Lost Votes.

to be personally acquainted with any of the candidates for our Schools or Asylum . Wonderful , indeed ! but really I do not see why I am to be bully-ragged on this account . If my Masonic friends do not choose to fall into calamity and misfortune , can I help it ? And yet , because I have mentioned this simple fact I am accused of wishing the Masonic world to know

that I am placed " above the rank of ordinary mortals , . and blessed by Providence largely with this world ' s ¦ goods ! " Was there ever such balderdash ? Writing anonymously as I do , who can be the wiser , and wfiat can it matter to me or to any person unknown what the world thinksor Bro . Biggs thinkswhether that

, , I am hi gh or low ,- rich or poor . Suffice it to say that I am not a heartless , unfeeling savage ! As I give no name I can afford to puff myself up , and no one will be wiser . Let me then tell Bro . Biggs that I am a Governor , and have served the office of Steward to all our Charities . I am also connected as governor

or subscriber Avith several of the great non-Masonic charities of London . I am also an almoner of the Society for the Relief of Distress in the Metropolis , the duties of which lead me into the worst of its back

slums , and courts , and alleys , in the alleviation of poverty and sickness , in a manner and Christian extent that I suspect Bro . Biggs can scarcely imagine ; far less have ever contended with or relieved in his more fortunate town of Reading . I do not attach my name to praises of myself , but were I to do so in

the present case , I have the comfort of knowing that Bro . Bi ggs ' s vituperations would be only tbe more effectually condemned and laughed at . Bro . Biggs says lie will not call me brother . Very sad and distressing to my feelings , of course , but I find some consolation in the remembrance that some feAV years

since I had the great happiness of being so called by him in a lodge in Wiltshire . I can go to my grave in peace and content . The great Biggs has actually called me brother . Yours fraternally , FOETX-ONS TEAES A HASOB . Oct . 15 th , 1866 . .

Gems From Bro. Lawrence Sterne.

GEMS FROM BRO . LAWRENCE STERNE .

10 THE EDITOE OP THE IKEEIIASO ^ S' MAGAZINE Al'D 3 IASOSI 0 MllliOIt . DEAE SIE AND BEOTHEE , —I thank your correspondent for setting me right as to tbe Rev . Lawrence Sterne . _ I was always under the impression that this distinguished man-was a member of our Order , and frequentl y heard him spoken of as such by wellinformed brethren . Howeveras it that this

, appears was a mistake , I shall , in future , substitute the word "Rev . " for "Bro . " Tours fraternally , THE WEITEE OP THE ARTICLE . October 16 th , 1866 .

BEO . E . FHETCHEK ' DiEsiSKUfa AND STAMEISTG WORKS These works are situated in Winsley-street , Oxford-street , opposite the Pantheon , and were established for the purpose of supplying the trade with every article of the very best work- ' manship in diesinking , stamping , the engraving of seals , leverpresses of first-class only , & c , as also to execute the best class lithographic and copperplate printing . Our attention was directed to the extensive and costly stock of dies , which number upwards of 5 , 000 , the net cost of the production of which , we were informed , exceeded £ 1 , 500 . This accumulation of stock

has been the result of many years of labour and toil . They consist of some of the" most artistic monograms , with reversed cyphers , or entwined cyphers , as also 'those which aro not reversed . They differ entirely from the old-fashioned style , with moveable ovals round each letter . All the designs may be said to be new and original specimens , and price lists of which Bro . Fletcher sends to the trade free , on application . Every description of work is executed in best style , on envelopes and

note-paper ( Whatman ' s and Joynson ' s papers ) with great despatch , orders being executed at a few hours' notice . Masonic emblems engraved on seals , rings , and stamped on note xiaper and envelopes , without charging for the die .

Mr . CTEAVES , of 164 , Upper-street , Islington , is exhibiting specimens of his transpirable waterproof cloth , at the Agricultural Hall . We havo had the satisfaction of witnessing the entire process by which this waterproofing is accomplished . The piece of cloth to be operated upon is affixed to three revolving rollers , and then is passed through a liquid which is not , as might bo imagined , at all of a glutinous nature , but seems to . Act upon the material , conferring upon , it the properties of a

repellant . After forty-eight hours saturation , being tightly wound round one of the revolving cylinders , the water-resisting process is then completed , when the cloth is gradually dried , and when quite dry it is ready for use . Several examples were shown to us ; the first was a fragment of prepared cloth , properly secured to a small hoop , upon which two gallons of water was poured ; yet , with that weight of water , the fluid did not percolate through the cloth . The next experiment was upon a

piece of common thin muslin one yard long , one half of which had been subjected to the waterproof process , and the other half not : this muslin was then nailed to a frame , and water poured down , first upon the prepared part , which perfectly resisted its action ; but the moment it passed over the line , on to the other part , it at once passed through the fabric to the floor . It is quite true to say that water poured upon this cloth , bears some analogy to the old saying , iu regard to that element

cast upon a duck ' s hack . It is also clearly proven by the experience of the many who use these cloths that they do not prevent free exhalations from the body . We need scarcely add , in a climate like ours , that this is a most valuable , scientific discovery ; aud we have the more confidence , knowing that this prepared cloth is strongly recommended by several of the leading members of the faculty ; and we may add , that the expense of these garments is not augmented by the improvement .

A NEW WONDEE . —Although we have frequently explained the sewing machine , and discussed the merits of the various kinds , yet we are compelled to re-open the subject in consequence of a new and novel featnre having arisen in connection with it . When it was proposed to introduce the sewing machine into general use , there were many who violently opposed it , and the utmost ingenuity was exercised to produce arguments against it , but without avail ; the insinuating power of the machine ,

by its practical success , quietly refuted the objections one by one ; until , finally , it was suggested that the difficulty of learning its use must prevent its being generally adopted . This , at one time , appeared a fact , and , until very recently , held good , but in a lesser degree ; now , however , this objection has been removed , and to the Wheeler and AVilson Company must be conceded the credit of producing a lock-stitch machine of such , great simplicity that it call be operated throughout ( excepting

threading the needle ) by one totally blind , this marvellous fact is being practically illustrated in the hall . This enterprising company have a female at their stand , who , although deprived of sight , easily manipulates the machine , and executes various kinds of sewing with wonderful speed and neatness ; even snch as has been considered the most difficult with those who have the use of their eyes . By her touch she can ascertain both the length of stitch and the necessary tension . She can , without

assistance , fill the under bobbin , put it into the machine , arrange her guages to any desired width , and begin the work ; she evinces a thorough confidence in her own powers and in the machine , although she has had comparatively but little practice . In our last we spoke in favourable terms of the Wheeler sxid / AVilson machine , and this new evidence of its simplicity nja ;' , practical usefulness more than confirms our good opinion -.-iAd . we should advise those who contemplate purchasing avowing machine to examine it before deciding . The officns-. 'Shd showrooms of the company are at 139 , Kegent-stre / ff and 43 , St * Paul ' s Church-yarcl . —Illustrated Exhibitor . .- ' ^' : ' : '