The Earl Of Carnarvon At Stonehouse.

of Grand Lodge . Properly it was the parliament of Freemasonry , the representative and exponent of all the English Lodges—practically it was not so . Country Lodges were ill-informed on the subjects to be brought forward , and were therefore , with certain exceptions , seldom represented . He pointed out the intention of the constitution in the establishment of a Board of Masters , as a committee of information for the benefit of the country Lodges . With reference to this object , and to meet present requirements ) he had proposed the restoration of these functions of the Board of

Masters , by means of circulars , to be issued to the country Lodges , and to contain notices of the business to come before Grand Lodge in time to admit the opportunity of their expressing opinions upon those notices through their representatives in Grand Lodge . This measure , after having been affirmed , in principle , by Grand Lodge , had been referred to the Board of General Purposes , to be carried into effect . The Board had agreed to a scheme , and according to custom , it devolved upon the chairman , Bro . Dobie , G . R ., to move it

in Grand Lodge . This , contrary to the supposed duty of all chairmen , and to the custom of all representative assemblies , he had , on his own responsibility , refused to do . Thus this most important measure , involving an act of simple justice to the country Lodges , after being over and over again affirmed by Grand Lodge , was shelved by a discreditable manoeuvre . With respect to the part bo had taken in recent proceedings in Grand Lodge , the noble Brother touched upon the charges sometimes brought against him and others , of a

wish for innovation . He distinctly denied anv wish to introduce changes into the Order . To talk of change in the principles of the Order was simply absurd . They admitted of no change , of no possibility of change ; and to talk of real changes in the constitution of English Masonry , was nearly as idle . The constitution was a verv good one if adhered to . It was not change , but restoration , —the maintenance of constitutional relationship between the Grand Master and Grand Lodge , between Grand Lodge and its component parts , between English and Colonial Lodges , —that he desired to see ; and on those who seemed to forget these great principles , and who charged him with innovation , he retorted the accusation of change . It was the change which bad cast a chilling apathy

through too large a part of the Craft , the change which looked with indifference on the persecutions of foreign Brethren , the change which had alienated Canada , and which would now exile the country Lodges from their share in the discussion and management of tho public business of the Order to which they were entitled by the letter and spirit of the constitution , that he condemned and deprecated . " After some further remarks , the noble Brother concluded by saying— "That he entertained sanguine hopes for the future ; that by a strong feeling and expression of interest on the

part of the country Lodges in the affairs of the Craft , by mutual forbearance at home , by justice and conciliation abroad , the Brethren would surmount their present difficulties , restore the walls which had fallen down , and build up in its old symmetry the beautiful Temple of their Ancient Order . " The Noble Brother was greeted by a hearty round of applause at the conclusion of his speech , which was listened to with earnest attention throughout ; the silence being broken now and then by responsive applause at the more eloquent portionsor

-, appre ciative cries of "hear , hear , " at some of the more telling points . Bro . R . DOWSE , P . M ., who was for many years connected with Lodges in Canada , confirmed the statement of Lord Carnarvon , as to the neglect of the communications from Canada to the G . L . Personally he knew it to have been the case in respect to Lodge 274 , at Kingston . Brethren had been five and six years without G . L . certificates , and the only means they had of knowing that fees had been received , was by the banker ' s acknowledgment . Bro . the VISCOUNT VAI . LETOBT expressed ids interest in

Freemasonry , and his appreciation of the views just enunciated by his noble Brother , Lord Carnarvon . The W . M , in the name of the Lodge , thanked Brother tho Earl of Carnarvon for his valuable speech , and said he hoped and believed it would have the effect of increasing the interest taken by tho Lodges in this neighbourhood ( the whole of which ho was glad to see represented on this occasion ) in the proceedings of Grand Lodge . Bro . the EARL of CARNARVON acknowledged the compliment of the W . M ., and said he felt obliged for the opportunity of attending a Lodge in Stonehouso , and of meeting so many zealous Brethren .

The M. W. The G. M. At Oxford.

THE M . W . THE G . M . AT OXFORD .

The P . G . L . of Oxfordshire was held on the Kith ult ., under the auspices of the Apollo University Lodge , No , 4 G 0 , and was honoured by the presence of the M . "W . tho G . M .

The G . HI . arrived at 12 o ' clock , and shortly after , having kindly consented to permit brethren of the province and others who desired it to be introduced to him , the presentation took place in the banquet room , the brethren being presented to the G . M . by the Dcp . Prov . G . M „ Br . Spiers , P . G . S . B . The G . M . was surrounded by several of the grand officers , and several brethren holding high rank in various provinces . After the presentation the members of the province took their places in the Lodge . The Prov . G . Lodge being opened , and the arrival of the G . M .

being announced , he was escorted by the Prov . G . officers , and others holding high rank in the Craft , to the Lodge , where he was received with Masonic honours . The business of the Prov . G . Lodge was then proceeded with by the Prov . G . Secretary , Br . Martyn , reading the minutes of the last meeting , which wore duly confirmed . The Prov . G . M . then rose , and , addressing the G . M ., said he had peculiar pride and pleasure in presenting to him , in the name of the brethren of the provincean address , expressive of their loyalty

, and attachment to him as the bead of the Craft in this country—their appreciation of the many services which he had rendered to Freemasonry—the kind and conciliatory spirit which lie had manifested on all occasions—and their sense of the high honour which he had conferred on the province by his presence on this occasion . Tho Dep . Prov . G . M . then read the address , which was as follows : — " We , the Provincial Grand Master , Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and Brethren , of the Province of Oxfordshire , beg gratefully to express our deep

sense of Hie honour conferred upon us by your Lordship ' s presence at this meeting of our Provincial Grand Lodge ; and wo gladly fake advantage of the opportunity to convey to your Lordship the assurance of our attachment , and the desire' of tho several Brethren constituting the various Lodges of this province to support your Lordship in your administration of the important and onerous duties devolving upon you as ruler of the Craft . " The long connexion of your Lordship ' s family with Freemasonry , and the valuable services rendered by them , would of themselves have occasioned feelings of respectful rtigavd towards youv Lordship ¦ , but , to tho interest -which your Lordship has manifested in the welfare of the Order , and the advantages

which have resulted from the exercise of your sound and considerate judgment during tlio many years that you have presided over the Society , are attributable the strong feelings of affectionate attachment which are entertained towards your Lordship throughout the whole body of Freemasons . "It would not become as , in presenting tills address to your Lordship , to dilate upon the many benefits which have accrued to the Society under your beneficial sway ; but we confidently refer to the continued accession of members to tlie ranks of fiie Order , together with the unexampled prosperity attnined by tho charities connected with and supported by Freemasons , as affording the most indubitable and gratifying proofs of the advantages resulting from your Lordship ' s administration .

" Gratefully acknowledging our obligations to your Lordship , we earnestly supplicate the G . A . of the Universe that your Lordship may long be spared to preside over the Craft , and thus consolidate that Peace and Union which should always distinguish the society of Freemasons , and which , under your Lordship ' s salutary government , has been so happily attained . " Signed on behalf of the Provincial Grand Lodge , this 10 th May , 1 S 57 . "H ENRY ATKINS BOWTER , Prov . G . M . " Tho G . M . rose and said— " I beg to return you my most grateful thanks for the honour which you have paid me by the presentation of this addressaud for the kindness with which you have received

, mo in this Grand Lodge . I do consider it a very high honour to be received by so distinguished a body of my brethren , and I feel truly grateful to you for this enthusiastic reception . It is particularly gratifying to me to find that during the many years I have ruled over the Craft I have met the approbation and support of so distinguished a body of Masons ; for I can assure you it has been my most anxious desire to promote , as far as lay in my power , peace , harmony , and union , among all ranks of Masons . ( Much applause . )

I will not withhold from you the assurance that 1 have been much gratified and struck with the manner in which Masonry is carried out in this province ; for it has been productive of the happiest and host results , not only in this province , but throughout the whole Masonic world . Nor could it well be otherwise , for you have an influx of Masons , highly educated men , who come to Oxford , the distinguished seat of learning , joining the Lodges of this province from every part of the kingdom ; and when they leave this University they carry away with them the Masonic knowledge and

experience which they have gained here , and apply them practically in those various spheres in which their after-life is cast . ( Much applause . ) The diffusion of Masonry by enlightened men emanating from this province , and scattered throughout the length and breadth of the land , must necessarily exercise a very beneficial influence , and tend to raise the character of the Craft . ( Much applause . ) It is to me most gratifying to be received with such a warmth of feeling in this distinguished province , and once more I beg you to accept my grateful thanks for the honour you paid me , and for I he great kindness you have evinced toward me . "—The G . M . resumed his seat amid applause from all sides .