Masonic Reminiscences.

inveigle Phil into a marriage with his daughter , which must by all means be prevented ; as soon as I get a little stronger and arrange a few matters here , I shall pay you , I hope , a longer and more agreeable visit than the last . I am most anxious to make further enquiries about this unfortunate young highwayman , and endeavour , if possible , to turn him from his present life of crime , for his letter leads me to hope he is not quite irreclaimable . With kind remembrances to my sister and Phil , To Philip Simpson , Esq ., Believe me very sincerely yours ,

Simpson Hall , 11 . B . P . S . The following is the highwayman ' s letter above alluded to . " ' COLONEL , Mountain Retreat . I never rob Freemasons , when I know it ; my father was one , and how often in the pure , and happy days of my boyhood , have heard him say ,

that he made the Masonic principle his rule of life , and express a hope of seeing his sons one clay members of that ancient Order . His life was blameless , useful , and honourable , and though circumstances have made me a proscribed outcast , and I fear have " warped to wrong " all that was good in my nature , yet do I revere his memory , ancl respect the Order which he loved . I return your money , and your watch , which , I see by the inscription , is a token of gratitude , for services rendered b y one brother to another , under peculiar and trying circumstances . And am yours , To Col . B . & c , & c . STARLIGHT . ' "

CHAPTER XL—MR . JOHNSON IS SUPERSEDED , AND RETIRES TO BOULOGNE—REFLECTIONS ON DEFECTIVE EDUCATION—A FEW PASSING HINTS TO THE TARTUFFES OF THE DAY . AN inflated announcement relating to the heir of Simpson Hall and the amiable , accomplished , and lovely Lavinia , & c , & c , in the list of marriages of the Saunders' News-Letter of the daystartled the Colonel into the

, knowledge of Phil having committed , in his uncle ' s estimation at least , the high misdemeanour of matrimony . In his first burst of anger he half resolved to cut the whole connection , and in particular to burn Ms Will , and cut off Phil with an angry shilling , but in calmer moments his love for his sister , whose weaknesses were all of a venial , and amiable kind , prevailed , and he made up his mind to make the best of a bad business

, and if he could do nothing more , at least endeavour to frustrate Mr . Johnson ' s designs on the Simpson estates . With this intent he proceeded to his brother Simpson ' s solicitor , and made enquiries as to any settlements . That gentleman informed him , that a draft of a marriage deed had been submitted to Mm , of which he refused to approve , without certain clauses and amendments which he suggested ;

ancl he heard nothing further on the subject . They then proceeded to examine the public registry * where , to the colonel ' s great comfort , they found no memorial of any such document . He then instructed the solicitor to prepare a deed of trust , with all possible speed , and be ready , on its completion , to accompany him to his _ * In Ireland all deeds and judgments must be registered within a certain limited time , ami take precedence according to their priority of re , risf' -atioii .