Correspondence Between The Grand Lodge Of England And The Grand Lodge Of Quebec.

above mentioned lodges , to wit , St . Paul , No . 374 ; St . George , No . 440 ; and St . Lawrence , No . C 40 , and each and all the members thereof . I have the honour to be , loyally and fraternally , yours obedient , E . R . J OHNSON - , G . M ., Sec . ( Attest ) J H . ISAACSON , Grand Sec . G . L . of Q . A . F . and A . M .

Freemasons Hall , London , 27 th November , 1 SS 4 . To M . W . Bro . E . R . Johnson , Grand Master Grand Lodge of Quebec M . W . Sir and Brother , I am commanded by the M . W . Grand Master of United Grand Lodge of England to acknowledge the receipt of vour letter to him , of the 3 rd October last , on

the subject of the three English lodges in Montreal , viz ., St . Paul , No . 374 ; St . George , No . 440 ; and St . Lawrence , No . 640 , still remaining under this Grand Lodge , in which you urge , on similar grounds to those put forward by your predecessors in the years iS 77 and iSSoand 1 SS 1 , thesupercession of these lodges , and intimate that , in the opinion of your Grand Lodge , the time has now arrived for a settlement of the question , explaining that such settlement , to be satisfactory , involves the unconditional admission of the

supremacy of the Grand Lodge of Quebec over all lodges and Masons in that province . You therefore convey to our Grand Master the request of your Grand Lodge that a withdrawal ofthe authority of the Grand Lodgeof England from over these three lodges should take place on or before the ist January , 1 SS 5 , failing which you will declare a severance of intercourse between the Grand Lodge of Quebec and its members and the three lodges in question and their members .

The Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England does not desire unnecessarily to repeat what has been already communicated in the letters which have been addressed by my predecessor and myself , in obedience to his commands , to the late Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Quebec ; but his Royal Highness must point out that when the Grand Lodgeof Canada was formed in the year 1 S 57 , and assumed jurisdiction over the territory of Montreal , the three lodges

in question were already in existence and working—the St . Paul since 1 S 24 ; the St . George since 1836 ; and the St . Lawrence since 1 S 54 ; and these [ three lodges have declined to join the movement which resulted in the formation of the Grand Lodge of Canada , or to sever their allegiance from the Grand Lodge of England . When the former body sought recognition from this Grand Lodge it succeeded to and adopted the expressed condition that the

existing status of these three lodges should be maintained . This point was stipulated for by the Grand Lodge of England , and was distinctly agreed to by the Grand Lodge of Canada . Matters remained on this footing until the year 1 S 6 9 , when the Quebec Masons separated from the Grand Lodge of Canada , and formed themselves into the Grand Lodge of Quebec and declared their independence , which was ultimately acknowledged by the Grand Lodge of

Canada ; but on the newiy-established Grand Lodge of Quebec applying to the Grand Lodge of England for recognition they were reminded of the terms previously entered into by our Grand Lodge with that of Canada , relative to the three lodges in question , and were informed that such recognition could only be accorded them on similar terms . To these conditions the Grand Lodge of Quebec declined to assent , and the matter has remained in

statu quo , although various letters have passed on the subject between the two Grand Masters . It has been repeatedly explained that the Grand Lodge of England would offer no obstacle to these lodges entering into allegiance to the Grand Lodge of Quebec ; but that is a matter entirely for these lodges to determine . The Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England has always declined to use coercive measures to bring about the result , holding

that the lodge are entitled to act independently without pressure . The request now made involves the principle that because a Grand Lodge is founded in a territory , lodges therein already lawfully existing , become unlawful if they do not join in adhering to the newly-formed body . To this doctrine the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England cannot subscribe . A Grand Lodge by its own creation , cannot invalidate the actual lodges already legally

existing in the territory over which it assume jurisdiction . The creation of the new body does not annul the prior right , indeed , the request to withdraw the warrants implies that under them the continuance of these lodges is justified . The Grand Lodge of England has consistently adhered to the position thus stated . At the formation of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia , a lodge under the Grand Lodge of

England continued its allegiance , and is still working at Halifax in harmony with the local Grand Lodge . The reference in your letter to two Masonic bodies bidding for support and struggling for supremacy does not appear to apply in any way to the present position . His Royal Highness is naturally anxious that peace and harmony should prevail amongst all Masons , but he does

not see that he would be justified in forcing upon these three lodges , against their expressed desire , their extinction . Whilst , therefore , much regretting his anability to comply with the wish of the Grand Lodge of Quebec , he cannot undertake to ask the Grand Lodge of England to reverse its former decision upon the grounds and for the reasons advanced . —I have the honour to be , & c , ( Signed ) SHADWELL H . CLERKE , G . S .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . THE MARQUIS OF CHOLMONDELEY . The Marquis of Cholmondeley , whose death took place at Houghton Hall , Norfolk , on Tuesday , the iCth instant , was initiated in the Apollo University Lodge , Oxford , No . 357 , in 1819 , the year of its constitution . Among his lordship's contemporaries being Bros . Sir John Warren Hayes , Bart ., Past Grand Chaplain , and the Earl of Shaftesbury , K . G ., who happily survive , and the first Earl of Ellesmere

, the nth Earl of Home , and the 2 nd Viscount Templetown , who pre-deceased him . Houghton Hall , at which he died , was the seat of the great Minister ofj George I . and George " —Sir Robert Walpole—and will be memorable in the annals of the Craft as having been the place where Francis Duke of Lorraine , afterwards Emperor of Germany , who was initiated into Masonry at the Hague in 1731 , had the Master ' s Degree conferred upon him shortly afterwards .

Masonic And General Tidings

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS

Bro . Capt . George Lambert , P . G . S . B ., has accepted the office of President of the City Waiters ' Provident and Pension Society . Bro . the Lord Mayor , Alderman and Sheriff Whitehead , Lieut .-Col . Cowen , and H . C . Overall , were among the guests on Friday evening last at the dinner at Guildhall Tavern , of the coal , corn , and finance committee of the London Corporation .

Bro . Lord Wolseley was last week re-elected President of the North London Rifle Club , Bro . Lieut .-Col . Sir H . Halford , Bart ., being one of the re-elected Vice-Presidents . Bro . Alderman De Keyser was present at the St . Sepulchre precinct dinner , held at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street , on Friday last . Bro . E , M . Lott , CO ., presided over the musical arrangements .

Bros . Rev . J . E . Cox , D . D ., Past G . C . ; T . P . Pigott , D . C . L . P . G . A . D . C . ; and Alderman Savory took part last week in the opening of a bazaar at Kensington , in aid of the funds of the " Poor Clergy Relief Corporation . "

Bro . Bradshaw Brown , of Fenchurch-street , has negotiated the sale to Cardinal Manning of rather over an acre of land near the new Tilbury-docks , at a sum equivalent to more than £ 3000 per acre , as a site for a Roman Catholic church .

Bro . the Lord Mayor , on taking his seat in the Mansion House Justice Room on Monday , took the opportunity of making a special appeal to the public through the Press for the further much-needed contributions to the poor-box at this inclement season of the year .

Bro . Edward Spooner , President of the New Wandsworth Philanthropic Society , will thankfully receive contributions towards the fund being raised for providing a dinner on Christmas-day for 600 poor children , and a tea and entertainment to 250 old men and women on the 9 th January , 1 SS 5 . Address , 1 , Albert-terrace , Haldon-road , Wandsworth , S . W .

FUNERAL OF AN OLD FREEMASON . — On the 5 th inst . the remains of one of the oldest inhabitants of Brightlingsea , Essex ( Mr . Samuel Coppin ) were interred in the churchyard , and , as a mark of respect for his memory , most " of the business establishments were closed . A number of members of the Freemasons' Lodge " Hope " attended the funeral , deceased being , it is said , the oldest Freemason in this district , he having been a Mason over 50 years . Deceased was in his SSth year . —Essex Standard .

The consecration of the Shadwell Clerke Preceptory of Knights Templar will take place at 33 , Goldensquare , W ., on Monday next , the 22 nd inst ., at 4 p . m . precisely . The Great Sub-Prior , Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , will officiate in chief , and will afterwards install Sir Knight H . Lovegrove , E . P . designate , Sir Knights J . Neal York and J . Shilcock being Constable designate and Marshal

designate respectively . The musical arrangements will be under the direction of Sir Knight John Read , P . E . P ., 30 The banquet . will take place at the Holborn Restaurant at 7 p . m . Bro . H . B . Marshall , G . Treas ., Chairman of the City of London Orphan School , Committee , laid the

memorial stone of one of the new blocks of building known as the London Almshouses , in Shepherd's-lane , Brixton , on Wednesday afternoon . At the conclusion of the ceremony a handsome silver trowel bearing a suitable inscription was presented to Bro . Marshall , and a silver tankard and bouquet to Mrs . Marshall .

The following * dinners have taken place during the week ending December 20 th at Freemasons' Tavern : Monday—Grand Masters' Lodge ; British Lodge ; Asaph Chapter . Tuesday—Enoch Chapter ; Royal York Chapter ; Cadogan Lodge . Wednesday—Commercial Travellers ' School ; Novic Magians . Thursday—Great Northern Lodge ; Globe Lodge j Strand Benevolent Fund .

Friday—Jordan Lodge ; Odd Volumes . Bro . A . M . Broadley returned thanks for the toast of "The Visitors" at the Court Dinner of the Painter-stainers' Company , held in their hall , Trinitylane , on the 10 th inst . In doing so he dwelt effectively on the time-honoured association of the Painter-stainers '

Company , the work it had undertaken to carry out in the present , and the practical and useful administration of its charitable trusts . Bro . Broadley spoke at some length of the important part played by guilds in the history of civilization , nnd expressed a firm conviction that such associations as the Painter-stainers' Company would still have a long , enduring , and prosperous existence .

W . Bro . J as . Stevens , P . M ., P . Z ., has accepted the invitation of the Peace and Harmony Lodge , No . 199 , Dover , to deliver his interesting lecture on the First Degree , explanatory of the details of ritual and ceremonial , at the Royal Oak Hotel , Dover , on Monday , the 5 th prox ., at 6 * p . m . The date for its delivery at the Royal Arthur

Lodge of Instruction has been changed from 15 th January to the ist , and the place of meeting to the Collegiate School , Worple-road , Wimbledon , at 6 . 30 p . m . Bro . Stevens is also invited to deliver this lecture in the Graystone Lodge , Whitstable , and also at Margate at early dates in January ,- and to the Selwyn Lodge of Instruction , at Dulwich , on February 6 th .

CHAMPAGNE . —This year ' s vintage in the champagne district is satisfactory both as regards quantit y and quality , the very fine weather in the autumn resulting in the crop being housed in splendid condition . We learn that one of the leading houses at Epernay—Messrs . Moot

and Chandon—have made from their own vineyards ( about 2000 acres of the best crfis ) over 4000 hogsheads of wine , to which must be added the very considerable purchases made by them under contract with the proprietors of neighbouring vineyards , the grapes being pressed by them in their own pressoirs .

Masonic And General Tidings

Bro . H . B . Marshall presided on Tuesday evening at the winter dinner of the City of London Tradesmen ' s Club . Bro . Earl Granville left VValmer Castle for London on Wednesday , in order to transact business at the Foreign Office .

Bros . A . J . Altman , A . Brookman , and others , were present at the fifth annual winter dinner of the Aldersgate Club , at the Champion Hotel , Aldersgate-street . We have been very kindly reminded by the Secretary of St . Mark ' s Lodgeof M . M . M ., No . 1 , that our late Bro . H . C . Levander was , at the time of his death , the oldest Past Master of that well-known and influential

Mark Lodge . The "Pure Coffee Trading Association , " of 54 , Gresham-street , E . C , to which was awarded the silver medal—the highest possible distinction—at the International Health Exhibition , confines its attention entirely to the sale of coffee , and its success has been so marked that we

have no hesitation in recommending the firm to our readers . Its appliances for roasting and making coffee attracted well-merited praise at the Healtheries , and the machinery there used may now be seen in daily operation at Gresham-street . We may add that Bro . Edward Woods has recently undertaken the management of the business , and to him we refer our friends for advice in their

purchases . The sixth biennial Aldersgate Ball will take place at Freemasons' Tavern on Thursday , the 22 nd January next . The previous balls have been most successful , having been the means of enabling the Committee of Management to contribute on each occasion towards the support of thc Aldersgate Charities . This time it will be held under the distinguished patronage of Bro . the

Lord Mayor , Bro . Alderman and Sheriff Whitehead , Sheriff Phillips , Bros . Alderman Staples , Bros . A . J . Altman , A . Brookman , E . VV . Stillwell , George Kenning , & c . Admirable arrangements have been made in order to ensure a pleasant gathering , while the band of the Hon . Artillery Company , under Signor Tamplini , will , by the kind permission of the commanding officer , be in attendance . Early application for tickets should be made . Double

ticket , for lady and gentlemen , 21 s . ; lady s ticket , us . i gentleman's ticket , 14 s . —to include , in each case , supper and light refreshments . FREEMASONS' CALEXDAR FOR ESSEX , 1 S 84-5 . — This useful guide is published under the sanction of the Provincial Grand Lodge , and by the authority of the Prov . G . M ., the Prov . G . Superintendent , and the Prov . G . M . M . M . of East Anglia . It comprises a calendar for the year , lists of officers of the G . and Prov . G . Lodges and

Chapters , as well as of the subordinate lodges and chapters in the Craft , Arch , and Mark Degrees , and full particulars with list of members of the voting powers possessed by the province in connection with our Masonic Institutions . It is well arranged , accurate , so far as our researches go , and does great credit to Bro . G . Shedd , P . M . 76 , and H . E . Dehane , I . P . M . 1543 , to whom the work of compilation was entrusted . In all other respects , printing , portability , & c , this is a good model of a provincial calendar .

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY COMPANY . The Great Western Railway Company have made the most liberal arrangements for intending travellers during the Christmas holidays . Reduced fares and extra train service on the company's main lines are the principal order of the day , but it is desirable to point out that besides the booking office at the Paddington terminus , ticket offices are now open at no less than eleven important Metropolitan

centres—namely , 193 and 407 , Oxford-street ; 23 , . New Oxford-street , Holborncircus ; 38 , Charing-cross ; 5 , Arthur-street , London-bridge ; S 2 , Queen Victoria-street ; 43 and 44 , Crutched Friars ; 26 , Regent-street ; 67 , Gresham-place ; and 4 , Cheapside . These offices were opened on Thursday , the iSth instant , and here tickets up to

Wednesday next may be obtained , tickets which will be available for use on any day , the last day of issue being included . This will prove a great convenience to the hordes of people who are sure to be travelling at this festive season , while special trains for the conveyance of parcels will prove a similar convenience to those who look to send or receive Christmas hampers , & c

LONDON AND NORTH WESTERN RAILWAY COMPANY . Special arrangements , which cannot fail to be most advantageous to the travelling public , have been made by the London and North Western Railway Company , in order to meet the henvy demands made upon their resources at this season cf the year . Christmas is the time for family gatherings , and as families now-a-days are pretty widely

distributed in their business occupations , the question or special conveniences just now is a very important one . However , railway enterprise generally effects what it puts its hand to , and a mere glance at our advertisement columns will suffice to show that the executive staff of the L . and N . VV . R . Co . have done what is required , and will be in a position to meet even the heaviest pressure . They have likewise given their attention to the Parcels traffic ,

which , considering the immense numbers of Christmas hampers that are likely to be despatched to all parts of the country , has necessarily to be strengthened . However , as we have said , a glance at the arrangements will show that the public will find the company , as usual , fully equal to the emergency , and also that they have consulted the pockets of their customers as well by arranging to issue tickets at considerably reduced fares . In fact , the

company has , as it always does , laid itself out in order to promote the comfort and convenience of its customers . £ 30 to £ SOO . —Tobacconists . —A pamphlet ( 80 pages ) How to commence from ^" 20 ; three stamps . II . Myers & Co ., 100 , Euston-rd ., London . Sample cigars 6 , _ , 4 , —t / ., 1 . stamps . [ Ann . ] HOU - OWAY ' PILLS arc securities ot health to all nations , of what ever clime . They have given hope , relief , and comfort to millions . In constitutions debilitated by excesses of any kind , or in general

prostration ot the system , their effect is tonicand restorative . They eradicate from the system Ihe mortal causes of ailment , and renew in the frame ita pristine animation , health , and vigour . They greatly increase Ihe appetite , give tone to the stomach , assist the digestion , and impart elasticity to the spirits ; their essence enters the circulaiion , and carried through its course .-xerts ils cleansing power on every organ . In the lungs they effect most striking changes , converting Ihe impure venous into pnrc arterial blood , by which the whole frame is recruited and interstitial deposits removed . — [ ADVT . ]