India.

at a previous meeting ) were regularly initiated into the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry . The following brethren ivere then appointed by the AV . M . . 13 office-bearers for the yeai 1 SG 5 : —Bros . A . Steers , S . AV , ; Dndabhoy Nusserwanjee , J . W . ; Hnnbury , S . D . ; Cowasjee Nusserwanjee , J . D . ; Nowrojee Byramjee , I . G . ; Ednljeo Jamsee , Tyler . No further business being before the lodge , it was closed in harmony at a quarter past nine , p . m .

ROYAL ARCH . CHAPTER'PEIISEYEEANCE ( No . 7 . 1 , S . C ) . —This chapter was opened on the 2 (> th Nov ., tho following being the officers : —• M . E . Comps . T . Carpenter , J-.. ; E . Freeborn , H .: Comps . G . Brooks , E . ; J . Jamieson , N .: T . Wood . Treas . ; G . L . F . Council , Prin . Soj . ; J . Gillon , 2 nd Soj . ; R . Farrow , Srd Soj .: J . Houghland , Janitor . The candidates for this degree were Bros . K . R . Cama , D . Ruttonjee Colah , Muncherjec Cowasjee Murzban , J .

Jchanghecr Liimnab , Hormusjee Festonjee Framjee , T . Davis , II . Prescott , J . Lockley , and '" . Ford . Alter going through the usual ceremony , M . E . Comp . J . Anderson delivered the address explaining the emblems in that remarkable lucid style of his with great imprcssivenes * , after which the chapter was formally closed with prayer . The companions then adjourned to the banqueting hall . After the constitutional toasts of the evening , M . E . Comp . T . Carpenterin a manner worthy of the occasion

, , remarked on the assistance afforded by M . E . Comp . Anderson to Chapter Perseverance , saying that had it not been for his willing co-operation , he felt sure the chapter would have been in abeyance long ago , and then expressed his thanks for the support accorded by him , and called upon tbe companions to drink to bis health . M . E . Comp . Anderson rose and replied , thanking the companions for the ready response to the call ofthe P . Z ., eulogised on the merits of the principal officers , and on the

honour conferred upon the native portion of tho companions in having admitted them into portals of Royal Arch Masonry ; stigmatised the prejudices which hitherto existed against the admittance of worthy and influential natives into tbe Order , and praised the companions of Chapter Perseverance for having overruled all tho objections adduced against them , saying that they had paved the way for tbe other chapters , and hoped that no further hindrance would be made to introducing such eminent

brethren into the ranks of tbe Royal Arch . He then said it gave him great pleasure in being an eye-witness to the evening's work , as it was tho opening of a new era iu Royal Arch Masonry , and complimented the companions and officers on their correct

working , and concluded by tendering them his heartfelt thanks . The next toast by the P . Z . was that of the newly-exalted companions . Comp . It . Prescott thanked the assembly for himself and the others for their admittance into the Order . Comp . K . It . Cama also rose and thanked the companions on behalf of the native members , saying that they did really consider it an honour in having been permitted to enter the R . A . degree , as hitherto they wore debarred , and said it was a remarkable fact

worthy of mention that the natives wero greatly indebted to both Lodge and Chapter Perseverance , as from the former sprang Lodge Rising Star , and no doubt from the other some future day would spring a chapter of their own . He said he quite concuired in all that had been said by Comp . Anderson , and then tendered bis warm thanks to the companions for the honour done to the native members in bavir . g diunk their health so enthusiastically . The next toast was that of the visiting companions

, which was responded to by Comp . Fowler , who remarked upon the cordial way he had been entertained by this Chapter , and upon the pride ha felt when ho was first bedecked with the R . A . jewel , as ho said it never afforded him greater pleasure as when that holy emblem was put- upon his left breast . He would always remember the occasion with great satisfaction , as he was proud to be numbered in its ranks . He said he WHS but a junior member of tho Order , hut that bad it not been for tbe

apathy and lukewarmness evinced by those be first mentioned bis intention to , and for which express purpose he obtained leave of absence some years back , bo would have been an older member of tbe Order ; that when he arrived at the Presidency , and in these very rooms , he felt sorry to say all his prospects were blasted , as those who promised to meet him were not forthcoming , and the result was that be was compelled to return from whence became a non-Royal Arch Mason ! He said h «

regretted it much , as had be then obtained tbe degree in all probability this day Lodge St . Paul's would have been able to boast of a Chapter to her name , and no doubt a list of worthy and eminent Companions . He concluded by again thanking

India.

the Companions for their cordial welcome to him . The final constitutional toast was then proposed , and the assembly broke up . CiiAi'TEit KEXSTOXI . ( So . to 1 , E . G . ) . —A regular meeting of this chapter was held at the Freemasons' Hall , near Raboola Tank-, on tbe 14-th of November . Present : —M . E . Comp . J . Anderson , Z . ; YAl . Comps . A . King , II . ; J . J .. Farnham , J . ; Ex . Comps . A . dimming , Scribe E . ; C . E . Mitchell , JST . ; Comps .

11 . Donaldson , Offg . P . Soj . ; C . E . Burden , Offg . 1 st Assist . Soj . ; S . Trenn , Offg . 2 nd Assist . Soj . ; W . G . King , Janitor ; T . ' llilton , T . 'Wood . P . C . Higgins , H . II . Avron , II . T . Sinks , R . Newton . The visitors were M . E . Comps . J . H . Irvine , P . P . Z ., and T . Carpenter , P . Z ., Chapter Perseverance . The Principals having entered the chapter and opened it in due form , the remaining companions were admitted , and the chapter declared open for the transaction of business . The

summons convening . the meeting was then read . Comp . T . AVood , of Chapter Perseverance ( No . 71 ) . was admitted a joining member by acclamation . The following brethren having been duly proposed , seconded , and balloted for , were exalted to the Holy Royal Arch Degree in duo and ancient form , viz . —Bros . Forrest Loudon Brown , of Lodge St . George ; 11 . C . Stovin , of Lodge Truth : and G . Fowler , of Lodge St . Paul's , Mhow . The following brethren were balloted ' forand the result was clear

, , viz . — -Bros . Small , of Lodge Concord ; W . Gilbert , Charles Clifton , and J . Wright , of Lodge Truth . Au allowance of IS rupees per month , to bo continued for twelve months , was unanimously voted to the widow of the late Comp . J . Roddle , Janitor to the chapter . There being no further business before the chapter , it was closed in due form at 8 . 40 p . m .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . T . J . BIRD SE YE . Wc regret to have to record the death of Bro . T . J . Birclscye , P . M . and Treasurer Northern Lodge of China ( No . -570 ) , Shanghai , Avhioh took place on the 1 st January . Tho deceased Avas admitted into Masonry on the llth May , 1850 , passed ou tho 7 th February , 1852 , and received the third degree on the 3 rd March of tho same

year . His services to the Craft in Shanghai were arduous and protracted ; in 1852-3 he held the office of Secretary ; in 1856 , that of Senior Deacon ; in 1857-8 that of Senior Warden ; and in 1859 was installed W . M . of the Northern Lodge of China ; Avhilst from I 860 to tho period of his decease he worthily discharged the laborious and responsible duties of Treasurer—functions

he so conscientiously performed as to lead the brethren of his lodge to vote him a P . M . ' s jewel in token of their high appreciation of his worth and integrity . Bro . Bii-dseyo was exalted in the Zion Chapter ( iSTo . 570 ) on tho 8 th . February , 1862 , and had served tho office of 2 nd Principal . In this lamented brother Shanghai has lost one of its oldest residentsand the mournful cortege

, which followed his mortal remains to the place of burial attested , by the large number of sorrowing friends , the feeling of respect and regard entertained for him by a very considerable section of the community . Bro . Birdseye had entered upon his 4-8 th year .

Railway Passengers' Assurance Company.

RAIL AVAY PASSENGERS' ASSURANCE COMPANY .

Ou Wednesday , the 31 st half-yearly meeting was held at the offices of the company , in Cornhill ; Mr . JAMES CLAY , M . P ., in the chair . After the Secretary had read the report ( which will be found in our advertising columns ) , The CitATi _ . Ai - . r rose and said , bo had but little to add to Willit was stated in the report , except to congratulate the proprietors upon tbe steady progress tbe company was making . It

was true the present report was not so favourable as some previous ones . The profits were not so large as the directors had hoped , but that was accounted for by the extraordinary number of fatal accidents , viz ., 26 in the half-year , the average claims in respect to which amounted to £ 13 , 600 . This