Doings In Paris.

DOINGS IN PARIS .

[ COMMUNICATED . ] ON SUNDAY , the 15 th instant , the Lodge " Les Amis de la Patrie" gave their first f $ te de I'Enseignement . In the spacious hall of the Grand Orient a large concourse of brethren assembled , with their families and friends , to be present at an entertainment which , if novel in & Masonic way , waa all the more attractive , and indeed proved to be a pleasing , instructive , aud brilliant affair . In

the movement aet on foot a year or two ago by the Masons of Paris for the purpose of free and public education , " Les Amis de la Patrie " indeed stood prominent . And it must here be admitted that the agitation has already , throughout France , borno satisfactory fruits . Under the auspices and direction of the Grand Orient , evening lectures have been delivered by able professors , while classes have

been formed for the stndy of stenography , geography , literature , French history , and foreign languages . In addition to these evening lectures , on each Snnday at nine and ten o'clock a . m ., one has the advantage to hear the worthy Bro . Albert Leroy , in his capacity of a lecturer ; a confe ' rencier who knows not only how to instruct and enlighten his audience , but also how to charm and amnse it , and

that in the most humorous and agreeable manner . Brother Leroy must be looked npon , too , as one of the originators of popular " con / erences , " or public lectures , in this Capital , wherein , not long since , little of that kind of pnblic speaking was known , if wo except the enunciation of strictly political views . Of late , however , this soand constitutional and beneficent practice , so much the fashion

both in England and America , has been adopted here , and widely developed , not merely in politics , but in all cases and for all purposes ; insomuch that npon any subject , however insignificant , people are often convened to hear a lecture , and sometimes listen with great interest to a " confe ' rencier , " whose name they have no idea of . The introduction in this country of such public and philanthropic

ways of informing and enlightening the pnblic mind has , of course , been tho work of many years ; it has been often checked , and sometimes stopped rather violently by imperial authority . This Bro . Leroy , to his cost , has experienced . Its practice is still watched with suspicion , even nnder onr Bepnblican Government . However , it may be confidently hoped that the latter will soon give np those

legal restrictions which it fonnd in the inheritance of those regimes which hare long passed away , and have , in fact , ceased to retain any hold upon the vast majority of Frenchman . The "fe"te" was organised by Bros . Mention and Lemarignier , both good men and true Masons , highly esteemed by all . The former is now the Immediate P . M . of the Lodge " Les Amis de la Patrie , " over

which he has presided for many years , with true Masonic zeal and ability , and thus contributed to its present high tone and prosperity . Of the latter , who now fills the W . M . ' s chair , it may be said , without fear of contradiction , that he is the right man in the right place . Agent General of the " Society for Elementary and Free Teaching " —an institution founded in 1815 , to supply a desideratum long

required , and which now continues to extend progressively its innumerable benefits upon both children and adults—Bro . Lemarignier may , without donbt , be said to be , both in and out of the Master's chair , a true representative of that popular and Masonic agitation which has raised the cry for more Education . The entertainments consisted partly of a concert , the enjoyment

of which was much enhanced by the vocal and instrumental ability of the talented artists engaged , and partly of some scientific demon , strations and chemical experiments , made , with wonderful skill , by Bro . A . Jacquemart , npon the " Origin and Sources of Light , " that " Lux " which is so appropriate a symbol in our mystic Order , and which the G . A O . T . TJ . so munificently diffuses all over our terrestrial

globe , for the enlightenment and delight of mankind . Still , however delightful and instructive were these parts of the entertainment , to many of those present the most pleasant and interesting portions of it , were the able and -well-meant remarks of Bro . Albert Leroy , npon the "Les nouveaux Dimanches Parisiens . " The lecturer is no Sabbatarian . He has , however ,

travelled aud lived in the very lands of Sabbatarianism j and though much inconvenienced by the strict observance of the day of rest , yet he fully respects the spirit with which people submitted to and honoured the old Judaic precept , especially in Scotland ; and on this point he related many old tales about the breach of the Scotch Sabbath . Nothing , however , should tend to

stifle that love for freedom of action which is so innate in human nature . Nature herself never rests : her wonderful and mighty work is a constant and unceasing one , for rest is death or nothingness . Contrasting the Parisian with the London Sunday , the lecturer could not help wondering at the fact that three millions and a half of people are , on a certain day each week , put to rest by law . He

believes that in such a fact there is something mischievous to some and dangerous to others , and fears that it will one day , -with the increase of population in the already largest city of the world , prove to be a social evil for the whole community . Tho masses are never so apt to move themselves to evil doings as when they knew not what to do with themselves ; where to go for recreation , and how to

fill their hands or feed their minds , to wile away their time . Hence the shares taken so often by drink and its dreadful accessories in the "days of rest . " To labour or work—which in clerical langnage is called profanation of tho Lord ' s day—is most probably , to a great number of persona , tho best preservative from wrongdoing . At the same time the lecturer is no supporter of absolute menial work on Sunday , where such work can be avoided , that is if poverty does

not forbid the luxury of a whole day in idleness . His own idea is not for entire cessation from work , but simply for . 1 change of occupation , with a moral and social view of improvement , according to station . The intellects should receive on that day a variety of foi .-d . Hence the diversity of ways and means devised and prepared here , and by which the Parisians can aud do spend their Dimanche . Why should churches only be within the reach or attainment of the people ? Wh y are those who would gladly go to a

Doings In Paris.

mnsenm or a library , who would attend a concert , see a play , or hear a lecture , why should such as these find that they are by law almost forcibly sent to church ? Why such encroachments against the liberty of thought and the freedom of action ; nnd that , too , among a nation so justly proud of its liberties , and so jealous of being foremost in tlie van of liberal and progressive principles ?

The sympathy of the lecturer for the English people , whose character he has had occasion of fully appreciating , and of whose feelings for the French he can positively testify , makes him ardently hope that England will soon get rid of these antiquated notions respecting the " day of rest" for the people ; and that , proclaiming religious equality and religious independence , they will do so in that

broad sense and liberal manner which freedom of thought and action requires to be rightly and entirely unfettered . Thus , Bro . Albert Leroy concluded hia remarks , which wero followed with interest and pleasure by a crowded audience , whose approbation was evinced by long and hearty applause . It is in this way that the Freemasons of Paris have laboured , and are still labouring hard , for the good of Masonry in its broadest

sense and largest views , viz ., the diffusion of light , the elevation of the standard of morality for the better perception of right and wrong , and that by waging determined and vigorous war against ignorance and error , under whatever shape or form they may appear . To make so difficult and , at the same time , 10 highly Masonic a crnsade , the French Masons will be too triad to vie , in fraternal

rivalry , with their Brethren across the Channel , and over tho world , in labour and zeal . Can it possibly be said that they are not following the right path of true Masonio teaching P M . B .

Bombay.

BOMBAY .

Eastern Star Lodge , No . 1189 , E . G . —A regular monthly meeting of this flourishing Lodge was held in the Freemason's Hall , Mazagon , on Monday , the 19 th March last , which was attended by a large number of the Craft , who had been specially invited to meet the E . W . the District Grand Master , and the Officers of the D . G . Lodge , as the Hon . James Gibbs , the D . G . M ., had intimated hia

intention of paying an official visitation to the Lodge on that evening . Amongst those present on this auapveiona occasion were— W . Bros . Peroshaw Merwanjee Jeejeebhoy W . M ., Sorabjee Navorosjee Cooper I . P . M ., Dinshaw Dorabjee Mistry P . M ., Framjee Kaikhnsrav Patack P . M ., Dinshaw Nowrojee Sacklothwalla S . W ., Dnnjeeshaw M . Capndia J . W ., Dhuujeibhoy M . Jeejeebhoy Treas ., Nowrosjee N .

Wadia Sec , Pestoujee M . Narielwallu S . D ., Framjeo D . Petit J . D ., Manockshaw Cavashah I . G ., Cowasjee Sorabjee Patel Tyler . The It . W . 's the Hon . James Gibbs , District G . M of Bombay , Macintosh Balfour D . D . G . M ., W . H . Hussey , Manockjee Cursetjee , Khor . setjee Eustomjee Cama , Jamsetjee N . Dady , Rustomjee G . Baderjee , Muucherjee C . Murzban , C . E . Mitchell , Jehangir Gustadjee , H . W .

Burrow , W . C . Kowe , W . M . McClnmpha , T . Counsell , and many other members aud honorary members , including a numerous assemblage of visitors . The arrangements for the reception of the D . Grand Lodge and the guests of the evening were all that could be desired ; and , considering the large aud influential body of brethren from the sister

Lodges in the Presidency that accepted the invitation of the W . M ., it waa evident the Officers of " Eastern Star , " in the preparations they had so judiciously made , were thoroughly acquainted with their respective duties . After the Lodge had been opened in the E . A . Degree , and the minutes of the previous regular meeting had been read and confirmed ,

the arrival of the It . W . the D . G . M . and his Officers was announced . On entering the Lodge in procession , they were received by the assembly present with full Masonic honours . The E . W . the D . G . M . having ascended the dais was welcomed by the WM ., who resigned to him the emblem of his authority , and requested him to be seated in the Chair of K . S . The Hon . Bro . Gibbs having made a few

complimentary remarks , the W . M . read a short and clear statement of the present condition of the Lodge and its Funds , at the conclusion of which the R . W . District G . M . congratulated the W . M ., Officers and brethren on tho harmony that existed , on the efficient working of the Lodge , and the nourishing condition of its finances . The Lodge was then advanced to the F . C . degree , when Bro . Hiriee

Ardaseer Dady was examined as to his progress in the Craft , when , having proved his proficiency , he was passed out , and tho Lodgo being opened on the Centre , he was duly raised to the sublime degree in a manner that reflected great credit on all who took part in the ceremony . The Lodge thereafter , having been gradually reduced to the E . A .

degree , the most pleasing incident of the evening took place . The W . M . availing himself of the presence of the D . G . M ., solicited him , on behalf of the members of the Lodge , to present a testimonial to VV . Bro . Sorabjee NavarosjeeCooper , the Immediate P . M ., which had been subscribed for by the members of the Lodge , in recognition of the able aud valuable services he had rendered it , during his tenure

of office , as W . M ., in the year 1875-6 . The D . G . M . most readily acceded to the request , and expressed the extreme satisfaction it ati ' orded him to undertake tho pleasing duty of being tbe exponent of the brethren ' s good wishes , and gratitude to their Immediate P . M . who , dnring the time ho ruled the Lodge , had rendered it most valuable services , and was worthily entitled to this substantial acknowledgment of the successful termination of his career as W . M .

Tho Hon . E . W . Brother Gibbs then decorated W . P . Master S . N . Cooper with a valuable Past Master's gold jewel , and invested him with a handsome snit of P . M . ' s clothing , which had been voted to him by the Lodge , at the same time presenting him with an elegantly chased silver cup , and a salver of exquisite Cashmere workmanship , which had been subscribed for by the individual members of the Lodge , as a token of their respect aud esteem ,