Masonic Reminiscences.

fool for convenience , for whom they entertain neither esteem nor affection , or are caught by the showy exterior of some fashionable roue , who soontires of their tinsel attractions . Neglect will naturall y engender disgust , and render them an easy prey to the seducer ; to end , perhaps , a life of of hypocrisy , in crime , or madness . This is no doubt a dark picture , yet we believe it a true one , we will not

say true to nature , but rather to life , to nature turned astray , by imperfect or improper education ; for we confess ourselves of the class who think there is a much larger proportion of the elements of good , than of evil , iu the constitution of human nature , and would earnestly impress upon those , on whom rests the awful responsibility of instruction , rather to endeavour to give a right dhection to the passions and propensities , than to make vain

attempts , by artistic training , or too rigid coercion , to eradicate them—to be the gentle guides of nature , not her feeble , and unavading adversaries . Nature's laws are impressions of the hand of that mighty Architect , Avhose works are ineffaceable , ancl by whom nothing was made in vain . Theimprints of the great first cause are too deeply graven to be obliterated b y the pigmy efforts of man , and his attempts , in the unequal struggle , must ever end in defeat and discomfiture .

We wish the modern Tariiiffes of the day , would look at this subject with an eye of calm philosophy , and turn the power , Avhich their talent or their station confers , into efforts of practical good . We wish we could impress these hints upon those pharisaical precisians , who would prepare their fellow men for heaA'en , by making earth a hell , who think the true way to improve the moral condition of toiling man , is to spread his pathway

through life with thorns , and to curtafl the few material enjoyments within his reach , thus marring the great end of God ' s providence—the happiness of his creatures—who , in a spirit of profane fanaticism , would shut up from the people , for whose improvement and instruction they were presumed to he chiefly intended , all sources of moral and mental culture , at those times , when consistently with the requirements and

necessities of life , they could alone take advantage of , and enjoy them ; ancl thus force the toil-worn and weary mechanic into the beer shop , or gin palace , for want of those wholesome fountains of recreation , whence liewould be glad to imbibe , at once , health , pleasure , and knowledge . This digression may , to some , seem out of place here , as touching upon topics not strictly within our province , or not very aptly incidental to our

tale . But we write as Masons , for instruction , and amendment , as well as amusement , and would use the privilege of all writers—an occasional digression to add our petty streamlet , to the tributaries of our co-temporaries , who wield their more powerful pens for the refinement and elevation of their fellow men , and by whose united exertions , we hope to see formed , ere long , one wide river of truth and knowledgewhichin its

, , glorious , and God-like course , shall overwhelm all the retarding influences of ignorance , bigotory , and corruption , until the whole earth shall be refreshed , in the true spirit of Freemasonry , with the pure waters of wisdom , charity , and love ! With these few words to our readers , we return to our tale . ( To he continued . )