Masonic Reminiscences.

Our initiation into the sublime mysteries took place at a period whileyet " young fire-eyed disputants" in that gallant and chivalrous land o-enerally made the pistol the unreasoning arbiter of the slightest difference of opinion ; and one of thosejatal and appalling cases of duellmg > from trivial causes , mismanaged by reckless or inexperienced seconds , marks the day on which we were first invested with an apron in our

Parent Lodge , 50 , DubHn , by that most able , zealous , and indefatigable of Secretaries , G—e J . B—Id—n , Esq . ; to whom not only his own Lodge , but the whole Order is indebted , and of whose services , as well as those of a few other notables , who have contributed to the dissemination of Freemasonry in Ireland , we shall have a word or two to say in the progress of these reminiscences .

REFLECTIONS ON THE EFFECTS OF MASONRY UPON DUELLING . " Alas ! how light a cause may moi-e Dissension between hearts that love Hearts that the world in vain has ti-i e "> And sorrow but more closely tied , Yet in a sunny hour fall off . "

Slight and unworthy were the pretexts which in those days sufficed foE an invitation to scent the morning air and tremble on the dctsies ; the tried ana Aveli-nrovcd friends of many years have been known to meet 33 deadly conflict . lor differences about trifles "light as air . " We remember five duels to result from the foolish incidents of a Eegatta Ball , presided

over , too , by the representative of the Queen , the late noble and gallant Marquis of Anglesea , then Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland , whose high bearing as a soldier and a gentleman would , if anything could , have preserved order ancl decorum . One of these duels ivas somewhat characteristic , and we feel we shall be excused if we very briefly refer to it . The unfortunate rincipals

p were permitted to exchange four shots each ; and such was their steadiness and determination that two of the shots took effect slightly without , the knowledge or notice of the seconds . After the fourth discharge , the challenger ' s friend declared himself satisfied , and thus matters so far ended .

On quitting the ground , one of the principals walking up to the other , addressed Mm thus : " Now , Sir , that you can do so Avithout any imputation on your honour , may I ask if you were the party who threw the turkey bone that happened to fall near my plate ? " " Well , Sir , " repbed the other , " as you have expressed yoiu'self satisfied , I can no longer hesitate to assure you fJcnoio nothing whatever about it , but it would be impossible

for me to give any explanation after receiving a hostile message ; had you asked it before , or withdrawn your message , you certainly should have received the same explanation you now do , but with your message suspended over my head , the thing was out of the question . " " My dear . Sir , there is . my hand , let us be friends as of old , and pray do excuse me for having placed in jeopardy the life of so brave a man . " ¦ During this interesting dialogue , a gentle pallor was suffusing the face