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tion has been given by intelligent exponents of their faith , which reduces the supposed adoration of the clement to an act of symbolism . Zoroaster , the founder of their religion , taught that the world was governed by two principles . Ormuzd was the source of all good and light ; Ahi-iman , the author of all evil and darkness , though in his own realm coequal , was not

recognised as coeternal ivith the author of good . To the Sun , as the fittest imago of the Almighty , and to Fire , as the purest , the most active , and the least corruptible of created things , the devout Persian was to turn his eyes ivhen engaged in pra ' yer . It is not surprising that strangers from without , or the ignorant and superstitious from within , should have confounded the

outward sign with the . thing signified , the Creator ivith the creature , which was at first intended only to signify his spiritual attributes in bodily shape . Such a mistake is perhaps not without a parallel in western lands and amongst western creeds . The Parsees present many points of contrast to the Hindoos , and it cannot be denied that the advantages of the comparison

are on the side of the former . Both , it is true , believe in the immortality of the soul ; both expect a heaven or dread a hell ; but the Parsee , when charged with idolatry , throws the burden of proof on his accuser with justice , and perhaps ivith success . The Hindoo , on the other hand , stands convicted by the idols that crowd both house and temple . " Gods many and lords

many" divide the allegiance wliich was once paid only to Bvahm , the Creator , and his ministers , "Vishnu , the Preserver , and Shiva , the Destroyer" As a consequence , numerous barbarous and degrading superstitions check or neutralise the spread of western civilisation and education . The western conqueror , though he has exchanged the olive branch for the sword , is

repelled at the outset by the impenetrable system of caste . While this remains the strongest outwork of the religious and social system of the Hindoos , it must not only be an almost insurmountable impediment to the access of true religion and enlightenment , but also to the exercise of anything like largehearted charity and brotherhood between man and man . How

can western ideas make their Avay amongst a people , ivhose superstitions so kindle their suspicions , that a greased cartridge may become the cause of a general rebellion ? How can a man think of another as his brother , made like himself , after God ' s image , when to touch him is pollution ? It is , however , only fair to acknowledge that the great

sagacity of these people , the boundless resources of the country they inhabit , the interest in their welfare now awakening in England , all encourage the hope , that , as they enjoy the laws and liberties , so they may be led to adopt the faith and manners of Englishmen ; until that day arrives , there can be but little hope of friendly intercourse between the dominant and the subject races .

For the foregoing reasons , we are of opinion that Parsees are eligible to be admitted to the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry , care and due precaution being taken that the candidates are of good repute , which must be deemed an essential element in all cases . And while we are unprepared to say , that men professing the religion of the Hindoo , believing in the

glorious Architect of Heaven and Earth , and practising the pure principles of morality , can bo excluded from a participation in such mysteries and privileges , yet , for the reasons ive have expressed , great caution should be observed , and vigilant inquiries made to ascertain ivhether a candidate of the reli gion professed by the Hindoos is or is nota fit and proper person to

became a Freemason . It does not seem to us requisite to enjoin a candidate ( not being Jew or Christian ) to make the Book on which he is obligated " the rule and guide of his faith ; " ivords may easily be

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selected and used to meet the exigencies of such cases , and we think without any violation of the forms and ceremonies adopted by English Masons . ( Signed ) J . S . S . HOPAVOOD , President . JAMES MASO _ , Vice-President . Freemasons' Sail , 2 nd August , 18 G 4 .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

BEITAXXIC LODGE ( NO . 33 ) . —The regular meeting of this old lodge was held on Friday , the Uth inst ., at the Freemasons ' Tavern . The business consisted of one raising , three passings , and one initiation . The brethren afterwards partook of the usual banquet .

MOUNT LEBAJJOX LODGE ( JNO . 73 ) . —This old and prosperous lodge held its regular meeting on Tuesday , the 15 th inst ., at the Green Man Tavern , Tooley-street ( Bro . C . A . Cathie ' s ) . Bro . E . H . Levy , W . M ., assisted by Bros . F . Walters , I . P . M . ; H . Moore , S . W . ; J . C . Gooddy , J . AV . ; E . Harris , P . M ., See . ; G . Morris , S . D . ; M . A . Loewenstark , J . D . ; F . H . Ebsworth , I . G . ; Dr . Dixon , P . M . ; T . JN " . Moore , E . G . Chipperfield , Cooper , JR . Fenn , J . Delany , G . J . Loe , C . A . Cathie , J . T . C . Powell ,

Harrison , JRetzbach , Sabine , Goulty , Jackson , Drapper , Maidivell , Bose , Jacobs , Hunter , Lipscombe , and many others , opened the lodge . The first ceremony was the raising Bros . Hose , Hai-i-ison , llctzbacli , and Jackson to the sublime degree of Master JIasons . Bros . Drapper , Maidwell , Jacobs , and Hunter ivere then passed to the degree of Fellow Craft Masons . Mr . Barclay was then introduced , and initiated into ancient Freemasonry . The W . M . Bro . E . N . Levyperformed all the

, , ceremonies in his usual impressive manner . A benevolent fund was agreed to be formed and added to the lodge . All business being ended , the lodgo ivas closed , and the brethren adjourned to a cold collation . The visitors Avere Bros . Parrish , L . Davis , Carrol , & c .

ST . GEOEGE ' S LODGE ( NO . 140 ) . —This old flourishing lodge held its regular meeting on Wednesday , the 16 th inst ., at the Lecture Hall , Greenwich . Bro . E . M , Hnbbuck , W . M ., presided , and was supported by Bros . T . Ryder , H . A . Collington , G . N . Mourylian , Sec , ancl Dr . W . Scott , P . M . 's ; C . L . Smyth , S . W . ; Badger , J . W . ; Tattershall , S . D . ; W . Noak , J . D . ; and many other brethren too numerous to mention . Amongst the visitors we noticed Bro . F . WaltersP . M . 73147871 j " W . It .

, , , Orchard , P . M . 79 ; Palmer , 57 ; Allen , 101 ; and others . The business was one initiation and one passing . Bro . Dr . Scott , P . M ., initialed Dr . Cogan into ancient Freemasonry . All the work was well rendered . After business , the brethren adjourned to Bro . Moore's , Globe Tavern , Koyal Hill , Greenwich , where they enjoyed a first-class banquet . The usual loyal toasts were given and received .

LODGE OE JUSTICE (_ STo . 14-7 ) . —This old-established lodge held its regular meeting on Wednesday , the 9 th inst ., at the White Swan Inn , High-street , Deptford ( Bro . J . Porter ' s ) . The lodge ivas opened Bro . J . Bavin , S . W ., assisted by Bros . J . Lightfoot , J . W . ; C . II . Davis , P . M . and Sec ; G . Chapman , S . D . ; J . Patte , J . D . ; F . Walters , P . M . ; Wingfield . and very many others too numerous to mention . Amongst a large number of visitors we noticed Bros . T . JN . Moore , 73 ; F . H .

Ebsworth 73 ; W . Simmons , P . M . 548 ; J . W . Avery , W . M . 619 ; G . Holman , 871 ; and many others . Bro . G . Bolton , P . M . and Treas ., then took the chair , and presided over the lodge for the remainder of the evening . The only . work AA'hich presented itself from a large programme on the summons were two initiations . The candidates were duly introduced separately , and the esteemed W . M . rendered the ceremony in his usual impressive manner . After business the lodge was closed , and the brethren , upwards of thirty in number , sat down to a superior first-class banquet .

WiriiTUfGios- LODGE ( SO . SG 2 ) . —IN -STAILATIOX OT THE AV . JI . —The members of this lodge assembled at the Whittington Club on Monday evening last , ivhen among those present there were Bros . Hurlstone , W . M . ; J . G . Thompson , P . M . and Treas . ; T . Wavell , P . M . ; W . II . Warr , S . W . and W . M . elect ; G . H . Griffin , J . W . ; Hamilton , S . D . ; Quilty , J . D . ; Collins , Sec . ; Weaver , Jennings , Cleghorn , Sheard , Jones , Carle , D . J .