The Master of the Supreme Court, Clerke Burton, esq., as Prov. G. M. of the English Masons, and the Hon. Michiel Van Breda, esq., Member of Council, as the Acting Prov. G. M. of the Dutch Masons, together with Br. Neave, the Deputy Prov. G. M. for Bengal, represented their respective Grand Lodges, namely, that under the Constitution of England, and that under the Constitution of the Netherlands, several other military, naval, and Indian Brethren of distinction being present, and assisting at the ceremony.

The Procession was formed at the Commercial Exchange, and proceeded to the site of the intended building. On arriving at the ground, the Masons halted and opened column to the right and left, forming a lane through which the Grand Lodges, the Hon. Mr. Montagu and suite, and the visitors passed towards the foundations. An anthem was then sung by a choir, under the able direction of Mr. Beil. As the stone descended an anthem was sung. The Prov. G. M. invoked a blessing as follows:

"May the All-bounteous Author of Nature bless the inhabitants of this place with all the necessaries, conveniences, and comforts of life; assist in the erection and completion of this building; protect the workmen against every accident, and long preserve this structure from decay. And grant to us all, in needed supply, the corn of nourishment, the wine of refreshment, and the oil of joy. Amen.- So mote it be.”

The Baron von Ludwig, as Chairman of the Company, then addressed Mr. Montagu, as the Deputy of his Excellency the Governor. To which address Mr. Montagu replied. The Prov. G. M. then presented the Trowel used on the occasion, and in the name of the Directors of the Company and the assembled Craft, requested Mr. Montagu's acceptance of it, as a token to remind him of that day's proceedings, and of the honour he had conferred on the Company and the Craft by his ready and powerful aid. The gift was accepted with evident satisfaction; and bore a suitable inscription. The National Anthem was performed by the band of H. M.'s 27th regiment, followed by three hearty cheers of the whole assemblage; and the united Fraternity and visitors returned to the Commercial Hall, in the same order of procession as before observed.

At the Hall, the liberality of the Baron von Ludwig (whose openheartedness and generosity are conspicuous on all occasions where there is a demand for it), had prepared a splendid banquet, at which about 300 persons were present. The Baron was in the Chair, supported on his right by Mr. Montagu, and on his left by Her Majesty's Attorney General. There was some little irregularity in the order of proposing the customary toasts, but good nature and conviviality made amends for all. Amongst them Mr. Montagu's health was received with every demonstration of rapturous regard which could possibly be evinced on such an occasion; and on returning his thanks to the Chairman and the company for the honour conferred on him, was long, loudly, and enthusiastically cheered. The company separated early, one and all delighted with the days' proceedings.

In the evening the Baron entertained a select party at his own house, to commemorate his birth-day, which day had been chosen by the Directors of the Company as the most fitting on which to lay the cornerstone of their intended works, to do honour to their esteemed chairman.

QUEBEC.-Masonry in the Army.-In the Freemason's Quarterly Review we find honourable testimonials of the 46th Regiment. It is stated that "among the archives of this Lodge are many interesting records of high value to its Masonic character," and not the least interesting is the fact of the immortal Washington having been initiated into Masonry in the Lodge belonging to this regiment. It is also very singular and remarkable that the Masonic chest, with the regalia, &c., belonging to the Lodge, should have been twice captured during the last wars, and restored on both occasions under circumstances highly honourable and gratifying both to the captors as well as to the regiment. The gallant 46th is at present in garrison at Quebec.

TEXAS.-Several new Lodges, and two R. A. Chapters, have been opened in this republic during the year. Owing to the disjointed state of society in general, and the difficulty of remitting from the frontier towns to Austin, the returns have not been regularly made from some of the Lodges, but altogether the Order is progressing, and the annual meeting of the Grand Lodge in January was looked to with considerable expectation, when some of the representatives from the Grand Lodges of the United States were expected to attend.

AMERICA, (UNITED STATES).*

NEW YORK.-It has been finally settled that a Masonic library shall be collected, whereby the means of attaining a knowledge of the "history" of our Order may be ensured. Already our Grand Lodge library assumes a character of importance; it contains many rare books, among them the works of the Rev. Dr. Óliver, whom the English Brethren justly boast as the historian of the Order; to which will be added, his Landmarks," ," "The Charter of Cologne," by Bro. Kloss, &c. The Freemasons' Quarterly Review is a staple literary commodity. The volume for 1843 has been added, by presentation of Bro. Dr. Crucefix, and the compliment acknowledged by the following letter, addressed to him, which we subjoin, to mark the appreciation by Grand Lodge of that work:-†

"New York, Sept. 9, 1845.

"DR. R. T. CRUCEFIX,-I have the pleasure to inform you, Worshipful Brother, that on the 3d inst. I presented to the Grand Lodge of this State the tenth volume of the Freemasons' Quarterly Review, in your name.

“The Grand Lodge received your gift with great satisfaction, and instructed me to return you their thanks for your interesting and valuable present.

"I am, Worshipful Brother, with fraternal regard, your's, &c.
"JAMES HERRING, Grand Sec."

Mark the difference in New York-a library is regularly forming; in London the project is stated to be a failure! Bide a while: the schoolmaster is abroad, and the spirit is at work.

In addition to our private correspondence, we have the advantage of profiting by frequent access to the two best Masonic periodicals of the United States, viz., the American Masonic Register, edited by Bro. Hoffman, Albany, New York, and the Freemasons' Monthly Magazine, edited by Bro. W. C. Moore, Boston.

Expectation points to Bro. Herring, our respected Grand Secretary, from whose pen a work on Masonic Jurisprudence is about to emanate, and the standard literature of the Order would be enriched by the collection into volumes of the beautiful discourses and addresses of Bros. Thaddeus Harris, Salem Town, Joseph Chandler, and others.*

Boston is not behind in this laudable work. Her foremost leader, Bro. C. W. Moore, is at his post. Maryland, Iowa, and Texas are engaged in the same view. Masonic libraries, added to the representative system, bid fair to secure our privileges and maintain our rights. Knowledge is power.

The proceedings of the Emergent Grand Lodge of New York, on the melancholy announcement of the decease of the late General, Bro. Andrew Jackson, ex-President, were conducted with all the solemnity due to the occasion.

PITTSBURGH.-A very stringent appeal has been made by Lodge No. 45 in aid of the Brethren who in the late disastrous fire have lost their ALL, and at the present moment actually want bread. It is well put, that if every Mason would but give his mite, means might be raised not only for the temporary support of the Brethren, until by industry and labour they could support themselves, but would even suffice to rebuild their Masonic Hall. A Committee of Correspondence has been formed.

WINCONSIN.-The Grand Master, Bro. Kavanaugh, has addressed his first annual exhortation to the Brethren, in which he brought before them every topic, and concludes by some very pertinent remarks on the case of an impostor. New Lodges are springing up all over the West, but Chapters are wanting.

FLORIDA. The annual report has been published,

OHIO.-The last annual report was very important and interesting; it contains an admirable address by the Grand Master, Bro. W. Thrall. The grand orator afterwards delivered a very eloquent discourse. The corner-stone of a new Masonic edifice has been laid.

MARYLAND.-The Grand Lodge is improving in its discipline, but requires caution in its proceedings. Some of its subordinate Lodges still lack zeal, and are difficult to move. The Grand Master's (Bro. Gillman) address is a lucid composition.

CHATHAM FOUR CORNERS.-The address by Bro. Lee on St. John's day was highly sensible and intelligent. It deserves publication.

CONNECTICUT.-Bro. Peck, the M.W. G. M., has not been behind his fellows. His annual address was brief, but to the point.

The Masonic Obituary in the United States records the harvest of death. Many excellent Brethren have passed from the temporal to the eternal "secret," leaving behind them a remembrance of their pilgrimage on earth as the best legacy of Masonic friendship.

* Private Lodges are also at work. The Lodge of Strict Observance, over which Bro. Herring presides, has received many valuable books, shells, minerals, &c., for their Library and Museum.

INDIA.

The Agents in Calcutta for this Review are- -Messrs. LATTEY, BROTHERS and Co., Government-place; and Messrs. THACKER and Co., St. Andrew's Library.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

THE SUSPENSION OF A MASTER AND HIS SENIOR WARDEN.-The submission of the Master to the fiat of his Masonic government is a clearance of character. The suspension being fully and honestly complied with, he may resume his rank and station, and the dues, of course, being paid up, he may be invested as a Past Master. In the case of the Senior Warden there appears a great difference as to the lengthened term of suspension; but the members of the Lodge alone can judge of the propriety of electing him Master. In our opinion, the length of the supervision is a purification. Both of the Brethren can return to their Lodge as natural members, paying their arrears. Suspension is not expulsion; and when the Masonic law is satisfied, charity should re-assert her natural rights. THE TEMPLAR QUESTIONS.-A reply will be found elsewhere.

BRO. G. K. TEULON.-The Agents for Bro. Spencer's publication in Bengal are Messrs. Ostell and Lepage, Calcutta. The laws of the K. T. and higher degrees are not yet in print. Those of the Irish Grand Council, &c. (78 6d.), are on sale at Bro. Spencer's.

CALCUTTA.-Star in the East.-Bro. W. A. Laurie, F.S.A., Secretary to the Grand Lodge of Scotland, has been unanimously elected an honorary member. We understand that a similar compliment has been paid him in Bombay, by the Lodge Rising Star, of Western India.

SCINDE, Sept. 16.-The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of a Masonic Hall took place. The Brethren of Lodge Hope assembled in considerable force at the house of the Senior Warden, and proceeded in procession, accompanied by the full band of H. M. 86th Regiment. On arriving at the site, the Worshipful Master of the Lodge delivered an oration, and the officiating officer having handed Sir C. Napier the necessary implements, his Excellency proceeded to lay the stone, and enclose in it a bag containing coins and a paper. This portion of the ceremony being performed and the stone fixed, Sir C. Napier proceeded to address the assembly. We do not pretend to do more than offer a faint outline of the address, which was in delivery fluent and impressive. It commenced by stating that his position was a difficult one, owing to the suddenness of the call; that his attention having been diverted to other objects for many years, he was probably one of the worst Masons present, but as there might be some less acquainted with the subject even than himself, he would endeavour to give a sketch of the history of Masonry from the earliest times. It might be said to be coeval with creation, for when order and harmony arose Masonry might be said to exist; that the first faint trace of it in England was to be found amongst the Druids and that subsequently during the Heptarchy it assumed a substantial form; that the Masons were then engaged in the erection of cathedrals and churches both in England and Wales. They were at first a persecuted sect, but subsequently obtained immunities, and were

recognized as a body with full permission to prosecute their Craft, whence the term arose of free and accepted Masons. Masonry was to be traced in nearly all parts of the globe-in Arabia, in Persia, and amongst an interesting people called the Druses, inhabitants of a country at the foot of Mount Lebanon, who had up to the present day preserved their independence amongst their native forests, and whose rites and ceremonies were believed to be Masonic. It was asserted that a Brahmin from India had travelled to and penetrated their wilds, and had been admitted to a knowledge of their mysteries. Masonry had been embraced by potentates, princes, and prelates; it inculcated charity, benevolence, and every moral worth. And now, gentlemen, concluded his Excellency, having joined with you in laying the foundation stone of the first Masonic Hall in Scinde, and having with other Masons subscribed to the erection of the first Christian temple ever erected in this country, I trust we shall be ready to subscribe to a Protestant one, and with this hint I take my leave of you.

The ceremony being concluded, the procession returned in the same order. Many ladies were present in carriages and on horseback, as well as a large number of gentlemen equestrians, and a great body of spectators. We have been favoured with a sight of the elevation of the future hall, and do not hesitate to say that, in our opinion, it will be a handsome and imposing structure, and consequently a great ornament to the presidency.-Kurrachee Advertiser.

CHINA. HONG KONG, Sept. 28.-Freemasonry is certainly progressing, but the fees are too exorbitant, and certain merchants are making money by advancing loans, at high interest, for building a spacious house, to contain Reading and Assembly Rooms, as well as chambers for Lodges, &c.; but it is yet too early for such extensive operations, and it is very probable that a new Lodge will be formed, better suited, because limited to existing circumstances.

LITERARY NOTICES, &c.

Historical Landmarks of Freemasonry. By the Rev. George Oliver, D. D. Spencer, London. The thirty-fourth Lecture treats on the increase of Freemasonry from its revival, in 1717, and introduces a great variety of remarks from different authors, more especially from those in America. The subject of " Landmarks" is handled with great acuteness, and at considerable length. There may be some who will probably think the Author is too descriptive, but such must bear in mind that the Doctor quotes from printed works, sanctioned by Grand Lodges; and that, if he did not avail himself of such information, he could scarcely accomplish the great object he has in view. The thirtyfifth Lecture is devoted to the Royal Arch Tracing-board, which is developed and illustrated with great care. The thirty-sixth Lecture enters into the ineffable degrees, and the thirty-seventh unfolds the "Sacred Roll."