the large room, where Bro. Harris, of Bath, and some other singers amused the brethren until the mail-train arrived, and where the cup of good fellowship was pledged to the next merry meeting.

The meeting was honoured with the company of the D. P. G. M. Bro. Randolph, Bros. Captain Maher, G. S., Stradling, G. T., &c.; the D. P. G. M. Bro. Powell, and several of the Grand Lodge Officers of Bristol, many of the Worshipful Masters, and a large party of brethren from the different lodges of that province, particularly the Beaufort, to whom W. M. Bro. Harris, as well as Bros. S. E. Taylor, P. M., and Bro. Evans, P. M., the meeting is much indebted for their kind services. A numerous body of brethren also favoured the festival with their company from Bath, Oxford, Wells, Bridgwater, Taunton, Shepton Mallett, Bruton, and elsewhere. Nor should we forget to state that the company gladly received as visitors the Rev. Elie W. Stokes, a brother of colour, showing the universality of Freemasonry; that it is embraced by all nations. Arrangements were made for the mail-train to call at the Highbridge Station in the evening for the accommodation of the brethren, who returned home highly pleased with the enjoyment of the day. That the brethren may have every comfort and accommodation at the next festival, it is the intention of Bro. Butson to build immediately a lofty and well-ventilated room, capable of accommodating three hundred persons.

BARNSTAPLE, June 14.-The Provincial Grand Lodge was opened in the Lodge Room, at the Assembly Rooms, at eleven o'clock, and was close-tyled at twelve, by the Prov. G. M., the Earl Fortescue. After the business of the P. G. Lodge was transacted, the Lodge adjourned, and the visiting and other brethren having been admitted, proceeded to the Church of the Holy Trinity in procession.

On arriving at the door of the church, the brethren halted and formed two lines by dividing to the right and left; the procession was then inverted and entered the Church.

The brethren having been seated in their respective places, the masonic hymn was sung, the usual service of the church was performed, and a sermon was preached by the P. G. Chaplain of Devon, the Rev. James Harris, A. M., after which a collection was made at the church doors in aid of the funds of the North Devon Infirmary and the North Devon Dispensary, and a portion of the collection handed over to the committee for building the school attached to the Church of the Holy Trinity.

The Rev. James Harris took his text from the 27th verse of the 1st chapter of the Epistle by St. James:-" Pure religion, and undefiled before God and the Father, is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." The sermon was listened to with the most profound attention by a crowded congregation, and every sentence of the discourse was fraught with those benevolent and generous sentiments inculcated in masonry. The Rev. S. Evans, curate of the Church of the Holy Trinity, read prayers, and the Rev. John Russell read the lessons for the day. The collection after the service amounted to twenty-five pounds.

Earl Fortescue, though labouring under severe indisposition, and contrary to the advice of his medical attendant, presided over the business of the lodge, which being ended, his lordship desired to be excused from joining in the procession and festivities of the day, and appointed the Hon. T. F. W. Butler, as his locum tenens for carrying out the further objects of the P. G. L. He also appointed the Hon. Bro. Butler, his

Prov. G. S. Warden, Bro. R. Bremridge, M. P. Prov. G. J. Warden, and Bro. T. B. Chanter, Prov. G. S. Deacon for the ensuing year. The Prov. Grand Master left the sum of five pounds to be applied to the charitable object of the meeting. We very much regret to add, that the highly esteemed, zealous, and talented Deputy Prov. Grand Master, Dr. Carwithen, whose energies have been so effective in developing the true objects of masonry in the province of Devon, was prevented from attending the meeting in consequence of severe illness. The prayers of the church were offered up for that respected brother and truly excellent man. The service at the church was rendered the more effective by the kind and gratuitous assistance of the choir who attend the Barnstaple parish Church. The masonic hymn and anthem were sung by them in excellent taste; Bro. Edwards presiding at the organ.

The procession, preceded by a band of music, playing a masonic air, consisted of from seventy to eighty; the arrangements of the committee were carried out in the best possible manner, and reflected great credit on their taste and judgment. Several clerical brethren joined in the procession in their gowns, with the hood appertaining to their accademical degrees.

At five o'clock, about fifty of the brethren sat down to a splendid banquet at the "Fortescue Hotel." The Hon. Bro. Butler, the worthy Master of the Barnstaple Lodge presided over the festivities with his accustomed spirit and ability, and at nine o'clock the brethren separated, after spending a most harmonious and gratifying day.

SCOTLAND.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

JOSIAH-A. WOODMAN-PELTRIE-P. M.-AN OFFICE BEARER, and others; we have selected one letter as a pretty fair specimen of the wishes of all--excepting one, whose letter we have no other reason for not publishing than that it would affect his general position. The letter alluded to will be found in our leading article.

The following are extracted from the published Circular of the

Grand Lodge of Scotland.

Nov. 8, 1847.-A sum of 157, 13s. 6d., part of moneys raised by the Lodge of Benevolence, Sherborne, No. 459, under the Grand Lodge of England, from the lectures of the celebrated philanthropist, traveller, and brother, Dr. Wolff, on his mission to Bokhara, having been presented to the Grand Lodge of Scotland for charitable purposes, the warmest thanks of the Grand Lodge were voted to the brethren of No. 459, Sherborne, for their handsome donation; which the Grand Lodge directed to be paid over to the Fund of Benevolence, for distribution by the Committee on that Fund.

The Freemasons' Calendar, Dublin, 1848, was presented by Brother Michael Furnell, Prov. Grand Master, North Munster. Thanks were voted.

Nov. 30, 1847.-The election of Grand Officers took place this day in conformity with the nomination on the 8th instant.

The attention of the Grand Lodge having been called to a report of

the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of England of the 1st March,1848, appearing in the "Freemasons' Quarterly Review," published 31st of March last, and in which report unfounded aspersions are thrown upon Scottish Masonry, and seem to remain uncontradicted in the Grand Lodge of England; the Grand Secretary was directed immediately to put himself in communication with the Grand Secretary of England, and ascertain whether the offensive expressions in question were actually used in the Grand Lodge of England, and the brother using them allowed to do so without being called to order by the chair. The Secretary was instructed to report thereafter to the Grand Committee.

[It has already been shown in our last number that the brother used no offensive expressions, and consequently was not called to order.-ED.]

SUPREME GRAND ROVAL ARCH CHAPTER OF SCOTLAND.-Royal Arch Masonry appears to be progressing in a satisfactory manner. The Quarterly Communication, inter alia, promulgates that the law declaring "that no companion shall fill the first chair of a civil chapter in Scotland for more than three years in succession, nor the second or third for more than two years successively," be abrogated; and that "companions may Occupy these chairs for any length of time, if duly elected annually." Also that for the future the power of granting the degrees of Mark and Past Master be vested in chapters only.

Also that none but those whose names are enrolled on the books of the Supreme Chapter shall be eligible to be a member thereof, or to be an office-bearer in any subordinate chapter; neither shall he have any claim on the charity of the Supreme Chapter.

IRELAND.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

BRO. WHITNEY.-The report is received and acknowledged,

BRO. MILLIKEN.-We are obliged by the presentation of the Historico-Masonic tracts.

DUBLIN, August 25.-The illustrious Bro. Hoyte, S. G. I. G., Deputy Grand Master, entertained the Supreme Council of Sov. Grand Insp. Genl. 33rd. Degree, with unbounded hospitality, at his picturesque residence Edenmore.

North MUNSTER, Sept. 12.-The masonic corps of this district are full of energy, our esteemed Prov. Grand Master having commenced his periodical inspection; he visited the Clan William Lodge, 55, on the 11th, for whom he raised five brethren to the third degree, and commended highly the extraordinary advancement of that very respectable lodge (but a few months constituted); and after some hours of instructive labour, the W. Master, Henry W. Massy, adjourned to a banquet, where that social and confidential harmony, characteristic of the Order, was enjoyed with the fullest zest.

Our Provincial Grand Lodge is summoned for the 20th instant, as also the Royal Arch, the Knights of the Sword, the Templars, and

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X X

the Triune Lodge, 333. No. 49, Charleville, is to entertain Sir John Macneill, and other distinguished brethren, on the 21st, to meet Bro. Furnell.

LIMERICK, August 24.-The Union Lodge, No. 13, this day initiated the Hon. Henry Wyndham Quin, son of the Earl of Dunraven, Custos Rotulorum of the county.

CORK, June 24.-St. Patrick's Lodge, No. 8.-The brethren of this lodge assembled at their lodge-room, St. Patrick's Hall, Maylor-street, on St. John's Day, and installed officers; Bro. Frederick Olden, W. M., Bro. James E. White, and Frederick Buck, as Wardens.

Saturday being considered an inconvenient day for the celebration of the festival, the brethren dined together on the following Monday, at the Imperial Hotel. During the evening the usual toasts were proposed by the W. M., and cordially responded to by the brethren. Bro. A. D. Roche, Wh eler, and M'Carty, sang several appropriate glees, &c., with their accustomed brilliancy, and, together with Bro. Brosang, who delighted the company with his exquisite performance on the violin, accompanied by Bro. M'Carty on the piano-forte, contributed largely to the evening's enjoyment. The utmost hilarity prevailed; peace, love, and harmony, which are the characteristics of this lodge, reigned throughout.

Several visitors from Lodges Nos. 1, 5, 13, 95, 139, and 355, were present. At twelve o'clock the party separated, highly gratified by the kind and truly masonic spirit which was displayed.

FOREIG N.

RIO DE JANEIRO.-The Grand Orient of Brazils has interdicted the admission of brethren of St. John's Lodge, No. 703, from visiting or being visited by lodges acting under warrant of the Grand Orient. This interdict has been existing since 1845, and the Grand Secretary, Bro. W. H. White, has been applied to on the subject, but most pertinaciously withholds any reply. A still more formal application has been made by the present mail, requiring some steps to be taken to compel the Grand Orient of Brazils to respect the certificates of the Grand Lodge of England. Perhaps, as a large remittance accompanied the letter in acknowledging the receipt, the Grand Secretary may vouchsafe to say a word on this strange interdict.

JAMAICA, Kingston, June 26.-Union y Concordia Lodge.-This being the day appointed for the annual installation of the officers, a very numerous gathering of the brethren of the several lodges took place at their usual masonic room.

The lodge was opened in due form about eight o'clock, when a large number of Past Masters presented themselves for the purpose of assisting in the ceremonies of the evening, among whom we noticed the distinguished Most Worshipful General Jose Antonio Paez, Ex-President of the Republic of Venezuela, who was received with high masonic honours, and conducted to his appropriate seat.

The usual ordinary routine business having been disposed of, the

Worshipful Master called upon Brother Scott, of the senior lodge in this province, to undertake the important office of installing_the Master elect, according to ancient custom. This having been done, Bro. Emanuel Leon appeared in his place as the Master installed for the ensuing year, and proceeded to form his administration by installing the officers.

The Worshipful Master and the several officers individually returned thanks for their respective appointments.

The lodge was closed according to custom, and the brethren adjourned to Sussex Hall, where a sumptuous banquet was prepared for the occasion. About one hundred and twenty gentlemen sat down to the entertainment. After which the Worshipful Master rose, and called for a bumper, when he proposed to the health of "our Sovereign Lady the Queen," which was received with all the loyalty and enthusiasm which distinguish the fraternity; the band playing the national anthem. He next gave successively, "Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, and the Royal Family;" "the Army and Navy;" "His Excellency Sir Charles Grey;" "the Earl of Zetland, Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England;" all of which were drunk with marked loyalty and great applause.

The Worshipful Master hereupon called upon Bro. Fiddes, who presided at one of the wings of the table, to do honour to the distinguished visitor of the evening, by proposing his health.

Bro. Fiddes accordingly rose. He said he felt some diffidence in proposing the health of the visiting brother, General Paez, for he was incapable of doing justice to the merits of that gallant and distinguished man. During the many years that the general presided over the councils of his country, he had been characterised as the staunch upholder of good order, as well as the enemy of oppression, and the true friend of liberty. Unlike many men who aspire to power for the purpose of selfaggrandisement, he had, with a true and noble patriotism, devoted his life to the promotion of the welfare and happiness of his fellow-countrymen. He had neither idly neglected nor selfishly abused the high offices which were invested in him; but, acting always on the great principles of fraternity and benevolence, on which Masonry is founded, he has never swerved from the path of rectitude. These public virtues in the general reflect on him high honour, and entitle him to the estimation of every Mason and every right-thinking man. The fame of his achievements has extended and been appreciated, far beyond the circuit of his own country. It was sufficient to strike the attention of our late sovereign William the Fourth, who presented him with a handsome testimonial in admiration of his public conduct. As an officer of the Union y Concordia Lodge, he (Bro. Fiddes) thanked General Paez for his visit this evening, and, on behalf of the brethren generally, he begged to convey to him their high consideration and regard. The fraternity wished him all prosperity, and prayed that the blessing of the Grand Architect of the Universe may never forsake him-(cheers).

The band immediately struck up the air of his country-the Cachoucha. The toast was responded to with loud and enthusiastic cheering, which lasted for several minutes. As soon as a hearing could be obtained, the general rose and addressed the brethren thus:" From the moment in which I received an invitation from the members of the Union and Concordia Lodge to be present at their installation, I considered myself highly honoured. The reception which I met with in the body of the lodge augmented my satisfaction; and now, finding myself in this