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other teachings of the " Academe' must give way and disappear . Masonic teaching is both religious and philosophic at the same time , but it docs not profess , it never did profess , —and if it did so , it has no claim to be heard by any of us , —to be a substitution for other forms of religion and philosophy , and to constitute in its Masonic profession of belief and morals

a system to be adopted , upheld , and clung to by Freemasons . To show clearly the absurdity of any such contention there are certain Masonic jurisdictions at this time which have no declaration of belief , and certainly no dogmata of morality at all . All they have is a sort of hazy " output" of words , without coherence , often without

meanin" -, which seem to oscillate between Positivism and the " Morale Independantc , " and confirmed and avowed Atheism . We should try and keep clear of exaggeration on these points as on all others , whether in Masonry or out of Masonry . The consequences to us all are too serious to be frittered away by the tendency of the day to the revival of obsolete

fallacies , and the inane claims of so-called philosophers , which have already faded always in the history of man and the world before the solemn touch of truth , reason , light , and religion . Freemasonry as we have it simply proclaims belief in the true and everliving GOD , Most High , our Creator , Maker , Benefactor , Ruler , and Judge , as an absolute necessity of

profession for all loyal and reverential Freemasons . It does not profess , neither could it , to arbitrate or adjudicate as regards differing creeds on the earth ' s surface . But it offers us , as framed on the best of all prayers , a centre point of union within the great circle of humanity , from which we may work together in acts of benevolence , beneficence , and charity . Of earthly

politics , qua politics , it knows absolutely nothing . Within its kindly schools of instruction and advice , its words are words of peace , its outcome philanthropy and brotherly love . The Shibboleths of party are unknown , the outcries of faction are unheard . Let us in our generation keep close to the one narrow pathway marked out for us by our wise

forefathers , and let us hand on to another generation those priceless characteristics of English Freemasonry , entire freedom from political discussions or characteristics , an entire negation of all those denominational differences , which divide men so greatly here , and too often put on one side sltotrether tho needful claims of goodwill , charity , and truth .

* * * BRO . T . W . TEW , P . G . D . and P . D . G . M . for West Yorkshire , is to be installed Prov . Grand Master of that distinguished province on the 24 th inst . by the Earl of LATIIOM , D . G . M . The installation will take place at the

Albert Hall , and there will be a procession to and service in the Parish Church . A large gathering of brethren is expected , and we doubt not that everything will go off with great eclat and effect . West Yorkshire always does well what it undertakes .

¦ * # * WE understand that our well known and active Bro . FRANK RICHARDSON , P , G . D „ has been recently elected by a decisive majority Clerk to the Free Vintners Company of the citj' of London . * # *

T HE presentation of more than one loyal and Masonic address will be made to H . R . H . the GRAND MASTER in Dublin , from the Grand Lodge and from the Irish brethren . During the recent crisis they have set a striking example of law-abiding princip les to all classes . * # *

WE have to record the death of Bro . Colonel LOWRY-COLE , and late P . G . W ., an old Crimean officer , as well as of Bro . THOMAS HOWKINS , a well-known Warwickshire brother . Bro . HOWKINS , as conducting the

Charity Elections , had made many friends and never an enemy . He served Warwickshire with a zeal and energy both marked and commendable , and leaves many friends to lament the loss of a warm-hearted brother and a sincere friend .

The Schools Elections.

THE SCHOOLS ELECTIONS .

The elections which will be held to-day ( Saturday ) and Monday next will take p lace under conditions somewhat more favourable than usual to the candidates , there being in the case of the Girls' School 22 vacancies to be filled from an approved list of 30 candidates , and in that of the Boys' School 25 to be filled from an approved list of 44 . In October last there were at the Girls' election 14 vacancies and 30 candidates , and at that of the Boys '

Institution , 30 vacancies and 56 candidates , so that , in the former case , there is a great improvement in the direction indicated , ' while in the latter , there is no very appreciable difference in the relative numbers . One feature is apparently noticeable in the case of both elections , namely , that the number of fresh applicants , whose names have been added to the list during the past six months , is in each case small , there being only 16 girls and 21 boys

competing now for the first time . It is just as well there should be somewhat of a respite at times from the heavy demands to which the resources of our Schools arc generally subjected . Of the 30 Girl candidates , exactly one half hail from London , while the other half arc distributed among the provinces , two being from Kent and one from each of the following thirteen , namely : Middlesex , Northumberland , Durham , Somersetshire , Lincolnshire , Cheshire , Suffolk , Essex , Devon

Yorkshire ( West Div . ) , Norfolk , Derbyshire , and N . and E . Yorkshire . Sixteen of the Girls are new candidates , and of the other fourteen , one has already taken part in four elections , two in three , two in two elections , and the remaining nine in that of October last . Four of the Girls , namely , Nos . 1 , 9 , 13 , and 22 , if not successful on Saturday , will have their names removed from the list in accordance with the law which fixes the maximum limit of age for admission into the School at eleven . We have already offered some remarks as to the positions occupied by the fathers of the

The Schools Elections.

different children , so that we need say nothing here on that head , but it is perhaps noteworthy that only in six instances did they render any assistance to the Masonic Charities . We remark , also , that in the case of more than one Girl the father died within a short period after his initiation ; otherwise of course , she would not have been entitled to figure in the list .

As regards the Boys election , on Monday next , we find that 16 out of the 44 candidates belong to London , the other 28 being distributed amongthe following provinces and districts , namely : two each from Herts , Kent Hants and Isle of Wight , South Wales ( East Div . ) , and Warwickshire ' and one each from Somersetshire , Lincolnshire , Norfolk , Surrey , Dorset ' Durham , Northumberland , Devon , East Lancashire , Notts , Cornwall , N '

Wales and Salop , Wilts , Derbyshire , Staffordshire , West Lancashire Malta , and Bombay . Three out of the 23 old cases have stood four prel vious elections , two three elections , six two elections , and the remaining twelve one election . The new cases , as already noticed , are 21 in number . Three candidates , Nos . I , 15 , and 32 , will have their names removed from

the list in the event of their failing to secure election , while as many as eig ht of the children have each a sister in the Girls' School . In eleven out of the 44 cases the fathers had done service in behalf of our Institutions , " either as contributor or Steward , and" several had < obtained provincial honours .

The Poetry Of Freemasonry.

THE POETRY OF FREEMASONRY .

BRO . T . B . WHYTEHEAD . - It cannot be denied that amongst tho numbers enrolled from time to time ' beneath its banners Freemasonry can claim poets , poetasters , rhymsters , and , rigmarolists j neither can it be concealed that amongst the recorded efforts of Masonic genius are some of the worst specimens of versification that have ever fallen to the lot of the unfortunate compositor to set in type . I

apprehend that no small drawback to' the' estimate in which we are held as a society of intelligent men may be found in the fearfully and wonder , fully made odes and ballads that supplement most of our earlier works on Freemasonry . In the earlier days , indeed , few Masonic " poets" ever attempted anything original , but contented themselves with parodying or paraphrasing some national ballad , or adapting , to a popular

tune words entirely unsuited to the music . The agonies of the composers during the awful process of compilation could only have been rivalled by those of their hearers for a century of generations ; for sense , rhyme , rhythm , and musical melody were alike outraged . Why is this thus ? will perhaps ask the present day Mason , who at most of his entertainments is accustomed to be regaled by a selection of " profane , " but

excellent , music , and who is perhaps happily ignorant of the reams of doggrel rubbish that lie entombed amongst the pages of those musty volumes in whole calf , " a little wormed and foxed , " with which we , of the interior brotherhood of Masonic archaeologists , are so familiar . And it is a little singular that a Society that has numbered so many-men of eminence in its ranks , and has claimed many poets as its members , should have so little to show for the talents that have been subjected to its influence . One might

have imagined that the surrounding circumstances of Freemasonry and its history might well have drawn forth many of the best efforts of its sons , but with the exception of Cunningham and Burns I am not aware that any poets of note of bye-gone days have written anything really worth preservation . John Cunningham , who was , I believe , a Yorkshireman , wrote " An Eulogium on Masonry , spoke by Mr . Diggs , at F . dinburgh , " but which is by no means the best of his efforts ; whilst poorBurns ' s well-known

" Adieu , a heart-warm , fond adieu ! Dear Brothers of the mystic tie , " has been the gem of Masonic verse for many a long year . In some of the old volumes of the " Freemasons' Quarterly Review " will be found a few passable sonnets and songs , and some of the best are from the pens of Scotch Masons . Perhaps the fact of the Grand Lodge of Scotland granting a collar to a " Grand Bard " may have had something to do with the encouragement of Masonic versifying north of the Tweed .

But it has been reserved for our cousins and brothers at the western side of the wild and wide Atlantic to produce the POET LAUREATE OF FREEMASONRY , a title right honestly and fairly won by the brother who holds it , whose poetry , both in extent and quality , far surpasses that of any other Masonic writer of whom we have any knowledge . There is , 1 suspect , no brother in the wide realm of English-speaking lodges , who has done any work for the Craft , who is not familiar with Bro . Dr . Rob Morris's / chef d'reuvre "—

We meet upon the Level , and we part upon the Square ; but I fear that comparativel y few in this country are aware of the mass of Masonic poetry , and that of the highest character , that has come from the pen of that talented brother . For a long term of years Bro . Morris has worked hard and faithfully for the Craft in America , and on the 17 th of December last he experienced the honour of being publicly crowned with a ot

wreath of laurel in the Masonic Temple in New York , in the presence several hundreds of Masons and their friends , as the Poet Laureate of Freemasonry . The ceremony was of a most [ . interesting character , and i ' no less interesting and satisfactory sequel has been the appear * ance of a handsome quarto volume containing a complete collection of Bro . Morris's Masonic poems . When I say that this volume

extends to nearly 400 pages it will afford some notion of the large number of poems included in the collection . All are good , but amongst them are some most exquisite and touching specimens of the poet ' s genius . Bro . Morris is a man of great erudition , a Masonic archrcologist of the high ^ reputation , and a Mason whose soul has been touched by a deep sense of t » c intrinsic value of Freemasonry and the relation in which Craftsinc "

every stands towards the Grand Architect of the Universe , and he has continually poured out the wealth of his mind in a series of Masonic verses , which are now collected in this beautiful volume . On learning of its issue I at once sent for a copy , which has just arrived , and I lose no time in commending ' to every reading Mason as I believe that only a limited } number have been h

printed . I have no hesitation in saying that no Masonic Library can considered complete without a copy , whilst the volume has been comp and produced with such care and elegance that it forms a very hands 0 " table book . Perhaps I may be allowed to add that copies can be obtain direct from Dr . Rob . Morris , Astor House , New York , or Bro . W-J ' Hughan , Grosvenor House , Torquay , and that the price is one guinea .