Masonic Festivities.

from the 34 lodges in Ayrshire , which should be confined to tho Craft . R . W . M ., Bro . Shaw , St . Marnock ' s proposed that a bursary in the University of Glasgow should be established in name of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire , and that each of the lodges in the county should contribute towards it . He did not know what would be

considered a respectable sum for a bursary , but there were 34 lodges in Ayrshire , and £ 2 each would raise £ 68 He would take the liberty of moving that each lodge should make an annual contribution of £ 2 . The Earl of Rosslyn said he w as extremely glad to find that this proposal had been taken up so heartily . It had often been said that Ereemasons were theoretical rather

than practical—that they talked without acting—but he was happy to think that Ayrshire Masons were about to prove that this was not the case . The particular way in which they had directed their attention to advancing the good of the craft received his most cordial wishes for complete success . He felt certain that the example set by them would be generally followed , and that other

Masonic bursaries would be instituted , but the Freemasons of Ayrshire would always have the credit of being the first to adopt such a course . The Earl of Dalhousie said he felt greatly gratified at being in Kilmarnock on that occasion to witness the inauguration of a scheme of education among the Masons ofthe West . They were perhaps noc aware how largely

in English Masonry the education of the sons and . daughters of the brethren were attended to . In England at least 200 boys and as many girls was educated in the Boys' and Girls' Schools . He was delighted to find that that subject was now engaging the attention of the Masons of Scotland . He quite agreed with the rule that the education proposed to be iven should be confined

g , in the first instance at all events , to the sous of the brethren , and more especially to the sons of those brethren , who , having been good and earnest Masons in their day , might through the visitation of Providence have fallen somewhat into the sere and yellow leaf of poverty . B . W . M ., Bro . Turnbull , St . Andrew ' s , seconded the

motion . The Provincial Grand Master said that , having agreed to carry out this work , the details might be left to a committee , and he would propose that Bros . Wylie , Shaw , and Turnbull be appointed for this purpose , with power to add to their number . In the course of conversation which followed , it was

stated that several lodges in tho county had not received notice of the intention to found a bursary , and it was suggested that time should be allowed them to consider the proposal , The Provincial Grand Master said the committee would take steps to ascertain the wishes of tbe various lodges , and when they were in a position to report he

would call a meeting to consider what was best to be done . The motion was then agreed to , and the lodge was closed .

THE DINNER . The Grand and Provincial Lodge deputations were then entertained at dinner by St . Andrews Lodge , about 100 being present . R . W . M ., Bro . Andrew Turnbull , occupied the chair , supported on the right by Bros , the Earl of Rosslyn , Col . Mure of Caldwell , Capt . Neil of SwindridgemuirDr . M'LeodWallaceW . H . Wilson

, , , , and the Rev . John Thomson , & c . ; and on the left by Bros , the Earl of Dalhousie , John Steven , Halket , of Salfccoate , Alex . Hamilton , Patrick Burns , Kilwinning , James Wilson , and Robert Moyes , Edinburgh . Bro . Dr . M'Alester , P . M ., officiated as croupier , supported right and left by Bros . Robert Wylie , Kilwinning ; D . Murray

Lyon , Ayr ; Hugh Shaw , Rev . Blair , & c . A blessing having been asked by the Rev . Bro . Thomson , dinner ( served up by Bro . Walker in truly excellent style ) was partaken of , thanks being returned by the Rev . Bro . Blair . The usual loyal and constitutional toasts were afterwards given from the chair , and cordially responded to . " The Army , Navy , and Volunteers " being coupled with the names of Bros . Col . Mure , Moyes , Edinburgh , and Lieut . Gowans , who responded .

THE FESTIVAL . In the evening a Masonic Festival was held in the George Hotel , the Master of the Lodge St . Andrew , Bro . Turnbull , presiding . After the reception of deputations from sister lodges , the Grand Lodge of Scotland , aud the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire , was received by the brethren upstanding . The Grand Lodge was represented bBrosthe Earl of Rossl Grand

y , yn , Master ; the Earl of Dalhousie , Past Grand Master ; Robert Wylie , ( Past Provincial Grand Master of Ayrshire ) , Acting Senior Grand Warden ; D . Murray Lyon , ( one of the Grand Stewards , and Proxy Master of the Lodge Scarborough , Tobaga ) , Acting Junior Grand Warden ; Robert Moyes , ( Proxy Master of the Lodge St . Andrew ) Acting Senior Grand DeaconW . M . Bryce

, ; , Grand Tyler . The Provincial Grand Lodge was repreby Bros , Colonel Mure of Caldwell , P . G . M . ; John Stevens , D . Prov . G . M . ; J . G . Halkett , S . P . G . M . ; Rev . Alexander Inglis , of Kilmaurs , P . G . Chap . ; J . Henderson , and P . Burns , ex-P . G . Sees . Captain Neil Smith of Swindridgemuir , Depute Master of Mother Kilwinning ; Dr . M'Alister , Fast Master , the Rev . John Thomson of

St . Marnock's , Chaplain , Rev . Blair of St . Cuthbert , Kirkcudbright , Acting Chaplain , and other officebearers of the presiding Lodge , also occupied positions on the dais . The following Lodges were represented : — Mother Kilwinning ; St . John Kilwinning , Kilmarnock ; Loudon Newmilus ; Troon Navigation ; - St . Marnock , Kilmarnock ; Mauchline St . Mungo ; Ayr Operative ;

St . Clement , Riccarton ; Maybole Royal Arch ; Cumnock St . Barnabas ; Stevenson Thistle and Rose ; St . John Catrine ; Burns St , Mary , Hulford ; St Mungo , Paisley ; Shamrock and Thistle , Glasgow ; Ayr St . Paul ; . Stewarton Thistle ; Irvine St Andrew . The chair was occupied by R . W . M . Turnbull , who was supported by Bros , the Earl of Bosslyn and the Earl of Dalhousie . Bro . S . W . Charles M'Alester wielded the baton in the

west , supported by Bros . Phillips , Treas . ; and Armour , Sec , and W . Rome , J . W . presided in the south . Several toasts were given during the evening—that of " The Prince of Wales , Royal Patron of the Scottish Craft , " being given by the Right Worshipful Bro . Turnbull , as was that also of " the Most Worshipful the Grand Master Mason of Scotland , and the Deputation

from the Grand Lodge , " which was responded to by the Earl of Rosslyn . Colonel Mure gave " the Past Grand Master , " Lord Dalhousie acknowledging the compliment . Capt . Neill proposed , and the Rev . John Thomson replied to , " the Clergy of Scotland . " " Success to the Lodge St . Andrew , coupled with the health of its R . W . M . Bro . Turnbull" was proposed bLord Rossl and Dr .

, y yn , M'Alister gave " the Provincial Grand Master of Ayrshire . " Other toasts followed , and several songs were sung —an efficient bandjof instrumentalists , occupying the orchestra . The whole proceedings were most successful , and reflected the highest credit upon the Lodge St . Andrew . Special commendation is due to the Master for the able manner in which he acquitted himself in the

discharge of the onerous duties which devolved upon him , and to the Secretary , Bro . Armour , and other members of committee , for the completeness of their arrangements .