Masonic Incidents.

MASONIC INCIDENTS .

( From the Masonic Monthly , Boston , U . S . ) E . W . Ellicott Evans , Chairman of Committee on Foreign Correspondence of Grand Lodge of New York , in his last report , says , that years have now passed since they have had any direct communication with aay oF the Grand Lodges of the seceding States ; but adds : " Still the little we hearshows that the Masonic virtues are

in-, culcated there as here—that the bitterness of strife and the heated sentiments of political animosity , have no power to raise the hatred of brother against brother , even in the ranks of the rebellion , any more than they have with us . " < -

Almost daily we hear of incidents corroborative ofthe remark of Bro . Evans , and it affords us great pleasure to be able to give them publicity . No class of evidence more conclusive can be furnished , to prove the reality of those ties which attach Masons to each other the world over , or more calculated to endear to us our noble institution .

The following has beeu communicated to us by a brother whose word is voucher for tho correctness of his statement : An engineer of one of our gunboats , stationed off Charleston , S . C , had the misfortune to be taken prisoner at Stono Island , and was carried to the headquarters of the rebellion iu S . C . On his way to the city , he soughtby the methods known to the Craftto

, , communicate to such among his captors , who could interpret his silent language , the fact that he was a Mason , and claimed the protection which Freemasonry throws around its sons . His efiorfcs in this direction

werenot in vain . There were those among his captors , who in the lodge had learned this universal language . On the first opportunity which presented itself , they introduced themselves to him as brothers , and soon accompanied their recognition of him as such by deeds of brotherly love and relief . While the other prisoners taken with him were closely confined , and strictly

guarded , and all their movements restrained , he was left at perfect liberty , and was a prisoner only in name . More thau this , his captors could not accomplish for him , except it might be to furnish his purse with money , which _ they did most generously , without delay , thus rendering his journey to Richmond less unpleasant , ancl his stay there in the Libbprison not quite so irksome

y , as it has been found by others . The term ofhis captivity has not yet expired , yet we doubt not that when he obtains his release , as we hope he may do soon , he will be able to report that the mystic shield with which the lodge has armed him , has secured for him all along that kind treatment which he commenced to receive at the time of his capture .

The incident we will now relate is of another order , and the action to Avhich we refer is equally gratifying , although not the performance of enemies in arms . The American ship Winged Arrow , lately arrived in the port of Liverpool , England , and its master , Captain Gill , a worthy member of the Craft , sickened there and diedaway from home and family , and among strangers—yet

not friendless , but surrounded by members of that larger family which embraces men of every nation , and kindred , and tongue . Members of the fraternity in Liverpool , aware of his claims on their sympathy , flocked around him , gave to him all the care possible , bestowed on him every attention , and when death at last claimed him , they closed his eyes in that from which

sleep there is no present awakening . They took charge of his remains , as is our custom everywhere under like circumstances , placed them in a splendid and expensive coffin , forwarded his body to his friends in this country . Facts of this description need no comment . They tell only one uniform story , which all can read , who will , namely , that there is no spot on the world ' s face , where men are found , and circumstances iu

which men may be placed , in which Freemasonry does not present itself , and discharge its kindly offices in the hour of need . After reading the "Masonic War Incident , " which furnishes so good an illustration of practical Masonry , the recollection came rapidlback to mind of a

y my passage in my own life , wherein my connection with Freemasonry proved of signal advantage to myself and those who were then associated with me . Property which was our all , was saved from total destruction , and possibly our own lives also . ' Fifteen years ago , I had not sown all my " wild oats . " Like too men of this daythe quiet and

many young , orderly routine life of my seniors , had lost all charm to me . It had no freshness to it , no zest . Its freedom from excitement was too much like the stillness of the grave for one of my spirit . I was blessed with a vigorous and muscular frame , and not unskilled as a gymnast . At ten years of age I would ride bare back on an unbroken colt—and the wildest pranks the animal might

indulge in , to effect my overthrow , only increased the wild pleasure I took iu the dangerous exercise . Such being my bent , and a great desire to see the world , as people call it , induced me to join a strolling circus company , that passed through the town where I resided . We travelled through the Eastern , Middle , Western . States , and then turned our faces towards the

Southwestern and Southern States . The gipsy style of life pleased me hugely , aud caused me to quite overlook its disagreeableness . At length , in the course of our peregrinations , we put down our stakes for a day ' s performance in the city of 1 -, Louisiana , and during the twenty-four hours of our intended stay there , the incident Avhich I set out to describe , occurred .

The day ou which we had left for our next station , six or eight negroes ( there were no contrabands then ) , had run from their owners , which caused much excitement . These chattels had become infected with a love for freedom , aud had started off " on their own hook , " leaving their beloved masters behind them , bewailing the diminution of their property . Abolitionism and

strolling players are looked upon as being alike Yankee notions . The booth of a travelling circus , therefore , was very naturally associated iu the minds of those people , with ideas of its being a wayside station , or depot of the underground railroad . We left ¦ on the evening of the day on which the slaves had disappeared . This looked suspicious ; and

arriving in . we found our reputation had preceded us , with the added item that we were notorious " nigger thieves . " We had scarcely come within the confines of the place , ivhen our manager was approached by one of the inhabitants—the most sinister-looking personage I ever set eyes on—who presented a notification that we must not put down our stakes there , per

order of the committee . Being Yankees , we were inquisitive , and displayed no hurry to retrace our steps until we discovered more in relation to this peremptory mandate . The discovery we were not long in making . The committee itself made its appearance ; a mob of the savagest-looking descriptionbegan to gather around our cavalcadeand our

, , further progress was stopped . We halted ; the mob halted . We stared at the mob , which stared , at us iu return . The mob grew fidgety . Hard-looking men might be observed moving about excitedly ; foremost among the number our friend who brought the committee ' s notice—the best representative of a genuine fire eater that I over met before or since .

It soon became evident mischief was intended . All at once the storm broke forth . Yells , oaths , taunts , insults , were thrown at us ; and the waggons containing the booth properties , were attacked . Their drivers defended