Review.

hension , but in no way affects or excludes the individual faith of the individual Freemason . It would be quite as reasonable to allege that because we say " Our Father " we cannot therefore be Trinitarians . The truth is , thc whole argument is based simply on an ' outburst of Ultramontane and ritualistic impertinence . We can quite understand ,

indeed , how such an allegation would delight an inquisitor , and how such a distinct pre of would satisfy the Holy Office , but no one else in the world ! Is it not most melancholy and humiliating for all who believe in the upward tendencies of the human mind , to note where unbridled fanaticism and overbearing arrogance are leading this new school of thought and " pose" to-day ? And here we

stop . We do not see that any good can come to anybody by reviewing at large this reiterated attack on our Order . It is not likely to be read by many , it is excessively dull and heavy , and marked by " awful prejudices , " and we wish that we could think it was the result of careful thought or honest study of the subject . It is entirely based , as we

said before , on an anonymous German work published m 1873 , and translated and issued by Burns and Co ., Roman Catholic publishers , this year of grace , and as it is simply an emanation of Ultramontane Roman Catholic thought and Jesuit views , it really has no claim whatever on the attention of any cultivated or tolerant Freemason . W .

Dalry Gravitation Water Works.

DALRY GRAVITATION WATER WORKS .

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE WITH MASONIC HONOURS . Monday , the 2 nd inst ., will henceforth be regarded as a red letter day , and one that will not soon be forgotten in the history of the parish . The day was one of autumn ' s loveliest , and the occasion of the demonstration was the lay ing of the foundation stone of the Gravitation Water

Works at Wee Auldmuir , near to the Auldmuir Burn , in the valley between the first-named place and the Baidland range of hills . Monday being " St . Margaret ' s Day , " which is an annual fair holiday , the public works were closed , and the inhabitants , in holiday attire , turned out en masse to witness the ceremony . The members of Dairy Blair Lodge , 290 , joined by deputations from Mother

Kilwinning , Royal Blue ( Kilbirnie ) , and St . John ' s ( Kilmarnock ) , assembled in the lod ^ e-room , and proceeded thence to the more capacious F . C . school-room previous to forming into marching order . On leaving the schoolroom the procession , headed by the Largs and Fergushill instrumental bands , proceeded through the town and via Broadley-road to the centre of attraction at Auldmuir .

Parties desirous of having a good view of the procession took up a position on the mounds that here and there lined the route . At Bradley Smiddy , and at Rcddance Row , the " goodly dames " and their following came flocking out to witness the procession , which , enlivened by the spirited music discoursed ( in good time and tunc ) by the bands , moved slowly up the hill past Mr . Livingstone ' s farm of

Broadley , and through the finely-wooded grove that leads to the Fleshcoat-road . At this point many left the line of procession , choosing to continue the march by the old and rugged Broadley-road , which is wooded to the summit of the hill , and which , besides shortening the distance to be travelled , afforded protection from the intense sun-heat that prevailed . On reaching Wee Auldmuir farm , the

pedestrians took up positions on the surrounding heights commanding a good view of the works . Soon after the main body of the procession reached the scene of action . Amongst thc many present we observed—J . M . M'Cosh , Esq . of Merksworth ; Theophilus Paton , Esq . of Swinlees ( chairman of the Works' Committee ) j R . Wylie , Esq ., J . P ., and Secretary to Mother Lodge Kilwinning ;

A . B . Aitken , Esq ., Carsehead ; —Bicket , Esq . ; Thos . Biggart , Esq ., Bridgend Mills ; — Gray , Esq ., Stanley Bank ; — Patrick , Esq ., Greenbank ; John Gow , Esq ., Bridgend Mills ; — Mr . Comrie , inspector ; Mr . Alexander , Dairy ; — Craig , Esq ., Fleshwood ; — Wylie , Esq ., Holmbyre ; Mr . Walker , merchant , Dairy j Mr . Willison , Mr . Fulton , and Mr . Allan of Munnoch .

Also , the Misses M'Cosh and party ; the Misses Aitken and party ; the Misses Allan and party , etc ., & c . The Masonic brethren , headed by Bro . J . M . M'Cosh , R . W . M ., of Blair Dairy ; Bros . R . Wylie , Past G . M ., of Mother Kilwinning ; J . Caruthers , A . D . M . ; John Johnston , S . W . ; James Gibson , S . W . ; John Tweed , Proxy Junior Warden , Grand Lodge , Edinburgh , and of Mother Kilwinning ; D . Brown Past Master ; and

Bro . Graham , D . M . of Blair , Dairy , having taken up their position on the platform , the band played the " Queen ' s Anthem , " after which the Chaplain of Blair Dairy Lodge , Bro . Burt , engaged shortly in prayer , asking that the blessing of Almighty God might attend the work about to be entered upon , even till its close , and greatly bless the undertaking . Band—Old Hundredth .

Bro . M'Cosh then called upon the Treasurer to place the casket in the cavity of the stone . The casket contained copies of the Glasgow daily and other local papers , the " Western Supplement , " Sketches of the County of Ayr , and also the current coins of the realm . The inscri ption on the plate , which was placed face downwardi ° n the stone , is as follows : —

Dairy Gravitation Water Works , FOUNDATION STONE Laid with Masonic Honours uv J AMES M . M'COSH , ESQ ., R . W . M . Dairy Blair Lodge , 290 , August 2 nd , 1875 ,

And Year of Light 5879 . The Depute-Master , Bro . Graham , then presented the R . W . M . with a handsome silver trowel , remarking that , small in value though it was , he might accept of it as a P'edg- e of the goodwill that was borne him by the brethren , who hoped that he might be long spared to them , and that ne might enjoy every other needed comfort . ( Applause . ) J

Dalry Gravitation Water Works.

The trowclbore thc following inscription : — Presented

TO J AMES M . M'Cosu , ESQ ., R . W . M . Dairy Blair Lodge , 290 , ON THE OCCASION Of his Laying the Foundation Stone or Dairy Water Works , 2 nd August , 1875 .

Year of Light , 5879 . The R . W . M . then spread the lime ; and thc stone being lowered into position , thc various Wardens were called upon to do their duty . The plummet , the level , and the square having been applied to the stone as is customary in Masonry , and all pronounced right , the R . W . M .

finished the work with three distinct knocks , saying , " May the Almighty Architect of the Universe look down with benignity upon our present undertaking , and crown the edifice , of which we have now laid the foundations , with every success . " Three hearty cheers were given , and the band played the National Anthem .

Bro . M Cosh , again advancing , to the stone , strewed an handful of corn thereon and poured out wine , ascribing praise to the Lord , who supports the pillars of nations , and maintains in harmony surrounding worlds , and implored His aid ; also , that the Almighty Ruler of events might direct the hands of their Sovereign , and bless all her people . Bro . iVylie applied the match , and burned up the corn

and wine , and so ended this ceremony or rite of the ancient use of Masonry . Band—The Merry Masons . R . W . M . Bra . J . M . M'Cosh then addressed thc assemblage as follows : —Most Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , Masters of lodges , and brethren , ladies , and gentlemen , —To have been permitted to officiate upon the present

occasion has afforded me great pleasure , and I feel proud , indeed , of the honour . To many , the laying of the foundation or memorial stone of an important building or work with Masonic honours may seem meaningless ; but those acquainted with the tradition of our Craft are at no loss to comprehend , not only how significant , but also how becoming and proper is the observance of this time-honoured

ceremony . It is now four 3 ears since the Craft were engaged in a similar duty in this parish . Most of us remember the laying of the memorial stone of the new Parish Church by the Most Worshipful the Grand Master of Ayrshire , Bro . Colonel Mure of Caldwell , who acquitted himself on the occasion with a grace and dignity worthy of his ancient and honoured name . The erection of the church

was in many respects a most important work for the parish . Happily , the building was caniud through and completed without a single accident . The workmanship , in every department , is perfect , and the finished whole reflects the greatest credit on all concerned—the architect , the contractor , and the committee of management alike . Indeed , I venture to say there is scarcely a person connected

with the parish who does not feel proud of the church . At present it is the only object of architectural interest in the neighbourhood that we can take a stranger to see . When , however , the work in which we have to-day been engaged is completed , this will no longer , I think , be said . I believe 1 am safe in predicting that Dairy people will have as much credit and as much pride in their water works

as in their church . Let us just look around for a moment . Behind us are thc grand slopes of the Baidland Hill ; below us there lies , so to speak , spread at our feet , all that is historical or romantic in Ayrshire . The eye takes in the land of Bruce , of Wallace , and of Burns . ( Applause . ) We have before us the Carrick coast , with Turnberry in the far distance ; the Barns o' Ayr and

Craigie ; and Barnweil ; with its Wallace Tower , the low thatched "Cottage , " "The Auld Brig , " and the " Bonnie Doon . " And to our left , again , we distinguish Loudoun Hill , and the land of the Covenanters . In the fore-ground we see Eglinton Castle and the old house of Blair ; while , in addition to the spires of half a dozen towns and villages , we behold the whole valley

below us teeming with the evidences of industry , prosperity , and wealth . The situation is a magnificent one , and when the reservoir is competed I make no doubt but it will be a favourite resort , and even out-rival the church as a place of attraction for visitors . The propriety of the selection of the ground as thc site for a reservoir must , I think , be evident to the eye of the most inexperienced .

There is nothing on a higher level but trap rock and green grass , with scarcely an acre of arable land ; nor is there the most distant chance of there ever arising any contingency whereby the " catchment , " or drainage area , may be injuriously interfered with or the water supply diminished . Indeed on the contrary , I believe that both the " catchment" and the reservoir may

at any future time be immensely increased at a comparatively small cost . Thc piping leading to ; the town I am informed , through thc generosity of one of the committee , whom we are proud to own as a Craftsman and a member of our lodge , been laid down of such a capacity as will supply thc requirements of the district , even should these come to exceed the capabilities of the seeminglv very

ample present reservoir . That the works may , like the church , be carried through and completed without accident to life or limb 1 am sure every one present sincerely trusts . We hope and believe , too , that when finished the whole will be found as complete and satisfactory in every respect . Indeed , wc cannot for a moment entertain a

doubt on the subject when we consider to whom we have to look for the completion of the work . The engineers are , I have no hesitation in saying , second to none in their profession . The contractor , Bro . Scott , has already given ample evidence of his abundant energy and thorough knowledge of his work . Then he is followed every-

Dalry Gravitation Water Works.

where by thc jealous eye of Bro . Young , thc master of works , who possesses all the qualities , experience , prudence , and firmness necessary , for the discharge of his important trust . Of thc Local Authority Committee I would simply say that it was a most responsible charge they undertook ; and since their appointment they have devoted thc greatest attention to the work entrusted to them . Each member of

the committee has endeavoured to be more zealous than the other , and the time and anxiety they have both individually and collectively given to the different details will , I fear , never be fully appreciated . Without for a moment wishing to be invidious , I would desire just to refer to the enthusiastic , efficient , and unselfish services of thc chairman , who has , besides , most generously promised

to erect a fountain in the court-yard of the West-End Public School—a fountain which will not , however , rival the very handsome one which is to replace the old parish pump at the Cross , for which the inhabitants will be indebted to the liberality of that other member of committee to whom I have already alluded , Bro . Biggait . In connection with the labour of the committee , I must notice

the handsome conduct of the landed proprietors in giving their lands voluntarily at a valuation , namely—Air . Wylie , of Little Auldmuir ; Mr . Motion , of Thirdpart , who gave the land for the reservoir ; and the Earl of Glasgow , the land for the . filters and cistern at Flashwood . ( Applause . ) I might enlarge on the advantages likely to accrue to the community from the completion of the works were time and

place suitable , but I will merely remark in a word that , according to modern ideasof sanitary requirements , and indeed , of domestic comforts , a supply of water by gravitation has become an indispensable necessary . Before closing , I would acknowledge with thanks the courtesy and kindness of the Provincial Lodge , in ceding to Dairy Blair Lodge the place of precedence on this occasion . I

have also to thank for their attendance the deputation from Mother Kilwinning , and to thank the deputations from the different sister lodges , and the various visiting brethren who have honoured us with their attendance and support to-day . We are also indebted to the Water . Committee for their courtesy in connection with this day ' s proceedings ; and to the contractor for his excellent

arrangements for those engaged in thc ceremony . To those ladies and gentlemen who have graced the occasion with their presence we feel deeply grateful , and I would conclude with asking them to join us in again wishing that every success may attend the completion of the undertaking . ( Applause . ) Theophilus Paton , Esq ., of Swinlees , said—Right

Worshipful Master and Members of the Masonic Brotherhood , — -On behalf of the local authority of this parish , I beg to express our gratification at the fit and solemn inauguration of this important public undertaking . In the ordinary intercourse of life formalities are essential . They are expressive of common interests , and are the cement which binds society together . Upon an important

occasion , such as this , it is fitting that an imposing and suggestive ceremony should widen our sympathies , smooth down asperities , and mark an epoch in our lives . To ) our ancient Order such duties have long been delegated , and although the full import of the mystic ceremony may not be recognized by those outside the pale of brotherhood , it is not difficult to perceive that at least a sympathetic

approach is being made to unseen things in the mystery of creation . Gentlemen , in the present state of the works everything is necessarily crude and chaotic ; but a few months will effect a great change ; and as nothing has been neglected which can add to their efficiency , we can safely assert that when completed they will be found

perfect in every respect , and be a source of continual pride and gratification to the inhabitants of Dairy , ( Applause . ) The brethren were then called from " labour to refreshment , " after which they returned in inverted order to the hall of the Blair Dairy Lodge , about s , o ' clock , and the R . W . M ., with the assistance of his Warders , closed the lodge in ample form .

1 'APEKS ENCLOSED IN THE CASKET . " This foundation stone was laid with full Masonic honours on the second day of August , A . D . 1875 , and Year of Light 5879 , by James Manson M'Cosh , Esq ., Right Worshipful Master of Dairy Blair Lodge , No . 290 , at the head of the members of the lodge , in presence of a deputation from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire , and

deputations from sister lodges of the province ; also in presence of the committee appointed by the local authority of Dairy for carrying out the works , and a numerous assemblage of the inhabitants of the town and district . " The Dairy Blair Lodge , No . 290 , was instituted on the 7 th day of May , and consecrated on the 21 st day of December , 1821 , by the celebrated Sir Alexander Boswell , of

Auchmleck , who composed a favourite inauguration song for thc occasion . " The first Master was Colonel William Blair , of Blair , which family , as will be seen from the annexed list of Masters , afterwards frequently honoured the lodge by holding that office . The lodge has prospered , and has added no fewer than 680 members to the Craft . The

officebearers for the current year are James M . M'Cosh , Right Worshipful Master ; James Little , Depute Master ; Robert Graham , Past Master ; Thomas Hawthorn , Senior Warden ; James Archibald , Junior Warden ; William Burt , Chaplain ; Thomas Stecn , Treasurer ; James Muir , Secretary ; William Oliver , Senior Deacon ; James Baxter , Junior Deacon ; William Logan , Senior Steward ; James J . Hunter and Thomas Dixon , Assistant Stewards ; Thomas

Wylie , ; Junior Steward ; James Ritchie , Inner Guard ; Hugh Logan , Outer Guard ; Thos . Steen and W . J . Hunter , Decorators ; and Jas . Watson and Robert Young , Auditors . " The want of an abundant and pure supply of water has been long felt in the Town of Dairy , the inhabitants hitherto having been mostly supplied from wells sunk in the immediate neighbourhood of dwelling-houses . The