Mark Masonry.

which the ceremony wero performed by tho AV . M ., who again selecting one of the brothers as a candidate went through the ceremony of advancement and explained in detail very fully the working of this beautiful degeee . Several propositions having been made , the lod 2 : 0 was closed in solemn form and with prayer , the brethren then adjourned to a supper supplied by Bro . Host Kirkbride of the York Hotel , separating at ten o'clock p . m .

Laying The Foundation Stone Of The Sheriff Court-House And New Hall At Forfar.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE SHERIFF COURT-HOUSE AND NEW HALL AT FORFAR .

The proceedings at Forfar on Thursday the 5 th inst ., in connection with the presentation of the freedom of the burgh to the Earl of Dalhousie , and the laying of the foundation stones of the new Public Hall and Sheriff Court House , passed off so auspiciously that the recollection of them will not easily be effaced from the memory of those who witnessed them . The ¦ state of the weather on such occasions is always of the greatest importance . The day opened bright and sunny , but during the

morning- the clouds slightly overcast , and although it rained several times at Forfar , the showers came just at a time when they interfered least with the eclat of the gathering . Only once , when the foundation stone of the hall was being laid , could the rain be said to interpose a barrier , and then , by the determina'tinn of Lord Dalhousie , notthe slightest disappointment occurred 'to any . It was fitting that some expression of the public estimation of the gift should be pronounced ; and no expression could

have been more appropriate than that of yesterday . Many celebrations might have been organized , but none in which was denied to the general community the right of manifesting their approbation of the deed would have been satisfactory . Tho magistrates and town council deserve all the praise which could be bestowed on them , for it is well enough known that the arrangements were made entirely by them . A pleasing

accompaniment to the laying the foundation stone was the presentation of the freedom of the burgh to the Earl of Dalhousie , the Lord Lieutenant of the county . His lordship's official position in the county , coupled with the many generous acts he has performed , eminently entitled him to such an honour . The Town Council have long recognized his Lordship ' s claims , but postponed making acknowledgment of them until he had given a still further proof of his attachment to the ancient burgh by the active part he took in the day ' s ceremonials .

The Court-House buildings are being erected on an elevated site on the west side of the prison , and the principal entrance is in the centre of the south front , feeing the town . The style of the architecture is Flemish Gothic , having moulded stepped gables , with crocketted pinnacles and gurgoils at their angles . Over tiie entrance door is an ornamental balcony- supported on stone corbels and buttresses . The windows have mullions , transoms , and hood mouldings ; and the principal feature of the

building appears to be a circular tower , wh ch rises from the north-west angle and terminates with a conical roof . The cost . ' exclusive of site , will be about £ 9 , 000 , and the following is a list of the contractors : —Mason work , A . & J . Stewart , Crieff ; joiner work , Morrison & Bremner , Dundee : ironwork , Stirton and Gibson , Dundee : slater work , Andrew Butter , Coupar Angus ; plaster work , D . M'Beth & Son , Dundee : plumber work , A . Milne , Forf . ir ; gas fittings , J . Milne & Son . Edinburgh ; heating , Robt . Ritchie & Son , " Edinburgh ; Clerk of Works , Mr . John Ross .

The ceremony of laying tho foundation stone was performed with due Masonic honours . The members of the Grand Lodge and the Masters and Wardens of Daughter Lodges assembled in tho Sheriff Court Buildings at half-past twelve o'clock , when the Grand Lodge was opened in ample form . The brethren in general assembled at the Market Muir , Forfar . The Grand Lodge having been adjourned , the members put themselves under the immediate direction of the Grand Directors of

Ceremonies , and the other brethren were arranged by the Grand Marshals according to the seniority of their lodges on the roll , under the superintendence of the masters and office-bearers of their respective lodges . The Grand Lodge of Scotland was represented by the following brethren : —The Right Hon . the Earl of Dalhousie , K . T . G . C . B ., M . W . G . M . of Scotland ; Bros . Dr . R . Bevoridge , Prov ' . G . M . of Aberdeen , Acting Deputy G . M . ; Colonel Kinloch , of Kilrie , Past Substitute G . M . ; W . Mann , S . G . W . ; W . Officer ,

J . G . W . ; W . A . Laurie , W . S , G . Sec ; AVardrop , G . Architect ; W . Mann , G . S . B . ; A . Hay , G .. T . ; Dr . G . Dickson , S . G . D . ; F . L . Law , J . G . D . ; Jolm Cogiiill , Chief G . Marshall ; John Laurie , G , Marshall ; W . M . Bryce , G . Tyler ; H . R . Kay , President Board of G . Stewards ; C . Mackenzie , J . MacDuff , P . Swinton , J . Bryce , James Eeid , John Eeid , G . Stewards . The brethren then of Castlestreetproceeded to the Court House

, by way - , , headed ' by the Forfar Rifle band . The following lodges were represented : —Lodge of Edinburgh , 1 ; Scoon and Perth , 2 ; Montrose Kilwinning , 15 ; St . Mich _ el , Crieff , 38 ; St . Thomas , Arbroath , 40 ; Operative , Dundee , 47 ; Ancient Dundee , 49 ; St . Ninian , Brechin , 66 ; St . Andrew , Perth , 74 ; St . David . Dundee , 78 : Forfar , Kilwinning , 90 ; St . NicholasAberdeen 93 Glamis 99 St . John OperativeCoupar

, , ; , ; , Angus . 105 ; Eoyal Arch , Perth , 122 ; St . James , Brechin , 123 ; Incorporated Kilwinning , Montrose , 182 ; St . George , Aberdeen , 190 ; Forfar and Kincardine , Dundee , 225 : Caledonian , Dundee , 254 ; Airley , Kirriemuir , 286 ; Panmure , Arbroath , 299 ; Camperdown , Dundee , 317 ; Lour , Forfar , 309 ; Neptune , Aberdeen , 375 ; Minto , Lochgelly , 385 ; Eifle , Edinburgh , 405 ; Albert , Lochee 448 Broughty Castle 486 .

, ; , On arriving at the Court-House , the daughter lodges drew up , and made way for the members of the Grand Lodge , which , as usual , brought up the rear of the procession . The members of the Grand Lodge , together with the brethren of the daughter lodges , afterwards proceeded to the north-east corner of the building , where preparations bad been made for the ceremony of laying the stone . Among the noblemen and gentlemen on

the platform were—Lords Dalhousie , Strathmore , and Airlie ; Sir George Ramsay , of Bamff ; Mr . Powrie , of Reswallie ; Provost Mitchell , Montrose ; Provost Yeaman , Dundee ; Mr . George Webster ; Mr . Long , of the Dundee Advertiser ; Mr . Patterson , of Kinnettles ; Rev . Dr . Taylor . Miss Young occupied a seat beside her uncle , the Earl of Dalhonsie . lor Chaphaving offered solemn

Dr . Tay , Prov . G . , a prayer , the G . M . ' called upon the various officials to perform their several duties , and during the time the stone was being lowered the band played the Old Hundred . Tliis done , the corn and wine and oil were poured on the stone . In the cavity of the lower stone were deposited two bottles containing the valuation

roll for the county ( the last printed copy ) , the valued rent roll , the register of voters , copies of all the county newspapers , Rodgevs' Almanac , roll of the public officials in Forfarshire , including the contractors for the works , as well as all the current coins from half a farthing up to a sovereign . Over the cavity was a plate bearing an inscription in the following terms : — "The foundation-stone of the Court-Houses was laid on the 5 th of 1869 bthe Riht Honthe Earl of Dal

day August , , y g . - housie , ' K . T , G . ' C . B , & c . Most AVorshipful Grand Master Mason of Scotland . John AVhyte , Esq , Provost ; Brown aud AVardrop , architects , Edinburgh . " After the usual forms had been executed , the band struck up "The Merry Masons . " Lord Dalhousie then said—My Lords and Gentlemen of the County of Forfar , and all here present , —I have now to announce

to you that , according to your request , I , as Grand Master Mason of Scotland , have laid the corner stone of this edifice . The edifice upon which wc have just been employed as Masons is one that is intended to be the seat of justice in this county . It is not before such a building was wanted that this has been provided out of the county funds ; and I most earnestly praythat the purpose for which it is intended may be fully and faithfully carried out within its walls—that here justice may

be administered in all its purity , truth may be spoken in all its sincerity , and that the judgments which shall be delivered upon cases within these walls and from the bench may command the respect of all on account of their impartiality and correctness . Brethren , when this building is finished it will be an ornament to this ancient burgh , and the county may take some pride in having contributed its part to fill up a vacuum where such a building was much wanted . But , my lords and

gentlemen of the county , and for the county meetings , at which business of the greatest importance is carried on—I say that your duty will not be carried out to its full extent if you do not add to this building accommodation for yourselves . And , moreovei , supposing—as I hope it is not improbable—that we in the county wish to pay due respect to the fair sex of the county ; I say it is right and proper that we should have a bulling to which we can invite them with decorum and propriety , and entertain them as the county ought to entertain ladies . And now , brethren , having said this much , I will not detain you