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have been wrung from the Dais , and embodying a communication from the G . M ., which contained specific proposals . We think that these proposals , whether satisfactory or not , at least deserved consideration ; and in the face of this despatch to say that " no definite reply has been vouchsafed to their memorial , " is simply untrue . Furtherthat blame attaches to many of the Canadian

, Lodges , it is not for us to deny . Greater forbearance , greater support given to those who in their cause at home incurred obloquy and reproach , and have sacrificed all claims to consideration , would have obviated the cruel necessity of this dissolution of our Masonic unity . It is a result which both parties will long mourn—the

close of an union , which upon them reflected the lustre of tradition , and which has lent a moral and material strength , with which , in the fullest amplitude of our dignity we can ill afford to dispense . Time and a wiser policy may neutralize , but they cannot do away with that unnatural disruption . One-half of the daily mischief in

this world is the fruit of good but ill-regulated intentions ; but it is more than an error of judgment when incompetency is married to hi gh power , aud when worthy but incapable men are induced from the dazzle of fictitious authority to accept an office whose responsibilities they cannot understand , and whose duties they are unable to discharge . It is the prerogative of

weakness to shift the blame and to undervalue the importance of great disasters ; but the judgment of posterity affords a calmer tribunal , and it is with a melancholy satisfaction that we appeal to future years for the full and entire ratification of every sentence which we have written upon the subject . There have been periods when ignorancewant of interest among

ourselvesmisapprehen-, , sion of our princi ples among others , have brought Freemasonry very low ; but pre-eminent amid these dark spots will stand forth the year 1837 , when the G . L . of England was crippled in its resources and shorn of its dignity and power , by the secession of its noblest province . It will be then recorded - as a curious paradox

, that it was the administration of that G . M ., who had laid down the most uncompromising doctrines of prerogative and ancient landmarks , which by a continuous misrule sacrificed the fairest gem of that prerogative , and brought to the dust that which it was the object of those ancient landmarks to preserve .

Now indeed argument is ill-matched in , a strife with numbers , and the mischief is surel y and- irremediably accomplished ; but then the unselfish efforts of those who have seen the approach of the evil , and whose advice would have saved us from it , will be better appreciated , and a tardy hut ineffectual justice will be done to their actions .

But , great as is the disaster , there is even yet something to be done and something to be learnt . We have to decide upon the course to be adopted with regard to the particular case of Canada ; and we have to agree upon the general line of our Colonial policy . So long as there was the faintest chance of preserving the union of the English and Canadian Lodges , we steadily contended for the concession of local and

immaterial claims , but for the uncompromising maintenance of all that constituted important prerogative and real power . But the complexion of affairs is entirely altered . What was then hi our power is now- impossible : and if we have learnt any lesson from past events we must shape our course by what existing circumstances will allow . We have one great fact—the secession of the

Canadian Lodges . No promises , no concessions , can now bring them back ; the task even of reconciliation will be long and difficult ; but the inevitable parting may be made less humbling to us , more creditable to them , if it be accomplished with a good grace . It is due to our past errorsto our position and dignityand

, , to the principles of our Order , that we should make the first advance towards friendship and alliance , if union be no longer possible . It- must be ours to smoothe the path which they have chosen ; and , as far as our constitutions will allow , to cooperate with them in their establishment as an independent body . We would

earnestly assure the Executive in England , that this is now the only safe course open to us : we would warn them not only against their once favorite lamer aller maxims , but against the belief—which we fear is entertainedthat the mischief may be repaired by the evasion of pledges , and that cajolery can succeed when bullying has failed .

Our future relations then with Canada depend upon a straightforward line of action . Our policy henceforth towards our other colonies has to be developed . It may be a difficult , but it is not a hopeless task , if it is based upon perfect honesty of word and intention ; if each colonial system is graduated to the circumstances of its national growth and requirementswhilst the

adminis-, tration of the whole is brought within the compass and framework of a general policy ; and above all , if we govern justly what we insist upon keeping in our hands . Then , whilst the prerogatives of the G . M . and the G . L . of England are maintained , the claims of local selfgovernment will be satisfied ; and the colony will be

little disposed to sever a connection , the maintenance of which will become to it as honorable and useful as it will be to the mother country . But if inaction or injudicious counsels should prevail , the secession of Canada will furnish a precedent to other colonies , and will be " the , beginning of the end" of our

once-mighty influence . We will not belie ourselves b y feigning any strong confidence in our present Executive . Then career has hitherto been one of unqualified error and disaster ; but great calamities are sometimes useful to individuals and to communities , by forcing them into action from which they would otherwise shrink . Let our Executive redeem then - past neglect by present and future energy ; and though we cannot promise to forget the fatal incompetency of our rulers , we may forgive the errors of our brother Masons .

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THOSE of our readers who were present in G . L . in June last will recollect the difficulty there was in obtaining the publication of the documents relating to Canada , which were ordered to be submitted to the