Scotland.

GLASGOW . —RED CROSS DEGREES . —A council of Knig hts of the Sword was opened by J . Balfour , P . G . W . W . S . G . ; J . Bannerman , J . G . ; R . Bell , ist Capt . of the Guards ; J . Johnstone , Conductor ; when Comps . G . S . McManus , Thos . Mitchell , Hugh Thompson , and Colin

McKenzie , were introduced and dubbed knights of the sword . A council of Knights of the East was then formed : —J . Balfour , D . ; J . Bannon , S . G . ; Joseph J ohnstone , J . G . ; T . Boyd , ist C . ; D . Campbell , 2 nd C . ; It . Bell , T . ; G . W . Wheeler , Conductor ; J . Ramsey ,

G . ; and T . Kay , Sentinel ; when the same four candidates received that degree , and afterwards that of Knig hts of the East and West . A slig ht refreshment followed , and in reply to the health of the " Newly-dubbed Knights , " proposed by Sir Knt . Balfour , Sir Knt . Colin

McKenzie said he had for some time been a Knight Templar , and though he loved that order much , yet , from what he had seen of the Knights of the Red Cross degree , he was only sorry that it was not better known in Glasgow , in order that its excellence mig ht be more highly appreciated .

"The Old Year."

"THE OLD YEAR . "

[ The following appeared in the Echo of Monday . We know nothing whatever of the man Windsor . —Ed . Freemason . ] At the Hammersmith Police-court , this day , John Henry Windsor was finally examined on a charge of feloniously endorsing a certain order

for the paymemt of money . There were several cases against the prisoner . Mr . Albert David Potter , a newsagent of Piccadilly , said about a week previous to the 26 th tilt ., the prisoner came to his shop and asked him to undertake the publication of a

newspaper called The Freemason . He called three times . On the 26 th he asked if he had a banking account . Witness said "Yes . " The prisoner then showed him a cheque and asked him to cash it . The cheque was drawn by G . Wheatley and Co ., on the Birkbeck Bank for £$ 1 is ., in

favour of Mr . Hudson . Witness said he had not sufficient . The prisoner then asked him to g ive him what he could spare , and he would have the balance in a few days . Witness advanced him £% . He asked him whose cheque it was . He said , " Wheatley , Regent-street . " He did not

see the prisoner again . Witness sent the cheque to his bankers , and it came back marked N . A . He had requested the prisoner to endorse it . He wrote " IT . Hudson , Highwood , Hendon , N . W . " He also gave witness a card bearing the name of Hudson , advertising collector . Witness

wrote to the address , but his letter was leturned through the Dead Letter Office . Mr . Vincent Smith Fleet , clerk to George W Wheatley and Co ., Overland Agents , of Regentstreet , said the prisoner had nothing to do with their firm . The signature on the cheque was not that of the firm .

Inspector Shore said he found live cheques , in a bag the prisoner carried , on the Birkbeck Bank , signed " G . Wheatley and Co . " The prisoner , who reserved his defence , was committed for trial .

The Editor of the " Bauhutte" has founde d at Florence an establishment for the sale of German and English books . We have much pleasure in introducing the same to the notice of our many readers who may visit the fair city , feeling assured that they will meet with every

attention from those in charge . The address is —Messrs . Flor and Findel , German and Foreign Booksellers , 24 , Lung Arno Acciajoli Florence , Italy . Prints , photographs , pictures , and English stationery , are also kept in stock . — A DVT .

Tin ; VITAL SPUING CONTAMINATED sows misery , destruction and death . To ensure health it is absolutely necessary that fluids and solids of the human bod y should be kept free from those impurities , which are continually getting into the system through erroneous living , unwholesome atmospheres , or disordered stomach . The only safe and certain mode to expel impurities , is

to take Holloway ' s pills , which have the power of cleansing the blood from all noxious matters and at the same time removing any irregularity which their presenee has produced in any organ . 1 lolloway ' s pills expel all humours which taint and impoverish the blood which ihey purify and invigorate and give general tone . They are applicable alike to both young and old , robust or delicate . —ADVT .

Testimonial To Bro.W.M. Bryce Grand Tyler, Grand Lodge Of Scotland.

TESTIMONIAL TO BRO . W . M . BRYCE GRAND TYLER , GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND .

It is very pleasant to have to record a very graceful act on the part of the Right Honourable the Earl of Rosslyn , Past Grand Master Mason of Scotland , on his retiring from the throne of the Grand Lodge , which his Lordship has so much adorned for the last three years , in

presenting W . M . Bryce , Grand Tyler , with a valuable and handsome testimonial , consisting of a silver salver and cake basket , both of very elegant design and beautifully chased , as a mark of his Lordship ' s estimation of the services rendered to Grand Lodge by Bro . Bryce .

We feel assured that this graceful act on the part of the Earl of Rosslyn will give universal satisfaction to the brethren of the Craft in Scotland , more particularly to the members of Grand Lodge , by all of whom Bro . Bryce is regarded

and esteemed as a friend , and who have all , on many occasions , experienced his ready and valuable assistance ; in fact , Bro . Bryce ' s willingness to oblige is only equalled by the close and assiduous attentions to the various and arduous

duties he has to discharge in connection with Grand Lodge . The testimonial bears the following inscription : — " Presented to Brother William M . Bryce , Grand Tyler , by Brother the Earl of Rosslyn ,

Grand Master Mason of Scotland , in recognition of many years of faithful services to Grand Lodge . St . Andrew ' s Day , 1873 . " The following is a copy of the Earl of Rosslyn ' s letter which accompanied the gift , and Bro . Bryce ' s reply thereto : —

Skeffington Vale , Leicester , 15 th Dec . 1873 . To Mr . W . Bryce , Grand Tyler . — Dear Mr . Bryce , —Now that my reign is ended , I wish before retiring into a comparatively humble position in the Craft , to mark my

sense of the assiduous manner in wliich you have performed your duties , and the eminent services you have rendered to Grand Lodge and the Craft in general during the period I have occupied the throne . 1 advisedly use the word " eminent " because whether by Grand Master

or Grand Tyler , duty conscientiously and faithfully and regularly performed is an " eminent " service done to the individuals or the body on the body on whose behalf such diligence is exercised . During upwards of twenty years in which

I have known you , you have been a conspicuous example of such performance of duty . I beg your acceptance of the accompanying mark of my goodwill and am , Yours truly and fraternally , ROSSLYN . Past Grand Master .

Freemasons Hall , Edinburgh , 18 th Dec . 1873 . My Lord , —I have the honour to acknowledge by the hands of Bro . Alexander Hay , Grand Jeweller , the very handsome piece of plate your lordship has so generously

condescended to honour me with . It is quite impossible for me to convey to your lordship any adequate sense of the gratitude I feel in receiving this flattering mark of your lordships approbation of my humble services . The acknowledgment that I have had the happiness to render

satisfaction to your lordship in the discharge of my duties , is in itself ample reward for my efforts to that end ; but I am perfectly overpowered by your lordship ' s generosity . I feel that this testimonial from so distinguished a nobleman will ever be judged by my family as

a most precious heirloom , and I shall ever look with pride and gratitude upon it . With the repeated expression of my humblest thanks and duty to your lordship . 1 have the honour to be , my Lord , your Lordship ' s most obedient , humble servant , WM . M . BRYCE . Grand Tyler .

StnADEN r . —The only guaranteed cure for Toothache . —This extraordinary application , marvellous in itsell ' ects , five's immediate relief , without injuring the tooth , and forms a temporary stopping is . l ^ d .: post free is . 3 d . The C OKAMTV : T OOTH I ' ASTK , Vor cleansing and improving the teeth , imparts a natural redness to the gums ami gives brilliancy to the enamel . Price is . ud . The ROYAL DENTIFRICE , prepared from a recipe as used by her Majesty gives the teeth a pearl-like whiteness , ar . d 'imparts a delicious fragrance to the breath , l ' rice is . 6 d . Sold by all chemists and perfumers , and by the proprietors , MESSRS . GAIIRIEI ., the old-established Dentists , 12 Ludgatc-hill and 5 6 . Harley-strcet , Cavendish-square , London .

Maskelyne And Cooke's Entertainment.

MASKELYNE AND COOKE'S ENTERTAINMENT .

Amongst the various entertainments and amusements , whose name is simply " legion " at this festive season , we know none which will so thoroughly repay a visit as the extraordinary performance of Messrs . Maskelyne and Cooke . These gentlemen not only evince a masterl y

dexterity in the ordinary feats of legerdemain , but have achieved a higher distinction from the marvellous manner in which they have demonstrated that all so-called " spirit manifestations , " can be produced by natural agencies . It would be impossible to convey an adequate idea of the

curious performances of these " Royal Illusionists " by mere description , and we cannot do better than recommend our readers , old and young , to pay them a visit at the Egyptian Hall , where they now appear daily , at three and at eight in the evening . We may , however , add ,

as a whet to curiosity , that the entertainment comprises " table-rapping , " " floating in the air , ' * " Chinese plate dancing , " " decapitation extraordinary , " and though last not least , a " Transformation Sketch , " entitled " Will , the Witch and the Watch , " in which the great box trick

evokes mingled applause and amazement , interspersed with many fun-compelling passages , peculiarly appreciable by the young folk . The principal performers are well aided in their mysterious proceedings by Mrs . Maskelyne , Miss Ada Beaufort , and Mr . J . B . Hasarde .

"The Old Year."

"THE OLD YEAR . "

Hush ! what sound is that which breaks upon my ear ; Like to the chime of some far distant bell : Hark ! . it comes again , but now more clear , And with strange notes of warning it would tell

That with its echo , there hath passed away The last of many , —yea , the year ' s last day . Methinks I hear thee whisper , now I go , but not alone For on my eager wings , Earth ' s dearest ones are flown

I ' ve culled the richest flowers that did her gardens fair adorn , Some in full bloom , and others yet in youth ' s first budding morn ,

But in a nobler garden now , and in a nobler sphere These flowers are blooming beautiful that only withered here .

And not in anger nor in wrath have all these deeds been done For it is better far that they should be transplanted there ; Then let not tears of anguish , friends , from

your fond hearts be wrung , But seek for strength when Heaven requires to trust them to its care ,

Remember still that all the joys and blessings that ye crave Are His to give , and when Pie takes ' tis only what he gave .

Look o ' er the past and on its changes all , Yea , ponder deeply , bring it all to mind , And on each page thy memory shall recall The stamp of Love and Mercy thou wilt find ;

Then in the future years that come , still put thy trust in Him , His arm it will not shorten , nor will His eye grow dim .

But now I must away , for yonder comes My Heir in all his pomp and grand array , With all his hopes and joys he comes , Like to a bridegroom dress'd so blythe and gay ;

Then as we part , Old Year , one word of thanks I'll say , Thou still hast left us some dear friends to wish a happy New Year ' s Day . J AMES B . MERCER , Edinburgh .