himself with the article brought forward, or attempt to defend it, after the conviction expressed by the W. Brother who commenced the discussion, that no one would even be heard in its support? He (Bro. S.) had taken down the words of the W. Brother, as they were so remarkable: The W. Brother said he was satisfied that if the attempt were made, the Grand Lodge would interfere, and prevent the expression of such an attack upon the Grand Master. The W. Brother, therefore, who had previously reproved the use of such a threat, was perfectly correct in the application of his reproof. And under these circumstances he would most earnestly recommend Bro. Crucefix not to respond to the insidious attack that had been made upon him. Bro. Lee Stevens then begged the attention of the Grand Lodge to two points in the address of the mover, which were inconsistent with the privileges of the Craft; they had nothing to do with the motion itself, as a motion,— upon which, however energetically and eloquently introduced, he (Bro.S.) should not vote, for or against. The W. Brother had spoken of the Grand Master as "the Masonic King," another version of " the King of the Craft;" but he would contend that this was not only gratuitously wrong, but absurd. It was a species of adulation that could not be acceptable to the Grand Master, and ought not to be permitted in Grand Lodge. By the Book of Constitutions the Grand Master was elected annually; it was not even an election for life, much less an office hereditary or royal: there was, in fact, nothing monarchical in the institutions of Freemasonry-the Grand Master was as much bound by the Book of Constitutions as the humblest member of the fraternity. The W. Brother's assumption that the Grand Master had a right to sum up on any question before the Grand Lodge, was equally erroneous; he had no such right. The Grand Master might, of course, speak on any question before the Grand Lodge; and it was essential to the good government of the Craft that his opinion should be given upon every important subject that was mooted in Grand Lodge. Recently that privilege had certainly been carried beyond its proper limits. There seemed to be an increasing tendency on the part of the Grand Master to sum up," which, he would respectfully submit, should be discontinued. By the Book of Constitutions the mover of an original resolution had accorded to him the privilege of a reply; and of what value would that privilege be, if the Grand Master were allowed to have a rejoinder, and, if taking an opposite view of the question from that entertained by the mover, should set about demolishing every argument used in the reply? Against these two doctrines of the mover, he, therefore, thus entered his protest.

Bro. HAVERS briefly supported the motion. He did not think the "Freemasons' Quarterly Review" was much read, and not therefore of importance; but it was a low, vulgar, and abusive publication.

The DEPUTY GRAND MASTER said it was stated in the "Freemasons' Quarterly Review" that the work had been before the public fourteen years; it would not have continued so long if it had not paid a profit; it was clear, therefore, it must be sold and read, perhaps not so much by the Craft as the general public, and there it was that mischief was to be apprehended from it, if untrue or libellous articles became circulated. He had had the honour of Dr. Crucefix's masonic acquaintance for many years, and certainly felt bound to observe that, from the publicity given to his name in the "Freemasons' Quarterly Review," the brother was at least identified with that publication.

Bro. VERNON had been entrusted with two addresses to the M. W.

The

Grand Master, breathing the kindest wishes for his welfare, and expressing the highest opinions of his rule and government of the Craft. lodges from which they emanated had the highest confidence in him, as would be found by the documents themselves, which he would read. He stated that one of the lodges had determined to discontinue the "Freemasons' Quarterly Review,"

Bro. GLANVILLE addressed Grand Lodge in favour of the motion. The GRAND MASTER was sorry any interpretation of an implied threat could be given to what he had said on a former evening; he only intended to say when he had not the confidence of the Craft he would resign the elevated position they had assigned him, and such was his determination.

The resolution was then put by the Deputy Grand Master, and carried nem con.

The minutes of the last Grand Lodge were read and confirmed. The report of the Board of General Purposes was then read and received.

THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND AND DR. CRUCEFIX.

The GRAND MASTER informed Grand Lodge he had received a communication from the Grand Lodge of Scotland, complaining of statements made by Bro. Crucefix in a former Grand Lodge, as to the value set upon initiations, and Scotch Masonry in general in the provinces here, as reported in the" Freemasons' Quarterly Review;" and enquiring whether Bro. Crucefix had been called to order. He had directed an answer to be sent; but he would have the authorized report of the speech of Dr. Crucefix read. He directed the Grand Secretary to read the report.

After considerable time had been vainly spent in looking for it, some brother noticed, that if anything of the sort had been said, it was either omitted or suppressed-(cries of read, read, and laughter).

The GRAND MASTER supposed Bro. Crucefix would apologise for what he had said; that he could not account for the omission of the speech, and it appeared that the reporter could not find it in his notes. He (the Grand Master) remembered that Dr. Crucefix did address the Grand Lodge on the subject; and that, as he considered Dr. Crucefix to be stating facts with his usual clearness, he at the time saw no reason for calling him to order.

Bro. SCARBOROUGH thought the Grand Master was likely to get himself into a difficulty, and would recommend the propriety of his getting himself and Grand Lodge out of it; in the authorized version no notice was taken of what Bro. Crucefix had said, it was but fair to suppose he had not said it, unless they were to take the report in the "Freemasons' Quarterly Review" as the more correct report; but then such work was denounced and repudiated by certain parties; how then could they thus discuss, or ask any one to apologise for what they discountenanced? Whenever that work was mentioned it was held to state untruths; they had been told so that very evening, and now they were asked to take its report for their standard and work upon it. It was quite ridiculous to have a whole evening spent in the way that this had been, and the report of Benevolence not even brought before them; they could not have it both ways, the "Freemasons' Quarterly" was either correct or not; but they very much committed themselves if they allowed what appeared in it to be the ground-work of their acts.

Bro. DAVIS made some remarks that were inaudible, except that he stated the speech of Dr. Crucefix on the occasion was disgusting (this unmasonic expression, however, he was obliged to retract, and truth

compels us to state, that on the occasion Dr. Crucefix's' address was received with universal demonstration of approval and cheering). He also objected to some points of Bro. Scarborough's address.

Bro. SCARBOROUGH had said nothing of the sort, the Grand Master had not heard any such remark from Bro. S.; and if the brother wished to serve the Grand Master, he would recommend him to be quiet upon this subject.

Bro. WHITMORE recollected perfectly well what had taken place on the evening referred to, and thought the report in the "Freemasons' Quarterly Review" pretty correct; it must, however, not be forgotten, that a present Grand Officer on that occasion stated, that he was a Scotch Mason, and thought but lightly of their proceedings; indeed, he said, that either what he took before or during the ceremony had so completely overpowered him, that he knew nothing at all the next morning about it.

Bro. PHILIPE was of opinion that the less said the better; the matter was not a fit subject of discussion.

(The Deputy Grand Master here was observed to rise, and enter into an animated conversation with Dr. Crucefix).

Bro. CRUCEFIX would not flinch from doing his duty at whatever cost to his feelings. During the previous debate on the question of privilege he had been placed in a very unenviable position, more especially by the observations of the Deputy Grand Master; who had, however, in his (Dr. C.'s) opinion, completely mistaken the case in reference to himself. At the moment he (Dr. C.) would not be forced to make disclosures that might compromise the honour of any one; he knew too well the great value and importance of private communications to betray them on the summons of impassioned invective. He had on a memorable occasion been forced to expiate a crime he had never committed, and was perfectly ready and willing at all times to have his moral courage put to the test. The Grand Master now intimated that he might if he thought fit apologize to the Grand Lodge of Scotland, for having delivered a speech as reported in the "Freemasons' Quarterly Review," and yet admitted that he should not have thought it necessary to call him (Dr. C.) to order for merely making a plain statement of facts; for what then was he to apologize ? He respectfully called the Grand Master's attention to the circumstance of his having forwarded a memorial from Sunderland, praying for protection against the continual applications from poor Scottish brethren-but the matter was never alluded to by his lordship. Bro. Crucefix then adverted to the circumstance of his speech on the 1st of March not appearing in the circular edited by his lordship; and with some humour observed that he did not consider himself altogether an ill-looking man, yet if his head, arms, and legs were cut off, he should present but a ghastly appearance; so with some of his speeches in the circular under his lordship's care-they lacked exordium, peroration, and were emasculated even in the main body, thus presenting any thing but what he spoke; he could exonerate the reporter, whose talents were too well appreciated to warrant any doubt as to the correctness of his notes: perhaps he ought under such circumstances to feel some satisfaction that his speech of the 1st of March was altogether excluded, for such was better than a mere mutilated report. The Grand Master might express scorn and contempt for the "Freemasons' Quarterly," and look on Editors, being anonymous, as but assassins that stab in the dark,-and the Deputy Grand Master might be of opinion that

he was identified with that publication, but was he (Dr. C.) on that account to violate his obligation and betray masonic secrets? No, he was no informer. His position was one of entrustment-he felt it to be such, and would do nothing to sully the dignity of Freemasonry, Deeds not words were his motto, and so far from apologizing he felt that some apology was rather due to him, for the unmasonic treatment he had personally received that night.

The DEPUTY GRAND MASTER considered it highly improper that any notice should be taken by them of any communication from out of doors; of remarks made in Grand Lodge, particularly upon the work of the Craft elsewhere; it must be evident, if they were subjected to be called upon for apologies for what had passed in debate here, the freedom of discussion must cease. It was rather unfortunate that they had gone into this question; he should advise that it be left in the hands of the Grand Master, to deal with as he thought best.

༄། “་

The GRAND MASTER said, after what had taken place, he would undertake the responsibility of sending a reply to the Grand Lodge of Scotland.

The GRAND MASTER.-As the present method of taking the votes in Grand Lodge was unsatisfactory, he should in future request the brethren when about voting to rise and show hands, when they were again seated the opponents to do the same, that would enable them to count more correctly, and not make an alteration in the law necessary.

Bro. SCARBOROUGH hoped that if the law was to be enforced it would be rigidly adhered to; hitherto the Grand Secretary and Director of Ceremonies had assisted to count, but the duty was with the Grand Wardens or Grand Deacons; he hoped none other but the appointed authorities by the Book of Constitutions would be allowed to count.

The GRAND MASTER had never observed the irregularity or he would have put a stop to it, it should not occur in future.

The GRAND MASTER, pursuant to notice, proposed that Bro. Forman, the ex-Grand Sword Bearer, should be privileged to hold the rank and wear the clothing as Past Grand Sword Bearer-carried unanimously.

The hour of eleven having passed, the Grand Master observed that he would await the Scrutineers' report of the election to the Board of General Purposes in his room.*

The Grand Lodge was then closed.

GRAND CONCLAVE OF ENGLAND AND WALES.

COMMITTEE OF GENERAL PURPOSES.-April 14.-Present, Sir Knights C. K. K. Tynte, (G. M.), Stuart, (D. G. M.), Crucefix, Udall, W. H. White, Claydon, Vink, Wackerbarth, Henderson, Gibbins, &c.

Correspondence from various Encampments read. Additional receipts reported, increasing the balance in the hands of the Grand Treasurer to upwards of one hundred pounds.

Resignation of the Chancellor, W. H. White, announced; report arranged for presentation to the Grand Conclave, embracing a recommendation that the number of the Committee of General Purposes be increased by three additional members, viz.: that the Grand Treasurer

The result will be found prefixed to this account.

be one member, ex officio, and that the Grand Master and the Grand Conclave do each nominate one.

THE GRAND CONCLAVE was opened about four o'clock, when the M. E. the Grand Master was received under the arch of steel, and with public honours; the attendance was not so numerous as on previous occasions. Sir Knight Vink was unanimously re-elected Grand Treasurer.

The Grand Conclave elected the following five knights as their quota to sit on the Committee of General Purposes, viz.: Sir Knights Udall, Gibbins, Henderson, Wilson, and Dover.

The Grand Master nominated as his four members, Sir Knights Dr. Leeson, Dr. Crucefix, J. A. Cox, and Goldsworthy.

The report of the Committee of General Purposes was unanimously adopted.

The Grand Master addressed the Grand Conclave at some length, alluding to all the subjects embraced in the report—in the tenor of which he fully concurred-and congratulated the members on the gradual prosperity of the Order, particularly as regarded new Encampments, the renewal of dormant ones, and the promising expectations arising from the appointment of several Provincial Grand Commanders-in the selection of whom he had been guided solely by the zeal and talent of the individuals thus promoted.

The Grand Officers were then appointed.

The most perfect order and harmony pervaded the meeting, which terminated about six o'clock.

The BANQUET was unexpectedly and unaccountably delayed until near seven, when the Grand Master took the chair, supported on his right by Sir Knights Stuart, Crucefix, W. H. White, Claydon, Vink, &c., and on his left by Sir Knights B. B. Cabbell, Maher, Shaw, &c. On the removal of the cloth Non Nobis was chaunted by Sir Knights Blewitt, Shoolbridge, Ford, and Robinson, who afterwards, during the evening, enlivened the company by various glees and songs.

The health of "the Queen" was happily prefaced with some pertinent remarks on the disturbed state of other countries, and contrasted with our own; the toast was most affectionately greeted-as were the other loyal toasts. The memory of the late royal Grand Prior, the Duke of Sussex, was proposed in a grateful tribute, and drank in solemn silence.

Sir Knight Stuart proposed the health of the Most Eminent Grand Master in a very brief but feeling address, which was greeted by acclamation.

The Grand Master, in reply, commented on the good feeling and perfect harmony that prevailed, for which he felt most grateful, and trusted nothing might occur to interrupt it.

The several knights, in reply to their being noticed, made suitable addresses; in particular Sir Knights Stuart, Henderson, and Crucefix. As we have already observed, the number that attended the Grand Conclave was somewhat less than usual; but Bro. Bacon, the host, was the only sufferer-for never was a better entertainment, or a company more determined to enjoy it, and to add to the good humour and harmony of the occasion. The Grand Master, by his knightly courtesy and social manner won all hearts.

The costume, &c., having been settled, the details have been published in a small pamphlet form, and a copy has been sent to all Encampments that are in work.

VOL. VI.

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