India.

I / indstedt , Sec . ; Messrs . Manners and Rosamond , & c . M . C . Ross , having been accepted by ballot , was initiated by the AV . M . ; Bro . Moseley was passed to the second degree by the AV . M . ; and Bro . Galbraith was raised to the M . M . degree by the Hon . Past Master , Bro . Brown . Bro . AV . H . Abbott , AV . M ., of Lodge Excelsior , was elected a joining member by acclamation ; Bros . Simpson and Baker were elected joining members .

At a regular meeting , convened on the 4 th February : present at the opening of the lodge—Bros . Capt . Fenwick , AV . M . ; Bick , S . W . ; Pritchard , J . W . ; Dr . Frank Powell , Treas . ; Rev . Dr . Lindstedt , See . ; Manners , S . D . ; Short , J . D . ; Hon . Capt . James Hay Fraser , I . G . ; besides members and visitors . It had been noted in the summons , that the R . AV . Prov . G . M . would pay an official visit to the lodge . After the lodge had been duly openeda deputation waited on the Prov . G . M . aud preceded

, , him into the lodge . The- Prov . G . M . was attended by Bro . Henry Howe , P . D . Prov . G . M ., and Bro . John William Brown , Prov . J . G . W . The W . M . received the Prov . G . M . in tbe centre of the lodge , and surrendered the H . to him . The Prov . G . M ., in returning the H . to the AV . M ., observed that he was much pleased with the appearance of the lodge room and the completeness of its arrangements , and that he desired to witness the performance of the work before the lodge . The Prov . G . M . having

been conducted to his chair , at the right hand of the W . M ., on a call from the E ., the congregated brethren saluted the Prov . G . M . with the R . S . The salute was returned by the Prov . G . M . Bro . Ross was passed to the second degree . Before the lodge was closed , the W . M . directed the Secretary to place on record an expression of the pleasure which he and the lodge had experienced from the visit of the Prov . G . M ., and of a hope that the lodge mihtduring the yearhave the happiness of a visit

g , , from the brother in his non-official character . The Prov . G . M . stated that , before the lodge was opened , he had examined the books of the lodge , and was satisfied with the excellent manner in which they were kept . He had not considered it necessary , however , to look into the books of the treasurer .

BENGAL . THE PKOVIS-CIAI , GEAND MASTER ' S BANQUET . The officers of the District Grand Lodge of Bengal and the Masters of lodges were entertained at dinner on Friday , the 30 th January , by the Prov . G . M ., R . AV . Bro . Sandeman , at his residence . No . 25 , Theatre-road . Each guest , on entering , after clothing himself in the anteroom , where the Grand Tyler had been stationed , proceeded to

the drawing-room upstairs , where the worthy host and hostess ( the latter wearing a Royal Arch sash ) were waiting to receive the company . AVe were formally introduced to " Miss Sandeman , " an interesting young lady of the mature age of two years ( we assure the brethren confidentially that that is really her age ) , who , as she sat beside her mamma , most graciously extended her little hand to those presented to her . AVhen all had been assembled , the Prov . G . M . and his officers ,

with the sisters who were present , went down to the dining room in regular order of precedence . The tables were arranged in the shape of the letter T , and were tastefully decorated . AVhen the courses had all been exhausted , and our " Aryan brethren " ( the kidmutgars ) had left the room , the Prov . G . M . intimated that it was his wish to propose two or three toasts . He accordingly , after drinking to the health of the Queen , asked the brethren , in a speech overflowing with humour , to respond

to the toast of the sisters . A voice from behind the shelter of a huge bouquet ventured to nominate Bro . Dr . John Smith , Master of Lodge Industry and Perseverance , as a fit and proper person to undertake the pleasing duty . Bro . Smith protested that he he did not possess all the qualifications mentioned by the Prov . G . M . ; for although he was most probably the oldest bachelor in the room , he was , begging the pardon of the ladies , by no means a miserable bachelor . However , whether fully

qualified or only partially so , it was an honour to be selected for such a duty ; and he therefore , in a neat speech , delivered in his native Doric , returned thanks for the sisters , whose presence lent a lustre to the occasion . The audible satisfaction with which the last toast was received had scarcely glided into the low murmur of conversation , when Bro . Howe , P . D . Prov . G . M ., having contrived to secure the Hiram , requested the brethren to join him in drinking the health of the Prov . G . M . and Mrs . Sandeman . AA e need scarcely say that this proposal was received with a hearty demonstration , which , if the brethren had beea in their own hall , unrestrained

by the presence of that sex for whom Masons cherish the deepest feelings of respect , might have risen to a storm of enthusiasm . AVe do not mean to compliment the Prov . G . M . when we say this . It must be borne in mind that his name had been associated with that of Mrs . Sandeman , and it is to that circumstance chiefly that we refer the feelings evoked by the toast . The Prov . G . M ., without manifesting the least spark of envy , but , on the contrary , with much good humour , rose and returned

cordial thanks . Although he declared that it was his wish to avoid a preamble , and to come straight to the point , be somehow got into a perfect labyrinth of preambles , through the convolutions and circumvolutions of which we watched him without r the slightest feeling of nervousness , as he went through them with a facility peculiar to him . After the ladies , headed by the hostess , had deserted the roomthe brethren did not linger long over their champagne

, and dessert ; but , jireriously to rejoining them , the Provincial Grand Master took the opportunity to acknowledge the aid rendered to him by the more immediate supporters of his Hiram , by proposing the health of Bros . Clark ( Dep . Prov . G . M . ) , Howe , Anderson , Roberts , Jennings , John W . Brown , and AV . Hoif ; and in order that he might not be in a state of single blessedness in drinking to the toast , he begged the rest of the members of the District Grand Lodge to keep him in

countenance by rising with him . After the Dep . Prov . G . M . had returned thanks on behalf of himself and the others named by the Prov . G . M ., the brethren proceeded upstairs to the drawing room , where the evening concluded pleasantly with singing and piano playing . If royalty itself had honoured the Prov . G . M . with a visit , we feel sure he could not have been more delighted than he was while performing the duties of a hospitable Amphytrion to his

Masonic guests . He seemed to be moving in an atmosphere of joy ! But what we particularly noticed with pleasure was , the perfect sympathy of one near and dear to him in his Masonic aims , ambitions , and pursuits . The delight which a man takes in Masonry is greatly enhanced when there is not only an entente cordials between him and his wife on the subject , but she becomes such a fast ally that she cordially aids him in carrying out Iiis plans , and when the man so situated is the head of the Craft , his "better half" is entitled to a proportionate share of our respectful homage ancl gratitude 1

CAAVNPORF ,. LODGE HAinroxT ( No . 641 ) . —This lodge was in abeyance for a considerable time , until the arrival amongst us of a real " Craftsman " in August 1861 , who set to work in good earnest —gathered the few remaining together—raised funds— -sent up a petition duly signed by the perfect number , —and , in the month of March , 1862 , we were a lodge , just , perfect , and regular , working away with a zeal and perseverance which ,

would surprise you , with Bro . E . Mackintosh at the helm Bros . F . J . Jordan , S . AV . ; S . Allen , J . W . ; J . Thomas , S . D . C . R . Brooks , J . D . ; G . Blake . Sec ; P . Griffiths , I . G . ; H " Abbey , Tyler . Since then 22 . gentlemen have been initiated ; 22 passed ; 17 raised ; ancl 9 have joined the lodge . The new Masonic year has been commenced more favourably than the old , with Bro . F . J . Jordan at the helm . The officers for the present year installed bBro . F . J . JordanW . M . on St .

y , , John's Day last , are : Bros . Captain S . Allen , S . AV . ; Lieut . B . Edmunds , J . W . ; C . Speke , S . D . ; G . Blake , J . D . ; R . Little Sec , ; Ensigns R . Morrow , I . G . ; H . Abbey , Tyler ; Dr . G . M . Fagan and Ensign P . Clark , Stewards , with 23 other brethren belonging to the lodge—in all 33 Sons of Lights . The lodge met on AVedncsday , January 7 th . The minutes of the previous meeting liaving been read and unanimously confirmed , two gentlemen , Messrs . Patterson and Thorn , were introduced in due

form and received the first step- in Freemasonry , the whole of the ceremonies being perfectly rendered by the W . M ., who was ably assisted by the officers , The brethren of the lodge gave a grand ball and supper on 31 st December . The gathering of the brethren was numerous ; the W . M ., officers , and brethren appeared in full Masonic costume , with any number of jewels , & c . ; there were a great number of military guests also present , whose briht uniforms added much to the scene ; butabove allthe

g , , splendid forms of the many fair ladies who graced the assembly , attracted the attention of the spectator , whether Craftsman , or Cowan , and made all forget for the time , the realities of the outer world . The ball-room was most tastefully fitted up with banners , flags , and ornaments belonging to Masonry , and the whole presented a scene not often met with in India , and when