at, that the transactions of December 6, 1848, were actually published on the 4th March, 1849, by the most worshipful editor, risum teneatis ! But seriously speaking, is it honourable, creditable, manly, to say nothing as to its being masonic, that in the case of a brother, who for three quarterly meetings of the Grand Lodge has been needlessly foisted on public attention, the bane has been published, the antidote suppressed. Shame-we have no other term to express our regret. A correspondent writes thus-" I find the report of the Quarterly Communication of December was published three days before the March meeting, and I have had a look at it, but it is neither full, fair, nor impartial, neither is it in reality a report at all, beyond its being a sort of check or voucher of the correctness of your report-what then is the use of it?" Proceedings of Provincial Grand Lodges. Montreal, Canada.-This youthful scion of masonic record takes a foremost rank; it is an evidence of great zeal and industry; the report is clear and straightforward. West Yorkshire.-The by-laws of the Provincial Grand Lodge are before us. The master-mind of the Deputy Grand Master is perceptible throughout; they are signed by the P. G. M., and approved by the Grand Master. Warwickshire. This province has also promulgated its code of bylaws; among much that is excellent, we cannot refrain from extracting the following:- "This Provincial Grand Lodge shall annually contribute, and the Treasurer shall pay to the masonic charities, from the lodge funds, as follows, namely, to the Girls' School, Boys' School, Asylum for Aged and Decayed Freemasons, Benevolent Annuity Fund, and to the Benevolent Association for Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Leicestershire, and Worcestershire, two guineas each: and the privileges appertaining to these contributions shall be exercised by the R. W. Prov. Grand Master." How prayerfully do we say to all, "go thou and do likewise." There are eight hundred and forty lodges, and three hundred arch chapters, under the constitution of England, say that each gave only one guinea to the four charities, the amount would for each be 1140 guineas, making a total of 4560 guineas! Would this be felt?-try it, and if even it be felt, contrast the burden with the blessing it carries! The Bible our greatest Treasure. A Sermon by the Rev. John Travers Robinson, M. A. R. Spencer. The title is too truthful to admit of hesitation, and the text from whence the argument is drawn-"The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver"-is a moral direction to "search the Scriptures." The reverend author, we are delighted to hope, has in a great measure departed from a course of preaching somewhat startling to those whose fears more than their judgment might be influenced by a stern construction of the laws of a merciful God. In the present discourse he argues with temperance, and developes his points with a conscientious regard to the spiritual objects of the christian doctrine. Digest of Evidence on Agricultural Customs in respect to Tenantright. By William Shaw and Henry Corbet. Ridgway. This volume of evidence before the Committee of the House of Commons appointed to enquire into the Agricultural Customs of England and Wales in respect to Tenant-right, appears most opportunely. It is compiled and arranged by two gentlemen of the highest reputation for agricultural knowledge. The classification of each subject is distinct and clear, and the prefatory observations to all are marked by the soundest discretion. There is an avoidance of any tendency to press the tenant's right against the landlord's interest, while the obvious spirit of cultivating mutual prosperity is most truthfully pourtrayed. The farmer of the present age is a man of practical and scientific views; for agriculture is a science, and has advanced slowly, it may be, but surely; and chemistry has shed its influence over the land, and given such hostages of fertility, that to disregard its wondrous power is almost to doubt the effects of a natural agency. But can the farmer, in his position, can he prosecute his labours with advantage, when his energies are paralized by a want of confidence? Again, as to the landowner, it would seem that if the custom that has for upwards of twenty years existed in Lincolnshire, of adopting the tenant-right in the agreements, were followed by all landowners, the problem would be solved, and the advantage would be general, for that county is highly cultivated, and the tenants prosperous and contented; the evidence on these points is conclusive. There may arise some misapprehension as to the tenantright of England and that of Ireland; but such misapprehension is dispelled by the fact, that the English farmer by tenant-right would have no permanent interest in the land; he would merely look to the fair value of what he may have actually expended on the land. Tenantright, then, would save him from ruin in the event of sudden termination of tenancy. Tenant-right to the English farmer has reference simply to acts of husbandry, and to none other. What say the committee themselves *-"That the improvements above-mentioned, which are very generally required throughout the country, in order to develop the full powers of the soil, are greatly promoted by this system of compensation, and therefore it is highly important that all difficulties should be removed which stand in the way of its extension, by the voluntary act of landlord and tenants." As the law of entail interfered with the expansive view of the committee, they made very important suggestions on this subject,† and even went so far as to recommend that an act of parliament should pass, to give such powers in all cases where the vested interest was limited in extent. To the agriculturist this digest is a boon of no common value, he will read the evidence of practical men from the breadth and length of the land, and given before a committee of the House of Commons, selected for their practical knowledge of the duties of the trust; and in the digest itself the agriculturist will perceive the careful attention bestowed upon this engrosing subject by gentlemen of high standing, the one well known as the editor of the "Mark Lane Express," and the "Farmer's Magazine," the other as the secretary of the London Farmers' Club, and author of the "Prize Essay on Tenant-right." Their names are a guarantee for the integrity of the evidence as taken, and their estimation among their "fellows" is no less so for their sound moral views in promulgating their own observations. The Diamond Rock, and other Poems. By Henry H. Breen. Pickering. The inhabitants of St. Lucia, the scenery, and local interest of which island are pourtrayed with fervid emotion, must feel a grateful pleasure in perusing this little volume, the author of which creates images of excelling fancy, and "Turns them into shapes, and gives to airy nothing A local habitation and a name." There are many touching descriptions, delivered in poesy, and which lead us to imagine that Mr. Breen has embued them with circumstances and feelings from his own experience. The concluding stanza to the "Island Home," is sweetly pathetic-may the hour be far distant when there may be heard Anthems of gloom, O'er the grave of thy bard, Bring, oh bring the feeling Soul. A Song by T. C. W. The music by Osmond G. Phipps. D'Almaine and Co. The Prov. Grand Organist for Kent has embodied some sweet words with the soul-breathing strains of his minstrelsy. Although the occasion for which the song was written and the music composed, was not otherwise masonic than as connected with a charitable object (the Margate and Ramsgate Philanthropic Institution), we gladly take the opportunity of recording our unqualified praise both of the poetry and the musical composition. TO CORRESPONDENTS. The Public, and especially our Advertizing Friends, are cautioned against the man named GREEN. We are requested to state that Dr. Crucefix has altogether retired from London. His address is Grove, Gravesend, Kent; where all communications should be addressed that are intended for his personal observation-indeed, letters for the Editor, under cover to him, will more immediately reach their destination. It is most earnestly entreated that, wherever possible, all communications may be written only on one side of the paper; also that all German and other foreign words may be most legibly written. We are requested by Dr. Crucefix, who is preparing for the Press an account of Popular Events in English Freemasonry, to be favoured by any Masonic Papers; more especially as relating to York and Athol Masonry-the trials of Preston, Whitney, Bonner, and others. His own escapade is complete. Furthermore- Dr. Crucefix desires us respectfully to intimate, that as in a great many instances he has not kept copies of his own correspondence with numerous esteemed brethren, he will consider it a lasting obligation if brethren, possessing any letters written by him on important subjects, will grant him the loan of such letters, which will serve to refresh his memory; such letters of course will be returned, if requested. VOL. VII. R THE Address of Major-General Cooke, LL. D., is " Mansion House, Albany, New York, U. S. A." R. M.-Thanks for the paper. E. G. W.-Prosper the work of charity! A WIDOW should apply to the S. G. W. of all England, who if he may not sympathise, may possibly be inclined to look sharp after her case. R. G.-Thanks for a very complimentary allusion. J. R. S.-Remember! A PROV. GRAND OFFICER (Ireland) should give name and address. B.-The Communication is creditable to the heart and head-why then does the writer shrink from giving name and address? If he lacks confidence, why should we incur responsibility? BRO. GIBBS AND OTHERS.-May abundant success attend your efforts. BRO. JOHN CLARKE.-We await the promised history with anxious interest, and purposely refrain from any partial reference to a circumstance of such masonic importance. A MEMBER OF GRAND LODGE enquires why a motion for the return of money to General Cooke (such being new matter) should take precedence of the reading of the Reports of Benevolence, and to the total neglect of all general business. BROTHER CAXTON'S GHOST.-Printing is costly, or we would recommend that a pamphlet be circulated containing the entire proceedings of the schism among the Anglo-Indian brethren in Bengal. JEWISH CHRONICLE.-We are charged with no less than five piracies in our last; to deny this might expose us to an easy defeat. Suffice it to say, that we never intentionally commit injustice. Truth to say that, for several weeks, we did not receive our usual copy of the "Jewish Chronicle," during which time some kind friends sent us some extracts, which turned out to be" cuttings therefrom." BRO. WATSON will perceive that we have availed ourselves of his excellent paper. EX QUOVIS LIGNO NON FIT MERCURIUS.-The sweet words that fell from honied lips were "beastly-filthy." Ohe jam satis! The dog and the vomit. A NEWPORT BROTHER.-We hope to have satisfied our correspondent. A. R. M.-The report of the masonic ball at Manchester reached us too late. A COSMOPOLITE MASON is right; a man may be over-zealous, and thereby injure his cause, but he should not injure other charities by improper allusions; such conduct is offensive-and we caution many-but one in particular, an active and intelligent brother-to discontinue a practice that is highly exceptionable. The Asylum does not altogether want friends that have been and continue to be among the foremost to support all the other charities,-which may sustain more loss than they will reap profit from indiscreet remarks. A PROV. G. D.-We are not disposed to give needless publicity to unkindness. We are a commercial nation, and if a tradesman's daughter be present at a masonic ball, it is ungentlemanly as well as unmasonic for any aristocratic fool to disrespect a gentle descendant of Eve. BRO. MERCHANT AND SEVERAL OTHERS.-We will do our best. BRO. J. SMITH observes-"What is the use of the Grand Editor's Circular?" Answer"In pertussum ingerimus dicta dolium"-Havers! DISCIPLINE AND PRACTICE. G. R. will perceive that we have availed ourselves of his letter. R. H. W. on Masonic Heraldry. There can be no reasonable objection to the adoption by a lodge of proper armorial bearings; in fact the constitutions direct the use of a seal, subject to the approval of the Grand Master. The drawing sent is elegant and correct—but why does not our correspondent give name and address? ROYAL ARCH. E. S.-The ceremony of consecration is necessary for the opening of a chapter-unless in districts where consecration is not possible. SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL. V.-The emblems of the 33rd Degree can only be borne by S. G. I. G. THE ASYLUM. The Sod is turned-the Stone will be laid on the 24th of May. The aid of Lodge-votes and Private Subscriptions are most earnestly entreated. |