Preferences.

of brethren of foreign nativity and working in their own language . Nevertheless the result is absolutely the same . Again , it has probably escaped the notice of our correspondent , as it has that of many others , that , up to 1848 or 1849 , not such a dreadful while ago , the Lodges in New York were in the habit of transacting their business in the degree ofE . A ., which had been their practice from time immemorial up to that date , and that they never thought of opening on the Second or Third

degrees , except for performing the ceremony belonging to each degree , respectively . That Lodges in other countries have not thought proper to imitate our example is a matter of their own concern , as will be found by those who visit

Lodges on the continent of Europe , or in Central and South America . In many , if not all , the altar is placed in the East , and the use of written or printed rituals is nearly universal among them , our obligations in that respect never having obtained in those countries . We are of opinion that the placing of our altar is an innovation , made to conform to our ritual , which of itself is an elongation of the practice of the Fathers , and that while it suits us and our habits of thought , must not be held obligatory upon Lodges in other countries , the members of which have not had the advantage of seeing and studying our system , which , professing to be the Ancient York Rite , is in reality the modern or better " American Rite , " not practised elsewhere on tho surface of the globe . Finally , our correspondent asks if the Grand Lodge of

New York would grant a warrant to a number of brethren domiciled in the country in which he is located , to which we frankly answer that it will not , having quite sufficient to do in caring for the interests of its seven hundred and odd Lodges at home , without any entangling foreign alliances . —Neiv York Dispatch .

The Grand Master.

THE GRAND MASTER .

THE Chrhtian Million , which is securing for itself a high position as an Illustrated Weekly Paper , published , on the 5 th instant , a capital likeness of the Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . The same issue contains the following interesting particulars respecting the Order : —

His Eoyal Highness was yesterday ( Wednesday ) re-elected Grand Master of that powerful and wonderful Brotherhood the English Freemasons . It is ten years since ho wa 3 first olected to this post , and the term of office having expired he has now boon selected once

more . Of course those not initiated into this Secret Order were rigidly excluded from witnessing the ceremony of installation at the Eoyal Albert Hall ten years ago . Bnt the Craft has so many thousands of adherents that there was no lack of attendance—indeed , the

managers haa great difficulty in deciding the claims of those who wished to be present . At length it was decided that a certain number of tickets should be sent to each Lodge , which were there disposed of among the members by ballot . It being a Masonic " crime " to allow any of the clothing of the

Order to be seen by the outside world , the brethren had to conceal their gorgeous decorations beneath the sombre folds of prosaic overcoats , and it is to be hoped that no portion of their apparel became out of order during travelling , for the slightest error in Masonic

regalia is sufficient to exclude the unhappy offender . For the purpose of scrutiny , examiners of clothing , with Grand Pursuivants , & c , were stationed at the doors , and no person wa 3 allowed to pass befored he had satisfied these lynx-eyed guardians of the mysteries of the Craft .

Within , there being no fear of any profane and prying eye stealing a hurried glance at the scene , the glories of Masonry were fully displayed . The gorgeous trappings and decorations of tbe Order , the glittering gems , the mass of brilliant clothing and the Masonic decorations of the Hall itself , made a truly magnificent picture . The

v throne was cushioned and covered with rich purple velvet , and on either side of it were arranged the state chairs of the principal Grand Officers . Thick and sumptuous carpets covered the floor , and exquisite ) flowers and graceful palms added their beauty to the imposing ceremony .

Freemasonry is , as we suppose nearly every one knows , the popular name of a wide-spread and secret association , existing now , it is said , principally for the mutual aid of its members . Freemasons are found in every civilised quarter of tho globe , and are of every religion and of all conditions of life . Every memberbefore his initiation ,

, makes a solemn engagement never to divulge any of the secrets , signs , or plans of the Order , and , after a probationary interval , if he be found qualified , he is promoted until he has obtained that wider and more profound knowledge of Masonry which will enable him to hold the highest offices of trust in the Fraternity . After the new

member has been initiated with due formalities and ceremonies , certain words and signs are given to him by which he may be able to make himself known to other Masons , and convince them , if neoessary , that he ia a member of the Brotherhood , and entitled to its privileges ; should he be in distress in a distant land .

The Grand Master.

At certain intervals friendly meetings of the Brotherhood are held in " Lodges , " and at these gatherings all distinctions of rank aud all political and religious differences are laid aside . The Grand Lodge of England has power to grant charters for holding other Lodges , and at the present time it has over 2 , 000 Lodges nnder its authority .

In Scotland there appears to be about 400 Lodges . The Masons are possessed of great wealth , and support a Masonio Girls' School , Boys ' Sohool , Fund for Aged Masons , a Widows' Fund , & o . Opinions differ as to the origin and antiquity of Freemasonry , some persons maintaining it is as old as creation , others that it

originated at the building of the Tower of Babel , and others again trace it back to tho building of Solomon ' s Temple . There can bo no doubt , however , that it is of very ancient origin , and it is said that it has been carried down in unbroken succession , through all changes

of governments , religions , and forms of civilisation ^ to the present time . In the beginning of the eighteenth century , however , a ohange was effected in the constitution of the Fraternity , and while retaining name and customs , & c , it ceased to be connected with building work , and came to exist for fraternal affection and aid .

The first Lodge said to be formed in England was at York , in the year 926 , and it is still in existence . Edwin , brother of King Athelstan , was its patron , and obtained for it a charter from the King , and himself became its Grand Master . Its Constitution—still in existence—is reported to be a very curious document , giving the

history of the Order from Adam , and containing Eabbimcal tales of the building of the Tower of Babel and Solomon ' s Temple . The architects of Kilwinning Abbey introduced Masonry into Scotland , and the Kilwinning Lodge was the first established in that country . From these two Lodges the principles of the Craft appear to have

spread very rapidly throughout Great Britain , and other Lodges were erected . It has survived the jealousy of the Church and of the Crown , though the feeling of the latter against it appears never to have been very strong , and an act passed in its disfavour in Henry Ill ' s reign was never enforced . At first the membership appears to

have been confined to architects and builders , bnt in course of time men of all grades and handicrafts , kings , princes , and noblemen , were enrolled as " Free and Accepted Masons . " For the use of Lodges Mr . James Anderson drew up , in 1723 , " The Book of Constitutions , " which was based upon the " Gothic

Constitutions" of 926 , and several editions have since been issued . The Order does not seem to have flourished so largely in France and Germany as in England , but of late years it has made great advances in the United States . The Prince of Wales is not the only Eoyal Grand Master who has

been installed in comparatively recent years . Some sixty or seventy years ago the Duke of Sussex held the office , and among other great notabilities in centuries gone by who have preceded H . E . H . in this po 3 t , may bo mentioned Henry VII ., Cardinal Wolsey , and Sir Christopher Wren .

It is thoroughly in accordance with the Prince s assiduity in fulfilling public duties that he discharges this high office , another instance of which may be seen in the visit which he and the Princess will shortly pay to Ireland . That visit will be a most important public service , and is certainly well-timed . Drawing-room receptions

and levees will be held at Dublin Castle on Her Majesty's behalf , and their Eoyal Highnesses will also visit other parts of the country . Ireland seems settling down to the enjoyment of the results of recent legislation , and this visit may aid these happy results .

The Prince ' s popularity is largely owing to his frank good nature , boundless tact , and the admirable manner in whioh he so readily fulfils so many public duties , and we imagine that not the least of these is the Most Worshipful Grand Mastership of the English Freemasons .

The members of the Metropolitan ( 1507 ) and King ' s Cross ( 1732 ) Lodges of Instruction will bold an annual banquet in unison . This will take place on Monday next , 16 th instant , at the Holborn Restaurant . Tickets , 4 / 6 each . Bro . W . M . Stiles P . M . 1507 and 1732 will preside , and Bro . Lewis Solomon P . M . 1732 will act as Vice President .

A Convocation of the North London Chapter of Improvement was held on Thursday last , at the Alwyne Castle Tavern , St . Paul ' s-road , Canonbury , the Companions

assembling at eight o ' clock . The several chairs were filled by Comps . F . Brasted M . E . Z ., Wm . Radcliffe H ., G . W . Knight J „ J . E . Sheffield S . E ., T . C . Edmonds S . N ., J . Strngnell P . S . The Officers performed their respective duties in a very able manner .

The following Dinners were held at the Freemasons ' Tavern during the week ending 14 th March : — Monday—St . George and Corner Stone Lodge . Tuesday—St . James ' s Union Lodge , Waldeck Lodge . Wednesday—Enoch Lodge , United Lodge . Thursday — Polish National Lodge . Friday — Britannic Lodge , Bedford Lodge , Eclectic Lodge . Saturday-Phoenix Lodge , Duke of Cornwall Lodge .

Death.

DEATH .

EVERETT . —On tho 8 th instant , at 90 Clapham Road , HABBIETT , the much beloved wife of GEOBGE EVEBBIT P . M . and Treasurer of the Domatic Lodge , No . 177 , P . M . 1381 and 2012 , P , Z . 177 and 1381 , & c ., in the thirty-fifth year of her age ,