Royal Arch.

was served in the supper-room of the lodge by Companion W . Rooks .

DURHAM . SUNDERLAND . '—Chapter of Strict Benevolence ( No . 97 ) . —The annual meeting for the install-, ation of Principals and the investiture of officers , was held at the Masonic Hall , Park Terrace , on Thursday afternoon , when the following companions were duly installed and invested , viz .,

George Lord , Z . ; M . Allison , Ii . ; W . Liddell , J . ; J ohn Lindsay , Treasurer ; R . Humphrey , E . ; S . P . Austin , N . ; J . H . Coates , P . S . ; W . I . Chambers and J . Athay , Assistant Sojourners ; and J . Thompson , Janitor . The companions dined together after the ceremony in the banqueting room of the hall . There was a good attendance .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

WEST YORKSHIRE .

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE . On Friday , the 16 th instant , the half-yearly communication of the West Yorkshire Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Masters , was held at the Masonic Hall , Surrey-street , Sheffield , at the invitation of the Britannia Lodge of Mark Masters ,

No . . 5 , 3 . The R . W . Prov . G . M . M ., Bro . Thos . Perk in ton , of Halifax , was accompanied by the following officers : •Bro . H . Matthews , Prov . S . G . W ., Bro . Allison , Prov . J . G . W ., Bro . Roberts , Psov . G . M . O ., Bro . Firth , Prov . G . S . O ., Bro . Hartley , Prov . G . J . O ., Bro . Burgess , Prov . G . Reg .,

Bro . Cooke , Prov . G . Sec , Bro . Bennett , Prov . G . S . D ., Bro . Schofield , Prov . G . J . D ., Bro . Horsfall , Prov . G . I . of W ., Bro . Holroyd , Prov . G . S . B ., Bro . Oakden , Prov . G . St . B ., Bro . Whitaker , Prov . G . Org ., Bro . Lobley and Bro . Crossby , Prov . G . Stewards , and Bro . Greenwood , Prov . G .

Tyler . The Britannia Lodge having been opened by the W . M . and officers , the Provincial Grand Officers were duly formed b y Bro . Roberts , acting Prov . G . D . of C , and entered the lodge room , when the Provincial Grand Lodge was properly opened . On the roll of lodges and officers being

called over , it was found that one lodge was unrepresented , and seven officers absent from duty . Bro . Wordsworth , D . Prov . G . M ., and Bro . Arniitage , Prov . G . D . of O , each sent an apology for their attendance . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , a code

of bye-laws , previously drawn up by a committee appointed for that purpose , and circulated throughout the province , was then considered , and , after one or two alterations had been made , duly passed . An invitation to hold the next provincial meeting at Eastwood was then given to the Prov . G . M . M .,

from the Prince Edward Lodge , No . 14 , after which , there being no other business to transact , the Provincial Grand Lodge was duly closed . Bro . Thomas Oakden , Prov . P . G . St . B ., presented a magnificent banner and stand , with the arms of the Provincial Grand Lodge thereon , which was

cordially accepted . A banquet , presided over by the Prov . G . M ., was provided , at which a goodly number was present . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to , and altogether a very agreeable evening was spent b y those assembled , the Sheffield brethren doing their utmost to add to the pleasure of the visitors .

Red Cross Of Constantine.

Red Cross of Constantine .

HAMPSHIRE .

PORTSF . A . —Aaval and Military Conclave , ( No , 35 ) . —This flourishing conclave assembled in their Hall , Freemasons' Tavern , Portsea , on the 16 U 1 inst , under the presidency of the M . P . S ., Sir Knight Robinson , assisted b y Sir Knight Miller , M . E . U ; Sir Knight McAskie , IS . G . ; Sir

Knight Skcvins , I . G . ; Sir Knight Howell , Recorder ; Sir Knight M . Cormack , Sentinel ; Sir Knight Ellis , If . Many other Sir Kni ghts were also present . The conclave having been opened in due form by the M . K . P . S ., Bro . H . S . Williams , who had been previousl y proposed , seconded , and balloted for , being in

attendance , was duly installed a Sir Knight of the Red Cross . The charges , the lectures , and the historical orations , were most abl y delivered by Sir Knight McAskie . Five certificates were delivered to Sir Knights previously installed . The conclave was closed in due form by M . E . P . S ., at 10 p . m ., in F . U . Z .

Tile Annual Festival Of The Royal Arch Chapter Of Improvement.

TILE ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER OF IMPROVEMENT .

The second annual festival , closing the second season of this Chapter of Improvement , was held on Thursday week at Freemason ' s Tavern , after an evening ' s work at Freemasons' Hall . The success which was anticipated for the Chapter when it was started , has during the two years of its operation been more than realised , and it is with considerable "'ratification we have heard that

the attendance of the companions desirous of receiving instruction has been both regular and numerous . It appears , however , not entirely to entirely to meet with the approval of the Precepter of the Chapter , that some of the companions who honoured it by becoming its founders have

not further assisted . it by attending its weekly meetings , and Comp . Brett , it will be seen , in the remarks he made after the dinner on Thursday night , points this conduct out as a failing . Of cause there always two sides to a question , and the companions who are guilty of such lax

conduct might perhaps , if they were heard , submit good reasons for their absence . Business engagaments may peradventure be more important to them than a knowledge of Masonic working , and they may not feel disposed to let the Masonic world witness their orphans suppliant for relief

lrom destitution occasioned by their parents too great devotion to the learning or imparting a knowledge of Craft or Arch ritual . Excepting to the Preceptor , unqualified satisfaction has been given to the members . Following in the steps of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , the

Chapter , affording the same sound instruction , hoped the same amount of support . Their hopes have been realised , and comparing roughly the total number of Craft Masons with that of the Arch , the good workers of the Degree are about on a par . The attendance at the festivals of the two

degrees , is also comparativel y the same , so that they would seem to be running neck and neck . Among the companions who attended on Thursday week we noticed the Rev . C . J . Martyn ( Chairman at the banquet ) , John Hervey ( Treasurer ) , James Brett ( Preceptor ) , John Boyd ,

Capt . C . F . Trower ( Prov . G . P . S . Hants ) , James Self , Alfred Clayton , S . Rosenthal , G . K . Lemann , W . West Smith , W . Nicholas , H . Dicketts , W . H . Green , C . Godfrey , II . II . Pearse , C . Saxon Hooper , T . Bull , W . Carpenter , H . Chapman , T . Cubitt , John Coutts , W .

Goodyer , Rev . W . Cochrane , K . S . Warrington , G . A . Ibbetson , J . L . Thomas , Bosworth , T . II . Edmunds , J . A . Farnlield , J . W . Barnett , Kingston , T . K . Tippett . Trcadwell , R . W . Crane , G . Cooper , R . Wcntworth Little ( S . E . ) , Thos . W .

White ( Asst . S . E . ) , G . Kenning , II . D'Arcy , Mitchell , C . A . Long , Davis , A . H . Thiellay , W . Roebuck , W . Tavcrner , Major Finney , Finney , jun ., II . M . Levy , Joseph Last , f . K . Stead , J . Warner , D . D . ' Beck , C . J . Sinithers , G . D'Arcy , George States , and If . Masscy .

The Chapter was opened by the Companions , with the following Companions as officers : — James Brett , Z . ; J . Boyd , H . ; H . Dicketts , J . j G . K . Lemann , N . ; R . Wcntworth Little , E . ; W . West Smith , P . S . ; James Self , ist A . ; W . H . Green , 2 nd A . ; and John Coutts , I G . Comi ) . Brett gave the historical oration , and

was followed by Com ]) . Self , who worked the ist clause , Comp . W . West Smith the 2 nd , and Com ]) . W . H . Green the 3 rd . Comp . Brett then explained the jewel worn b y the Companions of the Order , and Comp . If . Dicketts gave the historical portion of the ceremony , which falls to the J . of a chapter . The readiness with which till these divisions of the ritual were delivered

were the theme of universal approbation , and Companions of Chapters where the ceremony is hobbled through , would have done well to see what benefits accrue from a little attention to education in Masonic ceremonies . After some formal chapter business had been conducted , the companions adjourned to an excellent repast in

freemasons Tavern , where Mr . Fiancatelli had shown great skill in catering , and when the banquet had been disposed of , grace was said , and the toasts of the evening followed . In giving the first toast , " The Queen , " kc , the Chairman said a peculiar interest attached to this toast just now , as in a few days her Majesty was coming to take part in a great national

Tile Annual Festival Of The Royal Arch Chapter Of Improvement.

rejoicing . Every one of her subjects would hail with joy the fact that she was once more among ¦ her people ; and the citizens of London would do all in their power to give her a suitable welcome . As Arch Masons we had to look at the event in another point of view . It was our duty to submit ourselves to all lawfull y constituted authority ,

whether of masonic or civil jurisdiction , and , therefore , we should drink with all the honour , and the greatest enthusiasm , the health of thejQueen The Chairman then said he would go out of his way as president of a Royal Arch gathering , for which he would ask pardon , and propose the health of the Prince of Wales . It was not a

right thing , that though his Royal Hig hness was not a Royal Arch Mason , his name should be omitted in assemblages of Royal Arch Masons . We knew what he was in other departments of the order he had taken up , the energy he had displayed , and the interest he had taken in the

charities . He ( the Chairman ) would give , and he trusted the companions would drink with all cordiality , " The Health of His Royal Highness , " and would express , in the name of all his hearers , how rejoiced he was at the Prince ' s recovery , and

how thankful he was to the Almighty for it . Hie celebration of next Tuesday was a public offering of such thankfulness , and he hoped that the illness which it was feared would terminate fatally would be the beginning of many a happy year of useful life .

The Chairman , after giving " lhe Health of the M . E . G . Z ., " proposed that of the G . H . and G . J ., and in doing so , said he was aware that he was proposing the health of exemplary and worthy men . As he had said at the festival of the Benevolent Institution a few weeks ago ,

he had the honour of being exalted in Royal Arch Masonry fifteen years ago , with the G . H ., the Earl of Carnarvon , and ever since that time the noble companion had worked well and worthily for the cause of Masonry . He would couple the names of Companions Hervey and Brett with the toast .

Companion John Hervey said the difficult task of returning thanks had fallen him , who was least entitled to do so ; but he did not the less appreciate the kind expressions the M . E . had made use of . He felt himself very small on that occasion , as Comp . Brett had carried off' all the

honours of the evening , had done all the duties , and performed them satisfactorily . Speaking for the Grand Principals , they were two noblemen who deserved well of the Craft . The M . E . had stated what he knew of the G . H ., and he ( Comp . Hervey ) \\; is sure that Lord de Tabley in his own province of Cheshire had done all he could to

promote Masonry in general , and Royal Arch Masonry in particular . As Comp . Brett would speak for himself , he ( Comp . Hervey ) would thank the companions in his own name only , and would assure the companions how much he valued the kind expressions used by the M . E . towards the Grand Principals and the Grand Officers .

Comp . John Hervey then proposed " the M . E . Z ., Conij ) . the Rev . C . J . Martyn , " who deserved well of all the companions . The Rev . Companion had said how admirabl y Lord Carnarvon had performed all his duties during the last fifteen years , but he ( Comp . Hervey , ) would

appeal most confidentl y to all the companions present , whether Com ]) . Martyn had not during the same time , done all he could to increase the usefulness of the Craft , and uphold its honour . In the province , of Gloucestershire , he had for a long time presided , over both lodge and chapter ,

in a most efficient manner . He then migrated in a slight degree , to London , inasmuch as he was appointed a Grand Officer , and during the two years that he was Grand Chaplain in the Craft , and while he was Grand Officer in the Arch , every one of his duties was performed to

the satisfaction of both Craft and Arch . Now , he had migrated to Suffolk , in which province , he had also applied himself to carry out the duties of Masonry , there he was now Master of a lodge , and propagating the Craft with his

usual vigour . They . were under peculiar obligations to him that evening , for coming from Suffolk , a distance of 120 miles , to preside over them . They were quite alive to the value of these services , and would show their appreciation of them by drinking his health .