Restrictions On The Extension Of Lodges.

must find something to talk about when called upon as after dinner speakers , or who regard their fellow creatures as bigger fools than they are justified in doing , and if our idea of the case is anything approaching the correct one , as regards the admission

of candidates , the same line of argument can be adduced in regard to the creation of new Lodges , which should not be restricted except on grounds of actual unworthiness of some of those concerned in their proposed formation .

Freemasonry Exerts Its Powers.

FREEMASONRY EXERTS ITS POWERS .

LATELY Freemasonry in France proceeded to a whole list of sentences . It excluded from its membership all those politicians who took part in the agitations which contradicted the political plans of the Lodge . This shows bow the sect changes its tactics . Up to the present it

hypocritically represented itself as independent of political parties and exclusively as a " philanthropic society , " which its own statutes forbade to carry on politics . Of course no reasonable man believed in this hypocrisy , but , in any case , the sect kept np appearances , as viewed from the

point of legality . Now Freemasonry throws off the mask , and declares itself openly as a political society . It excludes those who were bound to it , gives orders , and publishes ordinances . Its organs express openly an article of their Constitution as follows : — " Freemasonry must be a State

within the State ; so much so that the direction of the State be in the hands of Freemasons , and that these carry out the wishes of their brethren . " For a long time already tbo Lodge has the Government in power , or has very great influence upon it . It might , therefore , appear strange

why the Freemasons , not content with their present influence , proceed to suppress every other real or apparent political authority at their own coat . This is easily explained by the circumstance that the Lodge feels that people wish gradually to free themselves from its oppressive

rule , acquired by craft and contention . Freemasonry sees it can no longer lead the nations astray , for even those who are quite blind cannot fail to see the immense squandering of the self-seeking sect , whereby the State suffers so much

injury . Every one must perceive that the irreligion and immorality , which has been raised by the Lodge to a system of government , only leads the state to ruin , both in a moral and economical and material point of view .

Many signs favour the assumption that public opinion is recovering its senses ; and the Lodge makes a desperate opposition against the re-action which has begun that it may not become irresistible . What moves the sect still

more is the undeniable fact that the Catholic Church everywhere gains in influence . It sees mauy crises , prepared with great exertion by the Lodges in Germany , Austria , Ireland , Brazil , & o ., overcome and thrust aside by the authoritative intervention of the Church . For that reason

the Lodge directs its force against this hated Church . Would that the State would wake up to a better knowledge , and that the nations , through a deep conviction of religion , wonld oppose a dam to the devastations which is bring planned—Salzburger Katliolische Kirchenzeitmg ,

Dublin Female Orphan School.

DUBLIN FEMALE ORPHAN SCHOOL .

fTIHE Centenary of the Masonic Female Orphan School , *•which will next year be celebrated , thus early promises to be a distinguished success , and to enlarge 'vastly by its results the scope and efficiency of a great and deserving charity . On the 20 th instant was held , in the

Masonio Hall , Molesworth Street , a conference for the purpose of receiving a report from the Executive Committee , and of furthering the arrangements in progress for the ffites which will occur next May . The announcement was made that the Queen had become a Patron , and the

sentiment was expressed that every member of the Body in Ireland would be gratified by the gracious act of the Sovereign . The vast premises of the Royal Dublin Society

at Ball ' s Bridge have been engaged , and they will be fitted in a manner that will completely transform the place . Tbe Main Hall is to have the aspect of a seventeenth century market place , while the Sonth Hall will present a picture of Old Dublin . Such designs are really interesting , and

Dublin Female Orphan School.

admit of quaint and picturesque detail . Some of our leading artists have tendered their services , and there can be no doubt that they will create a picture which will please the eyo of the citizen , and offer to the stranger a novel and notable attraction . Mr . Bingham M'Guinness , Mr . W . M .

Mitchell , Mr . T . Drew , and Mr . R . Orpen have devoted their knowledge to the reconstruction of" Old Dublin , " and tho mention of their names is sufficient guarantee that the display will be a remarkable one from an archaeological and artistic point of view . This , in fact , will be an Irish

Exhibition upon a scale of some magnitude , and , quite apart from its special character , will draw many thousands from all parts of Ireland , and from distant places as well . There could be no more signal or healthy sign of the earnestness of the plan than the manifestations of interest

in its welfare that were demonstrated , not merely locally but from many quarters outside Ireland . From the statements which are published it must be gathered that the forthcoming fetes will mark a distinctive event in the season's social round . Objects of tbe most curious

kind will be shown from all parts of the conntry , and these will be arranged by the Fine Arts Committee , of whioh Sir Thomas Jones , P . R . H . A ., is President , and Mr . Stephen Catterson Smith , B . H . A ., Secretary , having associated with

him Mr . Richard Moynan . There will come from Cork , exhibited by Mr . Day , an unique collection of antique gold and silver . Out of doors there will be a brilliant show , and in every part of the grounds there will bo something fresh to see . There has been formed an Athletic and

Cycling Committee , and many a hard contest will be fought out in the big area of the Ball ' s Bridge premises . A largo number of valuable presents have been received , and are acknowledged by the Lodges . In the country , as well as in the town , hearty efforts are already being made to promote the success of the Fair . Members of the Masonio

body in places abroad have promptly come forward to help their Irish brethren in their purely charitable enterprise , and there can be no doubt that long before it is brought within measurable distance of completion so much generous assistance will be given as to ensure for the future the

solid position of the School , and enable it to meet any emergency which in time to come it may have to face . And apart altogether from the special design of the celebration , we cannot bnt feel gratification that thus at the start of the season so attractive an Exhibition will be offered to the

public , drawing thousands to Dublin , and so helping to encourage a much-needed social stir amongst all classes of tho population . This will be but one of the many important incidents of the year to come , during which we earnestly hope tourist traffic in Ireland will be promoted and

extended beyond even present expectations . We cannot afford to miss any opportunity , and the public must naturally regard with favour every effort to enlarge our opportunities in such kind . What wo have now to note

with sincere satisfaction is , the common desire to tempt tho stranger to visit us , and there never was a time when efforts in that direction were more thoroughly earnest or practical . —Irish Times .

At a meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Oxfordshire , held at the Apollo Lodge , Oxford , on the 2 nd inst ., Lord Valentia was invested by Col . Shadwell Clerke Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Oxfordshire in succession to

the late Bro . Reginald Bird . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master appointed Bro . Colville Smith as his Senior , and Bro . S . J . Shipp as his Junior Wardens for the ensuing year . Upwards of 100 brethren from the various Lodges in the Province were present .

Bro . Henry Irving has presented to the Committee of the Literary and Artistic Stall to be held under the auspices of the Masonic members of the University of Dublin , at the approaching Centenary Bazaar , a set of the plays performed at the Lyceum Theatre , including the

Shakespearian revivals . The volumes , nine m number , contain some beautiful illustrations , and bear the autograph of the donor on the title page of each . They were forwarded by Mr . Irving to Mr . J . M . Lowry , one of the Hon . Secretaries of the stall , with his best wishes for the success

of the undertaking . Mr . Lowry has also received from the Marquis of Lome a presentation copy of his " Memories of Canada and Scotland , " and several other popular authors , including thc Marchioness of Dufferin , Mr . Bram Stoker , and Lord Desart , have sent or promised copies of their books .