Masonic Reminiscences.

overclouded his reason , and prevented his seeing that he was the victim of bad men , not of bad laws , and thus as noble and gallant a spirit as ever aairaated human bosom , now leads a life of wild and lawless crime , defyiag and trampling on those laws , which , in his eyes , condemned the protector and avenger of innocence and purity , to the degrading doom of a guiltfelon '

y . . K Such is the sad history of this poor highwayman ' s early life , and if fie erring child of a worthy brother can be won back to virtue , it will be a truly Masonic work , honourable to our Order , and grateful to heaven . " It was near midnight when the reverend brother concluded his narrative , and as he was about to say farewell , they were startled by the cries

cf murder from the back of the mansion . On reaching the spot whence the cries seemed to proceed , they found Phil prostrate , presenting a most grotesque and ludicrous appea : ance , in a state of stupid bewilderment , from terror and intoxication ; his coat turned inside out , half his face and lead closely shaven , the other half as black as a negro ' s , and altogether seeking with mud , and the fumes of whiskey . As intelligibly as he could

, he gave his astonished uncle to understand "that he had that night been aade a Mason by the members of the Hoaxtown Lodge ; that he bore it all ¥ ery well till old sawney himself , with glaring eyes , as large as saucers , and Iiorns blazing forth like a fiery furnace , with hollow voice , and a wave of ids huge hand , bid me advance ; I could stand it no longer , I bolted from tie roomrushed to the stablemounted without hat or bootsand galloped

, , , Iraine at the top of the horse ' s speed ; he chased me the whole way , and there he stands this moment , as big as a mountain , pouring fire and ' brimstone from his distended jaws exactlv in the spot where the old pump used to be . "

The Colonel at once guessed that a very unbecoming practical joke had fteen played off on his silly nephew . It would seem that on that day the members of the hunt had a long and splendid run , and killed their game close to a well known hostelry , in a beautiful and picturesque part of a laost romantic country ; all being in good humour and high spirits , those isho were in at the death agreed to dine at the hotel , which was , at that

fee , famous for a good cellar and larder . After dinner , tlie conversation laraed on a splendid Masonic ball , which had lately taken place in the Metropolis , at which were assembled all the rank and beauty of the island . 1 PM 1 said he would never rest until he was a Mason . The wink was passed sound , and as most of them detested Phil ' s wife , a practical joke was resolved onthe chairman said" Well Phil boy ' in the zenith

; , , my , you re very cf g ® od luck ; order in a dozen of claret , and you ' shall be gratified this wry night , as all here are Freemasons , with the exception of your & elf . " As soon as the claret was nearly discussed , aud Phil exhibited manifest symptoms of its influence , a consultation was held as to the modus operandi , A sjuestion arose as to who should represent his satanic majestydeeming

; tike presence of that personage essential on the occasion , it was suggested - & st as " mine host" was considered the greatest rascal iu the parish , and dearly loved a joke , that he should be requested to take the part . On being soEsulted , he entered into it with a gusto , and said , leave that to me , I'll