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proceed cheerfully to comply with your kind request . The G . M . then addressed the large concourse of spectators as follows : Men , women , and children here assembled , be it known unto you all that we are lawful Masons , true and faithful to the laws of

our country , bound by solemn obligations to aid in the erection of stately and superb edifices—to be serviceable to our brethren—to practise universal benevolence—to fear God , who is the Great Architect of the Universe . We have amongst us , concealed from the eyes of all men , secrets which may

not be revealed , and which no one has discovered . But these secrets are lawful and honourable , and arc placed in the custody of Masons who alone have the keepingof them to the latest genera tion . Unless our Craft were good and our calling honourable , we would not have existed for so many centuries , nor

would we have had so many illustrious brothers in our Order ever ready to sanction our proceedings and contribute to our prosperity . We are assembled here to-day , in the face of you all , to assist in building a house which we pray God may prosper

in the grand objects for whicli it is about to be erected , by becoming a place of concourse for great and worthy men , and promoting harmony , prosperity , and brotherly love amongst this people and throughout the world till time shall be no more . Brethren . * So mote it be .

The Grand Chaplain then implored a blessing from Heaven on the undertaking . For the architect , Bro . F . R . Bernard , Mayor of Shipton , handed the plan of the building to thc G . M . for his inspection and approval . He next presented the working tools to the G . M

By command of thc G . M ., the Grand Secretary then read a statement of what had been deposited in the box now placed by the civic authorities in the cavity beneath thc corner-stone , and of thc coins of the Dominion and ofthe realm , whichhad also been placed therein by the Grand Treasurer .

The G . M . then spread the cement with the trowel , and solemn music was discoursed by thc band while the stone was lowered to its place . This having been done , and the stone consecrated according to Masonic custom , thc public grand honours were given , and the stone proclaimed to be

duly laid . The Sec . Treas . of the municipalities of Shipton and Danville , V . W . Bro . T . Leet , P . M . of Doric Lodge , then presented the trowel , which bore an appropriate inscription , to the JI . W . Grand Master , in the name of the municipal councils of the

township of Shipton and village of Danville , and on behalf of the officers and members of Doric Lodge . Thc G . M . : V . W . Brother , you have kindly presented mc with one of the most important instruments of the Craft , which I gratefully accept and will immensely prize . I shall take it to my place of

residence , and will deposit it in aconspicuous place , and I will direct that it be handed down from mc to my son , and to my son ' s son , in perpetual generation , as a valuable ornament and as an excellent token . An ornament , for its surpassing workmanship , which docs honour to thc silversmith ; and an

excellent token because , as in operative Masonry , its use is to spread thc cement which binds all the parts ofthe building into one common mass , so we arc taught by it to spread the well-tempered cement of kindness and affection , whicli tends to unite all men in one common bond of brotherhood ,

worshiping and serving the one God and Father of all . The G . M . next addressed the Mayor , thc other Municipal officers , and thc large concourse of people assembled , as follows : Gentlemen , Mayors and Municipal Councillors of Shipton and Danville , — In compliance with your very kind , unanimous

request , I have now had thc honor , with the assistance of my Brethren , and in thc presence of this large concourse to lay thc Corner-Stone of your Town Hall in accordance with thc ancient customs of our Fraternity . The highest commendation is due to you and your predecessors , for thc inception

of this grand undertaking ; and if this superstructure is completed according to your designs , it will be a monument of your wise forethought , and an ornament to your beautiful village , as well as a great public benefit and lasting good to all this people . The spirit of union and harmony which has

characterized your ellorts , is worthy of great praise and general imitation ; and I pray that it may be the will of the Great Architect of the Universe , to spare you to sec thc completion and long to enjoy the benefits of this public cnterprize , which in all probability will be the best of its kind in the rural

portions of thc Province of Quebec . Inhabitants of Danville ami Shipton , —It affords me peculiar satisfaction to address you on this auspicious occasion . This indeed is for you a memorable day . These inauguration ceremonies will be

long remembered . History will record them , and your posterity will bless you for your benefactions . You are the possessors of a goodly portion of the rich , fertile district of St . Francis , and by your thrift and industry , you are making these hills and

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valleys to bud and blossom as the rose . Yours , although not the greatest in area , is , in population thc banner Township in Richmond County , and it must be obvious to the most casual observer that a great and prosperous future is before you and your children . You owe much to your Fathers and

Mothers , who , through many trials and hardships , laid the foundations of your material , social , educational and religious prosperity . Nor can I allow myself to omit congratulating and heartily thanking the many gentleman of all professions and callings , who in such numbers honor this memorable

occasion ; and more than thanks should be tendered to the mothers , the sisters , —and the sweethearts who , by their presence , grace this assemblage , and shed lustre on this auspicious event . And I am sure that it is the fervent prayer of every one here , that all" the sons of this people may be like green olive trees in

the house of God , ancl their daughters be as corner stones polished after the similitude of a palace . " Brethren of the Masonic Fraternity and members of the Grand Lodge of Quebec , —Your alacrity in responding in such large numbers from all parts of the Province , to assist in the pleasing ceremonies

of tins day , deserves and receives my highest praise and commendation . This is indeed a notable day in the Calender of our Grand Lodge . This is the first Corner Stone laid under the auspices of the Grand Lodge of Quebec , which God greatly prospers . This day becomes historic in the annals of

thc Craft in this Province . It is , moreover , to me a day of peculiar honour and happiness . You and others , by whose affection and favour , the distinguishing preferment of being the first Grand Master of our renowned Grand Lodge , has been conferred—will , I know , heartily rejoice in the

felicity of having the first official act of this character transpire during my term of office , in this charming village , the abode of Doric Lodge , and in thc county of my residence . Nor can I forbear congratulating you , my brethren , on the unparalleled success of our new Grand Lodge , which but scarcely twenty

months old , is in full , fraternal intercourse with twenty-three Canadian , American , and European Grand Lodges , with every prospect of soon being united in the bonds of Fraternity with every regular Grand Lodge in the world ; and all whose organic acts have now been ratified and confirmed by about

300 , 000 of our Brethren , . after such careful consideration as perhaps has not been given to any other Masonic event of modern times . But , my brethren , let us ever remember that till our successes come from Him who docth according to His will in

the army of heaven , and among the inhabitants of the earth ; and while we continue to act towards one another , and to all men , as faithful Craftsmen , let us ever be mindful to serve Him with fervency and zeal . Amen and Amen .

The K . W . G . Chaplain then pronounced thc following Benediction : —May thc God of Abraham , of Isaac and of Jacob , —the God of our Fathers , —graciously command His blessing upon the labors of

this day , and enable us all so lo dedicate and devote our lives to His service , that we display the beauty of true godliness to the honor and glory of His great and holy name . Brethren—So mote it be .

All united in singing the first stanza of the National Anthem , and after three cheers for the Queen , three for the Grand Master and Grand Lodge of Quebec , and three for the people and municipal officers of Shipton and Danville , and their new Town Hall , the Masonic procession was

reformed and returned to the Lodge Room , admidst music by the band which led tlie procession to thc door of the Masonic Hall . About 300 guests sat down to a sumptuous Dinner served by Bro . William Barnwell in Hawcs Hall . The Banquet was enjoyed all thc more because

conducted on total abstinence principles . Many from abroad remained until thc Concert in thc evening , which was largely attended by old and young , who enjoyed the promenading to the excellent music ofthe Danville Band—the social chat , — and the songs and impromtu speeches and all the

other parts of the entertainment conducted in the style in which the Danville people know so well how to do such things . All the people were unbounded in their courtesy and hospitality to their guests , and too much praise cannot be awarded to the Mayors , Messrs . Boulcllc and Bernard , and to thc Marshals .

^ HOLLOWAY ' S OINTMENT AND PiLt . s .-Flattdency , Nausea , and Indigestion . —Nothing depresses the mind more rapidly , or wears om the , body much faster , titan a stomach incapable of fully digesting its food . Indigestion renders life 30 miserable that from it springs most of thc suicides which daily shock our nerves . If Holioway ' s Pills be taken regularly for a time , and his Ointment he

twice daily rubbed over the digestive crgans , these melancholy symptom * will soon cease , and pleasurable thoughts succeed the dismal forebodings engendered by dyspepsia , and which drive thc sufferer to misery and despair . Holloway ' s priceless preparations , by briskly acting on the liver and oilier interna ) organs , have long stood prominently forward for lhe wonderful cures effected by them . —[ Advt . ]

The Plain Of Philistia.

THE PLAIN OF PHILISTIA .

Bv CAPTAIN WARREN , R . E .

( Continued from page S-i-f The hills about bear witness of there having been once an industrious race inhabiting these parts , but the words of King Solomon may apply to the

present owners : " I went by the field of the slothful and * by the vineyard of the man void of understanding : And , lo , it was all grown over with thorns , and nettles had covered the face thereof , and tbe stone wall thereof was broken down . ' Then I saw and

considered it well ; yet a little sleep , a little slumber , a little folding of the hands to sleep ; so shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth , and thy want as an armed man . " Photograph No . 271 gives a view of the valley of Zorah , and No . 272 of a curious monument plac ed

upon a hill one mile to the west of the village ; the top stone is 6 ft . long and 3 ft . by 2 ft ., and has a groove 2 in . deep and 3 broad down the centre of each side—it appears to have been for a mill * of some sort , probably for olives . The hill country commences to the east of 'Ain Shems , and the

valley of Surah is seen no longer , being broken up into the defiles of W . Ismail , Muttuk , al Balut , and others coming down from the hills ; there are many ruins about the broken ground formed by the junction of these widies , and no doubt it was once densely populated . Many cut stones were found

about of large size , which had been used as mills . In W . Muttuk , near Teshua , we found running water and a spring hard by , but it is soon absorbed by the thirsty soil . Near Tanturah there are the remains ofa tower 30 ft . square , of large square stones . The ruins of

' Ain Slieins extends many hundred yards east and west . The points were fixed independently by Lieut . Anderson and myself ; in our longitude we differ somewhat , and in our latitude one-quarter of a minute ( in my letter , 22 nd Nov ., 1867 , printed in the Times and in the " Quarterly Report , " this

difference was given as four minutes , the one-quarter being turned into four . ) June 15 . —We left 'Ain Shems 2 . 5 p . m ., and arrived at a spring , Ben el Lcmun , at 2 . 45 , and keeping to south arrived at Tibneh at 3 . 30 , There are few vestiges here except caves in the rock . Close

to is El Bureij , where wc arrived at 3 . 43 . Passing from here west we were at Ammurien at 4 . 20 p . m ., where there are the remains of a castle , and progressing to west , at 4 . 57 wc came on Khubel Ferrad , where there arc extensive ruins ; keeping to west several observations were taken , until it became

quite dark , and our guide brought us back over the hills to Beit Kalif , 1200 ft . This is a village of some importance at the present day , but it is not mentioned in Scripture . We here experienced the difficulties of Eastern hospitalities ; we had run out of bread , but were too numerous a party to sponge

upon our neighbours , and the people absolutely refused to sell , as they considered it too degrading ; our dragoman had to go from house to house and beg a loaf from each , which wc found means to repay afterwards . June 17 . —Leaving Beit Kalif at 6 . 45 a . m ., we

passed Neby Bulus and Telu Alia and Yarmuth ( Jarmuch ) , where there arc extensive ruins , and passing through wadies and marshes we ascended the hill of Kefs hum ( 1150 feet ) , and leaving El Gina to our right we traversed a range of hills bounding Wady Sumt to thc north . On our way we met two

old men , who assured us that the country belonged to the Christians—the constant repetition of this maxim sometimes appeared to be satirical . 11 . 5 a . m . we passed Moghullis , and passing a quarry to the left , arrived at Shukh Dand at noon ; here wc were ( 600 ft . ) on a projecting spur , \ / z mile due dorthof Tel es Saliyeh . From this , proceeding

down to the plain due north , wc came upon a . very extensive ruin in thc valley , called K . er Rassim ( foundations ) , and after examining thc country arrived ; tt Tel Takariyeh by sunset . We were now in the valley of Elah , and from this point I surveyed the country to east and south . On 19 th June examined the country about Um Burj , and found extensive Christian remains on the brows

of hills , large lintels 6 ft . long and 2 ft . thick , with crosses , & c , sculptured on them ; the stone has a bell-like sound when struck , and is of soft mczzeh . Near Um Burj ii ;\ . cave , or columbarium . On getting on the hog ' s-back , on which is the ruin Jedeidah , we appeared to be amongst ancient remains ,

but before this everything to-day seemed to be of thc Christian period . Arrived in evening at Tel llulnard , two miles N . W . of Beil Jcbrin . June 20 . —Musa , who had gone up to Jerusalem for bread arrived in an exhausted state , having been

pursued by two mounted and four foot Bedouins ; he had turned down Wady cs Sumt and come over thc hills , leaving his pursuers behind . We were engaged the whole day in examining thc country up lo Ar . ik Menshiych , where we encamped . Here there is a strange mound of earth ( see photograph