Recollections Of The Lodge Of Freemasons At Thornhill.

pleasing and not altogether unmstructive character . Excursion trains having been arranged for by the Thornhill brethren , the facilities for transportation to this scene of mystic festiiaty were with alacrity embraced not only by the brethren in the

southwestern district of Scotland , but also by some eight thousand outsiders , attracted to Thornhill less perhaps by the Avish to see the Masonic pageant than by a desire to enjoy a stroll through the magnificent gardens of Drumlanrig—a

privilege Avhich , through the kindness of the Duke of Buccleuch , had been extended alike to the enlightened feiv and to the denizens of the neutral world . The morning meal had scarcely been discussed when the first blast of the jubilee trumpet echoed through the village , proclaiming the advent of the semi-centennial morn , and summoning the

Craftsmen to pay their devoirs at the shrine of their mother lodge . As demonstrative of the respect entertained by them for their R . W . M ., the brethren of St . John ' s , preceded by one of the three instrumental bands , which had been engaged

for the delectation of the expected visitors , marched in processionic order to the residence of Bro . Hislop , for the purpose of conducting him to the scene of the onerous duties which were that day to devolve upon him as the occupant of the Oriental

chair . After enjoying for a brief period the hospitality of Mrs . Hislop , the brethren accompanied by their Masonic chief , returned to Fremasons ' Hall , where in ample form the lodge Avas opened . The 24 in . gauge having been brought into

requisition for purposes knoAAm only to Craftsmen , high xii . was announced as the footfalls of the venerable dame from Kilwinning reverberated

through the outer courts of the mystic temple , and close upon the heels of the mother lodge came the representatives of several other west country lodges—those from the south being the last to enter . The reception of the different deputations

Avas very gracefully accomplished by the brethren of Thornhill , Avhose forethought and kindness of heart had led to an ample refreshment beingserved to each immediately on its arrival under the roof-tree of St . John's . When all hacl met ,

there \ vere found to be present brethren from lod ges Avhose altars bestud the banks of Doon , the Ayr , the Lugar , the Nith , streams consecrated by the muse of Burns—brethren from the capitals of Cumberland and of Lanark—from Galloway and the border counties , representatives from the Grand Lodge , from the mother lodge , and from the then

infant lodge . The hall ivas tastefully decorated with flowers and evergreens , ancl the office-bearers of Thornhill St . John ' s wore the clothing ancl jewels of Grand Lodge , which , along with the silver vases and other grand paraphernalia placed

in front of the R . W . M ., had that morning been conveyed to Thornhill by the Grand Tyler , Bro . Bryce . The R . W . Bro . Adam C . Hislop , presided ; and at the base of the Corinthian column sat also , as supporting the chair , Bros . D . Murray

Lyon of Mother Kilwinning and Ayr St . Paul ' s , one of the Grand Stewards in the Grand Lodge of Scotland ; the Rev . George Dudgeon ( Free Church Minister of Dalbeattie ) , Chaplain of the Lodge

Thistle , Dumfries ( No . 62 ); Andrew Glendmnmg , P . M . ; James Tait , depute Master ; William Brown , Treas . ; James Sibbald , Sec . ; the youngest Master Mason of St . John's , Bro . Charles Howitt , architect to the Duke of Buccleuch ; the youngest

Apprentice Mason , Bro . John Smith , of his Grace ' s Chamberlain's office , & c . The radiant countenance of Bro Robert Burgess illuminated the west , and grouped around the Doric column Ave observed Bros . Thorburn , Edgar , and other

wellknown brethren . The right hand pillar of the Porch ivas well personified by the J . W ., Bro . Joseph M Caig ; while under the shade of the Ionic column sat Bros . Hastings , R . Brown Cook , & c .

An extract from a racily Avritten report of the day ' s proceedings , which appeared in the " Dumfries Standard , " may be interesting as showing how the affair AA as viewed by neutrals : "About tivo o'clock the brethren were

fairly in order for a start , ancl this was then effected amid the spirit-stirring strains of the bands , and the loud hum of the assembled people . The Dumfries Volunteer Band occupied a conspicuous position in front of the procession , ancl close upon

its heels trod the representatives of the youngest lodge in Scotland . St . Thomas Kilwinning , Dalmellington ( No . 433)—men from

" Amang the bonnie winding banks Whaur Doon rins wimpliug clear , Whaur Bruce ance ruled the martial ranks And shook his Garrick spear . " Other lodges followed in order of seniority , with the exception of St . John's , Thornhill , which brought

up the rear . As the procession moved off , the main street was all alive Avith people moving en masse to the strains of the different bands . A