of its affairs. At the next election of officers he was appointed secretary; but his business engagements having terminated, he removed to Manchester, and, at the pressing request of his brother and other members of the Countess of Wilton Lodge, withdrew his clearance from Goole, and placed it in that lodge.

More plainly to others than to himself, the struggle which at one time threatened the existence of the Unity was daily becoming apparent, and some difficulty was therefore experienced in obtaining members competent to fill offices which might entail considerable trouble and obloquy upon their holders. An old friend, having been proposed as N.G., declined to accept the office, unless Mr. Richmond would assist him as V.G. Mr. Richmond consented; and during the period in which he held this and the higher offices of his lodge, its business had rarely been more ably conducted, or its interests more faithfully conserved.

It will be remembered by many of our readers that during the agitation of 1845-6, several officers, both of the Order and of the Manchester District, were suspended by the Board of Directors, and that the false representations made by some of those persons had secured them numerous friends. The position of the Countess of Wilton Lodge during that period was peculiarly trying; for not only were some of the suspended persons members of that lodge, but they possessed considerable influence, and their control had seldom been disputed. Under these circumstances it was not surprising that attempts should be made to involve the lodge in the general dispute. Opportunity was soon afforded, and a crowd of "suspended members" forced their way into the lodge-room; but their object was defeated by the decision of Mr. Richmond, who at once closed the lodge, and, together with the friends of order, withdrew. His firmness and promptitude were displayed on several other occasions, and his example and advice tended greatly to allay the irritation which existed among the members; and when we state that the Countess of Wilton Lodge was the only one "in compliance" in the Manchester District at that time, it reflects honour on both officers and members to find them pass so well through the struggle.

The division that subsequently took place in the Manchester District, besides severing old friendships, left the funds of lodges, district, and widows and orphans, in a very unsatisfactory state, nearly £2,000 being locked up in the hands of bankers, by protests against withdrawal from both sides. It was during the term of Mr. Richmond's office, as G.M. of the district, and mainly through his instrumentality, that these conflicting claims were satisfactorily adjusted; and so sensible were the "committee of arrangement" of the important services he had rendered, that the district awarded him a handsome compensation.

In 1851, Mr. Richmond was first appointed a deputy to the Dublin A.M.C., and lent his support to the proposition for the registration of the Unity under the Friendly Societies' Act. At this A.M.C. he was elected a member of the Board of Directors, and again in the years 1852-3; and although the custom of his district has generally been to send their district officers to these annual meetings, yet such is the esteem in which Mr. Richmond is held that he has been appointed their deputy five or six times. They have also for several years nominated him as D.G.M. of the Order; and it is to be regretted that he suffered a defeat at Durham, where he was slightly behind Mr. Cox, as subsequent events have shown that the character of the Order would have been much better sustained by Mr. Richmond, as its principal officer. In all questions which have arisen affecting the interests and prosperity of the Order Mr. Richmond has taken a deep interest; and all efforts made in his own district to

advance its social influence, or improve its financial position, have received his hearty approval and earnest support.

Mr. Richmond is a trustee of his lodge (one of the richest in the Unity, in comparison with its numbers) and treasurer of his district, and at the Swansea A.M.C. was appointed a trustee of the Order. Socially, morally, and intellectually he is a good Odd-fellow; and his example may be well followed by all those among our working members who are desirous of advancing the interests and extending the benefits of our great and noble institution.

ODD-FELLOWSHIP: ITS PRINCIPLES & PRACTICE.

II.-EXEMPLIFICATION OF PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE.

You have learnt something from our last conversation, and now ask the reason for the society's formation. It is apparent in the fact that from the earliest times man has ever been found leaning towards combinations tending to mitigate the ills and accidents of our troubled existence. From this anxiety and wise prudence the old guilds were produced; and with them Friendly Society associations. As in the guilds, so in the societies, men of some particular trade joined together. "The Journeyman Goldsmith's Society," of Edinburgh, is one of the oldest of which we have any certain knowledge, and is mentioned in the report of the Highland Society, published in 1824, containing the experience of numerous societies between 1750 and 1821. Its members were goldsmiths, the qualifications being, that they should be of good character, in good health, and under 30 years of age. The payments were, on entrance, £3 3s., and fees £1 11s. 6d. for second or third marriage, (widows paying 1s. yearly for their own funeral money,) 3s., per quarter for three years, and 1s. 6d. afterwards. A member became "free" after two years, and received pay after three days' sickness, 6s. weekly for six months, and 4s. for six months, if the funds amounted to £300, 6d. more for every £50 above £300, to £500; and then 1s. for every £50 more; and 2s. weekly during remainder of sickness. The funeral money was, £7 7s.; for members not free, £3 3s. ; and for wives or widows of members, £4 4s. Do not suppose any society would in the present day flourish on such an unsatisfactory basis. Statistical science was then little attended to, no sufficient materials existed which could be used; and instead of wondering how such societies were projected we should rather honour the memories of those who were pioneers in a good and useful work. From the experience of that and many other associations, the Highland Society deduced results of average sickness, &c., then considered valuable, but now condemned as not fit to be acted upon, the figures in fact being too low, principally because many of the members did not claim the benefits, and the societies' records therefore contained no account of their periods of sickness. Now, seeing that in this early period such societies were at work, we can imagine how many workmen, travelling from town to town, would talk of those to which they belonged, and a general feeling in favour of them sprung up. The higher classes were aware of them, and proposed what would seem now a peculiar interference with their working, for in 1773 a bill passed the Commons, having for its title, "The better support of poor persons in certain circumstances, by enabling parishes to grant them annuities for life, upon purchase, and under certain restrictions," which annuities were to be charged upon the

poor-rates, as a collateral security; this was rejected by the Lords, and again in 1789, after it passed the Commons a second time. But in 1793 passed the first Act to be found in the statute book, which Mr. George Rose originated, with the concurrence of Mr. Pitt, and which is mentioned in page 97 of the Magazine. Bearing in mind the last date, and the years in which were passed the two Acts (also there mentioned), as to unlawful assemblies and oaths, it wants small penetration to arrive at the reason why affiliated societies were formed.

The originators of the Manchester Unity may have said, "the Freemasons are excepted from very stringent enactments because their lodge meetings have been in great measure devoted to charitable purposes. Šo have Friendly Society meetings. The suppressed political corresponding societies must have some useful men amongst them. Why not employ them? Our societies have been hitherto isolated. They must be combined. Better still, as many men have not yet joined any of them, because they no longer benefit the members if they remove from the locality, why should we not have some second Order, which may at least deserve the same consideration as this Masonic fraternity? It shall at least be more useful to the working classes-it shall have attractions-it shall bestow honours-it shall be managed by themselves." Such the budding of this great association. Such the expression of strong desire for some combination, upon, fortunately, a most worthy object. For while performing a pleasing duty in practising the precept, "Do unto others as ye would they should do unto you," an opening was found to satisfy the legitmate ambition of every one who sought to become a man of mark amongst his fellows. At that time the little difficulties which beset you in understanding the Unity could not be experienced; simplicity must have been supreme; and now, from long experience-sometimes troubles-have been evolved a mass of useful laws, which at present cause a seeming complication; but which, I trust you will soon learn, can always be accounted for.

You say the peculiar customs-so different from outside life-seem very strange. Of course they do-if it were not so you would have been disappointed. You knew, when you asked me to introduce you, it was a secret society; when initiated, you obtained the first secret, and, you admit, you did so amidst some charming novelty you will not soon forget. Why there should be so much fuss about initiation? you ask. It was only in your imagination. You were in a new place, expecting sOMETHING. The Society knew that, and "first impressions," you know, are proverbial. You were reluctant when being "walked up and down the room," as you called it ; but do you not see that if you were to introduce a friend to any new company you would do the same, and let his name be known, or how could he become personally acquainted with ALL present, that they might remember him in future? Could anything be more delicate or neat than your initiation? But, "going out to work your way in," was nonsense, you think. Was it? You told me lately you heard a fellow workman repeat the pass word he had heard at a lodge door, and boasting he could get in. You said you wouldn't bother with him, because you knew he couldn't. Think now, in saying that, if you did not admit the use of learning to work the way in. Would it not have been indulging you in laziness to have invited you to sit down, and watch others, so that you might learn? How much better was it to come in boldly and properly, having mastered your little duty, and make some first impressions upon the minds of your brothers, who, you know, consider that if you do little things well, you may, after probation, be entrusted with more important matters.

With the charge, you say you are satisfied-indeed, you were surprised and pleased. I am glad to hear you say so. It would be well if every member always recollected its import, and acted upon it.

Reading the Magazine and other books, you say you are now for the first time gaining the knowledge that with increased age may be expected increased sickness, as compared with any lower age; and that the average length of life is less every year a man grows older; but you can't comprehend why our lodge should have been so very particular, with the form, to know your birthday and your wife's. Let me ask you to suppose an Assurance Office granting a policy upon some friend's life, he telling them he is 27 years of age-he dies immediately, and the directors ask for proof of his age-the parish register is referred to, and he turns out to have been baptized 29 years since—“ he made a mistake," the poor widow says "he intentionally committed a fraud upon this office," say the direc tors, "and we shall not pay anything." Would it not have been better had he been careful to be correct when he was living, and taken a little more trouble over a matter of business. The premium he paid was thrown away; and the provision he made for HER, nothing! In our little business of Odd-fellowship we must be as precise as an Assurance Company, and the general law properly requires proof of age on initiation. No honest man should write down a lie, and declare it to be truth, for the paltry motive of saving a few shillings yearly in contribution. It becomes him to think, be careful, and truthful, for if he is not, he will forfeit his claim to sick pay, and be expelled-never to enter the society again-or if not discovered till his death, his widow's claim for funeral money will then be rejected. It is for his convenience to do right in the time of health and vigour. Would you like to be asked when first taken sick to prove your age-the lodge having doubts, and they must be cleared up-before you receive anything, or when you die would you like your widow to be then asked? To her, perhaps, the money would be necessary at once, and through your neglect on initiation she would suffer delay and expense in obtaining the proof, at such a time of trouble! But this is not all. You have learnt that the secretary of your lodge has to send to the District C.S. every year a return of the number and ages of members initiated, and of the number and ages of members and wives dying; these returns are collected, and sent to the C.S. of the Order, for him to analyse for publication, and you, with other members, are interested in learning the result. Every five years a much larger return is required-the exact age of every member and wife, and, placed opposite, the exact sickness experienced by the members during that period, with all the deaths distinctly stated. From similar returns have all previous results of the average sickness amongst members been collected; not merely the sickness on the given number of members in the Order, but the average sickness amongst all of each age, of each trade, and in particular localities; then also the number of deaths, not only the whole number of members and wives, but, as before, at each age, in each trade, and each locality. General law empowers the Directors to require any other information they may think necessary. Now consider, how is it possible for your lodge secretary to do his humble share in this great work if you allow your fellow-members to over-ride the laws, and make some muddy ones of their own, refusing to take ten minutes trouble to assist with full particulars for entry in your lodge register! Such conduct is not becoming, but one sometimes hears it is practised by "old" members. How can a secretary have an intuitive knowledge of such particulars, merely because a stranger is brought into the lodge-room and called brother? This would be a tremendous "secret" to possess! If you are asked what good there is in all this figuring, give a simple answer. Tables of payments and benefits are calculated upon certain expected sickness and duration of life. If the Unity experience for five years, ending December, 1860, shows different results, that less

than the expected sickness has been experienced, and that the number of deaths at each age has been less than what was calculated upon, every member's payment might be reduced; but if, on the other hand, the sickness and mortality should have exceeded previous averages, common prudence would require the contributions to be increased for future members. Either way it might be but a shilling or so difference, yearly, to each; but, with the vast number in the Unity, see what a great difference in its income and stability would be made, to say nothing of the public credit gained by being RIGHT.

You remarked once, when sick money was being voted, that it was a pity members should have their misfortunes made known so publicly. You had forgotten the benefits are a right, the honestly earned reward of a member's prudence and forethought. Then, why need he be ashamed to demand them, or you for him? Notice in future the order kept when claims are being considered, how the member's declaration and surgeon's certificate must be plain and of even date, how some present volunteer to visit the sick brother, how next week OTHERS are appointed, and you often hear some not appointed say they have also seen him. Do you know what little services they may have rendered, beside taking the sick allowance? Can you tell how many weary hours, to the sick man, have been beguiled by those who have been reading to him, chatting about "old times," or talking of the hopeful future. You will never know till you go and do likewise, and learn the warm and grateful attachments formed on such visits. Shall we suppose now you do things in your way you would be content with the secretary saying a claim is made-to have money voted-he take it, or the N.G.-next lodge night the same, and so on continually, until a sudden revelation is made that the member is not sick at all, but able to work, and works at home. Can such things be? Yes, they have been, but happily not often. The sum assured at death has been paid on false documents whilst the member was living. It is your duty-the duty of every member-to prevent such things by removing any possible temptation. I do not say your officers intend to defraud. I say you should not neglect lodge business, and leave a chance for their yielding to unfortunate circumstances if they arise.

So much attention being required for the sick and funeral fund only, you fear you cannot properly attend to the others; the Widow and Orphan fund, for instance. But it follows that whilst guarding others you are doing the work for this, for seldom any claim comes upon it but has been already sifted for the funeral fund. In some districts fixed annuities are given to widows for life, or widowhood, and during good behaviour, and to orphans until attaining a certain age. In others, gifts are made in the discretion of the district or managing committee. Your duty is to see that all claims arising in your lodge are proper ones; and that the fund is well based for securing the benefits given. And if you can help a widow and her offspring in any way, pray do so. Your own may require the same kind assistance. In our next we shall have something to say of the Incidental Expense Fund, and other matters interesting to every true Odd-fellow.

A VISIT TO DONALDSON'S HOSPITAL.

AMONG the many splendid memorials of individual munificence adorning the British islands, few if any can compare with the magnificent structure known by the name of Donaldson's Hospital, situated on the Glasgow road, a short distance from the city of Edinburgh.