Ireland.

Winder , J . P ., Deputy Provincial Grand Master . Thc various lodges of the province were well represented : — Bros . Thos . A . Young , V . W . S . W . ; James Whitla , V . W . J . W . ; Robert Turner , W . S . D .-, E . G . Fitzgerald , I . G ., acted for Bro . H . H . Handcock as Treas . ; and Bro . F . E . Clarke as I . G ., with Bro . J . J . Hesse as the Venerable Secretary of the Provincial Grand Lodge .

The report of the committee who were appointed to draw up a new code of rules for the government of thc Provin- , clal Lodge of Armagh was read by Bro . G . H . Smith , and the rules submitted , which , with one or two verbal alterations , were carried unanimously . The ebrtion of officers for the ensuing year was then proceeded with . The local Board of General Purposes in

several irrtanccs submitted two candidates for each office , but su . h was the enthusiastic spirit of harmony that prevailed in ' . he Grand Lodge that all opposition was withdrawn , and the officers unanimously elected as follows : — Bros . G . H . Smith , 299 , Armagh , V . W . G . S . W . ; William Shimeld , 384 , Louth , W . G . J . W . ; A . K . Young , 223 , Monatrhan . W . G . S . D . ; A . Murchie , 24 , Armagh , W . G .

J . D . ; F . E . Clarke , 411 , Louth , W . G . I . G . Very Worshipful Bros . H . H . Handcock , J . J . Hesse , Rev . Augustus Young , and Arthur Nelson , were severally elected as Treasurer , Secretary , Chaplain , and Organist to the Provincial Grand Lodge . Bros . Richard Harvey , 85 , and Hugh "Leonard , 384 , were elected as representatives of the province on the Board of General Purposes at the Grand Lodge of Ireland ; and

Bros . Arthur Nelson , Past Provincial G . S . W ., and J . J . Hesse , Grand Secretary , as representatives of the Board of Instruction . Bro . Smith read the report of the Banquet Committee , at which 175 brethren attended , after which the lodge closed , and the brethren retired to the Queen ' s Arms Hotel , where they dined , under the presidency of the Worshipful Master , Maxwell Close , M . P ., whose health was drank with the customary Masonic honours , given with great enthusiasm .

A Spirit Medium.

A SPIRIT MEDIUM .

We take the following letters from the " Times " of Satur day , as they constitute , in our opinion , an admirable ex posure of one of . the latest and boldest attempts of char latamsm and imposture on the credulity of the present age The matter has indeed become amusinclv ridiculous .

To the Editor ofthe "Times . " Sir , —I trust that you will find space for a brief account of an interview with " Dr . " Slade from which I have just returned . In consequence of the more than questionable action of Mr . Alfred Wallace , the discussions ofthe British Association have been degraded by thc introduction of the subject of spiritualism , and the public has

learnt—perhaps it is time they should—that "men of science" arc not exempt as a body from astounding credulity which prevails in this country and in America . It is therefore , incumbent upon those who consider such credulity deplorable to do all in their power to arrest its development . My friend Mr . Serjeant Cox having begged me to go and

see the medium Slade , and having informed me that so distinguished a man of science as Dr . Carpenter had confessed himself " very much shaken " by what he has witnessed in Slade ' s presence , I wrote to that person and obtained an appointment for last Monday morning . Slade's chief " manifestation " is of this kind : — 'I he witness and Slade beinsr alone in an ordinary well-lit sitting room , Slade

produces a ci-mmon slate and a small piece of slate pencil , which are laid on the simple four-legged table , at one corner of wl h the witness and Slade are seated . Slade then shows ihe witness that there is no writing on either side of the 1 late . He then places the slate horizontally close against the table , and below it , pressing the slate acainst the table , the little piece of slate pencil beinsr

supposed to 1 c- between the slate and the flat under surface of the table . Thc slate is so closely applied to the table that no ha . •' . -r finger could possibly get between them in order to write . A noise as of writing is now heard proceeding from the slate , which is held by Slade or by thc witness—thc spirit is supposed to be at work . The slate is then removed , and a message is found writf n either on

the under surface of the slate or on the surface which was facing the lower surface of the table . I watched Slade very closely during these proceedings , which were repeated several times during my interview last Monday , paying no attention to the raps , gentle kicks , and movements of the table , of which I will say nothing further than that they were all such as could be readily

produced by the medium ' s legs and feet . I simulated considerable agitation and an ardent belief in the mysterious nature of what I saw and heard . At the same time I was utterly astounded to find the strongest reason to believe that , with the exception of the first message , which was written by Slade underneath the slate with ( I believe ) one finger of the hand which was holding the slate , the

rest of the messages , which were longer and better written , were coolly indited on the slate l » y Slade while it was resting on his knee , concealed from my view by the edge of the table , and that the slate was subsequently placed by him in the position where the spirit-writing was to take place with the message already written upon it . I was led to form this hypothesis by noting the delay which always occurred between my being shown the slate with

both sides clean and the placing of the slate against the table or over my head for the purpose of receiving thc spirit-writing , which was then heard proceeding with the usual sound of scratching on a slate . This . delay did not occur when Slade wrote with the finger of the hand by which he held the slate . Dufing the delay Slade made various excuses ; took up the little piece of pencil and bit it , and _ also ] . invariably made a peculiar grating nois * by

A Spirit Medium.

clearing his throat . At the same time I heard distinctly on three occasions a low but perfectly recognizable sound of a pencil traversing a slate , and twice en looking quickly at Slade ' s right arm , the elbow of which was visible , while the rest was hidden by the table and purporting to bo holding the slate , I saw movements from right lo left and left to right which accorded with my hypothesis that he was

using his hand in writing . I left Slade with a promise to return to day ( Friday ) , and at once wrote to Mr . Serjeant Cox to tell him my explanation of thc manner in which the thing was accomplished , and offering to put my hypothesis to the test by seizing the slate from Slade ' s hand when he professed it to be devoid of writing , and at thc moment when the

" spirit writing" was about to commence . This morning I went with my friend Dr . H . B . Donkin , of Queen ' s College , Oxford , to test my hypothesis by this crucial experiment : — I had determined to seize the slate at the critical moment—at the moment when Slade professed that it was entirely untouched—and if the writing were already on the slate before the spirits were supposed

to have begun their work I considered that I should have a demonstration ofthe truth of my hypothesis , which would be convincing to persons not already lost to reason . I explained to Dr . Donkin my hypothesis and my intention , and the result has completely justified my anticipation . As on last Monday , so to-day , Slade allowed me to hold thc slate against the table in order to receive the spirit writing ,

saying that the spirit would probably write more distinctly for me than for him . The slate had be ; n cleaned and was now declared by Slade to be devoid of writing , but writing was to appear on it in the usual way , accompanied by the scratching noise of the pencil . There had been the usual delay and fumbline- on Slade ' s Dart when I put

out my hand and immediately seized the slate away , saying : " You have already written on the slate . I have watched you doing it each time . " And there , sure enough , was the message already written , as I anticipated . My friend , Dr . Donkin , will give you a more detailed account of thc events which occurred in his presence . I am , Sir , faithfully yours ,

E . RAY LANKESTEII , F . R . S ., Fellow of Exeter College , Oxford , and Professor of Zoo logy in University College , London . Sept . 15 .

To the Editor of Ihe " Times . " Sir , —At the request of my friend Professor Lankester , 1 accompanied him in his visit to Slade the medium , in order to watch carefully what might happen , and to be able to corroborate or not the opinion he had formed as to the means employed . A spirit message was soon written , the slate being held

in opposition to the under surface of the table , the thumb alone of the medium ' s right hand being on the table . During the alleged writing a scratching was plainly heard , and at the same time a slight to-and-fro movement of thc arm with some contraction of flexor tendons on the wrist was visible . Thc writing was imperfect and distorted , requirincr the interpretation of an expert , and appeared on

the surface of the slate , which faced downwards . The result was in accordance with the theory of the agency of a minute piece of slate-pencil probably held under the nail of the middle finger . The next communication was partly quite legible and in a straightforward , undisguised hand , but this time it appeared on the upper surface of the slate . Bearing in mind

the hypothesis that this was really written before the spirit got to work under the table , I carefully watched Slade during a considerable interval before he replaced the slate . Whilst he was clearing his throat and making short remarks , I saw his right arm , now at some distance from the table , moving exactly as though he were writing on something placed on his knee . Owing to my position at

the table , opposite him , 1 could not see hi . ; hand . Simultaneously I heard the scratching of the pencil , hardly at all obscured by the noises 1 allude to . After the replacement of the slate the spirit-scratching ( this time as a ruse ) was heard as before . Before thc next communication the spirits were asked if they could write for Professor Lankester . They agreed to

do so . I observed the medium go through the same sort of manoeuvres as before , although even more deliberately , very little effort being made to hide a loud scratching while the slate was away from the table . After some little time Slade put the slate under the table , holding it as before , with his right hand , Professor Lankester being about to hold it with his left in a similar manner . Here let espe

cial notice be given to the fact that at this moment the slate was said to be free from writing . Before any time was allowed for spirit-scratching to be heard , my friend , as agreed upc . n , sharply withdrew the slate , and in accordance with the prophecy displayed thc message already written . To make this exposure still more perfect I may add that

the first of Ihe two later messages referred to consisted of two words read by the medium as " Samuel Lankester " in answer to the question as to what spirits were present . The " Samuel " being very indistinct my friend suggested it might be " Edwin , " which the medium said was quite possible . The last message was an answer to the same question , and the suggestion being adopted , the words

" Edwin Lankester " were pjrfectly clear . To any one not prc-disposed to believe in spirit agency at all hazards , the result of this seance is sufficient . I am , Sir , yours faithfully , HORATIO B . DONKIN , M . B ., Oxon ,

Assist . Physician to the Westminster Hospital . £ September 15 , 18 7 6 . ¦ *?* ¦— ; . V , Owing to the extraordinary low tide in t Thames on Thursday , navigation in some parts was put a stop to . The tide has not been known to run so low for the past six years .

Slander.

SLANDER .

Masonry teaches us to support a brother ' s character when he is absent , and consequently unable to defend himself from the tainted breath of defamation . It forbids uS to retail slanders derogatory to our brother's reputation , which is a sacred deposit ; and if once wounded , ten thou - sand words in vindication will scarcely be sufficient to

repair the mischief which ten words have occasioned . Masonry teaches this lesson in every part and point of every degree , aware that the evil consequences cf slander are innumerable , whether by giving false testimony in a public cause or by injuring our brother by private defa . mation . This practice is the vilest of all robberies . Injure his property , and you may make him reparation

wound his body , and the physician may heal the wound but if his sacred reputation be touched , if his good name bs taken away , it can never be restored , but may pursue hi offspring after death ; may descend to his children ' s child ren , and blast their prospects to the latest posterity . Defamation is always wicked ; the defamer is always ddsniser " . And what gratification can be found in a

practice which elicits universal contempt ? Can it be found in the lust of evil speaking , and cutting up reputations as with a sharp razor ? Can any gratification proceed from the practice of private scandal at the expense of another ' s character and honest name ? Does such a piactice add to the slanderer ' s peace of mind or importance among his acquaintance ? Does it confer a dienitv not to bc procured

by other and more innocent means ? A negative answer may be safely given to these inquiries ; and it is rather to be feared that every honest and upright man will regard him with thc scrutinizing eye of a jealous suspicion , and shun him as a public nuisance . His deeds are baser than those of the assassin , in proportion as a man ' s unsullied fame is dearer to him than life .

The assassin kills the body of his enemy , and there the mischief ends ; but thc slanderer attacks the immortal part of man , and inflicts a stab in the hope of blighting ids fame for ever . None can be safe where he finds admittance . The virtues wither around him , and fade and

die before his baneful touch . His practices are made up of fraud and artful treachery . Hi dares not to bring thc bold and open accusation , but looks and whispers death . To misconstrue motives ; to place trifling incidents in contemptible points of view ; to insinuate by mysterious signs and broken sentences that " more is meant than meets the

ear , " are his study and delight . They become , b *** force of habit , as necessary as the food which affords him nourishment , and this for no other purpose than the selfish aim of depriving his acquaintance of that estimation from which he can derive no benefit , and which can scarcely be restored by all the united efforts of charity and benevolence ; for evil reports spread with unaccountable facility , and

extend to distant parts where thc evidence of their falsehood will never be heard , and thus the record is handed to posterity in all the decoration of unrefuted truth . But it must be observed , on the other hand , that we are not to applaud the character and conduct of bad men merely to avoid the imputation of illiberality . If the actions of a brother betray baseness of heart , though it may not be

commendable to magnify his vices , or make them a perpetual topic of conversation , yet it would be equally injudicious to praise him , or bear testimony to virtues which he does not possess . " None but a good man deserves to be loved or praised by any one . " ..... The course to be adopted under these circumstances is faithfully prescribed in those lectures which form the subject of

discussion at all our meetings . "Always speak of a btothcr as well in his absence as in his presence ; and even more particularly so , because when present he has an opportunity of defending himself . Never defame him yourself , nor suffer him to be defamed by others if in your power to prevent it , and if his conduct bc so dishonourable that you unfortunately cannot speak well of him , adopt the distinguishing virtue of our science—silence or secrecy . "

If a brother be calumniated falsely , it becomes a paramount duty to defend him in the face of the world . He who stands boldly forward to rebut a deliberate slander upon another ' s reputation I regard in the light of something more than a common friend ; he reduces to practice the dignified theories of Masonry ; his benevolence is pure and unsullied by human passion , and he richly merits the obligations of gratitude in this world , as he is in the hope of receiving the approbation of his Judge in the world to

come . Speak then no evil of your brother . If he have virtues ( and surely all have some ) let them be the theme of your discourse ; if he have faults ( and who is free from them ?) mention them not -, but in all your commeice with the

world , " supply the wants and relieve the necessities ol your brethren to the utmost of your power and ability ; on no account wrong them , or see them wronged , but timely apprise them of approaching danger , and view then interests as inseparable from your own . "— " Oliver ' s Antiquities . "

An emergency meeting of the Brownrigg Lodge , No . 1638 ( consecrated last Wednesday ) , will - ' held on the 28 th . Saturday week will be the last day for the

exhibition of the Indian collection of the Prince ot wai " at the South Kensington Museum . They will then be removed to the Betlmal-green Museum , in order that the inhabitants of the East-end may view them ; and His Royal Highness has signified his intention of sending them

over to the Pans Exhibition in 1878 . The Worshipful Company of Mercers have recently voted the sum of £ 150 to the managers of the Colet National Schools ( St . Thomas , Arbour Squaic , Stepney , E . ) , for the erection of an entrance porch l * ** girls and infants in Arbour-strett , West .