mitted to the Council, who shall decide on their fitness to be read, and also on their fitness to be inserted in the transactions of the Institute, in the event of such being published.

29. The Council shall have power to recommend Honorary Members, to be elected by the Fellows and Associates.

30. An annual subscription of 31. 3s. shall be contributed by each Fellow, payable in advance.

31. An annual subscription of 21. 2s. shall be contributed by each Associate, payable in advance.

32. There shall be an Annual General Meeting of the Fellows and Associates.

33. The administrative power of the finances, and the affairs of the Institute generally, shall be in the Council, subject to the control of the Fellows and Associates at the Annual General Meeting.

34. The Council shall be empowered to prepare a code of by-laws for the government of the Institute, to be submitted for confirmation to a General Meeting of the Fellows and Associates to be summoned for that purpose.

35. The Council shall hereafter consider the propriety of obtaining a Royal Charter of Incorporation.

After some discussion, the report was received unanimously, after which it was put for adoption, clause by clause.

On the first clause being put, Mr. RYLEY moved a resolution to the effect, that the committee be thanked, and empowered to add to their number, and instructed to communicate with the Register General, Mr. Farr, Mr. A. Morgan, and other Actuaries of more than fifteen years' standing, and, with Sir John Lubbock, Professor De Morgan, Professor Hall, and other mathematicians interested in the theory of Life Assurance, to ascertain their opinions as to the expediency of forming an Institute, and as to the basis upon which it should be formed.

After considerable discussion upon extraneous and comparatively unimportant matters, Mr. Ryley's motion not being seconded, fell to the ground.

The clauses up to No. 9 were then passed without opposition.

On the ninth clause being put, Mr. FINLAY, alluding to the presence of many gentlemen from Scotland, remarked that there they had formed an association for many years past, which they found very useful in obtaining accurate information, and inducing accurate conclusions on practical points.

Clause 9 was then carried unanimously.

Clause 10. after some discussion, was amended by the addition of "or in the service of government to the words denoting the parties eligible for election, and altering the date from the 8th to the 10th of July.

In clause 11, the date was also similarly altered.

Clause 12 was carried unanimously.

Clause 13 and 14 were carried, the latter with an alteration of date from the 10th June to the 8th July.

Clause 15 carried unanimously.

On clause 16, Mr. SCRATCHLEY moved, and Mr. DANIELL seconded, an amendment, that after the word "Fellows" the words " and Associates" be introducd. The amendment was negatived, and the clause carried.

Clauses 17 and 18 carried unanimously.

On clause 19, Mr. HAMPTON moved that the fourth branch of examination, " book-keeping and office routine" be omitted, as not being a necessary qualification for an Actuary. Amendment negatived, and clause carrried.

On clause 20, Mr. FARREN suggested that the proposed distinctive letters might be adopted by other societies, and lead to confusion.

The CHAIRMAN pointed out that the clause stated "or such other addition as may hereafter be determined on," and the clause was passed, the distinctive addition being left open for future consideration. Clause 21 agreed to on the like understanding.

On clause 22, respecting the election of auditors, Mr. BoULT moved that the word "Fellows" be struck out, making Associates only eligible. The amendment was carried by twenty to eighteen, and the clause passed.

Clauses 23, 24, 25, 26, carried without opposition.

Clause 27 excited some discussion; Mr. Boult objecting to give the council the sole power of constituting committees, but it was passed, the objection not being pressed.

Clauses 28 and 29 were carried.

On clause 30 being put, Mr. HAMPTON, touching on the importance of funds, moved that, as the Associates enjoy nearly all the advantages of Fellows, their subscriptions be the same as the Fellows (37. 3s.), and that, after the Society was constituted, there should be an entrance fee. Mr. FARREN Seconded the amendment. After some discussion, Mr. JENKIN JONES moved that the subscription be 21. 2s. for each member.

The first amendment only was persisted in, and it was negatived, the clause being carried.

On clause 31 being put, Mr. SYLVESTER suggested that, as provincial members could not enjoy the same advantages as metropolitan members, it would be but just to take only 21. 28. from Fellows, and 17. 18. from Associates, residing beyond a certain distance.

Mr. THOMPSON, on the part of himself and his friends from Scotland and the provinces, said that they did not wish to cripple the funds by any reduction of the subscriptions.

The clause was then carried, as were clauses 32, 33, 34, and 35. The whole plan, as amended, was then put, and carried unanimously, and, after a vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting adjourned.

VOL. VI.

3 A

LITERARY NOTICES.

Historical Masonic Tracts. By Rob. Milliken. Cork. Jackson. This little volume is dedicated to the Freemasons of Ireland, by a brother whose masonic service has exceeded fifty seven, and whose earthly pilgrimage has extended over eighty years. Hail to the masonic patriarch whose nascent thoughts and aspirations have been thus permitted to range so long in the fair race with time—as now in so late a day to be equal to hand down the result of his valued experience. When the brother of eighty years shall be thus spared to announce his belief that Masonry is of divine origin, who shall doubt.

Our aged friend states these tracts to be a concise history of Freemasonry from the earliest times to the present day, and commences by stating his opinion, in conjunction with others, that "Masonry means theosophy or divine wisdom." After a very interesting series of extracts and opinions, Bro. Milliken concludes with some judicious as well as highly interesting remarks on the non-admittance of females into our society, in which he places the character of woman in its proper light as tempering the nature and habit of man by her sweetness and purity; unless indeed when the man, from some sad visitation, partakes of the worse instead of the better nature of the brute.

Masonic Hymn. By Bro. G. P. R. Pulman. D'Almaine and Co. It were desirable that music, being one of the masonic sciences, should be more frequently introduced into our ceremonies. The constitutions provide for the appointment of a grand organist, and our researches into the archives prove that music was in ancient Masonry much cultivated. We always hail the appearance of hymns, odes and songs, because they serve to give a tone and character both to the solemnity of the ritual and to the happier character of the social meeting. Religion and poetry may be always blended, and the prose effusion becomes more acceptable by the union. In this masonic hymn the invocation is full of grace, and evinces considerable musical feeling and truth. It must in our opinion, because it ought, become patronized both by masonic lodges and private families. The hymn is appropriately dedicated to Bro. Wm. Tucker, Prov. Grand Master for Dorset.

The Madras Freemasons' Herald.

It is cheering to find that the Independent Masonic Benefit Fund of Southern India, the leading hope of the labours of the conductors of this publication, promises well, and with so praiseworthy an object in view we do unaffectedly wish success to both. The letter of Gavel on "Provincial Grand Masters" is a palpable hit, and is worthy the consideration of the Grand Lodge of England. The idea of annuities for widows is appreciated favourably by the Editor, and the local masonic statistics are treated with fairness and ability.

Geschichte der Freimaurerei in England, Irland, und Schottland. Bei Dr. Georg Kloss. Leipsic. Khemn. 485 pages.

Annalen der Loge zur Einigkeit, 1742-1811. Frankfurt a M. 376 pages.

Reorganizations Akte des Eklektischen Freimaurerbundes, 1846. 35 pages.

The two first of the above works are by an author of whom it has already been our duty to speak; and it is with great pleasure we are enabled to lay before our readers "A History of Freemasonry in the United Kingdom and Ireland," compiled by a foreigner, who may be considered an impartial judge, looking without fear or favour, affection or prejudice, upon the various documents, histories and reports he has found it necessary to investigate during the progress of his labour.

The History of Freemasonry by Dr. Kloss is one of three books intended to be given to the world by him, the first being " Freemasonry, its Objects, Tendencies, and History shown," and noticed in the eighteenth number of the "Freemasons' Quarterly Review," June, 1847. The second is now before us; and the third is, we believe, to tell us something of French masonic history.

Of all the writers of the present age few have devoted so much time to investigation, and none have been more indefatigable in research than the German historians; we need scarcely point to the ponderous volumes that have emanated from Germany in proof of the assertion, and among the successful seekers for information our author, Dr. George Kloss, has been most assiduous; we find him collating the Books of Constitutions of 1723 and 1738, by Anderson ; John Entick, of 1756 and 1769; Heseltine and the Hall-committee of 1776; and Noorthouck. Scott's Pocket Companion, 1754, 1759, and 1764 are pressed into the service, the doctor wisely and judiciously pointing out what is authorised, official, semiofficial, or surreptitious; these again are compared with what may be called the antagonistic writers, as Dermott, in Ahiman Rezon, 1756, 1764, 1778, and 1800; Preston, 1781, 1829, 1846; the Freemasons' Calendar; Edward Spratt, 1751; Freemasons' Pocket Companion Edinburgh, 1763; Calcott, 1769: Laurie, 1804, &c. &c. It will be seen that great pains have been taken to seek among the authorities; but many other sources are used, and for the first time fairly, impartially, and independently transcribed; for many of our former writers feared to state their opinions, while others carelessly or designedly omitted, or passed by, events of the greatest importance. The history of Dr. Kloss has also a treatise on the origin, proceedings, and close of the ancient Masons, written, as the whole of his work is, with perspicuity, firmness, and eloquence, well worthy the reputation of the author, and of immense service to the German Mason; it would well repay the trouble of translating into English, and in a cheap form would be a valuable and amusing addition to every Freemason's library.

The second on the list is the "Annals of the Lodge of Harmony at Frankfort-on-the-Main. Formerly this was a provincial lodge of England, and the volume before us is its history from 1742 to 1811; it is particularly interesting to us at the present instant, as detailing the correspondence with our Grand Lodge, and the minutes of its proceedings. Bro. Kloss having had occasion to consult the archives of this, as well as many other lodges, has adopted this method of giving the fraternity a portion of the material he has collected; it is dedicated to the Eclectic Union.

The third is the "Law Book, or Book of Constitutions of the Eclectic Union," numbering now somewhere about a dozen lodges, it contains one hundred and forty-seven clauses, all very much to the purpose. The English masonic Book of Constitutions for the year 1723 is its basis, particularly the two first clauses of the ancient charges, which are repeated, and declared unalterable. Allusion is in several places made to the Constitutions of England; as a whole they seem very just.

Unity and Love. Masonic Glee.

The words of this spirited glee are by Bro. F. Lochie, the music by Bro. Henry de Burgh, and it is not its lightest claim to our attention that the proceeds of the publication are to be appropriated to the relief of a worthy and distressed brother. Pour la foy! the ominous words in the title-page, induce us to think the muse has been inspired under the influence of Templar chivalry; but whether so or not, the words and music correspond in harmony, and point in the direction of unity and love. For the sake of the distressed brother, we must supply the deficiency of a publisher, by stating that Bro. Spencer, the Masonic Librarian, Holborn, London, will cheerfully execute orders.

Laud the Great Architect Divine. Masonic Hymn. D'Almaine and Co.; Spencer.

This beautiful invocation to the Supreme Being will be found in our Masonic Intelligence; the words are by Bro. L. How, the music by Bro. Osmond Phipps, Prov. G. O. (Kent), The hymn has the preeminent claim of merit, and should form one of a series of musical works to be at hand during the masonic ceremonial. As a piece of church music, it will, we presume, take a high rank, inasmuch as, although perfectly masonic in its conception, it is so perfectly free in its simplicity and piety, as to render it acceptable to all who bend their steps to the Throne of Grace.

The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine. By C. W. Moore. Boston (U.S.)

Our esteemed contemporary has supplied us with the result of his invaluable labours to the month of June inclusive; for this kindness we heartily thank him, and although we have not been able to extract as we could wish to supply trans-atlantic masonic intelligence in its proper place, we must acknowledge that any lack thereof is not attributable to the want of supply. In glancing at the current number we observe many valuable papers that we purpose to transplant to our own pages (acknowledging the source from whence they are derived,) more especially those by Bro. Chandler, the Anatomy of Freemasonry, by J. J.J., and the Spirit of Masonry, by the Rev. W. M. Herchman, the Tribute to Masonry, and several papers by ladies, will be carefully presented to our readers as the surest tests, that as Masons we are not underserving the powerful support of our fair advocates.

In all points of "discipline and practice" Bro. C. W. Moore has rendered himself Socratian as well as Platonic; his memory will not be contented with a mere niche in masonic history. While, however, trenching "in futuro," we must not omit to congratulate him on the "as in presenti ;" the conjugation of the verb amo is familiar to our friend, and may he and his estimable partner live long and happy.