Masonic Festivities.

monial said that clay would be ever precious in his memory , and although certainly the hope of reward sweetened labour , their generosity went beyond his merits . — -The AV . M . then rose ancl said the toast he had next to propose was also accompanied by something beyond words , as they had to discharge a debt of gratitude for past favours . From the time of the formation of the Yarborough Loclge , its meetings had been held at the house of their esteemed friend Bro . AVilliamsand for many kindnesses and attentions they were

in-, debted to the care of the hostess . The members of the loclge ancl chapter had united in a testimonial of acknowledegmnt of Mrs . AVilliams' affable attention to their comforts , which he had the pleasure to present . The testimonial was an elegant spoon case bearing the following inscription , "Presented by the members of the Yarborough Loclge and Chapter ( No . 812 ) , to Mrs . R . J . AVilliams as a small testimonial of esteem ancl respect for her uniform kindness ancl attention to them during the last twelve

years . July 4 , 1861 . Bro . Rev . D . Shaboe , AV . M . ; J . H . AVynne , Treas . ; Comp . Taylor , M . E . Z . ; D . H . Mobbs , J . ; AVilliams , Treas . " The case enclosed four silver gilt table spoons , of antique design . Bro . AVilliams acknowledged the compliment . The party broke up soon after nine o'clock .

India.

INDIA .

BENGAL . DISTRICT GRAND LODGE . A quarterly communication of the District Grand Lodge of Bengal , was held at the Freemason's Hall , on Thursday the 21 st March , 1861 , present : Bros . John J . L . Hoft ; D . Prov . G . M ., as Prov . G . M . ; AVilliam Clark , p . Prov . S . G . AV ., as D . Prov . G . M . ;

John B . Roberts , Prov . 'S . G . AV . ; Frederick Jennings , Prov . J . G . AV . ; John G . Llewelyn , P . Prov . J . G . W . ; Thomas Jones , Prov . G . Reg . ; AVilliam H . Hoft ; Prov . G . Sec ; Thomas E . Carter , as Prov . S . G . D . ; John AV . Brown , as Prov . J . G . D . ; William Clark ( 2 ) , Prov . G . S . of AV . ; Richard T . Callan , Prov . G . D . of C . ; Joseph K . Hamilton , Prov . G . S . B . ; Frederick C . Hoft ; Asst . Prov . G . Sec . ; James B . Knight , as Prov . G . O . ; Albert M . Dowleans , Prov . G . P . ; Louis A . EmanuelJames AV . BrowneProv . G . Standard-bearers & c .

, , , The Minutes of the quarterly commnnmication held on the 27 th December , 1860 , were read ancl confirmed . The following appointments were made by the officiating Prov . G . Master , for the ensuing year , 1861-62 : — Bro . J . B . Roberts , P . Prov . S . G . W . to officiate as Den .

Prov . G . M . „ F . Jennings , Prov . Sen . G . AV . „ H . D . Sandeman , Prov . J . G . AV . „ R . T . Callan , Prov . G . Beg . „ AV . H . Holt ; Prov . G . Sec . „ T . E . Carter , Prov . S . G . D . „ John W . Brown , Prov . J . G . D . \ V . Clark ( 2 ) Prov . G . Sup . of AVorks .

„ , „ A . M . Dowleans , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . „ James AV . Browne , Asst . Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . „ J . K . Hamilton , Prov . G . Sword-hearer . „ F . C . Hoff , Asst . Prov . G . Sec . „ J . E . Clinger , Pro . G . Org . „ L . A . Emanuel , Prov . G . Purst . ' ' L L Taylor } rov * G - Standard-bearers .

, , " , AV- M . Benwell , " * „ J . G . Bowerman , „ AV . II . Abbott , „ . .. . , „ . ,, J . H . Linton , K ^ 'mcial Grand Stewards . „ G . C . Paul , „ AV . F . Bick , j „ D . J . Daniel , Prov . G . Tyler . The following letter was react from the Prov . G . M ., Major General Ramsav :

MY DEAR BKO . Hon-, —Since my last to you on the subject of a proposed election of a Provincial Grand Master for Beno-al , I have received the report of the quarterly communication of the District Grand Lodge held on the 24-th September . In the Provincial Grand Secretary's letter dated 11 th September , which you directed to be addressed to the R . AV . Bro . Howe , you appear to have had two objects in view ; one , to prevent anythinolike an official stamp being iven to a nominationthe othto

g , er enable Mofussil Lodges ( which were not represented in Provincial Grand Lod ge ) to have a voice in bringing to the notice of the M . AV . the Grand Master the name of some brother who might be acceptable to the Masonic body in Bengal as their ruler . In these principles , as well as in the observations made by you iu Grand Loclge , I fully ancl entirely concur .

The course which you deemed it your cluty to adopt on the occasion , was both prudent and constitutional . It was , moreover , one to which no member of the Provincial Grand Lodge could well object , as it did not debar the expression , in another place , of any opinion as to the propriety or otherwise of recommending- any brother as my successor . I remain , yours sincerely ancl fraternally , ( Signed ) JAMES RAMSAY , Provincial Grand Master . 1 , Sussex Square , Hyde Park , AV ., London , 10 th February 1861 .

A . Minute by the officiating Prov . G . Master ( Bro . Hoff ) , was read , which said : " At the last Quarterly Communication of the District Grand Loclge , 11 . AV . Bro . Sandeman " expressed regret at the thinness , both of the procession to church , and of the meeting at Grand Loclge , which showed that Masonry was not flourishing in this important city as it ought to do . " I have since examined the records to ascertain the attendance of brethren in Grand Loclge on St . John ' s Day , and have prepared the statement which I append to this Minute .

"From this statement , which embraces a period of ten years ( 1851 to 1860 ) , it appears that the attendance at the last meeting of the District Grand Lodge did not fall short of that of previous years . In the first two years of the ten , Bro . Smith being in the chair , the Grand Officers and representatives of lodges who attended were thirty-two in the one year , ancl thirty-one in the other . In the two following years , when Bro . Ramsay presided , the numbers were thirty-seven and fifty-one . The larger of these two numbers may ,

perhaps , be accounted for by the eclat which attended the Rev . Bro . Bellew's preaching on that occasion . In 1855 , Bro . AVatson presided , and the attendance was forty-two . From 1856 to 1860 it lias fallen to my lot to represent the Provincial Grand Master ; and the attendance , of Grand Officers and of Masters ancl AVardens of Lodges has been forty-two , forty-five , thirty-six , forty-four , and forty-one . Thus , it will be seen that , with the one exception adverted to abovethere has been no falling oft' in the attendance of

, officers and members of the District Grand Loclge on St . John's Day . I do not consider the number of those forming a procession as affording any criterion of the prosperity , or otherwise , of the Craft . In the Provincial Grand Master ' s absence , it was not my wish to have processions , but they have got up in compliance of the general wish of the brethren . I have observed that sometimes the attendance has been as large as when a procession has heen headed by a pucka Grand Master , while at other times it has fallen somewhat

short . To me , the Church on last St . John's Day appeared to be just as full as on any previous occasion . It may be remarked that , as that day is not a holiday , many are prevented by their duties from joining the procession , while I know that there are some who disapprove of public display . However , be that as it may , I take this opportunit y to state that , if I should continue in my present position till next St . John ' s Day , it is not my intention to get up a procession , unless the several lodges shall themselves take the

initiative , ancl express their wish to have it ; in which case they will have to give me timely intimation , and an assurance of a full attendance of their members . In 1851 , the aggregate number of lodges in this province was twenty , whereas now it is thirty-three , showing an increase of thirteen ; ancl the dormant lodges which made up a long list in former times , have , notwithstanding the destruction caused by the disturbances of 1857 , dwindled down to three or four . At the Presidency we seldom had more than half a dozen lodges ;

at present there are nine , exclusive of the " Grand Officers' Lodge , " and I believe they all prospering as much as they have ever done . The accounts from the country lodges are generally favourable . As I have always reported to the Provincial Grand Master that the Craft continues to prosper in this province , I have deemed it necessary to record this minute , to satisfy him and the brethren at large , that it has not deteriorated by having been placed under my supervision and control as acting for the Ruler of the Province , in his absence .

"He says , 'To my mind , the first parts ofthe resolution gives a direct contradiction to the professions of regard and esteem which , on his departure , we made to our R . AV . Provincial Grand Master ; whilst it stultifies all our proceedings to do him honour . Scarcely has the testimonial we voted to R . AV . Bro . Ramsay has heen completed—scarcely has has the inscription for it been despatched , which speaks of our affection and faithful allegiance to him , and our appreciation of his successful Masonic Government of the

province , before we are called upon by this resolution impatiently to request that he shall summarily relinquish that government , and dissolve his connection with us ; nor rre we deterred from betraying our indecent anxiety and haste by the fact that , in making this request , we fly in the face of the highest Masonic authority to which we owe fealty , and question the propriety of