To Our Readers.

TO OUR READERS .

LONDOST , SATURDAY , JULY 21 , 1 SG 0 .

OUK Eriends will perceive that the EKEEMASONS MAGAZINE is UOAV printed with , an entirely new tyjie , which has heen cast expressly for us . We had hopes to have heen enahled to commence our new volume with it , hut it Avas unavoidably delayed .

We shall , shortly , introduce various new features in the literary portion of the MAGAZINE , Avhich we hope will meet Avith the approbation of our Subscribers . Next week , ( August 4 ) our Publishing Office will be removed to No . 5 , Salisbury Street , Strand , ( W . C ) , in order to bring the whole of our business arrangement under one roof .

English And Canadian Freemasons .

ENGLISH AND CANADIAN FREEMASONS .

OAFS Canadian Brethren have now an independent organ in the Press—the Canadian Freemason having made its first appearance at Montreal in May—and doubtless as it becomes knoAvn , it will be found highly ¦ useful to the Craft , it appearing to be ably and carefully

conducted . In the number for July , Ave find a paragraph , to which we beg most respectfully to direct the attention of our M . W . G-. Master , and the Board of General Purposes , — because , if the English Lodges still holding under the English Constitution , in Canada ,

are subjected to annoyance , by not being alloAved the free right of visit to other Lodges , it is in direct contravention of the agreement under which the Grand Lodge of England acknowledged the Grand Lodge of Canada as an independent body , and allowed every English Lodge , in that country which wished to do so ,

to enrol under its banners—reserving the rights of those , who preferred to continue their allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England . We cannot believe that our illustrious Bro . Col .

Wilson , the Grand Master of Canada , will alloiv any discussion to take place in the Canadian Grand Lodge , as to the rights of the English Lodges , but will at once and explicitly declare them . In the meantime , hoAveA'er , it might assist our English Brethren in Canada , if the attention of the Grand Master

for that country was called to the subject , by the authorities at home ; as should the members of these English Lodges continue to be debarred the right of visit to Canadian Lodges , the Grand Lodge of England will be placed in the painful position of having to interdict the

reception of Masons holding under the Grand Lodge of Canada , by English Lodges throughout the world . We haA e too much confidence in the even-handed justice of the Grand Master of Canada , to believe that such an alternatiA'e will become necessary , but as guardians of the rig hts of our Brethren , wherei'er situated , Ave should be guilty of a want of duty to the Craft , Avere we to let the matter pass in silence , when

English And Canadian Freemasons .

our attention is so directly called to it , as it has been b y folloAving paragraphs : — " The Grand Lod ge of Canada is about holding its next regular communication at the city of Ottawa , and we venture to express a hope that it Avill be largely attended , and that every Lodge will be properly represented either by officer

or proxy , thereby ag much good to the Craft may be effected . Questions of grave importance to subordinate Lodges will be brought forward . Amongst other matters , some definite action , no doubt , will be taken as to the position of St . Lawrence and St . George ' s Lodges , English Eegister , both of Montreal . It would bo Avell that the D . District G . M . for Montrealshould receive his instructionsso as ^ to be able to

, , inform those under his immediate care whether those two Lodges are in good standing with the Grand Lodge of Canada , and if members made under either of their warrants , can be permitted to visit the Lodges holding under the Grand Lodge of Canada . " Ou the last festival of St . John the Evangelist , and many times sincethe members of the two Lod aboA * e-named

, ges have been placed in a particularly aAvkAvard and unpleasant position , when endeavouring , in a good spirit , to visit the sister Lodges in this city , and . we hope that the action of Grand Lodge will put a speedy termination to all such unpleasantness , and that the good Avork of reconciliation so hapjiily commenced at Toronto , ivill be fully carried out at OttaAva . "

Masonic Jottings From Abroad.

MASONIC JOTTINGS FROM ABROAD .

JUNE AVUS a month of celebrations among our German brethren . On turning o \ 'er the pages of our valued contemporary , Die Baulmtte , we are struck no less Avith the harmony which exists among the Continental Lodgesthan with their numbers and the appropriate titles they

assume . Eor example , there is at Chemnitz the " Harmony " Lodge , where , on the 24 th of June , was celebrated a grand festival of peace and goodwill , and where song and the music of many instruments attended on the table-comforts which strengthen the man and rejoice

the heart . Here , as elsewhere , on that day , delegates from distant lodges were present to share in hospitalitesand to reciprocate kindness . At Cobourg was duly celebrated the feast of St . John , as at Dresden , where there Avas eating and drinking , Avith music and dancing

in the Masonic Institution ; so , at Leipsic , where the" Minerva" and "Apollo" did due honour to distinguished A'isitors from other lodges ; so , at LudAvigsburge , Avhere was celebrated on this day a veritable feast of roses - so , at Erankenthal , Worms , and Alzer , the latter p lace ,

tiehome of the " Singers , " celebrated in the Niebelungen-Liede . Not to lengthen this catalogue , wherever in Germany , on St . John ' s day a lodge existed Ave do not require to be assured that the breathren met and rejoiced . In heathen times , the eve of the day on Avhich the

festival of St . John the Baptist stands in the Christian calendar Avas celebrated by fires being lighted on mountain heights . Sacrifices Avere offered , prayers were made on the same occasion in some countries . Those

Avho Avere present at the celebration were purified b y Avater before they were purified by five , by passing between two blazing piles of Avood or stubble into Avhich sweet-scented floAvers were cast . ' Such ceremonies lasted long into Christian times ; even in our days Ave can remember leltain fires Avere kindled on the mountains of