told me , even a day or t % vo since , you should have had them with much pleasure . " As to trusting to chance , people who will

not help themselves , seldom find others to help them . But in either case , and in fact , in all cases , a Avant of energy on the part of the supporters of a candidate is an act of injustice to the latter . Young as he may be , failure , and especially repeated failure , discourages him ; and far too

early in life he may form an impression that he has been the victim of other people ' s carelessness . By all means let the worthiest be chosen , but as all must have been deemed Avorthy of election Avhose names are on tho list of candidates , the supporters of any boy or girl so placed are

bound in honour to aid him or her to the utmost of their poAver . Contrast the girl Perks , Avho got 24 votes at four elections , Avith that of her rival Taylor , who obtained 1 , 431 at one . Or let us take the cases of ShipAvay , Avho mustered 1 , 858 at his seventh trial , and Duff , Avho had 1 , 802 at his

sixth , and Avith these compare those of Price Avith 2 , 157 , Sutton Avith 2 , 008 , and Jones Avith 1 , 992 at one trial . Making every sort of allowance , Ave do not think the former Avould have been 3 £ and 3 years respectively in getting into the School , had their friends worked as Ihard as those of

The Recent Elections.

Price , Sutton , and Jones who were elected in six months What is Avorth having , is Avorth trying hard for .

Address On Opening The Weekly Meetings.

ADDRESS ON OPENING THE WEEKLY MEETINGS .

( BY BRO . PBESTON , W . D . AND P . M . )

WE are indebted to the kindness of one of our subscribers for the loan of a copy , believed to be unique , of the Bye-Laws of the Lodge of Antiquity , in force in the year 1812 . As Bro . Preston ' s name , as an eminent Masonic author , is familiar throughout the Craft as a housebold Avord , we make no apology for reproducing the following address of his in these columns : —

"The principal intention of our Aveekly meetings is , mutually to instruct each other in the knowledge and practice of Freemasonry . For this purpose Ave may consider it as an essential duty , minutely to investigate the various subjects Avhich are treated in the establishment

of our system . Many obstacles must , no doubt , occur in the course of our inquiries , from the intricacy of the points that Ave are required to discuss , and from the variet y of modes which have been adopted among Masons in the delineation of their forms ; while our progress may be

retarded from the seeming improbability of being able to effect a general uniformity in the 'practice of our rites . To the diligent and assiduous , however , few difficulties are insurmountable : if , therefore , we zealously pursue our researches , Ave may rest assured that our labour Avill not be altogether unsuccessful .

It is to he regretted , that the valuable tenets of our institution should be so imperfectly known , and that so few of our brethren should be inclined to become proficients in our art . Many are apt to contemn Avhat they do not understand ; and hence Avemay account for the irregularity

which too frequently prevails in our meetings . Were our principles better understood , our customs and usages more clearly defined , and our ceremonies more accuratel y arranged , Ave should find few lukewarm advocates for Masonic instruction .

Influenced by the most generous motives , it shall be our province to discuss every point Avith candour and liberality of sentiment ; to pry into every secret deposit of Masonic lore , and to deduce such conclusions from the general

practices of the fraternity as are most reconcileable to the government of the system . These means will convince us of the utility of the institution , and enable us to partake with more pleasure in the administration of its forms .

Such are the prospects which a regular attendance on our Aveekly meetings may produce . Many who at present consider our assemblies as only one degree above a common club , will probably be induced to acknoivledge , Avhen tbey are

better informed , that they are calculated for other purposes than mere conviviality ; and that , in the practice of genuine Masonry , the talents of our brethren may be fully occupied in the investigation of useful knoAvledge .

In the culture of civilisation and mental improvement , they Avill find among Masons , in the Lodge , a happy union of men undistinguished by rank , country , or persuasion . A motive so alluring to generous minds must plead powerfully in favour of the Masonic institution . Another

motive , hoivever , notlessattracting , Avillsway them—friendly offices among the selected few whom real merit has entitled to esteem , and Avho , under the patronage of Masons , can never , unpitied and unassisted , sink under the Aveighfc of misfortune .

Independent of these advantages , it will also be discovered , that , in the sacred mansion set apart for the propagation of our art , Ave enjoy , Avithout the danger of interruption , all the benefits of a well-regulated and rational

conversation with men of different ranks , ivho are zealously employed in the acquisition of useful knoAvledge , uncontaminated by vicious habits , and whose predominant characteristics are the practice and profession of moral virtue .

To the improved mind , these are captivating enticements ; and Avhile such objects continue to be the purpose of our associations , illustrious characters will never be wanted to add dignity to our assemblies . It must always be recollected , that though the disquisition of our tenets , and the practice of our rites , are limited