Symbolisms Of The Apron.

This fair and stainless thing I lower—Its ' prentice aid I need no more ; For laws and principles are given The fellow-craft direct from Heaven , To help the needy , keep a trust , Observe the precept of tho just ; And as I face the darkened North

I send this solemn promise forth , That while on earth I may remain My apron shall not have a stain . This / air and stainless thing I doff ; And though I take my apron off , And lay this stainless badge aside ,

Its teachings ever shall abide ; That God hath given light divine That we may walk opposed to sin ; That truth and strong fraternal love Are emanations from above j That life itself is only given To square and shape our souls for heaven—The glorious temple in the sky , The grand celestial Logde on high , A , K Corner-stone .

The Mason's Wife.

THE MASON'S WIFE .

She extendeth her hands to the poor , The needy she strives to relieve—The fallen she seeks to restore , And soothes the afflicted that grieve . She strengthens the penitent mind , So ready to yield to despair ;

Every burden she seeks to unbind , Believing from sorrow and care .

By her bounty the naked are clad , The hungry are furnished with food—The sick at her presence are glad , She visits the widow ' s abode . The virtuous exult in her smile , The ignorant learn to be wise—Her reproofs are like excellent oil , Which bid hol y perfume arise .

Her worth , as the Wise Man declares , Will far above rubies be told ; Her counsels , her deeds , aud her prayers Are better than silver or gold . If such be the spirit of those

, Who are Wring the lost to reclaim , Ah , who can their mission oppose , Or fail to speak well of their name ? Rcystotu

Our Late Bro. Wm. Carpenter.

OUR LATE BRO . WM . CARPENTER .

Masonic Literature has to deplore the loss of a very able contributor , Wm . Carpenter , who passed away on Monday the 11 th , after a short but severe attack of bronchitis . His Aiu'itings have long been known to

the Avorld , and his contributions to the " Freemason" have been Avidely read , while his last work , " The Israelites found in the Anglo-Saxons , " has interested a large circle of readers . We all must lament the loss of so able

a writer and so sincere a Mason , and we have thought it well to reprint the following brief memoir of so able a confrere from the pages of our respected contemporary the Monetary and Mining Qctzette , of which he was the Editor : —

It is our melancholy duty to announce the death of Mr . William Carpenter , which took place on Tuesday , April 11 th , at 5 o ' clock , at his residence in Colebrook-row , Islington . The deceased gentleman , who had for a short time been suffering from a

severe attack of bronchitis , was the editor of this " Gazette " from its first establishment , and remamed actively engaged in connection therewith until Ms death . About eight days ago the symptoms became seriousand he ivas unable to leave Ms

, home , though until within a few hours of death it was hoped , from the vigour of his constitution , that a little rest ivould restore Mm to his usual health . This hope was unhappily not to be realised , and this vigorous and industrious ivriter died literally

in harness , as indeed all his friends had , ¦ with a remarkable uniformity of sentiment , anticipated . The son of a tradesman in St . James ' s , Westminster , William Carpenter Avas born in 1797 , and Avas consequently in his 78 th

year . He began life early and humbly , his first engagement being as errand-boy to a bookbinder in Finsbury , to Avhom he Avas afterAvards apprenticed By a happy accidenthe became acquahited Avith William Greenfieldthe self-taught and scholarly

, editor of Bagster's " Polyglot Bibles . " TMough this acquaintanceship , young Carpenter not only became fired Avith a laudable thirst after knoArledge , but he also enjoyed many opportunities of gratify-B B