India.

brethren to honour him with such a permanent proof of their regard . Amongst the Lodges that were represented on the occasion we may mention the names of Perseverance , Rising Star , St . Andrews in the East , Victoria , Felix , Concord , St . George . The P . M . of Lodge Concord , R . W . Bro . David Hepwortb , was unable to attend ; but he sent the subjoined telegram to the R . W . M . of Lodge Perseverence , expressive of the interest he felt

in the proceedings of the evening . — "Assure R . W . Bro . Cartwright that duty prevents my being present to bear testimony to his eminent ability and courtesy , and to the benefits conferred by him on the Order , of which he is so distinguished and worthy a member . " Before making the presentation R . W . Bro . MCKINLAY made a few introductory remarks , explanatory of the manner in which the testimonial had been subscribed for . Addressing the brethren he said : — " The business of the evening being so far ended , there still

remains a very pleasant duty to perform , which is the presentation of this vase and lamp combined , to our R . W . P . Prov . G . M . ; and as a number of the brethren now present were not so on the occasion when it was voted , it will perhaps not be out of place to let to let them know something about it . At a regular monthly meeting of the brethren held in this hall it was proposed by W . Bro . Hodgart , seconded by W . Bro . Omealy , and carried unanimousl— 'That a testimonial should be presented to our Past

y , Prov . G . M . on his retiring from the chair of Western India . ' This proposition was handed over for adjustment , to tbe standing committee , as to price , & c , and when they met it was proposed by myself , seconded by W . Bro . Hodgart , that the testimonial should be agreed to at once , and that the P . Prov . G . M . should be called upon to make his own choice . Our worthy Secretary , Bro . Jones had kindly got some sketches of vases , & c , from home , and our P . Prov . G . M ' s . choice fell on this one , and through the very

great kindness and perseverance of Bro . Jones it has been made , from the sketch selected , what you now see it . The standing committee , however , thought that the other Lodges of Western India , working under the Grand Lodge of Scotland , might like to take a share in expressing the good feeling entertained towards the Prov . G . M . by the fraternity of Western India ; consequently they were invited to subscribe towards it , and I am happy to say that four of the Lodges very kindly responded , sending their donations at the same time . It is needless , brethren , for me to speak to you in praise of our R . W . P . Prov . G . M ., as his good and sterling qualities are but too well known to you all , or if not to all , to

most of us . We all know , brethren , that during his term of office he was ever ready to assist , with his counsel and advice , those who sought it , and that he has ever been ready to carry out that great characteristic of Masonry—charity . There cannot be the slightest doubt of this : as I for one , and I am sure many here present , know that his purse has ever been open—not only to the indigent brother , but likewise to the widow and the orphan . After these few remarks I will not detain you longer , brethren , but at once

proceed with tho presentation . " The R . W . M . then addressed himself to the P . Prov . G . M . in these words : — " Right Worshipful Sir , —As Master of this Lodge , the pleasing duty of presenting you with this testimonial , subscribed for by the United Lodges of Western India , working under the banner of Scotland , has devolved upon me . —I could have wished that some more eloquent Mason than myself had been deputed to conveywith this fraternal token of esteem and regard

, , the sentiments of all tbe brethren over whom you have so long and so sucessfully presided ; but rest assured , Right Worshipful Sir , that what the tongue lacks in fluency the heart more than makes up for in feeling . To Masonry you have ever been an honour and an ornament , and probably the chair of the Prov . G . Lodge of Western India had never a more zealous , or more enthusiastic , occupant . Combining the suaviter in modo with the . / briber in re , you were able at all times to uproot every element of discord

almost as soon as it had germinated . For , anxious to conciliate rather than coerce , and to admonish rather than punish , your whole Masonic career has been one of undoubted usefulness , creditable not only to yourself , but to every lodge subject to your jurisdiction . Lodge Perseverance especially must ever feel d ' eeply indebted to you ; and when I say that to you we owe , in a great measure , both our present and past prosperity , I believe that I only brother

express the sentiments of every present . There are but a small number left now of the brethren with whom you worked , as Master of this lodge , in days gone by ; but you will still perceive a sprinkling of old familiar faces , who have come forward to do honour to this occasion , and to bear witness , by their presence here to-night , to the high estimation in which you were held when you filled tbe Master ' s chair of this lodge . Iu the name , therefore , of the Masters , Office-bearers , and brethren of Lod

ges Perseverance , Rising Star , St . Andrew's in the East , Victtoria , and Felix , I present you with this vase on your retirement from the Grand Master's chair , as a token of their fraternal esteem and regard . The just manner in which vou have ever

discharged the duties of your high aud honourable office , while : t lias elevated the character of Masonry in the eyes of the world , has , at the same time , redounded to your credit both as a distinguished member of the craft , and as a private citizen . This piece of plate may , therefore , in the autumn of existence , remind you of pleasant hours where you passed its summer ; and I hope that long after the the hiram of tbe G . A . O . T . U . has summoned you to the Grand

Lodge above , it will be regarded as an heir-loom by your chiidren and your children ' s children : stimulating them to follow the same undeviating course of square steps , level conduct , and upright intentions which has ever characterised your career both as a Mason and as a man . " The R . W . P . PEOV . G . M . then rose , and thus addressed the Master and brethren present : — " Right Worshipful Sir and dear Brethren , — r

You must bear with me if I fail to express myself as I would wish to do , for it is [ no easy thing to acknowledge suitably and with becoming modesty such kindness and such honour as you have paid me this evening . Brethren , it is not the sight of that magnificent gift , but it is the knowledge of the feelings which have prompted , you to present it , which moves me to say that I do most deeply appreciate the marks of regard which follow my retirement from

the Provincial Chair of Western India . You have alluded , sir , in a very feeling manner to my mastership of this lodge , a lodge which ; we are all proud to feel , is known through the whole world , not only as a numerous and influential lodge , but as ever ready to receive with open arms all brethren who knock at its portals . I look back with no common pride to the day when you did me the honour to elect me to that distinguished office , and I remember well , brethren , my surprise at finding that your choice had fallen upon me . But

I soon found out the reason ; and at the risk of being charged with self-praise , I will venture to say what I believe it was—a very simple but a cogent one , that I had been a hard worker in the good cause in far off China . You have been good enough . to advert , in very pleasant terms , to the relations which subsisted between us as members of . Lodge Perseverance , Master , Officers , and members altogether , and most cordially do I endorse your recollections : they are indeed uncloudedand I look back upon my occupation of that

, chair as Master of this lodge with unmixed pleasure . I see great changes , though ! Many have left us for love and home in their native land , not a few have gone to their long home . Brethren ' . whilst our loving hearts have followed some , our sacred prayers rest on the graves of others . Peace be with them all ! I have

been long amongst you—nearly ten years—and up to the period , of my retirement last year I have been actively engaged in the furtherance of those pinciples wich hind masons together ia all lands and in all ages ; it has been a delight and pleasure to me , and I relinquished my pleasurable duties with regret . Right Worshipful sir and brethren , it is not meet for me to dwell upon the flattering terms \ n which you have spoken of my occupancy of the chair during five years of office ; but let me assure

you that if my rule was successful , if it was pleasant to those associated with me , above all , if it was advantageous to the Craft , these results were mainly due to the support which I received from those whose interests were entrusted to my supervision . I , can only say that my heart was in my work , and that at all times I endeavoured to do my duty . But I may record my deep and earnest gratification at this testimony to my efforts , and speak my grateful pride in the events of this evening .

Right worshipful sir , I shall not fail to convey to the sister lodges wdio have joined Lodge Perseverance in this tribute , my lasting sense of the honour done to me . I shall ever preserve this splendid testimonial as a proof of your brotherly love and esteem , and it will , I trust , remain in my family for generations to come as a graceful memento of your kindness and regard . And when , perhaps , I am far away from India , sitting by an English fireside in years to comethis beautiful and costllampthis " Masonic

, y , Light , " your gift , brethren , will shine upon me and mine , and pour brightness , love , and joy into my heart . Believe me , I shall often think of you then . The great honour you have done me in the manner of its presentation , and , above all , right worshipful sir , the words which you have addressed to me this evening , sink deep into my heart , and they will be treasured up my life long . Brethren , I cannot—I think I need not—say more ; I am deeply touched , and thank you again , wishing you God speed in all good work !"

The R . W . Prov . G . M . seemed to feel deeply the honour which he had just received ; and during his short , but eloquent , address , his voice several times trembled with emotion . The brethren were also visibly affected , Bro . Cartwright having ever been held hi the highest estimation amongst them . The testimonial is very handsome , consisting of a vase and lamp , manufactured by Bro . Huntley , of London , and of the value of eighty guineas . It bears the crest of the P . Prov . G . M , and the following inscription : — Presented to R . W . Bro . Henry Durance Cartwright , P . Prov . G . M . of Western India , by the brethren of lodges Perseverance ,