P. M.-The creature is at its dirty work again; he may well wince at the speech of Bro. Savage on the presentation of the testimonial. The creature has been the bane of Freemasonry ever since his entrance within its portals. Still we say, in Capel-court phrase, "beware." ARGUS.-We recognise a former correspondent, and acknowledge the compliment; and equally with himself regret that so truly distinguished a Mason, as the P. J.G W. alluded to, whose nature is always to act right, should feel so entrammelled by circumstances as to be obliged to act wrong A WIDOW'S CASE.-The attack and rejoinder are too personal for our interference. AN APPRENTICE.-The masonic premiums for 1848 were thus awarded-to the slanderer of the widow-the last of the informers-and for ratting. A LADY.-Who can dispute the taste of woman? It is always against the "pretty man." Tall he may be-somewhat mouthy-but never high-minded. Bro. THOMAS PRYER.-We have to inform many enquirers, that owing to a fire in his house, many valuable masonic papers were destroyed, and much time must elapse before memory and re-investigation can repair their loss. Bro. Dr. OLIVER.-Our readers will perceive by the erudite paper in our present number, that, although temporary retirement has been enjoined, the vigour of mind and zeal of purpose are yet dominant in our historian. D. F. will observe that his request has been complied with-to correct a faultless paper would be impertinent. A MASONIC-DWARF is right. The mover of the Vote of Confidence, would be a prize-advocate, in any case where no witness is to be called in support. ONE WHO ROSE BUT APPLAUDED NOT.-The Vote of Confidence was never more needed: it was too barefaced to call on a brother to violate the obligation of secrecy. Let those who sit in high places look to it-the time may come. A PURPLE may complain of the blues for issuing their list, but why not complain of the 'purple informer" who visited lodges, and literally forced his list of confidence papersor of the official purple and his scrutineers, who folded up confidence-papers with the voting papers at the very threshold of Grand Lodge-or of the Grand Secretary, who imposed on a provincial brother with a similar list ready scratched-or of a zany-toady, whose circular was offensively thrust on the Craft through the medium of the post-or of the trick of putting forward two names from the independent list, as a decoy for the provincial brethren? Oh the mote and the beam! DISCIPLINE AND PRACTICE. A MASTER.-If the Senior Warden, as appointed, is obliged after a few months to leave the lodge from private business, it does not follow that the Junior Warden becomes Senior Warden, (although it would be better that he shonld be so appointed); his qualification for the office of Master being the completion of actual Wardenship for twelve months, which qualification, however, is not endangered by the appointment, ad interim, of a Senior Warden for the remainder of the term. The office of Warden, Senior or Junior, is equal in rank; both being qualified for Master, if the period of service be equal. The Junior Warden cannot claim the chair of the Senior Warden. however vacated. At the election for Master, the Junior Warden would be eligible as having served the full time, while the ad interim Senior Warden would be ineligible for the Master's chair. A JERSEY BROTHER.-The law is not sufficiently explicit on the point; we should consider that a joining member, who could give proof of his having actually served as Warden in a Scotch, Irish, or foreign lodge for twelve months, is eligible, if elected to serve as Master of an English lodge-provided the by-laws of such lodge do not disqualify. THE ASYLUM. The Annual General Meeting will be holden the Second Wednesday in July, when the ceremony of laying the foundation will probably be taken into consideration. THE FREEMASONS' QUARTERLY REVIEW, AND GENERAL ASSURANCE ADVOCATE. SECOND SERIES-SEPTEMBER 30, 1848. "Justinian declares that he acts contrary to the law who, confining himself to the letter, acts contrary to the spirit and interest of it."-H. R. H. the DUKE OF SUSSEX, April 21, 1812. House of Lords. "Qualis ab incepto." WE have been altogether misunderstood. We have no wish to disparage the Grand Master. It was our fortune to have been foremost and mainly successful in his election, at a time when there was a strong difference of opinion; and we entertain no desire to weaken the superstructure we have assisted to raise ; but, on the contrary, we are most anxious to realize our anticipations as to the wholesome results of a periodical change in the protectorship of English Freemasonry. The Grand Mastership ought not to be a life-tenantcy, for reasons often stated, and which hereafter may be still more clearly proved. Since the last Grand Lodge, we have received the most indubitable assurances from intelligent brethren that our premises were altogether correct in the main; and as words written have a more indelible effect than words spoken, we subjoin extracts from two high-minded Masons on the most leading topics of the day. They may not frighten the Grand Master from his propriety, but as they exhibit anything but scorn and contempt " for ourselves, and do not indoctrinate the alarming inference that editorial opinions partake of assassination, so we leave our readers to judge for themselves as to the correspondence. 66 "An experience of forty years, passed in the unvaried exercise of masonic obligation as far as lay in my power, has made me tolerably acquainted with masonic statistics. I confess that I am no longer equal to physical exertion, or I would take my stand by the side of those who so honourably strive to maintain the remnant of our privileges, even VOL. VI. I I though occasionally in their zeal they may expose themselves to the taunt of indiscretion-agreeing with Archbishop Leighton, who preferred an erroneous honest man before the most orthodox knave in the world. The recent attack on the F. Q. R., however well-meant by the leader of the perilous onslaught—for it was perilous to the leader himself, perilous to his followers, perilous to all, even to the Order—was converted into the most insidious and dastardly attack on one brother, who has, for nearly a quarter of a century, sustained, with the most unflinching courage, a position that would make any man giddy, and from which I believe nothing but the most dreadful calamity that can befal man will ever remove him—no, not even death, which is the best friend to man. It was, I find, seriously intended to found charges against this brother, on the result of the evening's debate, and expulsion was hopefully relied on. Proh pudor! I feel assured of the impracticability of this attempt; but were it possible, what would result ?— There would no longer be that spirited check upon secret workings; for, without manly opposition, there is no knowing the extent of the iniquity which would be practised; this is evident from the nervous yet imbecile attempts to prevent reporting; and it is to this brother that we are all so deeply indebted for a knowledge of our masonic law, and of ourselves. His masonic life has been a continual ovation-costly enough to his feelings, but honourable to his character. I cast my eye around at the last Grand Lodge, when the vast assembly rose to pass its vote of confidence to the Grand Master; two only were seated-the Grand Master, and the brother I allude to! The one receiving a compliment most truly needed, the other stoically indifferent to what construction might be put upon his keeping his seat; yet he possibly felt that, having proved superior to the cunning devices that would have entrapped him into dishonour, he was resting himself in thoughtful consideration of the scene in which he formed so prominent a figure. He, and such as he, belong to Freemasonry, for they know that the chief properties of wisdom are, to be mindful of things past, careful of things present, and provident of things to come."" Thus much for one correspondent-turn we now to the other. "I was present at our Scottish Grand Lodge when the 'puddle in the storm' was raised; it was clearly the idle effort of the misguided few who had been gained over by the officious meddling of some three or four. You may be assured of this-the majority were really indifferent, and are generally disposed to leave matters in the hands of certain parties. We know well that English lodges are beset by Scotch masonic mendicants; and here no secretary or acting officer of lodges but feels how much they are annoyed by masonic paupers-men who, perhaps, pay but little to be initiated, and far less afterwards, if, indeed, their original poverty permitted them to pay anything further. The improvement in our fees will gradually mend matters; but what we do want is a test of subscription to a lodge as a passport to charity. Nothing short of an imperative lodge-subscription will avail. This explanation is due for the proper understanding of the report in the F. Q. R., which is, in my opinion, a very fair one. With regard to the relaxation in respect to your colonial system, we deem it to be a decided step in the wrong direction. Here, in Scotland, we have for many years been gradually endeavouring to establish the English mode of letting a certain time elapse between the degrees; and of course our colonial authorities must in time have conformed thereto. "WE FEEL SATISFIED, THAT IF THE GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND HAD PROPOSED TO THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND THE ENFORCEMENT OF A REGULATION SIMILAR TO YOUR OLD SYSTEM, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN CORDIALLY AND THANKFULLY RECEIVED AND ADOPTED, AND THE INITIATION, PASSING, AND RAISING BEEN MADE EQUAL. FURTHERMORE, WE ARE OF OPINION THAT IT IS SO DETERIORATING AN ENACTMENT ON THE PART OF THE GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND, THAT AN ARRANGEMENT OUGHT TO BE ATTEMPTED BETWEEN THE SISTER GRAND LODGES, TO PUT THEIR COLONIAL DEPENDENCIES UPON THE ANCIENT ENGLISH SYSTEM.' What a contrast is thus presented to the dispassionate consideration! THE RECENT GRAND LODGE. Our first duty is to record our tribute of respect to the presiding officer, the Earl of Yarborough, the Deputy Grand Master, who, during a very protracted and most uninteresting debate, was not merely consistently attentive, but perfectly courteous to every one-his very reproof was kind. How anxiously could we hope that he would himself investigate the great moral evil that so loathsomely retards the onward progress. He has youth on his side, which should be ever ardent and generous; and he has unquestionable talent, and powerful influence. With such advantages, how improved would be our position, were his dchip but to throw them into the scale, and decide in favour of versus Might." CASE OF MAJOR GENERAL COOKE.-The sanctity of the Grand as profaned uisedly profaned, by being made the arena |