Herefordshire Masonic Charity Association.

the Treasurer , for the time being , until thc full amount of the life subscription , together with any proportion of working expenses due from such member , is paid , and shall not be eligible for another nomination on account of such subscription . ( d ) Every member whose subscription is not paid up previous to , or at the annual meeting , shall be excluded

from the ballot at that meeting , and any member twelve months in arrear shall forfeit all monies paid in , and cease to be a member of thc Association . ( e ) The general meeting shall have power on the recommendation of the Committee to vote the right of selection to any member without ballot , and any member who has paid the amount of five annual subscriptions

and the proportion of working expenses due from him , without drawing successfully , shall be entitled to a nomination in priority as Life Subscriber without ballot . 9 . Any question arising upon these rules shall be referred to the Committee , whose decision on thc matter submitted to them shall be final . 10 . The rules shall be altered only by vote of two-thirds

of thc members present at a general meeting , and no proposal for alteration shall be entertained , unless twentyeight days notice thereof be given , in writing , to the Secretary , who shall insert such proposed alteration in the circular calling thc meeting . 11 . The Chairman shall have a casting vote at every meeting in case there is a necessity to exercise it .

12 . A special general meeting may be convened by the Secretary at any time upon a requisition signed by the President , Vice-President , or by five members , specifying the objects thereof , and the subjects to be taken into consideration—fourteen days' notice to each member must be given of such meeting . 13 . Thc Committee shall meet in Hereford not less than

fourteen days before each general meeting . In conformity with the rules , the following Committee was then appointed : —Bros . Thomas Jowitt , President ; Rev . John Buckle , Vice-President ; H . C . Beddoe , Treas . ; Wm . Earle , Sec ; and Orlando Shellard , J . E . S . Hewitt , J . C . Gregg , and II . Gurney , members of Committer-.

The Committee will be completed by thc appointment of an additional member from each of the four lodges in the province . It was announced that 40 shares in thc Association had already been taken . A cordial vote of thanks to Bro . Jowitt for his vcry able presidency brought this successful meeting to a close .

Herefordshire unfortunately has lout four lodges , with only 110 subscribing members , and yet with a little exertion and proper organisation an association has been formed with every prospect of contributing at least 50 guineas a year to ourcharity funds . Surely by the like means much may be done in other Provinces . Lodges having something like 100 members may well have a charity scheme without the incorporation of other

lodges , antl in lodges of this size much may be said in favour of its own separate association . An argument against these associations is the loss which may occur if a brother who has obtained a vote shoultl die after paying a portion only of its cost or if from other causes his subscription shoultl cease ; but the three Institutions have sugge-stcd ami are carrying out a si mplc plan whereby losses of this description arc avoided .

Annual Picnic Of The Neptune Lodge, No. 1264.

ANNUAL PICNIC OF THE NEPTUNE LODGE , No . 1264 .

Of all thc pleasant days' runs into the country taken by the brethren of Liverpool lodges ( and there is no doubt the majority of these arc pleasant , being in thc nature of " refreshment " after labour ) there are none attended wilh so much delightful excitement ami pleasurable experiences as

those which have been annually held 111 connection with the Neptune Lodge , No . 1264 , a lodge whicii deservedly holds a high and honourable position in the province of West Lancashire . The picnic of 1878 , which took place on Thursday , the 15 th inst ., was no exception to thc general rule , and as the weather was charming , and the company numerous and determinedly set on enjoyment , there was

nothing to mar the full measure of the amusements . The scene of the picnic was the Birktlale Hotel , near Southport , pleasantly situatetl by thc sea , antl all the arrangements must have thoroughly commended themselves to those who were present , the presiding genius and moving power of thc whole picnic machinery being Bro . Joseph Korn , W . M ., who was indefatigable in his efforts

to promote thc happiness of thc large company assembled under the banner of thc "Old Neptune . " The first section of the ladies and brethren , who numbered about 100 , left Tithebarn-strcet Station shortly after 9 o ' clock , arriving at Birkdalc about twenty minutes past ten , and the amusement arrangements for the tlay were commenced without delay . The second contingent started

between eleven and twelve o clock , and reached the scene of festivities in due course . The call for dinner was duly announced at 12 . 30 , when about 120 sat down toa most sumptuous banquet , provided in a style whicii reflected great credit upon Mr . Pilson , the manager . Thc repast was presided over by Bro . Joseph Korn , W . M . ( supported by the brethren antl ladies ) , in a manner which did cretlit to the Neptune Lodge .

After dinner the W . M . gave " The Queen , " and the National Anthem was sung by Bro . Walton . The VV . M . next proposetl " Thc Prince anil Princess of Wales , " and the song " God bless the Prince of Wales ' was well sung by Bro . Lir . akcr . ' Bro . Burgess , P . M . 1323 , in eloquent terms gave "The Health of thc W . M ., " who responded in a few well-chosen remarks . Bro . Joseph Wood , Treas . 1094 ( Freemason ) , next

Annual Picnic Of The Neptune Lodge, No. 1264.

gave the toast of " The Ladies , " and in doing so said their presence always added lustre and brilliancy to every assembly , and certainly nowhere more than at a picnic . Bro . Hanmer , W . M ., responded in a short speech , as brevity in speaking was the order of the day , all being wishful to allow the ladies to get to their amusements , which they at once proceeded to do on the lawn , when every

conceivable game was brought into play both for ladies and brethren during the afternoon , the W . M . exerting himself to the utmost to make every one at home . At six o ' clock tea was laid out in a tent on the lawn . When ample justice was done to this repast the ladies and brethren adjourned to the large room in the Hotel , where the remainder of the toasts and songs was gone

through . The W . M . proposed " The Dep . G . M ., thc Prov . G . M . and Prov . G . Officers , " which was responded to by Bro . J . Wood . The W . M . proposed " The P . M . ' s , " which was responded to by Bro . Cotter , W . M . " The Absent Seafaring Brethren " was responded to by

Bro . Captain Campbell in a very humorous speech . " The Picnic Committee " was next proposetl from thc chair , for the very able way it had been carried cut , and responded to by Bro . Hughes . The W . M . next proposed " The Neptune Lodge , " and enlarged upon the qualities of the good ship . As thc ladies had played such a prominent part in the

day ' s proceedings , their healths were again proposed by Bro . Burgess , W . M ., in very flattering terms . The next toast , in which all agreed cordially , was " The Health of the Management , " for the very creditable way in which the day ' s proceedings had been carried out . Mr . Pilson , being called in , thanked the brethren for this mark

of their appreciation and kindness . The day ' s proceedings were now drawing to the end , and the toast " To all Poor and Distressed " brought it to a close . Thc whole party now made for the train , which left at 9 . 15 , and arrived in Liverpool at 10 . 11 ; , all being fully delighted with the day ' s outing .

Autumn Grievances.

AUTUMN GRIEVANCES .

Autumn is the time for the airing of grievances . People who are not holiday making , and who arc , unite in finding fault with something cr somebody . Editors are overwhelmed with complaints from all parts of the world . " Paterfamilias " is disgusted with the incivility of the porters on thc Northern of France Railway ; "Justitia "

asks why people are to submit to the imposition of facchini at Naples ; " Once bitten , twice afraid , " solemnly warns tourists against the hotels in Rome ; " Tumbler " demands why the authorities don ' t put railings along the cliffs from Dover to Folkestone ; " Mal-de-Mcr" complains of the windy weather in the Channel , and ironically asks when the Straits tunnel will be built ; " A Tourist "

complains of the prices of the hotel-keepers up the river , and threatens them with bankruptcy , by declaring that he shall cease to patronise them in luture ; and so on , ad finitum . Thc ladies not to be outdone in the race , lift up their silvery voices to swell the tumult , antl complaints , many and grievous , arc daily piled upon our table . From one fair damsel comes a piteous wail , blended with righteous

indignation , ancnt thc stupidity of thc over-rated trench glove-makers . Would you believe it ? Her twenty-four buiton gloves , just sent direct from Paris , arc one size from the wrist to the elbow . "Do they suppose , " cries she , " that her wrist is as thick as her elbow ? " She was compelled to put " gussets " in herself . Another young lady asks , " Where are thc dressmakers ? " in such a

defiant tone that we feel quite frightened , and hasten tc reply in diplomatic terms , lest we shoultl incur a personal visitation , that we really arc veiy sorry , we wish we could make dresses , and we woultl do it for nothing , except the reward of a seraphic smile . " No tlrcssmakers to be had I " cries our correspondent ( as if wc coultl help that , !) " What is the world coming to ? " Another , a

housewife , sternly utters a note of warning about the dearncss of meat , and sends a grim list of prices , as they are , and prices as they werc when she went to housekeeping , which must have been a good many ycars ago , juelging by that list . I low we bless the impersonality of thc English editor , or we should no more have dared to add that observation than wc shoultl venture to

tell a lady she was too eld to dance , or hint that she was not a Venus tie Milo in point of beauty ! Then conies a petulant lelter about thc rude behaviour of young men in places of public resort—Westbourne Grove , and Regent Street , and Piccadilly—whicii complaint is rather late in thc season , as such young men as there are now in these resorts are quite beneath the notice of a young lady who dates her letter

from a fashionable West End Square—and how is it that she is still in town , by the way ? But what does she say : "The young men walk arm-in-arm , three abreast , and stare at every one . " Every lady , we presume , at least every pretty one . Well it is very ill bred to " take the stage" in this fashion ; but the modern gilded youth has not the courtly manners of its ancestors ; though to be sure

my Lord Rochester carrietl off a young lady in the middle of Whitehall , and that was worse than staring . Our correspondent must console herself . We knew a lady who when people stared saitl , " I always flatter myself they find something worth staring at . " As to the complaints of servants , wc have said nothing , because they rattle down upon us in a breathless shower ,

as thc wooden balls showered on the head of Betsey Prig ; and besides they are a constant quantity . All the year round servants are the most wicked , slatternly , unprincipled , ugly , dirty , impudent , unbearable—our pen must stop . We leave the ladies to continue , for if there in one thing of which the British lady wearies not , if is in enlarging on the enormities of Mary Jane . —West hondon Express .

Letters From Our Own Irrepressible Correspondent.

LETTERS FROM OUR OWN IRREPRESSIBLE CORRESPONDENT .

No . 1 . —I NTRODUCTORY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — At this season of the ' year , when you require ( as I know well , for I have been behind the scenes ) a

considerable amount of "padding , " even for the usually well-filled columns of the Freemason , I think it not amiss to occupy your space with some of my lucubrations . Large gooseberries and tripartite births will not interest your readers , and , therefore , it has forcibly struck me that I might well seek , with your kind permission , as they used to say of old " liberare animam meam , " or as our Scottish friends

would put it , to " make a deliverance " on sundry topics of Masonic interest which have for some time served to stir my bile , or rouse my susceptibilities . And accordingly I come forward as a Masonic reformer in " petto , " to hold forth , " tie omnibusrebus et quisbusdam aliis , " in the cheery pages of the Freemason , and if , likeall reformers , from Masaniellodown to the Iconoclast , mine probably , and properly

will be only " monkey ' s allowance , " that is to say , " more kicks than halfpence , " be it so . I shall only shrug my shoulders with philosophic indifference . Imitating Martius Curtius , I am quite prepared to engulf myself in so good a cause , and no better arena can I find for my " happy dispatch" than the now popular columns of the Freemason I propose , then , in subsequent communications , to point

out some prevalent weaknesses and shortcomings affecting our English Masonic lodges , and that profession of English Masonry in which we all take such a patriotic and fraternal pride If in the remarks I am privileged to make I shall seem to deal too harshly with amiable frailties , and if I appear to others too cynical or too ecstatic , if my pen be held to

be dipped in gall rather than honey , let them call to mind that " Diogenes " has his privileges on the " press " now , as in his " tub " of old , and that his ¦ ' occupation" would indeed be " gone , " if he woultl only say " smooth things , " if he only allowed himself to dilate with " bated breath " or " simpering smiles" on " evils many and corruptions great . "

But a truce to heroics and " high falutin . " I trust that when your readers peruse these letters of mine , in all the irrepressible distinctness of the Freemason ' s type , they will not have much cause of complaint " anent" them . Mine is a fraternal , antl I think a well-meant attempt to point out , ( I feel sure in no ungentle spirit ) , somelittle inconsistencies and anomalies which injure our Masonic profession and practice , whicii weaken our legitimate influence

as a most useful and beneficent Order , and are " spots " in our " feasts of charity . " Such as thev are , whether approved of or not , I shall , dear Sir and Brother , seek to elaborate them under your auspices , hoping , nay feeling assured that you will discover in them , one and all , little to criticise and nothing to repueliatc . Believe me , dear Sir and Brother , yours very fraternally , YOUR OWN IRREPRESSIBLE CORRESPONDENT ,

The Paris Exhibition.

THE PARIS EXHIBITION .

Among thc most instructive developments of modern civilisation arc thc international exhibitions which , commencing in London in 1831 , under the inspiration and auspices of the late sagacious and public spirited Prince Albert , have been succeeded by more extended anil comprehensive ones , closing with our own glorious Centennial ,

The French Exposition of 1878 embraces in its scope the productions and results of every industry , art , and science , as well as their processes and modes of operation . This is done not merely for the purposes of competition and in the distribution of prises , but also and more especially with the object of passing in review , under the scrutiny of the most accomplished experts and men of

science , all of the fruits of the skill , industry , and exact condition and thc comparative merits or defects of the industrial development of each nation and of each description of article or process could be set forth . The progress which such examination indicates of the exhibits , and to describe the highest standards of excellence , is my aim while in Paris .

From the commencement of thc industrial epoch which dates from the London Exhibition of 1851 , the profound significance and value of such exhibitions as this have been realised by the people and governments of civilised nations . Their beneficent influences arc many and wielcsprcad ; they advance human knowledge in all directions . Throuirh the universal language of the products of labour

the artisans of all countries hold communication ; ancient prejudices are broken down ; are fraternised ; generous rivalries in thc peaceful fields ot industry are excited ; the tendencies to war are lessened ; and a better understanding between labour and capital is fostered . It is gratifying to note that these great exhibitions are planned and executed in thc interests of the mass of the people . In the present

instant those industries , products , and organisations designed to promote the material and moral well-being of thc people arc made prominent , and the underlying animating spirit and impulse of the whole plan are for the advancement , prosperity , and happiness of the people of all nations . One of the most salutary results is the promotion

of an appicciation of thc true dignity of labour , and its paramount claims to consideration as the basis of national wealth and power . Such exhibitions have become national necessities and duties , antl as such it may be expected that they will be repeated again and again hereafter . —Xcw York Corner Stone .