Correspondence.

creasing body , both in number and influence , whose efforts are , and will continue to be , uncompromisingly directed to effect every rational improvement in Masonic Government , tended to produce the change ; or whether it arose from the natural goodness of heart and amiability of disposition of the Noble Grand Master—to whom I gladly concede the possession of these qualities , and also the exercise of them when not under the control of irresponsible and mistaken , though doubtless well-intentioned , advisers—the result is equally satisfactory . It must not be thought for a moment ,

however , that our task is at an end . We must persevere with firmness and moderation till the " consummation so devoutly to be wished" —an entire change in policy with thorough efficiency in management , shall happily be arrived at . The resignation of the venerable Grand Secretary is undoubtedly a step in the right direction ; though in saying this I intend no disrespect to that highly-esteemed Brother . His past services and great abilities well merit , and I trust will receive substantial recognition ; but it would be false delicacy to shrink from the avowal of what is the almost

universal opinion , that increasing years have rendered him unfit to cope with the laborious duties attached to his office . This is not the time to criticise the late proceedings , and I shall simply express the earnest hope that Bro . White may be spared to enjoy many years of that quiet and repose which his lengthened exertions have fairly earned for him . This , however , is not the only change that must be made . The remedy for the evils complained of consists not in the resignation or dismissal of this or that official—though there are Brethren occupying high stations whose retirement would

not be deemed the greatest misfortune that could befall Masonry . What is wanted is the substitution of activity , energy , zeal , and courtesy , for carelessness , supineness , indifference , and irritability . The necessity of this will be duly estimated when the Canadian catastrophe is accomplished , as there is now but too much reason to fear will be the case . How easily this sad event might have been avertedhow literally everything has been done to urge on its completionwill but too plainly appear on the publication of the Resolutions lately come to , and the proceedings subsequently taken , by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Canada West . It may suit those whose knowledge of Masonry is confined to what I think I may not unaptly call its externals , to brand the partv

to which I have alluded as " conspirators , " and to fasten upon them the stigma of " faction , " merely because they avail themselves of every legitimate opportunity to protest against what they believe to be a mistaken policy , and one fraught with danger to the best interests of an institution they revere and admire , and of which policy the unhappy results are , alas ! but too patent . It is possible for those so maligned to survive such obloquy , being sustained by the consciousness of their own integrity and singleness of purpose : and they are quite willing to be judged by events . To this class

of objectors there is no occasion for further reply . For another class , however , we entertain sincere respect . There are brethren of experience who have in every way evidenced their desire to promote the interests of our Order—whose opinion it is that dissensions under any circumstances must be productive of injury and mischief—that Freemasonry is an institution so peculiar in every respect , so delicate in its organisation , so different in its constitution from every other Society—that contact with the outer world should be

studiously avoided , lest it lead to an examination into its nature and pretensions , of the consequences of which they are apprehensive . In short , they regard Masonry as a feeble , r ' icketty bantling , needing all fostering care and attention to keep it alive . While , on the other hand , I regard it as a strong , robust giant , able to grapple with any difficulties , to surmount any obstacles—only requiring to have his energies fully developed , his faculties freely cultivated , his abilities properly directed , to show how much good he is capable of

effecting for the whole human race . lam in no way fearful of the result of any tost to which Masonry may be submitted " if only its government be sound , its direction efficient , its policy wise , liberal , and expansive . Equally sanguine am I of the results of the present movement . Doubtless , dissensions are to be lamented , but unity is often eliminated out of strife—and out of present evil future good may arise . Let those whose hearts are in the cause co-operate with those who have begun the good work , and when success shall have crowned our efforts let us not boast a victoryor vaunt a triumph

, , but prove by the moderation of our views that those efforts have been directed but to one end and aim—the promotion of the usefulness and efficiency of our Order . I am , dear Sir and Brother , Yours faithfully and fraternally , FREDK . BINCKES , Dec . 6 th , 1856 . W . M . No . 11 .

Ad01805

AMERY'S COMMERCIAL AND FAMILY HOTEL , BATH . Contiguous to the Pump Boom and Baths , tho Abbey , Guildhall , Boyal Literary Institution , and tho centre of tho Trading District . GOOD VIEWS OF THE SURROUNDING COUNTRY . Beds Is . to 2 s . Cd . Lunch Is . and Is . 6 d . Sitting Booms , ... 2 s . Cd . to 4 s . Cd . Dinner , . ; Is . Cd . to 3 s . Breakfast , Is . Cd ., Is . 9 d ., and 2 s . Attendance ... Is . per day . FAMILIES LODGED AND BOARDED AT MODERATE CHARGES . Good Commercial & Coffee Rooms , a large Show or Dining Room . An excellent Billiard Room , & an American Rowling Saloon . AN OMNIBUS ATTENDS EACH TRAIN .

Provincial Mess.

PROVINCIAL MESS .

IN order to facilitate the attendance of Provincial Brethren at the Quarterly Communications in London , the following arrangement has been made : — 1 . Any Provincial Mason , on payment of £ 1 Annually , will be entitled to attend the Provincial Mess , at F . M . Tavern , on the day of each Quarterly Communication , when he will be provided with a plain dinner and a pint of wine . 2 . All Country Lodges will be at liberty to subscribe at the

same rate for any number of their members . 3 . Provincial Masons who are riot subscribers may attend tho mess on payment of 7 s . fid . 4 . Brethren attending in right of Lodge subscriptions , must bring a note from the W . M . of their lodge to authorize them in so doing . 5 . Notice must he sent to "The Landlord , Free Masons '

Tavern , Great Queen Street , London , " by every Brother intending to dine at the mess two days before each Quarterly Communica tion . 6 . The chair will be taken at 5 p . m ., by the Treasurer , or some Brother deputed by him . 7 . Subscriptions must be paid in advance before the first Quarterly Communication , in each year , to the Treasurer , the Rev . George Raymond Portal , P . Prov . S . G . W ., Oxon , 3 , Wilton Crescent , London , by post-office order on the Knightsbridge Office .

Ar01802

The following WORKS have been recently published by B , E . PEACH , 8 , Bridge Street , Rath . mUNSTALL'S EAMBLES ABOUT BATH AND 1 ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD . Illustrated with 14 Engravings and a Map of the Environs . New edition , price 5 s .

I SEASON IN BATH ; or , Letters from the Green A . Family to their Friends in the Country . First Series , price Is .

Ar01803

NOTICE . The MASONIC OBSERVER is published after each Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge , and may be obtained direct from Bath ; or from the London Publishers through any local bookseller . Communications must be addressed to the care of the Publisher , Bridge Street , Bath , not later than one week after each G . L .

Ar01804

Bath : Printed and Published by R . E . PEACH , 8 , Bridge Street ; and sold also by SIMPKIN , MARSHALL & Co ., Stationers' Hall Court , London . "