Supreme Grand Chapter.

upon us . It may bc—I trust il will be—on the next occasion when Grand Lodge meets—that some recognition of him , and of his work , and of his services may be p laced before it for its adoption . I am quite sure that Grand Chapter feels equally with Grand Lodge that it has lost an ofiicer who was second to none in his ability , and that it will be difficult , if not almost impossible , to replace hint whose memory is highly respected .

The following report of the Committee of General Purposes was , on motion duly made , taken as read , accepted , and ordered to be entered on the

minutes : To the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England . The Committee of General Purposes beg to report that they have examined the accounts from the 21 st October , 1891 , to the igth January , 1892 , both inclusive , which they find to be as follows : —

To Balance Grand Chapter ... £ 4 88 1101 By Disbursements during the „ „ Unappropriated Quarter £ 28 9 o 10 Account 187 13 10 „ Balance C 14 17 3 „ Subsequent Receipts ... 426 iS 9 „ ., Unappropriated Account 19 S 16 4 £ 1102 1 4 5 £ 1102 14 5

which balances are in the Bank of England , Western Branch . The Committee have likewise to report that they have received the following petitions : — ist . From Comps . Ernest Edmund Newnham , as Z . ; Osborn Hambrook Bate , as H . ; George Charles Stapylton Adkins , as J . ; and six others for a chapter to be attached to the Rocky Park Lodge , No . 2252 ,

Barkly East , South Africa , to be called the Apex ! Chapter , and to meet at the Masonic Rooms , Barkly East , South Africa ( E . D . ) . 2 nd . From Comps . William Shurmur , as Z . ; Charles Rawle , as H . ; Christopher George Cutchey , as J . ; and 12 others for a chapter to be attached to the Guelp h Lodge , No . 1685 , Leyton , to be called the Guelph Chapter , and to meet at the Red Lion Hotel , Leytonstone , in the London district .

3 rd . From Comps . Augustus Frederick Clarke Alport , as Z . ; William Brooks Coburn , as H . ; Thomas Patrick James May , as J . ; and six others for a chapter to be attached to the Charles Warren Lodge , No . 1832 , Kimberlev , South Africa , to be called the Charles Warren Chapter , and to meet at the Masonic Temple , Dutoitspan-road , Kimberley , Griqualand West , South Africa .

4 th . From Comps . Frederick Hilton , as Z . ; Henry George Martin , as H . ; Frank Williams , as J . ; and eight others for a chapter to be attached to the Rose Lodge , No . 1622 , Camberwell , to be called the Rose Chapter , and to meet at the Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell , London . The foregoing petitions being in all respects regular , thc Committee recommend that the prayers thereof be respectively granted .

The Committee have also to report that they have received a memorial from the Principals and members of the Holy Mount Chapter , No . 121 , Penzance , Cornwall , praying for a charter of confirmation , the original being lost . The Committee recommend that a charter of confirmation be granted to the above-named chapter .

The Committee have further received memorials , with copies of minutes , for permission to remove the following chapters : The Phcenix Chapter , No . 904 , from the Ship Hotel , to the Masonic Hall , Dontene-lane , Rothcrham , Yorkshire ( W . D . ) . Thc Chapter Good Intent , No , 307 , from the White Horse Hotel , to the Masonic Rooms , Hebden Bridge , Yorkshire ( W . D . ) . The Tyne Chapter , No . 991 , from the Masonic Hall , Willington

Ouay , to thc Masonic Hall , Wallsend , Northumberland . The Macdonald Chapter , No . 1216 , from the Head Quarters ist Surrey Volunteer Rifles , to the Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell , London . The Cable Chapter , No . 1 704 * , from thc Terminus Hotel , Cannonstreet , to thc Cafe Royal , Regent-street , London . The Mozart Chapter , No . 1929 , from thc Griffin Hotel , Kingston , to the Greyhound Hotel , Croydon , Surrey . The Victoria Chapter , No . 11 * 156 , front the Masons' HaU , Masons ' -

avenue , to the Holborn Viaduct Hotel , Holborn , London . The Derby Chapter , No . 1055 , from the Masonic Rooms , Cheetham , to the Victoria Hotel , Manchester , Lancashire . On the motion of Comp . ROBERT GREY , seconded by Comp . FRANK RICHARDSON * , the several recommendations in this report were adopted .

Comp . ROBERT GREY said he had now a resolution to propose which he felt would require very few words , as every Royal Arch Mason would agree with it . It was " That the sum of 100 guineas be granted from the funds of this Grand Chapter as a donation to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and the Widows of . Freemasons . " He had little doubt that Grand Chapter would grant this most freely when it had funds to spare for the relief of others , and no better opportunity could be

given than now . A more deserving Institution it was impossible to find than that which he had mentioned on this its Jubilee . He onl y hoped and trusted that when the Institution reached its Centenary , instead of 100 guineas Grand Chapter would give 1000 guineas . Comp . Rev . C . W . SPENCER STANHOI-K seconded the motion , which was put and carried . Grand Chapter was then closed .

The Late Duke Of Clarence And Avondale.

THE LATE DUKE OF CLARENCE AND AVONDALE .

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF WEST LANCASHIRE . On Friday , the 29 th ult ., under the presidency of Bro , the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , Pro G . M . England , P . G . M . of West Lancashire , a special meeting of the Provincial Grand Oflicers , W . M . ' s , P . M . ' s , and Wardens of the division was held al the Town Hall , Liverpool , under thc

auspices of the Prince s Lodge , No . 2316 , the use of which was courteousl y granted for thc occasion by his Worship the Mayor , Bro . J . dc Bels Adam , P . S . G . W ., to consider and resolve upon addresses of condolence on the much regretted death of his Royal Highness thc Duke of Clarence and

The Late Duke Of Clarence And Avondale.

Avondale , K . G ., P . G . M . of Berkshire , P . G . W . Notwithstanding the short notice which had been given of the meeting , there was a gathering of nearly 300 chiefs of thc Craft at the impressive meeting , which took p lace in the large ballroom of the Town Hall . The whole of the proceedings was characterised by deep-seated sympath y on thc part of thc brethren , all of whom appeared in Masonic mourning .

Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom was supported by Bros . T . B . Spencer , P . G . C . of England ; R . Wylie , P . G . D ., P . P . G . W . ; W . Goodacre , P . G . S . B ., P . G . Sec ; J . dc Bcls Adam , P . S . G . W . ; and E . H . Cookson , P . P . G . W ., as P . J . G ' . W . After the usual formalities in connection with the opening of Prov . G . Lodge ,

Bro . the Right Hon . Lord LATHOM said he had thought it his duty to call the Provincial Grand Lodge together , feeling certain that the brethren would not wish to be behind in showing thc sympathy which was so universally expressed with the Royal Family in the bereavement they had sustained . That such sympathy was appreciated had been shown by thc Oueen ' s touching message to her subjects through the medium of the daily

press . He was certain that every brother present must feel with every loyal subject in the kingdom that thc calamity which had just befallen the Royal Family was perhaps one of the saddest in the annals of history . Though the late Duke of Clarence was not well known in thc country , yet wherever he went he always made friends , and everyone who met him liked him and loved him . Those who knew him personally as he ( the P . G . M . ) did , knew

him as a most amiable and charming young man , full of promise , though , perhaps , rather late in life awakening to the responsibilities of his station . Yet he was awakening to his responsibilities , and was fully prepared to carry them out thoroughly . Could the brethren think of anything more sad than the circumstances of his death . A man just about to enter on a new and happy phase

of life to be cut off thus suddenl y ? He ( liis lordship ) could assure the brethren that as he stood in St . George ' s Chapel at Windsor he witnessed a most touching sight—one he should never forget . The coffin containing thc remains of thc dead Duke , their late brother , was p laced almost on thc very spot where he was so soon to have stood as a bridegroom . The aspect of the father ' s face , on which the deepest anguish

was portrayed , touched him more than he could say , as did also his words that he mourned him as a father mourned a well-beloved son . Continuing , his lordship said he was happy to think that thc ( juceit had borne up so well under this great bereavement . It was known to him that thc Duke was her Majesty ' s favourite grandson ; she was proud of him and very fond of him . Her Majesty had suffered many griefs , but this had perhaps touched

her as much as any previous grief had moved her . Then there was another sad side . The Princess who was just on the eve of being" placed in thc highest position in the land had all her hopes suddenl y dashed to the ground . The } ' would all sympathise deeply with her , and though it would not be becoming in them to pass a vote of condolence with Iter , he was sure the brelbren would give her the sympathy she deserved . Before calling upon

the Prov . Grand Secretary to read the addresses of condolence to her Majesty thc Queen and to their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales , his lordship gave expression to the fervent hope that the Great Architect of thc Universe would comfort and sustain the bereaved parents in thc loss they had suffered . His lordship concluded by calling upon Bro . Goodacre , Prov . Grand Secretary , to read thc following proposed votes of condolence : —

To the Queen s Most Excellent Majesty . May it please your Majesty , We , the Provincial Grand Master , Provincial Grand Oflicers , and members of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ancient , Free , and Accepted Masons of the Western Division of Lancashire , in Provincial Grand Lodge assembled , humbly and with most respectful loyalty desire to express to your Majesty our

feeling of deepest sorrow at the early death of his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence and Avondale , K . G ., and to tender out heartfelt sympathy in this sad hour of gloom . We , in common with all your Majesty ' s loyal subjects , have noted with satisfaction the exemplary manner in which the Prince whose loss we mourn always performed the duties appertaining to his high rank . Especially do we appreciate the deep interest which his Royal Highness took in the welfare of

Freemasonry from the moment he joined the fraternity . Our prayer in this sad hour is that the All-wise and All-merciful Father may pour into the hearts of all who mourn the healing balm of consolation , and that He may long preserve your Majesty in health , and to reign in the hearts of a loyal and devoted people with that affectionate sovereignty which has been so distinguished a characteristic of your Majesty ' s gracious reign .

To his Royal Highness Albert Edward Prince of Wales , K . G ., Ac , Most Worshipful Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of England . We , the Provincial Grand Master , Provincial Grand Officers , and members of the Provincial Grand Lodge of the Western Division of Lancashire in Provincial Grand Lodge assembled , desire to express to your Royal Highness and to

her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales our deep sorrow at the sad bereavement with which it has pleased the Great Architect of the Universe to visit you in the death of your Royal Higbness ' s beloved son , his Royal Hi g hness the Duke of Clarence and Avondale , K . G ., Provincial Grand Master of Berkshire , Past Grand Warden , and to offer our heartfelt sympathy in your Royal Higbness's great sorrow . The initiation of his Royal Highness into Masonry was hailed with satisfaction

by the entire Craft , and the deep interest which he took during the too brief period he was spared to us was considered an earnest of good work in store for the Craft . The Provincial Grand Lodge , in common with the Fraternity throughout the world , mourns thc loss of one at once so eminent and full of promise—one who , * though so young , had found a place in the hearts of his brethren . We , representing the 105 lodges and 7000 Craftsmen of West Lancashire , offer to our Grand

Master and to his beloved Princess our sincere condolence and sympathy . Our ; prayir is that the Most High , in His wisdom and goodness , will give his supp ' and comfort in this dark hour , and that your Royal Highness may long contim to live in the loyal hearts and affections of the 1 'raternity . Bro . J . BKLS ADAM , Prov . S . G . W ., in seconding thc adoption of l- > 'otes of condolence which his lordship undertook to see conveyed to t' " Queen and thc Prince of Wales , remarked that on behalf of thc brcth * cn