CORRESPONDENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 184, 4 August 1881, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

To THE EDITOB OF THE " EVEHINO MAIL.'' Sir,— ln your issue of Saturday last I observed a letter signed ''Tempora Mutantur" commenting on mine of the 26th of July. IJ. nd . no f -' ilt whatever with the writer in differ'Aig with me on the subject, but he should have done it in a more kindly spirit, his letter is by bo means UDtinged with a modicum of egotism aB veil as being interpersed with language of so choice a nature that being investigated it will not be in accordance with tbe ethics of so moralizing a writer, aod it 18 questionable if it is in any way calculated to convert to his way of thinking an " unfortunate conservator of barbaric and degrading customs." Having read your correspondent's letter, I fail to see any reason why I sbonld yield one iotß, bnt firmly adhere to eve-y sentence contained in mine. I hope I fihall not be accused of ungodly heresy or & violation of any of the rules of courtesy if I make an open avowal tbat I have no faith whatever in tbat class of persons, who appear to maintain the character of immacnlate irreproachable steady propriety, who are in fact " over good people." I use tbe phrase in the absence of a better. I simply imply by " over good people " those wbose general bearing, manners, doings, sayinpa, and general everything, are so consistent, perfect, uniform and so unquestionable in principle, so thorough in practice, so praiseworthy in example that they create a sort of rarefied aocial atmosphere about them which eclipses at once any happy-go-lucky kind of folk deairoas of indulging in any kind of rational or innocent amusement they adopt, and persevere in a certain line of existence, doiag nothing wrong, all being done by rule and square they aei up an obstinate inveterate repulsion to every method, every movement, every indulgence — in short everything and every idea that does not come within the precise limits of their will and wishes. Whether your correspondent belongs to this class of persons or not I do not know, neither shall I give an opinion. One thing is patent enongb, according to the theory propounded by the letter of " Tempora Mutantur." Any person giving encouragement, conntenance, or aid in any way to friendly society pro cessions, &c. s is guilty of supporting,'* foolish degrading barbaric customs " ; whether true or not this ia harsh and uncharitale. Let us see if there are any other persons in the world besides the writer of this letter guilty of these detestable vices. In the merry month of May a few years ago, on a Sunday afternoon, a great number of Oddfellows met on the green, formed a procession headed by the Band of the 9th Surrey rifles (Volunteers), and marched to St. Matthias Church on the hill in the fine old town of Kichmond, in Surrey. The service, which was fully choral, was commenced by singing the hymn 136 in Hymns Ancient and Modern. The lessons (Isaiah xi and Galatians v, from verse 16) were read by the Eev. T, G. Collier. The sermon was preached by the Eev. B. C. P. Griffith, who wore over bis stole the collar of a P.S. of the Order of Oddfellows ; his text was part of Bomans »v., 7 : " For none of us liveth to himself." Oh I the naughty men and ministers of religion, to boot, to foster such vices. Numbers of instances like the above could he giyen, but I will content myself with one more :— ln the fine oid town of Bury St. Edmunds, not many years ago, a procession was formed, and headed by the Band of the West Suffolk Militia with banners streaming, marched through the town and found themselves in the evening at Ackworth, the seat of the Marquis of Bristol, whose grounds were thrown open for their reception, where they were entertained right heartily by the noble Marquis himself. Did that nobleman degrade himself by his praiseworthy action ? Echo answers, did he ? Scores, yea hundreds, of noblemen, clergy, and gentlemen in all ranks of society are to be fonnd, who have and are patronising Friendly Society processions and their concomitants, who entertain quite as high a respect for their characters as] " Tempora Mutantur"; but lo and behold a voice has gone forth from Nelson, " That these execrable customs must cease ; they are doomed." All hail, oh, Vicar of Bray! " Could great men thunder As Jove himself does, Jove would ne'er be quiet; For every pelting petty officer Would use his heaven for thunder — nothing but thunder." Alas ! times are changed, indeed ! That any moralist should descend into the abyss of vulgarity to fish up words to hurl at an opponent ; lam very much inclined to the belief that if "Tempora Mutantur " is really anxious for converts he will have to stear a different course, and become a better tactician. I will now, though differing in opinion, j not part with him unfriendly ; putting on 1 one side barbaric customs, I must say his defence of ethics is not the best I have met with during my lifetime. I remain still Nn. Desperandom. j