Freemasonry In 1900.

Prov . Grand Master of Bedfordshire , ancl . doubtless , this fact vvill enhance the fame which the ; Craft already enjoys in the Madras Presidency . Lastly , Bishop Wclldon , of Calcutta , the Metropolitan of India , has ' shown his interest in Masonry b y delivering an address on the grave ; ancl gay aspects of the Craft .

Thus with Masonic Governors and Church Dignitaries , Judges and administrators of Provinces , and Military Officers , holding hi gh positions in thc Society , it would be strange indeed if Masonry in India were not held in high estimation , among both the

European and native populations , hi the West Indies , too , there has been greater activity than we are wont to hear of , but here , while new lodges have been consecrated or warranted , there is also the death of Bro . S . Constantine Burke , Dist . G . M . of

Jamaica , under Scotland , to deplore , a special communication of District Grand Lodge being held on the 31 st May , to pay due respect to his memory . The death of Bro . James W . Smith ,

Past Grand Master of All Scottish Freemasonry in India , has already been noticed , but our record of Colonial Masonry would be less complete , if we omitted to refer to the loss which his death has caused in Bombay more particularly .

The Fudge:

The Fudge :

Oil Conacfence-Strfcften . Bv Puoi * . F . W . DRIVEK , M . A ., P . M . 45 , P . Z . 742 . Author of "The Noble Soul , " " God's Flowers , " "A Woman ' s Heroism , " " The Submerged CUtj" " Repaid , " 8 , -c , S > x . The following poem is founded on actual facts , as related in thc Criminal Records of the Northern Circuit ( England ) , about 100

years ago : — Afc northern city , many years ago , In solemn court of justice there was held A Murder Trial—heinous was the crime—The culprit a young man , whose pleasing face

Seemed to evince impossible the deed He had committed ; but , alas ! slowly , Yet surely , did the links of evidence Form chain complete of circumstantial guilt . The prisoner ' s counsel , warily , did watch

The fatal facts unravelled one by one—Yet could not find a ( law—the crime brought home . His only hope , 11 . quibble of the law . The judges , pa ( font , heard the counsel ' s plea , In wisdom duly weighed it , but thoy proved

It was unstable , so refused tbe rule . With solemn dignity ( lie judge reviewed The evidence , as tendered by the crown , Showed there was no defence that could rebut The proofs e-onviucing of the prisoner ' s

guilt-Yet , 'twas for them tho jury to decide—If in their minds there harboured the least doubt , Their duty plainly was , upon their oaths , To grant acepiittal of the dreadful crime . The jury then , dismissed io their grave tusk ,

A death-like silence reigned throughout the court . Few words wove spoken , mid 'in undertone . The weig ht of deep suspense was felt by all * , The 111 in ides slowly passed—an hour was gone ; The evening shade-ws lengthened on the door .

All longed to hear , yet dreaded the result . ; For life or death would lung upon the words Their foreman uttered . Then a knock i . s heard Upon the door , which slowly opened wiele . With measured step the jury , issuing forth ,

Again came into court—no neeel to nsk Their verdict , for their saddened looks proclaim . The word of doom , which fell from foreman ' s lips . The unhappy man , who heard his death knell run ^ f ,

Stunned by the sudden blow , no answer made To Clerk of Arraigns ,-who , formal , asked What reason could the prisoner allege Why sentence should not pass , in course of law , The last act of the tragedy drew near ;

'Twas for the judge presiding to pronounce The penalty demanded b y tbe law , As expiation for the deed of blood . Silence the usher , with grave voice , proclaimed .

With fearful expectation , out * and all , Await the words of doom , which should consign The murderer to a public , shameful death . Amazement seized the court , for from his seat The judge uprose , his pale and g liaslly face

The Fudge:

Evinced the mental anguish that be felt . With calm , deliberate act , his erniinecl robe Hc laid aside , descended from the bench , Then , with uncertain , faltering steps ho came Unto the clock , wherein the prisoner stood . He said to ollicer , " Ope wide the door "—

'' My lord ' . " "Obey me , ' tis my last command . " The judge , forthwith , by prisoner took his stand—An awful pause ensued , for no one dared As yet to speak—tho judge the silence broke . "My lord , and , until now , my brother judge , You see before you , in tho prison dock , '

His lilting place , a guilty wretch whoso crime Exceeded far the convict by my side-He , in revenge for wrongs ' he had received , In blood of nei ghbour had his hands enibrueel . But I , far worse than he , through lust of gold , Slew a kind master , and a generous friend .

Let mc , in open court , confess my crime , Permit me , briefly , to narrate the facts , And show how ' twas the devil tempted me , Some thirt y years ago I was engaged In ollice of a -well-known barrister , To keep the daily record of bis work

, Note his engagements , and obscn-c thai lie His multifarious duties . should fulfil . Prompted by kindness of his generous heart , Hc helped me legal knowledge to acquire ; So I , at last , became of use to him , Shared freely in his conliilenco and

trust—More as companion than mere lawyer ' s clerk , Attended lu ' m on circuit , fees received , And all incumbent business would discharge . One earl y morn on horseback wc set forth ' To reach assi / . e town , many miles away ; Packed in a valise to my charge he gavo

A heavy sum of golei he had received During the circuit now about to close . That morning- we had left unknown ( o all , For master was reserved , and kept aloof From those of his profession , and , indeed . Save in ( lie way of business , knew hut few .

the way was lonely , nor considered safe—Knights of the road were said to levy toll On lone and unsuspecting travellers . To be prepared in ease of sudden need A brace of loaded pistols in my belt I placed , conspicuous warning , sure , to those

Who might design to rob or murder us . Some distance we had journeyed on emr way—My master rode in front and ' I behind , No one in sight , ( lieu came ( lie horrid thought , How easy 'twere te > make ( lie gold my own . Twas but au old mini ' s life ( hat ,

intervened—Thus did ihe devil tempt me and I fell From innocence io the abyss of guilt ; No guardian angel stayed my tri ' iiKy haiiel—I drew a pistol , shot him in ' the b- ' ii-k , Anil as he fell in agony of death , He pit ying jjii / . ed upeui ' his

murderer-Ever since then that mild reproachful look Has haunted mc alike by night or day—But action now immediate must ensue—The corpse I rifled lirst anil then destroyed All tell-ialo papers , and with heavy stones I sank tbe bod y in a nei ghbouring pond ,

Jhs horso 1 shut . I d-. nv nofc let dim live , The guilty deed I . feared he mi ght betray . All unobserved I hastened ( o my horse With plunder added to the cursed gold . For whicli I bartered future happiness . Arrived at sen-port , theie my steed I sold ,

At onco set out for London , fur awhile , Obscurely lived under another name-Engaged in legal studies , and became The pupil of ii well-known barrister . Rapid pnyjm-gre-ss , for by night and day I worked incessantl y ( o drown my thoughts

I dreaded most the ni ght , for in my dreams . I saw my master ' s pale reproachful ' face ; Then would 1 wake in terror from my heel , Haste io my books lo dissipate my fears . By slow degrees anil b y the lapse ' of time , My guilty conscience s / imiliered , I could ri \ st ; Three years in study I hnd passed , was famed

For legal knowledge and for acumen , Culled to Hie Bar , soon , by a lucky chance , I won as pleader an important , case ; Since then success was rapid , I became Legal adviser to the Crown , the step Assured towards ihe Bench , not , long delayed . You know your . si-lf full well , my Lord . L won Uolden opinions from ( he leim ! ' world ;