Masonic Rencontres — The Two Isthmus.

the boats , we saw behind the graceful lines of the " Poseidon , " the huge white bulk of the Indian troop-.-hi . ¦ " Serapis " crowded with invalids ; behind her again a long line of masts and chimnies ; all brought to a stand by the same vexatious incident , and following as closely as

the Canal rules would allow . The masters and anxious passengers of these hurrying homeward-bounders wore : doubtless wafting- liberal blessings towards tho cause of our delay ; which Ave found to be an empty collier , on return voyage from Bombay , hopelessly stuck fast until

next tide . Preparation was already afoot , by means of stout cables to stakes on the bank , and the aid of a Company ' s tug , to warp her off as soon as possible ; and there being nothing for us to do , Ave elected to take a walk on shore . Though the blistering yielding sand seemed

not inviting , and others were contented gambolling Avith the dogs by the Canal margin , I toiled up and blundered over the rough sandhills , emerging upon the level plain behind . It Avas nigh sunset ; the arid desert stretched

blasted and treeless , up to bare ranges on the horizonin the distance gleamed the white stones of Suez—before me ran the sweet-water Canal , and beyond it white smokeclouds hovering in the blue air told of the train upon its flight to Cairo .

At some distance along the bank Avas visible a cluster of buildings , Avhich , on nearer approach , proved to be a wooden house and large courtyard . The canal telegraph which branched off thence across the desert , showed the purpose of this desolate station . On a huge board over

against the canal , appeared in large letters , its curious name , Avhich I have forgotten , but fancy it Avas something like " ( rare Guillaumet . " Outside a swing-gate stood a pretty , pale child , Avith flowing hair , who fled as I approached . Urged simply by curiosity , I strolled into the

yard or corral and seeing the house-door Avide open , looked in . The gaping weather-boarding of the outer walls , betrayed the scorching heat to which the place was exposed . Within , I saw a room Avell panelled , though with unpainted , unvarnished woodAVork . Some shelves stood at the end , near

a window ; a plain deal table and some cane chairs completed the furniture . The occupant—a pale thin man Avith a stoop , laid down a meerschaum pipe , and rose courteously , asking me in French , to enter . Some hazy reminiscence floated across me , as I gazed into his sunken blue eyes . As I sat

down opposite to him , apologising for my intrusion ; notwithstanding his prematurely faded aspect aud Avorn features , I recognised my brother and benefactor of Panama . I at once claimed his recollection of the circumstances . After pondering awhile , a gleam of recognition awoke ,

Avhich on calling to mind the SAvord-stick , at once ripened into pleasure . Ho became then almost talkative , though a hopeless sort of lassitude ( effect , no doubt , of the

climate ) seemed to have taken hold of him . I recounted my wanderings since we parted , and at length , over a bottle of absinthe , extracted from him , bit by bit , the following narrative .

Some months after my departure , he had left the service of the Panama Railroad Company , and . set to Avork to develope the riches of the old Spanish gold mine . On the point of success he was struck down Avith fever ; and during the crisis Avhen his life was despaired of , and

subsequent tardy convalescence , his labourers robbed him of all he possessed , and deserted . He had to leave the place , broken in health , with the additional mortification of seeing some Chinamen , Avho had confined themselves to Avashing the old " tailings" of the Spaniards , on the high road to

fortune . At Colon he had shipped as steward on board an American vessel , bound Avith India-rubber and other produce to a port in Spain . Arrived in Europe , he had a recurrence of fever ( to which one is ever after more or less liable ) , and remained for some time in Hospital at

Marseilles . Applying to a Lodge m that city , ho had been most cordially assisted , and through fraternal recommendation obtained the berth of purser on a Mediterranean packet . At length , acquaintance Avith an employe of the French Embassy at Constantinople , procured him a

situation there , and he joined one of our English Lodges at Pera . Attracted by a compatriot , proprietor of a Cafe at Smyrna , he wont to that place , and joined him in business . His partner dying , leaving affairs in great disorder , he

married the AV ICIOAV—a fine Levantine , and strove to support the famil y by trading in a small Avay . Times Avere going hard Avith him , Avhen a fortunate presentation to M . do Losseps gave him subsequent opportunity to ask for employment iu which his old knowledge

Masonic Rencontres — The Two Isthmus.

of Telegraphy might be available . This post Avas the result ; and his object was to saA e sufficient to enable him , in two or three years time , to start a general store at Alexandria , whore his wife had relatives . At about this point in our conversation , some one

emerged from the darkness into the doorway . Ti was one of the ship ' s officers , come to look forme . Being offered a glass ol'Ab-u ' nfhe , he muttered , under his breath , "Thin is the staff they J : ill themwlres here vith , is it ?"

It being imperative for me to return to the steamer , T could only depart , wishing him every kind of success ; leaving him , I trust , in rather improved spirits , for it was but seldom he had opportunity of seeing strangers or in fact , any society except his family .

On return to the "Poseidon , " I at once requisitioned tho ships' stores for tinned milk , sweet biscuits , a bottle of cognac and a dozen of claret . These , with a box of Manila No . l ' s , Avere despatched to the Avooden house next

morning in charge of a steward , and I trust repaid in some measure , the hospitality of nine years before . By breakfast time we Avere well on our Avay , to the Bitter Lakes , and fresh subjects of interest arose to efface the remembrance of this second rencontre .

It was not till one starlight night as Ave steamed past the Pillars of Hercules , that Avhilst Avatching tho phosphorescent Avave-crests of the Mediterranean mingle Avith the long swell of the Atlantic , I remembered the

strange prediction recounted to me by Girandiev at Panama ; which he seemed now to have forgotten ; and which , if sunken cheeks and languid bearing could be taken as evidence , seemed already too near to its accomplishment .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

WE beg to remind our readers that the Anniversary Festival of this Institution Avill be held on Wednesday , the 2 " th instant , Avhen tho Right Honourable the Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot , Provincial Grand Master of Staffordshire , will occupy the chair . Our notice of the

immense benefits conferred by this charity , and of the necessity there is for maintaining , and even , if possible , extending its sphere of usefulness , is so recent , that any

further comment by us is hardly necessary . However , Ave subjoin a complete list of the Board of Stewards , the President being , it will be observed , R . W . Bro . Samuel RaAVson , P . Dist . G . M ., China .

BOARD OF STEWARDS . President . R . W . Bro . SAMUEL RAWSON , P . Dist . G . M . China .

Vice Presidents . R . W . Bro . Lord Henry Thynne , M . P ., S . G . W W . M . 1-178 V . W . „ ltov . C . J . Mnrfcyn . Vico . Patronl ' . C ' r . Cli . ... P . M . 122 -t W . „ J . Percy Loith , S . G . D . P . M . 549 „ Charles ' W . C . Hntton , J . G . D P . M . % ' „ William J . Ilugliati , P . G . S . D

„ Hyde Pallen , P . G . S . B 1383 „ Capt , Richard Cop . ? , V . P ., P . G . S . B ., PG . W . Cheshire „ J . Daniel Moore , M . D ., P . G . S . B P . M . 281 „ Thomas Cnbitt , G . I ' urst P . M . 1115 „ Robert Stokes , P . P . S . G . W . Wits , Province of Wiltshire „ Rev . John N . Palmer , P . l' . G . W . Hants and

Tsleof Wight , P . l ' . G . Chap . O . von . P . M . ... 098 10 „ Jonas Craven , L' . P . G . S . W . West Yorks

„ Capt . John Wordsworth . AM ' . P . l ' . G S . W . West Yorks . „ Henry Day , P . P . G . W . West Yorks P . M . 208 „ Rev . H . Adair Picknul , 11 . A ., P . L \ G . S . W . Oxon , W . M . Elect . 357

„ C . Marsh , P . P . G . AY . Staffordshire ... ... P . M . 4 G 0 „ Frederick Derry 1 \ P . G . W . Staffordshire ... P . M . 482 „ John Sutclitfe , P . P . G . W . Lincolnshire ... P . M . 1291 „ E . T . Inskip , Pro . G . Sec . Bristol , P . I' . G . J . W . Somerset , P . M . 020 P . M . 973

„ George Lambert , V . P ., P . P . G . J . W . Herts ... P . M . 503 „ Rev . F . W . Harnett , P . G . Chap . Berks and Bncks . Ch . 810 „ Rev . D . J . Dmkeford , P . P . G . Chap . Somerset S . D . 25 f » „ Win . llonry Gill , P . l ' . G . Reg . West Yorks 1019 „ W . II . B . Tomlitison , J . P . P . Prov . G . Reg . AV . Y . „ Charles Horsloy , P . P . G . Reg . Middlesex .. P . M . 1309

„ H . Howard IIod ; , 'es , P . l ' . G . Keg . Berks & Books P . M . 795 „ J . Jacobs , P . P . G . Reg . Staffordshire P . M . 482 „ Alfred Avery , P . P . G . Reg . Kent P . M . 1314 ., AVilliam Cutbnsh , Prov . G . S . of W . Herts ... W . M . 13 S 5 „ J . E . LoFonvre , P . P . G . Sec . Hants * I . of W . P . M . 130 ., T , S . Carter , P . G . S . D . Herts W . M . ' 103