Grand Lodge Of Quebec.

constitutional contention with thc mother Grand Lodge of Missouri , which , as he held , irregularly persisted in its violation of thc sovereign rights of the Grand Lodge of New Mexico . He then briefly referred to a few of the more salient points of their brief , eventual history—from the formation of the Grand Lodge of Quebec in 1 S 69 up to the present time . He reviewed the differences that had existed between the Grand Lodges of Scotland and of Quebec ,

which had happily ended in the adhesion of Elgin , Argyle , and King'Solomon Lodges , Scottish register , to the Grand Lodgeof Quebec . In referring to the number of lodges on the registry of the Grand Lodge of Quebec , he said the auspicious union of the lodges of registcries of "Canada " and Scotland , with the Grand Lodge of Quebec , together with the ordinary annual increase of lodges in different portions of our jurisdiction , has made the number of lodges

now on our registry over threefold the number which participated in the formation of this Grand Body in 1 S 69 . This , of course , is highly gratifying , yet it _ is doubtless true that the welfaie of the Craft now requires a considerable reduction in tbe number of lodges , by consolidation and otherwise , and 1 trust that this very important matter will receive the early and serious consideration not only of the several lodges whose interests are directly affected , but also of Grand Lodge . He thanked

the officers and other brethren of the Grand Lodge for their invaluable counsels and hearty co-operations in furthering the good work of laying the foundations and aiding to erect thereon their grand superstructure . He referred at considerable length to the work of adjusting the relations of the Grand Lodge of Quebec to the mother Grand Lodge of England , and the fraternal adhesion to our Grand Lodge , of her three daughter lodges—the St .

Paul , the St . George , and the St . Lawrence—still existing within the recognised sovereign jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge at Quebec . In response to an application for recognition and " thc interchange of Grand Representatives , the Grand Lodge of England formerly offered recognition to our Grand Lodge , * with the reservation that the three lodges of her Constitution within our territory should be permitted to continue at their will on the registry , and

under the jurisdiction ofthe Grand Lodge of England ; and at the same time reminding the Grand Lodge of Quebec that the Grand Lodge of Canada bad formerly accepted recognition from England on the same conditions . The Grand Lodge of Quebec , however , most respectfully declined to accept such conditional recognition from England , holding that she was justly entitled to have and to exercise exclusive sovereign jurisdiction over every regular

lodge of Freemasons situate within the geographical limits of the Province of Quebec , and that it was the duty of the Grand Loelge of England either to recall the warrants of her daughter lodges here , or that these lodges should become of obedience to the Grand Lodge of Quebec . Long sufferance of the evils resulting from the contemporaneous existence of private loelges of multiple Grand Lolge jurisdiction and governance ( or rather often ,

non-governance ) within the same territory , had convinced the Craft in this province that the acceptance of said conditional recognition from England by Canada was a grievous error—that it was , in fact , an abandonment , in part at least , of the principles on which she was founded , ancl on which she had secured " recognition " from most of the Grand Lodges of the world . Thc Grand Lodge of Quebec held , moreover , that thc policy of the Grand

Lodge of England thus pursued toward Canada and other Colonial Grand Lodges , and sought to be perpetuated in Quebec , was not in accordance with the fundamental principles of our peaceful Fraternity , since it did not tend to promote peace , harmony , unity , and prosperity , but was rather the cause of local dissension and discord ; and tended also to produce international Masonic aleniation and strife . It was also held by Quebec that the doctrine

of exclusive Grand Lodge sovereignity to which she had ever adhered , and which so happily prevailed ! throughout North America , was in strict accordance with thc constitution and landmarks of our ancient Fraternity ; that it was not absent from the constitutions of the mother Grand Ix > dges of England and Scotland , and that their policy toward Quebec and other Grand Lodges throughout the British lunpire ought to be in harmony with their own

principles , and with their practice toward each other within their own jurisdiction . The efforts hitherto put forth to secure a satisfactory adjustment of their relations to the Grand Lodge of England , and to the private lodges of her institution here , not having attained the desired end , he had considerable correspondence with their distinguished and illustrious brother , the Grand Master of England , with reference to the matter . ( Here the Grand Master read

the whole of the correspondence in question . ) This correspondence , he considered , was wholly unsatisfactory , and he quoted clauses from the Constitutions of both the Grand Loelges of England and Scotland to show that they claimed exclusive territorial jurisdiction , and these principles , common to the Constitutions of these two Grand Lodges , had since their renunciation remained unchallenged as correct statements of the " ancient Constitutions" relating to the

rights , privileges , prerogatives , and governance of Grand Lodges ; and , therefore , the practice of the mother Grand Lodge of England towards the Grand Lodge of Quebec had not been in accordance with the theory or principles of the ancient Constitutions of the Craft , or of even her own Constitution . He read resolutions that had been adopted by the Grand Lodges of the States of Virginia , Massachusetts , Connecticut ^ Pennsylvania , and Ohio , to the effect

that they would not hold communication nor correspondence with any Masons , citizens of the United States , lodge or lodges , who acknowledged the supremacy of any foreign Grand Lodge , and did not by their representatives communicate and pay their dues to their respective Grand Lodges . He earnestly begged ancl advised thc Grand Lodge not to take any decisive action thereon at the present communication , as he considered that neither the Grand Lodge of

England , nor her daughter lodges here , had hitherto given the subject the mature consideration which its importance demanded , as he did not believe that H . R . I I . the Prince of Wales , or thc venerable Grand Lodge over which he so auspiciously presided , would long perpetuate that which was shown not to accord with Masonic right and justice ; that he had such confidence in the prudence , forethought , and

ability of many of the brethren still in dissent here as to induce him to think that on due deliberation they could not deem it tu be well , or to accord with their duty as loyal Craftsmen , much longer to defer action , having in view the enrolment of their lodges on the registry of this Grand Lodge , and for other reasons He had , after mature and most anxious delibera-

Grand Lodge Of Quebec.

tion , decided thus to advise the Grand Lodge , with the hope and expectation that the great consummation so devoutly desired , might , in the manner indicated , shortly be attained , and thus give to the world one of the grandest manifestations of the reality and efficacy of our principles and professions as Freemasons , such as -lias been seldom witnessed heretofore . He concluded his address as follows :

Should these seemingly well-grounded expectations of an early , and satisfactory adjustment of our relations to the mother Grand Lodge of England , and to her three daughter lodges here , be speedily realised , it will be a triumph of the great principles of our peace-loving Order , and all those participating therein will receive the richest fruition of the divinest of benedictions : ' Blessed are the peacemakers ; ' and it . evill afford a errand exemplification of

' how good and how ioyful it is for brethren to dwell together in unity . ' If these hopes are not fulfilled , which may God forbid , then the Grand Lodge of Quebec will not be found wanting in the performance of its duty : The labours of this twelfth annual communication having been begun to order , may they be continued in peace and closed in harmony . So mote it be . " The Grand Master was listened to with marked attention

throughout the delivery of bis entire address . The Deputy Grand Master , the Grand Secretary , the Grand Treasurer , and District Deputy Grand Masters of Quebec , Three Rivers , Montreal , Bedford , Ottawa and St . Francis District presented their respective reports . R . W . Bro . E . R . JOHNSON ' , of Stanstead , moved , and R . W . Bro . GEORGE TYLER , of Three Rivers , seconded , "That the Grand Lodge of Quebec , A . F . and A . M ., has

learned with feelings of profound sorrow and regret of the decease of Eminent Bro . James A . Garfield , President of the United States , an active , zealous Mason , one who exemplified in his noble character and lofty bearing the tenets of our Order . He had advanced to the higher walks of Masonic life , and stood esteemed , beloved , and tespected by the Craft . His work was not done , yet his column is broken . His death was apparently untimely , and his brethren there mourn his loss . A nation bows in anguish over

his grave , a wide , wide world sympathises and mingles tear with tear . Our widowed Queen and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , Grand Master of England , have indicated their true nobility by heartfelt expressions of grief to the bereaved in this sad hour . To the mourning widow and weeping children of our illusttious departed brother we would extend our deepest sympathy , and would assure them that the great heart of the Alasonic world bleeds and mourns with them now .

Carried unanimously . Moved by R . W . Bro . G . P . BUTLER , of Montreal , seconded by R . W . Bro . Hon . THOS . WOOD , of Bedford , "That the foregoing resolution be engrossed , and together with an impression of the memorial page to be devoted to the memory of our late much lamented Illustrious Bro . James Abram Garfield , together with a copy of that portion of tbe Grand Master's address referring to his death , be

transmitted to the widow of our late eminent brother . " Carried unanimously . The Grand Master announced that the next morning ' s session would be opened by an address by the Grand Chaplain , the Rev . John Scrimgcr . The Grand Lodge then till S . 30 ., and on resuming proceeded to the election of officers with the following result : — M . W . Bros . J . H . Graham , L . L . I ) ., of Richmond ,

Grand Master ( re-elected ) ; R . VV . I lobart Buttler , of Bedford , Deputy Grand Master . The Grand Master then appointed the following D . D . G . M . 's . : R . W . Bros . Edson Fitch , of Quebec , D . D . G . M ., for Quebec and Three Rivers ; J . ~ l " . Walkey , D . D . G . M ., Tor the District of Montreal ; ] ohn Massie , junr ., Cowansville , D . D . G . M ., for Bedford District ; Arthur F . Simpson , Lennoxville , D . D . G . M ., for St . Francis ; Dr . A . Lyon of Shawville ,

reelected D . D . G . M ., for Ottawa District . The Grand Lodge adjourned at twelve o'clock . The Grand Lodge on resuming on'Thursday morning , the Grand Master , Dr . J . H . Graham , being on the throne , the following officers were elected for the ensuing year : — R . W . Bros . Charles D . Hanson , Grand Senior Warden ,

Montreal ; John Godwin , Grand Junior Warden , Three Rivers ; Rev . J . Scrimgcr , Grand Chap ., Montreal ( reelected ); J . H . Stearns , Grand Treas ., Montreal ( reelected ); J . H . Isaacson , Grand Sec , Montreal ( reelectd ); Thomas Simpson , Grand Reg ., Montreal . It was resolved that the next annual communication

should be held in the city of Quebec . The CHAPLAIN then delivered an excellent address , and the Grand Lodge adjourned at one o'clock for refreshment . The afternoon and evening sessions were taken up with the discussion on thc amendments for thc Grand Lodge Constitutions . The Grand Lodge adjourned at an early hour in the morning .

Amusements.

Amusements .

OPERA COMIQUE . —TJie London stage being now apparently given over to melodrama and comic opera , we cannot wonder at a piece bearing the name of VV . S . Gilbert attracting large audiences , as " The Princess Toto " is now doing at the Opera Comiquc , although Mr . Arthur Sullivan ' s name is not associated with thc popular librettist in the production . Mr . F . Clay , however , has adapted some charming music to this really clever production , and the

result is a decided success , although we think it could with advantage be somewhat curtailed . The leading parts are taken by Miss Annette Albu and Messrs . Temple , Bishop , and Brough , and abetter cast could not havc been made . Mr . Temple , as the pompous monarch who is so nervously anxious never to place himself in an absurd position that might compromise him in the " eyes of surrounding nations , " and ytt is continually posing in the most ridiculous

situations ; Mr . Alfred Bishop , as Prince Caramel , an effeminate milksop whom fate compels to appear as a ferocious brigand ; and Mr . Robert Brough , the wil y prime minister whose " diplomacy " is destined to set the inverted world in which the court exists on its legs again , are all irresistibly funny . The Princess Toto , who is continually forgetting to which of the Princes she has been married , or that she

was ever married at all , is one of those Gilbertian creations which " no fellah can understand , " but which as represetcd by thc prima donna , Miss Annette Albu , was mest droll , and the ballads allotted to her were charmingly rendered . The piece is splendidly mounted , and the dresses and accessories in the best taste . Thc fun , too , although hilarious , never approaches frivolity or vulgarity , and the opera ought , according to all precedent , to havc a considerable run .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

( Kraft jaasonrg .

UNITED MARINERS' LODGE ( No . 30 ) . — The first meeting of this old lodge since the vacation was held on Tuesday , the iSth inst ., at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham-street . The VV . M . opened his lodge punctually to the time appointed on the summons , and there were present during the proceedings the following brethren : Bros H . Cosedge , W . M . ; J . W . Crosslev , S . VV .: I . Shiolev .

J . VV . ; Joseph Harling , P . M ., Treasurer ; Joseph Driscoll , P . M ., Hon . Sec ; T . E . Davey , S . D . ; L . Steingrabber , D . C ; Jas . Clarke , I . P . M . ; C . Davev . P . M . ; Thos . Smith , P . M . ; A . Lefeaux , P . M . ; G . C . C . Smith , P . M . ; H . Meyer , T . Oblein , Lampen , J . Protheroe , M . Misch , B . Ollendorf , VV . Boyce , J . Hildrich , J . Lewis , and A . Couldery . Visitors : Bros . S . Richardson , I . G . 1 S 3 ; and W . Johnson , P . M . S 65 . Bros . Mever ,

Burtrsman and Protheroe were passed to the Second Degree in the W . M . ' s usual faultless style . Two names were proposed for the ballot on the next occasion , and there being no further business the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to a richly-served banquet , after which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts followed . The pleasures of the festive board were very much enhanced during the evening by the capital singing of Bros . Johnson , Richardson , Boyce , Shipley , Smith , Steingrabber , and Harling .

FAITH LODGE ( No . 141 ) . —This lodge met on the 26 th ult . at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street . Among those in attendance were : Bros . T . Morrison , W . M .: Heaphy , S . W . ; T . C . Walls , P . P . G . S . B . Middx ., J . W . Carter , P . M ., Treas . ; VV . Stuart , P . M ., Sec . ; Rumball , I . P . M . ; Jordan , I . G . ; Kendall , W . S . ; Fromholty , D . C . ; E . Hopwood , P . P . G . S . B . Middx ., P . M . ; Themans , P . M . ; Charles Dairy , P . M . ; and CobhamP . M . The visitors

, were : Bros . R . Ethesidge , 16 , of Seville , Spain ; H . S . Getz , P . M . 59 , Washington , U . S . ; Friday , P . M . 241 , North Star , Washington ; Noble , VV . M . Rose of Denmark ; Bond , P . M . SSg ; Featherstone , S . D . 1656 ; Golding , 975 ; XV . T . Bell , 1044 ; C . King , 1624 ; and hrayling , 163 S . ' the minutes of the previous meeting having been read

anel confirmed , Bro . VVhitchill W'as passed to the Degree of a F . C , and Mr . J . King was initiated into Craft mysteries by the W . M ., both ceremonies being exceedingly well performed . The election of VV . M . for the year ensuing resulted in favour of Bro . Heaphy , S . VV ., who returned thanks in an able speech . Bro . Carter was re-elected Treasurer ( twenty-third time ) , and Bro . Longstaffe

reelected lyler . The Audit Committee and the Committee of the Benevolent Fund having been elected , it was moved by Bro . Rumball , seconded , and unanimously carried , that a Past Master ' s jewel be awarded to the outgoing Master . The W . M . having briefly thanked the brethren , the lodge was duly closed , and the members and their visitors adjourned to thc banquet .

Upon the removal of the cloth , the ' customaty toasts were duly honoured . "The Health of the W . M . " was proposed in terms of well-deserved eulogy by the LP . M . Bro . Morrison having responded , then gave in appropriate words "The Visitors . " Bro . Getz , in reply , made a most fiuentspeech . After complimenting the lodge upon the excellent working of the W . M ., he went on to

give some very interesting details in connection with " Masonry in America . In concluding his long , but excellent , response , he paid a high tribute of praise to the universal sympathy extended by all parties in England—from the Queen to the lowest of her subjects—to the United States upon the irreparable loss they had sustained by the death of their President , Bro . Garfield . Several of the other visitors having also replied , the toast of " The Initiate "

followed , and drew from Bro . King a neat and expressive response . " The W . M . Elect" came next , and this pledge having been warmly received , Bro . Heaphy , in a few wellchosen sentences , acknowledged the compliment . " The Health of the Past Master , " coupled with the name of Bro . VV . Stuart , who replied , and "The Officers , " responded to by Bro . Walls , brought the proceedingsjo a conclusion . .

WHITTINGTON LODGE ( No . 862 ) . — On Monday evening , the 17 th inst ., thc first meeting of this season of the above lod ge was held at the Freemasons ' Hall , VV . Bro . R . P . Tate occupying the chair . After the election of officers for the ensuing twelve months , and other routine business had been proceeded with , the brethren adjourned to the Old Bell , Holborn , to a banquet .

Amongst the numerous brethren who sat down were : Bros . Tate , VV . M . ( in the chair ); S . Godden , I . P . M . ; J . Weaver , and T . Kingston , P . M . ' s of S 62 . Thc VV . M . elect , Bro . J . Brown , occupied thc S . VV . ' s chair . Amongst the visitors were : Bros . Irvine Harle , I . P . M . 17 S 0 and P . P . G . Purst . of Hampshire and Isle of Wi ght ; W . H . Marston , P . M . 55 and 1 599 ; and A . E . Gladwell , VV . M . 172 . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts having been civen were

enthusiastically hononrcd , and the toast of " The Visitors " duly responded to . During the evening various excellent songs were sung , Bro . Harle presiding at thc pianoforte . It would be but bare justice to remark that the banquet was served in a most excellent manner b y the respected proprietress of the hotel , " Miss Bunycr , " to the entire satisfaction of the whole of the brethren , the dessert being of a specially recherche description .

KENNINGTON LODQE ( No . 1381 ) . — This lodge held its first meeting after the usual recess at the Horns Tavern , Kennington Park , on the 4 th inst ., when there were present : Bros . Speedy , W . W . ; Webb , S . VV . ; Marsden , J . VV . ; VV . Mann , P . M ., Treasurer ; W . Stuart , P . M ., Secretary ; Kohler , I . P . M . ; Stokes , S . D . J Stranger , J . D . ; Appleton , W . S . ; Koch , P . M . ; G .

Everett , P . M . ; Higgins , P . M . ; T . C . Walls , P . P . G . S . B . Middlesex , P . M . ; and Drysdale , P . M . The visitors were Bros . S . Martin , S . D . 1 S 8 ; and Price 1744 . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read ancl confirmed , Bro . Bailey was passed , and Messrs . VV . J . Davis and S . Hcbert were initiated b y the VV . M . The ballot was taken for Bros . G . Cooper , 47 , Dundee , anel J . Plowman , 975 , as joining members , and it proved to be unanimous in each case .

1 he lodge was shortly afterwards closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet . The customary toasts having been duly honoured , " Thc Health of the VV . M . " was given by the I . P . M . The W . M . having responded ,