The Knights Templars.

victims for a grand auto-da-fe , this gallant Templar scorned to yield to menaces , and boldy denied the crimes imputed to the Order . He had been tortured three times , in the most brutal maimer , thrown into a loathsome dungeon , where

he was kept for thirty-three weeks , and fed on bread and water , by tho order of John de Jainville . The following day ( Tuesday the 12 th ) , John Bortaldi , the fifteenth witness , was examined , ancl declared that , by the order of John de Jainville ,

he had undergone the first proof of tho torture . ( To be continued . )

Address.

ADDRESS .

Delivered to the Pleiades Loibp of Mark Masters , ( No . 26 ) , by V . W . Bro . Dr . HOPKINS , G . J . W ., PM . 7-1- §; :., on retiring from the Mastership , mt March llih , 1 S 139-Brethren , —The time has now arrived when I have to resign into your hands the trust you

reposed iu me fifteen months ap ; o , previous to which act , in pursuance of my custom at such periods , it is desirable that I should render an account of my stewardship , and at the same time offer a fevv * hints founded on . the experience I have

gained . Soon after I became a resident among you , towards the close of 1867 , you determined to re-establish a Lodge of Mark Masters in To tues , and commissioned me , though comparatively unknown to you , to take the necessary stops for

carrying out your desire , Clearly the task was not au easy one to a person unacquainted with the Craft in the district ; still , knowing the

principles of Masonry to be the same all over the world , ancl in full reliance on tho good faith and co-operation of the brethren here , I hesitated not to make the effort . Negotiations with the London authorities were at once entered into , and all

preliminaries having been arranged , you were pleased to nominate me as your first W . M . Hence my name appears as such in your charter , and I was duly installed on January 23 rd , 1 SG 3 , by my excellent friend Bro . V . Bird , P . M ., who came

from Devonport for thc purpose . Long may it bo handed down in this honourable position , from year to year , and from generation to generation , as the first of a distinguished list of Masters in Mark Masonry , though probably soon to be

forgotten in any other capacity , and without such a memento . Tho first difficulty I encountered was the

appointment of Officers , with the exception of the Wardens , upon whom I believed that I could rely , and the result has proved that I was justified in my confidence . True , our number was so limited , that I could not fill up every post among

us , and thus each original member had a place assigned to him . Where then was the difficulty ? It was twofold . First , some offices remained long vacant , and secondly , I did not know how far I could reckon on the zealous aid and regular

attendance of those who had accepted office . The former of these obstacles was of course gradually surmounted as our numbers increased , and I was thus enabled to fill up vacancies ; the other has been sometimes a source of much anxiety and

disappointment to me , inasmuch as some of the officers have been conspicuous by their absence , notably so at the last meeting in December , when only five out of thirteen made their appearance , aud thus the ceremonies have not been worked iu

so creditable a manner as I could wish . An examination of the attendance book will show . who have been neglectful of their duty , and beyond pointing this out , it would be ungenerous and invidious in me to enter into closer particulars ; at the same time , I should bo wautino- in moral courage were I to leave the matter unnoticed .

Let me add that my successor will probably be more fortunate in this respect than I have been , since he has better opportunities for selection , owing to tbe increase iu our number , and so thoroughly commands your respect . One more

remark on this subject . I have always made it a rule , even as a private member of a lodge or chapter , whenever illness ( almost the only valid excuse ) has prevented my attendance , to send a note to the W . M ., stating the cause of absence ;

much more is such a course incumbent on those who hold office , since the W . M . can then make the necessary provision for the performance of the duties . Let me urge you , one aud all , to adopt this plan as a rule , in courtesy and even justice to him whom you have now appointed to be your head .

When I assumed this chair at the beo-innin _> - of last year , I gave you au introductory address , in which , as my able and efficient S . AV ., now your W . M . elect , observed in his remarks upon it , it was my object " to place before the

brethren the character of Mark Masonry and their duties in regard to it . " I am now more restricted n my scope , inasmuch as it is unnecess ary to dc