Knights Templar.

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR .

DEVONSHIRE . PLYMOUTH :. —Loyal Brunswick Encampment . — -The regular quarterly convocation of the above encampment was held in the Freemasons' Chapter-room , St . George ' s Hall , on Friday , the 19 th June , 1863 , the following Sir Knights being present : — Rodd , E . C . ; Dowse , P . E . C . ; Harfoot , Scott , Merrilield , Thomas , BlihtDupreWillsCarl RoddaMathewsBewesArnold

g , , , yon , , , , , and Bartlett . The encampment was opened in clue form , under the command of the EC . Sir Knt . Rodd , at four o ' clock p . m . The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . Tho election of the Provincial Grand Commander , the Rev . Eminent Sir Knt . Huyshe , was in form proceeded with ; the same proving unanimous , he was declared , with joyous acclamation , duly elected a joining member of the encampment . The ballot was

then taken for the following Royal Arch Companions , candidates for admission to the Order , viz .: —E . J . Worth , of Chapter No . 280 ; I ) . G . C . Cozens and E . D . Anderton , of Chapter No . 415 ; and John Heath , of Chapter No . 123 . The same proving unanimous , and they having signed the required declaration , they were introduced in ancient form , and duly installed by the R . C . assisted by the P . E . CSir Knihts of the RoyalExalted

, , g , , Religious , and Military Order of Masonic Knights Templar , & c . Six Royal Arch Companions were duly proposed and seconded as candidates for installation to the Order at the next regular meeting . There being no other business before tho meeting , the encampment was closed in solemn form , with prayer , at seven o'clock .

Masonic Festivities.

MASONIC FESTIVITIES .

GLASGOW . The Freemasons of Glasgow having resolved on an excursion , -a committee was appointed to select a destination and otherwise mature arrangements . The nine brethren appointed set to work with energy ancl perseverance , and were unremitting in their endeavours to merit the approbation of those who had entrusted the trip to their care , and otherwise render the day as pleasing as would cause the brethren to look forward to a renewal of one

¦ of a similar description . Invernan , near the head of Loch Lomond , was fixed upon as the seat of enjoyment , and the 30 th of June the happy clay . Early in the morning the brethren , with a considerable sprinkling of the fair sex , wore astir , and it was a morning to render every one happy ancl gay . The sun shown out with unblemished lustre , and no speck on heaven ' s vaulted canopy stained the bright ethereal blue . Through the

attention of Bro . Robb , station master of the Edinburgh and Glasgo . \ Railway , all the brethren , numbering between 400 and 500 , by half-past eight a . m ., were comfortably and snugly started in a special train , which had been secured by the committee , and under the command of two brethren of the Athol Lodge , the order was given , the whistle blew its shrill blast , and oil went the iron horse snorting ana sneezing up the Cowlans Tunnel . There were no stoppages on tbe road , and in ranid

succession the tram glided by Maryhill , Dalmnir , Kilpatr-ck , where the railway cuts through part of the old Roman wall , then Bowling and Douglass Castle , near which is seen the graceful obelisk erected to perpetuate the memory of Henry Bell , the inventor of steam navigation . Well might the excursionist . desire to stay awhile to ponder and contemplate the mighty changes and incalculable improvements which were heralded into the world by the little " Comet" and the impetus that it has givenand is

, , still destined to give to our commerce and intercourse with foreign countries . The train next skirted the base of Dumbarton Castle , at one time an impregnable fortress of Scotland , ancl onward sped its way by Dumbarton , Dulrooch , and Renton stations , at the last of which a passing glimpse is obtained of the monument to Tobias Smollet , the author of Roderick Random , fyc , erected on tho banks of the Leven , near to the place

of his birth and the scenes of his boyhood . Onward the train still pursues its course , and passing Alessandria and Balloeh the excursionists are safely landed at the pier , where an excellent and a special steamer is in waiting to wend her living freight amid the intricacies and mazes of the Islands of Loch Lomond , the Queen of Lakes—thc Arcadia of Scotland . The attentive Captain Reid , ever on tho alert to ensure his passengers' comfort , sees every one securely and safely

deposited , and the word of command being given , the engineer supplies bis engine with its natural food—a kindly turn of tbe wrist takes place , and we are off ! What a day ! Not a breath of wind to ripple the waters of the Loch , the sky clear as far as the eye can reach , while tho heavens are still untouched by one spot of cloud . The bell is rung , and a movement is made for the breakfast table , where the good things of this life are laid before those whose appetites are thoroughly sharpened and

whetted by the morning ride . This meal would have been more enjoyed , and perhaps better digested , had the stewardess and her stewards been of the same happy description as that of the captain and bis crew . Once more on deck , ancl we are passing Inch Murrain , the property of the Duke of Montrose , and which forms his deer park , and on which is situated his shooting lodge . About the middle of Inch Murrain is seen Dun Cruln , or the Hill of Witches , the contour of which is

conical , ancl which forms a striking object in the landscape . The sun shone brilliantly on Buchanan Castle , the newlyerected seat of his Grace the Duke of Montrose . The Pass of Balmacher is at hand , referred to in the L-ady of the Lake .

" So fierce , so tameless , and so fleet , Sore did he cumber our retreat , And kept our stoutest kermes in nwc , Even at the pass of the Balmaha . " And the spot where Rob Roy saw Bailie Nicol Jarvie depart on his return to his native Sautmarket , accompanied with the treasures purloined bRasleih . The steamer still pursues her

y g course , and amid the thickly studded Island of Inch Cailiaeh , or the Islands of Old Women , Inch Fadd , or Long Island , on which there is a retreat for ladies , whose peculiar relish for mountain clew precludes them from the unrestrained freedom of the more populous districts . Inch Cruin , or Round Island , Inch Moan , or Peat Island , Inch Conachan , Colquhoun ' s Island , Inch Tavannagb , or Monks Island ,

" Whore tapers burned and mass was sung . ' This is the highest island in the lake , and the favourite resort of pic-nic parties . Luss is passed , and recrossing the lake , the steamer approaches Rowardenan , the landing place for those who may wish to ascend the lofty Ben , where " Bustoinond is seen in his monarch-like glory , His foot's in the sea , his head ' s in the sky , His broad lofty brow is majestic and hoary , Ancl round him and round him the elements fly ; The winds are his music , thc clouds are his clothing , Thc sun is his shield as he wheels blazing by ,

AVhen once on his summit you'd think you were soaring 'Mong the bright beaming stars , they are rolling so nigh . " —A . PAUK . A few miles further on and Quinbut is reached , and although unintended , through the kindness of the committee , the steamer calls to land a couple of the excursionists who wish to spend the day with their relatives ,

The ascent of the Ben may be also made from the opposite side of the lake . Full instructions in quaint and original language , were written on tho window of the hotel , in the year Z 77 l , by a Thomas Russell . Pursuing her course the steamer again recrosses the lake , and nears Inversnaid , one of the routes to the Frossach ' s . Here a magnificent waterfall , immortalised by Wordsworth in his song of the Highland

Girl" Sweet Highland girl , a very shower Of beauty is thy earthly dower . # # * * # * As I do view the cabin small—The lake—the bay—tho waterfall—And thee—the spirit of them all . " About a mile further ou we passed Rob Pioy ' s caveand if the

, excursionists should wish to examine it he will find that , as in the days of Rogers , " While as the boat went-merrily , Much of Rob Roy the boatmen told ,

His aim that fell below his knee , His cattle lord , and mountain hold . " Tiie prow of our steamer still ploughs the pure and limpid waters of the lake , and after passing the pulpit rock and tha Islet of "I vow , " which stands as a sentinel guarding the head of the lake , the steamer is shortly thereafter moored alongside the wharf , where disembarkation was rapid and speedy . -During