Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ireland.
away with any sense of monotony , and several of the airs were very striking specimens of the composer ' s skill . One of the gems of the night was the Initiation Song , the words by Mr . Ellis , ' O fount of light . ' The melody is graceful and touching , at once winning its way to the heart , and it was sung with charming purity and delicacy of expression by Mr . Geary , who was encored . The quartett , ' A Mason ' s life the life for me' was also one of those warmly called for a second timeand Dr .
, , Smith and Messrs . R . Smith , Geary , and Yoakley gave it with spirit and judgment . Dr . Smith in the second part of the concert sung an elaborate monody on the death of Sir R . Sale , and Mr . R . Smith ' s fine voice told well in the concerted music in which he took a part . Mr . Levey ' s violin playing was marked by several very good points , and his bowing is clear
and correct , displaying a facile hand . A military band was added to the strength of the corps , arrayed in the honour of Masonry , and the many-coloured decorations of the Brotherhood added not a little to the appearance of the room . The concert was both numerously and fashionably attended , and , between the intervals in the programme , refreshments were served in an adjoining room . Supreme Grand Council of Rites , March 18 . —A resolution was passed to the effect that the majority of a committeeconsisting of the
, officers , i . e ., the M . AV . Sojourner and AVardens of all the Chapters , or their proxies , shall be sufficient to pass candidates for admission to the degree of P . G . R . C . The Duke of Leinster and , we believe , also a great proportion of the members of the Kilwinning Chapter were opposed to this innovation , but it was carried . "Thus this degree , which has been considered until very lately almost
unattainable in Ireland ( except by individuals favoured by a certain few ) , is now reduced nearly to the level of all other grades of the Order . I will not at present express any opinion upon the propriety or impropriety of the change which has been thus effected . How far the idea of an aristocratic degree in Masonry is consistent with the general principles of Masonic confraternity I will not now inquire ; nor shall I moot the question , whether or not the exclusiveness , which has hitherto prevailed in this degree in Irelandhas been the exclusiveness of rankand
, , of the pride of birth or station—or whether , on the contrary , it has been that of mere favouritism and monopoly . The change now made may be for the better ; but if such be the case , why did not those who have now insisted upon it , propose it before ? why did they up to this moment cling to the policy which they now condemn ? why did they themselves first make the rule , and afterwards adhere to it with such jealous pertinacity ? and why do they now so suddenly ' wheel about' to so
contrary a position ? Is it because the baby-house has been opened to a few , and that the original possessors of the toys now wish , from mere motives of pique , to make them common property to all comers , since they are no longer the subject of a monopoly ? Is it because those who opened the close borough now wish to establish a new monopoly upon the ruins of the first ? or is it that the Kilwinning Chapter is becoming an object of envyand that in order to abate its pridethe order of Prince
, , or Rose Croix Masonry is to be swamped ? or , finally , is the change of policy the result merely of a conscientious alteration of opinions , honestly formed at first , and afterwards as honestly thrown aside ? I am unable to solve these queries , and shall only say that I love plain straight-forward courses—I respect the bold free-trader , the consistent protectionist , but I am no admirer of any sliding-scale . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ireland.
away with any sense of monotony , and several of the airs were very striking specimens of the composer ' s skill . One of the gems of the night was the Initiation Song , the words by Mr . Ellis , ' O fount of light . ' The melody is graceful and touching , at once winning its way to the heart , and it was sung with charming purity and delicacy of expression by Mr . Geary , who was encored . The quartett , ' A Mason ' s life the life for me' was also one of those warmly called for a second timeand Dr .
, , Smith and Messrs . R . Smith , Geary , and Yoakley gave it with spirit and judgment . Dr . Smith in the second part of the concert sung an elaborate monody on the death of Sir R . Sale , and Mr . R . Smith ' s fine voice told well in the concerted music in which he took a part . Mr . Levey ' s violin playing was marked by several very good points , and his bowing is clear
and correct , displaying a facile hand . A military band was added to the strength of the corps , arrayed in the honour of Masonry , and the many-coloured decorations of the Brotherhood added not a little to the appearance of the room . The concert was both numerously and fashionably attended , and , between the intervals in the programme , refreshments were served in an adjoining room . Supreme Grand Council of Rites , March 18 . —A resolution was passed to the effect that the majority of a committeeconsisting of the
, officers , i . e ., the M . AV . Sojourner and AVardens of all the Chapters , or their proxies , shall be sufficient to pass candidates for admission to the degree of P . G . R . C . The Duke of Leinster and , we believe , also a great proportion of the members of the Kilwinning Chapter were opposed to this innovation , but it was carried . "Thus this degree , which has been considered until very lately almost
unattainable in Ireland ( except by individuals favoured by a certain few ) , is now reduced nearly to the level of all other grades of the Order . I will not at present express any opinion upon the propriety or impropriety of the change which has been thus effected . How far the idea of an aristocratic degree in Masonry is consistent with the general principles of Masonic confraternity I will not now inquire ; nor shall I moot the question , whether or not the exclusiveness , which has hitherto prevailed in this degree in Irelandhas been the exclusiveness of rankand
, , of the pride of birth or station—or whether , on the contrary , it has been that of mere favouritism and monopoly . The change now made may be for the better ; but if such be the case , why did not those who have now insisted upon it , propose it before ? why did they up to this moment cling to the policy which they now condemn ? why did they themselves first make the rule , and afterwards adhere to it with such jealous pertinacity ? and why do they now so suddenly ' wheel about' to so
contrary a position ? Is it because the baby-house has been opened to a few , and that the original possessors of the toys now wish , from mere motives of pique , to make them common property to all comers , since they are no longer the subject of a monopoly ? Is it because those who opened the close borough now wish to establish a new monopoly upon the ruins of the first ? or is it that the Kilwinning Chapter is becoming an object of envyand that in order to abate its pridethe order of Prince
, , or Rose Croix Masonry is to be swamped ? or , finally , is the change of policy the result merely of a conscientious alteration of opinions , honestly formed at first , and afterwards as honestly thrown aside ? I am unable to solve these queries , and shall only say that I love plain straight-forward courses—I respect the bold free-trader , the consistent protectionist , but I am no admirer of any sliding-scale . "