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little quota ? If so , what becomes of the hackneyed apothegm about taxation without representation being tyranny ? In a word , are our Country Brethren content to he excluded from that share in the government which is acknowledged in idle words to be their due , but is practically placed as far beyond their reach as if they hailed

from the Isthmus of Darien ? We see that some able and zealous Brethren have spoken in the Provinces recently upon this subject . At Bath , on the 10 th of February , W . Bro . Lord CARNARVON expatiated with great effect on the monstrous injustice of 500 Lodges being placed by geographical accident at the mercy of a

small section . The Masons of Southampton have , from W . Bro . BiGGs ,. heard similar sentiments ; and we trust , for the increased prosperity of the community , that the discussion of this topic will be encouraged at Provincial meetings . Not that we would stir the sediments of party into agitationwhich is dangerous to harmony , or

, fan the flame of faction which is so difficult to subdue . Non tali aimlio , not by such means is a great principle best assorted , for day by clay the enj overs of privileges are awaking to the fact that their fruition is not necessarily marred by participation , nor the security of those privileges endangered by extending the interest in then '

perpetuauce . On the occasion of a procession or a show , when , by dint of subtle diplomacy or physical exertion , we have attained to some coign of vantage or position of temporary superiority over our struggling fellows , are we not

conscious of a feeling of petty triumph ? And when another man in time succeeds to an equality with us ( we blush to ask it ) , is there not a dash of grudge or envy in the milk of our human kindness towards him ? A moment ' s thought , and we require no deep analysis to prove such sentiments mean and unworthy . Up goes a rocket , or the band begins to play : there is something

worth seeing , and a little disappointed urchin is tottering on tiptoe and dislocating his neck to see that something , but iu vain . Why , we can ' t bear to be selfish in our enjoyment . A grasp , a lift , and we have raised the struggler to an equality of privilege with ourselves , and almost put it down on the credit side of our conscience

as a good action . Brothers BROWN and JONES , there is room for another on your platform , and ROBINSON is au descsvoir in the street . By your decision the agenda are now circulated among Provincial brethren , and have stirred , as they ought to do , an ambition in their minds to take part from their far Lodges in the government of

the Craft . Do but agree with us that we should all start level ! Grant us the fairness of the proposition that our Country Lodges should have an opportunity of recording their votes on such' questions as are decided by vote in G . L ., and we will then have an amicable discussion on the details of the reform . We shall

pro bably be agreed that the princi ple of proxy would not suit us . It savours too much of party to be desirable . But no such objection would , we apprehend , be incident to Lord CARNARVON ' suggestion , which was so warmly ltct'ivtd at iialii , that country votes should be deemed

legally tendered when sent on a sheet of paper by post to Grand Lodge . Some such mode of proceeding would be clear , as it appears to us , from all imputation of jobbery , and its adoption by our authorities a hold , judicious , and popular step in Masonic Reform .

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WE were always aware that Scotch Masonry , like Scotch marriages , was rather a loose affair , but we confess we were unprepared for the astounding and discreditable revelations that have lately been made relative to Scotch MARK Masonry , and the way in which the authorities of that degree carry on their affairs .

It appears , from a statement lately made in the GRAND MARK LODGE in London , and since corroborated by indisputable evidence , that the GRAND CHAPTER of SCOTLAND is in the habit of granting certificates declaring that the persons named in them have taken the R . A . degree at a specified time and placeand are

, therefore MARK Masters , which is iu Scotland a necessary step to the R . A ., when the whole statement , as to individual , time , and place , is a simple untruth from beginning to end . A Member of the MARK G . L . announced that he " held in his hand a document purporting to be a Scottish G . C . certificate of Exaltation .

It stated that a certain Brother had been exalted in the Esk Dalkeith Chapter , No . 43 , on the 18 th of November , 1857 ; and recorded in the Register of the GRAND CHAPTER on the 19 th of November . It stated in

French , tnat the Brother had previously entered into the usual obligation . It purported to bear the seal of the Esk Dalkeith Chapter , No . 42 , and of the GRAND CHAPTER OF SCOTLAND . It purported to be signed by the Officers of the Chapter , including Brother WILLIAM GAYXOR , who also signed the GRAND CHAPTER Record of the 19 th Novemberas G . S . E . Pro . Grand Recorder .

, He desired it to be understood that the Brother to whom this certificate is said to have been issued assured him , he was never in a Scotch Chapter in Ms life—had never elsewhere , either on the 18 th of November , or at any other time , been exalted or obligated as certified . And that he had been led into accepting the document by a

Scotch gentleman he had met in London , in order that the possession of the certificate mi ght imply to the world ( though not stated ) that he was a regular Scotch Master ( MARK Master ) , and in a position to apply to the G . C . of Scotland for a warrant to work the degree in England . "

This notable fraud—we wish we could add that it were forgery—attempted to be passed upon English MARK Masters by the GRAND CHAPTER Authorities in SCOTLAND , will , now that it has been discovered , go far , we trust , to prevent English Masons from ' accepting warrants to work the MARK degree from SCOTLAND , as it

will doubtless prevent English MARK Lodges from attaching any higher value to Scotch certificates than might be supposed to belong to the Railway Scrip issued by REDPATH and Co . As to tiie supposed antiquity of Scotch MARK Masonry , we suggest the following considerations to those who still believe iu it .