Scotland.

lodge was closed , and the brethren having unclothed , repaired to the banqueting-room , where a sumptuous dinner was in waiting for them . Justice having been done to the good things , they proceeded to tl ' e robing-room , and being again duly clothed , re-assembled in the lodge room , when the lodge was again opened by the W . M . for the purpose of receiving deputations , and of

sending deputations to the various lodges of the city , as is usual on the Festival of St . John the Evangelist . The usual routine toasts having been disposed of , deputations were sent out , and those from other lodges receive I , the brethren at the head of which gave brief congiatulatory addresses . At a later period of the evening a deputation appeared , headed by Bro . Donald

Macgregor , M . P . for the Leith Burghs ; and it was proposed by the R . W . Master , Bro . Bryce , that as Bro . Macgregor had done good service in the CraSt he should be affiliated a member of the Lodge Caledonian , which motion , having been seconded by Bro . Chalmers J . Paton ,

Past Master , was unanimously agreed to . The lodge being called from refreshment to labour , Bro . Macgregor advanced to the altar and was duly affiliated . During the evening a number of very pleasant songs were sung and recitations given . The lodge was closed in due form by the W . M .

ROTHESAY . —St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 392 ) . — This lodge celebrated their anniversary on Wednesday , 27 th ult ., by a supper in the Victoria Hotel , Bro . Alexander Duncan , W . M ., presiding . About 50 brethren were present , and a very harmonious evening was spent . MILLPORT . —Lodge Kelburne ( No . 450 ) . — At the meeting of this lodge on St . John ' s-night , the

following brethren were elected office-bearers for the ensuing year , namely :, —Wm . Wishart , W . M . ; Matthew Swan , P . M . ; Rev . H . H . Richardson , D . M . ; Dr . M'Gowan , S . M . ; John Cunningham , S . W . ; James M'Connochie , J . W . ; William M'Graw , D . C . ; James Ross , Treas . ; John Jowill , Sec ; Alex . Gibb , S . D . ; James Paterson , J . D . ; Wm . Orr , B . B . ; John M'Lauchlin , S . B . ; Wm .

M'Laughhn , I . G . ; Thos . Hunter , Tyler ; Alex . Houston , J . Montgomery , J . Pattison , and Wm . Dickson , Stewards . The installation was unavoidably postponed , on account of the indisposition of Bro . Wm . Wishart , the new W . M ., who was seriously injured by being blown off the roof of his house during a severe storm which occurred about a month ago . The lodge having been closed in ancient form , the brethren adjourned from labour to refreshment .

It was intimated that the lodge would shortly receive an official visit from Bro . Charles Dalrymple , M . P ., and other officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge . A committee was appointed to make arrangements for giving them a hearty reception . It may be mentioned that the Rev . H . H . Richardson has been elected P . G . Chaplain , and Alexander Hunter , P . G . J . D . Both are members of the Lodge Kelburne .

Ireland.

Ireland .

DUBLIN . On Saturday last , previous to the meeting of the corporation , the Liberal members held a meeting , pursuant to a circular which had been issued , to consider what steps should be taken to censure the Lord Mayor for having recently entertained in the Mansion House sixty gentlemen

at a private dinner , to which a Masonic character has been attributed . Thc circular represented the question to be one of vital importance to the Liberal interests . After prolonged deliberation , the meeting determined to permit the Lord Mayor to leave thc Mansion House uncensured . Among those present were at least three brethren .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The annual new year ' s entertainment to the inmates of the Asylum at Croydon was given on Wednesday last , and , in spite of the very bad weather , several of the friends and supporters of the Institution made the journey , in order to assist in giving the old folks a day ' s enjoyment .

Among the ladies and brethren who attended were Bro , Dr . Strong , honorary surgeon of the Institution ; Mrs Strong ; Bro . James Terry , PM ., Prov . G . Dir of Cers , Herts ., Secretary of the Institution ; Mrs . Terry , Master J , E . Terry , Miss Terry , Bro . John Newton , W . M . 1607 ; Bro . Wallington , P . M . 860 ; Bros . W . Cook , J . Killick , C . Gibson , E . G . Legge , Treasurer 1007 ; C . H . Webb

174 ; Baldwin , Mrs . Baldwin , Bro . W . Lane ( Collector ) , Mrs . Lane , Bro . W . H . Main , P . M . 860 , and Mrs . Main ; Bro . R . H . Halford , J . D . 228 ; Mrs . Halford ; Bro . R . Pearcey , 228 ; Miss Pearcey ; Bro . C . Reepe , Bro . H . Massey ( Freemason ) , Mrs . Masscy , Bro . J . Stock , S . D . 1178 , Mrs . Stock , Mr . Robinson , and Mrs . Cooksey . The proceedings commenced at two o'clock , when the

whole party of visitors and inmatessatdowntoa splendid repast , consisting of Christmas cheer . The hall was beautifully decorated with emblems of the season , among which where the " Merry Christmas , " " A Happy New Year , " and " Welcome . " There were also some Masonic devices on the walls , and wreaths of artificial flowers . The flowers and choics plants on the table were lent by Dr .

Strong , who took the head of the table , having on his left Mrs . Terry . Bro . Terry took the vice-chair , and the visitors assisted in ministering to the comforts of the old people . All the provisions were presented by some of the visitors . Mrs . Strong presented the plum

puddings , Mrs . Terry the mince pies , and Bro . Terry the turkeys and fowls . After the dinner , the inmates of the asylum were presented with packets of tea and tobacco , given by Bro . W . Hale , of Drury Lane ; and Bros . Legge and Webb presented each inmate with a quart bottle of fine whiskey .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

Bro . Fowler , 754 , sent a case of Lome whiskey , and Bro . James Hill , S . W . 228 , a case of cherry brandy . After dinner the ladies paid a series of visits to the annuitants' residences , took tea with them , and kept them cheerful till the entertainment of the evening commenced . At seven o ' clock they all assembled in the hall , where the company were treated to a display of dissolving views ,

the expense of which exhibition was defra yed by Bros . Halford , Pearcey , Reepe , and Stock . During the interval between the two parts of the exhibition the company were regaled with cake and wine . The whole of the arrangements , which gave general satisfaction both to the annuitants and visitors , were ably condcted from beginning to end .

Mrs . Cooksey presided at the piano , which was playcel at intervals during the evening , and Miss Terry as she always does on these occasions , delighted the company with some choice performances of vocal music . The dissolving views showed different scenes in old and new London , and were wonderfully faithful productions . After having been shown old and new London , the

visitors were taken by surprise by an exact representation of the asylum in which they were then sitting , and the closing piece was a likeness of Bro . James Terry , the Secretary , on the appearance of which the company immediately struck up , " For he ' s a Jolly Good Fellow . " Injihe course of the evening- Bro . Norris , the Warden of the Asylum , presented to Dr . Strong , in the name of the

inmates , a handsome gold lever hunting watch , which had been subscribed for by the annuitants . The following inscription in the case of the watch explains the presentation -. " Presented by the residents in thc Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , Croydon , to Henry John Strong , Esq ., M . D ., in grateful appreciation of many acts of loving kindness evinced by him as honorary surgeon for thirteen years ,

during which time he faithfully and assiduously ministered to their comforts and alleviated their sufferings in every way . 3 rd January , 1877 . " The presentation was accompanied by a neat little speech , in which Bro . Norris set forth the many particulars in which the annuitants were indebted to Dr . Strong . There was also presented to the Doctor a handsome mahogany case for

microscopical objects , with a somewhat similar incriplions to that on the watch . There was also presented to Mrs . Strong a beautiful gold locket , with her monogram on it in burnished gold . Both Dr . Strong and Mrs . Strong acknowledged the gifts in appropriate terms . A vote of thanks was awarded to the founders of the feast , and Bro .

Terry ' s services were acknowledged bo a vote of thanks . In the course of his reply Bro . Terry informed the company that he had received from the province of West Lancashire a very handsome donation -to defray the expenses cf the entertainment of that day ; and he was informed that Lord Skelmersdale , D . G . M ., was amongst the

contributors to this donation . The brethren and ladies returned to town late in the evening , after wishing all the inmates of the Asylum a ' Happy New Year . "

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The first meeting of the Board of Stewards for the forthcoming festival of 12 th February , was held on Thursday , in the Board-room , Freemasons' Hall . The brethren present were Bros . S . Rawson , Geo . Lambert , W . Hale , G . Verry , G . M . E . Snow , S . Rosenthal , Joseph

Tanner . J . M . Case , Rev .: R . J . Simpson , H . P .. Cooper Smith , Rev . W . Taylor Jones , S . G . Foxall , J . W . Baldwin , Jas . Faulkner W . J . Ferguson , G . H . Wright , C W . Grav , Geo . Roper , James Shilcock , Walter Wellsman , W . Hicks , S . H . Webb , C . J . Livetr , A . Durrant , J . M . Lockwood , John P . Probert , Geo . Corbie , Chas . H . Turner , F . Pendred , John S . Merick , J . Knight ,

J . Hassock , Chas . Daniel , Col . H . Somerville Burney , C . Creecy , Chas . W . Clark , Joseph Clever , Robt . Grigg , Nelson Reed , J . Hutchinson , Robert E . Stevenson , W , Knight , J . T . Robertson , H . Higgins , Thos . Smith , Thos . Hastings , Samuel 11 . Rawley , W . S . Cantrell , W . Toye , Robt . Seeker , Geo . J . Row , E . H . Thiellay , B . Carter , Capt . W . Reg . W . Williims , H . A . Stacey ,

Geo . R . Saper , and S . R . Lamble . Bro . Terry announced that the 14 th of February , which day the Prince of Wales had appointed for the festival , being Ash Wednesday , that was pointed out to Prince Leopold , who had consented to take the chair , and His Royal Highness altered the day for the festival to Monday , the 12 th .

Bro . J . M . Case , J . G . D ., was elected president of the Board ; S . Tomkins , G . T ., Treas . ; and James Terry , Sec . Bro . Terry said he had already 220 stewards . The board then settled the bill of fare for the festival with Bro . Dawkins , the manager of Freemasons' Tavern . The price of the ladies' tickets was fixed at 10 s . 6 d . each ; the gentlemen's tickets one guinea . Authority was given for

printing 750 tickets ; to be sent to each steward . Twenty complimentary tickets were authorised . Directions were given for applying to the Board of General Purposes for the use of the Temple . The Steward ' s fee was fixed at two guineas . Thirty guineas were authorised to be dis

bursed for music . The Musical Committee was appointed , Bros . H . M . Levy , S . Rosenthal , C . J . Livett , and Martyn being elected , Bro . Case being president of that committee . The toasts of last festival were arranged to be on the programme for this year . The board then adjourned to the 29 th inst . at 4 p . m .

"Twenty years of the Life of a City Buyer , " which will be full of home and continental incidents , is in the press .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

Her Majesty the Queen has been graciousl y pleased to confer the Grand Cross of the Star of India on Bro . H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught and Strathcarne . A presentation was made at Sandringham on Monday , the istinst ., to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales by the clergy and tenantry of the estate , " in commemoration of his safe and happy return to his country home , after a

most successful visit to British India . " The casket , specially elesigned and manufactured by Bro . Emanuel , of the Hard , Portsea , is in the repousse style , and of oriental character , depicting scenes connected with the Prince ' s visit , and bears his portrait . The presentation , which took place at the hall , was made b y the Rev . Wm . Lake Onslow on behalf of the donors , who were present on the occasion .

The Archbishop of Canterbury proposes to leave Addington Park for three weeks . Letters for his Grace to be addressed to the Chaplain , Lambeth Palace . All communications respecting the vacant diocese of Truro to be addressed to the Vicar-General ' s Office , Doctors ' -commons .

The Town Council of Southampton have resolved to support the memorial to the Government for the establishment of the India Museum upon the Thames Embankment . "We are given to understand that a prose work will shortly be published with the somewhat strange' title of " Peregrinations in Hell . " Two D . D . 's of the Church

of England will write the preface . We understand that Bro . T . Burdett ( Yeoman is about to publish his Masonic and other poems , by the request of many brethren . It is his intention to devote the profits to the Masonic Charities . We wish him success . The Quarterl y Meeting of the Provincial Grand

Lodge of West Yorkshire will be held in the Masonic Hall , Leeds , on Wednesday , the 10 th January . We think it right to state that the translation of the " Symbol Tafel , " which appeared in our Christmas number , is taken from a paper in the Bauhiitte by Bro . 'Dr . R . Schoener .

Sir Hugu M yddelton Lodge of Instruction , No . 1602 , meets every Friday evening , at 25 , King Edward-street , Liverpool-road , N ., at half-past seven . Bro . W . H . Lee , W . M . 975 , P . M . 1524 , has been elected Preceptor . The first meeting of the Great Northern Lodge of Instruction , No . 1287 , was held on Thursday

evening , at the Berwick Arms , Berners-street , Oxfordstreet , and was well attended . The new lodge will meet re ^ u ' ar ' . y every Thrsday evening , at e ' ght B clock . ; BELGRAVB LODGE OF INSTRUCTION . —In our late notice of the removal of this lodge from the Lyceum Tavern , 354 , Strand , and the consequent opportunity afforded brethien for establishing one or more

lodges in this central locality , thc name of the Proprietor was inadvertently misspelt . Our attention having been called , we correct same by stating that Bro . Charles Cann , 192 , is thc Proprietor . WALTERS TESTIMONIAL . —A final meeting

of the committee took place on Saturday last , at the offices of Dr . Baxter Langley , and we are happy in being able to state that the amount subscribed has already reached th e handsome sum of £ 170 . The testimonial will assume the form of a purse , and the presentation will take place at Anderton's Hotel on Saturday , the 27 th inst . CIVILIZATION OF AFRICA . —We Jearn that

the Prince of Wales has declined , on advice , to accept the presidency of the British committee intended to cooperate with the association formed under the presidency of the King of the Belgians for the purpose of promoting the exploration and improvement of Africa . Mrs . Brassey , relict of the late Mr . Brassey ,

the railway contractor , and mother of Bro . Thomas Brassey , M . P . for Hastings , died at ' the Victoria Hotel , St . Leonards , on Wednesday afternoon . A special meeting of the members of the Eastern Star Lodge of Instruction will be held on the 15 th inst ., to determine on the future of the lodge . EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYES . —One of those

gatherings , marking the interest taken by some of our large firms , in catering for the amusement and instruction of their employe ' s , took place on Wednesday evening , the 3 rd inst ., at Messrs . Oetzmann & Co . 's , the wellknown house furnishers , of Hampstead-road , in connection with the mutual improvement society and library established on the premises , when a lecture was delivered to

an audience of about five hundred , in one of their large show-rooms , by the Rev . Jackson Wray , entitled , " The Wisdom of / Esop . " The lecture , which is one of the course delivered to the Young Men's Christian Association at Exeter Hall , is full of the mirth and wisdom of the old fabulist , and well adapted to the occasion and the present season .

HOIAOWAY ' S OINTMENT AND PILLS . —Few persons are so favoured by circumstances or so fortified by nature as to enable them to pass unscathed thc sore trials of an inclement season . Willi catarrh , coughs , and Influenzas everywhere abounding , the ointment , diligently rubbed upon . lie chest , checks the worst as . saults of these maladies and securely wards oil irore grave and dangerous diseases of the throat and lungs . The truth of this assertion must remain unquestioned in the face of thousands of unimpeachable living attestors , who have personally derived the utmost possible benefit from this simple treatment when their present sufferings were appalling , and their prospects most d ' uheartening . Botli remedies act admirably together , — ABVT ,