Reviews.

with the same character . But , in truth , it would be necessary to give a complete index of this volume , if ive wanted to enumerate all that is beautiful and good iii Bro . Zille's work . We need but say that the whole of the first part , and also the second part , containing poetry , are pervaded with , and breathe a genuine , pure Masonic spirit , forming a happy contrast with many

other writings of the modern continental school . Some of the poems are , indeed , defective inform , but this they have in common with most poetical works intended to serve some specific object ; the number of Masonic songs , poems , & c , possessed of any literary merit is infinitely small , both in English and German ; in France , the whole character of Freemasonry is too peculiar to

admit of the very existence of Masonic poetry . In giving the author duo credit both for the spirit and the stylo in which his ivork is written , we do not mean , of course , to endorse all opinions propounded by him . Still , it will be found that on the whole his views are mostly in accordance with those prevalent in English lodges , or differing from the latter only in points of

detail . The ideas en vogue among French Positivists and German Materialists will in vain be sought for in Bro . Zelle ' s opttsculum . Some of his papers are chiefly intended to be read at Masonic gatherings , a Vortrag or lecture being always an integral part of lodge labours in Germany . That this practice should be more extensively introduced also in English lodges is " a consummation

devoutly to be ivisheci . " And we may add , in conclusion , that ive think several of Bro . Zelle ' s papers , such as those headed , " Live in the present time , " " The Mason ' s life a life without death , " " The Value of Masonic signs , " and others , might very well be used for this purpose at ' our own meetings . His "Grains of Sand" may thus become seed corns of light and truth , even amongst tho English Masonic communiti * .

The Negro and Jamaica . By Commander BEDI-OED Pur , E . N . Eead before thc Anthropological Society of London , Feb . 1 , I 860 , at St . James ' s Hall . London : Triibiier and Co . 1866 . In this very elaborate paper , Captain Bedford Pirn , a first-class authority on the subject of colonisation , impugns the opinions of the negrophilists of Exeter Hall

, and the agitators of tho Jamaica Committee , ivith regavd to the causes and character of the negro riot of St . Thomas-in-the-East , in September last . The various steps taken by British and American philanthropists in favour of the black , ever since Wiberforce ' s time , are branded as highly injudicious , injurious to thc interests , nay , fatal to the very existence of the Avhite race in the

West Indies , but at the same time ruinous to the progress and development of the African tribe . Capt . Pirn ' s views are substantiated by a statement of facts , some of which may be questioned , while others admit of no doubt . Iiis picture of negro life in the interior of Africa must certainly be taken cum grano satis ; the system of anthropophagy described is too unnatural ,

and thc account of it too one-sided , the authority too spurious to warrant its accuracy . Capt . Canot is certainly "not much known in this country , " and the reports of British traders and missionaries are utterly at variance ivith his description . On the other hand , i t cannot be denied that the emancipation of the black would have ruined most European colonies of the West

Indies but for the importation of Coolies ; and the decline and decay of many of them since 1830 is certainly owing to the injudicious precipitation with ivhich tbe manumission was carried out . The condition of Hayti , in particular , furnishes the strongest evidence in support of the indictment preferred against the black raco ; both there and in Liberia the utter unfitness of the negro for civilised life has become manifest . Capt . Pirn ' s premises are perfectly sound , but exception must be taken to his conclusions . We may recognise the

inferiority of a certain branch of the human species without dooming it to perpetual bondage . If a proper system of education had preceded the liberation of the negro slaves in Jamaica , Barbadoes , and other West India colonies , these islands might hai * e been preserved in the flourishing condition which they enjoyed forty years ago ; but the fact that manumission was carried

through , while the emancipated were not qualified to use their libertj * , docs not in itself form an argument against the system . We greatly apprehend that the suddenness and precipitation with which several million slaves have of late been set free in tho southern portion of the United States will , by its result , furnish thc opponents of emancipation with a powerful weapon

wherewith to counteract the beneficent objects of philanthropists in Cuba and Brazil . The Bards and Authors of Cleveland and South Durham and the Yicinage . By GEORGE MAEKIIA : M : TWEDDELL , F . S . A ., Newc ., & c . London : John Eussell Smith , 36 , Soho-square . Manchester : Abel Heywood , Oldham-street . 1866 . Part VI .

Tins is a very interesting number of Bro . Tweddell s work . It contains , in addition to the conclusion of tho article on the Eev . Henry Foulis , which ivas noticed in a former review , a biography of Bro . William Martin , who seems to have possessed considerable poetic talent . The works of Bro . Eobert Burns first evoked this talent . " Thess inspired me , " he says , " with a love of

God's creation , and of all the beautiful in nature . Many a time have I felt half a poet , half in heaven , when reading the mind-gems of that immortal bard . " Bro . Martin died in the year 1863 , and was followed to the grave " by a great number of acquaintances for miles around , especially by his dear brothers of the mystic tie , he having been one of the founders and P . M . ' s

of the Cleveland Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons , and Provincial Grand Sword-bearer of the North and East Eidings . " Bro . Tweddell furnishes , some specimens of Bro . Martin's poetry which give one a good idea of his warmth of feeling and kindliness of heart . One of these , entitled" Be Kind to the Poor" is a very touching

, , piece of composition . His Ode "to Masonry" has already appeared in the pages of this MAGAZIXE . The feeling and ideas it displays are admirable . Truth , however , compels us to state that the rhyme is , in many portions , very

faultyfor instance , " sign" is made to rhyme with " time , " " time" with " divine , " & c . We cordially endorse every word in the following remarks with which Bro . Tweddell introduced Bro . Martin ' s lines— " The true Freemason who has carefully perused the numerous ( so-called ) Masonic songs , must have been painfully struck ivith the loiv conception of

the venerable Craft ivhich manj * of the rhyming members of thc wide-spread Fraternity have had . I have heard of one ' reed shaken by the wind , ' who , on the initiation of a man infinitely his superior in every way , on learning that he happened to be a teetotaller and a vegetarian , remarked , "Then he'll never make a Mason ! " his notion being that Freemasonry and revelry were identical ;

and some of the miserable scribblers of songs , miscalled Masonic , have evidently been no wiser . Save poor Burns' ever-famous ' FareAvell to the Brethren of tho St . James ' s Lodge , Tarbolton , ' written when he contemplated becoming an exile from the land of which he was one of the brightest ornaments it has ever produced , and with a feiv other glorious exceptionsthe things

, miscalled Masonic songs are mere bombast , doggerel , or drunken staves , scribbled by men ivho have been totally unable to comprehend the beautiful system of morality , ' veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols , ' ivhich they profanely profess to defend and illustrate . "