Masonic Notes And Queries.

The following incidents are copied from the manuscript autobiographyof Bro . Gerard , \ Y . Ah of GlobeLodge , at A iiicennes , in France . I hope they may prove interesting- to many of our readers , as showing the principles of Masonry carried out in their practical working , Bro . Gerard was decorated with the medal of the Legion of Honour in the Kremlin at Moscow , in the year 1812 . His narrative is written in a ample and unaffected style , and I will endeavour to ive it in his own language

g you . " On the 2 nd of May , i ' SlO , " ho writes " during the sanguinary revolt at Madrid , I belonged to a troop of dragoons ordered to that much-disturbed city . AVereached our destination towards the end of April , and were temporarily stationed in a village about three miles distant from the city on the road leading to France . "A few days after our arrival I mentioned to a young officer , a nephew of our Colonelthat I desired very much to visit Madridof which I

, , had heard a groat deal . Ho expressed also a wish to spend a few hours in a visit to its far-famed churches and other public buildings , and promised me to ask for leave of absence . His request was granted by the Colonel and we obtained a pass for the 1 st and 2 nd of May . "As soon as we had obtained our conge , we made good use of our time and entered the city early iu the morning and spent the

whole clay in examining the gorgeous churches and half oriental public places , of which I had heard so much when a boy . AA eary and exhausted we spent the night at the house of a French tavernkeeper upon the square Del Sol , where the officers and employers of our army were in the habit of congregating . The next morning we took our breakfast at on early hour and were just preparing to resume our siht-seeingwhen several officers of the staff abruptl

g , y entered the house and requested us to repair immediately to the barracks or to our quarters . They also informed us that the troop had been ordered to remain in their quarters , that everywhere they were heating to arms , and that the streets and squares were swarming with armed Spaniards . Several French soldiers had already been assassinated during the ni ght , and there was good reason to that we were ou the eve of general revolution in Madrid

suppose a . A \ e immediately went to the window and saw the square already filled with numerous groups of Spaniards evidently much excited . No time was to be lost and we resolved to leave instantly , in order to leave the city and repair to our quarters . "As soon as we had gained the open air , we heard the terrible

sound of a general rapped—drummers were everywhere beating to arms . Wc endeavoured to redouble our speed , but perceived very soon that it was impossible to reach our quarters while thus surrounded . A large number of Spaniards , armed with cleadly weapons of every conceivable kind , now advanced upon us and obstructed the streets through which wo had to pass . AVo knew that attempting a passage through their ranks would be certain death- wothereforelooked for an opening through which to

,, , escape , but we could perceive only a little street or rather blind alley on our right . My friend seized me by tbe arm , and , dragging me along , cried , ' Come let us enter into ' . But before he had time to finish the sentence he fell dead at my feet , pierced by several balls . I escaped with only a ball through my hat ; but confused by the sudden attack-, and wholly at a loss how to attempt f . ny further escape , I already gave myself up for lost , when it

happily occurred to inc that i had been made a Mason , and I made use of the means which the Craft had placed in my hands to call for help in imminent danger . My appeal was not made in vain . That happy thought saved my life . The door of the house , from which the shots had been fired , was immediately thrown open , and a powerful and tall man with a heavy moustache and a niilitary overcoat rushed out and drew me into tho house while he whispered to me in French , * Fear not , and follow me , a brother leads the wav . ' When he had taken me into an outhouse and fastened the door , he proceeded to test me , and we exchanged tlio . se proofs known onl y to tho initiated .

"Having satisfied himself of my claim to his protection , he offered me a goatskin filled with wine and we fraternized . He then bade me wait for him a little while he went out and locked the door behind him . In less than fiye minutes ho returned with a sombrero and a large Spanish cloak in his hand . Disguised in these , he ted mo from the house and through diil ' ercnt streets until we reached the gates of the city . After wc had passed them

by means of the countersign in his possession , he pointed out to mo my quarters , of which I had given him a description . Before he took leave of me , he threw his arms around my neck and said : ' My Brother , I am a Captain in the English infantry , but now on a secret mission iu Spain . My name is Henry Sueton . If over the Great Architect should offer you an opportunity to save the life of any of my countrymen , do for them what I have this day done for you . Farewell , God speed you . ' " The name of this dear brother has ever since remained engraven upon my heart and there it will remain until it shall cease to beat .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

"Ever since that epoch in my life have I sought to learn Mdre concerning the fate of my noble preserver ; but only lately have I been able to ascertain from a Captain of the English army , whom 2 met in the south of France , that Brother Sueton fell in 1812 at the Cape of Good Hope , after he had attained to the rank of Major . May the Great Architect cause the earth to rest lightly upon his grave . "—C . A . M .

Danger Of Popularity.

DANGER OF POPULARITY .

It cannot be denied that Masonry has progressed too rapidly for the last twenty years . It has tended towards a condition of popularity that never was intended by its founders , and which is utterly inconsistent with its nature . Masonry was never designed to be a popular institution . No secret society can seek 2 "> opnlarity without being corrupted and eventually destroyed . It is tbe exclusiveness of the

association that has preserved it , ancl to render it popular is to expose it to a vicissitude more calamitous than any it has passed through since it became a distinct and efficient organisation . In this respect , as in some others , Masonry is like the Church ; it prospers most wheii let alone , or when abused and persecuted . The prosperity here alluded to is that of character and efficiency as an agent of good ,

not that of public approbation and worldly applause . When the shouts of popular applause ring through our secluded halls , tho knell of the Order will soon follow . Our strength is to sit still , and if the world wonders what we are doing , and is curious to know how our labours are performed , let it wonder , and let its curiosity remain unsatisfied . In the secret societies of . past centuries were contained the learning

and the character of those centuries . Kbno but the eminently worthy and the distinguished were admitted to their mysteries . Masonry has evidently degenerated in proportion as it has become popular , and it has at this moment no foe that it may fear half so much as that of its own popularity . The popular mind has not the capability of estimating truly the character and rjniposes of the

Masonic institution . It requires not only a large share of intelligence , but a peculiar faculty of observation and scrutiny , to apprehend the mysteries that underlie the great superstructure that Masons arc ever engaged in erecting . The work of Masonry is a work of reform . It is a work of profound moral research , and its development is in the form of modern ethics , for which the world has never yet been prepared , nor do present indications afford the hope that such preparation is in progress . —Rev . J . N . Jtr . Iilion .

Poetry.

Poetry .

THE TAVO QUEENS . My lady boasts her diamonds To deck her raven hair , My humble village beauty Kb costly gems can wear : Yet both are briht and Queen-alike

g ^ And well they play their parts ; But—one ' s the Queen of Diamonds , And one—the Queen of Hearts . My lady has her carriage , In which abroad she rides , But you shall see my dear one As through the dance she glides ;

> fo gem of dazzling brightness Her snnny browinrpnrts , But her eyes are more than diamonds , — For she ' s the Queen of Hearts . I would not have my lady , To share the glittering throne , I would not boast a jewel

I could not call my own ; Though she a Lord could make me , Give all that wealth imparts , — I'd yield the Queen of Diamonds To take my Queen of Hearts . Bito . J . E . CuirrxTEit