The Ultramontane Press.

tade of fanatical partizans , and the hopeless intolerance of an Ultramontane clique . Deepl y distressing is it for every reflecting mind to see before our eyes in 187 *; the worst excesses of

medievalism repeated in the untruthful and irrelig ious tendency of doctrine and decree , of censure and of controversy , of attack and anathema , of the cruel accusation and lying slander .

Masonic Courtesy.

MASONIC COURTESY .

As Freemasons we are bound to be courteous to all men , but especially to all our brethren in Freemasonry . In the lodge we are all on one level , however differing our earthly ranks , however contrasted our social positions in the world , beyond the portals of our peaceful " logerium . "

That is undoubtedly the true teaching of our Order which enjoins us as Freemasons ever to show to our " confreres " in the world , and indeed to all men , thc courtesy of brethren , and the consideration of gentlemen . For Freemasonry , from our first admission into its mystic circle ,

would impress upon us all one great and abiding lesson . " Whatever your position in society may be , whatever your lot in life , whatever the calling or occupation which it is your duty to follow and adorn , never forget the courtesy and consideration you owe to all men , and not

the least to your brethren in Freemasonry . Be therefore courteous in speech and courteous in demeanour , courteous in all thoso little amenities of life , which often smoothe away so many of its rough corners , and lessen so many of its drawbacks , and soften so many of its acerbities . As

a Freemason you are to be above the often prevailing and purely worldly feelings of pride or perversity , of exclusiveness and caste , of higher rank , of superior position . " The best Freemasons and the truest gentlemen , therefore , are those who while they never forget that they are Freemasons

or gentlemen , have learnt to sympathize truly with their neighbours and brethren in the world , to " honour all men , " and are ever read y to shew to their fellow creatures of the dust the tender graces of a persistent good will , and the pleasant countenance of a genuine philanthropy . Now ,

we venture to submit to our readers that in this respect of Masonic courtesy we all may learn a useful lesson , a lesson which we may well con over continually , commit carefully to heart , and seek to reduce to practice in our own daily walk in life , at home , and among men .

It is remarkable how often to day Masons are discourteous to one anofher . An infirmity of temper , a littleness of disposition , a pettiness of aim , a casual remark will often render us ior the time quite fail in courtesy to an unoffending brother . The importance of office , the elevation of the hour

will often make us forget how true it is " how we apples swim , " and we become short in speech , and uncivil in manner to some one , who has every claim both on our forbearance and friendly feeling . We have often seen examples and illustrations of this failure both in demeanour and

right feeling , and have often felt for those who must have suffered from slight or discourtesy , but were too Masonic to resent and too selfpossessed to complain . And yet on the contrary we have seen in some of the ablest andbest of ourjOrder an ever abounding spirit of courtesy and

consideration for all . They are not one thing in the lodge and another thing out of the lodge , they are not those who presume on a little brief authority or momentary elevation , but they feel and show lhat courtesy is ever due to the humblest and the highest in Freemasonry . And believing as

we do that Freemasonry is something jnore than a mere lifeless machine , something \ nore than a mere outward organization , without any inward vitality , something more than a society for good dinners and pleasant festivities , we feel bound to express our opinion that one of its

best lessons to all its members , is , that courtesy of manner and speech , and treatment , and disposition , which throws a tinge of softness and gentleness on all of earthl y fellowshi p . To be courteous { 0 our brethren , to be considerate of our

brethren , their good names , their personal reputation , and their fair fame are among the highest duties of Freemasonry- and , like the old chronicler , we can say to day , " O courteous -freemasons never feel ashamed that you have

Masonic Courtesy.

learnt that true courtesy of your good old Craft which enjoins you to be friendly to your brethren antl courteous to all men . "

Transatlantic Law And Justice.

TRANSATLANTIC LAW AND JUSTICE .

Ever since the publication of a "Missionary Experience in Texas , " by the Abbe Donienech , the famous-toast of the newly appointed judge , "Justice modified by circumstances , " therein so humorously related , has appeared to many somewhat well to describe the somewhat

peculiar administration of the law amongst our go-a-ahead cousins . But we are inclined to believe that , though the story is a good story , and it is a pity to spoil it , such an idea is on the whole erroneous . It is possible , rather certain , that owing to the varying system of judicial

appointments in the different States , the right man is not always in the right place , that is as regards legal acquirements and fitness for the responsible position of the Bench , especially where the tumults of popular election seem to us greatly to interfere with that calmness and serenity , and

elevated character , which , in our opinion , ought ever to characterize our judges , as affording the best guarantee alike for untainted justice , as well as for the maintenance of authority , and the liberties of the people . Mr . Macgregor tells us amusingly of an election in Maine , where one

was the " liquor judge " and the other the " noliquor judge ! " Happy theory of absolute impartiality and even-handed fairness . But yet , despite popular opinions and some not altogether unfounded criticisms , alike American and Anglican , we feel disposed to believe that things are improving , and we have been struck with some

remarkable evidences of equity and common sense , in some cases as reported , if not in leading cases or by distinguished counsel , yet in the ever watchful and prolific press of the United States . We have thought it well to put together a few gems from this circlet of brilliants , which we have lately been perusing alike with admiration and interest .

Let us take the following illustration , for instance , ofa case somewhatdifficult to understand He was a kind-looking old man , having gray hair aud a face over which a smile spread itself , and looked up at the court . " Were you drunk ? " asked his Honour .

"Twee of dne geledon , sloeg hij ziju kindje , ro maandam oud , " replied the old man . "What ! What did he say ? " asked the court . " Met bovenstaande vreag hielden zich de vorige week de Engelsche , " replied the prisoner . The clerk began to grin .

The audience moved uneasily . " Now then , " continued his Honour , " the charge is drunkenness , and I want to hear what you have to say about it . " " De tegenwoordi gheid van afgevaardi gden

van andere Chnstelijke Vcreeni gingen , " answered the old man , in a solemn voice . " Were you drunk ? " demanded the court , in a louder tone .

" Hij werd verleden Maandag tot twaalf jaren geyangenis straf veroordeeld , " answered the prisoner , also raising his voice . " Don ' t fool with this court ! " warned his Honour .

" Wormkoekjes gebruikt te hebben , terwijj wij alle huisgezinnen , wanr kinderen zijin moeten aauraden een doos van Kimin ' s Susan B . Anthony ! " replied the prisoner , throwing his arms around wildly .

" Well , I can ' t fool away any more time on you , " said the court , in a tone of despair . " Dust out of here and be seen no more !" And he dusted .

Or let us take this interesting report . " This is a case which can be called , tried , and disposed of inside of three minutes , " remarked his Honour , as CharlesTaylor leaned on the railings and regarded him with an appealing look . " I couldn ' t get nothing to do" replied the prisoner .

I hear you couldn ' t ; but if I were a young man ei ghteen years old , in sound health , and the fat on my ribs was an inch and a half thick , I'd

Transatlantic Law And Justice.

find work enough to pay for my board , or I'd slide off" the wharf and make business for a coroner . " " I ' ve looked all around , " said the prisoner .

" Well , we won ' t argue the case . I know that work is scarce , but I also know that there are dozens of fat loafers around this town who wouldn ' t turn a grindstone twohoursfora week ' s board . You are charged with vagrancy , are guilty , and I'll give you sixty days . That will

let you out about the time the pansies bloom , and if you can ' t find work then , I'll send you back for six months . " The prisoner shuffled oft' into the corridor , wip ing a tear from his nose , and was so ugly that Bijah had to draw the crowbar at him before he would sit down on the water-cooler and

wait for the Maria to drive around . The following youthful culprit may find some sympathizers ? " And this is William Spinner , eh ? " inquired his Honour of a brick-haired young man whose back was covered with mud .

" Yes , sir . " " They found you in an alley ; it was night ; you were drunk ; when they hauled you out you was as ugly and pompous as the King of the

Cannibal Islands . Isn t this true ? ' * ' It was my birthda \ , and I suppose I took a glass too much , " replied the prisoner . " It ' s the last time , however ; you will never see me again . "

" Let ' s see—haven ' t you an old mother to support ?" " Yes—yes , sir . She ' s a good old lady , and she'll feel badly about this . " " And you have to support two or three young

sisters ? " Yes , three of them—poor little girls . " His Honour removed his spectacles , wiped the apple on his coat sleeve , smiled blandly , and remarked :

" What an awful liar ! Wh y , man , I know all about you ! You are one of the greatest loafers in Detroit , and I don ' t believe you have a relation on earth !"

The prisoner cast his eyes down , and could make no reply . " I'll mark you down for sixty days , " continued the court ; " theft ' s thirty days in which to get you washed up , and thirty more to ' get acquainted with yourself . "

Is there a brother " with soul so dead " who does not feel for this peaceable German ? " I shall dell noddings but der zolemn druth , " said thc next prisoner as he stepped out .

" Well , that ' s a good start , " replied his Honour . "The charge here is disturbing the peace . " " I gave noddings at all for dat sh ' arge—I want to told you how it vhas : " " Go ahead . "

"I vhas zitting in my zaloon , rait der door locked , nnd shust so quick as I drunk some peer I vhas going to ped . " "Yes . "

" Und bresently some vellers gum along und pult on der door-handle , und one veller he yelt out : ' Ho ! dere , old zaw-bones ! open dis door ?' Und I said noddings . Und another veller kicks on der door shusc like dat , und he yelt out :

Open dis door or I shall knock your het quick oft '! ' Und still I said noddings . Und another veller kicks on der door shust like that , und yelt : ' Kill der old gross-eyed Limberger ? ' Und

den I opens der door mit a glub in my hant , und I knocks ' em like dat ! und dat ! und dat ! Und den der bolece shumped in und dook me . " " All of which you swear is the solemn truth . *"

" I gannot dell a lie . " " And you were never here before ?" " I never vhas in States brison pefore since I

vas porn . "And you'll try to get along after this without having any more trouble ?" " If no one droubles me I shall pe like a lamb . "

" Well , you may go . " We have also perused some accounts of police administration in New York , which seem to us