Newspaper Press Fund.

tributors as such . If they have ever written a book they may be relieved from that fund ; but if they have written nothing but discriminating literary reviews , and accurate Parliamentary reports , the Royal Literary Fund will have nothing to say to them . If the NeAvspaper Press would

manifest a proper esprit de corps , the new Fund might ere long be called the " Royal" Newspaper Fund , and receive a charter of incorporation . The < c fourth estate" cannot more legitimately employ its influence than in obtaining for its distressed , enfeebled , and aged members , their widows and

children , a share of that Christian liberality which it invokes for every other class of the community . The dinner ought to be a great success ; ancl if musical talent can make it so it will be , as we see it announced that the following distinguished artistes have most kindl y volunteered their

valuable services : —Soprani—Madame Parepa , Madame Weiss , Miss Poole , and Madlle . Enequist ( the Swedish vocalist ) . Contralti — Madame Sainton-Dolb y and Miss Barrow . Tenori—Mr . Sims Reeves ( who will sing " Tho Death of

Nelson" ) , Mr . Wilbye Cooper , Mr . ^ T . Young , aud Herr Reichardt . Bassi—Mr . Weiss . Solo Instrumentalists — Madame Arabella Goddard ( Pianoforte ) , and Herr Lauterbach ( Violinist , Chapel Master to the King of Saxony ) . Conductor—Mr . Jules Benedict .

The Masonic Properties Op Numbers.

THE MASONIC PROPERTIES OP NUMBERS .

Two Lectures delivered before tho Worshipful Master , brethren , and visitors of the British KafTrarian Lodge No . 853 , ( late 1155 ) , January , 1863 . By H . E . Richard Bright , G . S ., M ' . M . of the Goede Trouw Lodge , Cape Town . LECTURE FIRST . By your kiud invitation I am this evening enabled

to address you on a subject which is one of the many connected by ties of tho strongest interest ivith the all-. absorbing science of Freemasonry . It has always appeared to me that one of the . greatest objects of our profession as Freemasons is to study the relation of material objects to moral principles ; to deduce from those outward and visible symbols , created things , their

'legitimate lessons of deep aud hidden meaning ; and to -cull the honey from all external nature in such Avise that we may find "books iu the running brooks , sermons in stones , and good in everything . " I am much mistaken , if this high and holy purpose does not lie stamped upon tho very face of our institution . Every ordinance that we . possess ; every ceremony that Ave go through ; every

rite Ave celebrate , is fraught Avith a solemn and profound significance ; and were we to rest satisfied , as I fear too many amongst us are apt to do , Avith the outward visible signs and symbols of our art , we should indeed be but a parcel of mystified merry-andrews , gabbling a language foreign even to our own understandings , and inaugurating ceremonies devoid of reason , for the sake of an

unenviable notoriety . It is eminently desirable , therefore , that AVC should seek out the hidden meaning of every point of our Masonic rites , ceremonies , lectures , furniture , and symbols —and that , even iu the " profane" world , when travelling outside tbe circumference of that circle within which , if true Masons , we cannot err , Ave should apply to all the objects of nature , to all the treasures of art , to all

scientific reasoning , and to all philosophical arguments , that careful consideration and research , by which alone can be eliminated the secret , yet heart-stirring , lessons they were meant to convey . Let us never , then , rest satisfied with having been merely initiated into the solemn mysteries of our ancient art . Resting on the adytum of the Temple , ive shall

remain iu the darkness of ignorance ; to obtain the light of a clear and intelligent knowledge , we must seek its penetralia . The bare fact of being enrolled on the portage-books of the Masonic body will do us no manner of good either morally or physically , either with respect to time or eternity . But if Ave seek to apply to outdaily conduct and " principles , the lessons of virtue

shadoAved forth by our numerous and most beautiful symbolisms , then , indeed , under the blessing of the Great Architect of the Universe , we may hope to improve and advance in the knowledge of the truth , till He sees fit to remove us to that Grand Lodge above , which has been prepared for them that obey Him . It has been under the influence of such views of our ancient and time-honoured institution , that I have , at

different seasons aud in various places , collected the facts and opinions Avhich I have UOAV the honour to submit to your consideration . I would remark , in passing , that it is the natural tendency of my professional occupation to tho investigation of numbers , Avhich has led me to the means of compiling those ideas and facts Avhich I now proceed to detail ; and I accordingly invite

your kind attention and patience , while I briefly lay before you an outline of ivhat may be called , " The Masonic Properties of Numbers . " — 1 st . —The number I , which , in arithmetic , denotes unity , expresses , Masonically , " unity of spirit ; " oneness of mind amongst any body of men , collected , as we aro here this evening , all having one combined object ,

and one friendly feeling . 2 nd . —Itexpresses in individuals that scriptural phrase , " singleness of mind ; " a term indicative of uprightness guided by humility ; and iu this sense means " Innocence . " 3 rd . —The number one expresses "Identity ; " inasmuch as the cipher I is the capital letter " i ; " meaning myself , I , myself , identifying my own individuality .

4 th . —It expresses " equality ; " for m the muster-roll or portage-book of our Order , at the building of King Solomon's Temple , the workmen of our craft , after having passed themselves into the different departments of their labour by different Avords and tokens , Avere each marked down , as they entered , by a straight stroke , thus , I . —and Avhether good , bad , ov indifferent , each mau

present Avas represented iu this simple register as on an equality Avith each of his fellow-workmen ; this said register , of course , without any reference to his abilities , denoting only each individual ' s punctual attendance at his work , by the mark of the number I . 5 th . —The number one expresses the idea of " existence" For we know that there was a time when this

. wonderful and beautiful earth on which we live did not exist . That was the reign of chaos , or nonentity ; and may be fitly represented by the cipher 0 , or zero . But when " in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth , " then 0 , or chaos , ceased to reign and "existence" first began . The first representative in numbers , therefore , of existence is the number one ; without Avhich .

there is nothing . 6 th . —The number one farther expresses , Masonically , " harmony . " for we Avell know that one of the strongest ties Avhich has ever bound Masonry together , Avhich has preserved its purity amid all conflicting opinions , which has empowered it to weather all storms , which has concentrated its scattered members into one bod 3 , and has consolidated the Avhole , Avide-spread community into one indissoluble society of brethren , is the great principle of harmony . Fitly , therefore , does the number one , repre-