Masonic Notes And Queries.

tory has been greatly admired by the best judges of good writing . In this great design he has made a large progress ; and we are informed that one volume will make its appearance in the present year . In 1792 he printed , in one volume octavo , "An Essay towards a History of Bideford ; " but a small impression onlof this Avork Avas struck offas it was

y , originally compiled for the use of the author ' s learned and ingenious friend Mr . Pol whole , who is compiling the History of Devonshire . As a Mason , Dr . W . is undoubtedly entitled to a very distinguishing notice . A lodge has been established bhim at the lace of his residenceandwe

y p ; , are informed , iu a very flourishing state . The charge delivered at its Constitution Avas published at the unanimous request of the numerous and respectable assembly of brethren who attended the ceremony , aud is a very animated composition . The prayer

pronounced at the Consecration has been greatly admired , and deserves to be carefully read as Avell by those who are not , as those who are , members of our ¦ ¦ society . In the preface to the charge , the author says , "He has it in contemplation to devote some future period of his life to a search into the History of Masonry

, comprehending , of course , a vieAv of the progress of civilisation , with a biography of those persons who have adorned the Avorld , and have been dignified by the Masonic character . " This we sincerely hope ' ( and we are sensible that we have herein the concurrent Avish of eminent brethren ) that he will

many be enabled by leisure , health , and encouragement , to perforin . A Masonic Treatise from the Doctor ' s pen will be announced for publication in a short time . But the plan of this is rather elucidatory than historical .

Possessed of a vigorous intellect , he has been indefatigable in his researches into the various branches of our Order . His knowledge of the HebreAV language , and acquaintance Avith the Cabala , have ¦ enabled him to explore even the most obscure intricacies of an institution that certainly takes its date in . the patriarchal times .

And it is , moreover , with the glowing pleasure of friendship , and the impartiality of truth , that we can ; say , the virtues of the heart are united in him to the powers of the mind . He is a Avarm , sensible , and generous friend ; a sociable , entertaining , and communicative companion ; and

¦ an instructive , ardent , aud benevolent brother . One AVIIO has the happiness of calling him by each of these ^ three appellations bears with rich satisfaction this testimony to a character he loves and reverses . -vy **** ] $ **** , [ Reading the foregoing I should be glad to know if the Masonic

Treatise alluded to was ever published . —W . TEMPERANCE . " Temperance , that virtue without pride , and fortune without envy , gives indolence [ liealthfulness ] of body and tranquillity ¦ of mind ; the hest guardian of youth , and support of old age . " —Temple ' s JEssays .

Temperance , in a general sense , is a prudent moderation Avhich restrains our desires , appetites , and passions within just bounds ; but wo shall consider it here in a more limited signification , as a virtue that curbs our corporeal appetites , and , confining them to a medium equally distant from two opposite extremes

renders them not only innocent , but commendable and useful . The principal vices repressed by temperance are incontinency , and excess in eating and drinking : if there be any more , they flow from one or other of these two sources . It would lead us to too great length at presentto

, consider this virtue fully in both points of view . To the last , then , as most appropriate to our particular subject , we shall chiefly confine our attention . " "Wine , " says an eminent author , " raises the imagination , but depresses the judgment . He that resigns his reason is guilty of everything he is liable to in the

absence of it . A drunken man is the greatest monster in human nature , and the most despicable character iu human society ; this vice has very fatal effects on the mind , the body , and fortune of the person who is devoted to it ; as to the mind , it discovers every flaw in it , and makes every latent seed sprout out in the soul : it adds fury to the passions , and force to the

objects that are apt to inflame them . Wine often turns the good-natured man into an idiot , and the choleric into an assassin ; it gives bitterness to resentment , makes vanity insupportable , and displays every little spot of the soul in its utmost deformity . " Seneca says— "That drunkenness does not produce

, but discovers faults . " Experience teaches us the contrary . Wine throAvs a man out of himself , and infuses into the mind qualities to Avhich it is a stranger in its more sober moments . Some men are induced to drink excessively , as a cure for sorrow and a relief from misfortune ; but they deceive themselves—wine

can only sharpen and embitter their misery . Temperance is our guard against a thousand unseen ills . If this virtue restrain not our natural inclinations , they will soon exceed all bounds of reason and of prudence . The Grecian philosophers ranked temperance amongst the highest of all Christian virtues . It is undoubtedly a preservative against numerous diseases , an enemy to passion , and a security against the dire effects of excessive vices and immoderate

desires . The good and true Mason knows its highest value and most appropriate application . EA'ery man of reflection must know , that by keeping this vigilant sentinel always on duty , we are armed and secured against that tremendous host of foes Avhich perpetually hover round the unguarded victims of Intemperance . —J .

THE ITEST G-EEAT BIGHT . 0 , Avonderful Bible ! book of the ages , theme of David and Paul , of Moses and Jesus ! a recorded revelation from Infinite "Wisdom to frail , ignorant man , sitting in sackcloth aud ashes ! Egypt is gone , but a race of slaves from her bosom have been the teachers and leaders of the nations . Greece and

Rome , too , have had their rise and growth , decline and downfall—and they , too , are gone ; their mythologies and their philosophers have crumbled with their Parthenons and their Pantheons . But this mighty river of thought , the confluence of divers streams of wisdomon the hihest subjects of God

, g and the soul , and the soul ' s eternity , taking its rise in the remotest mountains of antiquity , flowing doAvn with an ever-accumulating volume and power through successive climes and countries , bearing on