Scotland.

" Merry Masons , " during tho playing of which the stone was slowly lifted up . This having been accomplished , Lord Dalhousie called upon the Grand Treasurer , Secretary , and Clerk to place the coins and papers in the cavity of tho stone . A glass casket containing tho following articles was then deposited in the cavity of the stone : —Tho coins of tho realm ; copies of the local newspapers ; a copy of the Glasgow Herald , containing the funeral oration of the Earl of Dalhousie on the

late Sir Archibald Alison ; and , photographs of the Earl of Dalhousie , Captain-Commandant Sandeman , Lieutenant-Colonel Alison , Major Anderson , ancl Adjutant Falconer . The architect having at his lordship ' s request brought forward the proper workmen , the stone was gradually and very slowly lowered into its place , the band the while playing "After many changing years . " This was followed by the usual Masonic

ceremonies , after which his lordship poured from silver vessels measures of corn , wine , and oil upon the stone . The Grand Chaplain ( the Rev . Andrew Taylor ) then offered up tbe following prayer : — Almighty God , Architect of the Universe , whose baud laid tbe foundation of the earth , and whose right hand spanned out the heavens , we , Thy dependent creatures , bow down before Thee

in lowly reverence and Godly fear . Gracious Father and Supreme Ruler , who dost dispose all events , and dispense all blessings , we , Thy unworthy children , approach Thee with confidence and gratitude . God of all grace , we thank Thee that Jesus the sun of righteousness , the day-spring from on high , hath visited our dark and troubled world to guide its inhabitants in the paths of

wisdom and peace . Father of lights , in whom all knowledge , holiness , and blessedness dwell , we praise Thee that Thou hast placed us in a iabitation , all whose manifold objects and wondrous arrangements are so admirably fitted to supply our temporal necessities ,

and that Thou hast given us understanding to discern the properties , laws , and purposes of the natural world , and to apply our knowledge to beneficial uses . Thanking Thee , O Gocl , for tho progress which has lately been made in the discovery of truth , and in the invention of useful arts , we pray that this progress may bn continued and accelerated until all the works of Thy hand fully subserve Thy gracious designs iu their creation , continuanceand government . For this desirable endmerciful

, , Father , be pleased to bless this edifice of which we aro now assembled to lay the foundation . Bo gracious to the association soon to meet within its walls for the advancement of science . Thankful for important benefits which have already been derived from its annual meetings , wc pray that these benefits may in the future be multiplied and extended . Specially wo supplicate Thee to endow all its members with the meekness of wisdom

, so that laying apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness , they may see Thee personally present iu every object and event and law of nature , and thus be led to entertain stronger convictions of Thy personal existence , and to form a higher estimate of the nature ori ginally given toman , to which Thou art desirous to restore him by the truth and spirit of Thy Sonand may bo constrained to live more continuallin Th

, y y fear , trusting in Thy grace , oiicl seeking Thy favour . God of peace , in whom all is harmony of thought and action , and who , of Thy good will to men who had ceased to enjoy Thy friendship , didst send Thy Son to reveal Thy glory , and to ' bring back on oarth the reign of kindness ancl peace , grant that—ail men everywhere , having been renewed unto unfeigned fervent love—private and public enmities and injustice ceaseand

may , that the nations of the earth , acting on tlie principles of righteousness and benevolence , may be permitted and inclined to turn their swords into ploughshares , and their spears into pruning books , and be no more under tho necessity of learning the art of war . °

For tbis great purpose , Almighty God , be gracious to Thy servants , who have voluntarily and patriotically associated themselves together with the view of receiving such training as to be better fitted , if need be , to defend tho liberty and maintain the peace of our native land . Gocl bless our country ; bless our Legislature , our Queen , our Houses of Parliament , and our peopleso that in all our national acts and enterprises

, , guided by equity and truth , we may bo able to preserve peaceful relations with the world . Gocl of nations , so turn the hearts of those iu authority that tho peace of tliis kingdom may be continued . Scatter Thou the people that delight in war . But so long as offences may come to us ( Vom without , may we be ready to protect our national interests from external injury . Specially

bless our volunteer force of all kinds , for whose use aud comfort this hall is chiefly designed . Increase their number , sustain their perseverance , inflame their patriotism , perfect their discipline , and give them strength and skill , should danger threaten , to ward it off , and to keep our land from the oppression of its foes , May our liberty be handed down unimpaired to tbe latest posterity . For our brethren and our companions ' sake , for the sake of our children ' s childrenwe will seek the

, good of our country , and say , Peace aud liberty abide alway within its borders . 0 God , abundantly bless this town in all its interests . Bless its magistrates , ministers , manufacturers , merchants , artizans , and tho whole body of its inhabitants—its churches , schools , its literary , scientific , and benevolent institutions . May its temporal and spiritual prosperity increase and mutually aid each

other . Be gracious to our ancient craft of Masonry . Bless our Provincial Grand Master , and spare him long to preside over the brethren of this province with ability ancl benefit . And may all the brethren , growing in the knowledge of Thee , and in thelove of each other , after finishing , with Thy approval , their earthly workbe admitted into ThHeavenly Kingdom .

, y Ancl , Father of Mercies , we commend to Thy care and keeping-Thy servants who shall be employed in building this hall . May they labour with diligence , and fidelity , and in peace , and brotherly love . Soon and successfully may it be completed , and may it last so long as it is required for civic and national good ^ —Amen . Lord Dalhousie having offered up the prayer customary ou

such occasions , the band again struck up " The Merry Masons . " Tbis concluded tbe Masonic ceremonies . Lord Dalhousie then addressed the assemblage . He said : Right AVorshipful Substitute Grand Master , Right AVorshipful Senior aud Junior AVardens , aud Brethren all of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Forfarshire , to you my few first words must headdressed . I congratulate you upon the issue of the interesting

work in which you have been engaged . I congratulate you on having assembled in such numbers as to give me , as your Provincial Grand Master , the satisfaction of showing the volunteers and people of tbis city , ancl upon such an occasion ,.

that we can sympathise with any work which they have on baud . I thank you for the aid you have given me in accomplishing tho work which we have undertaken to do ; and I trust it has been done in a manner which shall prove efficient as long as this hall stands for any purpose whatever . [ His lordship here called ou Colonel Alison to step forward . ] Hethen said t Colonel Alison , and Volunteers of tbe First Forfarshire Rifle Regiment—I must now address myself to youand

, , I must tell you that , as lord-lieutenant of this county , I feel very proud in having been Masonically engaged to-day in a work which I cannot too highly commend . It is not my intention to address you generally upon the subject of the great nationalbenefit which has arisen from the institution of the volunteer army . That is a matter now of history , and it has spoken for itself bettor than any other man can speak for it . But ,

volunteers , I have to observe that that movement , in its earliest stage , was taken up heartily in Dundee . It has been pursued with efficiency ancl zeal , ancl it has now culminated in your having in your town one of the finest regiments of volunteerrifles , and some batteries of volunteer artillery thsb 1 will undertake to match against any in the United Kingdom . Aud ,. volunteersthis is not owing to any special merit or tact of

, your own , but it is owing to the fact that you have had good commanding officers , and especially my gallant friend , Colonel Alison , upon my left . And you have studied not only to learn your drill , but to be attentive to the orders whicli you havereceived from those who instruct you . This hall will be a vast boon to the volunteers of Dundee , because it will enable you at all times and in all weathers , in winter as well as in summer ,

to devote as much of your leisure time as you are called uponto do to the duties which you have undertaken as military men-I perfectly concur in the words of the beautiful prayer offered up by ouv Grand Chaplain that the horrors of war may be long averted , not only from this land , but from thisnation . But of this I fed more secure than I did : that if war is to burst upon the countryancl whilst we have our regular

, army fighting our battles abroad , we can feel secure in ourhomes and on our hearths , knowing that a volunteer army remains there ready to guard them . Volunteers , I thank yom for the manner in whicli you have rallied round your standard , ancl for the manner in which you have received and accompanied