Grand Lodge—The Canadian Question.

types , though of someivhat distinct species—the one cool and calculating , the other hot and impetuous—that there is no extent to wliich their rashness and love of litigation Avill not carry them . Much was said on the question of stultification : now wo conceive that none could have been much greater than for the Grand Lodge to recognize at its

December meeting the Grand Lodge of Canada ; to request the Most AVorshipful Grand Master to communicate that recognition ; and , Avhen he has , in compliance with the wishes of Grand Lodge , communicated that recognition , to moi r e that the original resolution bo rescinded . Had Bro . Portal ' s resolution been carried , it ivould , have not only

embroiled and embittered still further a difference which all goocl Masons have concurred in lamenting , but would have deferred—in all probability rendered impossible—that amicable and fraternal adjustment Avhich we believe to be now on the verge of completion . In the days of their difficulty , Avhen tho Canadians ivere loud in

their complaints against the treatment wliich they received at the hands of England , when a Grand Lodge Avas first established , our voice ivas raised in their support , our pen laboured in their cause ( ere Bro . Portal appeared in Grand Lodge—ere even our noblo brother the Earl of Carnarvon Avas initiated into Masonry )—seeking , not to make

the differences which then existed between the mother Grand Lodge and the Canadian Lodges political capital , with which to bid for power , but to obtain for our Brethren at a distance that justice which we felt they had a right to demand at our hands . As time rolled on and tivo Grancl Lodges ivere formed , we Avere not afraid to point out to the Brethren in Canada that , as during the existence of our

Provincial Grand Lodge of Canada AVest , it would havo been impossible to acknoAvledge the Independent Grand Lodge—so when two Grand Lodges were formed it would be equally impossible to recognize cither ; and we counselled union , expressing our opinion that , so soon as that should be consummated , the Grand Lodge of England , in a spirit of

true fraternal unity , would readily acknowledge their independence ; and that the Most Worshipful Grand Master ( whose policy by the bye Ave haA r e often opposed ) would not be found amongst the last of those ready to forget the past and hold out the right hand of fellowship and brotherly love to our Canadian Brethren .

AVe Avere not disappointed in our anticipations ; for at the earliest moment after receiving official intimation of the union of the two Grand Lodges , the Most AVorshipful Grand Master came forward to propose the recognition of the Grancl Lodgo of Canada—designating it as the Grand Lodge of Canada AVest—not from any desire to limit the ]) ower of the new Grand Lodge , but because in all communications