Canada.

ing that kind of vigorous greeting , which makes the heart expand with gladness , and causes any coolness or differences that may have occurred through absence or misunderstanding to vanish under the mellow and sunlike warmth of the fraternal grip . As the sight of land to a seamen , after a long voyage , tacitly banishes every quarrel , and drives into oblivion every harsh word and unfriendly look , so ought the effect to be of our arrival , after a lengthy interval , in this our Grand Harbour of Freemasonry .

The steady progression , increasing importance , and high respectability of the Craft in Canada is a cause of congratulation , and let us hope and pray that its usefulness and excellence may never be marred by blight from our hands . The "Grand Lodge of Canada , " I am pround to declare , is , notwithstanding her comparative youth , regarded with deference , and the steady friendship evinced at her hirth by her sister Grand Lodges , does not waver now that she is of age and vigorous . It has been my repeated privilege during the .

past year to be the recipient of assurances of goodwill and friendly wishes for her continued prosperity . The condition of Freemasonry will , however , be more fully reported to you by the respective District Deputy Grand Masters .

DISPENSATIONS . I have granted Dispensations for thirteen new lodges since our last annual communication , viz . —¦ 1 . Lebanon Oshawa . 2 . Malahide Aylmer , C . AV . 3 . Tudor Mitchell . 4 . Excelsior Morrisburg .

5 . Tecumseh Stratford . 6 . J . B . Hall Millbrook . 7 . Prince of AA ales Newburg . S . Friendly Brothers Iroquois . 9 . Mississippi Almonte . 10 . CivilService Quebec . 11 . Erie Port Dover . 12 . Hastings Hastings . 13 . Grand River Berlin .

The petitions were properly recommended , and in each case I followed the excellent rule laid down by my worthy predecessor , of requiring evidence that the nominated officers were qualified to perform the work . It remains for Grand Lodge to confirm them in their privileges , by granting warrants . Should you do so , I deem it to be my duty fo caution these new lodges not to imagine that their prosperity depends upon the " quantity" but the " quality" of the material admitted , and I admonish them to exercise the

greatest caution , and under no circumstances are they to receive men into our Order , if their characters will not bear the strictest scrutiny . Upon this the purity of Freemasonry mainly depends . It is right to mention that that the "CivilService Lodge" is empowered to hold its meetings at the Seat of Government for the time being , and I sanctioned this , as an act of justice to numerous brethren , who , owing to their many enforced . changes of residence , have been compelled either to withdraw from membership , or incur

the risk of ballot at every removal . The principle is the same by which the grant to a military warrant is governed . It will be necessary also for Grand Lodge to decide upon granting warrants to two Lodges , viz : —

Pythagoras Meaford . Aylmer Aylmer , C . E . AYhich by reference to the proceedings of 1 S 60 , it will be seen , were to continue working under dispensation until this communication . BUSINESS . The agenda published and circulated by the Grand Secretary , in

conformity with a resolution of Grand Lodge , will make known to you what amendments to the constitution , and reports of special committees , will require your attention . The Grand Secretary will also submit other documents , including appeals , recommendations of the punishment of expulsion , & c . ; and a supplementary report accompanied by suggestions from the Committee of Finance and Audit , as to the most convenient method of keeping the books , together with some accounts requiring approval before

paymentone being for Regalia purchased for our representative at the Grand Lodge of England . But there is one subject to which , before alluding to other matters of interest , I cannot refrain from requesting your particular attention , viz ., the resolution of Grand Lodge passed so long ago as January , 1859 , authorising the adoption of a proper testimonial to be presented to the M . AV . Past Grand Master AVilson , for his eminent services . There is no manner of doubt that he threw his whole heart into his work for the welfare of the Craft in this province , to the detriment and neglect of his private interests , and delay in acknowledging this appears to our discredit . I believe

there exists a doubt whether Grand Lodge funds should be applied towards the payment of our debt of honour and gratitude , or if the cost should he more appropriately defrayed in some other way . I do , however , hope that we shall not separate without carrying our own recorded intentions into immediate effect .

FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE . A report on foreign correspondence has been prepared , and will be presented by R . AV . Bro . Fowler , who , with the Grand Secretary , I appointed for the purpose , and who , in the kindest manner , accepted the duty , in addition to that of Chairman of the Audit and Finance Committee . —The transactions received are very voluminous , and I cannot help feeling that a review of them entails a severe tax upon the time and patience of the brothers who undertakes it .

The Grand Lodges of which I have to make particular mention are those of England , Ireland , Maine , New York , and Vermont . And I confine my notice of those of the United States generally to an axious hope that , pending the continuance of the disastrous national troubles now existing there , Freemasons will not altogether forget the strong ties that bind them to each other , but will allow the obligations and claims of our order to alleviate and soften the sad sufferings that must result from unnatural civil war .

ENGLAND . I have received a very kind and fraternal letter from our brother and representative , the Earl de Grey and Ripon , resigning the appointment on his nomination to the high and important office of Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England , and expressing his regret at being under the necessity of so doing . I wrote an acknowledgement in reply , which I believe conveyed the

sentiments of this Grand Lodge , and , at the same time , requested our very distinguished brother to send the name of an acceptable successor ; and I propose , with your sanction , to appoint such brother as may be named to me to represent the Grand Lodge of Canada at the Grand Lodge of England . I have to state , with reference to the decision of Grand Lodge at its last annual communication , declaring the irregularity of two Montreal lodgeshailing under the registry of the Grand Lod

, ge of England , that one—the St . Lawrence Lodge—complained to that lodge , and claimed its protection . This was made known to me by the M . AV . G . M . of England , through his representative , and I deemed it right , as far as that lodge is concerned , to cause to be held in abeyance the effect of your decision , with a view to afford time for such evidence to be produced by the complaining parties , as this communication , as may induce a reconsideration of the subject , and lead to a confirmation or reversal of your present verdict .

I assumed this responsibility as a measure of justice and polity towards a body with whom we are on the most amicable terms of communication and fellowship . AVith the other lodge—the St . George—I have interdicted intercourse . It has made no appeal , and cannot be recognised as a legally conducted lodge . M . AV . Bro . Stephens , the representative of the Grand Lodge of England , who was deputed by you to endeavour to arrange this unpleasant businesswill make known the steps taken bhimand

, y , the entire correspondence is of course at the disposal of the Grand Lodge ; The report of the Colonial Board on the above complaint ancl appeal , " adopted by the Grand Lodge of England , " asserts the regularity of St . Lawrence Lodge , but the conclusion is founded upon a statement made by R . AV . Bro . Badgley , P . Prov . G . M . of Montreal , which is in direct opposition , I am told , to the evidence submitted to your Committee .

IRELAND . In accordance with the suggestion of the special committee , approved by Grand Lodge , I placed myself in communication with the Grand Lodge of Ireland , through its representative , R . AV . Bro . Tully , in regard to the legality of a lodge styling itself " St . John's No . 209 , ( I . C . ) " which you declared to be clandestine . The correspondence , as well as the report , which I apprehend R . AV . Bro . Tully will submit , will show the present state of this unfortunate case , and it remains for the Grand Lodge to dispose of it finally .

MAINE . The appointment of R . AA . Bro . Preble as your representative at the Grand Lodge of Maine has been approved , and assurances have reached me , that great gratification was evinced on the ratification of friendly relations between the two grand bodies . R . AV . Bro . Preble ' s name is an historic one , and connected with patriotic , gallant , and distinguished services , and it was a pleasant office to

sign his credentials . I regret to state that the misunderstanding between the Grand Lodge of Maine and the Grand Lodge of England , as to the right of the latter to initiate citizens residing in Maine , and of which mention was made at our last annual