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of the offices in Mr. Hillman's list made their appearance, and the proportions of the various principles, as contrasted with the preceding ten years of war, show a remarkable inversion. Twenty-one of the Companies are upon the mixed principle, eleven upon the proprietary, and only six on the mutual. The next ten years, including 1840, shows a still greater increase; fifty-two new offices showing themselves in the list, of which twenty-four were mixed, sixteen proprietary, and twelve mutual. And in the six years, including 1846, beyond which the return before us does not extend, we have a greater demand for Assurance, as evidenced by the increase of offices, than in any of the other longer periods, the number of new offices amounting to sixty-two. The mixed principle appears in these six years to have gained a marked predominance, thirty-six of the sixty-two offices being founded on that principle, while fourteen are proprietary and twelve mutual. These variations were no doubt dependent on some particular state or tendency of society at the various periods we have noticed, and which will no doubt appear more clearly when we come to consider the objects of the Societies, as well as their dates and the principles upon which they are based; and although these enquiries may seem at first glance to be rather curious than useful, we have no doubt that they will be found in the end to lead to practically beneficial results. It is important not only to consider the practice and principles of Assurance, but the influences which bear upon it from without; and to do that, or indeed anything else effectually, it is first necessary to collect all the facts within our reach.

(To be continued.)

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Our masonic contemporary has attained the era of Vol. 2-most sincerely do we wish the publication length of days and an honourable success furthermore, we hope that it may escape the danger of prejudice. The course marked out is a just one; and if the Masons in India will but encourage the undertaking, they will derive both pleasure and profit.

Freemasons' Monthly Magazine. Boston (U. S.)

We are getting so much behindhand with our excellent Bro. Moore, that we shall seriously set about offering a composition to him—truth to say, our labours are so great and increasing, that we have no time to enjoy a few hours recreation with his valuable miscellany-this we the more regret, as in "fancy's sketch," at least, we mentally enjoy the time, as it were, in company with him. We, nevertheless, thank him for the numbers up to January last inclusive, and will endeavour to goa-head as quickly as possible.

Proceedings of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Canada.

We may remark of this valuable masonic record, that it is a careful and honest digest of the proceedings of the Prov. Grand Lodge of the district of Montreal and William Henry, Canada, from its organization, 1846, to 1847. It assumes no affected control, but instructs by its simplicity.

The Pictorial Book of Ballads. Edited by J. S. Moore, Esq. 2 vols. Henry Washbourne.

These volumes, of sweetest memory, are traditional and romantic records of the ballad literature of England, gathered together in one "local habitation;" to what feelings of delight does not their perusal give rise! to the early thought of youth, in the revival of Chevy Chace and the Nut-browne Mayde, to that of boyhood, in the recollection of the sturdy Robin Hood, to that of manhood and of love, in the Hermit of Warkworth and Sir James the Rose. We presume that the Editor has no reason to be dissatisfied with the reception of his first volume, to which the second proves a most worthy rival-for it brings out from the records of time much that poetic romance had divulged in descriptive imagery of its richest fancy-Stories of lady-love-such as Lady Bessy, King Copheuta and the Beggar Maid, testify to the impassioned fervour of poets; and all the other poeins and songs appear to hallow the spirit that has thus collected them into one general array. Typography has lent its aid with unsparing industry, to render the volumes worthy of their rank; and the engraver's skill appears to have caught the inspiration, for the illustrations are as numerous as they are descriptive and elegant.

Wise Saws and Modern Instances. By Thomas Cooper. 2 vols. How. The quaintness of the title is a passport to the investigation of the contents of a work which has sterling claims to merit. Some exclaim, what! read a work by Cooper, the Chartist? Aye, courteous reader, and well pleased are we that we have done so. We scanned his poetical

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work with great satisfaction, and were not prepared for so much ethical purity diffused over a series of sketches of real life-that instruct and amuse, are free from pretence, and prove that, let an author's political bias be what it may, the genuine principle of thought rises superior to the thraldom of mere worldly speculation. The wise saws and modern instances of Cooper, the Chartist, may take a foremost rank among the aristocrats of literature.

The Purgatory of Mercedes, a Prison Rhyme. By Cooper, the Chartist. How.

A noble poem this; vigorous and fervid. It is inscribed to Douglas Jerrold. Unexceptionable in moral grandeur, it has been approved by all classes.

Life of Samuel Johnson, L. L. D. By James Boswell. Henry Washbourne.

Having passed through several editions, this work of great painstaking has become one of standard excellence. Johnson was the great founder of a system-and in English literature stood alone-society at large is indebted to his memory, and these repeated editions may be looked on as so many instalments issued and received as acknowledgments of a principal and interest that can never be repaid unless in the sense of national gratitude. The account of the studies of this great man are deeply interesting, and the various scenes that pass before the reader in chronological order, arising from correspondence and conversation with those who have all passed to the great bourne, are invested with that peculiar charm that rivets the reader to the subject, and permits him to speak and to think with those who are gone before him. Boswell, in his dedication to the first edition to Sir Joshua Reynolds, well observes that "the whole truth is not to be exposed"—and this reminds us of the late Sir Thomas Lawrence, who never painted a woman otherwise than handsome, insisting that Nature never intended them to be otherwise his likenesses were always truthful; and after a careful perusal of this standard work, we agree with Boswell in another observation, that pleasure is not diminished by the disappointment of malignity-may truth always prevail.

Littell's Living Age. Littell and Co., Boston, U. S.

This publication is a curiosity in literature; the number before us (201) contains a history of the ether discovery, with a report of the Trustees of the Massachusetts General Hospital, which will repay perusal.

Johnson's Typographia. 2 Volumes. Longman.

How can this powerful engine, for it can hardly be called a mere work of literature, be described-in compilation, industrious-in execution, majestic-in research, unexampled-whatever is useful or instructive in the printers' art, is here. Comprehensive and elaborate, it is ever exciting as it explores the vast field that produces so much continuous fruit to refresh the mind. It embraces the origin of printing, and contains biographical notices of the printers of England, from Caxton to the close of the sixteenth century; and, indeed, there is nothing of importance connected with the art, that has created itself into a fourth estate, that is left unnoticed.

Rambles about Bath. By James Tunstall, M. D. Simpkin and Co. Bath, more than most places, has pride in its antiquity. King Bladud and the warm springs were renowned in their day, and live in memory. Beau Nash and the fashionables of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries are not absolutely forgotten, and the greatest proof of the importance of Bath is, that it has ceased to be a mere place of occasional resort, it has lost its season, and become a metropolis, elegant in its buildings, and preserving a high prestige. Our author has a taste for rural scenery, and in his rambles from gay Bath to its neighbourhood he has gone a gypsying in good taste, and taken his peripatetic sketches with fidelity. The engravings are excellent companions to those sketches, and we congratulate the author on the success attending his labours, and on the appreciation by the public of their value.

Observations on Chloroform in Parturition. By J. R. Hancorn, Accoucheur, &c. Smith, Elder, and Co.

To aid nature, not to coerce her, is the great object of medical statistics. The title of this little brochure explains its great motive, and the cases bear testimony to the results. Mr. Hancorn deserves well for his frank explanation of his mode of treatment, and it is pleasant to reflect that under such careful employment of a powerful auxiliary, the suffering of many a woman may be alleviated.

Rural Records. By James Smith. Henry Washbourne.

The author of these papers frankly states that most of them appeared in a popular periodical; they lose nothing of their interest by being brought together in a volume, nay, their interest is increased; and we thank him for thus preserving for the information of the rising generation tales and records that have instructed a by-gone age. To snatch from the womb of time what is worthy of all time is a duty; we should be unselfish, and in matters of literature it is well even to think of the childrens' children.

A Treatise on Diet and Regimen. By W. H. Robertson, M. D. Churchill.

The sixth part of this work treats extensively of mineral waters, in all their characters and effects. The chapter on sleep is well written, and especially worthy attention-sleep is described as "maintaining or restoring the balance of the vital forces." The effect of occupation on health is in itself a masterly thesis; as is also the chapter on moral culture, in which the author ranges his arguments, and then condenses them with forcible reasoning.

A few Words addressed to the Labouring Classes. By J. H. Schmit. Effingham Wilson.

This brochure is well timed, and being written by "one of themselves," will not be without effect. It is a translation from the French, and is equally adapted to the humbler classes of this country, being written with moral force and true simplicity, it is therefore intelligible to all-teaching, as it does, that although domestic repose should not be invaded with impunity, nor our rights pass unredressed, yet that we should be grateful to that Being who has gifted us with moral power to act as becomes men.

Artegall; or, Remarks on the Reports of the Commissioners of Enquiry into the State of Education in Wales. Longman.

The principality has risen to a man in denouncing the report of the commission, which, truth to say, however correct in the main, has not been over kind in its expressions, it has not sufficiently understood the Welsh character. As a language, few would be desirous that the Welsh should be the vernacular, although none would desire its extinction; in promoting, therefore, the advantages of one language among our fellowsubjects, a language now that is acknowledged over the whole world, care should be taken to avoid, not to encourage dissention among those who know none but their native tongue. Educate the humbler classes of our Welsh fellow-subjects with caution and kindness, and there will soon be a change come over the scene. There are many observations in Artegall worthy the attention of the commissioners, which they will do well not to lose sight of.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

WE are requested to state that Dr. Crucefix has altogether retired from London. His address is Grove, Gravesend, Kent; where all communications should be addressed that are intended for his personal observation-indeed, letters for the Editor, under cover to him, will more immediately reach their destination.

It is most earnestly entreated that, wherever possible, all communications may be written only on one side of the paper; also that all German and other foreign words may be most legibly written.

We are requested by Dr. Crucefix, who is preparing for the Press an account of popular events in English Freemasonry, to be favoured by any Masonic papers; more especially as relating to York and Athol Masonry-the trials of Preston, Whitney, Bonner, and others. His own escapade is complete. Furthermore-Dr. Crucefix desires us respectfully to intimate, that as in a great many instances he has not kept copies of his own correspondence with numerous esteemed Brethren, he will consider it a lasting obligation if Brethren, possessing any letters written by him on important subjects, will grant him the loan of such letters, which will serve to refresh his memory; such letters of course to be returned, if requested.

GENERAL COOKE.-In reply to several enquiries, we have much pleasure in stating that the charitable brother has sustained his position with moral power; e. g., he has qualified as a Vice-President of all our masonic charities-in this character he is Alone.

ALPHA 1-We regret that we are not in the secret of the Masonic Provident Society alluded to.

JUSTITIA. The ruling of the Grand Master, that a brother's address shall be reported, whether desired or not, is an apt corollary on the folly, not on the wisdom, of the Constitutions, which can thus admit the exercise of the "sic volo sic jubeo" system; the only remedy is to limit the Grand Mastership to three years, as the limit of the exercise of reason.

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