India.

It was proposed by W . Bro . AV . H . Abbott , and seconded by W . Bro . J Conway and carried unanimously that the foregoing report be adopted . The following report of tbe Grand Committee of the Bengal Masonic Fund of Benevolence was read for the information of the District G . Lodge : —

MASONIC FUND oi ? BESETOI - BNCE . —REPOBT OU GRAND COMMITTEE EOE 2 ND QUARTER , 1869 . During the quarter , one of our old pensioners , who has been in receipt of an allowance of Es . 20 per mensem for sixteen years , died . An application was made for the continuance of the grant to her son , who , although a young man , is incapacitated for all active employment by fits of amepileptic character . The

committee considered him a proper object to receive assistance from the fund , and accordingly granted the request . This is the only new case . There are ' now on tbe fund — 7 AVidows drawing each Rs . 20 a month ; 1 Poor Brother , Rs 20 a month ; 1 Lewis , Es . 20 a month .

Oi tb , esu two widows reside up-country , the remainder in Calcutta . One case has been referred to the full committee with a view to obtain a larger grant than it is in the power of the sub-committee to bestow . The committee were of opinion that no further grant should be made from this fund . The balance to credit shewn in the report of the finance committee is exclusive of the invested funds which now amount to Es . 3 , 600 .

The D . G . Sec . reported that the by-laws committee had met since tbe last communication of District Grand Loclge , and had advanced considerably in the work which had been entrusted to them . Owing , however , to the illness both of the chairman and the secretary when the last meeting of tho committee was summoned , it had been been found impossible to prepare the report ,, which it was intended should be brought before the District Grand Lodge at this communication .

The D . G . M . said that , under these circumstances , he thought theAV . brethren present would consent to the postponement of the subject till the next meeting of District Grand Loclge . A letter from the Secretary of Lodges 371 and 404 of Scotland , dated 24 th June , 1869 , was read offering to the D . G . M . of Bengal in the name of the W . M . of said Lodges , the use of the Scotch Masonic Hallduring the time that the English

, Masonic Hall is undergoing repair . Ordered to be recorded and that a letter of acknowledgment be written by the D . G . S ., conveying the thanks of the District Grand Lodge for the courteous offer from the AV . M . of the Lodges 571 ancl 40 l » of Scotland .

The D . G . Reg . said that one portion of the District Grand Master ' s observations had brought to his attention a matter which had often occupied his thoughts—bo meant the erection of a Masonic Hall . No one could be satisfied with the position of the present hall , and lie was strongly of opinion that a body so influential , so wealthy , and so energetic as the Masons of Calcutta , would have no difficulty in providing a more suitable local habitation for the CraftIt occurred to him thatunder the provisions

. , of the ^ Joint Stock Companies Act , a company might be formed with limited liability which would easily raise the funds , and yield a good return to its promoters . He would , therefore , give notice of the following motion to be brought forward at the next meeting of the District Grand Lodge . " That a committee of District Grand Lodge be appointed to consider the best mode of procuring the erection of a Masonic Hall in

some suitable place in Calcutta . " The D . G . M . observed that this was a subject which had been , on more than one occasion , earnestly considered by his predecessors in office and by himself ; many plans had been proposed , out none carried into effect . He would rejoice if the W . brother who had just spoken , could mature a plan by which the Freemasons of Bengal miht have suitable building of their in

g a own the capital cit y of the district . Ordered . —That AV . Bro . Kennedy's notice of motion be entered on the agenda of business for consideration at the next communication of the District Grand Lodge . Tl . , ? ° ^ g no further business to be brought forward , the JJistnct Grand Lodge was closed in due form at 7-45 E . 3 I .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

YORKSHIRE ( WEST ) . HAMEAX . — Chapter of Hegularitg ( No . 44 S ) . —The regular quarterly meeting of this chapter was held in tbe new Masonic Temple , St . Jolm's-placc , on Monday , the 30 th ult ., when there was only a medium attendance of companions . Tbe officers were : —Comps . W . Cooke , P . Z ., Z . ; G . Normanton , P . Z ., as H . ; R . LordJ . H . N . BatesP . Z . asE . ; J . Seedas N . ; W . F .

, ; , , , Wilkinson , Prin . Soj . ; AV . J . Lainlerand T . M . Dolan , as Assist . Soj . ; aud J . Greenwood , P . Z ., Janitor . The minutes of the last meeting having been confirmed , Bro . Francis AVaddington was balloted for , unanimously accepted , ancl subsequently exalted to the degree of R . A ., Comp . Lupton giving the historical portion to the new companions . The chapter was then closedand the brethren adjourned to their instruction

, room to partake of a friendly and social glass , and drink the usual Masonic , toasts . There was a feeling of general satisfaction at the appearance of the chapter in the new lodge room , the size of which afforded ample scope for the furniture and fittings of the chapter to be displayed to the best advantage .

IRELAND . LONDONDERRY . —Chapter of Unity ( No . 69 ) . —A meeting of this chapter was held on Wednesday , the 18 th ult ., in the temporary rooms , Strand-road . The following companions were present , viz .: —Comps . Edward Smith , K . ; Conolly Skipton , H . P . ; 1 . G . McMurray , K . 164 , G . S . act . ; Macnie , C . of H . act . ; Cairns , R . A . C . act . ; I . F . S . Hand , Capt . of P . Veil and Reg . ; Acheson W . Smyth , Jan . act . ; aucl visitor Comp . Rowans . Two brethren were proposed for exaltation . After some further busithe chapter was closed .

High Knights Templar.

HIGH KNIGHTS TEMPLAR .

IRELAND . OiiAGE . — Quarterly Encampment . —A meeting of the High . Knights Templar Encampment was held in the Court House , on the 26 th ult . Among the brethren were the following : — W . T . Black , E . G ., P . G . R-C . ; A . C . Adair , 1 st Capt . ; W . S . Love , 2 nd Capt . ; Dr . West , Expert ; C . Seott , P . E . C . ; Rev . S ,. C . Donnell , P . ; A . M'Elroy , S . B . ; M . Delany , C . L . ; T . Henry ,

Sword Bearer ; W . 0 . Orr , K . T . M . ; J . Hamilton , sen ., Aide de Camp . ; XV . Wilsou , junr ., A . D . C . ; E . Atthill , W . H . Morrison , A . Price , AV . Beatty , John Dogherty , Equerry . The encampment having been opened with the usual ceremonies of this Christian Order , the business of the day was proceeded with . Royal Arch Companions , Major J . G . Irvine , D . P . G . M . of this province , and W . Benson , were received into the Order of

Knights Templars and Knights of Malta , ancl saluted according to ancient custom . Some other business having been transacted , alms were collected , and the encampment closed in the usual form . The Sir Knig hts then adjourned to the AVhite Hart Hotel , where they partook of a sumptuous dinner served up in that high style which reflects so much credit on the worthy hostess , Mrs . Mullin , hor chef de cuisine and general staff . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts having been given , and the healths of the newly-installed Knights drunk with , honours , the brethren separated at an early hour in peace , love , and harmony .

Literature, Science, Music, Drama, And The Fine Arts.

LITERATURE , SCIENCE , MUSIC , DRAMA , AND THE FINE ARTS .

Miss Bateman has sailed for America . A new comedy by Mi * . T . W . Robertson is in preparation at the Globe Theatre . A statue of Oliver Cromwell is to be erected in the new Town Hall of Manchester . A new illustrated paper , the Period , has been brought out . Its price is to be 2 d .

A second series of " Her Majesty's Tower / ' by Mr . Hepworth Dixon , will be published in October . The Brighton Daily Neivs reports the death , by hanging , of Mr . Joha Baldey , aged seventy , an artist in . water colours .