Mark Masonry.

Bro . G . G . Hayward , P . M . G . I . G ., at the request of the AV . M ., then occupied the chair in tbe east . The S . AV . and acting Sec , Bro . A . AVoodhouse , was conducted to the pedestal when he received the O . B ., after whicli , aboard of Installed Masters were formed , and Bro . Woodhouse was properly inducted into the chair . The brethren were re-admitted and saluted the W . M . The W . M . then appointed and invested his officers as follows : — BrosAVJohnstonI . P . M . ; J . PorterS . W . ; AV . CourtJ . W . ;

. . , , , AV . Pratchitt , M . O . ; F . W . Hayward , P . M ., P . G . J . D . as S . O . and Treas . ; J . Nicholson , J . O . ; R . James , S . D . ; J . Wood , I . D . ; T . Blacklock , P . M ., P . G . S . as I . G . ; John Barnes , Tyler . Bro . O . G . Hayward acted as Installing Master and performed his duty well . In answer to the usual questions it was proposed and carried that the sum of £ 2 2 s . be forwarded to Bro . F . Binckes , G . Sec , as a donation towards the Mark Masters

Benevolent Fund . Two gentlemen , Bros . G . Shannon , M . D ., and Thomas McMichan , both of Wigtoii , Cumberland , are to be advanced in August next . The lodge was then duly closed , and the brethren adjourned to the refreshment room , where the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were severally drank , all parting in that peace and love that so characterises this lodge .

DEVONSHIRE . TOTKES . —Pleiades Lodge ( No . 26 ) . —Tiie quarterly meeting was held at tho Masonic Rooms , at G . 30 p . m ., on Wednesday , the 13 th inst . The W . M . having been called away by urgent business , the chair was taken by Bro . Dr . Hopkins , P . M . & Past G . J . W . He was supported bv the Wardens , Bros . Glanfield and Niner ; Rev . R . BowdenI . P . M . and Bro . MarksReg . The

, , , rest of the officers being absent , their places were supplied by Bro . Oldrey , as S . D ., and others . The lodge was opened in the usual form , but the minutes could not be read and continued , as the Secretary had not brought or sent the books . Bro . Watson , of Torquay , was duly admitted to the degree of Mark Master by the acting AV . M . No other business offering , the lodge was dosed at about 8 p . m .

Knights Templar.

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR .

INDIA . MADRAS . —Supreme Grand Conclave . ¦ At a meeting ofthe Supreme Grand Conclave held in London , 'December 10 , 1869 , Sir Knt . Arthur Macdonaltl Ritchie attended to do homage on his appointment as prov . Grand Commander for Madras , and V . E . Knt . Col . A . T . Greenlaw , Prov . G . Commander of British Burmah , now at Madras , was directed to act

as his Deputy during V . E . Com . Ritchie ' s absence consequent on this order . V . E . Sir Knt . Col . A . S . Greenlaw established the Prov . G . Conclwe at Madras on May 30 , 1870 . The following are tbe officers of the Prov . Of . Conclave : — V . E . Sir Knts . Ritchie , Prov . G . Com . ; Greenlaw , P . G . Com . B . Burmah , P . G . D . Com . ; J . Miller , P . G . 1 st Capt . ; J . Mills , 2 nd Capt . ; Greatorex , Chancellor ; Branson , Registrar ; Coleman , Treasurer ; Joyes , Chamberlain ; M . F . Miller , Hospitaller ;

Gardner , Dir . of Cers . ; Eraser , Supt . of Works ; Smithers , Marechal ; Gadsden , Provost ; Lewis , Almoner ; Murray , Expert ; Cardogo , Nar . Regalia ; Vincent , 1 st Standard Bearer ; Lyster , 2 nd Standard Bearer ; Jesudasen , Aide de Camp ; H . Tate , Capt . Lines ; Pearse , 1 st Herald ; Price , 2 nd Herald ; C . Tait , Org . ; Wright , Banner Bearer ; Axelby , Equerry ; Prater Monisse , Assist . Equerry ; Joyes and Hither , Stewards . Sir Knt . Greenlaw has done much for Masonry here , and it is hoped that when R . W . Bro . Ritchie returns , whicli he will do next month , that Masonry will make an advance in Madras .

Masonic Festivities.

MASONIC FESTIVITIES .

SUN DBF * LAND . MASONIC PIC-NIC . Among the principal promoters of this fete , whicli took place on Wednesday , the 10 th in = t ., may bo mentioned the "W . M . of the Williamson Lodge , Bro . Robert Hudson ; the W . M . of the St . John's Lodge , Bro . Eobt . Dixon ; and Bro . W . H . Crookes , P . M . and ^ P . G . S .. The number of tickets sold was nearly 300 , confined strictly to the members of tbe Graft and their respective

families . The journey was from Sunderland to Gilsland , a distance of fifty miles on- the direct route for Carlisle , and the time of starting 7 . 30 a . m . Tho assembling at the Monkwearmouth Station was a scene quite pleasant to witness—the faces of young and old beaming with anticipation in the morning light—for the sun had not yet looked out "from the chambers of

the east , " but was busy there , edging the grey clouds with a golden lustre , giving a promise of gladness to the coming day . After the many friendly greetings , and the bustle usual on such occasions to secure places , the whistle of the guard and the snortings of ' ' puffing Billy , " proclaimed the train in motion , and which was soon rattling along at the rate of twenty miles an hour .

In a twinkling wo were in sight of " canny Newcastle , " we see Bonwell Town in the distance , where dwelt that local celebrity "Billy Oliver "—he was " sic a diver chap . " Passing - through Blaydon , we are reminded of its hevos—Joseph Cowen and Son—ever foremost iu the vanguard of social and political liberty , and labouring incessantly for the moral ancl intellectual elevation of the

industrial community . Manifold are the objects of interest that border our path as we are carried along . The ruins of Pcudoc Castle look grand and graceful from the top of the top of the hill , though "the long grass o ' ert-ops its mouldering walls ; " Dilston Castle ar . d the Derwentvvater Estate command special attention from the belligerent fashion in which a countess of that name has

lately pushed her claims to its honours and emoluments . But , on , on ! we go , like the "gallant six hundred " through one of the most fertile and picturesque valleys in the north , hill and plain , wood and water , alternately come in view , at times going through a forest of trees , while glintings from the face of old Father Tyne , through their branches , bespangle our path as we roll on . We bait at the fine of old town of Hexham ; doors arc flung open—a rush is made—and " prodigious " the contents of orange stalls and frnifc baskets are quickly transferred

from the platform , to the carriages , and are spread , that all may share ; feelings of mine and thine at once lose sway- -make free , they are ours and yours—with feasting and jollity , no anxiety is felt for the end of the journey and are even surprised when tho train is brought to a standstill at Eosehill Station , Gilsland . Mr . Gelard ' s famous hotel ( the place of our destination )

is in full view before us , about two miles distant , stretching its large dimensions along the brow of a beautiful green hill . Breaks and waggonettes are in groat demand , while some prefer to walk , by bridge and stile and rural footpath , and all meet simultaneously at the place appointed . It is yet two hours to luncheon time , and the party sally off in groups to visit the various

objects of interest in the vicinity ; some to Orchard Hull , half hidden in the green woodlands ; others to the Sulphur Springs , where tho green and grey rocks rise perpendicularly a hundred feet above your heads ; some wend their way to the Soman Wall ; others to se ; the " Popping-stone , " where it is said that Sir Walter Scott popped the question to his blushing fair one—youngsters

carry away splinters from this stone , that a speedy marriage , with the one of their choice , may be effected ; —some go to see Written Oraggs , on the river Gelt ; others to the grave of Megg Dobbs , in Denton churchyard , and to view Mumps Hall , her residence , rendered famous by Sir Walter Scott , in " Guy Maimeriiig . " Tho parties return , and a festive scene ensues ; a range of

tables , fifty yards long , placed in an avenue of trees , and loaded with every dainty , met the eye , and to which full justice was soon clone , when the sound of the cornet proclaimed that the band had already taken its place on the green . Hither flocked tho grave and . gay , sportive youth and sober ago , the one to join in the " light , fantastic " dance , the other to look on with smiles of approbation ; some to toss tbe ball or throw tho bowl , or join in quiet conversation . It was a sight for strangers to see how Masons could deport themselves , on such a