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him under the impression that the Craft was to take a part in the approaching Ceremony , ancl telegraphed at once to the Grand Secretary , requesting him to issue the necessary summons , —despatched messages to some other members of the Grand Loclge , — was fortunate at Montreal in meeting with and explaining imposition to my predecessor in office , and the Deputy Grand Master , and receiving a promise from each to be present and support me , ( although their subsequent pressing engagements prevented this ) ,

and on Friday , the 31 st , met my brethren at Ottawa . On Friday evening , accompanied by Bro . Harris , Grand Secretary , Bro . De Grassi , Grand Director of Ceremonies , and Bro . Laver , Architect of the Parliamentary Buildings , I called at the temporary residence of the Prince , ancl had an interview with Mr . Rose , at which 1 spoke very freely and openly , and protested against further Indecision aud delay in letting the Craft know what its members were to do the following dayand not onldid I once more explain

; y , hy his desire , what the Freemasons expected , viz ., a prominent position to be assigned to them , as a body , on the ground , while the Grand Master ancl Principal Officers of the Grand Lodge took their proper places near the stone , but I drew attention to that portion of the Ceremonial ivhich related to the proving and declaring the

stone to be properly laid , as being peculiarly the province of the Craft , —which was all it desired to do , —and the performance of whicli could not prevent all the honours being accorded , as they ought to be , to the Prince . Mr . Rose , at first threw out a suggestion thafc I should see the Bnke of Newcastle , or his Secretary , but it did not strike me that I had anything to do ivith either , only the Canadian authorities ; and , finally , I left in Mr . Bose's keeping my manuscript of the Ceremony , for which , and the final decision

of the Government , I was to call the next morning , and make the list known to the Grand Lodge . I may here mention that it hscame apparentto my brethren and myself , that some kind of influence , although impossible to define its nature , was adverse to the Fraternity , and we could guess that individuals , not Freemasons , were desirous of taking prominent parts in the Ceremony , from which the Ci-affc , if it assisted , might exclude them . I may likewise mentionthat I pointed outduring several

, , my interviews , how members of the Government , being Freemasons , could , If they chose to do so , unite their Executive and Masonic functions , by acting as Officers , pro tem . ; the Legislative Chaplain could officiate as Grand Chaplain , ancl the Government Superintendent of AVorks , as Grand Superintendent ; both being members of cur Order .

Finally , I saw Mr . Rose on the day of the Ceremony , and learned from him that there had been a meeting of the Executive Council that morning , at ivhich it was resolved that the Craft should not take part in the approaching Ceremony . I must , however add , that Mr . Rose was very kind , expressed much regret , offered tickets of admittance to the premises , wished the Fraternity to attend in clothing as spectators , verbally invited me to bring some eight or ten of the principal members to the dejeuner , and hoped I would

soften down the disappointment as much as in my power : adding , that Brother the Hon . John Ross , President of the Council , was to see me , but I did not meet that gentleman . Every particular was submitted to Grand Lodge , and its proceedings thereon , embracing the resolution of the brethren ( while bowing to the decision of the authorities ) , not in any way to appear iu public as Freemasons—or accept any invitation , and to send an address to England—will he found recorded in the published

pro ceedings . The course they adopted met with my ready concurrence . I trust that this statement will be satisfactory to the brethren at large , as it was to Grand Lodge , and they will not think that our Order suffered in any way , except from disappointment at not being permitted , after their anxiously-expressed readiness to support and assist their most gracious young Prince and future Sovereign . I considered it to be my duty to summon them together under these circumstances

, —as I have given them in detail—that their honour and loyalty might not be impugned , or the risk be incurred of their being called upon to act , at Hie very last moment , and being then , found wanting . If I erred , and caused inconvenience , the brethren must overlook the error , as one of the head and not of the heart , and consider indulgently my desire to act for the best , and anxiety that the son of our beloved Queen should have possible honour

every shown to him , and the corner-stone of the Rational Buildings of this magnificent country , after being laid by him , declared , according to ancient custom , to be " Well formed , true , and trusty " by the "Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Canada . " T . DOUGLAS HAEINGTON , Grand Master , _ , c . Quebec , September , 1860 .

[ corr or XETEEB BEPJJEHED TO . ] , ^ Quebec , 27 tli July , i 860 . Mx DEAR Sm AXD BROTHER , —Is it probable that the Alasonic body will be invited to take part in the Ceremon // of layino- the foundation-stone of the Public Buildings at Ottawa ? * Vou are

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aware that it is not in accordance with the principles of our Order for Freemasons to obtrude themselves on the public , neither is it customary for them to be mixed up with other bodies , Firemen , & c . I am induced to make this inquiry through you , as a member of our Order , as well as a very high public official , so as to ensure proper notice being sent to the Brotherhood , who are , as they ever have been , truly and devotedly loyal , ancl ivould , I know , esteem it a most proud honour to support the son of their much loved Queen

and Sovereign Lady , in the above or any other public demonstration . H . R . H . the Prince of AVales has special claims to the respect and affection oi' the Fraternity , as the grandson ancl grand-nephew of two of the most distinguished English brethren and Grand Masters , their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of Kent ancl Sussex . As the present head of the Canadian Freemasons , I take the liberty of thus addressing you , as well from my duty to the Craft ,

as my own personal feelings of loyalty and respectful regard for my Prince . I beg to remain , yours very fraternally , ( Signed ) , T . DOUGLAS HARKiGTOISr G-. M ., G . L . of Canada . Brother , ihe Son . J . A . MacDonald , <§ -c . THOS . B . HARRIS , G . Sec . Issued to the Craft under the Direction of the M . W . Grand Master . Hamilton , Oetober 29 » I 860 .

The Grand Master And Viscount Holmesdale, Prov. G.M., Kent.

THE GRAND MASTER AND VISCOUNT HOLMESDALE , PROV . G . M ., KENT .

TO THE EDIIOE OF THE FHEE 3 ASOXS MAGAZINE AKD MASOXIC MIMICK . Sia AKD BRCTHEE , —At the late Provincial Grand Lodge , held in Kent , I stated , in reference to the mark degree , that "Lord Zetland had not hesitated to appoint me to the office of Prov . G . M ., although holding the office of Deputy Grand Master of the Mark . " I have since been requested by the M . AV . the G . M . to state that he was not aware of

this fact ; and , as the best means of correcting an unintentional error , have to request you ivill be good enough to insert this note . AVhat I wished to do in the speech above referred to , was to disabuse the minds of the Kentish brethren of any impression thafc might have been produced by certain statements that have appeared , to the effect that Grand Lodge of Mark Masters was merely an organised

opposition to the M . AV . the G . M . I now feel that I committed another error , in thinking these statements deserved notice or refutation , I remain , your obedient servant , HOLMESDALE , Prov . G . M . for Kent . Guard ' s Club , Non . 28 .

Poor And Distressed Brethren.

POOR AND DISTRESSED BRETHREN .

TO THE EDITOE OF THE FKEE 1 IASOXS MAGAZINE AND MASOS 1 C UI 2 R 02 . DEAU SIE AND BROTHER , —AVithin a very shorfc time several brethren , professing to be " poor and distressed , " have visited this town . Some of them may be impostors , and others it is well known make a living by going from place to place , not caring for work when offered them . My object in writing

to you is to suggest that an "Almoner " should be appointed on behalf of the various lodges here , who should afford assistance when satisfied the parties are deserving . At present , a brother , however distressed , will not succeed in gaining relief from individual brethren , the members of the Craft in this place having most determinedly set their face against such assistance .

As it frequently happens that intervals of ten , and even fifteen days occur between the meetings of lodges , it seems hard thafc ivhere attendance at a lodge is almost impossible , a helping hand should meanwhile be denied . I should like to hear your opinion upon the subject . Tours fraternally , Brighton , November 26 , 1860 . PROGRESS .

South Australia.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA .

TO THE EDITOH OE THE TItEElIASO : ? 5 MAGAZINE AKD MASOKIC JIIItHOU , Sin AXD BROTHER , — In No . 50 of your MAGAZINE for July last is an answer to certain questions as to the ritual in use in this province ; and , in reference thereto , I have to inform you that the ritual now in use is the one practised by the first lodge established here , viz ., the Lodge of Friendship ( No . 613 ) , the first meeting being held in London , and