The Unrecognised Degrees.

tine could only have been a question of time in any case , as it noAv holds too influential a position as a chivalric degree in connection with Freemasonry to be ignored by any

combination , however powerful . We are also informed that , in order to facilitate an early settlement of the question , the members of the Red Cross Council have

resolved to discontinue working the Rite of Misraim , Avhich is considered by some brethren to be an infringement upon the degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Rite ;

and if a similarconciliatory spirit be evinced by the other bodies , the union of the four great sections outside the pale of Grand Lodge Avill be speedily consummated .

We confess that Ave hail the movement with feelings of the utmost satisfaction ; it is so much more in harmony Avith the genius of Masonry than a policy of

selfglorification , or a negation of the rights of others . The increase of the various unrecognised orders in membership during the past ten years has more than kept pace

Avith the relative increase of the Craft ; and moreover many of the best Masons in England are enthusiastic supporters of one or other , if not of all those orders . There

is also another aspect to the subject which deserves attention . By a mutual arrangement and understanding betAveen the various governing bodies , the formation of

petty Masonic jurisdictions in future Avill he effectually checked , and the unseemly spectacle will no longer be presented to the Craft of the assumption of high-sounding

designations and supreme authority by men Avhose neglected education and inferior social position utterly unfit them for any but the most subordinate station .

To the Reverend GEORGE RAYMOND PORTAL may veryfairlybe ascribed thechief merit of maturing the several projects of alliance HOAV happily affected . He has

worked hard to accomplish this union , and Avithout forgetting the paramount claims of his OAvn Grand Lodge , he has carefully studied to secure the rights and privileges of the other Grand Bodies . The

consciousness of having laboured in so good a cause must , to such a zealous Mason , be itself an " exceeding great rcAvard : " but Ave

nevertheless hope and believe that the services he has rendered will not remain unacknowledged by the heads of all the " Unrecognised Degrees . "

WE are in receipt of a circular from the Grand Orient of France , signed by Bro . de Saint-Jean and eight other members of the Council of the Order , in which they

repudiate in the strongest terms any complicity in the recent so-called Masonic manifestation in Paris , and state that they protested at the time against the

proceedings of the factious and besotted creAV over Avhom the Communistic doctrines held sway . We rejoice to find that the Grand

Orient is not responsible for those extraordinary demonstrations , but inasmuch as many Masons under its obedience must

The Unrecognised Degrees.

have taken part in them , Ave conceive that a severe example ought to be made of all such contumacious brethren .

WE have received a communication from Bro . H . C . Levander , P . M . 507 , in which he thanks the 115 brethren Avho supported

his nomination to the Board of General Purposes on Wednesday last , and assures them that although unsuccessful this time , he Avill reneAv his ' candidature on a future occasion .

Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and Queries .

PERSONALITIES—THE HIGH DEGREES . I have been in hot ivatcr in your columns for taking strong exception to the use of personal remarks , and possibly my

appearance at this moment may be thought gratuitous and unnecessary . Still I cannot avoid expressing my regret that the commercial occupation of a brother should be made thesubjectof remark , and apparent reproach ,

in a controversy which must be vieAved with sorroAV by all Avho Avish Avell to the Craft , and desire to see the prosperity of such degrees as properly and laAvfully appertain to it . I have never seen Bro .

Yarker , and do not knoAV precisely Avhat his business occupation may be , nor do I understand or care Avhat is meant by a " yarn merchant ; " I , hoAvever , much deplore the introduction of the personal element into these controversies .

From occasional editorial notes which have appeared ; I had hoped that the serious breach to Avhich this controversy relates Avas likely to find a satisfactory adjustment : but from the still-continued

correspondence this does not appear to be speedily resulting . I should be very glad to learn , for the sake of an honourable Craft and all its belongings , that this unfortunate case , upon which I entertain but one

feeling of painful regret , could be referred in all its bearings to the review of some tribunal acceptable to all interested parties . I do not profess to understand the merits of the question—therefore I trust my

observations Avill be accepted as arising only out of the one single desire to see terminated a state of things which appears to me calculated to produce considerable mischief and to Aveaken that bond of union in which lies the source of much strength . LUPUS .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The Committee Meeting of the above Institution Avas held on Saturday , 3 rd inst , at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queenstreet . Bro . J . Hervey , V . P ., presided . There Avere present Bros . H . Browse , A .

Perkins , W . Young , W . Paas ; B . Head , G . Kenning , J . G . Chancellor , F . Walters , R . W . Stewart , and S . May , V . P . ' s ; G . Cox , W . Farnfield , J . R Sheen , B . Mallam , R . Kenyon , W . Roebuck , J . W . Dosell , H .

Empson , F . Adlard , T . W . White , Foxall , S . Rosenthal , D . Rose , F . II . Ebsworth , H . Massey , Myers , J . Turner , Burt , Freeman , & c , & c . Bro . F . Binckes read the minutes of the

previous meeting , Avhich Avere confirmed . The election for the members of the House Committee tvas then proceeded with . Bro . R . Kenyon AvithdreAV his name from the list of candidates . Bro . F . Walters , V . P .,

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

as the nominator , and by consent of the candidate , withdrew Bro . T . J . Sabine ' s name . Bro . W . Sabben ' s name Avas also withrawn . The ballot resulted in favour of Bros . J . G . Chancellor , G . Cox , W . '

Roebuck , R . W . Stewart , W . Paas , H . Browse , B . Head , G . Plucknett , B . Mallam , J Taylor , J . Wordsworth , and W . Young , Avho were declared duly elected . The Audit Committee Avas then elected .

Bro . R . W . SteAvart resigned , Avhich left hut nine names on the list of candidates , viz , : ¦ . —Bros . G . Cox , J . W . Dosell , H . Empson , J . Hervey , B . Head , D . W . Pearce , J . R . Sheen , J . Turner , and F . W . Shields ,

AVIIO Avere declared to be the members of that Committee . Petitions on behalf of candidates whose fathers Avere members of Lodges 9 , 111 , 394 , and 696 Avere accepted , and their

names added to the long list of applicants who Avill appear in the next election in October . Two boys Avho had been educated in the

school had each a gratuity of five pounds voted to them for outfits of clothing . The usual vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the meeting .

Grand Lodge.

GRAND LODGE .

The Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge took place on AVednesday evening , at Freemasons' Hall . The lodge was very numerously attended , and the brethren AVIIO were present had the gratification of seeing the Grand Master in his place , although he had so recently

returned to this country . AVhen his lordship was announced , the brethren gave him a deafening cheer , which lasted till he took his seat . The warmth Avith which he Avas received appeared to be highly pleasing to him , as he frequently bowed his acknowledgments . The

entry of the Grand Master was accompanied for the first time by the playing of the organ by the Grand Organist , Bro . AA ilhelm Ganz , who very skilfully gave " See the Conquering Hero Comes . " The following Grand Officers were present : —

M . AV . Bro . the Earl de Grey and Ripon , K . G ., G . M . ; R . AV . Bros . H . D . Lewis , District G . Master of Sumatra , as Deputy G . Master ; Lieut .-Colonel Burdett , P . G . Master Middlesex , as S . G . AV . ; H . C . Sirr , P . G . AV ., as J . G . AV .-, J . Fawcett , P . G . M . Durham ; the Earl Bective , P . G . M . Cumberland

R . Hamilton , P . D . G . M . Jamaica ; Rev . J . Huyshe , P . G . M . Devon ; V . AV . Bros . Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , M . A ., Rev . Sir John AV . Hayes , and Rev . J . C . Martyn , G . Chaplains ; Rev . R . J . Simpson , Rev . C . R . Davis , and Rev . T . S . Ravenshaw , P . G . Chaplains ; Bros . Samuel Tomkins , G . Treas . ; J . Ll .

Evans , P . B . G . P . ; Col . Cole , CM ., P . G . AV . ; / E . J . M'Intyre , G . Reg . ; John Hervey , G . Sec ; E . E AVendt , Sec . G . C . ; AV . Raynham Stewart J . V . N . Bazalgette , and J . E . Saunders , G . Deacons ; B Head , Edmond Phillips , B . Scott , George Cox , Major Creaton , H . Grissell , H . Browse , J . Savage

E . J . Fraser , J . Snell , and J . M . Clabon , P . G . Deacons ; Sir Albert AV . AVoods , Garter , G . Dir . of Cer . ; Conrad C . Dumas , as Asst . Dir . of Cer . ; Dr . J . Daniel Moore , G . Sword-bearer ; E . H . Patten , Hyde Pullen , R . J . Spiers , Hy . Bridges , AV . Young ,

R . J . Hollon , J . Nunn , and J , Mason , P . G . Sword-Bearcis ; AV . Ganz , G . Org . ; J . Symonds , P . Asst . G . Dir . of Cer . ; AV . Farnfield , P . A . G . Sec . ; John Coutts , G . Purs . ; John Boyd , Asst . G . Purs . ; Jas . Brett , AV . Ough , T . A . Adams , and Joseph Smith , P . G . Purs .

The Grand Master having opened the Grand Lodge Avith the usual solemnities , Bro . the Rev . Sir J . AVarren Hayes acting as Grand Chaplain , thc minutes of the Quarterly Communication of the ist March and of the Grand Festival of the 26 th of April were read by Bro . John Hervey , Grand Secretary , and unanimously confirmed .

As at Grand Festival the M . AV . G . M . Avas not present , the customary salutes Avere not then given on his proclamation as the re-elected Grand Master . On this occasion , therefore , the ceremony was performed , Bro . Sir Albert AVoods ( Garter ) , Grand Director of Ceremonies , giving the time .

Thc M . AV . G . M . then rose , and Avas received