India.

hallot was respectively taken for Bro . J . Loekley and Vian for affiliation , and four candidates for initiation , and found quite clear . Messrs . S . Hodgart , J . Masson , J . Cleave , being present , with Messrs . R . Sehmuck and XV . Starstedt , who were ballotted for at the last meeting , were then admitted , and initiated . The lodge in the interim was opened in the F . C . degree , and Bro . Maggs was regularly passed . Some routine business was next gone through , and the AA . M . then informed the brethren that

it was his intention to havo resigned the chair that evening on account of the delicate state of his health , only that he was dissuaded from his purpose by the warm assurance of AV . P . M . Bro . J . Mackinlay , who voluntarily offered to assist him on any occasion he might feel indisposed , or be unable to perform his duties , for which tho AVorshipful Master thanked them . AAT Bro . Mackinlay , in reply to the AA . M . ' s statement , said that it was quite true what Bro . Jamieson had said regarding his

voluntary offer , but he did not see why the brethren should depend upon only one or two to work the lodge ; several brethren should try and qualify themselves for the chair , and with tho . view of more effectually carrying out his proposition , he suggested the formation of a Lodge of Instruction , which matter was referred to the Standing Committee . The AV . M . next thanked the Prov . G . M . for his presence on this occasion , and expressed a wish that he with his Office-bearers should visit

the lodge in his official capacity at its next meeting , to ivhich the Prov . G . M . briefly replied that it gave him extreme pleasure at all times to visit Lodge Perseverance , congratulated the AV . M . on his recovery from his late severe illness , and hoped he would be long spared . It was with sincere satisfaction he observed such a large number of visitors from the English Lodges , and expressed an earnest hope this interchange of fraternal cordiality may long continue . The AA . M . then thanked

W . Bro . Macfarlane for his attendance , although the place he held in Perseverance was but a subordinate one ; who , in reply , said , that it was not his exalted position as Master of Lodge St . George ( which was his mother lodge ) that had induced his long absence from this lodge , in which he oaly held a subordinate position ; but that it was his absence from Bombay that occasioned it , and he hoped now to be able to attend more regularly , and thanked the AV . M . for his election of him as Substitute

Master ; he was happy as a Scotchman to be a member of Perseverance . AV . Bro . Jamieson then thanked the Master and Officers of Lodge Concord for the honour conferred on Lodge Perseverance by their visit , as it was a sound proof of the good and social feeling- existing between the two banners . Bro . T . Diver , the Master of Concord , replied , expressing his great satisfaction at the kind and cordial reception given to himself and his office-bearers . Business being- endedthe lodge

, closed at 8 . 30 p . m ., the brethren adjourning to the banquet table . After the cloth was removed , the following toasts were proposed : — "The Queen and the Craft , " by the AV . M . of the lodge , and drunk with the highest honours . " The Memory of the Duke of Athol , late Grand Master of Scotland , " by the W . M ., and drunk in solemn silence . "The Grand Masters of England and Ireland / ' by the AV . M ., and drunk with honours . " The

Provincial Grand Lodge of AA'estern India . " In proposing this toast the AV . M . congratulated the brethren on the presence among them of the Provincial Grand Master , Bro . R . B . Barton , and expressed a hope that they may often meet him . ( Honours . ) —Bro . BAKTON then rose , and in a speech of remarkable power , uttered with deep fervence , and breathing the true spirit of the Order , returned thanks for the highly flattering maimer in

which his health had been proposed and received by the brethren . He said that circumstances had prevented his visiting the lodge for some time , but the pleasure he felt this evening ivas a great deal heightened at seeing some of the officers of the District Grand Lodge of England , the W . M ., officers , and brethren of Lodge Concord , as visitors . He eulogised in eloquent terms the beneficial tendency of the Orderpourtraycd the

, glorious results to be obtained by a proper working out of the system , expressed himself highly delighted with the scene before him—the happy union of brethren under different constitutions —and hailed the event as a bright omen of future prosperity to the Craft in AA estern India . He spoke in terms of the highest encomium of the efficiency , discipline , and correct working of Lodge Perseverance . He would avail himself of this

oppor tunity to correct a wrong impression that had got abroad that the Provincial Grand Lodgs of Western' India under Scotland was inimical to the District Grand Lodge of England . It was true that they were mixed up in some senseless disagreement ivhich occurred long before he became Provincial Grand Master ,

India.

and with regard to the real merits of which he was still in blissful ignorance ; with this exception , that neither he or his officers had anything to do with the original offence , and deprecated it as much as Masons and gentlemen could do . He hoped that the present happy meeting was the harbinger of future peace , and amity among them ; so that they may work together to the honour and glory of the Order . Of one thing he was certain , that the disagreement alluded to existed only amongst

a very few , and the best proof he had for saying so was the very flattering reception he met with on his recent visit to Kurrachee , not only by Scotch Masons , but a very large and influential body of English Masons , who were present on the occasion , several of whom came from distant parts of the country for the purpose . The worthy Provincial Grand Master continued at some length , and after renewed assurances of his best exertions to advance the interestsnot only of the Orderbut of every

in-, , dividual brother in Masonry as far as lay in his power , again thanked the brethren present for the very hearty and cordial manner in which they had drunk his health . —The XV . M . then rose and proposed "The District Grand Lodge of England . " ( Honours . )—Bro . WICKHAIT , Prov . J . G . AV ., rose and returned thanks . It gave him sincere gratification to be present that evening and witness the harmony between English and Scotch Masons . He was sure that the sentiments uttered by the

Provincial Grand Master would be received in a fraternal spirit by the District Grand Lodge . Their sole aim was to work together for Masonry , and Masonry alone . —The AV . M . then rose and proposed " The AVorshipful Master , officers , and brethren of Lodge Concord . " It gave him great pleasure to see Bro . Diver

and his officers amongst them that evening , and hoped sincerely that tho visit would be often repeated , as the brethren of Lodge Perseverance would always be too happy to welcome brethren of the English constitution . ( Honours . )—Bro . DIVEE rose and returned thanks on behalf of himself and brethren of Lodge Concord . AVhen he contemplated this visit , he little anticipated such extreme pleasure as he then felt . He was utterly at a loss for words to thank them for the very kind and cordial

greeting they had given him and his officer , but he hoped to return the compliment on the following Saturday , when he trusted to see the AV . M ., officers , and brethren of Lodge Perseverance at Lodge Concord . —Bro . DIVEE then called upon the brethren to drink to the health of Bro . Jameison , the W . M . of Lodge Perseverance . Although that worthy brother had just risen from a bed of sickness , ho was surprised at the energy and vigour he displayed that evening in going through all the

work he performed so creditably . It was a flattering proof of his attachment to Masonry ; and concluded by wishing him . health and prosperity to his lodge . ( Honours . )—The AV . M . next proposed " The Health of the Past Masters of Lodge Perseverance , " to which Bro . Mackinlay returned thanks . —The next toast was that of tbe five iniatiates , to which Bro . Sehmuck responded . —The J . AA . then gave the . final toastand the

bre-, , thren separated ; and with mutual expression of regard and esteem , retired to their respective homes well pleased with each other . AVe may here remark that in consequence of the lodge being in mourning , the brethren suppressed their feelings in responding to the different toasts ; but what the tongue failed to utter was joyously displayed in the countenances of one and all .

The Week.

THE WEEK .

THE COUET . —Her Majesty and the younger branches of the Royal family remain at Goodwood . The Prince and Princess of AVales , who have been resident at Frogmoro , have been amusing themselves with fishing , riding , & e ., in the beautiful neighbourhood of Virginia water , and entertaining their friends in the Fishing Temple . On AVednesday they left town for

Goodwood races as the guests of the Duke and Duchess of Rich-, mond . IMEEBIAII PABEIAMENT . — -In the HOUSE OP LORDS on Thursday , the 21 st inst ., the permissive bill for the use of the metric system ofthe weights and measures was , after some discussion , read a second time , by a majority of 11 . Their Lordships also divided upon a bill prohibiting the use of poisoned flesh for the destruction of vermin , hut the second reading was carried by a