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TheFreemason, SATURDAY , AUGUST 2 , 1873 .

The French Masons And The Persian Visitors.

THE FRENCH MASONS AND THE PERSIAN VISITORS .

Prom an elaborately printed brochure we learn the particulars of a Masonic Fete , given in Paris by the Lodge " La Clemente- Amitie" to some members of the Suite of the Shah of Persia who

belong to a Masonic lodge at Teheran , and who first saw the lis ; ht in a lodge under the jurisdiction of the Grand Orient of France . Of the three Persian Masons invited , only

two were able to accept the invitation , viz . :--Jiros . Miiza-Reiza-Klian , and Neriinan Khan both whom are generals , and aides-de-camp of His Majesty the Shah . Bro .

Mirza-Malcom-Khan , being seriously jndisposcd at the time of the meeting sent an apology by his countrymen . At eight o ' clock on the 161 I 1 of fuly the guests

of the lodge an ived at the gates of the Grand Temple , which was brilliantl y illuminated , and were cordially received by the brethren of the 1 , ' gx A little before nine o ' clock Bro . Cousin vacated

The French Masons And The Persian Visitors.

the chair , which was taken by the Senior Warden of the lodge , Bro . Vannier , Past Master , and descended into the Council Hall , to receive

the President of the Grand Orient and his officers , of whom a great number honoured the lodge with their presence on this occasion .

The guests of the evening arrived at about half-past nine , and were warmly received in the Council Hall . As soon as reciprocal presentations , and

exchange of compliments were made , the Worship ful Master resumed the chair of the lodge , and made known to the President his readiness to receive the distinguished visitors .

The President of the Grand Orient and his officers were marshalled with due solemnity to their places on the dais . The gavel was , as is

customary , offered to the President , who requested the Worshipful Master to retain it , and took his place at the right hand of the Worshipful Master .

The Persian brethren were then introduced with due ceremonial , and invitel to seats in the East .

Bro . Cousin , the Worshipful Master , then delivered an address which was listened to by all present with wrapt attention . He said , in effect : —

* ' M y dear Brethren , " In the name of the Freemasons of Paris , Lodge "La Clemente Amitie" salutes you . The lodge which you have honoured by your

visit has followed its ancient traditions in meeting for the purpose of welcoming you as the representatives of Masonry of the East . " Your place , my brethren , is naturally ranked

as the first among the pioneers of progress , these good and worthy Masons who have so cordially responded to our call . We know that you love France , our dear and unfortunate country : you

speak its language , you have been educated in its schools , and you have sought , under our Grand Orient , initiation i . ito the mysteries of Freemasonry . Possessed of the confidence of your

sovereign , who lias won the sympath y of European nations , absorbed by your official duties , overwhelmed with pleasure , perhaps somewhat fatiguing , you , nevertheless , spare an hour

to renew with us the ties of fraternity . Rest assured of your wJcome , brethren , in this assemblage of free men , friends of the virtuous whether rich or poor—in this masonic democracy

—dedicated to equality yet ever ready to honour the truly noble , and to recognise the superiority gained by services rendered to the country and the human race .

" It is not , my brethren , the distinguished titles which yon bear , which have attracted around you the elite of Parisian Masons ; it is your filial a flection for the Grand Orient of

Franceof which your presence hereto-night is a witness —your faithful attachment to Masonry , and your noble efforts for the propagation of our princi ples , which have conquered our hearts and merited

our approbation . " Permit me , brethren , to make a reflection , which I think is not out of place , and which , I

hope , will not wound the feelings of any Mason present . Thc respectful cordiality with which cur nation has received our royal guest , have drawn foitli the lemark , that in this loyal sym-

The French Masons And The Persian Visitors.

pathy with Nasser-Eddin , may be discovered a latent desire to return to the institution of the past . These , my brethren , are the interesting thoughts awakened , and which your intelligence

cannot have passed unobserved . Our poor Paris , so often calumniated , is not so frivolous as she is represented , and has learned a lesson out of her misfortunes .

" Without abandoning our honest conviction , without deserting the noble device which decorates our temple and shines on our monuments , we can , applaud the descendant of Xerxes , who

despite the prejudices of his nation , has crossed the sea , and braved its dangers , in order to witness the benefits of civilisation , and endeavour to benefit his people thereby .

"You , my brethren , are the intelligent promoters , the fellow-labourers of this noble enterprise , and that is why the lodge ' •' Clemente Amitie "

honours itself to day by placing your names upon those tablets , on which the most illustrious Masons of the two hemispheres have considered it an honour to be inscribed .

"Receive cordially these modest fraternal offerings from the good and faithful ' Sons of the Widow . '

" i May they often call to mind this evening , thc memory of which , traced on the brightest page of our ' Golden Book , " will never be effaced from our hearts . "

The prolonged , applause which greeted the oration of Bro . Cousin , was a proof that it reflected the sentiments of the brethren present . Bro . Neriman Khan desired a word , and in a

voice evidently affected with emotion , expressed to the assembly his deep gratitude for the reception with which he had been so profoundl y honoured .

Bro . Mirza-Reiz ? Khan , in a brief but graceful address , endorser the sentiments of his friend , and warmly returned thanks for the reception . The brethren were called from labour to refreshment . '

The Persian brethren were surrounded and warmly complimented . Their modest demeanour , the simplicity of their dress ( they had worn no decorations ) , their affability , their readiness to

answer the numerous interrogatories addressed to them , and the joy which beamed from their countenances , gained all hearts . At half-past eleven the W . M . announced the

departure of the guests , and conducted them to the gate of the Temple . On the way the visitors received unanimous expressions of sympathy and affection .

The W . M . was warmly complimented on thc happy occasion by the President of the Grand Orient , and acknowledged , on behalf of his lodge and himself , the compliments of the first Mason of France .

The brethren retired at midnight , filled with joy at ^ this happy pvent , which the distinguished assemblage o Masons had transformed from a modest reception to a brilliant solemnity , which

must have , impressed the Eastern brethren with an exalted idea of Parisian Masonry . An emergency lodge was held the next day for

the purpose of initiating Aga Reza , a member of the Suite of the Shah . Bro . Mirza-Al-Nazin acted as interpreter , as the candidate did not understand the French language ,