Scotland.

p leasant reminiscences . Our R . W . M . ( Bro . Smith ) , has conveyed to me , in very complimentary terms , the approbation of the lodge members with the conduct of business during my period of office ; for this you will please accept my best thanks , and may I say that this result is in a great measure

attributable to the unanimity which invariably prevailed in our midst by office-bearers and members exerting themselves to lend the " helping hand" when required , and I am justified in stating to the friends present that equals of " 354 " may be found in sister lodges , but no superiors . The honour which you

chose to confer on me when you requested that I should accept office and preside for another year would have been gladly accepted , but circumstances with which you are all more or less conversant , and to which our R . W . M . has referred , prevented my doing so . I knew it would be impossible for me to

devote the same amount of time to Masonic duties as I had hitherto employed in that way , so rather than half do them I was obliged to adopt the alternative of leaving way for one who mighfc devote the time necessary for discharging the duties of such an important position ; and many happy meetings may

our newly-elected R . W . M . enjoy from his present appointment , and in my capacity of P . M . I shall only be too happy to render any assistance which he may require having for its object the well-being of our lodge . The happily chosen gift which you have so kindly presented to Mrs . Hamilton will , I

am sure , be duly appreciated by her , and will long be preserved as a memento of your favour . The brethren will , therefore , accept our combined thanks for this very elegant and unique testimonial , asking you to excuse the brevity of my repl y , as I know it is encroaching on your time , more especially as I

see before me many interesting faces of the gentler sex doubtless wishing this sort of work over , that the hall may be prepared formore agreeable pastime , and inwardly wondering what like will be the Masonic grip in the mazy dance . I will , therefore , conclude by wishing the Caledonian Railway Lodge a continuation ofthe prosperity which she at present

enjoys . The proceedings were brought to a satisfactory close by an assembly , which was kept up with spirit till 2 a . m . Bro . A . W . Banks supplied thc music during supper , and his excellent " quadrille band " was in attendance at the assembly .

Thistle and Rose Lodge , No . 73 . The annual festival of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 23 rd ult ., in their hall , 170 , Buchananstreet . Bro . George McDonald , R . W . M ., presided , supported by his officers , Thomas Stewart , I . P . M . ; G . Wheeler , D . M . ; J . Muntz , S . M . ; W . Walton

, S . W . ; T . Donaldson , J . W . ; P . Thompson , T . ; S . S . Ampleford , Sec , & c Sixty-three of the members and their wives , & c , sat down to an excellent repast served up in good style by Bro . Ouen , a member of the lodge . A concert followed , supported entirely by Masonic talent , after which dancing commenced ,

Bro . C . Ramsay acting as M . C . Quadrilles , waltzes , polkas , and country dances were kept up with unflagging spirit till 5 a . m ., many ofthe ladies expressing an opinion that their opposition to Masonry would soon cease if entertainments of this nature were more frequent amongst them .

St . Andrews Royal Arch Chapter , No . 69 . Thc above Chapter recently met at the Masonic Hall , Buchanan-street , on the Mark Degree , under the presidency of thc M . E . Z ., Comp . McEwan , assisted by Comps . Paul and Orr as S . W . and J . W . ; G . W . Wheeler , as l . W . Visitors present : Comps .

D . Gilchrist , Z . 73 ; Wheeler , 73 ; Adams and Cummings , Chapter 50 . After labour thc Companions partook of refreshment , and thc usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given with enthusiasm . Comps . Wheeler and Adams responded to that of the visitors , wishing prosperity to the St . Andrew ' s Chapter .

Caledonian Unity Chapter , No . 73 . The usual monthly meeting ofthe above Chapter was held on thc 28 th ult . D . Gilchrist , Z . ; Jas . Muntz , acting as H . ; Jas . Findlcr , J . ; G . McLeod , Scribe E . ; G . W . Wheeler acting as P . Soj . Comp . J . O . Park , */ ., of 122 Thetis Chapter , attended to

ask to have Captain Scott , who was leaving the next day , advanced to the Mark Degree , which ceremony he conducted . The Second Principal of thc Roslin Chapter , 11 9 , also requested Comp . Gilchrist to exhalt two brethren for them . This request was also acceded to , and Comp . Gilchrist ,

with the assistance of his officers , conferred the degree of Most Excellent Master on Bros . Scott , Hughes , ancl Lcadbettcr , ancl afterwards exalted them into the Royal Arch . Refreshment followed labour , when thc Principals of thc Thetis and

Roslin proposed , in highly eulogistic terms , thc health ofthe ' / .. and other officers ofthe Caledonian Unity , for their truly jMasonic spirit evinced , not only on this but also on former occasions , in exalting their members , and also for thc very efficient way

Scotland.

in which all the ceremonies had been rendered-Comp . Gilchrist , in reply , expressed the pleasure it gave him to be of service to his Masonic brethren .

Thistle and Shamrock Chapter , No . 87 . This Chapter met in their Hall , Struthers-street , and Comp . D . Gilchrist , Z . of 73 , installed J . Stevenson as First Principal Z ; David Brown , as H . ; and Charles Bishop , as J ; the other officers are A . Mackroyd , Scribe E . ; J . Clanachan , T . ;

Michil Clanachan , ist Soj . ; George McAllister , ist A . S . ; G . Brown , 2 nd A . S . At the request of the newly-installed Z ., Comp . Gilchrist conferred the degree of Most Excellent Master on three brethren , and afterwards exalted them in the Royal Arch . All the ceremonies were distinguished by

that correct and impressive rendering which marks Comp . Gilchrist ' s working ; he was ably assisted by the P . Soj . About twenty members of the Chapter were present , and amongst the visitors we noticed Comps . Cowan , of 69 , and G . W . Wheeler , of

73-HOLYTOWN . The St . John Woodhall Lodge , No . 305 , held their annual banquet and ball on Friday , the 24 th ult ., in the Masons' Hall , Holytown , which was beautifully decorated for the occasion with evergreens and the flowers of the season . A large

number of the brethren , together with a few friends and their wives and sweethearts , having partaken of an excellent banquet ( served up in Bro . Kirkland ' s best style ) , under the presidency of the R . W . M ., Bro . W . McMurdo , who was supported right and left by Depute and Substitute Masters

Moffatt and Woddell , Mark Masters Bros . Cockburn and Chalmers , of Lodge No . 88 . Bros . Mason and Douglas acted as Croupiers , supported by Bros . Cunningham , Sec . ; Russell , Chaplain ; and Wylie , of Lodge No . 177 . After supper , dancing commenced , under the superintendence of Bro . Cunningham , M . C , and was kept up to an early hour .

If It Is Not Spirits, What Is It ?

IF IT IS NOT SPIRITS , WHAT IS IT ?

I have been a member ofthe Masonic Fraternity for thirteen years , and in June , 1864 , it was our good fortune to have a visit and a course of lectures at Susanvilie , Caf ., from Mrs . Emma Hardinge . During her stay we were privileged to receive her as a guest at our home .

The 24 th of June was celebrated by the Masons , and whilemaking preparations , I had some Masonic emblems in our parlour ; and Mrs . Hardinge became partially controlled , and , while in that condition , and during a running conversation , she gave me two Masonic signs and two words in a manner

that was not observable by herself or any one else present . For the time I was very much surprised , it being the first Masonic sign that I had ever received from a spiritual source . When the influence left her , I asked her if she would meet with a few

Masons in our parlour , and sec what the spirits would do . She said she was willing to give her time . I invited some twelve or fifteen brothers from Lupen Lodge , No . 149—among them were thc Master and Wardens . They met in our parlour , and the family retired to another part of the

house . Thc doors were locked and the windowblinds closed . Wc all being seated around the room , Mrs . Hardinge became entranced , and to all appearance perfectly oblivious to surrounding conditions . She acted in the capacity of Master ; went through the work of opening thc lodge in the

first degree of Masonry . She gave all thc lectures , signs , ancl wordspcrtaining to the degree in regular order ; closed in that degree ; opened in thc next , giving everything in regular order ; and so on through what is known as thc Blue Lodge . After closing on the Master ' s degree , she gave us a very impressive address on the morals ancl teachings of

Masonry , and remarked that she would like to have gone on through higher degrees , but she saw that was as for as any of ns had gone ( which was the ease ) . This I give upon thc honour of a man and a Mason . I say , let thc sceptic deride . I know all thc resources that Mrs . Hardinge would be likely to

have to gain Masonic secrets and knowledge ; and then , when we take into account the high moral character , and consider how far it would be from her , even if it were possible for her to have gained this knowledge from any other than a spiritual source , she would never have used it and claimed it

to be from spirits . I cannot account for it upon any hypothesis , except that she was entranced and controlled by aspirit that knew more Masonry than all of us combined . I am thoroughly convinced that , in her normal condition , she knows nothing of the secrets of Masonry .

During thc whole course of my investigation of spiritualism , I have tried to account for many of the tests I have received in some other way ; but when I lay aside the agency of spirits , it is all a mystery . — P . Chambcrlin , in the " Banner of Light . "

A Masonic Tour.

A MASONIC TOUR .

( Continued from page 124 . ) I . spoke to some soldiers—first and last seen by me in America . They are smart , well-dressed men . They told me they seldom leave the forts—not being allowed in towns , except on leave ; people don't like them . Privates receive 16 , and sergeants 24 dollars monthly , with food ; they serve five

years . Nearing Mount Vernon the bell was tolled . This is and has been the custom for years by all vessels approaching this memorable spot , as a mark of respect to Washington . We landed on a temporarypier , walked up hill a bit through the grounds , and

soon reached the resting-place of America ' s great hero , the noble Washington . On the summit , and facing the Potomac , is a covered brick vault , with an iron gate . Within are two marble tombs . The one to the right ( the largest ) is Washington's , the other his wife ' s , and there are several other tombs

and monuments outside belonging to his family . The vault and tomb of Worshipful Bro . Washington ( once the AT aster of a lodge ) , I am sorry to say , are much neglected . With veneration I uncovered before the tomb , gathered a few ivy leaves , & c , and afterwards entered the house and garden , planned

and built by the old chief . There are several relics still left in his library , bed-room ( where he died ) , & c , but all sadly neglected . The rooms being open , and the furniture , pictures , & c , unguarded . The room occupied by Lafayette , his great friend and general , is in good order , and the key of the

Bastile , brought from France by Lafayette , still hangs in the hall . A visitor ' s book is kept , and subscriptions are received for repairs by the lady in charge . On inquiry , I found that the lady , Mrs . Cunningham , as also her gardener , were ill—hence much of the neglect noticed . But there are not

funds sufficient for general repairs , which should be taken in hand by the Government . At present the estate , & c , is in the hands of , and partly managed by , a committee of ladies . I believe the Americans , particularly the Masons , need only to be informed of this neglect , and affairs will soon mend . Mount

Vernon is sixteen miles from Washington ; boats ply twice daily between , the fare being 1 dol . Passed on to Acquia Creek , where the train waits for Richmond . Entered train , and started off , passing the Rapahanock River ( boundary during rebellion ) , Fredericksburgh ( where General Jackson

received his death wound ) , and Avlington Heights , where some fierce fighting took place . Here thousands of headstones and graves mark the restingplaces of the poor slain soldiers of both armies . The American flag floats high over the heads ofthe slain . These and other battle-fields are numerous on this

line on the way to Richmond , the capital of Virginia ( or Va ., as it is written ) . Distance from Washington , 130 miles , * fare , 7 % dollars—nearly 3 d . a mile , a high rate . The country is poor and uninteresting — pine forest , long prairie and grass only to be seenfew towns or farms meet the view . The people

along the line , as well as those I meet here , appear sad , look poor , and I fear are so from the war . Richmond is in a wretched plight . The State house is in bad repair , streets and houses ditto . Hundreds of houses and factories were burned down by thc stupid Confederate troops when

retreating , and these houses , roofless ruins , give the place a wretched appearance . There are hundreds of one-armed and one-legged men in the city , some of whom arc employed in hotels , offices , & c . The black population is numerous—car-drivers , porters , and house servants belong chiefly to this class .

There is a splendid equestrian statue of Washington adorning , along with others , the public garden near the State House . There are two immense monuments to the slain—the triangular pyramid to the memory of the Confederate soldiers , and the other to the Federals—R . I . P . Richmond is on the

James , a wide but shallow river , not navigable here . This was the boundary during the war . It was on this river ( but lower down ) that the U . S . gunboats did so much injury . Regarding Masonry , there arc three lodges , one chapter , and one K . T . encampment . I visited thc

latter , but too early , so went off , hoping to return , which heavy rain prevented mc doing . So I can only describe thc room as poor , and the lodge I found the same . Alas ! Masonry , like everything else here , is poor—at a standstill through thc war . Thc old Tyler informed mc that the Federals , on

entering the city , sent a guard to look after the lodge property , & c , so he nor the brethren of Richmond have anything to complain of on this head . » On the contrary , numerous cases arc recorded where life , liberty , and property have been spared through Masonry during that bloody and unnatural

war . I did not hear anything of thc coloured Masons here ; the whites would not tolerate them in this part . I am staying in Ford ' s Hotel ; 2 % dollars a day ; nice house , but dull—as , indeed , is thc place in general . How different to thc North . No theatre ,