The Literature Of Freemasonry.

This interesting Festival m support of the favourite chanty of the Craft , takes place on the 16 th of this month , and as ive promised in a former number of the Mirror , to give a notice of the forthcoming meeting , we do so with sincere pleasure , and the more so , as our recent investigations have given us some anxiety as to the funds , which we perceive are not as they should be , promising for the present , or indeed

can we say for the future . We ask , wherein lay our hopes for the support of this noble Institution ? Are they to be looked forward for in expectation , and , perhaps some fine clay , found wanting , because the Festival has been a disappointment ? or are ive , as was the hope of the illustrious founder , Euspini , each and all to subscribe our individual helpever so little , for the support and the protection of a

num-, ber of helpless Girls , the majority of whom are orphans unprovided for but for this Asylum , and which , we regret to be compelled to place it on paper , is in a precarious condition for a settled income ? Can ii r e say that Masonry has done its best or its all , when a charity , each meeting of

wMch appeals to our feelings and livliest sympathies , looks forward for its income—two-thirds of which is realised b y a Festival ? Let us rather take example i ' rom those charities Avliich have funded a small sum annually , that in case of need they may fall back upon , and not be taken by surprise by a bad year or unsettled times like the present . We maybe told that the splendid and useful building , the admiration of all , has prevented this

wise provision , and that thirteen thousand pounds is not a sum to collect in a few years . So granted , but does not the Croydon Asylum answer to a great extent this position ? Economy within , and a strict regulation of all expenditure , lias given that Charity a fund . Why then , after so much has been said by each noble chairman advocating its cause ancl carrying out the argument to its full vindicationcannot a fund be forthwith raised

, and set aside for a future event ? ancl thus place this charity , the most interesting of all , beyond reliance upon an annual collection , which , though we trust it will never be the case , may , some clay fail of realising all that is required for the succour and protection of sixty-five children— ancl those the children of the Masons of England .

The Aged Masons' Asylum

THE AGED MASONS' ASYLUM

IT gives us sincere pleasure to observe that the subscription for releasing the Asylum for Aged and Decayed Freemasons from debt , and placing it in a position by which it will become , as it ought to be , the pride of the Craft , is very satisfactorily progressing . Something like £ 200 , out of the £ 360 required , has already been received , and , in looking over the reports of various Lodges , obligingly furnished us by our friends , we feel assured that not onl y the whole amount sought will be forthcoming , but that a handsome surplus may be relied upon , to be applied in increasing the