Laying Memorial Stone Of Rothesay Aquarium.

LAYING MEMORIAL STONE OF ROTHESAY AQUARIUM .

To Rothesay belongs the honour of giving to Scotland its first public Aquarium , the memorial stone of which was on Saturday , thc 3 th inst ., laid with full Masonic honours by Bro . Charles Dalrymple , M . P . for Buteshire , ind Provincial Grand Master of Argyle and the Isles .

The Aquarium occupies an excellent site on the Ascog shore , at the spot occupied by thc old battery . When comp leted thc building will have an imposing appearance . Externally it has a frontage of 102 feet , is graced below with a rusticated basement and cornice , is surmounted by a chaste open balustrade , and rising from thc centre there will be an ornamental lower 47 feet in height .

A short flight of circular steps leads from thc outside to a commodious vestibule which communicates with a promenade hall , lighted by a dome , and intended for concerts , social gatherings , and thc like . Adjoining thc hall arc smaller rooms as suitable accessories , and also rooms in which will be fitted table tanks . Entering from the promenade hall is a magnificent corridor , forming the main

portion of the building , and measuring 90 feet by 15 feet . Kanged on each side of it will be sixteen luiilvs , -while in two adjacent rooms are to be placed twenty others , for the reception of the smaller species of salt and fresh water animals . Besides those mentioned there will be nine tanks to be used chiefly for experiments . For thc tanks •>o , ooo gallons of sea water and 12 , 000 gallons of fresh

water will be required ; but it has been considered necessary to have to supply reservoirs beneath the building capable of containing 100 , 000 and 40 , 000 gallons respectively , the extra quantity being indispensable in having the water thoroughly a'rated . A water engine pumps the water into pipes , from which it is sent in a spray from jets in the roof , and in the event of an

accident to this engine , a supplementary one , worked by steam , is to be provided . The tanks in which the animals arc to be placed will be similar to those in the English Aquaria , throe sides being of slate , and the front c f one-inch plate glass . Artificial rock work is to be placed inside , and thc bottom will be covered with shingle . It is not yet known from what source thc sea water will be

drawn , fears being entertained that the water in the vicinity cf the Aquarium may prove unsuitable . After the reservoirs are filled there will be little need of replenishing , the sweetness ofthe fluid being maintained by machinery , and as each tank is placed on a lower level than the one next it , the water , by an overflow pipe , finds its way back to thc reservoirs . To maintain an equal temperature of

water , and in the building , hot water pipes arc to be brought into requisition , ft is proposed to use several tanks in promoting" scientific research , more particularly in the department of embryology , and after thc Aquarium lias been fairly started thc directors hope to be able to add a sealground , and also a home for porpoises . The total cost is estimated at £ 10 , 000 , and of this £ 1 , 000 has been

contributed by thc Marquis of Bute , who , in addition , gave a free site for the building , and £ 1 , 000 by the Corporation of Rothesay , the remainder being made up by s / j . ires of £ 5 each . Rothesay has always been a favourite place of resort for those who , during the sumirier , can afford to leave Glasgow for a couple of months , weeks , or it may be only

days ; nnd there is no doubt that thc Aquarium will add another to the many existing attractions of the town . On Saturday flags were displayed from many buildings , and Ihe yachts anchored in the neighbourhood were aimost hid with bunting . As was to be expected , thc inhabitants turned out en masse to witness the proceedings , while steamer after steamer arrived , bringing thousands of

strangers to thc pretty little island , thus showing the great interest that is being taken in the Aquarium by those at a distance . The procession was timed to leave the I' . splanade at one o ' clock , and as the bands that were to take part in it had previously been discoursing music at various points , a very large number of people had congregated long before that hour .

At half-past 12 o'clock the Provincial Grand Lodge of Argyle and thc Isles was opened in thc Town I Iall , the office-bearers having been furnished with the suitable clothing by Bro . W . M . Bryce , Grand Tyler , who was through from Edinburgh for the occasion with Grand Lod ge paraphernalia . In the absence of the R . W . P . G . M . the K . W . M . of Rothesay St . John ' s ( 292 ) , Bro . Alex . Duncan ,

presided , with Bros . R . M'Farlanc and George Inncs acting Senior and Junior P . G . Wardens respectively . Thc lodge hiving been duly constituted , the R . W . P . G . M . moved 'hat Uros . Robert Robb , Prov . Grand Marshal , and J . Balfour , Prov . Grand Master of Ceremonies , P . G . L . of Glasgow , as also Bro . W . M . Bryce , Grand Tyler , should , 'w the honour they had done Lodge 292 in coming

"own to assist them that day , receive honorary affiliation to thc lodge , which was unanimously agreed to . h this stage the P . G . Master , Bro . Dalrymple , arrived , and was received with due honour . Having taken his * at upon the dais , and been informed as to the state of mat-••' rs , the P . G . M . immediately adjourned the meeting until after the ceremonial at thc building , and those present

profiled to join their brethren on the Esplanade . As nearly , ls we could make out the following were the lodges repre-- " '•tecl by deputations varying in numbers , the most nu"¦ irous ( the local lodge of couisc excepted ) being that lr ° m Lodge Royal Arch , Cambuslang , which consisted of no fewer than thirty-seven members . Lodges St . John , . . ¦•ls 'fow , 3 J ; Journeyman , Edinburgh , 8 ; Greenock

Kilmiuing , 12 ; St . John Kilwinning , Dumbarton , 18 ; "uric Kilwinning , Port-Glasgow , 68 ; Thistle and Rose , ' ¦' ¦ "gow , 73 ; Montrose , Airdrie , 88 ; Royal Arch , Cam-M . ing , i , R 0 yal Arch , Ruthcrglcn , 116 ; St . Mary ' s , cl ' , ' ' , i , St . Mirrcn , Paisley , 129 ; St . Bar-. '" i , Kilbarchan , 156 ; Greenock St . John , 175 ; St . James , Old Monkland , 177 ; Garthland St . Winnoch , "wwinnoch , 205 ; Star , Glasgow , 21 9 * , Hamilton , Ham-

Laying Memorial Stone Of Rothesay Aquarium.

ilton , 233 : Blair , Dahy , 290 ; Rothesay St . John's , 292 ; Royal Arch , West Kilbride , 314 ; St . Andrews Royal Arch , Alexandria , 321 ; St . George , Glasgow , 333 ; Argyle , Dunoon , 33 $ ; Commercial , Glasgow , 3 C 0 ; Kelburnc , Millport , 459 ; St . Munn , Dunoon , 49 6 ; St . Andrews , East Kilbride , 524 ; St . Andrews , Coatbridge , 544 . Bro . Robert Robb , Provincial Grand Marshal , and Bro .

J . Balfour , Provincial Grand Master of Ceremonies , having marshalled the procession , a start was made shortly after one o ' clock in thc following order : —Band of music ; Captain-Commandant M'Kirdy and Bute Artillery Volunteers ; Chief-Constable M'Alpinc and the officers of police ; John Duncan , Esq ., Provost ( in his official robes ) , and the Magistrates of Rothesay ; the members of the Town

Council ; the Sheriff and Sheriff-Substitute ( Patrick Eraser , Esq ., I . L . D ., and Robert Orr , Esq ., advocates ); the Provincial Grand Chaplain , the Rev . Bro . Gascoignc Wcldon , and other clergymen of Rothesay ; thc Chairman and Directors of the Aquarium Co . ( Limited ); J . Russell Thompson , Esq ., architect of the Aquarium ; the inspector and contractors ; the Foresters ; Masonic lodges , juniors

in front ; band of music ; R . W . M . Alexander Duncan and the office-bearers and brethren of the Rothesay St . John ' c •the Pight Worshipful Provincial Gland Master Ot Argyle and the Isles ( Bro . C . Dalrymple , M . P . ) ; officers of police . Arriving at thc Aquarium , and all having taken up thc various positions allotted them , the band played the

National Anthem . Provost Duncan then , in the name of thc directors of the Aquarium Company , presented the Provincial Grand Master with a silver trowel , bearing a suitable inscription . Prayer having been offered up by thc Rev . Bro . Weldon , Acting Chaplain , Bro . Bryce , Treasurer , deposited in the cavity of the stone a glass jar containing specimens of

coins of the realm , copies of various newspapers , & c . The stone having been properly laid " according to the rules of Masonry , " three hearty cheers were given , and the band struck up " The Merry Masons . " The Provincial Grand Master then said—On a day long expected by many here present the foundation or memorial stone of the Rothesay Aquarium has been laid in your

sight with all the solemnity which the Masonic craft can lend to a ceremony . It remains for me , with your permission , briefly to address you . Has it seemed to any one here present that the ceremony of to-day has been attended with a solemnity almost inappropriate , and that it was hardly suitable that a building destined to a secular purpose should be inaugurated with sacred rites ? And yet I

am sure that none of us will question the force of the words , " Nisi Dominus frustra "—Except the Lord build , except thc Lord keep , the watching and waiting are vain : it is but lost labour . Wc who are met in the brightness of this opening summcrtide—omen , I hope , of thc success of the whole undertaking—can hardly think it out of place , looking to the character of " the future building ,

looking also to the associations of the surrounding scenery , to invoke upon the work to-day inaugurated " blessings of the heaven above , and of the dee ]) that lieth under , and unto the utmost bounds of the everlasting hills . " It is of the very essence of our business here to-day to wish prosperity to this enterprise , which is , I may remind you , thc product of much care and anxiety on the part of its

promoters . I am bold to say that it reflects the highest credit , not enly on thc energy of the originators of the plan , but on the skill of those who devised , and on the public spirit of those who determined to carry out the work . It would be an affectation , of which none of us would be guilty , to pretend that we do not look for material advantage to this place from the erection of the Aquarium .

I venture to assert that if our expectations are realised , it is no more than Rothesay deserves if great material advantages should ensue , inasmuch as in this place is being instituted the first Scottish Aquarium . It is satisfactory to know that it is matter of positive knowledge that an Aquarium lias claovhcro been what ic called a paying concern . Wc shall not expect quite to emulate the

financial triumphs of the famous Aquariums of the South , but it is worth mentioning that the Crystal Palace Aquarium shows a profit of 30 per cent , on the capital laid out upon it , while the grand Aquarium at Hamburg is also a gieat pecuniary success . I can well believe that to this " Brighton of the Clyde , " as it has been called , in reference to our new venture . many visitors will be attracted bythe Aquarium . We

may flatter ourselves that not only travellers from Glasgow and Edinburgh and other parts of Scotland , but pilgrims from remoter places to thc classic shrines of Scotland who , among other pleasures of travel , delight in the beauties of the Clyde , its mountain-bound lochs , its picturesque seaside retreats , and its haunts of romantic and storied interest , will also desire to visit in the Island of Bute the

Aquarium of thc West of Scotland . For my own part , I should not hesitate to say to any who failed to pay us a visit for this purpose , " Your other exploits of travel are all very well , but you have not only missed visiting a sight of great interest , but , what is much worse , you have failed to pay your tribute of acknowledgment to that gifted and remarkable people called the Brandanes , who , among other

rare qualities , have been pioneers to all Scotland in the matter of an Aquarium . " But to-day I-claim a measure of homage for this enterprise on higher grounds . I believe that when completed the Aquarium is calculated to be the source of much useful and interesting information ; and it is an ambition worthy of any institution to be a source of intellectual life to a place and neighbourhood . No one would wish on this occasion to be made the victim

of an imposture ; and I should rank high among impostors if I were to attempt to speak to you of an Aquarium in respect to its scientific va ' uc . This only I will say , that those who have visited an Aquarium elsewhere know what a treasure-house of constant interest it is found to be ; and I believe that , high as may be the expectations raised in thc minds of those who sec this building rise , the wonders of the deep

Laying Memorial Stone Of Rothesay Aquarium.

on which we shall hereafter be a'lowcd to gaze within its walls will satisfy the most ardent and exacting expectations . It has lately been said with some force that " though man cannot descend into the sea , or observe in the depths of ocean how fish live and grow , yet he achieves a greater triumph . He brings thc fish from the great deep in which they live , and compels them to render up in

his presence the secrets of their birth and thc ratio of their growth . " You have already by acclamation , with emphathic heartiness , wished prosperity to this undertaking . I will only say , in conclusion , that I trust its success is certain , and will be conspicious , thereby affording an example to other places , and an encouragement and reward to the public spirited promoters of the scheme .

Bro . A . B . Stewart of Ascog , and Provost Duncan , on behalf of the directors and promoters of the company , and Bailie Orkney on behalf of the magistrates and councillors , having thanked the Prov . Grand Master for his presence that day , and he having replied in a few words , thc procession was reformed and marched back to the Esplanade , where it was dispersed .

The Provincial Grand Lodge proceeded to the Town Hall , where it n-as icsunied . Bro . Duncan , R . W . M . 292 , proposed a hearty vote of thanks to thc Provincial Grand Master for his services that day . They must feel proud also that the Provincial Grand Master of Argyle and the Isles should be a member of Lodge 292 . The P . G . M . briefly acknowledged the compliment . On thc motion of

a brother of Lodge 292 , a hearty vote of thanks was awarded by acclamation to all thc lodges who had come forward from various parts of the country to assist in the proceedings of the day . Bro . the Rev . A . Weldon , chapjain of 292 , said he thought they might all congratulate themselves upon the success of their proceedings so far , and their special thanks were due to thc P . G . Master for

coming so [ great a distance to do them honour that day . After a vote of thanks had been awarded to the chaplain , Bro . Duncan , as instructed by the P . G . Master , closed the lodge in due form . At three o ' clock a banquet was held in the Bute Hotel , when upwards of sixty ladies and gentlemen were present . Provost Duncan presided , and thc chair was occupied by

Mr . A . B . Stewart . Bro . Dalrymple responded to the toast , "The Houses of Parliament . " The Croupier gave , "Success to the Rothesay Aquarium , " and in doing so stated that he did not for a few years expect any return for the shareholders , but he promised that they would not be allowed to suffer any loss , as he would

make good any deficiency . He believed that the Aquarium would be the means of inducing many people to come to Rothesay , and that it would be the means of educating the one and profiting the other . He said he would be glad to provide whatever specimens he could for the Aquarium by means of his yacht . The other toasts usual to such occasions having been duly honoured , the proceedings terminated .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The monthly meeting of the Committee of Management of this Institution was held on Wednesday , at Freemasons ' Hall . Bro . Major Creaton , P . G . D ., presided . There were also present Bros . S . Rawson , J . A . Farnfield , J . Newton , J . M . Stcdwell , Thos . Cubitt , H . G . Warren , R . W . Little , J . Bellerby , G . Bolton , Joseph Smith , John G . Stevens ,

W . Hale , L . Stean , A . H . Tattershall , II . M . Levy , Joshua Nunn , Dr . Jabez Hogg , and James Terry ( Secretary ) . Bro . Terry having read the minutes of the 12 th May , which were confirmed , read a letter from Lord Skelmers . dale , accepting the trusteeship of the Sustentation Fund ; he also announced the deaths of two annuitants , the list of the Committee of Management , and the names of the

successful candidates at last election on 21 st May . Cheques were ordered to be drawn for their annuities . The Warden ' s and House Committee ' s reports were read , and Bros . Hervey , Head , Creaton , Hale , and Warren were elected members of the Finance Committee . Bros . Head , Creaton , Stewart , Joseph Smith , and J . A . Farnfield were elected on the House Committee , and some general business having been transacted , the Committee adjourned .

The name uf Bro . H . 1 hompson ( P . M . 177 , H 58 , & c . ) was unintentionally omitted in our report of the Southern Star Lodge , which appeared in the Freemason of last issue . ____

FEI . TOE AND SONS' ( OF ALUEMARLE-STREET ) " SPBCIAI . ITE" SHERRY . —Looking upon sherry as one of the most useful of thc dietetic and medicinal agents of the physician , when used with the care and prescribed with the exactness which we arc distinctly of opinion should be required at his hands , wc can speak very favourably of this

wine . It has , in four specimens which we have collected over varying intervals extending for eight months , presented sll the characters of a sound , palatable , and wholesome stimulant , such as those may use with pleasure who treat wine as a part of their ordinary luxuries of diet , and such as those may prescribe with confidence who find it necessary to order wine as a medicine . —British Medical

Journal . Civic VISIT TO BRO . SIR J OHN AND LADY BENNETT . — Bro . Sir John and Lady Bennett have invited the LordMayor to a garden party at their country residence , The Banks , Mountfield , Sussex , to meet the Mayor and Corporation of Hastings , which is but about 10 miles from Thc Banks . The Lord Mayor was born at Hastings , and it occurred to

Bro . Sir John and Lady Bennett that his lordship might like to meet the municipal representatives of his native place . The invitation was cordially accepted , and his lordship intimated his intention to make the visit in state , accompanied by his sheriffs . The day fixed on is Saturday , the 26 th instant . Thc Mayor and Corporation of Hastings have intimated their intention to make theirs a state visit .