America.

mate Masonic authority for that empire , it being the same Grand Body originally constituted , and over which the Marquis D'Abrantes anel other illustrious personages whose names are familiar in connection with the Masonic Order in Brazil for years past , have presided in regular succession , and with which this council was also in amicable relations . The cause of the difficulty anel separation which occurred in 1863 appears to have been of purely private and local affairs ,

relative to the general management of the Grand Orient and Supreme Council , the irregularity of the work , corruption and intrigue said to exist among a few of the higher officials who hy their influence controlled the majority , and enacted laws which seriously jeopardised the vital interest of the Order , such are the principal reasons given , anel published with full details , which caused a number of the brethren and lodges to separate

from the Supreme Council in November , 1863 , and constitute themselves tbe so-called Grancl Orient of Brazil , Valley of Benedictines . The reply of the Supreme Council fully proved that most of the charges were not true or greatly exaggerated , and it is evident that party feeling was as much the cause of separation as their professed design to remedy imaginary corruption ; and although there may have been just cause for

complaint and reform , there certainly was no justification for the separation and organisation of a spurious Grand Body , which has since given no evidence of the reforms they professed to demand , but have violated the sacred laws and usages of Masonry . Having satisfied myself in regarel to the question of legality , I addressed an official communication to Illustrious Bro . Ruy

Germack Passollo , 33 ° , Grand Sec . Adj ., in which I fully recognised the Grand Orient and Supreme Council of Brazil , Valley of Lavradio , to be the legitimate and only regular Masonic authority for that empire , and that I would be pleased to renew the desired fraternal relations on the part of this Supreme Council . A committee of ten of the illustrious brethren then waited upon me and extended a most cordial welcome anel

delivered a written address , with the request that I present the same to this council . The reply ofthe Grand Secretary to my communication being received I accepted an invitation of the Grand Orient to be present at the Grand Reception extended

to me as your representative , anel in honour of the amicable relations existing between them and this council . The reception which took place at their temple on the 4 th of October , 1865 , V . E ., was the most magnificent display and spontaneous , cordial , Masonic greeting it had ever been my pleasure to witness . The address delivered by the Grand Orator , anel all other documents appertaining to my official acts with that Grand Body are herewith submittedincluding those relating to the

, separation . A short time before my departure from Rio de Janeiro I was astonished to see a flaming notice in tbe morning papers calling an extra session of the Spurious Grand Orient , Valley of Benedictines , to ratify what they asserted to be their recognition by this Supreme Council ; 1 immediately called on the parties and requested to see the document , which they cheerfully granted

and produced tlie same for my perusal , and I found that it was not a recognition , but an ordinary informal communication , written and signed by tire chairman of foreign correspondence , and attested by the then Sovereign Grand Commander ; the document has no date , was not addressed to any particular person , was without a seal , anel in fact was not a Masonic document . I then informed the person claiming to be Grand Secretary and others of bis associates presentthat the said

, communication did not emanate from his Supreme Council , and was no recognition whatever . This decision I also communicated verbally to the legitimate Grand Order and Superior Council , which was to them satisfactory . My full report , sent you from Rio at that time , fully explained other incidents unnecessary to again repeat , and the explanation relative to the letter above referred to issimplthat a person arrived in this city

, y , from Rio claiming to represent the Body of Benedictines , anel gave the then Sovereign Grand Commander certain documents for examination , and requested the exchange of amicable relations . The Sovereign Grand Commander , without giving the matter any special attention , directed the chairman of foreign correspondence to write to the parties , and get further information ; soon after this my communication was received from Rio

stating that those parties were spurious , and thus no further attention was given to the matter . From late and reliable information received from Rio de Janeiro , lam informed that several of the leading and active participants of the spurious Body of

Benedictines have withdrawn from that Association , and we may confidentially expect that in a short time that illegal body will follow the example of many of a similar nature , and cease to exist . The work throughout Brazil is exclusively in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite , except one or two lodges afc Rio , which are permitted to work in the Modern Rite and French language . From my observationexperienceand information from

, , reliable sources , I found that the work in the native lodges throughout South America is still very far from perfection , and many irregularities are practised that should not be tolerated , and until remedied may prove a serious obstacle to those brethren who desire to visit in this country . The second and third degrees are often communicated , and irr such a manner as to make the ceremonies more of a farce than- ,

the serious lessons intended to be inculcated ; the same remarks apply to the higher degrees , anel it is a rare occurrence to meet a brother that canjjewsan examination ; entirely too much reliance is placed in diplomas , and consequently the cardinal principles of Freemasonry are not properly understood or practised the latter defect also exists in other countries , particularly in England , where in other respects I found the orders as pure as

any other part of the world ; bufc I am most gratified to statethat there are many individual exceptions to these general remarks , and I found in South America brethren whose Masonic knowledge , purity of principle and appreciation of its teachingsarc bright examples to the fraternity . The want of uniformity in the rituals , work , and especially the obligations is a defect that can only be remedied by a general Masonic Congressthe

, want and importance of which is universally admitted in the Ancient and Acaepted Rite . On my departure from South America my authority as Grand Representative ceased , and on my arrival in Europe , business and want of time prevented my visitiugany of tbe Grand Bodies on the Continent .

ENGLAND . My protracted stay in England favoured me with opportunities of visiting many of the lodges in London , and other places , and the true , warm fraternal courtesies universally extended to me as an American Brother , will ever be cherished with themost grateful and pleasing recollections . My visit to the Council of Princes and Chapter of Rose Croix

was particularly interesting , not only for the pleasure of seeing the work and proceedings so ably conducted , or the pleasant incidents and social greeting at the banquet , but more especially us bodies working under the Supreme Grand Council of the Ancient Accepted Rite for England and AVales and dependencies of the British Crown , which Grand Body obtained its warrant of authority from this Supreme Council , dated October 26 th ,

1845 , V . E . and was duly organized at London in March , 1846 , by 111 . Bros . Dr . Thomas Crucifixs , 111 . Bro . Dr . Henry Beaumont Leeson , and others . Since the organization of the Rite , it has continued steadily to increase in favour and numbers , working in perfect harmony with other rites and jurisdictions , and holds a proud position in the Masonic family for the able and regular manner in which it is conducted , and the honourable position of those who

compose the Grand Body . My visit to the 111 . Bro . Dr . Leeson , the Sovereign Grand Commander , and only survivor of those who organised the Grand Council , at his palatial residence in the Isle of Wight , was one of the most pleasing incidents of my sojourn in England . Accompanied by 111 Bro . W . Hyde Pullen , Secretary Supreme Grand Council , I spent the day conversing relative to tlie important matter of the Ancient Accepted Riteand the most

, sincere desire was expressed that union and prosperity should ever continue in this jurisdiction , and hoped that nothing would over occur to mar the fraternal relations now existing with this Council . During the visit I had the pleasure of examing a very curious chamber on the grounds of the II ) . Bro . Lesson , formed hy a partially natural cave , and which , at considerable expense , had been appropriately arranged , and , in imitation of our

ancient brethren , a Rose Croix Chapter is occasionally held ir > this subterranean lodge-room ; tlie peculiar effect of light used in the ceremonies , the singular , plaintive echo ofthe music , ami the sound of the murmuring sea , a few yards distant , make it a most appropriate place for conferring those sublime degrees , and leave a lasting memorial of the Mystic rites as performed in the cave at the "Maples . " My short , but most pleasant and satisfactory interview with