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we fail even to see in the remotest degree . It seems to us to be a complete invasion of the absolute right of private judgment and personal responsibility to compel a brother " nolena volens " to vote . There may be many a case , we surely can remember a similar one , where we would not vote " aye , " but did not wish to vote " no , " for various good and sufficient reasons thereto moving ,

ike . It would have been very hard to compel us to vote aye or no whether we wished it or no . If , indeed , in American ballot boxes there is a third partition for " neutrals , " then something may be said for the theory , otherwise it seems to us both un-Masonic and tyrannical , and we rejoice to think that in our dear old used-up England we have as yet no such Masonic

customs . Long may we be without them . As regards variety of ruling on even identical questions , if our good American brethren like it , "cViacun a son gout . " It certainly does not hurt us , and may amuse and edify them . They have a rig ht to make their own laws , and to stand by their own " vanities" and their own "ideas . " We should have been inclined to

think " a priori , " perhaps we are wrong for thinking at all , that an uniform system of judicial decisions would be better for American Freemasons than the possibility of forty different rulings on the same subject . There would be nothing " infra dig " in the Grand Masters of the American Grand Lodges forming themselves into a Supreme Court of Appeal , and either by

personal attention or substitution deciding numerous vexed questions which undoubtedly are trying American Freemasonry , and constitute for it an element of future weakness and danger . Such a Court of Appeal would form a great source of stability to the universal American Craft , while it would

take away from individual Grand Lodges the appearances of arbitrary , irresponsible , and "faddy" judgments . But our good friends we concede know best what suits their own wants-and their own idiosyncrasies , and we leave the matter here , with very sincere aspirations for the onward progress and still further diffusion of the beneficent and healing principles of Freemasonry in the United States .

United Grand Lodge.

UNITED GRAND LODGE .

The Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England was held on YY ' ednesday evening , at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . the Rig ht Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , M . W . Pro G . Master . Dresided : the Riffht Hon . the Earl of Limerick , Prov . G . M ., for

Bristol , acted as R . YV . Deputy G . M . ; and Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., Prov . G . M . for Hants and the Isle of Wight , acted as Past G . M . ; the Right Hon . Lord Cremorne , G . S . W . ; and the Right Hon . Bro . Robert N . Fowler , M . P ., G . J . YV ., were in their chairs . The other Grand and Past Grand officers who attended were :

Bros . H . B . Marshall , G . Treas . ; F . A . Philbrick , O . C , G . Reg . ; T . Fenn , Pres . B . Gen . Pur . ; Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec . ; E . E . Wendt , G . Sec . Ger . Cor . ; Baron de Ferrieres , G . S . D . ; E . Letchworth , G . J . D . ; Horace Jones , G . Supt . of Wks . ; Sir Albert VV . Woods ( Garter ) , G . D . C ; Griffiths Smith , Asst . G . D . C ; Major E . Locock , GS . B . J E . M . Lott , G . Org . ; Hugh D . Sandeman , P . G . D . M . Bengal ; H . Adair Pickard , P . G . Chap . ; Lieut .-Col . S . E . Taylor , G . Std : Bearer ; ] . D , Allcroft , P . G . Treas . ; J . H . Matthews , G . Std . Br . ; Ralph Gooding , M . D . P . G . D . ; las . Brett , P . G . P . ; Raynham YV . Stewart , P . G . D . ; John Sampson Peirce , P . G . D . ; F . IJ ^ Kor ^ e ^ n PP . 11 •Sir 1 . R . Mnnrktnn . P . G . W . : T . A . Rucker . P . G . D . : Rrltrar

Bowyer , P . G . Std . Br . ; R . J . Simpson . P . G . C . ; A . B . Cook , P . A . G . D . C . ; F . P . Morrel ) , P . G . D . ; Charles Greenwood , P . G . S . D . ; J . C . Parkinson , P . G . D . Victor A . Williamson , P . G . W . ; T . W . Spencer Stanhope , P . G . C ; William F . Nettleship , P . G . S . B . ; Alfred Richards , D . G . D . C ; George Lambert , P . G . S . Br . ; R . F . Gould , P . G . D . ; J . C . Meredith , G . Stwd . Grand Lodge of Ireland H . J . P . Dumas , P . G . D . ; Rev . J . Sedgwick , P . G . C ; J . E . Saunders , P . G . D . ; R . N . Fowler , G . J . YV . ;

James S . Eastes , G . J . D . ; Magnus Ohren , P . A . G . D . C ; Robert Grey , P . G . D . ; Thomas Cochrane , P . G . Chap . ; Chas . A . Murton , P . G . D . ; Thos . Cubitt , P . G . P . ; Brackstone Baker , P . G . D . ; J . Lewis-Thomas , P . G . A . D . C . ; Rev . C . W . Arnold , P . G . C . ; J . M . Case , P . G . D . ; Jas . Peters , P . G . S . B . ; T . H . Devonshire , P . G . D . ; Capt . N . G . Philips , P . G . D . ; C . W . Hutton , P . G . D . ; Lieut .-Col . H . S . Somerville Burney , P . G . D . ; Jas . Glaisher , P . G . D . ; Peter de Lande Long , P . G . D . ; | . W .

Tew , P . G . D . ; Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . C . ; Frank Green ; P . G . D . ; Henry Maudslay , P . G . D . ; YV . J . Hughan , P . G . D . ; Dr . Mickley , Jas . Willing , jun ., W . H . Froom , A . H . Tattershall , James Terry , Phillip Jacobs , H . W . Hemsworth , Captain Nicols , F . R . VV . Hedges , E . H . Thiellay , Lee , Dodd , Keeble , Pendlebury , Richard Clowes , Willey , W . M . Stiles , T . C . Walls , Wm . Roebuck , YVm . Lake , C . Jolly , George Kenning , J . J . Marsh , Captain Colvill , F . R . Spaull , C . F . Hogard , C . S . Lane , John Lane , T . Mount Humphries , and others .

After reading and confirmation of the minutes of the Quarterly Communication of the 3 rd September , Bro . F . H . G OLDNEY , Prov . G . Treas . Wilts , rose and said—M . YV . Grand Master and brethren : I have the distinguished privilege this evening of putting into operation one of the most important functions exercised b y the collective Body of Freemasons , namely , the election of their own ruler ; for which purpose I have the honour to nominate H . R . H . the Prince of

Wales for re-election as Grand Master for the ensuing 12 months . This annual election has always been regarded , and is so still , as no mere form or idle ceremony , but as an occasion upon which the brethren from all parts of the king dom assemble in large numbers , as they have done this evening , to testify by their presence their loyalty to their Prince , and by the cordiality and unanimity of the re-election to show their hi g h esteem for their Grand Master . H . R . H . has indeed proved himself to be an exemplary Mason .

Possessed as he is with a peculiar regard for the arts and sciences , he has ever shown himself their liberal patron , and been foremost in promoting the welfare of our Industrial Exhibitions , our Royal Academy , our Royal College of Music , and other kindly Institutions . Nor has he omitted the abundant exercise of that virtue so dearly prized by Masons—Charity—asevincedby the active interest he has taken in our own Benevolent Institutions , in the various Hospitals and Asylums of the metropolis and the country , and in the Royal Commission now sitting with regard to the Housing of the Poor . The

practical part of Freemasonry too has been well cared for by him . His Royal Hig hness has spared neither time nor trouble in laying the foundation stones with due Masonic ceremony of ecclesiastical , educational , and other public buildings in different parts of the kingdom . It may besaid that an individual cannot enhance or diminish the lustre of the noble principles and practice of our Order , yet we cannot but be sensible that the Craft is recommended with the favourable opinion of the outside world by the presence and countenance oi one holding so exalted a position as his Royal Hig hness , It would ill become me to say more ; to have said less I should have failed

United Grand Lodge.

in my duty . I therefore formally nominate H . R . H . the Prince of Wales for re-election as Grand Master for the ensuing 12 months . ( Cheers . ) The Earl of CARNARVON : The nomination of the M . W . Grand Master , for the ensuing year , having been now made , it becomes the duty of some one to nominate the Grand Treasurer .

Bro . J . WENTWORTH T . CHAPMAN , W . M . Earl of Lathom Lodge , No . 1922 , thereupon rose and said—M . W . Pro Grand Master : With reference to the next proposal on our paper I rise to nominate a Grand Treasurer . It is the first time that I have had the honour of speaking in this Grand Lodge , and I have no doubt that some one else would , with much more eloquence than I do , have put forward the qualifications of the brother whom I am

about to nominate for the Grand Treasurer for the ensuing year . At the same time I must confess I do it with some amount of confidence because I feel assured that the name of the brother I propose is one which will be received with cordial acceptance by you all , and for myself I may add I will yield to none in my appreciation of our excellent brother for his merits and ability . As good wine needs no bush , I feel sure it will be unnecessary

for me to state what our brother has clone for the good of Freemasonry in general , to at once secure your hearty approval of my nomination . YVithout further preface , therefore , I have the honour to propose as Grand Treasurer for the ensuing twelve months , Bro . James Willing , jun . You all know him , but I will with your permission read out a few particulars of his Masonic career . He was initiated in Ihe Domatic Lodge , No . 177 , and

was exalted in the Victoria Chapter , No , 1056 . He was a founder of the Metropolitan Lodge , No . 1507 , in 1874 ; of the Royal Savoy Lodge , No . 1744 , in ^ 87 8 ; of the Strand Lodge , No . 19 S 7 , in 1883 ; of the Priory Chapter , No . 1000 , in 1875 ; and of the Metropolitan Chapter , No . 1507 , in 1 S 78 . He was W . M . of the Metropolitan Lodge , No . 1507 , in 18 74 ; of the Ro 3 'al Savoy Lodge , No . 1744 , in 1878 ; of the Strand Lodge , No . 19 S 7

, in 1883 and 1884 ; and of the Domatic Lodge , No . 177 , in 1877 . He was M . E . Z . of the Priory Chapter , No . 1000 , in 1879 ; of the Metropolitan Chapter , No . 1507 , in 1878 and 1884 . Treasurer of the Metropolitan Lodge , No . 1507 ; of the Royal Savoy , No . 1744 ; and of the Metropolitan Chapter , No . 1507 . He was Secretary of the Domatic Lodge , No . 177 , in 1874 ; Steward for the Benevolent Institution in 1876 and 1883 ; for the

Boys' School in 18 77 and 1882 ; and for the Girls' School in 1 S 79 . He has been on the Committee of the Benevolent Institution since 18 77 ; on the Boys' School since 1877 5 and on the Girls' School since 1879 . He has served every office in his mother lodge . He has been a member of the Mark Degree for a long time ; and he was Steward on the occasion of the Installation of H . R . H . the Prince of YVales in the Albert Hall , in 1875 .

He is at the present time W . M . of the Strand Lodge , No . 1987 , and M . E . Z . of the Metropolitan Chapter , No . 1507 . He is Treasurer of the Metropolitan Lodge , No . 1507 , and of the Royal Savoy Lodge , No . 1744 . He is also on the Board of General Purposes , and on the Committees of all three of the Charities . He is also also a subscribing member , at the present time , of the Metropolitan Lodge , the Royal Savoy , the Strand , the

Domatic , the Asaph , No . 1319 , and the Metropolitan Chapter . He has been a member of Grand Lodge for 11 years , and has had a testimonial of £ 300 when 200 brethren were present . I am sure with all these qualifications , Bro . James Willing , jun ., will have the cordial support of all the brethren . Bro . STILES , W . M .: I have known Bro . Willing for many years ; I shall be glad to second the nomination .

The Earl of CARNARVON : It is quite unnecessary to say anything in addition to what the nominator has said . If any brother desires to nominate any further candidate he is at liberty to do so .

Bro . YV . MCDOGAALL , P . M . London Rifle Brigade Lodge , M . W . G . M .: I beg to nominate Bro . John Woodall , Mayor , and twice Mayor of Scarborough , of the province of N . and E . Yorkshire . He was initiated in Hope Lodge , Bradford , province of YY . Yorkshire , No . 302 , Feb . i 8 th , 1856 , and raised to the Third Degree , 22 nd April , 18 5 6 , Worshipful Past Naster of Old Globe Lodge , No . 236 , now 200 , Scarborough ; exalted to the

Royal Arch in No . 200 , Old Globe , Scarborough , in the province of N . and E . Yorkshire , 12 th March , 18 59 , and Z . of the same chapter in 1 S 68 , 1878 , 1879 ; Charity Representative of N . and E . Yorkshire ; a Vice-President of the three Masonic Charities . Bro . Woodall is also Prov . Grand Treasurer of the Royal Arch of N . and E . Yorkshire , and has assisted in the formation of the Denison Lodge , No . 1248 , and the Leopold Lodge , Scarborough ,

and has served several Stewardships for the Charities . He was educated at Rugby , and at the University , Oriel College , Oxford , B . A ., 1854 ; first class in Physical Science School , M . A ., i 860 ; Justice of the Peace , North Yorkshire , and Honorary Lieut . Royal Naval Reserve . This brother I now nominate for the office of Grand Treasurer in Grand Lodge of England for 1885 .

The Earl of CARNARVON : Has any brother any further candidate for this office ?

Bro . THOMAS CLARK , W . M . 1178—M . W . G . M .: I have the honour to propose for the office of Grand Treasurer , Bro . Cama , who has been a large supporter of our General Charities . He is a member of several of our Scientific Societies , and I may also remind the brethren in addition to being a member of the Craft and the Royal Arch , he is also a member of the Mark . These qualifications I think will recommend him to the favourable consideration

of Grand Lodge . He is a member also of the distinguished firm of Cama , of Bombay , and is the son of Bro . F . Cama , of Bombay . It will be in the recollection of most of the brethren of this Grand Lodge that the first public act performed by H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught on his arrival in Bombay was to open that splendid hospital there . That great work was carried out by the father of the brother I have the honour to

nominate to-night . That was entirely effected and endowed by the liberality of Bro . Cama , senior , at the cost of £ 20 , 000 . I may also remind the brethren that previous to that Bro . Cama , senior , had been a contributor to our Charities . These , brethren , I think , will be qualifications sufficient to attract your attention , and I feel sure that any honour that may be done to Bro . Cama , junior , here in England will be appreciated by Bro . Cama in India . I hope the brethren will send him up by giving him all their votes .

I he Earl of CARNARVON : The Grand Secretary will now read a letter dated 3 rd October , 188 4 , from the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Quebec on the subject of the three English lodges in that colony , and addressed to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England , together with the reply of H . R . H . thereto . GRAND SECRETARY having read these letters , The Earl of CARNARVON rose and said : Brethren , the correspondence which you have just heard reacl will be printed in due form , and it will