Historical Sketch Of Masonic Events During 1864.

tain number of Dervishes and other clergymen of distinction . ASIA . —Freemasonry has commenced to thrive in this quarter , especially in the British dominions , notwithstanding some incomprehensible false steps

on the part of Masonic authorities . Thus , great excitement and indignation have been aroused in the Indian lodges , through a decree of the Provincial Grand Master of Bengal , by which natives are disqualified to be received within the Craft . In

other parts of India , the natives muster rather strong in Masonic congregations—one of the Bombay lodges consists almost exclusively of Hindoos , especially Parsi . The Masonic brotherhood in India seem to be in a high state of

respectability and mental cultivation , to judge by some articles that have appeared for some time past in the Freemasons' Friend , for India . APEICA . —Here the most remarkable fact is the initiation of the celebrated insurgent chieftain Abd-el-Kader in a French Masonic lodge of Alexandria ( Egypt ) .

NORTH AMERICA . —Freemasonry has suffered considerably through the quadrennial fratricidal war , but has not yet overcome the vulgar prejudices prevalent in that country . In the "United States , the Craft does not recognise as a brother

the citizen of African descent . Various occurrences during the past year tend to show that the American Masons are not yet equal to the spirit of the age . We need but allude to the reprehensible conduct of several United States naval officers at

Antwerp , ivho left the lodge during the performance of the ritual , on account of a coloured man , a native of San Domingo , having been admitted ; to the unfraternal manner in which the New York Grand Lodge behaved towards the

Hamburg-Grand Lodge and its eminent Grand Master-, Bro . Buck , this lodge having laid itself open to the charge of admitting men of colour , and having granted constitutions to two German lodges in New York . Of late , however , a better animus has

prevailed , and more fraternal feeling exhibited towards the despised race ; and it is to'be hoped that Bro . King ' s ( the New York Grand Master ) words may be realised " that Freemasonry which affords balm to the suffering , solace to the

despairing , relief to the poor and distressed , may after the re-establishment of peace , become the great centre of radiation of life and light over the whole land , to soothe wounded hearts , to bringboth concord and quietude to the dwellings of all

Historical Sketch Of Masonic Events During 1864.

men , to re-unite with those whose communication has been severed , and to accelerate the time when heart and mouth will co-operate to further mutual love and general welfare . " Previous to the outbreak of the civil war , there

existed in the United States a Masonic university , at Lagrange , Kentucky . This establishment was closed for some time , but according to the latest news it has been re-opened . Nothing , however , is stated as to the character and organisation of

this institution . SOUTH AMERICA . —We are informed that in spite of violent persecutions from the Spanish authorities , Masonry is flourishing in Cuba , the pearl of the Antilles . Numerous lodges are in operation in Brazil , Venezuela , Peru , Chili , Uruguay , and other South American States . In Brazil a German

lodge has been erected under the auspices -of the Hamburg Grand Lodge . It is to be regretted that this lodge also is labouring under the high degrees mania . AUSTRALIA . —A number of lodges in the province

of Victoria have resolved to establish an independent Graud Lodge of their own . This resolution , however , was not agreed to by the Grand Lodge of England , some of the Australian lodges not having acceded to the project .

In conclusion , we may state that King Kamehameha IL , of the Sandwich Islands , died in the course of last year . He was reported to be a zealous adept of Freemasonry .

Excavations At Ostia.

EXCAVATIONS AT OSTIA .

The excavations begun more than ten years ago , at Ostia , have been rewarded of late by the most interesting results , and are now being prosecuted by the labours of about sixty convicts , who inhabit- the picturesque old castle , built by Sangallo in the latter years of the fifteenth century ,

within whose half-ruinous Avails stands the wild little village that alone gives shelter to modern life , in the place of the antique city , on this desolate fever-stricken sea-coast . After a walk of about a mile along the uncultivated fields around this villagewe reach a street

, of tombs leading to the threshold of a principal gateway , and lined by the substructure-walls of sepulchral chambers , several of wliich contain the usual rows of niches for cinerary urns , a few having remnants of mosaic pavement ( in black and white ) Avith designsbirdsa biga drawn by two

, , , horses , & c , or a simple ornamental pattern ; and in one instance , are such architectural details ( for the tomb , singular ) as a double doorway and large window jambs , lintels , and framework of travetine .