Reflections On The Present Condition Of Masonry In Teutonic And Latin Countries.

unanimity shown in the Grand Lodges 0 f Germany , Denmark and Sweden . In [ France at the present time there is absolutely no Grand Master at all—the Grand Orient of that country , long trammelled by Grand Masters imposed

hy political chiefs , having abolished the difficulty at the sacrifice of that dignity , although it is hardly to be conceived that France lacks men competent and worthy of wielding the powers usually entrusted to such individuals . As to single instances of Masonic kindness and

liberality , ol course , there is no lack , but it cannot but be felt that as a body Freemasons seem wanting in that esprit de corps we find nearer home or in the North . This may arise perhaps in some degree from difference in rite although in essentials there can be no distinction

whatever . True it is , however , that England , Scotland and Ireland , contrast with France , Italy , Spain , and Portugal to great advantage in this particular . In the United States , however , the English Mason is ever sure to find a

congenial welcome , and if there be one tic closer than that of a common origin which binds British Freemasons to the Freemasons of the New World , it is to be found in the feeling of hearty hospitality which is so marked a characteristic

of our Transatlantic brethren . Allied to us in blood , they are equally allied to us in heart by the honourable reception they accord to all who hail from our

own country . If we turn to Germany , we see the same influences at work . German Masons are proud to acknowledge their Brethren from the United Kingdom , and yie with us in those good works Avhich 01

mA ° . S ^ 7 ancl privilege to promote . I'fis is not the occasion on which to Point to German Masonry as affording other useful and desirable examples , but we may at least refer to their literature ai w the with which they

care hedge round Masonic advancement . ' There is " utmost heed taken that German ^ eemasons in then- several grades shall , ' tleast , knoWmoreoftheartthanitsmere le U—their lodges of instructionbecome

real schools of Freemasonry in which tlie wisest and most accurate of Masons may seek further instruction Avithout a blush . This applies equally to that very Masonic country—SAveden , where the highest in rank from the King

down-Avards are active Masons , "bright" in the very best sense of the term . That country must be regarded as truly Masonic , when it has set aside one of its highest marks of state recognition and favour , in the Order of Charles the Thirteenth .

Instances of foreign liberality should , however , be cited here to show how largely the Masonic spirit works in the hearts of our Continental brethren . In Holland , theLodgesiaSieu ^ limcSandia Clmrite relieved a brother with one

hundred andfifty goldclucats , besides redeeming his clothing , discharging his lodgings , and defraying his expenses on his j ourney to Mictau , in Courland . Six months after , this brother returned the money accompanied Avith a letter of thanks ,

couched in such polite and pathetic language that the most obdurate heart must have burst into tears on hearing the letter read . At the Hague , a purse AA'as made up of one thousand guilders for the relief of a foreigner , whose house

and effects had been destroyed by fire . At Eisenach , in Germany , under the patronage of the Lodges Des trois Glaives , they have a school for the tuition of poor children of all classes—seven hundred children as Ions since as 1840

received a thoroughly good education there . At Prague , in Bohemia , the brethren have erected an extensive asylum for poor Masonic children and orphans , called St . John the Baptist ' s Asylum , where the children are educated in

religion , reading , writing , universal geography , technical drawing , and other branches ; Avhile the girls are taught house-Avifery , spinning , knitting , sewing , and other female arts . A similar school exists at Cassel .

At Ernden , in Holland , a collection is made on St . John ' s day among the fraternity , and the proceeds are sent to