The New Greenock Poorhouse.

THE NEW GREENOCK POORHOUSE .

ON Tuesday , 12 th inst ., the Earl of Mar , assisted by several of the Grand Officers and a large concourse of Master Masons of Scotland , laid , with Masonic honours , tho foundation stone of the new Poorhouse and Lunatic Asylum , at Smithson , near Greenock . The building ( the cost of which has been estimated at about £ 100 , 000 ) will bo constructed in the baronial style , and will have accommodation for 750 inmatos . The north-east corner of the dining hall was tho

spot where the foundation « tono hung ready to be placed , and the enclosure around it was crowded by tho various corporate bodies , and as many Freemasons as could obtain admission . The Freemason Lodges represented in the procession wero : —No . 391 Zetland , Grangemouth ( 3 ) , headed by Bro . J . Wallace ; No . 360 Com . mercial , Glasgow ( 3 ) , headed by Bro . Doming , Glasgow , No . 355

Felix ( 3 ) , headed by Bro . H . W . Findlay j No . 335 Argyll , Dunoon ( 14 ) , headed by Bro . J . F . Muir , R . W . M . ; No . 178 Scotia , Glasgow ( 4 ) , headed by Bro . A . Donaldson , E . W . M . ; No . 175 St . John , Greenock ( 180 ) , headod by Bro . M'Master , E . W . M . ; No . 174 ( 3 ) , headed by Bro . J . Smith ; No . 173 St . John Kilwinning , Largs ( 12 ) , headed by Bro . W . Thomson ; No . 145 St . Stephen , Edinbnrgh ( 3 ) ,

headed by Bro . John Taylor ; No . 129 St . Mirron , Paisley ( 9 ) , headed by Bro . T . Bustard ; No . 68 Doric Kilwinning , Port Glasgow ( 28 ) , headed by Bro . W . Forgie , E . W . M . ; No . 18 Dumbarton Kilwinning ( 6 ) , headed by Bro . W . Hodge , E . W . M . ; No . 12 Greenock Kilwinning ( 24 ) , headed by Bro . D . Cunningham ; and Mother Kilwinning ( 3 ) , headed by Bro . J . Harrison . The following brethren composed

the office bearers of the Grand Lodge of Scotland present : —The Eight Hon . tho Earl of Mar and Kellie , Acting Most Worshipful Graud Master , Charles Dalrymple , M . P ., Actiug Depute Grand Master , William Mann , Sub-Grand Master , Captain G . F . E . Colt , Grand Sword Bearer , William Hay , Senior Grand Warden , David Kinnear , Junior Grand Warden , James J . Grieve , M . P ., Senior Grand

Deacon , John Eeid , Junior Grand Deacon , John Laurie , Grand Secretary , Andrew Boag , Grand Treasurer , Eev . Archibald Fnl-Iarton , Grand Chaplain , E . Farquhar Shaw-Stewart , Grand Director of Ceremonies , J . Starforth , Grand Architect , C . W . Mttller , Grand Master of Music , W . Barton , Grand Bible Bearer , A . T . Apthorpe , Grand Marshall , W . Bryce , Grand Tyler . The

Grand Stewards were Bros . F . Shaw , H . W . Fmlay , J . Taylor , and E . Morrison . Tho following brethren carried the working tools of the Grand Lodge of Scotland—G . S . M'Lea , J . M . Pollock , J . Marquarrie , Wm . Tough , T . M . Stevenson , James Eobertson , Archibald Cameron , John Smith , G . M . Butler , and Henry Chalmers . Everything being in readiness for the ceremony to commence , Eev . Bro . Fnllarton

offered up prayer , after which Bro . Laurie , Grand Secretary , read the nsual statement regarding the origin and object of the building . The Earl of Mar , in the unavoidable absence , through illness , of Sir Michael E . Shaw-Stewart , then deposited in the cavity of the lowermost stone a bottle containing English coins from a f arthiug up to a sovereign , copies of the local newspapers , and other documents . The customary ceremony of spreading the lime and placing the stone

having been accomplished by his Lordship , assisted by several brother Masons , his Lordship tapped the stone thrice with a mallet , declaring the stone to be laid , and using the words , " May the Almighty Architect of the Universe look down with benignity upon our present undertaking , and crown the edifice of which we have laid the foundation with every success . " ( Cheers . ) A bouquet of flowers , which was surrounded with tho first-fruits of the harvest , was afterwards placed on the stone , and his Lordship , from two silver cups poured oil and

wine upon it . The Earl of Mar said that , having laid the foundation stone of this Institution which was about to be erected , it was his duty to say a few words on the occasion . He confessed that he had not undertaken tho duty with unmixed pleasure . He was sure that it was perfectly unnecessary for him to say to the Masons of Scotland and the

inhabitants of Greenock aud that part of the county that nothing but severe illness would have prevented Sir Michael from officiating on this occasion . Eeferring to the institution and its purposes , hi 3 Lordship said that it was a subject which mig ht well be deplored that such institutions are necessary j at the same time we must recognise their necessity , and having recognised it , it was our duty to do our

best with those poor persons who are placed in such a state as to require thoir removal to such a home , and to those persons who are often in a worse position—who have been deprived of that reason which was the greatest benefit wo ourselves enjoy . In the course of some further remarks , his Lordship congratulated Mr . Blackmore and the Parochial Board on the site acquired for tho

bnilding . He concluded by expressing a wish that prosperity would attend the institution about to be erected , that no accident might occur to the men employed in its erection , and that it might be a blessing to all the commnnity . Mr . Blacknmre replied on behalf of the Parochial Board . Having gracefully acknowledged the presence of the ladies in such lanrc numbers , he thanked the inhabitants of

Greenock generally for the very splendid turnout which they had made . A splendid silver trowel with an inscription having been handed to the Earl of Mar for presentation to Sir Michael , the band playpd " Enle Britannia , " and the ceremony camo to a close . Tbe procession was reformed and marched back to the town . A grand Masonic dinner was held in the afternoon .

The British Association And Freemas0nry.

THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION AND FREEMAS 0 NRY .

SOME of the Glasgow brethren , thinking that their confreres from other jurisdictions might be glad to see the working in a Scotch Lodge , arranged three special meetings , which were held in the Masonio Hall , 30 Hope-street , Glasgow , on the evenings of tho 11 th ,

The British Association And Freemas0nry.

12 th and 13 th September . As stated in the circular , they were in . tended to be somewhat of a festive character , and not confined to work . That on Monday was held under the auspices of the Union and Crown Lodge , No . 103 , and was presided over by its E . W . M ., Bro . David Murray , who was well supported by nearly the whole of hia office-bearers , and Past Masters Gillies P . G . Treasurer and A . Baiu

P . G . B . B . There was one gentleman initiated , the ceremony being per . formed by the Secretary , Bro . J . Gillies , in a very careful manner . The Lodge was then called to refreshment . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts wero ably given from the chair . In reply to that of the Visiting Brethren , proposed by tho S . W ., Bro . Bushey of 213 , ( E . C ) , P . P . G . M . Wexford , and Kingston , W . M . of the Whittingtou

Lodjje , No . 862 , London , replied , thankinor the Lodge for the warmth of their reception , and expressing themselves pleased with the style of work . Bro . C . Mackensio of No . 351 also returned thanks , in a telling speech , and afterwards proposed " Prosperity to the Union and Crown Lodge . " Bro . Murray suitably acknowledged the compliment . Bro . Bain P . M . gave the " Press , " which was responded to

by Bro . J . Stewart , of the Daily Mail . On Tuesday , the meeting was under tho able presidency of Bro . J . Munro , R . W . M . of the Commercial Lodge , No . 360 , in whose hall tho meeting was held , and was in overy sense a snecess . Letters of apology were read from Bro . G . Bushey , No . 213 , and Bro . Semple , F . R . G . S ., P . G . S . Organist of P . G . L . of East Yorkshire , who

also sent copies of somo Masonic music of his own composition for tho Master of tho three Lodges presiding over thia meeting , a present that was duly appreciated , and the songs were rendered in the conrso of the evening by Bros . Pentland and Peter , kin , of Commercial Lodge , whose abilities , both vooal and instrumental , are well known to the Glasgow brethren . Here , too , we

may mention tho comic recitations of an old professional friend , Bro . Fifczroy . The singing and reading of Bro . Lamb D . M . of 360 were also much appreciated ; while in the more solid matter , the speech of Bro . Mnnro , in proposing the Provincial Grand Lodge , and that of Bro . Nelson E . W . M . St . John ' s 3 bis , in responding to it , and Bro . Kingston ' s , in reply to that of " Our Distinguished Viai .

tors , " were very noteworthy . Bro . Mackay R . W . M . of Hamilton 7 , and S . M . Morrison P . M . of Alloa 69 , also replied . Bro . C . Spalding P . G . S . W . of the Middle Ward of Lanarkshire , proposed "Prosperity to 360 , " highly " eulogizing the Lodgo and its R . W . M . Bro . Munro said a great deal of the prosperity of tho Lodgo was due to the harmony of its members , and also to the thorough efficiency of all

his office-bearers . The S . W ., Bro . J . Oliver , gave the "Press , " which , was responded to by Bros . W . H . Bickerton , and G . W . Wheeler for the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , and Bros . Stewart and Innis for the Daily Mail and Qlasgoiu News . Bro . Nelson proposed the S . W . and J . W . Bros . Oliver and Graham suitably acknowledged the compli . ment , and a pleasant evening ' s proceedings terminated by making Bro . Kingston of 813 ( E . C . ) an honorary member .

On Wednesday , the meeting was ably presided over by Bro . Ferguson , of Caledonian Railway 351 , ably assisted by Bros . Hurley S . W ., and C . McKenzie J . W . Like its predecessors , it was a com . pleto success , the only drawback being that early notice of theso meetings had not been given to allow more of the English , Irish and Continental brethreu availing themselves of such a happy re-union as theso three fraternal meetings havo proved .

Ar00703

A Swimming Fete was held on Tuesday afternoon and evening , at the Brill Baths , Brighton , when every available seat was filled . At the afternoon performance the entertainment commenced with amateur races for youths under sixteen . The display of swimming was excellent . A

quadrille was gone through in the water , the graceful swimming of Miss Saigeman and Miss Wilson eliciting rounds of applause . M . Olbin gave a trapeze performance .

Mr . Giles , the swimming master , went through some extraordinary fetes , while great fun resulted from the Duck Hunt , in which Mr . Dunn , also a swimming master , was the cluck . Messrs . Whittle and Robinson exhibited a new

life-saving dress , from France , which was introduced by Bro . T . Hadley Prestage , who is well known to our readers as the Hon . Secretary of the Victoria Park Swimming Club . This dress , which has been patented , presents the appearance of an ordinary bathing costume , and consists

of inflated tubes running round the body . Both exhibitors showed the invention to perfection , and we think it will answer all the purposes required . Mr . Attwood , the " Man Pish , " gave his marvellous tricks in a tank in the afternoon , but was too unwell to appear at the evening

performance . Bro . Sir John Bennett , P . R . A . S ., came expressly from London to present the prizes , and mado some appropriate remarks to each successful candidate . At the conclusion , hearty cheers wei'e given for Sir John .

Mr . Dyer was the manager , Mr . Taylor , of the Brighton Gazette and Daily Post , was the judge , while Bro . T . Hadley Prestage acted as starter . Altogether , the gathering was a most successful one .

Alexandra Palace.

ALEXANDRA PALACE .

SEASON TICKETS , available for one year from the 1 st of each month , aud entitling the hoklev to a chance in tho Alexandra Pftlft 0 « Art Union , to be had of W . W . MOBGAJT , 67 Barbican , E , C ,