South Metropolitan Masonic Hall.

" Although , as has already been stated , the primary object of tho Company is to promote the good of Freemasonry , tho Directors are of opinion that , in a commercial point of view also , tho shareholders will derive considerable benefit . They , therefore , with every confidence , solicit the support of their brethren . " The present "Directors are the following well-known brethren connected with lodges on the Surrey side of the Thamesviz . -.

, Bros . John Thomas , P . M . 507 , 857 , and 720 , P . Z . 507 , J . 720 , P . M . Mk . M . 11 , Camberwell ; Rev . AV . B . Church , M . A ., Clapham ; Joseph Green , Clapham ; N . AA . Hodges , AA . M . 720 , P . M . 525 and 730 , P . Prov . G . Sec . AVoi-cestersliire , Cambridgestreet , Belgravia ; H . C . Levander , M . A ., P . M . 76 and 507 , P . Prov . G . S . D ., Wilts , Wandsworth-road ; J . S . Oswin , S . W . 720 , AA alton Lodge , Brixton ; A . Perrot , S . A ., J . D . -607 ,

Clapham ; A . Simmons , Brixton-hill ; II . Smith , Brixton-hill ; and J . Stevens , P . AI . ancl Sec . 720 , Z . 720 , Clapham . Bro . E . AA orthington , S . AV . 507 , has up to the present time officiated as Honorary Secretary , and to his exertions much praise is due . At the appointed hour the chair was taken by Bro . Capt . AValter Mellor , M . P ., who was supported by Bros . E . D . Rogers ,

P . M ., J . Thomas , P . M ., J . Mnnn , P . M ., J . Stevens , P . M ., and numerous other P . M . ' s and influential brethren . The Chairman opened the proceedings of the evening by a statement of the objects sought to be obtained by the establishment of a building especiall y devoted to the purposes of the Craft more particularly to the lodges iu the southern parts of the Metropolis , ancl disconnected from taverns . Bro . Stevens , P . M ., proposed the first resolution , pledging the meeting to a cordial support of the proposed hall , and , in a speech of some length , set forth the many reasons which

rendered the erection of such a building as that contemplated not only desirable , but of almost absolute necessity to the well-being of the Craft . The resolution was seconded by Bro . 10 . D . Rogers , who eloquently enforced the views expressed by the Chairman and the preceding speaker . The resolution was carried unanimously . At the request of the Chairman , Bro . Thomas , P . M ., entered

into a full explanation of the proceedings of the promoters , in their endeavours to form the Company , which efforts had resulted in its complete registration and the disposal of a considerable number of shares . Bro . Levander , P . M ., moved a resolution requesting the Directors to ascertain the most eligible site that could be obtained , and report the result of their inquiries to a future meeting , which resolution , being seconded by Bro . Pervot , was

also carried unanimously . Bro . Harvey proposed , and Bro . Green seconded , the adjournment of the meeting until the 27 th November next , which was carried . A cordial vote of thanks was passed to Bro . Capt . Mellor for his services in the chair . A letter was received from Bro . Hodges , AA . M . of the Panmure Lodge , apologising for non-attendance , and assuring the meeting of the support of himself and his Lodge , as also several other letters to a like effect .

Talent And Tact.

TALENT AND TACT .

Talent is something , but tact is everything . Talent is serious , sober , grave , and respectable ; tact is all that , and more too . It is not a sixth sense , but is tho life of all the five . It is the open eye , the quick car , the judging taste , the keen smell , and the lively touch : it is the interpreter of all riddles—the -armountcr of all difficulties—the remover of all obstacles . It Hisefnl iu all places , and at ? . U times -. it is useful in solitude , - ( lit shows a man his way into the world ; it is useful in societ

y , for it shows him his way through the world . Talent is power , tact is skill ; talent is weight , tact is momentum ; talent knows what to do , tact knows how to do it ; talent makes a man respectable , tact makes him respected ; talent is wealth , tact is read y money . For all the practical purposes of life , tact carries it against talent—ten to one . Take them to the theatre , and pit them against each other on the stage , ancl talent shall produce you a tragedy that will scarcely live long enough to be condemned , while tact keeps the house in a roar night after night with its successfu farces . There is no want of dramatic

Talent And Tact.

talent , there is no want of dramatic tact , but they aro seldom together ; so we have successful pieces which are not respectable , and respectable pieces which are not successful . —Take them to the bar , and let thorn shake their learned curls at each other in legal rivalry : talent sees its way clearly , but tact is first at its journey ' s end . Talent has many a complaint from the bench , but tact touches fees from attorneys and ' clients . Talent speaks learnedly and logically , tact triumphantly . Talent makes the

world wonder that it gets on no faster ; tact excites astonishment that it gets on so fast ; and the secret is , that it has no weight to carry , it makes no false steps , hits the right nail on the head , it loses no time , takes all hints , and , by keeping its eye on tho weather-cock , is ready to take advantage of every wind that blows . Tako them into the church . Talent has always something worth hearing , tact is sure of abundance of hearers . Talent may obtain a living

, tact will make one . Talent gets a good name , tact a great one . Talent convinces , tact converts . Talent is an honour to the profession , tact gains honour from the profession . —Take them to court . Talent feels its weight , tact finds its way . Talent commands , tact is obeyed . Talent is honoured with approbation , tact is blessed with preferment . — Place them in the senate . Talent lias the ear of the Housebut

, tact wins its heart ancl has its votes . Talent is fit for employment , but tact is fitted for it . It has a knack of slipping into places with a sweet silence and glibness of movement , as a billiard-ball insinuates itself into the pocket . It seems to know everything , without learning anything . It has served an

invisible , and extemporary apprenticeship . It wants no drilling : it never ranks in the awkward squad . It has no left hand , no deaf ear , no blind side . It puts on no looks of wondrous wisdom , it has no air of profundity ; but plays with tho details of place so dexterously as a well-taught hand flourishes over the keys of the pianoforte . It has all the air of common place , and all the force and power of genius . It can change sides with a hey presto movementand be at all points of the compasswhile

, , talent is ponderously and learnedly shifting a single point . Talent calculates clearly , reasons logically , makes out a case as clear as daylight , and utters its oracles with all the weight of justice and reason . Tact refutes without contradicting , puzzles the profound without profundity , and without wit outwits the wise . Set them together on a race for popularity , pen in hand , ancl tact will distance talent by half the course . Talent brings

to market that which is wanted , tact produces that -which is wished for . Talent instructs , tact enlightens . Talent leads where no one follows , taet follows where the humour leads . Talent is pleased that it ought to have succeeded ; tact is delighted that it has succeeded . Talent toils for a posterity which will never repay it : tact throws away no pains , but catches the passion of the passing hour . Talent builds for eternity ; taet on a short leaseancl gets good interest . Talent is

, certainly a very fine thing to talk about , a very good thing to be proud of , a very glorious eminence to look down from ; but tact is useful , portable , applicable , alwaj-s alive , always alert , always marketable ; it is the talent of talents , the availabieness of resources , the applicability of power , the eye of discrimination , the right hand of intellect . —Scarqill .

Poetry.

Poetry .

P R A C T I C A L M A S 0 N R Y . A ClIAUITY SERMON . [ July 4 th , 1866 , one of Newborn ' s ( North Carolina ) sons , loaded himself with tin dippers and chains , ancl with a hammer fixed a drinking cup to the public pumps . How many ways of doing good ! The excellent and able journal , the Times , of North Carolina , quotes the following lines of McKay , in this

connection . ] A little stream had lost its way Amid the grass and lorn , A weary traveller digged a well AVhcre weary men might turn . Ho walled it in , and hung with care A ladle at its brink ; He thought not of the deed he did , But judged that toil might drink .