The Province Of Dureham.

satisfactory . 1 here , was a full muster of companions at the recent annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Chapter in Sunderland , and the ( irand Superintendent—Comp . Sir II . WILLIAMSON—who has presided over this branch of Masonry only a few

months less than over the Craft , had the pleasure of hearingreports from the chapters , which were of the most assuring character , while the Provincial Grand Treasurer ' s statement of account was such , that Provincial ( irand Chapter was able to vote , sundry donations towards the funds of the * Masonic Charities

The Order Of The Temple In The United States.

THE ORDER OF THE TEMPLE IN THE UNITED STATES .

The great Templar function , which takes p lace once in every three years in some one of the chief cities in the United * States , was held in Boston , Massachusetts , on the 27 th August and three following days , and from the accounts we have read of the

proceedings as recorded in our American Masonic ' contemporaries , the gathering from lirst to last appears to have been one magnificent success . From 20 , 000 to 25 , 000 Kni g hts Templar assembled from all the various Templar jurisdictions throughout the country ,

while the friends ancl relations of both sexes who accompanied them on their p ilgrimage must have enormousl y augmented , if indeed it did not double , the muster of the sir kni ghts . Then there were the visitors , who made their way into the city merely

for the pleasure of witnessing so imposing a spectacle , so that Boston must have profited by such an influx of visitors , and rejoiced accordingl y , and wc hardl y need to be told that the welcome accorded to the members of the Order and their friends

was " of the most hearty and hospitable character , " or that the citizens " manifested a cordial sympathy on thc occasion , and well supported the official greeting expressed b y Governor GREENHALGE and Mayor CURTIS . " Moreover , the Grand

Commandery of Massachusetts and Rhode . Island made " ample and elaborate preparations for the visit , " " not doubting that they would be seconded , as they were , in all their endeavours b y the Templars of the jurisdiction and the people at large . " Their

Triennial Committee , under the direction of Sir Kni ght SAMUEL C . LAWRENCE , Grand Commander , worked wonders in preparing the necessary arrangements for the reception of the guests . As regards the chief event of the meeting—the

Grand Parade on Tuesday , no one will be surprised to learn that it was an inspiring procession , a grand ancl beautiful spectacle . Twenty thousand Kni g hts and more , with waving plumes andbanners , marched tothe strains of inspiring music , over

the designated route . The streets , too , along which the procession marched , were " decorated with flags and Templar symbols , many of the public buildings and business blocks , as well as private residences , being adorned with artistic representations of

scenes , passages , ancl lessons identified with the history and expression of Masonic Templarism . " The windows also along the line of route , the housetops , and every coign of vantage were thronged with interested spectators , and the sidewalks

were packed as they had never been packed before . Among the notabilities present were the Supreme Grand Master , Sir Kni ght HUGH MCCURDY , with the principal officers of the Grand Encampment , before whom the whole bod y marched in review ,

and who was supported by the Governor of the State ancl numerous officials ; the Grand Masters of Massachusetts ancl Rhode Island , and the members of their respective Grand Lodges ; and the Mayor of Boston and thc dignitaries , both civil

and Templar . In fact , Boston was in an ecstacy of deli ght over the show , and one mi ght almost have fancied that the old military Order of the Temple had come to life again , and were returning viii Boston from the Hol y Land , after defeating a few millions of

infidels , so great was the enthusiasm displayed by the Kni ghts who marched through the city , ancl the thousands upon thousands of spectators who watched ancl applauded and cheered them as they went .

But the grand parade occupied only the one day . The * whole week was crowded with innumerable parades , receptions , excursions , banquets , and the like , while on Wednesday the citizens were treated to " an exhibition drill of an interesting character , ' ' so that " for an entire week the air was filled with the sounds o

The Order Of The Temple In The United States.

music , and at almost (" -very turn a commandery might be nle _ marching to some place of meeting with another Templar body or returning to headquarters . " There was , indeed , " a sound ol revelry " b y day as well as by nig ht during the whole peri--- !

set apart for this triennial meeting of the Templar ( irand -Encampment , and the wonder i . s that when thc duties of the meeth-,,. were ended , there should have been left any Sir Kni ghts or citizens who were able to record the various events in langna *** ,. that mi g ht be " understanded of the people . " '

'I bus far we have contented ourselves with referring to Unspectacular portion ofthe proceedings , in the p leasures of which thc general public maybe said to have participated . Rut we must not forget that the ostensible object of the meeting was . the

transaction ot Templar business . Addresses had to be delivered , in which the leading events of the last three years were carefull y reviewed ; the various Committees had devolving upon them the duty of compiling their several reports , and these reports lind

to be considered and adopted or amended or rejected , as it seemed lit to the , members of Grand Encampment . There was , too , a new constitution to be framed , new Grand Officers for the ensuing

three years to be elected , and , finally , a grand banquet to be discussed and speeches innumerable to be delivered and applauded . But the Templars appear to have been quite equal to occasion . The Triennial Committee of Boston laid themselves out to do

the thing handsomely , and we doubt not the spacious dining hall in the Vendome , where the feast was held , " presented an appearance of unspeakable splendor . It seemed as though all the resources of art ancl wealth had been exhausted in rendering

the room a paragon of scenic effect . The tables , we are told , " seemed ablaze with lig ht " : the walls were festooned with garlands of sweet oak leaves , arranged in p illars of Louis XV . design , while the mantelpieces were adorned with huge vases of

flowers , and thc corners of the room filled with palms and cacti , the chandeliers being hung with asparagus fern in such quantities that even the chronicler of the scene appears to have wondered whence it was all collected . However , the banquet and tin

"evenings exercises ' generally , as all things else mundane came to an end at last , ancl when at length the week of Tcmplru business and festivity terminated , the immense throng of Sii Kni g hts and their friends began to busy themselves over tht

return journey , and are now , we trust , comfortabl y ancl quietly located yet once again in the cities and towns which own them as citizens . And yet men say that nothing delights our genial American cousins so much as genuine unalloyed republican simplicity ! .

Consecration Of The Willesden Chapter, No. 2489.

CONSECRATION OF THE WILLESDEN CHAPTER , No . 2489 .

The Willesden Lodge , which was started about two years ago , having progressed even beyond the expectations ot the founders , it was but natural that a desire should be felt and expressed to have a Royal Arch chapter attached . The necessary steps were taken and a charter was granted , with

the result that the Willesden Chapter , No . 2489 , became un fait accompli on the 4 th inst ., when the solemn and interesting ceremony was performed at Freemasons' Hall by Comp . E . Letchworth , F . S . A ., G . Scribe E ., assisted by Comps . Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . Chap ., as H . ; Major-Gen . J . <' Hay , C . B ., P . A . G . Soj ., as J . ; Capt . T . C . Walls , P . D . G . D . C , as N . ; and Frank Richardson . G . D . C , as D . C .

The founders of the new chapter are : Comps . Walter Wellsman , ?¦ ' ¦ 1319 and 1589 ; O . C Robson , E . R . Bartley Denniss , Sir Reg inald Hanson , Bart ., M . P ., P . G . S . N . ; C J . Marrian , H . C Borradaile , F . W . Marrian , C . Stanley Gibbs , F . Levick , Prov . G . J . Herts ; and- F . HDavy , P . P . G . P . S . Lincolnshire . The visitors present included Comps . W . Harling Sissons , G . Supt .

Lincolnshire , P . G . S . B . ; Sir John Monckton , P . G . S . N . ; H . Sadler , <; Janitor ; Dr . L . B . Pillin , P . / .. ; J . Kift , J . A . Brown , F . Bevan , W , Smithett , P . Z . ; H . W . Green , J . W . Gaze , P . Z . ; C E . Van Du / er , P . Z . ; L . O . ] ohnson , W . W . Lee , M . E . Z . ; and others .

The chapter having been opened and a hymn sung , the C ONSECRATIM ' PRINCIPAL , addressing the companions , said : We are met here to-day lor a very soltmn purpose—to constitute a new Royal Arch chapter , and dedicate it to the service of the Most High . The chapter we are about to will 1 )

consecrate will hereafter be known as the Willesden Chapter , and e attached to a lodge which I had the pleasure and great honour of consecrating not long since . I can only express a hope that this chapter will be the means not only of advancing the best interests of the Order , but ' possible of binding still mo « . - closely logether those already associated w ' ' the lodge . 1 hope this chapter may have before it a career of great usefulness and prosperity .