Scotland.

DUNBLANE . —On Friday evening a meeting of lodge No . 9 , St ., John ' s , was held in the Stirling Arms Hotel , here . There was a veiy large attendance of brethren from Bridge ol Allan , which is in this district . The business

consisted principally in affiliating and initiating members , and in nominating a Deputy Master for the ensuing year—Gilbert Farie , Chemist , Bridge of Allan , being re-elected . This lodge is in a very prosperous condition at present ,

having received a large accession to its roll of members during the past year . LAUDER . —The centenary of the lodge of Freemasons at Lauder was celebrated on Friday last , by a large assemblage of members of the

craft from various districts . The lodge was opened in due form in the ball-room of the Black Bull Hotel : . and after the transaction of business , a procession was formed , which proceeded through the town , and passed Thirlstane

Castle . In the evening , a banquet was held m the Volunteers' Hall , at which about 150 of the brethren dined together . Bro . Ilinks , of the Black Bull Hotel , was the purveyor . The : i i - _ .. -1 .. . e - .... a . . r' 11 " - \ r iaii

banquet was presided over ny me acting .. ' .. a .. of Scotland , Bro . Officer , who was supported by his Grand Office-bearers , and several influential craftsmen . After tlie banquet a ball took place , which was numerously ' attended . 'Hie music was furnished bv the band of tlie volunteer

corps . KESWICK . —Bective Lodge , No . 147 . — -A meeting of the above lodge was held on the olh inst .. at the Keswick Hotel . Bro . Geoige Hayward of the Cumber nil Podge , No . do . P . M ..

P . G . I . .--., taking the chair m the absence the W . M ., supported by Bro . ( links . S . W . : Bro . Wood , J . W ., and other officers of the Bective Lodge . Bro . . Robert Bailey of the Skiddaw Lodge . No . 1002 . was ballotted for

and accepted as a candidate for advancement . Bros . T . F . Taylor ( Skiddaw Lodge , 100 .: ) . John Pearson ( Skiddaw Lodge , 1002 ) . 1 'YMeric Gadsby ( I ' omfret Lodge . 300 ) . and K . Bailey

were then regularly advanced lo the degree ol Mark Master . Bro . Wood proposed a vote of thanks lo Bro . Hayward , for the very ab ' e and impressive manner in which he performed ihe ceremony of advancement . Bro . Hinks

seconded the proposition . Pro . Hayward bneily responded : and the newly advanced brethren wishing to return to their homes by the evening train , thc lodge was closed ai an early hour .

A Freemason's Adventure Abroad.

A FREEMASON ' S ADVENTURE ABROAD .

PKEI ' MASOXUV has , we are glad to sav , been steadily advancing in the estimation of the

world , notwithstanding the opposition it has from time lo lime received from those unacquainted with its principles and beauties . There cannot be the slightest doubt that as the masses

become more enlightened , the prejudices against thc art will be gradually removed and full ) appreciated .. The benefits the Order has con ferret ! upon mankind in general , no one .

milesgoverned by a cynical mind , can call in question . Its mora ! doctrines , and charitable tendeneiehavc , times out of number , been amply illustrated in the innumerable deeds of its member- ; in all

purls of the globe . Thc area o" its operations is indeed great , and is unequalled by 1 h . 1 t ol any other institution . Freemasonry , it must !>¦

allowed , has considerabl y modified the suiicniv-a of poor humanity , succoured the disabled and unfortunate , and given other substantial proofs

A Freemason's Adventure Abroad.

of its goodness . Whether 111 the almost impenetrable depths of an Australian bush , the deep jungles of an Indian forest , upon the arid plains of the desert , in the wilds of South America , in the snowy tracts of Siberia , or , in fact , in any

remote part of the earth , Freemasonry has made itself known , and exercised its mystical and kindly influences . It would be a task pleasing to the writer to prepare from authoritative sources an account of a few of the many interestincr

incidents associated with the Masonic profession , and would be a graceful tribute to an art with which royalty has not thought it infra dig . to identify

itself . 'Phe following will , we think , be read with interest by the fraternity at large , and by the friends and acquaintances of the unfortunate adventurer : —Bro . A . F . Forrestwho is a

member of the Yitruviaii Lodge , No . 8 7 , in travelling recently through France and Spain met with a serious mishap , which nearly involved the loss of his life . It appears that our brother was

compelled by professional engagements to undertake a journey with his two sons in a diligence from Gerona to Pampeluna in Spain , between which places many lawless characters are pursuing

with impunity their nefarious practices upon travcllersand others . I laving passed the second station on the road I ' rjin Gerona the diligence was ¦ stopped byanarmed band of C , Mists , and the passengers plundered of everything they possessed .

I ' ne remonstrances of tne travellers were in vain , and only aggravated die case , for the ruffians in ihe most cowardly manner threatened them with violaiice if the ; , - did not quielly submit to the indignities to which they were subjected . Bro .

Forrest endeavoured io eoneed a large amount of money with which lie had provided himsell Mr personal caucuses during his lour , but was detected in his design , for one rascal seized the property instantly and conveyed it to his own nocket .

He [ ilea . led hard for a part of ihe sum to assist him on his way . but to no purpose , for the plunderers were loo eager 10 secure every article thev could discover . Deeming silence lo be

tlie most pnide-n ! course to adopt in getting out of the dilemma he ceased lo p . uley any further with the insolent robbers . Bro . Forrest did not estimate ihcgrc . it danger he was in , for one ol the band suddenly taking hold of the barrel of a

gun aimed a terrific blow at our brother ' s head . The bull end struck Bro . Forrest upon his forehead cutting - a frightful wound and felling him to the . ground . He was thereby rendered ,

insensible for a time . 'Phe ruffian offered no further violence and soon after retired with his comrades . Bro . Forrest managed to reach Pampeluna , and found himsell' in a very unenviable positionwith no riunov or friend ; excel )! his family .

Pained by ( he wound , and perplexed by events he scarcely 'mew luw to surmount the diiiicully that had . so unexpectedly overtaken him . Having been informed of the benevolent character ol the mayor of the town , he determined lo make

application to him for advice and assistance . He went . Judge the thrill o ! joy he experienced upon discovering that ( his official belonged to the "' mystic tie . " The result was ( hat his newlv-foaud brother behaved in the most

handsome manner possanle by rendering him such pecuniary aid as enabled him to discharge a greater part oi the expenses incurred bv his

return to England , besides giving him words oi goad counsel . Our brother during his temporary r .-. ay in ilia town , was introduced io several members belonging to the lodge of which the mayor is a member . The name of the lodge is

A Freemason's Adventure Abroad.

Pes Amis de la Parfait Union . His reception , was cordial in the extreme , and will never , so he informed us , be effaced from the tablet of his memory . Well done I good Mayor ! we say .

Your kindness has . already been communicated to thc lodge to which Bro . Forrest belongs , and is appreciated as it deserves to be by every member . Oar brother on his way to England

secured an audience with Lord Lyons , the English consul in Paris , and was treated by that functionary with great courtesy . Bro . Forrest having narrated his misfortunes , received verv

material assistance in a financial point of view from his lordship . Such is a Englishman ' s Masonic experience abroad . —Norwich Argus , Dec . 7 , 1 S 72 .

Poetry.

Poetry .

LINES Presented lo the Right Worshipful District Grand Master , BKO . ROHEUT SCOTT , on thc roe of his

departure from tne Island oj Trinidad for Europe , Sth November , 18 72 , by BRO . J AMES F ' KASE :-:.

You ' re leaving us now , Right Worshipful Sir , To some may appear at first a disaster : But reilection and patience must show you intend To act for your Craft , as a brother and friend .

Your mission at home ( at least so we judge ) Will be an appeal to England ' s Grand Lodge ; For assistance to erect cur Temple again , On a site most convenient , within Port of Spain .

Your brothers of Scotia all wish you God ' s speed—Who are ruled by Brothers John Tench and

James Reid—And unattached brothers too , wish you success ; That your zeal in our cause may kind Providence bless .

To him who you leave here , m charge of your Hock , The brethren will stand by him firm as a rock ; And many a sheep , which has strayed from the

fold , In returning amongst us in lod ge you will behold .

Circumstances , o ' er which I could have no control , Have disturbed of late my true Masonic soul

But let that descend lo the Capulct ' s tomb : That idler forgetfulness may be its doom .

May thc Great Architect take you under His care That you meet naught but friends 011 the Level or Square ;

. May our noble Grand Master be pleased with his choice ; That your Trinidad brothers in their hearts may rejoice

dight Worshipful Master , I bid you adieu Final , perhaps , for my days are but few : . 1 soon may be where the wicked from troubling cease . And where weary souls there may rest in peace .