Reflections On The Present Condition Of Masonry In Teutonic And Latin Countries.

and a few almshouses are the only results of the labours of the English Masonic Fraternityisamistake . There arc known to Freemasons , thousands of founts of charity and good-will ever flowing—in an associative form—for smaller yet not

less necessary purposes , and the individual sense of charity to other beneficial institutions is certainly not checked by the fact of bein g connected with Freemasonry . If the lists of public charities arc examined , most of tlie donors and

many of the trustees and unpaid administrators of our national charities will be found to he among those most active in promoting the objects of Freemasonry itself . I am not now speaking of persons in official positions whoso work in

the world demands a certain " sacrifice of fortune" hut of wholly private and undignified persons whom industry or other advantages have blessed with

means . It may fairly be asked whether if these persons had not become instinct with the spirit of Freemasonry—charity itself ) they would have contributed so greatly towards tho assistance oiz their

fellow country men and women ? The very fact of there being so many welladministered hospitals , bounties and charities , has hitherto precluded the necessity of the establishment of more Masonic institutions of a charitable

nature throughout the land . AIL the remarks here made of England , hold good in a similar sense of Scotland and Ireland , and of our vast dependencies . Besides , would it not savour a little too much of the exclusive for Freemasons ,

let us say , to establish institutions such as Hospitals and tlie like , and limit their utility to the possession of certain knowledge and certain credentials , withheld by various causes from others as deserving of aid and as much in want of it ?

But where it is not invidious to supplement or rival national charity , the Freemasons do not show themselves behind any other bodiesof a similar kind . These , Avithout similar historical antecedents , such as the Foresters , the Odd Fellows

and others , have done the same ; witness the Masonic and other Life Boats which have been launched at various of our ports—here there has been a proper spirit of emulation at work , no doubt instigated at first by the example shown

by the Freemasons . No doubt in some things , Masonic effort has not been crowned with success . Masonic Clubs are , if they ever are to exist , as yet things of the future , hut when the lodges themselves so largel

y partake of the Club spirit , this is not a matter of wonder . As a man is not restricted save by his means from belonging to any number of lodges , and is even invited to partake of the labours , and share the social intercourse of lodges of

which he is not a member , a specific Club is unnecessary . Is this , however , not in a great measure represented by tho numerous Masonic halls now erected

in different parts of the country ? It is a matter of some desirability , ho wever , th at our maritime centres should especially be furnished with somethinglike Masonic offices of reference whither brethren might repair on landing , and

find upon clue verification of their Masonic character , temporary and not too expensive homes . The ruling powers of tlie Craft might be induced to lend a willing ear to such undertakings , involving little expense , and offering great advantages .

Such institutions , either existing or infutv . ro , however , can only be expected to establish themselves and flourish iu places where the Teutonic element as above defined , in contradistinction to the Latin element , prevails . How widely

different is tlie mode ofacfcion among onr Southern brethren . Some mystic Grand Orient exists in almost every country , but , how difficult it is of access ! and when entrance is effected how cool the receptionWc have paraded

. every year before us longlists of these Grand lodges , but how feeble is the light of humanity they afford to the brother in want ol their light and warmth . Miserable controversy about office takes the place in too many instances of that cheerful