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NOTICE . The Subscription to THE FREEMASON is now io _* . per annum , post-free , payable m advance . Vol . I ., bound in cloth 4 s . 6 d . Vol . II ., ditto 7 s . 6 d . Vol . III ., ditto 15 s . od . Reading Cases to hold 52 numbers ... _ s . 6 d . United . States of America . THE FREEMASON is delivered free in any part of the United States for 12 s . per annum , payable in advance .

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NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS . The Office of'THE FREEMASON is now transferred to 198 , FLEET STREET , E . C . All communications for the Editor or Publisher should there / ore be forwarded to that address . All commitment Jews for TIIR FJ . EEMASON should be * vritten legihiy on one side of the paper only , and , if intended for insertion in ihe current number , mnst be received not later than io o ' clock a . m . on Thursdays , unless in very special case * . The name and address of every writer must be sent to us in confidence .

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The Freemason , SATURDAY , DECEMBER 30 , 1871 . THE FREEMASON is published on Saturday Mornings in time for he early trains . The price Tim FREEMASON is Twopence per week ; annua su-script ' on , 10 s . ( payable in advance ) . All communications , letters , & c , to be addressed to the EDITOR _ o 8 , Flcct-. strcct , K . C . The Editor will pay ctreful attention to all MSS . entrusted to Iiim t cannot undertake o return them unless accompanied by postage stamps ' .

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1871 .

THE close of a year marks a point in human existence , as well as in thc annals of time . It is an epoch when reflections on thc past , and resolves for thc future , arc rife within

the breasts of men ; and if such self-review be not seldom profitable to individuals , the rule will doubtless hold equally good when wc extend its application to large societies ,

and even to nationalities . Let us pause , therefore , beside the couch of the dying year , and recount what it has done for us as members of the Masonic Fraternity ; let

us commune with oursclvcsupon thc results which have been achieved by thc Orderrejoicing in its triumphs , and lamenting its failures , if , unhappily , failures there have

been . Taking England as our first example , beyond question the Craft has greatly flourished in our midst during the past

year . Our Charities have not been neglected ; in fact , the stream of benevolence seems to ( low faster every year . At the Festival ofthe Institution for Girls . His

Royal Highness thc Prince of Wales presided , and eloquently pleaded the cause ol the School , which , as every one knows , i *

most admirably conducted , an advantage which indeed is enjoyed by all our Institutions . The illness and recent dantrcr of thc

Heir Apparent have brought home to otu hearts many pleasing features in hicharacter as a . Mason , and we A \ unite ii : thc hope that His Royal Highness ma \ long be spared in grace our assemble .-

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with his presence , and to stimulate others to the faithful performance of those Masonic duties which are incumbent on every brother , be he prince or peasant . It may ,

however , be doubted whether the extraordinary progressive increase in numbers of the English Craft , which commenced some few years ago , and which still

continues , is to be accepted , without reserve , as a real benefit to the Order . Of course , every one likes to see his own lodge flourishing , and by the introduction of new

members pecuniary prosperity is assured . But it must not be forgotten that numbers do not always indicate strength , and that substantial influence may be sacrificed at

the shrine of Pluto . Even if a large proportion of the augmented incomes of our lodges found its way into the coffers of our benevolent institutions , we should still be

disposed to recommend greater stringency in the selection of candidates . How much more so , however , when we have reason to fear that the larger the income the greater

the luxury which prevails . Expensive habits become the handmaids of a plethoric purse , and a splendid surplus is too frequently swallowed up in copious libations of the rarest wines . AVe know that efforts have

been made to stem the tide of extravagance , but hitherto without visible effect , and , mainly , because those efforts , although well-meaning , arc misdirected , aiming at

the total abolition of pleasures which , when moderately enjoyed , are both natural and innocent . Hence , lodges which arc founded on the principles of entire abstinence from

meat and drink , after a painfully ascetic career of brief duration , usually end by hungering after the flcshpotsof Egypt , and , like most converts , astonish the "

moderates " by their new-born zeal m thc matter of viands and vintages . Nothing can be gained by the adoption of an extreme policy ; but it is certainly thc duty of every

right-minded Mason to discourage the excessive appropriation of lodge funds for merely convivial purposes . It is for these reasons that we would earnestly urge the

necessity of caution in thc admission of candidates . We do not want men who are allured into thc Order by the prospect of a trood dinner , and who , after their initiation ,

take more interest in a bill of fare than in the advancement of Freemasonry . Rational enjoyment of thc good things of this life , proportionate refreshment after labour ,

none but a fanatic would withhold ; but the festive meetings of Freemasons ought to be sanctified by thc reflection that wc have not left higher claims unsatisfied , or paramount

duties unfulfilled . Turning to Scotland , we are glad to note that the dry bones are shaking with no uncertain sound , and that our Caledonian brethren will soon possess

a fund of benevolence worthy of themselves and of the ancient renown of thc Scottish Craft . The progress ofthe Order in Ireland

is , on the whole satisfactory , although , if we may believe whispers , grievances are not quite unknown amongst the bre ' - hrcn . Let u : * hope , lvrvY-Ver , that by the infu-ion of

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a more liberal spirit into the administration of Irish Masonic affairs , discontent may be nipped in the bud , and all rivalries cease , save a generous emulation in the work of

doing good . We regret very much to find that the true principles of Freemasonry are so little understood in France , and that our French brethren should allow themselves to

become the dupes of political theorists . The sentiments openly expressed by French lodges towards German Masons , the attitude of the Grand Orient on the subject of

Masonic jurisdiction in America , and the recent removal of several important Masonic landmarks , make us greatly fear for the future of French Freemasonry . In other

parts of Europe the Fraternity is spreading apace—a Grand Lodge has been formed in Spain , and its members may now be counted by thousands . Crossing the

Atlantic , we are delighted to record the well-being of the Order in the United States . There the Craft is firmly established , and increases in popularity every

day ; but , like ourselves , let us hope that our American brethren are not adding too rapidly to their numbers . By thc mission of the Marquis of Ripon to Washington , and the

Masonic demonstration of friendship with which he was received , much has been accomplished towards consolidating thc good feeling and harmony which ought ever to

prevail in thc relations between two kindred nations . Our fellow-subjects , the Canadians , arc vying with the Canadians in their

support of the Craft—thc Grand Lodge of Canada boasting nearly eleven thousand members , and the new Grand Lodge of Ouebec about fifteen hundred . It will thus

be seen that , although our Masonic review of iS / r is not all coiilcur dc rose , our cause for joyfulness far exceeds our reason for regret . In a vast organization like that of

Freemasonry , wc cannot expect that none will be stragglers from the ranks ; but let us win them back by patience , let us strengthen them with words of wisdom , and

encourage them to march shoulder to shoulder with us again in thc army of progress . We will now * conclude by expressing our personal thanks to the brethren of every

country or clinic who have so nobly supported THE FREEMASON during the year 1871 ; and , without putting forward any plausible pica , wc again solicit a

continuance of their goodwill . It shall be our aim to maintain this journal in its acknowledged position as the true organ oi thc Craft , and by strict impartiality in judgment , and

fidelity to thc principles of Freemasonry , we hope to merit the esteem with which our labours have hitherto been honoured . May each and all of us enjoy a HAITY NEW YEAR .

IIRKAKFAST . —EPPS ' S COCOA . —GRATEFUL AND COM ' - OKTING . — " l ! y a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition , and by a careful applicatian of the fine properlies of well-selected cocoa , Sir . Kpps lias provided our

breakfast tables with a delicately-flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills . "—Civil Service Gazette . Made sinip ' y with lioiling Water or Milk . Each packet i > labelled— "JAMKS l . ws , _ Co ., lIo-iM . ' -ip . iiiii . I'litmi .-ilf . London . " Also , makeis of lvpivV Milky Cueop 'OJCO . I a , i , l Coiv . lcn » e ; l Milk * .