or to be free from abuse. We would have had the measure in cases of necessity, ordered as it is in the House of Commons: we would have a count out, and effective Tellers appointed on the same principle. But let us be thankful for these "crumbs of comfort," and deem this amendment as the advanced guard of the large number which must follow, no less demanded for the honor of the Grand Lodge than the reputation of Freemasonry. QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION. IN taking our review of the doings of the last meeting of the Grand Lodge, we must call the attention of our readers to the shortness of the time occupied by the speakers on that evening. The very little difference of opinion that existed upon the subjects brought forward, prevented any very lengthened discussion, and the few remarks elicited were rather questions of detail; nevertheless, the subjects were neither trifling, unimportant, nor unpopular. The confirmation of the minutes of the previous Grand Lodge, it was generally supposed would have afforded the opportunity for the display of further opposition to the principle that the widows of Freemasons were not entirely to be cast aside, and that the small annual grant voted on a former occasion would, like other propositions to the same effect, have been severely handled, and rejected; but, thanks to a more enlightened policy, a better disposition, and more masonic feeling, the principle and the vote were confirmed. Whether the absence of the Grand Master, or other causes, contributed to this result we know not, but we hail with feelings of delight the confirmation of the vote, and feel proud in recording as a fact accomplished, that the masonic body can no longer be taunted with the charge that they are selfish while professing liberality, uncharitable while claiming to be benevolent, or unmindful of those who are the promoters of their comfort in health-their consolers in sorrow-their nurses in sickness. We have no fears of the funds being forthcoming to further the objects of the promoters and supporters of the question. The second, but also an important, improvement to the future wellbeing of the Order, occasioned some discussion, and was embodied in the report from the Board of General Purposes, that the votes of Grand Lodge should in future be taken by divisions, when demanded, and counted. A most judicious arrangement, and one that we have frequently contended for. We should certainly have preferred to have voted with the Prov. Grand Master for Essex, that divisions should take place whether demanded or not, but as it is, it is an onward movement-a progress in the way of management-one that will save many startling innovations being proposed; for we hold the doctrine to conserve is to yield with the spirit of the times, and to preserve is to improve where faults are shown to exist. We thank the Board of General Purposes for having accomplished thus much in its first Report; they are evidently a working Board, disposed to do their duty. The third and no less important matter was the communication made by the Grand Secretary, by authority of the Grand Master, expressive of his regret that he had not allowed Bro. Scarborough on a former occasion to proceed, and have a committee of investigation, to see if any and what alterations were required in the masonic ritual, but the interruption and course pursued by his lordship, had arisen from being misinformed of the intention of Bro. Scarborough; that since then personal interviews, as well as correspondence had taken place, and the Grand Master was not of the same opinion now as he had been.* Had the same thing occurred to any member of Grand Lodge less determined than Bro. Scarborough, he would have been put down by those who r earwigged" the Grand Master. This is one of those complaints to which we have before called attention; the Grand Master allows himself to be led by the reports of others, and having heard a partial or onesided statement, jumps at a conclusion, and makes himself a party to a one-sided proceeding, instead of the more just course of taking no part in the debates, hearing all, and allowing Grand Lodge to decide upon the motions submitted to it; we do not now enter into the discussion of the motion, if any and what alterations should be made, nor even if a committee should have been granted, but we are quite prepared to state the Grand Master ought to have allowed the discussion, and ought not by his veto to have stopped all investigation on the introduction of it by Bro. Scarborough, still less by the manner in which he did it. Bro. Scarborough has, however, the power and the resolution to obtain his right, and he has the right on his side; few men, however, would have the perseverance and courage requisite to force wealth, power, influence, and station to the admission of having done a wrong, and were ready to give redress. The Most Worshipful Grand Master has committed an error, but he has also most gracefully, honourably, and nobly made the amende. Ought he to have placed himself in such an undignified position? It will be seen, if the September Quarterly Communication was The Deputy Grand Master having after this called on Bro. Scarborough to proceed, Bro. S. courteously declined, "considering, after the handsome manner in which the Grand Master had again brought forward the subject, he should wait until his lordship was present." short, it was the more important: the results are, an annual grant to widows of Masons, an open division on measures affecting the Craft, and a committee to investigate if any alterations should be made in our present work. OUR PORTRAIT GALLERY.-This new feature, from the number of communications we have received on the subject, has evidently attracted considerable attention; it may possibly have had some effect even on the proceedings of the Grand Lodge. In the " for and against," which we have scrupulously weighed, our graphic artists are encouraged to persevere, and we suggest to them to select their next kit-cats, halflength, full-length, or bishop's-length, from among the following: viz., Bros. Dobie, Beadon, Peter Thomson, Philipe, Shaw, Lane, and Faudel. THE GRAND LODGE OF LOUISIANA.-We regret that the late arrival of papers relating to the unfortunate schism between the masonic Grand Lodges of this state and that of Mississippi, prevent any more than a very brief notice. We may say, without fear of offending either, "Brother, brother, we are both in the wrong;" but certainly Mississippi has the worst of the argument, and consequently should make the first advances towards a reconciliation. What will the popular world think of the unanimity of Masons, with New York, Louisiana, Mississipi, and Bengal in their present state of culpable differences? INAUGURATION OF ROBERT BURNS.-An elaborate painting of this interesting ceremony, executed by Bro. Stewart Watson, is on private view at Bro. Brooks', 14, Great Queen-street. We cannot speak too highly of the subject, or the truly artistical manner in which it is finished. The poet is on the steps before the Master, receiving the admonitory address. The Master, with many noble and other brethren, in all sixty-one portraits, are grouped with characteristic attention to masonic position. We understand that it is intended that engravings from the original shall be executed at as moderate a charge as possible. Bro. Stewart Watson has our hearty good wishes for success. FINE ARTS.-We have lately seen a very spirited drawing of her Majesty's progress round the fleet in our harbour, by Lieut. Jones. It is exhibited at Mr. Fletcher's, in Patrick-street, and is executed with considerable talent, and of course great attention to nautical detail. It is dedicated to our gallant townsman, Colonel Chatterton, K. H.; and being for the benefit of a most deserving charity, the Masonic Female Orphan Asylum, we earnestly recommend it to our fellow-citizens. The drawing is to be sent to London for lithographing. Subscriptions will be received by Mr. Fletcher.-Cork Constitution, September, 1849. PROCRASTINATION IN REPORTS.-This is an evil that is becoming both inconvenient and serious-inconvenient to ourselves and serious to our readers. We cannot understand why reports should not follow immediately on the termination of meetings. In justice to ourselves we are compelled thus pointedly to allude to the subject. At a meeting of the Cross of Christ Encampment, on Friday the 21st, the Commander, Colonel Vernon, acquitted himself in the most admirable manner, installing no less than seven members. Dr. Elkington would have made the eighth, but he was prevented from leaving Birmingham on account of the prevailing epidemic. It was happily observed of Colonel Vernon, that he fully illustrated his armorial motto-" Do whatever you undertake well." The letter of resignation from Dr. Crucefix was read, and received with sincere regret. A resolution that his name should continue on the roll as an honorary member was carried by acclamation. THE MINDEN LODGE.-A very interesting history of this lodge has been published, and dwells with merited pride on the circumstance that a military lodge should have retained its original warrant for a hundred years. THE PORTRAIT GALLERY, No. 3. THE R. W. BROTHER CRUCEFIX, LL. D., P. S. G. D. "I knew him as myself: we have conversed and spent hours together * * * Yet hath Sir Proteus made use and fair advantage of his days. His experience old, his judgment ripe, and in a word (for far behind his worth come all the praises that I now bestow) he is complete in feature and in mind, with all good grace to grace a gentleman."-Two Gentlemen of Verona. Or all men in Masonry, perhaps no one has filled, and continues to occupy, so large a space in the public interest as Dr. Crucefix. Hence the necessity of an accurate portraiture of his character as a Mason, and the qualities of his mind as a public man. Our distinguished brother is a tabooed Mason, or in other words,proscribed. But by whom? The answer is, by the imperial purples -by the men of his own Order,-who envious of the virtues they despair of imitating, and of the talents they cannot share, seek solace in the ignominy of revenge, and consolation in the fatuity of detraction. Has Let us at once boldly grapple with facts. Has any living Mason done more to promote the usefulness or interests of the fraternity than Dr. Crucefix? Has any one done so much? If so, where is the man ? any member done more to assert the inalienable rights of the Grand Lodge to vindicate the free expression of opinion-to uphold privilege against power, and to throw open the claim to discuss and the right to judge? If so, where is the man? Has any one, in so large a spirit and degree, ever given to charitable objects that practical embodiment by which the honor of Masonry has been promoted, and the sum of human misery lessened or alleviated? The answer must be,-no one. Standing then as a great land-mark, in vain may the waves of envy and power lash their impotent fury: the name and memory of this noble-minded Mason will remain imperishable, whilst his butterfly opponents will float down the stream of time, as things" existing for their own aggrandisement and the venal purposes of their creation, VOL. VII. I I |