Legal Episodes In The History Of Freemasonry.

its fraternal feelings were not exhausted by Seton ' s perversity . Even after this verdict had annihilated Seton ' s pretensions , goodnatured efforts were made to heal the schism , which by this time had "Town into thc self-styled Grand East of Ulster . All in vain . The Grand Lodge was compelled , in 1808 , to lile a bill in

chancery to recover its own muniments . At the best of times , a chancery suit is tedious . This one was prolonged for nearly five years by Seton's alternate policy of shifty evasion and truculent insolence . At length the Grand Lodge recovered such of its

archives as survived Seton ' s devastating hand . In 1805 , seven volumes of Registers arc recorded as in existence amid " the hackney coach load of papers . " Alas , only two of them came back in 1813 ; an irreparable loss .

The pleasanlest part of the story is that the Grand Lodge of Ireland , having established a legal precedent by which thc whole Craft " wheresoever dispersed over the surface of the earth " nihdit profit , emerged triumphant from the struggle , just in time

to join with the sister Grand Lodge of Scotland , simultaneously relieved from discord , and the other Grand Lodges that belonged to the Antient Obedience , in welcoming the United Grand Lodge of England into thc fold of English-speaking ( Jrand Lodges .

Saved By A Puff Of Wind.

Saved by a Puff of Wind .

BY PROF . V . W . DRIVER , M . A ., P . M . 45 , P . Z . 742 , Author of " Thc Four Henries" " Champagne Cheap , " " A Case of S 11 icitie , " A TRUE STORY .

TS _ = T 7 £ 2 MN a northern suburb of London , in a small , scantilyl . ttM fc & if . | furnished room of an unpretentious house , situated it ^ Sw WS - ] in a poor street , sat in the twilight of an autumn IfMjJ il / SSy evening , a middle-aged man , his wife , and little ikST ^ -.-Mi daughter . A postman ' s knock was heard , the wife hastened to thc door , and received a large

envelope , which , on returning to the room , with a mournful look , she p laced in the hands of her husband . A slight flush came over his pallid face , but speedily died out , as on opening the packet he saw a MS ., accompanied by a printed form from the editor of a magazine , with the words , " Declined with thanks . " .

" Declined with thanks" ; what fatal , depressing words are these to aspirants of literal - ) ' fame , so often sent in a mere business way to those who have devoted their best energies to the offspring of their brains , in the hope of being repaid for lhe time and trouble they have expended . These words , " Declined with thanks , "

so well-known and so dreaded , seem to ring out thc knell of the fondest and most cherished hopes the unlucky author may have entertained . It requires , indeed , great moral courage , in spite of numerous heart-sickening disappointments , to still expect and endure repeated rebuffs . Many have , indeed , sunk under these

trials , anel have abandoned the pursuit of the will o' the wisp of literary work . The few , of sterner stuff , who at last , after weary waiting , have bcen fortunate enough to set their feet on the last rung of the literary ladder , gain , at the best , but a scanty and uncertain pittance , totally inadequate to their merits .

In literature , as in any other profession , thc prize is onl y to the few , often , indeed , not depending upon the excellent ability of the author , but on the happy chance that he may have succeeded in suiting the personal taste of the editor . Enough , however , of what may be considered as platitudes —let us return to our slorv .

" Well , Willie dear , I sec I need not ask you fhe contents of the large envelope . " " No , Laura , it is the usual fate which attends all my productions . " " Courage , dearest , do not despair , thc time will come when

your work will be appreciated . Thc husband affectionately pressed his wife ' s hand , but said nothing in reply . The dark mantle of despair hail entirely enveloped him , shutting out the struggling beams of hope's

sunshine . The cares of life had so weighed him down that he was unable lo rise above them—a long , tedious illness had wasted Ids bodily strength , aud had seriously affected his mental powers . J lis brave wife , his support and solace in all his troubles , from

insufficient food , their unhealthy surroundings , and mental anxiety , had at last broken down , and was physically incapable of inspiring fortitude in her husband , who so greatly needed it . Yet , in thc darkest gloom , lig ht will oft appear . The light of their sad existence was thc sweet little blossom which had been

Saved By A Puff Of Wind.

given them as a consolation . She was the golden link which bound the unhappy pair more closely together . The music of thc child ' s voice thrilled their hearts . Gloomily , in the fading twilight sat the unhappy pair , Effie's little hand-caressingly pressed that of her father , who , in an absent niood , played with the curly locks of his darling child .

" Come , Effie , dear , it is time for bed , " suddenly exclaimed Mrs . Stanley ; " you should have been asleep an hour ago . " Instinctively obedient , the child at once received her usual good-night kiss from her devoted father and mother , who took her to her little cot in their own bedroom .

A long silence ensued ; thoughts were too dee ]) for words ; darkness imperceptibly came on ; night succeeded , ancl after a very scanty supper—for lheir means were most limited—they went lo rest—if rest it may be called—which gave little refreshment to either of Ihem . "Sleep had not knit up the ravelled sleeve of care . "

In thc still hours of the night , the husband had resolved on a plan of action , which he did not communicate to his wife , who , from sheer exhaustion , had fallen into a heavy slumber ; her troubled spirit still at work , as was evident by the deep groans which occasionally escaped from her lips .

ihe earl y grey of dawn found them again awake to their pressing troubles . ln lime , the apology for breakfast was silently discussed ; the child ' s wants were duly cared for , whilst their own were neglected . About ro o ' clock , Mr . Stanley announced to his wife that he

was about to take a long journey . " Can Effie and 1 go with you ? " " God forbid ! " muttered the husband in a low tone unheard by his wife . At the time of his departure , the wife and child clung

affectionately lo htm . " Bc sure you are a good child , Effie , to your clear mother whilst I am away . " " Are you going for a long journey , dear papa ? " " Yes , little one , a very long journey . " " And when will you come back ? "

" I do not know ; perhaps never , " ejaculated he in au undertone .

" You will not be long away , Willie ? Must you go ? " said the wife . "I must , indeed , " said the husband , despairingly ; "it is heller for you both I should . ' ' The wife attached no meaning to these ominous words of her

husband , who soon afterwards quitted the house with the purpose of calling ou a publisher , where he had a faint hope of success . On his way lie called at a chemist ' s , who was an intimate friend , and , under specious pretences , obtained what he required .

His visit lo the publisher was fruitless , who , whilst praising his work , said it was not to the public taste . He then suggested that he should write something spicy , up-to-date , as he said , and if he could manage , to veil indelicacies by witty , sparkling inuendos , he could bc sure ol obtaining plenty of work .

Mr . Stanley indignantly declined the tempting offer of the publisher , saying that he had hitherto preserved his pen pure from everything which might sully or disgrace it , and that he resolved , whatever might happen , still to do so . The publisher shrugged his shoulders , and abruptly wished him " Good mornin _> -. "

Leaving the publisher , Mr . Stanley turned his steps in the direction of thc Public Reading Room , ancl obtained his accustomed seat . Before occupying himself in writing hc drew from his pocket a little bottle , which he placed in a corner of the spaci : allotted fo him as a reader . He was so engrossed that hc

failed to perceive an old gentleman who sat next to him . It may be here mentioned that the reading room was a lofty building , and was ventilated principally by windows , whicli were placed close to the ceiling , and were opened as occasion might require . The day was warm , and the windows naturally were

opened to diffuse fresh air through the building . Mr . Stanley opened the packet he had lately received from the publisher , which consisted of fugitive pieces of poetry of elevated style , chiefly didactic . Ile recollected that he had promised a copy of one of these poems to a friend , who had greatly admired it .

1 his being done , he wrote what he expected would be his last letter on earth to the same friend , stating that it was his fixed determination to " shuffl : off this mortal coil , " and end a life which had , by Fate , bcen rendered useless to others and

himself . He implored his friend , for the sake ol their long attachment , to break the news gently to his wife and child , urging the former , for E'lie ' s sake , to reconcile herself to her father , who had been indignant and estranged from her by her imprudent marriage . He then laid clown his pen , intending to ask