India.

Grand Lodge had been held , namely , to lay the foundation stone of a General Hospital at Howrah , which the Prov . Grand Master had been requested to do by the committee of the hospital some time ago . He then adjourned the District Grancl Lodge ; and a procession having been formed by the officiating Grand Director of Ceremonies , the brethren proceeded to the site . On arrival at the north-east corner of the intended building , music was played . The stone being preparedthe officiating Grand Chaplain offered a suitable

, up prayer . The inscription on the plate was then read by the Grand Superintendent of AVorks , and the coin was deposited by the officiating Grand Treasurer . Corn , wine , and oil having been poured on the stone , the officiating GrandMaster descended to the trench and proved that the stone had been properly adjusted , after which he gave three knocks on the stone with the mallet , aud delivered the implements to the architect . The plan and elevation of the building being then shewn to , and approved b the officiating Grand Masterhe reascended the latformand

y , p , an appropriate glee was sung by the brethren , led by W . Bro . Emanuel , P . Prov . G . Org . The officiating Grand Master then delivered the following address : — " It may be asked by some here present why the presence of Freemasons ancl the ceremonials we have just seen enacted b y them , are considered advisable ancl desirable on occasions like the present . I reply that tradition informs us that the ancient founders of our Craft were the greatest benefactors to mankind , and the earliest instructors in the arts and sciences . Tradition informs us that the stuworks of old

pendous , the remnants of which are the wonder of modern times , were planned ancl completed by these worthies . Modem Freemasonry is , therefore justly associated with ideas of architectural science ; and we believe we are in possession of the si gns and symbols used by our illustrious predecessors in their guilds and corporations . It is from this feeling that a custom has arisen to apply to the fraternity to assist at tho commencement of any public work dedicated to useful aud benevolent purposes , and hence our presence here to-day . It is true we are no longer operative masons , but our laws ancl rules enjoin us to apply to our

minds and actions , those principles of order and justice which our forefathers successfully applied to tlie rough rocks and timbers with which the most magnificent works ever seen were happily completed . But you have not assembled here to listen to a lecture on Freemasonry , but to celebrate the erection of a building dedicated to the relief of human pain and suffering . You are not to suppose that this important suburb ofthe metropolis of British India has been hitherto without anything in the shape of an asylum for sufferers from disease and pain ; such is not the ease . A committee of resident gentlemen have for past aided the efforts

years of the station medical officers iu supporting such an institution , aud it has been maintained to tho extent of the means at their disposal . These means were limited ; but the great increase to the population of Howrah that the recently established works in this place have caused has rendered that institution utterly inadequate . The committee determined to solicit the aid of the public in providing an establishment more in unison with the wants of the place . That call has been made and liberally responded to . Two thirds of the estimated cost of the proposed building

have been subscribed for . The East India Railway Company have contributed an annual sum to it , and the government of Bengal has granted the land for the site of the building , the services of a subordinate medical officer , and the gratuitous supply of medicines . Thus encouraged , Ihe committee considered they . were warranted in commencing the erection ofthe building ; and they trust to the benevolence and good feeling of the European aud native public in Howrah and Calcutta and its vicinity to aid their undertaking , by supplying the sum still required for its

completion , and which does not amount to more than 18 , 000 rupees . Under the able direction of our worthy brother Dr . Palmer , the present medical officer of the the station , aided alfd supported by the committee who have so zealously performed their part up to the present time , I think no fear need bo entertained for the future success and welfare of this benevolent and useful undertaking . In the name of the Freemasons of Bengal , I wish them ail success ; aud may the Great Architect of the universe bless and prosper the good work they have begun . ' ' Tho ceremony being ended , the brethren returned to the railway station iu the same order as before . The District Grancl Loclge having been retyled , the Deputy