The Presiding Genius At A Banquet.

for the reception of all that is said and done for the benefit of Freemasonry and the healthful pleasure of all the participants . The proper genius , therefore , does not preside at a banquet unless the brethren or companions sit down to enjoy it at a timely , early hour in the evening . The presiding genius , in the person of a Master who is Master , being present , he must see to it that the entertainment is general and common ,

that it is not confined to a section here and a section there , but is universal around the tables . To secure this he must have arranged some general programme in advance , he must have selected , in his mind at least , and better still by communicating somewhat in advance with the brethren themselves , those upon whom he will call to contribute to the pleasures of the intellectual feast .

Of course the waiters must be sent out of the room , of course order must be maintained , of course there must be a Master who is the director of whatever occurs , and who selects all of those who share in entertaining the brethren . Never should the entire table , nor any one present at it , be permitted to run the feast . Only the Master can properly govern it , and make its enjoyment what Masonry intended it should be .

It is a good rule never to call upon any one out of mere compliment whom you know cannot satisfy either himself or others . It is another good rule to call upon visiting brethren of ability , because their voices will be new to the company , and on that account alone will attract attention . Besides it is a proper courtesy , which is always appreciated .

At a Masonic banquet every brother should be ready and willing to do his best to contribute to the general entertainment . He should be gratifying himself while he is gratifying others . He should have some good contribution ready , in case he is called upon . He should study to p lease . His brethren and himself are one , and all should be ready to throw something into the common fund for the common benefit .

If every brother , from the Master down , were faithful in following these suggestions , the presiding genius and many other geniuses , would always be present at a Masonic banquet , and there would be no hairs mixed with the food . —The Keystone .

Annual Excursion Of The Ancient Brazen Lodge, No. 17, Linlithgow.

ANNUAL EXCURSION OF THE ANCIENT BRAZEN LODGE , No . 17 , LINLITHGOW .

The annual excursion in connection with the above lodge took place on VVednesday , the 31 st ult ., Dollar being this year selected as the destination . A company of about 50 brethren and friends left Linlithgow by coach at half-past seven in the morning . The route taken was vift Airth and South Alloa , and the weather being of the most favourable description , the drive was much enjoyed . Dollar was reached about mid-day , and on arrival the party set about enjoying

themselves in various ways . An excellent dinner was partaken of in the Castle Campbell Hotel . Thereafter Castle Campbell was visited by most of the party , and the beautiful walks through the glen traversed . Other places of interest in thc neighbourhood of Dollar were also visited . Through the kindness of the executive of the local bowling club permission was given to the party to make use of the green . As the company included a number of prominent bowlers , the

kind permission was largely taken advantage of , and some enjoyable friendly games were played . Before leaving the bowling-green the whole party were arranged in a group and photographed . On the whole the day's outing proved a most enjoyable one . Having partaken of tea in the Castle Campbell Hotel , a start was made for home shortly after six o'clock . The drive home was a lengthy one , but despite this , Linlithgow was reached with all the members of the party in excellent spirits .

Bro. James Browne, Vice-President Of The Bengal Masonic Association.

BRO . JAMES BROWNE , VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE BENGAL MASONIC ASSOCIATION .

In this number we have the pleasure to present our readers with an excellent portrait of one of the best known and hardest working Masons in the District of Bengal , Bro . James Woodfall Browne , who , among his particular friends , is hailed as "Jim" Browne . After a busy Masonic career of 41 years , he still holds many appointments , and is also the active and popular Secretary

of True Friendship ( his mother lodge ) , to which he was appointed in 1 S 80 . The writer of this sketch has carefully watched his career , and it is not too much to say ( indeed , we have the District Grand Master ' s eloquent confirmation of the fact ) that by a 30 years' conscientious and faithful working , combined with a persistent and exemplary advocicy of

the beauty and usefulness of at least two degrees , he has been mainly instrumental in saving the Knight Templars and Rose Croix from falling into abeyance . Those who are conversant with the highly elaborate and interesting rituals of these degrees will fully understand what a loss Masonry would have sustained but for the efforts of Bro . Browne . But we must

not go apace ! Bro . Browne arrived in India on the 16 th June , 1851 , and three years after was initiated in True Friendship , then No . 256 . To be correct , this happened on the 28 th March , 1854 . After ascending the usual stepping stones , we find him Master in i 860 . He was a genial , able and successful ruler , and such was the confidence placed in him by the

members that he was , after a prolonged residence out of India , again in 1 H 70 elected to the chair . In appreciation of his labour in his mother lod ge as Master , he was presented with a magnificent tea and coffee set , and later on , for his equally valuable work as Secretary , he received 3 Past Master ' s jewel and address .

At this time True Friendship was probably , though not quite the oldest , the leading Iodge in the District , botn for numerical strength of members , and a succession of popular Masters . The banquets were always largely attended , and the harmony and good fellowship of visitors and members Well sustained .

However , Bro . Browne ' s labours have by no means been limited to Private lodges ; he is a cosmopolitan , indeed , and all branches claim his sympathy , and none more so than our most deserving local Charity—the Bengal Masonic Association—in whose interests he has worked unremitungl y for 21 years . Asa Committee-man , a Vice-President , Auditor—he

Bro. James Browne, Vice-President Of The Bengal Masonic Association.

worked diligently enough , but what shall we say of the brother who , through his own individual efforts , has succeeded in contributing some Rs 14 DUD to the fund of this Charity ! Many may cavil at the means adopted , but wc opine that there can be only one opinion as to the unselfish character of these efforts of our estimable brother , and who is quite prepared to meet objectors with the good old motto that " Charity covers a multitude of sins . "

The assiduity evinced by Bro . Browne in all ollices held by him is shown by the length of time he has occupied several of them . For example , he has been 17 years Treasurer of Royal Arch Chapter Hope , Registrar and Treasurer in Sepulchre Knights Templar 14 years ; Auditor of District Grand Lodge accounts 14 years ; . % Registrar and Treasurer Provincial Grand Priory 15 years ; and 20 years as Recorder

and Treasurer of Sandeman Rose Croix Chapter . This is a line record . Our brother ' s love for the Craft is unbounded , and increasing * years have apparently only increased his desire for further knowledge and research , the acme of which will perhaps have been reached when he attains the dignity of the 30 . A reference to this was made in our last number , in which will be found full particulars concerning the reasons for this great

honour being conferred upon our veteran brother . Apropos of these remarks , it may be mentioned that official intimation reached Calcutta by the last mail that Bro . Browne had been advanced to the 30 th Degree , and that this intelligence was accompanied bv the hearty congratulations of the superiors on the event . Long may he live to enjoy his Masonic honours .

The following is a list , of some of the principal offices Bro . Browne Iras held : Steward of the Prov . Grand Lodge ; P . J . GVV . in 1 S 64 ; P . S . G . W . in 1 SS 1 ; P . Z . R . A . Chapter Hope ; D . G . Reg ., S . N . and P . J . in District G . Chapter ; twice Master of Capestone Mark Lodge ; Preceptor of Royal Kent , K . T . ; and G . Chancellor of the Prov . Priorv .

He also took the English Degree of S . E . attached to True Friendship , and the old Degree of "Ark and Mark , " but these Degrees are now abolished .

IniSSi , at the suggestion of Bro . Browne , a Fund of Benevolence was established in Hope , and is still working well in connection with this chapter . Promotion has been slow with our worthy brother , who was Junior Grand Warden in 1 S 64 and 17 years afterwards promoted to Senior , where he now remains . Nevertheless his zeal for Masonry is unflagging , as the writer knows . He is now hard at work for his favourite

object—Charity—in increasing the funds of the Bengal Masonic Association , actively preparing Returns for five Masonic bodies , making up thc accounts of six Treasurerships , auditing two sets of Masonic books , and quite ready during the week to give Degrees in Blue and Royal Arch Masonry . With his long experience in the Craft , and knowing all the difficulties that our distinguished District Grand Master has to contend with in making his selection of the Superior Ollicers , we know our worth y brother is too good a

Mason to cavil at juniors being placed over his head , and there is no brother who is a stauncher supporter of Masonic authority than Bro . Jamas W . Browne ; and although the last appointments inly have surprised some brethren , doubtless the District Grand Mister had good and sufficient reasons for making them and acting on the basis of his own motto Ride si sapis , Bro . Browne would work just as cheerfully whether appointed District Grand Master or District Grand Tyler .

A sketch of our Masonic friend would perhaps be incomplete without a reference to his efforts in the fine arts , especially in connection with Masonry . By the elaborate designs which he has furnished for the decoration of the Rose Croix , Templar , and Royal Arch Degrees , he 1 ms considerably added to the perfection of the working of these beautiful Orders , and has earned quite a reputation for the illumination of Masonic addresses . Especiall y

did his talent shine forth in the one presented to the Queen-Empress on the occasion of the Jubilee . He has executed similar work for several District Grand Masters and distinguished Past Masters in the Craft , all showing that taste , skill , and ingenuity in design for which he is quite famous . His last effort in this direction was the address presented to Bro . Martyn-Wells when the recipient tendered his warmest thanks to Bro . Browne for thc time and labour he had expendeel on the address , which was certainly one of the

most beautiful he had ever seen . Although Bro . Browne has passed three points round 60 , he may be said to be quite gay in spirit , and is , considering the visitations of his old enemy , wonderfully cheery and active , and ready at any time to assist in working any Degree he may be called upon to give . This perfect knowledge of all the treasured landmarks of the Craft , his ability in wielding the Hiram , and his unique intimacy with the intricacies and mysteries of the Higher Degrees , mark him out as one of the most successful , enlightened , and able Masons of the day . —Indian Freemason .

HURE . —Said to be an English hotel-keeper , at whose house , in 1725 , in thc Rue des Boucheries , the first assemblies of the Freemasons in Paris werc held but , as we have before said , the early history of Freemasonry in Paris is involved in much obscurity , and the " textus receptus " ot the French Masonic annals will have , we think , to be yet much altered . We do not at nil feel satislicd with tinevidence as regards Lord Denventwater and Lord Harnouester or tlie French account generally of the early state of Freemasonry at Paris . Bro . W . 1 .

Hughan , in his indefatigable industry , has disentombed from the dusty p : > gos of the " St . James ' s livening Post , " where they have long lain unnoticed and unknown , because forgotten , the following passages which throw quite a new light on the French Masonic chronicles . . " St . James ' s Evening Post , " September 7 , 1734 . — "We hear from Paris that a Lodgeof Free and Accepted Masons was lately held there at her Grace the Duchess of Portsmouth ' s house , where his Grace the Duke of Richmond , assisted by another Englishman of distinction

there , President Montesquieu , Brigadier Churchill , Ed . \ ovingc , Esq ., Registrar of the most honourable Order of the Bath , and Walter Strickland , Esq ., admitted several persons of distinction into that most ancient and honourable society . " September 20 , 1735 . — "They write from Paris that his Grace the Duko of Rich . mond and Dr . Desaguliers , formerly Grand Master of the ancient and honourable Society of Free and Accepted Alasons , and now authorised by the Grand Master ( under his hand and seal and the seal of the Order ) , having called a Ludge at the

Hotel Bussy in the Rue Bussy , his Excellency the Earl of Waldegrave , her Majesty ' s Ambassador to the French King ; the Right Hon . the " President Montesquieu , the Marquis de Lomurcn , Lord Durslcy , son to the Earl of Ucikley ; the Hon . Mr . Fit / . Williams , Messieurs Knight , father and son ; Dr . Ilickin . in , and several other persons , both French and English , were pre : ent ; and the

following noblemen and gentlemen were admitted to the Order : namely , his Graothe Duke of Kingston , the Hon . the Count de St . Florentin , Secretary of State to his most Christian Majesty ; the Ri ght Hon . the Lord Chewton , son to Lord Waldegrave ; Mr . Pelham , Mr . Armiger , Mr . Colton , and Mr . Clement ; lifter which the new Brethren gave a handsome entertainment to all the Company . ' All this is quite new to Masonic students . —Kenning's Cyclohxdia of Freemason ry