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ffiuntntte . PAGE . Recognition of Nova Scotia 201 Chips of Foreign Ashlar—By J . A . H 202 Masonic Government—By Crescent 204 Melrose Abbey and Lodge—By Bro . AV . P . Buchan 205 Masonic Celestial Mysteries—By Bro . Henry Melville 209 The Ancient Records Of the Lodge of Edinburgh ( Mary ' s

Cbapel ) , No . 1—By Bro . D . Murray Lyon 211 Masonic Notes and Queries 211 Correspondence 213 Masonic Mems 215 United Grand Lodge 215 CRAFT LODGE MEETINGS : — Metropolitan 216 Provincial 216

Mark Masonry . _ 218 List of Stewards at the Inauguration Festival , llth April , 1869 219 Poetry 219 Literature , Science , Music , Drama , and the Fine Arts 220 List of Lodge , & c , Meetings for ensuing week 220 . To Correspondents 220

Recognition Of Nova Scotia.

RECOGNITION OF NOVA SCOTIA .

LONDON , SATURDAY , SFFTF 3 XBSU 11 , 1869 .

One of the chief features , among several points of interest , at the last week's quarterly communication of Grand Lodge Avas the debate on the recognition of the independence of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia . The debate did not

attract the attention it deserved for various reasons ; one Avas , that tAvo or four score members were anxious to obtain the Zetland medals and depart forthwith , another Avas ignorance of Nova Scotia and the Colonies generally , and the third was

special and happy ignorance of the real circumstances under which the independence of Nova Scotia had to be recognized . The Grand Registrar with great judgment abstained from explaining this , and we can assure the brethren in Nova

Scotia that their independence was as freely and heartily acknowledged by a full Grand Lodge , Avithout reserve , as any well-wisher of Nova Scotia could desire . There was a genuine expression of brotherly sentiment , and their independence was acknowledged with a cordial God speed !

Bro . Brackstone Baker , G . D ., did refer to the Canadian affair , but , as Ave have said , there was a happy ignorance , and he was not understood . The brethren did not comprehend that matters have gone so far in Nova Scotia that , whether the

Grand Lodge of England recognized the new Grand Lodge or not , the result would not have been altered .

Still there were not wanting those who thought that a subject of such importance to Masonic policy should not have been disposed of with little consideration ^ The P . G . Chaplain , Bro . Simpson , officiating as S . G . W ., and Bro . Mason , speaking

from the dais , well expressed this thought . The one who pointed out the bearings of this step on the future career of Grand Lodge was Bro . Hyde Clarke , D J ) . G-. M . for Turkey , but he did not express himself fully , or was not well understood ^

for the nature of his warning made small impression . This was the case even with Bro . Havers P . G . W ., Avho thought that the example of Nova Scotia Avas exceptional , and that we shall never lose Australia or any other colonies , as he

considered that in Canada ancl Nova Scotia Englishmen go to settle for life , but that to Australia they go to make a fortune and return . This was combated by Bro . Francis Bennoch ^ Y . P . of the Colonial Board , and confirmed that

the main body of emigrants become permanent settlers in Australia , and that , even of those who come home , the majority go back after three or four years , finding the social' atmosphere too cold for their pretensions . Bro . Bennoch ,

however , took the ground that it is most desirable to encourage the Masonic independence of our Colonies .

Admitting that , Avhenever the time has coma for recognition it should be heartily conceded ., there are yet some considerations , based on the suggestions of Bro . Hyde Clarke , which are well worthy of attention . Indeed they Avere received

in very complimentary terms by Bro . Havers , anil it is to be hoped that they may by him be turned to practical account . Independence means , in one point of view , diminution of the revenues of Grand Lodge , and that to a very serious extent ,

Of course , when this is unavoidable , well and good ,, and Ave must submit ; but there are many cases where , by judicious administration , the Colonies might be satisfied , causes of disturbance removed , and the connexion be long maintained for the

benefit of Colonial members . All the Colonies are not alike , and this Avas Avell explained by the P . G . M . for China , acting as D . G . M . It requires management and arrangements suitable to each , but unfortunately the Colonial Board is not suited

for any such administration . Most of the members have no real knowledge of the Colonies and foreign districts under their supervision , and a material alteration is required in this respect .

One great cause of disturbance at present appears to be the three G-M- 's and three Grand Lodges competing in each of our colonies , and ; , unless some arrangement be come to by joint agreement to regulate this , not only will the