Knights Templar.

Suffolk ; AV . Cuckow , E . J . Robertson , and others . The encamp . ment having been opened , the ballot was then taken for Comp . Henry Blackwood MacCall , of a Madras Chapter , who was accepted aud installed as a Masonic Knight Templar , the ceremony being performed by Sir Knight C . Townsend , P . E . C . Ifc was announced thafc a Priory of Malta would be held on Tuesday , the 29 fch , for the installation of Sir Knight MacCall and other members of the encampment . The brethren afterwards retired for refreshment .

Masonic Festivities.

MASONIC FESTIVITIES .

BLACKBURN . —MASONIC PIC-NIC TO BOLTON ABBEY . On Thursday , the 17 fch inst ., the brethren of Lodge of Perseverance ( No . 345 ) , held afc the Old Bull Hotel , together with several members of Lodge of United Brethren ( iso . 346 ) , Clayfconle-Dale , and also of Fidelity ( No . 269 ) , Blackburn , formed a pic-nic party to Bolton Abbey and AVoods , near to the seat of the Duke of Devonshire . The company assembled afc fche railway station at 7 o ' clock a . m ., in all numbering 64 ladies and

gentlemen , and were accommodated with spacious and very handsome saloon carriages . They were accompanied by the Borough Band , which during the day enlivened fche fete with a varied and splended selection of choice music , which it is needless to remark was given iu first rate style . On the arrival of the train afc Skiptou , afc 9 . 30 , the brethren , with their wives , formed in procession , and , headed by the band , proceeded to the Devonshire Arms Hotel , where a capital breakfast awaited them ,

to whicli full justice was done by appetites sharpened by the previous ride of 30 miles . Breakfast ended , the company forthwith proceeded in six waggonettes and other vehicles to their destination in fche grounds of Bolton Abbey , where they inspected the remains of fchafc once famous ecclesiastical fabric , now lying in mouldering and moss-covered ruins . Adjacent to the Abbey stands the venerable and noble chapel , in a state of admirable preservationand in whichit must be noteddivine service is

, , , regularly performed . The chapel is neatly fittod up with benches , and will contain , it may be , some 300 persons . The pulpit and reading-desk are of carved stone , corresponding with the general architecture of the building . Over the communion table there is a painting of our Saviour bearing the cross . The tall lanceu windows are full of beauti ful stained glass , the subjects being of a scriptural character . On leaving the chapel the party wended their way into the woods , and among other sights

visited " The Strid , which , as many of our readers know , is a declivity formed by the waters rushing between two tremendous blocks of stone . We believe it has heen the scene of one or two most lamentable catastrophes , in consequence of the reckless rashness of visitors . Tho scenery afc this part of the river Wharf is of the mast magnificent character , and will well repay the time taken up in a trip . At this point the pleasure of the company was a little damped by a smart shower , but , being well

provided with cloaks and umbrellas , no harm was done . The sun burst forth again with great splendour , and the weather was all that could bo desired afterwards . A plentiful luncheon was here unpacked , of sandwiches and other edibles , and the company sat down under the shade of those noble old trees , and enjoyed with great zest the provisions . Luncheon over , Bros . Towers and Birkett sang " The Men of Merry England "; and afc the request of tho company Bro . f ipladyiu a neat and appropriate

, speech , proposed the health of the Queen , observing that it was well-known her Majesty was a great admirer of rural scenery . Ihe toast was responded to by acclamation , the band striking up "God save the Queen . " After this , Bro . Tiplady proposed the health of tho noble duke , the proprietor of the mansion , abbey , and estates , in doing which he gave a short recitation from that grand poem , " Thompson ' s Seasons . " Tho band then gave in splendid style the "Fine old English gentleman" in

, which the company joined in chorus . A select party of eight couples then formed , and to the strains of music tripped "the light fantastic toe " on the green sward . At this juncture there appeared a bevy of young ladies from a seminary in Leeds , about 50 in number , who no sooner beard the sounds of music than they quickly formed into a dancing party , and were allowed by their preceptors to enjoy themselves for half-an-hour to the strains of Mr . George Ellis ' s superior baud . It was now I time

to return to Skipton , where all arrived at five o ' clock p . m ., and wtre quite prepared to enjoy the " cup that cheers bufc nofc . inebriates . " Tea over , a stroll in the gardens of the hotel brought the hour at which the train was due , so taking a hearty leave of mine host of the Devonshire , who had catered so liberally for his grests , the company , led up by the band , proceeded to fche station , and in a few minutes were on their way

home , where all arrived in safety at 9 . 30 p . m ., greatly delighted with the pic-nic The brethren owe sincere thanks to Bros . Eastwood , Ingham , and Duckworth for their very excellent arrangements , which contributed materially to the comfort and enjoyment of the party . Their thanks are also due to the railway officials for their kindness , and to fche station master ,, who , having leave of absence for the day , accompanied the party .

NEW CONCORD LODGE ( No . 813 ) . The Summer Banquet of this Lodge was held on Wednesday , 16 th inst ., afc the Crystal Palace , aud was one of the successes of the present Masonic season . Upwards of seventy ladies aud gentlemen sat down to an excellent entertainment , provided by Messrs . Bertram and Roberts . The AV . AI ., Bro . M . J . Adkins ,. presided , assisted by his two wardens , Bros . Salisbury and DennyBros . J . EmmensP . M . and P . G . P . ; AVilsonP . M .

, , , ; Treas . and P . G . D ., Middlesex ; Cornwall , P . M . 65 ; Main , Hart , Bartlett , Gabb , G . ibb , j tin ., Abseil , Tannaire , Faucquez , Sinclair , Captain Taylor , aud many visitors . AA'hen the cloth was cleared a number of loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to , aud tbe AV . M ., in name of the lodge , presented Bro . Main , P . M . aud Secretary , with a secretary ' s jewel in solid gold . The toast of the " Alasonic Charities" was responded to by Bro .

Terry , P . G . S . B ,, Herts . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . McDavitt , ajid comprised Miss Fraser , Miss-Faucquez , Messrs . Hunt , Hubbard , and Hogan . Bro . Cozens presided at the pianoforte .

THE SCOTT CENTENARY AT CARLISLE . On Tuesday , the 15 th inst ., tho centenary of the birth of Sir AValter Scott , the Freemasons' Hall , Castle Street , in thafc city , was thrown open for public inspection ; and during the day a large number of people availed themselves of the opportunity of visiting the house where Sir AValter Scott resided when in Carlisle , and afc the same time examining tho elaborate regalia of the Masonic order . The hall was very neatlfitted

y , up , and during Tuesday and AVednesday flags flaunted from the windows of the building . A document posted up above the visitors' book informed those who visited the hall , that Scott was married in Carlisle . The document , which is certified by the Rev . A . Ramsay Macduff B . A ., curate of St . Mary ' s , to bo a true extract from the register of marriages of tho parish of St .. Mary's , Carlisle , in fche year 1797 , is as follows : — " Page 52 . Marriages solemnised in the Parish Church of

St . Mary ' s , Carlisle , No . 197 . AA'alter Scott , of the parish of St . Andrew's , in Edinburgh , Esq ., bachelor , and Margaret Charlotte Carpenter , of this parish , single woman , were married in this church , by license , this 24 th day ot December , in v , he year 1797 , by me , J . BROWN . This marriage was solemnised -,,- ™ , ? ,. ' c- _ . _ . between ™ Charlotte Scott ,

us , j : late Carpenter . - la the presence of { & £ * $ ?» ¦

On Tursday , 17 th inst ., Bro . Walter Shriinpton , for manyyears stationmaster afc Exmoufcb , Devonshire , died trom the effects of a pistol-shot . The facts are as follows : —On AVednesday evening Bro . Shriinpton had been out for a stroll with his friend--, Mr . J , T . Bickford , chemist ; Mr . Nankivell , draper ; and Mr . George Maynard , watchmaker . As they were returning homo togethershortlbefore 12 o'clockthey went with

, y , Mr . Maynard into his shop , and stayed there while he took his watches and jewellery out of his window , and placed the articles , according to custom , in a box , preparatory to removing them to his bedroom for the night . After the valuables were all placed iu the box , Bro . Shriinpton remarked jocularly ,