The Sun.
London, England, 1838-04-07 00:00:00

THE FREEMASON'S QUARTERLY REVIE IV.
Sherwood and Co.
Whatever may be the principles of Freemasonry—for we
belong not to the initiated in its mysteries—we believe its
basis to be charity. If we cannot speak of its moral adap-
tation to supply the wants of an intellectual nature, we at
least daily witness its ever-flowing beneficence—its kindly
and fraternal efforts to alleviate the sum of physical suffer-
ing. The spirit of masonic charity is active—ever display-
ing itself in works rather than words. So far it is pre-emi-
nently Christian, and worthy of the imitation of mankind.
Among its newest projects for advancing the best interests
of its members, we find that it contemplates the founding
of an asylum for such of the decayed and aged brethren as
may not have the means of supporting themselves without
having recourse to the bounty of the craft—a project which
is ably supported by the Editor of the Review in an article
now before us. Upon this question we think there can be
but little difference of opinion ; and though unconnected
with the masonic body, we shall rejoice to see such a temple
raised to charity. The mass of masonic intelligence with
which this Review abounds cannot properly be subjected to
newspaper criticism. The following anecdote is one of those
in which the general reader may take an interest as lively
as the members of the craft. We understand that it is well
authenticated :
About fourteen years since, the ship Leven, engaged on a survey,
commanded by Captain Bartholomew, having arrived off Cape Bolador,
she got over the Bar, and anchored in the river Ouro, on the N.W.
coast of Africa, about 23 40 N.L. The Captain and some of the offt,
cers, with two boats' crews, proceeded to examine the river. The shore;
represented, as far as the eye could discover, one vast desert of sand.
The boats proceeded, after rowing for about forty miles, to what ap-
peared to be an island. They landed and slept there; but in the morn-
ing were awoke by the loud yells of savages, and suddenly surprised also
by the appearance of a vast number of Arabs, who by experience they
knew were not the most welcome of visitors. They were armed with
long Spanish muskets, which were afterwards found to be loaded with
balls and slugs; they had also long knives. Captain 8., after making
some arrangements, by causing our people to be prepared for an hostile
attack, which appeared inevitable, advanced to meet their leader, and
being himself a Freemason, had recourse to a Masonic Sign, which to
his great astonishment, as well as that of all present, was answered by
their leader, who immediately laid down his musket and embraced the
Captain ; mutual exchanges took place, &c. Captain B. and the officers,
however, kept on the alert. The Arabs expressed a desire to procure
tobacco, snuff, and even the clothing of our people; but their chief
checked their propensities, so common to their tribe. The Captain and
party left the island, exchanging tokens of friendship with their visitors,
whose language they supposed to be Arabic They were assisted to re-
gain their ship ; and their chief intimated an intention of coming on
board the following day : h owever, Capt. B. saw nothing of them after_
wards. The savages were armed with bows and arrows and bone headed
spears ; the chiefs with long Spanish muskets.
BOUT"

_ HEY'S POETICAL WORKS, VoL. VI.
London, Longman, 1838.
This volume contains the majority of the Poet Laureat's
ballads, and among others, his well-known legend of the
Old Woman of Berkeley," which, be informs us in his
preface, he wrote in pencil in a post-chaise, while travelling
from Hereford to Abberley ; he adds, that this ballad was
translated into the Russian language, where, however, it
was, soon after its publication, prohibited, because it frigh-
tened young children ! The humorous poem entitled the
" March to Moscow"—the most humorous its author ever
wrote—is also included in this volume, which is embel-
lished with two spirited sketches by Finden—one, of St.
Michel's Mount, Cornwall, and the other, of St. Keyne's
Well.

UNITED SERVICE JOURNAL.
The present Number contains an amusing paper entitled
" Overland March of the 85th Regiment from New Bruns-
wick to Quebec," which took place in December last, over
roads and lakes covered with ice, and through woeds of
immense extent. At the present period when the atten-
tion of most people is directed towards our Canadian set-
tlements, the details of this toilsome march will be found
deeply interesting—especially to military men. " Diary of
a Run to the North Coast of France," is a lively, sketchy
journal, hit off, apparently, on the spur of the moment.

HE PAWNBROKERS v. THE BRI
TISH PLEDGE COMPANY.

The long and sluggish tranquillity of the ominous and well-
known three blue balls has, it appears, been most strangely,
and, as the advertisement of the trade would imply, most " un-
warrantably," disturbed by this new Company. The old craft
appear to be all up in arms at this monstrous innovation upon
fifty per cent. interest, which, from the alarm excited amongst
these honest men, is evidently in very serious danger. We
suspect that nothing so harassing to vested interests (not rights)
had happened to any particular craft since that memorable row
that took place in Ephesus about 1830 years ago, and in
which " Alexander the coppersmith" appears to have cut
so remarkable a figure. The men of brass, the makers
of idols at that time, were downright uproarious against
the preaching of the gospel of peace by Saint Paul.
The opposition principle is to all appearance the same in
the present case. The cry of the makers of brass and of
copper gods and goddesses, it is reported, and we have no
reason whatever to doubt the accurary of the report, in the
streets and market-places, is " Great is Diana, the goddess
of the Ephesians," which deity being made of brass or copper,
gave those hammer-men more a personal than a religious ex-
citement at the prospective demolition of that part of their oc-
cupation ; and it is clear enough that, had not the civil power
interfered, their sledge-hammers would soon have put a stop
either to St. Paul, or to the dissemination of Christianity at
Ephesus ; but, in the present day, we don't expect to see the
blue balls showered at the heads of the British Pledge Com-
pany, though it is natural enough that parties accustomed to
enormous profits should wax exceedingly wrath against those
who shall presume to offer the public a better bargain for their
money ! But, if this new concern should prove itself superior
in most respects to that which has existed for some years, the
public will then give it all the encouragement which it may
d, serve, notwithstanding all the efforts of their opponents.
Every one admits that it is high time some great alteration
should be made in the pawn trade, as the Pawnbrokers' Act
is not worth one farthing for the protection of the public.
The principal object of the Pledge Society are, we under-
stand, to afford the public relief from the extortions to which
they are subjected under the present system, to check the im-
morality to which this system gives rise, and to realise a fund out
of the surplus income for charitable uses*. These purposes
Appear reasonable and advantageous to the public, and, if we
might be permitted to offer an opinion in such a case, it would
be to advise the old practitioners not to make such a show of
opposition to the new concern, lest the public might get it
into their heads that they, the members of the old concerti,
were most terribly alarmed, and that, perhaps, they had as
good reason to be so as Alexander and his coppersmiths had
at the time St Paul was preaching at Ephesus. We have
now given them the best, because the most peaceful advice.
Whether they will follow it is another question; that must be
left to their own discretion.

* Similar to the Monts de Piete on the Continent.

PUBLIC DINNER TO DR. PAYNE.—A public
dinner was yesterday given to Dr. Payne, at the White Horse
Tavern, Fetter-lane, for the purpose of presenting to him
some testimonial of approbation for the public spirit he had
evinced in resisting Magisterial aggression in the person of
Mr. Laing, late a Magistrate of Hatton-Garden. About
ninety gentlemen sat down to dinner, T. Anderton, Esq.,
Common Councilman, in the Chair; S. Osanodough, Esq.,
in the Vice_ Chair. After the cloth was removed, and
" The Queen," " The Duke of Sussex, and the rest
of the Royal Family resident in England," " The
People," and one or two other toasts had been drunk, the
Chairman rose to present to Dr. Payne a handsome silver Cup
and Cover, and also a silver Snuff-box, each bearing appro-
priate inscriptions, that had been purchased by a public sub-
scription opened in the City of London, expressive of admiration
of this matter, in which that gentleman had conducted him-
self in his prosecution of M-r. Laing, and in subseqently
obtaining his dismissal from the Magistracy. The ad-
dress of the worthy Chairman, which was extremely judicious,
was replied to by Dr. Payne in a speech admirably suited to
in which he paid a weil-rnerited tribute of praise ttoheLoocredasJioohnn, Russell for the course his Lordship had taken in dismissing Mr. Laing from his magisterial seat, which he had
so highly disgraced. The company were afterwards addressed
by Mr. Galloway, Mr. Figgins, Mr. Powell, Mr. Bernard,
and several other gentlemen, and at twelve o'clock the Chair-
man vacated his seat, and the company separated, highly
pleased with the evening's entertainment.
It appears from the nineteenth report of the Corn-
mittee on Public Petitions, delivered yesterday, that the num-
ber of petitions presented to the House of Commons in favour
of the Ballot this Session was 353, to which 174,211 signa-
tures were attached ; against the Ballot only four petitions.
The petitions for the abolition of negro apprenticeship, pre-
sented to the 25th ult., were 966, with 262,306 signatures.
The total number of petitions this Session, to the 27th cf
March, was 2,998,

are but two persons cognizant of the Earl's first marriage,
and one of these takes charge of the neglected child, who
is brought up to the profession of arms, and serves with
distinction in the Low Countries. The guardian of the
young Earl (an English yeoman) is the- cro of the tale ;
for on his return to 1.:13 native land he takes to the road to
keep Lis sword from growing rusty, and with a view of
promoting more effectually the interests of his ward. We
will proceed no further with the development of the plot,
as our readers may prefer unravelling it for themselves.
Suffice it to say that the true heir is recognized and ac-
knowledged by his father ; that his brother is killed by the
robber ; that the robber in turn inflicts capital punishment
upon himself; and that the loung Earl having the world to
himself " to bustle in," loves, marries, and lives happily for
the remainder of his life. The conclusion is artfully wound
up, and the style throughout is natural, and thoroughly
English.