Channel Islands.

of the evening ' s reunion was to receive Bro . Ratier on occasion of a visit to Jersey . The W . M . then explained to the members the circumstances under which he had taken so unusual a step , reminding them of the respect and esteem in which their distinguished "brother was held by all those with whom he had been associated , whether in Masonic or social intercourse , during his residence in the island ; of the honours which had been so deservedly won by him as a member and , indeed , as one of the shining lights of the Craft ; of the

distinguished position he occupied in his native town and province as an advocate at the French bar ; of the respect which had been paid to him by placing him at the head of the lodge on the first possible occasion after his return to his country ; of the active service he had rendered to Masonry as Orator of Lodge La Cesaree ; of the stirring addresses they had so often heard from his lips when acting in that capacity , and inspiring them with the most exalted ideas of its high principles ; of the eminent value of his counsel whenever

occasion offered , whereby he could benefit bis fellow-men , and especially his Masonic brethren to whom he had proved that he felt himself bound by the strongest ties . All this was judiciously and feelingly expressed by the W . M ., and in conlusion he called on those present to join him in saluting their distinguished friend and brother with all the honours . — Bro . RATIER rose to reply to the remarks just made , thanking his former intimate and still beloved associates for the hearty

reception accorded to him , and the indorsement they had given to the fraternal sentiments so unreservedly expressed by the W . M ., assuring them that it was now , as it ever had been , his most anxious desire to be useful to his brethren . He stated that he had left home in his capacity of W . M . of the Lodge of l'Orient , to attend a meeting at Paris , summoned for the purpose of electing a new " Venerable to be the Head of the Grand Orient of France , " or in other words , a new Grand Master of Freemasons , and that he could not but

keep a promise made somemonths ago , and avail himself of the opportunity , by making a little detour , on his return , to visit Jersey , with which he had so many pleasant Masonic associations . He reminded the brethren of the unfortunate position of Freemasonry in France at the present time , owing to the conduct of Prince Murat , the head of the Craft , and at some length gave a history of the occurrences which had paralysed it , at least for a period . In that country the Fraternity were now exposed to great trials and difficulties , from which it was to be hoped the Order would come forth

m due course , more firm in its solidity , more purified in its faith , more exalted in its principles . It would be impossible to follow Bro . Ratier through all the details , with their numerous ramifications , which he gave , nevertheless , in a condensed and lucid form . Suffice to say , that more extended particulars may he obtained from a pamphlet , copies of which he placed in the hands of the W . M ., for the perusal of the members , and whose contents formed the basis of his narration . This is entitled , " Le

Grand Orient de France , devant la Maconnerie Universelle , simple meraoire adresse a- nos freres de tous les Orients et de tous les Rites . Publie a Paris chez les Venei-ables et au bureau du Journal des Laities , 5 , Rue de la Banque . * " At the conclusion of Bro . Ratier's interesting address , the lodge was closed , and the brethren , who numbered more than fifty , adjourned for refreshment , when ( with one exception , as on all recent occasions ) the usual Masonic honours were paid , and a most agreeable evening was spent .

The regular monthly meeting of Lodge La Cesaree was held 011 the next evening , October 31 st . The lodge was opened in the first degree by the W . M . The minutes of the last meeting were read , and , with one exception , confirmed . This referred to the resignation of Bro . D'Allain . With respect to it Bro . BATIEE remarked , that he much regretted to find the pleasure of his visit interrupted and diminished by one circumstance of a serious naturehihly prejudicial to the character and advancement

, g of Freemasonry , namely , the unpleasant state of feeling with regard to the Prov . G . M . of Jersey . While he regretted that there were many in the province who wanted moral courage to act an independent part , or who were but little acquainted with the true character of Freemasonry—and thus abstained from a participation in efforts to maintain itsjjpurity by requiring high principle in those at its head—he rejoiced that there was a band of brethren who were actuated by more exalted motives , and who understood their

duty under such circumstances . He felt , however , that no one could be spared from this body , and especially the brother who had , in consequence of what had occurred , expressed his desire to cease all connection with Freemasonry as conducted by the Grand Lodge of England , in favour of that of Ireland . Bro . Ratier stated that he had seriously talked over the matter with him , pointing out what he strongly felt to be his line of duty under the circumstances , and he was not without great hope that he had prevailed , in inducing him to remain and co-operate with his brethren . As

Channel Islands.

an illustration of the course of conduct which the head of the province was pursuing , he would remind the brethren that last Tuesday one of the most important ceremonies in connection with the Craft had been celebrated in Jersey , no less than the consecration of a new lodge , and the installation of its first master , in the person of the Prov . Grand Master of the district . Rarely as such an event occurred , it might be supposed that most of the Masons in the

province would be glad to assist , would avail themselves of an opportunity of witnessing rites which , in all probability , would not occur again for many years , would join in offering hearty congratulations on an addition to Masonic influences ; it might To & fairly assumed that on such an event eveiy means of publicity would be adopted , with the hope of obtaining the sanction of a large number of the brethren , and thus give reasonable hopes of a prosperous career . But no ; no official intimation had been sent to

the other lodges , and the Prov . Grand Master of Jersey , who ought on such an occasion to have been surrounded by the whole body , anxious to honour himself , his office , and his new bantling , and to sympathize with him under such circumstances , had the support of scarcely more than twenty of his brethren , from the six lodges in . the island , containing more than two hundred resident subscribing members . These few he had specially summoned to his aid by personal communication with each , rather than by open and general ,

invitations , to cast them off again as soon as the object was accomplished for which they were requested to attend . Bro . Ratier resumed his seat amid loud cheeTS . There appealing to he no business on the circular for this evening , a circumstance which seldom happens in La Cesaree , some time was spent in the consideration of several matters connected with its internal administration . The lodge was then closed at an early hour and the brethren had again au opportunity of enjoying a renewal of friendly intercourse at the social board with their distinguished non-resident member .

India.

INDIA .

( From the Indian "Freemasons' Friend . " ) We hear that the Officiating Prov . G . M . is about to confer brevet rank on certain brethren in the Upper Provinces , in recognition of their services to Freemasonry . This is a duty of great delicacy . Honours should not be bestowed with such a lavish hand as to make them valueless . But , in some instances , the selection of a brother from among others , and the balancing of his claims with

theirs , will be a difficult task . On Saturday , August 18 th , the brethren of lodge Excelsior , and some others of the Craft , who had been invited , sat down to tiffin at Hastings House ( so named , we were told , after its original occupant , Warren Hastings ) , the residence of their worthy host , ~ W . Bro . W . H . Abbott , at Alipore . The house , with its extensive grounds and picturesque trees , attracted much attention . If no difficulties had been thrown , by the authorities in the way of accepting an offer lately made bBro . Abbott

y , the Volunteer Rifles would have found in the grounds of Hastings House an excellent place for target practice . There being no "business of importance to he laid before the District Grand Lodge , it appeared to the officiating Provincial Grand Master that , by postponing the meeting to be held this month , it would be in his power to receive the Rev . Bro . T . C . Smyth , D . D . on his arrival in Calcutta , with marks of distinction . There is a

bye-law , in which the dates for the quarterly communications of the District Grand Lodge are fixed ; but the Prov . Grand Masters havenot always adhered to those precise dates when a slight deviation has enabled them to secure any good end . As , however , some brethren high in the Cratt are of opinion that a separate arrangement should he made for giving Bro . Smyth a masonic welcome , and that there should be no departure from the bye-law , the Officiating Provincial Grand Master has abandoned his intention of

postponing the meeting . From an official notification in the Gazette , we see that Bro . Smyth was permitted to leave England on the steamer of the 20 th of September . Lodge Humility with Fortitude met on the 20 th of August , when one brother was passed , and an allowance to a widow was continued . The lodsre met again on the 2 nd of September , and passed Bros . T . U . Cargill and E . T . Gwyther . V . W . Bro . W . H . Hoif read an extract from a letter from R . W . Bro . W . Scharlieb , Prov . J . G . W . of Madras , conveying his fraternal greetings to several of the " brethren with whom he had "become acquainted in Calcutta .