The Quarterlies.

followed by an account of the " Higher Pantheism , " and the subject of " Ultramoutanism and Civil Allegiance " is considered in this as in the preceding Reviews . So , too , we have reviews of " Livingstone ' s Last Journals , " and Kinglake ' s " History of the Crimean War , " that , at least , of the most recently published , or , Inkermann volume . In tho political article is discussed Mr . Gladstone ' s retirement from the Liberal leadership , the number concluding with a series of reviews on " Contemporaneous Literature " of all kinds .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

All Letters must hear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications . We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents .

INSTALLATION STEWARDS—THEIR DUTIES .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . SIR , —As you are aware , tho Stewards appointed for the approaching Installation of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales were called together on Tuesday last , to have explained to them the duties they would be called upon to perform . At the opening of the proceedings we were told that no criticism would be allowed , wo were there simply to

read , mark , learn , and ask questions about anything wo could not properly understand . All comments and suggestions being thus prevented , I ask you to allow me to make a few remarks . It was generally supposed that the Stewards would be requir d more for the purpose of vouching for the brethren of their own particular Lodges , and by this means prevent the intrusion of those who had no right

to be there , and , at the same time , facilitate the entrance and seating of the brethren they recognised . This appears to be quite a mistaken idea , wo a < o required for no such purpose , but rather to act , or at least the bulk of us , as finger posts , in various parts of the building , our positions to be arranged by ballot , and of course anywhere but with the Lodge we have the honour of representing , and in most instances

of presiding over . I will ask one question : Do the two or three brethren who have tho entire management of this affair thoroughly understand what seven or eight thousand people mean , and do they think that any test cau be applied individually to this number in one hour and a half , the time allowed for filling the Hall ? Will it not be the case that a rush will take place , and then , at the last moment ,

in midst of confusion , all bo allowed to enter who may present themselves . This appreciation of numbers was fairly put to the test at our meeting on Tuesday , when a brother considered ho could , and attempted , to give away tickets to those present , and signally failed . I hope this may not be taken as a criterion as to what will take olaco on the 28 th . Yours fraternally , A STEWARD .

Woman And Masonry.

WOMAN AND MASONRY .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . SIR AND BROTHER , —Has it over occurred to you that Masonry , with all its claims upon tho consideration of society , does not usually meet with unqualified approval from the fair sex ? I havo often remarked that a wife , especially a newly married one , will strongly object to her husband becoming one of the Craft , and I have met

with grave and experienced matrons who have given their verdict against tho brotherhood . No doubt any general hostility on the part of womankind , if it really exists , arises from a feeling of pardonable suspicion or jealousy . A wife dreads anything that robs her for even a few hours of the society of her husband . She dislikes clubs , and all their associations , and Masonry , in her

estimation , is littlo else than a gigantic club , possessing strange and mysterious attractions for the misguided animals of the masculine gender . She suspects that her cherished darling may acquire , or foster , habits of dissipation , that he may bo led into uncongenial society , or seduced into expenses which may be beyond his means . Of course these erroneous ideas of the Craft are

speedily dispelled when a wife has had an opportunity of judging practically of its influence . She finds that Masonry makes a man a better husband , a better father , and a better member of Society Sho learns that the periodical Lodge meetings which sho once feared , are not so much to bo dreaded as a \ isit from hei husband's quondam bachelor friends , or an occasional dinner ii

the city . He leaves his Lodge early , and when ho reaches homo hitalk is nsnally bright and cheerful . Ho has associated with Brother ? who have met to discuss questions which always have a humanising influence upon the most stoical , and ho is the better for the change . Our matrons , Sir , who really know Masonry , value and respect it , and the young wives who are jealous of its influence will , perhaps , learn to respect it likewise . I am , Sir , yours respectfully , W . M . B .

Answers To Correspondents.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS .

ARCH . —There was a letter on the subject in our last issue . INQUIRER . —Consult Findel , whose History of Freemasonry is deemed able and trustworthy . 1875 . —There is no harm in trying . 23 , COMP . — 'Oliver ' s Masonic Jmsyrvdmse will help you ,

Money Market And City News.

MONEY MARKET AND CITY NEWS .

FRIDAY . The unsatisfactory state of trade daily becomes more apparent on the Money Market . Tho continual decrease in the number of bids offered for discount causing tho Bank authorities to be underbid on all sides in the open market . Notwithstanding this , the directors

decided , at their meeting yesterday , to continue tho rate of discount at 3 £ per cent . The dividends of the principal discounting establishments for the present half year may be expected to suffer inconsequence of the general depression . Subscriptions are invited bv the Crown Agents for the Colonies for

£ 300 , 000 Cape of Good Hope Government four-and-a-half per cent , debentures , which will be issued in sums of £ 500 , £ 200 , and £ 100 , at the price of 98 per 100 . These debentures , which form part of the £ 660 , 000 , authorised by tho Colonial Legislature , for the construction and equipment of railways , are identical with the four-and-a-half per

cents , of this colony already on the market , and will be redeemable at par by annual drawings . At tho meeting of the Mercantile Bank of India , London and China ,

held on the 20 th insfc ., the report , showing profits amounting to £ 54 , 712 7 s 9 d was adopted . A dividend , making a total distribution of 6 per cent , for the year , was declared , and a balance of £ 9 , 712 7 s 9 d was carried to tho reserve fund .

The homo railway market has been quiet , and prices close nearly the same as last week , the principal exception being Great Northern , which has been in demand in consequence of the expected increase in tho receipts from tho Alexandra Palace traffic , the " A" shares of this Company have improved 5 & since our last notice .

The Demerara Railway Company have declared a dividend on their original stock for tho half-year at the rate of 6 per cent , per annum J the Chartered Bank of India , Australia and China , one at the rate of 5 per cent , per annum , free of income tax , for the past half year 5 the Charing Cross Publishing Company have recommended a dividend

of 15 per cent ., and the directors of Liebig ' s Extract of Meat Company Limited havo resolved to propose at the next general meeting a dividend at the rate of 10 per cent . Tho return of the Bankers' Clearing House for the past week gives the amount of clearing at £ 140 , 952 , 000 .

Tho report of tho directors of the Grand Trunk Railway Company of Canada shows that the amount available for dividend for the half year ending 31 st December was £ 38 , 389 14 s 9 d ; that of the Great Western of Canada is nob , however , so satisfactory , the result of the half year's working to 31 st January being a deficit , amounting ,

together with tho debit balance brought forward , to £ 50 , 307 14 s 4 d . Notwithstanding the various schemes promulgated to lessen the pains of a voyage across the Channel , the evil still remains , and it does not seem that the travelling public are likely to be the only sufferers , if we may judge by the English Channel Steam Ship Company , who

have just announced an issue of £ 10 , 000 debentures , which they say is necessary to meet the cost of improvements in tho Castalia , which has just been removed into the Millwall Docks to receive new boilers , & c . Wo wish the promoters every success in their laudable object , but , at the same time , question the dividend paying powers of the

undertakings . In tho Telegraph branch it is stated that the net profit of the West India and Panama Company for the half year ending December last , amounted to £ 2 , 925 16 s 7 : 1 , which it has been decided shall be carried to general reserve . The report of the Submarine Cables Trust states

that £ 21 , 213 has been applied to tho payment of the coupons clue on tho 15 th October 1874 , out of the net profits , which amounted for tho past year to £ 26 , 615 , and that 29 certificates were purchased in October last , for £ 3 , 179 , the balance being carried forward . Tho total dividends for tho past year of the Eastern Extension , Australasia aud

China Company Limited , amounted to 0 i per cent . Tho report issued by tho Australian Mortgage Land and Finance Company states that the profits for the past year amounted to £ 34 , 866 Is 10 d , out of which an interim dividend of 10 per cent , has been paid , and it is now proposed to pay a second 10 per cent .,

together with a bonus of 2-t fid per share , to add £ 10 , 000 to reserve , and to carry the balance , amounting to £ 2 . 991 Is lOd , forward . It was stated at tho meeting on Wednesday that tho total funds invested in the London and Provincial Law Assurance Society amounted to £ . 'iS 3 , 9 . ' ! 0 13 s . Tho new assurances effected during the past year yielded in premiums £ 8 , 812 0 d 7 d , and assured G 208 . 620 .

The traffic receipts of the London General Omnibus Company Limited for the week ending ISth inst ., amounted to £ 10 , 367 , being a decrease of £ 5 as compare ! with the corresponding week of last year .

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