Scottish Constitution.

globe ? But I will not trespass too long upon your patience . Some portions of their career , however , I will and must allude to . They were in the rear-guard , tbe post of honour in the memorable retreat of Coruniia , that retreat before which the retreat of Xenophon and his ten thousand stands in eclipse ; and which a not unkindly fate , sealed with the blood of Moore , as if to proclaim that tbe power of military genius could no farther go ( cheers ) , The Black AVatch helped , to check revolutionary

France on the burning sands of Egypt , and they bear on their standards the word Sphink' as a token . They fought in every battle of the Peninsula , and their tartan squares were crimson on the field of Waterloo ; and when after forty years of European peace , the war trumpet sounded once more , the regiment appeared in its pristine form and vigour on the shores of the Crimea . Shoulder high through the waters of the Black Sea at Eupatoria—shoulder to shoulder up the

cannon-swept heights of the Alma , and their pibroch rang out on the bloody crest as the Russians abandoned their entrenchments , and amidst the smoke of shot and shell , old Colin Campbell's voice was heard , "We'll hae nane but Hieland bonnets here . " AVill history ever forget "tbe thin red line" which emptied the saddles of the Russian dragoons at Balaclava ? From Crimean snows to the burning plains of Hiudostan went these gallant warriors without a murmur ; and glorious as their previous achievements bad been , their crowning glory was the

storming of Lucknow—the relief of their enduring countrymen and countrywomen from the clutches of a fiendish foe , and the assertion of the indomitable mi ght of British valour before the assembled world . Brethren , I will not detain you longer , but I ask you to bid 'God speed' to the gallant 42 nd Highlanders wherever fate ev fame may lead them . " Tho toast was most enthusiastically responded to , the speech of the Substitute Grand Master being repeatedlinterrupted bloud cheers .

Coloury y Sergeant Scott made an effective and appropriate reply , and expressed tbe great pleasure it had given bis Masonic comrades and himself in being present on tbe occasion , aud be only regretted that a number of other brethren , both commissioned and non-commissioned officers , had been prevented from attending , owing to the regiment leaving Edinburgh almost within a few hours . He and his comrades were not likely to forget the

enthusiastic reception they bad that night met with at the hospitable hoard of the Celtic , and their pleasure was greatly enhanced by having bad not only the health of those who were present , but that of the regiment itself , proposed in such eloquent terms by one so high in Masonic position as the Substitute Grand Master Mason of Scotland . A number of toasts appropriate to tbe occasion were proposed by the R . AV . M . and other brethren , and some excellent songs contributed greatly to tbe harmony of the meeting . At high twelve the R . AV . M . closed the lodge , and the brethren separated , after one of the happiest evenings over spent within the walls of the Celtic .

South Australia.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA .

TASMANIAN BENEVOLENT FUND . AVe have received the report for ISG 9 , of this Institution , from which we make the following extract : "In reviewing tbe progress of this valuable Masonic Institution for the past year , the committee congratulate the Craft on the still increasing success that has attended their endeavours to secure its establishment on a firm and permanent basis . The income from all

sources , during 1868 , was £ 57 15 s . lid ., being an increase on the previous year of £ 7 13 s . lid . The calls for assistance from the fund during the same period bavin" - been trifling in amount , the balance in hand has increased fsom £ 153 5 s . 3 d . to £ 206 16 s . 2 d ., the whole of which is placed at interest . Tbe committee , feeling confident that the Freemasons of Tasmania will continue their cordial support to this Institution

, and in order usefully to employ the amount subscribed in aid of tbe fund , have taken into consideration the practicability of expending a sum annually in educating a certain number of ' the children of deceased or distressed worth y Freemasons ; and tbey have much pleasure in announcing that , as far as the limited ^ amount at present voted will permit , tbey are ready to entertain applications from such parents or guardians as may wish to avail themselves of the assistance

thus proffered , with a sincere hope of being instrumental in lightening the cares of some whom misfortune may have rendered powerless to provide

South Australia.

the means for educating their offspring , and fitting them for the active duties of life . The committee take the opportunity of reminding members of the Order , especially to those who do not contribute to the lodges , that the above arrangement will involve a considerable annual outlay ; and it is hoped that tbey will , by their subscriptions or donations , aid iu maturing a scheme intended to give practical effect to one of the three grand Masonic principles , viz ., Helief . —CHAM / US TOBY , Hon . Secretary . "

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

ENGLISH CONSTITUTION .

METROPOLITAN . Morcn LEBANON - CKAFTER ( No . 73 ) . —The quarterly meeting of this chapter ivas held on Thursday , tbe 4 th inst ., at tbe Bridge House Hotel , Southwark . The chapter was opened by Comp . A . D . Lowenstark , M . E . Z ., J . W . Avery , H ., T . J . Stabine , J ., Dr . Dixon , P . Z ., F . Walters . P . Z ., R . Watts , P . Z ., J . Lacey ,

M . E . Z . 176 , being also present . Bro . S . Frakenberg , 73 , was in an able manner exalted into Royal Arch Freemasonry . The chapter was closed , and a banquet followed . There were present besides those named , Comps . JI . A . Loewenstark , S . N . aud Treas . ; G . AV . Wheeler , P . S . ; H . Massey , 1 st . Assist . Soj . ; A . P . Stedman , 2 nd Assist . Soj . ; and others . Visitors : J . Laeoy , M . E . Z . 176 ; C . T . Dorey , P . Z . 176 ; P . A . Nairne , H . 176 ; AV . Littam , M . E . Z . 188 ; F . Deering , R . 619 , and others .

LANCASHIRE ( AVEST ) . AVAI-HINGTON . —TElias Ashmole Chapter ( No . 148 ) . —On Monday , tbe 8 th inst ., this chapter met at the Masonic Rooms , Sankey-street . The M . E . Z ., Comp . John Bowes , was supported by Comps . Robert Stevenson , H . ; D . W . Finney , J . ; AVilliam Mossop , E . ; Syred , N . ; W . Richardson , P . S . ; Rev . H . P . Stedman ; Jos . Maxfield ; AV . Woods ; P . J . Edelsten ; Rev . J .

Nixon ; Porter ; IV . Savage ; Balshaw ; AV . Sharp ; AV . S . Hawkins ; James Johnson , Janitor . The chapter was opened by tbe Principals , when the rest of the companions were admitted , and the minutes read and confirmed . Tbe ballot box was then sent round for Bros . Sharp , No . 37 , W . S . Hawkins , No . 148 , and James Hannah , No . 14-8 , which was favourable in each case , and Bros . Sharp and Hawkins , being present , were duly exalted .

OXFORDSHIRE . OxroiiD . —Alfred Chapter ( No . 340 ) . —A meeting of this chapter was held nt the Masonic Hall , Alfred-street , on Monday , the 8 th inst ., attended by tbe following officers : —Comps . AV . Belcher , M . E . Z . ; AValter Thompson , S . E . ; A . S . Hurford , H . ; J . S . Lowe , N . ; A . Wink-field , J . ; T . AVootton , Prim Soj . The following past officers were also present : —Comps . Rev . W . F .

Short , M . E . Z . ; J . G . Bt-tteris , S . E . ; W . Belcher , H . ; A . B . Rye , N . ; A . S . Hurford , J . ; Q . T . Prior , Priu . Soj . Bro . W . Wood was exalted to the Royal Arch degree , and the company - proceeded to the installation of officers for tho ensuing year .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

ENGLISH CONSTITUTION .

DEA ONSHIRE . EXETER . —Si . George ' s Lodge ( No . 15 ) . —This lodge of Mark Masters is , as its number indicates , one of tbe oldest under the registry of the Grand Mark Lodge of England , but for many years it was dormant . In I 860 , however , a few brethren , anxioustbat work should be resumed , applied to some of the

P . M . ' s for assistance towards a resuscitation , and as they cheerfully complied with the request , this very desirable object was effected . Under the able superintendance of P . M . ' s Davy . Cann , Breinbridge , Dr . Scott , Dickes and Chauning , nine brethren were advanced , and since that period the St . George's Lodge of Mark Masters , No . 15 , has been gradually gaining strength , by the introduction of new members from Craft lodges . A special meeting was held at the Masonic Hall , on Thursday , Nov 4 th , for the purpose of installing the AV . M . elect . In the unavoidable