Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
cordially thanked the Lodge Journeymen for their presentation . The representatives of the various lodges were shortly afterwards marshalled in George-street by the Grand Marshal , Bro . Murdoch Mackenzie . By
this time a large crowd of onlookers had assembled in the street ; and the windows of offices and private dwelling-houses were filled with spectators . Everything having been arranged , the procession moved off in the following order : —
A Body of Police . A Band of the City Artillery Volunteers . Lodge 8 , Journeymen . Lodge 482 , Kirkliston Maitland , Kirkliston . Lodge 405 , Rifle , Edinburgh . Lodge 281 , Charleston of Aboyne . Lodge 272 , St . John , Mid-Calder . Lodge 226 , Portobello .
Lodge 223 , Trafalgar , Leith . Lodge 160 , Roman Eagle , Edinburgh . Lodge 151 , Edinburgh Defensive Band . Lodge 102 , St . Mark , Glasgow . Lodge 97 , St . James Operative , Edinburgh . Lodge 40 , St . Thomas , Arbroath . Lodge 31 , St . Mary , Coltness . Lodge 9 , Dunblane . Lodge Si Canongate and Leith , Leith and Canongate .
Lodge 2 , Canongate , Kilwinning . Lodge I , The Lodge of Edinburgh , Mary ' s Chapel . The Band of the 90 th Regiment . Carriages containing the Earl of Dalhousie and Members of Grand Lodge . Members of Journeymen Lodge carrying halberts , forming
a Guard to Grand Lodge . The procession started about one o ' clock from the Freemasons' Hall , and marched along Georgestreet , Hanover-street , the Mound , High-street , St . Mary ' s-street , and the Cowgate , to the site of the new building at the foot of Blackfriars ' -street . Crowds of people lined the route of procession ; and
some merriment was occasionally caused by the quaint get-up of the Tylers of certain lodges . Those in front of the procession having arrived at the foot of Toddrick ' s Wynd , halted , opened out , thus allowing the Grand Officers to pass through to the spot where the ceremony was to be performed . The general body of the brethren then followed , and
took up a position near the stone . Within a short distance from the stone a platform had been erected , which was set apart for ladies , and for members of the Improvement Trust . This accommodation was soon taken advantage of by those for whom it was
intended ; while scores of windows in the vicinity , and every available " coigne of vantage , " were fully occupied . The Rev . Bro . Fraser , of Leith , Acting Grand Chaplain , having offered up prayer , the stone was laid with the usual Masonic formalities .
The Grand Master then said : Right Worshipful Master of Lodge Journeymen , Senior and Junior Wardens , Brethren all , and ladies and gentlemen who have done us the honour of being spectators of this our ceremony , I have to announce to you that the corner stone of thd new hall has now been truly laid , with all the Masonic honours . It has given
me { great satisfaction to comply with your requestto perform that duty . It is the last public act o the kind which will fall to my lot as Grand Master Mason of Scotland . You are aware that the Lodge Journeymen is a most ancient lodge ; that it is an offshoot from Mary ' s Chapel ; and that it has distinguished itself during its long existence by
constant acts of Masonic charity and general benevolence . All Masons arc aware , but this assembled company may not be aware , that amongst its other acts of Masonic charity it contributed free labour to the erection of that building , which is now about to be superseded by a new one , the old infirmary of Edinburgh—a building within the walls of which
more blessing has accrued to the community of this fair city than from any other institution within its municipality . To obey the behests and to comply with the requests of such a lodge , is not only a pleasure to a Master Mason , but is an honour conferred upon him which he will not easily forget ; and the manner in which the Lodge Journeymen
have marked towards myself personally a sense of their grateful feeling for the work which I undertook , and which has been so unworthily performed b y me , has been evinced by the presentation to me this day of a handsome mallet made from a beam of Cardinal Beaton ' s house , with which 1 completed the laying of the stone , and which I shall take care
shall descend , with my other Masonic trophies , as long as things are permitted to descend from heir to heir . I will not detain you further than to express my thanks to the Lod gejourneymen for the honour conferred upon me , and to pray most earnestly that it may please the Great Architect of the Universe to permit the work which we have commenced
to-day to be finished in due course of time without danger to life or limb , and that , when finished , the hall may be well fitted to receive so worthy a lodge , and one in which , in a fitting manner , those benevolent acts and that liberality may be shown which I know it is the pleasure of the Lodge Journeymen to exhibit to their fellow-men .
Scotland.
Bro . Field expressed to Lord Dalhousie the thanks of the lodge for his kindness in having laid the foundation stone of the new hall . It would ever be the earnest desire of the lodge to deserve the approbation which his lordship had expressed . Bro . Kerr , P . M ., had been directed to express
cordial thanks to the members ofthe City Improvement Trust , who were present , for their attendance upon the occasion . The presence of those gentlemen showed the reciprocal feeling which existed between the governing powers and the Masons . Hearty cheers having been given for the Queen ,
the Lodge Journeymen , the ladies , the Grand Master , and the Improvement Trustees , the brethren re-formed in procession and marched to Mary ' s Chapel Hall , where the Earl of Dalhousie closed the lodge in the usual form . After closing the lodge , his lordship proceeded to
one of the ante-rooms , where cake and wine were served . Bro . Field proposed " The health of the Grand Master , " which was cordially pledged . The Grand Master , in responding , said : I give you my sincere thanks for your kind reception . I
assure you I have derived great satisfaction in performing the duty which you placed in my hands ; and I do not think I do wrong in anticipating that in the new hall the liberality and hospitality of the Lodge Journeymen will be fullymaintained . Permit me to add that I have been extremely gratified by
the order and precision with which everything has been gone through upon this occasion . The part that was performed by my officers was done to the very letter—everybody was in his right place and knew exactly what he had to do . I only wish that all foundation stones were laid with the same
success as this one to-day . Bro . Field gave " The health of the Lord Provost , Magistrates , and Town Council of Edinburgh . " The Grand Master proposed " The health of the Worshipful Master , the Wardens , and Brethren of
the Lodge Journeymen . " Bro . Field acknowledged the compliment . The lodge , he said , hoped to bc able to do still more for the widows and the fatherless than it had done in the past . The proceedings then terminated .
The new hall will be 45 feet long and 22 feet broad , and will be lighted by four large windows . On the floor above it , a keeper ' s house , a lodge library , and apartments for clothing , & c , will be situated ; while two floors below will be occupied
by a couple of small dwelling-houses , two shops , and cellars . Retiring and cloak rooms will , of course , be connected with the hall . The building will be of a substantial description , and will be treated externally in the Scotch style of
architecture . [ We hope to give an account of this lodge , from its existence to the present time , in our columns at a future date . ]
PROV . GRAND LODGE OF WIGTOWN AND KIRKCUDBRIGHT . The Quarterly Communication of this Grand Lodge was held in the Masonic Hall , here , on Wednesday , the 30 th ult . Bro . James Cranstoun , P . S . G . W ., acting P . G . M .. was in the chair , siionorted
by Bros . Dr . Millman , P . S . G . D ., acting P . S . G . W ., and M'Gowan , Granite Union , Dalbeattie , acting P . J . G . W . As this was the clay fixed for the election of office-bearers for the ensuing twelve months , a more than usual interest was manifested by the brethren . The office-bearers for the year
are : —( Commissioned ) the Right Hon . the Earl of Stair , K . T ., R . W . P . G . M . : George R . Harriott , of Killicmore , ( 41 ) , R . W . P . D . G . M . ; W . Kennedy Laurie of Woodhall , ( 323 , ) R . W . P . S . G . M . ; James Cranstoun , P . M . 41 , R . VV . P . S . G . W . ; J . T . Blackley , R . W . P . J . G . W . ; Rev . Duncan Stewart , V . W . P . G . C . ; David M'Lellan , of Marks , ( 41 , ) R . W . P . G . S .
( Elected ) George Lennox , ( 499 , ) W . P . G . Treas . ; Alfred M'Kinlay Wilhnan , V . W . P . S . G . D . ; William Bell of Gribdac , ( 41 , ) V . W . PJ . G . D . ; James Clark , P . M . 41 , W . P . G . I . G . ; James Livingstone , P . G . Tyler . After the installation , the lodge was was closed by the acting P . G . M . at the usual hour , in due form .
The festival of St . Andrew was celebrated , after the election of office-bearers by the brethren of St . Cuthbert ' s Lodge , No . 41 , in the Commercial Hotel , Kirkcudbright , where a first-rate dinner was provided for the members of the Craft by Bro . Stewart .
GLASGOW . —An emergency meeting of the Union Lodge , No . 332 , was held on the 29 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Glasgow . It was summoned to pass and raise two brethren who were about leaving Glasgow for Calcutta . Bro . M . W . M . Baker Robert
Mitchel , gave the third ceremony and the other work in a solemn , impressive manner . The annual meeting of the Shamrock and Thistle Lodge , No . 275 , was held in their lodge-room , 22 , Struthers-street , Calton , on Friday se ' nnight , for the
Scotland.
election and installation of office-bearers for the ensuing year . Bro . W . Phillips R . W . M . presided , and was supported by Bros . Foster , R . W . M . No . 354 , Mathieson , R . W . M . No . 178 , & c . The following brethren were unanimously elected and invested b y Bro . Foster : Wm . Phillips , R . W . M . ; Wm . Peden ,
D . M . ; J . Cunningham , S . M . ; P . Balfour , Sec . ; J . Smith , Treas . ; Rev . James Pullar , Chaplain ; D , Rowan , S . W . ; H . Mathieson , J . W . ; D . Ronald , B . B . ; Wm . Semple , S . D . ; W . T . Watson , J . D . ; J , Smith , S . S . ; J . Millar , J . S . ; R . Smith , I . G . ; R . Lavery , Tyler ; Clananchan , P . G . S . Thereafter the auditors ( Bros . Guthrie and Parker ) reported
that they had examined the books ofthe lodge and found them in a very satisfactory state , and complimented the R . W . M . and the brethren for the prosperous condition of the lodge , for they were glad to see that , besides having an account to their credit in the Royal Bank , they had also a complete
stock of paraphernalia for lodge purposes . The lodge was thereafter transferred to the care of the Junior Warden , when a very pleasant evening was spent till high twelve , when Bro . Philips proposed the parting toast " Happy to meet , sorry to part , happy to meet again . " The lodge was then closed
in due and ancient form . This lodge during the year has given away handsome sums of money to poor brethren , but more especially has it distinguished itself " for the wounded of the Franco-Prussian War , concerts having been got up , and which were well attended by the brethren .
MASONIC ASSEMBLY AT ABERDEEN . The annual assembly in connection with the Neptune Lodge , No . 370 , was held in Bro . M'Donald ' s Rooms , Market-steeet , Aberdeen , on Friday evening last week . The attendance was numerous , and a limited number of friends of the brethren ( not
Masons ) were present . Dancing commenced at nine and was continued till twelve , when the company to the number of 100 , adjourned to Bro . M'Donald ' s large dining-room , and partook of an excellent supper prepared in that brother ' s best style , the R . W . M ., Bro . Mitchell , presiding . The supper
having been amplejustice to , the R . W . M . intimated that but a very a short programme had been prepared , as he had no doubt they were all anxious to get back to the ball-room again . However , on looking around on all the array of beauty , elegance and good taste , he could not refrain from
congratulating the committee upon the great success that had attended their efforts to make this assembly worthy of Masonry in general , and the Neptune Lodge in particular , and as he inteded to save them from the infliction of long speeches , he would merely ( before proceeding to the few toasts he had to
propose ) return them the thanks of the lodge , for honouring them with their presence on thisoccasion , The first toast he had to propose was " The Queen , " which was drank with all honours , Bro . McLauchlen leading the National Anthem . The next toast , " Bro . Edward Albert Prince of Wales and the
rest of the Royal Family , " Bro . McLauchlen again leading , " God bless the Prince of Wales . " " The Army , Navy and Volunteers " was next proposed , and responded to by Bro . Capt . Gordon , of Craigmill . The R . W . M . here requested Miss McRay to favour them with a song , and with a voice of exquisite
sweetness and purity , tha lady gave a rendering of" John Anderson my Joe , " which for taste and feeling could scarcely be surpassed , the assembly testifying their appreciation of it by loud and prolonged applause , on the subsiding of which the R . W . M . requested her to consider it as an encore , when she
gave , " Shells of the Ocean" with equal acceptance . Bro . Gordon , R . W . M . of St . Viner Lodge , then proposed " The Prosperity of the Neptune Lodge , " which was responded to by Bro . Mitchell , who next proposed " Prosperity to the Town and Trade of Aberdeen , " which was responded to by Bro .
Commissioner Smart . "The Ladies" was next given and responded to by Bro . McFarland . Bro . McLauchlen was then requested to sing a song , which he did in a very efficient manner , which brought that part of the proceedings to a close .
The assembly then returned upstairs and finished the programme of dancing , the band — a most efficient one—was provided by Bro . Shanks . The assembly broke up about 4 . 30 , all highly p leased with the whole proceedings .
ROYAL ARCH . The Caledonian Unity R . A . Chapter , No . 73 , was held on the 29 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Buchananstreet . The first work done was conferring the ancient degree of Most Excellent Master on Bro . Allison , who was duly exalted into Royal Arch
Masonry , both ceremonies being well and ably done . Comps . David Gilchrist , M . E . Z . ; R . H . McCulloch , H . ; T . Findler , J . ; and the other officers distinguished themselves by their accurate and correct manner in which they performed thdr
duties , which convinced all present that the chapter will lose none of its prestige by those who now hold office in this well established chapter . The necessary arrangements were made to hold the future meetings ofthe Royal Ark Mariners and Red Cross degrees in connection with this chapter .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
cordially thanked the Lodge Journeymen for their presentation . The representatives of the various lodges were shortly afterwards marshalled in George-street by the Grand Marshal , Bro . Murdoch Mackenzie . By
this time a large crowd of onlookers had assembled in the street ; and the windows of offices and private dwelling-houses were filled with spectators . Everything having been arranged , the procession moved off in the following order : —
A Body of Police . A Band of the City Artillery Volunteers . Lodge 8 , Journeymen . Lodge 482 , Kirkliston Maitland , Kirkliston . Lodge 405 , Rifle , Edinburgh . Lodge 281 , Charleston of Aboyne . Lodge 272 , St . John , Mid-Calder . Lodge 226 , Portobello .
Lodge 223 , Trafalgar , Leith . Lodge 160 , Roman Eagle , Edinburgh . Lodge 151 , Edinburgh Defensive Band . Lodge 102 , St . Mark , Glasgow . Lodge 97 , St . James Operative , Edinburgh . Lodge 40 , St . Thomas , Arbroath . Lodge 31 , St . Mary , Coltness . Lodge 9 , Dunblane . Lodge Si Canongate and Leith , Leith and Canongate .
Lodge 2 , Canongate , Kilwinning . Lodge I , The Lodge of Edinburgh , Mary ' s Chapel . The Band of the 90 th Regiment . Carriages containing the Earl of Dalhousie and Members of Grand Lodge . Members of Journeymen Lodge carrying halberts , forming
a Guard to Grand Lodge . The procession started about one o ' clock from the Freemasons' Hall , and marched along Georgestreet , Hanover-street , the Mound , High-street , St . Mary ' s-street , and the Cowgate , to the site of the new building at the foot of Blackfriars ' -street . Crowds of people lined the route of procession ; and
some merriment was occasionally caused by the quaint get-up of the Tylers of certain lodges . Those in front of the procession having arrived at the foot of Toddrick ' s Wynd , halted , opened out , thus allowing the Grand Officers to pass through to the spot where the ceremony was to be performed . The general body of the brethren then followed , and
took up a position near the stone . Within a short distance from the stone a platform had been erected , which was set apart for ladies , and for members of the Improvement Trust . This accommodation was soon taken advantage of by those for whom it was
intended ; while scores of windows in the vicinity , and every available " coigne of vantage , " were fully occupied . The Rev . Bro . Fraser , of Leith , Acting Grand Chaplain , having offered up prayer , the stone was laid with the usual Masonic formalities .
The Grand Master then said : Right Worshipful Master of Lodge Journeymen , Senior and Junior Wardens , Brethren all , and ladies and gentlemen who have done us the honour of being spectators of this our ceremony , I have to announce to you that the corner stone of thd new hall has now been truly laid , with all the Masonic honours . It has given
me { great satisfaction to comply with your requestto perform that duty . It is the last public act o the kind which will fall to my lot as Grand Master Mason of Scotland . You are aware that the Lodge Journeymen is a most ancient lodge ; that it is an offshoot from Mary ' s Chapel ; and that it has distinguished itself during its long existence by
constant acts of Masonic charity and general benevolence . All Masons arc aware , but this assembled company may not be aware , that amongst its other acts of Masonic charity it contributed free labour to the erection of that building , which is now about to be superseded by a new one , the old infirmary of Edinburgh—a building within the walls of which
more blessing has accrued to the community of this fair city than from any other institution within its municipality . To obey the behests and to comply with the requests of such a lodge , is not only a pleasure to a Master Mason , but is an honour conferred upon him which he will not easily forget ; and the manner in which the Lodge Journeymen
have marked towards myself personally a sense of their grateful feeling for the work which I undertook , and which has been so unworthily performed b y me , has been evinced by the presentation to me this day of a handsome mallet made from a beam of Cardinal Beaton ' s house , with which 1 completed the laying of the stone , and which I shall take care
shall descend , with my other Masonic trophies , as long as things are permitted to descend from heir to heir . I will not detain you further than to express my thanks to the Lod gejourneymen for the honour conferred upon me , and to pray most earnestly that it may please the Great Architect of the Universe to permit the work which we have commenced
to-day to be finished in due course of time without danger to life or limb , and that , when finished , the hall may be well fitted to receive so worthy a lodge , and one in which , in a fitting manner , those benevolent acts and that liberality may be shown which I know it is the pleasure of the Lodge Journeymen to exhibit to their fellow-men .
Scotland.
Bro . Field expressed to Lord Dalhousie the thanks of the lodge for his kindness in having laid the foundation stone of the new hall . It would ever be the earnest desire of the lodge to deserve the approbation which his lordship had expressed . Bro . Kerr , P . M ., had been directed to express
cordial thanks to the members ofthe City Improvement Trust , who were present , for their attendance upon the occasion . The presence of those gentlemen showed the reciprocal feeling which existed between the governing powers and the Masons . Hearty cheers having been given for the Queen ,
the Lodge Journeymen , the ladies , the Grand Master , and the Improvement Trustees , the brethren re-formed in procession and marched to Mary ' s Chapel Hall , where the Earl of Dalhousie closed the lodge in the usual form . After closing the lodge , his lordship proceeded to
one of the ante-rooms , where cake and wine were served . Bro . Field proposed " The health of the Grand Master , " which was cordially pledged . The Grand Master , in responding , said : I give you my sincere thanks for your kind reception . I
assure you I have derived great satisfaction in performing the duty which you placed in my hands ; and I do not think I do wrong in anticipating that in the new hall the liberality and hospitality of the Lodge Journeymen will be fullymaintained . Permit me to add that I have been extremely gratified by
the order and precision with which everything has been gone through upon this occasion . The part that was performed by my officers was done to the very letter—everybody was in his right place and knew exactly what he had to do . I only wish that all foundation stones were laid with the same
success as this one to-day . Bro . Field gave " The health of the Lord Provost , Magistrates , and Town Council of Edinburgh . " The Grand Master proposed " The health of the Worshipful Master , the Wardens , and Brethren of
the Lodge Journeymen . " Bro . Field acknowledged the compliment . The lodge , he said , hoped to bc able to do still more for the widows and the fatherless than it had done in the past . The proceedings then terminated .
The new hall will be 45 feet long and 22 feet broad , and will be lighted by four large windows . On the floor above it , a keeper ' s house , a lodge library , and apartments for clothing , & c , will be situated ; while two floors below will be occupied
by a couple of small dwelling-houses , two shops , and cellars . Retiring and cloak rooms will , of course , be connected with the hall . The building will be of a substantial description , and will be treated externally in the Scotch style of
architecture . [ We hope to give an account of this lodge , from its existence to the present time , in our columns at a future date . ]
PROV . GRAND LODGE OF WIGTOWN AND KIRKCUDBRIGHT . The Quarterly Communication of this Grand Lodge was held in the Masonic Hall , here , on Wednesday , the 30 th ult . Bro . James Cranstoun , P . S . G . W ., acting P . G . M .. was in the chair , siionorted
by Bros . Dr . Millman , P . S . G . D ., acting P . S . G . W ., and M'Gowan , Granite Union , Dalbeattie , acting P . J . G . W . As this was the clay fixed for the election of office-bearers for the ensuing twelve months , a more than usual interest was manifested by the brethren . The office-bearers for the year
are : —( Commissioned ) the Right Hon . the Earl of Stair , K . T ., R . W . P . G . M . : George R . Harriott , of Killicmore , ( 41 ) , R . W . P . D . G . M . ; W . Kennedy Laurie of Woodhall , ( 323 , ) R . W . P . S . G . M . ; James Cranstoun , P . M . 41 , R . VV . P . S . G . W . ; J . T . Blackley , R . W . P . J . G . W . ; Rev . Duncan Stewart , V . W . P . G . C . ; David M'Lellan , of Marks , ( 41 , ) R . W . P . G . S .
( Elected ) George Lennox , ( 499 , ) W . P . G . Treas . ; Alfred M'Kinlay Wilhnan , V . W . P . S . G . D . ; William Bell of Gribdac , ( 41 , ) V . W . PJ . G . D . ; James Clark , P . M . 41 , W . P . G . I . G . ; James Livingstone , P . G . Tyler . After the installation , the lodge was was closed by the acting P . G . M . at the usual hour , in due form .
The festival of St . Andrew was celebrated , after the election of office-bearers by the brethren of St . Cuthbert ' s Lodge , No . 41 , in the Commercial Hotel , Kirkcudbright , where a first-rate dinner was provided for the members of the Craft by Bro . Stewart .
GLASGOW . —An emergency meeting of the Union Lodge , No . 332 , was held on the 29 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Glasgow . It was summoned to pass and raise two brethren who were about leaving Glasgow for Calcutta . Bro . M . W . M . Baker Robert
Mitchel , gave the third ceremony and the other work in a solemn , impressive manner . The annual meeting of the Shamrock and Thistle Lodge , No . 275 , was held in their lodge-room , 22 , Struthers-street , Calton , on Friday se ' nnight , for the
Scotland.
election and installation of office-bearers for the ensuing year . Bro . W . Phillips R . W . M . presided , and was supported by Bros . Foster , R . W . M . No . 354 , Mathieson , R . W . M . No . 178 , & c . The following brethren were unanimously elected and invested b y Bro . Foster : Wm . Phillips , R . W . M . ; Wm . Peden ,
D . M . ; J . Cunningham , S . M . ; P . Balfour , Sec . ; J . Smith , Treas . ; Rev . James Pullar , Chaplain ; D , Rowan , S . W . ; H . Mathieson , J . W . ; D . Ronald , B . B . ; Wm . Semple , S . D . ; W . T . Watson , J . D . ; J , Smith , S . S . ; J . Millar , J . S . ; R . Smith , I . G . ; R . Lavery , Tyler ; Clananchan , P . G . S . Thereafter the auditors ( Bros . Guthrie and Parker ) reported
that they had examined the books ofthe lodge and found them in a very satisfactory state , and complimented the R . W . M . and the brethren for the prosperous condition of the lodge , for they were glad to see that , besides having an account to their credit in the Royal Bank , they had also a complete
stock of paraphernalia for lodge purposes . The lodge was thereafter transferred to the care of the Junior Warden , when a very pleasant evening was spent till high twelve , when Bro . Philips proposed the parting toast " Happy to meet , sorry to part , happy to meet again . " The lodge was then closed
in due and ancient form . This lodge during the year has given away handsome sums of money to poor brethren , but more especially has it distinguished itself " for the wounded of the Franco-Prussian War , concerts having been got up , and which were well attended by the brethren .
MASONIC ASSEMBLY AT ABERDEEN . The annual assembly in connection with the Neptune Lodge , No . 370 , was held in Bro . M'Donald ' s Rooms , Market-steeet , Aberdeen , on Friday evening last week . The attendance was numerous , and a limited number of friends of the brethren ( not
Masons ) were present . Dancing commenced at nine and was continued till twelve , when the company to the number of 100 , adjourned to Bro . M'Donald ' s large dining-room , and partook of an excellent supper prepared in that brother ' s best style , the R . W . M ., Bro . Mitchell , presiding . The supper
having been amplejustice to , the R . W . M . intimated that but a very a short programme had been prepared , as he had no doubt they were all anxious to get back to the ball-room again . However , on looking around on all the array of beauty , elegance and good taste , he could not refrain from
congratulating the committee upon the great success that had attended their efforts to make this assembly worthy of Masonry in general , and the Neptune Lodge in particular , and as he inteded to save them from the infliction of long speeches , he would merely ( before proceeding to the few toasts he had to
propose ) return them the thanks of the lodge , for honouring them with their presence on thisoccasion , The first toast he had to propose was " The Queen , " which was drank with all honours , Bro . McLauchlen leading the National Anthem . The next toast , " Bro . Edward Albert Prince of Wales and the
rest of the Royal Family , " Bro . McLauchlen again leading , " God bless the Prince of Wales . " " The Army , Navy and Volunteers " was next proposed , and responded to by Bro . Capt . Gordon , of Craigmill . The R . W . M . here requested Miss McRay to favour them with a song , and with a voice of exquisite
sweetness and purity , tha lady gave a rendering of" John Anderson my Joe , " which for taste and feeling could scarcely be surpassed , the assembly testifying their appreciation of it by loud and prolonged applause , on the subsiding of which the R . W . M . requested her to consider it as an encore , when she
gave , " Shells of the Ocean" with equal acceptance . Bro . Gordon , R . W . M . of St . Viner Lodge , then proposed " The Prosperity of the Neptune Lodge , " which was responded to by Bro . Mitchell , who next proposed " Prosperity to the Town and Trade of Aberdeen , " which was responded to by Bro .
Commissioner Smart . "The Ladies" was next given and responded to by Bro . McFarland . Bro . McLauchlen was then requested to sing a song , which he did in a very efficient manner , which brought that part of the proceedings to a close .
The assembly then returned upstairs and finished the programme of dancing , the band — a most efficient one—was provided by Bro . Shanks . The assembly broke up about 4 . 30 , all highly p leased with the whole proceedings .
ROYAL ARCH . The Caledonian Unity R . A . Chapter , No . 73 , was held on the 29 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Buchananstreet . The first work done was conferring the ancient degree of Most Excellent Master on Bro . Allison , who was duly exalted into Royal Arch
Masonry , both ceremonies being well and ably done . Comps . David Gilchrist , M . E . Z . ; R . H . McCulloch , H . ; T . Findler , J . ; and the other officers distinguished themselves by their accurate and correct manner in which they performed thdr
duties , which convinced all present that the chapter will lose none of its prestige by those who now hold office in this well established chapter . The necessary arrangements were made to hold the future meetings ofthe Royal Ark Mariners and Red Cross degrees in connection with this chapter .