allude, mentioned that though he was a young man, he was, notwithstanding an old sailor; and having adopted his profession, not from necessity, but choice, he contemplated the progress of steam as destructive of the old marine power of England; he therefore put his wits to work in order to discover a mixed power for the maintenance of the marine and martial navy of Britain; and the result of his investigations was the discovery, perfection, and application of the screw associated with the old machinery sails and rigging; to that discovery he was indebted for the honour and happiness he then enjoyed as he had arrived here in the "Cork Screw" which had been built by him, and put on this station by the Brother who introduced him to the Lodge; and so completely successful was the design, that he had had several interviews with the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty upon the subject, by whom the advantages of the system were justly appreciated, and would be attended with the most beneficial consequences as well to trading as to fighting ships; and he was gratified to inform his Brethren that several first-class vessels similar to the Cork Screw would be very soon afloat on the waters of the Lee.

FOREIGN.*

Bro. Robert Chalmers, No. 8, Great St. James's-street, Montreal, is an Agent for the "Freemasons' Quarterly Review," and will execute all communications. We confidently refer our subscribers, therefore, to our respected Brother.

FRANCE. The greatest excitement has been created in the French Lodges by the circular of the minister of war to the colonels of regiments. We give a translation of it, that our readers may judge for themselves; it is certainly a very important document, and creates another vital question in Freemasonry.

"Paris, February. 1845.

66 Colonel,-It has come to the knowledge of the minister of war that some of the military in active service, yielding to the solicitations of some of their former comrades, have been made Freemasons. Without attempting to cast blame upon a society tolerated by the government, the minister believes it to be contrary to the rules of the service for any of the military to become members of an institution, which aims at similar objects to that made known to you by circular of the 5th July last, respecting the society of Saint Maurice, and upon which you were requested to report. In conformity with the instructions of the minister you will circulate, with the necessary secrecy, to the officers placed under your command the regulations on the subject; you will recommend

We are more than usually indebted to Latomia and other foreigù Masonic publications.

their discontinuing to visit any society of the sort to the one now under consideration, their connexion with which will on no pretext be admitted; and you will report any that may break this rule; and please acknowledge the receipt of this circular, which you will consider confidential."

Pretty well this for the Marshal Soult who figured as the Gran Commander of the Supreme Chapter (now the Council of Rites) from 1804 till 1814. Every Lodge has been at work upon the subject, and as dukes, princes, peers, deputies, and generals, are members of the Supreme Council, and enjoy the favour of the government of France, we shall see what they will do in this affair. Letters and remonstrances have poured in from all directions, the Lodges have appealed to the Grand Orient, and everything is on the alert.

The Grand Orient appointed a commission to report and act, consisting of the Most Worshipful the Grand Master, the Counts Las Cases and Bertrand. A letter of remonstrance was immediately decided upon, which being duly sanctioned, was transmitted to the marshal. Thus stood the matter when our last letters left-we shall again turn to this subject.

*

The Revue Maçonique publishes the letters, protests, declarations, and determinations of the French Lodges upon the non-admission of Jews to the Lodges in Prussia, as also copies of their protests and letters forwarded to Berlin. We have likewise received copies of the request for admission by Bro. Behrend and his colleagues into the Lodges at Berlin. The reply and protest made on the spot we shall not for the present publish in full, but wait the result of the application on the part of the Grand Lodge of England for the admission of its members, which we hope will now be granted.

A highly interesting and most extraordinary initiation took place on the 11th April last in the Lodge Mount Sinai, in Paris.-A deaf and dumb professor of the institution for teaching the deaf and dumb, had been proposed as a member of the above Lodge; the Supreme Council was written to about it, and permission was granted, if the candidate were otherwise eligible, he might be initiated. The highly gifted and very talented Worshipful Master, Bro. G. Weil, as well known for his literary as legal attainments, undertook the duty. The candidate was subjected to an examination of his talents, which being satisfactory, he was requested to explain his thoughts in reply to the question-" What is your opinion of the eloquence of speech?" We shall take the earliest opportunity of publishing the answer; but we could not refrain from publishing the above interesting fact: an epoch in Freemasonry which united to the family of humanity an otherwise isolated being.

The Grand Lodge of Sweden made known officially to the Supreme Council of France the death of Charles John Bernadotte, King of Sweden, and Grand Master of the Masons of Sweden, likewise of the accession to the throne and Grand Mastership of the Freemasons of Sweden, Oscar the First. The Supreme Council thereupon sent letters of condolence and congratulations.

The finance committee of the Grand Orient of France reports that the funds stands thus in hands of the Treasurer, 1030 fr., 7 treasury bills of 3240 cts. value, make 22,680 fr., 3 obligations of the city of Paris 1450 fr. value, 4351 rentes 7200 fr., making a total of 35,261 fr. This

Our space and time prevent our giving place to this letter, which is signed by the abovenamed and the other Grand Officers,

shows a diminution in the funds; the same period last year having had in hand 46,293 fr.

A letter has been sent, April 6, 1845, by Bro. E. Defacqz, the Grand Master of the Freemasons of Belgium, to Monsieur Northomb, Minister of the Interior, in consequence of an assertion of the minister's derogatory to Freemasonry. The letter itself we reserve until an opportunity for its publication shall present itself.-L'Orient.

The Grand Lodge of Hambro' has presented the Grand Orient of France with two medals, one struck in honour of the introduction of Freemasonry into Germany, anno 1737; the second to commemorate the establishment of the St. George's Lodge at Hambro', 1743.

A memorial has been sent to the Grand Orient of France by the Lodge Perfect Silence of Lyons, requesting it to pass a law to regulate the Masonic press of France, which will continue whether countenanced or not, and thinks, under the circumstances, it would be better to sanction and controul it, than to endeavour to pass inoperative laws against it.-Ibid.

Statistics of French Freemasonry, copied from the Calendar of 1845 : -There exist in France 281 Lodges at most, 127 Chapters, 38 Councils, making 446-the number of representatives in the Grand Orient, not being officers thereof, is 80, and representatives who are officers 62, making 142.-Surely these cannot be called a full and fair body of representatives of the Freemasons of France.-Ibid.

PARIS.-The "Star of Bethlehem" has sent a circular to every Lodge in Prussia, wherein they show, by as clear reasoning as brotherly affection, the absolute necessity of admitting all Freemasons to their Lodges. "We hope (says the circular) that our voices will not be lost in the silence of your halls, but find an echo in every breast, the more, as the time has arrived for France and Germany to grasp each others hands in brotherly love, and seal their friendship with the salute of affection."

The Supreme Council of Rites has given notice of having concluded a treaty of brotherhood with the Grand Lodge of Brazil, and that Bro. Horace Vernet would be the Brazilian representative at Paris.

On the 26th December the grand anniversary festival took place, which was very numerously attended by the members and visitors from all parts; very interesting orations were delivered by Bros. Henvier, Gay, Guilhery, and Dupin. The Duke de Decazes having noticed that the Baron de Rothschild was present, remarked in his address that toleration was not a word without meaning in French Freemasonry. The baron replied in a very pathetic manner, it being very evident he was much affected. A handsome entertainment followed the work.

March 8.-A grand ball took place at Paris in the hall of the Grand Orient, for the benefit of the funds of Masons in distress; it was elegantly and numerously attended. The receipts amounted to 2719 fr.; after paying expenses, the profit for the charity was 1285 fr.

TOURNON, Dec. 26.-The Lodge of Complete Equality signalised its first meeting in a peculiar but praise-worthy manner. Previously to closing the Lodge, one of the Brethren proposed to distribute bread to all the poor in the town, so that when the Brethren sat at their meal, they might rejoice in the thought that no one in the town was starving. The proposition being carried, the distribution took place in the presence of the mayor and the Sisters of Charity; and in order that the funds of the Lodge might not be impoverished, the amount of the expense

was subscribed out of their own pockets by the Brethren before they separated.

ROUEN, Feb. 22.-A ball took place; the profits from which being 700 francs, it was decided that non-Masons should likewise be relieved-wood and bread were therefore given to that amount to all who applied.

CHEMNITZ, March 27.-The new Masonic building was consecrated by Bro. W. Eger, in the place of Bro. B. W. Teisig, absent from indisposition. The deputy conducted the proceedings with much eclat. The Freemasons flocked from all parts. The procession was then formed, and proceeded to the Lodge. There they were met by the R. W. the Deputy Grand Master for Saxony, Bro. Meissner. At the close of the ceremonies the Sisters of the Brethren presented to the Lodge three massive silver candlesticks, with branches. During the day, and at the banquet, four poems and songs, written and composed for the occasion, were recited and sung.

DRESDEN, Feb. 9. A festival to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the birth day of Bro. Winkler, the Grand Master of the Saxon Lodge, took place. Between two and three hundred brethren had arrived, and immediately appointed a deputation to proceed to the residence of the M. W. Brother, to escort him to the Lodge. On his approach the Masonic chain was formed, which, being opened to receive him, was again closed, the entire assemblage at the same moment singing a new chorus of four stanzas. At the conclusion the presiding chairman, Worshipful Bro. Richard, presented Bro. Winkler with an elegant silver goblet, on which the Masonic emblems were embossed, and an inscription engraven, stating the date and object of its gift. He was then placed in the chair, and the brethren retired to their places. Bro. Winkler returned thanks, and declined the seat of honour. Many addresses were delivered by the brethren, after which they adjourned to a sumptuous banquet, and parted, delighted alike with the occasion of their meeting and the manner of their separation.

PORTUGAL.-We learn from letters received from Portugal, dated Feb. 21, that 20,000 French persons are at present in that kingdom, many of whom are Freemasons, but have no Lodge for themselves, although four Grand Orients exist. They are distinguished by_the names of-1. The Lusitanish Grand Orient, which is in reality a Provincial Grand Lodge of the Grand Lodge of the Brazils; 2. The Irish Grand Orient, which is constituted from and depends on the Grand Lodge of Ireland; 3. The Passos Manual Grand Orient; 4. The Grand Orient of Costa Cabral. The two last are Independent Grand Lodges, and seem to have a considerable number of Lodges under their controul. Memorials have been addressed to the Grand Orient of France to issue a warrant for the establishment, under its banner, of a French Lodge at Lisbon. It is urged that such a Lodge is absolutely called for, in consequence of the number of French merchant vessels and ships of the line that are always in the Tagus, the officers of which frequently are Freemasons, but very seldom speak the Portuguese language, and are thereby prevented from attending the existing Lodges.

WEST INDIES.

Brother Joseph Ariano, of Kingston, Jamaica, will supply all applicants with the current numbers of the Freemason's Quarterly Review.

JAMAICA, KINGSTON, Sept. 11.-A meeting of the members of the Elgin Lodge took place at Rodney Hall Court-house, in St. Thomasin-the-Vale, for the purpose of installing the Provincial Grand Master (the Reverend William P. Burton, rector of that parish), and the necessary officers. Several members attached to the Sister Lodges in this town were present, and materially assisted in the ceremony. At about twelve o'clock they assembled at the Court-house, and having clothed themselves in accordance with their several degrees, formed and marched from that place to the Lodge-room in order, the band playing the favourite air. When they arrived at the stairs of the Lodge they opened into a column right and left. The Master, preceded by his standard-bearer, then walked up in the centre, the brethren closing in the rear and following.

The members composing the Elgin Lodge then proceeded to their room, and having opened their Lodge, the P. G. Master and his officers entered and were received in due and ancient form. The Worshipful Dr. Ewart then proceeded to instal the Worshipful P. G. Master, who in his turn appointed his officers, and afterwards installed the Worshipful John Ewart, M.D., Master.

The P. G. Master then delivered a very eloquent address, pointing out the duties incumbent on Masters of Lodges.

The Lodge being closed, the brethren then marched in the same order back to the Court-house, when the P. G. Master returned his thanks to the brethren for their kindness in assisting him in the manner they had done, and kindly invited them to the banquet-room. The brethren, about thirty-two in number, having been called from labour to refreshment, took their seats. At this juncture the room was graced with the appearance of several ladies residing in the neighbourhood, who also took their seats on each side of the Worshipful Master, and joined in discussing the good things with the Masons, which no doubt gladdened their hearts.

The

The Worshipful Master then began his toasts with "The Queen and the Royal Family," "The Governor of the Island, the Earl of Elgin," "The Right Hon. Lord Glenlyon, Grand Master of Scotland," Earl of Zetland, Grand Master of England," "His Grace the Duke of Leinster, Grand Master of Ireland," "The Sister Lodges-long may they flourish.

The Worshipful Bro. Rutherford returned thanks on behalf of the Sister Lodges.

The Worshipful Master then rose and said that he had a toast to propose, which he felt satisfied every one would cordially join in. He could not find words adequate to express the worth of that individual.