Masonic Festivities.

MASONIC FESTIVITIES .

BBISTOL . PRESENT AIMS OE AX ABBBRSS TO BRO . G . CHICK , P . M ., P . PKOV . G . S . W ., P . M . AND TUBAS , OJ ? Rer .. L CLARENCE LODGE , NO . 68 . A banquet took place on the 7 th inst . at the . Montague Hotel , Kingsdown , Bristol , to present an address to Bro-Gr . Chick , P . M ., upon bis entrance into the 50 th year of

Freemasonry . The address was presented by the Prov . G . M ., W- A . F . Powell , in the most feeling manner , and at the conclusion of his speech the brethren most warmly applauded him , and the Prov . G . M . then called upon the Secretary , Bro . Compton , P . M ., P . Prov . G . Dir . of Cers ., to read the following address , ivhich was engrossed and emblazoned on vellum : —

"To G . Chick , Esq ., P . Pro . G-S . W-, P . M . and Treas . of the Royal Clarence Lodge , No- 68 . Dear Sir and Brother , —It is ivith the most sincere respect and fraternal regard that we now beg to offer you our heartfelt congratulations upon the auspicious event of your this day entering upon the 50 th year of Freemasonry , during ivhich time you have held the

most distinguished positions , and have now the satisfaction of knowing that the great zeal and attention you have shown in our noble Order has endeared you , not only to the members of your own lodge , but also to tho members of the province generally ; and we most fervently trust that T-G . A . O . T . U . will grant you renewed health and strength to continue the noble work you have

so long and so well performed , and that we may 3-efc have you amongst us to grace our Councils and favour us with your advice . —We are , clear Sir and Brother , yours very fraternally , "Signed— W . A . F . POWELL , D . P . G . M . " SAMUEL BRYANT , P . P . G . S . W . " ROHERT SCOTT , P . P . G-S . D . & W-M ., 68 . "FREDKRICK G . POWELL , S . AV ., 68 . " ROBERT CMIPI-ON , P . P . G . D . C ., P . M . & Sec , 68 .

The following were amongst the brethren present : — Bros . Robert Scott , P . Prov . G . S-D . & AV . M . 68 , in the chair ; W . A . P . Powell , D . P . G . M . ; S . Bryant , P . Prov . G . S . W- ; Thomas Bele , P . Prov . G . J . W . & W . M ., 610 ; Hewitt , W . M ., 203 ; G . A . Gardiner , P . Prov . G . S . B ; William Lemon , P . Prov . G . S . B . & P . M ., 610 ; Thomas Sainsbm-y , P . M . 68 ; P . G . Powell , S . W . 6 S ; James Baker ,

J . W . 68 -. J . Yalland , P . G . Steward , 68 ; Richard Cripps , 187 ; Bingham , 68 , Shellard , 68 ; Godfrey , 68 ; Cooksley , 6 ' 8 ; Mallard , 68 ; Harris , 68 ; Clements , 68 ; Board , 68 ; Johnson , 68 ; Tromp , 610 ; Godwin , 68 ; Knowland , 68 ; Todd , 6 'Sj Capt . Beaue , 68 ; Smart , 68 ; Abbott , 6 S ; Hill , 68 ; Iiighmau , OS ; Marriott , 68 ; Parker 68 , Palmer , 68 , & c .

The usual Masonic toasts having been proposed and honoured , Pro . S . Bryanc proposed the toast of the evening— "Bro . G . Chick , P . Prov . G . S . W ., " and enumerated many pleasing traits of his trul y Masonic charitable feelings , which was received with much applause . The address having been read and presented , Bro . G . Chick returned thanks in very feeling terms for the compliment paid him . Other toasts followed , and the evening passed off most agreeably .

SCOTLAND . GLASGOW The eighth annual masonic festival of all tho lodges in this provinces was held in the City Hall . There " was a very numerous attendance . Bro . Prod . A . Barrow , acting P . G . Master , occupied the chair ; and nmongsb those on the platform were the Right Hon , the Earl of Dalhousie , K . T ., G . C . B , G . Master Mason of Scotland ; Bros . W . Mann , J . G . W . ; W . A . Lawrie , G . Sec ; A . J .

Stewart , G- Clerk ; Alex . Hay , Grand Jeweller ; John Coghili , Grand Mareschal ; H . P . Maclean , P . G . M . Upper Lanarkshire , all of Edinburgh ; Major Barbor , D . Prov . G . M . Mid Lanarkshire ; J . Steele , P . S . G . W ., E . W . M . 4 ; Bov . G . S . Burns ( Cathedral ) , P . G . Chap . ; W . Smith , P . G . Sec . ; Eobert Robb , P . O . Mars . ; James Leith , P . G . Dir . of Cers . ; D . P . Low , P-G . Architect ; Jas Wallace ,

G . S . ; Donald Campbeii , P . D-P . G . iAL ; J . Baird , R . W . M . 32 ; J . B . Walker , P . M . 3- ; McTaggart , R . W . M . 27 ; S . J . Gillies , P . M . 103 ; G- McLeod , P . M . 128 ; J . Singleton , P . M . AV . 219 ; A . Mclntyre , R . W . M . 333 ; J . E . Wilson , P . M . 354 . ; J . Anderson , R . W . M . 362 ; T . M . Campbell , R . W . M . 408 , all of Glasgow ; S . Bennett , P . M . 18 , Dumbarton ; and D . Murray Lyon , of Ayr .

The Chairman addressed the company . He said ; I regret exceedingly that Captain Speirs , P . G . Master , is detained by illness from being with us this evening . Allow me to congratulate you upon this occasion , which is now our eighth annual masonic festival . The appearance of the hall , with its vast assembly , enlivened by the presence of so many ladies , is a proof that the

good cause of Freemason ;^ has not waned in your estimation . The presence of the G-M . M . of Scotland , tho Right Honourable the Earl of Dalhousie , and the deputation from the Grand Lodge lends a grace and also a dignified pleasure to our meeting . We have many times had ample proof of the great interest the Grand Master and Grand Lodgo take in Freemasonry in this province . But , after all , what is Freemasonry ? Itis a system of brotherhood founded upon charity and

benevolence , and a good mason is a good man , a good husband , a good father , and the act of benevolence springs from his heart . The Provincial Grand Committee of the Benevolent Pund have during the past year relieved nearly 150 cases of distress , in sums varying from 10 s . to £ 5 , thereby causing the widow ' s heart to sing and tho children to clap their hands for joy ,

besides caring for distressed brethren . So general and universal is this principle carried out in Freemasonry that the brethren throughout the world sympathise and cave for their distressed brethren . Nov is this system of benevolence in Scotland confined to Glasgow ; for the Grand Lodge has relieved nearly 200 cases of distressmasons or their families and relations—in siams

amounting from £ 1 to £ 10 . The Prov . G . Lodge has now in contemplation a scheme for a 3-et greater extension of benevolence , and I trust that all interested therein will heartily respond thereto . They have also a scheme to secure a masonic hall wherein our business and social meetings may take plaee . Already have their efforts been crowned with success , and I trust the whole fraternity of this province will aid to make this a triumphant realisation .

The Earl of Dalhousie afterwards addressed the assemblage . His Lordship , who was enthusiastically received , said—Permit me to say that it has given me the greatest pleasure to be amongst you this evening ; for I have witnessed a scene , of which , though I have seen many in my masonic career , it never yet happened to me to see the like . I had never seen before masons ,

and masons'wives , and masons' sweethearts , and masons ' bairns all gathered together in tho same happy company . I hold it as a proof of the prosperous and harmonious manner in which masonry is working in this the metropolis of the AVest . This meeting reminds me very much of the mutability of human affairs . When last it was my lot to address the craft in this hall we were all clad in

mourning , and plunged in gloom . Now the sun rises upon us—all is hilarity , serenity , and pleasure ; and I trust that such may ahvays exist among the craft of Glasgow . Your chairman lias touched somewhat upon the duties of masonry . Masonry has duties , it has practical work , it has principles upon which it acts . The principles of masonry consist in love , in obedience , and in universal charity to brethren , and to all mankind—in exhibiting love , first of all , to the great Architect of the