Channel Islands,

munications were read from the Prov . G . M ., the Prov . G . Sec , and Bro . Captain Sanmarez , AA ' . M . The first had reference to the establishment of the Lodge "Les Amis de 1 'Avenir , " in Jersey , under warrant from the Supreme Council of the Scotch Rite in France , announcing the suspension of the fourteen brethren before-mentioned in the report of St . Aubin ' s Lodge , ivho , being Masons and attached to lodges under the English Constitutionhad taken part in these proceedings

, , were declared to be irregular , a violation ( especially in the case of Past Masters ) of Masonic obligations , a breach of the laws for the conduct of English Freemasonry , and an encroachment on the rights and authority of the Grand Master and Grand Lodge of England . Further , these documents from tbe Prov . G . M . conveyed instructions to the AV . M . to refuse admission , as members or as visitors , to any who belong to the

new French Lodge , and to warn all the brethren of Lodge La Cesaree not to visit or in any way countenance the Lodge " Les Amis de 1 'Avenir , " under the penalties attaching to those who support irregular lodges . The communication of Bro . Capt . Sanmarez bad been addressed to the Prov . G . M ., calling his attention to certain serious improprieties industriously reported as having occurred in Lodge La Cesaree in the

year 1861 , at the initiation of a French brother by Bro . Baudains , then AA ' . M . of the Cesaree Lodge , but now holding that position in tho new French lodge , and demanding an inquiry into the circumstances . The Prov . G . M . directed his Prov . G . Sec . to summon the AV . M . and other officers to answer the charge , who had attended on several occasions with the records of the lodge , and had proved to the perfect satisfaction of the Prov . G . M . that there was no foundation for the allegation , which he decided to he

scandulous , false and malicious . Another matter had also been inquired into by the Prov . G . M . on the demand of Bro . Baudains , in reference to a protest which he stated that he had made against certain proceedings in the Cesaree Lodge , ol which no notice had been taken . On this point too the Prov . G . M . gave a decision in favour of the lodge and its AA . M ., after bearing evidence in regard to it . The whole of these matters will come before the Masonic bodin another formthe

susy , pended brethren having forwarded an appeal to the Grand Lodge of England . Bro . Schmitt introduced the painful subject of the approaching departure of the esteemed Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . F . de la Mare for a distant colony . Several other brethren spoke on the subject , and it having been announced that the members of St . Auhyn ' s Lodge , in which he hold the same positionhad

-, pre pared au address on vellum to the reverend brother , it was directed to present to him a Prov . G . Chaplain ' s jewel from the Lodge La Cesaree , to request him to sit for his photographic portrait , so that every brother might procure a copy ; and to invite him to a farewell banquet , in conjunction with the St . Aubyn ' s Lodge , at the request of the AA ' . M . of the latter , a committee being appointed to make the arrangements . The

proposition of a candidate for initiation concluded the business of the evening , which lasted till ten o ' clock . The lodge was closed with the customary forms , and the brethren retired for refreshment , many , however , leaving in consequence of the lateness of the hour . The following is a copy of the letter from the Prov . G . M . of Jersey to the AV . M . of St . ' Aubyn's Lodge , being similar to those sent to the W . M . ' s of the other lodges in the province , excepting Lodge La Cesaree , in which other matters were introduced , arising out of inquiries instituted into the validity of charges made against that lodge : —

"Province of Jersey , Oct . 2 oth , 1 SG 3 . " DEAR SIR AND AYORSIUPEITL BROTHER , " It having regularly come before my notice of the existence of a lodge in this province called LesAmisde 1 'Avenir , under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Conseil de France , the establishment of the said Lodge Les Amis de 1 'Avenir in this province by the Supreme Conseil de France , wherein it has no

jurisdiction , or never had any jurisdiction , cannot be regarded otherwise but as an encroachment upon the United Grand Lodge of England . The issuing of a warrant by the above-named authority is also to he regarded as a violation of the rights ancl privileges of the M . AV . Grand Master of England . " In drawing your attention to die " Book of Constitutions , " P- 120 , it is plainly laid down that every application for a warrant to hold a new lodge must be by petition to the Grand Master , & c , & c . " This law is as binding upon all Masons and Masonic lod sc

Channel Islands,

in the Island of Jersey , as if the same were established in any county of England . " In drawing your attention to the above law , I am forced to do so by representations industriously circulated by some members of the said lodge , Les Amis de 1 'Avenir , but especially so by AA orshipful Bro . Baudains , in his memorial addressed to the Grand Lodge of England , in his defence for aiding and assisting in the establishment of the said lodge'That the island of

, Jersey having its local government , being regulated by its own laws , is considered by Acts of Parliament as a foreign port , cannot be , nor has it ever been considered , as an English possession , or colony , but has ever been considered as neutral ground , being the last remnant of the ancient Duchy of Normandy , and as such the Supreme Conseil de France was at liberty to found the said lodge , Les Amis de 1 'Avenir ; and further , that the

issuing of the warrant , for the above reasons , cannot be exclusively exercised by the Grand Lodge of England . ' " I do not consider it in any way necessary on my part to make any comment on the arguments of Bro . Baudain's further than to hope that those opinions are only entertained by one Jerseyman . " The island of Jersey can boast of being the oldest possession belonging to the Crown of England . Although one of the

smallest , nevertheless it has ever been acknowledged as the greatest in her loyalty and devotion to the Sovereigns of England . " If the arguments as to the political bearings of Jersey , adduced by Bro . Baudains , are fallacious , they are equally so in a

Masonic point of view . Jersey has ever been , and I pray it may ever continue to be , under the mild and paternal jurisdiction of the United Grand Lodge of England . "I have , as Prov . Grand Master of Jersey , a solemn duty to perform . It is to draw your attention to Art . 2 , p . 77 , of the "Book of Constitutions , " wherein it is laid clown that any brother who may assist in forming a new lodge , without tbe authority of the Grand Master of Englandshall not be

ad-, mitted as a member , nor even as a visitor , of any regular lodge . Consequently , you are enjoined not to admit any member of the said Lodge Les Amis de 1 'Avenir , as ' a visitor into your lodge ; and further , you are to warn the members of your lodge not only to discountenance , but to cease visiting the said lodge Les Amis de 1 'Avenir , under the penalty attached to every brother visiting irregular lodges . And furthershould it ever come to

, your knowledge that any brother , member of your lodge , should after this notice visit , or in any way countenance the said lodge , you are to notify to me the name or names of the brother or brothers , so that the said law may be put in force and duly respected . And furthermore , you are to read , or cause this letter to be read , at your next regular meeting , and also to be inserted in the minute-book of your lodge .

" I have the honour to remain , dear Sir and Worshipful Brother , yours truly and fraternally , " J . J . HAMMOND , P . G . M . " To Dr . Hopkins , AV . M . of St . Aubyn ' s Lodge ( No . 958 ) , St . Aubyn's . "

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . AVILLIAM CUBITT , M . P . The announcement of tbe unexpected death of Bro . AVilliam Cubitt , M . P ., for Andover , wall be received with general regret by the public . Bro . Cubitt was the Lord Mayor of London for two successive years , and there has rarely been a Lord Mayor who has been so generally esteemed when occupying that office . Bro . Cubitt was tbe second son of Mr . Jonathan Cubittof

, Buxton , in Norfolk , where be was born in 1791 . His elder brother , Mr . Thomas Cubitt , was the celebrated builder of an extensive area of squares and streets in Pimlico . He acquired a vast fortune , and purchased the magnificent estate of Denbies , near Dorking , from the executors of Mr . W . J . Denison , member for AVest Surrey . Bro . AVilliam Cubitt was for a short time in the navyand

, after a time returned home and was placed under his brother , who was much older than himself , and had by that time obtained a good position as a builder . For many years after that the brothers Cubitt carried on the business of builders and contractors on the highest scale . The reputation of the firm is its vast engagements , its great wealth , and its well-known