Scotland.

in the framing of the laws they are now called upon to observe . A few more turns of the screw may have quite a contrary effect from that intended by the application of that instrument : a little firmness on the part of chapters might we think be sufficiently rewarded in causing the relaxation of some of the more objectionable clauses of the new laws . The Lanark Province is at present the scene of controversy between the Knihts of the Grand Priory

g and those of Early Grand : as to numbers , the latter already quadruple that of the Priory adherents , who , however , are generally of a more select class than those receiving the honour of Masonic knighthood at the hands of their rivals ; although , properly speaking , the only aristocracy in Masonry is the " nobility of virtue . " PEIOHY OE AYE , NO . 4 . —Highest in point of Masonic rank , so are the Knight Templars the first to open the campaign hy the

election of officebearers . On Friday night the ISth , the Ayr Priory—Major Thornton , Prior—mot for that purpose in tlie Tam o' Shanter Hall . The delta at all points was well supported , and the encampment beautifully decorated with banners and other K . T . ornaments , with which the chastely picturesque paraphernalia ef the Order , gave the apartments quite an enchanting appearance . The constitutional number of stalls being occupied , business was proceeded with . From the report submitted to the Sir Knights ,

it appears that there have been a more than usual increase of membership during the hypast year—a state of things attributable to the personal exertions of the Prior , and the tact with which he directs the affairs of the priory . Bros . Luchius H . Deering , Dublin , and Alexander J . Stewart , AV . S ., Edinburgh , have become honorary members ; whilst Sir George Beresford , Bart ., has been affiliated into the Ayr Priory . The Secretary having read very encouraging letters from the two first-named Sir Knihtsand the minutes of

g , last year having been confirmed , Frater Lyon begged to nominate Major Thornton for re-appointment to the office of Prior . During the Major ' s administration of the powers vested in him as a member of the Chapter-General , the Ayr Priory had participated largely in the advantages accruing from their Prior's exalted Masonic

position . They had every reason to congratulate themselves that under the government of Major Thornton , they were increasing in prosperity . The nomination was most enthusiastically responded to by the Knights' re-lection of their much respected Prior . The following is the list of officebearers for 1861-02 . Prior—J f Major C . E . Thornton , of Lodge St . Andrew in the East , and P . Prin . J . of St . Andrewintbe East Royal Arch Chapter , Poonah , India : K . C . T . ; K . M . ; R . s ^ . H . R . D . M . ; Chevali er du

Soliel ; 30 ° ; Grand Office-bearer of the Chapter General , and member of the Grand Master ' s Council Sub-Prior—Andrew Glass , P . M . of Ayr St . Paul , and P . Z . of Ayr Eoyal Arch Chapter . Mareschal—James Jones , of Sfc . Paul , and Past Pr . H . Ayr Royal Arch Chapter . Hospitaller—Sir George Beresford , Bart ., of No . 1 , Edinburgh , and Cane of Good Hope Royal Arch Chapter , and a member of the

30 ° . Chancellor—Donald M'Donald , of St . Paul , and Past Pr . J . Ayr Royal Arch Chapter . Treasurer—David C . AVallace , of No . 555 , Fermoy , and AVaterford Royal Arch Chapter . Secretary—D . Murray Lvon , . T . AA . of Mother Kilwinning , member of Lodges Nos . 86 , 124 , 135 , 138 , 198 , 204 , and of the Conservators' Association , U . S . ; a Dep . Ch . Con . ; Junior Prov .

Grand Warden , of Ayrshire ; and P . R . J . Ayr Kilwinning , R . A . Chapter . Baucennifer—Robert Lawrie , Dep . Master of St . Paul , and C . of Ayr Royal Arch Chapter . A cx . Belli—David Brown , Treasurer of Kilmarnock St . Andrew , and C of Ayr Royal Arch Chapter . Instructor—John M'C Williamson , Secretary of Ayr Kilwinning , and C . of Ayr Kilwinning Royal Arch Chapter . Chamberlain—AA'illiam Livingston , of St . Paul , and C . of Ayr Royal Arch Chapter . Sentinel—Robert Lhnond , of Ayr KilwinningLodge and Chapter .

Colonial.

COLONIAL .

WEST INDIES . PEOVINCIAL GEAND LODGE OP TEINIDAD , ST . A ' IXCENT , GEENADA , Ton AGO , AND ST . THOMAS . A most interesting meeting of this Prov . G . Lodge was held on the 20 th of August , 1861 , in the Masonic Hall belonging to Philanthrophic Lodge ( No . 585 ) , Port of Spain , Trinidad , for the purpose of constituting and consecrating the Prince of AA ' ales' Lodge ( So . 11 G 9 ) , and installing its first AV . M ., Bro . AV . Ross , a warrant of constitution liaving recently been received from the United Grand Lodge of England .

There were present Bro . Dan . Hart , R . AV . Prov . G . M ' .- ; = V . AV . Bros . J . O'Brien as D . Prov . G . M . ; J . Black as Prov . S . G . AV . ; M . W . Philip ( W . M . 585 ) , Prov . J . G . W . ; E . Martin , Prov . G . Treas . ; S . AV . Gould , Prov . G . Sec ; J . Laughlin , Prov . G . S . D . ; D . Hart , jun ., as Prov . G . J . D . ; J . F . Rat , Prov . G . Supt . of AVorks ; H . A an Buren , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; F . Benitez , Prov . G . Purst . ; H . Bedford , P . Prov . G . Purst . ; AV . J . Bereton and Chas . Sicard , Prov . G . Stewards ; J . Fraser , Prov . G . Bard ; the W . M ., P . M ' s ., and

AVardens of 585 , and a number of visitors , among whom we noticed Bros . Ingram , P . M . 345 , Gibraltar ( P . Prov . S . G / W ., Andalusia ); Labault , Norman , Molloy , Llanos , Mayz , and Reid , all P . M's . of Lodge of United Brethren , G . R . of Scotland , at Trinidad ; T . Hentle and Thos . Begg , of Caledonia Lodge , G . R . Ireland , afc Grenada and Marcovish , of Trap A enezuela . The Prov . Grand Lodge having been opened in due form , a letter was read praying the Prov . Grand Lodge to consecrate the Prince

of AVales' Lodge ( No . 1169 ) . The letter was signed by the following brethren , viz ., Bros . J . Laughlin , H . A ' an Buren , S . AV . Goold , F . Benitez , G . Martin , M . A . Hart , 3 . F . Rat , J . Fraser , "W . T . Bereton , and AV . Budge . The Prov . Grand Lodge signifying its assent , the R . W . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Hart , assisted hy his Deputy and the G . AVardens , then proceeded to constitute the new lodge . The charter or warrant of constitution from the Grand Lod

ge of England was read , but as the lodge had not met under dispensation , there were no minutes to approve , and in answer to the Prov . J . G . AV ., Bro . Philip , the R . AV . Prov . G . M . stated that the original petition having been forwarded to the Grand Lodge hy him without preserving a copy , he was unable to order it lo be read , bnt as Grand Lodge had granted the request , there could be no doubt hut that it was in the usual i . e . tbe proper form , and as the names of those signing it were contained in the warrant , the

brethren already possessed the exact information which would be communicated by reading the petition . The brethren of the new lodge having signified their approval of the officers nominated in the warrant to preside over them , the lodge was duly and most solemnly consecrated in ancient form . Bro . Win Ross was then presented by the D . Prov . G . M . as a brother true and trusty , and having declared his submission to the ancient charges , a board of installed Masters was formed , and Br o . Ross was regularly installed AV . M . of Lodge No . 1169 , the warrant of constitution having been delivered into his keeping hy

the R . AV . Prov . G . M . witli an impressive charge . After receiving customary homage , the new W . M . presented the officers , who were then invested , the R . AV . Prov . G . M . and V . AV . D . Prov . G . M . delivering the charges alternately . Bro . Fraser , Prov . G . Bard , here recited an ode composed for the occasion , which does credit to the poetical talents of that brother , hut which is ( as we understand our Ob . ) , " not proper to be printed . "

The ceremony of consecration being thus completed , the R . AV . Prov . G . M . addressed a few words to the W . M ., Officers , and brethren of the new lodge . He congratulated them upon their increase in the number of lodges , as it was a proof that the number of Masons who had the good of the Craft at heart was increasing ; trusted that in this infant lodge the grand fundamental principles of the fraternity would be carried out in their utmost integrity ; would

impress upon them the importance of practising true Masonic charity in its more ample sense—of extending comforts and relief in the hour of affliction , not resting satisfied with simple almsgiving . Masonic charity , no doubt , included the duty of rendering pecuniary assistance where necessary and possible , but it also comprised a vast deal more than this ; a kind word or a helping hand was often , even in small matters , of greater value than any mere pecuniary hel . The R . AV . Bro . further dwelt the duty of a

p upon strict regard to morality—the fraternity had many enemies , and latterly a very strong opposition to ifc had been organised in this place—it became , therefore , doubly incumbent upon the brethren generally , and more especially so on those who now formed a new lodge to hear in mind that the eyes of the outer world were upon them , that their deeds and words would be criticised , and their very intentions canvassed . They should , therefore , be very circumspect in their lives and conversations , in order that tbe world might see

that their professions of morality and brotherly love were not an idle boast . The R . AV . Bro . Hart concluded hy wishing prosperit y to the Prince of Wales' Lodge ( No . 1169 ) . Bro . PHILIP , AV . M . 585 , Prov . J . G . W ., said that , as AV . M . of the only other lodge under the Grand Registry of England working in this town , he claimed the privilege of congratulating them on the establishment of another lodge in Port of Spain . Tbe R . AV . Prov . G . M . had , however , so ably expatiated on the duties devolving upon them

that he should refrain from making any lengthened remarks—only urging them to impress deeply on their minds what had been said " , and reminding them that one of the main points of thafc exalted morality on which the R . AV . Prov . G . M . had insisted was that