Freemasonry In France.

ing the brethren for the expressions of sympathy which he had received from them , and announced that by reason of advancing age , the state of his health , and family circumstances , lie would not offer himself as a candidate for the Grand

Mastership . The roll Avas then called , and the oaths having been administered , the Assembly Avas divided as usual into nine bureaux . The meeting Avas then adjourned until the next day , and the members

of the different Bureaux retired to their respective places of meeting , but it Avas eA ident that instead of the business for which the bureaux were

organised , their attention of the brethren in every instance was concentrated upon the subject of the Grand Mastership . In the evening , a preparatory electorial committee ( non official ) AA'as held in the Grand Hall ,

Rue Cadet , at which nearly all the members of the Assembly Avere present . Bro . Beinond presided , assisted by Bros . Ducarro and Colfrayu . Before the opening of the meeting the names of the folloAving brethren were mentioned as

candidates : —Bros . Mellinet , Carnot , Massol , Guepin , Blanche , Dnruy and Cremieux . On the meeting being declared open , Bro . Colfavru proposed Bro . Carnot . He was , he said , an honest man , free and brave , Avho Avas Avilling to

accept tho candidature , because he considered Masonry as a means of spreading instruction . Bro . Carnot had been denounced as not being a Mason , AA'hich was an error . He Avas initiated in 1820 , in the Lodge " Les Amis

Incorruptibles , " and later ho had attended Lodge " Philadelphia " Bro . ITerrman objected to both Bros . Mellinet and

Carnot . If Bro . Carnot had been a Mason , ho had been nearly half a century inactive . He proposed Bro . Massol . Bro . Roussel advocated the election of Bro . Guepin , Under grave circumstances he said

Masonry had been insulted by the Cardinals , and Bro . Mellinet , their late Grand Master , hacl taken no steps to defend it . Bro . Holland considered the candidature of Bro . Carnot dangerous , on account of political

tendencies , and recommended Bro . Mellinet to the vo ' , es of the brethren , who , some brethren declared had only resigned in order to be re-elected without by his presence influencing the election . Bro . Babaud Laribiero , considered it necessary to erase the nomination of Bro . Carnot . No one he

said , could more respect him for the honesty of his character , and he did not oppose him on the ground that his election would be fatal to the institution ; the common interest demanded that he should be silent as to his reasons . Masonry needed protection , especially in the smaller toAvns . Bro . Mellinet had taken care to invest it with the

authority of his name and his position . The discussion rested entirely between the merits of Bros . Mellinet and Carnot . At the second meeting of the assembly on the 7 th June , which Avas opened at 2 p . m . by Bro . A .

Blanche after the reading and adoption of the minutes , a brother asked that the letter of Bro . Mellinet might be read again , which being done , the officers were appointed Bro . Colfavru announced that he hacl called

upon Bro . Carnot , and acquainted him with the objections made to his candidature . Bro . Carnot , he said , had no political reasons for presenting himself , but did so purely as a Mason , ancl because his intentions had been misunderstood , or

misrepresented , he desired to withdraw from the election . Having taken an active part in the candidature of Bro . Carnot , he considered it his duty to present his own resignation to the Council . Several members expressed their surprise at

this , but Bro . Colfavru removed his collar of Councillor , and shortly af tor wards re-entered , wearing that of a Venerable . Bro . Baumann declared , in the midst of great confusion , that he should still advocate the

election of Bro . Carnot . Several members desired to speak , but the voteAvas proceeded Avith and resulted as folloAvs : —

Bro . Mellinet 173 „ Carnot 118 „ Massol 12 „ Blanche 1 „ Guepin 1 Blank tickets 3

The total number of voters present being 308 , the majority necessary was 155 . Bro Mellinet was therefore declared elected Grand Master of the Order . After some complimentary remarks upon Bros .

Mellinet ancl Carnot , Bro . Alfred Blanche entreated in the name of the assembly that Bro . Colfavru Avould withdraAV his resignation , Avhich met Avith great applause . Bro . Colfavru thanked the Deputy Grand Master , but he desired to remain free . There