Correspondence.

strong prejudices of the brother who is tho ruling genius of the official bureau are so notorious , while his abilities are equally unquestioned—that it seems impossible that they can be the result of carelessness . Grant that they arc , I hold that in sueli a _ case the culpability is almost as great as the design wilfully to injure , and argues but little in favour of that improved efficiency we were led to expect would follow from the change in the Secretarial department . Your variable coll temporary who amidst all his eccentric dungings and windings has ever prided himself upon the

scrupulous correctness of his reports , now that he has yielded to tho seductive blandishments of that power which bears sway in high places , has laid himself open to the same charge ; but in his case , I will not believe , intentionally . In the report , in the Freemason ' s Magazine , of the proceedings of the last meeting of G . L . all mention is omitted of the disgracefully offensive remark of Bro . Havers which led to the regretted withdrawal of Lord Carnarvon . The remarks I addressed to G . L . on the Canada question are given so boldly as to wear the appearance of mock-heroic ; and the explanation I gave

with reference to the remavks of Bro . Havers on my conduct as a member of the Board of General Purposes withrespect to the Property question not noticed at all . For myself , sir and brother , I don't at all feel affected by these things , and am grieved at the necessity of introducing anything of a personal character . But from recent experience it docs sectn that the system pursued by that " party " which is banded together against those who seek to further improvement , is one not only of abuse but of misrepresentation . The pages of the Freemasons '

Magazine , and especially tho numbers of November 10 th and December Sth teem with aspersions on the members of what it has p leased some to term the " Observer party , " of a most virulent and uncharitable kind . The animosity displayed is almost rabid , but is rendered amusing by the complacency with which the writerswhile violating the greatest of the Masonic virtues—charity—charge us with forgetfulness of our obligations . Surely , sir , if ever the exhortation as to the " mote" and the "beam" were applicable , it is so in the fullest force here .

. With regard to tho criticisms upon the conduct in G . L . of the independent members on the proposition of the M . W . G . M . for the recognition of the Grand'Lodge of Canada , one would have scarcely conceived the possibility of tlie most hitter malevolence urging speakers or writers into so gross a distortion of facts for the purpose of founding thereon a frosh attack upon their opponents . The case ofthe Lodges still hailing from England at least rendered worthy of consideration the suggestions of Bro . Dobie , supported as they were in the most moderate and conciliatory manner bLord Carnarvon .

y Bro . Havers , however , could not resist the temptation to make a fierce personal onslaught—at all times apparently so especially gratifying to him—and torturing a mere suggestion for dignified delay into an expression of opposition , sought to fasten a charge of inconsistency on the noble Earl , and thus embittered the discussion on this grave and important question . The writers in the Freemasons' Magazine , taking their cue from their acknowledged chief , have adopted a similar course , and page after page of anonymous slander and malicious invective is tlie fare with which its readers

are regaled . A reference to the wording of Bro . Portal's notice of motion on tho Canada question will show that the 31 . W . G . M . is therein " requested" to do exactly what the former brother and his friends urged in G . L . —are u to take the necessary steps for establishing masonic relations with the G . L . of Canada , " in preference to rushing into recognition with fiery and inconsidcrcd haste : while tho readiness with which the amendment for delay was withdrawn in deference to the earnest appeal of tho G . M ., ought to have safiiceil

to satisfy every candid mind as to the non-existence of " party " motives . But the manes of faction in high places were not to be appeased , hut must stalk abroad iu all their hideous shadowy . proportions , delighting iu the outrage of feeling and propriety . I am not about to make any ad misericordiam appeal to your readers . The sound judgment and discrimination of the brethren will , I am convinced , sooner or later do justice to those-who in their efforts for conservative and progressive improvement have met but with the fate of all who have had tho courage to suggest tho

possibility that if the dust of nges were swept away the beauty of tho fabric would be more plainly discornable . In tho next number of your publication I shall ask permission to set forth a statement of facts hearing on the affairs of G . L . for the last two or three years , claiming meanwhile for those who constitute tho ( so-cnllod ) Observer party the candid and impartial consideration ofthe unprejudiced members of the Craft . To those who arc determined to be our opponents I will simply say that unqualified censure and unmitigated detraction of urethral with whom you do not agree are not the most effective means of promoting that unity and

eoncord which you profess to he so desirous of seeing accomplished , but which a continuance in your present course will render very difficult of attainment , if not impossible . I am , Sir and Brother , Yours faithfully and fraternally , FREDERICK BINCKES . London , 10 th December , 1858 .

Sir and Brother , I am not a regular attendant at G . L ., and when I do visit that august assembly , amongst the minor proceedings which arrest my attention is tho irresistible fact that Bro . Havers is a clever , dexterous , and most unscrupulous debater ; possessing an immunity from those wholesome restrictions and' standing orders' which other speakers carefully observe , he talks when , how , and what , he likes .

I observed during the last discussion in G . L ., tho G . D . C , with an ominous shake of his wand , remind several Brethren who were speaking , that they should turn from the mass of assembled Brethren , and address the Chair , I thought he was right : such a rule applies in every deliberative assembly ; but when Bro . Havers spoko ( and he goueially it seems has the lion's share of tlte talk ) , he most irreverently turned his hack on Chair , G . D . C , and the entire Dais . Now for the wand , I thought : but no 1 it rested undisturbed in the hand of Bro . Jennings , who smiled Micawber-like , and the

G . M . reposed complacently iu his chair of dignity . In my simplicity I inquired how this could he , and a Bro . near me , evidently surprised at my ignorance , said , "Why the G . M . knows all about it , and needs not to be bored with statements and arguments a second time . " This was suggestive and instructive . I felt relieved though humbled . We don't know much of these things in the . country . I am , Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , GREENHORN .

TO THE EDITOR OP THE FREEMASON'S' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . SIR AND BROTHER , —At the risk of appearing egotistical , ^ I cannot refrain from appealing to the conduct of the Observer faction in the Grand Lodge last Wednesday , as more than a confirmation of everything which I have advanced against them . Masonic feeling might well demand that such conduct should bo passed over iu silence , and that discussion should be avoided , but Brethren not

fully acquainted with the facts might be led into erroneous conclusions as to tho real principles of Preoirasonvy as practised by the Grand Lodge of England . All men have at times stern duties to perform ; and Freemasons cannot hope to be always relieved from such necessities . Times and circumstances must occur to the memory of every Englishman whore , in tiie different assemblies of this realm , faction and cabal have for a time raised their heads , to the momentary despair of patriotand to the discomfort of all who were for

every , the time being charged with the conduct of affairs ; but I much doubt whether the history of faction and cabal in this country can produce a parallel scene to that which was enacted by the Observer party in the Grand Lodge of England , last Wednesday . I will not advert to the Masonic obligations of every member of the Grand Lodge—to the principles on which our Order is founded —nor to the sacred feeling which , at all times surrounds our private Lod so beautifullinculcated bthe Worshipful Master on the

ges , y y investiture of each initiate—these duties and sentiments have longsince been trampled under foot by that miserable faction . I will , therefore , confine myself to the public question involved in the business of Wednesday last . First as to the Cunadas . Need I weary your readers with tho unforgotten tale of grievances to bo remedied , laches to bo deplored , official negligence to be atoned for—so often publicly urged upon the Grand Lodge by Bros . Lord Carnarvon , the Rev . G . It . Portal , h

and their party , anil privately deprecated by many a good , thoug less noisy , Mason ?—we have heard of them usque ad nauseam . That there was some good reason to complain of the way in which the Canadas had boon treated , no sensible man has denied ; but no honest Mason will forget that so long ago as March , 1 S 57 , the M . » Grand Master , from his place in Grand Lodge , frankly and openly expressed his regret for the past ; and not only announced his determination to improve the future , but practically accompanied

THE " OBSERVER PARTY . "