Grand Lodge.

W . Bro . DOBIE wished to know whether Bro . Warren intended to exclude ladies . Bro . WARREN said ladies did not enter the room until after dinner . He had no objection to having the strangers after dinner ; but he objected to have them sitting down to dinner with the craft . He had several times called attention to the circumstance ; but having failed to get the proper remedy , he had been obliged to appeal to Grand Lodge . W . Bro . BINCKES seconded the motionbelieving that the

advan-, tages would more than counterbalance the disadvantages . The motion was put and carried . REPORTING PROCEEDINGS . The W . M . the GRAND MASTER intimated that a reporter other than the accredited reporter of Grand Lodge , had been seen taking notes without previous permission ; and on being applied to , he stated that he was taking notes for the Freemasons' Magazine . Now as it was

against the laws to have unauthorised reports of their proceedings , he should not allow reports to be taken in future . G . L . was then closed with solemn prayer at eleven o'clock , there being still twenty motions on the paper for discussion . After G . L . was closed , W . Bro . HAVERS moved a vote of thanks to the W . M ., the G . M ., for the satisfactory settlement of the Canadian question , which was carried by acclamation .

Royal Masonic Institution For Clothing, Educating, And Maintaining The Sons Of Indigent And Decayed Freemasons.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR CLOTHING , EDUCATING , AND MAINTAINING THE SONS OF INDIGENT AND DECAYED FREEMASONS .

The Anniversary Festival was held on Wednesday , 11 th inst ., at Freemason ' s Tavern , the Right Hon . Viscount Goderich , G . S . XV . in the Chair , supported bv R . W . Bro . Fleming , P . G . M ., Isle of Wight ; W . Bro . Jno . Hervey , P . G . S . D . ; G . W . K . Potter , P . G . I D . ; R . I . Spiers , P . G . S . B . ; A . Le Vean , P . G . S . B . ; W . F . White , Dr . Harcourt , W . Farnfield , A . G . Sec , & c , and upwards of 230 Brethren . The Dinner was excellent in quality , and abundant in quantityreflecting the hihest credit on the cuisine of

, g the establishment , the proprietors of which were indefatigable in their efforts to promote the comfort and enjoyment of all . At the conclusion of the banquet grace was exquisitely rendered by the whole of the vocal corps engaged , and then followed the usual loyal and other toasts , to all of which ample justice was done , by both the Noble Chairman in < proposing , and by the various Brethren whose names were associated therewith , in responding . We must , howeverparticularlaiotice our respected and esteemed BroFCrew

, y . . , Secretary to the Girls' School , whose name was coupled with the toast of" The Masonic Charities , " and whose winning eloquence was never more gracefully exerted than on this occasion . On the children being led round the hall , their appearance was such as to give satisfaction to all present , and all idea of mere " charity " was lost in the feeling that what had been done for them was nothing more than they had a right to expect from those who had ,

perhaps , mixed with their parents and friends in the hours of their prosperity , and whose children had become now their dearest care . Five boys were presented to the Chairman by Bro . Rev . T . E . Cox , G . C ., who gave them the prizes for good conduct and proficiency , silver medals being presented to two of them who had particularly distinguished themselves , and whose names we regret not having been able to ascertain . The subscriptions , though falling somewhat short of those of last year , amounted to the noble sum of upwards of £ 1200 and included £ 10 10 sfrom Her Majesty the

, ., Queen , Patron of the Institution , and £ 50 from its constant and untiring supporter , the Earl of Yarborough , D . G . M . The musical arrangements , which were very efficient , were under the direction of that really worthy Mason , Bro . Donald W . King ; and comprised the talents of Miss Messent , Mrs . Thomas , and Bros . D . W . King , Lawler , and George George ; Bro . B . Danks , Jun ., ably discharged the duties of Toastmaster . We cannot conclude our necessarily brief report without

expressing our regret at the absence of those whose rank and position would have lent prestige to the anniversary , our conviction being that our noble Brother in the chair was not supported as he ought to have been on this his first essay as chairman of a Masonic Festival . In saying this , we imply that the greater credit is due to those of the G . O . and Prov . G . O ., who gave their attendance . ' One fact , too , connected with the arrangements of the Stewards , we cannot pass unnoticed , though we forbear from comment thereon . The price of the tickets was 21 s . each ; the amount paid to the

proprietors of the tavern was 20 s . each . A question arises . Was it policy to make a profit for the Steward's Fund of Is . per head ? Sure we are many of the Stewards objected to this , and that disapprobation , both " loud and deep , " was freely expressed . The " honors " of the Glee-room we did not participate in .

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

To the Editor of the "Masonic Observer . " Dear Sir and Brother , —How often do we hear it asked " What is Masonry ? " This , indeed , is a question much more frequently proposed than answered . And no marvel!—for the Masoa to whom it is addressed is sufficiently aware that a damper is put upon his tongue , and a clog upon his pen , by the very circumstance which excites curiosity enough to dictate the enquiry . Eveiy one knows , or himself to knowthat the society of Freemasons is an ancient

supposes , , and , in some cases , a secret society ; and , therefore , however much a sharp gentleman , or an insinuating lady may consider it a fair trial of skill to entangle a Mason in his talk , he or she would probably withdraw all confidence , and , to a certain extent , their respect for him if either of them were to succeed in extracting the information they appear so desirous of obtaining . But after all the snares thrown in the way of , perhaps , an unguarded novicebstrong appeals to his good senseand personal

, y , obligations ; some more considerate and kind hearted individual , in whom the organ of inquisitiveness is not so very strongly developed , will throw his mantle over his puzzled and half-wavering friend , and thinking to settle him at once from the inquisitorial process to which he is mercilessly subjected , and from the possible consequences of overpressure , exclaims , with a benevolent " Pooh ! " " why plague him with attempting to grasp a shadow ? Why endeavour to make him do that which is simply impossible , and which , had it been possible ,

would have been done long enough ago ? I am quite sure he would have obliged you if he could—but if he c ' ant , what then ? Is it not quite plain that there is no secret to tell ?" For thus " mending the matter , " our Mason is doubtless extremely grateful . From the recollection of having been placed now and then in similar awkward , not to say untenable positions , the old and callous Mason draws the inference that he who undertakes to tell what " Masonry is , " assumes no small responsibility , and requires no small

amount of fortitude and skill to steer between the Scyllas and Charybdis on which an untaught or faltering hand would be sure to make shipwreck of himself , and his coveted cargo of precious information . Is then the true character of the royal Craft ever to remain under a cloud , which at least furnishes the unthinking world with a plausible excuse for doubting its theoretical stability or its practical worth ? Is it condemned to continue in such obscurity as may suggest a doubt to the more thoughtful , whether , if it were really valuable to society at largewe are not bound in conscience to communicate all we know

, for the benefit of others—upon the sound moral principle that we have no right to monopolize a communicable blessing . Against any such constraint being necessarily put upon the Craft , which must deprive it of a privilege essential to its vitality , and of the power to assert its high origin and inestimable attributes—there are , no doubt , many among us who would protest most strictly . The main difficulty is to find the best means of effecting a purpose in the support of which would concur in inionbut few

many op , , per haps , would be inclined to act . Should any one of the fraternity feel himself emboldened to try his hand in this knotty work of giving form and substance to that which has been generally deemed incapable of receiving either , and of making public that which has hitherto been supposed to lie concealed under the jewel on a Mason ' s breast ; he ought to be prepared to run the risks which are easily foreseen , but not so easily avoided . Having fearlessllooked the real difficulties in the faceand they

y , are not a few—he should weigh deliberately the objects and advantages which he may throw into the other scale , in order to strike a just balance between them and the obstacles to be encountered . If , in the firm belief that such a revelation might bo made with the strictest observance of engagements , which a Mason acknowledges in common with other conscientious men ; and with profound respect for the peculiar duties to which ho has voluntarily subjected himself