Provincial Grand Lodge Of Northumberland.

send from the Province £ 1 , 222 for the Aged and Benevolent Institution . The sum had been exceeded this year by the contributions amounting to over - £ 1 , 250 . He was glad they had been able to do so much for the Charity , and that

the medium had been Bro . Thompson , who deserved so well of this Province and Masonic life . Let him say how p leased he hacl been with the compliment paid him by those who had petitioned for the new Lodge in the Province .

They were all workers in the cause of Masonry , and let them not forget it was not the mere increase of numbers they should look to , for it was the intention of Masonry to have working members in the highest interests of the Craft

thafc they desired . There hacl been no decline in the numbers or in the standard of Masonry since he took the chair , and he hoped both would be maintained in the Province . A special vote of thanks was accorded to the

Northumberland Lodge for the use of their paraphernalia , and an address on vellum was ordered to be prepared for presentation to Bro . Henry Holland , who retired after acting as one of the auditors of fche Provincial Grand Lodge for twenty-four years .

It was resolved thafc the next anniversary of the Provincial Grand Lodge should be held at Hexham . The Lodge was duly closed , and the annual dinner thereafter took place at the Station Hotel .

Scotland.

SCOTLAND .

BAZAAR AT DUFFTOWN .

ON Wednesday , 29 th nit ., a bazaar was held in the Town HaU , Dufftown , for the purpose of clearingoff the debt on the new Masonic Hall , recently erected in Alberfc-place , Dufftown , by the members of the St . James Lodge ( No . 289 S . C . ) The building cost about £ 600 , and although a considerable portion of that sum haa already been contributed , there is still a pretty large balance to pay .

The splendid collection of useful and valuable articles on sale amply testified to the great interest which had been taken in the success of the bazaar by a wido circle of friends . The , hall was beautifully decorated for the occasion . Amongst the principal contribators to the bazaar were Mr . Smith , Mullochard , who gave a

black polled heifer ( pedigreed ) to be raffled for at 2 s 6 d per ticket ; Mr . Reid , of Ardmeallie , Dr . Findlater , Mrs . Geddes , of Blairmore , Mr . J . S . Findlater , Balvenie ; Miss Sharp , Blairmore ; Mrs . Cowie , Dnllanbrae , & c , also gave handsome gifts . In addition to the bazaar proper there was a very interesting loan

exhibition of antiquarian specimens . Conspicuous amongst the curiosities was the fine collection of swords , claymores , & c , from Auchluncart , various articles from Balvenie , old snuff boxes , stone Celt fire cup , stone bullet mould , old Roman vase , ancient bronze lamp , old guns spears , Zulu fighting dress complete , beautiful musical

clock by Mi * . Wood , watchmaker , Dufftown , who also showed a fino case of coins , a' very old portrait of Prince Charlie , given by the Prince himself to the Ladies Fraquar , and old claymore found near Garn Kirk , Glasgow , & c . Constable M'Beath , Dufftown , had likewise a large and valuable assortment of walking sticks , dirks , old

powder horns , pistols , coins , " puir men , " a mustard mill , & c . Mr . Walker , watchmaker , Ellon , showed some splendid stone Celts and fossils , flint arrow-heads , and a piece of petrified wood . Specimens of ancient inlaid metal work made up as bracelets , shawl brooches , and manufactured from old tobacco pouches , for Miss Gor .

don Gumming , were also on exhibition . Mr . James Clark , Post Office , had a capital case of coins . The other articles included an ancient drawing-room chair , dated 1615 , which had been in the possession of the family of Dr . Dow Sainter , Chester Yilla , Craigellachie , for over 100 years . A sanctuary lamp and chain by Miss

Cruiekshank , Abbeyfield ; a letter written by Dr . Livingstone , the great African explorer , dated 1857 . Chairs made from one piece of timber by Mr . P . Taylor , Mill of Cabrach , & c . Dr . Grant , Croucbley , Kirkmichael , Tomintoul , also sent a very attractive collection . There waa also a conjuring entertainment and magic cave , which afforded much

amusement . At tho opening hour there was a largo attendance of ladies and gentlemen . The Earl of March on entering was greeted ¦ with loud cheers . Mr . W . T . Reid , of Ardmeallie , briefly introduced Xiord March . The Earl said : —I have much pleasure in coming here to open this

bazaar . In tho first place , as a neighbour , and , in addition to that , as a Mason myself , I feel special gratification—although I belong to thc English Grand Lodge , and uot to a Scotch Graud Lodge—in doiug anything to assist Masons here , or in any other part of the country . Now , I believe a person when called npon to open a bazaar is always

expected to mako a short introductory speech , but from what I can see from tho articles displayed on every side of me , I am suro I shall be best consulting your wishes if I make my remarks on this occasion as brief as possible , and thereby enable you without loss of time to do that for which we have come here to-day—to spend your money

in the most liberal and lavish manner . Perhaps it will not be out of place if I recall to your notice the conditions under which this bazaar has become necessary . Prom the information placed afc my disposal I see that a Masonic Lodgo was first started in this town so

long ago as the year 1818 , but from some reason or other , of which I am not exactly aware , by degrees the interest in it waned , and for Borne years ifc was nofc exactly dead , but afc any rate dormant . However , in due course of time , some enterprising Masons > thought that Preoinasoury should bo given a further impetus in this part of the

Scotland.

world , and by putting their shoulders to the wheel a new Lodge hall was built , and on a certain Wednesday , sixteen years ago to-day , it was opened with all duo formality and with all Masouic rites . Prom that time , I believe , possibly with certain fluctuations in the way of numbers , ifc has gone on still increasing , and 1 hope

prospering- ancl 1 havo no doubt that in course of time it will be not only a benefit to the inhabitants of Dufftown , but to Masonry in the north of Scotland in particular . I cannot help noting thafc Freemasons ate looked upon with a certain amount of suspicion by those who ate nofc members of the Order . I think it is the duty of every

Freemason to try and explain away such a feeling as that , because I am divulging no Masonic secrets when I tell you that there is nothing in the principles called Freemasonry which might not bo preached from every pulpit and every church in all the four corners of the globe , and I think it says something for tho principle which guides

our Order , when you look afc the way in whioh Masonry has spread its arms throngh every civilised nation—nations in Africa and Asia , and since tho discovery of America it has taken root there , and thero is no country in the world where , once you get ; a Masonio Lodge established , where you do not find thafc benefit accrues , nofc only to

the immediate neighbourhood , but also to the parent Lodges . I daresay a good many of those I am addressing are not aware of the enormous amount of money whioh has been spent by Masons in charity . I do not mean individual charity * but by degrees the funds belonging to the Masons of this country have reached such a

considerable amount that we have large orphanages—some for boys and some for girls , who , to the number of hundreds , are educated and given that start in life every year which enables them to fight the battle of life , and without which help possibly they might have found uo career open for them , and they might have degenerated

into paupers . When I say this charity is one of our guiding principles , I need not go much further . I notice I am addressing on the present occasion a certain number of the fair sex , and I am afraid that at times they may think it more or less a slur upon them that they have not been admitted to the Order of Freemasons . I believe

thafc there was on one occasion a lady who was made a Mason , and I believe ib camo about in this way : —With the curiosity which is supposed to belong especially to the feminine , a lady through some means obtained access to a Masonic Lodge shortly before it was to be opened for the ordinary business meeting . I believe that the place which she chose to secrete herself in was oue of those old-fashioned

clocks standing about six feet high , and all secure in that position she listened , no doubt with rapt attention , to all which took place in the Lodge , but by some unfortunate—for her at any rate—mistake , shortly before the proceedings were concluded , she discovered herself . Well , you may imagine for a moment fche consternation and

considerable inconvenience felfc by the Masons present . After deliberating for a little what was best to be done , they came to the conclusion that , ifc was no use to turn the lady away from the Lodge there and then aa she was , so they accordingly adopted the only plan left for them , and that was to make her a Mason on the spot . There

is ono other consideration which I think is nob out of place , and thafc is thafc at the present time , more especially even within late years , when political considerations enter so much , so bitterly , and so deeply into every association almost which is formed , we , aa Masons , are superior to any considerations of that sort . Politics are

nofc allowed in the smallest degree to hold any sway over our deliberations or over our decisions . Now , ladies and gentlemen , I think with these fow remarks , which are longer than I intended when I came here , I will ask you to study well tbe various articles which I have not yot had au opportunity of inspecting myself , but which I see on

the different stalls around the room , and ask you to remember in making your purchases thafc people who come to a bazaar ought nofc to come into the building under the impression that they are in every instance going to get full value for their money . I believe it is the custom ab bazaars to fix a fair and , perhaps , in some cases rather a

considerable , price npon the different articles , bnt there are , as far as I can see , hardly anything which the mind of man cannot find suitable for himself , his wife , or his family . Ladies and gentlemen , wifch these few remarks I now declare this bazaar open . Dr . Findlater , in proposing a cordial vote of thanks to fche Earl of

March for the kind manner in which he had come to open the bazaar , remarked that if the things were likely to sell before , they would sell very much better now . He then , in name of the committee , presented his lordship with a beautiful piece of crewel work in crimson plush , which , he said , came from the country of the

Forbeses , and was worked by a lady who was once a Macpherson , and was now fco be presented to the representative of the Gordons . The sales were then proceeded with , and carried on with much animation throughout the afternoon and evening . The Dufftown brass band , under the leadership of Mr . Spence , discoursed selections of music throughout thc day .

On Saturday , the 2-l ) th ult . the north-cast corner stone of the new Church of St . Lake , Dtikinfield , was laid with Masonic rites by Lord Egerton R . W . Prov . G . M . of Cheshire Thero was a large gathering on the occasion . Three

memorial stones were placed m tha western wall of the building , by the Rev . R . G . Bulkeley , Mrs . Boyd , and Mrs . Brereton . The church will accommodate 500 people , and its erection is estimated to cost £ 4500 .

HotnowAY ' s OiNTiirai AND PILLS . — Visible or Invisible Ailments . —In all outward diseases this fine ointment will bo found soothing , cooling aud curative . It speedily allays all inilammation , and reduces to a healthy condition all wound ? , sore ' s , ulcers , and sprains , it discharges all irritating matters and stimulates tho vessels to wholesome action ; when this ointment is rubbed ou the skin over any organ afflicted by disease , it exercises a corresponding recuperative power , and in conjunction with lioiloway's Pills rarely fails to banish any internal disorder , be its origin when or whero it may . Whilst using theso purifying preparations , the tongue cleans , thc appetite " improves , chills anilHuahc-i depart , anti the coui-ilciiou becomes clear .