India.

once seen , not easily forgotten . About- 9 o'clock , the band of H . M . 46 th Regiment struck up the " Merry Masons , " and soon after the dancing commenced , which was continued with spirit until New Year ' s Day was announced , when the W . M ., assisted by the stewards and brethren , led tho ladies ancl guests to the supper table . Then commenced such a tune with knives and forks , drawing of corks , compliments of tbe season , & c , which showed that all were employed in looking after the creature

comforts so necessary on such occasions . The gavel at length was put in requisition , and the assembly called to order . The AV . M . proposed "The Queen and the Craft , " with an observation that no body of men were more loyal than Freemasons were to her Majesty , who was the daughter of a Mason and the niece of several Masons , and that he had every reason to believe that we shall soon see some of her children made Masons . After one or two other toaststhe Steward the final

, gave toast , "All poor and Distressed Masons ; " after which the dancing again commenced with renewed vigour , and was continued till about four a . m ., when the ladies and brethren , tired out Fby the continued dancing and merriment , became scarcer and scarcer , and as the " continued dropping of water wears away a stone , " so the continued dropping off of the fair and their gallant partners soon left the ball-room tenantlessancl

, by half-past four the last of the gay people had fled to seek that peace and refreshment only to be obtained in India—under the mosquito curtains . The whole was , as is usual with the Brethren of Harmony , a most successful party , and reflects the greatest credit on all tbe brethren entrusted with the management of the Masons' ball at Cawnpore .

LAHORE . ST . JOHN ' S DAY . —The lodge was opened at sunrise . Mr . W . Wilson initiated ; after which Bro . Hall made over the Hiram to Bro . Boddam , who appointed his officers as follows : — Bros . T . Jones , S . W . ; J . Field , J . AV . ; AV . F . Sheehan , S . D . ; A . Stewart , J . D . ; and H . H . Birch , I . G . St . John's Box passed round for the contribusions of the members , j ' jodge called off from labour to refreshment . The brethren assembled

again at 10-45 , and marched , in Craft costume , to divine service at the Anarkulle church , where an excellent sermon was preached by the Rev . J . E . Hadow . At the conclusion of the service , the usual donation of 100 rupees was made to the station poor box . Labour was resumed at sun-down , when the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to a banquet . W . M . AVelby Wroughton Boddam presided , with the P . M .

AVilliam Ball , on his right . After the cloth -was removed , the first toast of obligation was proposed by the AA . M ., "The Queen and the Craft . " It was received with enthusiasm , and the usual Masonic honours . The second and third toasts were also proposed by the W . M ., " The Right AVorshipful Grand Master , the Earl of Zetland , and all officers of the Grand Lodge of England , " and " The Provincial Grand Master of Bengal and all officers of the Grand Lodge , not forgetting AV . Bro . Sandeman , tbe founder and first Master of Lodge Hope and Perseverance ; and retirinsr Master Brother Ball . " The fourth toast of " The

Army , " was proposed by Bro . T . H . Thornton . He observed that the society of Freemasons was a society whose . objects were essentially of a peaceful kind , —development of charity and brotherly love . At the same time , Freemasons , like other sensible people , are of opinion that the best security for the maintenance of peace ancl the development of peaceful arts , was the maintenance of a well-disciplined army . They therefore hailed with perfect satisfaction the presence of so many military

brethren , and they felt proud in numbering amongst them so distinguished an officer as Major-General Cunynghamo ; with his name , therefore , he begged to couple the toast . W . Bro . Cunynghame returned thanks as follows : —Gentlemen and Brother Masons , —I cannot pretend to such eloquence , in returning thanks for the honour yon have done to the noble profession to which I belong and myself , as the brother who has

proposed it ; but I desire to thank you as a soldier . From the moment that I took command of this division , I have received at the hands of the residents of Lahore nothing but kindness and attention ; this gives me sincere pleasure , claiming as I do the anxious desire that tbe civil branches of tiie community and tbe military should be united in the closest bonds of friendship ; this has been my study , and most zealously has this been

seconded by you all . AVhen 1 look around me and reflect that scarce fifteen years has this noble province been annexed to the empire , gained by the valour of our soldiers , administered by the talei . ts and wisdom of our civil management ; when I

reflect upon the advances made in this province during this time , and traversing each separate portion of the divisions of this country as I do on my inspection , and observing contentment and prosperity on all sides , it assures me that the guiding hand possesses no mean genius , and that his example is not carelessly followed or his precepts unattemded to—it makes me , moreover , reflect upon the justice and good management of your rule , as deeply as you have been pleased to allude to the valour

of our arms . And now , gentlemen and brothers , when I look around me and see so many who , although civilians , yet , in the hour of danger , ready at the call of our country , nobly took a military position , and so worthily sustained their adopted military character—when I reflect that this province was saved from the disasters of the rest of India , even it" it did not by its noble example become the saviour of this noble empire' itself , I feel proudindeedthat I now stand in the position of so high a

, , command in this province . But there are many no doubt here present enrolled in the honourable band of volunteers , who are the truest emblems for the security of the peace so justly extolled by the eloquent proposer of this toast—those who have voluntarily bestowed their services , not for aggression but purely for defence , to secure the integrity of their hearths and houses . Perhaps there is not one movement which has gained us so high a name in the annals of our history as the volunteer

movement . After the long and glorious wars of our ancestors , we sought an honourable repose ancl showed a disinclination for the horrors of war ; this was mistaken , in too many instances by our foreign neighbours , for a servile disposition , an unwarlike degeneracy . But when danger appeared to advance , the country , like one man , arose , and unlike the hireling bands of a despotic monarch , England showed that she could produce tens of thousands of voluntary soldiers . That movement has been

worthily followed in this country , and in none more successfully than in the Punjab , the head and directing authority taking a real interest in all that conduces to the welfare of the province , and bestowing his paternal care and encouragement ; and worthily has he been responded to . For my part , as I told you at first , it is my desire to assist you by every means in my power ; and now that I have been honoured by the intimation that in a few days hence his honour the Lieut .-Governor will

attend my Christmas review , I trust that I shall receive the volunteers of this province , not only to witness tho manoeuvre , but to take a part in them . Brothers , one other distinguishing feature in this province I beg to allude to . On the other side of the globe , in the New World , a horrible fratricidal war is raging . Now that we are enjoying the festivities of this hospitable board , it is indeed dreadful to think that , by this unnatural war , many of our ill-fated brothers are pressed by

want at home . It is then pleasurable to think of the exertions which have been made in this province for their relief , —exertions , however , which should be more unremitting in their energy . Gentlemen and brothers , allow me to thank you collectively and individually for the honour you have done us . Collectively for my profession ; it is our duty and our pleasure at all times to cultivate each bond of union with our civil brothers , feeling assured that this is the true key-stone of our military success .

Individually , for the kindly feelings that I have met with from each and every branch of this community , so eminently endowed with loyal and true British feelings . And while we are sitting round this handsomely furnished board , one thought of our native isle still struggling , at this festive period , in our minds , bringing thus practically before us the generous festivity which so many that are dear to us are now enjoying in our much loved distant landlet me remark how truly satisfactory it is to

, reflect that , wherever we are , and whatever strange and distant lands we inhabit , but one feeling animates us , —that feeling of honour for our Queen and country . Gentlemen and brethren , accept at my hands my expressions of gratitude in the name of my brother officers and myself , for the honour you have done us . The AA . M . next proposed the health of P . M . Ball . The toast was received with acclamation , which was renewed after the

accomplished Craftsman had addressed the brethren in reply . The seventh toast was proposed by Bro . C . M'W . Mercer , who said : —Gentlemen , it has fallen to my lot to propose one of the toasts this evening , which fortunately requires no preface , but carries its own recommendation with it . I cannot pretend to the eloquence of Mr . Thornton , or of Major-General Cunynghame ; and the prominent position given by the latter to the glorious deeds performed by members of the Civil Service during the disturbances of 57-58 , cuts from under my feet that nart of my subject which , in proposing the health os