Canada.

one of her regular lodges , and they base their decision and determination on the plain fact that its warrant was never surrendered in 1855 by the unanimous resolve of its members , as proved by minutes accompanying a formal appeal far protection and that she is the real judge of her own subordinate . I have appended the important portion of the correspondence to my present address , and Grand Lodge will there see that I made app lication for a copy of the evidence submitted fco the Grancl

Lodge of England , for if there was not unanimity in the surrender of the warrant , Nos . 643 has not ceased to have legal existence , and Masonic intercourse must be resumed with it . I have recently had the advantage of a personal call from a Canadian Mason , a member of the Colonial Board of the Grand Lodge of England , and I may acid , from knowledge , a warm friend and advocate of the Grand Lodge of Canada , anel he assured me in very kind and unhesitating termsthat the Grand

, Lodgo of England claim her lodge under convincing testimony . Ifc would be beneficial to dispose of this sole cause of difference altogether . It rests with you , of course , in what manner to do it and I candidly express ray opinion that fchis assertion , from his position , should not be lightly received . He bore gratifying testimony to the good feeling existing towards tlie Grancl Lodge of Canada , which 1 endeavoured to impress upon him was truly

reciprocal , and I wish he could have remained long enough in this country to have been personally introduced and welcomed at this comnvonication . I hope , however , to see the representative of England in his place . Ifc was a great mistake we made in not determining a fixed date , when there must be exclusive jurisdiction throughout Canada , and serving a formal notice to that effect on the Grand

Lodges having subordinates here , that these last might be numbered anel registered and receive warrants from the Grancl Lodge of Canada , or choose the alternative of dissolving . Ifc was the natural sequence to the events occurring in and since 1855 , and no compromise should have been entered by us except as fco time . I am only surprised that those few outstanding , and , as ifc were , isolated lodges , do not of their own accord , become an integral part of our Canadian nationality , anel take the same

pride in ifc as we do . Ifc is very certain that ; if we were bo endeavour to planb an offset in the old country , we should be denounced , anil rightly so , and the Grand Loelges there have clearly no right to lodges ad infinitum here . We are nofc absolutely the Grand Loelge of Canada , though declared and acknowledged so to be , while these few cometary fragments revolve in our system . They are theoretically under control , but practically they are not . While misunderstandings , & c , can be anel

are remedied on our part by a present supreme power , redress from these foreign lodges ( foreign I mean as to jurisdiction ) , is a tedious , complicated process , if successful at last , and irregularities are not to be controlled afc all—each of these lodges acts really as if its own judge and jury . Aboufc three of these we have already been in difficulty , anel are never out of danger of trouble with each anel all . I believe no dishonour could attach the Grand Lodge of Canada , if , considering the practical trouble

we have had to encounter , we were even now to issue a notification with respect to these lodges , such as we should have done when we took our place amongst the other Grancl Loelges of Freemasonry . Ifc is a delicate subject , but a matter of real grievance , and certainly opposed to Masonic jurisprudence , and causes an important defect in our otherwise perfect structure . The proceedingsin connexion with laying the corner stone

, , by the M . W . Grancl Master of England , in April last , of a new and move commodious Freemasons' Hall in London , have come to hand , and are very interesting . This has long been a desideratum with our English brethren , and I am sure I embody your sentiments , when I congratulate them on the happy fulfilment of their elesire , with every fraternal wish for their welfare , and the Grand Architect of the Universe on their Undertaking .

SCOTLAND . The Grand Lodge of Scotland has suffered a severe loss . Its esteemed Grand Master for the last twenty years , the M . W . Brother the Duke of Athol , departed this life on the 16 th of January last . Your representative sent official information of this melancholy event , and did nofc fail to take part in the solemn ceremonies attending the funeral of that distinguished Freemason . I requested him to express your . deep sympathy with and for our sister Grand Lodge . Several funeral or sorrow lodges were subsequently held , and the e . tpressionof regrefc was universal .

That eminent brother , Sir Archibald Alison , Prov . G . Master for Glasgow , & c , describes the deceased Grand Master in these eloquent terms , " He belonged to a race which , for above a century , had repeatedly given a Grand Master to the Freemasons of Scotland , and had never ceased to feel au interest in their proceedings . His own disposition rendered him peculiarly open to its influence . At once energetic and native , patient and enduring of sufferingresolute and humanehis irit was

un-, , sp wearied , his heart was warm , his disposition was chivalrous . His ear was ever open to the tale of suffering , his hand ready to assuage it . * * * # * # Assailed in the prime of life by a slow , but incurable and most painful disease , he bore his sufferings with fortitude , and looked forward to the issue without dismay . For three mouths he was face to face with ? the King of Terrors in his most appalling form , anel he never

iliuched from the sight . His whole thought was of others ; biswhole anxiety to discharge his duty to his Queen , his people , and his country . * * * * * When his sufferings were terminated , he yielded up his last breath with the hope of a Christian , with the courage of a Highlander , and in the spirit of a Freemason . " Brethren , tin ' s is a noble epitaph , worthy of all parties , and one which every real Freemason should bo sincerely and truthfully entitled to have pronounced over his memory .

VERMONT . Over the remains of one of our first aud stoutest of friends , the WM . Bro . Tucker , late Grancl Master of the Grand Lodge of Vermont , a suitable monument has been erected by his brethren , who loved the good and true old man , and had cheerfully submitted to his rule for a long period . The subject was brought to my notice by M . W . Bro . Bernard , the representative of Vermont , and heing aware of the high estimation in which

you helel the late Bro . Tucker , who , at tho time of his death , held rank as Past Grand Master in the Grand Lodge of Canada , I directed a contribution to be made from your funds towards this testimonial of worthily earned respect , anel entrusted to Bro . Bernard , the graceful , and to him specially gratifying task , of making known our desire of participation . I am glad to say that the act was appreciated and welcomed and warmly acknowledged , and I hope Bro . Bernard will be present to report to you all that occurred in his well-known eloquent language , though he has forwarded the papers fco me in the event of his unavoidable absence .

MAINE . Our R . AA " . Bro . Cyril Pearl has made made known his resignation of the appointment of representative of the Grand Lodge of Maine in Canada . He advised mo also that our R . W . Grand Registrar , Bro . I . II . Graham , was nominated to succeed him , an appointment I could nofc elo otherwise than approve , and , on the presentation of his credentials , I propose with your concurrance , to confer upon him , as a member of this Grand Lodge , the rank of a Past Junior Grand Warden .

PENNSYLVANIA . From the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania I have received a fraternal communication , expressive of its desire for a free interchange of information ; and to ensure the safe reception of its own proceedings , the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence took the trouble to forward copies to each Grand Master , as well as Grand Secretary , and an explanator letter afc the same time . I have replied with thanksand in terms

in-, viting a mutual representation . With regard to the Grancl Lodges of the United States generally , it is pleasant to notice the manifold injunctions to Freemasons under their control , to remember their Order , and to endeavour to render ifc subservient to lessening the misery caused by the long , bloody , and unnatural strife still raging there . While all mourn for the unhappy condition of their country , and the amount of human suffering witnessedthey

, point out that in war , as in peace , the Masonic duties and privileges are alike binding and reciprocal . No political struggles can affect the standing of a brother , nor interfere with the mission of Masonry , which is to try to mitigate suffering and alleviate distress . I have been particularly struck with Missouri , where many lodge rooms have been robbed of all the furniture , jewelsrecordseverything of the slihtest value . The Com- ,

, , g mittee on Grievances report thus nobly and Masonically : " Ifc is nofc for us who have preserved relations of loyalty , to pronounce sentence of outlawry upon brothers , who , wherever they may be , are as conscientious in their action as we claim to be in ours . We may grieve that so many of onr brethren entertain conflict-