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Potter , P . J . G . D . ; S . C . Norris , P . J . G . D . ; George Biggs , P . G . S . B . ; R . J . Spiers , P . G . S . B . ; J . Masson , P . G . S . B . ; A . A . Le Yeau , P . G . S . B . ; William Farnfield , Assist . G . Sec . ; Thory Chapman , Assist . G . D . C . ; George Elkington , G . Purs . ; H . L . Crohn , Rep . from the Grand Lodge of Hamburgh ; J . J . Blake , W . M ., and F . Burges , S . W . of the Grand Stewards' Lodge , the Grand Stewards of the year , the Masters , Past Masters , and Wardens of many Lodges . The Grand Lodge was opened in form , with solemn prayer .

Bro . Dobie ., presiding as G . M ., read a letter from the M . W . G . M ., which stated the continued ill-health of Lady Zetland prevented his lordship ' s attendance on the Grand Lodge , but that he hoped to be present at the festival for the Boys ' School . Bro . Dobie also read a communication from the R . W . the Earl of Yarborough , who expressed his regret that a Brother , without his consent , had nominated him for election as Grand Master , which office he could nut accept , as his extreme ill-health would prevent his attendance to the duties .

The minutes of the last Grand Lodge were read , and Bro . John Hervey proposed that that portion of the minutes relating to the motion of the Rev . Bro . G . R . Portal , to the effect , "That a printed paper , stating the business to be transacted at every Quarterly Communication , be placed in the hands of every member on his entrance into Grand Lodge , " be not confirmed . Bro . Hervey , in opposition to the measure , said , he considered it unnecessary , as at the Board of Masters on the week preceding the Quarterly Communication the business was made known , and the Grand Secretary ' s office afforded sufficient information to the Brethren generally .

Bro . Dobie said that , had he been in his usual position , and not in the chair , he should have submitted to Grand Lodge the motion made by Bro . Hervey . The Board of Masters was framed for the purpose of announcing to the Fraternity the business to be discussed , and notice was placed in the Grand Secretary ' s office for the same purpose , where any Brother might obtain whatever information he desired . ( Cries of " No , no . " ) Well , he ( Bro . Dobie ) was never refused information . ( This excited some laughter . ) He also urged , as a lawyer , that a motion might be made to suspend a Brother for some alleged misconduct , upon which an action for libel might be maintained ; he , therefore , deprecated the proposal for printing the formula of business to be transacted as suggested .

Bro . Binckes , W . M ., of No . 11 , was sorry to find that Bro . Hervey opposed ~ Bro . Portal ' s motion , which had met with the approval of the Grand Lodge , and that Bro . Dobie should have given his weight to the opposition . A large number of the Brethren considered it highly desirable that all should know the proceedings to be brought forward , so that they might have some short time to deliberate ere they were called upon to vote . As to the risk , so dreaded , of publicity , they all knew that a periodical devoted to Masonry was issued monthly , by which the world at large might be informed of their proceedings . He could not but

protest against the presiding officer of such an assemblage as was then present throwing the weight of his influence to check so desirable a measure . Bro . Cooper , Prov . G . M . for Kent , thought that Bro . Hervey had not advanced one word to counteract what had been urged by Bro . Portal when he brought his motion forward . Bro . Hervey had admitted some kind of publicity to be needed ; and if writing was proper , why not printing ? If the argument was worth any tiling at all , it aided Bro . Portal ' s suggestion : there ought to be full and perfect publicity of the proceedings of Grand Lodge given to every Lodge in the country . Their Institution was popular , and every Member ought to be in a position to

exercise his judgment fairly on all matters that might come before him . He considered Masonry to be in a state of transition , and he advised those who were at the head of affairs , that if they desired it should maintain its high prestige , they should go with the tide , and bear in mind the resistance that was offered to the publication of the proceedings of the House of Commons , which were now on the breakfast-table of every man the next morning . He should ever be an advocate for the Masonic body assimilating its proceedings as closely as possible with those of the Legislature . Bro . G . R . Portal , in answer to the objections raised to his motion , was sure that the G . M . pro tern , was guided by the sentiments of others , and did not act