The Three Grand Lodges.

2 i being the average for Scotland during the six years . Evidently her sons in distant climes have three times as much enthusiasm for Masonic light and ritual as those at home . A more plentiful crop of cash in the colonies where they are located may account for this , for certainly not in energy ,

and of course not in number , do the Scottish brethren abroad surpass the brethren they have left . In the sexennial period now under investigation , it appears that Ireland had her -Grand Lodge strengthened by the enrolment of 3 2 lodges , or 5 | annually . Nineteen were stationed abroad , ancl

2 were regimental , so that 11 lodges were permanently organised in the Emerald Isle during the * ix years , or not quite 2 per twelve months . If the above statements rest on good data , and there is no reason to think otherwise , they demonstrate that , for the six years preceding 1862 , England annually acquired lodges in a ratio of 5- | times greater than did Scotland , and 7 £ times than did Ireland .

There is an excellent feature of Freemasonry in England , which I am sorry to say has no place in Scotland . I allude to Lodges of Instruction—no less than 45 of which meet in the former country , in accordance with her Masonic laws . A few

years ago a charter was obtained , ancl a Lodge of Instruction started in Glasgow ; but it was never well supported , and is almost or entirely in abeyance . Surely the brethren of North Britain are imbued with the Masonic spirit to an extent equal to the establishment of at least one Lodge of

Instruction in each province . The benefits which thirty would confer on the Craft , would soon be appreciated . They would tend greatly to assimilate the many discordant styles of working now prevalent , and above all , to put an end tothe pernicious practice , followed by some isolated country

lodges , of bestowing Eoyal Arch and Kni ghts Templar degrees , under their Saint John Charters , and that for sums which barely exceed the minimum fixed by the Grand Lodge to be paid for Entered Apprentice and Raising . Perhaps the recognition of these advanced degrees by the

Grand Lodge of Scotland , and the enactment of salutary regulations , with the view of maintaining them on a creditable basis , would do more to put down illegal and clandestine transactions than any other means . Chapters are superintended by the Grand Lodges of England ancl Ireland , the latter looking after the well-being of encampments too .

The designations which brethren have selected for the lodges they have inaugurated , embody material for much curious observation . A vast proportion ofthe lodges ruled by the Grand Lodge of England , have the names of virtues , Masonic and moral . Union bTradesmenPilgrimsand

y , , others , and its cognate ideas of True and Perfect Unanimity , outnumber all the groups of allied virtues . Loyalty and Royalty abound , as do Brotherly Loves , Fellowship , Good Fellowshi p and Fraternity , Friendship , True and Perfect ,

ancl Amity . There is no lack of Industry and Perseverance ; and the excellent Masonic qualities , Peace , Harmony , and Concord , are in great repute , as are likewise Hope , Good Hopes , and . Stars of it . The Three Grand Principles , and the Four Cardinal Yirtues , are well represented

on the roll , together with Temperance , ancl a few Saints hailing from various points of the compass . Philanthropy , Rural ( and Urban , also , it is to be hoped ) , has a respectable gathering of votaries . Eden Valley has a sound of contentment and beauty about it ; and Pacific ancl Reposealthough

, they be akin to dormancy ( abhorrent to Grand Lodges ) , yet convey a soothing impression .. Pleiades is a truly imaginative ancl appropriate title for a cluster of the Sons of Li ght ; but . Amphibious is a questionable one . It is startling .

to find Jerusalem in Bristol , and a decided puzzle to guess what connection can subsist between a Parret ancl Axe , and the Square and Compasses . Some brethren not satisfied with one good quality , have adopted two combining an antithesis , doubtless with the object of warning any one

disposed to tamper with them , that thoug-h kindhearted , they were not simpletons—a laudable precaution . Independence with Philanthropy Courage with Humanity , Humility with Fortitude , ancl Fortitude and Old Cumberland are examples of that genus .

ReliefRegularitFeli-, y , city , Good Report and Silence , Freedom , Affability , Economy , have each a circle of admirers , as many others have . In fine , there is scarcely a commendable idea bearing on the precepts of the ancient Order , which has not been chosen as the

representative of one or more Masonic constituencies in England . I cannot bring myself to believe that any native brother of 641 Harmony , so far forgot his O . B ., or the title inscribed on the banner of his lodge , as to countenance the atrocities of Cawnpore . Do not the ideas , concomitant with the name Rifle Volunteers , clash with those of universal brotherhood and non-political interference ?

Reverting to the subject of lodge titles . Ireland has but 9 lodges rejoicing in purely Masonic designations , such as Ark ancl Hiram , Justice , Harmony , Blues , Loyal , and True , and a few Unions , comprehend all the virtues fixed upon . She possesses a Star and a Li ght of the West ,

and another of the North ; but contrary to what might be expected , the Saints are patrons of only 15 lodges . Over 7 of them , St . John spreads the regis of his name , ancl St . Patrick performs the like service for three more . St . Paul , St . German , St . Columb , St . Stephen , and St . Alban , have

each one under his protection . The fact that the Roman Catholic Clergy , as a body , do not countenance Freemasonry , and so prevent many of that persuasion being initiated , may partly account for the paucity of such names . Few people acquainted with the antecedents and disposition of the Scotch , would suppose that the