Masonic Reminiscences.

fore starting , was disposed to show fight , but as I had not much money about me , and no fire arms , I thought it best to yield , and handed them my purse . They demanded my watch , which I hesitated to give , as I prized it beyond its mere intrinsic value , being the gift of a brother Mason , a French officer whom I had an opportunity of serving during the Peninsular

war . " While we werepartetjkuj , and just as they were about to use more persuasive arguments than words , we were joined by the hero we had noticed at the Inn , who told me civilly to give up the watch , and I should receive no rude treatment , and if I wished to redeem it , by sending fifty pounds to the Inn at which we met , I should have it back perfectly safe , as he

himself would take charge of it ; and any little parcel sealed ancl directed " to be called for , " would be sure to reach him . He put the ivatch which . I handed Mm , in Ms pocket , examined the purse , and threw it to his fellows , than bidding us good night , and sale home , he and Ms band made off across the hills , and were lost to view in an instant . " The sharp ears of the robbers had evidentlyfrom their hurried retreat

, , caught the sounds of approaching travellers , which in our confusion were unheeded , ancl only struck upon our senses as two carriages advancing at a rapid pace , came within view ; they pulled up as they neared us , and to my infinite joy I recognised several brother Masons , returning as they told me , after assisting at the opening of a new Lodge in the county town .

After hearing a cletad of our disaster , and expressing regret at not being up in time , they did not offer much consolation at the loss ive suffered , saying we richly deserved it , for travelling without arms , it served as an encouragement to robbery . They gave us , however , all necessary assistance to reach the nearest posting house , where we procured fresh horses , and all set off together for the metropolis .

" On our way , a brother informed me that your friend Johnson was blackballed in Ms Lodge in consequence of having been one of a party who had pigeoned a young gentleman—the son of a brother , who had more money than brains . This fully accounts for his abuse of Freemasonry . He hates your neighbouring fox-hunters because young B— ¦ — declined to invite him to hunt with his hounds , for the very proper reasonthat he

set-, tled down amongst ye , a mere stranger without a single introduction , though he talked largely of his acquaintance and connexions with persons of distinction . I firmly believe , his knowledge of such personages extends no farther than having seen them on the grand stand , or in the bettingring at Epsom , or may hap , some of them in a hell near St . James ' s .

" On reaching home I lost no time in sending off the money to redeem my watch , with I confess , but faint hopes of ever seeing either watch or money again , but judge of my agreeable surprize , at receiving both tliis morning , with the accompanying note , which I enclose , and should be glad you would show to the Rector , as he may be able to give some clue to the writerivho manifestly is not all evil , and I would be disposed

, to make an effort to save him , by inducing Mm to quit this country ancl try an honest mode of life in some other . He sits Ms horse well , and would make a capital soldier . "I hope you'll cut this Johnson altogether , I can clearly see he wants to