very regular with the hounds, but generally left in the rear, in consequence, as he expressed himself, of 'having a sprained thumb.' Such was his devotion to the sports of the field, that he called into requisition a carriage-and-four to convey him and his friend to Badmington, to be present at the grand-lawn meeting of the Duke's hounds, having previously sent his horses to the place of rendezvous. By the expensive way in which he lived, he gained many converts to the opinion that he was possessed of 'immense wealth,' and there were not wanting those who wished to see his name in their ledgers; a desire which 'the Baron' was so complaisant as to gratify. But it came to pass that a strange woman, designated by one of our correspondent's a familiar spirit,' came to visit him, and, notwithstanding that he had obtained the 'object, in search of which he had travelled so far, the fascinations of the stranger were so great, that he has rather fulfilled the prophecies of the good people of Alcester, among whom, were many rumors of what the modern Blue Beard would do.' For it so happened that one morning he informed his newly married wife that business of importance would take him from home for a day or two; but still, not unmindful of his bride, he kindly told her that as the gold watch he had presented her with, did not 'work quite well,' he would take it with him, and have it put into good working order,' and 'well regulated by an experienced hand;' after bidding her an affectionate adieu, he departed with the 'familiar spirit,' who assumed the form of a French lady, and, as 'Pensumbra' affirms, was carried off in the fire-box of the Vulcan engine,' and has not since been heard of. Unfortunately, the Baron' had a short memory, and forgot to call upon those whom he had allowed to make use of his name in their ledgers, and, therefore, some dissatisfaction has been expressed. It is said that a few boxes which he left behind him contained a suit of regimentals, a rusty sword, and an old pistol, so that there is no doubt that he was a loyal subject; and it is generally thought that the atmosphere of Cirencester was no longer healthy,' or 'the Baron' would have favored us with a longer stay. His unfortunate wife has returned to the house of her parents, where she anxiously waits the coming of her 'lord (Baron Munchausen) and master.'" MASONIC CHARACTER OF WASHINGTON. AN EXTRACT. HAVING already contemplated such a variety of distinguishing features in this great and amiable character, does it still admit of addition? Is there room in the portrait for another trace of the faithful pencil, that will increase its beauty? Yes, my Brethren, to us another and no less interesting view remains. Animated with a generous philanthropy, our deceased Brother early sought admission into our ancient and honorable Fraternity, at once to enable him to cherish with advantage this heavenly principle, and enlarge the sphere of its operation. He cultivated our art with sedulous attention, and never lost an opportunity of advancing the interest, or promoting the honor of the Craft. While commanderin-chief of the American revolutionary army, he countenanced the establishment, and encouraged the labors of a travelling Lodge among the military. He wisely considered it as a school of urbanity, well calculated to disseminate those mild virtues of the heart, so ornamental to the human character, and so peculiarly useful to correct the ferocity of soldiers, and alleviate the miseries of war. cares of his high office engrossed too much of his time to admit of his engaging in the duties of the chair; yet he found frequent opportunities to visit the Lodge, and thought it no derogation from his dignity there to stand on a level with his Brethren. True to our principles on all occasions, an incident once occurred which enabled him to display their influence to his foes. A body of American troops, in some successful rencounter with the enemy, possessed themselves The among other booty, of the jewels and furniture of a British travelling Lodge of Masons. This property was directed by the commander-in-chief to be returned, under a flag of truce, to its former proprietors, accompanied with a message purporting that the Americans did not make war upon institutions of benevolence. Of his attachment to our Order in general, you, my respected Brethren of the most worshipful Grand Lodge of this Commonwealth, have had personal knowledge. His answers to your repeated addresses, breathe throughout the spirit of Brotherly love; and his affectionate return of thanks for the book of constitutions which you presented him, and for the honor, as he was pleased to consider it, which you did him in the dedication, must be evidence highly satisfactory of the respectful estimation in which he held you. The information received from our Brethren, who had the happiness to be members of the Lodge over which he presided many years, and of which he died the master, furnishes abundant proof of his persevering zeal for the prosperity of the institution. Constant and punctual in his attendance, scrupulous in his observance of the regulations of the Lodge, and solicitous at all times to communicate light and instruction, he discharged the duties of the chair with uncommon dignity and intelligence, in all the mysteries of our art. Nothing can more highly conduce to the prosperity and honor of Masonry, than a successful imitation of his bright example. It cannot fail of its effect upon our Brethren in its immediate neighborhood in the south; they will beautify their column. And shall we be outdone in zeal? Placed geographically in the east, in a quarter of the Union from which the nation has been accustomed to learn wisdom, it should be our peculiar care to diffuse light throughout the temple of Masonry. As it is known that we shared largely in the esteem and affection of our deceased Brother, it is easy to perceive that our good conduct will itself be an encomium on his memory. We see before us, among the sad emblems of mortality, not only the sword which in this neighborhood he drew in defence of his country, but also the very attire which he has often worn as a Mason. How devoutly is it to be wished, that these striking memorials may stimulate us to a noble emulation; that, like the mantle of Elijah, they may inspire us with an unalterable attachment to virtue and benevolence. This day witnesses to the world in what veneration we hold the memory of departed greatness; let not the solemnity be without its appropriate effect upon ourselves. While with funeral pomp and Masonic honors, we celebrate the obsequies of our deceased Brother, while we bend with anguish over the urn which contains a part of what was mortal in him, let us like him remember, that we are animated with a heavenly flame, which the chill damps of death cannot extinguish; like him resolve to square our actions by the rule of rectitude, persevere in the line of our duty, and restrain our passions within the compass of propriety, knowing that the All-seeing eye of our Supreme Grand Master above, continually observes us; that when we shall have performed the task assigned us here, we may like him be called from our work to those refreshments which alone can satisfy our immortal desires; that when we put off this earthly clothing, we may be arrayed with the garments of glory, put on the jewels of light and shine forever in the sublime arch above. *A lock of General Washington's hair was deposited in the urn borne in Masonic funeral procession on this occasion. MASONIC INTELLIGENCE. IRELAND. OUR attentive Irish correspondent has furnished us with a copy of the Limerick Chronicle, of the 22d August, from which we gather the following articles of intelligence. DINNER TO R. W. BR. MICHAEL FURNELL, ESQ. 33d, prov. GRAND MASTER FOR NORTH MUNSTER, GIVEN BY EDɛn Lodge, no. 73. In a recent impression we stated that P. G. M. N. M. was entertained to dinner by Lodge 73, on his arrival from a continental tour, but our space, on that occasion, would not allow us more than merely to allude to it. We now feel great pleasure in giving some of the details. The chair was filled by W. M., Br. R. Wallace, on his right the P. G. M. N. M. Br. Furnell; on his left the Dept. P. G. M. M. Br. Dean Freeman; Br. Massy, W. M. 73; Br. Sexton, W. M. No. 13; Brother M'Donough, G. R. C. Albert Lodge, 100; Br. George Furnell, S. W. 12, and several other visiting Brethren. The cloth being removed, the first toast, as is usual, "Our lovely, gracious, amiable Queen"" Prince Albert"-" Albert, Prince of Wales-and the rest of the Royal Family"—" The three Grand Masters, the Duke of Leinster, Earl of Zetland, Lord Glenlyon." The chairman then observed, the next toast was the toast of the evening, and said-Brethren, if I rightly know the object of our meeting here this evening, it is to testify our respect to Masonic worth-to pay the best compliment in our power to the best of Masons, and to show him, if it were at all necessary, that he has our full, our firm, and our entire confidence. We have met together this evening, Brethren, to hail, with delight, with pleasure, and with happiness, the return of the P. G. M. of North Munster, from a continental tour, in good health and spirits; and, Brethren, why should we not do so?Ifwe take a retrospective view of Masonry, what do we find; that a very few years ago, it was at a very low ebb in this city, and, I may say, nearly extinct, when the P. G. M. N. M. threw himself into its ranks, with an ardor not easily to be described, and with a matchless perseverance wrought at it incessantly, until he brought it to the high position it now holds in your city-a position, I am happy to say, second to none in Ireland; for I believe I am justified in saying, that we have as good working Masons in Limerick as there are in Ireland, and probably I need not travel out of the precincts of Eden Lodge, 73, in order to find them; and I ask you Brethren to whom are we indebted for this? I reply, to the P. G. M. N. M. who, by his fostering care, assiduity and example has rendered Limerick pre-eminently remarkable for its workings, and I sincerely believe if ever there was a man who had his heart and soul centered in Masonry, it is our P. G. M. N. M. He not only labors at it incessantly by day, but it is my impression that his nocturnal slumbers are engaged therein; and, Brethren, I think I am perfectly warranted at coming to this conclusion, for his acts bear me out-and I would ask what are they-I regret my inability to tell you all, but I will endeavor to detail one or two:-Take for instance a Brother who has an object in view, and let him make his case known to the Provincial Grand M. N. M., and I say without fear of contradiction that, if it were necessary, he the P. G. will cross the Atlantic, aye, and that at the peril of his life, in order to accomplish that for which the Brother seeks; and surely, Brethren, we cannot shut our eyes to his practical acts to the distressed Craft,-numerous, I must say, as they are bountiful-generous as they are considerate, and only in my mind to be equalled by the happiness that it affords the P. G. M. when bestowing them. Take the P. G. M. N. M. as a man and a Mason, we find him kind in disposition, bland in his manners, courteous in his demeanor-if our P. G. M. N. M. was a selfish Brother, he, with his independent fortune, could retire to his elegant country estate, Cabirelly Castle, and there he might enjoy himself in the sweet retirement of private life-there he might recline on the richly embroidered couch, or bask in his delightful arbor, or might enjoy himself in his picturesque demense, in following those pursuits that would be so congenial and beneficial to his health; but Brethren what do we find the contrast to be, locked up in his study, in his town residence,-there devoting his whole time and giving his undivided attention to the interest of the Craft. Brethren, I do fully persuade myself, that when it shall please Providence in some fifty years hence, to receive the P. G. M. into celestial bliss, that such is the P. G. M.'s love of Masonry, that the sign of the Compass will be found engraved on his heart, in the Grand Lodge above. Brethren, there is only one thing that mars the pleasurable feeling of this evening; to me it is, that your Chair is not filled by some other member of 73, that could do some better justice to the P. G. M.'s qualities as a Mason. Brethren, I confess my inability as much as I regret my incapability to do so; you must, therefore, only take the will for the deed; but, Brethren, it is to me at all times a high honor to have a Prince Mason on my right, a Brother whose heart wins as he travels, and Masonically speaking, a mind that dazzles where it dwells. Brethren, if I rightly understand the expressions of your eyes, I think by the fire therefrom, that you are anxious to give vent to your feelings, and it would be bad taste in me to detain you further: therefore, without further preface, I will give " The health of that accomplished gentleman, that excellent and worthy Brother, that incomparable Mason, Br. MI. Furnell, the P. G. M. N. M." The P. G. M. N. M. returned thanks in a marked strain of eloquence, and concluded by saying that he should never forget the paternal feelings of Lodge 78 towards him. The following toasts were then proposed-" Brother Sexton, M. W. 18,""Brother Massy, W. M. 73." "The Visiting Brethren, Distressed Craft," &c. Brother Wm. Ranelow presided at the Piano Forte, when, after several delightful songs, duets, &e., the Lodge was closed in peace, love and harmony. INSTALLATION OF THE PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER OF MUNSTER. On Tuesday the 18th inst., Michael Furnell, Esq., D.L., Provincial Grand Master of North Munster, attended the invitation of the Masonic_Order at Cork, for the purpose of installing Sir William Chatterton, Bart., as Provincial Grand Master of Munster, and at four o'clock, P. M. the large-rooms of the Imperial were densely-crowded with the Fraternity. The sublime and solemu ceremonial was performed with the most becoming dignity by the R. W. Brother Furnell, impressing the newly installed officers and Brethren with not only the importance of their calling, but with the happy results consequent on a punctual observation, sentiments cheerfully acceded to, and with a generous warmth, testified by a most complimentary record. We deem it a marked favor to have obtained his excellent charge on the occasion, viz.:--Rt. W. Sir. When I congratulate you on the very exalted and honorable position in which you are now placed, as the legitimate head of such an august assemblage as are now around me, of men professing undeviating devotion to the Divine Ordinance of universal philanthropy, and of moral rectitude; a position adding the brightest lustre even to that high and proud station you so justly hold in society, I repeat that while I sincerely congratulate you thereon, it becomes my duty to intimate to you that the office is also fraught with much onerous responsibility and serious care, for "if it is worth while to do a thing, it is worth while to do it right;" and it devolves upon you, R. W. Sir, to watch over and foster the District confided to your charge, and by wholesome order and well regulated firm discipline, to curb those frailties inherent on human nature, for we can scarcely flatter ourselves but that in the extensive Body under your control, there may not unfortunately be some occasional la nientable instances of the taint of worldly wrath and discord, profaning the regions devoted to harmony and love; but though such lamentable circumstance should cause you much pain and sorrow, even to the creating a restless pillow, yet I assure you that so rich is the reward, and so solacing the contemplation of carrying out the sublime principles of our institution, and by untiring care and bright example, cementing such a body of good men by those principles, that you will deem yourself amply repaid. But R. W. Sir, when I commend to you firm decision, and due discipline, permit me, very dear and esteemed Brother, most respectfully to impress upon your mind the priceless importance of endeavoring to enforce the maxim, that "Order is heaven's first law-and this confest, by a suaviter in modo, rendering the strict maintenance thereof as easy and im- Cordial and marked thanks were tendered to Brother Furnell, and at 6 o'clock, over one hundred Brethren enjoyed M'Dowell's best, the Rt. W. P. G. Master, Sir Wm. Chatterton presiding, in a way, that fully proved his perfect adequacy for the office; and after a social and rational enjoyment, enhanced with harmony, of rare excellence, the meeting separated at an early hour, all anxiously desirous of a speedy re-union. UNITED STATES. MISSISSIPPI. We continue our extracts from the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi: DISPENSATIONS FOR NEW LODGES. The R. W. Grand Secretary, in his annual report to the Grand Lodge, states that since the last annual communication, and in obedience to instructions then given, dispensations have been issued for new Lodges, as follows: Panola Lodge, at Panola, county of Panola; Houston Lodge, at Houston, county of Chickasaw; Holmesville Lodge, at Holmesville, county of Pike; Vanatta Lodge, at Raleigh, county of Smith; Evening Star Lodge, at Steen's Creek, county of Rankin. And charters were issued to Silas Brown Lodge, at Jackson, county of Hinds; De Kalb Lodge, at De Kalb, county of Kemper. Dispensations |