The Charities.

hallowing influence the evils of poverty are mitigated , and lessons of good ceaselessly inculcated upon all . Is it or is it not true that the great and influential of our land are joining in increasing numbers ? Is it or is it not true that our Order , despite the sneers of the malicious and the cavils of the ignorant , was never more honourably regarded than now , its practical usefulness

more thoroughly recognised , its power to cheer in misfortune , to soothe in distress , to console under trial , its Avonderful adaptation to the wants and weaknesses of humanity , more readily recognised and acknowledged than IIOAV ? To Avhat does all this tend ? "Whither do I wish to lead those Avho acquesice in my viewsthus—in the estimation

, of some , perhaps—visionarily expressed ? To the material improvement of our Charitable Institutions ! In what way ? I , as I said before , thus roughly indicate my notions . It is not beyond the pale of probability that , ere long , one or some , of the railway companies must or will require the site upon which the Girls' School now proudl

y raises its beautiful head ! Already they are encroaching , and a slice of the narrow strip wnich separates the building from the neighbouring embankment is about to be taken . If my apprehension becomes reality , some other site must be found for a new building . Proposition the first .

The accommodation at the Boy's School is manifestly inadequate . From time to time we havs heard of improvements , and still the building is inadequate for its purpose . I confess to having for some time taken a peculiar interest in this school , partly on account of what I believe to be its intrinsic merits , and partly owing to its comparatively neglected condition . Prom enquiries

I have made of the Secretary and others with whom I have conversed , I find that it is under consideration to expend a further considerable sum of money to render the present building better adapted to the purpose it is now ¦ called upon to serve . I would advise its managers to wait . The money to be realised from the sale of the present property at Tottenhamwith thafc contemplated

, to be expended in improvement , would very nearly , if not quite , suffice for the erection and fitting of a new building in a more favourable situation , and capable of receiving 100 boys . There only remains the Asylum at Croydon . Let that be sold , and then—What then ?

Seek out an eligible site in every respecfc—dry soil , fine air , abundant water , easy access . Erect a building on each side of an oblong space , to contain 100 boys and 100 girls , with suitable accommodation for the requisite stafffitted , furnished , and provided in themost perfect manner possible , but without the slightest superfluous ornamentation . At the one end an equally suitable building as

an asylum for the aged , and at the other end a commodious chapel , where under fche ministration of a resident chaplain—whose duty it would be regularly to visit and inspect the Schools and Asylum , and take charge of the religious instruction of all , —old and young , with their friends andprotectors , mightmeet and unite their orisons of praise to the Great Architect of the "Universe , who had

put it into the minds of the Masons of England—as aforetime he did to his ancient people in captivity—to raise a structure perfect in its parts' and honourable to fche builders . Who will go up ? Who ? I am , dear Sir and Brother , CARITAS YIRTTJTUM PEINCEPS . London , February 3 , 1862 .

A Masonic Bard.

A MASONIC BARD .

THE LATE BRO . FEAMCIS LOVE or STEVENSTOS . ( From tlie Ayr Advertiser . ) MR . EDITOR , —Considering the . more than ordinary demand which the chronicling of Masonic matters has

A Masonic Bard.

this season made upon your space , ifc is Avith some reluctance that we venture fco crave your farther indulgence , while Ave endeavour to awaken an interest in tho consummation of an act of justice to the memory of a brother—venerable for years , honourable for service , and rich in private virtues and graces , —who has UOAV left the ranks of the Graft and joined the " silent lodge . " It is nearly two years since the brethren of Stevenston Thistle and Eose lowered the remains of brother Francis

Love beneath the sod consecrated by the emblems of " the salt and the evergreen , " yet his memory is still warmly cherished , and the sweet aroma of his muse continues to diffuse itself throughout the jDrovince of Ayr . At almost every re-union we have attended since Bro . Love ' s death , most feeling and heartfelt allusions have been made to the absence of our Masonic Bardand which

, seem now to have fostered a general desire to give tangibility to these expressions of regret at his removal from among us—to record our testimony to his virtues , and our sense of the zeal which he ever displayed in behalf of Masonry , —in fact to " . . . . raise a monumental stone , To tell hoAv Masons loved him . "

To enlist the interest of the influential portion of the Masonic community of Ayrshire in effecting such an object , it is not necessary that we enter upon the history of his life , or descant upon the many excellent qualities by which Bro . Love was distinguished . Suffice ifc to say , that all his labours were , in their spirit and tendency , for fche general good of the Fraternity ; and

many of his poetical effusions are pregnant with Masonic symbolisms—a feature in Masonic poetry which feAV have been able to depict ; and its profusion in his compositions proves hoAv thoroughly he understood and appreciated the beautiful allegories in which our peculiar system of morality is veiled . Our aged brother possessed a rich vein of humour of the right sort , and was endoAved

alsowifch the gift and taste of music . His Avhole soul seemed to be attuned to harmony ; and the exquisite taste and feeling he was wont to throw into his rendering of Burn ' s " heart-fond warm Adieu" and some of his own

pathetic songs , were such as a poet only could do , and seldom failed to cause the tears to start in the eyes of his rivetfced listeners . Out of the lodge our octogenarian brother was characterised by a gentleness of disposition which gained the affections of all with whom he came into contact , the smile on his honest face was the expression of the true heart within , and the grasp of his

hand seemed to be the index of his warm attachment ; indeed , " heart , hand , and tongue" were uniformly influenced by fche holy principles of genuine religion . And now that he is gone from among us , to present his work to the Grand Master himself , it is surely meet that the brethren with whom for a season he journeyed on the great leveland ivho are now left behindshould

, , , in illustration of that heaven-born Charity which extends beyond the grave , provide a fitting memorial of one whose work for the Craft is done , and well done , and who has now passed to that bourne whence no traveller returns , " and thus preserve from oblivion the last restingplace of him who , Avhen in life , they so highly respected . We feel it a pleasure as well as a duty to commend the

project to the kind consideration of the Craffc , wheresoever dispersed ; and in their efforts to raise a monument to one who was both an ornament and a support fco their lodge , the members of Stevenston Thistle and Eose are well entitled to the fraternal sympathy of the sister lodges in this county . The Committee ' s appealwhen issuedmust call a warm

, , and generous response from the bosom and purse of every true brother ; and we may hope ere long to see the compass and square gleam over the grave of Ayrshire ' s Masonic Poet Laureate . I am , & c , YOUE MASONIC REPORTER . Ayr , Jan . 28 , 1862 .