Masons As Judges, Jurors, &C.

MASONS AS JUDGES , JURORS , & c .

There is a popular belief that Masons , when acting as judges , jurors , or citizens , frequently permit the guilty members of the Craft to escape such justice as they would measure to those not members of the Order . An eminent officer of the government addressed me on this subject , and although believing that such coneluct was in

opposition to the law of Masonry , yet he had no filth that it was adopted by many as the rule for their guidance . Not long since one of the Craft was tried in this Slate for murder . The evidence adduced was such as would authorise conviction , yet the jury failed to agree , nine being in favour of a verdict for murder in the first degree , and three for it in the second degree . Of the nine four were

Masons—of the three , two were Masons ; and the public generally believed that the disagreement was occasioned by Masonic influence in behalf of the accused , because he was a Mason . If the brothers who adhered to the lesser finding were controlled by the fact simply that the accused was a Mason , then it is hardly necessary to inform you that they failed to do their duty as jurors , and had no

precedent for such action in Masonic law . Masonry acknowledges the supremacy of the government , enforces respect for the civil magistrates , and enjoins upen its followers an obedience to law , to be exemplary in the discharge of civic duties , and to be quiet and peaceable citizens . It does not array itself against law , or seek , however remotely , to shield the guilty from

punishment . It has its own trials , and convicts offenders who have been acquitted in civil courts by reason of legal or veibal technicalities ; and , while it exercises , as far as practicable , a sympathising equity , it exacts , when the occasion demands , a rigid justice . There is no condonation of crime in Masonry . One is first a citizen , then a Mason . Bad citizens make bad Masims . Good Masons

are always good citizens . They recognise their duties to society as paramount , anel are aware that the general welfare reaches them as well as others ; that , as all is more than a part , their duties as good citizens to the common community are among their primary obligations ; and that support to the laws and the punishment of lawbreaking is alike expected , irrespective ol the professions of the offenders . It is lime that less-informed Masons and

the non-Masonic community should be told that neither judge nor jury , as Masons , have a rig ht to avert a merited punishment from a guilty Mason , or in any civil procedure to have their verdicts influenced in favour of a party because he is a Mason . This is not Masonry , and if it were , then Masonry would be justly doomed . —Grand Master Browne , of California .

The Princess Alice.

THE PRINCESS ALICE .

{ From "England ' s Royil Home . " )* LOVING MINISTRY . " The following letter ( recently founel amongst some treasured papers ) , was written by the Piincess Alice in the early part of the year 1861 , which ere it closed , was to bring such deep sorrow to the Royal Home . It shows

how truly she had already learned the lesson of sympathy which so markedly characteiised her after life . Mr . Corbould , to whom the letter was addressed , had the office of drawing master to the Princess , anel tbe loss he hail experienced was the elcath of a elaughter . The Princess

wrote : — "Tuesday Morning , May 24 th , 1861 . " Dear Mr . Corbould , —Having just heard of your sad bereavement , I cannot refrain from sending you a few lines to tell you how truly I sympathise with and mourn over your loss . Having so lately , for the first time ,

seen death ( the Duchess of Kent died in March ) anil felt its grief , and the anguish of losing one we love so deeply , so truly . I know what bilter tiial you have , and how little words from others can bring comfort to the bleeding heart at such a moment . There is but One who can give you consolation , and we have that blessed hope of meeting again to part no more . She has only left you for a little

while , and her gentle spirit watches over you , and waits for you . If the sympathy of one who feels , and that most waimly , for your grief , can bring you the slightest consolation , I do sympathise with all my heart . May Goel support , strengthen , rind comfort you , ami your wife and children , under this heavy affliction . This is the fervent prayer of ' " ALICE . "

* " England ' s Royal Home . " By the REV . CHARLES BULLOCK . B . D ., Editor of "Home Words" { Hand and Heart . Office , London , E . C . )

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Mr . Manley Hopkins writes to the Times that the absence of caloric during the past winter has extended to Hawaii ( 20 deg . N . lat . ) , where , in January , the mercury touched 50 eleg . —a very unusual reading in that latitude . Mr . Edwin Freshfield states that on the 25 th of

January , alter a calm for some days , the Bay of Smyrna « as , to the astonishment of the inhabitants , found frozen , the ice extending about 40 yarels into the sea . There is no record of such a circumstance ever having occurreel before .

. HOLLOW -AY ' S PILLS . —The stomach anel its troubles cause mo e <• iscomfort and biing more unhappincss than is eomm inly supii ° fj lie tllnu-anel il , s that settle there maybe prevenled ouisiodged by the juel cious use of these purifiing Pills , which act ¦ is a sure , gentle anti-acid apeiient , without annoying the ne-ves 1 the most susceptible orirritating the mosl delicate organi'ation . rioi . owiy s Pills will bestow cumfor ' , and i-onfer relict on every •eaetacny , dyspeptic , an 1 sickly sufferer , whose tortures make him - oaiden tohims : ll and a bugbear 10 hi-friends . These Piils have ° n { Dcen the p , pular remedy for a weak stom ? ch . for a disordered ? h » - ' ° " ; P . aral J ' scli digestion , which yield without difficulty to " ¦ cir regulating , pmifying , and tonic qualities . — [/\ u . v . ]

Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

The Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., has intimated his intention to appoint Viscount Ebrington , eldest son of Eatl Fortcscue , to the Provincial Granel Mastership of Devonshire-, vacant by the resignation of the Rev . L . Huy .-hc , of Cly .-t lly don . Lord Ebrington is Senior Warden of the B . irnstaple Lodge , ami is now only 24 years of age . His grandfather , however , was Provincial Grand Master of Devon for 42 years .

The Consecration of the Prince Leopold Ledge of Mark Master Masons will take p lace at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on Monday next , the 7 th inst . We understand that H . R . H . Prince Leopold has permitted the lodge to use his crest and arms upon the summonses , jewels and lodge banner , and has further conferred upon

the loe ' ge the distinguished honour of enrolling his name as its first honorary member . The d- > . y fixeel for the consecration is the anniversary of the birthday of His Royal Highness . In our report of the Holmesdde Lodge meeting last week Bro . J . Greig was described as G . M . of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania ; it should have been Past

D . D . G . M . Amonif the forthcoming pictures for the Royal Academy Exhibition will be a powerful work by Keeley Halswelle , A . R . S . A ., entitled , " Waiting for the Blessing . " The scene represents some groups of Italian peasantry , seated on a wall , under a brilliant sunlight effect , awaiting , with expectant faces , the appearance of Pius IX .

Bro . J . 11 . Hodgkins , a Past Master of Victoria Lodge , No . 1026 ( E . C ) , Hone Kong , China , has been visiting in Boston , Mass . Bro . Hodg kins was present in February , 18 7 8 , at the opening of the first Hindoo Lodge in Bombay . He also states that the first Parsce was made a Mason in Paiis in 1 S 47 , anil is still living .

MEMORY AND TH « . FINK ARTS . —Some extremely ingenious applications of the Mnemonic Art have been made by Bro . Stokes for teaching principles of the fine arts , in a little publication , " Stokes's Kapid Drawing , " now before us . As i's pice is but a shilling , we advise all to read it , ami we are confi lent tnat those who give the

book most attention will be most pie a-cl . All that is worth knowing is put into the book . Bro . Stokes is lecturing as usual at the Polytechnic . The next convocation of the Frederick Chapter of Unity will be held at the Greyhound Hotel , Croydon , on Tuesday next , at 4 p . m ., when the election of Principals and Officers for the year will laTie place .

We are glad to hear that Bro . Ihnmas , who is as celebrated for his pis-try as his " Hots , " has taken extensive premiss at 167 , Flcet-strett , where wc hope he will be as successful as he is energetic .

Their Royal Highnesses Prince Philip and Princess Louise of Saxc-Coburg-Gotlia honoured Messrs . Fcltoe and Sons , in Albemaile-strect , on Thursday week , with a visit , and graciously favoured them with commands for the renowned " Spe ' eialile' " Sherry .

PRESENTATION . — A set of gavels , made of sandal wood from Hawaii , having been presented te ) the Fortitude Loelge of Instruction , 131 , Truro , by its sole honorary member , Mro . J . J . Taylor , W . M ., of Penzance , on the eve of his leaving England , at the last lodge

meeting , the hearty thanks of the members were voted te > him . The gavels , each of which is suitably inscribed , were cut from wood Bro . Taylor obtained for the purpose from the King of Hawaii , David Kalagna , who is himself an enthusiastic member of the Craft .

The third biennial Aldcrsgate ball , under the patronage of the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of Middlesex , and a large number of gentlemen of influence and position , will trite place at Freemasons' Hall , on Thursday ,

the 24 th inst . The bind of the Hon . Artillery Company will attend , and Messrs . A . J . Altaian , W . G . Howird , T . Illman , and T . M . [ anes will officiate as Masters of the Ceremonies . The proceeds of the ball are to be devoted to one of the Aldcisgate Charities .

The Haberdashers' Company have voted £ 10 IOS . in aid of the funels of the Royal Caledonian Asylum , for the Eelucaiion and Maintenance of the Orphans of Scottish Soldiers , Sailors , and Marines .

At a meeting of the United Wards Club on Wednesday evening last , at the Salutation Hotel , Newgate-street , Mr . Bonncvvell urged the advisability uf establishing a fish marked at Smithfield . At the meeting of the Lodge of Antiquity on the 26 th ult ., Bro . Col . Creaton , Grand Treasurer , was

by the command of Bro . H . R . H . Prince Leopold , P . G . J . W ., W . M . 2 , presented with an admirable painting , executed by Bro . Stephen Pearce , a member of the lodge . The subject of the picture is Col . Creaton himself , anil the portrait is of life-like truth . The presentation was made b y Bro . Chas . A . Swinburne , P . M . 2 .

A presentation portrait of Bro . Sheriff Burt , paintd in his official robes , has just been completed by Mr . J . Edgar Williams . It is said by all who have visited it to be not only a successful likeness , but an admirable specimen of the "art which doth immortalize . "

MASONIC SONGS . —A selection of Masonic Songs , set to popular airs , written by Bro . V . P . Philpots , M . D ., F . R . G . S ., is now ready , forming a handsome volume , bound in cloth , with gilt edges , 31 . Sent post-free fiom the office of this paper on receipt of stamps or post-office order value 3 s . 2 d . —Adyt .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Bro . Sheriff Burt will preside at the twelfth annual dinner of the City Waiters' Provident and Pension Society , to be held at the Cannon-street Hotel , on Tuesday , the 29 th inst . The Lord Mayor , Bro . Sheriff Burt , and Mr . Sheriff Bevan , have accepted an invitation from the Master and Court of the Tylers and Bricklayers'

Company to elir . c , 011 Monday , the 21 st inst ., at the Albion . The Rig ht Hon . Earl Cairns ( the Lord Chancellor ) will presiele at the 90 th anniversary dinner of the Royal Literary Fund , to be held at Willis's Rooms on Wednesday , May 7 th . THE OWL CLUB . —Monday was a "ladies night at this club , when an excellent concert was given in

the great hall of the Cannon-street Hotel . The attendance was good , and the selections gave evident satisfaction . The programme , consisting of glees , part son's , songs , ballads , and pianoforte solos , was rendered by Mr . Burgess Perry , Mr . A . James , Mr . Moss , Mr . Collins , Mr . Thompson , Mr . Musgrave , Mr . Hubbard , and Mr . Harper . Mr . Burgess Perry was much applauded for his song , " Afton Water . "

Mr . James , with a fine baritone voice , gave , with considerable effect , the ballad , " The Thorn . " Mr . Thompson ' s clear tenor was heard to advantage in several concerted pieces , and especially in his solo , " Just as o' Old . " Mr . Hubbard assisted materially with his bold and powerful

bass voice . These three gentlemen were undoubtedly the favourites of the evening . The part songs and glees were good ; and Mr . Harper's pianoforte solo , comprising selections from Sterndale Bennett and Bach , was executed in artistic style . The club will reassemble early in October . The Secretary is Mr . C . E . Layton .

Sir Wilfred Lawson is to lay the foundationstone of the Temperance Hospital on the 8 th of May Some twenty M . P . 's have already promised to assist at the ceremony . Orders have been received from the Admiralty directing the armour-clad ships Nelson and Audacious to be completed , the former by the end of this month , and the latter by the middle of June . The Flying Fish is to be out of hand by the latter end of May .

The Council of the Royal Agricultural Society have added to the other attractions of the Exhibition by taking advantage of the railway embankment in the show-yard and arranging for an international horticultural display of growing plants . A comparative museum of ancient anil modern farm implements will enable the visitors to form some idea of the rapid advance made in

agricultural machinery during recent years . £ 13 , 188 has been allotted in prizes for live stock and produce . The subscriptions received by the Mansion House Committee amount to about £ 7000 , whilst it is anticipated that at least £ . 10 , 000 will be required to cover the expenses of the Exhibition . At Liverpool , last year , £ 7500 was raised by the local Committee , and taking into consideration the

fact that the Show Yard this year will be fifty per cent , larger than at Liverpool , and that other expenses will be correspondingly large , it is evident that , unless the . subsctiplions be considerably increased , the Society will suffer seriously in its finances . All donations forwarded to the Mansion I louse ( Agricultural ) Committee will be gladl y received anel duly acknowledged .

The marriage of the Right Honourable Lord Richard d'Aquila Grosvenor , M . P . for Flintshire ( only brother of the Duke of Westminster ) , with Miss Eleanor Frances Beatrice Hamilton Stubbcr , daughter of the late R . Stubbcr , Esq ., of Moyne , Queen ' s County , Ireland , was solemnised on Thursday , in All Saints' Church , Ennismore-garelens , Knightsbridge . The Rev . John Blomeficld , Vicar of All Saints , performed the ceremony .

The wedding was carried out with almost Quaker-like simplicity , the bride being attired in a plain brown dress and bonnet to match . Her only bridesmaid was her sister , Miss Florence Hamilton Stubber , who was similarly attired . The bride ' s brother , Air . Robert Hamilton Stubber , gave the bride away . There were scarcely 100 people present , and amongst them were the Duchess of Westminster , Lord Wenlock , Sir Michael Shaw S tewart , ice .

MASONIC PRESENTATION . —On Tuesday , the ist inst ., the W . M . and several members of the York Lodge , 315 , waited on Bro . Hugh Saunders , at his Brighton residence , and presented him with an illuminated testimonial . It marked the respect in which Bro . Saunders

was held by the brethren , and their great regret at his retirement from the post of Treasurer , after holding office thirty-three years . Bro . C . Hudson , W . M ., presented the adelress in appropriate terms , and his remarks were endorsed by several Past Masters and officers of the York Lodge , who formed the deputation .

OPENING A NEW-STREET . —On Saturday last Sir James M'Garel-Hogg , M . P ., accompanied by several members of the Metropolitan Board of . Works , opened to the public a new street in connection with the Bethnalgreen improvements . The street thus thrown open for traffic is 2 , 000 ft . long and 60 ft . wide , and forms a junction between High-street , Shorcditch , and the wide portion of Bethnal-green-road .

DULWICH COLLEGE . —The annual distribution of prizes to the boys of the Lower School Dulwich , took place last Tuesday in the large hall of the new building . The Rev . W . Rogers , chairman of the governors , presided on the occasion , anel the Rev . Mr . Carver , head master of the College , and the Rev . Mr . Smith , head master if the Lower School , delivered addresses .

Bro . Sir John Bennett lectured on " The Paris Exhibition , its Lessons and its Warnings , " in the Wardour Chapel , Wardour-street , on Thursday last . Mr . E . F . Storr presided .