Scotland.

active interest in its proceedings . At the same time , let us remember we are brethren above all things , and no petty or personal differences of opinion or desire for position should be allowed to interfere with the superior claims of the lodge and its interests . I am not a proficient ritualist as some brethren are , for my tastes and studies in Masonry have lain more in a desire to know the meaning behind the

symbolism we employ . 'The veiled allegory that is used in a lodge is to many a sealed book , and illustrated with symbols whose meaning they know not , and in many cases feel no sufficient interest to ask the reason of their existence . In this direction there is much for us to do and much to learn , and I trust that we may have some well-informed brethren both from our own and other lodges to give us the benefit of

their knowledge during the ensuing winter . We can all do something towards removing the stigma of not knowing or caring about the orig in and meaning of the phrases and figures we employ so " largely . But beyond this , as Freemasons , by our obligations we are reminded that " duty , honour , and gratitude bind us to be faithful to every trust , to support vvith becoming dignity our characters , to enforce

by example and precept the tenets of our system . Let no motive make us swerve from our duty , violate our vows , or betray our trust . " Too frequently in the past has Masonry in Scotland been looked down upon and despised on account of the unfortunate associations that have accompanied her , but a brighter day we can already see dawning , when with the name of a Freemason vvill be associated all that is noble

in thought and action , one who regulates his life by acting on the square , and who makes his conduct harmonise vvith . the principles of morality and virtue which he has vowed to practice . As a new lodge we have already achieved a remarkable success , far greater than any of us who founded it ever dared to expect . We naturally and hopefully anticipate that the hearty unanimity which has secured such

results will continue to operate to our future advancement . As your Master , I hope that nothing I do vvill in any way dim the lustre of this chair , which has been so worthily filled by my predecessor , but that as each Master succeeds to this office it may be handed on from one to the other with undiminished reputation and increasing renown . After business the members adjourned to the large hall ,

which had been specially decorated for the banquet , which vvas most recherche , and reflected great credit on the purveyor , viands and wines being alike excellent . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts followed . Bro . W . W . Tullock , D . D ., replied for "The Three Grand Lodges " in a highly humorous manner that evoked continuous applause .

Bro . Macgregor Mulloch , G . I . G ., proposed "The Newly-installed R . W . M ., Bro . Clark , " in felicitous terms , alluding to his reputation as antiquarian , linguist , and Mason , the worthy son of a truly Masonic sire , widely respected as one of the most energetic and public-spirited citizens of St . Mungo . After thanking the brethren for their enthusiastic

reception of his health , the R . W . M . proceeded to address the LP . M ., Bro . Morris Carswell , in eulogistic language referring to his valued services as a founder and first occupant of the K . S . chair in No . 772 , and finally asked his acceptance of a Past Master's jewel . The I . P . M . responded by a brief acknowledgment of the hearty co-operation he had ever secured from his officers and

members , and pointed with pride to the remarkable success already attained , and said they had all been deeply indebted to the untiring energy of Bro . D . R . Clark , whom they had just placed in the seat he had had the gratification to occupy , and who had designed the jewels , clothing , & c , and how well Bro . George Kenning had carried out his instructions vvas patent to everyone , for a finer appointed

lodge vvas not to be found in Scotland . Other toasts followed , enlivened by song and sentiment , and a thoroughly enjoyable meeting vvas added to the triumphs already scored by Bro . Ruddock , who superintended the proceedings . The jewel was an exceedingly fine specimen of artistic skill , being enriched with diamonds and other precious stones , and was manufactured by Bro . George Kenning .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

CONSECRATION OF ST . GEORGE'S LODGENo . 2402 AT CYPRUS .

The consecration of the above lodge , warranted under the Grand Lodge of England , took place on Saturday , the 14 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Larnaca , Cyprus . This is the second lodge that has been opened in Cyprus since the British occupation , the first being the St . Paul ' s , No . 2277 , established at Limassol in

1888 . 1 he great distance and inconvenience of travelling from Nicosia and Larnaca to Limassol is one of the reasons of the petition for the formation of the Larnaca lodge . The consecration ceremony was most ably performed

by Bro . G . R . Harriott , P . P . G . M . Wigton , & c . ( S . C ) , assisted -b y Bros . Kiddle , W . M . elect 2277 , as S . W . ; Meyer , J . W . 2277 , as J . W . ; Capt . Duberly , P . M . 555 ( I . C ) , as G . Reg . ; J . P . White , I . P . M . 2277 , as D . C . ' ; and others .

After the lodge had been duly consecrated and dedicated , the Consecrating Officer installed Bro . F . O . Harvey , 9 , into the chair of K . S . The W . M . then invested the following as his officers : Bros .. J . E . Sauby , S . W . ; E . H . Hore , J . W . ; T . Sturgess , S . D . ; E . A . Carletti , J . D . ; P . Blattner , D . C . ; and T . H . Brayshaw

and C . Cannons , Stewards . The following brethren were unanimously elected honorary members of the lodge in consideration of the assistance they had rendered in its establishment : Bros . S . Vallentine , G . P . England ; W . Willey , P . M ., W . H . Holroyd , P . M ., L . W . Harvey , P . M . and Sec , and

W . Drew , all of No . 9 ; and Nelson Prower , W . M . 1745 . Four proposals for joining members and eight for initiation were submitted , and the lodge vvas closed . An excellent banquet had been prepared under the supervision of the Stewards , and their arrangements were well carried out , and justice having been done to

The Craft Abroad.

the fare provided , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . The CONSECRATING OFFICER , in response to the toast of his health , gave some sound words of advice to the new lodge ; he pointed out the present popularity of Masonry , and the rush of anxious aspirants for admission to the Fraternity . He could not do better than re-echo the words that had been used on several

occasions lately by the Grand Secretary of England when consecrating new lodges , that what was to be looked for in admitting new members to the Craft vvas quality rather than quantity . Another point he urged upon the members of the lodge vvas the establishment of a good Masonic library , as nothing tended

more to the better comprehension of the beauty of Masonry than a study of the ancient records and traditions of the Craft . The CONSECRATING OFFICER then proposed " The Health of the Worshipful Master" and wished him a successful year of office , which vvas drunk with musical

honours . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , in reply , thanked the brethren for the hearty manner in which they had given the toast , and trusted that after his year of office expired he should receive their approbation for what he had then done . For the present he vvas untried , but vvith

the co-operation and support of his officers , he hoped that when the time came for him to vacate the chair he should have fulfilled to his best ability what they now expected of him . The lodges supporting the petition were Albion , No . 9 , and St . Paul ' s , No . 2277 .

"The Visitors" and "The Officers" were given and suitably replied to , and the Tyler's toast concluded the proceedings . Bros . Meyer , Montague , Kemp , Hore , Cannons , and Carletti enlivened the post prandial proceedings vvith their vocal and instrumental music . The lodge vvas furnished by Bro . George Kenning .

_ ..- .... + CHRISTMAS RAILWAY FACILITIES . GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY - . The Great Western Railway Company issue tickets of all classes at the following City and West-end offices : 193 and 407 , Oxford-street ; 23 , New Oxford-street ; Holborn Circus ; 29 , Charing Cross ; 5 , Arthur-street East , London Bridge ; 82 , Queen Victoria-street ; 269 , Strand ; 43 and 44 , Clutched Friars ; 26 , Regent-street ; 67 ,

Greshamstreet ; 4 , Cheapside ; and the L . B . and S . C . Company ' s Booking Office ( under Grand Hotel ) , Trafalgar-square . This arrangement cannot fail to be a boon to those travellers who desire to avoid the trouble of obtaining a ticket at a crowded railway station . The booking-office at the Paddington Station will also be open for the issue of tickets each day during the week

preceding Christmas Day . Ordinary tickets obtained in London between December iSth and 24 th will be available for use on any day between and including those days . Cheap third class tickets at reduced fares will be issued from London to the Yeovil and Weymouth districts to stations in the West of England , and to Guernsey and Jersey ; similar tickets vvill also be issued from those

districts to London , except the Channel Islands . In orderto meet the extraordinary demand upon the company ' s resources occasioned by the enormous parcels traffic despatched both from and to London at Christmas time , special fast trains carrying parcels only , and calling at the principal intermediate stations will run between London and Plymouth , Birkenhead , Worcester , and New Milford .

On Ihursday , December 24 th , the 10 and 5 . 0 p . m . trains from Paddington to Plymouth vvill be extended to Falmouth and Penzance ; and the G . 20 p . m . train from Paddington to Bristol will run to Exeter ; a special train will leave Paddington at 10 . o p . m . for New Milford , and will call at the same stations as the 9 . 15 p . m . ordinary tram , and a special express tothe West of England vvill depart at 11 . 50 p . m .

( midnight ) . On Christmas Day the usual Sunday service of trains vvill be run , but for the convenience of persons who are unable to leave town before the morning of Christmas Day , the 5 . 30 a . m . train vvill run as on week days to Oxford , Bristol , Weston-super-Mare , Worcester , Banbury ,

Leamington , Birmingham , Dudley , and Wolverhampton , in which towns the London morning papers will consequently be distributed at the usual hour . On the afternoon of Sunday , Decemcer 27 th , special trains vvill run to London from Plymouth , Swansea , and Wolverhampton , calling at the principal intermediate stations .

Lo . vn IN- AND NORTH-WESTERN R . ULVVAV . The London and North-Western Company announce that the ticket offices at Euston , Broad-street , Kensington , and Willesden Junction will be open throughout the day from Monday , December 14 th , to Wednesday , December 23 rd ( Sunday excepted ) , so that passengers wishing to obtain tickets for any destination on the London and

North-Western Railway can do so at any time of the day prior to the starting of the trains . The tickets will be dated to suit the convenience of passengers . Tickets for all the principal stations on the London and North-Western system and its connections can be obtained at any time ( Sundays and Bank Holidays excepted ) at the following town receiving offices of the company : 15 , Queen-street , E . C . ; Spread

Eagle , 3 , VVhittington-avenue , Leadenhall Market , E . C ; Swan - vvith - Two - Necks , 65 , Gresham-street , E . C ; 13 , Eastcheap ; Cross Keys , 1 , Woodstreet , Cheapside , E . C . ; 22 , Aldersgate-street , E . C . ; 65 , Aldgate , E . ; 30 , West Smithfield , E . C . ; 8 and 9 , Clerkenwell Green , E . C ; Bolt-in-Tun , 6 4 , Fleetstreet , E . C ; 116 , Holborn , E . C ; George and Blue Boar , 2 S 5 , High Holborn , W . C . ; 43 , New Oxford-street

W . C ; Universal Office , bpread Eagle , Piccadilly Circus , W . j 34 , Parliament-street , Wastminster ; Golden Cross , Charing Cross , VV . C . ; Hotel Windsor , Victoria-street , S . W . ; 231 , Edgware-road , VV . ; Atlas Olfice , 1117 , Tottenham Court-road , VV . C . ; 70 , St . Martin ' s-lane , W . C . ; 3 , James-street , Covent Garden , W . C ; Lion , 10 S , New Bond-street , W . j 49 6 , Oxford-street , W . ; Griffin ' s Green Man and Still , 241 , Oxford-street , W . ; 33 , Hereford-road , Bayswater , W , ; Knightsbridge , 34 , Albert

The Craft Abroad.

Gate , S . W . ; Kensington , 33 , High-street , W . ; 117 High-street , Borough , S . E . ; 233 and 234 , Blackfriars-road , S . E . ; Surrey Railway Office , 138 , Newington Causeway , S . E . ; 194 , Westminster Bridge-road , S . E . ; Islington , "Angel , " 5 , Pentonville-road , N . j London , Brighton , and South Coast Company's Office , 8 , Grand Hotel-buildingsCharing Cross ; and at Messrs . Gaze ancl

, Son ' s Offices , 142 , Strand , W . C . The ordinary service of express and mail trains vvill be supplemented by additional express trains as named below : —On Christmas Eve , Thursday , December 24 th , a special train vvill leave Willesden Junction at 2 . 45 p . m . for Bletchley , Wolverton , Northampton , Rugby , principal stations on the Trent Valley Line , and Stafford , in advance of the 2 . 45 p . m .

ordinary train from London ( Euston ) . The 4 . 30 p . m . Euston to Birmingham vvill be divided —the first portion , which will run express to Coventry and Birmingham , will leave Euston at 4 . 25 p . m . ; the second portion of the train will leave Euston at 4 . 30 p . m ., as usual , and convey passengers for Northampton , Rugby , Coventry , Birmingham , Walsall , Dudley , and Wolverhampton . The

7 . 0 p . m . Euston to Birmingham vvill be divided—the first portion , which will run express to Coventry and Birmingham , vvill leave Euston at 6 . 55 p . m . ; the second portion of the train vvill leave Euston at 7 . 0 p . m . and convey passengers for Bletchley , Northampton , Rugby , Coventry , Birmingham , Dudley , Wolverhampton , and Walsall . The night Irish mail , due to leave Euston S . 20 p . m . vvill not leave until 9 . 5

p . m . Passengers from Birmingham , Liverpool , and Manchester , for Holyhead and Ireland , will leave at the usual hours , and will be taken forward to Holyhead in advance of the London train . The mail packet for Kingstown vvill not leave Holyhead until the passengers from London are on board . The 12 . 0 night train from London ( Euston ) , due at Warrington at 5 . 15 a . m . on Christmas Day , vvill be

extended from Warrington to Carlisle , Edinburgh and Glasgow as on ordinary week days , and vvill , by special arrangement , take passengers for Kendal and Windermere . On Christmas Day the usual Sunday service of trains vvill be run vvith the following additions : The 5 . 15 a . m . newspaper express from London ( Euston ) vvill run to Northampton , Rugby , Birmingham , Nuneaton , Tamworth , Lichfield ,

Rugeley , Stafford , Crewe , Shrewsbury , Liverpool , Manchester , Warrington , Wigan , Preston , Lancaster , Carniorth , Oxenholme , Kendal , Windermere , Tebay , Penrith , Carlisle , Edinburgh , and Glasgow . The 7 . 15 a . m . down day Irish mail from Euston to Holyhead will be run on Christmas Day the same as on week days ; and the 11 . 40 a . m . Holyhead to Chester vvill leave at

11 . 30 a . m ., and be extended to London . The down mail will call , if required , at Rhyl , Conway , and Bangor , and the up mail , if required , at Bangor , Conway , Colwyn Bay , Rhyl , and Holywell . The 11 . 17 a . m ., Chester to Birkenhead , will wait at Chester the arrival of the 7 . 15 a . m . from London . On Saturday ( Bank Holiday ) , December 26 th , numerous

residential trains in the neighbourhood of important cities and towns will not be run . The dining saloons between London , Liverpool , and Manchester , and certain of the ' through carriages between London and provincial stations will also be discontinued on this date , but the dining saloons on the 2 . 0 p . m . from London to Glasg'ow , and the 2 . 0 . p . m . from Glasgow to London , vvill be run the sameas usual .

GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY . The Great Northern Railway Company announce that on Thursday , December 24 th , the S . o p . m ., S . 30 p . m ., and 10 . 40 p . m . expresses from King's Cross will be run through to Edinburgh , Glasgow , and other places in Scotland at times advertised in November time-tables . An additional express train vvill leave King ' s Cross Station at 12 . 0

midnight for Welwyn , Stevenage , Hitchin , Biggleswade , Sandy , St . Neots , Huntingdon , Peterboro ' , Spalding , Boston , Grimsby , Grantham , Lincoln , Nottingham , Newark , Retford , Doncaster , Wakefield , Leeds , Bradford , Halifax , Selby , York , Darlington , and Newcastle . Cheap excursions will leave London ( Victoria , L . C and D . ) , Moorgate , King ' s Cross ( G . N . ) , & c , on

December 24 th and 30 th , for Newcastle , Berwick , Edinburgh , and Glasgow . Passengers by the excursion on the 24 th return on Saturday , 26 th , or Thursday , 31 st December , and those by the excursion on 30 th December , return on Monday , 4 th , or Wednesday , Gth January . By these excursions , tickets at a single fare for the double journey vvill also be issued to places named , available for return or any

day within eight days , including days of issue and return . On Christmas Day , December 25 th , trains will run as on Sundays , except that the 5 . 15 a . m . express from King's Cross will be run to Stamford , Bourn , Lincoln , Nottingham , York , Wakefield , Leeds , Bradford , and Halifax , stopping at the intermediate stations at which it ordinarily calls . A special express conveying parcels only will leave London

( King s Cross ) at 9 . 55 p . m . on December 21 , 22 , and 23 , for Lynn , Norwich , Yarmouth , Nottingham , Melton Mowbray , Leicester , Derby , Burton , Lincoln , Sheffield , Manchester , Liverpool , Wakefield , Leeds , Bradford , Keighley , Halifax , York , Hull , Newcastle , and all places in the north of England and Scotland . To prevent inconvenience from crowding at the Company ' s principal terminal

station , King's Cross , arrangements have been made for the issue of passenger tickets dated in advance , at King ' s Cross , at other London stations , and at the following offices : - 'Star" Office , 13 S , Victoria-street , S . W . ; 139 and 141 , Brompton-road , S . W . j Albert Gate Office , 1 , William-street , Lowndes-square ; 16 j , Edgware-road ; 285 , Oxford-street ; 90 , Tottenham Court-road ; 264 , High

Holborn ; 32 S , Strand ; Cambridge-circus , Shaftesburyavenue ; Royal Oak Office , G , Porchester-road , Westbournegrove ; 3 , King Edward-street , Newgate-street ; 22 , Woodstreet , E . C ; 217 , Old-street , E . C ; 44 , Bread-street ; 1 , Whittington-avenue , Leadenhall-street ; 16 , Fish-street Hill ; Bee Hive , Whitecross-street ; 43 and 44 , Crutched Friars ; So , Bishopsgate-street Without : Charles-street ,

Farringdon-street ; 230 , Essex-road , Islington ; 95 , Highstreet , Borough ; George Inn , Borough ; igoA , Westminster _ Bridge-road ; Great Northern Company ' s Poplar Docks Station , Preston-road ; Victoria Docks and Albert Docks ( Great Northern Offices ); 7 , Beresford-square , South Woolwich ; and at the offices of Swan and Leach , Limited , 3 , Charing Cross , and 32 , Piccadilly-circus .

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