Masonic Notes And Queries.

Tho Critic says : — " AVe have to felicitate the country on the spread of enthusiasm among the gentlemen of the press , on the subject of the volunteer movement . Last week we bad to congratulate the editor of the Morning Star upon having received a medal for skill in the use of the rifle ; this week it is our pleasing duty to record the proposition of a correspondent of the Morning Adrcrther , to the effect that a " Press

Brigade" should be raised , to consist entirely of members of the public press : " At this critical period for our liberties , when every patriotic breast beats high at the thoughts of what might be the results of a descent upon our shores when the watchman is asleep , and when every class and creed are arming against the common enemy , it seems strange that the members of the Fourth Estate should alone be inactive . Distinguished as the majority of the gentlemen of the . press are by rare

ability and indefatigable industry , as evinced by their ubiquitousness and travels , I conceive there could be no fitter material for a large brigade than they would present . And if you are to take the initiative , or some other large establishment , like that of Pelt ' s Life in London , whose racing editor is admirably formed , by his thorough knowledge of discipline and amiable disposition , to become a popular leader , the result would be that volunteers would readily be foundas willing to defend

, our firesides with their swords as they have hitherto done our rights and privileges with their pens . Aud although Douglas Jerrold has maintained the latter to bo the most powerful weapon of the two , it is well to be prepared with each in ease of necessity . I throw out this hint in the liopc it may be adopted by influential parties . —Yours , & c . OBSERVER . " The only objection we see to this proposition is , that

should the Press Brigade be severely handled in battle there might be no one left to report the transaction . At any rate , it is to be hoped that the brigade will be one of infantry ; seeing that if report speak truly , tho commander proposed by ' Observer , ' although the editor of a sporting print , is utterly unable to mount a horse . However , may virtue prosper ! we need not despair of seeing even the oolmnns of Pelfs Life become not only popular but useful . "

Poetry.

Poetry .

TREES ARE COMPANY . BY THE REV . W . BARNES . AVIIEN summer ' s burning heat is shed Upon the drooping grasses' head , A diving under shady leaves Tho work folk in their snow white sleeves . AA o then miht yearn to climb the heiht

g g , AVhere thorns are white above the fern , And air does turn the sunshine ' s might To softer liglit , too weak to burn . On woodless downs wc might be free , But lowland trees arc company . Though downs might show a wider view Of green , far reaching into blue ,

Their roads far winding in the glen . And ringing with the sounds of men , The thistle ' s crown of red and blue , In Fall ' s cold dew does wither brown And larks come down with the lew , As storms do brew aud skies do frown , And though the down does lot us free , The lowland trees are company .

AVhere birds do sing , below the sun In trees above the blue smoked town , — And shades of stems do overstratch The mossy path within the hatch ; If loaves bo bright up over head , When May does shed its glittering light Or in the blight o' Fall , do spread

A yellow bed before our sig ht—¦ AVhatevcr season it may be , Tho trees are always company . When dusky night does nearly hide The path along the hedges' side , And daylight's homely sounds be still , But sounds of water at the mill

; Then if no face wo longed to greet Could come to meet or lonesome trace ; Or if mi pace of weary feet , However fleet , could reach its place — The trees would still be company .

Poetry.

CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME . " A ND where is home ? " asks destitute distress ; " This home that yields to injuries redress ? Is it reserved for close domestic ties , Or free alike to all beneath the skies ? Is it for sufferers who at distance groan ,

Or only those who nearer make their moan ? Oh tell me how this dwelling may be mine—This home where charity begins to shine !" Thus spake distress—aud heaved a plaintive sigh—When soft humanity made this reply : — " Cease poor afflicted , by the world forgot , Cease to lament thy miserable lot ; Dry up thy tears , and welcome to my cot—¦

That charity begins at home is true ; Yet this is rightly understood by few . The miser quotes it to his base desire , And robs the labourer of half his hire ; The glutton wallows on luxuriant haunch , And stuffs with dainties bis elastic paunch ; But should distress accost him on bis way , ' My charity's at home , ' you'd hear him say .

Thus all who this celestial virtue waut , Can gravely hypocritically cant . But if this lesson carefully you learn , The meaning of the phrase you'll soon discern , Charity dwells within the mind possessed Of wishes to relieve all |) oor distressed At home , abroad , on , cakl or torrid shore—She ' s ne ' er from home where pity keeps the door , "

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

[ T HE EOITOH does not hold himself responsible for any opinions entertained hj Correspondents .. ] PUBLICATION OF CANDIDATES' NAMES ; AND INSPECTION OF LODGES . TO THE EDITOR OE THE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR .

DEAR Sin AXD BUOTIIEU , —It would , no doubt , be better to have the names of the brethren for passing or raising placed on the summons , but I think it is not essentially necessary ; it all depends upon the construction put on the word " business" in the Rook of Constitutions , page 61 , clause !) . My opinion is , that it simply means the business of voting and balloting ; for when a candidate lias been initiated , no brother can have any objection to

his being passed or raised , provided the necessary time has elapsed . Still , I agree with " An Old P . M . " that it would be far preferable to give due notice , although its not being expressed on the summons is not in opposition to the Constitutions . In the Freemasons' Magazine , for last week , at p . 4 ;) 2 , I observe a letter from "A Friend to Model Lodges , " in which he suggests a plan for the inspection of Lodges . However excellent this plan

might he in its working , it would , I think , if established , be a reflection on our Provincial Grand Lodges , whose duties I believe involve an inspection of any or all the Lodges in the province ; and it seems your correspondent in his commendable zeal has overlooked this part of the machinery of the Craft . If this duty of our provincial rulers were strictly performed there would , I think , be no need of the p lan suggested by " A Friend to Model

Lodges . " I remain , dear Sir and Brother , fraternally yours , Asliby-de-la-Zouch , IIKNUY ' T . BOBAIST . 1 th December , 1859 .

FPENCH LODGES IN ENGLAND . TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAK SIR AN » BKOTIIEI ! , —I am induced once more to tronhl c you , if j'ou will permit me , in consequence of your note to my last communication , in which 3-011 allege that I am mistaken with regard to any Lodges in England holding warrants from the French Grand Lodge . I know that in one instance a Lodge is

held under the authority of that Lodge , and b y virtue of its warrant , and is in constant communication with it . Although made in England , I am a member of the two best French Lodges ( at Paris ) , viz ., the Lodge of the Hose of Perfect Silence , and the Lodge of the East , and all my brethren enjoy the same honours . Should wc be admitted to an English Lodge as visitors ? If after this wc are refused acknowledgment by our English brethren