Freemasonry In England.

The Earl of Morton succeeded Lord Eaymond , and was invested and installed at the above-named Hall , on the 19 th of March , 1741 , He appointed Br . Martin Clare , A . M . F . E . S ., Deputy Grand Master , Brs . Vaughan and Gascoyue , Grand Wardens . Several excellent laws and regulations were introduced during this presidency . The Grand Master presented a staff of office to the Grand Treasurerand it was resolved b

, y the Grand Loclge that this officer should henceforth be annually elected , and with the Secretary and Sword Bearer rank as members of the Grand Lodge . A large cornelian seal , with the arms of the Society engraven thereon , was also presented to the Grand Lodge by Br . 'Vaughan , S . G . W ., who was appointed by the Grand Master as Provincial G . M . for North Wales .

Lord Ward succeeded the Earl of Morton , and was invested and installed on the 27 th April , 1742 , and appointed Br . Robert Lawley , Bart ., D . G . M ., and Brs . Hody and Berrington , Grand Wardens . His Lordship having worked in all the offices of the Order , from Secretary of a private Loclge to that of Grand Master , was perfectly acquainted with every detail , and took the most effectual means of healing the differences

and checking the irregularities which had lately occurred , and by a wise administration of justice and mercy , and setting a good example in his own conduct , had the satisfaction of seeing a greater degree of unanimity produced amongst the brethren than had subsisted for some time past . Many Lodges iu a declining state were induced by his advice to join others in more prosperous circumstances , ancl many who had been contumacious

ivere reclaimed , whilst others still proving obstinate were erased . By these wise measures , the harmony of the Lodges appeared perfectly restored . At this period the Freemasons at Antigua built a large hall for their meetings , and applied to the Grand Lodge for permission to call it the Great Lodge of St . John ' s in Antigua , which favour was granted in April , 1744 . Lord Ward remained Grand Master two years , during which he constituted many Lodges and appointed several Provincial Grand Masters , —one for Lancaster , one for North America , and three for the Island of Jamaica .

The Earl of Strathmore was invested and installed Grand Master on the 2 nd May , 1744 , at Haberdashers' Hall , and appointed Br . Vaughan D . G . M ., Brs . Graeme and Baker , Grand Wardens . Br . Jesse was reelected by the Grand Lodge , as Grand Treasurer , September 24 th . During his Lordship ' s year of office , the government devolved on the Grand Officers in consequence of his non-attendance . His LordsMp , however ,

appointed a Provincial Grand Master for the Island of Bermuda . Lord Cranstoun was invested and installed Grand Master at Drapers ' Hall , on the 18 th April , 1745 , and appointed Br . Hody , D . G . M ., Brs . Baker and Smith , Grand Wardens , Br . Eevis , Grand Secretary , and Br . Slaughter , Grand Sword Bearer . His Lordship presided over the Fraternity with great reputation for two years , during which several Lodges

were constituted , and a Provincial Grand Master appointed for Cape Briton and Lewisbourg . By a resolution in Grand Lodge , it was ordered that public processions on feast days should be discontinued .