Untitled Article

and the day was spent with that conviviality and harmony which ever distinguishes Freemasons . Granly Lodge ( No . 146 ) . —The Brethren met on Thursday , October 4 ; Bro . W . Tiplady , W . M . There were two initiations , and Bro . the Rev . John Kingston was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason . The Brethren having adjourned to refreshment , after the usual toasts had been drunk , Bro . Kingston , whose health was proposed , in returning thanks adverted to the close connection which subsisted between Christianity and Masonry ; and in proposing the health

of Bro . Story ( Mayor of Durham ) , said , that having before alluded to the religion of Masonry , he would now say a few words as to the loyalty of Masonry . Who could entertain a , doubt on this point , when he saw the chie f magistrate of this ancient city laying aside the insignia of office , putting on the apron , and joining as a Brother amongst us ? Will the world without ever be brought to acknowledge the erroneousness o f the ideas which it entertains with regard to our glorious Craft ? Bro . Story having responded in eloquent terms , the f arewell toast was given , and the Brethren separated with every feeling of f raternal regard and esteem .

ESSEX . Booking .- — -North Essex Lodge ( No . 817 ) . —The Brethren assembled on the usual day of meeting , Monday , the 23 rd o f October , when the W . M . Bro , James Rolfe raised Bro . G . C . H . Rolfe to the Third Degree .

LANCASHIRE . Blackburn . —Lodge of Fidelity ( No . 366 ) . —The regular meeting of this Lodge was held at the Angel Inn , on Friday evening , the 28 th o f September ; the W . M ., Bro . D . Thwaites , jun ., presiding , assisted by Bros . Whewell , S . W ., and Yates , J . W . There was an average attendance of Brethren , among whom was Bro . Pearson , No . 432 ( a very worthy and esteemed old member of the Craft ) .

After the usual business had been transacted , a gentleman was proposed as a candidate . During the evening the W . M . announced that the Lodge of Benevolence had relieved Bro . Thomas Forrest , late Tyler to this Lodge ( who is afflicted with paralysis ) , with the sum of £ 5 . The Brethren adjourned , and passed the rest of a most agreeable meeting , enlivened by the harmony of Bros . Whewell , Stocks , Eaves , and others .

Lodge of Perseverance ( No . 432 ) . —This Lodge held its usual monthly meeting on Monday , the 1 st of October , at the Old Bull Inn ; Bro . Charles Boardman , W . M ., presided , assisted by Bros . Backhouse and W . Harrison . After the business of the Lodge had been duly attended to , the Brethren were called off , and partook of an excellent supper , served up in the worthy Bro . Sansom ' s usual splendid style , and afterwards returned to labour ; but we regret to say the installation of the W . M . was obliged to be again deferred , in consequence of the P . M . being indisposed .

LEICESTERSHIRE . Leicester . —John of Gaunt Lodge ( No . 766 ) . —The festival of this Lodge was celebrated on the 18 th of September , Bro . W . Beaumont Smith was duly installed W . M ., hy Bro . Kelly , the S . P . M . ; after which he appointed and invested

his officers , —Eros . W . Willican and George Bankart being the Wardens , and Bro . S . S . Stallard , Secretary . A justly-merited and unanimous vote of thanks was presented to Bro . E . Goodyer , on his vacating the chair ; through whose Masonic ability , and unwearied exertions as W , M ., during the past year , the Lodge has greatly progressed , both in numbers and efficiency , and is now in a highly prosperous state .

Freemasonry in India . —The following interesting letter from a gallant officer , who was some years since initiated in the John of Gaunt Lodge , has recently been received by the Senior Past Master , and was communicated to the Brethren : — ct Thayctniyo { Burmail ) , 1 st Jicne , 1855 . " Dear Brother Kelly , —Even at this , to you , unheard of place , the headquarters of the Erontier Brigade , in our new territories acquired in Burinah , I