America.

Many important matters were transacted during the session . The discussion upon the revised constitution , as proposed by a committee appointed for that purpose , occupied much of the session , and was finally postponed until the next annual communication . The address of the G . AL , was a lengthy , yet interesting document , containing much valuable information ancl many practical suggestions to the Craft . Among other suggestions was that of having the history of Jlasonry in South Carolina prepared and published . Dr . Albert G . Mackey , the

present Grand Secretary , was elected historiographer of the Grand Lodge . Au application for the establishment of a Loclge in thc island of Cuba was laid before the Grand Loclge and favourably considered . A charter for a Loclge was accordingly granted , to be under the jurisdiction of the Grand Loclge of South Carolina . This effort to revive Masonry in Cuba , will , no doubt , ultimately result in the formation of a Grand Lodge in that island . Masonryin of the

re-, consequence strictions of the Spanish Government , has been extinguished in Cuba lor many years , and the recstablishment of the Order is au indication of an enlarged liberality upon thc part of thc government , as well as the advancement of the inhabitants of that island towards civilization and enlightenment . Masonry in all ages has been the patron of liberty , a friend to virtue , ancl the promoter of the arts and sciences . Bros . Henry Buist , M . AV . G . AL ; B . R . Campbell , of Laurens , R . AV .

D . G . M .,- A . Ramsay , of Edgefield , V . W . S . IV . ; Thos . P . Slider , of Newberry , A ' . AV . J . AY . ; J . H . Honour , V . AV . Grand Treasurer ; Albert G . Mackey , M . D ., V . AV . Grand Secretary ; Rev . B . Johnson , of Abbeville , Grand Chaplain ; Z . AV . Oarwile , of Edgefield , C . Froneberger , of Charleston , S . G . Ds . ; J . It . N . Tenhet , of Marion , T . S . Sistrunk , of St . George ' s , J . G . Ds . ; P . K . Cobuni , G . Marshal ; R . S . Brims , G . Purs . ; AV . T . Alillorof CharlestonAV . P . Russellof CharlestonGStewards

, , , , . ; Samuel Burke , of Charleston , G . Tyler . An amendment to the constitution was proposed permitting the , sessions of thc Grand Loclge to be held at such places as the Grand Loclge may from year to year determine . The amendment was adopted , and ii was resolved that the next annual communication be held in Greenville , on the third Tuesday in November , 1 SGQ .

GRAND LODGE OF FLORIDA . Tun Grand Loclge convened on the 9 th of January , at eleven , A . JI .. in thc Masonic Hall , Tallahassee , and was opened by Thos . Haywardj M . AV . G . AL , iu ample form . There was a very fair representation from the subordinate Lodges , and to give the representatives time to render in their returns , the Grand Loclge was called to refreshment until seven P . M . AVhen again called to labour , the G . M . read his address . It was short

, plain and able . The session closed ou the 12 tli . There was during the sitting considerable discussion upon the adoption of a proposed new constitution for the Grand Lodge . There was also considerable discussion upon the raising of money sufficient to pay the expenses incurred in publishing , in book form , the proceedings of the Grand Lodge , from its organization in 1830 to 185 !) , inclusive . It is a valuable work to the Craft in this state . The election for Grand Officers resulted as follows . —Bros . D . . 0

Dawkins , M . AV . G . M . ; F . C . Barrett , R . AV . D . G . M . ; Jno . L . McKomioii , AV . S . G . AV . ; Franklin Branch , AV . J . G . AV . ; Jno . B . Taylor , AV . G . Sec . ; Thos . Hayward , AV . G . Treas . ; Kev . Jno . Penny , AV . G . Chaplain . The Committee on Foreign Correspondence made no report , as official business prevented the chairman , Bro . Ives , from completing it ; it will appear , however , iu the printed proceedings . The Grand Lodge closed its labours on the 12 th January after a session of four days . On the 13 th Grand Alaster Dawkins received intelligence of the demise of Robert Butler , P . G . M ., at his residence several miles from the city . A special session of the Grand Loclge was called

for the purpose of paying the last sad rites to our deceased Brother , and passing suitable resolutions , & c . The Grand Officers , a large number of delegates and brethren , accompanied by the military , repaired to Bro . Butler ' s residence and buried him with Alasonic honours . AVhilc at the grave Bro . It . K . Call made some very appropriate and fouling remarks concerning the life and virtues of the dead . AVhilc the eulogy was being pronounced , many tears were shed , and nature too seemed to participate in the solemn ceremonies . The drooping branches of a live

oak which overhang his grave ivere heavily draped in long moss , and the fresh breeze from the lake sighed mournfully over the sad scene . The ceremonies over , all returned to the city and reassembled in the Lodge room , where the Grand Lodge was again closed in ample form . Alay it be . seldom convened on such sad occasions . Grand Chapter was opened on the 9 th of January , at three P . M ., in the Alasonic Hall , where it held its sessions every afternoon at the same hour . Comp , 1 ) . P . Holland , the G . H . P ., is a good and efficient officer , and briht Alason is native of the

a g . Ho a " Emerald Isle , " and " a gentleman—one of the rale mild stock . " His address was an able paper ¦—appropriate and forcible , though very short . There was but little work before the Grand Chapter , ancl its session was short . The election for Grand Officers resulted in the choice of Companions T . Y . Henry , M . E . G . H . Priest : Geo . G . Baltzell , E . D . G . H . Priest ; Geo . D . Fisher , E . G . King ; Josiah Paine , E . G . Scribe ; Jno . B . Taylor , E . G . Secretary ; Thos . Hayward , E . G . Treasurer : Jno . Penny , E . G . Chaplain , and they were installed into their offices . The Grand Chapter then closed iu ample form .

America.

ILLINOIS . The Committee on Foreign Correspondence of this Grand Loclge , have reported the following Resolution on the " North American Afasonic Congress . " " Resolved , that we are opposed to any system of Confederation of the Grand Lodges , advisory or otherwise , that ive are content with our old landmarks ; that we are willing to listen to , consider and weigh all the opinions , discussious and arguments of sister Grand Lodges , but we are not willing to cater into any arrangement or system whereby ive shall be morally or Masonically bound , directly or indirectly , to forego the settled judgment of the Craft in Illinois , when in Grand Lodge assembled . "

ARKANSAS . The following are the Grand Officers elect of this Grand Lodge for this year : — Bros . E . H . English , G . AL ; Henry K . Brown , G . S . AV . ; J . F . Hill , G . J . AA ' . ; AV , F . Leake , G . Lecturer ; C . B . Mitchell , G . Orator ; T . D . Merrick , Cf . Secretary ; It . L . Dodge , G . Treasurer . Of the Grand Chapter : — Companions T . D . MerrickM . E . G . H . P . Little Rock : Harris Fl . ht

, , mag , R . E . G . H . P ., Arkadelphia ; H . K . Brown , E . G . King , Paraelifta ; Alfred Mulline , E . G . Scribe , Clarendon ,- Granville McPherson , E . G . Treasurer , Little Rock ; Jno . H . Ncwbern , E . G . Secretary , . Little Rock ; Rev . Peyton R . Smith , E . G . Chaplain , Montieello ; J . C . Ewing , E . G . C . Host , Batesville ; A . L . AAltheriiigton , E . G . R . A . Captain , Pigeon Hill , Union county .

AMERICAN MEMS . BOSTON " , MASS . —Thc birth-day of Brother Benjamin Franklin , was commemorated at the Music Hall , January IS , by the Franklin Typographical Society , before whom the Hon . Edward Everett delivered an oration on the early life of that distinguished printer . MESASHA , WISCONSIN . —The Craft of Bryan Lodge , Xo . 98 , at this place , celebrated the anniversary of St . John thc Evangelist with a

procession and address from Brother Hon . John A . Bryan , for whom the Lodge was originally named . The interesting occasion was united most heartily in by the brethren of several of the neighbouring Lodges , and the crowded church where the proceedings were held gave evidence of that deep impression upon all who witnessed them which must tend to promote thc welfare and advance the interest of the fraternity . KKWANKE , ILLINOIS . —The officers elect of GalvaLoclge , No . 243 , were publicly installed , J . ui . » tti , last , by Bro . T . 3 " . Pickett , P . G . M ., who delivered an excellent discourse on the occasion . A large crowd of spectators was present .

MICHIGAN . —Last St . John ' s Day was duly celebrated at Lyons ' Bro . Rev . F . A . Blades , of Detroit , delivered an address , which ivas listened to with breathless attention by a large audience . VEUMONT . —Union Lodge , at Middlebury , celebrated St . John ' s Day in au appropriate maimer . The reunion at night was a fine affair , and will live long in the memories of the brethren ami ladies who partook of thc good cheer and mingled in the social exercises of the occasion . NEW JJ-HSEY . —A Convention of Knights Templarto take the

, necessary preliminary action for the formation of a Grand Commandery of Xew Jersey , was held at Trenton , on AVedncsday , Jan . ISth , 18 H 0 , under the sanction of a proxy from Comp . Sir Knight B . B . French , Grand Master of Knights Templar ofthe United States , held by Comp . Sir Knight Jeremiah L . Hutchinson , of St . John ' s -Commandery at Philadelphia . Comp . Sir Edward C . Taylor , of St . Bernard Commandery Xo . ii , was called to the chair , and Comp . Sir Knight Thos . J . Corson , of Helena Commandery Xo . 3 , was elected Recorder .

Loci'i'oiiT , NEW YOUR . —On the 13 th of : January , ' -Bruce Council of Royal and Select Masters" was instituted in this place by virtue of letters of dispensation issued by X . 0 . Benjamin , Afost Puissant Grand Alaster of the Most Puissant Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of the State of New York , wherein Rev . Comp . Charles 11 . Piatt was named Th . 111 . Master , Comp . Charles Craig , R . Ill , Master , and Comp . Daniel A . Knapp 111 . P . O . of the AVork . This Council is named in honour aud memory of the martyr Eli Bruce , one of the victims of Autiniasonry . It -opens under favourable auspices , and is destined to radiate cryptic light over this once benighted region .

AVARUM ; , OHIO . —Rev . Bro . R . B . Bement lectured before old Erie Lodge , No . 3 , nt this place , Nov . 30 th , last , and elicited the following expression of opinion - . —¦ llesol ved , " That the thanks of thc Lodgo ancl visiting brethren present be tendered to our Rev . brother , Robert B . Bement , for thc very lucid , able , instructive , and interesting lecture delivered to us this evening on the subject of ' Msisonry—Its Origin and General Good to Mankind . ' " LOUISVILTKKEN-TUCK v—The one hundred and first anniversary cf

., . the birth of Burns was celebrated here by some eighty gentlemen . Air . Ainslie was President of the occasion , and five gentlemen , including Bro . Rob . Atoms , Alee Presidents . In response to various sentiments , Bro . Morris spoke at some length of those great men and Afasons , Burns and Scott .