A Masonic Congress.

that would command the assent not only of one Grand Lodge , but of all . In the same way that the by-laws of a lodge require sanction before becoming effective , so would the decennial Masonic Congress have the power to discuss various constitutions when these appeared to be in conflict . It would form a

Sovereign court in which causes of complaint made by one Grand Lodge against another might be determined . A denial of recognition is at present only a matter between the two Grand Lodges concerned . When the excommunication of a Grand Lodge involved absolute isolation and severance of

all fraternal relations with every other Grand Lodge , it would be far more effective , and would be very seldom risked . There was , for instance , nothing to guide or check the Grand Lodge of Peru , or to warn them of the impropriety of their action when they degraded theV . S . L . some years ago . They

were promptly excommunicated by the Grand Lodge of England , and were quickly brought to a knowledge of their wrong-doing . What action other Grand Lodges took is not known , but supposing the Grand Lodge of A . is excommunicated by the Grand Lodge of B . but continues its Masonic relations

with the Grand Lodge of C , a A-ery curious question , or series of questions rather , may arise as to the relations of B . and C . The incidence of events may be such , in these and similar cases , that the most innocent brother , in the very integrity and uprightness of his heart , may find himself involved in Masonic trouble . We need some common recognized system of procedure , canons of Masonic custom and discipline .

To Our Readers.

To Our Readers .

The issue of the present number of THE MASONIC ILLUSTRATED completes the Sixth Volume and will be the last issued by us , the copyright having been purchased by Mr . J . Denyer Hand , of 5 , Whitefriars Street , E . C , who .

we believe , intends incorporating it with The Freemason , of which he is also the sole proprietor . We tender our warmest thanks to all our supporters , both Masonic and commercial , who we trust will give their

patronage to the publication in the future as they have done in the past .

At The Sign Of The Perfect Ashlar

At the Sign of the Perfect Ashlar

The question of the division of London into Masonic Provinces is still being much discussed , and a contemporary has published the following notes on the subject . It is lo be feared , however , that the many serious objections lo the project have not been fully considered . " The suggested

division of the lodges in the Metropolitan area , under a number of district or sectional Grand Masters , is likely to attract considerable attention during the coming season . The proposal to divide the 600 lodges now included in the London district into some 12 or 13 sections has already called forth the objection that the number of divisions is far too great ; but this is not so , if the desire is io place London

on a similar basis to that prevailing in the provinces and outside stations of English Freemasonry . The scheme would give an average of 50 lodges or so to each section , whereas the average for the provinces is very much below that figure . England is divided into 4 6 provinces , apart from the

Metropolitan section , and the number of lodges in ( hose provinces , including all that have been officially notified as warranted by the Grand Master since the last annual returns were made up , is 1 , 504 , giving an average of a trifle less than 33 but , as a matter of fact , 30 are below that average , and

, only 16 above it . Herefordshire has but six lodges , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire , Guernsey and Alderney , the Isle of Man and Jersey but seven each ; live other provinces have but 12 each , and seven others less than a score , so that the 18 smallest provincial divisions have but 218 lodges between

them , giving an average of 12 only . Two other provinces have 20 lodges each , two have 24 , two 25 , one 27 , four 28 , and one 30 . Going above the average we find one province

with 34 lodges , one with 35 , and two with 3 6 each ; while others total 42 , 47 , 4 8 and 49 ; so that there are no less than 3 8 of the Provincial Grand Lodges of England with less than the average of 50 suggested for the London divisions . Hampshire and the Isle of Wight comes next with 51 lodges , Essex 57 , Devonshire 62 , Cheshire 67 , Kent 70 , West Yorkshire 85 ;

and then come the two divisions of Lancashire , each with upwards of 100—the Eastern section with 124 and the Western with 136 . In these two excessively large sections division has long been talked of , and as Manchester accounts for 41 lodges in the one case and Liverpool for 49 in the other ,

they might be formed into separate divisions at the same time that London was portioned out . Further analysis will conclusively prove that 12 divisions for London is by no means too many , taken in comparison with the totals that prevail in other sections under the English jurisdiction , as the

introduction of the foreign and colonial District Grand Lodges into the calculation would still further reduce the general average . "

< & « 3 » <*> To our minds all this elaboration of what would , in London , be cumbrous and unwieldy machinery on provincial lines is altogether unnecessary . Provincial Grand Lodges had their origin in the fact that the private lodges were

spread over such a wide area that control by a central authority was rendered difficult . Xo such reason can be adduced with regard to London . The ten miles radius , which at present marks the limit of tlie metropolitan jurisdiction , is sufficiently circumscribed and compact to enable

each lodge to keep itself in touch with the authorities , and therefore the suggested " Imperio in Iiiiperinm " would appear to he altogether superfluous . We strongly suspect , however , that the acquirement of provincial rank , and the wearing of a purple collar , is the main motive of the originators of the

movement . If this be so , could not the object be attained bysome more simple method than the setting up of a dual authority ?

M . A . P ., in a recent issue , has the following note on the Pro Grand Master , who is described as a Masonic enthusiast * . " Lord Amherst is an ardent Freemason , and held the position of Provincial Grand Master of the Freemasons of Kent for forty-live years . Since 18 9 8 he has been Provincial ( sic )

Grand Master of the Freemasons of England . He is beloved for his unselfish and beautiful disposition by all the residents in the neighbourhood of Didlington Hall . Every man who works on Lord Amherst ' s estate is called a workman as long as it is possible to crawl . Lord Amherst is the third Earl and

fourth Baron Amherst . The hrtii baron was the famous soldier , Field-Marshal Sir JelTery Amherst , who was Commander-in-Chief in North America from 1758 to 1764 . In 1776 he was created Baron Amherst of Holmedale , in Kent , and in 1778 became Commander-in-Chief in England . Twelve

years later he was created Baron Amherst of Montreal—in Kent , not Canada . The present Earl has been twice married , but , as he is without male issue , his heir is his brother , the