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To ADVERTISERS . THE Circulation of T HE FREEMASON being now at the rate of nearly Half-a-million per annum , it offers peculiar facilities to all who advertise . It is well known that the Fraternity of Freemasons is a large and constantly increasing body , mainly composed of the influential and educated classes of society ; and as The Freemason is now the accepted organ of the Brotherhood in the United Kingdom , and also enjoys an extensive sale in the colonies and foreign parts , its advantages as an advertising medium can scarcely be overrated . For terms apply to GEORGE KENNING , 2 , 3 , & 4 , LITTLE BRITAIN , LONDON , E . C .

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NOTICE . The Subscription to THE FREEMASON is now I or . per annum , post-free , payable in advance . Vol . I ., bound in clolh 4 s . 6 d . Vol . II ., ditto 7 s . 6 d . Vol . III ., ditto 15 s . od . Reading Cases to hold 52 numbers ... 2 s . 6 d . United States of America , THE FREEMASON is delivered free in any part of the United States for 12 s . per annum , payable in advance .

Births, Marriages, And Deaths.

Births , Marriages , and Deaths .

MARRIAGE . DARVELL—PAGE . —On the 21 st June , at Christ Church , Kensington , by the Rev . J . D . Claxton , assisted by the Rev . E . S . Carey , the Rev . Sydney Darvell ( P . M . Lodge 10 S ) , ALA . , of I , Earl ' s-terrace , Kensington , to Charlotte , eldest daughter of the late Thomas Page , Esq ., of South Town , near Great Yarmouth , Norfolk .

DEA THS . BENDY . —On the 27 th ult ., at Twickenham , suddenly , Bro . T . Bendy , W . M .-elect 946 ; regretted by a numerous circle of friends . PRICE . —On the 22 nd ult ., at the "Portugal , " Fleetstreet , Bro . Edward Price , of the Domatic Lodge , No . 177 ; deeply lamented .

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All communications for lnrc 1 ' HKP . MASON should be written legibl ) on one side of the paper only , and , if intended for insertion m the current number , must be received not Liter than 10 o ' clock a . m . on Thursdays , unless in very special cases . The name and address of every writer must be sent to us in ccnli Jence .

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TheFreemason, SATURDAY , J ULY I , 1871 .

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THE FUKF . MASON is published on Saturday Mornings in time for he early trains . The price of TUB Fui ' . KMAsnx is Twopence per week ; annual subscription , 10 s . ( payable in advance ) . All communications , tetters , fee , to be addressed 10 the EDITOR * , 3 , and 4 , Little llritain , ICC . The Edilorwill pay careful attention lo . ill MSS . entrusted to him hut cannot undertake to return tbein unless accompanied by postage sum *)* ..

The Grand Lodge Of Quebec.

The GRAND LODGE of QUEBEC .

The recent recognition by the Grand Lodge of New York of the rights of Quebec is a great fact , and one which speaks more for the approaching success of the " Seccdcrs , "

as they have been foolishly called , than all the rhetoric which could be employed in their behalf . With a prudence which we can quite appreciate , under the

circumstances , many American Grand Lodgesand amongst others that of New Yorkhave hitherto refrained from the adoption of any definite decision upon the Quebec

question , in the fond hope that the quordam Grand Lodge of Canada—now more fitly termed , Ontario—would itself take the

initiative of generosity , if not of justice , by holding out the right hand of fellowship to its younger sister of Quebec . But the

The Grand Lodge Of Quebec.

hope thus naturally awakened soon passed away in view of the cold , unfraternal attitude assumed by the leading brethren of Ontario at their last Annual

Communication . By a large majority , they determined to re-assert their repudiated authority over the neighbouring province , forgetting in this illogical resolve that Nova Scotia and

New Brunswick , which are also integral parts of Canada , already possessed independent Grand Lodges , and that the right of the Quebec Masons to a similar

autonomy was equally unquestionable . The result has "been , that the doubt and indecision which may have prevented immediate action on the part of several

American Grand Lodges have at length entirely disappeared . Recognition has followed recognition in rapid succession ,

and the adhesion of the Grand Lodge of New York now places Quebec in hearty and cordial communion with more than three

hundred thousand American Freemasons . We congratulate our brethren of Quebec , and especially their chivalrous leader , M . W . Bro . Graham , upon so important a result .

We also congratulate them upon the patience , the forbearance—nay , the courtesy—which they have invariably shown to the Ontario brethren throughout a long

and very trying ordeal . The germs of victory were perceptible to all but prejudiced eyes in those noble traits alone , for right and truth and justice can ever afford

to wait in imperturbable majesty the coming of an inevitable triumph . Even as the really powerful swimmer cleaves the waters with scarcely perceptible stroke , so

advances , silently but swiftly , the cause that is righteous and just and honourable . Nor in our congratulations to Quebec must we forget the pleasing fact that THE

FREEMASON , at an early period in the movement for independence , welcomed the Grand Lodge of Quebec into the sisterhood of legal Grand Bodies with no mercenary warmth or insincere affection . It is not for us to

boast of any peculiar perspicuity over our neighbours , but guided by the instinct of honour , and the dictates of common sense , we at once espoused the cause of Quebec ,

and we now rejoice to see it victorious . Another source of gratification to which we may fairly allude is that our opinions on the subject reflected the opinions of

nine-tenths of the English Fraternity , despite the incoherent babblings of certain ignominious scribes , whose pretentious prophecies of defeat arc now remembered

only to be derided . But it must also be borne in mind that as we were actuated by no venal hope , neither were we inspired by any partisan venom . Looking at the

conflict from a distance , unconnected , save by the common tie of brotherhood , with either one side or the other , we were enabled to

form an impartial judgment , and from that judgment , when formed , we have never wavered .

The verdict of America has now been substantially delivered , for New York , with its seventy-five thousand members decides

The Grand Lodge Of Quebec.

the scale , and it is a verdict which not only confirms our views , but ratifies for ever the independence of the Grand Lodge of Quebec . There may still be—we hope there are

not—brethren in Ontario who may affect to pooh-pooh . that verdict , and to reject the inexorable logic of events . To such men it were vain to address arguments ,

but to the great body of the Craft in that province we say that their recognition-of Quebec must be immediate and unconditional : the time has gone by when it

would have been a graceful act , but it is still a just one , and , moreover , a debt whose payment will brook no further delay . All English Masons are anxious

that a thorough reconciliation should take place between the two rival Grand Lodges of Canada , and all desire to see the prosperity of the Royal Art assured by the adoption of such a noble and fraternal

course . The advice which we gave many months ago has acquired irresistible force by the march of events : " Let by-gones be

forgiven and forgotten , and let every section of the Canadian Craft unite in the good work of disseminating the true principles of Freemasonry , and advancing thereby the real happiness of the whole human race . "

The Palestine Exploration Fund.

THE PALESTINE EXPLORATION FUND .

WE have very great pleasure in again commending the labours of the zealous Palestine Exploration Committee to the support of the Fraternity . From the last

" Quarterly Statement " issued by the Society , we learn that a new expedition will leave England early in the autumn ,

under the command of experienced engineer officers , and that the co-operation of the American Association , in the general progress of the work , has been happily secured .

The results of the Palestine explorations , so far , have been so varied and so important that the whole civilised world will regard with interest the renewed work of discovery .

but we may add that funds are urgently required to enable the Society to continue and complete an exact survey of the Holy Land . Freemasons , being especially

interested in aught that tends to illustrate the venerable traditions of the Craft , will , we trust , respond liberally and at once to the appeal now being made for aid , and thereby

associate the name of the Order with an undertaking which reflects the utmost credit upon the learning and perseverance of all

who are engaged in the sacred research . Next week we will give a few extracts from Bro . Captain Warren ' s interesling paper entitled " The Plain of Philistia . "

WE regret to learn that the Earl of Zetland is suffering from a severe attack of illness . In common with the whole Craft , we hope soon to hear of his lordship ' s restoration to health . WE beg to call the the special attention of our readers to the advertisement of the Summer Fete of the Boys' School , when , if they attend , we can promise them a real treat .