The Grand Lodge Property.

special class of Brethren , the society would have a right to expect an adequate return . The library , besides possessing standard works upon those subjects with which Freemasonry is especially allied , should also be provided with the literature of the day , and the cost of so providing it should be no burden to the funds of the society ; as the coffee room and other rooms of a similar character would not be available to the great majority of the Craft , they should therefore be made remunerative to the Grand Lodge , by those who derive especial advantage from their useThere are several in which this

. , ways can be effected , the details of which will be for future consideration . " The Board feel that it is hardly necessary to point out that if , with a due regard to financial results , it shall be found possible to devote Freemasons' Hall solely and exclusively to Masonic purposes , that such a result could not fail to elevate the character of Masonry in this country , and place the Grand Lodge of England—the largest and most important in the world—at least on a par in that respect with other Grand Lod The board desirehoweverto impress

ges . , , upon the Craft that there are many Brethren who are strongly in favour of continuing , and very much extending , the present tavern arrangements , and who are of opinion that this can be done not only without derogating from the credit of the institution , but that it will be productive of an adequate return for the considerable outlay which must be incurred . "The Board have next to direct the attention of the Brethren to the possibility of any scheme which may be submitted , eventuating

in some pecuniary sacrifice in the loss of rent or interest of money ; it will be for the Craft to consider whether the obtaining of a fitting temple for the mystic art will bean appropriate manner of expending their surplus funds , and whether some diminution in their annual income will be compensated for by the advantages thus gained . " The questions which the Board desire to submit to the Brethren are these : — " 1 st . —Are a library , reading , and refreshment rooms requisite , and would they be acceptable to the Craft generally ? " 2 nd . —If it be found practicable , will it be desirable to devote the necessary property solely and exclusively to Masonic uses ?

" 3 rd . —Are the Craft prepared to submit to some diminution of their annual income for the purpose of keeping such property sacred to Masonry ? " 4 th . —If it should be found desirable hereafter that an annual subscription ( which would necessarily be of very small amount ) should be required to entitle Brethren to the uses of separate reading and refreshment rooms , what support would it probably receive from your Lodge or the members thereof ? " Lastly—If it can be shown that a considerable outlay for the

. purpose of giving increased accommodation to tho Craft , and at the same time very much extending the tavern , would be productive of an adequate return , would such a proceeding be expedient and desirable ? " Fully conscious of their responsibility as the executive body , not of Grand Lodge alone , but of the whole- Craft , the Board have at heart an earnest desire , not only to consider the dignity and reputation of the Order , and the accommodation and comfort of the Brenarrowlthe

thren , but having before them the duty of watching y finances of the society , they desire also to consider the subject with unprejudiced minds , and to make no recommendation to Grand Lodge on a matter which is . not only most interesting to themselves but which involves the future interests and welfare of the whole Masonic body , until after tho most mature consideration , and the fullest information and advice which they can obtain from their Brethren . attention to this

. " The Board earnestly request your subject ; they beg that you will have the kindness to let this address be read and considered in your Lodge ; that you will be at the trouble of inviting the opinions of the members of your Lodge , and in communicating the result , afford the Board all the assistance in your power . " 1 have the honour to be , W . Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , "J OHN . HAVKKS , President . "P . S . —It is requested that your reply may be sent , on or before the 31 st of March next , to the Grand Secretary , at whose office inquiries may be made , and plans of the present building inspected by any of the Brethren who desire it . "

Australia.

AUSTRALIA .

The Richmond Lodge was consecrated by tho D . P . G . M . at the Admiral Napier Hotel , Richmond , near Collingwood , on the 7 th September . INDIA . BENGAL . —The foundation stone of a General Hospital , at Howrah , was laid by the D . P . G . M ., and the District Grand Lodge , on the 10 th December .

Colonial.

Colonial .

CANADA . We extract the following from a private letter lately received : — " Toronto , Canada , 5 th February , 1859 . "The account of the proceedings of Grand Lodge in December last , has been read and commented upon very freely by the Brethren here , and formed , in conjunction with an

official communication from the Grand Secretary , the subject of a very animated , but towards the Grand Lodge of England , friendly discussion , at our Special Meeting , on the 19 th ultimo . While all regretted the unfortunate way in which the recognition of the Craft in Canada , as an independent body , has , for the present , been rendered inoperative , owing to some most extraordinary misconception on the part of the

M . W . Grand Master or his advisers , as to the territorial jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Canada , no one expressed disapproval of the course you were kind enough to adopt , in advocating the postponement of that recognition until more complete information should be received from us , and our best thanks are due to you .

" It is hardly possible to avoid arriving at the conclusion that some kind of " dodge" ( if I may be allowed to use the word ) is concealed under the Grand Master ' s precipitancy , connected in some way with Bro . PORTAL ' proposed motion , printed on the business paper . I hope we are mistaken ; but nothing has ever appeared in any one single document emanating from the Grand Lodge of Canada , which could ,

by any ingenuity , be properly construed into the interpretation , that its authority only extended throughout the boundaries of _ Canada " West , " and therefore the present proffer of recognition is most unaccountable . " As the Grand Lodge of Canada neither can , nor -will accept such partial recognition , and the subject will again , thereforebe brought before the Grand Lodof Englandit

, ge , is due to you , after all your exertions in our behalf , and as you appear to have been misunderstood and misrepresented in London , and subjected to not a small shave of hard words , to put you in possession of as much information as possible , previous to the first Wednesday in March next . " I will not occupy your valuable time by writing a length y letter , but refer you at once to the accompanying documents ,

.: — " 1 . —Copy of Besolution adopted by the Grand Lodge of Canada , which notices the recognition , but leaves the misconception or error to be rectified in London , as to our jurisdiction . " 2 . —First address to the Grand Lodge of England . I call your attention to title page and page 10 , where you will perceive that the Deputy Grand Masterwas

, elected from Canada East . " 3 . —Bock of Constitution , G . L . of Canada , see title ( page 3 ) , and pages 5 ( District D . G . Master ) , and 14 ( Deputy Grand Master ) . With respect to this last , it was from a sense of justice to the Craft in Lower Canada , who are in a minority , that the clause of the Constitution was introduced , providing that the Grand

Master , and Deputy Grand Master must not both be elected in Upper or Canada West . " 4 . —List of Lodges—by which you will see that the Grand Lodge of Canada already numbers more Lodges than England , in the very section of the Province , which the Grand Master professes to understand the Grand Lodge of Canada does not lay claim to . England has now only six Lodges in Lower Canada , including Quebec , and one of these last , I know , is very shaky in its allegiance .