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esteem of his brethren , or who has a greater claim upon our sympathy . Bro . Buss , who has now parsed his seventieth year , was , as many of you , no doubt , are aware , struck down two months ago by a fit of apolexy , which , in the opinion of his medical man , has rendered him quite unfit for active service . Bro . Buss , however , after a short time returned to his duties ; but he had another attack , and he has at last been compelled reluctantly to

resign . I know there are sonie brethren who are anxious to join in this vote , but who are still desirous that it should be made an exceptional case , and that it should not be made a precedent for the future . The words in which the Board of General Purposes formulate this recommendation had this object in view—that if you pass this resolution I have to propose in the words which I have used it will clearly be an exceptional case .

Bro . C . T . WALLS : As a member of the Board of General Purposes , I rise with a vast amount of pleasure to second the resolution which has just been proposed by the President of the Board of General Purposes . I , as well as the President , have the highest appreciation of the efficient manner in which Bro . Buss has performed his duties while he has been connected with the office of Grand Secretary , and not only so , but with respect to the

very efficient manner he has discharged duties outside Grand Lodge . In this character he has been Grand Treasurer of the province of Middlesexa very large and important province . Bro . Buss has in that character been brought in contact with a large number of Masons , and whenever he has been brought in contact with them those brethren have received the greatest amount ot consideration , attention , as well as every courtesy that one

brother could possibly extend to another . Our brother President of the Board has told you that Bro . Buss a short time since had a fit of apoplexy ; that was followed by a more serious one , and we were afraid he would not be able to resume his duties in Grand Secretary ' s office . Fortunately , those apprehensions were not realised , and Bro . Buss was able to return to his duties . Under those circumstances I sincerely hope that the brethren here

will by their votes record their high appreciation of the very excellent services of Bro . Buss , and that he may for the remaining time of his life live independent with a competency—not only for his services in Grand Secretary ' s office , but for the manner in which he has rendered services to Freemasonry . The motion was carried amidst loud applause .

The Earl of LIMERICK : Brethren , in announcing to Grand Lodge that this vote has been carried unanimously , I feel sure that I only fulfil your wish in expressing from the chair our regret for the cause which has made this vote necessary at the present time . Bro . BUSJ by his unwearied courtesy and energy in the discharge of his duties has won the esteem and admiration

of all his brother Masons , who regret sincerely that he is obliged on account of his health to quit that position which he has so well filled with such advantage to the Craft , and we trust he may be spared long to enjoy the pension which Grand Lodge—I may say , I think , lias granted freely , feeling that they were only doing what was right towards a most deserving Mason .

Bro . F . A . PHILBRICK , Q . C ., Grand Reg ., next brought forward the following appeals ;—I . Appeals of Bro . Joseph E . Duspuch , P . M . of the Royal Victoria Lodge , No . 443 , Nassau , Bahamas , against the refusal of the District Grand Master to hear and determine his complaint against that lodge for improperly excluding him therefrom ; and against a decision of the District Grand Lodge of the Bahamas finding him guilty of contumacious conduct , and certain resolutions of the District Grand Lodge consequent thereon .

2 . Appeal of Bros . Edward Thomas Dover and Alfred George Gleeson , of the Lodge " Victoria in Burma , " No . S 32 , Rangoon , against a decision of the District Grand Master of British Burma , holding that the YV . M . of the lodge had not improperly excluded them while a ballot was being taken , and directing them to apologise for charging the YV . M . with having acted " willfully and maliciously " in so doing .

The first of these two appeals was allowed and the second dismissed . The following by Bro . JAMES STEVENS , P . M . No . 1216 , "That it be referred to the Board of General Purposes to consider and report upon the best means for the prevention of the continued impositions practised upon Metropolitan and Provincial lodges by mendicant Freemasons , " was rejected . Grand Lodge was then closed .

Grand Mark Lodge.

GRAND MARK LODGE .

The Half-yearly Communication of Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown was held on Tuesday in the large hall of Freemasons ' Tavern . The Right Hon . the Earl of Kintore , M . W . G . M . M . M ., presided , and the other brethren who were present were

Bros . H . Howard Hodges , G . S . W . Berks and Oxon ; Robert Nicholson , P . P . G . J . OBerks and Oxon ; George Joseph Dunldey , P . P . G . Org ., Middx . and Surrey , 234 ; Henry Slone , P . G . M . O . Hants and Isle of Wight , 254 ; J . P . Lewin , P . G . J . W ., East Anglia , W . M . 145 , 243 ; William Vincent , S . O . Middx . ; T . Ovenden , P . P . G . Stwd . Kent ; J . G . Podovin , Dep . Prov . G . M . M . Kent ; J . Mason , P . P . G . M . O . ; D . P . Cama , G . M . O . Middx . and Surrey ; Henry Stephens , P . P . G . O . Middx . ; George Micldey , P . P . G . J . O . Bucks ; Sidney Clarke , P . G . S . Kent ; T . M . Humphries .

P . P . G S . B . Staffordshire ; Henry Baldwin , P . P . G . D . C . Middx . and Surrey ; Charles J . Smith , Dep . Prov . G . M . Sussex ; E . F . Hoare , P . G . Org . Middx . and Surrey ; G . A . Mursell , W . M . 140 , P . G . S . D . Hants and Isle of Wight ; Edjar Bowyer , S . O . Middx . ; P . de Hollin , P . P . G . S . W . Cumberland and Westmorland ; James Neal York , P . G . S . W . East Anglia ; J . G . Chillingworth , P . G . S . W . Kent ; A . McDowall , P . G . M . O . Bucks ; J . Monk , 54 ; G . Gregory , 139 ; E . Hills , M . O . 334 ; Herbert Dicketts , Old Kent Lodge ( T . I . ) ; P . S . Simmonds , S . W . 1 ; Edward F . StorrOld Kent Lodge ( T . I . ) ;

, John L . Mather , W . M . Old Kent Lodge ( T . I . ) ; Henry Berridge , 144 ; Edward Tappenden , 226 ; H . D . Cama , 12 ; YV . Meek , 2 S 4 ; C . J . Axford , 234 ; G . R . Bolton , 139 ; Jas . M . Harvey , S . W . Albert Victor Lodge ; H . S . Clutton , S . YV . 224 ; VV . E . Williams , W . M . 1 ; H . A . Worster Reeves , I . G . 1 ; Newington Bridges , W . M . 333 ; C . H . Nevill , Sec . 333 ; Robert S . Voisey , W . M . 22 ; Lieut .-Col . Somerville Burney , P . M . Studholme Lodge ; Charles E . Birch , D . C . 44 ; C Monier Williams , J . D . 44 ;

Horace White , 7 ; Joseph Ithell Birch , I . G . 44 ; Arthur A . Coster , 224 ; T . C . Edmonds , Treas . 139 ; j . YV . Ray ; Frederic Duke , Sec . and J . O . 166 ; George Gardner , Thistle Lodge ; Ralph Gooding ( M . D . ) , P . M . Bon Accord ; J . Terry , S . W . 315 ; VV . Rickwood , J . O . ; Soppet , YV . M . designate Grand Stewards'Lodge ; E . M . Money , S . D . Old Kent Lodge ( T . I . ) ; W . J . Collens , W . M . Thistle Lodge ; Jas . Moon , P . M . Old Kent Lodge ( T . I . ); and G . Hall , 334 .

After Grand Lodge had been formally opened , the Grand Master was saluted , and the minutes of Grand Lodge of 3 rd June , and of the Moveable Grand Lodge at Exeter on 6 th August , were read and confirmed . The Earl of KINTORE then said the next business before Grand Lodge was to receive a communication from himself as to an exchange of representatives between the Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland and this Grand Lod ge . The communication was short , but satisfactory . At the last meeting of the Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland , of which he was a Principal , he brought forward amotion which stood in his name that the Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland should approach Grand Mark Lodge of Eng-

Grand Mark Lodge.

land with a view to an exchange of representatives , and also with a view to cementing those bonds of friendship which existed between the two bodies . His motion , he was happy to say , was carried unanimously , and he had now the satisfaction of saying that the necessary steps had been taken for the purpose of carrying that resolution into effect . The Ri ght Hon . Lord Egerton of Tatton was then obligated by the Grand Master as Deputy Grand Master , invested and installed . The customary salute was then given .

Lord EGERTON of TATTON , in acknowledging the honour that had been conferred upon him b y his appointment by the M . W . G . M . M . M ., said he should endeavour to carry out the duties of his office , he trusted , to the satisfaction of the Grand Master , and to the welfare of Mark Masonry in general . The following report of the General Board ( a copy of which was in the hands of every brother ) was , on motion duly made and seconded , taken as read and received , and ordered to be entered on the minutes .

The number of certificates issued in the half-year ending 30 th September last was 5 S 0 . The total of registered advancements being now 19 , 337 . During the same period eight warrants for new lodges were granted to : No . 33 S Umvoti ... ... Greytown , Natal . » 339 YVilliam Kelly ... Winshill , Derbyshire . „ 340 Royal Forest of Dean ... Gloucestershire . „ 341 Egerton of Tatton ... Red Lion-square , London .

„ 342 Chelmer ... ... Chelmsford , East Anglia . i > 343 Metropolitan „ 344 St . Albans ... ... Nottingham . „ 345 British ... _ ... Cape Town , Cage of Good Hope . In the Degree of Ark Mariner the number of certificates issued was 123 , bringing

the total registered elevations to 1670 . Warrants for new Ark Mariner Lodges have been granted to : Latham , attached to Alfred Lodge , No . 136 , Bury , Lancashire . Olive Leaf „ Wahab Lodge , No . 201 , Sealkote . A Provincial Grand Lodge has been constituted for Gibraltar , and R . W . Bro . Sir Henry J . B . Hancock , Chief Justice of Gibraltar , has been appointed Provincial

G . M . M . M . A Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire has also been constituted under the rule of R . W . Bro . A . F . Godson , who will be installed at Worcester by the M . W . G . M . M . M . on Monday , Sth December , when it is expected there will be a large attendance of Present and Past Grand Officers . R . W . Bro . Walter Charleton Hughes has been appointed Prov . G . M . M . M . of

Bombay , in succession to R . YV . Bro . J . W . Smith , whose faithful discharge of the duties of his office is acknowledged by the M . W . Grand Master . K . W . Bro . Colonel G . B . Wolseley has been appointed Prov . G . M . M . M . of Bengal , vice R . W . Bro . Colonel Anthony Stewart , whose services are gratefully acknowledged . The M . W . Grand Master has been pleased to reappoint for a further term of three years R . W . Bro . Sir Pryse Pryse , Bart ., Prov . G . M . South Wales ; and R . W . Bro . R . C Else , Pro . v . G . M . Somerset . Increased prosperity of the Degree in these provinces is confidently anticipated .

The Sixteenth Annual Festival of the " Mark Benevolent Fund " was celebrated at the Crystal Palace on Wednesday , 23 rd July last , under the presidency of R . W . Bro . Major Woodall Woodall , J . P ., Prov . Grand Master of North and East Yorkshire , whose efforts , aided by 47 brethren acting as Stewards , a more numerous Board than any yet constituted in support of this Festival , and attended by an unsurpassed assembly of ladies and brethren , resulted in a subscription of £ 832 , the largest amount yet realised .

In consequence of this great success , the Board has much pleasure in announcing that all the candidates for the benefits of the educational branch of the Fund have been admitted without election , and a notification to this effect has been sent to every donor and subscriber . This branch of the Fund has now under its care 12 boys and 5 girls , and the Board has invited the attention of every lodge to the usefulness and advantages of the Fund .

A Moveable Grand Lodge was held on the 6 th of August at Exeter , under the presidency of the M . W . Grand Master , who was accompanied by a large number of Grand Officers and brethren from the neighbouring provinces , and received by R . W . Bro . Col . J . Tanner Davy , J . P ., Prov . Grand Master of Devonshire , and the members of Provincial Grand Lodge . The arrangements for the conduct of business were in every way satisfactory , and the genial hospitality extended to the visiting brethren was most gratifying .

With regard to the existing difficulty with the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Quebec , the following circular has been sent to every Grand High Priest and every Grand Secretary in the United States and Canada : Office of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons , 8 A , Red Lion-square , High Holborn , London , 15 th September , 1884 . M . E , and Dear Sir and Companion ,

I am directed by the Right Hon . the Earl of Kintore , & c , M . W . G . M . M . M ., to acknowledge , with his best thanks , the copy of the proceedings of your Grand Chapter , which you have been good enough to send us . With reference to the Quebec difficulty , I have to remark , with great regret , that considerable misapprehension appears to exist on the part of a majority of the Grand Chapters of the United States . I have again to repeat—1 . That this Grand Lodge claims no territorial or other jurisdiction whatever in the

United States , or within the district claimed by the Grand Chapter of Canada . 2 . With regard to the Province of Quebec , it is altogether inaccurate to say that this Grand Lodge has issued warrants for Mark lodges since its recognition ( under a misapprehension as to its legality ) of the Grand Chapter of Quebec . The facts are these . There have always been , since 1760 , and long previous to the constitution of the G . C of Quebec , " Time Immemorial " Mark Lodges connected with English Craft lodges in Montreal . Of this we have ample documentary evidence .

and the main fact is admitted by the U . Z .. of the G . C . of Canada , at p . 16 of proceedings , July 11 , 1 S 84 . Three of these "Time Immemorial" Mark Lodges desired to place themselves under supreme English jurisdiction in the Mark Degree , as their members were already under supreme English jurisdiction in the Craft and R . A . Degrees . This G . L . has acknowledged them as regular , by granting them what is practicall y a warrant of confirmation . It has created for them no new status . They were legal bodies before . Some of the principal members of the G . C . of Canada received the Mark Degree in one of these T . I . lodges .

These lodges could not , in our view of Masonic law and tradition , be lawfully compelled to apply for warrants of confirmation to the G . C . of Quebec for two reasons 1 st , that they had no desire to join that new organization ; and 2 nd , that they are advised by the highest legal authority , that the said organization is illegal according to the civil law of the State , and that its members can only meet under risk of criminal prosecution . This view is confirmed by the fact that the G . C . of Quebec , in the last Session of the Dominion Parliament , attempted to obtain a legal status , but failed to do so .

3 . At the present moment , therefore , the Mark lodges meeting under the Warrants of Confirmation of this G . L . are the only legal assemblies of Mark Masters in the province of Quebec . ( See Hon . Judge Badgeley's letter to M . W . G . M . M . M ., at p . 61 of proceedings of G . L . of M . M . M ., June , 1884 . ) 4 . I cannot but express my surprise that the G . C . 's of the U . S . should have so far overlooked one of the fundamental landmarks of Masonry as to attempt to oblige English Mark Masters to join a so-called Masonic body meeting in defiance of the laws of the State in which it finds itself .

5 . Whenever a legal body working the Mark Degree is established in the province of Quebec , it will be open to it to make advances for union to the three T . I . lodges holding Warrants of Confirmation from this G . L ., and to this course we shall offer no objection whatever ; but , on the contrary , we should be exceedingly glad to see such a union voluntarily effected , and would promote it by any legitimate means in our power . Meanwhile , in order to meet as far as possible the views of the U . S ., and in the hope that a satisfactory arrangement may be made between the three T . f . English Mark Lodges in Quebec and a lawful G . C , we have restricted the action of the English