CONTENTS. OUR PORTRAIT GALLERY.-The case of General Cooke having absorbed the time of no less than three Grand Lodges, we have scarcely time to allude to this new department. We, however, draw the attention of our readers to the studio of "Ithuriel," who has given a very powerful and graphic sketch. If the portraits that are under orders be as faithfully true to circumstance (and there are many of them in hand), we anticipate that the gallery will interest, amuse, and instruct. THE MASONIC SCHISM IN BENGAL, March 26.-We have this day received the "finish" of this most inauspicious affair. Freemasonry bleeds! who shall staunch her wounds? Little did we think that when we last commented on the position of Bro. John Grant, and those brethren whose zeal he has punished with an unbecoming severity, we might have said "thus bad begins, but worse remains behind." Yet so it is. The Grand Secretary of England has, contrary to his "usual custom of an afternoon," lost no time in announcing to the parties concerned, that the Earl of Zetland, M. W. G. M., approves of the conduct of the P. G. M. for Bengal. It may be yet not too late for the Lord Patron of Masonry in Bengal to become a successful arbitrator, and ⚫ restore peace. The Grand Chapter of Scotland may possibly extend its mantle, and gently assuage the wrath of Bro. Grant. Even had we time and space, we should hardly add more at present, inasmuch as the matter has not yet come under the consideration of the Grand Lodge of England; where, if "fair-play" be permitted, some reparation may be made to wounded feelings, caused by excessive, if not unmerited, punishment. Alas for Freemasonry! Bro. Grant, we fear you have applied the axe too keenly-take care, lest in the fall of the tree, thyself be not endangered! March 28.-We have to regret the arrival of many reports altogether too late, especially some important documents relating to the Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland, which, at this moment, are of interest. Also some pamphlets, particularly that by Erasmus Wilson, on "Healthy Skin," which should have reached us earlier. THE FREEMASONS' QUARTERLY REVIEW, AND GENERAL ASSURANCE ADVOCATE. SECOND SERIES-MARCH 31, 1849. "I have ever felt it my duty to support and encourage its principles and practice, becaus e it powerfully developes all social and benevolent affections; because it mitigates without, and annihilates within, the virulence of political and theological controversy-because it affords the only neutral ground on which all ranks and classes can meet in perfect equality, and associate without degradation or mortification, whether for purposes of moral instruction or social intercourse."-The EARL OF DURHAM on Freemasonry, 21st Jan. 1834. "This obedience, which must be vigorously observed, does not prevent us, however, from investigating the inconvenience of laws, which at the time they were framed may have been political, prudent-nay, even necessary; but now, from a total change of circumstances and events, may have become unjust, oppressive, and equally useless. * * "Justinian declares that he acts contrary to the law who, confining himself to the letter, acts contrary to the spirit and intent of it."-H. R. H. the DUKE OF SUSSEX, April 21, 1812, House of Lords. THE Earl of Zetland, on the 7th instant, was elected Grand Master for the ensuing year, nem. con. The following announcement will no doubt be read with some interest, as heralding the too probable retirement of a brother, who for upwards of twenty years has held a prominent station in the masonic world. We do not venture to offer any comment. "To the Masonic Craft. "A most consistent Mason, who many years since was summoned from this earthly scene to the land of spirits, was wont to observe, that he never knew an instance of a man entering the Craft at forty who proved to be of any use to the Order. This opinion struck me as strange, having myself passed that very rubicon; perhaps that circumstance and Bro. Gilkes' experience tended not a little to interest me more anxiously than otherwise might have been the case. Certain, however, it is, that from the moment I offered my fealty on the altar of my mother lodge (the Burlington, then 152, now 113), I devoted myself first to the VOL. VII. B endeavour to comprehend the art, science and mystery of Freemasonry, and next to promulgate, to the best of my power, what I considered ought to be made known, withholding nothing of importance that could tend to elevate my fellow-man in the scale of creation. Yet with the proud consciousness that there was much, very much, connected with the Order, that ought to be made known to the popular world-selfishness and Freemasonry are not synonimous. "The late Rev. Sydney Smith has well observed (I do not remember his exact words) that he felt it to be doubtful whether he would advise his younger friends to follow the course he himself had taken; it might interfere with their private interest-their moral courage might fail before they had accomplished objects it had been his good fortune to effect. Yet for himself, were his time to come over again, he could not question but that he should precisely act again as he had done. How truthfully sincere was this kind-hearted man! I am very much of his opinion. In Freemasonry-my creed, not adopted, but examined, for its principles are far, very far, beyond all comprehension, magnificent, pure, and holy-have I found more peace and happiness than could have been hoped for; not but that in my course of attaining this partial knowledge, I have had to encounter much labour, prejudice and anxiety, but the toil has been abundantly rewarded, by the confidence and kindness of fellow-labourers in the vineyard, many of whom have been withdrawn from the busy haunts of men, and, it is hoped, now partake the glorious and happy secrets of eternity. Other labourers there are who have exceeded the climacteric, and probably contemplate the necessity of the course I am about to take-retirement from public duty in Masonry. "The well-informed histrionic actor, if he has by industry earned a competence, is desirous to withdraw from the stage before he shall present to his admiring audience the mere wreck of his physical power, he would rather live in their memory as one who had contributed to their pleasure, than that he should remind them of the effect of nature over mind. Having been in his public zenith, he would respect his nadir in privacy. The actor is not wrong; there is both feeling and propriety in the lesson. I am desirous to retire as much as possible from public observation-leaving, as well I hope to do, the more lasting impression on the recollection of the masonic world, for whose interests I have laboured with zeal and industry during the best years of the life accorded to me by the great All-wise; and the simple epitaph I could wish to be inscribed on me, would be the undeniable fact, that for twenty years 1 have been a true, a faithful brother-never flinching from my duty— never exceeding the powers invested in me; and that my labour has not been in vain. Herein I betray no unmanly weakness. Thanks to heaven! my head is not giddy, my hand is unpalsied, my foot is firm, and my heart yet steadily pulsates. "Then why retire?-First, because I desire to prepare my papers, in hopes of bequeathing my legacy to the Craft; next, because there is a secret monitor that wills it-that monitor which no man ought to disregard. Yet, although I retire from public duty, I shall pray for the continuance of health while life is granted, that may be at hand when needed, to offer that experience which younger brethren may seek. "This is my preliminary adieu; my next may possibly touch gently on current subjects, and by the end of the year I shall hope to offer my valedictory thanks. Grove, Gravesend, 29th March, 1849. "ROBERT THOMAS CRUCEFIX." GRAND LODGE. The last Quarterly Communication was chracterised by three curious circumstances,-First came the admission that the Grand Secretary was to a certain extent answerable for the contents, or rather the omissions of the Grand Lodge official report, for when attention was called to the noninsertion of the library particulars, the Grand Master pointedly transfered the matter to the shoulders of the Grand Secretary. This is as it should be: of course the Grand Master cannot be accountable for the getting up of the Grand Lodge report, nor can he know the correctness of the report for which he alone is responsible, if he is not present at the debate which it pretends to report. The second was pointing out that at a previous meeting, a question of adjournment of the debate had been entertained. The adjournment of the debate involves a particularly dangerous precedent, the result of which can scarcely be foreseen. The third matter was the debate on "Major-general Cooke," and on this we intend to offer a few remarks, because the subject has now been decided by the votes of the majority of those present, and is no longer either private or secret. The commencement of the Major-general's masonic career here is, that he introduced himself to the St. Paul's Lodge, which holds its meeting at the hotel where the Major-general was staying while visiting London, two years since. His rank and great liberality to the masonic charities, together with his courtesy and bearing, attracted the notice of visitors to the Lodge, and he was introduced to the Grand Master and his Lodge; his continued donations to charities, and position, obtained for him the friendship of several influential Masons, and on his own solicitation he was appointed Representative of the Grand Master at the Grand Lodge of New York, with the rank of Past Grand Warden, obtained for him, or given to him by the Grand Master; but it being reported |