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rious in its effects , if they temporize with difficulties instead of boldly grappling with them , are they entitled to confidence ? What are their claims to merit ? Rap idity and deliberation may be united in their councils , kit then they are applied at the wrong time ; the rapidity presides over the deliberative , while the deliberation is applied to the executive . The head is at fever heat

, but the hand is paralyzed . It is surely in accordance with the dictates of patriotism , it is right , it is highly necessary that some should step forward equal to the emergency , and endeavour to arrest the impending downfall . Either they would be opposed by those who argue against any desire of reformation on the princile of a

p criminal prosecution , who defend their errors as if they were defending their inheritance , or else , perhaps , in the first instance remonstrances may he received with some show of fairness ; but yet time goes on and nothing is done . Timidity and incompetence in rulers are qualities nearly allied . They say that any change is dan-1

gerous- —that it entails most perilous consequences . Oh ! fragile must be the foundations of a fabric if they are to be subverted by necessary improvements . Though in the ojmiion of some the redress of grievances should be fraught with immediate or remote danger , we may yet venture confidently to assert that if the State does not destroy them , they will destroy the State . The

transition is but short from a detection and exposure of abuses , to irritation and even invective against those who are the strenuous upholders and apologists for them . There is yet another class of men who urge sophistical objections instead of using direct arguments . Such a line of conduct indicates great presumption and

little knowledge . Wisdom is so hard to find , that it is ridiculous for any small number of men to arrogate to themselves the collective wisdom of the community . Let us remember the memorable advice given by the Swedish Chancellor to his son when he was departing to assist at a Congress of Statesmen— " I , fili mi , ut videas quantula sapientia regatur mundus . "

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OUR old mends on the DAIS are evidently not a little nettled at the plain speaking we have thought it necessary to adopt , with reference to their proceedings . Their semi-official manifesto—which should have been signed " a Past G . Officer and Co . "—bears evident witness to this fact , and shows unmistakeably where the shoe pinches .

It is extremely disagreeable to have one ' s favourite com trodden upon ; and no doubt the process has not been a pleasant one , which has knocked down the magnificent castle of cards , in which the Right Worshipful Brethren were wont to dwell , and shown it to be a flimsy unreality , a mere empty puff .

For the Members of the DAIS , individually , we have as great a regard as we have for all true and worth y Masons—neither more nor less ; but when they claim so vast an amount of respect and deference in their collective , and officiid , capacity , we are compelled to reiterate our often expressed assertion , that so far from

having watched over our interests , and guarded them from injury— -so far from having originated one single plan for the benefit of the Craft , or of any section of it , they have betrayed those interests—or passively acquiesced in their betrayal—and whenever those below the DAIS have proposed any remedy for a grievance , it has invariably met witli the most factiousand senseless

, opposition at their hands . For four years have the Canadian grievances been before Grand Lodge . Have the DAIS uttered a syllable of remonstrance or lifted up a finger in aid ? Did they protest by word or act , when the G . M ., in June last , refused to allow G . L . to express an opinion upon the

subject ? Ever since the union , have London and Country Masons been ignorant of the business to be discussed in G . L . —have the DAIS taken any step to give them this information ? If all these questions must be answered in the negative , we cannot for the life of us see what claim the

officials of the G . M . have to any vast amount of confidence on the part of the Craft . Supposing that a party had been organized—which is not the case—to remedy grievances , and to insist upon the supremacy of G . L . ; we do not understand what right those can have to complain who . as has been well remarked by our contemporary , the Magazine , " follow their leaders like a flock of sheep , " or goats ; but in point of fact there has been no organization whatever ,

but London and Provincial Masons who have no " expectations " from the DAIS , but are content to be honest and independent , have simultaneously determined to insist upon their right to transact their own business , and to state their opinions in G ' . L ., without the fear of playing the part of nine pins—a most exhilirating game—to the DAIS . If any lodgeor distinguished

, brother , has assisted in any way in this desirable consummation , it is a thing of which they have just reason to be proud , none whatever to be ashamed .. There are exceptions to most rides , and we are thankful to believe that many R . W . Brethren are as anxious to see a new and better course adoptedas we are

, ourselves ; but we must remind them that so long as they are content to allow those to become their mouth jrieces , who are not distinguished for liberal , or statesmanlike qualities , they must be content also to be classed in the same category . We shall be most happy to be able to distinguish between those who merit our

confidence and respect , and those who cannot claim either . May the day be not distant , when all on and below the DAIS will combine to carry out the great principles of our Order uninfluenced by any party consideration , ¦ when the only question shall be what is fair and just , and in accordance with the spirit of our constitutions .

Let our R . W . Brethren take up their true position as leaders in the good cause of efficiency and "truth , " and they will find many followers , and few and lenient critics .

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J . JOHNES , Esq ., of Dolancothy , has been appointed Provincial Grand Master for South Wales , sice Lord llilford , deceased .