Self-Government For London.

SELF - GOVERNMENT FOR LONDON .

IN another part of this issue we insert a letter from a *¦ correspondent who criticises our recent remarks anent the " Scarcity of Provincial honours . " Undoubtedly there is much to be said on the two sides . of

the question , but we do not propose to deal with the subject on the present occasion , rather going direct to a far more important item in our correspondent's letter —the division of Metropolitan Freemasonry into

District Grand Lodges , and the creation thereby of a means of rewarding some of the many deserving London Brethren with the much coveted purple of the Craft .

This is no new question ; it has been advocated time after time by worthy and distinguished members of the English Brotherhood , and it speaks volumes for the loyalty of the Craft towards their rulers , and the

implicit faith they repose in the Grand Master , that the matter has not long since been brought to an issue by direct action in Grand Lodge . We shall of course be told by the lawyer section of the Craft that such

action would be out of order , and unconstitutional—of course it would ; any proposal for a radical change in our organisation is out of order and unconstitutional .

but we have lived to see many such proposals carried to a successful issue , without any resource to violence , or aught that could give offence to the most sensitive upholder of ancient traditions .

Independent Grand Lodges have been established in our colonies , and have been cordially recognised by the home authorities ; but in a number of cases the Brethren who took the initiative towards their

formation were out of order , and not' a few of them have been accused of acting in an unconstitutional manner , some even being designated as traitors to the existing form of Masonic government . But the right of

independence for Brethren in far-off colonies has now been recognised by Grand Lodge , and it is no longer necessary to act secretly , or with fear and trembling , if it is felt desirable to form an independent Grand

Lodge in any far off district . Why should not the same privilege be given to the Brethren of London ? Why should they not be allowed the same facilities for

discussing the desirability of forming District Grand Lodges for the government of the Lodges of the great metropolis , as is accorded qur colonial Brethren who may desire to set up independence for themselves ?

It is not actual independence , however , which is required for London Freemasonry , but an arrangement by which its Lodges may manage some of their affairs for themselves , and have the means of rewarding those

specially distinguished among them , just as is done in every Provincial or District Grand Lodge under the English Constitution ; and we fail to see any good reason for those privileges being any longer withheld ; but the question is , who is to take the initiative in securing what w § believe would be willingly and

Self-Government For London.

speedily accorded by the Grand Master , if the facts of the case could be brought under his notice , backed up as they undoubtedly would be by the majority of the Metropolitan Lodges , if a constitutional means could be devised of ventilating the whole subject , without

any necessity for the feeling on the part of individual Brethren that they were doing anything of an unconconstitutional nature , or lending themselves to a movement that could in any way be regarded as rebellious or traitorous to the existing heads of the Craft .

New Hall At Calstock.

NEW HALL AT CALSTOCK .

rnHE foundation of the new Masonic Hall for the I Cotehele Lodge , No . 2166 , Calstock , is to be laid on ' iuesday next , the 21 st , at 3 p . m ., by Bro . P . Colville Smith P . G . D . England and Deputy Prov . G . M . Cornwall , acting on behalf ot the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe Prov .-G . M . For the convenience of Brethren a steamer will leave the

Promenade Pier , Plymouth , at 11 a . m ., calling at Saltash at noon , so as to reach Calstock just before two o ' clock , returning in time for the down trains at Saltash . The Lodge was formed in 1885 , and has proved quite a success .

Devonshire.

DEVONSHIRE .

fi ~\ HE Provincial Grand Lodge is to assemble at the Free-I masons' Flail , Plymouth , on Tuesday , 28 th inst , at 3 . 30 p . m . Bro . Major G . C . Davie P . G . D . acting Prov . G . M . win preside .

Besides the usual business , Bro . F . B . Westlake Past D . G . D . C . of England will be presented with Patronships of the three great London Charities , in recognition of his services as manager of the county votes as London

representative . Return tickets by both Railway Companies will be issued at a fare and a quarter to parties instead of to individual members as formerly , which is a change for the worse , and the reverse of advantageous to the Brethren .

Cheshire.

CHESHIRE .

r ft A HE hold that Freemasonry has on the English people , JL conversant with its principles and advantages , received an unqualified demonstration at Stockport on vVednesday , when the Cheshire Provincial Grand Lodge held its annual meeting in the Mechanics' Institution in the town . Of the arrangements for the comfort of the Brethren attending , we

can only speak in terwis of the highest praise . In the fact that the town was selected for the gathering , local Freemasonry was distinctly honoured , but in a far greater ratio was that honour emphasised in that the attendance of Provincial Brethren was the largest on record , perhaps

since the establishment of these annual business conferences . As was officially stated at the meeting , every Lodge in the Province was represented , and many Brethren journeyed very long distances to share in the mystic glories that attach

to the unity and Brotherly Love of the Craft . The one jarring note in the whole of the happy and harmonious proceedings was the announcement of the Right Worshipful Grand Master of the Province that increased public duties