Consecration Of The Grand Masters Chapter, No. I.

ing the companions . They all knew the great services Sir F . Truscott had rendered . When he looked back upon that companion ' s career in Masonry and compared it with his own , especially in Royal Arch Masonry , he felt how far Comp . Truscott was beyond him ; but when he gazed around and saw companions who had done so much to advance the interests of Masonry , he felt an honour had been done him , which no efforts of his during the

remainder of the short period which might be granted to him could recompense . Comp . Fenn and Comp . Philbrick were companions to whom an immense debt of gratitude was due . The great institution which they now hoped to cement was one which possibly might yet be a gteat cause of the saivation of England . They were all knit together socially that night , the institution was binding them man to man and soul to soul in one great

object—universal beneficence , and the universal belief in Charity towards each other—to think not evil , but good one of another ; to hope that they were inspired by the same desire to benefit each other ; to unite together for one purpose—the universal benefit of mankind . He hoped that , however much he might have failed hitherto , there was yet a future before him , and that he should not be found wanting on occasions when his services would be reauired .

Comp . Sir R . N . FOWLER said he was under peculiar obligations to the companions for his position . The other two Principals were old members of the Grand Masters Lodge , and they were kind enough to take in a joining member and to place him in the chair . He then had the great

honour of being a Grand Warden of England . Owing such great obligations to the members of the lodge , he felt it a great privilege to do anything he could for the chapter and the lodge associated with it . He hoped that for years and centuries it would continue to be identified with No . i Lodge .

Comp . Sir . F . W . TRUSCOTT proposed '' The Consecrating Officers . " The manner in which those companions had performed their duties that day had been such as to commend itself not only to the companions' esteem , but to their very warmest gratitude . He had been very much struck not only with the manner in which Col . Clerke performed his duties , but also

with the eloquence of Comp . Brownrigg . The many allusions he made to particular circumstances connected with No . i Lodge were such as to draw from those companions who were connected with the City of London a distinct recognition . But he believed all the companions were struck generally with the manner in which the consecration of the chapter was carried through .

Comp . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , in replying , assured the companions that anything which any Grand Officer could do to advance the interests of Royal Arch Masonry they had the greatest pleasure in doing . In the chapter he had said the present occasion was an unusual one , because they had started a chapter which was unique in its character and commencement . He could only speak highly of the address of Comp . the

Rev . J . S . Brownrigg . Anybody who had heard that address would acknowledge that anything more effective or to the point they had not often heard . Then Comp . Richardson was a most valuable officer , as without him he ( Col . Clerke ) could not get on very well . He must also not forget Comps . Philbrick and Dr . Lott . It was a great pleasure to him to see Royal Arch

Masonry increasing so much . He believed there was no time when it was so prosperous . Only a few days ago Grand Chapter passed some resolutions which he thought would be of service to the Order generally . They were passed without dissent , and it would be found that the alterations and improvements would prove of great benefit . " The Visitors " was the next toast .

Comp . General LAYVRIE , in responding , said he was in a humble position in Arch Masonry , so humble , indeed , that he felt it was necessary to apologise . As Grand Master of an independent Grand Lodge he should not have been a . member of the chapter . Still , when an old lodge like the

Grand Masters Lodge had only just obtained a charter for a chapter , if he was a culprit , the Grand Masters Lodge was a culprit too . In his own jurisdiction blue Masonry and Royal Arch Masonry were kept entirely distinct , but they were ail associated in their desire * to promote Coptic and Arch Masonry .

Comp . Sir REGINALD HANSON said it was a great pleasure to him on the consecration of this new chapter to be present . The majority of the companions he had known , and been associated with in some connection or other for many years , particularly with the three Piincipals . He was glad to see the lodge had developed into a chapter .

In proposing "S . E ., S . N ., and Treas ., " Sir FRANCIS TRUSCOTT said they were mainly indebted to Dr . Ralph Gooding for the establishing of the chapter . It had been established in such a manner as to reflect credit on the Grand Masters Lodge . He hoped that for many years Dr . Ralph Gooding would be connected with the chapter—a very honoured member , and a member who would always receive the gratitude of the chapter .

Dr . RALPH GOODING , in acknowledging the toast , said wonder had been expressed that night that the Grand Masters Lodge had not hitherto held a Grand Masters Chapter . It might be difficult to explain , but so it was . There were often cases which were equally difficult to explain , and therefore Grand Masters Lodge might not be put up as a curiosity of the age . The lodge had been handed down from the generous impulses and the acts of a

distinguished M . W . G . M ., under the Atholl Grand Lodgc , so they had had it committed to them . One hundred and fifteen years ago the fourth Duke of Atholl was initiated in that lodge ; he was passed and raised in it , and he was duly installed in its chair . He was afterwards made M . W . G . M . of the Atholl Grand Lodge , falsely or truly called the Ancient Grand Lodge . It

was a great honour to be Secretary of so old and distinguished a lodge . It was a happy circumstance that the lodge was in such a prosperous condition . Old it might be , and this chapter might be born in the lodge ' s old age , but still , as S . E . of the chapter , he ventured to say that it had a future before it of which the lodge would never be ashamed .

The remaining toasts were afterwards given and responded to before the companions separated . bro . Tremcre assisted Dr . Lott in the musical portion of the ceremonies of the day .

KNIGHT' OK THE ROUND TABLE OK KING ARTHUR ( Chevalier de la Table Ronde du Roi Arthur ) . —Thory says that this is one of the grades of the Primitive Rite , but like Mackey we cannot find any trace of it , and think with him that Thory , though generally so correct , is here mistaken . Mackey , however , adds that he has seen a MS . of a degree of this name , in the possession of Bro . C . W . Moore , of Boston , which was an honorary degree , and referred to the poetic legend of King Arthur and his Knights . —Kenning ' s Cyclopaedia of Freemasonry .

Grand Chapter Of The Province Of Hampshire And Isle Of Wight.

GRAND CHAPTER OF THE PROVINCE OF HAMPSHIRE AND ISLE OF WIGHT .

The Grand Chapter of this province held its annual meeting at the Masonic Hall , Sarum Hill , Basingstoke , under the presidency of M . E . Comps . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., Grand Supt ., Z ., J . E . Le Feuvre , H ., and F . Newman , J . The meeting was called for 3 . 30 p . m ., when there were present : Comps . E . Goble , P . G . Scribe E .: R . f . Rastrick , P . G . Scribe N . ; R . Loveland

Loveland , P . G . Treas . ; VV . H . Jacob , J . 76 "; J . T . Doswell , S . E . 70 ; VV . Waters , P . Z . 130 ; Lord John Taylour , S . N . 175 ; Rev . A . A . Headley , H . -, oa ; J . Biickwood , H . P . P . G . 2 nd A . S . 342 ; W . Berry , / .., D . O . Hobbs , J ., P . P . G . Std . Br ., and G . J . Tilling , P . P . G . ist A . S ., al ! of 359 ; W . Horton , H „ J . Cole , Treas ., and J . Robertson , of 394 ; W . M . Outridge , H . 4 S 7 ; J . Gieve , J . 4 S 7 ; Rev . F . W . Thoyts , / .., Re * . E . Y . Nepean . H ., H . I . Thatcher , ' !„ 1 . Dew , D . C . P . P . G . I .. W . Parsons . P . Z .. A .

Portsmouth , P . Z .. P . P . G . 1 st A . S ., G . Lear , P . Z ., J . Scott Ramsey , P . F . Simmons . and G . P . Cowen , all of G 94 ; R . GIasspool , H ., / .. elect 721 ; G . Payne , J . 72 ?; VV . Dart , P . Z . S 04 ; P . H . Emanuel , R 04 ; G . B . Irons , J ., J . Wallingford , and H . VV . Smith , of 903 ; J . Hall , Z ., P . G . Std . Br ., J . Hitching , S . N ., VV . J . Rix , and T . H . Groves , of 153 1 ; W . Miller , S . N . 142 S ; | . Puntis , 15 G 4 ; W . Berry , H . I 7 S >; and A . Algar , 17 S 0 ; T . J . Futcher , I ' . P . G . J . Wilts ; G . Carter , lixell and Gibbs , Janitors .

After reading and confirming minutes of the last Provincial Grand Chapter , the Provincial Grand Treasurer ' s account were , on the proposition of Comp . BOWYER , and seconded by Comp . WALLINGVORD , received and passed . The balance sheet was most satisfactory . The balance from last year was /' 40 9 s . ad . ; receipts for the year . £ 26 3 s . 6 d . ; total A * 75 r > ¦ >'• is-.

whilst the expenditure was kept down to £ , () 15 s . 4 d ., leaving a balance ( in the Bank ) of £ 65 17 s . 1 id . A letter was read from Comps . Loveland Loveland resigning his position as P . G . Treasurer in consequence of his having numerous duties to attend to in London .

Comp . W . W . B . BEACH , moved a vote -of thanks to Comp . Loveland Loveland and said they received his resignation with great regret , for the province was greatly indebted to him for the manner in which he had performed his duties and they were obliged to him for the important services rendered . ( Applause . )

Comp . J . E . LE FEUVRE , in seconding , also expressed regret , for Comp . Loveland had worked up the finances to an unexpected balance . All that he did he did well .

The vote of thanks was carried by acclamation . Comp . LOVELAND LOVELAND returned thanks far , he said , the flattering remarks made about him . He had many duties to perform in London , more so than when the companions honoured him by electing him , and he could not fulfil that office as he should desire . He did not think , also , that any one should hold the office more than thiee years as he had done .

Comp . LOVELAND LOVELAND proposed and Comp . TILLING seconded , Comp . R . J . Rastrick as Prov . Grand Treasurer , who was unanimousl y elected .

Comp . RASTRICK returned thanks . The M . E . Comp . VV . VV . B . Beach then appointed and invested the following as officers for the ensuing year : — Comp . Le Feuvre , 394 ... ... ... Prov . G . H . Rev . F . VV . Thoyts , 6 94 ... ... Prov . G . J . E . Goble , 309 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ J . Cole , 394 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ Lord John Taylour , 175 ... ... Prov . G . Soj . „ J . H . ' Askham , 723 ... ... ... Prov . G . 1 st A . S . „ W . H . Jacob , 76 ... ... ... Prov . G . 2 nd A . S .

„ R . J . Rastrick , 487 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ W . M . Outridge , 4 8 7 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ W . Dart , 804 ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . „ W . Berry , 17 S 0 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . of C . „ R . W . Downing , 903 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . ,, J . Exell ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor . M . E . Comp . BEACH suggested that some of the large balance in hand

should be devoted to the Masonic Charities . M . C . Comp . LK FEUVRB proposed that in recognition of the valuable service rendered by the late P . G . Treas ., Comp . Loveland Loveland , the sum of £ 10 103 . to each of the Alasonic Charities—the Boys' and Girls ' Schools and the Royal Benevolent Institution—be given in his name and entered on the list of Stewards representing the province . This being seconded , after a brief discussion it was carried unanimously .

M . E . Comp . BEACH said he was pleased to see such an attendance that day , as it showed well for the interest taken in R . A . Masonry in the province , and he was perfectly aware it was inconvenient for the companions to attend at that place . He congratulated them on the progress made in the province , for Royal Arch Masonry was efficiently carried out . Any companion paying attention to the Degree would be well rewarded . The Provincial Grand Chapter was then closed in due form .

A good number of the companions adjourned to the Drill hall adjoining the lodge , and partook of a substantial banquet , admirable served by Bro . H . Edwards , ot the Feathers Hotel , Basingstoke , M . E . Comp . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., in the chair . After the loyal and usual toasts ,

M . E . Comp . LE FEUVRE proposed "The Health of M . E . Comp . W . W . B . Beach , " and said that they were all delighted to honour such a chief . He congratulated him on presiding ouer such a flourishing province . They were all pleased to attend that day , as the Provincial Chapter was held under the banner of the Oakley Chapter , which was itself a prosperous chapter . He concluded by wishing long may the Grand Superintendent reign over them . ( Applause . )

M . E . Comp . W . VV . B . BEACH said it gave him very great pleasure to preside over them . He knew it was difficult to make the meeting for the province convenient to everybody , as it was . difficult to have a central place to meet always , and it was therefore necessary to hold it in different parts of the province . He was glad to see some had come from long distances . Such good attendance as they had that day augurs well for the future . Comp . DEW proposed "The Health of M . E . Comps . Le Feuvre and Thoyts , " both of whom responded . Other toasts followed , and thc company separated after a very pleasant evening .