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portraits , ancl will hand down to posterity the lineaments of those who have been the conservers of our land-marks . His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales has recently been placed at the head of the Grand

Lodge as Grand Patron . The Prince is also Past Grand Master of England , ancl will probably have similar rank conferred on him in Ireland .

The Earl of Dalhousie the Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason of Scotland , is better known in England as Lord Panmure—previously the Hon . Fox Maule—and , if we mistake not , the noble Lord is a member of the Free Church of Scotland , ancl

consequently it is a remarkable fact that the Grand Masters of Scotland and England , Lords Dalhousie and Zetland , are both Dissenters- This induces us to ask , why dissenting ministers are never appointecl chaplains of lodges . As far as we know ,

the Constitutions would sanction such appointments , and as the Order is entirely non-sectarian , Ave should rejoice to see lodges adopting the custom of many of the Londou Rifle Corps , in which two chaplains are appointecl , one being a clergjanan of the establishment , and the other a dissenting- minister .

In the portraits of Lord Dalhousie we observe a curious likeness to onr esteemed Bro . William Smith , OE ., editor of the MAGAZINE , ancl in both brethren we find further points of resemblance in their devotion to the interests of the Craft .

We were informed in Edinburgh that Mr . Whyte Melville , the talented author of Good for Nothing and other popular novels , is a son of Bro . Whyte Melville , Past Grand Master of Scotland , but we were unable to ascertain whether the former

belongs to the Order . Probably there are more literary men among us than we wot of ; aud while on this subject , we cannot but wish a pleasant

journey to one of our greatest literary freres , Bro . Hepworth Dixou , whose JS eio America and other works , lead us to hope for some interesting information on Russia , when he returns from that almost unknown empire .

At the date of our visit , there were eighteen lodges meeting in Edinburgh , irrespective of the Grand Lodge , many of which have private rooms of their own . The premier lodge is the St . Mary's Chapel Lodge , respecting which Bros . W . J .

Hughan and D . Murray Lyon , have from time to time furnished much interesting information . The next in point of historical interest is the Canongate Kilwinning Lodge , of which Burns was Poet

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Laureate and Lord Brougham at one time a member . The " Defence Band" Lodge and the Rifle Lodge were both appropriately presided over by Bro . T . H . Douglass , F . S . A ., who we sincerely hope , may never be called upon to lead out his

gallant brethren except for Masonic purposes . In the list of Edinburgh lodges is one called the "Journeyman ' s" Lodge Avhich would seem to point more especially to the operative character of Masonry .

It is almost superfluous to remark that the Grand Secretary of Scotland is Bro . Laurie , whose History of Freemasonry is a standard work wherever the brotherhood is known . The Grand Scribe E . of the Grand Chapter is Bro . L ..

Mackersy , W . S ., whose Masonic achievements have also gained him a wide spread and deservedly popular reputation . It is open to doubt whether the English plan which practically unites Craft and Royal Arch Masonry is not preferable to

the-Scottish system , but while there are so many brethren North of the Tweed who affect to dispise the Royal Arch and all high degrees , it Avould probably be difficult to bring about fusion . To an English Mason it is sufficient to know that whatever his rank in the Order , he will meet with worthy friends and brethren " Across the Border . "

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

THE CONFLICT OF JURISDICTION ( pp . ISO and 211 ) , I consider myself justified in my remarks , as Bro . J . A . H . —whom I highly respect—is rather loose in his style when treating of Masonic history and dates .. I have observed several mistakes in the latter . In my judgment the Royal Order was not in

existence before the beginning of last century , it having been altogether manufactured since then ; however , if Bro . J . A . H . can prove me to be wrong , let him do it . Foundationless notions and dreams are not evidence . I append the G . L . of Scotland Regulations anent

the Mark . —PICTUS . " GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND . " Freemasons' Hall . " Grand Secretary's Office . " OS , George-street , Edinburgh . "R-. W . Sir and Brother—I have to direct

, your attention to the Resolutions of the Committees appointed by Grand Lodge and Supreme Grand Eoyal Arch Chapter of Scotland on Mark Masonry , which have been finally adopted by these two Bodies , and declared to be held for the future as the Laws and Statutes of this Grand Lod viz .:

—ge , " 1 . That all lodges holding of the Grand Lodge of Scotland shall be allowed to work the Mark Degree in virtue of the Charters which they already possess .