charges, &c. particularly one written by Mr. Nicholas Stone, the warden under Inigo Jones. This was done by some too scrupulous brethren, who were alarmed a the publication of the masonic constitutions, lest the secrets of the craft should thereby become known.

In the mean time, masonry continued to spread in the North as well as in the South of England. The general assembly or grand lodge continued to meet as usual, and many persons of the first respectability were initiated into the art. Harmony subsisted between the two grand lodges, and private lodges were formed in both parts of the kingdom, under their separate jurisdictions. The only distinction which the grand lodge appears to have retained, is in the title of "the Grand Lodge of all England," while the other was only called "the Grand Lodge of England." Some difference has of late taken place between these two bodies, which is said to have arisen in consequence of some innovations having been introduced by the former; but it is the glory and boast of the brethren in almost every country, where masonry is established, to be accounted descendants of the Ancient York Masons; and from the well known fact, that masonry was first established at York by charter, the masons in England have received tribute from the first states in Europe.

From the nature of the institution, regular masons must in every age, have maintained a fraternal affection for each other; hence, when any of them was oppressed by poverty, or involved in other difficulties, relief was afforded by the benevolent contributions of his brethren ; but in the year 1723, the duke of Buccleugh, who was then grand master, proposed a scheme for raising a general fund for distressed masons and their families, which was readily adopted, and a committee appointed to devise the most effectual mode of carrying it into effect. From

that period, the means of relief instead of depending as heretofore on the precarious contributions of members of individual lodges, is placed on a much better footing, every grand lodge being vested with funds, which they can appropiate at discretion, to the relief of the indigent. Thus the distressed brethren, their widows, and orphans have, since that period, always found prompt relief from this general charity, which is supported by the private funds of subordinate lodges, without being burdensome to any member of the society. The same mode has been adopted by the grand lodges of Scotland and Ireland; by those established in each of the United States of America, as well as in the different provinces belonging to Britain, and I have been informed, that a similar mode had been pursued in the grand lodges of France, Germany, &c. long before that period. Hence it will appear, that there are few parts of the civilized world, which a needy brother may be cast, wherein he may not receive the necessary relief.

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In the year 1731, Francis duke of Tuscany afterwards emperor of Germany, was initiated into the order, in a lodge at the Hague; and in 1738, Frederick the Great, afterwards king of Prussia, was admitted in a lodge at Brunswick. So highly did he approve of the institution, that on his accession to the throne, he caused a grand lodge to be formed at Berlin, in which it was agreed, that every sum received should be divided into three parts, viz. one to defray the expenses of the lodge, one for the relief of distressed brethren, and the third to be allotted to the poor in general.

In the beginning of the year 1768, two letters were received from the grand lodge of France, expressive of their desire to open a regular correspondence with the grand lodge of England. This proposition was cheerfully agreed to, and the book of constitutions, a list of the

subordinate lodges, &c. elegantly bound, were sent to them as a testimony of respect and esteem.

On the 25th of April, 1770, a letter was received from the grand master of the United Provinces of Holland and their dependencies, requesting that a firm and friendly alliance might be established between the two grand lodges, an annual correspondence carried on, &c. On this, report being made, the proposition of the grand lodge of Holland was acceded to without hesitation. A correspondence was, likewise, agreed on between the grand lodge of England and that of Berlin, in the year 1774, agreeably to the solicitation of the grand master of the latter, the prince of Hesse Darmstadt.

The grand lodges of England, Scotland and Ireland had, for centuries, entertained a friendly intercourse with each other, and likewise with the grand lodges on the continent of Europe; but in the year 1772, the ties of union were more closely drawn between the grand lodges in the three kingdoms, under the British Crown. We accordingly find, that: "At a meeting of the most ancient and honourable fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, held in London, September 2nd, 1772, Lawrence Dermott, Esq. deputy grand master, in the chair, a letter was received from the grand lodge in Ireland, setting forth the state of the craft, &c. in that kingdom. Whereupon

"Resolved, as the opinion of this grand lodge that a brotherly connexion and correspondence with the right worshipful the grand lodge of Ireland has been, and will always be found productive of honour and advantage to the craft in both kingdoms. Therefore,

"Ordered, that the grand secretary shall transmit the names of the officers of this grand lodge to the secretary of the grand lodge of Ireland, yearly, or as often as any new choice may be made, together with such informa

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tion as may be conducive to the honour and interest of the ancient craft.

"Ordered, that no mason, who has been made under the sanction of the grand lodge of Ireland, shall be admitted a member, or partake of the general charity, without having first produced a certificate of his good behaviour from the secretary of the grand lodge of Ireland; but upon producing such certificate, he shall receive all the hononrs due to a faithful brother of the same household with ourselves."

The deputy grand master then proposed that a correspondence should be opened with the grand lodge of Scotland, when it was unanimously agreed, that the same regulations should be observed in respect to the grand lodge of Scotland as to that of Ireland.

At a meeting of the grand lodge of the most ancient and honourable fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, held in Dublin, November 5th, 1772, Archibald Richardson, Esq. deputy grand master, in the chair.

"Resolved, that this lodge do entirely agree with the grand lodge of England, that a brotherly connexion and correspondence between the grand lodges have been, and always will be found productive of honour and advantage to the craft in both kingdoms. Whereupon,

"Ordered, that the grand secretary shall, from time to time, transmit the particular occurrences of this grand lodge, to the grand secretary of England, and that hereafter, no English mason shall be considered worthy of the regard of this body without producing a certificate. from the grand lodge of England, and that we shall always consider such brethren as may be recommended to us from the grand lodge of England, equally objects of our attention as those of the fraternity in Ireland; nor can the grand lodge of Ireland omit this opportunity of

testifying their high sense of the honour they have received in this invitation to a mutual and a friendly intercourse, which they shall study to preserve and strengthen by every act of good offices and brotherly love.”

At a meeting of the most ancient and honourable so ciety of Free and Accepted Masons in Scotland, held in the city of Edinburgh, November 30th, 1772. The right honourable and most worshipful the earl of Dalhousie, late grand master, in the chair.

It was reported to the brethren, that the grand lodge of England, according to the old institutions, had, on the 2nd September last, past a resolution and order, relative to a constant correspondence betwixt them and the grand lodge of Scotland, a copy of which had been lately transmitted by their secretary, along with a letter, containing the names of their officers.

The resolution and letter being read, the grand lodge were of opinion, that the brotherly intercourse and correspondence, which the right worshipful the grand lodge of England were desirous of establishing, would be serviceable to both grand lodges, and productive of honour and advantage to the fraternity in general, and, to promote this beneficial purpose,

"Ordered, that the grand secretary transmit to the secretary of the grand lodge of England, the names of the officers of the grand lodge of Scotland, elected this day, and also, that he shall transmit such information as may tend to the honour and advantage of the craft, as he shall be by them directed, &c.; and that he assure the right worshipful the grand lodge of England, in the most respectful manner, of the desire the grand lodge of Scotland have, to cultivate a connexion with them by a regular correspondence for the interest of the ancient craft. suitable to the honour and dignity of both grand lodges.