India.

which he had worked the lodge , and alluding to his valuable services in the cause of Freemasonry in this as well as in other districts . Bro . CLARKE , P . M ., rose to reply , ancl said that none could regret more deeply than himself the necessity which placed him in the position of Master of the lodge that evening . He regretted this the more as he well knew that Bro . Capper had looked forward to this occasion of doing honour to so

distinguished a guest as he who grc-. ced their board that evening , and still more because he felt that he ( the speaker ) was unequal to the task of adequately fulfilling the duty . After a few more words , Bro . Clarke sat down . Bro . BARING-, S . W ., then rose to propose , in a very telling speech , the health of non-Masonic guests , coupled with the name of Colonel Jenkins , commanding 19 th Hussars . Colonel JENKINSin replysaid that it had always been a

, , pleasure to him to be received among Freemasons ; although he had never been tempted to join the Craft himself ; that some of his oldest friends had been Masons , ancl that he had always known them to be estimable and good fellows . He wished the brethren long life and prosperity , aud sat down amidst thunders ¦ of applause . Next came the speech of the eveninsr . His Highness Nawab

Moomtaz-oo-Dowlah , a member of the Craft , was present , and the PROV . G . MASTER rose to propose his health . After a short preamble , he requested to be allowed to address the brother in the vernacular , as the Nawab's acquaintance with the English language was very limited . The Prov . G . M . then addressed the Nawab in a Hindoostanee speech of some length , deploring the general differences of feeling that existed between races , and hoping that Freemasonry might some day effect what civil

policy aimed at—a general harmony of feeling and sympathetic love among all the nations of the human family . The NAWAB replied in a few words , and appeared , as he said he was , deeply grateful for the honour that had been done him . Shortly afterwards , the last toast was proposed by the W . MASTER— " To all Poor and Distressed Masons , " which carries with it a permission for those to retire who wish , and gradually the brethren and guests rose to departand so ended the most

, successful entertainment of the sort that it has ever fallen to my lot to witness or even hear of . Before I conclude , I should mention that the greatest credit is dne to Bro . Di Michelli , to whom was entrusted the decoration of the lodge , for the exquisite taste displayed , and to the brethren of Lodge Morning Star in general , who joined so heartily to commemorate so auspicious an occasion as the visit to their lodge of the Provincial Grand Master of Bengal .

Masonic Festivities.

MASONIC FESTIVITIES .

LEIGHTOJST BUZZAED . The first Masonic ball held in Leighton Buzzard came off on Thursday , tho 21 st nit ., in the Com Exchange . The idea of the ball arose with the members of the newlyfornied Lodge of St . Barnabas , and considering that it is little more than six months since this lodge was

established , the scheme was alike bold and spirited . The brethren connected with the lodges in the neighbourhood lent their aid and influence , and tho result was that we have to record one of the most friendly , genial , and satisfactory gatherings of this kind that has ever taken place in the town . » The . Corn Exchange presented a scene of more than

ordinary interest and peculiar beauty . The unique and novel costume of the brethren lent a special interest to the affair , and the bond that united them in one common brotherhood took away any exclusiveness that might arise , and an agreeable interchange of sentiment and feeling pervaded the festivity . The visitors began to arrive about nine o ' clock , arid

shortly afterwards dancing commenced . The company , altogether about 90 , was limited to the capacity of the room , which gave an air of ease and comfort to the entertainment without in any degree lessening the brightness of the tout ensemble . The dancing was spiritedly engaged in , and the interest continued unabated until one o ' clock , when the company adjourned to tho Assembly J & oow ,

whore tables were laid for supper . The cuisine department was intrusted to Mr . J . J . Wood , and was successfully carried out by that gentleman to the satisfaction of all . Before the company adjourned , the Chairman ( Bro . J . M . Shugar ) rose and said—Ladies and gentlemen , I think you will all like to drink one toast before we

adjourn , which will be " The Queen and the Craft . " I can say , as the head of the lodge established in this town , which , I am happy to say , is in a flourishing condition , that myself and the brethren are gratified to see such a goodly assembly in this new hall , and we hope it will be the beginning of a great many similar entertainments . I wish all the brethren of this lodgeas well as

, others present , to join with me in this expression of loyalty and attachment to the Crown . I will not detain yon longer , as I know yon are anxious to return to the ball room . The toast was drunk right loyally . Upon the return to the ball room , the " many twinkling feet" were again " energised" by the inspiriting tunes of the band . Tho "wee short hours " , were steadily but

surely advancing , but the enjoyment continued without diminution or any token of weariness on tho company . As balls , like other mundane enjoyments , are temporaiy , this , like all former ones , had its termination , ancl the hall , " bursting with light" upon the withdrawal of its gay company , lapsed into appropriate gloom , and silence succeeded the inspiring music and the "

bewitching waltz . " The decorations of the room were simple and in good taste . The walls were handsomely emblazoned with Masonic emblems , and hung with festoons of evergreens . At the top of the room was an exceedingly chaste design of a Masonic Temple , irradiated by a star of gas jets . The balcony was likewise illuminated by gas jets , in form of the letters " V . E . " and a brilliant star lighted up in front of the Exchange .

LIVEEPOOL . The annual ball in aid of the funds of the "West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution took place on Tuesday , January \ 9 fch , at the Town Hall , under the patronage of the Countess of Zetland , Lady Skelmersdale , Lady Arabella Hesketh , the Hon . Mrs . Wellington Cotton , his Worship the Mayor of Liverpoolthe Eight

, Hon . the Earl of Zetland , the Grand Master of the Order , the Plight Hon . Earl de Grey and Ripon , the Deputy Grand Master , and the other officers of the Grand Lodge , as well as the principal officers of lodges in this and adjoining counties . The institution referred to was established for the education and advancement in life of the children of deceased ancl decayed members

of the mystic Craft , and by its means many bereaved ones have been provided for and comfortably settled in life , who , but for its existence , would have been thrown destitute upon the world . Tho brotherhood especially have always felt that the institution had tho strongest claims upon their sympathy , and have therefore invariably liberally supported any movement set on foot that

was calculated to benefit its funds or tended to its prosperity in any manner . Consequently this festivity has generally been a great success , and not only in a pecuniary sense , for the promoters , whilst paying due regard to the welfare of the noble establishment , so admirably manage matters that their annual ball is looked forward to as one of the most deli ghtful , enjoy"

able gatherings of the season . That of Tuesday , January 19 th , was eminently successful in every particular , and the directors may be congratulated upon the result of their efforts in the cause of the fatherless and the distressed . The arrangements iu general , which were as complete as it was possible to make them , were carried out under a committee of management , of which Bro . Thomas Wylie , P . Prov . J . G . W ., was chairman , aud Bro . Younghusband , Prov . G . S ., vice-chairman , to whom , as