Freemasonry And The Pope.

Leopold ; but tell it not m Gath—I mean in the North Dublin Union Workhouse ; whisper it not in the ears ofthe Rev . Mr . Behan , for he will not believe it , when I mention that his late Majesty was at his death a continued Freemason , high in

the Order . If the reverend gentleman should write to the Archbishop I am sure he will get just as candid a reply as he did from the Bishop of Namur relative to the Freemason ' s carriage in which the new bishop says he did not travel to

the chapel ofthe Sisters of Charity , though one of his lordship ' s brother bishops was permitted to become a Master , and to soil his soul and person by sitting in the banned vehicle . By the way , according to Mr . Behan , we must suppose the seat

in which a Freemason sits to be anathematized as well as himself . I am very glad to hear this , for I shall be cautious for the future of where I sit

down , and I shall eschew all public cabs , unless the driver can solemnly assure me that no member of the mystic Craft has ever desecrated his ill stuffed cushions . By the way , when the Duke and Duchess of Brabant drive into Brussels next

week in one ofthe late King ' s carriages , will Mr . Behan write to Belgium and get the terrible deed denied , or explained , or softened by . some childish casuistry ? If I could look on this matter in a serious point of view , however , I would ask Rev .

Mr . Behan to give a copy of his letter to the respected Bishop of Namur , in order that we might learn if it were he who told his lordship that the Irish Times was an anti-Catholic journal . Your paper is read by tens of thousands of the Catholics

of Ireland , and I defy anyone to point at one line or syllable in which you have ever by sneer or insult used a disrespectful word againt the religious opinions of the majority of your countrymen . In my own humble case , it is well known , as a sincere

believer in Christianity , that I have always used my poor pen , so far as I could , in battling against the freethinking infidelity of foreign countries . I have never even said a word for the Freemasons , but I have simply told your readers a story of two when they came to my knowledge .

The Provincial Masonic Charities.

THE PROVINCIAL MASONIC CHARITIES .

M ANCHESTER MASONIC RELIEF COMMITTEE . We have been pleased to receive the fifth report of this most useful Charity . The following is a copy of the report : — Since the last report was issued ( November

The Provincial Masonic Charities.

17 th , 1863 ) there have been 125 applicants for relief 120 of whom have been relieved in sums amounting in the aggregate to £ 84 5 s . 3 d . The cases so relieved have been of an ordinary character , and do not call for any special remark

further than that the applicants are principally Masons hailing from under the Scotch and Irish Constitutions . There have been eight new warrants recently granted in Manchester and the neighbourhood ,

namely : —St . Thomas ' , Robert Burns , Shakspere , Derby , Callender , Alexandra , Egerton , Richmond ; and the committee presume that such lodges will contribute their proportion to the funds of this committee . On reference to the balance sheet it will be perceived that the sum of £ 20 18 s . 3 d . is due to the

treasurer , and the committee m laying a rate of Is . per member upon contributing lodges to meet this liability , trust you will instruct your Treasurer to pay your j > roportion into the hands of Bro , Blackburn as early as practicable .

You are also respectfully requested to elect immediately on the reading of this report , a representative from your lodge to this committee , and communicate the name and address of the brother so elected ( in the enclosed form ) to Bro . J . L . Hine , Freemasons Hall . The committee bee- to tender their sincere

thanks to Bro . Marsh , the Secretary of the Liverpool Relief Committee , for his continued attention to the report of cases relieved by that committee , and to Bro . Hine , Secretary , and Bro . Blackburn , the Treasurer , for their very valuable

services , involving , as it does , much of their time , and calling forth much tact and discrimination iu . administerine . the funds of this committee .

Signed on behalf of the committee , J . L . HINE , Secretary . Freemason's Hall , Cooper-street , Manchester , Nov . 24 th , 1865 . The abstract of the financial statement is as follows : —

Receipts from several lodges £ 84 19 0 Special donations , & c 19 17 11 The disbursements , including relief to the applicants , amounting to £ 84 5 s . 3 d ., with a balance of £ 13 15 s . 3 d . due to the Treasurer from the last

statement , leaves a balance now of £ 20 18 s . 3 d , as due to the Treasurer . We trust that the funds of the committee will soon be in a more satisfactory state .