Bro. Simpson's Letter.

to the general body of subscribers to deal with , and certainly , we should most strongly object to any committee having the power to recommend any particular case . For though that course is practicable in those eleemosynary institutions , where all the candidates are on a level of social

position , and the tests of poverty are more easily laid down , it is absolutely impracticable in a charity like ours , which deals with the most contrasted classes , and in which there are hardly two of us who agree as to what are the most deserving claims on our Masonic sympathy and

aid . Neither are we prepared to give up the polling day or canvassing cards . Certainly not the polling day , as it is admirably managed , and is generally presided over most carefully and impartially by some one of our most distinguished brethren . As regards " the exchange of votes , "

on which Bro . Simpson dilates , of course it is always easy to say a thing is wrong because we think it wrong ; but such matters ! cannot be decided on the dicta , however weighty , of individuals , but by careful induction of evidence and facts . Bro . Simpson [ admits that a brother cannot be compelled to vote , but demurs to his right to allow

another brotherto do sofor him , on the understand , ing that , for the very purpose , mind , ofthe charity itself , he is to receive a " quid pro quo " in votes . We may be very dull , and we probably are , but we cannot for the life of us understand what harm , morally or otherwise , anyone does , or can do , who uses his lawful privileges to carry out the election of a candidate in whom he takes

deep interest , and which candidate , probably , but for such extra aid , would never get in . Both in principle and in practice we strongly hold , on every system of general or Masonic ethics , that exchanges can be perfectly justified , unless , indeed , we are becoming so subtle and so

recondite in our applications of first principles , that we mean to erase from our language and public life , common sense and plain dealing altogether . Let Bro . Simpson place his hand on the one real blot in the voting system , and we will gladly aid him , although it is one which we hold

can only be dealt with by public opinon . We mean the unwise support which brethren give to weak , to doubtful , to objectionable cases . If we all acted purely on principle , in this respect , many cases would never appear at all , but we all of us too often take up , nastil y or through personal solicitation , or frow some fictitious sentiment ,

feeble and objectionable cases , and the consequence is overwhelming competition , over crowded lists . To this one point , let us direct our efforts , namely , to bring about a higher Masonic morality on this most important subject , and we shall achieve a great moral triumph , and carry out alasting and righteous reform .

Masonic Exhibitions.

MASONIC EXHIBITIONS .

In the abstract propriety of Masonic exhibitions , there are few who will , we believe , refuse to concur , the only question with many being the " modus in quo . " Probably we are all arrived at the point in educationalist *! , and if you like a hard word , Paideiology , namely , that in

order properl y to carry out the true meaning of education per se , we must have gradations of schooling , so to say , from the elementary school , throug h the middle or grammar school , up to collegiate or university tuition . It is thus inevitable , if we are to make our education a reality ,

hut that we ' must have , sooner or later , exhibitions for that valuable institution , the Boys' School , as Well as for the Girls' School . It appears to us that a great deal of good might accrue to the cause of Masonic education if the two Secretaries of our Schools would convene a meeting of those who

take an interest in such subjects , and consult as to the best course to be adopted and the wisest plan to be pursued in order to bring about so desirable a result . There are great "difficulties attendant necessaril y on Grand Lodge taking the initiative ln such a matter . There are even obstacles in

'he Schools themselves setting up any great scheme , but a Masonic Educational Board , which simpl y confined itself to raising funds , appointing competent examiners , and paying the scholarships o the successful competitors , might aid to crown | ne educational edifice with a most useful and ne 'pful organisation . For their labour would be

Masonic Exhibitions.

very simple , their duty very precise . They would appeal for funds ; they would appoint the examiners j and on the fair open principle of competition , without favour or partiality , they would permit the successful candidate to proceed to any proper college for the purpose of

completing his or her education . The young men would go to college , or training schools , or medical hospitals , ( their own selection ) ; the young women in the same way , or they would hold these exhibitions as stewardships , and as everything would depend on the public examiners , the

only thing to look to would be a fitting selection of examiners . But in the multitude of competent persons just now there would be no difficulty whatever in this task . Indeed , we apprehend that the committee might , if they thought fit , save much expense by simply sending the candidates

alternately to the Oxford and Cambridge middleclass examinations . Now , this is a plan of the future , but , in the mean time , many of our Order may be glad to aid any practical efforts in this direction . We call attention to a letter which appears in another column by which it

seems-the " Mace Fund " is all but exhausted . The Mace Fund has in view the granting of help to a youth named Mace from our Masonic Boys ' School , the orphan of a deceased brother , who has shown talents of a high order , and such as seem to demand a collegiate education . He has been for

six months studying at Queen ' s College , Cambridge , and further donations are asked ^ for , to enable him to continue his residence and university course . He has passed his preliminary examination , and will be ready in a few months to " undergo his final examination prior to

presenting himself for ordination . " He carried off the Maybury prize and silver medal at the Boys ' School . He gained the Divinity prize in the evening ' clssses at King ' s College , having obtained several first-class certificates , and the Associateship of the college . This is then a case on which Bros . W . Portlock Dadson and

Frederick Binckes are fully justified in appealing to the Craft for support . And to all who value the policy , and believe in the need of exhibitions , we think that in this special case a commendable opportunity is afforded them of testing the value of the principle itself , and of advancing that good cause—education .

Pleasant June.

PLEASANT JUNE .

June is upon us , not as it should be , in sunshine and brightness , but somewhat dim and dull and hazy . Still to us Londoners and Cockneys , June is always redolent of green fields and fragrant flowers , of pleasant picnics and gay gatherings , grave encounters at

Polo , sweet-scented flower shows , and innumerable pleasant dinners at Greenwich , Hampton Court , and Richmond . And to our fair sisters June also often appeals with pleasurable associations and agreeable souvenirs . Croquet and the archery meeting , a pull

up the river , an afternoon tea under the "limes , " seem to be bidding comely youth rejoice , and to say , " carpe diem , " in all of innocent hilarity and genial sympathy . Far be from us that needless asceticism , of some , which seems to make all gaiety wrong , and to consider all amusements

hurtful . We are not puritans , and we do not believe in puritanism . We never did , and we never shall , inasmuch as human nature seems ever to rebel against the arbitrary laws of the tyranny of fanaticism , and by way of revenge , when needlessly hindered or interfered with , to

plunge directly into hurtful excesses or unseemly license . Being then , on the good old teaching of Masonry , friends of social gaiety and legitimate relaxation , the agreeable gathering and the pleasant reunion ofthe cheerful and the decorous , we think it well to try and strike , a key note of

harmony which will accord , let us trust , with the genial season of an opening summer . Our lodges are mostly closing their half-year ' s campaign and thinking about a summer day ' s outing , somehow or somewhere . Shall we be considered very

revolutionary or very silly if we suggest tbat with our summer St . John ' s we try the experiment of introducing the presence and the charm of our kindly and always sunny sisters ? Surely many a little friendly meeting—many a summer St John ' s would be made more agreeable in itself ,

Pleasant June.

more pleasurable in memory , if we gave to it the novelty and the charm of female association , of woman ' s improving personality . We have gone on in the old track for years . Mock turtle , and turbot and lobster sauce , perhaps whitebait , two or three entrees , boiled turkey and tongue , a

saddle of mutton , and plenty of champagne aud good claret , and , we have' no doubt enjoyed our dinner . But after it , what then ? If speeches are permitted at the summer St . John ' s ( which sometimes wisely they are not ) , we know well all that our good W . M . will say , all that

P . M . Tinkleton will advance , all that our excellent Treasurer will modestly affirm . We have listened to Bro . Brady ' s song and Bro . Timmin ' s sentiment over and over again , and we have cheered the most eloquent of Senior Wardens , and have done honour to the Tyler ' s toast .

And in fact we know each other very well , as we are all fast mates , cheery companions , and good friends . But is there not a little monotony , however pleasant , in all this ? Suppose , to vary the scene , to change the " venue , " we ask our sisters to join the pleasant little festival , can any

harm come of it ? Will any evil be done ? We think that , on the contrary , our Masonic gathering , and our Masonic life will be equally improved and elevated . Yes , as we believe in woman ' s gentle and truthful , and kindly and intelligent , and elevating mission , we are of opinion

that new life will , so to say , be thrown into many a lodge outing , if with our well-known brethren we associate also that sisterly element , which will certainly lend a charm to all the accessories of the aggregation , and throw both grace and pleasantness around that friendly circle . It is

not always good for us to give too full scope to the mere tendency to personal enjoyment , or male facetiousness . It is better for us all to find ever with us restraining influences or awakening sympathies , a gentle monitress , so to say , at our sides , rendering our "Albi Dies , " alike happy in

beginning , 'beneficial m progress , pleasurable in ending . We hardly realize sufficiently , perhaps , what the society of woman does to help and better us all . We are so much given up to club life , to man ' s way of thinking and acting , so isolated in our tastes and ways , and so select , so selfish , that we

look upon female society , somewhat more as a necessary trial to be gone through with , than as a great blessing to be appreciated . Many of our social evils just now arise from the too separate lives of men , and we , therefore , are glad to have the opportunity of expressing how much

we feel is the great value of female association . With our gatherings this summer , just now , and during a little space , let our good brethren endeavour to see if they cannot make them more lively and moro agreeable , by bringing in our fair sisters to adorn and elevate , to charm

and to please . They will bring with them , as we know full well , good humour and good looks , kindly voices and sunny smiles , true friendship and warm hearts , and we shall all be better for their company , and all be improved by their juxtaposition . Even our very distinguished young

and rising Bro . Jorrocks , W . M . of the Lodge of " Manly Virtue , " says that it is not a ' * bad idear , to ask the witnmen , " especially as he adds , " he knows one or two , who like a good dinner , who won ' t refuse a glass of champagne , who can applaud a good song , who don ' t object

to smoking , and who are , on the whole , as sensible and as easy to get on with as women can be . " We are quite sure that Bro . Jorrocks is right , and we hope that our friendly remarks , will be taken in good part , and lead , perhaps , to a most beneficial reform .

" OXFORD REFERENCE BIBLES . " —Mr . Henry Froude , of the Oxford University Press Warehouse , Paternoster row , has lately issued a most attractive and useful series , in four sizes , of what he terms " Oxford Reference Bibles . " This Bible is not merely a Bible , but a library of Biblical information . Besides the text , it contains in an appendix entitled " Helps to the Study of the Bible , " among many other particulars , a

summary of each book ; lists of miracles and parables ; a Harmony of the Gospels ; Biblical topography , natural history , and ethnology . In addition , there , irc an Index , the whole of Cruden ' s Concordance , and twelve very carefully drawn and finished maps . With all this , the type , as might , indeed , be expected of a work issaed from a University Press , is beautifully clear , and the volume in its several sizes , can be had bound in such way as to make it an acceptable gift book .