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meaning of that law . If the W . M . should die there was no question that the I . P . M . should take the chair ; but the great question turned on the words " be incapable of performing his duties . " His ( G . R . ' s ) idea of it was , that it meant physical incapacity ; it did not mean that the W . M . was not able with accuracy and precision to perform the whole of the ceremonies . If that were to be the case he was

afraid a great many brethren who had passed the chair might not go through with verbal accuiacy . ( Laughter . ) It must mean incapacity , through being insane , cr placed under some duress , or physical incapacity , through illness , which prevented his being present in thc lodge . But if the Master could be present in the ledge , and could occupy the chair , this law did not apply to him . He had

a right to preside over the lodge , and lo call upon any brother he chose , who was a member of the lodge to perform the ceremonies . ( Hear , hear . ) The brtthrcn in this instance seemed to think that it was absolutely necessary that the words should be spoken by the brother who occupied the chair . This was a mistake . If the W . M . occupied the chair he might call any brother to

stand at his pedestal , or place him anywhere he liked in the lodge , and commission him to repeat his ceremonies , and the words spoken by that brother were the words of the W . M . But Bro . Buckle having said that if the W . M . did not perform his duties he should seem to have thought that this ceremony was to be performed from the chair . The W . M . left the chair , Bro . Buckle occupied it ,

and performed the ceremony , and the W . M . protested against what was done . The minutes were entered by the Secretary in the usual way , but after the minutes were entered , it appeared that the W . M . made an interlineation in them . As the words originally stood Bro . Buckle objected to any brother performing the ceremony unless it was performed by the W . M . The

words interlined were that he insisted on performing that duty . The minutes were put for confirmation at the next meeting , and the W . M . did not state that he had caused thc interlineation to be made ; and afterwards when it was discovered that it had been made there was a very angry discussion , and very stiong language was used on both sides , some brethren threatening to make a

complaint against the W . M ., and the W . M . threatening to make a complaint against them . A question arose about a brother of another lodge , and that led to an angry discussion also . Then came a proposition that a testimonial should be given to thc Secretary . The W . M . rose and objected to it , and stated as his reasons that the Secretary was inefficient and inattentive , and he refused

to put the resolution . The D . P . G . M . did not seem to have found that the W . M . did leave thc chair . He refused to leave the chair , and when the time came for closing the lodge there was no answer to his gavel and he had to close the lodge down proprio \ igore . Then he made a complaint to the D . P . G . M . who examined witnesses on one side and thc other . Theic was a compUte conflict ol

testimony between the W . M . and one or two of the brethren . Ultimately the D . P . G . M . having the brethren before him , heard theirj testimony , and seeing their demeanour was more likely to come to a just and proper conclusion than this Grand Lodge could come to . Grand Registrar then read the D . P . G . M . ' s finding , and conducted by saying he did not think Grand Lodge should disturb it .

The W . M . in some of the things he did was amenable to censure . Bro . Buckle did behave in a very insubordinate way to the Master , and when censuring the W . M . of thc lodge , the D . P . G . M . should have extended his censure to Bro . Buckle , who seemed to have stood too rigidly on his privileges , and to have thought more of them than of assisting the W . M . in the duties of his

office . There had been a departure from the principles of Freemasonry . Members of lodges , officers , or past officers , ought to consider this ; they were not to stand upon their strict rights •strict rights were the most arrant injustice . Let every brother see that by giving way a little he would be doing his duty in carrying out the princi ples of Freemasonry . Hs felt compelled to move that the decision of the D . P . G . M . should be confirmed ; but

at the same time he thought that the D . P . G . M . should have censured some others who deserved it . ( Hear , hear ) . Dr . Waller said there was an error in one point of this matter—as to his making an alteration in thc minutes . He did not make it after the minutes were entered in the minute book . The Secretary called on him with an abstract or outline ofthe minutes . The alteration was made

in what he thought was the draft . The Earl of Carnarvon said : Brethren , —The question that I put to you is , that the decision of the D . P . G . M . shall be affirmed . It is unnecessary for me in any way to add remarks of my own . The Grand Registrar has explained with such extreme clearness , and taken so much pains and trouble in mastering the case in all its details , that I have

no doubt Grand Lodge will be satisfied with the conclusion which he has so satisfactorily and painstakingly arrived at . You have heard a few words from Dr . Waller ; and 1 would merely remind you that thc point discussed is a question of fact which it is impossible for this Grand Lodge of course to go into . They must be content to accept the facts in the formal and official way in which they

come before them , viz ., as presented by the statement of thc Deputy Prov . Grand Master and checked by the statement of the Grand Registrar . I think that Grand Lodge may feel that they arc acting justly and fairly in this case , in agreeing to the motion of our Grand Registrar ; and at the same time Dr . Waller may

feel that he is not incurring any very heavy censure , it is a . censure lightened and divided among others : and I trust the mere moral of this appeal will not be lost sight of , as has been put by the Grand Registrar lhat in questions such as these , which will from time to time arise , as every Provincial Grand Master , and as every member of urovincial lodges must know , constantly arise , that there

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should be a feeling of fraternal co-operation and goodwill among the brethren , and that they should not , as Grand Registrar says , stand upon their extreme rights , but help each other , and even to accept with Masonic forbearance any little inequalities or irregularities which they may conceive they are subjected to . The motion , therefore , which I shall put t . i you is , " That the decision of

the Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Northamptonshire be upheld . " The motion was carried nem . dis . The next appeal was exceptionally peculiar , being none other than an appeal of Bro . the Rev . William D . Hobson . cf the Tynwald Lodge , No . 1242 , Douglas , Isle of Man , against a resolution of the Board of General Purposes ,

declining to interfere between himself and Bro . John A . Brown in a complaint submitted to them in a matter not relating to thc Craft . The Board being the inculpated parties , their President , Bro . John B . Monckton , brought the matter up , not to move the resolutions , but to state the facts . In laying them before the Grand Lodge , Bro . Monckton said that Bro . Hobson , although absent , would

no doubt read what was going to be said , and when he did so he would most likely feel that he had not been dealt with other than Masonically . The appeal in this case differed from other appeals . It was not an appeal between two Masons on Masonic affairs , nor was it a complaint against a decision on a matter in dispute ; it was simply an appeal from tlie Board , who

having a complaint before them , felt that they had not jurisdiction to deal with it . To this Bro . Hobson demurred , and he denied the opinion of Grand Lodge on the point . If Grand Lodge thought the Board ought to entertain the complaint , they would have to take up thc papers again . He should not conclude by moving anything , but leave the matter in thc hands of Grand Lodge .

The circumstances were simply these : Bro . Hobson and Bro . Brown were both members of the Tynwald Lodge , Bro . Hobson being Chaplain of the lodge . Bro . Brown , though not the proprietor , was thc responsible publisher of a newspaper called The Isle iif Man Times , in which , last year , an article appeared reflecting very strongly on Brc . Hobson , not as a Mason , but rather as a clergyman

having something to do with some schools in the Isle of Man . He opposed the steps taken by thc School Board , and the article in the newspaper charged Bro . Hobson with twisting figures . Bro . Hobson did not take an unwi : c course , but brought an action against thc publisher . On thc case coming on for hearing , Bro . Brown instructed his counsel to apologise , explain and retract , and the action

was withdrawn , and there , as Bro . Hobson said , the matter would have ended , if Bro . Brown had taken no further step . Bro . Brown thought it right for the honour of his paper to put in an article afterwards , in which lie explained away his former explanation , in other words he seemed to say that want ol legal proof induced him to withdraw and

apologise . He ( Bro . Monckton ) did not know what the laws of the Isle of Man were , but Bro . Hobson did not again seek the redress of the law , but laid the maiter before his lodge , who by a majority declined to interfere . He then brought it to the Board of General Purposes , and the Board having considered very carefully the prima facie statement , were of opinion that in accordance with

the Book of Constitutions they had no right to inteifere . From this opinion Bro . Hobson now brought his appeal to Grand Lodge , and it was only light to say that he gave three reasons in support of his appeal . The Book of Constitutions in three places touched upon such a subject . Bro . Hobson had quoted his authority correctly when he said that all differences and complaints

that could not be accommodated in a regular lodge were to be taken to the Board of General Purposes . That was repeated in p . 6 , but it was qualified in 108 . Brethren on thc Board well knew that any private matters , like money questions and domestic questions , were brought before them , but brethren were told that unless it was Masonic the Board could do nothing with them ; they

could not restore money , or a wife , or anything eke . He thought , in all fairness to Bro . Hobson , the substance of his complaint , according to p . 18 of thc Book of Constitutions , being that a complaint by one brother against another brother of a lodge could be brought before the Board , it was tight to express his own opinion that if they entertained matters which had nothing to do with

Masonry the Board would have more than enough to do . Bro . Raynham VV . Stewart rose to move the confirmation of the resolution of the Board , but he was superseded by Bro . James Mason , who moved that the appeal be dismissed . He said the matter raised a question of considerable importance , and Iherefors was not lightly to he dealt with . The ancient charges enjoined upon Masons

a very excellent principle , that they should , as far as possible , absta ; n from legal proceedings one against thc other , and that they should endeavour to bring all their differences to a happy end . The quotation from the Book of Constitutions made by the worthy President showed one grand thing , that if complaints were brought before the Board of General Purposes , the Board had

authority to deal with them . But it was not compulsory upon them to deal with these matters , and very rightly they exercised their jurisdiction and treated trivial matters in the way they ought to be treated when they were not outside Masonry . ( Cries of " Vote , vote . " ) But there might be things that were not strictly within the laws of Masonry . ( Renewed cheers , and cries of " Vote , vote , " )

There were very many questions of very great importance to Masons , which might be adjudicated upon . ( " Vote , vote . " ) There were many questions —( " Vote , vote , " ) allow him to say , brethren , and he had the right of free speech , and it was un-Masonic to inteifere with a brother when speaking—it was the G . M . in the chair alone who could stop him . ( " Vote , vote" ) This practice of interrupting a brother was not consistent with

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Masonry . There was a great principle involved in this question . ( Vote ; vote . ) A Mason might have a right to bring before his lodge a matter , he might have a right to appeal to individual brethren outside Freemasonry , and he might have a rig ht to appeal to the Board of General Purposes , and it was the right of the individual member , and it was the right of the Board of General Purposes to

discuss those matters . Here was an affair which ought to be dealt with outside Freemasonry , the Board of General Purposes declined to interfere . He moved that thc appeal be dismissed . Bro . Raynham W . Stewart seconded the resolution , which was put and carried unanimously . Bro . the Rev . Henry John Hatch , W . M . 160 , then moved

" That a committee , consisting of the Present and Past Grand Officers , the Provincial Grand Masters , and such other members of the Craft as the said committee shall , in their discretion , deem fit from time to time to add to their numbers , be appointed to consider what steps should be taken to promote the building , cither on the Thames Embankment , or in some other conspicuous part of

London , of a Masonic Temple , which , while offering more extended accommodation for thc present requirements of Grand Lodge , shall be at once worthy of the rank , wealth , and increasing importance of Freemasonry ; an ornament to the chief city of the world , and a lasting memorial of gratitude to the G . A . O . T . U ., not only for the safe return from India of our M . W . Grand Master

His Royal Hig hness the Prince of Wales , but for thc success of his visit in eliciting and confirming throughout that vast territory a feeling of universal loyalty and attachment to thc Imperial rule of England . "That such committee shall be invested with full powers to procure plans and estimates for such a building ; shall consider thc best means of raising thc necessary funds ;

and shall continue to act and report to every succeeding Grand Ledge , until the Grand Lodge shall think proper to discontinue the said committee . " He compared the condition of Masonry now with what it was 100 years ago , and argued tbat the present Grand Lodge was not large enough to meet the growing demands of the Craft , which now required greater accommodation .

There were only 200 lodges and about 6000 Masons in existence 100 years ago ; now there were 1660 lodges and probably 400 , 000 or 500 , 000 Masons . Means were adopted then for erecting the present building , and care was taken to provide sullicient room for the brethren . He submitted that the same thing should be done now . , The motion not being seconded fell to the ground .

Bro . Benjamin Mallam , P . M . 108 , withdrew his motion " That a sum of money be given out of the funds towards the funds of the Alexandra Orphanage , sufficiently large in amount to allow of the committee to place one of the blocks of the buildings apait for the use of infant orphans of Freemasons . " Grand Lodge was then closed in due form .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

feft Itoamtt-g . NEPTUNE LODGE ( No . 22 ) . — The regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Guildhall Tavern , on Thursday , the 22 nd ult ,, at 3 . 30 . There were present Bros . E . F . Storr , W . M . ; G . Phythian , S . W . ; T . White , P . M ., as J . W . ; J . Wilcox , P . M ., Treas . ; T . R . Eames , P . M ., Hon . Sec . ; E . W . Shove , as S . D . ; T . P . Collings , I . D . ; G . B . Gates , I . G . ; W . C . Greaves , Org . ; W .

Neats , W . S . ; Past Masters Goodwin , Batty , Harcourt , Norman , Waterall , Crawford , and Partridge ; and many other brethren , including several visitors . Thc lodge having been opened and thc minutes of the previous lodge confirmed , Bro . Partridge , I . P . M ., in thc absence of thc W . M ., raised Bro . Sargent to the Third Degree . The W . M . then assumed the chair , and having resumed , thc

lodge ballot was taken for Mr . E . Hollandt as an initiate and Bro . H . Povey as a re-joining member , both of which were unanimous . Bro . Slater was then passed to the Second Degree , and Mr . Hollandt initiated , Bro . Muggcridgc delivering the charge . The Treasurer then announced the death of Bro . Joseph Ashwell , P . M ., who had been a member of the lodge upwards of twenty- two

years , and it was decided that the Hon . Secretary should write a letter of condolence to the surviving members oi the family . Thc lodge having been closed , the brethren adjourned to banquet , when thc usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given from the chair . Bro . Henry Phythian , P . P . G . Sec . Middlesex , returning thanks for "TheVisitors . "

LION AND LAMB LODGE ; No . 192 ) . —This lodge met on the ist inst ., at the Cannon Street Hotel , for the purpose of installing Bro . Edward Jones as W . M ., in succession to Bro . Cohu , and for performing the other lodge work . Bro . Cohu presided . Bros . Chas . Arkell , S . W . ; E . Jones , J . W , ; J . G . Marsh , P . M ., Secretary ; H . Legge , S . D . ; F . Fellowes , J . D . ; W . P .

Rickwood , I . G . ; S . T . Lucas , D . C ; E . King , P . M ., Steward ; Hosgood , P . M . ; G . Abbott , P . M . ; G . Newman , P . M . ; C . J . Sparrow , R . J . Dart , G . F . Quinton , Thos . Perrin , Thos . Gardener , R . Stubington , G . Taylor , E . Hunton , E . J . Kcllaway , J . Curie , W . Medwin , R . E . Bright , Geo . Borer , H . Child , J . T . Belfragc , R . H . Goddard , T . Hampton , R . Clark , W . F . Poulton , H . Davis , W . H . L . Davies , H . A . Carter , T . Fisher , J . Cook , S

Fitzjohn , W . Alflatt , B . Perkins , T . Barker , J . Larkin , J , Copelin , C W . Benson , T . Agutter , W . Regan , S . Haynes , A . J . Sutherland , J . Kent , Chas . Cann , W . Figes , C . E . Scholes , E . C . Alflatt , S . Edwards , W . Darnell . Visitors : W . Worrell , P . M . 766 ; F . Van Raalte , 917 ; F . G . Barns , 796 ; S . Rosenthal , P . G . S . W . Middx . ; W . Davies , I 2 S 9 ; W . Lusby , 1259 ; J . Linsdell , P . M . 211 ; R . Pinkey , 177 ; W . Stephens , P . M . i « 6 ;; T . Beard , P . M .