A Little Friendly Gossip On Some Of The Topics Of The Day.

with " vulgar fractions , " decimals , and the like . I remember seeing years ago a beautifully written " Arithmetic Book , in which some most elaborate sums were entered in a most correct running hand . " So I called the boy , and said to him "John Jones , do me this sum on your slate "—divide £ 10 15 s . 6 d . ( or something to that effect ) by 12 . The boy looked bothered , glanced at the

master , and the master said " You know how to do it , John . " I took the slate , and wrote the " dividend , " and said " Now , write down the ' Divisor' in its proper place , and do it The poor boy was quite fast . When next I went to the school the master said to me " I have made John Jones begin from compound multiplication over again . " He had done it all mechanically , without

understanding it . Hence I am not for too much elaborate work in our schools , and certainly not for show or cram work at all , but for sound , simple , steady grounding in elementary knowledge . The higher work must come afterwards , out of school , or in a middle class school . For I venture to think that all boys should be carefully watched -, those who manifest decided

aptitude and parts of any kind should be drafted , through exhibitions and the like , to a higher class school , as a preparation for a still better education . Some say such an education as I have sketched out would unfit a boy for work . I do not believe it . Indeed , 1 know it is not the case . Even if it be so , and as there is no positive good without a probable evil in this world ,

we have no right to measure our gift or limit our work for fear of either being turned to evil rather than to good . We are to try to educate elementarily , in the best way we can , for the present and permanent welfare of the child . I do not see why ^ our boys should not have some technical education , though their time is limited , and some think even now we take up too

many subjects . As regards the girls , I would add to the existing " curriculum , " to use a fine word , the inestimable instruction of cookery . In nothing are our rural lasses , and no doubt our town girls , so deficient , and through no fault of their own . How many a married couple would fare better , and make their money go much farther , if the wife was

up to the first principles ot cooking , and knew how to stew , and roast , and boil well , and to make the most of everything , and could turn her hands to many little dishes which would add a great deal to the working man ' s dinner , and to his children ' s health . As a rule , in a part of England where I have lived the best years of my life our girls knew how to fry ham , " collops "

of bacon , and to make bread , and one or two other usual dishes , but that is all—and we teach them nothing at school about cooking . To stew meat with vegetables , or to make broth , the working classes positively do not know how , and there is enough wasted innocently amongst our hardworking people to make the food of many . Hence every girl should be taught the elements of

cooVery , and apt scholars they soon would be . As it is they are so much ahead of the men that this and the next generation will , if they are to be lifted up out of that " slough of despond " which bad habits aud bad training have brought many of us into , as often happens in the history of man , to the woman will owe it . I for one do not disapprove of the girls attending to what

is called " fine work " and the like , which some affect to think almost sinful in our schools . So long as the girls can mark , and hem , and sew , and knit well , they are quite light , it appears to me , for many reasons too long to dilate upon now , to take up the finer kind of worsted , tapestry , and crochet work . On the whole I believe that education is progressing

more rapidly than we sometimes think , and since I first began to turn my attention to the subject , alas ! now a long while ago , what an improvement in all classes has been going on amongst us happily on every side . So let us take heart ; things are not so bad , I fancy , as they seem , and as I am a believer in a good , sound , religious education , I yet look forward to a time , perhaps

when we of this generation are all in our graves , when an educated and God-fearing people shall manifest not only their continuance , alike in loyalty and patriotism to their Sovereign and country , but their great advance in selfrestraint of conduct , and in general sobriety of manners , in peace and goodwill one with another , and when an educated person shall be the rule and an uneducated person the exception .

Grand Lodge.—A Sketch.

GRAND LODGE . —A SKETCH .

" If there ' s a hole in a' your coats I rede you tent it : A chiel ' s amang you taking notes , And , faith , he'll prent it . " " And can I really go into Grand Lodge ? " exclaimed 1 COMMUNICATED IIV OUR V . P . C . *

the other night , when at the close of a somewhat long day ' s business , finding that I could not return home till the morrow , I called upon one of my London brethren by way of killing a little of that ( alas I often ) too spare time . "To be sure you can , old fellow , " said he ; " just borrow a collar and jewel from our jolly old Tyler , sign your name in a book , get your bone , and there you arc !"

I must confess to some little trepidation as I followed my courageous friend through thc portals of the dread precincts , especially as at the very threshhold I observed a Janitor who would doubtless bar my further progress ; to him I addressed myself apologetically , " A young man

from thc country , but very desirous Hope I don ' t intrude j . my . uncle the late Paul P . Listen used " " Here ! come on , " said my friend , " or we shan ' t get a seat , " and with our further delay ! ascended the noble flight of steps , which ( is nobody particular was expected , I suppose ) was carpetless . At the top my friend left me for

Grand Lodge.—A Sketch.

awhile , and I found myself , after clothing in my borrowed plumes , in the presence of the dreaded scrutineers . " Your name , brother , and number of your lodge ? " — "Smith , of No . —let me see—Um ? ah , well , I ' m exceedingly sorry , but I really forget . " " That ' s rather a pily , brother , as I'm afraid we ' shall not readily find you . But , perhaps , you have it on your

case ?" Happy thought ; so diving once more into the crowd of brethren at the sort of cloak-room provided for their accommodation , I sought my property . Altera tremendous struggle with my various pockets I fountl my ticket , and recovering my missing number , 1 announced myself as Bro . Paul Pry Smith , of Lodge of Observation , No . 10 , 002 ,

Mudford-on-Spree . " Having received my pass-cheque , I found my friend waiting , and passing through the porch , entered Grand Lodge , and beheld one of the finest sights I ever witnessed , but which I need not now describe . Very soon the noble strains of the fine-toned organ burst upon my ear , the procession entered , and a brother of firm but genial aspect took his place before the throne . Grand Lodge having

been opened , and our revered Grand Secretary having read the minutes , I was struck with thc eager cordiality with which the various gifts were voted to our distressed brethren . Then came a pause before entering upon what was evidently the attractive business of the evening—the giving a thank offering , honouring our Grand Master , and doing ourselves a capital turn by transferring a good round sum from one oreeches-pocket to the other , all in

one . Then rose a worthy brother of genial mien , and whose " nostril scented battle from afar . " With vcry " ore rotunda " he began" Mr . Frank Buckland recently , in speaking of oysters " —oh ! delicious vision . At last , thought I , our very worshipful brother has discovered a splendid mode of

carrying out our desire—the very ne plus ultra of selfishnesshe is going to propose a vote to the cultivation of our delicious morsel . But think of my disappointment when I found that the oyster was a mere delusive illustration , intended only to " point a moral , " and not " adorn a tale " ( of oysters ) , for he only went on to say that Mr . Frank Buckland declared the necessity of heat for their

production . Somehow he made out that we didn ' t want heat , at least , not such heat as was exhibited at the last Grand Lodge , which nipped in the bud the glow of eloquence in which I was going to propose , in the most self-denying manner , to give our very worshipful brother to the cause as a capital generator of the article in question . To my great disappointment we heard no more of

oysters , not even what they had to do with the subject in question , and so after extracting a little kindly mirth from the innocent suggestion of a dearjold brother , that some future member of the committee shortly to be elected should first furnish us with a definite idea of what that committee in nuM & us meant to do , and helping to put

another genial brother in a glorious minority of one , I was fain , after Grand Lodge was over , to solace myself with a few natives in esse which substantial fact , perhaps , accounted for visions of the unveiling of a monument made of oyster shells to Mr . Buckland by a very worshipful brother , the proceedings being enlivened by fitful hummings of a refrain running somewhat thus -.

" O wad some pow ' r the giftic gie us , To see oursels as others sec us ; It wad frac monic a blunder free us ; And foolish notion !" [ , * £ We hope that wcare net the victims of a" provincial " joke , but wc trust to thc guarantee of our V . P . C . 's neatly-printed card .- — En . ] * Our Veiy Provincial Correspondent .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of North Wales And Shropshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF NORTH WALES AND SHROPSHIRE .

The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of North Wales and Shropshire , over which Bro . Sir Watkin Williams Wynn , Bart ., M . P ., surnametl " The Prince in Wales , " presides as the Provincial Grand Master , was held at thc Public Hall , Wrexham , on Tuesday , the cth

inst . There was a veiy large gathcnng cf the fraternity , thus demonstrating that Freemasonry has obtained a strong hold on those resident in the principality . The meeting was held under the banner of the Square and Compass Lodge , No . 1336 , which was consecrated in 1871 . The gathering was an important epoch in the history of the lodge , marking thc date of the first

Provincial Grand Lodge meeting in Wrexham , and the opening of a new lodge room at the Public Hall , elegantly and fittingly appointed , gave additional eclat to the meeting . The unusual assembly caused quite a flutter of excitement amongst the " natives , " and the greatest interest appeared to be felt in the whole of the day ' s proceedings , especially in thc procession to church , which took place at the close

of lodge business . 1 he arrangements made by the brethren of the " Square and Compass " were eminently satisfactory , and were generally approved by the visitors . Bro . Sir W . W . Wynn , R . W . P . G . M ., whose Masonic zeal is so well known throughout Wales , was present , and amongst the more distinguished brethren who supported him were Bros . J . S . Brownrigg , Prov . Grand Master of Surrev . and Past G . W . of Ens / land : T . Davison , P . S .

G . W . Middlesex ; C . Dutton , P . P . S . G . W . Cheshire ; W . Bulkeley Hughes , M . P ., P . P . S . G . W . ; J . Peters , P . P . S . G . W . ; W . Blakeway , P . J . G . W . ; J . D . White , P . G . Treas . ; W . H . Spaull , P . G . Sec .-, R . J . Sisson , P . G . S . ; A . Walker , P . G . S . of W . ; R . Wood , P . G . D . C ; P . H . Evans , P . G . A . D . C ; J . Salmon . P . G . S . B . ; J . B . Boucher , P . G . Organist ; F . Parmeter , P . G . Pur . ; W . Collender , P . G . S . ; T . C . Roden . P . P . J . G . W . ; Dr . Goldsborough P . G . S . ; E . H . Hankey ,

Provincial Grand Lodge Of North Wales And Shropshire.

P . P . G . Reg . ; J . B . Hide , P . G . Tyler ; W . B . Newne * P . G . A . Tyler ; J . Bodenham , P . G . Pur . Staffordshire , and others . The-private members of the lodges in attendantnumbered upward of ioo , there being no fewer than 33 from the Square and Compass Lodge , and ten from that which bears the P . G . M . ' s name at Mold .

The brethren assembled in the lodge-room at 1 . 30 p . , for the transaction of some ordinary business , and after this had been disposed of a procession of the Provincial Grand Lodge was afterwards formed , and entered the room , headed by the P . G . M ., who was received with tremen . dous cheering , which , if not strictly Masonic , was at least an evidence of his popularity with the brethren oi his pro .

. After the Provincial Grand Lodge had been received and opened according to ancient form , the Prov . G . Secretary ( Bro . Spaull ) read the minutes of the meetings held at Bangor , Llandidloes , Newtown , Market Drayton , and Bridgenorth , the four last-named being for the purpose of consecrating new lodges . The minutes were unanimousl y

confirmed . Thc Prov . G . Secretary read a telegram which he hatl received from Bro . Banks , Prov . G . St . B ,, stating that he could not cross from the island of Anglesea in consequence of a storm which was raging . The roll of lodges was next called by ihe Prov . G . Sec . when it appeared that , with only two or three exceptions , the whole of the twenty-three lodges within the province

were represented . The roll of Prov . G . Officers was also called , and it appeared that there were merely two absent . The next business was to elect a Treasurer . Bro . J . Q , White , anticipating his re-election , expressed a desire to retire from the position which he had held for many years , on account of the pressure of business . The brethren pre . sent , however , expressed a hope that he w < uld continue in

office , and on the motion of Bro . W . Bulkrley Hughes , P . P . S . G . W ., seconded by Bro . W . Blakeway , P . G . J . W ., Bro . White was unanimously re-elected . He submitted the balance sheet for the past year , stating that previous to the audit of January , 1875 , there was a balance in favour of the Treasurer of £ 24 5 s . gd . ; but he was happy to state that the account was now the other way , as there

was a balance in favour of the Provincial Grand Lodgeof £ 80 2 s . 4 d . Besides this sum in the Treasurer ' s hands , there was upwards of £ 200 in the bank , so that they were now in a very prosperous state . The Prov . G . Secretary moved that , in future , ' copies of the books of bye-laws should be furnished by the Provincial Grand Lodge , instead of being supplied at the

expense of private lodges . The motion was seconded by Bro . Hankey , P . P . G . Reg ., and carried unanimously . On the motion of Bro . Dr . Roden , P . P . G . J . W ., seconded by Bro . Lewis , P . P . G . S . W ., and supported by Bro . W , Bulkeley Hughes , M . P ., P . P . G . S . W ., it was resolved to vote the sum of twenty guineas from the Provincial Grantl Lodge funds to aid the widow of thc late Bro .

Humphreys , formerly connected with the aegontium Lodge , No . 606 , Carnarvon . Bro . J . Salmon , P . G . S . B ., moved that , in recognition of the four years' services as honorary Secretary performed by Bro . ' Spaull , thc sum of 30 guineas be voted to him , in order that he might constitute himself a life governor ot each of the three great Masonic charitable institutions in

London . He remarked that it was very desirous that they should seek to increase the voting power of that province in connection with their charities , so that it might stand second to none in the country . —Bro . Peters , P . P . G . S . W ., seconded the motion , which was carried by acclamation , and the compliment was acknowledged by Bro . Sapull , who signified his intention of devoting the whole sum in

the charities in London . Bro . D . P . Owen , P . M . 99 8 , moved , '' That any bye . laws of thc Prov . Grand Lodge of North Wales and Shropshire , which purport to have a power over the funds of the private lodges of the province ( except registration and benevolence ) , but more especially that in which the various lodges are compelled to purchase a copy of the bye-laws

for each member of the lodges , should be rescinded , and the bye-laws ( if any ) , wherein lodges are fined for nonattendance at Prov . Grand Lodge . " Bro . Owen pointed out the occasional difficulty which many brethren had in attending the Provincial Grand Lodge meetings , and hoped the bye-law with respect to fines for non-attendance would be rescinded . The motion was not seconded , antl

therefore it fell lo the ground . The P . G . Master said that when he first presided over that province the lodges were not so numerous as they were now , and it was then thought advisable to make tlio appointments of P . G . Officers for two years , owing to the difficulty of finding brethren for promotion . Now , however , the number of Freemasons had so enormously

increased , and the number of lodges as well , that he though it possible to alter thc plan of promotion . Although lie was not going to alter it at that time , he thought it was well worth considering whether the same plan should not be adopted as that existing in private lodges—viz ., t ° make the appointments of P . G . lodge officers only for one vpar . f Annlmi' -ft ' l .

The R . W . P . G . M . then appointed Bro . W . Bulkeley Hughes , M . P . for the district boroughs of Carnarvonshire , the R . W . Deputy Provincial Grand Master for the province of North Wales and Shropshire , and he was duly installed in his place . . The following brethren were appointed officers by U P . G . M ., and also installed in their respective offices : *—• n r \ .., „ . Pm « . Cl S . W .

I . Salmon Prov . G . J . W . Rev . A . L . Taylor Prov . G . Chap lain * Rev . T . Lloyd Kyffen Prov . A . P . G . Oliap-J . D . White Prov . G . Treas . R . J . Sisson Prov . G . Reg . W . H . Spaull Prov . G . Sec . F . Parmeter Prov . G . S . D . R . de la Peer Beresford Prov . G . J . D .