India.

W . Fredk . Jennings , Prov . S . G . D . ; John G . Llewelyn ( P . Prov . J . G . AV . ) , as Prov . J . G . D . ; Thomas Jones , Prov . G . S . of W . ; Henry Frazer , P . Prov . S . G . AV . ; Thomas E . Carter , Prov . G . D . of C . ; AVilliam Handford . Assist . Prov . G . D . of C ; George 0 . AVray , Prov . G . S . B . ; Robert E . Ross , P . Prov . G . S . B . ; and Joseph K . Hamilton , Prov . G . P . A'isitors and representatives were present from the Lodges St . David in ihe East , No . 371 , under the Grand Lodge of Scotland ; True

Friendship , No . 265 ; Humility with Fortitude , No . 279 ; St . John ' s , No . 715 ; Star of Burmah , No . S 97 ; Lodge de Goede Hoop , Cape of Good Hope ; Star iu the East , No . SO ; Industry and Perseverance , No . 126 ; 'True Friendship , No . 265 ; Humility with Fortitude , No . 279 ; Marino , No . 2 S 2 ; Courage with Humanity , No . 551 : St . John's , No . 715 ; Kilwinning in the East , No . 7-10 ; Star of Burmah , Rangoon , No . 897 . A visitor of high rank , R . AA . Bro . AV . H . Read , Prov . G . M . of the Eastern Archipelago , was escorted in due form to the door of the District Grand Lodgewhen

, the brethren rose , while the Deputy Prov . Grand Master advanced , greeted E . AV . Bro . Head , and conducted him to his seat on the left of the throne . The brethren then saluted the distinguished visitor , in the usual maimer , seven times . The District Grand Lodge was opened in form , and with a prayer offered up by the Rev . Bro . Mazuchelli , and minutes of the quarterly communication of the 27 th December , 185 S , were read and confirmed . The Prov . Grand Secretary read a correspondence with the Rev . and

R . AV . Bro . T . C . Smyth , regarding the representation of the Prov . Grand Lodge of tho Eastern Archipelago in the District Grand Lodge of Bengal , by the R . AV . Bro . J . J . L . Hoff ; and also the report of the 'Finance Committee ou the audit of the Prov . Grand Treasurer ' s accounts . The accounts wore examined and found to be correct . It was proposed by R . AA . Bro . Roberts , seconded by Bro . Spiers , and carried , that a committee be appointed , with power to expend a sum not exceeding Rs . 2 , 500 , for the purpose of decorating and furnishing the Freemasons' Hall .

Before closing the District Grand Lodge , the Deputy Prov . Grand Master delivered the following address : — "Dear brethren , when I last presided in this place , I did not think that I should have to do so again ; but as I am still the locum tenens of the Prov . Grand Master , it is my duty to represent him once more in this Grand Lodge . As , however , it may be the last time that I shall have to do so , suffer me to address to you a few- parting words . In taking a retrospect of Freemasonry in this province , extending to more than thirty years , 'it is undeniable that our

institution holds a far more important position now thau it did at the beginning of that period , although there are yet many thiugs wanting to give it greater stability and a larger sphere of usefulness . At the time to which I have alluded , there was only one Lodge that could bo said to be working prosperously , and that Lodge was located in Fort AVilliam . In Calcutta itself there were two Lodges ; but they were weak in the number of their members . Of two other Lodges , standing high on tho English register , nothing whatever beyond their names was

known to the Masonic community at large . For a time there was a Prov . Grand Lodge ; but of its proceedings the Lodges were in utter ignorance . That Prov . Grand Lodge soon ceased to exist ; and then , having no supervision , each Lodge acted according to its own views , having vague notions of what was required by the " Constitutions , " a thing which they talked of , but with which they were little acquainted , the book itself being rare . Then reigned many contradictions and absurdities . These have all been swept away , and a better order of

things prevails now . This may not be very apparent to Masons who have belonge 1 to the institution for only the last few years ; but to one who has seen Masonry in a variety of phases , for a considerable period , the difference appears strikingly clear . Nineteen years ago , the Prov .

Grand Lodge of Bengal was revived under that excellent brother , Dr . John Grant , our first Grand Master under the new regime . Fresh vigour was then infused into Freemasonry ; but , in my humble opinion , too much was attempted at once . The institution , instead of being allowed to develop itself gradually , was forced into an intense and a dazzling existence ; and it is to the want of caution then displayed that I attribute our being to this day without a house which we could call our own . This is a point , however , which has not been , and I hope will

not be . lose sight of . The Lodges iu Calcutta have increased to ei ght in number , and they are all flourishing , more or less ; lint we have not such an useful institution as a Lodge of Instruction , wherein brethren could become properly qualified to fill creditably the several offices in a Lodge , especially the high and important office of Master , upon which the well doing , or otherwise , of a Lodge mainly depends . This is one of the desiderata to which I wish to draw your especial attention . Since my appointment to the office of Prov . Grand Secretary , fifteen

years ago , twenty now Lodges have been , added to the number existing previously . Tin ; mutiny and rebellion of 1857 nearly annihilated all Ihe Lodges in the upper provinces ; but with the restoration of peace they are reviving from their ashes . The number of Lodges now actually working in the provinces is as follows : —Calcutta , 8 : country 10 ; total , ' 21 ; while some of those still dormant may yet be resuscitated . On the formation of the Prov . Grand Lodge in IS-fO , several benevolent schemes were projectedbut none of them came to maturityEiht

, . g years after that time , the "Fund of Benevolence was established , but not without opposition , on ihe ground that it was impracticable , and that the Lodges would be unable to contribute towards its support . The amount of good it has done , in granting relief to the destitute widow and orphan , and to the brother iu distress , while no member of a Lodge

India.

has felt any inconvenience in paying the trifling contribution of one rupee a quarter , is the best refutation of the objections that wero made to the establishment of the Fund . The operations of this Fund could be enlarged considerably , and a more systematic plan of dispensing charity than that which is at present observed , could be established , were tho charitable funds of all the Lodges merged in it ; . but I am aware that this scheme does not enlist the unanimous assent of the

Lodges , and unless unanimity can be secured , it had better be left alone . I would only take this opportunity to notice an erroneous notion entertained by some brethren ( who , I fear , do not take the trouble to inquire and inform themselves , though I have been at all times willing to give every information in my power ) that the Fund of Benevolence is a sort of "St . John ' s Box" of the District Grand Lodge ; and therefore it is sometimes cailed the Grand Fund of Benevolence . This is quite a mistakeThe fund wasof courseestablished by authority of the

. , , District Grand Lodge , i . e ., by consent of a large majority of the Lodges in the province , as directed Kn the Constitutions ; but the District Grand Lodge has no control whatever over it . It is entirely under the management of a committee composed of the Masters and immediate Past Masters of the Lodges ( country Lodges having the privilege of being represented by proxy ) with the addition only of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master as President , and the Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary as members ex officio ; even these latter could be dispensed with ,

and by a slight alteration in the by-laws of the District Grand Lodge , the Master of the senior Lodge , during his tenure of office , could be made the President if it were so desired . The Fund of Beuevolence , therefore , is nothing more than a 11 tilth "St . John ' s Box" in Calcutta , with this difference only , that it is not attached to any Lodge . I need hardly touch upon another most important topic ; but I cannot let the opportunity pass without saying a word regarding it . I allude to the careful discrimination which should be exercised iu the admission of candidates into our Order , it being advisable that we should bear in mind that the eyes of the world are upon us , and that they will judge of us as they would ot a tree , by the fruit wc bear , aud not by what we profess ourselves to lie . The recommendation of a candidate by his friend

should be received with due respect , but it is not sufficient . Every member of a Lodge ought to consider it his duty to inquire into tho character of the individual , and thus to be prepared to exercise his privilege at the ballot conscientiously . It is for this purpose that the ballot is deferred for a fortnight ; otherwise there could no necessity for it . A candidate could be proposed , balloted for , and if elected , initiated at once , as used to be done occasionally in former times , when Lodges gave their own interpretation of what constituted a case of emergency .

Much has been said and written upon this highly important subject . It is needless , therefore , for me to do more than to recommend it to tho serious notice of every brother in the Craft . In regard to the working of Lodges in Calcutta , and their management , I am happy to testify from my official connection with them during the last fifteen years , that there is a great improvement-. It was remarked to mc , lately , that Masonry was in a state of decadence in Calcutta . I could not concur in this view . It is true there is nothing of an exciting nature at present ,

which would awaken enthusiasm ; but at the same time there appears to mc to bo abundant evidence that the calm which prevails is healthy . The Lodges seem to mc to be pursuing the even tenor of their course ; there arc no storms or convulsions ; and the Craft is in as prosperous a state as could be wished or expected—while there is a vast and unoccupied field on which there is every prospect that our banners shall yet be planted . And now , brethren , not wishing to trespass further on timeallow mo . to bid you farewell ! Be kind to my many

shortyour , comings , and I shall ever be mindful of your many favours . 'Be of one mind ; live in peace ; and the God of love aud peace shall be with you . "' There being no further business , the District Grand Lodge was closed in nntient and solemn form .

Masonic Festivities.

MASONIC FESTIVITIES .

DuDLEr . — On A \ educsday , July 6 th , the annual re-union of the brethren of the four Masonic Lodges in Dudley took place at Hagley Park , the beautiful seat of : Lord Lyttleton , lord lieutenant of the county . After the brethren had rambled about in the delightful shades of : this most classic ground , once the favourite haunt of Shenstone , Crabbe , Lyttleton , Shelley , and Pope , they repaired to the Lyttleton Arms , at four o ' clock , p . m ., and enjoyed an excellent repast , hi

addition to the Dudley brethren , we noticed Bros . Col . Vernon , Prov . G-. M . of Staffordshire ; G . H . Royds , D . Prov . G . M . of AVorcestershirc ; Lieut . Webster ; Underbill , AV . M . of Noah's Ark Lodge , Tipton ; Dudley Parsons , of the St . Matthew's Lodge , AVnisall ; Paekwoorl , of the Lodge of Stability , London ; B . Brooke , P . M ., A \ ebb , and Stringer , from the Stourbridge Lodge of Stability , besides the following P . Ms .: —Alasefield ; Clark : Dennison ; Bristow ; Morris . There were also present , Bros . Sheppard , AV . M . No . 313 ; George Horton , AV . M ., No . S 3 S . Bro . Clark , P . M .

of No . 313 , occupied the president ' s chair , and the vice-president ' s was filled by Bro . Horton , AV . M ., No . 838 . After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , the president , in a very complimentary maimer , proposed the healths of the Visitors aud Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodges