Masonic Intelligence.

MASONIC INTELLIGENCE .

UNITED GRAND LODGE .

The first quarterly communication for the year 1855 , was held on Wednesday , March 7 th . The M . W . G . M ., The Right Honourable the Earl of Zetland presiding-, supported by the R . W . D . G . M . the Earl of Yarborough ; B . Dobree , S . G . W . ; J . Pattison , " j . G . W . ; Col . Burlton , P . Prov . G . M ., Bengal ; A . Dobie , P . G . M ., Surrey ; Purton Cooper , Prov . G . M ., Kent ; J . Fawcett , Prov . G . M ., Durham ; J . Bagshaw , Prov . G . M ., Essex ; J . A . Bowyer , Prov . G . M ., Oxford ; Rev . J . E . Cox , and J . E . Moore , G . Chaplains ; Rev . Sir J . W . Hayes , P . G . C . ; W . H . White ,

G . S . ; II . S . Crohn , G . S ., for German Correspondence ; J . Hervey , S . G . D . ; H „ Paudel . S . G . D . ; J . Havers , P . G . D . ; G . K . Potter , P . G . D . ; G . Leach , P . GD .-J . II . Goldsworthy , P . G . D . ; T . Parkinson , P . D . G . ; I-I . Gireaud , P . G . D . ; R . W . Jennings , G- Dir . of Cers . ; J . Chapman , Asst . G . . Dir . Cerrs . ; G . Biggs , G . S . B . - Br . J . Masson , P . G . S . B . ; It . J . Spiers , P . G . S . B . , Br . W . Farafield , Asst . G . S . ; E . Ransford , Grand Organist ; G . G . Elkington , G . Pur . ; ancl others . The minutes ot' the Lodge of Benevolence and the Board of General purposes having

been read , Br . Joseph Smith , P . M . 206 , said , that having had tlie honour when they met on tlie last occasion , to put in norninatbn tho Right Hon . the Earl of Zetland for re-election as Grand Master for the ensuing year , he had HOAV to propose that the election be at once proceeded Avith . They all knew the ability , courtesy , and kindliness Avith which the noble Earl had for many years tilled the Office , and they could not better shew their confidence in him , or respect for his character than by

unanimously re-electing his Lordship ; and in doing so , he felt assured they would be studying the welfare of the Craft , and the interest of the brethren at large —( cheers ) . Br . Ireland , W . M . 805 , had great pleasure in seconding the resolution . The motion having been carried nemine contra diseente , and the G . M . duly proclaimed , the noble Earl rose amidst loud applause , and begged to acknowledge the compliment paid to him . He could assure them that he felt proud of their having again entrusted him with the office of Grand Master . No higher honour could have been

conferred upon him . He knew how important ivere the duties he had to discharge , but he hoped , notwithstanding he felt old age advancing upon him , to continue to discharge them to the satisfaction of the brethren . He remembered reading in a book , with which he had no doubt they were all acquainted , Gil Bias , that AA'hen the Author became Secretary to the Archbishop of Toledo , he Avas strictly enjoined , that should he ever notice any falling off iu the powers of his Master through old age or infirmity , lie Avas to acquaint him with it . For a time every thing Avent Avellbut Avhen the

, Secretary felt bound to hint that tlie Archbishop Avas falling off in his powers , he grew angry , and drove his faithful servant from his door . Now lie could assure them , that lie would never need a hint that it was time for him to resign ; but the instant ho felt that he could no longer , from adA'aneing age , efficiently discharge the duties of the office , lis would resign his trust into the hands of the brethren , but in the mean time he Avould endeavour to do his utmost to promote the best interests of the Craft—( cheers ) .

Br . Herbert Lloyd , then proposed the re-election of Br . Tomlcins , as Grand Treasurer , which having been duly seconded , AA'as put and carried unanimously . The M . W . G . M . next rose to propose the motion of Avhich he had given notice at the previous meeting , for granting ; £ 1000 out of the funds of the Grand Lod ge , to the Patriotic Fund . He trusted that the Grand Lodge would be unanimous in carrying the resolution , as , though he AA'as aware some of the brethren held the opinion , that the funds ought to be devoted to the purposes of Masonic charity onlyhe could not

, but feel that this Avas an exceptional case , aud that at the present moment , there Avas no charit y having such peculiar claims upon them , as that for providing for the Widows and Orphans of the gallant defenders of the honour of their couutrv HOAV engaged in the waria the East . It might be said , that they should confine their bounty