Masonic Funeral Lodge Is Memory Of Bro. The Late Sir Archibald Alison, Bart. , D.C.L., Ll.D., &C.

In writing to us on tho preceding subject tho R . AV . Bro . D . Murray Lyon remarks : — Being in GlasgoAV last ivoek , in response to tho courteous invitations of the " Pi-OA * . G . Lodgo to bo present at tho S OITOAY Lodgo iu memory of tho late Bro . Sir Archibald Alison , Ave embraced the opportunity thereby afforded to draw the latch-string of Bro . James Stevenson ' s sanctum , and had scarcely got seated | | | | |

when AVO AA-CVO called upon to exchange fraternal salutations Avith AA . Stonier Leigh , a brother of whoso Masonic merits AVO had formed a high opinion . Our friend having made an appointment to attend a communication of tho ancient Lodge St . Mungo , No . 27 , the trio wero speedily transported from tho Glasgow braiichoffico of tho MASAZI . VE to tho " adjacent" of that vigorous offshoot from tho ancient Lodgo of Glasgow St . John . Hero Bro . Leigh and tho Avriter having by name boon introduced to tho R . AV . Bro .

A . M'Taggart , 1 CA-, woro admitted to tho lodge , on Bro . Stevenson vouching for our boiug Masons . Our brother from Hartlepool would havo greatly preferred it bad his admission boon the result of au " examination . " For our own part MO enjoyed the novelty of our position as being unknown as a Mason at tho threshold of a . lodgo sitting at a distance of little more than twenty miles from the grand olcl centre of Scottish Masonry ; neverthelessAVO had every reason to bo pleased with the

wel-, come that Bro . Stevenson ' s good offices soenrod lor ns . AA ' o felt a degree of interest in our present visit from tho fact that St . Mungo , notwithstanding its having been originally erected by tlie Lodgo of Glasgow , had several years prior to tho institution of the Grand Lodgo of Scotland so far acknoAvlodgod tho supremacy claimed for tho Lodge of Kilwinning as to accept from that venerable Masonic court a charter under tho t-itlo of tho St . John Kilwinning , Kirk of Glasgow St . Mungo Lodgo ; but

the object of the communication ivas of special interest—the honorary affiliation of the Earl of Dalhousie , a brother distinguished , alike , in England and Scotland , for his devotion to the cause of Freemasonry , and Capt . Spiers , of Elderslie , it . P-, a brother of considerable popularity in the west of Scotland , and at present one of the chief dignitaries in the Grand Lodge of England . There were about forty brethren present . The administration of the affiliation OB . was succeeded by a formal acknowledgment , first on the part of the noble lord , aud then bv

the gallant captain , of the mark of honorary distinction and regard that each had received on the present occasion of their visit to No . 27 ; shortl y thereafter the prostrate columns indicated a release from labour , in order to admit of the brethren joining the Provincial Grand communication that was about to he opened in the City Hall . Thither , too , did wo proceed in company with Bros . Stevenson and Lei gh—they having to appear on the platform among the representatives of the sister

Grand Lodge , we to take our place in the deputation from the Grand Loclge of Scotland . On reaching the dais in the Provincial Grand East wo hacl ample opportunity for admiring the splendid spectacle presented by nearly two thousand brethren arrayed in full Masonic regalia , ivith the brilliancy of their appointments somewhat subdued by the habiliments of mourning , Avhich respect for the occasion had suggested to be worn by

those participating in the imposing ceremonial of the evening . The sombre hue of the black drapery with which tho hall was hung , the crape-eiiA-eloped lily-work of the pillars of thepoich , and the partially-obscured li ghtsof the Order , presented a striking contrast to the sea of human , faces -. cud tbe parti-coloured costumes that ranged throughout the bounds of the oblong- square traced by human forms , in the largest h-ill of which tbe Avestern metropolis can boast ; while the vacant chair in the east ( upon

Avhich lay the regalia of the Masonic head of theprOA'incc ) , and the muflled gavel were mutely , yet eloquently , suggestive oi the broken column and its lessons , and were also impressively significant of the loss that had befallen tbe Craft . Moved by the solemnity of the scene , and the position lie occupied , the representative of the Grand Orienfc covered his face ivith his hands , and , sinking back in his seat , remained apparently in silent commune with himself while the organ pealed forth the

thrilling notes of one of Mendelsshon ' s so . » atos ; and when he rose to address the brethren each eye directed towards him seemed filled with ths tear of sympathy , and was at the same time expressive of the assurance that in the hand of the noble orator the name and virtues of the departed would receive a dignified ancl fraternal treatment . Iu the subsequent remarks Avliicb fell from Lord Dalhousie the hi gh expectations of the brethren Avere realised to the full . If , in the arrangements at the funeral of their late ProwG . M ., the Fraternity over which be so long and so efficiently presided Avere not privileged to

drop the evergreen upon his coffin , they have in the communication of Thursday paid a truly noble tribute to his memory , and , encircling the acacia that marks his grave , there noiv grow in rich luxuriance those forget-me-nots of Masonic sympathy whose perennially-diffused aroma will ever be grateful to the s admirers of Bro . Sir Archibald Alison .

Poetry.

Poetry .

* FREEMASONRY . [ A prologue to a Theatrical Masonic Bespeak , Avritten for the i Theatre Royal , Exeter . ! SMAK-EKS—A Father , Mother , and Daughter ( about 11 ) . I Daughter ( reading a play bill ) . ( By desire of the Lodge i What ' s this ? \ Tliis Lodge , Mama . Mother .

Freemasons , Miss . Daughter . Freemasons , my dear mother ! lack a day , AVhat sort of things ( I long to kuow ) are they ? Mother-All Avomen from their Order thev exclude .

Daughter . Do they , mama ? Indeed , that ' s very rude , Fond as I am of plays , I'll ne ' er be seen At any play bespoke by such vile men . Mother . Call them not vile—I Masons much approve , And there is one whom you with fondness love ;—Your father ; but , behold , he now appears , And from the lodge the Mason ' s badge he wears ..

( Father appears in Masonic clothing . ) Daughter . Papa , are you a Mason ? Do tell me ; Now do , my good papa , ivhat ' s Masonry ? Father . I -will , my dear . Our Order is designed To expand the human heart , and bless mankind ..

I Wisdom herself contrived the mystic frame ; Strength to support , to adorn it beauty came . We ' re taught with ever grateful hearts , to adore-The God of all ; the universal poiv ' r ; To be good subjects ; ne ' er in plots to join , Or ought against the nations peace design . AVe ' re taught to calm destructive anger ' s storm , And bring rude mutter into proper form ;

Always to work by the unerring square , With - / . eal to serve our brethren ; be sincere . And by our tongues let our ivbole hearts appear * Loivly of mind , and meek , ive ' re bid to be And ever clothed with true humility ' . AU children of one gracious Father are ,

To whom no ranks of rich ancl poor appear , " He sees with equal eye , as God of all , "A monarch perish , and a beggar fall . " AAVrc taught our conduct by the plumb to try ,. To make it upright to the nicest eye . The compass is presented to our eyes , And , " circumscribe your actions , " loudly cries . We're strictly order'd never to pass by

AVher ' ei- Ave see a fellow creature lie AVounded by SOITOAV , but Avith hearts to go , Which with the milk of kindness overflow * , And make a careful search each AA'Ound to find , To pour in oil and wine , and gently bind . AVho'er believes in an Almighty cause , And strict obedience pays to moral laws , Of ivhatsoever faith or clime he be

, He shall receive a brother ' s love from me . " For modes of faith let graceless zealots fi g ht , " AVe know he can ' t be wrong whose life is right . " ' AVhat though we here such different roads pursue , All upright Masons , all good men and true ,