Ceremony At Dornoch.

CEREMONY AT DORNOCH .

ON Tuesday of last week the foundation stone of Embo Pier was laid with Masonic honours by Her Grace the Duchess of Sutherland .

The St . Gilbert Lodge of Freemasons formed in the Schoolhouse , and after the Lodge was opened the various bodies were arranged and formed into procession outside the village of Embo , there to await the arrival of the ducal party .

Shortly before noon , Her Grace the Duchess of Sutherland arrived , accompanied by the Duke , and the party at Dunrobin Castle , Her Grace being received by the local Harbour Committee .

With the assistance of a dozen stalwart fishermen the carriage was unyoked and the horses taken therefrom , and with the aid of these sons of the sea , the ducal carriage was conveyed to its destination . The procession , headed by the life boat crew , followed by the Naval

Eeserve and fishermen , accompanied by the Oddfellows , the rear being brought up by the Masonic Lodge and the ducal carriage , then proceeded to the scene of the day ' s operations . Arriving at the site of the harbour , the procession opened up in the usual manner , allowing Her Grace to

pass through , followed by the St . Gilbert Lodge of Freemasons , to the point where the foundation stone was to be laid . Then the Eev . Mr . Macdonald , F . C , offered up prayer , and the ceremony proceeded under the direction

of the Eev . Donald Grant Master of the St . Gilbert Lodge of Freemasons and Chairman of the Local Committee .

Two verses of the Hundreth Psalm were sung , and Her Grace was theieupon presented with a silver trowel by the engineer and contractors , and asked to perform the function of laying the foundation stone . Mr . Forbes ,

of the firm of contractors , was on the scene , and performed his duties with the utmost despatch . On the stone being hoisted and lowered into its place , by Mr . Forbes , Her Grace declared the stone " well and truly laid " amid the most enthusiastic cheers of the assembled

multitude . Valuables being deposited in the cavity of the stone , " the corn , wine , and oil " were sprinkled thereover . Ultimately , his reverence ( Mr . Grant ) declared the stone to be laid with due Masonic honour . After two verses of the Psalm , " 0 God of Bethel by

whose hand , " had been sung , the rev . gentleman delivered a speech , paying a high compliment to the house of Sutherland for the generous spirit which they had exhibited towards the scheme . The Duke of Sutherland returned thanks , and after Her Grace had performed the ceremony of christening a boat lying at the new pier , the assemblage retired ) and

wended their footsteps toward the schoolhouse . Mrs . Barrow , of the Castle , Dornoch , kindly provided refreshments . Mr . D . M . Munro , Clashmore Hotel , was purveyor . About two thousand were present .

Prior to breaking up , the Eev . Mr . Grant as Master of the Lodge moved a vote of thanks to Mrs . Barrow for her great consideration and kindness , and Captain Mackintosh , Proncy , moved a similiar compliment to the Eev . Mr . Grant , as chairman of the local committee .

Subsequently Mr . and Mrs . Moyes entertained the officials to dinner , which wound up the proceedings . — " Highland News . "

Novel Lodge Quarters.

NOVEL LODGE QUARTERS .

BAEE Castle , in the town of Galston , Ayrshire , the scene of many a bloody war and ecclesiastical wrangle in past centuries , and for many years uninhabited , has been in part restored by the Freemasons of Galston St . Peter ' s Lodge , 331 , and the main hall of the squared building formed into a Lodge Eoom . A more

fitting place for Masonic meetings than this ancient pile of masonry could hardly be conceived . The walls have withstood the storm of the elements and of war since , it

is computed , somewhere in the 13 th century . The walls measure nine feet thick of solid masonry , and the roof of the lower chamber is arched with stone and lime . From the floor to the centre of the arch roof the height is 25 feet . The rough walls have boon plastered hall

Novel Lodge Quarters.

way up , while the roof from the beginning of the arching has been left bare . The hall is well lighted with two large windows , one at either end of the hall , and for lighting up after dark there are fifteen gas jets . With the exception of the plaster and the wood floor , the interior of the hall df the

Castle has not been altered . Adjoining the hall there are two small rooms formerly called cells , and in the north east of the Lodge Eoom a large recess into which * , in course of time , the Lodge may be able to build ah organ . There is another Lodge Hall above the one now formed into a Lodge Eoom , reached by a circular stair ,

and hopes are entertained that this hall also may be restored . In the meantime the Lodge and the members have exhausted their resources in the work of restoration so far , and have still £ 40 or £ 50 to make good . Up to the 17 th century the owners were the Loekharts of Barr . The rjrorjertv is now owned bv Brother

the Duke of Portland , and he has , through his factor , Brother Joseph Turner , acted most generously with the St . Peter ' s Brethren , granting them a ten years' lease of the Castle at a nominal rent , and at the same time made a gift of £ 25 to assist in putting the place in proper repair .

Brother Turner has also made several gifts to the Lodge , and Brother the Hon . Thomas Cochrane , M . P ., Provincial Grand Master has gifted the sum of £ 5 . The building was consecrated for Masonic purposes

ou Saturday 15 ch , by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire . — " Glasgow Evening News . "

O 0 o A well known member of the Craft , in the person of Bro . C . F . Hogard P . G . Standard Bearer , lias taken up the representation of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York , and has opened an office at 10 Fore Street , City , where we hope he will receive a

share of the patronage his friends and acquaintances have to place in this branch of business . The Company he represents has invested funds of upwards of thirty-eight millions , and enjoys the reputation of being the largest and richest Insurance Company iu the world , with a great and increasing business in England , consequent on the special features it has introduced .

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CRITERION RESTAURANT . EAST EOOM , DINNERS & SUPPERS A LA CARTE . WEST ROOM , FROM 12 TO 3 , Academy Luncheon at 2 / 9 per Head , "Le Diner Parisien , " 5 / - ; Supper , 4 / - Inslrumenlal Music . GRAND HALL , The Popular 3 / 6 Dinner Is Served at SEPARATE TABLES , 6 to 9 p m ., During which the Celebrated "SPIBRPON" ORCHESTRA WILL PERFORM .