pendent views delivered on the occasion went far to settle the uncertain state of affairs, which were becoming threatening in their aspect; as much owing to the amiable character of the Pro-Grand Master, as to the growing desire to place some other nobleman on the masonic throne who was not the “appointed” chief by the illustrious deceased.

In September 1843, "the question of limiting the masonic protectorate" to a period of three years, by the same individual, was publicly discussed, and a resolution to that effect was moved and seconded in addresses marked by due consideration, sound argument, and clear deduction. These addresses were heard with the deepest attention, appeared to have produced all the effect that could be wished for, and in all probability the motion would have been carried had the question gone to a vote. The presiding officer, however, was of opinion that the time chosen was not proper; that during the "masonic interregnum” such a motion would convey something of a personal reflection, and tend to create misunderstanding, and under such circumstances he hoped the motion would be withdrawn. The feebleness of these objections, inconsistent with the sacred constitutional views previously entered into, was strikingly obvious; however, to prevent the possibility of any misunderstanding, and to set an example of acting courteously even when success was in view, the motion was withdrawn by consent, with an understanding “ that it should be brought forward hereafter without prejudice." Thus we wrote in 1843! Could we then anticipate the possibility that a time would come when stern necessity should cause us to urge on the English fraternity the immediate renewal of this very notice of motion, and haplessly on the too well grounded charge that the Grand Master does not possess the undivided confidence of Grand Lodge. Let the reader continue to ponder well our observations. Time passed— the month of December approached, and with it the period for the nomination of Grand Master. We quote again from our leading article of that month:

* *

66

“That the Grand Master would be put in nomination was assumed as a matter of course; his long standing in the Craft, the high offices he has so honourably and efficiently filled, and the prominency of his position, rendered his nomination a matter of justice, if not a proof of gratitude. * This nomination was followed by the nomination of the Deputy Grand Master,* not by a wearer of the blue but of the purple-by the R. W. Brother who sat as the Junior Grand Warden.” At the time we gave cogent reasons for the election of the ProGrand Master-as Grand Master-not on the grounds of expediency but of justice; we thought that it would have cast an unmerited reproach on his fair fame not to elect him, and we acknowledge that in

* The Marquis of Salisbury.

our public capacity as journalists, and in our private position in the fraternity, we threw ourselves heart and soul into the cause ;-but it is unnecessary to say more on this point.

In March 1844, the Earl of Zetland was elected, by a significant majority, to be Grand Master. We thus observed on the occasion :—

"In falling back on the peerage for our future support, we indulge the confident expectation that the Earl of Zetland, on his retirement, will amply merit and fully enjoy the esteem, the love and veneration of a grateful fraternity.”

Be it remarked, our words were that we expected that his retirement would be so graced; contemplating that he would retire, as a matter of course, at the end of three years, that other noblemen might be called to the protectorate, and thereby give the additional strength of their influence and position to the support of the Order. The masonic throne is not a life-tenancy-it is elective, although the election be, it is true, somewhat farcical; but as the present Grand Master does not read the signs of the times, it is "high time" that a new law should be presented for the Constitutions, to limit the period of the protectorate. Had this been done before, it would "have caused the widows heart to sing for joy," and our masonic ritual would have been unstained by spoliation. Are we patiently to abide further insult and aggression? and especially at the hands of a Grand Master who, although it is to be confessed that his year of probation passed in the promotion of amity and peace, yet has proved that he is in reality not now equal to the high position; the change has come over him perhaps suddenly at a late moment, but it has come over him so clearly as not to admit of concealment. There are certainly two redeeming points in his masonic government— viz., his taking the directions of Grand Lodge as regards the Jewish Freemasons, who were insulted by the Grand Lodge of Prussia, and his adapting, by the consent of Grand Lodge, the masonic law to that of the law of the land, regarding the admission of the coloured population into Freemasonry-" O si sic omnia!”

It may be enquired, what has mainly tended to this change in the views of the Grand Master? possibly the advice of those by whom he is more immediately in contact; it is this unwholesome contact from which all future Grand Masters should be released-limit their period of office, and throw it open to the fair prospect of all the masonic nobility, and new enlightenment will dawn on the Craft; as it is, the purple is, in many instances, conferred on those who are incapacitated from doing mere justice, much less honour, to their appointment. From time to time it has been our duty to state the general circumstances of masonic polity, sometimes with satisfaction, oftener with regret. We have had to animadvert, perhaps somewhat severely, on

many leading points, yet have our strictures been suffered to remain uncontradicted. There are serious faults in our executive, amounting to grievances, endured by the Anglo-masonic community; in the relating of these we have merely been retaliated on by some occasional spluttering on a question of privilege.

That our entire legal constitution requires investigation we aver, its whole framework may be taken to pieces without detriment and reconstructed, and thus the members of a partial, if not a vicious legislature, may be effectually corrected; but this change must come about by the voice from below the daïs, and it must be followed by the "hand-writing on the wall," or the influence of the purple will prevail, and we shall still find that our boasted laws will continue to be only a mockery, a delusion, and a snare."

66

Whenever the "voice" has really spoken, fear has impelled the executive to grant an instalment of justice; but are we to be content with instalments, when we can compel the payment of principal and interest? It is easy to show that whenever the executive prances in an attitude to do something generous or liberal, it curvets in fanciful pride, but exhibits nothing of the knightly nobility of Freemasonry—all is a measure wrung by necessity-a tribute to the fear of examination-a sop to circumstance.

The Grand Registrar we admit to be an efficient officer, but he is also President of the Board of General Purposes; but whoever heard of the identity of a prime minister and attorney-general? A prime minister may require the advice of the attorney-general, but in "re masonicâ," an appeal must be from Philip to Philip

In sober truth, the Grand Registrar should consider himself to be a public officer, not the tool of power, for the humblest Mason has a claim to his service, equal to that of the Grand Master. A change in the protectorate would at once put an end to the banding together of those who owe their position to the preference of personal friendship, or as the reward of sycophancy. The daïs would be tenanted by brethren selected by different Grand Masters, who, each observing for himself, would endeavour to place before the prominent attention of Grand Lodge, such Masters and Past Masters as had honestly and truly done their duty-there should be no preference as to persons or lodges, the selection should be made with reference to service and position; and even should errors occur, they would not be frequent, for the opportunity would be limited; but now, THREE purpled sycophants have so poisoned the ear of the Grand Master, that our prediction is verified, and in listening to them he has. lost himself. A nobler Mason, and of the highest rank, when living, held the opinions we now deliver; they made a deep impression on us, and the time has now arrived, when to conceal them would be treason.

We shall not forget our gratification at the declaration of the Grand Master, that it became necessary to issue a public circular of the transactions of the Grand Lodge; but we cannot conceal our mortification at the result of his editorial efforts-instead of truth we have its suppression, instead of argument we have fallacy. We have incurred his displeasure; be it so. We have a public duty to perform, and will boldly and fearlessly continue to discharge it.

Every one at all conversant with periodical literature, is aware that the current matter for the quarter is chiefly written, printed, and worked off many days before the date of publication; we may therefore have incurred the responsibility of error without the knowledge of having erred, and this we feel to be somewhat discouraging; nevertheless, as a public document, we shall always comment upon the circular with freedom, fervency, and zeal. We love Masonry for its own sake, and have given some proofs that we can endure painful sensations in the performance of sacred duties.

We shall continue to arrange our future materials with such due regard to their mystical development as shall convey no "improper idea (to the profane world) of the respectability and character of our Order."

Fourteen years' character in private service usually ensures to an honest man, a good repute. We challenge investigation into as many years' public service to disprove our claim; let any Mason turn to a page wherein he can attaint us of incorrectness or impropriety. We do not ask permission to do this of others; nor having forborne to publish many things, do we wish to claim forbearance as a merit, but only that it should be appreciated as a duty faithfully performed.

Our object being the "Good of the Craft," we know no fear; we expect, therefore, such an arrest of judgment as honourable men would claim in courtesy, and which Masons, in virtue of their profession, claim as a right.

We have before said, that "coming events cast their shadows before them," and that an Editor may stand on the brink of a precipice, yet the "head reels not, and the foot is firm."

The low abyss, or the ethereal heaven is equally in the contemplation of all thoughtful men, who may claim, according to their desert, the approbation or the rebuke of their fellows. All we ask for is, let us have open charges and fair play.

"Whoso is wise will ponder these things." "Let no man deceive you with vain words." "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; but rather reprove them, for it is a shame even to speak of these things that are done of them in secret."

“Craftsmen are bound by peculiar ties to promote peace, cultivate harmony, and live in concord and brotherly love."-Const. p. 5.

"None shall discover envy at the prosperity of a Brother, nor supplant him, or put him out of his work, if he be capable to finish the same; for no man can finish another's work so much to the lord's profit, unless he be thoroughly acquainted with the designs and draughts of him that began it. "-Const. p. 9.

"All these charges you are to observe, and also those that shall be communicated to you in another way; cultivating brotherly love, the foundation and cape-stone, the cement and glory, of this antient fraternity, avoiding all wrangling and quarrelling, all slander and backbiting, nor permitting others to slander any honest brother, but defending his character and doing him all good offices, as far as is consistent with your honour and safety, and no farther."-Const. p. 14.

We have stated our belief that the Grand Master has now lost the confidence of the Craft-can this be shown? we think it can. At two consecutive Grand Lodges he has been compelled to show cause by, two leading members of the Grand Lodge, why their addresses have been mis-stated and garbled; and how did he get out of the dilemma-by plain manly acknowledgment of error? Oh no-but by declaring his responsibility in the one case, and by stating in the other that the explanation given by the complaining brother was satisfactory! but the Grand Master did not condescend to say to whom the explanation was satisfactory, and for a very simple reason-no explanation was given : an explanation was sought for, but not found!

Again, in the last published circular, the Grand Master's address is given against the vote to widows. Several brethren spoke on his side, and several against-but not one iota of any of their arguments. Yet the Grand Master, in a concluding address, states that he is of the same opinion, because he cannot agree with the dissentients from his own inconsistency; and he likens this mode of editing a report of one of the most interesting debates that ever took place in Grand Lodge,—to a summary after the manner of the "Times." Well did a member of Grand Lodge term the thing a mockery!"

66

After this will it be presumed that the Grand Master has any longer the undivided confidence of the Grand Lodge?

Will the Grand Master, or rather will the Grand Lodge, take a lesson from the times as they are, masonic or popular, (the term profane is a ribald mockery)? Will both of these constituent items examine into and construe faithfully the word "loyalty," as a sentiment of honour that should direct their mutual impulse? If they are prepared to do this we unhesitatingly tell them that recently in a neighbouring nation, consisting of many millions, far outnumbering ourselves as Masons-the masonic Order have consecrated their mutual attachment by adhesion to the existing government, and given thereby hostage for their loyalty. The erring ex-monarch-a Mason-an exile, has found