at the will of its wearer? Or that the annual election of a Grand Master is to be held to be an election for life? It is true that the brother who was the special pleader in favour of the Grand Master's infallibility, as compared with our more human imperfections, called him a "Masonic king," in the course of his address; but, as one swallow does not make a summer, so one royalist Mason cannot convert the entire Craft into masonic subjects.

As to our rival for we have one in an authorised version of the proceedings in Grand Lodge-we express, more in sorrow than in anger, our bitter disappointment, that it does not promise aught to satisfy enquiry, or to ensure peace.

-it is due to

Having relieved our responsibility by admission of errorour consistency, to inform our readers that the following article was written and given out before the meeting of the last Grand Lodge. We do not withdraw it in consequence, but, on the contrary, publish it without alteration, to show that we had no personal hostility to the Grand Master to gratify; and further, excepting that, in deference to public opinion, we have made the admission of error in judgment, that we are anxious not to endanger the purity of opinion.

Since the publication of the March number of the "Freemasons' Quarterly Review," three Grand Lodges, or rather three meetings of the United Grand Lodge of Freemasons have taken place; and as the practical masonic year may be said to terminate on the annual installation of a Grand Master and appointment of Grand Officers, it may not be out of place here to take a short view of the eventful period preceding the last grand festival. In doing so, we can enter upon the subject with feelings subdued by time, from any harshness that may have influenced us while writing immediately after witnessing an angry debate, or feeling that strict impartiality had not been practised by every Mason toward his brother—adınitting that we have seen this-we are not indisposed to yield, that we likewise may have been led to break, in the heat of the moment, that great and pure masonic motto, " do to others as you would have them do unto you;" and we trust that past experience may teach every member of the fraternity, be he high or low, noble or humble, to practise the virtues he professes to admire. First in importance, as in station, stands evidently before us our Most Worshipful Grand Master. It is also in the rotation of events our province to allude to the Quarterly Communication of June in last year, in which he took so prominent a part. We do not intend here to re-discuss settled questions, but we may speak of their practicability. On that occasion, the Grand Master de

tively applied to him, may be found in the article referred to, and upon which the vote of confidence in his Lordship was carried at the recent Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge. Clearly and distinctly, we wish it to be understood, that our regret is, at least, equal to the occasion.

And, actuated by the same love of justice, whether the mandate be for or against us, we feel that we are as imperatively called upon to assert, that neither the vote of Grand Lodge, nor the admissions and apology made by us, can possibly affect the real question, out of which the more recent circumstances have arisen. That vote was not taken or passed upon the abstract merits of the Grand Master, but upon our own demerits. And, having now amply atoned for those demerits— for faults of attributive expression, and not of masonic principle-we once more stand on the same level with all parties, with every member of the fraternity, from the last certified Mason up to the Grand Master himself.

It is a remarkable feature of the proceedings at the last meeting of the Grand Lodge, and one that strictly carries out the distinction we have drawn, between the truthfulness of our general exception to the conduct of the Grand Master, and the inappropriate nature of certain words and phrases which occurred here and there, in the article brought under the consideration of the assembly, that the reading of that article, entire, from end to end, was studiously avoided by the brother who brought the subject before the Grand Lodge, and by all who followed him! His course was to pick out isolated words, or parts of a sentence; but, beyond that which was indispensable to the support of "his case," the context was invariably omitted. Hence we now deliberately say, our retractation, ample as it is, does not cover the context; nor can be supposed, even, to apply to the more wholesale omissions. Neither the special pleading of our opponents, nor the vote of Grand Lodge, can take from us the conviction that the Grand Master does not rule the Craft with discriminative sympathy-that he utterly misconceives the charitable disposition of the fraternity, when he stands between their declared wishes and their fruition-that it was his influence, whether self-created or prompted, that caused a further delay in the allocation of benevolence to the Mason's widow-and that it is high time that the brethren should look about them, and see if there be not in the ranks of the nobility some worthy Mason, of higher attainments, more personal generosity, greater grasp of mind, better qualified, by perspicacity and judgment, to fill an office so honourable and important. Surely the warmest eulogist of the present Grand Master is not prepared to say that Freemasonry was instituted for him! That his coronet is to be the received symbol of the Ruler of the Craft,

thus had to record, during twelve months, eight meetings of the representatives of the Craft. Numerous as these gatherings were, they have been marked by the importance of the debates, and of the subjects brought under their notice for discussion, to many of which we have not here alluded, not having become law. Taking a parting glance at the events of the year, we are naturally led to those more prominent and important in which the Grand Master is most essentially concerned. The granting to the Freemasons at large a report of what has been transacted in their parliament, the Grand Lodge-the admission of all creeds to Prussian lodges, and all freemen to our own-the power gracefully conceded to Grand Lodge to dismiss their highest paid officer instead of retaining the right himself-with the performance of all these popular acts, so completely in accordance with a masonic spirit and the progress of the times, we fear we must state the unpleasant fact that the Grand Master is less popular now than he was a year since. We grieve while we reluctantly make the admission that such is the opinion of a large portion of our body; it can only arise, therefore, from causes over which he has not the entire control, or in which he allows himself to be injudiciously advised. For the acts to which we have alluded are those emanating from a well-governed mind, an amiable disposition, a sense of justice, and a determination to uphold Freemasonry in its integrity. If he was esteemed before the carrying of those measures of right, that such decisions of equity should have raised him to the pinnacle of popularity; but it is not so, and the causes are not a secret; they are, that taking upon himself the duty and the responsibility of an Editor, he has laid himself open to the charge of partiality. The reports of the Grand Lodge are not satisfactory; hence many have, or fancy they have, cause to murmur; but to whom and of whom are they to complain, how and where are they to obtain redress for a real or an imaginary wrong? Another cause is, we fear not to say, the active part taken by the Grand Master in debate. Every member of the Grand Lodge considers the Chairman of every meeting of that body as one to act between the speakers, or the arguments of proposers or opposers of measures. To which ever side an inclination is observed to exist, a preponderance is given, and the loser by such power as that exercised by a Grand Master on the throne naturally smarts when it causes a defeat. We at once concede the undoubted right of the Grand Master to hold certain opinions upon every subject brought forward, and to give utterance to those opinions. The time of speaking makes an important difference, and when the opportunity of speaking after a reply and close of a debate is taken, gives rise to unpleasant feelings. The opposing such motions as grants to widows on confirmation, after having been nearly unanimously carried, is, to say the least, injudicious, especially where

cided that he would provide an official reporter to be present at the meetings of Grand Lodge, and he would cause (on his own responsibility of the contents) the report to be forwarded to all lodges as early as possible. It was considered by every Mason a step in the right direction, yet it has produced an unfriendly instead of a most amicable feeling, and we grieve to write it, in that feeling the Grand Master is made to participate. We will presently point out the cause, the remedy will probably follow. The next event of importance was the holding of an especial Grand Lodge, earnest being thus given by the Grand Master of his desire to forward the disposal of masonic business. In September the regular Quarterly Communication was held, at which commenced the expression of the feeling that the official report was not satisfactory. The pleasing intelligence of the recognition of the universality of our Order, for men of all creeds, by the Grand Lodge of Prussia, was received. Another equally and truly masonic arrangement was then made the admission of men of all colour into the brotherhood.

The power of discharging the Grand Secretary was on this occasion given to the Grand Lodge. Again, on the 29th November, an Especial Grand Lodge was called, at which the long hoped-for annual grant of three hundred pounds, to deserving widows of Masons was carried all but unanimously. The proposition for a masonic library was referred to the Board of General Purposes, and a committee was appointed to arrange for a portrait of the Grand Master.

At the Quarterly Communication in December the official reports were again complained of. The time previously considered imperatively necessary to intervene between the degrees was shortened for the colonies, but considered by a large minority an innovation. On the 1st of March the usual meeting of the quarter was held, at which a complaint was again made of the incorrectness of the official report. The report of these proceedings has been most unaccountably delayed.*

The grant to Masons' widows was rejected on being put for confirmation, upon very frivolous reasons. The 19th of April was again an important day, being named for the further despatch of masonic business by the Grand Master. Grand Lodge then voted, as an amendment to a different proposal, that grants of fifty pounds to distressed brethren might be paid forthwith after a vote of Grand Lodge; but refused to allow any alteration in the way of appointing Grand Stewards. Great dissatisfaction was expressed at the way the division was taken. A Grand Lodge met on the 26th of May to instal the Grand Master, and for him to appoint his Grand Officers. The selection created considerable surprise; after which the annual banquet took place. We have

* This article was written before the publication of the last report of the Grand Master, which we understand was issued on or about the first of this month.

thus had to record, during twelve months, eight meetings of the representatives of the Craft. Numerous as these gatherings were, they have been marked by the importance of the debates, and of the subjects brought under their notice for discussion, to many of which we have not here alluded, not having become law. Taking a parting glance at the events of the year, we are naturally led to those more prominent and important in which the Grand Master is most essentially concerned. The granting to the Freemasons at large a report of what has been transacted in their parliament, the Grand Lodge-the admission of all creeds to Prussian lodges, and all freemen to our own-the power gracefully conceded to Grand Lodge to dismiss their highest paid officer instead of retaining the right himself-with the performance of all these popular acts, so completely in accordance with a masonic spirit and the progress of the times, we fear we must state the unpleasant fact that the Grand Master is less popular now than he was a year since. We grieve while we reluctantly make the admission that such is the opinion of a large portion of our body; it can only arise, therefore, from causes over which he has not the entire control, or in which he allows himself to be injudiciously advised. For the acts to which we have alluded are those emanating from a well-governed mind, an amiable disposition, a sense of justice, and a determination to uphold Freemasonry in its integrity. If he was esteemed before the carrying of those measures of right, that such decisions of equity should have raised him to the pinnacle of popularity; but it is not so, and the causes are not a secret; they are, that taking upon himself the duty and the responsibility of an Editor, he has laid himself open to the charge of partiality. The reports of the Grand Lodge are not satisfactory; hence many have, or fancy they have, cause to murmur; but to whom and of whom are they to complain, how and where are they to obtain redress for a real or an imaginary wrong? Another cause is, we fear not to say, the active part taken by the Grand Master in debate. Every member of the Grand Lodge considers the Chairman of every meeting of that body as one to act between the speakers, or the arguments of proposers or opposers of measures. To which ever side an inclination is observed to exist, a preponderance is given, and the loser by such power as that exercised by a Grand Master on the throne naturally smarts when it causes a defeat. We at once concede the undoubted right of the Grand Master to hold certain opinions upon every subject brought forward, and to give utterance to those opinions. The time of speaking makes an important difference, and when the opportunity of speaking after a reply and close of a debate is taken, gives rise to unpleasant feelings. The opposing such motions as grants to widows on confirmation, after having been nearly unanimously carried, is, to say the least, injudicious, especially where