Correspondence.

the fact that in the succeeding number of the Era , and in the notice paper sent round from the Grand Secretary ' s Office , the Grand Registrar plainly and unequivocally denies tho truth of tho assumption contained in the paragraph above quoted . The minds of brethren might perhaps have remained somewhat mystified with reference to the object of the false statement thus anonymously circulated , had not the nrystery been speedily cleared up by Bro . Whitmore , who has , in his oivn name , placed the following notice of motion on the paper of business for next Grand Lodge : —

" That tho Grand Lodge is desirous of expressing its regret that the Grand Registrar should consider it consistent with his duty to the Graft , of which he is the authorized legal adviser , to organise a party movement for tlie purpose of securing tho election of certain brethren as members of the Board of General Purposes . "

And thus " murder will out . " "Wo have the purist Uro . Whitmore , first assuming and then protesting against " a party movement "—Bro . Whitmore one of the undisguised leaders of the Observer faction—Bro . Whitmore , the treasurer of the pompous ancl revolutionary Grand Lodge Club—Bro . Whitmore who , of course , considers that " unusual combinations justify , nay , demand extraordinary measures to counteract them . " Will not the brethren be forcibly reminded of the

saying—Quia tulent Gracchus de seditione quforentes ? But after all , it appears from tho official communication of the Grand Registrar that the virtuous "Whitmore is mistaken in his facts—I beg pardon , in his assumptions . The plain truth is , that the Obm-r . tr faction played a desperate game to obtain their ends . There ivas , during a temporary inactivity of the brethren , a moment when they foolishly hoped for success in their machinations ; but they reckoned without their host—large masses

rallied round the standard of order , and faction , was trampled under foot . The Craft having thus imbibed a natural horror of faction , these brethren noiv attempt to turn round and adopt the transparent plan of endeavouring to fix on others the stigma which the } ' have gained for themselves . They must take the consequences of their unscrupulous conduct , but it will not , as they hoped and intended , have the effect of enabling them to place any of the " obstructives" on the Board of General Purposes .

One word more and I . have done . In my humble opinion it is abominable that Bro . "Whitmore , or any other brother , should have ifc in his power to put such a notice of motion on the paper of business , and thus obtain the circulation , a I th expense of lite Craft , of a scandalous libel ou one of its principal oflicers . In any case I sincerely hope that at the approaching Grand Lodge means will be taken to ensure a decision on tbe subject ; and that it will notlike Lord Carnarvon ' s recent motion of censurelie placed

, , upon the paper to do all the mischief it can , and then be conveniently allowed to drop , so as to avoid the inevitable consequences of a debate and a division . I am . Sir and Brother , yours fraternall y , 2 "_ rd May , 1 S 50 . JUSTITIA .

The Swedish Rite.

THE SWEDISH RITE .

TO THE EDITOR OF THE IMIEE . IIASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIKROR . DEAU SIR AND BROTIIEI ; , —fn your highly interesting number of May llth , I observed the following statement :- — ' The Swedish rite , which 3 ii 2