to the time of which we speak, that the views which we then advocated are now being adopted by those to whom they were addressed.

We find from an admirable address delivered by P. G. Richardson, at the Good Samaritan Lodge dinner, a few days since, that the Lodge of which he is a member, has taken up this excellent course, and that a project is now in contemplation for the establishment of a Library and Reading-room for the use of the members of the North London District, and from a printed "circular" issued from that Lodge, we find the plan in all its detail to be exactly as we had previouly pronounced it-to be as easily practicable as is is obviously useful.

This is as it should be; the proposers of the plan not only demonstrate its great usefulness, but likewise shew that the objects which they have in view are very easily attainable, and that when these objects are attained, the results will be beneficial to every member, and every Lodge throughout the District; and sincerely do we hope that the exertions of the originators of this plan will be crowned with the most complete success; for, in the language of the circular, "the establishment of so excellent an Institution as an Odd Fellow's Library in London, would reflect the highest possible credit upon every officer, brother, or Lodge, by whose instrumentality, in however small a degree, it may be called into existence."

We find the talented editor of the Odd Fellows' Magazine advocating the cause in language which ought not to fall unheeded upon the ears of his brethren; while in nearly every public meeting of the Order we hear men of the first eminence among them, loudly proclaiming that the increased intellect and intelligence of the Order render the formation of Libraries in every District a means almost indispensable to the maintenance of that high character for intellectuality by which its best members would wish to see the Manchester Unity distinguished.

We find from the "tircular" that the project is to be officially brought before their next District Committee for their sanction and approbation; and we hope that body will see fit to grant the required favor, and there can be little doubt as to the rest, for the plan is so simple, yet so good, as almost to ensure success; and we feel fully assured that any edifice in London, having for its title, the Odd Fellows' Library, would soon be well supplied with all matter proper to a place so named, by subscriptions and donations from persons, who, although not perhaps all of them members of the Order, are yet all of them friendly to the cause of education and self-cultivation.

As a general rendezvous and place of meeting for the members when not actually employed upon the business of life, such a place as a reading-room would be invaluable: then, free from the too-often degrading influence of tavern meetings, they could enjoy the pleasure of social intercourse as freely and as creditably as can be done by those in a higher station of society than that to which the great majority of the members of the Manchester Unity belong; and who cannot imagine the excellent effect that would be created upon the public mind in favor of Odd Fellowship, by the means of a measure like this. The Odd Fellow, subscribing to his Library, and probably shortly to an Orphan School, and who meets his brethren in his reading room, will be far more likely to impress the world with a true sense of his worth and respectability, than he would do under any other circumstance; but independent of this prestige, which must be created in their favor by the forming of such Libraries, there are other, and probably more really important, reasons, why this plan should be supported by every member who would wish to do his duty to his fellow-creatures, or, in fact, to himself.

The usefulness, and indeed necessity, of self-culture, is too well admitted to need advocacy at this time, as it is fully proved by the success that has attended the formation of Mechanics Institutions, and others of a similar nature. We do not mean success in a merely pecuniary point of view, but by the substantial benefits they have conferred upon their members. Who can estimate the amount of latent talent developed by these means, which, but for them, would have been lost to the world' Who can tell of the immense advantages gained by the members so benefited, both in a moral and physical point of view? And may we not fairly presume that there is some dormant uncultivated ability in the minds of many of the members of the Order, which may shine forth a bright and beaming meteor before the world, when called into existence by the same means among themselves; and who can estimate the benefit the Order itself might derive from such proper cultivation of the mind and talents of those who may be called upon to fill the most important offices among them?

VOL. 8-No. 6-2 F.

Already is the name of the Manchester Unity spreading far and wide-already has the importance of the Order arrested the attention of a great portion of the human racealready is the conduct, nay, the very language, of its officers made the matter for public criticism; and does not this shew the almost paramount necessity that exists for them to encourage mental cultivation by every means in their power, so that they may be able at all times to ensure the services of men whose conduct and acquirements will bear the strictest criticism?

Some of our best theological writers have asserted that all men are, by nature, endowed with some talent, for the proper use and cultivation of which they are responsible to their Creator. If this be so-and who can say it is not?-we have a strong moral obligation imposed upon the members of the Manchester Unity, in their common character as men and created beings, to fulfil this great duty to their Creator, their fellow-creatures, and themselves, by giving all the support in their power to any project which has so laudable an object in view as the affording the means of self-cultivation to all who choose to avail themselves of them.

We heartily wish success to the cause, and shall feel happy if the opportunity is afforded us of contributing to its success by any means that can be suggested to us.— County Herald.

THE ORDER IN CANADA.-The Loyal and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Manchester Unity, celebrated on Thursday, November 7th, 1844,-it being the Anniversary of their establishment in Montreal-their annual festival. The brethren of the Montreal, the St. Lawrence, and the British North American Lodges, assembled between eleven o'clock and noon, at the Lodge of the first-named Brotherhood, in St. Paul Street; and headed by the band of the 93rd Highlanders, marched in procession— the various beautiful emblematic flags, banners, and other insignia of the Order being borne by the proper officers-to the St. Gabriel Street Church, where the Rev. Wm. Taylor delivered an eloquent and impressive discourse to them, and a liberal collection was made in aid of the "Widow and Orphans' Fund." After divine service the brethren re-formed in procession, and returned to the Lodge from whence they started, by Notre Dame, M'Gill, and St. Paul Streets. In the afternoon, the office-bearers of the Montreal Lodge proceeded to Monklands, the residence of the Governor General, and presented to His Excellency the following Address:

To His Excellency the Right Hon. Sir CHARLES THEOPHILUS METCALFE, Bart., Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, one of Her Majesty's Most Honorable Privy Council, Governor General of British North America, and Captain General and Governor in Chief, in and over the Provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Island of Prince Edward, and Vice Admiral of the same.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY:

We, the office-bearers in the Montreal District, of the Manchester Unity Lodges, of the Loyal and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, on the part of our brethren, beg most respectfully to wait upon Your Excellency, on this the Anniversary of the establishment of our brotherhood in the City of Montreal.

We do so for the purpose of tendering you our grateful thanks, for the liberality and kindness which Your Excellency, since your auspicious arrival in Canada, as the Representative of Our Gracious and Beloved Sovereign, has been pleased to shew towards us and our brethern in both sections of the Province.

Your Excellency will, perhaps, excuse us for reminding you, that the sole end and object of our fraternisation, is, by precept and example, to inculcate and practice those principles of brotherly love and mutual assistance, which, we believe, Your Excellency will acknowledge, must ever conduce to the political as well as the social happiness, prosperity and contentment of those who act up to them.

While, by the rules of our Order, we are strictly precluded from any interference with the religious faith, or the political opinions of our brethern, we asure Your Excellency, that we all feel and acknowledge that veneration towards our God, loyalty towards our Queen, and love towards the glorious constitution of our country, are our primary and most imperative dutes alike as citizens and as Odd Fellows.

We again thank Your Excellency for the kindness and consideration which you have been pleased to manifest towards us and our Order: and, in sincerity and truth, we pray that Your Excellency may long live in the enjoyment of health, of the approbation of

Your Sovereign, the confidence of Her Ministers, and the respect, esteem, and affection of those among Her subjects over whom you have been appointed to rule. With the latter sentiments, we have the honor to subscribe ourselves, individually and for the brethren of our Lodge.

Your Excellency's

Obliged and very obedient servants,

PETER TAYLOR, P. G. M.
DUNCAN M'LEAN, P. D. G. M.

JOHN LAMBERT, P. P. G. M. and C. S.
EDWARD CLEGG, P. G.

To which His Excellency very graciously replied- thanking the brethren of the Order, through their office-bearers, for the satisfaction which their loyal and affectionate address afforded him—proving, as it did, that while attending to their own peculiar interests as Odd Fellows, they were not unmindful of their duty towards their Sovereign and their country. His Excellency made many inquiries as to the past history and present condition of the Order, extended, as it now is, into-with the exception, we believe, of the East Indies-every quarter of the globe, where the "meteor flag of England" waves over the settlements of her enterprising sons. His Excellency expressed his perfect approbation of the objects of the Order, and showed himself deeply interested in its prosperity. His reception of the deputation was at once dignified, courteous, and kind, and we were happy to hear from them, that he appeared, during his somewhat lengthened conversation with them, to be-notwithstanding the local affection under which he has so long suffered-in excellent health and spirits.

In the evening, the brethren with their families and guests, held a social reunion in the Lodge-room, which was appropriately decorated for the occasion. There were upwards of 300 present-the music was admirable, the refreshments abundant and recherche; and, while the elders looked complacently on, the juveniles continued to "trip it on the light fantastic toe" until the "wee short hours" reminded them that it was time to part.

During the evening, a very handsome silver snuff-box was presented to Mr. Lambert, who, if not the founder, has been a zealous and indefatigable friend and supporter of Odd Fellowship in Montreal-as a slight testimonial of the respect and esteem in which he is universally held by his brethren of the order.-Montreal Herald.

COUNTESS OF WILTON LODGE ANNIVERSARY, MANCHESTER DISTRICT.-On Monday evening, February 17th, 1845, the members and friends of the above Lodge held their anniversary at the house of Mr. William Gray, Royal Olympic. Tavern, Stevenson's Square, Manchester. The company was highly respectable, and consisted of about sixty gentlemen, who sat down to an excellent dinner, provided by the worthy host. Amongst the parties present were Mr. Henry Whaite, G. M., Mr. John Dickinson, D. G. M., Mr. William Ratcliffe, C. S., Mr. J. B. Rogerson, P. G., Editor of the Odd Fellows' Magazine, Mr. George Richmond, P. G. M., Mr. John Peiser, P.G.M. Mr. W. F. Burdett, Prov. G. M., and Mr. John Ormond, Prov. C. S. of the Manchester District. Mr. Henry Gregson, P. G., occupied the Chair, and Mr. Joseph Evans, P. G., acted as Vice-chairman on the occasion.

The Chairman, in proposing the first toast, observed that in an assembly of Odd Fellows it was not necessary to say much to induce a hearty response. It was well known that the very constitution of the association inculcated the principles of loyalty and observance of the laws of the country; he would therefore, without further remark, give "The Queen."

The toast was drank with three times three, the company upstanding.

Song, "God save the Queen."

The Chairman next gave "The Prince of Wales, Prince Albert, and the rest of the Royal Family," which was pledged with due honours.

Song, "Fine Old English Gentleman."

The Chairman said the next toast upon his list was one dear to every Briton, and one which he was sure every lover of his country could not fail to respond to with a degree of satisfaction and grateful remembrance, which would stimulate feelings of approbation whenever it was proposed. He would give them "The Army and Navy," which was pledged with loud cheers.

Song, "The Wooden Walls of England."

The next toast he had to propose was, he believed, the toast of the evening, and one upon which he could not trust himself to speak. Without further preface, therefore, he would give "The Independent Order of Odd Fellows.'

Mr. George Richmond, P. G. M., was called upon to respond to the toast. He said, he believed that was the third time he had been called upon to respond to the toast which they had just drunk with such enthusiasm. Addressing as he was, a number of gentlemen, most of whom were as well acquainted with the merits of the Institution as himself, and having so often before delivered his sentiments upon the utility of Odd Fellowship, he confessed he felt at a loss how to proceed on that occasion; not because he had a barren subject to deal with, for every Odd Fellow knew the extent of field and fruitful subjects to dilate upon, but because, as he before said, the advantages of Odd Fellowship were so well understood by the gentlemen before him. The Institution was one of the most extensive and useful in the country; in its fall, or prosperity, the interests of thousands were at stake, and, therefore, it behoved the officers in trust, carefully to examine into the financial affairs of the society, with a view of purging it from errors (if any existed) which might, in the least degree, tend to retard its progress. It was highly necessary that the whole of its affairs should be conducted upon sound principles, and upon principles of the most rigid economy, consistent with the efficient management of the Order. He observed, that he thought the time fixed for the consideration of this most important subject, was well chosen, for, generally speaking, the working population, a majority of whom, he was proud to say, composed our Institution, were pretty well employed, in consequence of the improvement that had lately taken place in trade, and, therefore, were in a better frame of mind to calmly and dispassionately consider the subject in all its bearings. He gave expression to the deepest feelings of his heart, when he said that every endeavour should be made to promote the prosperity and welfare of the Institution.

The Chairman next gave "The Officers of the Order, and Board of Directors." Drunk with three times three.

Mr. John Dickinson, D. G. M., responded to this toast. He, like the last speaker, felt considerable difficulty in addressing the gentlemen present. His views on the principles and usefulness of the society were long ago before the Order, and he was proud to say had undergone no change. There were hundreds of subjects in connexion with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows upon which he could address them, every one of which, though not new in themselves, were interesting, and which would afford food for any speaker to dwell upon. The great, and he hoped lasting, advantages which the society was distributing throughout the country, afforded many interesting topics for remark. The moral effects of the spread of Odd Fellowship, were as extensive as its domestic influence upon its members. In many of the more rural Districts of the country, where a short time ago the inhabitants were little better than heathens, the most beneficial results had followed the introduction of Odd Fellowship. It was a well known fact that ministers of religion were very materially assisted in their labours by the introduction of the principles of the Institution. In one case, with which he (the speaker) was himself acquainted, a minister of the Established Church had declared that the spread of Odd Fellowship had facilitated his labours more than any other circumstance he knew of; and that he was perfectly satisfied, after reading their laws and rules, that they would do more to effect a moral regeneration in England, than even the preaching from the pulpit. This he (the speaker) believed to be the fact in many parts of the country; indeed, he knew such to be the case in Districts which he had visited in the discharge of his official duties, and he also knew that the laws of the Institution were held as sacred as the laws of religion, and obeyed with as much, and in some instances, perhaps, with more scrupulosity, than the laws of the country. Such were the effects of Odd Fellowship, and he was sure that every right-minded man, on being more acquainted with its principles, would join in supporting them. By the spread of Odd Fellowship, the people were taught to be more provident and temperate, as was proved from many facts within his own knowledge. In 1841-2 when distress was prevalent in many parts of England, it was a well-established fact, that but very few Odd Fellows applied for relief. In one District alone, which came under his own observation, out of 1400 applicants for parochial relief, not one of them belonged to the association, although the Order, at that time, numbered 5000 members in the same locality. There were many other cases of a similar nature, which passed within his own notice. These,

he repeated, were facts which must satisfy every well-informed mind of the great advantages of Odd Fellowship. Returning to the toast which had just been given, and so heartily responded to, he thought he was fully justified in stating, on behalf of his brother officers, that it was their whole care and study to promote the interests of the society. In the desire to promote the welfare of the Order, which, he could assure them animated the minds of the Board of Directors, he was sure every gentleman present would most heartily join; and as regarded himself, he could only say, that as long as he had any latent power left, his whole energies should be directed to the spread of Odd Fellowship.

The chairman next gave "The Past Officers of the Order," which was acknowledged by Mr. John Peiser, P. G. M., in a short but appropriate address.

The next toast on the list was "The Editor of the Magazine, and Committee of Management."

Mr. John Bolton Rogerson, P. G., Editor of the Magazine, was called upon by the chairman to respond. Mr Rogerson said that he felt deeply grateful for the spirit with which his labours in connexion with the Magazine had been received, as well as for the compliment they had just paid to the Committee of Management. The present state of the Order and the extensive circulation of the publication with which he had the honour to be identified, convinced him that the working men of England were fully alive to their own interests, and that they were the best judges of those principles which were calculated to promote their welfare, as was proved by the fact that they were the originators of the society of Odd Fellows. Some thirty years ago, the Order was composed of a few working men, meeting together and devising the best means of providing for themselves and their families when in distress. At that period of the history of Odd Fellowship many prejudices were in existence against it, and numerous were the obstacles thrown in its way; still the working men, in spite of every difficulty, persevered in the good work, until they overcame every opposition, and succeeded in laying the foundation of an association which for its philanthropy, numbers, and extent, was unparalleled. The progress of the society, and the national character which it assumed in time, warranted them in the establishment of a publication, devoted to the objects of the society, the care and direction of which were placed in the hands of the Board of Directors, by whose management it had now obtained a circulation of 25,000 copies each publication. Mr. Rogerson proceeded to give an account of the progress of education and literature amongst the Order, and contended that no other society in existence contributed so much to the advantage of the working classes. Speaking of the progress which the Order had made, he stated that seven years ago their numbers were not more than 90,000, whilst at the present time the society had enrolled in its books 250,000 members, many of whom were men of wealth and high standing in the country. The speaker, at considerable length, pointed out the advantages of Odd Fellowship, and contended that the members, whether rich or poor, owed a debt of gratitude to the working-men of Manchester, who first instituted the Order.

The Chairman next gave "The Widows' and Orphans' Fund of the Countess of Wilton Lodge."

Mr. William Ratcliffe, C. S., rose to respond to the toast. It was, he said, an old and acknowledged principle, that "unity is strength." When first he suggested the withdrawal of the Countess of Wilton Lodge from the general Widow and Orphans' Fund, he was convinced, as he was still, that the constitution of that fund wanted material alteration; as far as he was acquainted with its constitution he was bound to say that it was founded on wrong principles. Its funds were by no means fairly distributed amongst its members, as it was well known that when parties made application for relief, their success depended upon the number of friends they had amongst the committee. In fact, it was quite a matter of chance whether they obtained relief or not; and believing it to be the duty of the Order to stop all such partial proceedings, he suggested the propriety of the Countess of Wilton Lodge establishing a fund of its own, on the principle that "those who have paid should receive." Mr. Ratcliffe entered into the details of the constitution of the Widows' and Orphans' Fund, in connexion with the Countess of Wilton Lodge, and contended that they were such as would stand the test of time, and afford relief to the widows of deceased members, without subjecting them to the indelicate scrutiny which was too often instituted under the old system. Mr. Ratcliffe, in the course of his address, exhibited an extensive acquaintance with his