Irvine Express. — 1883-12-14 (Irvine, Strathclyde, Scotland)

COCHRAN-PATRICK, M.P. said— On behalf of the Mother Lodge of Scotland,l return you our most cordial thanks for the kindly words which you have used in proposing this toast, and for the cordial manner in which it has been received. I can assure you that the words you have used towards Mother Lodge will long be remembered, and permit me also to say that the compliment your Lordship has paid to the Mother Lodge of ecotland in coming here to-night at very considerable personal inconvenience to yourself from a long distance to preside over an assembly of brethren of the Mother Lodge of Scotland is an incidebt that the Mother Lodge will not easily forget. (Applause.) I for one, and I believe I speak for every other brother here present, have hiard with very great satisfaction to-night the words you have used in replying for the Grand Lodge of Scotland. We do not forget in Mother Kilwinning that there was a time when we were, in point of fact, not only the Mother Lodge, but the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and that at that time, as now-a-days, the interests of the craft required unification. I speak for the brethren here present in saying that we are extremely well satisfied with the sentiments you have given expression to to-night, and which I know myself you have long 'struggled for—viz., that the Grand Lodge of Scotland should not be identified with any one spot, but should spread its encircling arms over the whole country at large. (Applause.) The Mother Lodge of Scotland has certain claims, no doubt, upon the Masonic fraternity. It is not only in this country that our claims are looked epee, with respect and affection, but, I know myself, when I have gone to other parts of the world, I have found in Italy, Germany, and more especially in Norway and Sweden and Lemnark, the Mother Lodge of Scotland received amongst all Masons with extreme cordiality. More e3pecially in Scandinavia have I found this the case. I have enjoyed the most hearty hospitality from people -who were absolutely and entirely personal strangers to myself simply from the fact that I introduced myself as a Mason. And when those people heard that I was connected with the Mother Lodge, and happened to have the honour at that time of being its Master, they carried out Masonic principlos absointely and literally, and offered me on that account alone the most hearty hospitality, which I shall never forget. It is also a peculiarity with regard to Mother Lodge that she has the privilege of appointing the Proviucial Grand Master for the whole province of Ayrshire. On behalf of that province I have to thank you for the kindly words you have used toir is it. I know very well, from my knowledge of the brethren in the various parts of that great province, the enthusiastic way in which they carry ont the principles -of Masonry. I have often wished, if it were possible, that we might have opportunities of more frequently meeting together, but the distances are great, and the times sad places otmeeting are -not always convenient. But we hope ere long, by reneyntig the seat of Mother Lodge, these difficulties will be done away with. We hope before very long, and pessitoy before an ,ther year has elapsed, Mother I odge knelt may be in the premises which will be woi Ley of uereelt and her trident history. When that time comes I have no doubt whatever it will not only redound to the advantage and credit of the Mother Lodge, but be greatly to the ioterest of the whole craft in the great province of Ayrshire. We have now formulated a plan, and to-night I have seen on paper a very excellent and proper design, which I hope and believe we will carry out in stone and lime. I trust when the time comes for that work we shall again have the pleasure of seeing your Lordship amongst us. And I can assure yea we will give to you on that occasion, as on every other, a most warm and cordial welcome. (Applause.)  hai  THE death is announced in his fifty-eighth year of Richard Doyle, the well-known artist, and for many years a leading contributor to Punch AT York on Tuesday, an Irish labourer, whose mind is believed to have been deranged, murdered his son, aged seven years, by chopping off his head with a hatchet •  Notice of BIRTH requires to be given to the Registrar within Tw