Masonic Jurisprudence.

institution , but in such a case as that referred to it is quite possible that a proper representation of the facts would result in the restoration of its privileges . Inasmuch as expulsion is described as expulsion from the Craft ( Article 5 , " expelling brethren from , t / ie Craft" ) , and not

expulsio ' from the English Constitution , it follows that expulsion means removal from the rolls of each and every Grand Lodge in which the brother is registered , and it means incapacity to bc registered on the rolls of any other Grand Lodge . This , at all events , is the letter of the law , but the writer does not know what the actual practice is .

We have now concluded our remarks on this somewhat unp leasant side of our subject , and will proceed to discuss the question of Bye-laws , beginning , as is proper , with those of Provincial ancl District Grand Lodges , which are referred to in

Articles 101 and 109 . The difference between these two Articles is one rendered necessary by the more extensive powers enjoyed by a District Grand Lodge , which may delegate some of its functions to a Board whose President is a regular officer of District Grand Lodge

That body then , 111 addition to making rules-for its own observance , may regulate the proceedings of ils Board , such regulations being unnecessary in the case of a Provincial Grand Lodge , which lias no recognised Board . There are certain features common to all Bye-laws , such , for

instance , as the schedule of fees , a statement of thc days and hours of meeting , and rules regarding administration of benevolent funds ; and there are , besides appendices , showing thc forms in which returns are to be made both to Grand and Provincial

Grand Lodges , the nature of the " clearance" certificate to be granted to retiring brethren , & c . When information under these lieads , has been alTordcd the fewer the Byc-Iaws lo be added , the better .

It is of course said , and with much truth , that brethren will read their Bye-laws who never take the trouble to read their Book of Constitutions and that fact is made the excuse for reprinting a good deal of information from the Constitutions . A Provincial Grand Lodge emanates from the Provincial

Grand Master by virtue of Ihe Jailer ' s patent of appointment ( Article 77 ) , and consequentl y a copy of such patent may very appropriately preface the book . A copy of ihe minute authorising the adoption of the Bye-laws , and a copy of the letter conveying the Most Worshipful Grand Master ' s confirmation should naturally follow .

A list of offices follows , the incumbents of which—present and past—together wilh Masters , Past Masters , and Wardens , go to make up Provincial Grand Lodge . There is no room for originality here , ( he list being practically a reprint ol" Article 87 , . the only modification

necessary being to insert additional olliccs in accordance with Article 88 . This Article is comparatively a recent one , and was designed as a remedy for what some brethren felt to be an anomaly . That was , lhat in a Provincial Grand Lodge

numbering , say , a score of lodges , the same number of collars available for annual distribution should be the same as in a Provincial Grand Lodge with live times that number . Under the present rule the Provincial Grand Master , in the latter case , would have nine collars more .

1 he present arrangement may be put conveniently in tabular form ( the Treasurer is excluded in each case ) : Ul ' lices . Gnder thirty lodges Twenty . Thirty and under fortv Tweiitv-lhree .

I'orty and under seventy Twenty-live . Seventy and under a hundred Twenty-seven . More than a hundred Twenty-nine . We discussed this subject at length some monlhs ago , and extended reference is not therefore necessary . All that is

necessary is to see what the Constitutions say about the several olbcers . The Provincial Grand Master may be "any brother of eminence and ability , " not necessaril y a Past Master or even a -Master Mason . Instances have not been unknown in which the secrets appertaining to the Master ' s chair have been specially oniinunicated

' - ' under special dispensation . This mi ght not "" p ^ sibly be the-case where the " eminence ' and ability " ' referred to in Article 82 was of a social or literary character and not exclusivel y Masonic . lo entitle bim to enjoy Ihe privileges of past rank , a oyincial Grand

' Master must serve for live years , but abroad , * - * - District Grand Master need only serve for three years . -A Deput y provincial Grand Master serves during pleasure , j | u'l may be appointed at any time , and conceivably ' more than oiv ' "V , Y k * " * : ^ PP ^ i'it-cd during any one year , the term " year of ,. ll ; i - -i > g no applicability to ' die Deputy . He must be a Past Master ( Article 86 ) and must reside

Masonic Jurisprudence.

within the province or district . His name and address must be forwarded to all lodges within the jurisdiction , within one month of the date of appointment . Inasmuch as the powers of the Deputy are in many ways co-extensive with the powers of the Prov . Grand Master this

proviso is very important , and a case is on record in which a colonial lodge got into trouble and was suspended with reference to this very proviso . Speaking from recollection , the case was as follows * . A certain Deputy , who was advanced in years , felt that thc work was too much for him . the District

Grand Master being absent , and tendered his resignation . This becoming common property , the lodge in question declined to send returns , & c , as the name of his successor had not been forwarded in compliance with Article 85 . Unfortunately for the

lodge ' s contention no successor had been appointed , and the resignation , although tendered , had not vet taken effect . Doubtless there was a history of previous contumacy , but the above was the case presented to Grand Lodge .

In the frequent cases where the Provincial Grand Master is a man with many other important duties to perform , the office of Deputy is one of very considerable influence and importance

—and although the Deputy is not ( as is the case in the Grand Mark Lodge ) a Grand Lodge Officer , a conscientious discharge of his duties not infrequently leads to that honour being conferred upon him .

Masonic Library Sale.

MASONIC LIBRARY SALE .

1 he sale of the Masonic library of the late Bro . John Haigh , of Somerville , Mass ., is to take place on Wednesday , 14 th November , at the Sale Rooms of the well-known Masonic Publishing Co ., No . 63 , Bleeckcr-street , New * York .

I his is their 4 8 th semi-annual sale , and in the advance copy of the catalogue courteously sent me I see Bro . J . G . Barker states this is the " first portion " of " Old , rare , and valuable works that exceeds any collection of the character ever oflered

for public competition ( i . e ., m the United States , I presume ) . ln my time there have been some large sales of Masonic collections in England , that of the " complete Masonic library " of the late Bro . Richard Spencer , in 18 75 , being the most important . Another valuable collection was that of my

lamented friend , Bro . Woodford , some ten years' later , which contained a few ancient and curious MSS . Nearly all these books and MSS . wcre purchased at tlie auction b y Bro . George Kenning , and occur in a special catalogue that was printed and

published in October of the same year ( i 885 ) . Several of the rarest lots were obtained , as soon as this list was issued , bv Bro . George Taylor , and now form part of the large Masonic Library of the Province of Worcestershire .

Uf other catalogues that were of special interest may be mentioned those published at " Spencer ' s Alasonic Depot , " in 18 73 and 1885 ; Bro . John Hogg ' s , in 18 75 ; the late Bro . Frederick Hockley ' s library , in ih' 87 ; and others issued by the late Mr . John Wilson .

'Ihe most extraordinary collection I have ever known of heard of , that was calalogued of Masonic works and MSS ., was that issued in i 860 , and again in 186 3 ( Paris ) of French works , about which I may have somewhat to say at another time . The collection for sale on the 14 th November numbers over

500 lots , and represents many a purchase made by the late Bro . Haigh , who was a most earnest and discriminate collector , and rejoiced much in securing valuable books relating to the Craft

though , so far as I am aware , he did not make public liis knowledge of Masonic Bibliography , preferring to go on quietly , unostentatiously , and persistently acquiring all curious and valuable works he could meet with .

1 he catalogue opens with nearly 20 lots , re " Bibliography , Catalogues , c * vc , " followed b y about 60 on "Early and Rare Publications for , about and against F ' y ., " including the first editions ofthe " Blue and Blanket , " of 1722 ; the " Long Livers , " of the same year ; the " Free-Masons Accusation and Defense , "

1726 ( very rare ) , the second edition of Prichard , 1730 ( still rarer ) , and another of special value of 1738 . " . Multa Paucis ( 1763 ) is also in the lot , several J and B ' s , " Solomon in all his Glory " ( 1768 ) , in two editions , and others might also be noted

of value , such as ' 1 rewman s " Principles , " of 1777 ( but there is no word as to Frontispiece ) , "A Word to the Wise , " of 1796 , all the important issues of Hutchinson , " Free-Masonry for the Ladies" ( 1791 ) , & c , & C .

'Ihe "Constitutions ' embrace some 20 under England , seven under Ireland , and about twice as many for Scotland ; besides a mixed lot of "Ahiman Rezons " of various countries , some of whicb would have been better placed with the previous classes . All the important Books of Constitutions of England are herein represented from the premier edition of 17 * 23 , and tlie