Stability Of Mind.

STABILITY OF MIND .

W"E believe it was the late Lord George Bentinck who once announced , in the House of Commons , that the Prime Minister of England should be a man of stable mind . The announcement raised many a smile , for Lord . George was a prominent man on the turf , and the idea not

unnaturally suggested itself that he had borrowed his figure of speech from something intimately associated with his favourite pursuit . However this may be , there is undoubted truth in the statement that men in responsible

situations , whether English premiers or in a more limited sphere of action , must possess firmness in a degree more or less conspicuous . Centuries before the nobleman we have referred to uttered his unintentional witticism , a familiar

Roman Poet had sung , in one of his most famous odes : Justum ao tenacem propositi . virum , Non civinm ardor prava jubentium , Non vultns inatantis tyranni , Mente quafcit aolidii .

Stability of mind was a quality that was highly valued by the Romans , and even the Consul Terentius Varro , whom Hannibal defeated at Cannos , was publicly thanked , because he had fought on to the last , gallantly , if unsuccessfully ,

aud had not despaired of the Republic . It is scarcel y less esteemed among Englishmen . It must be a national quality , indeed , or how else shall we explain the proverbial obstinacy , the bull dog tenacity of purpose so universally

exhibited by our people . We never know when we are beaten ; that is , theoretically , perhaps , we are beaten , but as a matter of fact wo go on fighting , and issue victorious from the contest . But while

we have exhibited this trait in nearly all our national undertakings , whether peaceful or warlike , it is by no means certain that we are equally careful to preserve our good fame in matters of less importance .

In smaller circles firmness of mind , we fear , is not as hi ghly valued as it should be . Men with a will of their own are not always selected to fill positions of responsibility . Other considerations are too often taken into account , and

not unfrequently with consequences most pernicious . For instance , a new scheme , requiring the most dexterous managemt ™ t , is oftentimes conducted by one who is incapable either of coming to any settled conviction , or of abiding by

it when formed . Every momentary consideration exercises a certain influence upon his mind . In fact , to use a familiar expression , he blows hot and cold almost in the same breath , and the result , we repeat , is , in nine

cases out of ten , most pernicious , if not absolutely fatal to the enterprise . Take again , our Masonic Lodges . Their government does not often present difficulties of a very serious character , such as the display of a nttie

hrmne s on the part of the W . M . will not readily overcome . Yet the conduct of our Lodges is not always satisfactory . Confusion , jealousy , narrow-minded cliquism occasionall y manifest themselves , to the verv serious

disturbance of harmony . Were the Master only to show a little tact , and had he the couraee not only to form an opinion but to abide by it , all wouldV well . This does not a « vays happen . Such a W . M . is easily moved by the influence tnat vs immediately present . He is swayed hither and

" ¦ pud , g , shuttlecock is tossed to and fro by the players , and the consequences to his Lodge are the reverse ? n 11 S ? Masont 7 distinct policy is laid down ior ail . ihere can U no two opinions as to the nature of tne obligations we take upon ourselves when we join the vrcler . Yet while the outward forms may be strictly

Stability Of Mind.

observed , for the want of a little firmness on the part of those in office , the inner life of the Lodge , the inter-relations of its members towards each other , may entail a good deal of ill-feeling . Such a state of things is seldom , if ever ,

apparent when the W . M . has a will of his own—by which we do not mean that he is an obstinate man , who turns a deaf ear to every suggestion that is offered , and who never consults his Lodge . The man we mean was aptly described by Horace , as being one who

Nee snmit ant ponit secures Arbitrio popnlaris aime . He should have a policy , and act up to it , modifying it , perhaps , to suit the ever varying circumstances of his position and that of the brethren he is associated with , yet

never losing sight of the main principle of such policy . It is no good having weathercocks or trimmers to rule our Lodges , we' want men of stable minds , and possessing sound common sense ; we want men in eminent positions , who can guide us through a difficulty , if one arises ; not men

who , in such cases , must appeal to others for advice and assistance . Many a Lodge has come to grief for want of a little tact and firmness in its rulers . Masons , as a body , possess many eminent qualities , but they do not leave

outside the portals of the Lodge the innumerable weaknesses which are incident to human nature . A ruler of Masons must possess the same qualities a = » any other ruler , and among those qualities none should be more conspicuous , or is more essential , than Stability of Mind .

The Masonic Female Orphan School, Dublin.

THE MASONIC FEMALE ORPHAN SCHOOL , DUBLIN .

WE have just received a copy of the report of thia Institution for the year 1874 . Taking it as a whole , the account it renders must be looked upon as satisfactory . The revenue for the year , as compared with that of 1873 , shows the considerable decrease of £ 849 2 s 6 d , which , we are told , however , is due to the presence , in the

latter year , of certain exceptional items . The expenditure is slightly greater , but that calls for no special comment , and the capital has been increased by the investment of £ 100 in Masonic Hall Company shares . There is an increase in the annual subscriptions of £ 40 , but as there

had been a decrease in 1873 under this head , to the extent of £ 183 10 s , this source of revenue is still below what it was in former years , aud the loss arises " not from any want of new names in the subscription lists , " but " from a loss of subscribers previously known as supporters of

the School . " As yet the Governors , who fully recognise the importance of increasing the accommodation of the School , have been unsuccessful in obtaining an eligible site for the new premises they aro about to erect , but they think it probable that "the arrangements for this purpose

will be completed before the next report . " Under any circumstances , however , all the available capital of the School will be required for the erection of a suitable building , and , consequently , the annual income will be seriously diminished . Hence the necessity for increased activity

among the Craft in Ireland , in supporting this admirable Institution . Of the other subjects touched upon we may note briefly that , taking all things into account , the health

of the pupils was satisfactory . The results of the recent examination are highly gratif ying , and show the improvement which has been made . Lastly , a tribute of respect is paid to the memory of the late Duke of Leinster , whose