Scotland.

auspices of the Alloa St . John's Lodgo , but was not restricted to Brethren of tho mystic tie—the public having been invited to be present . The meeting was held under tbe presidency of W . Dow'ning Bruce , Esq ., of Garlet and Kilbagic , who was supported by R . 0 . Arnot , Esq . ; the Rev . P . Stewart , ALA . ; Charles Penney , Esq ., jun . ; Master Robt . Dalrymple B . Bruce ; Air . James Fairlie ; Air . John Younger , & c . tho croupiers ivere Air . AVatson , Sir . AV . M'Queen , and Mr . S . N . Morison . The room was very elegantldecorated Avith floiversevergreenspicturesand

y , , , armour , and numerous relies of interest , among which ivas tho sword of King Robert the Bruce . The healths of " The Queen" and " The Royal Family , " The Army and Navy , " & c „ having been duly honoured . The chairman rose to propose the toast of the evening . He said—In rising to call your attention to the event ive are assembled to commemorate , I feel oppressed with a sense of my oivn unworthiness to fill so exalted a position as you have

called upon me to occupy to-night . I am aware that no language I can find can be adequate to set forth the merits of that unrivalled poet , of that real true hearted Scotsman Avho , one hundred years ago to-day , first opened his eyes upon a world which should henceforth cherish his name among its choicest recollections . If I could catch one spark of that heavenly fire ivith which he was so prodigally endoived , if I could borrow' some of his charm of language , some of his grace and poAver of expression , I might then sot forth , in language worthy of the theme , the

eminent obligation that Scotland—that the whole civilised world—arc under to Robert Burns . How grandly sboivs the unity of Scotland's sons , the innate affinities which bind them into one great brotherhood . There is scarcely a village iu tbe land which is not , on this remarkable evening , holding high revel , with the poet , singing his songs , and listening to the praises of his genius , ancl not alone throughout Scotland , but everyivhero whore Scotchmen are located—and where , I ask , throughout the wide world , Avhere dangers are lobe dared or glory is to be Avon , are they not to bo found first among the foremost ? Everyivbere is this day being kept as a day of festivity , held sacredto joyful though chastened recollections . In the

metropolis of the south there is a celebration on a scale befitting the dignity of that city ; and on the continent of Europe , in Ireland , Canada , in the United States , in far-off NBAV Zealand , in Australia , men are keeping the Burns' Centenary with a fervour equal to that which is distinguishing the anniversary at home . Nay , even under the burning sun of India , our gallant fellow-countrymen who have been cheered by the matchless melodies ofthe bard AA'hen in bivouac , or inspired by them ivith fresh courage when on the battle field , seek an evening ' s relaxation from the toil of war to think of home and Robert Burns . " After an eloquent tribute to tho

lranscendant genius of the bard , Mr . Bruce continued . '— "While the love of Burns resides in the souls of the people , this country can never retrograde , can never sinkinto effeminacy , can never lose tho high position it has Avon against such overwhelming odds in the strife of nations , for no one can lovo Uurns ' s ivories without loving what is noble , what is generous , what is manly , ivhat is truthful aud exalting . Gentlemen , standing before yon as I do this evening , not merely as chairman of this meeting but as Alaster of the Alloa St . John ' s Lodge , recollecting

the auspices under which this gathering is held , and seeing around me so many of my Alasonic Brethren , I cannot omit an allusion to what AVIIS a distinguished feature in Burns ' s career—his genuine devotion to Masonry . A heart like his , perpetually yearning to draw the bonds of human brotherhood closer—au intellect liko his , ceaselessly thirsting for more light upon the abstruse problems Avhich encircle humanity—could not fail to seek early admittance into the Order , which joins the search after occult knowledge ivith the liveliest exercise of practical friendship .

To that Order he solicited and gained admission , in the bloom ofhis manhood , and to that Order he remained a devotedly attached adherent to the day of bis death . It is but faiv to state that his devotion to tho mystic brotherhood , like virtue , brought AA'ith it its OAVU recompense , for to that Order he oAved some of the brightest friendships and nearly all the success he obtained through life . It may interest my non-Masonic friends to knoiv that Burns AVIIS first initiated into the mysteries of the Craft at Tarbolton when in the twenty-third year of his age . So congenial to bis enthusiastic disposition ivas the performance of the customary