Masonry In America.

G . S . of South Carolina , who conferred the degrees , and in that remarkably lucid ami impressive manner for which he is remarkable . The candidate , himself a gentleman of intelligence , will never forget the lectures he that night heard . Of Bro . Mackey , I need not say aiything—he is well known throughout the Masonic world . As an intimate friend I have known and loved him for years ; in 1851 he conferred the Scottish Eite degrees ou me ,

and since then our intimacy has been unbroken . Like Bros , Pike and May , he , too , is a man over six feet high , and his heart so big that he can scarce find room for it in that big body , aud the same I caii well say of Bro . Pike . Of Bro . Mackey ' s family relations I may here say that his inestimable lady and children are as much devoted to Masonry as he is ; he has a most valuable library of Masonic and other works , and some rare books in it . But about the occasional Lodge—it will occasion a great deal of talk for

some time to come among the Masonic editors . Many of them , I fear , will be inclined to dispute thc propriety of it ; his right to call it they certainly cannot call in question . I will here bring to your recollection instances on record of such Lodges being held , as evidence that Grand Master Buist has not arrogated to himself any power but that which justly belonged to him by virtue of his office . Thc term " making Masons at sight" is a merely technical termand nothing more than conferring the three degrees in a

, Lodge convened by the Grand Master for that especial purpose and none other , as the Lodge ceases to exist as soon as thc said degrees are conferred and the brethren have been dismissed by the Grand Master . In 1731 , Lord Lovell , G-M ., called such a Lodge , and made the Duke of Lorraine , afterwards Emperor of Germany , and also the Duke of Newcastle ; in 1737 , Dr . Desaguliers , P . G . M ., under authority from the Grand Master , the Earl of Darniey , made a Master Mason of'Fredcrick , Prince of Wales : in 1760 , Lord

Blauey made a Master Mason iu the same manner of thc Duke of Gloucester ; in 1767 , the Duke of Cumberland was also made ; in 1787 , the Prince of Wales was made by thc Duke of Cumberland . From these lew instances , which might be multiplied , it will be seen that in England tho power has been exercised by the Grand Masters ; and it does not appear that on every occasion the members composing the Lodge were officers of the Grand Lodge ; all that was necessary was , the presence of the andin

G . M ., -his absence , bis written dispensation for that purpose . In the case of G . M . Buist , I think it but fair to say , that Colonel May , the candidate , being an army officer and having no settled abode , he , ' before acting iu the matter , took the advice of those who were well qualified to express their views , and back them by argument ifnecessary . _ On the day following the above , Bro . Buist entertained a select party at his residence . Thc dinner was such as might be expected from u gentleman

living in a city where old country customs ( even to the judge wcarin" his gown , and the sheriff his cocked hat and sword ) , are still , and 1 . hope ° evcr will be held in veneration ; it was more especially in honour of Bro . Pike and the Supreme Council . if have just received the reports of the Grand Lod ges of South Caroline and Louisiana . The former met IGth November , 1858 , and was , for thc first time , composed of thc actual members of the Lodtres represented ; no allowed votePhis

Lodge being a proxy . ' change was one long desired in that State ; and among those few who lived in Charleston , and always ruled the Grand Lodge hy holding thc proxy votes of the Lodges living at a distance , some were found who openly opposed the measure of' actual representation , us it curtailed their own influence : but right will sometimes overcome might , and after a hard struggle the " old fogy" party died in that Grand Lodge , Bro . Buist , no doubt the youngest Grand Master in the world , was