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Rituals 2 5 0 Masonic Union ( limited ) , rent half quarter to March , 1 S 65 10 0 0 Engrossing Warrants 7 14 6 Grand Secretary ' s salarv , half a year to Dec . 1 , 1865 . " 50 0 0

83 0 0 £ 19 S 17 10 The Board are happy to announce improved regularity in forwarding the returns from the several lodges , but regret that " in this praise they cannot include all the lodges , upon many of which they desire again to impress the absolute necessity of punctuality in this respect . "

Some discussion ensued as to the order of proceeding in connection -with the reception and adoption of the Report . It was ultimately resolved that the Report be received and entered on the minutes , It was proposed by Bro . John Udall , P . S . W ., seconded by Bro . G . R . Portal , G . Reg ., and resolved , " That the

recommendation of the Board for a grant of £ 3 to the widow of the late Bro . be approved . " It was proposed by Bro . J . R . Stebbing , G . Treas ., that the recommendation of the Board for the establishment of a fund of benevolence be approved . Bro . Rev . D . STRAROE , P . G . Chap ., suggested that the

annual payment of each subscribing member be one shilling instead of sixpence . Explanations were given of the reasons for recommending the lower amount , in which Bro . Straboe concurred ; the proposition of Bro . Stebbing being then seconded by him and carried unanimously .

The report was then adopted . Bro . Rev . G . 11 . Portal , G . Reg ., with reference to the point of order arising out of the discussion on the reading of the report of the General Board , gave the following notice oi motion for the meeting of Grand Lodge in June next : —

"After the report of the General Board has been read , motion shall be made that it be received and entered on the minutes ; on which motion discussion may take place on any portion of the report that does no' subsequently form part of a " substantive motion . "

Ho then addressed Grand Lodge on the mutters which had that evening engaged its attention with special reference to the visit of the Grand Secretary to Scotland . The GRAND SECRETARY having been called upon , entered into full details of tbe circumstances in connection with his visit to Edinburgh . He particnlary mentioned the extreme

kindness and courtesy with which he bad been received by Bro . Mackersey , the Grand Scribe E . of the Supreme Grand Chapter ; by Bro . Laurie , Grand Secretary ; and Bro . Stewart , Grand Clerk of the Grand Lodge of Scotland ; by Bros . Hay , Law , and other members of the Grand Committee , all of whom paid great attention to his representations . The conciliatory

disposition manifested by all , and the assurances he received of the gratification with which the object o'f his visit was regarded , led him to entertain sanguine anticipations of the accomplishment of the resnlt they desired . At the same time it was impossible to forecast the definite issue of the negoeiatiens which were alluded to in the Report , and which

Grand Lodge had this evening sanctioned . The Most Worshipful GRAND MASTER , and other members of and Lodge , expressed themselves as highly delighted with account they bad just heard , and hoped they might ere long

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congratulate themselves on the success of their efforts at conciliation . Bro . W . W . Beach , M . P .. of Oakley Hall , Basingstoke , Hants , D . G . M ., and Prov . G . M . for Berks and Hants , was then nominated for election as Grand Master for the year 1866-7 . Grand Lodge was closed in form with solemn prayer .

Poetry.

Poetry .

EARTH'S HARVESTS . "Peace hath her victories , no less renowned than war . " — MILTON ' Sonnet to Cromiuell Two hundred years ago , * the mooii Shone on a battle plain ; Cold through that glowing night of June

Lay steeds and riders slain ; And daisies , bending ' neath strange dew , Wept in the silver light ; The very turf a regal hue Assumed that fatal night . Time past—but longto tell the tale ,

, Some battle-axe or shield , Or cloven skull , or shattered mail , Were found upon the field ; The grass grew thickest on the spot-Where high were heaped the dead . .. And well it marked , had men forgot , Where the great charge was

made-To-day—the sun looks laughing down Upon the harvest plain , The little gleaners , rosy-brown , The merry reaper ' s train ; The rich sheaves heaped together stand ,. And resting in their shade ,

A mother , working close at hand , Her sleeping babe hath laid . A battle-field it was , and is , For serried spears are there , And against mighty foes upreared—Gaunt hunger , pale despair .

We'll thank God fur the hearts of old , Their strife our freedom sealed ; We'll praise Him for the sheaves of gold ' Now on the battle-field .

Shadows On The Stream.

SHADOWS ON THE STREAM .

Summer evening shadows Thickly falling round ; Summer beauties blossoms Strewing all the ground . Leaning o'er the buttress , Ruinedgreyand old ;

, , Looking into waters , Silent , still , and cold . When onv bright reflections Dance its surface o'er—When like ceaseless music The distant torrents roar ,

And the rocks before us Kiss the water's brim , Flinging a reflection Between myself and him :