Australia.

with the fact that Bro . Haines was an Englishman . ( Prolonged cheers . ) Bro . Haines was something more than this—he was an English gentleman . ( Cheers . ) Nothing more was needed to make the toast welcome , ancl be would propose Bro . Haines ' s health . ( Long ancl loud cheering . ) Bro . D . OLIVER , of Ballarat , then sang , " The Fine Old English Gentleman . " It was received with loud applause , and and encore being demanded , Bro . Oliver sang , " Erin , my country , " with much

taste ancl feeling . Bro . HAINES then rose , amid renewed cheering , to say that he felt almost unequal tothe task of returning thanks for the exceedingly kind way in which his health hacl been drank . He knew he was somewhat undeserving of the compliment , but could yet feel that , as the representative of Scottish lodges , he hacl been very well received by those under the English Constitution . Although one of the oldest Masons in the colony—for he had been a Mason

for thirty years—he felt that he had not been able to do as much as he could have wished , for his residence in the country and other important occupations had interfered . Still , as the head of the Scottish Constitution , he hoped to be of some service yet . It had never been want of will , but of opportunity , that had kept him back , ancl he entertained towards the brethren of the other Constitutions feelings of the warmest description .

Bro . LOWRV then proposed " The Health of Bro . W P . Wilson , E . AV . D . Prov . G . M . for Alctoria , under the Grand Lodge of Scotland , ancl the other Prov . G . Officers . " Professor AYilson , in returning thanks , expressed a hope that all constitutions would some day be united . His endeavour in discharging his duties woidd be to so manage that the brethren of the Scottish should have—when that consummation took place —• nothing to forget .

The , R . AV . PROV . G . AV . then proposed "The Health of the AA'VM . 's of the Lodges in Victoria . " Thanks were returned by Bros . Levick , Lowry , Scott , of Portland , C . Dyte , of Ballarat , and H . Cuthbert , of Ballarat . The last two gentleman drew the E . AV . G . M . ' s attention to the desirability of appointing some of the Prov . G . Officers from the officers ofthe various country ' lodges . The proceedings shortly after terminated . A most agreeable evening was spent , which many will recollect with pleasure and satisfaction .

Masonic Festivities.

MASONIC FESTIVITIES .

DURHAM . SOUTH SHIELDS . —^ . Hilda ' s Lodge ( No . 292 . )—A pleasure trip , under the auspices of the AV . M ., Wardens , ancl brethren of the above lodge , was made by the North Eastern Railway , on Thursday , the 15 th , to the ancient ancl historic town of Alnwick , the residence of Percys , who were themselves the very source ancl centre of Border Stary . In the surrounding district , the great arena

of the conflict between two gallant nations , there is hardly a castle or hill , or valley which is nofc illustrated by historic or romantic story , and almost every natural and poetical element that can contribute to variety of scenery and richness of association is to be found . The wide and cultivated landscape spreads out before lofty mountains , or lies along the banks of some fair river ; the quiet valley contrasts with the " gorse and whirlwind of the gorgeous moor ; " the ruined castle and . dilapidated abbey harmonise in their

desolation with the neighbouring battle-field and its lone momenta ; and homes of genius are scattered amidst scenes sanctified by song and hallowed by renowned tradition . The train left South Shields at a quarter to eight o'clock , ancl arrived safely at Alnwick at about ten , ancl the party proceed immediately to Hulne Park hy way of Forest Lodge , through the Deer Park , varied hy exquisite scenery , woodland avenue , ancl sylvan openings , to British Towera building of elegant designerected by the

, , fi-st Duke of Northumberland , a circular inside staircase conducted the party to fche balcony afc the top , a height of 90 ft ., to a prospect of extent and variety truly magnificent : lofty mountains and barren moors , holy ruins and towers grey with the midst of years , battle fields of old renown , cultivated valleys , the cloudcrowned Cheviots , and , to crown tho whole , " the deep blue sea . " Upon its margin , Bamburgh Castle , the royal residence of the Saxon Kings ; Fern Islands ; Longstone Lighthouse , the

memorable scene of the wreck of the Forfarshire , ancl the adventure of Northumbria ' s lamented heroic daughter , Grace Darling ; Holy Island ; the ^ Keep of AVarkworth Castle , and Coquet Island , with its lighthouse , being amongst the most striking objects . The party leaving Brislee Hill , proceeded to Hulne Abbey ( the first monastery of Carmelite friars in these kingdoms ) , the rendezvous and resting place of the excursionists , where they enjoyed a rustic dinner on the green sward , enlivened at intervals by the merry laugh ancl jest of young and old ; the charms of music brought the active to

Masonic Festivities.

enjoy the "festive dance , " hi order to " chase the tedious hours away with flying ffeet . " The abbey , this interesting relic of the olden times , was an object of special attention of the merrymakers . Tea was afterwards supplied by the worthy and attentive hostess of the Abbey , Madame Faulgier , ancl the party returned to Alnwick . The day was delightfully fine , which contributed most essentially to the enjoyment of the day ' s pleasure . South Shields was arrived at half-past eight , p . m ., amidst the

congratulations ofthe excursionists , upon having spent such an agreeable and pleasant day . Too much praise cannot be awarded to the Railway Company for their attention and general managements for the comfort of the party . The W . M . ( Bro . Buckland ) , Wardens , ancl brethren , and their friends to the number of 300 , enjoyed the trip ; the AV . M . of St . George ' s Lodge ( No . 621 ) , Soutli Shields , and a number of brethren and their friends accompanied the party , as also some from Newcastle , Gateshead , and Sunderland . The occasion will not easily be forgotten for its many pleasant reminiscences ancl agreeable associations .

A Mason In Distress.

A MASON IN DISTRESS .

The following is extracted from a letter to the editor of the Times : — There is now in the Queen ' s Bench a man who has been a prisoner for debt since the year before AVaterloo . His name is W . Miller ; his age , 77 . He is a county debtor , and debarred from the enjoyment of those who support themselves . At three he is turned from the sunny side of the prison into a very dismal yard on

the northern side . For twenty years he supported his mother entirely by his work in the prison , as a first-class cabinet-maker , until , in 1835 , he became crippled from rheumatism in his hands , and is so still . AV . Miller has a good character from the / chaplain ; he is a very intelligent and inoffensive man . He was born afc Christchurch , Hants , ancl entered the Masonic body in 1810 . The prisoner's story is , ancl has been for forty-seven years , that his

name was forged to the bond for which he was arrested by a man who hacl wronged his sister , and that the warrant was not didy signed . He has always declined to acknowledge the legality of his arrest , ancl to go out under the Insolvent Act . By the act just passed all debtors are . compelled to appear before the Court , and to leave the prison . To AV . Miller liberty is starvation or the workhouse . Perhaps some readers may be inclined to save a man of superior mind from dying in misery . He has not a relation in the

world . The Rev . AV . Buck , chaplain , Queen ' s Prison , London , will answer all inquiries . Messrs . Farquhar , bankers , St . James's-street , have kindly consented to receive money paid to " Sir AV . Frasei ' s account , for AV . M . "

Fine Arts.

Fine Arts .

AVATER-COLOUE DRAAVINGS AT THE GOTHIC HALL . An exhibition of water-colour drawings is open to the public at the Gothic Hall , Mortimer-street , Cavendish-square , which deserves attention , as well from the merit of the works exhibited , as the special plan on which they aro arranged , so as to show at a glance the change that has taken place in the art of painting in watercolours .

It is curious to observe , from specimens on the walls of this gallery , how the art has progressed , slowly , indeed , but surely , from the mere washing in of the early drawings , to the bold and vigorous depth of David Cox . Nor is the value of the collection the less enhanced from its having been formed with the leading idea of creating a lending library of works of the best masters , somewhat on the plan of that of Mr . Mudie in books , where , to the great advantage of literature , what is trashy is excluded by works of real

merit being made accessible to the means of all . Amongst the earlier specimens is " Warwick Castle , " by Michael Ang-elo Rooker , of considerable merit ; following upon this is " Ponte Lucano , " by Warwick Smith , exhibiting that stronger local colouring afterwards perfected by Turner , an early drawing of whom ( in 1800 ) of "Thornbury Castle , " is admirable , both in drawing ancl effect , although possessing very little colour . "A View of the Thames at Millbank , " by J . A arley , is a true bit of river landscape , giving , in

the distance , Lambeth Palace ancl Church , now obscured by Vauxhall-bridge , ancl picturing the " White House , " once so clear to old " Westminsters" as their first stage in rowing— -but now gone like the more famous " Red House , " in modern improvements . This picture has all the truth and nature of the master ; although still low in colour ; the sky is deliciously airy , the road-way brightens in the sunshine , and the river flows fresh and free ; so true a study deserves attention . " Beachy Head , " by Scott , of about the same period , is in many respects excellent , but wants power . There is a