Grand Lodge, June 3rd, 1857.

on the minutes , stated that it was his intention in bringing it forward to exclude from their banquets musical gentlemen who were not Masons . To the expediency of such a course , he ( Bro . Slight ) would for one demur , as he thought the services of those gentlemen highly advantageous to the charities . At the last Festival in aid of the funds of the Girls' School , they had had the gratuitous services of one of the most distinguished musicians at present in this country , Bro . Bottesini ; but they would have been deprived of his valuable services , had they not allowed him to bring with him his accompanyist who was

not a Mason . It was of course natural that they should employ musical gentlemen who were Brethren in preference to those who were not ; but he thought that , until it could be shown that the present system led to insecurity or actual evil , the Grand Stewards should be left free and unimpeded in their actions . W . Bro . H . G . WARREN opposed the proposition of Bro . Henderson , because he considered that the rule laid down in the resolution , which he had had the honor to carry at the last Quarterly communication aud which now appeared on the minuteswas in strict conformity with

, the Book of Constitutions , as might be seen by referring to page 22 , where it was enacted that all Masons should have access to the Grand Festival . Now to him it appeared , that if it had been intended that all persons might have access to the Festival , there was no reason for laying down the regulation that all Masons should have it . The word ' masons , ' he conceived , clearly indicated that none others should be present . He denied the truth of the construction put upou his motion , that it would have the effect of keeping the ladies away from their banquets . He could safely say that he had never brought it

forward for that purpose . The ladies did not dine with the brethren on the occasion of any one of these festivals , but came into the gallery when dinner was over . He had no objection to musical gentlemen doing the same ; but knowing that certain Masonic communications passed between the Brethren while at dinner , he did not think it right that the uninitiated should have an opportunity of observing them . If it were allowable to introduce to one of those banquets a singer who was not a Mason , lie could see nothing to prevent his inviting his

personal friends to participate in the festivities . Indeed he believed that if they were to throw those banquets open to the public at large , their doing so would prove highly beneficial to the funds of the several charities , as the noblemen and other Brethren who acted as Stewards would very likely bring a large number of non-Masonic friends to support them . What ho complained of was the inconsistency of the present system ; and he thought that if they excluded one , they ought to exclude all . W . Bro . Eev . G . K . PORTAL : — -M . W . Grand Master , it is , I confess ,

with some surprise , that I hear a brother , generally so well acquainted with the Book of Constitutions as the worthy brother who last addressed the Lodge , fall into the mistake he has . It seems to me perfectly evident , that the law he has quoted , in saying that it is competent for ' all Masons' to be present at the banquet of the Grand Festival , means to guard against the supposition , that only those Masons who are members of the Grand Lodge are qualified to be present , and has no reference to the presence of singers who are not Masons . It does not mean ' Masons' as against the outer worldbut as against

, the members of the Grand Lodge only . And the reason why I think that the resolution ought not to bo confirmed is , because I am persuaded that we shall greatly promote the cause of Freemasonry by allowing strangers to associate with us on such occasions . I know that in a part" of the country with which I am very well acquainted , such lias been the result of a freedom of intercourse between the members of the Craft and the uninitiated . In the Isle of Wight , the I'rov . G . M ., Bro . Fleming allowed not only gentlemen , who were not Masonsbut also ladies to be present on the occasion of the

Pro-, vincial Grand Festival ; and the consequence has been , that a veiy great impetus has been given to Masonry in that province . Indeed so much so , that one gentleman who is not a Mason , allowed the P . G . M . to hold the Prov . G . L . in his garden . For this reason , if for no other , I feel bound to support the motion of the G . Registrar for the non-confirmation of the resolution . W . Bro . ROXBURGH , S . G . D ., supported the motion ; urging the arguments of Bro . Slight , in the justness of whose views , his experience as a Steward at the late festival of the Girls' School led him to

concur . The M . W . the G . M . then put the motion of Bro . Henderson , which was carried by a large majority . The minutes , with that exception , were then confirmed . ELECTION OP BOAJtn OF GENERAL TUItr-OSES . Immediately on the distribution of the ballotting papers , Bro . SAVAGE rose for the purpose of withdrawing his name . It had been placed on the list without his sanction , and he declined to serve .

The Brethren nominated as scrutineers having collected the papers , withdrew in order to ascertain the result of the election . THE KING OF HANOVER . The M . W . GRAND MASTER then laid before the Grand Lodge the copy of a letter which his Lordship addressed to the R . W . Bro . Ludwig Herrig , Representative of the Graud Lodge of England at the Grand Lodge Royal York at Berlinrequesting that B . W . Brother to

, represent the Grand Lodge of England at Hanover , on the occasion of the initiation into Freemasonry of His Majesty the King of Hanover . The Report made by the R . W . Bro . Herrig of the . proceedings which took place ; and also a letter from His Majesty the King of Hanover . Also a letter to Prince Frederick William of Prussia ; and H . R . H . ' s reply . All which documents were ordered to be placed on the minutes .

THE CANADIAN LODGES . The M . W . GRAND MASTER next laid before the Grand Lodge a copy of the communication which he addressed to the Prov . Grand Masters of the three Prov . Grand Lodges in Canada , and the answer which he had received from the Prov . Grand Secretary of Canada West , and a communication on the subject addressed to him bv the W . Bro- W . W . Beach . R . W . Bro . HALL , P . G . M . of Cambridgeshire , moved that these

communications be referred to the Colonial Board to report on them . V . W . Bro . HENDKRSON , G . R ., seconded the motion . V . W . Bro . Cox , G . C , inquired of Bro . Hall , if he were to understand that those documents were to be laid before the Grand Lodge in September next . The M . W . GRAND MASTER said , that if it was the wish of Grand Lodge that they should he now read , he had not the slightest objection to their being so . W . Bro . SAVAGE said that it did appear to him extraordinary to

refer them to the Colonial Board , before they themselves knew anything about them . W . Bro . JONES thought they ought to be printed and placed before Grand Lodge , before they were called upon to take any steps in reference to them . They related to a matter , which had created a . great deal of interest and excitement in the Craft , and he therefore thought the G . L . ought to be in a position to understand the question fully . W . Bro . BINCKES would suggest that the difficulty might be got

rid of , if these documents were referred to the Colonial Board , with the understanding that they were to be printed in extenso and appended to their report , no matter what the nature of that report might he . The M . W . GRAND MASTER stated , that the only objection he had to their now being read at full length was , that they would occupy the whole of the evening . He therefore thought it better to refer them to the Colonial Board to report on them . Bro . BINCKES agreed with the M . W . the G . M ., that that was the

most convenient course to adopt ; but he wished the G . L . to have a specific understanding , that whatever might be the report of the Board , those documents should be printed and presented with it . IV . Bro . Rev . G . B . PORTAL : —Most W . G . M ., I think it would meet the desire of all parties , both those who wish that the time of the Grand Lodge should not be occupied by the reading of those documents , and those who are of opinion that we should not be kept in ignorance of their contents , —if the Brethren will agree to the following resolution : That they be referred to the Colonial Boardwith

, instructions to have them printed and to present them as an appendix to the report . W . Bro . BINCKES said the resolution completely adopted his views , and he had therefore great pleasure in seconding it . The M . W . the G . M . having put the motion , it was agreed to .

A VISITOtl . At this stage of the proceedings , Bro . JENNINGS , G . D . C , announced that David M'Clerke , representing himself to be the Grand Master of Connecticut , United States , was at the door seeking admission . The M . W . the G . M . enquired if there was any Brother present who had any knowledge of M'Clerke ; and there being none to vouch for him , the G . S . D ., the G . J . D ., aud the G . D . C . were directed to put the visitor through the necessary examination . They accordingl

y proceeded to do so ; and after some delay , reported that M'Clerke had with him the certificates of the higher degrees in Freemasonry , but no voucher as to his rank . On examination , they found him to be in possession of the degree of an installed Master . The M . W . the G . M . then ordered the admission of Bro . M'Clerke , who was conducted between the Deacons to the dais , and introduced to the M . W . the G . M .