Reviews.

ling growing out of the parent tree ' s root . The same custom prevailed among the adherents of the First Napoleon ; and , while at Elba , drawings of a bunch of lilies , in the outlines of which the portraits of the Emperor , Empress , and King of Rome are seen in profile , were sent broadcast over France . In fact , as history runs in one perpetual groove , it is not to be wondered at

that Ramsay seized the resemblance to further the schemes which he had so deeply at heart , and to gain adherents to the Stewart cause . We know from the Books of the Canongate Kilwinning of Edinburgh that in Scotland the Jacobites did employ Masonry in their intrigues ; and Murray of Broughton , the Secretary to Prince Charles , and who in 1745 is suspected of having

betrayed the cause , wherever his name appears in the minutes it is carefully scored out and marked against it the words " expunged by the unanimous voice of the lodge . " However , whether the Rite was consolidated for political or religious purposes or not , it lias no connexion now with intrigue against the Stateand the names and rank of

, the members is a sufficient guarantee for their loyalty and good disposition . Moreover , tho age of secret societies exercising a political power is past , and in the increasing strength of free institutions , even the grounds for such political societies existing by the despotism of Church and State will cease . But Masonry is founded not on political , but intellectual and moral bases , having

for its aim the improvement of the mind , the reformation of vice , and the encouragement of virtue ; over all the heaven adorning charity . Justice , however , holds the scales , that . the erring may not be encouraged in this

wickedness , but by wholesome correction be brought back to the paths from which he has strayed . In addition to the historical and ritual notices of the various grades , Bro . M'CIenachan appends a series of Regulations and Ceremonials . Among these is a Ceremony of Baptism in the Ancient and Accepted Rite , which he states is frequently performed in Europe , but

has not been generally adopted in the United States . "We fear that he has been misinformed , as we never heard of such a baptism in Europe . The ceremony is performed in tho Apprentice Degree , but , although very beautiful , wo confess to clinging to the baptismal service of the Church , The explanations , however , and account of the ceremony of the degree will bo found instructive

and interesting . While wo can see some justification in holding a Lodge of Sorrow for a deceased brother , we confess we cannot see the necessity for a Rite of Baptism for one who is not a Mason , and who in the case of a girl cannot become one . Another point we never could see the use of , although deemed of much importance in the Ladies Order of

France . This is at Refection calling a decanter a barrel ; coffee , black powder ; a napkin , a banner ; a cup , a cannon ; beer , fulminating power ; this , we should say , would better apply to champagne . Such frippery may do very well for frivolous minds who think such trifling to be tho essence of Masonry , but the Anglo Saxon's mindlike his stomachrequires the meat of mannot of

, , , babes , facts not fancies , eternal truth , not ephemeral fiction . However , it is not our province to condemn such ideas . If they please a few , they cannot hurt the man )' , and their simpleiiess will prevent their becoming

dangerous . Having now briefly noticed these four valuable works , precursors , we trust , of others of equal worth , the reflective student would desire to form a library , which would contain books by ouv leading authors upon the various subjects referred to in the degrees , so that while activol ) ' engaged in the duties of ' the lod he

ge , may in the privacy of his home study the sublime truths which raise man above his fellows , which purify his nature and make him fitter for that after life when w-hat is dark and strange here will be revealed by the light of eternal truth .

Reviews.

Fragments of a Journal saved from Shipwreck . By an OLD KESSINGTONUS . London : Tritbner & Co . 1868 . This interesting work , although the hare memoranda of a journal , will well repay perusal . It possesses features often wanting in more pretentions and costly volumes . It claims to be neither more nor less than a log-book ; but two shipwrecks and a journey to aud from

Australia , although not so uncommon in our day , yet are not of constant occurrence ; and , even if the narrative in itself was not exciting , the fact of its having been written by the W . M . of Lodge No- 904 , would recommend it to our fraternal attention . The journey was made by the route starting from Southampton and proceeding by Malta to Alexandria .

Our brother did not find his Desert passage agreeable , and tho best ho has to say of Aden is that it is " a den . ' His sketches of Australia are well drawn , and not without humour . The stranding of the Nelson at Tarauaki , the treatment of the crew and passengers by the Maoris , and tho native manners , rise from grave to gay , and sometimes sink from the comic to the tragic- The Maori's hammering in the lids of jam-pots , and then squatting down in the saloon to discuss the contents

would form a good subject for a Punch cartoon , with others helping themselves to sardines , olives , cheese , and beer , and wildly dancing tho war-dance . One , so dancing opposite a mirror , dashed it iu pieces with his tomahawk . The wrecked at first even feared for the safety of their lives , but the ship given , up to the natives , they succeeded in freeing themselves and reaching New

Plymouth . Our brother at Calle look passage in the Colombo , but ili-fortune still sailed with him , tho unfortunate vessel being wrecked on a coral reef off Minicoy Island and went to pieces . His treatment here seems to have been a vast improvement upon his former , and the Rajah of the island behaved with great kindness to all the

unfortunates , although the mosquitoes seemed to have been lively company . However , a vessel arriving , our brother soon was once more homeward bound , and , reaching London , felt himself again a Briton . Wo can recommend this interesting little work to our readers , who we think will agree with us that , had our brother not have had so modest an opinion of himself , he might have produced a larger volume , which would not have lost in comparison with many a pompous traveller's heavy tome .

Laying The Foundation-Stone Of A New Freemasons' Hall In Durham.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION-STONE OF A NEW FREEMASONS' HALL IN DURHAM .

An imposing ceremony , aud one which rarely occurs in an ) - town , of laying the foundation-stone of a new hall for the Freemasons of Durham , was performed in this city , on the 22 nd ult . in the presence of a largo number of ladies and gentlemen , for whose comfort and convenience a large raised platform was specially improvised within the building , and from which a good view could be

obtained of the interesting proceedings . The brethren of the Marquis of Granby Lodge , No . 124 , assembled at . the Freemasons' Hull , Chapel Passage , OldElvet , in this city , at two o ' clock , in masonic craft costume and white kid gloves . After tho elapse of an hour , during which the patience of the outside company was sorely tried , the members emerged from their lodge-room , arid walked

in the following order of procession up Old Elvet to the site of the new hall : — Police . Band of the Second , or North Durham Militia , Tyler with Sword . Brethren not Members of the Province , two and two . Brethren of Lodges in the Province , according to Seniority or Numbers , Juniors walking first . Rough Ashlar , borne by the Junior E . A-