Uniformity Of Working.

tion ; nor Avould this have any objectionable appearance of "inspection , " it Avould simply be "direction of ceremonies . " Wo do not think that this would be imposing a very onerous task on Provincial Grand Directors of Ceremonies . A correction , "by authority , " Avould bo indelibl y impressed on a Master ' s memory , and a AVorshiful Master knowing

p that he had official confirmation of the correctness of his Avorking , Avould acquire a confidence AA'hich , more than anything , Avould keep him from deviation . Again , a Lodge that hacl been recently visited officially by a Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies , AVOUICI be looked upon by all Lodges Avithin reach as a standard Avhereby to try ancl prove their

own Avorking , and they Avould immediately rectify any variation in antici pation of a visit from the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies . We maintain that the task Avould be an easy ono—first , because the differences of Averting arc really very slight ; ancl secondly , it is the ambition of every individual Worshi pful Master and Lodge to bo acknowledged as correct . It is not thc inspection of bad ivork , but the official approbation and ratification of good work , that is needed .

A Visit To An Indian Lodge.

A VISIT TO AN INDIAN LODGE .

_ LET not the numerous readers of the Freemasons' Magazine imagine by the prefix to this narrative , that it treats of tastefully decorated wigwams , undulating prairie , ancl other concomitants of savage life ; my visit Avas to a Masonic Lodge in India , and not to the rude abode , of a North

American chieltain . A trip to India , via the Cape of Good Hope , necessitating a prolonged cessation from Masonic pursuits , disposes ono to seize witli avidit y a chance of again mingling Avith the brethren of the mystic tie in a place sacred to their rites ; the traveller is also actuated by curiosity , longing to note witli a critical eye the forms and ceremonies of our Order , the characteristics of brethren so

remote from lhe seat of legislation , and to test in person tho hospitality of the Craft . Comparisons , though decried as odious , take place in his mental vision , a rapid summary of the various observances witnessed in European Lodges float across his remembrance , and the stranger is surprised to find that those in Asia aro addicted to practices of a- precisely similar natureand that

, no obvious deterioration obtrudes itself upon his notice . TJio visitor , perchance , has yet to make acquaintances—the facilities afforded b y free and ivelconic ingress into a Masonic Lodge , where secrets of an occult and soul entwining nature arc in course of revelationwhere the something in

, common is of itself a sufficient introduction , where no formal phrases or Avords of unmeaning import arc required as prefatory matter before engaging in conversation , and where the cordial grasp of the hand and fraternal address supersede all modem modes of greeting—are by no means to be viewed lightly .

Lut x digress , ancl must pull up short , or thc worthy editor ' s patience will flag ; -and my valuable experiences , instead of adorning book shelves , will bo forced to expend their sweetness on the ivaste paper basket . I arrived in India after a lengthened and tedious passage , and sojourning a brief Avhile at the port of debarkation , proceeded to

a pleasant station about one hundred miles inland ; tho bustle and noise incidental to oceanic transit , are not at once thrown off b y a removal to terra fmna , for several days the interior of a dwelling , more particularly your bed , appears to your distempered fancy to be performing all kinds of rotatory and saltatory exercisesa iveek or two of lacid

; p indolence is often indulged in , before engaging iu earnest , in the harassing duties of the profession , trade , or occupation , through Avhose successful progress in the great battle of life you hope for future emolument or reward . . ! . have always been , considered an enthusiastic Mason : indeed many friends without tho pale of thc Craft have

stigmatized my conduct as indicative of a , mud form of hypochondriasis—au attendance at Masonic meetings , and a study of our ancient art , to the exclusion of the more abstruse topics on Avhich they delight to descant , being ottered as a sufficient proof of my malady ; who knows 1 Ancl though perhaps AA'hen this mortal coil is shuffled off ) unlike a royal prototype of unhappy memorythe word Masonry may not

, haA'e occupied such a prominent place in my departing affections , as did that of Calais in the mind of our papistical Queen—it must be attributed to a more fortunate acquaintance , no likelihood existing of a seA'erancc ofthe tie . Some days elapsed before I endeavoured to ascertain Avhat Lodges ( if any ) were Avorking in the immediate A'icinity of my

dwelling ; inquiry begat confidence , and I Avas agreeably surprised at receiving from , the hand of a peon , or native messenger , an invitation to a Lodge meeting , ivhich was to take place in a feAv days : unaccustomed to the Indian mode of delivering summonses , I scrutinized minutely tho dress , badge , and sash , worn by the bearer of this missive , and noticed a copper plate : affixed to the last mentioned article of raiment , on Avhich were inscribed in silver the square ancl

compasses . On presenting myself for admission into the Lodge upon the day and hour of my invitation , I Avas subjected to a strict examination , and Avhen satisfactorily proven , ushered into the Lodge room . Of ivhat occurred in the temple , sacred to our ancient observances , I cannot write at length ; suffice it to saythat the ordinary ceremonies of the Craft Avere duly

, proceeded with . In so remote a land , it ivould be natural to imagine , that the idle jealousies ivhich at times disturb tho harmony of Lodges in the mother country , would bo unknown ; hut such , alas , ivas not the case in this instance , ancl a favourable opportunity of practically determining hoAv far thc -angry passions ancl factious opposition of a single

refractory member can breed disunion in a Lodge , Avas unfortunately afforded—the term unfortunately is used advisedly , as Avithout those lamentable ebullitions of rage and discontent , nothing would have sullied the blight impressions of the evening ' s meetine . The annual election of officers was the bono of

contention , and though eventually the right man was chosen Worshipful Blaster by a vast and overwhelming majority , enough had been said by the minority to render the acceptance of office particularly undesirable ; however , let me pass over this fleeting shadow of discord , ancl narrate the hospitality which shone forth iu bright relief . Until the conclusion of business I remained a silent but

observant spectator , experiencing on every side , attentions of a fraternal though inobtrusivo nature ; tho labours of the evening having terminated , the W . M . requested mo to join the brethren at banquet , Avhich was indeed most opportunely announced , for , judging by my oivn feelings , those of a mere spectator , the : adjournment to refreshment must have been a welcome change to the executiA'eafter bearing tho heat and

, burden of the evening . The precautions invariably taken to guard against the unwelcome intrusion of unenlightened mortals upon our hidden mysteries , are occasionally productive of considerable discomfort , in fact , throughout the summer many English Lodges refrain from meeting ; the Avarmth of an Indian

Lodge room situate upon the ground floor , Avhere no Avindow can be ever so slightly open , may be conceived but not described ; the thermometer perhaps outside , standing at one hundred degrees , with all thc advantages of fresh air and what there is of wind ; a building that lias been exposed for a long Avhile to tho heat of an almost vertical sun , may iu its

interior bo compared to an oven that has been heated overhead , and Avith doors and AvindoAvs hermetically closed , and a large attendance of perspiring brethren , is not exactly the sort of retreat that Avould be ivillingly selected for the laborious workings of Masonic ceremonies ; curtains , fringes , draperies , all sacrifices to appearance , sire the favourite abodes of mosquitoes , Avho SAvarm amongst them in countless