Post Prandial Speeches.

been called in my hearing " Birds of Paradise , " and "liquid stars , " " gentle coruscations , " and " sAA eet breathed flowers , " and Ave once were gravely told by an eloquent brother , that , as a married man he was enabled to say every woman was at heart a

Freemason . Perhaps the most effective speech I ever listened to on this most fascinating of topics , Avas that delivered by an old and excellent W . M . years ago , " Brethren , I give you the ladies , the least said the soonest mended , God bless them all . "

NOAV all I have said to-day , though spoken jestingly " currente calamo , " is meant to suggest an improvement in our after dinner speeches . My belief long has been , that as there is no disease Avithout a cure , so there is no

abuse Avithout an amelioration . I think that Ave might greatly improve our post prandial orations , if only our W . M . ' s would pay a little more attention to the subject of our toasts , and the speakers they call on to address the brethren .

A speech to be effective should be clear , concise and to the point , enforcing the moral and adorning the tale , and by a careful selection of topics there is no reason Avhatever Avhy our Masonic afterdinner gatherings should not be most really and truly Avhat Ave cannot say they are UOAV , alike improving , and

intellectual as well as amusing . By the appropriate choice of the brethren who understand Avhat they are talking about , the general claims of Masonry , its archasological , or benevolent , or mystical character might be effectively handledthe

, charities duly commended , and the ladies not forgotten . I hope all that I have said will be taken in good part by my brethren , my only wish is then . ' Avelfare and edificationand if I am too long or too prosy

, they must attribute it to weakness of words not of intention , and must ascribe alike the faltering accents and the failing powers to the inevitable approach of old age . MENTOR

A Tale Of "Mistiry" And Of "Hawe."

A TALE OF "MISTIRY" AND OF "HAWE . "

[ HY AN nusn BROTHER . ] The Lodge ia all assembled now , TJio Master ' s in his place , The AVardens to their chieftain bow AVith much of mystic grace ;

The loyal craftsmen gathered there , Soon fill the closed room , AVhile round arc seen those emblems fair , Our lodges all assume , When met at some convenient hour , Or maybe at " high noon , " Or in all tho mellowed light and power Of a radiant full moon !

At once a solemn stillness seems To enwrap that stately scene , Such as will often follow dreams Which to us by night have been , Beyond a most peculiar knock At tho due closed door , And tho grave ticking of tho clock

, All is silent evermore . And the watchful Tyler standing there , Proclaims with guarded mien , That none but Freemasons will over dare To be heard or to bo seen .

Tho Master in his glittering chair Fulfils his solemn rite , in ancient words all good and rare , Which Masonic hearts delight ; As from point to point he moves along The quaintly traced floor , Or these symbols old and strange prolong ¦

Their spell , with tylild door . And thus in their witching mystery The hours pass away , And to that ancient history All listen pleased to- day .

And so old Time has speeded by AVith each ceremony strange , Until to refreshment hours nigh Fraternal minds do range , But tho faithful Master all intent Upon his work that night , Stiil labours on with true content

, AVith all his main and might , Declaring with majestic tone , In words we all revere . That we may another Brother own In our fellowship sincere .

When following soon upon tho knock , Which others then repeat , A sound is heard within the clock , A sob—a sigh—a bleat ; And as the gallant Inner Guard Opens the walnut ease , ( Ohfor tho pen of our laureate bard !)

, , He sees a female face ! Like a " proiix chevalier" at arms , lie lifts tho fainting She , And ' mid the fears and tho alarms Of that grave aproned company .