Grand Lodge.

We now approach a period ofthe evening , the recollection of ivhich we wish , for the honour of Freemasonry , we could altogether blot from our minds and abstain from noticing—but that our duty to the Craft forbids ; and in speaking of it we shall do so most dispassionately , and " more in sorrow than in anger . " Bro . Binckes brought forward a motion which hasfor some timebeen standing on the agenda paper :

, , " That it is inexpedient to publish the discussions in Grand Lodge in the printed minutes of proceedings of the quarterly communications , as issued from the Grand Secretary ' s office , "—basing his argument in its support solely upon the ground that in those reports certain expressions of his had been " suppressed" or " garbled" by the executive . Anything more absurd it is difficult to imagine ; for that is a charge which Bro .

Binckes is in the habit of making against every report of his speeches , ancl which was made against ourselves last week—as though all the world were engaged in a conspiracy to disparage the oratorical abilities of Bro . Binckes . The ivorshipful brother concluded his address b y asking to be allowed to withdraw his motion ; but having made his statement , it ivas then too Late ; and it being ruled that Avithout the

consent of the Grand Lodge he could not do so , the President of the Board of General Purposes rose to reply , and doubtless , smarting under the continual insults which hai * e been cast upon him by Bro . Binckes and his friends , spoke with , undue warmth—a warmth which ive can pardon under the provocation , but which we think would have been better avoided .

After disclaiming for himself and colleagues having anything to do ivith the preparation of the reports , and expressing his opinion that they were nofc " garbled , " but were luirly reduced from the shorthand writer ' s notes by the Grand Secretary , Bro . Havers "hurled back the charge Avith contempt , and pronounced ifc a wicked and baseless fabrication . " The applause ivhich followed this somewhat injudicious

observation , showed thafc Grand Lodge fully sympathised with the brother under the provocation on which he was sjleaking ; but Bro . Whitmoro , as if to add fuel fco fire , rose and said that in the earl y part ofthe evening he hud stated that lie pitied Bro . . Havers—he noiv " despised" him . Tliis ivas followed b y loud , cries of " Order , " aud the Grand Master called upon Bro . Whitmoro for a retractation of the

word , on the ground thafc it was unmasonic—and some light sparring ensued as to ivhat was unmasonic , ivhich resulted in mutual explanations , and AA'hich , ive hope , will put an end to the matter . But Bro . Binckes and his friends must lie taught thafc they must not bo permitted to continually occupy the time of Grand Lodge with offensive and unsupported charges -against auy body of the brethrenbe they in

, office or not , and though an occasional hasty expression or even improper remark in the heat of debate may be excused , a continuance in an habitual indulgence in imputing unworthy motives aud dishonourable conduct to any brother , will bring down upon them the well merited censure of Grand Lodge . Bro , Binckes is a type of a class of men , of whom in the course of . our career as public journalists