Notes On American Freemasonry.

" Second—the tendency of such gatherings will be to secure greater harmony among Masons , by strangers becoming acquaintances and friends . "Third—They beget that earnestness and attention to the ritual which can but result in more

intelligence in Masonry , its work , lectures , and requirements , the general want of ivhich iu the Order is to be deprecated . These meetings should not , hoivever , be made to supersede the annual visitation of the District Deputy Grand Master in

any respect—one of the prime objects of ivhich is , and should be , to ascertain the working status of the lodge . I found the work , as represented at Northampton , to be nearly that , in most respects , required by the Grand Lodge ; yet there is

opportunity for improvement . My visit was altogether a pleasant one , and I should not object to a repetition of the same , whenever circumstances

may require . " Before closingthis report Iivish to allude briefly to a matter Avhich is , as it has ever been , of gieat interest to the Fraternity ; namely , the standard or authorised work in Masoury . It is sometimes

said , and with some reason for the assertion , that the work , as exemplified by the Lecturers , is varied from time to time , so that it is impossible to determine what is and what is not the authorised work . This may be true , or it may not . But

should it so happen that the work , as given , varies in any essential degree from the authorised Grand Lodge version , then to have a standard for reference is Avell . Happily we have such an

authorised standard . I refer to the work adopted in 1862 . To ascertain what that work is , shall be my duty as well as my pleasure . Holding , as I firmly do , that as one of the Grand Lecturers of the Grand Lodge , I have no right to change the

ritual of Masonry , but simply to instruct and give as the Grand Lodge does , or shall require . ''' A . F . Chapman , Grand Lecturer , in his report to the Grand Master , says -. —¦ "In accepting the office to which you ivere pleased

to appoint me , I had some doubts as to Avhether I could discharge the duties appertaining to it in such a manner as to satisfy myself or the Avishes of the brethren .

" On reflection , however , I called to mind the authority from ivhich I received my commission , and the latest vote of the Grand Lodge on the subject of my duties , [ to tha effect , that the Grand Lecturers should teach the ivork as exhibited in 1862 , ] and having assisted Worshipful

Bros . E . Dana Bancroft and Charles 0 . Dame , in the exemplification of that year , I felt partially prepared for the ivork . Having since met my associate lecturers in consultation , I am happy to report that we shall be as near alike in the

exemplification on December 9 , 1869 , as it is possible for three persons to be , there being but a very few words which either would wish to render different ; and even these may be regarded as of minor importance .

" In February last I spent four days ivith the Worshipful Master and brethren of Corner Stone Lodge at Duxbury , and instructed them in the work and lectures of each of the three degrees . " In April last I visited Golden Fleece Lodge at

Lynn , on four successive evenings , and exhibited the work and lectures of the degree . " I also spent an evening ivith Washington Lodge , Boston Highlands , for the same purpose . " In each of these lodges ! found a great degree

of interest in the ritual , as ivell as in the prosperity of the lodge ; each possesses a sufficient and intelligent membership , and are equally a credit to themselves and the Craft in general . " I have instructed a number of brethren on

specific points , ancl occasionally an officer of a , lodge in the duties of his office , from one of Avhom I learn that quite a difference of opinion exists in regard to the correct rendering of the ritual , which can easily be corrected by securing proper instruction by the lodges in his immediate locality .

" From the lodges and from the brethren I have received the utmost kindness , and feel grateful to them , one ancl all , for the readiness with ivhich they have received and adopted ivhatever I have suggested for their improvement .

" Whenever referred to , all have been unanimous in the hope that no changes would be tolerated in the ritual , and to this end I have been careful to suggest none . "

HoN-Ei-. —From Queensland ivo have an interesting note upon honey , which in that colony , and indeed throughoiii Australia generally , forms an industry of considerable value . A centrifugal machine is used for extracting honey from the comb , the caps being first removed by a sharp knife , so that in less than a minute every particle of honey is taken outThe combs are then turnedand

. , the cells on the other side treated in the same manner . The advantages claimed for this process are , that the larva ., which are frequently very troublesome , remain in the comb , and that when the latter is replaced in the hives the bees readily use it over again . — Food Journal .