The Grand Lodge And Grand Festival.

be desirable that the new Grand Officer should have the advantage of being conjoined with one who is experienced in the duties of an office requiring much - knowledge and tact . The Grand Festival was better attended than for some years past , and the whole proceedings passed off most satisfactorily ; and on this

head it would not have been necessary for us to say one word more , but for the discourtesy of the Grand Stewards towards ourselves . If they think fit to refuse the Freemasons' Magazine the compliment of an invitation , they have a perfect right to do so—wc never have and never shall ask for it ; having the right , under the Book of

Constitutions , to be present on the payment of our fifteen shillings—310 very heavy item in the annual expenses of this Magasine ; and no very magnificent offering amongst eighteen stewards . It is the compliment only , and not the money we valuo ; and when the question is mooted of forwarding such an invitation to the Magazine ( although wc repeat

they have a perfect right to refuse it ) , the Stewards might at least discuss the question without being needlessly offensive towards oursolvos . That wo have over sought to intrude ourselves anywhere , we indignantly deny ; and positively assert that , during the whole period we have been connected with Masonic literature—now some six or

seven years—we have made it an invariable rule never to visit any Lodge or Chapter to which wo have not previously been invited , though we consider ourselves perfectly justified , if wo sec fit , to be present at every banquet , the tickets for which arc publicly advertised , and are to be obtained without let or hindrance by every member of the Craft ,

Tin : MASON ' HOME . —Everything connected with the Mason ' s home is a discipline—a culture . To provide fur its wants , to regulate its ovdisv , convenience , and comfort ; to guard it from evil ; to secure its peace and harmony ; to fullil the purposes of duty in establishing tlits'institufcion—what strength , of intellect , what strength of virtue , is needful 1 A man standing on the dais , bearing the responsibilities of the Lodge , presents one of the most impressive moi-. il spectacles the world exhibits . On his intelligence , on his firm will , on his truthful integrity , on his kind irithow much depends ? The different members of the Masonic

housesp , hold are daily called to adjust themselves to each others' peculiarities ; to afford counsel , sympathy , support ; to slum occasions of ill-feeling and angry passions ; to aid one another by every office of tenderness . The acquirement of good maimers , the practice of the genuine , unaffected heart-felt politeness of the Masonic Lodge is a task of no small moment . How many efforts have to be made , how many humiliations to be endured , how many defeats borne , ere wo learn to behind , uniformland reliablkind on principle ! Looking simply to the intellectual aspect :- ,

y y of the Lodge we see a provision , for the daily use of intelligence , taste , and adaptation of . thought in the intercourse of Masonic life . The Lodge cultivates our best sympathies ; teaches patience , forbearance , gentleness , sympathy ; breaks down the barriers which an exolusiveiiess is always raising around us ; gives us a property in them , and them iu us , — l oi ' cc of Fmriwrnvry , 3 f ! 2