Contents.

CONTENTS .

I . tAUEKS 34 1 Roval Masonic Institution forGirls 342 Roval Masonic Benevolent Institution 342 Consecration of the I _ andport Chapter , No . 1776 , at Portsmouth 34-provincial Grand Loilge of Northants and Hunts 343

CORRESPONDENCEMetropolitan District Grand Lodge 344 Freemasonrv in Morocco 344 Grand Territorial Orient of Morocco 345 The Lodgeof Benevolence 345 Visitors 345 An Impostor 345

¦ Reviews 345 Masonic Notes and Queries 34 G RuriKTs OF M . ISOMI ; MEETINGSCraft Masonry r . 346 Instruction 348 Royal Arch 349 Mark Masonry 349

Rosicrucian Society 349 Consecration of a Royal Ark Mariners' Lodge at Shcerness-on-Sea 349 ! The Theatres 35 ° j Music 350 Science aud Art 35 ° Masonic and General Tidings 3 S 1 I Lodge Meetings for Next Week 352

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THE question of privilege raised by Bro . J AMKS STEVENS , though not without its importance , is , we hope , settled for a good long time lo come , lt seems to us , we say it in all deference , perfectly clear and distinct , laking the whole bearing of the Book of Constitutions into consideration , and realizing the unwavering tradition of English Masonic custom since 1726 , that the

resolution , which was very wisely refused by the PRESIDENT of the BOARD of MASTERS , affected the undoubted prerogative of the GRAND MASTER , and as such was inadmissable on the agenda paper . And though it is true , undoubtedly , that the PRO GRAND MASTER took what he himself termed a narrow ground of the meaninglessness of the phrase District Grand Lodges , and ruled the proposition out of order upon that ground , he carefully and

cautiously expressed no opinion as to the other and very important question , —the absolute prerogative of the GRAND MASTER . But this very motion proposed to tell the G RAND MASTER that four District Grand Lodges , ( or call them any name you like ) , were rendered advisable , & c , thus seeking to settle by a resolution of Grand Lodge , which has nothing to do with the

appointment of such high officials , the very point which the GRAND MASTER has the prerogative assigned to him of himself deciding " propio motu " and " mero motu . " No more serious infringement of prerogative can , we apprehend be essayed , however cautiously the motion be worded , however studiously respectful the proposal may appear to bc .

The right of respectful petition is inherent in our English Constitution and system , in all societies and under all circumstances , and we do not ourselves doubt that Grand Lodge might , if it so thought fit in ils deliberate wisdom , approach the Grand Master by petition , and ask him to consider the propriety of giving the provincial system to the London District generally .

But that is a very different matter from coolly dividing the London District into four or any number of bodies , and then asking the Grand Master to endorse such a division . It is putting the horse before the cart with a vengeance ; and such a resolution would , if successful , while it seriously affected the unchanged prerogatives of the Grand Master , weaken

the prestige and impair the status of Grand Lodge . From first to last , while properly sensitive as to its own long established privileges , and safeguarding faithfully its own sacred rights , the Grand Lodge of Eng land above all other bodies lias been marked by the scrupulous honesty , fidelity , and loyally , with which it has upheld ,

even in less quiet times the prerogatives of the Grand Master , and we feel quite sure that should thc occasion again arise , there will be found those who will remember lhc pure and goodly leaching of English Masonry , and maintain with equal firmness and discrimination , alike thc privileges of the Craft and the prerogatives of thc Grand Master .

THE speech of the G . REGISTRAR at the last meeting of Grand Lodge deserves attentive study by all constitutional English Masons . It is a most lucid and profound explanation of the undoubted prerogative of the GRAND MASTER on the one hand , and the common Law of English Freemasonry on the other .

THE question of the division of the London District into more than one Prov . Grand Lodge is a subject which may , perhaps , before very long come again before the executive , though for a time it is now seemingly settled . We have never concealed our opinion that a precedent was

created in the formation of a Provincial Grand Lodge for Middlesex , which may be fairly put before those highest in authority amongst us , if , indeed , there be any preponderating feeling among Metropolitan Masons in favour of the extension of the provincial system , with the changes it will introduce and the altered relations it must evoke . On this point wc are a little dubious . It is not always in these , as in other

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matters , that the froth and thc noise truly represent the safer and better substance of the whole body underneath . At the same time , as wc have before ventured to remark , there is really and truly no possible " a

prion objection to a proposal respectfully made and honestly conceived ; and any such suggestion , tendered in a proper spirit , would , from the known courtesy of our executive , be received with consideration and adjudicated upon with candour .

SOME good brethren of ours affect to think lhat too much stress is sometimes given to technical points and constitutional considerations . They complain of hair splitting and legal ingenuit } ' , and the like . But such excellent Masons often forget that the very life and liberty of Freemasonry under our English Constitution which is a model for all others , we venture to add , depend on the

dueand firm administration of our laws , which , if deviated from , or relaxed in any particular , become a burden and a snare lo ourselves , and detract at once from the absolute confidence with which , as English Freemasons , we are accustomed to regard the administration and administrators of English Masonic law . Laws are made , let us bear in mind , not to suit this person ,

or to meet that view ; not to yield to the pressure of marked sentiment , or the lax ruling of a convenient or despotic chairman , but " pro bono publico , " for the common weal , for the common safety , and they cannot be tampered with , or slurred over , or dispensed with , without causing injury to the body politic , without doing serious damage to the high character and

unchanging legality , happily , of English Freemasonry . There is sometimes an impatience amongst us when constitutional checks are invoked or questions of interpretation are raised ; but they are always , be it remembered , essential to the maintenance of the rights of the many and yet of the individual at one and the same time .

AT the Special General Court of the Girls' School , which was not , owing to Ascot week and the threatening state of the weather , largely attended , Bro . F . RICHARDSON ' S resolution , in respect of the drainage of the Girls' School , was unanimously carried . After Bro . RICHARDSON ' full and lucid explanations , no doubt can arise as to the absolute need of these alterations for the

safety of the children , onthe one hand , and of the careful economy which will be evinced by the House Committee in justification of the liberal confidence reposed in them by the subscribers , on the other . We hope that at the Quarterly Court the resolution of the Special Court will be unanimously confirmed . Indeed , it is a point on which all friends of the Girls' School must be

unanimous ; and we can safely leave to the House Committee the carrying out of the resolution , feeling assured that if they can safely and conscientiously reduce the estimates , which appear somewhat large at first sight , they will , as Bro . RICHARDSON well put it , cheerfull y and unquestionably do so . The

House Committee is no friend to exaggerated estimates , neither does it wish to encourage abnormal expenditure . But what is absolutely necessary for the health and good of the children will , we feel sure , be cheerfully sanctioned , and ungrudgingly afforded .

WE call attention elsewhere in the interests of Masonic Archaeology to an interesting statement from a friend in Germany respecting the German Bauhutteu . Il deserves attention and demands consideration .

* * A communication elsewhere in reference to thc " fiasco " of thc so-called "territorial Grand Orient of Morocco , " will afford amusement to some of our readers . It has , however , a very serious side , which will not escape the observation of the thoughtful .

* * A correspondence elsewhere about the ri ght of admission to lodges will necessarily provoke some regretful remarks and thoughts . It becomes a very serious question in the interest of Masonic progress and the position and prestige of the Freemason , whether such discussions in such a tone do

any good , and are not rather prejudicial to Masonic order and harmony . So much do we feel the difficulties of the case , that we have long been meditating as to the use and advisability of Masonic correspondence , though ever anxious to allow a free course for fair and honest discussion , a temperate statement of alleged grievances , a lilting exposure of supposed Masonic abuses ri

, or a ghteous vindication of Masonic authority . But as wc are blamed by both sides , ( which is most hard upon us ) , first for admitting such letters , then for printing such replies , we beg to close the discussion once for all , and to say that we shall give the abstract advisability of all future correspondence on any subject a most careful and exhaustive consideration .