Reviews.

relief in the way now to be offered and presented to you And with some of the living words of charity out of the Grand Old Book , Worshipful D . Grand Chaplain concluded a touching appeal ( which was liberally responded to ) for the " ' Ladies' Benefit Society . " A choice banquet , followed by toasts and responses ,

songs , anthems , and choruses , finishing with " Auld Lang Syne" brought this ever to be remembered day to a peaceful and happy conclusion . * " Report of Proceedings at the Inauguration " of the Corinthian Lodge , E . C , November 16 th , I 8 6 , Tham es , New Zealand . " Thames , Hopcraft , McCullough and „

The Grand Orient Of France.

THE GRAND ORIENT OF FRANCE .

The recent " Couvent" of the Grand Orient of France , which opened on the ioth and closed on the 15 th instant , has ended , in our opinion , in giving one of the greatest blows to French Freemasonry which it has ever received . The lodges , by 135 to 76 , and the Grand Orient , by a large majority , have determined to suppress the mention of the

name of God . Whereas formerly belief in God and the immortality of the soul were publicly recognised as the great basis of French Freemasonry , now , the Second Section of Aiticle 1 is to be reformed to this effect , " Elle a pour principe la liberte absolue de conscience , et la solidarite' humaine , " whatever that may mean . The article has this addition , we believe by Bro . St . Jean ,

" Elle regard la liberie' de conscience comme un droit propre a chaque personne , et n ' exclut personne pour ses croyances . " By this change , it is quite clear , Atheists may be admitted , and no doubt will be . In fact , it is about as hurtful and violent a change as can well be imagined or effected , and , we are sorry to add , on the absurd plea of toleration , and must

have the most disastrous consequences for French Freemasonry . If any course could have been adopted to play into the hands of Ultramontane accusers , and to merit the reproaches of Bishop Dupanloup , it is the one which the triumphant and violent party in Fiench Freemasonry has pursued with a zeal and energy , we admit , worthy of a better causer The principles of Massol are at last

sanctioned by the Grand Orient of France , and the consequences of the act are most serious , and widely extending . We cannot see , after this resolution , for instance , how the Grand Orient of France can keep " A la Gloire du Grand Architects de 1 ' Univers , " at the head of their " planches , " or circulars , and many unavoidable doubts

must be cast on the actual position of the Grand Orient itself . With regard to the meeting itself , the account of it in the Chained'Unwn does not . fill us with any respect for the legislative body of French Symbolic , Freemasonry . The gathering seems to have been noisy and without dignity , intolerant , and even unfair to . the minority , whose

speakers were unwillingly listened to r - and some of whom were silenced with deafening cries of " La Cloture . " Indeed , as Bro . Hubert says , so tumultuous became the Grand Orient at last , that it not only would not hear the opponents , but even the supporters of the charge I The discussion was in no way worthy of the occasion , and in fact cannot be called a discussion at all . It is a most regrettable occurrence . The considerations

arising out of it are very important , inasmuch as it is impossible but that this new position assumed by the Grand Orient of France will he resisted by aU Anglo-Saxon Masons . But it is unwise to anticipate the future . All we can do to-day is to record the fact , and to express our heartfelt grief and utter disappointment at a result alike deplorable and dangerous , to a proceeding which must , accordingto our view , gravely compromise and permanently weaken French Freemasonry .

The Collision In The Channel.

THE COLLISION IN THE CHANNEL .

[ We quite agree with the following earnest observations of our contemporary , the Times . ' ] " Wc published yesterday , from our Correspondent at Weymouth , a shocking account of the burial of the bodies which have been washed on land from the Avalanche and the Forest . They were buried , our

Correspondent tells us , at the expense of the parish , where they were thrown ashore , and it was done as economically as possible . But in pursuit of economy common decency seems to have been forgotten . The coffins used were , properly enough , of strong plain construction . But that the dead bodies should have been placed in these without any sort of covering , stark naked , is simply horrible to

read of . That they were not actually conveyed in this state to the grave where they were to be laid was due , not to those in charge of the funeral , but to the kindness of a stranger , the landlady of the Cove Inn , who " could not bear that they should go like that , " and accordingly purchased white calico enough to veil them decently . Of the funeral procession which lollowed we will say little .

It was , perhaps , difficult to find any better conveyance than a common four-wheel waggon , though even this ought to have been accompanied with some outward signs of respect , something marking the solemn purposefor which it was employed . But a worse omission was yet to follow . When the four-wheel waggon with its mournful load arrived at the churchyard , there was no one in waiting to

carry the bodies into the church and from the church to the grave . This service was rendered by volunteers , who came forward at the summons of the officiating clergyman from the throng assembled in the churchyard . If it had not been for the kindness of these men—quarrymen , for

the most part , in ordinary working dress—common deconcy would , our Correspondent adds , not have been shown to the dead . His meaning in plain EHglish we suppose to be that the waggon would have been drawn up to the side of the grave , and the contents of it shot in wholesale . We are thankful that the feelings of English-

The Collision In The Channel.

men have been spared the shock of such a last indignity as this . What did occur is , from first to last , disgraceful to those answerable for it . The first neglect to provide any sort of covering for the boilies is quite inexcusable . We wish to make every excuse possible for the whole conduct of the funeral ceremony . The immediate resources of the locality are somewhat slender ,

and it may not have been within ihc power of the local authorities to provide on the large scale necessary a funeral which would have been all it ought to have been . But for such neglect as was actually shown we can find no apology whatever , and scarcely an explanation . It amazes us to read of it . A covering of some sort for the bodies themselves , a black pall for the waggon , and some

few attendants in charge of it , might have been found at any rate . The omission to provide these is nothing less than barbarous . We should have thought , indeed , that on so special an occasion some effort would have been made to give outward solemnity to the last sad duty which alone remained to be performed . Such a disaster as that of last Tuesday night is terrible enough to

impress the most thoughtless . Englishmen are not commonly wanting in feelings either of sympathy or reverence . Either would have been enough . The mere kinship of a common humanity ought to have forbidden the indecencies our correspondent has described . It sounds strange to have to express satisfaction that the funeral was in any way decent—that the dead bodies were veiled over , and

that they were borne to the grave on the shoulders of their fellow-men . But even for this we owe no thanks to those to whom the duty belonged of seeing to the last offices . Let us think what the scene of Saturday last might have been , and of what , indeed , it would have been apart from the accidental kindness of private persons and strangers .

1 he careless , indecent haste with which the unclaimed bodies which had been thrown on the beach at Portland were carted off to their grave will be a lasting shame to those who may prove to be answerable for it . The public reprobation which our correspondent ' s story will excite will carry with it a formidable punishment . "

" Our Boys. "

" OUR BOYS . "

( Communicated . ) " Why are you so determined upon going to the Alexandra Palace to-day ? " said Bro . Brown to Bro . Green on Saturday last ; " put it off 111 Monday and I'll go with you . I want to see the Nubians . " " The offer of your company , dear Brown , is tempting enough to pay a second

visit to the Nubians , but I ' m going to-day to see Our Boys . ' " Are you road ? " says Brown , " ' Our Boys ' is not to be played to-day ; they adveilise Lccocq ' s comic opera , ' La Fille de Madame Angot ; ' so put it off till Monday , and I ' m with you for the Nubians . " " ' m sane enough , Brown ; look at this paragraph in the Frecmr . son . ' Cricket Match between the Bovs of the Masonic School ,

and the Grocers Company s School , and 1 mean to be there to see if ' Our Boys ' are as good in the cricket field as they have proved in the Cambridge Local Examinations . " " Oh ! nonsense , Green , how can you expect decent cricketing frrm the Freemasons' Boys ? They are scarcely ever outside their own grounds , and have only a scrubby bit of rough land , dignified by the name of a cricket field , to

practise in . How is it possible they can play ? Why , the ' Grocers ' would beat them with their legs tied . " " Could they ? Well come with me to see them do it . " A Hansom takes the pair to Broad-street Station , and a train , 011 the point of starting , soon deposits them at Wood Green " Those are not the Freemasons' Boys on the ground , " says Brown , " in smart cricketing flannels and caps ;

M . C . C . is the Marylebone Cricket Club . " " There ' s Bro , Jingle , I'll ask him . You ' re always chaffing a fellow . Bro Jingle , How are you ? Are these the Freemasons' Boys ? " " Yes , these are ' Our Boys ' fielding—while caps lettered M . C . C . —Masonic Cricket Club ; those in the blue caps are the Grocers' Company ' s Boys , who sent the challenge to play . Do you want to see two prettier teams ? If so

you'll have to hunt another county or two ; 1 know Middlesex well , and its 110 use trying there . " "But can ' Our Boys ' play , Jingle ? Surely the ' Grocers' will give them an awful " thrashing . " " If they do , " says Jingle , " they'll have some leather-hunting first . ' Our Hoys , don ' t care a . fig for the' Grocers , ' ami 1 see no raisin why they should not lick them like sugar-candy , especially as

the nobby prizes that have been sent will prove very good plums for them , and make this a memorable date . Why ' Our Boys '' bats have cayenne handles , so they must give them pepper . There ' s another wicket down . Bravo ! I'll add half a sovereign to the prize list as a bit of sugar .

Bros . Bertram and Roberts have invited all the boys to tea , but we must give the ' Grocers' cold coffee first . Hurrah ! another out . That ' s a spicey looking l , ad going in now , but I don ' t think he is full-weight . There ' s a Bye Four for it . That ' s a s'll . " And Bro . Jingle rattles on , whilst poor Brown , almost in convulsions , retires to a

seat . After disposing of their opponents for a total of 24 , the Masonic Boys go to the wickets , and , amidst the enthusiastic cheers of their schoolmates , runs are rapidly made , 230 being scored before the fall of their last wicket . Too late for a second innings to be commenced , this finishes a very pretty exhibition both of batting and fielding , and

" Our Boys " proceed from labour to refreshment and to receive their well-earned prizes . "Why ! Bro . Brown , not gone yet , it ' s nearly nine o ' clock ?" " No , Green , ' Our Boys' are to stay to see the ' Crossing of the Danube , ' anil I'll not go till I ' ve seen the last of

those happy little fellows leave for Bedfordshire . If you were not a Good Templar I should stand a bottle of Cham , for the treat you've given me to-day ; but mind , when 'Our Boys' have another glorious outing like this , if you don't shake me for a sovereign towards some prizes I'll cut your company . "

Sketches Of Masonic Character No. V.

SKETCHES OF MASONIC CHARACTER No . V .

Our worthy and esteemed Bro . Potter , a most distinguished Mason , we may remark , who has long reached the "dignity of the purple , " to use a common expression of Masonic scribes ( though nothing can be more historically incorrect ) , has long been the " decus columenque " of the famous Lodge " Merope , " We need not now des-BRO . POTTER AT SCHWALLBACH .

cant on his Masonic merits , they are too great to need any culogium at our humble hands . Indeed , to praise Bro . Potter ( Jellico Potter , to he precise ) , would be , to use those words which Dr . Bayley , the acute commentator on Shakespeare , considers some of the finest in the English language , " to gild refined gold , to paint the lily , or add fresh perfume to the violet .

In the Grand Lodge , and in the " Merope , " his name is well known , his praises resound , and his fame as a good Mason and true is widely dispersed " inter fratres suos . " At the " Merope , " he is , as some of us are aware , the permanent Treasurer , having been W . Master three 01 four times , and having always " lent dignity to the Royal Chair , " as his friend and ours , Bro . Puffington ,

enthusiastically asserts . Indeed the same brother often confidentially tells a visiting brother that he does not mind informing him " on the square , " that Bro . Potter is , as regards the famous Merope Lodge , I do not wish irtepeated , Bro . Bolsover , its meat , drink , clothing and ruling mind . " Accurate and facetious Bro . Puffington . On the whole

his " regime , " we are bound to add , is a very genial one , for the " Merope " and its members , as it is a flourishing and friendly , hospitable and helpful , agreeable and affable collection of men and brethren , who are always glad to see visitors , and in happy concord with one another . There you always find good work and a good dinner , you listen to got d speeches , and you are permitted to imbibe a glass

of good w ' . ne , and not only this , but in the long list ol subscriptions which delights annually the " cockles of the hearts" of that famous trio , Bros . Binckes , Little and Terry , the Merope is always well represented . As we before observed , a visitor always has a good time of it at the " Merope , " and we never yet heard of anyone sent famishing or grumbling away . Now all this " good

form " the " Merope , " owes more or less-to the supreme tact and continued over-sight of Bro . Potter and therefore , as Masonswc see how great is his worth , how valuable his services to our good old Craft . Bro Binckes , who has always some eloquent words at command in praise oj Masonic charity , always bids the " neophyte" to follow the example of Bro . Potter , " a sincere friend to the greal

metropolitan charities . " Now Bro . Potter , like some more that 1 can name , is both mortal and ailing . He is not so young as he used to be , and suppressed gout and unsuppresscd rheumatism have " played havoc " with a fine constitution and a manly form , and give him a good deal of active agony by day , and " waking twinges " by night . So our worthy friend

and hrother , when , after a recent meeting at the "Merope , " he found himself , as he said to liis wife , the best of women and sisters , " very much out of order , " Went and consulted that eminent practitioner Sir Johnson Farker , who gave him " ore rotundo , " on the spot , his valuable advice , without any hesitation , and with that dogmatic authority whieh so distinguishes that learned ornament of the

metropolitan medical profession . " Sir , " said that able interpreter of "diagnosis , " and with that famous shake of the head and authority of tone for which he is famous , " go to Schwallbach at once , and I will give you a letter to my friend Dr . Grotefend . Snigger , who we may add , is jealous of the great man , is fond of saying , when mentioning Sir Johnson Parker ,

" vox et pratera nihil . But Sniggers is not only jealous , but wrong , and we need pay no attention to his remarks , for despite all the Sniggers in the world , Sir Johnson Parker flourishes , his advice is eagerly sought , his prescriptions rigidly followed . Perhaps one of the reasons why he is so popular is that he never gives a second opinion , and seldom says more than is absolutely

necessary , and we all like prec . sion and authority . So having obtained some circular notes ( good ones ) , our esteemed friend and brother started for Schwallbach , with the wife of his bosom , who always went with het husband , very properly , everywhere . Bro . Potter is an Englishman and a famous citizen of Bulldom , and when he obeyed his doctor , he did what a great many patienls the

have done , and always will do , he growled at prescription . If Sir Johnson Parker had known of the rebellious spirit , he would probably have said , " No , Sir , I do not expect my patients to like my prescriptions ; but then , sir , my patients are not wise , and 1 know what is better for them than they know themselves , I do , Sir . " Accordingly nothing suited Bro . Potter at Schwallbach .

He did not like his room , be did not like the life , he did not like his food , he did not like the water he had to drink , and he was always sulky at the table d'hote . " ¦ remarkable contrast to his amiable wife , always p leased and pleasing . He did not like the enthusiastic Frenchman after his first bath , say very jauntily " On devientici Monhe stai

sieur , amoureux de soi meme . " No , indeed , but his time , grumbling to the last . His frame of mind exactly resembles that of his old friend , Bro . Pottleton , who alter his first mud bath at Wildbad . saidto his affectionate sister , " A mud bath ! Why have they sent us all this way to a mud bath . It mud would do , why should I ever iiav left the banks of the Thames , where there is plenty ot mu >

and the finest mud in the world ? " , „ Oh , incomparable Briton ! How strange and yet n childish , Mrs . Balasso often remarks , are the cat waulings of humanity I" at When Bro . Potter returned to Eng land , he was a g deal better , ungrateful mortal that he is , and impres