An Oration

iesty ' s Council , who continued to hold the office until the -, < -th of December , 1800 , when he resigned . The R . W . Duncan Clarke was then elevated to the chair , 27 th December , 1800 . On the 28 th of December , 1801 , His Excellency Sir John Wentworth , Lieutenant-Governor , was elected as Grand Master , which he held till the 1 ith of January , 1810 , when he resigned . The R . W . John

George Pyke , Past Grand Master was installed on the 27 th 0 [ December following , which office he held till June 24 th , 1 S 20 , when he resigned . Here , the record ofthe old book to which I have referred terminates . This day the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia enters , as it were , on a new period in its history in the city of Halifax . The brothers , in warm zeal , and with enterprising spirit ,

have just laid the corner stone , with appropriate ceremonies and imposing solemnity , of a commodious edifice , a goodly temp le in which to meet in God ' s holy name , where the order and beauty of God ' s handiworks will be set forthwhere His divine laws will be inculcated- —where charity , the perfection of all virtues , is laid down as the bond of our union and the chief purpose of our being—where every

sio-n and symbol , every word and token , is the expression of some good , either material or moral , to the bodies and souls of men . Nevertheless , it would be mere affectation to appear ignorant of the fact that prejudices do still exist against the Craft , though in a diminished tlegree . Secrecy is one of the chief objections—secrecy , which on the one hand

excites curiosity , on the other creates suspicion . It is continually asked , What secret knowledge can these men have which is not equally accessible to all ? And what arc the effects of this knowledge ? Arc Masons better or wiser men than others ; and if not , what is the use of their knowledge and secrets ? Now , in reply to all this , Masons frankly admit that their confraternity is a secret

societysecret so far as its terms of admission , its vows , and its ritualism are concerned ; but its avowed principles openly declare it to be a band of God-fearing brethren , and not a cabal of designing conspirators . Its known works are deeds of love and mercy , and not destruction and revolution . The symbols of its government , its instruction , aud its degrees are the highest expression of order , obedience , and harmony ,

and the Supreme Authority which stands forth prominently in the midst of all their assemblies is the ever-open Law of the Most High God . Can evil , I ask , proceed from such an institution ? Whose are the glorious names that adorn the history of Freemasonry ? The brilliant stars that illumine its ancient roll , noble names of Heaven-born genius—of renowned

patriotism , of undaunted valour ? Have we not reason to pride ourselves on a fraternity in which kings and nobles in the olden times , as well as in the present , delighted and do still delight ; in which the capacious minds of Sir Isaac Newton and Benjamin Franklin , and the intellectual Locke rejoiced—with which such great warriors of modern times as Sir John Moore , Lord Nelson , and last , though not

least , nay grandest of all , the immortal Wellington , and hundreds of others identified themselves . Again , turning to our neighbours , of the past Presidents of the United States but four were strangers to the Craft . In the Courts and Legislative Halls of that nation we find such names as Patrick Henry , Judge Marshall , De Witt Clinton , Livingston , the learned and logical Jurist Storey , and

numbers of others in Church and State , in science and literature , to be added to the long roll of illustrious men recorded in the annals of Freemasonry . Again , then , I challenge an answer—can evil proceed from such an institution , except , alas , the common evi ! of human infirmity ? A faithful Mason cannot be a bad man . But the precious deposit of Masonic truth , like the sacred ministrations of

the glorious Gospel , is held in eavthem vessels , which are often unworthy of the great trust , too often damaging the treasure by their own imperfections . But though it would be as unjust to cast upon the principles of Freemasonry the blemishes in the lives of Masons as it would be to bring forth the inconsistencies of Christians to condemn the

Blessed Gospel of our salvation , yet the true Mason will take the warning to himself , and ever remember that it is his duty , not only to appear punctually in his lodge at the Master's call , and cheerfully take his part in the work thereof , but , when out of the sacred precincts antl the sound of gavel , to exhibit before the world the virtues inculcated in

every mysterious rite and sacred symbol of the ancient Craft . He will thus convince and recommend , by the practical proof of good deeds , what he dare not speak of with his lips . He will conquer with the weapons of truth and gain a brother by the beauty of holiness .

Reviews.

Reviews .

COOK ' S TOURIST HANDUOOK FOE SOUTHERN ITALY . We are a good deal taken by this well-arranged little handbook for travellers , and almost personally on one of Mr . Cook ' s tours to a very fascinating land . Italia ! oh Italia ! " the Morgen land of poetry and of imagination , as some one sung of old , what

pleasant associations crowd around th y very name Other countries in the world have great souvenirs and imperishable records attached to them , other lands pan still attract , or amuse , or alarm or depress , but to tal y belong the unceasing sympathy and the fervour of admiration . Why is it ? Perhaps it is to be found in th 's , that as its earlier history takes us back to the great of

"Us sovereign power , and the unequalled achievements ot a wondrous people , so its later centuries have witnessed a remarkable development of artistic life , as well as the I'ecial and pervading characteristics of a most sumptuous «» gious system . And we should not forget , too , how s . ) c ° ^ European history has been bound up with the Mof St . Peter , and the convulsions of Italy itself . For w"f . ages 't was not only the battle-ground of nations , the centre of di plomacy , the arbiter of peace , the de-

Reviews.

cider of war . The very ambitions of its Popes , and the aims and intents of its rulers , make Italy a subject of the deepest interest to every statesman and every student . But beyond all this , beyond its historical memories , its ecclesiastical annals , its talcs of blood , and its deeds of ill , we think that Italy , in its own inherent loveliness of natural beauty and grace , and the kindly and genial and

tolerant character of its people , have had a good deal to do with this admiration amongthe inhabitants of Great Britain . Our great public school system has had much to do with it , no doubt , as George Canning used to say , and the general taste happily amongst us for classical lore and classical learning . And there has remained with our great people conspicuous for their united love of order

and charity , for their reverence to law and authority , and their impatience of oppression , injustice , and social wrong , amid that admixture of Anglo-Saxon " standhaltgkeit , " and Norman French impulsiveness , the warmest appreciation of Italy ' s claims on every account to the regard , the love , the admiration , the attachment of mankind ; at any rate , of all cultivated intellects , and of all refined imagination . And as we pore over Mr . Cook's handbook and maps

today , as we drift by Genoa la Superba , antl Firenze la Bella , and Napole la Gentile , until we come to Roma la Santa , we feel what a wondrous history is summed up in these three great towns alone , as we travel back through the stirring records of several hundred years , to say nothing of such unchanging recollections as cling to Cumae , and Civita Vcechia , to Syracuse , Messina , and Palermo , to Bologna and Siena , to Herculaneum and Pompeii , to the Coliseum and St . Peter ' s . We are taken back

at once from the tastes and theories of the hour , " un peu boutiquierc par ma foi , " to great names and high deeds , to those imperishable memories which Time , though it mars all things , and destroys most , still preserves , even though dim perhaps now in the hoariness of departed centuries , for the study , the wonder , the appreciation , or the awe of the traveller in Italy to-day .

Few there are who linger amid the ruins of the past , or the creations of to-day , in the cities , and villages , and churches , and plains of Italy , but must feel how lightly time , after all , has touched that wondrous clime . The relics of by-gone greatness , the monuments of classic days , the creations of Giotto , the masterpieces of Michael Angelo , the works of countless cunning Craftsmen , all rise still before

our wondering eyes , in all their silent greatness and speaking grace . Italy is full of wonders from first to last , we can go nowhere without being instructed , or pleased or impressed , and we therefore thank Mr . Cook , as citizens of the world , that he has given to many a humble tourist and loiterer to-day amid the ruins , and graves , and fair scenes , and tinted vineyards of that glorious land a convenient and

portable vade mecum , to be carried in a knapsack , or thrust into a carpet bag , as we look once more on " flavum Tiberini , " or linger respectfully among the buried streets of Pompeii , or smile at Naples , or look grave at Rome , or talk of the Sybils ; or , leaving the south , wend our way to the north of Italy , and stand on the Bridge of Sighs at Venice , and remember Juliet within the walls of Verona . Addio , Italia ! W .

MASONIC MUSIC . Our good Bro . H . J . Hatch , P . G . C . for Essex , and S . W . 160 , has recently published an installation song , to be procured at Bro . George Kenning ' s , 19 8 , Fleet-street , and 1 , 2 , and 3 , Little-Britain . We beg to commend it to the notice of

our brethren , and we sincerely trust that the Craft generally will accord to it a fraternal patronage . It is lively and effective , and seems very well arranged , the words and music being both composed by our kind and warm-hearted brother . W .

Public Health Congress At Brussels.

PUBLIC HEALTH CONGRESS AT BRUSSELS .

CLASSIFICATION . CLASS I . —SAVING OF LIFE FROM FIRE . Section I . —Apparatus and means for preservation against fire by land and by sea . 1 . Construction of buildings , of powder magazines , of petroleum stores , antl of ships .

2 . Preparation of timber , woodwork , clothing , furniture , decorations , & c , to resist fire . 3 . Lightning conductors . Section 11 . —Instruments and other means of detecting and announcing fire—fire alarms , telegraphs , & c . Section III . —Apparatus and instruments for saving life —ladders , sacks , cordage , parachutes , respiratory

apparatus , ventilators , & c . Section IV . —Apparatus , instruments , and substances for extinguishing fire—steam and other fire engines and their accessories ; fire extinguishers and chemical agents ; reservoirs , water pipes , hose , & c . Section V . —Means of transport for men and material . CLASS II . —APPARATUS , AND ENGINES OF ALL KINDS ,

ACTING ON WATER AND IN WATER , TO DIMINISH DANGER , PREVENT ACCIDENTS , AND GIVE ASSISTANCE . 1 . Swimming and skating . —Apparatus and materiel connected with these exercises . 2 . Lighting of coasts , at sea , on rivers and canals , and under water . Lights and signals . 3 . Sounding in rivers and seas . —The most approved

apparatus connected therewith . 4 . Life-boats and life-saving apparatus , for aiding swimmers and ships and crews in distress ; rocket apparatus ; rafts ; mattresses ; swimming belts and jackets ; diving apparatus ; balloons , Sec . 5 . Life-saving stations : models and plans .

( 1 . Ships , fishing smacks and boats of all kinds , with their fittings ' and implements , contrived for security ; arrangement on board ship calculated to preserve the most healthful conditions ; cabins , beds , hammocks , & c , foimed and arranged with the same object . Other hygienic arrangements for passengers an'l for sailors ,

Public Health Congress At Brussels.

7 . Vessels abandoned or in distress , water-logged or on fire . —Apparatus , & c , for giving aid in such cases : jury masts , rudders , sails , & c . 8 . Means of visiting the hulls of vessels and repairing them while afloat . 9 . Swimming schools : models and plans . Costumes , dressing-boxes , anil tents for bathers . 10 . Means of carrying the sick anil wounded at sea ; medicines and medicine chests .

CLASS III . —MEANS OF PREVENTING ACCIDENTS RESULTING FROM TRAFFIC ON ROADS , RAILWAYS , AND TRAMWAYS . 1 . Safety harness and appliances ; bits , curbs , stirrup ' s & c . 2 . Brakes for road or tramway carriages . 3 . Brakes for locomotives and railway carriages .

4 . Lighting , heating , and ventilating apparatus for tramway and railway carriages . 5 . Buffers , coupling chains , etc . Means of protecting passengers and guards when mounting or descending from carriages : —steps , foot-boards , hand-rails , wheel guards , and other safety airangemcnts . 6 . Signals and apparatus of all kinds for the service of

railways ' ; signals and means of communication between railway passengers , guards , and drivers . 7 . Apparatus for clearing the line of railways , such as snow-ploughs , cow-catchers , & c . 8 . Barriers , gates , & c , for roads and railways . 9 . Models of public carriages . for roads , railways , and

tramways , arranged with a view to health and security . 10 . Machines , tools , & c , for immediate assistance in case of trains running off the tails , and other accidents . CLASS IV . —MEANS OF ASSISTANCE IN TIME OF WAR . Section I . Means of transport . 1 . Litters , portable chairs , cacokts , & c . 2 . Carriages , wagons , < Sc .

3 . Special carriages for transport of the wounded ; application of ordinary railway rolling stock to the same purpose . 4 . Treatises , publications , plans , specimens , models , < X _ c , relating to this subject . Section II . Surgical apparatus : —Bags , cases of instruments , boxes containg medicaments , lint , & c . ; special

treatises on these subjects . Section III . Ambulances : —Specimens , models , treatises , and plans . 1 . Flying ambulances . 2 . Temporary fixed ambulances .

3 . Permanent ambulances ; hospitals , lazarettes , and huts . Fittings and furniture of ambulances . Cookery for the wounded . Section IV . Apparatus for the preservation , burying , or burning of corpesi : —Plans , models , and treatises . Purification of battle fields and camps .

CLASS V . —Pctii . ic HE . U . TU . 1 . Drainage of damp and marshy soils ; purification of unwholesome land ; cleaning of rivers , canals , & c . Systems and apparatus . 2 . Hygienic systems and precautions with respect to towns : —Paving the public ways , macadamising , & c ; footpaths ; public lighting ; means of preventing the

subsoil being iniected by gas . Means of preventing accidents in the public streets , either from repairs of the roads , from the erection or repair of houses , & c , or from the circulation of heavy or noisy loads . Wandering dogs ; means of preventing hydrophobia . 3 . Hygienic systems for public establishments : —Plans , construction , ventilation , heating , lighting , & c , of churches ,

hospitals , barracks , schools , prisons , theatres , and other public buildings . Public baths and wash-houses . School furniture , & c . Means of preventing or removing humidity and other natural or accidental causes of insalubrity or discomfort . Establishment of lighting conductors . 4 . Hygienic systems in relation to the general use of water : —Sources ; apparatus for summary analysis j filters ;

reservoirs ; pipes ; apparatus for distribution and irrigation ; meters ; fountains ; taps , plugs , < Src . 5 . Hygienic systems in connection with the food of large towns : —Abattoirs ; markets !; shops . Articles of food considered from a sanitary point of view ; processes for their preservation ; practical means of detecting deterioration or adulteration .

6 . Hygienic systems of cleansing towns : —Cleaning of the public ways ; disinfection ; cinders , ashes , and waste . Places of accommodation ; emptying , disinfecting , and removal of refuse . Depots of manure ; means of disinfection and application . Sewers—their construction , & c , and means of preventing noxious gases injuring the public health ; indication of practical means for the application of the sewage of towns to purposes of cultivation .

7 . Hygienic systems of burial : —Mortuaries ; morgues ; preservation of bodies ; embalming ; cremation ; tombs , graves , vaults and cemeteries ; treatises , plans , and apparatus . 8 . Instruments connected with meteorology considered from a sanitary point of view . 9 . Sanitary charts . 10 . Statistics of population , arranged according to ages , professions , habitations , & c .

CLASS VI . —SANITARY MEASURES AND MEANS OF SAVING LIFE , APPLIED TO INDUSTRY . Section I . 1 . Materials , models , and plans for the sanitary arrangement of workshops , ateliers , and factories . 2 . Lighting , heating , and ventilation of the same .

3 . Mines : —Ventilation , lighting , safety lamps , choke damp indicators , & c . Section II . 1 . Machinery : —Lifts for workmen and for loads ; safety apparatus for lifts and cages ; parachutes , & c . 2 . Means of preventing accidents by machinery i motion ,