of hearts; and the more important the secrets, the greater is his confidence who imparts them; the greater his honour who preserves them.

The utility of having secrets in a society is to prove by secrecy, that the members thereof are men of probity, truth, and honour; who can withstand all inducements to violation of a trust, and prove themselves above deceit, and too strong for temptation.

We are told that there are secrets above. Many of the divine determinations no man knoweth, not even

SECRETS OF MASONRY. It has been hinted by some insidious and malevolent characters, who are excluded from the secrets of free-the angels which are in Heaven; masonry, that, therefore, such society cannot be good. "If," say they, their meetings be for the promotion of probity and virtue, why are there so many secrets?" Nothing but what is mischievous, they think, is ever concealed.

The philosophers of old informed us, that to be secret (or silent) was to be wise. None but fools babble; wise men keep their counsel. This is surely verified in the present times; and I am certain, if the world had been acquainted with the mysteries of freemasonry, notwithstanding the many excellencies it possesses, it would not have been in existence now; for, seeing that by secrecy, friendship is proved, so by secrecy friends are united. It is the chain which unites our hearts and affec-|| tions; and without which there can be no honour. When friends part, they should faithfully lock up in their hearts each other's secrets, and exchange keys.

But why is it supposed that secrets imply some mischievous or unworthy designs? Are there not secrets in every family? and why not in a society? Does not a member thereby feel himself secure? and is not he, through this decorum, enabled to relate any secret misfortune which he would be very loth to advertise the public of? Secrecy is the union

and seeing that we are enjoined to be secret even in charity, there is, to use a common phrase, much virtue in secrecy. Why then attribute to the arcana of freemasonry aught that is improper or unjust, when the most noble of all virtues, charity, may, for aught they know, be included among those secrets?

In order to prove the utility of secrecy, I shall here delineate two characters which form a perfect contrast: Tom Tattle and Jack Wary.

Tom is a wild, unthinking fellow, so much addicted to loquacity, that, if intrusted with a secret, he would die, if he did not tell it immediately. Indeed, Tom Tattle could never keep his own secrets: the consequences of such imprudence have frequently been fatal. He once lost a place by too freely and unguardedly communicating his intention, and the source of his interest, by which means he was supplanted.Another time he lost a mistress by expatiating upon her charms, and discovering that she had a fortune. Such attractions induced one of the many to whom he imparted this secret, to become acquainted with the lady, and poor Tom was again supplanted! This imprudent confidence has likewise subjected him to much ridicule; his disappointments being always the more inortifying,

ded, was rejected; while Jack, on account of his well-known prudence and integrity, was immediately admitted: he soon arrived to the honour of becoming master, and met with the warm approbation of his brethren.

AHIMAN REZON.

The Ahiman Rezon is a code of

as they were consequently known to || his friends, who, according to custom, forbore not to deride the man who could not be silent till he had an occasion to speak. Misfortunes are rendered double by becoming public. Thus it is with Tom Tattle; he goes to every one to let them know that he intends to wait on my lord to-morrow to ask such a favour. Tomarrow comes; and he is obliged to confess his lordship refused him.-laws, which has existed from time imWhenever any one, according to the usual phrase,and as a prelude to some discovery, says, CAN YOU BE SECRET? the question hurts his pride, and he promises to be as silent as the grave; but his tongue, like the tombstone, tells every passer-by what the contents are. This has brought poor Tom into many scrapes; he has been obliged to fight several duels; but, till shot through the head, he will never be able to keep a secret. No so with Jack Wary. He is so exceedingly cautious and reserved, that all his actions are to himself only. No one knows how much he owes, or how much is due to him; yet Jack can be communicative at times; it is not, however, to Tom Tattle that he would impart any of his secrets, but to one of his own stamp, who can be equally prudent and reserved.

memorial, for the government of the craft, and is usually denominated the Book of Constitutions. The word Ahiman signifies "a brother prepared, or brother of the right hand." The word Ahi is, literally translated, the "brother of the Lord." Rezon implies either lean, small, secret, or prince. These words, well known to the fraternity, were in use in the days of our illustrious grand master Solomon; and have descended, among many other things, to the present fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons.

Since the grand convocation at York, when these regulations were systematized, every grand lodge has the inherent right of forming an additional code for the better preservation of the lodges immediately under its jurisdiction. The ancient landmarks, however, including the primitive Ahiman Rezon, are preserved unimpaired.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Such is the character of Jack, that his friendship is universally courted. He is never involved in any quarrel; he never offends; he never breaks his word; and, as he troubles no one with his own affairs, of course he escapes all the sarcastic rubs of his SIR WALTER RALEIGH. neighbours. Notwithstanding, Jack can be on some occasion inquisitive; When Raleigh (sentenced to death he will be curious when he means to by the contemptible James) was upon be of service, and officious when the scaffold, he desired the spectators anxious to perform the task of to join with him in prayer to God, friendship. In this instance, curio-"whom," said he, "I have most sity is laudable, though for the most grievously offended, being a man of part reprehensible. vanity, who have lived a sinful life in These two characters were pro-all sinful callings-for I have been a posed to a lodge for admission.- soldier, a captain, a sea-captain, and Tom, as it may be naturally conclu- a courtier, which are all courses of

chair, with the intention of hastening upon deck, but Marietta stopped me, saying, "It is of no use. The gangway doors are fastened." Notwithstanding this information, I made an attempt to open them, but could not succeed. I was now convinced, by the percussion against the vessel, that a boat lay alongside, and I heard a strange voice addressing Angerstoff. Fired with the idea of deliverance, I leaped upon a table which stood in the middle of the cabin, and tried to push off the sky-light, but was suddenly stunned by a violent

wickedness and vice." Having put || off his doublet and gown, he desired the executioner to show his axe.---This not being done readily, he said. "I prithee let me see it. Dost thou think that I am afraid of it ?" Upon which it was handed to him. He felt the edge of it, and smilingly ob served to the Sheriff, "This is a sharp medicine; but it is a physician that will cure all diseases." Being asked which way he would lay himself on the block, he replied, "So that the heart be right, it is no matter which way the head lieth." And on the signal being given by himself, the ex-blow on the back of my head. I ecutioner beheaded him in two blows, staggered back and looked round.his body never shrinking nor moving. Marietta stood close behind me, Lady Raleigh procured his head, and brandishing an axe, as if in the act kept it by her seventeen years; and of repeating the stroke. Her face his son Carew afterwards preserved it was flushed with rage, and, having with equal care and affection. Before seized my arm, she cried, "Come his condemnation, he had repeatedly down, instantly, accursed villain !-said, he had rather die in the way he I know you want to betray us; but did, than by a burning fever; and on may we all go to the bottom if you the scaffold he seemed as free from || find a chance of doing so." I strugall apprehensions, as if he had been gled to free myself from her grasp, a spectator and not the sufferer---nei- || but, being in a state of dizziness and ther voice nor countenance failing confusion, I was unable to effect this, him. and she soon pulled me to the ground. At that moment, Angerstoff hurriedly entered the cabin, exclaiming, "What noise is this?Oh, just as I expected! Has that devil-that spy-been trying to get above boards? Why haven't I the

THE FLOATING BEACON. (Concluded from page 110.) Next day, while I was walking the deck, and anxiously surveying the expanse of ocean around, Anger-heart to despatch him at once? But stoff requested me to come down to there's no time now. The people the cabin. I obeyed his summons, are waiting-Marietta, come and and found him there. He gave me lend a hand." They now forced me a book, saying it was very entertain-down upon the floor, and bound me ing, and would serve to amuse me to an iron ring that was fixed in it. . during my idle hours; and then This being done, Angerstoff directwent above, shutting the doors care-ed his female accomplice to prevent fully behind him. I was struck with me from speaking, and went upon his behaviour, but felt no alarm, for deck again. Marietta sat at work near me, appaWhile in this state of bondage, I rently unconscious of what had pass-heard distinctly all that passed withed. I began to peruse the volume I out. Some one asked Angerstoff held in my hand, and found it so in-how Morvalden did. "Well, quite teresting that I paid little attention to any thing else, till the dashing of oars struck my ear. I sprung from my

well," replied the former; "but he's below, and so sick that he can't see any person." "Strange

enough," said the first speaker, || lost your senses. Why should we

laughing. "Is he ill and in good health at the same time? He had as well be overboard as in that condition." "Overboard!" repeated Angerstoff, "what?-how do you mean?-all false but listen to

me.

Angerstoff gradually became more agitated as the day advanced. He watched upon deck almost without intermission, and seemed irresolute what to do; sometimes sitting down composedly, and at other times hur

fear the officers of justice? Keep a guard over your tongue." "Oh," returned Marietta, "I talk without thinking, or understanding my own words; but come upon deck, and let me speak with you there." They Are there any news stirring now went up the gangway stairs toashore ?" "Why," said the stran-gether, and continned in deep conger, "the chief talk there just now ||versation for some time. is about a curious thing that happened this morning. A dead man was found upon the beach, and they suspect, from the wounds on his body, that he hasn't got fair play. They are making a great noise about it, and government means to sendrying backwards and forwards, with out a boat with an officer on board, who is to visit all the shipping round this, that he may ascertain if any of them has lost a man lately. 'Tis a dark business; but they'll get to the bottom of it, I warrant ye. Why you look as pale as if you knew more about this matter than you choose to tell." "No, no, no," returned Angerstoff, I never heard of a murder, but I think of a friend of mine who but I won't detain you, for the sea is At length he suddenly dashed the getting up. We'll have a blowy instrument away, and exclaimed, night, I'm afraid." "So you don't" God help us! they are coming want any fish to-day ?" cried the now!" Marietta, on hearing this, stranger. "Then I'll be off--Good ran wildly towards him, and put her morning, good morning. I suppose hands in his, but he pushed her to you'll have the government boat one side, and began to pace the alongside by and bye." I now heard deck, apparently in deep thought. the sound of oars, and supposed After a little time, he started and from the conversation having ceased, cried, I have it now!--Its the onthat the fisherman had departed.ly plan--I'll manage the business--Angerstoff came down to the cabin | yes, yes-I'll cut the cables, and off soon after, and released me without || we'll go--that's settled ?" He then speaking a word.

clenched hands and bloodless cheeks. The wind blew pretty fresh from the shore, and there was a heavy swell; and I supposed, from the anxious looks with which he contemplated the sky, that he hoped the threatening aspect of the weather would prevent the government boat from putting out to sea. He kept his glass constantly in his hand, and surveyed the ocean through it in all directions.

seized an axe, and first divided the hawser at the bows, and afterwards the one attached to her stern.

Marietta then approached him, and taking hold of his arm, said, "Do you believe what that man has told The vessel immediately began to you." "Yes, by the eternal hell!" drift away, and having no helm or cried he vehemently; "I suspect I sails to steady her, rolled with such will find the truth of it soon enough." || violence that I was dashed from side My God! exclaimed she, "what to side several times. She often is to become of us? How dreadful! swung over so much that I thought We are chained here, and cannot es- she would not regain the upright pocape." "Escape what?" inter-sition, and Angerstoff all the while rupted Angerstoff; "girl you have unconsciously strengthened this be

lief by exclaiming, "She will capsize! shift the ballast or we must go to the bottom!" In the midst of this I kept my station upon deck, intently watching the boat, which was still several miles distant. I waited in fearful expectation, thinking, that every new wave against which we were impelled would burst upon our vessel and overwhelm us, while our pursuers were too far off to afford any assistance. The idea of perishing when on the point of being saved, was inexpressibly agonizing.

We soon felt our vessel bound twice against the sand, and, in a little time after, a heavy sea carried As the day advanced, the hopes I her up the beach, where she remainhad entertained of the boat making ed imbedded, and hard a-ground. up with us gradually diminished. During the ebb of the waves there The wind blew violently, and we was not more than two feet of water drifted along at a rapid rate, and the round her bows. I immediately weather grew so hazy that our pur-perceived this, and watching a fasuers soon became undistinguish-vourable opportunity, swung myself able. Marietta and Angerstoff appeared to be stupified with terror. They stood motionless,holding firmly by the bulwarks of the vessel; and though the waves frequently broke over the deck, and rushed down the gangway, they did not of fer to shut the companion door, which would have remained open, had not I closed it. The tempest, gloom, and danger, that thickened around us, neither elicited from them any expressions of mutual regard, nor seemed to produce the slightest sympathetic emotion in their bosoms. They gazed sternly at each other and at me, and every time that the vessel rolled, clung with convulsive eagerness to whatever lay within their reach.

down to the beach, by means of part of the cable that projected through the hawse-hole. I began to run towards the cliffs, the moment my feet touched the ground, and Angerstoff attempted to follow me, that he might prevent my escape; but while in the act of descending from the vessel, the sea flowed in with such violence, that he was obliged to spring on board again to save himself from being overwhelmed by its waters.

I hurried on and began to climb up the rocks, which were very steep and slippery; but I soon grew breathless from fatigue, and found it necessary to stop. It was now almost dark, and when I looked around, I neither saw any thing distinctly, nor About sunset our attention was at- could form the least idea how far I tracted by a dreadful roaring, which had still to ascend before I reached evidently did not proceed from the the top of the cliffs. I knew not waves around us; but the atmos-which way to turn my steps, and rephere being very hazy, we were un-mained irresolute, till the barking of able to ascertain the cause of it, for a dog faintly struck my ear; I joya long time. At length we distinguished a range of high cliffs,against which the sea beat with terrible fury. Whenever the surge broke upon them, large jets of foam started up to a great height, and flashed angri

fully followed the sound, and after an hour of perilous exertion, discovered a light at some distance, which I soon found to proceed from the window of a small hut.

After I had knocked repeatedly.