Weekly Summary.

The best opinion probably in the whole matter would be that of Mr . Inspector Whicher , though , we cannot expect that very cautious and skilful personage to condescend ever to write to the papers . We think that it is a great pity any more attention should be paid

to a convicted criminal , and though we are daily assured that fresh proceedings are to be taken to set aside the judgment , we believe that they will turn out to be utterly futile . It seems very hard indeed to the ratepayers , and a great scandal to society , ( relaxed

undoubtedly as the moral feeling now is ) , that any persons should be associated to raise funds to continue such proceedings . Indeed it may be a fair question , whether , others besides Captain Brown , who is still " up " before Sit Thomas Henry , should not be made answerable

to the laws of this country , for the part they have taken in this stupendous conspiracy . The Bengal Famine Fund at the Mansion House , is now over sS ^ o , ooo and it seems unfortunately as if a large sum would yet be needed to help the famishing multitudes in

Bengal . The Government authorities are manfully straining every nerve to meet the terrible exigency ; but it is , we think , clear without dispute , that their energetic efforts must be largely supplemented by our wonted English liberality , and kindly feeling at home .

Our fine troops are on their way back from Coomassie , and loyal Portsmouth is preparing to give them a right good hearty English welcome . They are expected almost daily , and may probably arrive before we go to press . There is but little news from abroad . France

is tranquil . Prince Bismarck is suffering from acute neuralg ia . The Bishop of Treves is in prison , and the Bishop of Pernambuco sentenced to four years' imprisonment . This last energetic prelate could not , and would not , leave peaceable Freemasons alone , " hinc ilia :

lachrymal . " From Spain we have nothing decisive . Marshal Serrano , who has taken the command , vice Moriones , is collecting a large army . Any day may bring important intelligence . Saballs has in the meantime fallen upon , and utterly routed ,

General Nouvilas . We have to record the death of the Dowager Duchess of Richmond , of Augustus Chetham Strode , C . B ., Captain R . N ., of Col . Henry Salwey , formerly Coldstream Guards , of Sublieuts . R . Mundy , Victor Bradshaw , and Thos .

Ficklin , on the march down from Coomassie , of Commander John Budgen , It . N ., and of a military veteran , Charles Schaw , who carried the colours of a London Corps of Volunteers , being then an Eton boy , when George III . reviewed in Hyde Park 100 , 000 men .

The deaths of Col . the Hon . Richard Charteris , of Brownlow North Gamier , late Major 53 rd Regiment , of Captain Alfred Abercromby Dick , late Commandant of the nth Bengal Lancers , and of the Rev . It . Demaus , principal of Whitelands Training College are also announced .

Speech Of Bro. J. C. Parkinson, D.P.G.M., Middlesex, On His Installation As W.M. Of St. David's Lodge, No. 679, Aberdare.

SPEECH OF BRO . J . C . PARKINSON , D . P . G . M ., MIDDLESEX , ON HIS INSTALLATION AS W . M . OF ST . DAVID'S LODGE , NO . 679 , ABERDARE .

In presiding for the first time as your Master , I have to tender you my best thanks for unanimously electing me to that position . The handsome memorial , signed by the Past Masters , Wardens , and members of this St . David ' s Lodge of Aberdare , and the promises of diligent

support contained in it , made it impossible to refuse the honour they were good enough to propose . It is , no doubt , an uncommon circumstance for the Deputy Grand Master of one province to accept this office in another j but my connection with South Wales brings me frequently amongst you , and it is incumbent on us all to lend such

influence as we possess to the local development of national institutions . Experience has taught me that the institution of Freemasonry is a moral and a social power , and I rejoice to have the opportunity of taking this leading position amongst the Freemasons of the Aberdare Valley , and of testifying publicly to my belief in the

Speech Of Bro. J. C. Parkinson, D.P.G.M., Middlesex, On His Installation As W.M. Of St. David's Lodge, No. 679, Aberdare.

usefulness and potentiality of the Craft . I have proved its value in the four quarters of the globe , and whether at home in Europe , or on the burning shores of Africa , or by the crumbling tombs and palaces of venerable Asian races , or amidst the new theories , new ideas , and vigorous stirring

life of the great Republic of the West , I have found our mystic bond of fraternity strong and valid , and the right hand of Masonic fellowship held out with unfailing cordiality . There has been so much nonsense written for and against Freemasonry ;

there are so few people , even amongst its members , who understand the full import of its working , and siliiit influence , that the outer world is not unnaturally confused between the denunciations of ecclesiastics who proclaim the works of Masonry to be evil , and irreligion ,

revolution , and social anatchy to follow in its wake , and the sneers of literary cynics who proclaim it to be a gorgeous game of make-believe , in which the weak , the credulous , and the vain exult in gay trappings over imaginary labours , and in titles of honour which , though full of

sound and fury , signify—nothing ! In the one case , Freemasons are pourtrayed as dark conspirators , whose machinations are dangerous to the common weal . In the other , as self-glorifying noodles , who indulge in harmless foolery with cap and bells , and whose pinchbeck

symbolism and spurious claims are unworthy the attention of serious men . It is obvious that these assailants confute each other . Freemasonry cannot be—as the Romish Church would have men believe—a deep plot against religion and society , and also be a mere

idle excuse for conviviality , or for male millinery tempered by alms-giving . The parts of Robespierre and Danton , of Jack Pudding , and Belphegor , the mountebank , are not played by the same men at the same instant of time . It seems almost a waste of words to say this , but as

it happened only the other day that the rites of burial were refused in England to a British soldier , because he was a Freemason , and as all the Freemasons in a neighbouring kingdom ( Belgium ) were excommunicated at a blow on the clay of my last visit here , it is expedient to let the wholesome air of truth blow through

these fallacies , and never more so than on an occasion like this , when a decent respect for the opinion of neig hbours and friends impels one to explain the grounds upon which we are willing to give personal support to an institution so deeply maligned . Two things are indisputable , the realitv of the tie which binds Freemasons

together , and their profound allegiance to Order and Law . The rulers they appoint , by an elaborate system of representation , they are bound by tenets and obligations , which are never violated , to honour and obey . And this brings me to what is little understood by the world at large ,

Masonic titles and ranks , the high value set upon them by , and their universal recognition within the fraternity . I venture to say that the distinctions of the outer world are not more highly prized than are Masonic honours by those within the circle in which they apply . Let us see how

these honours are acquired . Fr ° emasonry is a microcosm of constitutional government . A limited Monarchy ; Lords , and Commons have in it their exact parallels . The Grand Master of the Older is a ruler , elected and loyally obeyed by subjects whose rights are clearly defined ;

and he governs by a Constitution which every Freemason can refer to , and which is never strained . The grand officers of England are life peers , a limited number of whom—never more than from eight to twelve—are created in acknowledgment of distinguished services by the

Grand Master every year , and the Commons consist of all subscribing members , each of whom has a vote for the representatives composing the supreme Parliament , called Grand Lodge . This Parliament passes laws for the government of the Craft , and decides upon the disposal of its surplus wealth . Besides this , the whole

kingdom is divided into Masonic provinces , each with its own Grand Master , who rules within it ; the whole being represented in and subordinate to the central authority , and governed by laws which are clearly laid down and strictly enforced . The rank conferred by a Provincial Grand Master is only really valid in the province to which

Speech Of Bro. J. C. Parkinson, D.P.G.M., Middlesex, On His Installation As W.M. Of St. David's Lodge, No. 679, Aberdare.

it relates , but the holder of it wears his insignia at all Masonic meetings , and courtesy awards him the title he bears at home . The Grand Officers of England—the peers—carry their rank for life , and thanks to that reverence for constituted authority , which is the keynote of our system , find

their position acknowledged and respected by Masons all over the world . Masonic rank then , once won , gives its possessor influence over his fellows wherever Masons are . But as it is admitted that this rank only holds good among the initiated , the question may very naturally be put ,

" Do Freemasons include classes ov'er whom influence is valuable , and with whom a reasonable man would wish to stand well ? " This is a most pertinent query , and upon the answer to be given to it depends the value or worthlessness of that masonic rank which onl y a few can attain , but to which I should like to see every member of this

lodge aspire . Lord Bacon said , two hundred and fifty years ago , " He that seeketh to be eminent amongst able men hath a great task ; but one that is ever good for the public . But he that tries to be the only figure amongst cyphers helps to the decay of a whole age . " It would not do , of course , to apply this sweeping saying too literally to an organisation like ours . : —

In man this blunder still you liud , Each thinks his little set mankind . But avoiding that error , we may fairly grapple with the question , " Does eminence in Freemasonry mean eminence amongst able men , or cutting a figure amongst cyphers ? " We will

not revert to the wisdom of King Solomon , nor bring forward proofs tonig ht that Shakespeare was a Freemason . Our reply shall be drawn from those whose life histories are indisputable , and if time permitted it would not be difficult to show that the eminent men who have been and

who are Freemasons include every shade of opinion , every variety of talent , and diversity of avocation . To quote a few names almost at random , Sir Christopher Wren presided over Freemasons' lodges throughout the building of St . Paul ' s , and his gavel is preserved to this dav

by the Lodge of Antiquity , now meeting at Freemasons' Hall , London . George Washington , one of the purest patriots the world has seen , held Masonic Lodges during the War of Independence , presided as Master while President of the United States , when he initiated Lafayette ,

and was buried with , full Masonic honours . Sir Walter Scott , Goethe ( the great German ) , and Robert Burns ( the sweetest and most natural of our own poets ) , were all faithful Freemasons . The most chivalrous of our great generals—the heroic Napiers — and the most successful , the

Duke of Wellington , were active Freemasons ; as was that commanding genius in the art of war , Napoleon the First , who , it is well known was indebted to the Masonic organisation and his position in it for much of his marvellous power over the hearts and wills of his

soldiers . Fox and Sheridan , brilliant orators and statesmen , both were Masons . The most eloquent prelate at this time on the English bench— 'the Bishop of Peterborough—is one of us ; and from the Church , the State , the Bench , the Bar , literature , science , and the arts , lists might be compiled which would be

positively startling in the intellectual wealth and lofty public service they would include . The only difficulty in drawing up the catalogue would be one of selection , owing to the abundance of rich material at our disposal . Moreover , opinion necessarily varies as to what constitutes eminence in the fields

of intellect . There are 01 ten two opinions about science , and always two about literature . Discoveries are said to be not discoveries , but mistakes ; books not to be good writing for which the author should be admired , but bad for which he should be despised . I

therefore propose to quote to you a list drawn from an assembly concerning which there can be . no dispute as to whether a man is a member of it or is not , or as to the precise position it confers—I mean the House of Lords , which

contains at this time the following I ' rcemasons : — His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales ( Past Grand Master of England , and Master of the Prince of Wales Lodge ) , the Dtike of Cumberland , King of Hanover ( Grand Master of Han-