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official record ) and more pungent epithets , may in course of time be adopted . Is the object of official writers to allay discontent and inspire us with the notion of living under a just mid indulgent theocracy ? An imaginary debate will serve the end . The STUARTS from the Dais shall denounce oppression

and infidelity to trusts , and the HAMPDENS from the Hall shall chime in obsequious chorus a laudatory hymnal on the virtues of their rulers . The universal Graft will then know what reliance to p lace on these official records , and will accept them ( as we ourselves invariably are constrained to do ) cum grano

But who we repeat , is answerable for this publication ? Some one , clearly , who thinks that a faulty dynasty may he bolstered up with disguise and ill faith . It is a mistaken theory . The little cloud may shortly assume the dimensions of a tempest . For ourselves , as it is difficult to dwell with temper on such uncandid dealings , we close this article , lest we draw down censure , as Bro . STEBBING did , for saying what we think .

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rpHEKE is nothing that you may not get people to -i- believe if you will only persevere long enough in asserting it ; and it is , we presume , upon this principle that Bro . HAVERS gravely maintained in the last GBAND CHAPTER , that when the four London Lodges in 1717

created themselves a GSAND LODGE , the heretofore existing GRAND LODGE of YORK , had ceased to exist , through the laches of its G . M . We on the other hand have always persisted in asserting the contrary . We have always maintained that the four London Lodges withdrew themselves from an

existing and actual jurisdiction , and that they were justified in so doing if in their opinion the interests of Masonry required it . In this view we have been supported by the highest Masonic Jurists in Ireland , Canada , and the United States . But as the main question restsnot upon a

, disputed theory , but a disputed fact , we beg to place before our readers the account given in ' Preston ' s Masonry , edited by Dr . Oliver , p . 189 . "At the expiration of his ( Sir Walter Hawkesworth ' s ) Mastership , Sir George Tempest was elected , a second time GRAND MASTER ; and from the time of his election in 1714 to 1725 , the

GRAND LODGE continued regularly to assemble in YORK . " The whole account given in Preston of this period , is well worth attentive perusal ; and it is the duty of every Mason who is desirous of maintaining the constitution of our Order as it is , to make himself acquainted with the more salient points in its history . Nothing but the

general ignorance upon these points enables the satellites of the G . M . to hazard their reckless assertions with such freedom from exposure , or to attempt to undermine the supreme authority of GRAND LODGE with any hope of success .

Grand Lodge.

GRAND LODGE .

[ Published by the permission of the M . W . the G . M ., upon the Publisher ' s responsibililt / for the accuracy of the report . ' ] The usual Quarterly Communication was hold in the Hall , on Wednesday , September 1 st , the M . W . the Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Zetland , presiding , supported by the Right Worshipful Sir Lucius Curtis , Bart , Prov . Grand Master for Hampshire , as D . G . M . ; Bros . Col . Brownrigg , S . G . W . ; Wyndham Portal , J . G . W . ; F . RoxburghG . Reg . ; W . G . Clarke . G . See . ; W .

, Farnfield , Asst . G . Sec . ; Crohn , G . Sec . for German torrespondence ; Chev . Hebeler , representative from Berlin ; W . Pulteney Scott , S . GD . ; Hopwood , J . G . D . ; Rev . A . R . Ward . G . Chap . ; Woods , Asst . G . Dir . of Cers . ; D . Gooch , G . S B . ; Daukes , G . Superintendent of Works ; Smith , G . Purs . ; Hall , Prov . G . M ., Cambridgeshire ; C . P . Cooper , Prov . G . M ., Kent ; and large number of P . G . Officers , amongst whom wo noticed Bros . Havers , Beadon , Nelson , Lloyd , Pattison , King , Hervey , Masson , Udall , Le

Veau , Patten , Walmisley , Breitling , Biggs , Phillips , S . B . Wilson , W . H . White , J . N . Tomkins , Thory Chapman , & c , & c . The minutes of the preceding Quarterly Communication , and aiso of the Grand Lodge of Emergency , were read . On the question that they be received—Bro . the Earl of CARNARVON said , he wished to ask his lordship a question about a letter dated June 10 , addressed by the Grand Secretary to Bra . Harington . Was it a part of the minutes now put for conDrmation ?

The M . W . GRAND MASTEareplied : —None of that correspondence , forms part of the minutes . . '* Bro . the Earl of CARNARVON—In what way then can Grand Lodge pronounce any opinion on that correspondence ? The M . W . GRAND MASTER—By substantive motion . Bro . the Earl of CARNARVON—And of that substantive motion—The M . W . GRAND MASTEK—Notice must be given . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . SVMONDS moved the non-confirmation of that portion of the minutes which related to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution ,

on the ground that it would be inexpedient to give the Lodges extra votes , and thus diminish the influence of the regular subscribers to the charity . Bro . Savage wished the Lodges to have the extra votes ; that was very natural , seeing that Bro . Savage interested himself in a good many cases , and had a great deal of personal influence in the Lodges , which he has acquired by his earnest and successful advocacy of deserving cases . Still this should not lead them to give to the Lodges such a number of votes as would interfere with the votes of the individual subscribers . Bro . BINCKES seconded the motion . The question was then put and agreed to .

THE GRAND MASTER AND " THE MASONIC OBSERVER . " The M . W . GRAND MASTER then rose , amidst the most profound silence and attention , to make a personal statement . Brethren : during the fifteen years I have occupied this chair I have never till now had occasion to make observations to Grand Lodge on subjects personal to myself . But I do now feel called upon to do so , and when you have heard my statement I think you will agree that I could " not do otherwise than bring the subject before you , which I am now about to do . The subject amounts to a breach of privilege

; but I am not going to make any motion on the subject myself , or to ask Grand Lodge to agree to any resolution relating to it . I am sure that Grand Lodge must feel that its own dignity is involved in the dignity of its G . M . It is not , therefore , merely for myself personally that I bring forward this matter : I am in " duty bound to do so for the honour and dignity of the Craft . In a publication which I have very rarely seen—and ' for a copy of which I presume I am indebted to the publisher , or to some one who is interested in it in the Masonic Observerdated June 20 th 1858 I find a

, , , passage which commences thus : " We had occasion this time last year to draw attention to the unblushing effrontery with which the principal appointments in Grand Lodge mere prostituted to political purposes ; we are sorry to be compelled to recur to this very scandalous subject . " I will not read any more of this offensive article , but I will , in the first place , declare to you that if the statement which is here put forth is true , I am no longer worthy to hold the office which 1 now hold -for a single hour . ( Hear , hear . ) If it be not truethen have to

, I a right appeal to my Brethren for their support . Brethren , I indignantly deny the imputation ! ( Loud applause . ) Under ordinary circumstances if the charge related solely to myself personally , I assure you that I should have treated it with contempt , and leave it , without any further observation , to the judgment of the Brethren . But I have to maintain the dignity of Grand Lodge , which is involved in the character of the G . M ., and