respecting the conduct of the President of the Board of General Purposes; chiefly upon the grounds that, in the first place, the discussion was brought on at so late a period of the evening, as to compel him to address the very diminished number of members of the Grand Lodge then remaining, and these already wearied with previous discussions; and, in the next, that the vote of confidence in the object of his most unwilling reproof, substituted for the original motion, and passed as the amendment of the R. W. Bro. Alston, was virtually a confirmation of the right of any President of the Board of General Purposes, to over-ride the unquestionable privilege of a member of that Board to make any motion strictly within the limits of the masonic law. Whilst the more suitable course was open to the R. W. Brother, of moving the previous question, or a simple negative upon his (Bro. Bigg's) proposition. Bro. Bigg then proceeded to recapitulate the circumstances detailed by him at the preceding Quarterly Communication;* and concluded a truly masonic, temperate, and eloquent address, by moving an amendment to the effect previously mentioned.

Bro. DOVER seconded the amendment.

Bro. R. G. ALSTON then addressed the Grand Lodge with his accustomed good humour and ability, in support of the confirmation of the minutes as they stood; and observing that the three months which had elapsed since the last Quarterly Communication, had confirmed him in the propriety of his original opinion, he renewed the arguments used by him on the previous occasion; but carried the declaration of his object in the course he had pursued something further, saying "I will confess, that I mean to establish, as a precedent, the right of the President of the Board of General Purposes, to refuse to put any motion for consideration, which he may consider to be discourteous to the Grand Master, or to affect the privileges enjoyed by any lodges in the Craft;" and urged upon the Grand Lodge the confirmation of the minutes.

Bro. Dr. CRUCEFIX claimed for himself the privilege of stating that he had also the experience of three months, during which he had weighed well the question in all its bearings-and he was bound to state that his opinion was not merely unaltered but was strengthened by a most careful examination. Having at the last Grand Lodge expressed his opinion at some length, he should not detain the brethren by recapitulating his views, but would confine himself to a point or two contained in the address of the brother who immediately preceded him, whose sincerity was as apparent as his eloquence was always impressive. Still there was an unusual discrepancy in that brother's address; it was that point wherein he argued that by Bro. Bigg's motion eighteen lodges would be disfranchised, which was not really the fact, as these eighteen lodges would take their turn-but it had escaped the attention of the R. W. Brother that all the remainder of the London lodges would have become enfranchised. He (Dr. Crucefix) begged to draw the attention of the Grand Lodge to the very late hour at which the motion of Bro. Bigg was brought on, ten minutes to eleven, when so many of the supporters of a public question had retired, under the impression that the motion must stand over; whereas the tenants of the dais remained firm at their post; the result was of course a failure against principle: and now, on the amendment for non-confirmation of that portion of the minutes, how stood the case? Why there was not only a more than usually

VOL. VI.

* Vide No. 23, page 284.

3 I

crowded muster on the dais-sure to vote against a popular measurebut an array of Past Grand Stewards, connected with the eighteen red apron lodges; and further there were many estimable brethren who were at all times indisposed to prevent the confirmation of minutes,-to say nothing of many who viewed the dais as the hopeful prospect of their masonic vision: to expect success was scarcely rational, although to deserve it was felt by independent brethren to be within the range of a sound principle. He should vote for Bro. Bigg's amendment.*

Bro. JOHN SAVAGE considered that the authorized report of the proceedings of Grand Lodge was not simply defective but altogether unfair; his own speech was so different from what he delivered that he felt compelled to deny the version as so published-in fact he considered the authorized report to be altogether a burlesque on reporting, and for the future he would prefer being passed over without any comment, than to be so misrepresented. Much stress had been laid on the discretion of the President of the Board of General Purposes on all occasions, but the flatterers of that brother had altogether forgotten that it was not so long since that the same brother had come down to Grand Lodge with a motion which, if carried, would have made the Board of Benevolence a hole and corner affair, and in fact have disfranchised every master of a lodge under the English constitution. It was ridiculous to witness the contradiction in principle-he should support the amendment.

Bro. M'MULLEN had suggested that Bro. Bigg's motion should be laid before the Grand Master, and the President could not, in justice to his own position, have acted otherwise than he did. In fact, the notice presented to the Grand Master, and that presented to the Grand Lodge, were not the same—in the former eighteen Grand Stewards were named, in the latter twenty-four.

Bro. LEE STEVENS was proceeding to condemn the authorized version of the transactions in Grand Lodge, alluded to by Bro. Savage; but was reminded by the Deputy Grand Master that the report was not then the subject of discussion. When the worshipful brother, expressing his entire concurrence with the propriety of all that had been advanced by Bro. Bigg, said the Grand Lodge should remember, that the confirmation of the minutes would be, virtually, advice to them all, never to submit anything to the preliminary opinion of the Grand Master; whilst, upon the declaration of the R. W. Bro. Alston, it would be held to establish a precedent of the exercise of irresponsible power by the President of the Board of General Purposes.

Bro. HERVEY-The debate had ranged throughout the eighteen redapron lodges and all other lodges, but the only matter for consideration was whether the President of the Board was right in not putting the question—there was really no other point before the Grand Lodge.

Bro. SCARBOROUGH thought that the clause 20 in the Book of Constitutions was sufficiently clear. It stated "that the Board (of General Purposes) may recommend to the Grand Lodge whatever it shall deem necessary or advantageous to the welfare and good government of the Craft," &c., and if so, he apprehended that Bro. Dobie was bound to put the question; otherwise it should be read "that Bro. Dobie,' or the 'President,' of the Board of General Purposes may recommend," &c., which in effect would make that Board a mere puppet, with Bro. Dobie

*We are informed that Bro. Crucefix was the only occupant of the Dais, out of about 44, who voted with Bro. Bigg; so much was the affair made "A Grand Officers' question.' -ED.

to pull the strings. Again, Bro. M'Mullen complained that the letter to the Grand Master did not contain the same matter as that then before the Board of General Purposes-also that Lord Zetland would have been insulted if the motion had been put before his answer had been received. Bro. M'Mullen was then, as usual, wrong in his logic; for if the contents of the letter to the Grand Master and the question before the Board were not the same, how could his lordship be offended, or how could the Board be expected to await his reply? No man was infallible, nor ought any man to possess such power, for wherever there was consummate power there would be consummate folly-wherever there was unchecked controul there would be consummate tyranny.

Bro. HAVERS openly and distinctly declared that it was not only in the power, but that it was the duty of a chairman to refuse to put a motion which he considered to be otherwise than proper and correct; this power existed in the speakers of the houses of lords and commons, and downwards to the chairman of every meeting. His worthy friend, Bro. Bigg, whom he would not laud so highly as he could praise others, having once agreed to submit his case to the Grand Master, should have abided the result of the Grand Master's pleasure, no matter how long delayed; as a matter of principle Bro. Bigg's amendment must fall to the ground; the time of Grand Lodge should not to be taken up so wastefully. Talk of sharing in enfranchisement-it was mere robbery. As to reporting of his speeches it was a matter of perfect indifference to him.

Bro. WHITMORE would occupy the attention of the Grand Lodge but for a few moments; but they must excuse him for bestowing a passing remark upon the novel and amusing manner in which the brother who had just sat down had brought them back from their wandering to the point at issue. It appeared to him to be admitted by brethren on both sides of the question, that Brother Bigg need not have addressed the Grand Master at all on the subject; and by brethren adverse to him it was contended that, having done so, he was bound in respect and courtesy, to have waited for a reply. Now he, Bro. Whitmore, would assume a position that might very probably occur: suppose that as the Grand Master, who had already suffered four months to elapse without noticing the brother's respectful communication, had determined not to answer it at all in what position, he would ask Grand Lodge, would the brother then stand? Would he be expected to abandon his motion altogether? It was clear that the Grand Master declined to give any opinion on the subject; for if he had intended doing so, he was too observant of the courtesies of life to have permitted so much delay in sending his answer. He, Bro. Whitmore, was inclined to think, that if the brethren could be satisfied that in supporting the amendment of Bro. Bigg they were not offering disrespect to the Grand Master, they would vote for the an endment; he therefore urged them to adopt his, which he humbly conceived to be the most reasonable view of the question: to feel satisfied that the Grand Master, in not replying to Bro. Bigg's letter, declined to give an opinion on the subject, and as there had been no single argument used to excuse or justify the step which Bro. Dobie had taken, to vote for the amendment of Bro. Bigg.

Bro. BIGG rose to reply,-but the D. G. Master ruled that he had no right, as his was an amendment, and not an original motion.

A show of hands was then taken, which appeared to us to be very

nicely divided; but the numbers were declared to be, for the amendment 69, against it 96, majority 27.

Bro. Bigg protested against the proceedings.

The entire minutes were then again put for confirmation, when

Bro. ATTWOOD moved the omission of such portion of the minutes as referred to the Grand Master's message respecting Bro. Major-general Cooke, and the proceedings consequent thereon.

Bro. M'MULLEN rose to order; but was himself called to order by Bro. Scarborough; and the D. G. Master decided that Bro. Attwood had a right to proceed.

However, at the suggestions of Bro. Alston and Bro. Humphrey, the first that, as a prima facia case had been made out, and steps taken upon it, the non-confirmation of the minutes would not prevent its coming on before Grand Lodge; and the second that, as an opponent to the proceedings, he was ready to join issue upon the merits of the case; Bro. Attwood very courteously gave way. And the minutes having been finally put for confirmation were carried accordingly.

NOMINATION OF THE GRAND MASTER.

Bro. GIBBINS then rose, and in a few inaudible sentences put in nomination the Right Hon. the Earl of Zetland, as Most Worshipful Grand Master for the ensuing year.*

Bro. MUGGERIDGE seconded the nomination.

Bro. ALSTON (P. G. M. Essex) took occasion to inform the Grand Lodge, that the province over which he had the honour to preside had forwarded an address of confidence to the Grand Master.

Bro. HUMFREY (P. G. M. Kent) made a similar announcement. The GRAND SECRETARY held up a parcel containing many similar addresses.

The several addresses were ordered to be entered on the minutes.

BROTHER MAJOR-GENERAL COOKE.

The Grand Secretary was asked what steps had been taken relating to Major-general Cooke. He replied, that a summons had been sent on the 20th October to the London Coffee-house, where the general usually resorted, but he had left; on the following day a summons was sent by the mail, which left Liverpool on the 21st, to which no reply hed been received. But the general had addressed a letter to the Earl of Zetland, intimating that, from a determination to travel, and a calamitous fire that had occurred on his property, he had made up his mind to retire from all civil, military, and masonic affairs, and therefore respectfully intimated the same to his lordship. This letter evidently had no reference whatever to the summons from the Grand Lodge, of which no proof existed as to the receipt of the same.

Bro. R. G. ALSTON then addressed the Grand Lodge at considerable length, in support of a motion for the expulsion of Bro. Cooke from the

The worthy brother, as is "his wonted custom of an afternoon," made his usual premature attempts to foist himself on the observation of the Grand Lodge-why can he not bide his time?

Craft, and read as much correspondence, and as many advertisements, to prove that such brother was not a major-general, but a medical man, as would fill an entire number of the " Review."

Bro. SIRR seconded the motion.

Bro. SCARBOROUGH complained in strong terms of the great unfairness displayed towards General Cooke. He knew nothing of that brother, nor did he stand there to defend him; but common justice, to say nothing of mercy, demanded that the Book of Constitutions should be complied with. Had this been done? Had Bro. Cooke been properly served with the summons to attend? It seemed the only intimation he could have was by a letter addressed to him in America by the Grand Secretary. Was it certain that letter had reached him? Was there time for a reply to have been received? (From the dais-Yes! yes!) Well, it did appear to him strange that at one part of the evening it should be argued that four months was not too long to wait for a reply to a letter to the Grand Master in Yorkshire, and that two months was sufficient time for an answer from General Cooke from New York. Bro. Scarborough then protested against the reading of the advertisements from the American newspapers. How did we know that they were inserted by General Cooke? we had no proof of it. They might be the act of some enemy; and all this would go to show the exceeding unfairness of going into that matter then, and that in common justice the discussion ought to be postponed.

The DEPUTY GRAND MASTER said it was quite in order to read them. Bro. HUMFREY hoped the Grand Lodge would pause before it committed a serious breach in the cause of Freemasonry-the motion affected not only the honour and interests of an individual brother, but equally, if not still more so, the honour and dignity of the Grand Lodge of England. He was of opinion that the case ought not to have been brought forward; but having been so, it must be dealt with in the most careful and masonic way. The history of the introduction of Bro. Cooke was as simple as clear; he was residing at the London Coffeehouse at a time when the St. Paul's Lodge was held; he applied to this lodge for permission to visit, and was admitted, after being tested by one of the best qualified Past Masters: during the sitting Bro. Crew made known to him the existence of the Girls' School, on which he immediately presented ten guineas, which sum he increased to fifty guineas on the following day when he visited the school; he served the stewardship, and gave a second donation of fifty guineas; he had been liberal also to the other charities. It was this liberal generosity that led to his being elected a joining member of the St. Pauls' and Prince of Wales' Lodges Conduct such as his was surely a passport to masonic gratitude. He (Bro. H.) had invited him to his house; and on the fullest consideration he felt convinced that Grand Lodge would not be justified in inflicting any penalty, whatever error there might be should be overlooked. Upon his card there certainly were the words, "Major-Gen. Cooke;" but there was no proof thereon that he assumed more than he was entitled to as Brevet Major-General of one of the States. In England officers in our county militia and yeomanry use the titles although not officers of the British army. He had not done anything whatever since his appointment by the Grand Master to justify such harshness as was contemplated; and if Grand Lodge voted for the expulsion, such a measure would hereafter be repented. He should move that Bro. Cooke be not expelled.