Scotland.

time on Monday pray offer to the brethren in lodge assembled my most hearty congratulations and best wishes of the season , and assure them that , though I cannot be present with them , I often think of all the fraternal feelings with which they have ever evinced to me ; and while I

feel proud of the loyalty they have always shown , cannot help but believe that our mutual exertions for the good of the Craft , have during the last five years , not been altogether unsuccessful . " The Deputy Master , Bro . R . Wi Cochrane Patrick , was then called upon to perform the duties

in the Grand Orient , and conducted the usual festivities with great tact and ability . The members resident in Glasgow though not so numerous as on some former occasions , were yet efficiently represented by Bro . John Turner , S . W ., R . J . Smith , G . Grant , R .

Johnston , J . Malvin , and | J . Sutherland . In the course of the evening large and respectable deputations were received , headed by the respective R . W . M . ' s , from the following lodges in the Ayrshire province , viz .: —St . John Kilwinning , Kilmarnock , 22 ; St . Andrew ' s , Irvine , 149 ; St .

John Kilwinning , Beith , 159 ; Thistle and Rose , Stevenson , 16 9 ; Blair , Dairy , 330 ; St . John Royal Arch , Saltcoates and Ardrossan , 320 ; Neptune Kilwinning , Ardrossan , 442 ; and Burns St . Mary , Hurlford , 505 . Eloquent and suitable addresses were delivered in the course of the evening by Bros . Patrick , Mackay (

Kilmarnock , ) , W . D- M'Jannet ( Irvine ) , J . M . M'Cosh ( Dairy ) , Rev . W . Lee Ker , Scobie ( Hurlford ) , & c . The proceedings were enlivened by some excellent vocal and instrumental music A most pleasant and harmonious evening was spent , and L 12 being announced in the S the lodge was closed according to ancient custom .

GLASGOW . —Cathedral Chapter ( No . 67 ) met in their hall , 22 , Struthers-street , on the 23 rd ult . In the absence of the Principal , Comp . Wm . Tayler , P . Z ., acted as Z . ; G . W . Wheeler , H . 73 , as H . ; Comp . Distin , P . Z ., as J . A lodge of Mark Masters was opened , when Bros . Robert

TurnbuII and Ernest Samuel were introduced and took that degree . A lodge of Most Excellent Masters was then opened , Comp . Martin acting as J . W ., and Comp . J . Duthie , conferred on the same two gentlemen that degree . The Chapter was then opened with the above officers

and companion Pirday , who was a most efficient 1 st S ., Comps . Goldie and Bail being the and and 3 rd . The ceremony was very efficiently worked , and the chapter was closed in harmony . KNIGHTS TEMPLAR . —The Glasgow Early Grand Knight Templar Encampment and

Preceptory of Red Cross Knights met m their preceptory , Glasgow , on Friday , the 19 th ult . Deputations from the various Early Grand Encampments in Scotland were present , which added considerably to the imposing appearance of the assemby . Sir Knt . Martin , of the Early

Grand Encampment , Ayr , presided , assisted by the following officers : —Sir Knts . Pollock , as P . C . ; Spence , C . G . ; Ferguson , M . ; Mitchell , T . ; Adamson , R . ; Rev . J . White , Prelate ; Fisher , S . B . ; Hodge , S . B ., and others . The encampment having been opened in ancient form

applications were read from the following candidates desirous of installation : —Comps . Holt , G . Walter , J . Walker , Leonard , and A . Webster , who , being in attendance , were subjected to the usual scrutiny , and , beir . g approved of , were presented for advancement . The impressive

ceremony was ably performed by Sir Knt . Martin , and the perfect manner in which the various officers discharged their duties was worthy of all praise . To produce that reverence and love upon the minds upon the candidates , so thatjthe ceremonies may have a lasting

impression upon the memory , the presiding officer should be possessed of freedom of speech , solemnity of manner , and spirited working . All this Sir Knight Martin possesses in an eminent degree , so much so that seldom if ever have wc listened to beautiful Ritual

being performed in such an admirable manner . } -y ihe way we might slate that Sir Kt . Martin comes from a good old branch of Templars in Scotland , his father the late Sir Knight P . Martin being to a great extent tlie promoter of the Early Grand in Scotland , early this present century . Previous to that lime the Early Grand encampments were held under tlie sway of Ireland , their

Scotland.

superiors being the Early Grand Encampment of Dublin , whose Grand Charter dates from n 80 , and is signed by the Keeper of the Holy Sepulchre , it also contains the names of the various priories of the provinces of Ireland to whom the Charter is dedicated . The late Sir Kt . P . Martin obtained

early this present century a Grand Charter for the use of Scotland , ' so that encampments could be erected without so much trouble in petitioning the E . G . of Ireland . The Scotch grand warrant is an exact facsimile of the Irish one , and Sir Knt . Martin was appointed Commander of the Order in Scotland . Since then it

has flourished down to the present time , apparently intending to act up to its old motto , "We were the first and we shall be the last . " The five candidates having been received under

an arch of steel and loyally and lawfully dubbed Knights of the Holy Order of the Temple , the encampment was closed . A Preceptory of Red Cross Knights was ^ then opened , when the same , candidates were created Knts . of that

Order , Sir Knt . W . Martin , M . P . S ., and the other officers being jin their respective places . This order was also successfully performed by the M . P . S ., in his usual faultless style . The preceptory was then closed in due form , when the Sir Knights retired

to the banqueting hall , where a repast of a most recherche description was provided for them . Sir Knt . Jaraes Pollock , of Newmilns , presiding , Sir Knt . Wm . Ferguson , Croupier . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to with satisfaction . The chairman , in proposing

the toast of the evening , " Success to the Early Grand Encampment of Scotland , " in a neat and appropriate speech , referred to the progress of the Early Grand in Scotland and the many obstacles it had to surmount . Of late years it had been so successful that a number of new

encampments had arisen , and before long he only trusted that the many brethren of the Order throughout th ' e country would resuscitate themselves and once more show to the world that they were not dead , but merely resting from the labours of the past . It was a fact well-known to the Sir Knights of the

Order that their authenticity , and consequently their legality , had been questioned by the representatives of the Knights Templar acting under the Chapter General , but , as they knew themselves , these charges were altogether without foundation , and , if desirable , could be proven at

large , both from written and printed documents in possession of the Grand Encampment . Spurious rites and degrees can of themselves never exist for any length of time , but must sometime or another dwindle down till they disappear for evermore , not so the Early Grand ; it has

lived through ages untarnished and will still continue to exist in spite of all the combined force of their neighbours to reduce them in the scale of Knight Templarism . Sir Knt . Ferguson responded in an able and artistic speech , expressing the gratification and pleasure , the Sir Knights of

the Glasgow Encampment had in welcoming their brethren from the provinces . It should always be his aim and endeavour to further the interests of the E . G . encampment in Glasgow , and throughout the country generally , there was nothing like unison in a scattered body , and

where that was , they could accomplish anything . The vicissitudes of their fortune had already taught them the great lesson of unanimity and economy , and be -assured where these are properly practised , nothing but success can follow . Sir Knt . Adamson , Edinburgh , proposed the

Grand Officers , and in doing so paid a compliment to the Grand Officers present . Sir Knt . Spence responded appropriately . Sir Knt . Fisher proposed " The Health of Sir Knt . Hodge , " and spoke in high terms of the services Sir Knt . Hodge had rendered the E . G .

Encampment in Scotland . Sir Knt . Hodge replied feelingly and eloquently . Other toasts followed , and were responded to with pleasure , and with song and sentiment , the remainder of the evening was passed in a most pleasant manner . I ' o the Sir Knts . of the E . G . Encampment in

Scotland this is a day ever to be remembered , the harmonious meeting and social parting , happy to meet , sorry to part , and happy to meet again , being feelingly entered upon , the singing was excellent , some being in capital voice , diversified by the artistic accompanying on the organ by Sir Knt *

Scotland.

Head Holt . Altogether a more successful gathering of the E . G . Knt . Templars in Scotland has rarely if ever taken place . " ¦ Auld Lang Syne " being given , the Sir Knights separated at an early hour from a meeting to be remembered by those present for many . yearsto come .

Red Cross Of Constantine.

Red Cross of Constantine .

BRISTOL . —William Irwin Conclave ( No . 17 ); —The first meeting of this conclave was held oh Tuesday , Dec . 161 I 1 . Sir Knts . G . F . Tuckey , M . P . Sovereign ; Sir Knt . W . Hodges , as

Viceroy , E . There were also present 111 . Sir Knts . Capt . F . G . Irwin , Inspector-General of Bristol , and Sir Knt . W . A . Scott , M . P . S . of the Munbee Military Conclave . The minutes of the consecration and dedication of the two

conclaves were read and confirmed . The following M . M ' s were then duly installed and proclaimed Sir Knts . of the Order / viz ., E . E . Honey , I-I . W . Lane , W . Dubin , after which the M . P . S . installed the following Sir Knts . to the offices attached to their names ; Sir Knts .

J . T . Hallam , S . G . ; W . Munro , J . G ., J . M . Hunt , H . P . ; A . G . Williams , Treas . ; G . Tonkin , Recorder ; E . E . Honey , Prefect ; H . V . Amor , Herald ; M . Ansaldo , Standard Bearer ; H . W . Lane , "Orator ; J ohn Coles , Sentinel . Sir Knt . Hallam proposed a vote of

thanks to Sir Knt . G . F . Tuckey , for the very great interest and trouble he had taken in establishing this , the William Irwin Conclave , in the province of Bristol . The Sir Knt . Tuckey , in thanking the Sir Knts . for the compliment they had paid him , said , since he had first seen the

light of Masonry , he had made it his study , and he felt it his duty to do all he could to further the Order and carry out its principles , as far as his abilities would allow , especially inthis the province of Bristol . He was pleased to see two

conclaves of the Red Cross established here , and that it was becoming so popular among the brethren of the various lodges . He could not sit down without especially thanking 111 . Sir Knt . Captain F . G . Irwin for the very valuable assistance he had rendered him . There was not

a brother in the province more energetic or more zealous in all appertaining to Freemasonry , he was always ready and willing to render any assistance . He would also thank Sir Knt . W . A . Scott , of the Munbee Conclave , for his able

support . He was pleased to be able to inform the conclave that they were in a position to ask for a Provincial Grand Conclave , and the Inspector-General had stated he should open one at the earliest opportunity .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The General Committee of this Institution met at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , the 24 th ult . Bro . Major J . Creaton , P . G . D ., a Vice Patron and Trustee , presided , supported by Bro . B . Head , P . G . D . ; T . W . White , G . Steward , W . M . ai j F . Adlard ; S . Rosenthal , P . M .

P . G . J . W . Middlesex ; H . C . Levander , P . M ., P . Prov . G . D . Wilts ; George Kenning , V . Patron , { P . M ., P . Prov . G . D ., Middlesex ; W . Watson , P . G . Steward , and other brethren . The minutes of several Committees having been read by the Secretary , Bro . R . Wentworth Little ,

the members proceeded to consider no less than fourteen fresh petitions , on behalf of candidates , two of which were deferred , and twelve recommended to the Quarterl y General Court on the 10 th January , as eligible for election in the following April . The Secretary then reported

that out of the eleven unsuccessful candidates at the October election , two had become disqualified by having attained the age of eleven years , and one child had since been admitted by purchase , leaving eight , which with twenty-one new candidates , made the number of approved applicants twenty-nine , and there would be but five

vacan-. It was proposed , seconded , and unanimousl y resolved that ten additional children be received at the April election , making fifteen in all , and it was further decided that a former recommendation of the Committee for one case out of the