as if the grave had given up the dead, purified as it were by resurrection, to appear for the time amongst those with whom, when living, he had passed so much of his useful and eventful life. Yet scarcely had the silence in which his sacred memory was received passed away, than a tumult arose and some Freemasons, for none other were present, forgot their dignity in the social scale, and converted the Temple of Friendship into a chaos of indiscipline! The Grand Master, his Grand Officers and Grand Stewards had no authority; mischief presided, and the scene was disgraceful; perhaps what was the most to be regretted was, that the gallery was filled with elegantly dressed ladies, the wives, daughters, sisters and friends of the assembled Brethren.

The subject has been taken up by the Board of General Purposes,* and their censure has been passed on the late Board of General Purposes in very unqualified terms. Owing to the alarm of fire in the Hall at the last Quarterly Communication, which rendered it necessary on the instant to close the Grand Lodge, the report of the Board could not come under consideration, and the members of the late Board have to endure their penance without the opportunity of public explanation or appeal.

On referring to our copy of the report of the Board of General Purposes, we find that the following words (in italics) have been inadvertently omitted; and as they are most important to the case, as affecting the conduct of the late Grand Stewards, we now supply them:-" That it is the opinion of this Board, that the arrangements by the Board of Grand Stewards at the late Festival, were totally inefficient for the purpose of preserving order," &c.

It is with the previous arrangements made, and their probable power to meet the serious difficulty of the moment that the Board had to deal; and while thus adverting to the power, we may enquire whether, as by Art. 17, page 108, they, as a Board, being directed to cause necessary preparations to be made for the days of Festival, did they themselves actually perform such duty? If they did not, surely they themselves incur a portion of the censure they have so largely inflicted on others. But the case has not been met. Better that the members of the late Board of Grand Stewards had been altogether suspended from their Masonic functions pending examination into their conduct; which examination having ended, they might either have been amerced in Masonic punishment or have been honourably acquitted. Such is the course adopted in the profane world. When will Masons cease to be wise in their own conceit.

At the Grand Festival in 1845, the President of the Board of Grand Stewards felt it necessary to speak out strongly against the want of order; in 1846, the evil has come to the worst; let us hope that in 1847, things may mend. We postpone further observations until after the next Grand Lodge.

THE NEW GRAND OFFICERS.-On the appointment of the higher grades it may be unwise to enter either protest or approbation. The Brethren filling them do not come sufficiently in contact with the general body to excite much attention; and from the recent resignations of two successive Deputy Grand Masters, it may be that the office of Deputy

* Vide page 191.

Grand Master is not at a premium. The Wardenships of the present year are doubtless filled by estimable Brethren: the one is a most liberal contributor to all the Charities, the Asylum not excepted-the other is a barrister of high attainment and leading practice, but a Mason of very brief standing. The resignation of the late Grand Registrar left the office open to the acceptance of Bro. Dobie, and seldom has an appointment been welcomed with greater sincerity. The other new appointments are conferred on Brethren of sufficient merit in themselves, but they must be naturally sensible that their own preferment has been secured at the cost of many elder Brethren, who have long and faithfully served the Craft, and who feel that the sentiment written in the Constitutions, "that all preferment among Masons is grounded upon real worth and personal merit only," has been again in their case most unworthily disregarded. In the case of Dr. Rowe there may be some exception; but it is questionable whether the exception was not owing to the solicitation of private interest rather than to his own unquestionable merit. The appointment of Bro. Wm. Tucker, of Coryton Park, to the Provincial Grand Chair of Dorset, has no other drawback than inexperience; but as he brings with him zeal, activity, and industry, what will not youth accomplish in its endeavour to promote the objects of Freemasonry?

THE CASE OF MRS. FIELD.-The petition of this amiable lady—the widow of Bro. Robert Field-which was recommended to the Grand Lodge almost unanimously, by the Lodge of Benevolence, for a grant of Fifty Pounds, was brought under consideration at the last Quarterly Communication, and was referred (on an amendment by the Grand Registrar) to the Board of General Purposes, for further consideration as to its merits. The plea offered was, that such was the practice in similar cases. Such is not the fact. The practice has invariably been to deal with the question in Grand Lodge, and Grand Lodge only. The Board of General Purposes is not a Lodge of Benevolence. Let any one deliberately examine into its powers, and it will be seen that unless in cases requiring an examination into matters that Grand Lodges cannot, for want of time, enter into, the Board can have and ought not to have any jurisdiction. We had hoped that the uncalled-for interference of the Board into the affairs of the Lodge of Benevolence, some time since, and which was so significantly and successfully opposed, would have taught a different lesson; but we find that there is amongst certain members of it much of the old leaven. We regret, for the widow's sake, the delay that has been caused, but we regret more that the mover of the grant should have given way; he, of all others, should have known better; he may probably plead that the alarm of fire led him to adopt the suggestion-still we cannot and do not exonerate him. The recommendation was according to law-sanctioned by the Lodge of Benevolence—and if any objection could have been taken, it should have appeared in Grand Lodge, and not be left, unconstitutionally, to a secret conclave. At this rate, we may have the high office of Grand Master dwindle into that of "puppet," and the Board of General Purposes and the members of Grand Lodge realise the fable of the Fox and the Geese.

ELECTION OF THE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES.-The "scratching' (the term is not our own, but appears on the printed paper,) for the Board has taken place, and it was right inerrie to observe the earnestness with which certain advocates for certain parties pressed their suit. To such an extent was it carried, that one member, high in office, in open Grand Lodge, scratched his paper from a scratched list handed to him for the purpose. This we say was done in open Grand Lodge, and it compels us to remark, not merely on the indelicacy, but on the impropriety of the Grand Officers voting at all for the Board of General Purposes, being themselves, as a class, so over-represented-viz., by the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, the Grand Wardens, and eleven other Grand Officers, while the entire body have the power to return only fourteen members. What would the profane world think of these things? Aye, but would they believe it possible that besides this enormous influence of the Grand Officers, the body at large is not left entirely to its own choice in the election of the fourteen members, but is controlled by the votes of the purple? And look at the result. The elevations to the purple, it is pleaded arise out of the Board. No doubt it has been so frequently; but from what class of that Board,-from the independent supporters of public principle, or from those who oppose it? This year may prove an exception, for it has so happened that the members of Grand Lodge below bar have not only returned their fourteen entirely independent of purple influence, but have elected a "non-purple" as their Vice-President. Yet, alas! for the Widow Field, her case is deferred for further information.

THE FIRE IN FREEMASONS' HALL-ARREAR OF BUSINESS.-The alarm caused by the fire in the Hall was very serious, and the Grand Lodge on the sudden closed its meeting. This fire was speedily extinguished by the Fire Brigade. It arose from a large gas tube, which having become red-hot, ignited a beam nearly facing the newly-erected statue of H. R. H. the late Duke of Sussex, on which the stream of gas was made to shed a brilliant light. It was providential that no further damage was sustained than what a very few pounds will replace. But we tremble as we think of the probable devastation which might have been made had one hour longer elapsed. The magnificent Hallunequalled-unsurpassed-to have become a ruin, together with the adjacent property. And now that the danger has passed, we may, without offence, express our surprise that so large a stream of gas was allowed so near the beams-to say the least it was incautious-and does not reflect much credit on the foresight of those on whom the responsibility devolved. Thankful, sincerely so, that it is no worse. We say

no more.

And next as to the arrear of business, which, in consequence of the sudden closing of Grand Lodge, is great; and which, in addition to the business of the current quarter, will make it altogether impossible to be concluded at the next sitting. We presume that an especial Grand Lodge will be convened; indeed nothing can be clearer than that if it be found necessary to have further aid in the Grand Secretary's Office on account of increased duties to perform, it must necessarily follow that there must be an increased business in the Grand Lodge itself, which will render it necessary not only to hold, occasionally, an especial Grand

Lodge, but to meet at an earlier hour-say six o'clock-which will give time to read over the dull prosy matter-requiring an hour or moreand thus permitting the fair and deliberate consideration of important subjects. This may interfere with the dinner club of the Grand Officers, but that is a secondary matter, and may readily be dispensed with-the club may meet on other days.

COMING EVENTS CAST THEIR SHADOWS BEFORE.-It is some time since we predicated that our time-honoured Grand Secretary required additional aid; the subject was under the consideration of the late Grand Master, but "the pear was not ripe." It was renewed some twelve months since by the late Bro. Ramsbottom, still “the pear was not ripe." We are aware that our opinions are somewhat ahead of those in authority, but it is no less true that from first to last those opinions have ultimately prevailed; it was clear to us that the only way to preserve the judgment, experience, and mind of our venerable Grand Secretary, for our advantage as long as possible, was efficient assistance. Why has this been so long delayed? We will explain.-In the first place, the party to whom attention was, and is directed, could not with full convenience enter on an uncertain duty, but lately he has become differently circumstanced, and is willing to undertake the office of Deputy Grand Secretary; but it was previously necessary to gild the pill for a party who was to be praised and paid but not promoted-hence the additional salary-so fully discussed in our last; and so "the pear being at length ripe," and the late Board of General Purposes having settled their job, the coast is clear for an assistant Grand Secretary. Had such office been first appointed, he of course by taking his proper share of duty would have relieved the first clerk, and thus rendered a large increase of salary unnecessary. The Deputy Grand Secretary must have his salary-and a handsome one too. It is said that King Solomon exclaimed," Wonderful Masons!" we may make a similar exclamation now. We cannot refrain, however, from suggesting to the incoming Deputy Grand Secretary, that what the Craft may have borne with, patiently, from an old and faithful servant, viz., much delay, inattention, and even frequent neglect, they will expect to see in him amended-while, at the same time, we recommend to his observance the example of the good temper, kind manner, and above all, what we know to have been the private practice of the Grand Secretary, that of Charity in cases innumerable.

GRAND COUNCIL OF THE THIRTY-THIRD DEGREE FOR ENGLAND AND WALES.-The unusual press of events compels us to limit our observations on this the highest degree of the "Hauts Grades" to the simple announcement of its organization. In our next we purpose to enter upon the subject at some length.

FREEMASONRY PAST AND PRESENT.-Having inserted in our number of December last, a paper by "Sit Lux," we felt bound to insert also a reply to such paper, the more especially as the name of the party replying was thereto appended; but here we consider the subject should end.

Our pages are not intended for the conducting of controversial points on matters of religion any more than on those of politics. Freemasonry in its pure essence is our creed.

If we were to admit any more of the papers we have received on the subject, we should in honour be bound to allow all points of controversial policy to find a place, and we may not fall short of the mark, if, in such case, we predicate that not only an uncongenial feeling would result, but that we should be accessory to, and responsible for the consequences, not simply as might regard the interests of the F. Q. R., but the welfare of the Craft at large. Again, we doubt the policy of continuing the subject of controversy on matters of theological dispute; no one is likely to be converted; for in the heart of man there will ever be a tendency to adhere to those views his forefathers have impressed on it. Our advertising pages, at mere cost price, will, however, be open to all.

THE MASONIC CHARITIES.-Few words will speak much-all are flourishing-nearly eleven hundred pounds were reported at the Girls' Festival, and nearly six hundred at that of the Aged Masons' Asylum; on the latter occasion it is but justice to state, that Bro. J. B. Byron presided, in the absence of Lord Combermere, with the highest credit. Among the most interesting compliments paid to the cause was the presence of the Rev. Erskine Neale, who visited London for the express purpose of generously supporting the Asylum, and presenting a liberal subscription.