t of your Lodge. The constitution requires
us to elect our officers by ballot, but it is common, on occasions of
this kind, to dispense with those formalities, and elect by ayes and
noes; I move we do so on the present occasion." The question is tried
and carried in the affirmative. The Master has a right to nominate one
candidate for office, and the brethren one. Here a scene of confusion
takes place, which is not easily described. The newly-installed
WORSHIPFUL is made the butt for every WORTHY brother to exercise his
wit upon. Half a dozen are up at a time, soliciting the Master to
nominate them for Wardens, urging their several claims, and decrying
the merits of others with much zeal, others crying out, "Order,
Worshipful, keep order!" Others propose to dance, and request the
Master to sing for them; others whistle, or sing, or jump about the
room; or scuffle, and knock down chairs or benches. One proposes to
call from labor to refreshment; another compliments the Worshipful
Master on his dignified appearance, and knocks off his hat, or pulls
it down over his face; another informs him that a lady wishes to
enter. If the Master calls to order, every one obeys the signal with
the utmost promptness, and drops upon the nearest seat; the next
instant, before the Master can utter a word, all are on their feet
again and as noisy as ever. Finally, a nominal election is effected,
and some prudent member, tired of such a ridiculous confusion, moves
that the Lodge be closed; which, being done, the poor (and if a
stranger) much embarrassed candidate, has his big hat taken from him,
and is reduced to the ranks; but, for his consolation, the Worshipful
Master informs him that the preceding scene, notwithstanding its
apparent confusion, is designed to convey to him, in a striking
manner, the important lesson, never to solicit or accept any office or
station for which he does not know himself amply qualified.

The Lecture on the fifth, or Past Master's degree, is divided into
five sections. The first section treats of the manner of constituting
a Lodge of Master Masons. The second treats of the ceremony of
installation, including the manner of receiving candidates to this
degree, as given above. The third treats of the ceremonies observed at
laying the foundation stones of public structures. The fourth section,
of the ceremony observed at the dedications of Masonic halls. The
fifth, of the ceremony observed at funerals, according t