Supreme Grand Chapter.

SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER .

The Quait-. rly Convocation of Supreme Gran ! Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England was holden on Wedncsda / evening at Freemasons' Hall . The chair of M E . Z- was occupied bv the Rev . C . J . Maityn ; that of II . by Comp . Henry Murray . The other companions present w ; , . _ John " Hervey , S . E . ; Capt . N . G . Philips , Snell

S N ; Peter De L . Long , P . S . ; Hickman , ist A . S . ; , 2 nd A . S . ; Gray , Hyde Pullen , J . M . Case , James Glaisher , Col . J . Creaton , Dr . Woodman , Benj . J . Head , A . J . Duff , Filer , Robinson , Joseph Smith , H . G . Buss , Col . Somerville Burney , E . H . Thiellay , A . A . Pendlebury , J . Lewis , Thomas , F . Adlard , John Boyd , W . Stephens , F . G . Baker , Col . Shadwell Gierke " , W . H . Smallpeice , John Mason , II .

Garrod , J . Diprosc , H . Bartlett , R . Loveland Loveland , T . S . Knyvett , Herbert J . Adams , David Roberts , Major Williams , W . H . Poslaus , Frank Richardson , F . Letchworth , E . J . B . Bumsread , J . W . Halsey , E . Moody , W . F . Laxton , ' R . H . Groombridge , C . B . Payne , G . J ., and H . Massey ( Freemason ) .

Giand Chapter having been formally opened and the minutes of the list Quarterly Convocation read and confirmed , on the motion of Comp . Col . Creaton , seconded by Comp . Gray , the report of the Committee of General Purposes ( as g iven in the Freemason on Saturday last ) was taken as read , and ordered to be received and entered on

the minutes . The petitions from companions for the following chapters recommended by the Committee to be granted , were seveially moved by Comp . Col . Creaton , stconded by Comp . Gray , and granted unanimously : — i . Comps . James Manders as Z ., Edward James Harty as H ., John Henry Watts as J ., and six others , for a

chapter to be attached to thc Eclectic Lodge , 1201 , London , to be called the Eclectic Chapter , and to meet at Freemasons' Hall , London . 2 nd . From Comps . the Rev . Charles William Arnold as Z . ; Thomas Cawley Eager as H . ; Harry Will Charrington as J . ; and nine others for a chapter to be attached to the Weyside Lodge , No . 1 395 , Woking , tc be called

the Weyside Chapter , and to meet at the Crown and Anchor Inn , Woking , in the county of Surrey . 3 rd . From Comps . Richard Thomas Elsam as Z . ; Francis Buckland as H . j Richard Caitwright as J . ; and six otheis for a chapter to be attached to the Dobie Lodge , No . 8 S 9 , Kingston-on-Thames , to be called thc Dobie Chapter , and to meet at thc Grifiin Hotel ,

Kingstcn-on-Thamcs , in the county of Surrey . 4 th . From Comps . Joseph Christopher Lambert as Z . ; Richard Dowling asH . ; Thomas Charles StorerasJ . ; and six others for a Chapter to be attached to thc St . Helena Lodge , No . 4 S 8 , St . Helena , to be called " The St . John ' s Chapter , " and to meet at James Town , in the Island of St . Helena .

5 th . From Comps . Joseph Copeland Gillman as Z . ; Edwin Banks Harding as H . ; Henry Parker Jones as J . ; and six others for a Chapter to be attached to the Trafford Lodge , No . 149 6 , Moss Side , to be called the Trafford Chapter , and to meet at the Alexandra Hotel , Moss Side , in thc Western Division of the County of Lancaster . 6 th . From Comps . James Glaisher as Z . ; Ernest Emil

Wendt as H . ; George Brooke as J . ; and six others for a Chapter to be attached to the St . Mary ' s Lodge , No . 6 3 , London , to be called thc St . Mary ' s Chapter , and to meet at thc Star and Garter Hotel , Kew Bridge , in the Parish of Ealing , in the County of Middlesex . Col . Creaton then rojeand said that the next matter before the Grand Chapter was the reccommendation from

the Committee of General Purposes , a recommendation which he thought would commend itself to Grand Chapter . Therefore he should simply move , that the following grants be made to each of thc Masonic Charities , and be transferred to their respective trustees , viz : — The Royal Masonic Institution for Girls .,. £ 500 Consols The Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ... 500 "

The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , Male Fund ... 500 " Do . Do . Female Fund ... 500 " He would move " that the recommendation of the Committee be adopted , and that these sums be granted . " Comp . Joseph Smith , said he rose with a very great deal of pleasure to second this proposition . It was carried

unanimously at the Committee of Grand Chapter , and he hoped it would be carried unanimously by this Grand Chapter . He thought this was tbe way to lay out the money of Grand Chapter when they had any to spare . They had it to spare now , or it would not have been recommended to be so disposed ot . He did not know any better use it could be put to than devoted to the purposes of these

chanties . It was the best way of supporting the charities of the Order when there were funds to spare . It was far better than sending lists round to young Masons as Stewards did when they wanted to make large lists for the charities they represented . When Grand Chapter or Grand Lodge gave away their money to the Boys' School , the Girls ' School , the aged Masons and the widows , a lasting good

was done to the Craft . He could not think of asking Grand Chapter to reduce the amount , for that was a very unpopular course . He did not expect any opposition to the motion , which he now most gladly seconded . Comp . J . March Case said that fully concuring with Comp . Creaton who proposed the vote , he would venture to enquire whether it was considered more desirable to

have the money transferred to the trustees of the Institutions than to have it handed over to the charities to be used in the way most convenient to them . If it was transferred to the trustees' names in the Bank of England each of the Institutions would benefit by its £ 500 only to the extent of £ 15 a year ; whereas if the money was handed over direct to the Institutions they could appropriate to their use as much of the sum as they SAW fit at

Supreme Grand Chapter.

any time . If it was invested in the names of trustees the good it would do would be limited in its operation . Th . e several charities had recently incurred very heavy expenditure ; they had largerly increased the number of recipients of the several funds ; and it occurred to him as not unlikely that if the money was handed over to the charities they could us- , it at discretion . He wished to know

whether the question had been considered by the Committee , and whether they had after consideration of this point come to thc conclusion that thc course they now proposed was the mere desirable cf the two . . Col . Creaton in reply said that the nutter was fully considered hy the Ccmmittee , audit was thought more desirable to transfer the money to the several funds in the

names of their respective trustees . He must , however , remind Comp . Case that it was always competent for thc Quaiterly Courts and General meetings of the Institution to withdraw the money from investment if they found it necessary to do so .

Comp . Joseph Smith observed that this fully answered the question of Comp . Case . The Rev . C J . Maityn said the money was transferred to Trustees for greater safety . Col . Creaton said it was thc most simple way of doing it .

Comp . Joseph Smith added that when the money once got into hands of the Trustees they might spend it the next year if they thought fit . The motion having been read from the chair . Comp . J . March Case asked whether it would not be better to pass each grant separately . Comp . John Boyd said no , the money had been proposed

to be given in a lump . The Rev . C J . Martyn hoped and trusted that this grant would be passed , and he would now put it for confirmation . The motion was then put and carried nem . con amidst much cheering . Thc Rev . C . J . Martyn thought he might , perhaps , be

allowed to say one word of very great congratulation to the companions upon this munificent grant , which had just been passed . To him , personally , occupying , most unworthily , as he did , the first chair in Grand Chapter that evening , it was a matter of most sincere congratulation and unfeigned delight that this recommendation had been passed . As Trustee for one of the charities , the Benevolent Institution , he begged to thank Grand Chapter , and

he also begged to thank the companions in the name of the other charities , all of whom are most deeply grateful to Grand Chapter for the very liberal and handsome grants just made . He not only could say it was most thankfully received ; but he was quite sure it would be faithfully applied . ( Hear , hear . ) Grand Chapter was then closed with the customary formalities , and thc companions separated .

Grand Lodge Of Scotland.

GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND .

Thc Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of Scotland was held on Monday last in the Freemasons ' Hall—the Most Worshipful the Grand Master Mason , Sir Michael R . Shaw Stewart , on the throne . Bro . F . A . Barrow , was in his place as Senior Grand Warden , and Bro . R . F . Shaw Stewart , Senior Grand Deacon , acted as Junior

Grand Warden . There was a large attendance of thc brethren ; and amongst those present were Bros . Henry Inglis of Torsonce , Depute Grand Master ; Col . Montgomerie Neilson , Provinciil Grand Master of Glasgow ; Lauderdale Maitland , P . G . M . of Dumfries ; John C . Forrest , P . G . M . of Lanark ; D . Murray Lyon , Grand Secretary ; David Kinnear , Grand Cashier ; tbe Rev Dr .

Gray , Grand Chaplain ; William Hay , Grand Architect ; Alexander Hay , Grand Jeweller ; Thomas Halket , Grand Bible Bearer ; Captain Hills , Grand Marshal ; Wm . Mann , Past Senior Grand Warden ; and W . H . Bickerton , Provincial Grand Secretary , Glasgow . The following representatives from foreign Grand Lodges were present : — Bros . F . S . Melville , President of the Board of Grand

Stewards and representative of the Grand Lodge of Hungary ; Wm . Officer , representative of Egypt and Pennsylvania ; Dr . Loth , representative of the Grand Orient ; Daniel Robertson , representative of South Carolina ; Wm . Barton , representative of Tennessee ; A . Thomson , representative of Illinois ; John Baird , representative of Cuba ; and R . S . Brown , representative of Kentucky .

Apologies for absence were intimated from Bros , thc Rev . A . Thomson Grant , Grand Chaplain , and Captain G . F S . Colt of Gartsherrie , Grand Sword Bearer . Reference was made in appropriate terms by the Deputy Grand Master to the death , in December last , of Bro . James Ballantiiie , who had held the office of Grand Bard since 1861 , and on the 7 th ult . of Bro . the Right Hon .

Lord Kinnaird , who was Grand Master Mason in 1830-31 , and at his death was Provincial Grand Master of Perthshire East , which post he had filled for the period of fifty years . The following resolutions , which had been prepared by Grand Committee , were then adopted , and thc Grand Secretary was instructed to communicate their terms to the relatives of the deceased brothers : — " ( 1 ) That thc

Committee desire to express their unfeigned regret at the grevious loss sustained by the Scottish Craft in the demise of their Grand Bard , Bro . James Ballantinc—a loss shared in by the Scottish nation . He was enshrined in the hearts of both ; for to genius of a high order he united qualities which are not always , or even often , combined with it .

His life was pure—his sympathies with all that was virtuous and good were unbounded—his affections towards all humanity had the true ring of Christian and Masonic charity and love ; and he died , as he had lived , distinguished by the admiration and attachment of bis fellowmen . ( 2 ) That the Committee have also to mourn the death of one of their Past Grand Masters—Bro . Losi

Grand Lodge Of Scotland.

Kinnaird—a nobleman who added to his exalted rank that attribute so valued and appreciated by Freemasons—a life-long and unvaried devotion to their Order . " The minutes of Grand Committee brought up the question of thc recent change in the constitution of the Grand Orient of France , whereby a profession of belief in God and the immortality oi thc soul is not now essential to

admission as Freemasons in that body ; and stated that Grand Secretary had intimated to the Grand Orient that should it be the case that such a radical change in the fundamental principles of ancient Freemasonry had indeed been confirmed by that body , Grand Committee would be under the necessity of recommending to Grand Lodge to sever thc fraternal relations that bave for so long a period

subsisted between it and the Grand Orient of France . In connection with this subject , the Depute Grand Master had called attention to the letter , which , as he thought , had been very properly addressed by Grand Secretary to thc editor of the Courant , pointing out that , instead of requiring to be urged by a subordinate lodge to its duty in regard to the obliteration of religion Irom French

Freemasonry , Grand Lodge , as represented by the Grand Master and Grand Committee , had , some weeks previous to the resolution of Mother Kilwinning on the subject , communicated with the Grand Orient ; and Grand Secretary had been thanked for his letter , and instructed to put on record that it was beyond the province of Mother Kilwinning or any lodge holding

of Grand Lodge to communicate direct with any foreign Grand Lodge on tlw subject of Freemasonry . A reply was submitted from the Grand Orient expressing great astonishment at the proposal forthe supture of fraternal relations , and remarking that there seemed to be a belief that the Grand Orient , in modifying the first silicic of the French Masonic constitution , wished to profess atheism and

materialism ; but holding that this was an erroneous interpretation ofthe vote—an interpretation which there hart already been occasion to . protest against—and declaring without hesitation that nothing was more contrary to the feelings which dictated the revision of the article of the constitution . In concluding , the letter from the Grand Orient expressed the hope that thc considerations set forth therein

would be weighed by Grand Lodge , which counted among its members so many distinguished men , that when better informed on the question now occupying its attention it would refuse to take part in an act cf intolerance which would be at complete variance with the real sentiments of the Masonic brotherhood , and that the fraternal relations now existing between Grand Lotlge and Grand Orient

would be continued . Grand Committee had expressed an opinion that the reply of the Grand Orient was not satisfactory , and this was confirmed by Grand Lodge . Grand Lodge then proceeded to the election of the Grand Committee , the whole of thc members of that body retiring on this occasion , in accordance with a new law of Grand Lodge . There were fifty-seven nominations for

the thirty-six scats , and after a considerable amount of dividing the following were elected : —Bros . R . F . Shaw Stewart and Hugh Munro , Edinburgh ; Alexandra Kelt , Dundee ; William Mann , Edinburgh ; John Baird , Glasgow ; Dr . Carmichael , H . F . Gordon , William Hay , R . S . Brown , and Alexander Hay , Edinburgh ; F . A . Barrow , Glasgow ; George M'Lean , James Turner , F . S . Melville ,

and W . Officer , Edinburgh ; William Barry , Leith ; John Beveridge , John Davidson , Dr . Middleton , William Barton , William Niven , Charles L . Ramsden , W . J . C . Abbott , and G . H . Thorns , Edinburgh ; W . H . Bickerton , Glasgow ; Adam Thomson , Galashiels ; A . N . Clarke , Edinburgh ; Z . H . Heys , John Morgan , James Thomson , and Robert Nisbit , Glasgow ; Peter Sinclair and Albert Apthorpe ,

B-dinburgh ; Farquhar MacGillivray , Lanark ; J . B . Mac-Naught , Glasgow ; W . Macdonald , Dundee . Grand Secretary was instructed to issue charters in favour of the following new lodges : — " Ben Ledi , " Callander , Perthshire ( No . 614 ) ; " St . Andrew , " Queanbey ' an , New South Wales ( No . 615 ); "St . John , " Coquimbo , Chili ( No . 616 ); and "Sir George Cathcart , " Cathcart

( No . 617 ) . It was agreed to repone Lodge " St . John , Operative , " Forres , under its old number , 37 , it having been dormant since 186 9 . Bros . Hemy Knight , of Maurer , Joseph E . Salles , and C . W . Johnston were appointed representatives of Grand Lodge to the Grand Lodges of St . John's of Hungary , the

Island of Cuba , and Kentucky respectively . Some statements were submitted as to the finances , and were extremely satisfactory . The income for the quarter ending 21 st December last had exceeded the expenditure by upwards of £ 940 . After disposing cf some other business , Grand Lodge was then closed in ample form .

Public Amusements.

Public Amusements .

AQUARIUM THEATRE . —One of the most successful pantomimes of the season is undoubtedly "A Frog lie would a wooing go , " the last nights of which is now announced . There is little to add to our previous notice beyond thc fact that , within thc last three weeks two new and very charming songs have been introduced , entitled " Gentle Zephyrs , " and " The Fairy Dell , " written by Mr . J . A . Cave . Both are exceedingly pretty songs , and

" Gentle Zephyrs , " as now rendered by Miss Ward especially so . We must again make mention o' Mr Fawn , who . as " the Queen " in the Pantomime is the very life and soul of the piece , to hear him sing "Oh I can't forget thc days when I was young , " is something to remember . In the building itself the entertainment is as varied and amusing as ever , and is evidently a source of much gratification to the large audiences daily afsembled within the spacious and comfortable edifice .