Ode On The Installation Of H.R.H. The Prince Of Wales,

Will raise each like a proved and perfect stone Into a temple builded not with hands . And here—the heirs unto the men of old AVill emulate their fervour and their zeal : Joining in courses of symmetric mould

To strengthen and adorn the commonweal . Though dying dogmas shun the Masons ' light , Nor brook the Level laid upon the priest , Here may the Free of every creed unite AVhere one rule tries the greatest and the least- !

The Sons of TOLERANCE assemble here , Christiansor Jews , ParseesorMussulmen . The same Great Architect we all revere AVith those of yore , bonded by Truth as then . Under our PRINCE a living dome Ave

build The polished keystone of whose crown is he ; And all for e \ -er in the Temple filled The Masons ' -word seals thrice—FIDELITY !!! For God said : " In STRENGTH will I establish this mine house TO STAND FIRM FOR EVER . "

Our English Freemasonry.

OUR ENGLISH FREEMASONRY .

BY THE EDITOR . That the Installation of Hie Prince of Wales is a great event in itself for us English Freemasons , no dispassionate and reflecting person can for a moment doubt or dispute . Though some writers may

affect to treat it lightly , though others may ignore it , though some may turn it into ridicule , it is a A'ery appreciable fact in the annals of English Freemasonry , In the first place , the connection between our Royal Family and Freemasonry has

always been a very happy one . In other days and less quiet times no bod y of men clung more closely to their royal head , no assembly of men were more deeply actuated by the genuine princi ples of English loyalt y than Freemasons in this country .

It is this fact I think , which has given to English Freemasonry that specially orderl y and law-observing character b y

which it is known alike to friend and foe . English Freemasons have always been most opposed to seditious movements or political combinations ; they have never lent themselves to any Utopian schemes or socialistic chimeras , but have been proverbially a most loyal body of patriotic

citizens . They have ever avowed unfaltering obedience to the "Sovereign of their native land , " as due from all English Freemasons , and they have ever declared that obedience to the laAvs of foreign

countries is required from all Freemasons in those countries which for a time become the place of their residence , or afford them their protection . And another reason that the Installation of the Prince of AVales is a notable fact for

the age and for Freemasons is , that it is an anSAver at once to many childish calumnies and ridiculous allegations . The Prince of AVales becomes our Grand Master , tAvo of his brothers are affiliated to our order . Theyat any rateknoAV that Ave

, , are not a gang of secret conspirators , a hurtful combination of laAvless and revolutionary destructives . HowcA'er in some countries mistaken zeal for social

improvements , orhigh-floAvn sentiments of humanitarian sympathy , may have induced foreign Freemasons , here and there , to mix themselves up Avith political questions , we know nothing of such Avays or doings in England . AVe are simply a loyal and charitable brotherhood , intent on Avorks of benevolence

and fraternal good-Avill , and not averse to the genial gathering or the social reunion . In English Freemasonry Ave knoAV nothing actually of the " tumult of politics , " nor of the " controversies of religion . " Hence the Installation of our Grand

Master is , as far as Ave are concerned , an answer to many calumnies and hot-headed calumniators . Let others attack us as they Avill ; they dare not say—they cannot pretend to believe—that Ave are a political association . AVe repudiate any such

illfounded and ignorant charge indignantly . And I think that Ave have another and remarkable cause of thankfulness that Ave have witnessed this Installation of the Prince of Wales . There are those AVIIO affect to laugh at our assemblies

, and to undervalue our professions . Even the Saturday Review has lately condescended to the taunt , that love of z 2