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Excelsior Lodge , and as a mark of their appreciation of his moral and social virtues . June 24 th , 1864 . " Unable in so few words to express the feelings that prompted this offering , we have endeavoured to do so at greater length in the following address , which I shall now proceed to read to you : — " Brother Richard Briscoe Masefield—It affords us the sincerest pleasure to request your acceptance of a P . M . ' s jewel , which we trust you will not hesitate to accept in the same Masonic spirit that

prompts us to present it , as a token of our recognition of the services you have rendered to the Excelsior Lodge , and as a mark of our appreciation of those moral and social virtues that form the truly Masonic ornaments of your character . No temple reared by mortal hands can boast of perfection , nor do we arrogate for the Excelsior Lodge an equality witli the noble structures planned by the master minds of antiquity ; but still we claim for our modest building some beauty of design and

some accuracy of execution , and in these your personal qualities render it a pleasure for us to trace your master hand , and to recognise the knowledge that is accompanied with discretion and enhanced by modesty . May your life be typified by Jacob ' s ladder , which forms a union between earth and heaven , so that every year you pass among us may be for you one step nearer to the Grand Lodge above , wdrose Builder and Maker is a recorder of every faithful workman . Buenos Ayres , June 24 th ,

1861 . " This address , you will observe , is signed by above fifty of your brethren , who have voluntarily , I might almost say spontaneously , come forward to show you this mark of respect . For this 2 ) resentation was not got up , as too many are , by a

systematic solicitation of subscriptions , but while every member had an opportunity of doing so not a single one was even asked to join . Even the words of this address very inadequately pouvtray the feelings of respect , esteem , and affection with which we must ever regard you . And do not think that these sentiments are confined to the members of the Excelsior Lodge , over which you have so frequently presided , and which we trust will be graced b on future occasions .

y your presence many A glance around you will show how a mere intimation to the effect that an honour was about to be paid to you sufficed to bring to our lodge numbers of foreign brethren , to render the tribute of their presence to the cause of honour and virtue . Bro . Dorr , on you , as having first recommended Bro . Masefield to a participation in the secrets of Freemasonry , reflects a portion of the honour wo wish to pay him . Who , then , can be

better fitted to affix this jewel on his breast to cover a heart that we all know to beat with sincerity and truth ? Bro . Masefield , I request you to descend to receive the jewel we have to present to you . Bro . Kinch , your hand has never been disgraced by an unmanly or cowardly action . •It is worthy , then , to place this address in tho hands of Bro . Masefield—hands that are ever ready to relieve the distressed and necessitous amongst us . Bro . MasefieldI beg you to receive the address

, from Bro . Kinch . It is our earnest hope that the knowledge of our admiration of your character as a man and a Mason may lighten your labours during tho years our Master above may spare you to work among us , and may support you when iu His wisdom He may remind you that your long day's work is done , and that the moment has arrived for you to

told your arms across your breast , Fold your hands and sink to rest . At that moment we pray that He may comfort you by the consciousness of a life spent in the faithful discharge of your duty , and by the prospect of a certain reward in the Grand Lodge above , not made by mortal hands . The ceremony of presentation concluded , Bro . MASEFIELD expressed his acknowledgment in the

following terms : —Brethren , it were difficult for me to find words to express my grateful feelings to you for this valuable and unexpected mark of your esteem . 1 shall over hold and care for this mark of your favour as one of the brightest and most cheering incidents in my Masonic career . Ever it has been my wish and endeavour , as far as in my power lay , to show that Masonry was not a plaything ; with mo its duties and claims

are paramount , and from the expression of your confidence this evening I feel that , although undeserving so much of your respect and affection , I have not laboured in vain . I havo credit not so much , perhaps , for what I have done , as for what I wished to do . Rest assured , my heart will ever beat responsive to the brotherly and affectionate feelings which instigated the gift of the valuable jewel whhh now covers it ; and every fresh perusal of tho beautiful address just presented to me , will inspire me with fresh energy to advocate and follow out

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those grand principles of our Order which , when faithfully practised , make Masons better men , and men better citizens ; showing to those who are not with us that Freemasonry is not a bauble . Brethren , you must kindly excuse my brevity , as I can only further repeat my thanks for this token of your confidence , and trust that when we are called from our labour in this sublunary abode , it may be our happiness to be reunited in the Grand Lodge above , where the world ' s Great Architect

livesand reigns supreme . Bro . SILORENT , of the Lodge Amis des Naufrages , after congratulating Bro . Masefield on the honour just conferred , presented him with an elegant bouquet of flowers , as a token of the high estimation iu which he was held by the brethren of the French Lodge ; to which Bro . Masefield replied in a fewappropriate remarks . The business of the evening thus concludedthe bag for the

, Benevolent Fund was passed round , after which the lodge was closed in due form . The brethren afterwards partook of a cold collation , spread for the occasion , when the jewel aud address were handed round for inspection . The touching manner in which Bro . Masefield ' s health was proposed bBro . Perezand the hearty response given to it ,,

y , proved how truthfully Bro . Moore , iu his speech in the lodge , had delineated the sentiments of the brethren , both the English , and foreign . Bro . PEREZ then gave a brief sketch of the marked progress-Masonry had made during the past few years throughout this portion of South America , and the increased favour with which ,

its principles are received , counting , as it does , in its ranks notonly his Excellency the President of the Argentine Republic , but several of his ministers and state dignitaries , and concluded by a pointed reference to the dignified and leading position attained by the Excelsior Lodge under the fostering care of the Provincial Grand Master , Bro . J . Chubb Ford . Bro . J . CHUBB FORD , in an eloquent speech , gracefully acknowledged the liment paid to himself and the officers

comp of the Excelsior Lodge , and further reverted to the obligation they were under to Bro . Perez , as head of the Grand Oriente , for the unceasing attention and encouragement received ^ from him and tho various lodges working under his jurisdiction . Many other appropriate toasts and speeches enlivened the proceedings of the evening , and altogether the meeting was fraught with instruction and enjoyment . Every brother understands

the general design and scope of Masonry , but there are times and circumstances , as in the present instance , when its " spirit and influence" are more keenly felt .. In Buenos Ayres Englishmen are literally " strangers in a strange land , " and yet , strangeanomaly ! here were men from all parts of tho world , of various creeds , and speaking divers tongues , drawn together by the same invisible influence , extending to us the right hand of

fellowship , and addressing us by the endearing appellation of brother . A superficial observer might retire from such a meet * ing under the impression that he had passed a pleasant evening ; but the thoughtful brother would find iu it not only a pleasing relief from his daily toil , but see in it the practical result of the working of a mighty system , silent and unobtrusive in its operation , but sublime in its aim and object—thespread of civilisation aud the advancement of science .

India.

INDIA .

{ From our OIDII Correspondent . ) RANGOON . VICTORIA IN BURMAIE LODGE ( NO . 832 ) . —The members of this lodge were delighted at the return amongst them of Bro . Col . Greenlaw , tho founder of this lodge , especially as he haslately had tho very high but well deserved honour of P . S . G . W . conferred upon him by tho M . W . Grand Master , whilst at home . ' of

He has been receivedwith all honour , also , in Lodge Has Buvmah , a strong lodge in Rangoon , and one that works well . Our " bright Mason " has already opened a Mark lodge here , which musters strong , has sent home for a Royal Arch charter ,, and is now sending home a petition for a charter to open a Knight Templar Encampment . Other lodges are in formation under this brother ' s assistance in the above degrees , namely " Mark Masonry , Royal Arch , and Knight Templar ' s Encampment . We have tried to fit up a petition to the M . W . Grandmaster of England for a Provincial Grand Lodge in these provinces ; but