Masonic Bibliography.

us , we venture to repeat , when our English Masons as a body should seek to wipe off an old reproach , that we care more for dinners than for books j and when Grand Lodge should , aided by the voluntary offerings of our brotherhood , propound a scheme for the formation of a

befitting collection of MSS . and printed books . In the very collection about to be sold there are some works , both MS . and printed , which oug ht to be in the possession of Grand Lodge , at any rate in a Masonic library . Wc do not shut our eyes to the large dimensions

such a scheme must necessarily assume if we had a library worthy of English Freemasonry . But we feel sure that if we now forego this opportunity of forming a nucleus for an eventual Masonic reading room , accessible to all Masonic students , we shall commit a great mistake , because the tendency of Freemasonry to-day is

to take an upward intellertnal position , forced upon it both by the struggles of the hour and the progressing necessities of its own position . But we do not wish to seem to dogmatize even on the subject of a Masonic library , though we end as we began by saying that , despite Mr . Heckethorn or any one else , Freemasonry has a literature of which it need not be ashamed

and the only pity is , that we have not a great central library which could preserve alike for Masonic students , and even the public , under some needful reserves and regulations , a collection of those important works which dignify , which illustrate , which defend our common Order .

The Arctic Expedition.

THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION .

By this time our gallant countrymen who form the Arctic Expedition of 1875 are wen on tne ' way to their scene of discovery and danger . They have departed amid the warm enthusiasm of Portsmouth , male and female , military , naval , and civil , and that natural outburst of English

admiration and sympathy has been cordially shared in by the nation at large . As Freemasons , favourable to all labours which tend to advance science , to extend knowledge , to promote civilization , and to establish truth , we should not be doing either our duty or expressing our real

sentiments if we did not take an early opportunity of openly avowing our deep sympathy with the feelings and admiration of our fellow citizens , towards the Arctic Explorers of 1875 . l or the history of all past voyages to the North Pole is bound up indisputably with the brightest annals

of the English Navy . To that gallant service , always ready for action and always cheerful under difficulties , the memorials of former Arctic explorations are an undying record of gallantry , devotion , skill , and heroism . Who does not yet read with avidity the earlier books of Polar

discovery ?—who does not still remember , and remember with pathetic admiration , the fate of many a gallant and ardent sailor in those desolate and ice-bound regions , whether it be we recall the great name of Sir John Franklin , or the premature loss of Lieut . Bellot ? If we were to icfer

to the annals of olden discovery , the early efforts of hardy navigators , we should have only to recount the fascinating episodes of hair-breadth escapes , wondrous endurance , and ennobling courage . There is no more exciting history , we may say , for old and young , far overpassing the

puny displays of a morbid sensationalism , than that which connects itself with Arctic voyages and researches , and throws such a lustre of imperishable honour on the officers and sailors and marines of the English fleet . There are those who object to the sterner

records of war , and even to the thrilling anecdotes of individual daring which mark so wonderfully the deeds and devotion everywhere of our "blue-jackets . " Buteven the most bigoted peace-at-any-price advocate must yield , if a reluctant , yet an undoubted assent to those deathless tales of devotion to duty , of decision in danger , of calm

perseverance and unwavering devotion which never can betaken away from our Arctic explorers . And to-day , when under a skilful commander , and with a picked crew , the good ships Discovery and jjAlert speed on their icy cruise , there is a general feeling that never could any expedition start under more favourable auspices , or with better chances of suc-

The Arctic Expedition.

cess on its honourable and peaceful mission . Thanks to the wise administration of Bro . Ward Hunt , and the skilful forethought of the principal officers , all that scientific arrangements , or an improved " modus operandi , " can do to mitigate the hardship of an inclement

temperature , and to ward off the perils of Arctic travelling and investigation , has been done in the full and flowing tide of English munificence and unstinted energy . The expedition has departed with the best wishes of all Englishmen and all Englishwomen , nay , with the hearty sympathy

of all nationalities , and not the least with those of the Masonic body . May all our anticipations and aspirations be realized , and may all of success attend our devoted countrymen , may all of safety be the lot of the gallant crews . The last person we are told ( specially touching incident in itself ) to leave the leading ship was the

captain ' s little daughter . May that farewell meeting i « the well-known waters off Spithead be the foreshadowing of another and happier hour , when Captain Nares may see that little lady again , with all who go out with him , safe and sound , from the difficulties and dangers of another , Arctic , and , let us trust , successful expedition .

Grand Mark Lodge.

GRAND MARK LODGE .

( CONTINUED FROM PAGE 241 . ) A list of letters of apology and regret for inability to attend was read by Grand Secretary from numerous brethren , and Bro . Meggy renewed his observations as to the outstanding subscriptions to the Benevolent

Fund . He hoped that the Stewards of future festivals would take care that no sums were put on paper that were not likely to be received , and he trusted that they would use all their exertions to collect whatever amounts the brethren might consent to subscribe .

Grand Secretary said that , as far as the office of Grand Lodge was concerned , numerous applications had been made to the brethren who had not paid . It was one of those matters in which there was no power to enforce payment ,

although it was very mortifying that these large amounts were outstanding . If the fact were allowed to be published that certain amounts were not paid , it might stimulate the brethren who had not handed the money over to do so at

once . The Rev . W . Shaboe said that many years ago , when he was a Steward in the Craft for the Boys' School , his list was in the condition complained of . If the brethren who had put their names down on it had all paid as they ought to

have done he would have had a Life Governorship ; but they did not . He thought that if a brother put his name down for a certain sum , and did not pay it , let his name be published throughout the Craft ( great laughter ) . Bro . George Lambert thought very much the

same as Bro . Shaboe . The M . W . G . M . added that the brethren were much indebted to Bro . Meggy for bringing the subject forward . It was certainly not creditable to the Craft that there should be such an amount outstanding •and he hoped , as a discussion had taken place , a notice of which would

appear on the minutes , and be printed and circulated , it would stimulate the brethren to pay what they had put their names down for . Bro . Magnus Ohren said perhaps many of the names which were on the lists had not been authorised at all . Some Stewards , he knew , returned on their lists the name of every member of their lodge ( Oh , oh !)

Bro . T . J . Sabine appealed to the brethren to support his list . He was Steward for the Mark Degree at the ensuing festival of the Boys ' School , and he wished to raise 500 guineas for that occasion . ( Hear , hear . ) The fact that he was representing the Degree in general ought to stimulate the brethren to support him . ( Hear , hear . )

Grand Lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet , over which the Earl of Limerick presided , supported by most of the brethren above given . Sir E . Lechmere sat on his right , and the Rev . G . R . Portal on his left . At the close of the banquet grace was sung by Miss Dones and Bros . Evison and Musgrave , under the direction of Bro , Henry Parker , Grand

Grand Mark Lodge.

Organist ( all of whom subsequently sung some exquisite songs in the intervals between the toasts ) , and the speeches ofthe evening were then delivered . The M . W . G . M ., in proposing the toast of " The Queen and Mark Masonry , " said that ,

having been in the army , he always had , he must confess , a prejudice , if it was such a feeling , that it was never necessary to say much , if anything , in proposing this toast . In the army they simply proposed "The Queen , " feeling that that was enough to commend the toast to all loyal

subjects . If that was done in the army , he was sure it might also be done among Mark Masons , for among them it needed no recommendation . ( Hear , hear . ) Great had been the spread and increase of Masonry in the United Kingdom j so also had been the spread and increase of

Mark Masonry . It had been most remarkable . ( Hear , hear . ) They could all remember the time , not very many years ago , when no brother would have prophesied that it would become in a comparatively small number of years anything like what it was at the present

time . There were , a few years back , but few provincial organizations . There were indeed certain lodges , but they were not to any great extent united together , except in their union under Grand Lodge . But now they saw not only lodges growing up in all parts of the

country , but united as provincial Grand Lodges . They saw the Order spreading far and wide , that it had already assumed a position which in numbers exceeded every degree in the Order , except the Craft $ exceeding every other degree of Masonry—speaking generally , and

taking the word " degree " in its broad senseexceeding in the number of its active members , the number of active members serving under the Royal Arch Chapter . ( Hear , hear . ) They might say , in fact , at the present moment , Mark Masonry exceeded in active members every

degree in Freemasonry , and was second in number , and he believed also in the zeal of its members , to none save Craft Masonry . That was very encouraging , and they might reasonably look forward to an equal increase in the future ; in fact , they might anticipate that their ambition

would be limited to nothing short of making Mark Masonry coterminous with Craft Masonry itself in this country . ( Cheers . ) He should reioice if , at any time—however far off in in the future , he did not think it was beyond the bounds of possibility , considering their already great

increase—it might prove a brother growing up in friendly union with the Craft , of which they all were members , and which they all looked upon as that to which they had no antagonism , but which . on the contrary , was their great central origin . ( Hear , hear . )

the Rev . G . R . Portal said , in proposing " The Health of the M . W . G . M ., " that the very distinguished position which the Earl of Limerick occupied in another great branch of Freemasonry gave them reason to believe that he would display the same zeal in the maintenance of the

interests of Mark Masons that he had displayed in the other body just alluded to . ( Hear , hear . ) One of the reasons which made him ( Bro . Portal ) regret the discussion that had irregularly arisen in Grand Lodge was that he felt the brethren were speaking from very insufficient

information , and throwing a slur upon what he , knowing a little of the subject , could say was greatly required in the Order in former years , viz ., close union with other bodies * but also he felt they were side blows aimed at the Grand Master in the position he occupied in another place . He

would just say that he hoped the brethren would suspend their judgment upon the treaties until they had further information before them , because he believed no greater blunder could be committed than dissociating this grand body from other Masonic bodies . Modifications

might be necessary , no doubt * but that question might be met . Let thc brethren , however , keep together , whatever they did . They had every reason to congratulate themselves upon the choice they had made of their Grand Master .

Though he ( Bro . Portal ) would be the last person to interfere with the prerogative of the Grand Master , yet he hoped his lordship would excuse his saying that his ( Lord Limerick ' s ) appointments of Grand Officers had given all the breth-