-
Articles/Ads
Article MASONIC VULGARITY. ← Page 2 of 2 Article THE VIOLENCE OF POLITICIANS. Page 1 of 1 Article THE VIOLENCE OF POLITICIANS. Page 1 of 1 Article THE METROPOLITAN POLICE. Page 1 of 2 Article THE METROPOLITAN POLICE. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Vulgarity.
any weaknesses , inconsistencies , and blunders or stumblings in its " alumni , " which serve to blot its fair escutcheon , or to cast a doubt on the realitv of its worth , and the truth of its claims to the good will and respect of mankind . Freemasons should ever seek to emancipate
themselves from the false teaching and customs of the world . A Freemason should ever be kind and courteous , tolerant and patient , friendly and forbearing . If there betimes , as times there are , when he is bound to assert his own dignity or to uphold his own self respect , let him do so calmlv and consistently , but avoid carefully the
exhibition of unseemly bitterness , or that Masonic vulgarity which is sometimes patent to all in the violence of some unhappy controversy , in the angry language of a vehement partizan , in the unseemly circulation of vindictive pamp hlets , or in the agitated criticism of a vulgar personality .
The Violence Of Politicians.
THE VIOLENCE OF POLITICIANS .
Some of us may call to mind Beranger ' s famous "Plus de Politique , " some of us may recollect-Praed ' s happy adaptation , " No Politics To-day . " And such a' motto we feel is that which is ever appropriate to Freemasonry , inasmuch as it as an Order , great and numerous
though it be too , utterly ignorant of political preposessions and alien from political excitement . The memorable advice of our Royal Grand Master to keep clear of politics is advice which will commend itself to the good taste and right feelings of us all aliKe , whatever that
" colour " may be which in the profane world is t . ar " customary vanity . " And as Freemasons we often gladly call to mind how well it is for us and ours that we know nothing of politics jr politicians , qua politics , qua politicians . For jt the best , for the most part , it is not , as we
well know and clearly perceive , an ennobling pursuit , in itself , that of politics rather it evokes too often the worst passions of humanity , developes some of the most grovelling proclivities which can either deaden the conscience or debase the weaker characteristics of man . That
the study and pursuit of politics are necessary for us as citizens of a great country , qua citizens , is perhaps true , but after all is said and done , in our opinion , those are the wisest who know the least of them , at least , in their absorbing claims on the time , on the purse , on the interest , on the
ambition of us all . Parliamentary government cannot probably be carried on without the concurrent efforts of political partizans and coteries , but the tendency of all pure political enthusiasm is to exalt the individual and forget the many , to advance the interest of the clique , not the
welfare of the nation—to give up , in fact , to " party what was meant for mankind . " At the same time we say this , we are aware of the difficulty in a limited monarchy like ours , and under our free constitution , of any other " modus procedendi , " except that of party combination ,
the " ins" and " outs , Government and Opposition ; and however in the abstract we may see the evil of party politics , it is most difficult in the concrete to suggest a remedy or propose an amelioration . But to us as Freemasons all party politics are most distasteful and objectionable , in
consequence of the violence they manifest and the personal diatribes they encourage . Freemasons are men of peace , tolerant , forbearing , sagacious , with professions of goodwill to all , and with a practice , "let us trust , not altogether entirel y antagonistic to their professions . Hence the
tirades of party pamphlets , of the hybrid violence of stump orators or political windbags , of illog ical partizans , are as lidiculous as they are Intestable to Freemasons . We smile at the violent ravings of the political monomaniac , just as we are revolted by the vulgar personalities of
me reckless partizan scribe . We abhor the '" solence of party , just as we despise the venality ° f the hired maligner . And every now and then We see plainly to what lengths party will lead ai uiable men , and to what extremes the love of
s ^ -neral or public notoriety will even induce ths educated and refined to prostitute their talents a « u debase their antecedents in the unrestrained -utpouring of personal virulence or party animosity . Those who are fair in everything else
The Violence Of Politicians.
here are most unfair when dealing with a political question , most unscrupulous in treating either of the matives or position of a political opponent . L-. 't us take a very recent sad example of the unbridled licentiousness of party violence . Mr . Freeman is a writer well known
to all architectural students . He is a person of great powers , much knowledge , and a great authority on ecclesiastical architecture and archaeology . Mr . Freeman takes it in his head to enlighten the world and an admiring coterie on politics , and Mr . Freeman accordingly—as he
was pretty sure to do—makes a "fiasco . " Mr . Freeman might express his opinion , and we should listen cheerfully and confidingly , whether as to the "Saxon Chronicle , " or some moot point in ecclesiclogy , but the moment he began " ore rotundo , " to mouth politics our motto
becomes " hold hard . What business has Mr . Freeman to talk of two leading statesmen ( be they who they may ) , in the tone he has thought proper to adopt to Lord Beaconsfield and Lord Derby , simply because he , Mr . Freeman , takes a special view of Eastern nolitics ?
Whence this unreasoning violence ? this hopeless personality of utterance ? What has Mr . Freeman written or done that we are to take his estimate politically of either , or of the situation as if he were alone infallible ? When he calls Lord Derby the " Derby windbag , " and says it
" has burst , ' when he adds , " it is now lawful to speak freely of one of the dullest and most incapable of so-called statesmen , " and when he declares that he is " dead to those parts of man ' s nature which lead to great and noble actions , " all must feel , ba we who we may , that this
great authority violates every canon of truth , fairness , and propriety . When Mr . Freeman speaks of Lord Beaconsfield as one of whom it makes us " thankful that Englishmen have no part or lot in him , at all events that the commons of England have no part or lot in him , "
it becomes in truth the affectation of impertinent criticism , and the excess of personal vulgarity . How is Mr . Freeman qualified to pass such an opinion , and what is it worth ? Does it not really represent the " unknown quantity , " whether of political bluster or swagger , just as
you like ? So , as Freemasons , we must rejoice that we are saved from these amenities of political violence , and are happily at a distance from the plethora of political bitterness . We can admire all those statesmen , all the " Queen ' s Servants , " be they who they may , of this party 01
that party , who do their duty manfull y to their Sovereign and by their country , and we equally object to that unseemly violence of politicians which only sees good in some favoured leader , which will do neither justice to , nor have kindly consideration for , the motives , the toils
the conscientious convictions of others . Most strongly do we object to that enunciation of ex parte opinions and which on imperfect data ventures to make a personal attack on distinguished statesmen , and to put before us as an objective truth what is at the best only subjective , and that
subjective , moreover , to the imperfect appreciation and highly-developed idiosyncrasyof the individual writer and speaker . All we are concerned for is a fair , reasoning , and a modest style of correspondence and utterance , " ex cathedra , " in political matters , for in Mr . Freeman ' s case it
simply assumes the appearance of unqualified opinions , and of personal and political violence , alike unreasoning and unfounded . We are among those who deeply sympathise with the " poor Bulgarians " especially , and are clearly alive to the harm of Turkish misrule and license .
But surely such views and feelings do not require to be commended to the practical English mind by that unreasoning style of partizan incrimination which we have heard too much of lately , from those , too , who ought to know better , and ,
above all , by that excess of political violence , which in its hopeless personality is alike depressing to every thoughtful mind , and discreditable to the literal sympathies and tolerant principles of Englishmen .
The Metropolitan Police.
THE METROPOLITAN POLICE .
The annual report of the Metropolitan Police has just been presented to the Home Secretary ,
The Metropolitan Police.
and is a very interesting document . It seems that on the 31 st December , 1875 , the force under Col . Henderson ' s command consisted of 25 superintendants , 277 inspectors , 1080 sergeants , and 8875 constables . In all the force amounts to 10 , 22 7 , hut of these 674 are em «
ployed in the Royal dockyards and military labour , and 562 in various public departments , thsir services being paid for to the receiver of police . This body of men has to deal with a population of 3 , 266 , 987 , and yearly increasing , and an area of 688 * 31 miles , apportioned into 31
divisions , including the Thames , fromWaltonon-Thames to Erith . To shew how London is still expanding in all directions the report informs us that in 1875 ro > ° 3 houses were built , 160 new streets and squares opened and handed over to police protection , covering a length of 29 miles
1475 yards , and that at the close of 18 75 , 377 . 5 new nouses were in course of construction . It must strike every one who reads these figures , that the number of the police force is clearlyinadequate for its onerous duties , and we feel sure that it will add greatly to the protection of
the public , and the efficiency of the bod y itself , if the number of men is ere long substantially increased . During 1875 72 , 606 persons were apprehended by the police , of whom 49 , 712 were summarily convicted , and 2343 were convicted after trial , leaving the large number of
17 , 544 we presume , discharged or acquitted . We call attention to this fact , for it is noteworthy for many reasons . Most of the crimes and offences shew a diminution . Burglaries decreased from 349 to 318 , and simple larceny from 6674 to 6 444 . Attempts to rob increased from 6 to 21
and we may congratulate ourselves that there is less tendency to offences of this category , remembering the immense number of tickets of leave , unwisely in our opinion . let loose upon society , and that large class of persons who act as receivers of stolen property , who , in fact , afford the main
encouragement to light-fingered gentlemen of all kinds , and who can often go on for years running riot in prosperous villainy , defying the police and braving detection . In a large town like London many are the temptations to appropriation . Some people like plate , some have a penchant for
diamonds , some even carry off pictures , and in many cases recovery is difficult , and detection well nigh impossible . The assaults on the police we regret much to notice have increased from 2244 to 2633 , while drunkenness , Col .
Henderson tells us , is also much in excess of the previous year . The charges of drunk and disorderly increased from 12 , 099 to 14 , 226 , and for simple drunkenness , or "drunk and incapable" from 14 , 056 to 16 , 050 . Much of this increase no doubt has arisen from stricter surveillance
of the police , and we would fain hope that another year may shew an improvement in this respect . During 1875 the police took out 11 , 775 summonses of which 1068 were dismissed , and 10 , 717 resulted in convictions . This is a very satisfactory result . 87 persons were killed in
the streets , and 2704 were maimed or injured , in 1875 , the light carts being mainly responsible for these accidents , and the special attention of the police has been called to them . The number of persons killed is less than in preceding years , but the injured shew an increase of 136 over
r 874 ; 3724 vagrants were apprehended in 18 75 , 50 per cent , happily less than in 1874 ; and 18 , 809 stray dogs were stopped by the police , of which 1736 were owned , and 17 , 073 sent to the Dogs ' Home . Since 1867 92 , 886 dogs have been taken possession of by the police . Nothing , we
observe , is said about the cats , by whom , during the night time , the consumption of cold meat is enormous . During 1875 , 10 > 6 o ° persons were reported to the police to be missing , of whom 7804 were children under ten years of
age , and 2805 adults . Of these 5225 children and 688 adults were found by the police and restored to their friends . 74 adults committed suicide , 7 children and 102 adults were not reported as found , but the remainder were found by their friends or returned home of their own accord .
It is a remarkable fact , as showing the laxity of householders , male and female , that 23 , 209 windows and doors were reported as being found by the police as opened or unfastened at night . A careful inspection of cabs has been made , and some improvement , though not as much as could
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Vulgarity.
any weaknesses , inconsistencies , and blunders or stumblings in its " alumni , " which serve to blot its fair escutcheon , or to cast a doubt on the realitv of its worth , and the truth of its claims to the good will and respect of mankind . Freemasons should ever seek to emancipate
themselves from the false teaching and customs of the world . A Freemason should ever be kind and courteous , tolerant and patient , friendly and forbearing . If there betimes , as times there are , when he is bound to assert his own dignity or to uphold his own self respect , let him do so calmlv and consistently , but avoid carefully the
exhibition of unseemly bitterness , or that Masonic vulgarity which is sometimes patent to all in the violence of some unhappy controversy , in the angry language of a vehement partizan , in the unseemly circulation of vindictive pamp hlets , or in the agitated criticism of a vulgar personality .
The Violence Of Politicians.
THE VIOLENCE OF POLITICIANS .
Some of us may call to mind Beranger ' s famous "Plus de Politique , " some of us may recollect-Praed ' s happy adaptation , " No Politics To-day . " And such a' motto we feel is that which is ever appropriate to Freemasonry , inasmuch as it as an Order , great and numerous
though it be too , utterly ignorant of political preposessions and alien from political excitement . The memorable advice of our Royal Grand Master to keep clear of politics is advice which will commend itself to the good taste and right feelings of us all aliKe , whatever that
" colour " may be which in the profane world is t . ar " customary vanity . " And as Freemasons we often gladly call to mind how well it is for us and ours that we know nothing of politics jr politicians , qua politics , qua politicians . For jt the best , for the most part , it is not , as we
well know and clearly perceive , an ennobling pursuit , in itself , that of politics rather it evokes too often the worst passions of humanity , developes some of the most grovelling proclivities which can either deaden the conscience or debase the weaker characteristics of man . That
the study and pursuit of politics are necessary for us as citizens of a great country , qua citizens , is perhaps true , but after all is said and done , in our opinion , those are the wisest who know the least of them , at least , in their absorbing claims on the time , on the purse , on the interest , on the
ambition of us all . Parliamentary government cannot probably be carried on without the concurrent efforts of political partizans and coteries , but the tendency of all pure political enthusiasm is to exalt the individual and forget the many , to advance the interest of the clique , not the
welfare of the nation—to give up , in fact , to " party what was meant for mankind . " At the same time we say this , we are aware of the difficulty in a limited monarchy like ours , and under our free constitution , of any other " modus procedendi , " except that of party combination ,
the " ins" and " outs , Government and Opposition ; and however in the abstract we may see the evil of party politics , it is most difficult in the concrete to suggest a remedy or propose an amelioration . But to us as Freemasons all party politics are most distasteful and objectionable , in
consequence of the violence they manifest and the personal diatribes they encourage . Freemasons are men of peace , tolerant , forbearing , sagacious , with professions of goodwill to all , and with a practice , "let us trust , not altogether entirel y antagonistic to their professions . Hence the
tirades of party pamphlets , of the hybrid violence of stump orators or political windbags , of illog ical partizans , are as lidiculous as they are Intestable to Freemasons . We smile at the violent ravings of the political monomaniac , just as we are revolted by the vulgar personalities of
me reckless partizan scribe . We abhor the '" solence of party , just as we despise the venality ° f the hired maligner . And every now and then We see plainly to what lengths party will lead ai uiable men , and to what extremes the love of
s ^ -neral or public notoriety will even induce ths educated and refined to prostitute their talents a « u debase their antecedents in the unrestrained -utpouring of personal virulence or party animosity . Those who are fair in everything else
The Violence Of Politicians.
here are most unfair when dealing with a political question , most unscrupulous in treating either of the matives or position of a political opponent . L-. 't us take a very recent sad example of the unbridled licentiousness of party violence . Mr . Freeman is a writer well known
to all architectural students . He is a person of great powers , much knowledge , and a great authority on ecclesiastical architecture and archaeology . Mr . Freeman takes it in his head to enlighten the world and an admiring coterie on politics , and Mr . Freeman accordingly—as he
was pretty sure to do—makes a "fiasco . " Mr . Freeman might express his opinion , and we should listen cheerfully and confidingly , whether as to the "Saxon Chronicle , " or some moot point in ecclesiclogy , but the moment he began " ore rotundo , " to mouth politics our motto
becomes " hold hard . What business has Mr . Freeman to talk of two leading statesmen ( be they who they may ) , in the tone he has thought proper to adopt to Lord Beaconsfield and Lord Derby , simply because he , Mr . Freeman , takes a special view of Eastern nolitics ?
Whence this unreasoning violence ? this hopeless personality of utterance ? What has Mr . Freeman written or done that we are to take his estimate politically of either , or of the situation as if he were alone infallible ? When he calls Lord Derby the " Derby windbag , " and says it
" has burst , ' when he adds , " it is now lawful to speak freely of one of the dullest and most incapable of so-called statesmen , " and when he declares that he is " dead to those parts of man ' s nature which lead to great and noble actions , " all must feel , ba we who we may , that this
great authority violates every canon of truth , fairness , and propriety . When Mr . Freeman speaks of Lord Beaconsfield as one of whom it makes us " thankful that Englishmen have no part or lot in him , at all events that the commons of England have no part or lot in him , "
it becomes in truth the affectation of impertinent criticism , and the excess of personal vulgarity . How is Mr . Freeman qualified to pass such an opinion , and what is it worth ? Does it not really represent the " unknown quantity , " whether of political bluster or swagger , just as
you like ? So , as Freemasons , we must rejoice that we are saved from these amenities of political violence , and are happily at a distance from the plethora of political bitterness . We can admire all those statesmen , all the " Queen ' s Servants , " be they who they may , of this party 01
that party , who do their duty manfull y to their Sovereign and by their country , and we equally object to that unseemly violence of politicians which only sees good in some favoured leader , which will do neither justice to , nor have kindly consideration for , the motives , the toils
the conscientious convictions of others . Most strongly do we object to that enunciation of ex parte opinions and which on imperfect data ventures to make a personal attack on distinguished statesmen , and to put before us as an objective truth what is at the best only subjective , and that
subjective , moreover , to the imperfect appreciation and highly-developed idiosyncrasyof the individual writer and speaker . All we are concerned for is a fair , reasoning , and a modest style of correspondence and utterance , " ex cathedra , " in political matters , for in Mr . Freeman ' s case it
simply assumes the appearance of unqualified opinions , and of personal and political violence , alike unreasoning and unfounded . We are among those who deeply sympathise with the " poor Bulgarians " especially , and are clearly alive to the harm of Turkish misrule and license .
But surely such views and feelings do not require to be commended to the practical English mind by that unreasoning style of partizan incrimination which we have heard too much of lately , from those , too , who ought to know better , and ,
above all , by that excess of political violence , which in its hopeless personality is alike depressing to every thoughtful mind , and discreditable to the literal sympathies and tolerant principles of Englishmen .
The Metropolitan Police.
THE METROPOLITAN POLICE .
The annual report of the Metropolitan Police has just been presented to the Home Secretary ,
The Metropolitan Police.
and is a very interesting document . It seems that on the 31 st December , 1875 , the force under Col . Henderson ' s command consisted of 25 superintendants , 277 inspectors , 1080 sergeants , and 8875 constables . In all the force amounts to 10 , 22 7 , hut of these 674 are em «
ployed in the Royal dockyards and military labour , and 562 in various public departments , thsir services being paid for to the receiver of police . This body of men has to deal with a population of 3 , 266 , 987 , and yearly increasing , and an area of 688 * 31 miles , apportioned into 31
divisions , including the Thames , fromWaltonon-Thames to Erith . To shew how London is still expanding in all directions the report informs us that in 1875 ro > ° 3 houses were built , 160 new streets and squares opened and handed over to police protection , covering a length of 29 miles
1475 yards , and that at the close of 18 75 , 377 . 5 new nouses were in course of construction . It must strike every one who reads these figures , that the number of the police force is clearlyinadequate for its onerous duties , and we feel sure that it will add greatly to the protection of
the public , and the efficiency of the bod y itself , if the number of men is ere long substantially increased . During 1875 72 , 606 persons were apprehended by the police , of whom 49 , 712 were summarily convicted , and 2343 were convicted after trial , leaving the large number of
17 , 544 we presume , discharged or acquitted . We call attention to this fact , for it is noteworthy for many reasons . Most of the crimes and offences shew a diminution . Burglaries decreased from 349 to 318 , and simple larceny from 6674 to 6 444 . Attempts to rob increased from 6 to 21
and we may congratulate ourselves that there is less tendency to offences of this category , remembering the immense number of tickets of leave , unwisely in our opinion . let loose upon society , and that large class of persons who act as receivers of stolen property , who , in fact , afford the main
encouragement to light-fingered gentlemen of all kinds , and who can often go on for years running riot in prosperous villainy , defying the police and braving detection . In a large town like London many are the temptations to appropriation . Some people like plate , some have a penchant for
diamonds , some even carry off pictures , and in many cases recovery is difficult , and detection well nigh impossible . The assaults on the police we regret much to notice have increased from 2244 to 2633 , while drunkenness , Col .
Henderson tells us , is also much in excess of the previous year . The charges of drunk and disorderly increased from 12 , 099 to 14 , 226 , and for simple drunkenness , or "drunk and incapable" from 14 , 056 to 16 , 050 . Much of this increase no doubt has arisen from stricter surveillance
of the police , and we would fain hope that another year may shew an improvement in this respect . During 1875 the police took out 11 , 775 summonses of which 1068 were dismissed , and 10 , 717 resulted in convictions . This is a very satisfactory result . 87 persons were killed in
the streets , and 2704 were maimed or injured , in 1875 , the light carts being mainly responsible for these accidents , and the special attention of the police has been called to them . The number of persons killed is less than in preceding years , but the injured shew an increase of 136 over
r 874 ; 3724 vagrants were apprehended in 18 75 , 50 per cent , happily less than in 1874 ; and 18 , 809 stray dogs were stopped by the police , of which 1736 were owned , and 17 , 073 sent to the Dogs ' Home . Since 1867 92 , 886 dogs have been taken possession of by the police . Nothing , we
observe , is said about the cats , by whom , during the night time , the consumption of cold meat is enormous . During 1875 , 10 > 6 o ° persons were reported to the police to be missing , of whom 7804 were children under ten years of
age , and 2805 adults . Of these 5225 children and 688 adults were found by the police and restored to their friends . 74 adults committed suicide , 7 children and 102 adults were not reported as found , but the remainder were found by their friends or returned home of their own accord .
It is a remarkable fact , as showing the laxity of householders , male and female , that 23 , 209 windows and doors were reported as being found by the police as opened or unfastened at night . A careful inspection of cabs has been made , and some improvement , though not as much as could