The Masonic Mirror.

larity in Grand Lodge , that Bro . Portal had reserved his observations on the subject until Grand Lodge hacl heard what the Most AVorshipful Grand Master had to lay before it . AA'hat they had heard from Bro . Portal , they would , he thought , have heard better aud more appropriately from tho M . AV . Grand Master . He denied that the Canadian Masons looked upon the resolution of last Grancl Lodge in the light of an insult ; but it must , he thought , be a matter o £ astonishment to all the Brethrenboth here and in Canadafo find that the ! brother whoon

, , very , the last occasion , had on the paper a notice of motion tantamount to the resolution thou placed before them by the M . W . Grand Master , should be the one who now proposed that they should rescind it . He wondered if the worthy Brother would have moved that they should rescind his own resolution ? He ( Bro . Gregory ) saw no reason why Grand Lodge should stultify itself in the way proposed , by blowing both hot and cold upon the question , and placing themselves in a false position . ( Cheers . ) He regretted that Bro . Portal and his friendswho objected

, to the confirmation of the minutes , had not waited until they heard the proposition which was about to be presented to Grand Lodge by the M . AV . Graud Master , one which , he believed , whilst it secured the dignity of Grand Lodge , would also conciliate the feelings of the Canadian brethren . JNofc to confirm tho resolution agreed to in December last , would be indeed to throw down the apple of discord . ( Cheers . ) Bro . AVhitmore wished to know where lay the larger amount of stiSltiScatioii ,

whether in refusing to confirm a resolution hastily adopted at last Grand Lodge , or in confirming the recognition of that which the Grand Lodge of Canada would not accept at their hands . ( "IVo , no > " ) Ivothing could more cloarlyshow the wisdom of tho advice given thcui at last Grand Ludge by Bro . Lord Carnarvon , and the advantage of delay , than the present discussion . He was one of those independent members of Grand Lodge who , on that occasion , stood up and opposed precipitancy . Ho fully agreed with the remarks of the noblo lord who seconded Bro . Portal ' s motion—that to confirm the resolution on the minutes ivould be au insult to the Canadian

Masons ; and it was , he thought , impossible that Grand Lodge should so far degrade itself as to recognize that which the Grand Lodgo oi Canada did not thank them lor , and would nut accept . Ho hoped Grand Lodge ivould exercise its wisdom , discretion , and judgment , and decline to take that course . AVith regard to what hacl fallen from Bro . Portal , he ( Bro . . Vhitmore ) believed , that in December last , all the facts of the case were in possession of the executive ; and that being the case , it was to bo regretted that they had not communicated them to Grand Lodgo , ( "Ohoh ! " ) If it was not true let it be stated soand he was ready to apologize

, , ; but if it were true , then he ivould advise Grand JLodge , not to commit tho indiscretion of confirming that upon ivhieh they resolved without a full knowledge of tho real facts of the case . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Slight approved of the observation ot Bro . Gregory , that it ivould bo far better to confirm the minutes at once , and wait for the discussion of this question until thoy hoard the communication which , in accordance with the notice ou the minutes of their proceedingthe M . AVGrand Master was about to place

, , before Grand Lodge , because it was obvious that there was among those at the other cud of tho room a difference of opinion as to facts . As to the real question there ivas no point of doubt whatever , however great the attempt might be to involve ifc iu obscurity . The plain state of tho case was this—in December last the M . AA . Grand Master , iu this hull , made a motion that the Grand Lodge ol ' Oanadli should be recognized . That motion was opposed , and they all knew by whom , and most of the Brethren ivould recollect how astonished Grand Lodge was at

hearing the opposition conic from such a quarter . However , notwithstanding that opposition to the motion , Grand Lodge came to the unanimous resolution that the Grand Lodge of Canada should bo recognized . That was the great fact on which they had determined . It now appeared , from some papers received from Canada , that o / . some points of detail , not of principle , there were differences of some sort or other which could lie easily adjusted . He therefore hoped tho Brethren ivould confirm the resolution recognising tho Grand Lodgo of Canada , although that recognition might now be Apposed by those who had formerl y voted for it and that they would not allow their minutes to bear tho record that they had refused