Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

ther comment , present this jewel and address to Bro . Rooke . ( This was done amidst the loud and continued applause of the brethren present . ) Previous to the address , & c ., being presented , mine host , Bro . J . A . Chapman , brought in the " Loving Cup , " a large silver one , filled with wine , and placed it on a pedestal near the W . M ., who at the conclusion of Bro . Woodall's speech took the

cup in his hand , and thus addressed the recipient of the presents : Worshipful and dear Sir and Brother , in the finishing of this very pleasing duty , I have deemed it right to mark * the occasion with more than usual routine ceremony , for I feel assured that through the noble and zealous manner in which you have filled the office of Master of each ofthe four lodges under this roof , it will

seldom be our lot to meet on such an auspicious occasion again . This , I am fully convinced , will be reverted to as a "Red Letter Day" by the Masons assembling here . The " Loving Cup" which I shall now pass round , will enable each brother present to follow me in drinking your health and wishing you long life and uninterrupted happiness , Bro . Rooke , your very good health . —On the conclusion

of this part of the ceremony , Bro . Rooke rose , amidst great applause , returned the compliment , and made the following reply : W . M ., Past Masters , Officers , and Brethren assembled here , in vising to return thanks for the very valuable presents just presented to me , I must state , that although I have frequently spoken in public before , I feel , at a loss to find language equal to my

feelings on this occasion , hut I will first tell you , it is just ten years ago this very night , that I was initiated into Masonry in this lodge . Yes , ten years ago this night I received the light of Masonry , and so much was 1 impressed with the good of Masonry on that night , that I at once made up my mind to go heart and soul into it . This I have done , as far as my time , & c ., would admit of , and

in passing through the past ten years I have had very much to please me ; for instance , we have our Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Decayed Freemasons ' and the Widows of Freemasons , the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , wherein ioo boys are clothed , fed , and well educated , ( our own lodge having become since my time , a vice-president of this admirable institution . )

Also the Royal Masonic Girl ' s School , where a similar number of girls receive the same advantages . Yes , brethren , when I know that over , £ 12 , 000 have been subscribed in one day for one of these institutions , I say Masonry is good ; when I read of the shipwrecked mariner on a foreign shore being welcomed , clothed , fed , and taken care of till sent home to his native land happy and

comfortable , and when I hear tell of the warrior and foeman , staying his hand on the sign of Masonry being given ; and , finally , when the very pirate in his bloody deed , has stayed his hand and that ofhis followers , for the same reason , I say , ihere is a feeling of true brotherly love in Masonry wherever our lot be cast . And now , brethren , allow me to state lhat I return you my

heartfelt thanks for these valuable presents , which will ever be cherished by me as the most valued in my possession , knowing as I do , that they are the spontaneous gifts of my sinccrest friends ; and in conclusion , let me atld , that if I have been useful lo Masonry ,

it will be my constant aim to still continue to be . ( Bro . Rooke took his seat amidst loud and prolonged applause . ) Thishavingconcludcd the business of the evening , the lodge was closed in due form , and the brethren retired to refreshment , when a pleasant , fraternal , and enjoyable evening was spent .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

METROPOLITAN . Pythagorean Chapter , No . 79 . —An emcigency meeting of this new chapter was held at the Ship Hotel , Greenwich , on Thursday , the 17 th ult ., when the following Companions were present : Comps . ] . II . II . Doughney , M . E . Z . ; R . Boncey , II . ; W . West Smith , j ' ; T . P'rridge , S . E . ; J . Griffin , S . N . ; J . R . Nash , P . S . ; T .

Halsey , ( P . Z . 507 ) ; T . Simpson , ( P . Z . 77 ) ; II . j . Wright , ( S . E . 72 ) ; C . I . Baton , ( 1 , S 4 , 97 , 101 ) , & c . The Chapter having been opened by the Principals , the minutes of the consecration and installation meeting on the 3 rd inst ., were read and confirmed . The ballot was then taken for the following brethren for exaltation . Bros . Trill , ( P . M . 79 ) ; Bumstead , ( P . M . 54 S ) ; J . XV . Ward ,

( P . M . 79 ) : J- Barratt , ( S . W . 871 ); C . Nash , ( J . W . 79 ) ; W . Myall , ( J . D . S 71 ) ; II . Roberts , ( J . D . 79 ) ; J . Tracey , ( 79 ) ; J . S . Burls , ( S . W . 79 ) ; C . M . Munvard , ( I . G . 79 ); J . J . Forbes Frith , ( 205 ); A . Drew , ( S'D . S 90 ); H . Thompson , ( 79 ) ; J . XV . Reed , ( S . D . 871 ); J . Fitzgerald , ( 79 . ) As joining members -. Comps . C . R . Young , ( 13 ) ; II . J . Wright , ( S . E . 72 ); T . Simpson ,

( P . Z . 77 ) ; Chalmers Izett Paton , ( 1 , 84 , 97 , 101 , ) & c . The whole of the ballots being unanimous Bros . Trill , Bumstead , Tracey and Roberts , being in attendence , were duly exalted to the supreme degree of ihe Royal Arch in a very able and impressive manner by the M . E . Z ., ( Comp . J . H . H . Doughney , ) assisted by Comps . R . Boncey , II . ; XV . West Smith , J ., and the rest ofthe Companions . A

code of bye-laws was then read , and it was resolved that they be submitted to the Grand S . E ., ( Comp . Hervey , ) for approval . Bro . Richard Waterhouse , Pythagorean Lodge , T \ o . 70 , was proposed for exaltation at the next convocation ofthe Chapter . Comps . R . Trill , was appointed 1 st Asst . S ., andE . Bumstead , was appointed 2 nd Asst . S . Comp . Smith then asked the sanction ofthe M . E . Z . and the Chapter , for the formation of a Chapter of Instruction .

to be called " The Pythagoican Chapter of Instruction . " This request was acceded to with acclamation , The Chapter was then closed in due form , and the Companions repaired to an excellent banquet , for which this hotel is so noted , and the remainder of the evening was very pleasantly spent , and enlivened with a little harmony . Domatic Chapter , A ' o . 177 . —This chapter met on the 25 th ult . at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street . Comp . R . Wentworth Little , M . E . Z ,, opened the chapter , with the

Royal Arch.

assistance of the Principals and Past Principals , and having inducted his successor , Comp . J . Coutts , into the chair of Z ., then installed Comps . W . J . Gilbert as H , and G . Wilson as J . The other officers being Comps . J . Smith , P . G . D . C , P . Z ., Treas . ; H . G . Buss , P . Z , E . ; T . Cubitt , N ; J . R . Foulger , P . S . ; J . XV . Barrett and A . Ilayward , Assistants ; J . Weaver , Org . The new

M . E . Z . then very ably exalted Bro . Harrison , S . D ., 27 . into the Order of the R . A . A P . Z ' s . jewel was presented during the evening to Comp . Little , who expressed his thanks in suitable terms . The P . Z's . present besides those already named were Comps . W , Carpenter , J . Brett , E . Sisson , C . A . Cottebrune , and C . B . Payne . Comp . G . S . States , P . Z ., responded for the visitors , who were

four in number . A most pleasant evening Was spent , and the manner in which the new Z ., Comp . Coutts , presided was such as might have been expected from so tried and trusty a Mason , it being well-known that during his two years tenure ofthe chair in the Egyptian Lodge , No . 27 , he earned the goodwill and confidence of all his brethren .

PROVINCIAL . LIVERPOOL . —Chapter of Liverpool , No . 292 . —The regular meeting of this chapter was held at the Masonic Temple on the evening of Monday , the 4 th inst ., when a goodiy number of companions met to do honour to the installation of their Principals . The chapter having been opened , the ceremony was conducted by Comps . Thos .

Wylie , P . Z ., with the assistance of Comps . Hamer , P . Z ., Hess , P . Z ., and Laidlaw , P . Z . The three Comps . elected at ihe previous chapter for the honours of the chairs were installed , Comp . J . " Mercer Johnson , M . D ., as M . E . Z . ; Comp . R . Wylie . P . Z ., as II ; and Comp . R . S . Williams as J . Afterwards , the officers were invested , in accordance with the previous election , as follows : —Comp . Pelham , P . S ; Comp . Hurt wick , S . E . ;

Comp . Dod , S . N . ; and Comp . Ihos . Wylie , P . Z ., Treas . Comp XV . II . Ball was then elected and invested J . There being no further business for the consideration of the chapter it was duly closed , and the comps . adjourned to the Adelphi Hotel , where an excellent banquet awaited them , and under Ihe presidency of their M . E . Z ., a very agreeable and harmonious evening was spent .

SCOTLAND . INVERNESS . — . 57 . Audi-era ' s Royal Arch Chapter , A o 11 5 . —The Vernal Equinoctial festival of this Ch . iptci was held on Tuesday , the 22 nd ult ., in Freemasons' Hall , which was tastefully decorated for the occasion . Three arches , covered with ever-greens extended across the hall , and a Masonic device by Mrs . Ellis , which was suspended

from the "keystone" of the middle arch , was much admired . The following Companions were present , viz . Comps . John-Ellis , 1 st Prin . Z . ; J . Sharp , 2 nd Prin . II . ; G . Ballingall , 3 rd Prin . J . ; XV . McKenzic , P . Z . ; XV . McKcnzie , P . II . ; J . Cook , P . J . ; D . Fraser , Scribe E . ; W . Martin , Scribe N . ; F . Ronnie , Treas . ; J . Watson , 1 st . Soj . ; John Campbell , 3 rd Soj . ; L . Follieringham ,

Janitor ; J . Cowan , C . Macfarlane , and D . Noble . It was agreed by the Chapter , that the Companions should write lo tlieir lady friends to be present . The following ladies attended , viz . : Miss Ballingall , Mrs . Campbell , Miss Cook , Mrs . Cowan , Mrs . Ellis , Mrs . Elgin , Misses Elgin , Miss Forbes , "Miss Fraser , Mrs . Martin , Misses Mac-Keiuic , Miss Munro , Mrs . Noble , Mrs . Ronnie , and Mrs .

Watson ; and the result has been such a splendid success , that it is hoped that the ladies will again and again grace our festive meetings with their presence , and contribute , as they have done at this lime , so very much to Ihe social harmony and enjoyment which should distinguish all the incetingsof the Order . The Masonic business ofthe Chapter having been disposed of , and ihe chanter closed in ancient

form , the Companions joined the ladies and sat down to an excellent banquet , llie M . E-Z . in the chair , and the Croupiers were 2 nd Prin . Sharp , and 3 rd Prin . Ballinghall . The M . E . Z . gave the usual loyal toasts , followed by " The Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland , " and '" Foreign Grand Chapters . " Comp . D . Eraser , Scribe E ., proposed "The Three Principals , " of whom

he spoke 111 high praise for their attention to the high duties of their offices , and the best interests of the Chapter , and as Companions who are deservedly held in the highest esteem for their personal worth as well as their Masonic abilities . The toast was received with all the honours . Comp . Ballingall , J ., returned thanks in a very eloquent manner , ami proposed "Success to No . 115 , "

which was heartily responded to . Comp . Cowan proposed "The other Office-bearers of the Chapter , " and Comp . Martin , Scribe N ., acknowledged the toast . The other toasts were , "St . Mary ' s and St . John ' s Mason Lodges , Inverness , " by Comp . Sharp , II . ; " The Magistrates and Council of Inverness , " by Comp .

Ballingall , J . ; "The Town and Trade of Inverness , " by Comp . Watson ; "The Press , " by Scribe E . ; Comp . Sharp proposed "The Ladies , " for whom ihe Scribe E . replied , concluding , in the name ofthe unmarried , in the words ofthe daughter who expressed satisfaction with her father ' s explanation of Masonry - . — " I ' m much obliged , I thank you from my heart ,

All you have said I have not understood ; But Masonry , I'm sure is very good ; And if to marry ' lis my lot in life , If you approve I'll be a Mason ' s wife . " At intervals during the proceedings there were songs and recitations by several ladies aud Companions , which were excellently rendered , tending greatly to the

enjoyment ofthe meeting . Dancing lollowcd , and was kept up with great spirit till an early hour , when the parly broke up . The whole proceedings were of a most interesting antl gratifying character ; and now thai llic admission of the ladies , for ihe first lime , lo the annual festival , has proved so very successful and enjoyable , the Companions resolve to renew , from time lo time , the invitation to meet them on the Compass and Square within the Royal Arch .

The Public Night Of The Chapter Of Prudent Brethren, No. 145.

The PUBLIC NIGHT of the CHAPTER of PRUDENT BRETHREN , No . 145 .

The Public Nig ht of the Chapter of Prudent Brethren was held at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street , on the 31 st ult ., and attracted , we believe , the greatest gathering of Royal Arch Masons that was ever witnessed in the Metropolis . The chapter was opened in due form , about

60 Principals assisting in the ceremony , and the companions were then admitted to the number of nearly 200 . Amongst those present we made a note ofthe following : —Comps . J . Boyd , Z . 145 ; G . J . Sharpc , H . 145 i W . Carter , J . 145 ; G . S . States , P . Z ., E . 145 ; J . Brett , P . Z . 177 , 975 ! R . Wentworth Little , P . Z . 177 , 975 ; N . Bradford , P . G . D . C . ; A . Macdonald Ritchie , D . G . Sup ., Madras ;

C . A . Cottebrune , P . Z . ; Rev . W . Bramwcll Smith , P . Z ., P . G . R . Warwickshire ; E . H . Patten , P . Z ., P . G . S . B . ; J . Bowes , P . Z . 129 ; W . Bartlett , Z . 1 S 7 ; J . Robinson , " P . Z . ; E . P . Albert , P . Z . ; W . Carpenter , P . Z . 177 ; F . II . Gilbart , J . 534 ; T . Fenn , P . G . D . C ; Hyde Pullen , P . Z ., P . G . D . C . ; G . Bolton , P . Z . ; F . Adlard , P . Z . ; J . Coutts , Z . 382 : W . Mann , P . Z . ; E . Sisson , P . Z . ; J .

Dixon , P . Z . ; Rev . C . L Martvn , G . Chaplain ; li . J . P . Dumas , H . 167 ; XV . ' Pope , Z . 752 ; J . Stohwasser , P . Z . ; A . A . Richards ; A . A . Pendlebury , P . Z . 975 ; S . Mullens , 753 ; A . Eskell , P . Z . 1 S 8 ; G . Brown , P . Z . 169 ; T . Newton , E . Grant , XV . Tavener , XV . J . Meek , F . Bennoch ( P . Z . 2 ) , J . F . Berry , J . G . Manby , W . G . Hallett , XV . J . Ferguson , T- Bracher , T .

Smith ( r 99 ) , T . Littlecott , J . Slack , L . May , T . Harwood , T . Bull , J . XV . Free , W . Jones ( of Wigton ) , T . Gill , J . W . Barrett , T- Bmmer , T . K . Tippett , \ V . B . Crabb , J . Last , J . Self , C . G . Smith , W . H . Hubbard ( P . Z . 975 ) , Swinfbrd Francis ( P . Z . S ) , T- Weaver , C . C . W . Griffiths , C . B . Payne , E . Stanton J ones , F . Hockley , T . Parker ( 507 ) , G . Powell , W . Noak , W . H . Green ,

D . Samuels ( P . Z . 18 S ) , XV . West Smith ( J . 619 ) , J . C . Thomas , T . R . Nash , C . Coote , J . Cooper , T . R . Parker , G . Summers , J . G . Webb , A . Oberdoerffer , T . Winsland , T- Headon , D . XV . Finney , S . Headon , J . Mortlock , E . Baxter ( P . Z . 8 ) , H . Moore , D . Forbes , F . G . Baker ( P . Z . 753 ) , W . Piatt , F . Avrillon , L . Mercik , li . T- Pcrrv , F . Ridley ( of Bcmbay ) , E . Gotthiel , G . A .

Henley , J . ' F . Crcswick , XV . J . Jones ( 145 ) , V . Rosenstock , R . A . Brown , J . B . Poole , T . Cubitt , J . Abrahams , T . J . Berry , G . Kenning , Newington Bridges , W . F . N . Quilty , E . Roberts , XV . Bright , C . A . Long , XV . Hilton , C . Willcox , E . Cronin , T . Cox . H . Roberts , C . XV . Duke ( 40 ) , E . Baldwin ( H . 40 ) , li . Massey ( J . 619 ) , W . Dodd ( 975 ) . J- McKiernan , G . Wilson ( J . 177 ) , J . Bcllerby , cum mullis aliis .

Comp . GEORGE S . STATES , Scribe E ., P . Z ., 534 and 742 , then read the summons convening the Convocation , after which Comp . R . WENTWORTH LITTLE , P . Z . 177 and 975 , delivered the following oration upon Freemasonry , alluding more particularly to the Order of II . R . A . : — Companions , having been requested to deliver this evening an address upon Freemasonry in general , with

especial reference to the Royal Arch Degree , I make the attempt with great pleasure but at the same time with great diffidence , surrounded as I find myself to be on the present occasion by so many members of the Order whose Masonic attainments ami general knowledge far better qualify them for ihe fulfilment of the task . It would be useless to detain you , Companions , by any laboured , and

possibly futile , effort to trace the history of the Masonic Fraternity through its successive developments in those ages of the past whose records are overlaid with romantic traditions and incredible legends . But it maybe remarked generally lhat narratives which were accepted as authentic history by our forefathers are now in many instances considered not onlv inaccurate in detail but positively fabulous

in substance . The inventive powers of imagination were no more confined to the poets and rhapsodists of ancient times , than we find to be the case in our own era , when it is well known lhat the most conflicting accounts of precisely the same event find credence in different quarters ; those most highly tinged with romance , or what wc now term most " sensational , " being as a rule more readily received by

the public . The historians of antiquity were , however , to a great extent destitute of the means which we now possess of sifting and analyzing the evidence relating lo circumstances alleged to have transpired in ihe history of mankind ; besides which they frequently gave a colour to certain events to suit the views of those despotic princes and potentates whose favor tltcv desired to enjoy . To a love for the marvellous

and a credulous enthusiasm , which are ever present in many minds , may also be ascribed many of those embellishments of history which areas purely fictional as the travels of Gulliver or the adventures of Robinson Crusoe . The genius of antiquity delighted in exalting heroes and kings to the rank of gods , thus investing ihcir deeds of valour with a halo of romantic clorv , while the deification of the elements

of nature ami of the good and evil passions of man gave an unbounded scope to imagination and warped the faculties of reason . The traditions of Freemasonry arc , however , free from the gross improbability of many ancient legends ; they possess a consistency and coherence which arc the attributes of truth , and it cannot be denied that their import is reconcilable with all ourconccptions of the history

of mankind in every age of the world . Masonic traditions not only bear the impress of truth , but they develop by a scries of symbolic revelations , all that is true and noble in our nature . In the degree of Entered Apprentice , Freemasonry unfolds to the neophyte the primary duties of man to his Maker , to his neighbour , and lo himself . Emblematically , he enters upon a new state of

existence , and is lequired to put off the old Adam of darkness , and lo array himself in garments of light . The beauty of brotherly love—the surpassing sweetness of charit)—is presented lo his view , and around his soul are erected the impregnable ramparts of Temperance , Fortitude , Prudence , and Justice . In the second degree , he becomes a fellow-labourer in the temple of wisdom , and is taught to contemplate the works of the Creator with