Insanity And Freemasonry.

Tie moral of the story is , that there is a still higher Freemasonry than that dependent upon our grips , our signs , and our emblems , although that is in itself good and useful Avhen not abused and carried too far . There is a Freemasonry betAveen man and man , a Fremasonry of sympathy , Avhich will do more towards curing many such cases of mental weakness than all the drugs in the British Pharmacopcea . And in passing through lifelet us not forget the story of the Mason who Avas cured by sympathy .

, Let us not draw too stringent a line of demarcation between ourselves and our less fortunate brethren . Let us remember that although ive are not all Masons , still , we are all brothers , and take to heart those beautiful and expressive lines : — " Something God hath to say to thee , "Worth hearing from the lips of all . ''

Speeches.

SPEECHES .

BY GAETEB . TN the spring time of tbe session begins the AOAV of speeches . " Some speak , for the - - voice of Heaven seems caning on them , some for advancement or lucre's sake , and some speak in frolic ! " but how very feAV there are AVIIO , having something to say , make a really good , lasting , ancl effective speech ! Many people begin by thinking that to make a speech is about as easy a thing to clo as to recite their alphabet , and end by finding it

one of the most troublesome and difficult performances . If brevity be the soul of wit , then he who makes a short speech , as the Prince ' of Wales once observed , ought to be a " witty speech-maker ; and that is no doubt true , if bis brevity proceeds from knowledge of his subject , ancl familiarity in dealing AA'itb it . Thus , supposing a man possessed of extensive and varied knowledge and length and breadth of observation be called upon to make a speech , bis very knoAvledge will circumscribe him , and make him sparing of his words , and bring out only those points that are best for the majority . One-half of the speech-makers may be said to be employed in retailing grievances , and the other

half in redressing tbem ancl temporising them . That Avhich is written remains to the eye , but that which is spoken often penetrates and touches all our iirward feelings , therefore eloquence sometimes exercises a greater poAA'er by reason of tlie quickness with Avhich it at once appeals to our understanding or imagination . It has been observed that great speeches spring out of great abuses , and it may be on that account that many young orators begin their career by abusing eA'erything right and left , irrespective of its merits .

Generous people invariably praise everything that is at all commendable . It is disagreeable to lie continually complaining and mooting reforms , ancl it is pleasanter to read and to bear that AA'bich is agreeable to the circumstances ; but as a surgeon has occasionally to use cutting instruments to preserve life , so it is fortunate there exist some Avhose predilection , it would seem to be , consists in scenting out and bringing forward grievances and abuses . There arehowevercertain class of speakers exceedinglobnoxious

, , a y m their way : the more so , that they surround themselves Avith a certain mock modesty , il ud begin or interlard their speeches in this wise , "For I have neither wit , nor words , nor worth , I only speak right on ; " and they do go right on , managing , however , to say a number of extremely rude and disagreeable observations .

Speeches that are of public importance should contain these ingredients : sound Knowled ge and good principles , views applicable and feasible , and the object or reform desired , stated as clearly and as tersely as possible . As a generad rule , denunciations . M expressions of indignation are out of order . Vituperation seldom makes any real impression upon people who are ready to make any desired efbrt , and generally only gains the passing applause of agitators who deli ght in denouncing Anything and everylh » g , and forget all about it tbe next moment , 32