Grand Lodge.

I am therefore not at liberty , in my position , so to leave it . ( Hear , hear . ) I understand , Brethren , that this publication ( I have very seldom seen it ) is very little known in the metropolis , but that it has a considerable circulation in the provinces , and particularly in the Colonies . I believe my information is correct on this point , for I have observed in the correspondence which is now laid before Grand Lodge , between the G . Sec . and Bro . Harington , the Prov . G . M . for Quebec , that it is frequently quoted as an authority . You , Brethren , know as well as I do that it is no authority at all . ( Hear ,

hear . ) So little so , that I have never seen more than two or three of the numbers , of which I have read a very small portion . But , Brethren , though I feel perfectly safe in leaving it to the judgment of the Brethren , who know me , whether in London or in the country , yet I cannot allow such an article to go forth into the provinces and colonies without an indignant denial and a complete refutation . ( Applause . ) The only way I have of making such denial and refutation known is , by stating the matter in Grand Lodge ( hear ) , the reports of the proceedings at which now go forth

in an authorized form , in quite as large , and perhaps to a larger extent , than this trumpery publication . ( Applause . ) I am informed that this publication is not , like other magazines , published for the sake of profit , but that it is distributed gratis to many in the provinces and in the colonies . I will not stop to inquire as to the truth of that . ( Hear , hear . ) I think ' the less I inquire about the motives of the publication the better . ( Hear , and laughter . ) It will be sufficient for me to deny the truth of the statement in question ; and I now do so . I must necessarily recall some facts on the

subject , as I am accused of having " prostituted to political purposes " the patronage of the Grand Master . I indignantly deny it . ( Applause . ) I have now for fifteen years had the honour of being your Grand Master . I never sought that honour , I have never asked any individual Mason to vote for me , and never will do so . If I am elected and supported by a great majority of the Craft , let me be supported as your Grand Master . If I have not that confidence , I beg you will elect another G . M . who will serve you better . But as long as you do me the honour to appoint me to the position I shall call upon you for your support on such occasions as the present . As to my " prostituting the patronage " of the Grand Master , the Masons of London and of England know that it is not the case . But in the colonies I think that something of the sort may be

believed , and must necessarily therefore state some facts which may go forth to the colonies , where such stories may have gained some degree of credence . The appointments which I have made , consist principally of Prov . Grand Masters and Grand Wardens . The great majority of the Brethren so appointed have been unknown to me in a political sense ; still , I have made some appointments where I could not avoid knowing the politics—such as in the case of my noble friends , Bro . the Earl of Yarborougb , and Bro . the Marquis of Huntley—who agree with me in political matters ; but then there

are Bro . Lord Howe , Bro . Lord Combermere , Bro . the Marquis of Downshire , Bro . Bond Cabbell , and Bro . Sir Watkin Williams Wynn . I knew their politics , but they were different from my own . ( Hear , hear . ) I believe that the majority of Prov . G . Masters whom I have appointed , and whose politics I know , are opposed to me in politics . ( Hear , hear . ) Then there is Bro . Hall , Prov . G . M . for Cambridgeshire ; I can assure Grand Lodge that though I have a great regard for him , though I have consulted him on a great many occasions for fifteen or sixteen on subjects connected with

years , Masonry , yet 1 have never had the most remote idea as to what his politics might be . ( Cheers . ) As to the Grand Wardens , I have appointed both those who agreed with , and those who differed from me , in politics , but as to the great majority , I know not what their politics were . ( Hear , hear . ) I deny , therefore , the charges made against me in this scandalous and libellous publication . ( Load and protracted applause . ) I do think , for the dignity of Grand Lodge , that it is necessary to support the dignity of the Grand Master . I have been asked

, and recommended to allow , of a substantive motion , with a view of punishing the Brother who could be guilty of such an offence . ( Hear , hear . ) But it will , perhaps , be sufficient to notice it in the manner I have done , and let that Brother take warning , that I will not permit the dignity of the Craft to be endangered , by anonymous publications of this kind , with impunity . Those who know me will give me credit for having done my duty to the best of my abilityacting with singleness of with

, purpose , the utmost desire to maintain the dignity of the Order , and at the same time the highest interests of the Craft . While , therefore , proposing no resolution on the subject , I throw myself with confidence on the protection of the Brethren . I am sure they will deal with mc as I would deal with them—support the fair " fame of a Brother in his absence as well as in his presence , and firmly repel the slanderer of his good name . ( Loud cheering . )

Bro . Sir Lucius CURTIS , Act . Dcp . G . M ., said that Grand Lodge would uphold the G . M . in repudiating the assertions of this infamous publication . ( Cheers . ) Ajjd lie would move to that effect . Bro . Box BURGH seconded the motion . He liked free discussion , but hated anonymous slander . He believed that the G . M . 's appointments were never influenced by a political bias . A publication so improperly conducted ought to receive the condemnation of the Craft . ( Hear , hear . ) It was a publication the Brethren ought to shrink from .

The acclamation of applause which here greeted the Grand Master were loud and long continued , and the motion was carried by a large majority , though several Brethren did not vote . The M . W . GRAND MASTER when silence was restored , said , Brethren , I can only say that I take this mark of your approbation as decisive as to the feeling you entertain of the publication in question , and I trust that such anonymous charges as those are now put a stop to . ( Renewed applause . ) The subject then dropped .

Bro . PACKWOOD was restored to his Masonic privileges in due form . MASONRY IN VICTORIA . The GRAND SEC . then read a petition from the Prov . Grand Lodge of Victoria , praying for a reduction of the fee of 5 s . upon the registration of all members joining the Lodges in that country , on the ground that house rent was high , hotel charges extravagant , and the calls of local Masonic Charities progressing .

Bro . ROXBURGH , G . Reg ., moved that the memorial be referred to the Colonial Board , adding that 2 s . 6 d . would not pay for the parchment and the postage . Bro . HERBERT LLOYD , P . G . D ., seconded the proposition ; which was unanimously agreed to . BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE . The report of the Board of Benevolence was then read . It stated that in June they had voted £ 101 10 s . ; in July , £ 127 10 s . ; and in August , £ 62 , in relief of distressed Brethren .

BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES . On the motion that the report of the Board of General Purposes be taken as read—Bro . the Earl of CARNARVON remarked that the letter of the 10 th of June , in the Harington correspondence , had been entirely omitted . He thought it desirable that Grand Lodge should have some opportunity of expressing its opinion upon the subject to which it referred . Bro . HAVERSP . G . D . thought the noble Brother who last

ad-, , dressed Grand Lodge did not understand the nature of the communication laid before them by the M . W . G . M . That communication formed no part of the minutes of the last Grand Lodge , or of the proceedings of the present one . It had been for some time in print , and had been before the Committee of Masters , at their last meeting , but could not be now taken into consideration unless upon a regular notice of motion . Bro . the Earl of CARNARVON said he would be quite satisfied if stopped by the M . W . G . M :

The M . W . GRAND MASTEP . wished to assure his noble Brother that the letter to which he referred was no part of the report . He could , however , if he wished , have a copy of it ; but if he now desired to make a motion upon it , he could not do so , as he had no notice upon the paper to that effect . Bro . the Earl of CARNARVON stated that he was perfectly satisfied with the ruling of the M . W . G . M . He hoped , however , he should not be considered to have done a very silly thing ( laughter ) in seeking to found a motion upon itas he had reason to that

, suppose it was competent for him to do so , when he that night heard the D . G . M ., on the spur of the moment , with the permission of the chair , propose a resolution so formal , so solemn , and so unusual , as a vote of confidence in the G . M . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . WHITMORE remarked that the business of the evening was set down for their information , and said he wished to know if it was to be taken in the order in which it was placed ? Bro . ROXBURGH , G . Reg ., rose to order ; there was no motion before the chair .

Bro . WHITMORE protested against being interrupted by the G . Reg . Bro . ROXBURGH , G . Reg ., said it was not as G . Reg he rose to order , but as a Master Mason , as there was no question before the chair , and they were getting on with a discussion on the question put by the noble Brother the Earl of Carnarvon , and which involved