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be presented to Bro . W . J . HTJGHAN , P . G . D ., in recognition of his literary and other services to the Craft . The EARL OF ZETLAND , Prov . G . M . N . and E . Yorks , has been chosen its President ; Bro . J . D . ALLCROFT , Grand Treasurer , its Vice-President ; Bro . GEORGE KENNING , as Treasurer- and Bros . T . B . WHITEHEAD and W . LAKE as joint Honorary

Secretaries . It now remains for the Craft generally to respond with that generosity which invariably characterises them whenever the question of recognising sterling merit is brought under their notice . Nor' have we any doubt whatever as to the nature of the response that will be made . This is neither the first nor , we trust , will it be the last occasion in

which services of more than ordinary value have been acknowledged , but we venture to say that in no previous instance has the proposed recipient of such unusual honour proved himself by a long course of severe but satisfactory labour so entirely worthy of the reward to be bestowed upon him . Bro . HUGHAN ' S work has been principally , though not solely , of a literary

character . He has laboured hard and we are glad to say with more than ordinary degree of success to elucidate points of grave difficulty in Masonic history . He has not been impelled to this through any desire or expectation of reward . His work has been purely a work of love , and it is but fitting

that his brother Craftsmen on whom he has conferred such signal benefits should make for themselves an opportunity of recognizing his services . We now leave the matter in the hands of the Committee , who we are convinced will do their duty thoroughly and we trust it will not be long hence ere it will be in our power to congratulate them and Bro . HUGH AX on the result of their labours .

United Grand Lodge.

UNITED GRAND LODGE .

The Quarterl y Communication of United Grand Lodge of England was held on Wednesday evening , at the large hall of Freemasons' Tavern . The Earl of Carnarvon , MAY . Pro G . M ., presided , and the other Grand and Past Grand Officers who were present were Bros . Lord Limerick , as D . G . M . ; Rev . H . S . Morse , G . Chap . ; Rev . VV . Oswell Thompson , G . Chap . ; John Deiby Allcroft , G . Treas . ; / Eneus J . Mclntyre , Q . C ., G . Reg-. ; Sir John 13 . Monckton , F . S . A ., Pres . Board Gen . Purposes ; Col . bhadwell

H Gierke G . Sec . ; E . Ii . Wendt , U . C . L ., O . hec . Lierman Correspondence ; 1 . w , Tew , G . S . D . ; Ralph Gooding , G . S . D .: Frank Green , G . J . D , ; T . H . Devonshire , G . J . D . ; Horace | . > nes , G . Supt . of Works ; Sir Albert A . Woods ( Garter ) , G . Dir . of Cers . ; T . Dolling- Bolton , Dep . G . D . of C . ; Raymond Henry I'hrupp , G . A . D . of C . ; Lieut .-Col . James Peters , G . S . B . ; Lieut .-Col . Alex . C . F . Gough , LL . B ., G . Std . Br . ; Edgar Bowser , Giand Sid . Br . ; H . G . Buss , Asst . Grand Secretary ; L . F . Littell , r . rand Purst .: W . Sts-phens , As < t . Grand Purst . ; Henry Sadler , Grand Tyler ;

VV W . B . Beach , M . P ., P . G . M . Hants and Isle of Wight ; Lieut .-Col . Le Gendie N . Starkie , P . G-M . E . Lane . ; General J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . M . Surrey ; Sir VV . VV . Burrel ) , P . G . M . Sussex ; Hon . Justice Prinsep , D . G . M . Bengal ; C . E . Egan , D . G . M . Eastern Province South Africa ; Autrey Saunders , D . G . M . Madras ; Lord Henry Thynne , P . G . W . ; Victor A . Williamson , P . G . W . ; John Havers , P . G . W . ; Rev . H . A . Pickard , P . G . C . ; Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg , P . G . C . ; Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , P . G . C . ; Rev . C . VV . Arnold , P . G . C . ; Rev . E . Moore , P . G . C . j Rev . J . E . Cox , D . D .,

P . G . C ; Rev . Ambrose W . Hall , P . G . C ; Rev . T . Robinson , P . G . C ; Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . C . ; Rev . T . Cochrane , P . G . C . ; Kev . G . Townsend , Hon . G . Chap , of Grand Lodge of Novia Scotia ; T . Fenn , P . G . D . ; Robert Grey , P . G . D . ; Peter de Lande Long , P . G . D . ; H . Mawrlsley , P . G . D . ; John A . Rucker , P . G . D . ; R . C . Else , P . G . D . ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D . ; James Glaisher , F . R . S ., P . G . D . ; J . C . Parkinson , PGD . ; C A . C . Hutton , P . G . D . ; C . A . Murton , P . G . D . ; Raynham W . Stewart , P ' C D . ; 1 . M . CaseP . G . D . ; VV . A . F . Powell , P . G . D . ; J . M . Clabon , P . G . D . ; John

, H . Scott , P . G . D . ; R . N . Beswicke-Royds , P . G . D . ; Lieut .-Col . Somerville H . Burney , PG , l ) . i lohn Sampson ' Peirce , P . G . D . ; Capt . N . G . Philips , P . G . D . ; H . C . Tombs , PGD . ; E . J . Barron , P . G . D . ; R . VV . Wheeler , P . G . D . ; \ V . E . Gumbleton , RG . D . ; F . A . Phi : b , ick , P . G . D . ; H . J . P . Dumas , P . G . D . ; Jabez Hogg , P . G . D . ; H . C . Levanter , P . G . D . ; J . E . Saunders , P . G . D . ; R . H . G . raurl , P . G . D . ; F . P . Nurrel , P . G D . ; John Gibson , P . G . Supt . of Works ; George Burt , P . G . A . D . C . ; l ,, hn Whichcord . P . G . A . D . C ; R . Turtle Pigott , D . C . L ., P . G . A . D . C ; J .

Lewis-Thomas , P . G . A . D . C . ; Magnus Ohren , P . G . A . D . C . ; Capt . A . B . Cook , P . G . A . D . C ; Charles Greenwood , P . G . S . B . ; George Lambert , P . G . S . B . ; John Messent , P . G . S . B . ; \ V . F . Nettleship , P . G . S . B . ; C . E . Willing , P . G . Org . ; E . P . Albert , P . G . Purst . ; lames Brett P . G . Purst . ; C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . Purst . ; Thomas Cubitt , P . G . Pur .-t . ; aid \ V . R . VVocds , P . G . Pu . st . There was an enormous gathering of brethren both from London and the provinces , and long before six o'clock they had been pouring in , although

the hour for the opening of Grand Lodge was as usual seven o clock , the cause of the large gathering was the interest taken in the Revised Book of Constitutions and the re-instatement of the old hall which was destroyed by fire in May . It was calculated that some 1200 brethren were present , and as the hall cannot contain more than about 800 , even closely packed , in addition to a large number in the gallery , there were about 300 brethren outside the hall . It was with the greatest difficulty that an entrance could be obtained to the hall after six o ' clock , and long before seven the hall was

crowded with brethren standing . When the Pro Grand Master and the procession of Grand Officers entered at seven o'clock there was great difficulty in forming a narrow open line through which they could pass , and had it not been for the proverbial good order of all Masonic bodies the Grand Stewards would not have been able to clear a way for the procession . The brethren , however , all did their best to make the necessary space , and the procession reached the dais with but little inconvenience . The Earl of Carnarvon , as usual , met with a most cordial reception . Grand Lodge having been opened with the customary formalities ,

The Earl of C ARNARVON said : Brethren , there is this evening an unusually large assemblage that has met for the purpose of discussion of our business , and I rejoice to see that brethren from all parts of the kingdom have come up to London in order to take part in those matters in which they are equally and legitimately interested . I welcome this great assemblage because I am well aware that many of the questions which will be discussed this evening are of great importance to the Craft ; but I find myself , or , rather , Grand

Lodge finds ilsell in an exceptional difficulty . The crowd of Masons is so great that there is absolutely no room , I am told , to accommodate them within the walls of this room . Exceptional circumstances need exceptional treatment , and feeling , as 1 do , that any brother who has come here on the duty ol the Craft to record his vole , must not , under any circumstances , be sent away without the powar of fulfilling his duly to the Crait , and

discharging his own conscience . I have endeavoured to make on the spur of the moment such arrangements as will most effectually meet the case , though they may not be in themselves wholly perfect . Brethren , all those who are able to come within the four walls of this room will take part in the business in the ordinary fashion . Those whom we cannot accommodate here will be accommodated in the Zetland Room , and , if necessary , in two or more rooms besides the Zetland Room , I shall appoint brethren to go from this Grand

United Grand Lodge.

Lodge to preside over them , and to read the resolutions which in the course of business it will be my duty first to put to those in this room , and which the brethren in the chairs in the other rooms will then be required to put to those there collected . I cannot , of course , as every brother will see , give promises that those resolutions shall be discussed and debated elsewhere ; but every

brother in those rooms will have freest and fullest power of voting , and he will not be passed over without the power of recording his vote . I shall request to be informed of the number of brethren who will fill the different rooms , and I shall then appoint chairmen to preside over those rooms . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . )

GRAND SECRETARY then read the minutes of the Quarterly Communication of 5 th September last , which were put and confirmed . The minutes of the two Special Grand Lodges of 29 'h June and 8 th August were afterwards , on the motion of the Earl of LIMERICK , duly seconded , taken as read .

The balloting papers for the election of Junior Vice-President of the Lodge of Benevolence were then distributed , and the Scrutineers of votes were appointed and entrusted . The candidates for the office were Bros . C . A . Cottebrune , Henry Garrod , and J . H . Matthews . The Earl of CARNARVON then informed the brethren that it was now

competent for any brother , as the minutes of the two Special Grand Lodges had been agreed to be taken as read , to move the non-confirmation of the minutes , as a whole or any part of them . Bro . LE FEUVRE , Prov . G . Sec . Hants and the Isle of Wight , moved the confirmation of the minutes .

Bro . H . C . TOMBS , Prov . G . Sec . Wilts , said that , with regard to Article 130 , he proposed an amendment , moved the non-confirmation of Article So , which did not agree with Rule No . 9 , and he proposed in its stead the following words :

A Provincial or District Grand Lodge consists of the Provincial or District Grand Master , the Present and Past Provincial or District Grand Officers ; the Provincial or District Grand Stewards for the year ; the Master , Past Masters and Wardens of all Lodges in the Province or District ; and Past Masters of any Lodge under the English Constitution , if Members of Grand Lodge . But no Brother can be a Member of a Provincial or District Grand Lodge unless he is a subscribing Member of a Lodge within such Province or District .

If the article stood in the terms in which it now appeared a brother from a Scotch , French , American or Irish Lodge , or from any lodge in the world would be able to attend a Provincial or District Grand Lodge . Bro . Sir J . B . MONCKTON , President of the Board of General Purposes ,

said this amendment had been thoroughly considered , and as far as the Board of General Purposes was concerned the members agreed with Bro . Budden . The Earl of CARNARVON having taken the vote said that subject to the vote in the other rooms he declared the article not confirmed .

Bro . BUDDEN , P . M . 622 , then proposed his resolution as given above . Bro . Sir J . B . MONCKTON seconded the motion , which was put and carried . Bro . J E . LE FEUVRE , P . M . 130 , next moved that in article 119 of the Revision of the Book of Constitutions the following words be added in

brackets after the words " Regular Lodge , " viz . " this qualification is only essential in the case of a petition for a new lodge in England . " Bro . Sir J . B . MONCKTON seconded the motion . The motion was carried . Bro . the Rev . C . W . ARNOLD , P . G . C , proposed the non-confirmation of article 186 .

Bro . C . F . MATIER seconded the motion . Bro . Sir J . B . MONCKTON said that he and the Board forwhom he was the spokesman objected to the proposition in toto . The article was now confirmed . Bro . the Rev . C . VV . ARNOLD , P . G . C , then moved that the following words ,

' Every such Member , if an installed Master , may , by a vote of the Lodge , have a position assigned to him amongst the Past Masters of the Lodge , provided that he has not ceased subscribing to a Lodge for twelve months , ' be substituted for the words , •' Every such joining Menv . er , if a Past Master , shall have the rank of a Past Masler of the Lodge , ranking next after the then Junior Past Master and the Worshipful Master of such Lodge , provided that he has not ceased subscribing to a Lod < re for twelve months , " and that the paragraph do now stand as so amended . °

He said that it was well known there were two opinions about the question of a joining P . M . Many thought that a Master who had been installed in the chair should have a certain position assigned to him when he joined a lodge to recognise the fact of his having been installed . There were others who thought that it would not be advisable to do so . ( Hear , hear . ) He quite recognised that there were two opinions on the matter . Especially in

towns and in London brethren who had passed through the chair did not want those who had passed the chair in another lodge and who joined their lodge to rank among the P . Ms , of their lodge . ( Hear hear . ) He could well see that they did not requira it . When this mattter was first proposed he was an advocate for the original resolution which had been put before them that day standing , and he had now proposed the non-confirmation of

the minutes because he thought that many brethren in the provinces felt that as the rule stood they would be inflicting a grievance upon other brethren , and that this would not conduce to the harmony and love in which Freemasons ought to live together . ( . Hear hear . ) He had brought forward his motion to effect , if possible , a compromise , because it could hurt nobody , and it would give those who wished to honour distinguished brethren an

opportunity or doing so . Though he could not go into politics he might say it was really a question of local option . When a lodge was first instituted a Past Master of some lodge was asked to act as P . M ., but such a brother was not a P . M . of the lodge . In many towns and provincial districts there were two lodges both of them weak from various causes , and they wished to amalgamate . How were they to range P . Ms , in those lod

ges ? In some country lodges there were P . Ms , who were not good-working P . Ms . ( Cries of " oh , oh , " and * ' no , no . " ) He was speaking of what he knew by experience —( " oh , oh , " and hear , hear)—and if a brother went into those neighbourhoods who was a good-working Mason and wanted to join those lodges , ihe brethren would be glad to put them in such a position that they could take their place in the chair of those lod

ges . He was not referring to the position these breihren should take at the banquet table , but the position in lodge . He asked the brethren to accede to his resolution . Many of the brethren , viewing it as a new proposition , might object to it ; but he asked them lo accede to it for this reason — that he believed it would help many of our lodges and place them in a good position . It would assist the country lodges , and not hurt any lodge that did not wish to avail itself of it . Bro . the Rev . H . A . PICKARD , P . G . C , seconded the motion , and hoped the brethren would understand that all that was asked for was liberty for