A Little Friendly Gossip On Some Of The Topics Of The Day.

classes , who arc hourly alive to the value and ° ortance of a good sound education for their children . Whatever the result of this friendly contest may bc , though . ill take some littlo time to shew , probably when , 1110 \ T generation has taken our places , let us confidently asnicflhat education will be the gainer by this honest and S „ f „ i rivalry , and dismissing that dreadful incubus on all

icial improvement amongst us , the clamour of the unthin ' kin" *! ' complaints of the polemical , and the appreciation of the " partially educated , " let us welcome ill efforts , whether denominational or School Board , which Vid to p lough up the great heavy fallow field of ignorance and ijivc to thousands of immortal beings the inestimable culture of instruction , the real and abiding blessings of a sound and useful education .

Multum In Parbo; Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

Multum in Parbo ; or Masonic Notes and Queries .

Tin ; GRAND MISTRESS AND FREEMASONRY . My attention has been directed to Dr . Swift ' s Miscellanies of 1751 ( Vol . 14 , 2 nd edit . ) by Bro . W . R . Bainbridge , P . M . 721 and 1276 , who has kindly forwarded the portion referred to . Bro . Bainbridge has several times thus kindly obliged -. The MS . sent , however , is nnl nnile suitable for

publication at the present time , some of the language being very choice in its character , but it is of sufficient importance as a Masonic curiosity to be placed in the department of Notes and Queries . It is entitled " A Letter from the Grand Mistress of the Female Freemasons to George Faulkner , Printer . " According to this letter Air . Faulkner was selected as

the printer of thc supposed female Freemasons , and the writer proceeds to inform him that "our female lodge has the whole mystery as well as any lodge in Europe , with proper instructions in writing ; and , what will seem more strange to you , without the least taint of perjury . " A "entleman of this lady ' s acquaintance , it appears , was initiated one evening in a regular lodge , the members of

which neglected to take a pledge from him of secrecy , but agreed to do so the next day , when thc candidate was to attend , but lie had decamped and revealed the whole of the ceremony to the favoured ladies , who there and then formed a " female lodge . " What those secrets are the lady proceeds to communicate , and certainly the account is most trustworthy and correct in every particular as may

be supposed . What matters it , if the report differs from what we know of Freemasonry ? The anti-Masons have long ago settled the matier by virtually deciding that tliey , not we , are the judges . 'Phe signs are most amusing , and the words ( esoteric of course ) arc equally so . The grips too , are valuable for the uninitiated . The importance of thc contribution may bc

gathered from the statement that " a Bee has , 111 all ages and nations , been the Grand Hieroglyphic of Masonry . " ... " What moderns Masons call a lodge was , for thc above reasons , by antiquity called a Hive of Freemasons . " When a new lodge is formed " for the same reason it is called Swarming . " The Guardian ( a male evidentl y ") of the female lodire is

frequently referred to in terms of respect and even of awe , and the post of Deputy Guardian was at that time vacant . Whether it has since been filled or not we cannot say . The lady tells us that the " Freemasons' song " ( " Come let us prepare , " &* c . ) " was written by one Anderson , as our Guardian tells us , " which will be news to many . The letter is signed by Thalestris . W . J . HUOIIAX

A Masonic Hero.

A MASONIC HERO .

Nearly all the papers in the colony have noticed in some shape or other the Masonic installation of Sir Donald M'Lean , which took place in Wellington last month , and each more or less complimented the Installing Master , Bro . J . Lazar , of Hokitika . It has fallen to the

special correspondent of the " Hawke's Bay Herald , " however , to enlarge upon the subject beyond the measure of others . He has been more than pleased , even captivated , with the " grey beard and glittering eye " of Westland's worthy lepresentative on the occasion . The following is what he says of Westland ' s District Grand Master : —Among the

districts , however , which share the honours of the day , Westland bears the pre-eminence . She sent us one Mason , her District Grand Master , Mr . Lazar , who was more than a host in himself . To him were entrusted the lofty duties of Installing Officer , and it is hardly too much to say that if the civilised world had been ransacked it

would not have been possible to find one to whom they could have been entrusted more worthily . It is no derogation to the honours accorded to Sir Donald M'Lean to say that Mr . Lazar , and not he , was the true hero of the ¦ Jay ' s proceedings . Mr . Lazar is the sort of Grand Master fhat we dream about , but hardly expect to see tbe like of

| n these modern days . Those who remember their first impressions on reading Coleridge's marvellous conception ° ' the Ancient Mariner , with his grey beard and glittering eyes , can form some idea of Mr . Lazar ' s appearance . A man who wrmM n » ci-ibi ,-,, ^ - or ,,. ... i ,., ™ ; n iho nmnnA

¦ " ¦ "ge , with all its imposing surroundings , his appearance vv ' ' "'<* me old age—he is between 70 and 80—together 'th his gaunt and powerful frame , and his energy of ° 'ce and action , gave him the aspect rather of the presi' ng genius of the ancient Craft than of an ordinary mortal .

cam . 1 mstal'ation about au hour elapsed , and then * me the banquet . Most of those who had been at the ten * " 1 ° attcmlcd the latter . The two long tables exnciing the whole length of the Oddfellows' Hall , to-D uZ across U atthe t 0 P > wcrc completely filled . onala M Lean occupied the chair , supported on his

A Masonic Hero.

right by Mr . Lazar , and on the left by Dr . Donald , Mr . Rolleston , Major Atkinson , Messrs . Stout , Bastings , Kentish M'Lean , Reynolds , and others of only local or only Masonic eminence , occupied the scats adjoining . Thc dinner was cold , and the price charged for it , £ 2 . 2 s , per head , was at any rate adequate ; however , no one who was present , I feel sure , would willingly miss it if it were

to come over again . Mr . Lazar was again better _ worth hearing and seeing than everything else put together . We then beheld our venerable guide and instructor throw aside his severity and enter more heartily than the youngest of us into the convivial festivities of the evening . The songs which he sahsr , and there were two or three of them ( comic )

brought the whole audience to their legs to shout their enthusiastic applause with waving glasses and deafening cheers . Vocal talent of no mean order was displayed by several of the brethren . The songs sung by Bro . Bastings , M . H . R ., next to those of Mr . Lazar , attracted most admiration . — "West Coast Times . "

The Platform Of Freemasonry.

THE PLATFORM OF FREEMASONRY .

The cardinal virtues of Masonry are Temperance , Fortitude , Prudence , and Justice . Each one of these constitututes a plank of equal importance in the Masonic platform . Securely dovetailed together after the plan of a wise architect and builder , and strengthened with the cement of love and unity , they form a structure not only strong , but

enduring . With its four corners resting upon four imperishable stones , brotherly love , relief , truth , and charity , firmly planted upon the solid rock of fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man , it forms a foundation for the institution of Freemasonry that has stood the test of many centuries past , and that will endure till time shall be no more . It has needed no repairs in the past , does not need

any in the present , and will never need any in the future . Time but adds to its strength , and years to its durability . The waves of fanaticism break harmlessly over it , the winds of bigotry cannot shake it , nor the fires of intolerance destroy it . All these elements of discord and dissolution are powerless to accomplish its destruction . Freemasonry has nothing to fear from its enemies

without , so long as Masons are true to the noble principles which constitute its foundation , and which are found in every stone in this beautiful mystic temple , even up to the cap-stone itself . To be true to them , they must have a thorough knowledge of their import , and this information is essential to a proper discharge of their duties as Masons . In Operative Masonry no one can become a skilful

workman who does not apply himself diligently during the term of his apprenticeship ; and the same is equally true in Speculative Masonry . Masons must learn Masonry before they properly practice it themselves or teach it to others . This can not be done in a day , a month , or a year , hut years of study are necessary . Some learn the ritual quickly , and think that is all there is of it . Others

go through without learning anything at all . A few only ever become well-informed Masons . In this lack of Masonic knowledge among so large a portion of the membership lies the greatest danger to the institution itself . They are in a position to do it much greater harm than those who assail it from without . Once inside , they become an element of weakness , for they are just as liable to

go wrong as right . They have never learned how to observe the cardinal virtues of Masonry , or to practise the tenets of their profession . They are apt to think the platform needs some changes or repairs , and imagine themselves competent to furnish the plans . Some seem to think the temperance plank of more importance than all

the rest , and are ready to sacrifice prudence and justice in their efforts to enlarge its dimensions . Brotherly love and charity are rolled out from under it , leaving it to topple and break to pieces . The beautiful structure , contrived by wisdom , constructed by strength , and adorned by beauty , in their hands becomes a shapeless mass , with scarcely a trace of its former grandeur .

A Novelty In Evening Entertainments.

A NOVELTY IN EVENING ENTERTAINMENTS .

Probably in no section of any Masonic division in the United Kingdom do entertainments in the shape of picnics , garden parties , balls , concerts , & c , exist more largely than in the Liverpool portion of West Lancashire , and in connection with these fetes there are several worthy brethren who specially distinguish themselves in

connection with arrangements , organisation , and successful carrying out . The ladies of these Masonic " lords " have observed their proceedings , discovered weaknesses and flaws in the working out of the pleasure-making schemes , and recently they determined to show their stronger-minded partners and friends " how the thing oueht to be done . " The ladies fie-urativelv out their heads

together , and after this combination of all that is " great and good " they appointed an excellent executive committee from amongst their own number , elected a Chairwoman , Vice-Chairwoman , Secretary , Treasurer , Mistress of Ceremonies , and vigorously set about getting up " our ladies '" first annual garden party and bal al-fresco . After manv anxious meetines of the fair ones ,

considerable cogitation , and the display of super-excellent generalship , the result of their efforts was experienced on Wednesday evening , the 13 th inst ., at Durham Hall , Bootle , near Liverpool , the residence of Bro . R . Brown , the much valued Honorary Secretary of the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , who kindly threw his house and grounds open for the special occasion . The result of

the ladies' efforts was eminently satisfactory . No better place for the purpose could have been selected , and all the male guests ( the great majority of whom were Masons and " veterans" in getting up entertainments ) were loud in their praises of the ingenuity and originality shown in connection with " Our Ladies '" first Garden Party . Inside the hall the splendid suite of rooms was utilised to the

A Novelty In Evening Entertainments.

greatest advantage , there being supper , lounging , dancing , cards , smoking , and neatly every variety of rooms , some gaily festoonedjwith flags , enlivened with evergreens , and generally decorated in the best taste . Outside the hall there was a perfect fairy scene . Myriads of manycoloured Chinese lanterns were hung amongst the trees and round the balconies , while flairs floated bravely in

the breeze , and the whole of the striking picture was lit up with more than noon-tide brilliancy by means of the lime-light ; when the dancers , in their gay dresses , moved blithesomely in the mazy dance on the green , under trees , and amid the many-coloured lanterns , the lime-light in the meantime being brought to bear on the picture , the ensemble was of the most picturesque and charming description .

Nor were " our ladies " unmindful of the necessary " creature comforts . " The party began to arrive about four o ' clock , and at five tea was served on the lawn . Then there were dancing and amusements till eleven o ' clock , when a magnificent supper was served under the direction of Mrs . Eve , one of the executive , whose husband ( Bro . Eve ) is so well known as a public caterer of first rank .

Mrs . Brown ( wife of Bro . Brown ) , as chairwoman , presided at the head of the table , and delivered a very neat and pointed speech in proposing thc toasts to " The Gentleman and Ladies . " Bro . W . Doyle , P . P . G . S . D . ; Bro W . Coates , 1356 and 1609 ; and Bro . G . Hutchin , W . M ., 241 , were called upon to respond for the toast of "The Gentlemen . " " The Ladies . " was resoonded to bv Mrs .

Barton ; and then Mrs . Brown gave " The Ladies ' Committee , " affording Mrs . Eve , Mrs . Firth , Mrs . Douglas , and Mrs . Morrison an opportunity of displaying the natural grace and eloquence with which Nature has endowed them . Thus the hours passed pleasantly away , the gentlemen thoroughly enjoying the extremely pithy

and pointed speeches of their " better halves . " Then there were more dancing and kindred amusements , soup at a later hour , and 'busses conveyed the jolly party to town at an early hour . The whole entertainment proved a great success , and " our ladies" clearly demonstrated that they are quite equal to the " lords of creation" in carrying out garden parties and al-fresco balls .

West Yorkshire.

WEST YORKSHIRE .

The following notice has been issued in Leeds : — "Leeds , September 15 th , 1876—Dear Sir and Brother , —You are respectfully requested to attend a meeting of the Masters , Past Masters , andWardens of the Leeds lodges , to be held at the Masonic Hall , Great George ' s-street , on

Tuesday , the 19 th inst ., at seven o ' clock in the evening , to take into consideration the desirability of forming a ' Charity Fund , ' similar to those in existence in East and West Lancashire . Bro . Hardon , who has taken an active interest in the formation of the Lancashire Funds , has

kindly promised to attend and give any information and explanation th . it may be required . —James Walker , W . M . 289 ; James Bedford , W . M . 304 ; J . C . Malcolm , W . M . 306 ; C . G . Cooper , W . M , 1042 ; Wm . Fleming , W . M . 1211 ; Wm . Glover , W . M . 1221 ; Rd . Akroyd , W . M . i . - * . *!' - "

Bro. Emra Holmes' New Book Of Tales.

BRO . EMRA HOLMES' NEW BOOK OF TALES .

POEMS , AND MASONIC PAPERS . — One or two of our London contemporaries , notably the " Civilian , " the special and clever representative of the Civil Service , the " Freemason , " " Masonic Magazine , " & c , and several of the leading provincial papers at Sunderland , Hartlepool , Lowestoft , Bristol , Ipswich , Colchester , and Boston , and .

we believe , also at Peterborough , Durham , Scarbro' , Birmingham , Harwich , Darlington , Seaham , Stockton , Middlesbro' , and other places , have favourably noticed the proposed publication of Bro . Emra Holmes' new book . The "Bristol Times" of the 29 th ult ., in welcoming the work , states that Bro . Holmes is the soil of the late Mr . Marcus Holmes , a verv well-known Bristol artistand his

mother is still remembered as the authoress of " Scenes in our Parish . " Bro . Markham Tweddell , who edits the work , is author of " Shakespeare and his Times , " " The Bards and Authors of Cleveland and South Durham , " " The History of the Stockton and Darlington Railway , " " The People ' s History of Cleveland , " and other well-known antiauarian tomes and works of practical iitilitv . Amnnmt

the latest subscribers to the little book are Lord Leigh , the Marquis of Bristol , and Lord Cottesloe , better known as Sir Thomas Freemantle , the late respected chairman of the Board of Customs . The price to subscribers only will be 2 s . 6 d . — " Woodbridge Reporter . " The Mayor of Margate has , let us hope , been maligned . The " Thanet Guardian " contains a

statement which seems incredible , accustomed as we are to magisterial eccentricities . The Watch Committee met to appoint a Superintendent of Police . There were six applicants , and , says the " Guardian , " " We have been informed that each candidate was asked whether he was a Freemason , and that , on one answering in the affirmative , the Mayor stated that the answer was fatal to his candidature . " Can this be true ? Is it possible that evn if

the Mayor could be cad enough to act in such a ' ashion , there was ho man on the Watch Commit ! ' c with the courage to protest against such an outra < -. t If it is true , one would be curious to know how fi ., the Mayor of Margate carries his silly prejudice against a noble , philanthropic Order ? Would he regard the fact of the Prince of Wales being Grand Master as fatal to his righteous claims to the Crown ?— " Funny Folks . "

The fees paid on the registration of trade marks were £ 1957 3 s . in the year ended the 31 st of March last . GAS superseded in day time , and daylight reflected in dark rooms . Health , comfort , and economy promoted by adopting Chappuis' Patent Daylight Reflectors . Manufactory , 69 , FUet-street , London .