The Masonic Year 1875.

and especially to that of one from Great Britain . The proceedings were soon after closed , amid mutual congratulations . The day folIoAving , another Lodge Avas held , and after that a conversazione and musical entertainment . Thus terminated one of the most important ceremonials of the

year , not only to our Italian brethren , Avho now muster over ten thousand , but to the Avhole Avorld of Masonry . Now have we a Masonic Temple in the very heart of the Eternal City , Avithin sight almost of that High Priest whose hostility to our Order is the most pronounced . Nor

is this all Ave have to record . We believe our Grand Lodge , England , has recognised the Grand Orient of Italy , thus cementing still more closely those feelings of affection and admiration which have so long connected the peoples of the two countries . Moreover , on the occasion of

the Emperor William of Germany ' s visit to Milan , the Italian Masons offered that monarch , AVIIO is Protector of the three Grand Lodges in Prussia , their Avarmest

congratulations , and the Avishes they expressed for his Avelfare and that of German Masonry Avere very cordially reciprocated by the Emperor . In Greece , His Imperial Highnees Prince Rhodocanakis has been re-elected Grand Master

for a further period of three years . As regards other countries in Europe , let it suffice if we quote the well-known adage , " No news is good neAvs . " As far as our information goes there is nothing to record save that the Royal Art is even more firmly established than ever .

It is in the United States , however , Avhere Masonry flourishes most extensively , at all events as regards its numerical strength . There are said to be not far short of fifty Grand Lodges—apart from Coloured Grand Lodges , the recognition of Avhich is a question not yet

entirely settled—and six hundred thousand members . Here it is the labours of Masonry are most actively prosecuted , and here it is that brethren enjoy a recognition more public , perhaps , than in any other country , hardly even excepting the United Kingdom itself . Here , also , is it that

Masonry enjoys the support of a zealous and intelligent press , almost every state having overone or more periodicals , Avhich are unceasing in their support of the interests of the Craft . The greatest harmony prevails among the Grand Lodges , and every endeavour is made to establish

as nearly as possible complete uniformity in the ritual . The Grand Lodges have their several committees or Boards , to each of which is allotted a special duty , and so carefully is the Avork entrusted to them performed , that hardly ever any change or modification is proposed

by Grand Lodge in the suggestions they offer . It Avill be easily understood then that in the United States this Secret Society of ours is far more public in its doings than are Ave at home . Masonic processions through the principal thoroughfares of a city occur not

unfrequently , and , whenever they occur , they are invariabl y received with what may almost be called an ovation . Such a procession marched through some of the leading thoroughfares in New York early in June , on the occasion of the opening and dedication of the magnificent new

Masonic Temple , erected for the purposes of Masonry . About twenty-six thousand brethren , the bulk of them being Templar , Arch , and Craft Masons , marched in this procession , each division Avith its marshal and his staff , and a band of music ; the Governor of New York , with the

Grand Master and other Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge of New York , bringing uptherear of the line , Avhich was preceded and closed by platoons of police . The line of march Avas thronged with spectators , Avhoreceived fhehrethren with great cordiality , the ladies Avho filled the Avindows of the

houses being specially enthusiastic . The Temple is a magnificent structure , and the appointments of the A'arious halls are in keeping , The Temple having been opened and solemnly dedicated to purposes of Masonry , the brethren dispersed , and the rest of the day Avas devoted to

festival and rejoicing , the New York Lodges , Chapters , and Commanderies exhibiting a trul y Masonic hospitality towards their numerous guests , who had come from all quarters , North , South , East and West , to take part in the ceremonial . Later in the same month another event

occurred , none other than the visit of the Richmond Commandery , No . 2 . of Virginia , to the Northern States , to assist at the centennial commemoration , at Boston , of the Battle of Bunker ' s Hill , fought on the 17 th June 1775 .

The Richmond Kni ghts Avere the special guests of the De Molay Commandery of Boston , Avho met them on their arrival at Providence Depot , and with several other Commanderies escorted them to Faneuil Hall , where a formal

The Masonic Year 1875.

addresss of AA-elcome Avas delivered , and an impromptu banquet partaken of . The procession , numbering over a thousand Templars , in full regalia , and Avith the bands numbering over eleven hundred , Avas received Avith acclamation as it passed along , the long column halting en

route at the residence of Eminent Sir Curtis Gould , in Columbus Avenue , Avhen each of the visiting Knights Avas presented , by a party of young ladies , Avith a splendid bouquet . On the 17 th , Masonry played an imposing part in the commemoration of the fight , Avhere Prov . G . M

General Warren lost his life , in the service of the Union . On this occasion M . W . G . M . Everett , of Massachusetts , Avoro the original apron formerly Avorn b y that illustrious soldier , Avhile M . W . P . G . M . Dr . Wins ' low Lewis Avore the apron of General the Marquis de la Fayette . The

visit closed Avith a grand banquet , at America House , and before leaving , the Eminent Commander , SirW . E . Tanner , of the visiting Commandery , Avas presented Avith a handsome jewel of gold , in the form of a Maltese Cross , 2 | inchessqnare , thegift of the ladies of Boston . They then left for Providence ,

R . I ., Avhere the reception they experienced Avas equall y cordial , and afterwards visited New York , Avhere they were met by a delegation of the Palestine Commandery , of which M . W . Bro . Ellwood E . Thorne , G . M . of the New York G . Lodge , Avas the Commander . Having been conducted

over the New Temple , and having , during the Avhole of their stay , been feted in the heartiest manner , they left for Jersey City , Avhere they took train home ao-ain for Richmond . Such an event is Avorthy of being commemorated , as contributing , more than any other which has

occurred in the last ten years , to cement the union between North and South , tending , as it must tend , to subdue any lingering soreness begotten of the great Civil War , ended in 1865 , that may yet be felt by either section of the States . All honour to a society which is not only beneficent to

individuals and bodies worthy of being succoured , but which even outvies political influences in strengthening the ties Avhich unite the once hostile States of the Great American Union . On the 8 th October the corner stone of a new Masonic Temple , at Reading , Pennsylvania , was laid , in

the presence of about five hundred members of the Craft , including the M . W . G . M ., Bro . A . R . Potter , and most of the Grand Officers of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania . The ceremonv having been duly performed , the M . W . P . G . M ., Bro . Hon . Richard Vaux , of

Philadelphia , delivered an appropriate oration , on the antiquity of the Order , and the benefits it confers upon society . From statistics published in one of our American contemporaries it appears that the Supreme Council , Ancient and Accepted Rite , of the Northern Masonic

jurisdiction of the United States , which held its annual session on the 17 th August , is now a corporate bod y of considerable proportions , both as to numbers , there being considerabl y over five thousand members , and financially . As regards Royal Arch Masonrv , it appears from the latest

report of the proceedings of ihe General Grand Chapter of the United States that there are no fewer than 37 Grand Chapters , 2 , 014 Chapters , aud 123 , 779 R . A . Masons in the Union . On the 3 rd Jul y the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts held a special Communication , for the purpose of

commemorating the day when 111 . Bro . General George Washington assumed the command of the Colonial Forces in the War of Independence , forces which , under his Avise generalship , became , in a feAV years , the army of the United States . There Avere present M . W . G . M . Percival L . Everett , and a considerable number of Grand Officers .

After taking part with the municipal authorities in celebrating this event , the „ Grand Lodge was conducted to Memorial Hall , Harvard College , where they were entertained at a banquet , under the presidency of the Mayor . As to the meetings of the various Grand Lodges throughout

the States , it is impossible for us to say more than that everywhere the Communications , whether quarterly or annual , have been most numerously attended , and that only in a , tow instances has it been necessary to refer to anything pninful as having occurred during tho year .

Thus the death of Dr . Winslow Lewis , a P . G . M . of Massachusetts , who had been a member for forty-five years , who had achieved distinction in almost every branch of Masonry , and w ' no was an honorary member of Masonic

bodies innumerabl " , AV . IS an event , that eould not fail to call fort lithed ^ ppestsorroWjOven though thedistingnished gentleman died in the fulness of years , and having achieved a Inch reputation m his professional oaieer . Amongotherbrethren who have been gathered to their forefathers , and who