Scotland.

but that it was the strongest and most active working Provincial Grand Lodge in Scotland . It had never been found deficient in its endeavours to strengthen and uphold its dignity , and had noble work for the Craft in this part of the kingdom . It had had n succession of eminent

Provincial Grand Masters , including Sir Archibald Alison , the historian of Europe , whose works would be read while thc English language endured ; the late lamented Captain Speirs , of Elderslie , a proficient , exemplary , and enthusiastic Mason ; and now Bro . W . Montgomerie

Neilson , of Queenshill , who , he might mention , was a member of this lodge—in fact , it was his mother lodge , and he was one of its most distinguished Past Masters . One special feature had marked his reign as Provincial Grand Master ; that was the annual visitation of the

various lodges in the province , chiefly conducted and superintended by Bro . F . A . Barrow , D . P . G . M . The immediate result of this step was to show that the state of matters generally in the province was not so good as it might have been ; and the after result was that all that was defective had been remedied . The members

of the various lodges had come into closer union ; they were more social and obliging in their work , and he ( Bro . McTaggart ) believed that there was not a lodge in Glasgow that would not do everything in its power in aid of

a sister lodge . The jealousy that formerly existed had entirely disappeared , and the lodges were now working as harmoniously as it was possible for lodges to work in any part of the world . In addition , he said , we have been enabled to establish a Fund of Masonic

Benevolence in Glasgow for the relief of our decayed brethren , the widow ; and the orphan . It is encouraging to know that this fund has , from very small beginnings gradually increased till at length it has attained considerable dimensions . Its progress was no doubt slow , and , for a considerable

time , its stability uncertain ; but through the indefatigable energy of its then Treasurer , Bro . James Thomson , it continued to prosper , and its position was finally strengthened by receiving the recognition of the Grand Lodge of Scotland . The fund is chiefly maintained by a levy ot live

shillings from each newly initiated candidate , and from this source alone is produced an income of about £ 150 per annum . We are , therefore , able to give each applicant for relief about £ 3 on an average . £ 5 is a not unfrequent vote ; and we hope by-and-bye to give from /* io to si ? 2 o . We have , £ 500 funded , and our

current account at the bank is quite able to meet the current claims on the fund . I am quite sure that Bro . Neilson would have been proud to have been with us to-night , and have replied to this toast ; and I shall have much pleasure , the first time I see him , to tell him of what was done . Especially I shall mention to him what our brother from Ireland said about the Masonic

Institutions of that country , and especially ofthe Orphan Schools . We are persuaded , from the great interest he has displayed in the cause of education , that his hand will not be slack in promoting any scheme of a similar nature that may , for the benefit of the Craft and those in

any measure depending on it , be proposed for establishment in this country . Bro . McTaggart concluded his remarks by thanking the brethren for the cordial recognition given to Provincial Grand Lodge , and for the honour they had personally conferred upon himself . The S . W .

gave as a sentiment " May the mouse never leave the Mason ' s meal poke wi' a tear in its e ' e , " and the same having been duly sympathised with , the R . W . M . said they had now come to an important point in the evening ' s proceedings . They all knew that when Bro . Smith was called

to the chair , which he ( the speaker ) now occupied , it was under special difficulties and on very short notice , and he was sure they would all say that he had fulfilled the duties of the office in the best manner . Especially had their brother been successful during his

Mastership , in creating a large amount of good feeling in the lodge ; which , generally , would now stand comparison . In conclusion , and in handing over to Bro . Smith a valuable gold ' hunting ' watch , suitably inscribed , the R . W . M . said he had much pleasure on behalf of the lodge , in wishing him at the same time every success in

Scotland.

life , and expressed their hope that he might long be able to come amongst them , and enjoy himself as foimerly . The toast of " Bro . Smith and his Fireside" was then given from the chair , and drank with much enthusiasm and hi ghest honours . The R . W . M . then intimated that he had

just received a note from one of their members , presently in Belfast , Bro . R . J . Schmidt , in which the writer expressed his great regret that owing to non-communication with the lodge he had been debarred from sharing in their expression of feeling towards his " friend and

noble brother , Arrick Smith . Not to be left out altogether , Bro . Schmidt enclosed in his note a small token of his own , a handsome finger-ring , and he "humbly requested" that his fellow members would drink just one glass extra to the health of Bro . Smith , " the same as

if he ( the writer ) had himself proposed it . " The R . W . M . having handed the ring to Bro . Smith , this request of the absent brother was duly complied with . In acknowledging the compliments paid him , Brother Arrick Smith said in reference to his period of office as Master that

his weak endeavours for the good of the lodge , and for the Craft all over the world , would have been of little use but for the able staff of officebearers whom he had to support him . In that respect he was very fortunate , he and they having only one point in view , the great end of

Masonry to " Let brotherl y love continue . " Their gift of that evening he would wear proudly , and would never take it out to see the time without calling to mind the happy hours he had spent in the lodge with so many warmhearted brethren . He must just thank them ;

and he could assure them that he would always be ready to do whatever he could to assist the lodge , or any other brethren , as long as he had life . Referring to Bro . Schmidt ' s token of friendship , it had taken him so much by surprise that he scarcely knew what to say . At any

rate he should prize it very highly , and he hoped that a note would be sent to their brother in acknowledgment of his remembrance . Bro . Brode , in complimentary terms , proposed " Success to The Freemason , " referring , in course of his remarks , to the handsome offer of one

hundred guineas made by its proprietor towards the establishment of an adequate scheme of Masonic benevolence in Scotland . The toast was coupled with the name of Bro . J . Stewart , who replied . Bro . McTaggart , in a humorous address , proposed the toast of " Lodge 354 ,

Caledonian Railway . " He was a member of the lodge , he said , of some years' standing , and it had been his privilege and extreme delight to instal the office-bearers for some three or four years in succession . He could , therefore , now say to them , in a fatherly sort of way , that he

was pleased at being asked to propose a toast that cowld not have fallen into better hands . He begged to couple with the toast the health of the R . W . M . ( Bro . Shaw ) who now occupied the chair , and had never been found wanting where an honest man ' s place demanded his

presence . The R . W . M ., in briefly acknowledging the toast , said that he felt very proud of the position , the important position , and hoped he should do his best to promote the good feeling that should prevail amongst brethren and the prosperity of lodge 3 54 . Amongst the

remaining toasts were "The Visiting Brethren , coupled with the name of Bro . Jas . Jamieson ( 225 ) , who replied ; and " The Musical Talent of the Evening , " coupled with the name of Bro . Jas . Houston—by whom it was acknowledged in characteristic terms . We have but io add that

the amount of musical talent present was unusually great , the more formal proceedings of the evening being most agreeably relieved by songs , stoties , & c . from Bros . Jas . Houston , Charles Stewart , J . G . Sharp , John Good , Connor , Barker , Crabb , and McPhee . Altogether

as we have said , the occasion was a great success . SUPREME COUNCIL 33 ° , A . AND A . S . RITE FOR SCOTLAND . —At a meeting of Council held in Freemasons' Hall , Edinburgh , on the 12 th inst ., Bro . Henry Inglis , cf Torsonce , Provincial

Grand Master of Peebles and Selkirk , was duly installed as a member ol th ? 33 ° and of the Supreme Council . At a meeting of the Sovereign Tribunal of the 31 , held at a later hour on the same day , the

Scotland.

Right Hon . the Earl of Kellie , Senior Grand Warden in the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and Second Grand Principal in the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter ; the Right Hon . Lord Rosehill , Past Grand Sword Bearer in the

Grand Lodge of Scotland , and Grand Sword Bearer in the Royal Arch Chapter ; and Walter Montgomerie Neilson , of Queenshill , Provincial Grand Master of Glasgow were admitted to the 31 st degree .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Sussex.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF SUSSEX .

A Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Masons was constituted on Friday , 23 rd inst ., at the Old Ship Hotel , Brighton , Brother Sir John Cordy Burrows , J . P ., was installed as R . W . Provincial Grand Mark Master .

The movable Grand Lodge was presided over by Lord Limerick , who was assisted by the Rev . J . R . Portal , M . A ., as Past Grand Master ; Col . Burdett , as Deputy Grand Master ; Col . Adair , as S . G . W . ; and Bro . J . Gilbert Smallpiece , as J . G . W .

The presiding Grand Master , in addressing the Grand Lodge , stated the satisfaction he felt , shared in by the London members of the degree generally , at the establishment of a Provincial

Grand Mark Lodge in Sussex . He took the opportunity of congratulating the Mark Masons in this nei ghbourhood on having secured so worthy a man as Bro . Sir J . C . Burrows to preside over them in the capacity of Grand Master .

Bro . T . J . Sabine nominated Bro . F . Davison , as Grand Treasurer , in the room of Bro . J . R , Stebbing . of Southampton , lately deceased . Sir J . C . Burrows was then obligated , invested ,

and enthroned , and in a suitable and very feeling manner thanked the brethren for the confidence reposed in him , and for the very high honour to which they had preferred him . He subsequently invested his officers for the ensuing year .

Several motions relating to the business of the day , or of importance to the Province , were then proposed and considered . The Provincial Grand Lodge will meet next year at Hastings . The Visitors present numbered nearly a

hundred , and double that number of letters had been received from all parts of the country expressing regret that circumstances would prevent the attendance of brethren , but sending their best wishes for the prosperity of the degree in the South of England , and for the success of the new province of Sussex .

Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and Queries .

In reply to "An Old Mason , " ( page 630 ) I would remark that the newspaper paragraph respecting Baron Ceschi , in which he is designated " Deputy Grand Master of the Order of Knights of St . John , " must have been founded on error . There is no present Grand Master , and

consequently cannot be a Deputy . The Protestant branches of the Order , in England and in Germany , are not in coalition with the Roman Catholic branches . I am not aware that "now and again we have paragraphs " in the Freemason , "having reference to the doings < S that English Langue , emanating doubtless from Masonic members of

that august brotherhood . I only remember one paragraph , of a very few lines , in or about July last , I think , which was contributed by myself , containing the simple announcement that the anniversary had been held at the Gatehouse , Clerkenwell , and Divine service , by permission of H . M ., at the Chapel Royal , Savoy . LUPUS .

THE GRAND MASTERSHIP OP THE IRISH FREEMASONS . —The Press Association understands that his Grace the Duke of Abercorn , Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland , has accepted the

office of Grand Master of the Freemasons of Ireland , rendered vacant by the death of the Duke of Leinster . The Viceroy ' s installation will probably be held in Dublin in the ensuing December .