dresses of the ladies, and the fancy costumes, presented a brilliant appearance; and it might well be said that

'Twas the welcome announcement of supper, to which all gave a willing ear. At about two o'clock, the guests wended their way through the corridor, to the sumptuously furnished tables laid out in the large room of the Commercial Buildings, and did ample justice to the delicacies provided. After supper, dancing was resumed with renewed energy; and it was not till "morn chased the glowing hours with flying feet,” that the last of the revellers departed. The rank and fashion of the guests were beyond description.

UNITED STATES.

NEW YORK.

WE haee had a copy of the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of New York, some months on hand, but have not been able to find room before for any portion of them. And even, now our extracts must be short. We shall, however, recur to them again. The address of the Grand Master at opening of the June communication, is an interesting paper. We make the following extracts:

STATE OF MASONRY IN NEW YORK.

"I have the satisfaction to state, that since the last Annual Communication, Masonry appears to have revived in some parts of our State, in which for years it has been apparently dormant. Applications for several new warrants have been made, and an anxiety appears to exist among the profane to unite themselves as Brothers among us. Where this exists, I feel it to be a duty to caution the Brethren to be strict as to who they admit among them, for if their characters cannot bear the severest test of Masonic scrutiny, they should be rejected as unworthy of our fellowship-let not any one, who has not all the qualifications required by our Constitution and regulations, be admitted. See that they are perfect men in their body and mind-of industrious, temperate habits, desirous of knowledge, not parsimonious nor yet profligate-above all, of good moral character, obedient to the laws of the land they inhabit, and of the God we adore.

In the mode of conducting the labors of many Lodges, it is gratifying to observe a manifest improvement within the past year; while in others, it is equally a matter of sorrow to be compelled to say, that this important subject is not only managed irregularly, but in some cases, directly contrary to the well known charges and regulations of our Order. As an example, it appears a candidate has been proposed at an extra meeting of a Lodge, has been accepted and initiated, and within two weeks, received the degrees of F. C. and M. M. This is entirely irregular, and contrary to the spirit and laws of our Institution, and must not be permitted, and the officers of such Lodges, and the Lodges themselves should be held amenable to this Body, for such gross violation of duty.

CONFERRING DEGREES.

In connection with this irregularity, another of great importance requires your attention. It has been by no means uncommon (notwithstanding the decision of this Body, declaring it to be irregular,) for a Lodge to confer at the same meet

ing two of the three degrees of ancient Masonry, and without a dispensation. This appears to be the result of ignorance, which exists among the Brethren in relation to the regulations of the Grand Lodge, and shows, in strong colors, the necessity of the publication of the proceedings of this Body at its Annual Communication being widely disseminated and read in the subordinate bodies for the information of the members; and it should be the province and duty of all the Brethren who are cognisant of such errors, to report the same to the Grand Officers, that proper action might be had on the matter. Every Lodge, knowingly offending should receive from the proper authority a suitable rebuke at least, if not lose its charter.

EXAMINATION OF CANDIDATES.

The practice of examining candidates in the prior degrees before admission to the higher, in order to ascertain their proficiency, is gaining the favorable notice of Masters of Lodges, and cannot be too highly valued nor too strongly recommended to all Lodges in this jurisdiction. It necessarily requires the novitiate to reflect upon the bearing of all that has been so far taught him, and consequently to impress upon his mind the beauty and utility of those sublime truths, which have been illustrated in the course of the ceremonies he has witnessed in his progress in the mystic art. In a word, it will be the means of making competent overseers of the work-and no candidate should be advanced until he has satisfied the Lodge by such examination, that he has made the necessary proficiency in the lower degree-those made under dispensation only excepted.

REFRESHMENTS.

The practice of furnishing refreshments in Lodges at their regular meetings, I am glad to find is rapidly growing into disfavor--the evil tendency of such conviviality, has been so plainly apparent to the best observers of its effects, that few if any Lodges in this jurisdiction indulge in such a display of Freemasonry. A proper social intercourse can be better maintained by the mental, than the physical feast-whilst the one excites, the other rather tends to depress, the exercise of those feelings, which in themselves being virtuous, lead to virtue. The surplus funds of Lodges should be held and used for benevolence and charity, not for the indulgence of selfish propensities, and animal appetites-whilst the cry of the widow and the orphan, and the worthy Brother in distress, is continually in our ears, let us nourish the funds which should (when occasion demands) be applied to their relief and not selfishly appropriate to personal gratification, that to which their necessities have a just claim.

This need not prevent a suitable celebration of those Masonic festivals which time has permitted and usage sanctioned, when conducted in a proper manner, with temperance and with harmony, and social Brotherly feeling; on the contrary, the annual Convention of neighboring Lodges for such purposes, is calculated rather to bind together as one, the diffused particles of the body of the Order their communication causes the extension of knowledge among the Fraternity, and produces the beauty of Masonic harmony; our aim and hope.

ORPHAN ASYLUM.

The fund for the purpose of establishing a Freemason's Orphan Asylum, calls loudly on the Brethren for their liberal aid-little progress has latterly been made in its increase, and without the action of those who really believe that charity is one of the chiefest of those virtues we profess to practice, it will languish through the period of our brief life, and that noble purpose in which we had failed, be left (as a sad legacy) for succeeding and more zealous generations to accomplish; but I still hope that the examples before us, set by many sister Grand Lodges, will stimulate and arouse the Fraternity of this State to that energetic action necessary to enable the present generation to enjoy the honor and the happiness of completing what they so well begun. Let me earnestly plead with you Brethren, not to allow this matter to slumber-fix upon some plan by which

its accomplishment may be assured, let not the Orphan and the Widow, helpless and worthy, appeal to us in vain. We know not but that it may be the lot of the dear relicts of some of us, to be driven to the sad necessity of making that appeal! Would you wish them to appeal in vain? Reflect! be resolved to act, promptly, liberally, and the great end is accomplished.

MASONS' HALL.

With more pleasure I can refer to a fund for a Mason's Hall. Within the past few months a project (under a very great prospect of speedy success) has been started upon the plan of a joint Stock Company, to be incorporated under the general Act of the State, to erect a building in some convenient spot in this City, suitable in its architecture and arrangements, to the dignity of this Institution, and to the wants of the Fraternity for the meetings of all the Masonic Bodies of the City, for the meetings of this Grand Body, and for the necessary accommodation of its Officers and Committees, as well as for the Library which has been commenced; a sufficient vacancy to be left for shops to be rented to tradesmen, by which means it is calculated a revenue will be derived to compensate the stockholders with a reasonable interest upon their investment; at the same time that it will reduce the expense of those bodies who will enjoy its use, and add much to their comfort and convenience. I am happy to add that one-sixth of the amount necessary has been already subscribed, and before another year rolls round, I hope to be able to say the work has been commenced, if not finished.

LODGE OF STRICT OBSERVANCE.

This is one of the best Lodges in New York, and we are happy to learn that it is rapidly working its way into favor with all intelligent Brethren. We believe our indefatigable friend and R. W. Brother, James Herring, G. Secretary, has the honor to have originated it, and to preside over its proceedings. The following letter furnishes an interesting history of its rise and progress:

TO THE R. W. GRAND LODGE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK:

R. W. and W. Brethren,-In compliance with the resolutions of the Grand Lodge, in June, 1842, requesting each Subordinate Lodge, to make out a brief statement of facts connected with the general interest of Masonry, and such other matters appertaining to the Institution, as they may deem proper to transmit to the Grand Lodge, the Lodge of Strict Observance, No. 94, beg leave to state their progress and operations, since they were constituted on the 27th December, A. L. 5843.

Their first act after being organized as a Lodge, was to take under their care, two little orphan boys, the children of Brother Wm. H. Hunter, P. Master of Hiram Lodge, No. 92, at Newburgh, who had recently died in this city. Believ

ing it to be better thus to bestow what funds the Lodge might be able to appropriate to charity, than to be exposed to the impositions of those who we have been informed are constantly travelling through the country, and deriving support from Masonic Benevolence undeserved.

These little boys have been regarded as children of the Lodge, and their welfare is a subject of satisfaction to every member.

The Lodge was organized with eleven members, one of whom has since withdrawn; they have received nine adjoining members, one of whom has also withdrawn, his business compelling him to visit the Continent of Europe. They have initiated, passed, and raised ten candidates, on two of whom, they have conferred three degrees, and on another, the second and third degrees, by dispensation.

They also conferred the second and third degrees, on two Brothers, coming to the Lodge as E. A. (one of whom by dispensation,) and have initiated and passed, two Brothers who have not yet taken the third degree.

They have at present twentysix Master Masons, members of the Lodge, and two Fellow-Crafts under instruction.

The Lodge has prescribed for itself an invariable rule, that every Brother previous to being advanced, shall pass a strict examination in open Lodge, on the previous degree. The patience and study requisite for these examinations, have proved to be as satisfactory to the candidates, as their proficiency has been to their instructors, and to the Brethren who have witnessed their advancement.

In pursuance of the regulation of the Lodge, which requires every meeting to be occupied in some useful work, several meetings have been rendered exceedingly interesting and instructive, by having read from the Chair, or by the Secretary, selections from the writings of some of the most learned and celebrated European Brethren, or from the publications of some of the most strict and systematic of the Grand Lodges of Europe, particularly of the Grand Lodge of Switzerland, as well as those of our own Grand Lodge.

The Lodge has commenced the formation of a Library and Museum, for the use of the Brethren.

They would also beg leave to state that the Lodge since its organization, has paid into the funds of the Grand Lodge, the sum of one hundred and twenty dollars.

The Lodge has adopted the practice of taking up a collection at every meeting, for the purposes of general Charity, and they have been enabled from this source to appropriate fortyfour dollars to the relief of applicants.

The total amount of Charity granted by the Lodge for the eighteen months we have been in operation, is one hundred and nineteen dollars.

The Lodge is sorry to report that they have been compelled to refuse some few applicants who were found unworthy, but are gratified in being enabled to say, that in no instance have they been obliged to refuse assistance to any worthy applicant.

The amount of funds in the Lodge, after paying all debts, is one hundred dollars.

Finally, we have the pleasure of stating to the Grand Lodge, that in the brief space of our existence as a Lodge, our efforts to discharge our Masonic duties in accordance with the strict principles of our foundation, have met with no serious impediment, and we trust will meet the expectations, and be approved by the Grand Lodge.

New York, June, 1845.

RICHARD P. ROBINSON, Secretary pro tem.

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

THE printed proceedings of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, for the past year, are unusually interesting; and we regret that we cannot find room for more liberal extracts than we are at present able to lay before our readers.

GRAND LODGE CERTIFICATES.

Resolved, That the subordinate Lodges in this State require of strangers the certificate of the Grand Lodge as a pre-requisite to admission.

REVIVAL OF DORMANT LODGES.

"Resolved, That upon petition to the Grand Master, of seven or more Master Masons, in regular standing, requesting the restoration of any charter, which has become void by surrender, or an omission to be represented, or in making their annual returns since June, 1830, the Grand Master is hereby authorized and requested, if he shall deem it expedient, to re-instate any such subordinate Lodge under this jurisdiction, by directing the Grand Secretary to restore them their

charter."

From the report of the Committee on foreign correspondence, we make the following extracts:

PROSPERITY OF THE INSTITUTION.

A new era is just now commencing in the history of Masonry. She has passed through a fiery ordeal, but like the three ancient worthies, she has escaped unscorched, and without even a smell of fire upon her garments. She has risen from the ashes with renewed youth, with increased vigor, and better than before-prepared for the work in which she is engaged. So furiously were our Brethren in Michigan assailed, that the Grand Lodge in that State, and all the subordinate Lodges with a single exception, were obliged to suspend their labors. They are now reviving in every part of the State, and the cause is steadily progressing. The Grand Lodge has been re-organized; but doubts having been entertained by some other Grand Lodges whether this was done in conformity with Masonic usage, we are happy to learn that steps are now taking to remove those doubts, and restore entire confidence.

The Committee on Foreign correspondence in Virginia, say:

"In our own Jurisdiction peace and prosperity hold an undisturbed reign. The Masonic Craft never occupied a loftier position than at the present time. Like a moral Pharos, the Institution lifts itself above the stormy ocean of prejudice and passion, shedding its pure light upon the agitated waters. A sublime memorial of the inflexible virtues of the past-a Temple and a Sanctuary for the woes of the present-like hope, it smiles Earthward while it lifts its calm eye Heavenward, and by the intensity of its gaze, shows that its trust is in God! It has been rocked by tempests-seared by the lightnings-it has been a butt for the shafts of bigotry-the waters of party strife have tried its strong foundationyet it stands as firm as when the pealing notes of praise first resounded in its courts, and the Solomons and Hirams bowed before its Altars."

The following is an extract from the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge in Ten

nessee:

"In conclusion, your Committee cannot but express the opinion that the present is a very auspicious period in the history of the Fraternity, both here and elsewhere. Peace reigns within our borders, prosperity showers her blessings upon us, and we may be permitted to invoke the Great Architect of the Universe to watch over and guide us to the truth in all things, and preserve us from disturbances within or broils without."

In Kentucky dispensations have been granted to nine new Lodges, and applications were made for four others. In Mississippi, three hundred and thirtysix have been initiated the past year. In Illinois, seven dispensations have been granted for new Lodges. Young Iowa too, is engaging heartily in the workher first Lodge was established in 1840, and she has now a flourishing Grand Lodge.

The D. G. M. in an address to the Grand Lodge of Maine, says that applications to some Lodges are so numerous that time is hardly found to attend to them.

Wisconsin too, is engaging heart and hand in the work-a Grand Lodge has been established there about a year and a half, and it has six Lodges within its jurisdiction, and two U. D.

From Europe, too, we have intelligence of the most cheering character. Masonry never seemed to be in better condition there than at the present moment. In England, France, Switzerland and upon the Rhine, the cause is received with unusual favor.

Our own State, too, is moving onward-several applications have been made for the restoration of charters: initiations are becoming frequent, and the spirit of inquiry and action is abroad and rising. Soon may we hope to see our favored institution here restored to her former place.