" Justitia" And The "Masonic Observer."

addressing you in language which they cither cannot understand , or ivhich they see fit to misrepresent . I have taken the trouble to peruse the last number of that journal ( ivhich , by the way , hung fire a great deal , and was not published until some days after the proper date ) , and I must admit that I am considerably amused hy its contents . It is not surprising that the " Observer party" should wince under thc well deserved chastisement ivhich has of late been inflicted on them somewhat unsparingly ; but I question whether they ivill advance their cause

by adopting the style of language which pervades thc last number . 'To say nothing of the epithets Avhich they apply to me , they speak generally of their opponents as Brethren who are conducting a " Billingsgate system of opposition , " in which "Ave stoop to scurrilous misrepresentation . " In fact , their writers , although boasting about social position ami intellectual attainments , seem unable to pen tivelve consecutive hues without the introduction of some of these expletives . Sweeping away all these "tall words" ivhat do the writers ofthe Observer

, advance ? Let us see . Of course they are most violent against Bro . Havers , whose ability , eloquence , and influence , they have latterly had such cause to fear ; but I think that they overstep the bounds of prudence when they repeat thc silly charge made by Bro . G-. 11 . Portal at the last Grand Lodge . Let us see how this matter stands . I quote the Avords used by Bro .

Havers , from the Observer itself . In speaking of the Hall and 'Tavern question , he said that "ho hoped that the consideration of this question would be kept clear of party feeling in Grand Lodge ; " and upon an obserA-ation being made , he at once added that he did not refer to Bro . Lord Carnarvon , for Avhom he entertained a high respect . Is this " offensive impertinence" V Shortly aftenvards , it being past eleven , Bro . Lord Carnarvon left the Grand Lodge , aud Bro . G . R . Portal then attacked Bro . Havers , and said ( I again quote from the Observer ) that "he , Bro . Havers , had already by his impertinences

, driven one noble lord from the room that night ; " and upon being crdled to order by the Grand Master , Bro . G . E . Portal added that " ivhen the Earl of Carnan'oii ivas leaving the room , he told him ( Bro . Portal ) that he ivould not remain to be subject to such insolence . " I am sorry that I cannot quote further from the Observer . They have felt it discreet not to give to their party a copy of the correspondence which has since passed between Bro . Lord Carnarvon and Bro . Havers on this subjectand ivhich appeared in your number of the 22 nd December ( page

, , 1167 ) . Iivould not have adverted to it , had not the " Observer party " foolishly repeated the charge , after Bro . Lord-Carnarvon had distinctly written on the 10 th December , that the Avoids above quoted as having been used by Bro . G . R . Portal " are not those ivhich he ( Lord Carnarvon ) employed , nor do they express ivith accuracy that which he then thought or said . "

Bro . the Lev . G . R . Portal being thus openly convicted by the pen of Bro . Lord Carnarvon himself , it ivould have been more discreet if the Observer had left thc matter alone . The Brethren must judge for themselves and in so doing they will , I think , agree with me , that there was- no impertinence or impropriety whatever in the remark of Bro . Havers ; and as regards Bro . Portal , there cannot be two opinions as . to the conclusion at AA-hich they must arrii-e . In quitting this subject , I shall not discuss the taste which dictated the written replies addressed b y Bro . Lord Carnan'oii to the President of the Board of General Purposes ; yet I cannot help observing , that from the late . Prince Regent doivnivards , uo ' royal or noble Mason , hoAvever high his rank ,