Scotland.

its head as that which ' embodies its spirit ? All these varied duties our late lamented Grand Master discharged , as long as his health permitted it , in the most exemplary manner . The foundation-stones of the chief public edifices constructed in Scotland during the last quarter of a century have been laid by him . In Edinburgh he officiated in that character at the foundation of the Waverley Monument , and many others , ivhieh are now the chief . ornaments of that beautiful capital , in this

city , of the Stowell Bridge , the Gartnavel Asylum , and the Scott Monument ; and at Stirling , in presence of an hundred thousand spectators , and surrounded by five thousand Freemasons , of the Wallace Monument . A more fitting person to discharge that important duty could not have been selected , for five hundred years before , one of his direct ancestors , the Earl of" " Athole , had been one of the companions and fellow soldiers of Wallace in the great struggle for Scottish independence . It is not

surprising that our late Grand Master took such an interest in the proceedings of olir fraternity , and ivas so active in discharging its duties . He belonged to a race which , for more than a century , had repeatedly given a Grand Master to the Freemasons of Scotland , and had never ceased to feel a great interest in their ivhole proceedings . His oivn disposition rendering him peculiarly open to its influences . At once energetic and active , patient and enduring of suffering ,

resolute and humane , his spirit was unwearied , his heart was warm , his disposition ivas chivalrous . His ear Avas ever open to the tale of suffering , his hand ready to assuage it . He was liberal without ostentation , hospitable ivithout prodigality . While he secured the affections of the tenantry on his great estates by his kindly demeanour and uniform attention to their interests , he won the hearts of all who approached hiir by his affability and courtesy . At the same time , he nobly discharged the duties of a Highland chieftan , often to the most exalted characters . A Queen of England , an Empress of France ,

at different times shared his hospitality . Few eminent strangers visited the Highlands without having a tale to recount of the princely hospitality of Blair-Athole . Nor was his kindly spirit confined to the highest classes . Many of you , brothers , can testify how ably , with what heartfelt benevolence he laid aside his rank and joined in the social festivities of the Craft in this city and neighbourhood . But most of all , on the approach of deathdid his character shine forth with peculiar lustre . AVhen

, the inevitable hour approached to him , as it must do to all , he awaited it in a noble spirit . His was neither the blind stoicism of the sceptic , nor the wrapt enthusiasm of the fanatic—it ivas the intrepid demeanour of a Christian . Assailed in the prime of life by a slow but incurable and most painful disease , he bore his sufferings with fortitude , and looked forward to the issue ivithout dismay . For three months he was face

to face with the King of Terrors , in his most appalling form , and he { never flinched from the sight . His whole thought was of others ; his ivhole anxiety to discharge his dut y to his Queen , his people , and his country . His last effort was to Tise from the bed of death to meet his Sovereign , who , with graceful courtesy , had come to Blair Athole to give a public testimony to his worth . His firm reliance was on his Saviour

, and when at length the " silver cord ivas loosed and the golden bowl broken , and the spirit returned to the God who gave it , " and his sufferings were terminated , he yielded up his last breath with the hope of a Christian , with the courage of a Highlander and in the spirit of a Freemason . The learned brother was listened to with deep attention by all presenthimself being not tbe least affected of the whole

, . During the delivery , and , indeed , afrer the beautiful peroration , the most | breathless silence prevailed amidst the vast assemblage . The " grand honours" having been again performed , Bro . Bromhead sang the subjoined short anthem to Handel ' s appropriate music , Bro . Lambeth accompanying him on the organ : —

Waft him angels through the skies , Far above yon azure plain , Glorious there like you to rise , There like you for ei'er reign . The brethren again standing up , the Prov . G . Chap , and the orethren read as follows : Prov .

Brethren . —So mote it . Prov . Gr . ^ Chap . —May ive bear one the others burdens , rule our spirits , and square our actions according to Thy testimonies .

Brethren—So mote it be . Prov . G-. Chap . —May we have wisdom from on high to direct us , strength equal to our task to support us , and the beauty of holiness to adorn and render all our performances acceptable in Thy sight . Brethren—So mote it be . All together—Glory be to God on high , and on earth peace and goodwill towards men . We praise Thee : we bless Thee

we worship Thee : ive give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory , O Lord God , heavenly King , the Father Almighty . The Prov . G . Chap , then prayed : — Almighty Framer of our spirits , give us thy blessing : accept our praises : hear our prayers . What thou hast seen amiss forgive . Smile now and ever upon our meetings . Bless our ivhole brotherhood . May all we do he begun , concluded , and ended in Thee . Make us pitiful and courteous . Build us

up together into an holy temple . May our walls be salvation and our gates praise , and the ivhole be fitly framed together , being built upon the provided foundation-stone , elect and precious . Hear us , 0 King of Heaven , when we cry , and let the ivhole earth be filled with Thy glory . Amen , and Amen . The choir and organ noiv combined in the anthem , by Heber : — God that madest earth and heaven , Darkness and light ! Who the day for toil hast given , For rest the night .

May Thine angel-guards defend us , Slumber sweet Thy mercy send us ! Holy dreams and hopes attend us , This live-long night . And all upstanding , the subjoined Masonic national antheai was sung by the brethren assembled , led by the organ ;—Solo . God save our gracious Queen

, Long may Victoria reign , God save the Queen . Brethren . God save our gracious Queen , Long may Victoria reign , God save the Queen . Solo . May she defend our laws , And ever give us cause

To sing with heart and voice , God sava the Queen . Brethren , May she defend our laws , And ever give us cause To sing with heart and voice , God save the Queen . Solo . Hail ! mystic , holy light ,

Heaven-horn , and over bright , Spread more and more . Brethren . Hail ! mystic , holy light , Heaven-born , and ever bright , Spread more and more . Solo . Light of the bold and the free—Honour and Loyalty ; Light of Freemasonry , Ne'er leave our shore .

Brethren . Light of the bold and the free—Honour and Loyalty ; Light of Freemasonry , Ne ' er leave our shore Solo . Almighty Architect , Counsel , uphold , direct , Our loved Queen .

Brethren . Almighty Architect , Counsel , uphold direct , Our loved Queen . Solo . Shield her with loving care , Her Mighty grief we share , We pray Thee long to spare , Our loved Queen .

Brethren . Shield her with loving care , Her Mighty grief we share , We pray Thee long to spare , Our loved Queen .