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often silence and settle at once those prepossessions which injure , and that temper which weakens our p lain and proper position in such matters . We sometimes in the Freemason , suffer from tills "

proclivity in others , and we therefore think it well to offer to all who honour vis b y reading our pages a friendly " note" of warning-and appeal . As Freemasons let us seek always to be fair to others and to ourselves . *

* * T HE Freemason is a Craft journal , purely and professedly , but it always opens its pages , on the true principles and rightful feelingsof Masonic " comity " and good will , to those various organizations which

are sometimes grouped together under the appellation of the "High Grades . " These arc , as our readers know , 111311 3 ' in number , especially abroad . In England the Ancient and Accepted Rite is under a "Supreme Council , " whose headquarters are

33 , Golden-square , and which numbers among its adherents some of our most distinguished Craftsmen . It would , therefore , be only good taste , to say nothingof Masonic and brotherly good feeling , to speak of it always in a tone and temper of

courtesy and consideration . There are however other bodies in this country , such as several independent Orders , and some forms of Cryptic Masonry , so called , which have recentl y formed a "Council of the Allied Degrees . " There is also the Rite of

Memphis , and a body which terms itself " Anticnt and Primitive Masonry . " It has been remarked that by printing the reports of this organization , under such a name , we are intruding upon the undoubted ground and jurisdiction of the Ancient

and Accepted Rite . We certainly have no such idea or intention . The " reports" wc publish are " reports " and nothing more , and commit us to no approval in any shape , cither of the objects or organization of any such alleged form of High Grade Masonry . We think that our excellent friends at

Goldensquare will see that with our " Lights and in our Craft position , it is impossible for us to discriminate , or express our opinion even , on " conflicting claims" or " elaborate organizations , " on the " assumptions of novel names , " or the "

pretensions of so called Councils . " Historically we are inclined to believe that to the Ancient and Accepted Rite , as established at Golden-square , must be conceded rightly and properly a sovereign jurisdiction over all so-called "Scottish

Masonry , " the " Rite Hcossais " of the Continent . The " Ancient and Primitive Rite " is , wc apprehend , of very hazy origin indeed . We have never been able ourselves to trace it in the last century at all , nor do we know of any one who does of foreign

writers , and it is , we think , of American origin , about 1830 . It seems to be identified with the all but extinct "Rite of Memphis , " net up about 1 S 15 at Montauban , but we feel bound to say honestl y and openly at once , it has no claim whatever to the

name of "Antientand Primitive Masonry . " If , therefore , our reports of its proceedings , ( for our pages are open to all properly worded reports of all Grades ) , induce any to believe we recognize its historical claims , or seek in any way to ignore the

rightful authority of the Supreme Council of the Ancientand Accepted Rite , we will only ask all such kindl y to note once for all our repudiation of any such position in the matter . Such reports , we repeat , are only " quantum valent , "

and it is utterl y beyond our province to pass any opinion on matters which are outside our journal altogether . We cannot , on the principles of " fair play " and " free discussion , " exclude such reports , but , as we remarked above , they in no

wise affect our view of things , or at all interfere with our recognition in our proper province of the le gal and acknowledged claims of the Ancient and Accepted Rite . We hope what we have said will b e full y understood and approved of by our many excellent Hi gh Grade friends .

* * " are glad of an opportunity of renewing the expressions of our entire sympathy with the Grand

Conseil of the Rite Ancieii and Accepte at Paris , and our entire condemnation of the schismatical Proceedings of the so called " Grande Loge Symooli que , " which , according to our views of Masonic

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law , is a surreptitious and illegal body . It has , we note , received authorization to meet from the French Minister of the Interior , so , properly speaking , it can only be said to be illegal Masonically . We have from the first objected to the proceedings of

that body of Masonic revolutionists , who have , as in the Grand Orient , sought to upset the ancient Constitution of the Rite ltcossais , and wc have never wavered in this opinion , but believe that we can claim to be the only Masonic paper which has

manfully endeavoured to strengthen the hands of the Grand Conseil in Paris . By one of those little mischances which will sometimes occur , and by the regrettable inadvertence of a kind correspondent , a reoort of a meeting of a lodge under the Grand

Lodge Symbolique was once inserted in the Freemason , but at the time we expressed our regret at the appearance of the report , and laid down our clear opinion of the Masonic illegality of the position of this schismatic so-called Grand Lodge .

* * MUCH interest has been excited b y Lieutenant SCHWATKA ' report of the Arctic Researches . Giving to him the greatest credence for all he himself reports , we doubt very much , for various

reasons , ( see Captain HALL ' work , inter alia ) , the absolute veracity of the Esquimaux , and utterl y reject the painful idea of cannibalism . We have reason to believe that the suggestion is scouted b y the entire naval profession , in which wc boast of many excellent brethren .

* * WE have received the icport of the Masonic Female Orphan School , Dublin , for 18 79 , and beg to call attention to the following particulars . The School has suffered from small-pox during the

year , and also from depression of trade . The amount arising from annual subscriptions and life donations is less by £ 235 17 s . " tod . than last year , and whereas it ended 1 S 78 with a balance to credit of £ 270 iSs . 1 id . net , it closes 1870 with a

balance to debit of £ 37 gs . 3 d . The School is , however , flourishing in other respects , as wc note that £ 8959 10 s . Sd . have been raised towards a Building Fund . The number of pupils in the School on December 31 st , 1879 , was 36 , nine ,

however , less than in 1876 , a fact which we much regret to observe . The Institution has now £ 11 , 7 6 4 13 s . 7 d . of funded capital . The whole amount received for 1 S 79 , including balance of 1878 , was £ 23 S 8 13 s . 4 d . ; the whole

expenditure £ 2444 17 s . 6 d ., leaving a balance of £ 36 4 s . id . But thisaccount is reduced b y some " sub accounts , " ( sic ) , to £ 37 9 s . jd . We trust that more prosperous days arc in store for this excellent Institution , and that it will not increase its present small and probably only temporary deficit .

Freemasonry In Durham.

FREEMASONRY IN DURHAM .

The auspicious event which took place on Tuesday , the 12 th inst ., in the ancient City of Durham , when , in the presence of one of the most numerous and influential gathering's of brethren ever witnessed in the North of England , the Most Noble the Marquis of Londonderry , K . P ., was

installed Grand Master of the Province hy the Right lion , the Earl of Lathom , Deputy Grand Master of England , and Provincial Grand Master of West Lancashire , is a sufficient warrant for our giving a sketch of the rise , progress , and present condition of the Craft in the county . Of the event itself we have spoken elsewhere . Let it

suffice , therefore , if we remark that our Durham brethren are to be congratulated on having so popular a nobleman , and one whose family is so intimately associated with one of the chief industries of the district , to preside over their destinies . Durham , indeed , has been singularly fortunate in its chiefs , and its prosperity in the da } 's when a

Lambton , a Williamson , or a I'awcett was the central Masonic figure in the province cannot but be continued under the tutelary auspices of a Vane-Tempest . There is , moreover , this especially gratifying feature about the ceremony of Tuesday . It does not always happen that the installation of a new chief is witnessed or recorded with unalloyed pleasure . On the contrary , indeed , it is too often our lot to

be under the necessity of mingling with our congratulations to a distinguished brother on his induction into the Grand Mastership of a province , the sincere expression of our respect for the virtues of his deceased predecessor , and the regret wc feel for his loss . But the noble Marquis who is now Provincial Grand Master of Durham succeeds a Right Worshipful brother who has chosen to lay aside the cares and responsibilities of office after a long-

Freemasonry In Durham.

and honourable presidency extending over upwards of thirty years , and as regards whom it will be difficult to decide whether of the two is the greater—the reputation he lias won for himself by his ability , geniality , and kindness , or the services he has rendered to Freemasonry in general , and the Province of Durham in particular . We are ,

therefore , in the happy position of being able to speed th » parting , while wc cordially welcome the coming W . Master . May our R . W . Bro . John Fawcett , who henceforth takes rank amongst the Past Provincial Grand Masters of England , long live to enjoy the respect and affection which his many virtues have won for him ; and may his successor the

noble Marquis who now holds the reins in his stead , be long spared to preside over Freemasonry in his native county ! With these few observations for an exordium let us now proceed to the task of sketching—though necessarily in outline only—the rise , progress , and condition of the Craft in this important province .

Whenever that history of Freemasonry , which it is universally agreed has yet to be written , shall make its appearance , 1 ' t will be found that Durham , albeit there are several provinces that can point to a longer array of lodges , has been inferior to none , cither in its enthusiastic admiration of the Royal Art , or in its unwavering allegiance to

the practice as well as the profession of every Masonic virtue . It is fortunate in possessing several old lodges , though the highest on the muster-roll was an immigrant lodge from the adjoining Province of Northumberland . It has , likewise , a greater number of praa-Union lodges than is usually the case , there being no less than seven out of a

total of twenty-five . In short , our Durham brethren may look with pride to their past and present , and are justified in looking forward to a future which shall be equally propitious . The first lodge we read of in connection with this province was No . 143 , warranted on the Sth March , 1735 , and

held its meetings at the Fountain , Gateshead . It became No . 127 at the closing up of lodges in 1 740 , and No . 77 in 1756 . It was erased twice from the roll of Grand Lodgethe first time on 17 th Nov ., 17 C 0 , and the second on 37 th January , 176 S . What is now tlie premier lodge of the county was , as wc have said already , originally established

at Newcastle-cm-Tyne . It met at the Two Fencers , as No . 132 , and was constituted 24 th June , 1735 . Here it continued for many years , being successively re-numbered 117 in 1740 ; 72 in 175 G ; and in 1770 No . Ci , when it is described as meeting at Dorothy Jones's , Swallvvell , near Newcastle-on-Tync . In 17 S 1 it met as the Lodge of

Industry , No . 4 S , at the Rose and Crown , in the same place . In J 792 it became No . 44 ; in iSr 4 No . 64 ; in 1832 No . 56 ; and in 18 O 3 No . 4 S again , and is now and | for some time past has been held in Gateshead . We have seen a sketch of this lodge , and did the space at our disposal permit , we should willingly insert a few

particulars'illustrative of its career . One remark , however , seems necessary . Newcastle and Gateshead are on opposite sides of the Tyne , so that while for the sake of strict accuracy we have spoken of the Lodge of Industry as hailing from Northumberland , it has been virtually located in the same place during the whole of its existence , its change of

quarters being hardly greater than would be involved if a LSayswater lodge moved eastwards of Temple Bar , or the spot where Temple Bar once stood . A still older lodge , which was warranted in February , 1725 , as No . 39 , and met at the Swan and Rummer , in Finch-lane , was in existence subsequently to the year 1 S 32 . In the 1740 list this

is entered as " No . 35 , Swan and Rummer , Barth-lanc , Royal Exchange , and is placed between a 1724 lodge and a 1725 . In the 1756 it figures as No . 23 , Pope ' s Head , Pope ' s Mead-alley , Cornhill , " with Feb ., 1724 as the date of its constitution . In 1770 it is down as No . 22 , and met at the Queen ' s Head , Stockton-on-Tees , the date being

2 nd Feb ., 1724 , so that in the interval between 1 756 and 1770 it had moved into this county . In 1781 it was altered to No . 20 , and met at the Black Lion in the same town . In 1792 it was known as the Lodge of Philanthropy , No . 19 , and in 1 S 14 , in consequence of the Union , it was re-numbered No . 30 , and in 1 S 32 No . 2 S . It has since fallen into

abeyance—a fate greatly to be regretted in the case of so old a lodge . The next lodge in order of constitution dates from 7 th October , 1 755 , and is described as No . 207 , at " Sunderland-near-yc-sea . " In 1770 it was held at the Golden Lion , High-street , and was altered to No . 1 C 0 . By the

year 17 S 1 it had become the Phcenix Lodge , when it was again altered to No . 136 . In 1792 it became No . 121 ; after the Union it was altered to No . 146 ; in 1832 to No . in , and in iSfij to No . 94 , and now meets at the Freemasons' Hall . Equally fortunate was the lodge No . 07 , the Palatine of Sundciland , which was consecrated on the 14 th

June , 1757 , as No . 21 S , "Sea Captain ' s" Lodge , King ' s Head , High-street , Sunderland . By successive changes of unmbers it became No . 177 in 1770 ; No . 144 in 1781 ; No . 129 in 1792 ; No . 153 in 1 S 14 ; No . 114 in 1 S 32 , and No . 97 in iSG 3 . Thus Sunderland can boast of two lodges , both of which are more than 120 years old . "No . 243 , Square and Compasses , Barnard Castle , " warranted

on 21 st April , 1759 , was the next lodge established in the county , but its existence would appear to have been brief , for at the next closing up of lodges , in 1770 , it was conspicuous by its absence . However , a better fate attended the next two in order , the cider of which was founded as No . 26 3 , on the 19 th June , 1761 , and met at the Sun , Darlington . It became No . 210 in 1770 ; No . 170 in 1781 , by