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monopolize no inconsiderable share in its discussions , and to insist with no inconsiderable dictation on tbe on the adoption of their views ? We , for our part , take Bro . Dohie ' s words quantum valemit , and we agree with them . We remember how tbe M . W . G . M . has insisted on the necessity of official notification of the union of the two Canadian G . Lodges being laid before the G . L .

of England , before tbe latter could formally recognize their new brother . To have acted consistently with his declared opinion , and consequently with a strict interpretation of his duty , he should have given notice that , after the message just received bad been laid before the Board of Masters and communicated to G . L .

he would then move that formal recognition of the G . L . of Ancient , Free , and accepted Masons in Canada , to which the motion which stood in the name of Bro . PORTAL sought to pledge the Craft in this country . Deliberately and carefully worded was the motion of the reverend Brother . It requested the M . W . G . M . to take

the " necessary steps for establishing Masonic relations . " Have such necessary preliminaries been gone through ? Clearly not . . In their eagerness to take the wind out of Bro . PORTAL ' sails , the advisers of the Grand Master have urged an incautious and precipitate , if not an illegalcourse .

, We use the latter word advisedly ; for the letter ( by his Lordship ' s statement ) was addressed in due form to the G . Sec . with the intention of being communicatee to G . L . Time has not permitted of such communication ; we know nothing of the letter . " There are

several other matters m it , says my Lord , " which I should have thought it necessary to mention , but I am precluded from doing so now . " In fact , G . L . has received no official intimation at all , and yet in forgetfulness of the bitter experiences of the past we are required to deliver ourselves blindfold to the guidance of an Executive which has before proved

unfaithful to its trust . We have done so . Though the M . W . G . M felt manifestly ill at ease and insecure as to the legality of his procedure ; though Bro . DOBIN ' protest was respectful and Lord CARNARVON ' suggestions courteous and gentlemanly ; though the motto adopted for this occasion was so suspiciously contrary

to the policy pursued when action mi ght have saved us a loyal dependency ; though we have taken no pledges as yet for the welfare of those Lodges who still beyond the sea are more faithful to us than wo have deserved ; though the message addressed to us by our distant brothers has been as it were waylaid and privately

consulted by our officials , ( who only vouchsafe to us th e consolation that there is more in it than we may for the present know ;) iu spite of all this , tbe cry of " Faction " " Faction , " produced its intended effect . It spread confusion and dismay like the alarm of fire at a playhouse . Where caution is sacrificed to the desire

of escape light-fingered Jack sacks a booty . Now let our readers judge fairly in this matter ; let them read the Debate and decide which would have been the safer course , that recommenced by Bro . DOBIE ( is he of the Observer Party ?) by Lord CARNARVON , & C , and implied

on the notice paper by Bro . PORTAL ; or the one adopted by G . L . To ourselves it appears that this forced answer of ours to a communication we have not seen , is hardly tendered witli a good grace to our Canadian Brethren ; and that they for their part will not execrate to the extent our opponents may desire , the names of those who once bore the front of battle for them , and

now would have their recognition stamped with the impress of mature deliberation and unquestioned legality .

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rjnHE scheme propounded by the Board of General JL 2 , ui'P 0 Ses > or rather its chairman , for the erection of a central Masonic palace in London , is well worth the attentive consideration of the craft—more especially of those country brethren , from whose pockets the funds

are principally derived , and who may fairly demand that the fountain of Masonic Charity may not be exhausted for many long years to come , in order that their more favoured London brethren may have better accommodation for their meetings , and their social enjoyment . If a large outlay is demanded , for the purposes sketched out

in the different speeches delivered at the last meeting of G . L . and if the money is to come from the fund , fivesixths of which has been contributed by the provinces , we cannot but think that the demand should be accompanied by some proposition for their better representation in London , so that the advantages may not be all on one side , and the taxes almost entirely on the other . It will doubtless be a great convenience to the London brethren to secure more comfortable accommodation for

themselves . It might not even be amiss , if a suite of apartments were provided for the President of the Board of General Purposes , where he mi ght hold periodical levees of his adherents and superintend the Grand Secretary ' s office , with less trouble than at piresent . " Indeed if the Tavern is to be abolished , and the cuisine remodelledthat versatile functionary must of

, necessity be on the spot , to see that those Lodges which support the " Constitutional Authorities" obtain accommodation commensurate with their deserts , and that the rebels are stowed away in the attics , and do not get their dishes too hot . Whatever may be decided on , howeverwe venture to

, think that the indecent haste with which votes were pressed at twelve o ' clock at night , is a bad presage for the future . Nor do we like the opposition that was made to the appointment of a committee of taste , to decide upon plans . It looks as if the whole matter were intended to be a job .

The architects who happen to he Masons , may well hesitate before they compete with the G . S . W . While the first-rate men whom we mi ght obtain from the outer world , but who it appears are to be debarred from competition—would certainly never dream of placing their professional reputation at the mercy of such a

body as the Board of General Purposes , even though it contains a couple of respectable builders amongst its members .