Royal Arch.

LIVERPOOL . —Temple Chapter ( No . 1094 ) . — The annual installation gathering of the companions of this chapter was held on Tuesday , the 23 rd ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Hope-street . Comp . John Pemberton , P . Z ., Treas ., acting as presiding officer , duly installed Comps . R . B . Burgess , as Z . ; N . Robinson , as H . ; and S . Schonstadt , as J . The newly-elected M . E . Z . then proceeded to invest the following officers for the ensuing year , viz .: Comps .

Philip S . Levy , S . E . ; F . E . Boustead , S . N . ; Henry A . Tobias , P . S . ( who appointed as his assistants S . Gordon and W . Reeve ); Peter Ball was elected Janitor . Bros . VV . Ellis and VV . White , 1325 , were duly exalted b y the M . E . Z . in a most impressive and efficient manner . Comp . Pemberton , P . Z ., then presented a P . Z . ' s jewel on behalf of the chapter to Comp . D . A . Davis , I . P . Z ., in recognition of his services , the presentation being suitably

acknowledged . The companions then adjourned to the banqueting room where supper was provided by Comp . Woodhouse , and a most enjoyable and harmonious evening was spent . 'The visitors present were Comps . the Rev . Hugh Stowell , Maurice Hart , P . Z . 1502 ; Alexander Levy , S . E . 1502 ; and others . The usual toasts were proposed and responded to .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

HAMMERSMITH LODGE ( No . 211 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge vvas held at the Windsor Castle Hotel on the 26 th ult . Among those present were Bros . Haynes , P . G . S ., W . M . ; Goodall , S . W ., W . M . elect ; Lavvson , J . W . ; Page , S . O . ; J . W . Baldwin , P . M ., Treas . ; T . C . Walls , P . G . Swel . Br ., P . M ., Sec ; John Mason , P . P . G . O . Middlesex and Surrey , P . M . ; A .

Tisley , P . M . ; J . Taylor , I . G . ; Rickwood , E . Gilbert , P . G . S . ; Potter , Tyler ; and VV . Bros . D . M . Dewar , G . Asst . Sec , and Frederick Walters , P . G . I . G ., were visitors . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed the ballot was taken upon behalf of Bro . Sims , S 34 , and it proving to be unanimous he was duly advanced to the Degree of M . M . M . by the Secretary . The

ceremony of inducting Bro . Goodall into the chair of A . was then performed by Bro . Haynes , ably assisted by VV . Bro . D . M . Dewar . The officers invested were Bros . Laivson , S . W . ; Page , J . VV . ; Millis . M . O . ; Harris , S . O . ; Taylor , J . O . ; Skinner , S . D . ; Rickwood , J . D . ; Sims , I . G . ; and Potter , Tyler . Apologies for non-attendance were read from Bros , the

R . W . P . G . M ., Colonel Sir Francis Burdett ; J . Stevens , P . G . O . ; Pearson , and others . . Several minor matters having been disposed of the lodge was duly closed and the brethren adjourned to a most excellent banquet , which reflected great credit upon Bro . Gilbert , the caterer . Upon the removal of the cloth the VV . M . gave the various

toasts with point and humour . W . Bro . Dewar acknowledged the toast of " 'The Grand Officers" in a speech of great interest . VV . Bro . J . Mason reponded to " The Health of the Provincial Grand Officers . " "The Health of the VV . M . " was given by the I . P . M ., and vvas replied to by Bro . Goodall , who then gave "The Past Masters , " coupled with the name of the

LP . M . The presentation of a Past Master ' s jewel to the latter brother then took place . Bro . Haynes in a feiv well-chosen sentences having acknowledged the toast and the gift that accompanied it , " The Health of the Advancee" was cordially drunk . Bro . Sims having replied , the toast of " The Officers " brought this highly successful meeting to a close .

LEICESTER . —The Fowke Lodge ( No . 19 ) . — The election meeting of this time honoured Mark lodge , took place at Freemasons' Hall , Leicester , on 'Thursday , the 25 th ult . The VV . M ., Bro . Joseph Young , iS ° , Prov . G . D . of C , presided , supported by the following officers and brethren : Bros . Wm . Kelly , Prov . G . M . ; S . S . Partridge , P . D . P . G . M ., P . G . D . of Eng . ; C . E . Strctton ,

Prov . G . Sec ; T . Worthington , LP . M . ; R . Taylor , S . VV . ; Rev . C H . Wood , J . W . ; M . J . Walker . M . O ., W . M . 21 ; G . Odell , S . O . ; T . S . Knight , J . O . ; S . A . Marris , 'Treas . ; J . Harrison , Sec . ; F . Griffith , Reg . Marks ; VV . Collins , S . D . ; T . G . Charlesworth , J . D . ; W . T . Rovvlett , Org . ; E . Watson , I . G . ; W . Bream , Stwd . ; J . Tanser , T y ler ; W . H . Bastick , A . Hiscox , T . Spearpoint , R . S . 'Ioiler , W . M . 194 ; Rev . F . H . Richardson , LP . M . 194 ; J .

Barber , VV . M . so ; W . S . Black , S . VV- 21 ; Dr . R . S . Hawks , M . O . 21 ; A . Marsh , J . O . 21 ; E . Jeeves , Sec . 21 ; W . J . Freer , Reg . Marks 194 ; S . Cleaver , M . O . 194 ; VV . A . Fielding , 194 ; VV . T . Dagvvell , 194 ; and several others . The usual preliminary lodge business having been transacted , and the " veteran" R . W . Prov . G . M . greeted with grand honours , a ballot vvas taken for the following

candidates for advancement viz : Bro . Samuel Slack Stallard , formerly of lodge No . 523 ; also Joseph Herbert Marshall , Stwd . No . 279 , and S . D . of No . 1007 ; and the result proving unanimous these two brethren , together vvith Bro . Clement Pretty , of No . 523 , who had been previously elected , and in attendance , were regularly advanced to the honourable degree of M . M . M ., the ceremony and the subsequent lecture on the tracing board of the Degree being efficiently

rendered by the W . M ., the final address being given by the LP . M ., the musical services of Bro . W . T . Rovvlett on the organ adding much to the ceremony . A petition of the widow of the late Bro . W . Weare , P . M ., on behalf of her daughter as a candidate for the Educational Branch of the Mark Benevolent Fund , having been approved and signed the lodge was closed in due form .

After a substantial supper had been served and partaken of , the usual loyal anel Masonic Mark toasts were duly proposed by the VV . M . and honoured by the numerous brethren assembled at the festive board , which was enlivened by some excellent singing by the musical brethren , and a recitation from Milton's " Paradise Lost" by Bro .

Collins , given with fine effect . Apresentation was then madeto W . Bro . T . Worthington , LP . M ., of a gold Past Masters jewel in testimony of the ability with which he had presided over the lodge during his year of office . A ballot was taken for the W . M . and Treasurer for the ensuing year , which resulted in the Rev . Bro . C . Henton Wood , J . W ., being unanimously elected for the chair of A ., and Bro . S , A , Marris , re-elected Treasurer ,

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

Ancient and Accepted Rite .

LEICESTER . —St . Margaret ' s Chapter ( No . 92 ) . —The fourth convocation of this chapter was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Tuesday , the 23 rd ult . The chapter was punctually opened at five o'clock by the 111 . Bro . Sam . Steads Partridge , 30 ° , M . W . S ., assisted by the following officers and brethren : 111 . Bros . J . T . 'Thorp , 30 % ist G . ; T . Worthington , 30 , 2 nd G . ; Ex . and P . Bro . J . Young , Recorder , as H . Prelate ; Bros . I' \ J . Baines'Treas . ;

, W . L . Ball , G . Marshal ; VV . A . Fielding , Raphael ; J . H . Thompson , C of G . ; M . J . Walker , VV . Kelly , II . Deane , Dr . Hammond , R . Taylor , F \ Griffith , S . Cleaver , T . G . Charlesworth , J . D . Harris , and others . The minutes of the last chapter held 23 rd Octoher having been read and confirmed , Bro . Edwin John Foxwell . J . W . 50 , who had been previously elected and was now in attendance was duly perfected and proclaimed according to custom , the

ceremony throughout being admirably rendered by the M . W . S ., and the working of the officers approaching perfection . This being election meeting a ballot was taken for the M . W . S . for Lthe ensuing year , the 111 . Bro . John Thomas Thorp , 30 , being unanimously elected to the distinguished honour . Ex . and P . Bro . F . J . Baines

vvas unanimously elected Treasurer for the like period . Certain documents from the Grand Secretary General having been read by the Recorder and other business transacted alms were collected and the chapter closed according to ancient usage until the fourth Tuesday in March .

At the close of the chapter the 111 . anel Ex . and P . brethren adjourned to an excellently served dinner , at the conclusion of which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts of the Rite were given and duly acknowledged .

Knights Templar.

Knights Templar .

NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE . —Royal Kent Preceptory ( No . 20 ) . —The usual bi-monthly meeting of this old preceptory vvas held in the Masonic Hall , Maplestreet , on the 26 th ult ., when there were present Sir Kts . J . Gibson Youll , in the chair ; James Monks , P . E . P ., Dep . Prov . Prior ; Henry Hotham , P . E . P ., Prelate ; Adam Winlavv , P . E . P . ; S . J . Bousfield , Constable ; T . Ness , acting Marshal ; R . G . Salmon , Sub-Marshal ; J . J .

Wilkes , Reg ., and several others . Sir Kt . C . D . H . Drury , of St . Cuthbert ' s Preceptory , was elected as a subscribing member . Comp . Evan K . Jones ( American consul ) , M . H . Dodds , and W . F . Cannon were ably installed into the Order by the E . P ., assisted by Sir Kt . Maddison , P . E . P ., and declared their intention of being subscribing members . Deep regrets

were expressed at the unavoidable absence of Sir Kt . C . J . Banister , E . Prov . Prior , which was caused by being in Canada endeavouring to recruit his failing health . After the preceptory had been closed the Sir Knights present adjourned to the refreshment room , where an excellent banquet was provided by Bro . J . S . Sims . A most pleasant evening vvas spent and congratulatory observations made on the prosperous condition of the preceptory .

•Koual &Rfc Jtfarmcrs.

•Koual & rfc jtfarmcrs .

LEICESTER . —William Kelly Lodge ( No . 19 ) , —The sixth meeting of this young and rising lodge , which is attached to the I'owke Mark Lodge , took place at Freemasons' Hall , on the 25 th ult . The lodge was opened by the W . C . N ., VV . Bro . J . T . Thorp , when there were present R . W . Bro . VV . Kelly , P . C . N . ; VV . Bros . S . S . Partridge , P . C . N . ; M . J . Walker , l . P . C . N . ; Rev . C . H . Wood , J . ; Jos . Young , S . ; S . Cleaver , Treas . ; S . A . Marris ,

Scribe ; R . Taylor , S . D . ; VV . Randall , D . of C . ; S . Knight , G . ; W . Bream , Stwd . ; J . Tanser , VV . ; J . D . Harris , VV . Collins , A . Hiscox , W . H . Bastick , W . T . Dagwell , T . G . Charlesworth , T . Griffith , and W . A . Fielding . After the minutes of the enthronement meeting in December had been read by the Scribe and duly confirmed , a ballot was taken for Bro . A . Chamberlin , 194 , and nine brethren of the Newstead Mark Lodge ( T . L ) The ballot

proving- favourable in each case the following seven members of the Newstead Mark Lodge who were in attendance were regularly elevated to the Degree of Royal Ark Mariner , viz ., Bros . E . Cheshire Patchitt , S . W . ; H . J . Norris , J . VV . ; R . T . Ingram , M . O . ; S . G . Gilbert , Reg . of Marks ; VV . G . Cokayne , S . D . ; Jno . Toplis , J . D . ; and J . Wigglesworth , Org . The ceremony was admirably worked by the W . C . N ., W . Bro . J . T . Thorp , assisted by the l . P . C . N .,

VV . Bro . M . J . Walker , the continuation of the explanatory lecture being given by W . Bro . J . Young , S . After some routine business had been transacted the lodge was formally closed . From the success which has already attended the efforts of the officers of this lodge there is every reason to believe that with its 50 to Go members it will be , if indeed

it is not already , one of the most numerous Ark Mariners lodges in the Midlands , notwithstanding a statement reported in the Freemason for last October to the effect that "the Ark lodge attached to the Lechmere Mark Lodge , No . 59 , was the largest , if not the only Ark Mariners lodge in the Mielland counties , " a no doubt unintentional inaccuracy which for the good of Ark Masonry in general and the William Kelly Lodge in particular should now be corrected .

The Council of the National Chamber of Trade on Tuesday , Mr . H . P . Gilbey presiding , passed a resolution unanimously in favour of the immediate abolition of the duties , customs , and excise on gold and silver plate , and adopted a memorial to the Government praying that there may be no further delay in dealing with the question . MONEY I . F . NT . Advances on Property . I ^ oans Negotiated . — £ 5 to ^ 1000 , with and without securities , at

moderate Interest upon Promissory Notes , repayable at a fixed period , or by instalments ; also upon Deeds , Life Policies , Furniture , Jewellery , Shares , Warrants , Stocks , & c . Prompt attention , with secrecy . Trade bills discounted . Deposits received . THIS LONDON BANK , 71 , Fleet-street , E . C ; SS , High-street , Islington , N . ; and 113 , Church-street , Edgware-road , VV . Open daily Forms gratis . Established 1 S 3 S . E . J . READ , Secretary . —[ ADVT . ]

Australia.

Australia .

MASONRY AND ATHEISM IN THE ANTIPODES . At the regular monthly meeting of the Melbourne Lodge , No . 747 , E . C , held in the Masonic Hall , Melbourne , on Monday , December iSth , an important discussion took place , relative to the propriety of the hall , consecrated as it is to the purposes of Freemasonry , beinn- let he- the

directors to the Australasian Freethinkers' and Secularists ' Association . Bro . W . Glcdhill , VV . M ., presided , supported by his officers , a good attendance of the members as also many visiting brethren , inclusive of Masters and Past Masters of lodges hailing under the three constitutions . One brother vvas raised to the Sublime Degree of M . M ., and a candidate initiated , and subsequently four candidates

and the same number of joining members were proposed . It being election night Bro . Josephs , S . VV ., vvas elected W . M . for the ensuing year ; and Bros . H . VV . Lowry , P . M ., Treas . ; and Clarke , P . M ., Tyler . Bro . VV . F . LAMONBY , P . M ., then rose in accordance with notice of motion to move the following resolution : " That Melbourne Lodge , No . 747 , hereby places upon

record its protest against , and disapprobation of , the continued letting of the Masonic Hall to the Freethinkers' and Secularists' Association , as being a direct contravention of the constitution and landmarks of Freemasonry ; and that a copy of the resolution be forwarded to the directors of the Masonic Hall Company forthwith . " He said , in view of the large amount of business on the agenda

paper , he should make his remarks as brief as possible . On arriving in the great colony some eight months before , in which he was glad to lind Masonry flourishing to so marked an extent , he hardl y could believe his eyes when he saw announced in the public prints of Melbourne that the Freethinkers and Secularists were allowed to assemble in the Masonic Hall .

Bro . W . F . DIXON , P . M . and Secretary , at this point rose to a point of order . As he understood the Book of Constitutions no subject of religious or political discussion could be allowed in a Masonic lodge , and he must take exception to the resolution on that account . Bro . LAMONHY wished it to be distinctly understood that there was no question of politics or religion involved in the

resolution . It was a question that affected one of the fundamental principles of Freemasonry , viz ., a belief in the glorious Architect of Heaven and Earth , and whether whilst they were working their beautiful ceremonies in that room an association of infidels were to be allowed in another room consecrated and dedicated to Masonry to vilify and ridicule that Sacred Volume on which they

obligated their candidates . He now put it to the VV . M whether he vvas to be considered in order ? The _ WORSHIPFUL MASTER said he ruled Bro . Lamonby to be entirely in order , and he added that he considered it a disgraceful state of things and one that had been suffered too long . While sympathising with the resolution , however , it had occurred to him that they as a

lodge were entirely powerless in the matter . The Masonic Hall was the property of a company , and he knew that if the resolution was passed and forwarded to the directors they would simply lay it aside , and say if they ( the lodge ) were not satisfied they could leave the hall and go elsewhere . Bro . LAMONBY ( continuing ) said he had been told outside by brethren whom he presumed were shareholders in

the Hall Company , that it vvas a simple case of £ s . d . to them , and therefore a matter of indifference to whom they let the rooms . He asked the brethren therefore was it not monstrous that the conscientious feelings of members of lodges and chapters who provided at least three-fourths of the income of the company were to be outraged and set at naught for a paltry consideration arising from so

questionable a source i He had no hesitation in saying that it would not be tolerated for a moment in any other city where the English language was spoken . Where would these mercenary directors be if the Board of General Purposes and the Colonial Board sent orders from England for every lodge and chapter to move to other rooms ? The thing vvas a scandal and disgrace to Colonial Masonry , and

he trusted the brethren ot the Melbourne Lodge would speak out boldly against so flagrant an inconsistency . \ Vith the W . M . 's permission he should like to add a rider to the resolution to the effect that a reply be solicited from the directors of the Hall Company by next lodge night . Bro . Rev . VV . VV . MANTELI . said he should like to add a few remarks to what had fallen from the W . M . and the

proposer of the resolution . He also agreed with the motion , and thoroughly sympathised with the spirit of its context ; but after what had fallen from the VV . M . he was afraid the resolution would have little or no effect on the directors , and no practical good could arise from its adoption in its present form . Alter what he had heard however he must strongly protest against the directors using the title of The Masonic

Hall , for when people outside saw Masonry mixed up with an association like that referred to they would be apt to make remarks anything but complimentary to the Craft , and to draw comparisons that would not redound to the credit of the Order . He vvas in hopes however that some practical good would arise from the discussion , but he deeply deplored the way in which they were at present situated .

After a few remarks from other brethren , and there being no seconder to the resolution , which accprdingly fell to the ground , Bi-o . LAMONHV said that alter what had occurred he thought it only fair to intimate his intention to forward an account of the facts and discussion thereon to the Grand

Secretary in London for the consideration of the Colonial Board and Board of General Purposes . This course he should adopt , knowing it would be useless appealing to the District Grand Lodge . 'The lodge was then closed and thc brethren adjourned to supper .

WELCOME TO BRO . SIR W . J . CLARKE ,

BART . A grand Masonic ball was held in the Town Hall , Melbourne , on Wednesday evening , December 20 th , the occasion being a fraternal welcome to Bro . the Hon . Sir Wm . John Clarke , Bart ., R . W . Prov . Grand Master of Victoria under the Irish Constitution . There vvas a very large and fashionable assemblage , not only of the Craft but the general public ot the Victorian metropolis ; and as regards the Freemasons , it should be added that the brethren of thc