The Three Grand Lodges.

THE THREE GRAND LODGES .

LOUDON , SATURDAY , FEBRUARY 11 , 1865 .

BY BEO . ROBERT MITCHELL , P . PROV . G . SEC . GLASGOW . This week I received a copy of tlie " British , Irish ., and Colonial Masonic Calendar , Pocketbook , and Diary for the Tear 1865 . " On the

contents of last year's edition I made a feAV discursive remarks in the FREEMASONS MAGAZINE , tinder the above heading , and propose to do the same in this year's . A short inspection shows that the Avork includes two leading divisions ;

onethe purely commercial—consists of ninety-five pages of the usual matter , the other—the Masonic —of 160 pages of small type . At the beginning , of course , are four pages occupied by the title , the index , a dedication to the Earl of Dalhousie , aud

the preface . At the end are four pages of advertisements relating to Masonic literature , paraphernalia , & c ; and now the reader is advised of all Avithin the boards of the " Calendar . " By the way , dedications , to be alliterative , are fast fallingout of fashion . They are not requisite these days , when everyone almost can read , and is ready

to patronise ( or purchase , Avhich is the same thing ) any book useful to him ; and there can be no question that , by all Freemasons acquainted Avitli the English language , the " Calendar , ''' ' had they an opportunity of making its acquaintance , would

be classed in that category . If , however , a dedication be thought indispensable , I venture to suggest that in future it should be couched "in Masonic legal phrase , and addressed " To all Freemasons on the terraqueous globe , to Avhom these presents

shall come , greeting , & c , " that is , to the courteous consulters , not readers—no one ever reads straio-ht through a calendar . Distinguished noblemen , and all the other brethren on a level with them , Avould thus be embraced in a comprehensive sentence or

tAvo . Special permission would not be requiied for the dedication , and no brother Avould feel as if a- cringing obeisance had been made in his own person to another , and the excellent old landmarks , equality and fraternity , been disturbed . On the contrary , he would be conscious that they had been fairly upheld .

The English Masonic information fills 76 pao-es , the Scottish 50 , the Irish 22 , and the foreign 12 . Besides their customary distribution of temporary aid to the necessitous , a system of benevolence extensivel y practised in Scotland and Ireland

like-Avise , it is truly honourable to the leading principles of the Craft , and refreshing to' each brother , to be able to turn the attention of a neutral world , too apt to sneer , to what the brethren south of Tweed have accomplished , and are still doing ,

towards lessening the aggregate of human distress . There , in London , Avill be found flourishing three noble institutions—the " Royal Freemasons ' School for Female Children / ' the "Royal Masonic Institution for the Sons of indigent and

deceased Freemasons , " and the " Royal Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and their Widows . " Ireland , too , is possessed of her " ' Masonic Orphan Schools . " The schools are all supported by voluntary contributions , and at pages

109 , 110 , 111 , and 230 of the " Calendar" some interesting notes on the English and Irish Charities can be perused . " Scotland , my atild respeckit mither , " I am sorry to say , ' cannot as yet boast of any kindred institution ; and the brethren

AA'ho could remedy the Avant Avould deserve , and willingly receive , the lasting esteem and gratitude of all their countrymen . A noble field is open for the influential and energetic members of the Order in Scotland .

In previous years editions it was noticeable that no memorabilia relating to Ireland appeared in the " Calendar . " That want is to be supplied , in the issue for 1866 ; and it is not necessary that the events noted should emerge in long file out of

the haze of past centuries . Charitable actions , Avere there no other , Avill be ever sufficiently agreeable to a brother to make the records of them

pleasant reading . While on the subject of the memorabilia , it Avill no doubt have been remarked that the English relate to about 100 occurrences , the Scottish to a half more , nearly . Bro . J . K . Donald , AA ^ I IO assisted the editor in the compilation

of the " Calendar , " would have given evidence of a judicious exercise of the functions belonging to his department had he dispensed Avith at least one half of the Scottish incidents , and rectified a little the composition of the remainder . It is scarcely

a fact Avorthy of special remembrance by the Masonic world that the Grand Lodge of Scotland has presented about fifteen addresses to Royal personages since its constitution . Royal personages could not prevent them doing so—had just to

submit ; and if the Grand Lodge of Scotland chooses to seize them , it Avill find opportunities to vote and send forty addresses to Royal personages during the next score years . The statement that