Masonic Notes And Queries.

most Precious Perle , & c . It occurs at the close of chapter vi . It is a pity that Cawdray does nofc give any references . He borrows largely from Werdmuller , whose writings abound in similies . — EIRIONNA-CH . " LODGE TRIAL .

"When , and where , AA * as the last Masonic trial , of a brother . by his lodge , held in England ?—LEX MASONICA . BEO . MARTIN CLARE . "What is known of the family of Bro . Martin Clare who was once a Deputy Grand Master of the Craft ?

-C . A . LORD BTEON . Was the poet Lord Byron ever made a Mason ? There was one of his predecessors who was Grand Master and his Avife ' s father , Sir Ralph Millbanke , Bart ., Avas Prov . G . Master for Durham . —P . Z .

THE BOOK OF CONSTITUTIONS . Wanted , a list of the various editions of the Boole of Constitutions , specifying the dates and sizes of the different issues , by—W . S .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The JZditor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . MASONIC LAWS .

TO THE EDITOI ! OF THE FUEEir . lSOjS' M . 1 GAZIME AXD MASOSTC MIKIIOn . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In your number of April 29 th , you kindly inserted some remarks on the present mode of appointment of the Grand Master of England ancl of Provincial Grand Masters . The

more this matter is considered in its influence on the Craffc , the more apparent does the desirability of a change in the arrangements become , especially as to the latter office , where the objections . are far greater than iu the other case . Allow me to renew the subjectAA'ith a viciv to bring it more prominentl

, y before tho notice of members of Grand Lodge . The appointment of Deputy Grand Master rests Avith the Grand Master , AVIIO , being by custom re-elected annually , mag continue the same brother as his Deputy during his whole term , thus depriving many deserving brethren of the honour , siuce in his appointment the

Craft generally have no A'oice . A limitation in the tenure of office is desirable here also . Certainl y the Institution has not suffered in this respect , because frequent changes of the Deput y have been made , and the Grand Loclge has the remedy iu its OAVU hands , having the power to change the Grand Master

annually . Such , however , is nofc the case in the proA'inces , where , as before stated , the members have no voice in the election of their head , ivho may continue in office many years in succession , notwithstanding incapacity , impropriety , or unpopularity , Avhich , though deeply felt in the district , are Avith the

greatest difficulty , if they can be at all , made apparent to the Grand Master , ivith whom the appointment rests , Giving to his Avant of local knoAA'ledge , distance , and the obstructions in the way of transmitting evidence perhaps several hundred miles . Besides , remonstrances of this kind are always objectionable aud painful , the necessity for which would be obviated

Correspondence.

by setting a limit to a Prov . Grand Master ' s tenure of office . Farther , hoAvever , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master is chosen by the Provincial Grand Master ,, aud power conferred upon him too by patent , to be held during pleasure . In this case au obnoxious ^

person may be forced upon the Craft , and maintained , there against their AT ill . It must be admitted that itis in human nature , for any one , however well disposed , Avho rules long over others with almost practical irresponsibility , gradually to assume powers for which he has no authority , nor Avould it be difficult to

pi-OA'e thafc this tendency has been manifested , thus rendering those who were free before initiation far otherwise after ifc ; for though there is an appeal to Grand Lodge against sentences of punishment , the fear of ifc is remote in parts distant from London , and arbitrary power may be exercised in many ways-Avithout resorting to such a step . It is urged , therefore , that if he be desirable to change the Provincial

Grand JM astei periodically , say triennially , as before suggested , the same holds good with regard to his Deputy . Permit me to mention two instances where a change Avould have been desirable , premising that the object of the appointment of a Deputy is , it is conceived ,, to relieve the Provincial Grand Master from the more active portions of his dutiesfrequently to visit the

, lodges , personally to ascertain their condition , aud to report thereon to the Provincial Grand Master . In the first case , the Deputy AA'as a most energetic , intelligent brother in high social position , Avho fully acted up to the requirements , but his visits to private lodges Avere dreaded , inasmuch as the brethren never knew

Avhen they AA'ould be released from his long addresses of an hour ' s duration or more , A'ery good , bufc tiresome from the repetition , and personal respect hardly restrained want of courtesy . Here Avas an excess of zeal , but finding it not palatable , he had the good taste to resign , to the satisfaction of the brethren .. The other case to Avhich allusion has been made is one

of opposite character , in Avhich an elderly brother ismaintained in his place as Deputy Provincial Grand Master , who never does anything ivhatover , except take the right of the chair at the annual meetings of Provincial Grand Lodge . He evinces no lively interest in the province , never visits any lodge except

that of ivhich he is a member , aud that but rarely-He is in fact a mere nonentity , physically incapable of much effort , aud if his place were vacant the loss Avould not be felt ; yet he retains the honour , and will not resign . It is true that the Provincial Grand ' Master requires no services from himdoing all himself

, , aud Avell Avould it be if it Avere otherwise , and if heinterfered less . In fact , in the one case there is an inferior officer ivho does nothing , and a superior one Avho does too much . Yet there is no poiver to remove either—want of respect for both is the result , the province suffers , and the Craffc is in discredit with

those Avho do not belong to it , many of Avhom are prevented from joining by what they witness . It is indeed , hi gh time for these things to be seriously considered , and for the laAvs to be so amended as to allow of periodical changes which would conduce to the maintenance of kindly feeliug , and to the

preferment iu turn to posts of honour of those Avho have merited it . Tours fraternall y , May 3 rd , 1 S 65 . P . M .