Masonry And Masonic History.

we have adopted as conveniently prefiguring certain truths , the symbols we employ , the mysteries we gradually unveil to the initiate , as he makes further progress in onr science , and the secresy we observe in all Masonic labours , all these have been quoted against us for the purpose of

showing either that we are a parcel of silly fools or a dangerous body , with sinister aims and objects in view . As regards the former of these two characters which are ascribed to us , we fear we aro indebted for it to the efforts of sundry well-meaning , but ill-advised and probably

feebleminded brethren , who , in their desire to laud Masonry , bestowed on it a circumstantiality it never could have had . It is to them we owe that marvellous jumble of statements which , till of late years , has passed current as the history of Freemasonry . It is they who have so confounded

truth with fiction that even the clearest sighted student of our honoured Order can hardly define the limits which separate the one from the other . They have mixed up the history of Masonry as a science with that of Masonry as a corporate body , and the result has been far

from edifying . As regards the other character attributed to us—rthat wo are a dangerous body—it is absolutely untrue , and we fear those who bring this accusation against us are aware of its untruth . But here again we fancy the perverseness of many members has had , and has now a

little to do with the origin of this charge . They cannot , or will not , see the difference between divulging the mysteries of the Craft which it comes within the obligation of all Craftsmen to keep secret , and allowing a proper amount of publicity to the meetings and doings of the

Order . We have all read of the brother who objected to Masonic hooks of any and every kind . He had never read one , and never meant to read one , but he was persuaded the publication of any Masonic matters was at variance with Masonic law , and had ho had his will would have

ruthlessly destroyed every scrap of paper that contained a single reference to the Craft . Masonry , however , has nothing to fear from its deeds being publicly canvassed . Our Craft is open to scrupulous investigation by all who are so minded , provided they are reputable persons , and so

eligible for admission into our Order . Any free man may offer himself as a candidate ; if elected , ho in time becomes acquainted with all our mysteries , and it rests entirely with himself whether that acquaintance shall be limited or extensive . There are certain things he must keep secret

for sufficient reasons , but apart from these there is absolutely no limit to what he may say privately or publicly of Freemasonry . Indeed , the more widely it becomes known what Masonry is , the more generally is it esteemed . Of this we have daily evidence in the greater freedom we

enjoy everywhere , the over increasing number of those who enrol themselves under our banners , and we may safely venture to add , in the more and more determined attempts to bring us into ill repute , merely because we recognise the right of others to think ancl act according to the dictates of their own conscience .

Here , for the moment , we pause in our remarks , having regard to the space at onr disposal and the patience of our readers .

The General Meeting of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls was held on Thursday , the 27 th instant , at Freemasons'Hall , Great Queen-street , Bro . T . W . White P . G . S . presiding . Bro . Robert W . Little , the Secretary , read the minutes of tho former meeting , also the House and

Audit Committee ' s Report of the 27 th instant , which were confirmed . Two candidates were placed on the list . The nominations of the House and Audit Committees were handed in , and a vote of thanks was accorded to the Chairman for his able presidency . There were present Bros .

H . Browse , J . Symonds , Dr . Woodman , J . Nunn , J . Boyd , Col . Peters , J . Massa , B . Head , H . Dicketts , Griffiths Smith , Venn , R . B . Webster , F . Binckes , Peacopk , C . Moutrie , S . Rosenthal , Major Finney , J . G . Marsh , Snow , H . Massey , A . H . Tattershall , H . A . Dnbois , J . Rucker , Steed , and H . M . Levy .

The Manchester Locige of Instruction , No . 179 , is held every Saturday evening throughout the year , afc eight o ' clock , at the Yorkshire Grey , Charlotte-street , Fitzroysquare . Bro . Ash , P . M . 179 , is the Preceptor , and Bro . J . Kew , P . M . 179 , is the Treasurer .

United Grand Lodge Of England.

UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND .

WEDNESDAY was the anniversary of the Installation of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales as Most Worshipful Grand Master , and although it was known that tho Princo would not be present at the Quarterly Communication there was a goodly attendance of the

Brethren . New seats had been erected , and the magnificent carpet which was used at the Albert Hall had been laid down , and presented a most charming effect . At five o ' clock a procession of Grand Officers was formed , and

escorted the Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master the Earl of Carnarvon into the Temple . Grand Lodge was duly constituted . Colonel Burdett , Provincial Grand Master

i for Middlesex , acted as Deputy Grand Master , and the Wardens' chairs were severally filled by Brothers F . Pattison ancl John Havers .

Bro . John Hervey , Grand Secretary , road the minutes of the former Communication , which were confirmed . The M . W . the Earl of Carnarvon then announced that

the Prince of Wales , whose absence they all regretted , had been pleased to appoint him Pro Grand Master , an announcement that was received with loud cheers . He

further announced that his Royal Highness had appointed the R . W . the Earl of Skelmersdale Deputy Grand Master . The other Grand Officers were then appointed as under : —

Tho Earl of Dononghmore R . W . S . Grand Warden . The Hon . Lienfc .-Col . Vernon ... E . W . J . Grand Warden . TheRev . Spencer Robert Wigram ) ,, p . , „ , , . Tho Rev . 0 . W . Arnold j ' Grand Ch » Pla > n << - Samuel Tomkins V . W . Grand Treasurer . ^! noas J . 5 / cIntye V . W . Grand Registrar . John Hervey V . W . Grand Secretary .

Ernest Wendt j _ * German Correspondence . Lieut .-Col . Birchall " ) w a . „ p . „ T . W . Boord , M . P j Semor G' Deacon 3-? M ? caL ::::::::::::::::::::::::::: j w - Junior G - D < ~ F . Coclcerill W . G . Superintendent of Works . Sir A Wnnrlcj AV CI Dtronfnr nF fWomrmina

W . Rhys Williams W . Assist . G . Dir . of Ceremonies , W . F . Nettleship W . Grand Sword Bearer . Wilholm Knho W . Grand Organist . E . P . Albert W . Grand Pursuivant . S . Foxall W . Assistant G . Pursuivant . J . Payne Grand Tyler . The following Brethren were selected as tho Grand

Stewards for the year : — Brothers George N . Johnson ( President ) , George R . Thervill ( Treasurer ) , Charles J . Morgan ( Hon . Secretary ) , S . Pearce , A .

Meadows , W . H . Clarke , W . B . Coltman , A . C . Sadler , T . Wilson , W . N . C . D'Arcy , F . Farnan jnn ., G . F . Humphrey , A . J . Hollington , W . L . Wheeler , J . T . Wimperis , W . R . Winch , T . G , Bullen , J . Scott .

Ifc was then proposed and carried that Bro . Wright should have the rank of Past Grand Pursuivant , and take hia place on the dais . Grand Lodge was then closed . The usual banquet which followed , was presided over by the M . W . the Pro Grand Master , who was supported

by Bros . Col . Burdett , John Havers , Piatt , Sir J . Hayes , S . Tomkins , Major Creaton , Leith Townsend , M . Mclutyre . J . Hervey , J . B , Monckton , Rev . R . S . Wigram , E . Wendt , Case , Wyke , B . Head , Glaisher , Dr . Tenterden , F . Pattison ,

Rev . 0 . J . Martyn , Rucker , Burchell , Boord , Fenn , Vernon , Arnold , Rev . R . J . Simpson , Dumas , Murton , Baker , Clabon , Head , Plucknell , Sir A . Woods , Philbrick , Sir W . 0 . Hutton , & c .

So soon as grace had been sung the Chairman rose and spoke as follows : —

I sincerely regret that through unexpected circumstances I am obliged to retire from the chair this evening . I had hoped that His Royal Highness , oar Grand Master , might havo returned to England in time to havo filled this place on this the great anniversary of the Masonic year . Unfortunately ho has not been able to reach this

country in time . I had also hoped that my noble brother , Lord Skelmersdale , as Dnputy Grand Master , might have been present , but ho has unhappily been obliged to absent himself in consequence of a great family affliction . Tho task , therefore , has fallen upon me suddenly and without notice , and I regret to say that business over

which I have really and literally no control obliges me to leave you immediately . It is personally a matter of extreme regret , but all my brethren in this room know mo so well that they are aware it is with the greatest reluctance that I tear myself from this assembly ,

and that I wonld not do so if the necessity was not absolutely imperative . In taking my leave of yon , I venture to express tho hope which I know exist iu the minds of every Mason in this room , ihat before long His Royal Highness our Grand Master may once more be with tin , I am satisfied that whenever he returns he will