On the morning of the 13th, I started for London, and arrived at the St. Olaves Lodge, in the borough, about three o'clock. Under the expectation of my arrival, they had appointed a meeting for the next morning, at the St. Thomas Lodge; but finding it was Lodge-night there, I suggested a wish to spend my evening there. A coach was instantly ordered, and some of the St. Olaves accompanied me thither. The dress of the officers, and the elegant manner in which the room was fitted up, somewhat astonished me. The steadiness of the officers, and the easy manner in which the business of the evening was conducted, did them much credit. In Lodge-business, the N. G. desired me to accept, as a token of their esteem and gratitude, an elegant gold broach, which was presented to me in a very handsome manner, in open Lodge, with thanks to me for my visit. Next morning I was attended by a number of respectable characters, who put many important questions to me, relative to the government of the Order, which were answered to their satisfaction. The new Lecture was then received with great attention, and every other requisite information given them. As at all other places, the brothers evinced their kindness by an early attendance upon me in the morning, for the purpose of escorting me to the coach, and wishing me health and happiness on my journey.

On the 15th, in the evening, I reached Leicester, much fatigued; but every attention was shewn me; and after a good night's rest, I found myself so far refreshed as to proceed to business, and spent the forenoon of Saturday in giving instructions and wholesome advice, especially with regard to some evils that had taken place among them; when I had the satisfaction of setting the dispute at rest, I hope, for ever.After receiving a liberal donation towards the expences of my journey, I took my leave of a most friendly and affectionate people.

I arrived at Nottingham on the 16th, and somewhat sooner than I was expected; and, for the first time during my tour, I had to employ a porter to carry my luggage, and direct me to the Lodge-house. The worthy host, judging that he saw symptoms of Odd Fellowship about me, I suppose, instantly informed me, that I was at home, and might command anything that his house afforded. Scarcely had an hour elapsed, before our friends came in, and gave me a hearty welcome. We soon assembled in the Lodge-room, and proceeded to business. They had sent a representative to Huddersfield, yet they wanted information upon many important subjects, which I communicated to the best of my humble ability. The Lodges, though comparatively young, are in a flourishing condition. The officers are respectable, steady, and active, and seem determined to pilot the vessel of Odd Fellowship with zeal and judgment. The new instructions were well received by all present, soon after which I retired to rest. On the following day (Sunday) I was accompanied to a place of divine service by our friends, whom I afterwards met in Lodge-room, in the evening, when our time was spent, profitably, I trust, in sober and interesting conversation, on the advantages and importance of our valuable Institution. Before we separated, I was presented with a feeling proof of their zeal for Odd Fellowship, and respect for the "wandering pilgrim." Next morning, early, the worthy host was in attendance, and a handsome breakfast prepared. Indeed, I was almost oppressed with the load of kindness heaped upon me. At six o'clock, the coach was at the door, and I took leave of our host, and other friends who had assembled on the occasion, almost glad to escape from their kindness.

I arrived at Mansfield on the 18th, at ten o'clock. A meeting was held in the afternoon, when, after some interesting inquiries and explanations, I proceeded to give the new Lecture, with all the signs, &c. belonging to the Order, with which they seemed highly gratified. Some District grievances, I am sorry to say, existed here, which I could not inquire into satisfactorily, owing to the absence of some of the parties; but I hope, ere long, something will be done for the better government of Districts, which appears to me to be much wanted. Their esteem and respect were shown me by every office of kindness and attention in their power. They not only made me comfortable with them, but contributed liberally towards the general expences of the journey.

On the 19th I reached Derby, and had a meeting the same evening, when I had the satisfaction to see some differences amicably settled. The Lodge here, I found, had much difficulty to encounter, but by the steady zeal and perseverance of some

worthy characters, to whom too much praise cannot be given, there can be no doubt of its ultimate success and prosperity. I then proceeded to give the necessary instructions, which they were very desirous to receive, and to impress upon their minds the necessity of bearing one with another, in order to the accomplishment of that great good, for which we unite onrselves together, viz :-To make our path through life more smooth and easy. We enjoyed ourselves till a late hour, when we reluctantly parted, but not before they had given the kind host orders to see my purse replenished.

I reached Uttoxeter in the afternoon of the 20th, where I found several of our brethren already assembled, with their hands stretched out to give me the friendly grip of welcome. It was a cheering sight, and restored my mind, which had been considerably depressed by fatigue and anxiety, to its proper tone. A meeting was held in the evening, in one of the largest and best rooms I had seen in all my journey, built for the express purpose of the Lodge, which was numerously and respectably attended. Here I was charged with neglect, in not sending off the Minutes, &c. in proper time. I could not, however, admit that we had been guilty of any intentional delay or neglect. All Lodges are alike, in our estimation, and none could possibly stand higher than the Uttoxeter. A great number of sensible and pertinent remarks were made by the worthy chairman, which tended to throw much light upon our system of government, and to show in what manner the heads of the Order ought to be remunerated, which proved that he had studied the subject, and that his head and heart were in the right place. The evening was afterwards spent in the most profitable manner, in giving and receiving information. The next morning the new Lecture was given to the proper officers, with all the necessary instructions connected with it. The serious and attentive way in which it was received, was another proof of their good sense and correct feeling. I must not forget to mention the almost over-anxiousness of the brothers to make me comfortable in every respect, and the very liberal and willing manner in which they contributed towards the expences of my journey.

On the 21st I set off for home, where, by the blessing of a kind Providence, I arrived safe at five o'clock the same day, after a journey of nearly seven hundred miles, and an absence of eighteen days.

Thus ends my narrative—it is a plain, unvarnished tale. It has been written at intervals, snatched from business, since my return, from memory solely, as I did not take a single note on the journey. This fact, I trust, will plead my excuse to all those kind friends who may think I have not done them justice. In conclusion, then, to ALL and EVERY ONE I return my most heartfelt gratitude and sincere thanks. While " memory holds her seat" THEIR kindness shall never be obliterated from the mind of THOMAS ARMITT.

NORTHERN TOUR.

In compliance with the resolution of the June Quarterly Committee, I am now enabled to lay before the I. O. a few particulars relative to my visit to some of the northern Lodges. In this narrative I shall pursue the same line of conduct which I have hitherto pursued, and to which, I trust, I owe the confidence reposed in me by the Order-I mean, a strict adherence to the plain and simple TRUTH, unawed by the malice of my enemies, and unbiassed by the affection of my friends. Should any one of either party conceive that I have injured him, I shall be sorry for it, because I do not wish to give pain, even to those who dispitefully abuse me; but I MUST do my duty.

On Friday, the 17th February, 1826, I set off from Manchester to Huddersfield, a distance of 24 miles. On my arrival I found that the circular, which had been sent to announce the time of my visit, had not been delivered to the C. S. He lost no time, however, in calling together as many of our friends as he possibly could, when it was thought advisable, under these circumstances, to hold a meeting on the Sabbath day. To this arrangement I assented, though reluctantly, and for the first time; but understanding there had been a grant obtained, and a Dispensation sent from Manchester, for a legal Lodge to be opened at Holmforth on the Saturday, I the more readily complied, as it left me at liberty to assist on that solemn and interesting occasion.

Thither then, I went, accompanied by the C. S. of the Huddersfield District, and, at the time apppointed, opened the Lodge with all the usual formalities, under the title of "The Loyal Yorkshireman Lodge, of the I. O. of Odd Fellows, of the Manchester Unity."

On Sunday I returned to Huddersfield: when about to proceed to the Lodge-room, a note was put into my hand, requesting my company at the Victory Lodge-house.To this I replied, that I could not leave my present appointment, but should be glad of their company on this occasion, adding, that the time had arrived for the meeting to take place, and that we would wait a quarter of an hour for them. They did not, however, attend in that time, and understanding that the G. M. of the District was one that absented himself, I sent a special message for them to favour us with their company. To this request they complied, the G. M. was appointed President, and the business of the meeting was gone into.

I commenced by informing them, that in conformity with the resolution of the June Committee, 1825, it was thought proper, by the heads of the Order, that I should, at this period, undertake a part of my Northern Tour, and understanding that a few of the leading characters, who were famous for party faction, had been, at the expence of the Leeds Lodges, employed in a clandestine manner, to go personally round to sow the seeds of discord among brethren, and, if it was thought proper, I would give them an outline of the conduct these disinterested leaders had pursued towards us. The meeting evinced an anxious desire to hear the truth. I then gave, from memory, a detail of their proceedings, and brought forward the Leeds and other circulars, to prove the facts I had stated. When I had done this, which occupied me nearly two hours, I sat down hoping, that if any officer or brother had any questions to ask, relative to the government of the Order, they would not be backward in so doing, as I should feel both pride and pleasure in satisfying the doubts of all those I had the satisfaction of seeing around me. After this, many questions were put, which I know I answered fairly, and, I hope, clearly, and out of an assembly of upwards of one hundred, there were but two individuals who did not seem perfectly satisfied. I then told them, I was not come there to form parties-that I had laid before them FACTS that could not be denied that all had been told them, and just caution given, and closed the labours of the evening, by reference to the case of Abraham and Lot, wherein Abraham expostulates with his nephew thus :-Let there be no strife, pray thee, between me and thee, and between thy herdmen, and my herdmen; for we be BRETHREN-and to abide by the motto of our Order, according to our various and solemn promises.-The frankness and cordiality with which I was received among these people, and the truly hearty welcome they gave me, sufficiently prove, that Odd Fellowship is not a name without a meaning.

On Monday I set out, by coach, for the Wakefield district. On my journey, near Horbury Bridge, a gentleman came running down to meet the coach, before we entered the village, and asked if such a passenger was on the coach-to which I repțied-he requested me to alight-I went to his house, which stood at a little distance from the road-he put a letter into my hand, by which I was informed, that the District meeting was called, by due summons, that evening, at Ossett, as being about the centre of the District. I was met on the road by the kind host and C. S. Burton, whose attention and kindness sh 11 always be gratefully remembered by me. The meeting was appointed for six o'clock. I soon found here, that the enemy had been striving to sow tares among the wheat, but had succeeded only with a few individuals of the Lodge, held at the Coach and Horses, Wakefield. I felt a concern, on my own mind, as the time of meeting approached, that our Wakefield friends were not there; but was soon relieved from my anxiety, by a party of them entering the room. Yet I thought there was not that free, open countenance which I was wont to see in some of them on former occasions. Conscious, however, of the goodness of the cause I had espoused, I neither felt fear nor shame. When the meeting was opened, they thought it necessary, as the company was numerous, that I should give a faithful detail of the causes of the difference between the Leeds leaders and the Manchester Unity. I went through the whole proceedings, which occupied a long time; but they gave the most minute and patient attention, and expressed their entire satisfaction with the explanation given. One old past officer, in particular, to whom I had given the first instructions for the Wakefield District, came and eagerly gave me his hand, and confessed his

heart, told me that he had been deceived and led astray, but now he was truly satisfied with regard to the justice of our cause.

The G. M. likewise said, he had been so weak as to give some degree of credit to their unfounded slanders; but hoped, as he had misunderstood the case, that he might be forgiven, and he gave his word, as a man, that he would do all he could to restore that trenquility which had been so long and so happily established under the Manchester Unity. I gave the new signs, pass-words, &c. &c. to a few who had not previously received them. A good understanding now prevailed, and we spent the remainder of the evening with the greatest harmony and hilarity. Doubt, shyness. and prejudice gave way to the conciliating spirit of F. L. & T., as dark fogs and noisome vapours disperse before the morning's sun, and it appeared that the time was come, when we could only discern in each other a friend and brother. Let me not here forget the kind attention of the worthy host and our Ossett friends, to make me welcome and comfortable. I was met by a worthy P. G. from Barnsley, who informed us, that the Leeds gentry had introduced themselves into their District; but he was happy to add, they could not get a hand held up in their favour, though the Leeds worthies were so far lost to every sense of honour, as to have the audacity to state to our Wakefield friends that Barnsley had declared in favour of Leeds.

On Tuesday morning, I set out for Pontefract, accompanied by some of our worthy friends. We called on some brothers at Horbury, from whom it was not easy to part. They went with me to within one mile of Wakefield, for which favour I felt much obliged. I there took coach for Pontefract, where I met with a respectable and intelligent, though not numerous, band of brothers. Here little explanation was needful. They informed me, that the Leeds deputies had paid them a visit, and with their usual serpent-like insinuations, informed them that ALL the Districts they had visited had declared in their favour. When they had told their tale, though untrue, they were ordered to withdraw, until the sense of the meeting was taken on the subject. On their re-admission, they were told, that though what they had stated might be true, they had been tolerably well satisfied, so far, with the Manchester Unity, and provided what they said was correct, that all the Lodges in Yorkshire were cleaving unto them, yet, they had come to a unanimous resolution to stand by themselves for one year.This answer, though full of good sense, and much to the praise of our Pontefract friends, by no means satisfied the expectations of the ambitious. They withdrew, like a foiled enemy, and again, in a clandestine manner, made an unsuccessful attack on two weak Lodges in the skirts of the District. Here, as at other places, I was gratuitously entertained, and received with joy and gladness. After an evening spent in giving and receiving information, we took a friendly leave of each other, and I retired to rest, with feelings of deep gratitude to the Giver of all good, for the prosperous state in which I had hitherto found our beloved Order.

Wednesday, I set off for Yeadon. As my way lay through Leeds, I was inclined to spend my evening at the newly opened Lodge, in that place; but not expecting, when I set out, that I should pass through Leeds, I had no direction to that Lodge in my possession. While walking in the streets, I was accosted by name, by one who, notwithstanding he was a member, of the Platoff Lodge, accompanied me as a brother the whole of the day-said he had taken no part in the existing differences, and expressed his wish that things might be again settled. Here, though not intentionally, I met with Mr. Hewitt-He seemed a man of good behaviour, and asked if I would spend an hour with him in the evening. I told him our interview could not be of any service, as my present mission was on business of a different nature, and, as things stood at this time, I could not converse on Odd Fellowship. He pressed his invitation, however, very earnestly, and rather than I should be thought ashamed of any man, or body of men, I consented to meet him. I then found N. G. Whittaker, of the new Lodge, and desired him to meet me at the Bank Inn, at seven o'clock, where I had promised to see the aforementioned character. I had been there some time, when a number of people came in. About eight, Mr. Hewitt came, apologized for being late, and wished me to give him leave, in civility, to ask me a few questions relative to the differences that at present, he was sorry to say, existed. I refused; but on being pressed, with much apparent good humour, I consented, telling him I could not stop above an hour.

(To be concluded in our next.)

TO THE COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT AND EDITOR OF THE ODD FELLOWS' MAGAZINE.

GENTLEMEN,

I was surprised to find on the covers of your last number a complaint of the paucity of original communications, and could not avoid thinking that some of the members of our Order were not acting up to its principles. What! said I, are we a body of people nearly 80,000 strong, and cannot furnish matter sufficient for a quarterly Magazine, the profits of which are intended to form a fund for the relief or our bereaved wives and orphan children, and will any one refuse to devote a small portion of his time and talent to so good a cause? Does each conceive himself bound to contribute his share, proportionate to his abilities, towards the general fund of enjoyment?* I hope that every member who possesses a moderate share of literary information will seriously ask himself these questions.

I then turned to the Magazine, and found four or five pieces of poetry, which might be considered as belonging to general literature, but they were all very short; and there was only one original prose article ("The Letter from a Rambler") which could be placed in the same class. Do not misunderstand me: I do not think that you have too many communications on subjects connected with the Order, but you have too few on general ones, consequently the Magazine must be filled up with selections, and however great may be their merit, still a periodical like ours ought to possess a large share of originality; and though we cannot hope to equal those works in which liberal remuneration concentres a focus of genius which diffuses its rays all around, yet by endeavouring to write with simplicity and correctness, we cannot fail to secure the approbation of the brethren of the Order.

The result of these considerations was, that I determined to send you, with this letter, a long poetical article, and a shorter one for the next number, also an extract from an eloquent sermon, preached before the members of the Howden Lodge of Odd Fellows at their last anniversary, and since published at their request: and though I do not often attempt to write prose, I will endeavour, in time for another number, to write an original tale on a subject which has lately struck me, if you think it will be acceptable. I trust, Gentlemen, that you will not impute what I have here said to ostentation, but to the wish that I feel to excite a spirit of emulation amongst your contributors, and to my anxious desire for the prosperity of our Order; for, I assure you, that if you could procure the warm support of the talent and genius which must exist in such a body, I would gladly submit for my own contributions to be rejected.

In conclusion, permit me to express my pleasure at the insertion in your pages, of the letter to the Vicar of Leeds. At the time of its publication in the newspapers it was read to the Lodge to which I belong, and a resolution was passed unanimously, directing our Secretary to convey the thanks of the Lodge to the author, for his spirited defence of Odd Fellowship.

I have always admired that beautiful remnant of early Hebrew poetry, the "Song of Moses." The images are so natural, the language so simple, and the sentiments so exalted, that it has filled my mind with reverence whenever I have read it. There is throughout this divine Ode a continual recurrence to the destruction of the Egyptian Host, but no sameness; and strongly shews too, the nature of the Israelites' belief in Divine Providence. From the dreadful overthrow of their enemies, they take occasion to express their confidence in the Lord, that he will destroy all who shall dare to oppose them, and bring them in safety to the promised land; and we cannot but lament that they should so soon forget the deliverance which he had wrought out for them. In this attempt to convey somewhat of the spirit of the Divine Original in English verse, I have generally followed the authorised version, and where I have in

VOL. 4-No. 2-I.

*General Law Book-page 8.