Masonic Portraits. (No. 44.)

of his wares , as does the butcher of his meat—b y weight . To have read a ton , or a ton and a half , of light literature in tho course of a year wonld be a great achievement , especially as at tho end of the term , tho mind of the reader wonld be a complete blank , and all the better preoared ,

therefore , to repeat tho effort . Wo cannot wholly acquit the present generation of writers of all blame in this matter ; but wn believe that only a very little encouragement is needed in order to guide the popular taste towards a higher class of literature . Where , for instance , shall wo find

n finer collection of essays on well nigh every imaginable subject than iu tho Spectator , The Rambler , The Idler , aud those other works written about the same time , Avhich , even in these days , are honourably distinguished by the title of the " British Classics . " They are models of

elegant prose writing . They describe and illustrate the virtues and vices of mankind . Tho pictures they present of the men and manners of thoso days ai-o admirably drawn , for the artists recognised tho truth enunciated bj Pope : — " Tho proper study of mankind is man . "

Hence the many portraits we find scattered about in the pages of these works , will be found to be typical of different classes , and there is no one who has a tolerable range of acquaintance but will be able to trace many and strong points of resemblance between these types of character

and people he is acquainted with . Let us take , for instance , the case of thafc fine old English knight who figures so prominently in the pages of the Spectator . He is introduced to us in one of the very earliest numbers , and is described as being cheerful , gay and hearty , and a " great lover of mankind . " In later numbers , this outline is filled in wifch

numerous details , and wo read of the love he bears towards his neighbours , the respect in which ho is held b y his dependents , and the many acts of kindness which ho renders towards this and that person . There is no end . to the praise that is bestowed on this estimable English

gentleman , nor can there be the slightest doubt the picture was taken from the life . Afc all events , in noting the different kinds of people that live and move around us , we constantly meet with those who bear a close resemblance to that worthy knighfc . In onr own

Society there are many such , and one in particular who , by l-eason of his genial and jovial nature , by the splendour of his hospitality , and the kindness he exhibits towards all he meets , may certainly bo said to possess all those attributes which are ascribed to Sir Roger . Whom we

have in our mind ' s eye at the moment has no handle to his name , but he represents in its best form that power which wealth and personal excellence combined are sure to exercise . We do not say his will to benefit people is greater or more conspicuous than that of other

members of the same body , but fortunately he possesses in abundance the means to give effect to that will . He has followed through life one of those businesses , which , once it has been firmly established , goes on multiplying itself infinitely . Tho duties and .

responsibilities of a . carrying agent who intervenes between the public and the great railway and steamboat companies are of a very exacting nature ; and to govern and control one of these large establishments requires a man of more than ordinary ability . He must ; be punctual himself

and the cause ot punctuality in others . He must bo firm in the exercise of his controlling powers , or the whole machinery will be out of gear . He must possess unusual energy , in short , he must exhibit business powers of the very highest order , or failure is the only result thafc may be

looked for . Well , the brother whom AVO are now attempting to sketch has for years presided over one of these agencies with unprecedented success . He is the head of the firm , and is known all through the Midlands and in the northern counties , as well as his London compeers are in the

metropolitan . He is , moreover , respected by those who labour in his service , for in his relations Avith his subordinates he has invariably so governed himself thafc as between them and him the description of Sir Roger ' s relations with the subordinate members of his household

is strictly borne out . " A man Avho deserves a respect , founded on his benevolence to his dependents , Jives rather like a prince than a master iu his family ; his orders are received as favours rather than duties ; and the distinc tion of approaching him is part of the reAvard for executing what is commanded by him . " But our readers will know him best in his Masonic capacity . Ifc is evident that such a one as we have spoken

Masonic Portraits. (No. 44.)

of , in the event of his seeking initiation into our mysteries would certainly apply himself with equal energy and determination to his Masonic as to his business duties . A man who is earnestly bent on doing what is likely to be required of him , dots nofc limit his attention to this or that

undertaking . Whatsoever ho means to carry out , to that ho devotes himself heart and soul . He spares himself no labour to accomplish his task . Ho means work and will never permit himself to rest ; satisfied till he has achieved more than ordinary distinction . Thus Ave find our esteemed brother

has been diligent in all thafc relates to Masonry ; moreover , a man of his calibre would be at home in presiding over any Masouic body to Avhich ho might belong . In any assembl y he Avould fill the chair magnificently , and he has done so , in the Chapter as well as in the Lodge , in a manner of

which his brethren have every reason to be proud . But he has attained to Provincial honours as Avell , and ho ranks at the present time as Past Grand Senior Warden of Lincolnshire . In Mark Masonry ho stands pre-eminent among his brethren—it is astonishing how all tho

good fellows obtain distinction m this degree . About three years since , the county to Avhich ho belongs Avas erected into a Province under the Mark Grand Lodge of England and Wales and its colonies and dependencies , ancl our worthy brother Avas appointed by tho Grand Master to bo

its first Prov . G . M . His installation was witnessed by one of the most magnificent gatherings of Mark Masons Avhich ifc has been the good fortune of brethren of this degree to be present at . Some three hundred wore there , and ifc is almost needless to say thafc the event was celebrated with

an eclat befitting tho occasion . Perhaps one fact in connection with this deserves mention . Our R . W . P . G . M . M . M . nofc only presided on the occasion ; he Avas likewise the host of all present . Special trains Avere provided at his cost for the conveyance of intending guests , and the cost

of the banquet was borne by him . Eleven months later , and a new Mark Lodge Avas consecrated in Lincolnshire . Previous to the ceremony , there was a gathering of all tho Grand Officers of the Province at the P . G . M . ' s residence , in order thafc they might be photographed in full Mark

Masonic costume . Thence , in duo course , they Avere conveyed to Grimsby , where the new Lodge , which was named iu his honour , Avas duly consecrated by the worthy and worshipful Grand Mark Secretary . At the banqueb AA'hich folloAved , tho toast of tho P . G . M . M . M . Avas proposed in

pithy terms , as reported afc the time in our columns . " What need , " said tho D . P . G . M . M . M ., " to descant upon the good qualities of one so Avell known , who is here present amongst us ? You know him ; Avhat could I say to increase tho honour and estimation Avhich he has won ? " In December

of last year , on the occasion of the second meeting after its establishment of the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Lincolnshire , the gathering Avas well nigh as remarkable as on

the occasion AVO have recorded above . Our worthy brother issued inAdtationsto the Mark Master Masons of the Lodges in Lancashire , Yorkshire , Northumberland , Durham , Cheshire , and North Wales . The attendance of Grand and

Provincial Grand Officers Avas of the fullest , ancl no wonder , for the meeting Avas to be a memorable oue in the annals of Lincolnshire Mark Masonry . The Past Grand Officers of the Province had resolved that an enlarged and highly

finished copy of the photograph taken the year previous should be presented to their respected chief . Were evidence needed , beyond what Ave havo already offered , of the just popularity of this princo among Masonic Officers , it Avill be found in the record furnished in these columns a

feAv days after the event . The proceedings Avere of the most ; enthusiastic character , and when , on the removal of the cloth , the period of speech-making began , not a single brother rose to address those present Avithoufc referring to their P . G . M . in the most affectionate and most eulogistic

terms . For example , one speaker , in addressing the chair , observed , " You are a mosfc honoured man in this district , and if others can be found like you Avhen your time is run out , we shall have cause to be hopeful for the future of Freemasonry . " These , and similar complimentary

remarks Avere freely uttered by every one Avhq ^ spoke and as freely and heartily applauded by those Avho heard them . Lincolnshire is one of our foremost provinces . Ifc has numbered among its sons some of the worthiest and mosfc

respected brethren , and we are convinced that he Avho is now passing in review before us is one of the brightest ; and worthiest of its members . If to the record we have given thus far , we add thafc on the lamented death of Bro . W . Romaine Callender , M . P ., he was chosen to fill the important