Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

ALDERSGATE CHAPTER ( No . 1657 ) . —A meeting of the above chapter was held on Monday last , at the Castle and Falcon Hotel , Aldersgate-street , when there were present Comps . Rev . Dr . P . H . Ernest Brette , M . E . Z . ; Alfred Brookman , H . ; Frederick Crockford , J . ; E . Y . Jolliffe , S . E . ; John Larkin , 1 st A . S . ; Arthur B . Hudson 2 nd A . S . ; George Kenning , Treas . ; John Derby

, Allcroft , P . Z ., Past Grand Treas . ; Samuel White , Horace Brooks Marshall , Grand Treas . ; John L . Mather , W . H . Froom , Dr . A . GreatRex , P . Saillard , George Rawlinson . Visitors : Edgar Bowyer , P . G . Std . Br . ; VV . Alexander Barrett , H ., P . Z . 1706 ; and Walter V .

Morgan , H . 259 . The minutes of the last meeting were read . Bro . Edwd . Wm . Stillwell , of the Grand Masters Lodge , No . 1 , was exalted to the Degree of Royal Arch . The chapter being closed , the companions dined together under the gavel of the M . E . Z ., Rev . Dr . P . H . Ernest Brette .

MARLBOROUGH . — Methuen Chapter ( No . ' 533 ) . — The regular convocation of this chapter was held at the Masonic Hall , on Tuesday , the 2 nd inst ., when the following companions were present : Comps . Deputy-Surgeon-General T . Ringer , M . E . Z . ; the Rev . John A . Lloyd , H . ; J . Campbell Maclean , J . ; A . Plummer , I . P . Z . ; E . B . Merriman , S . E .: H . ' Tarrant , P . Z . 355 , acting as S . N . ; Geo . Pike , P . Soj . ; A . Risdon , A . Soj . ; Lord F . B . Bruce , J . Chandler , P . Z . 335 ; and

Brooks-Hill . The minutes of the last convocation were read and confirmed . The installation of the Principals was then proceeded with , when E . Comp . the Rev . John A . Lloyd was duly installed in the chair of M . E . Z . by the retiring M . E . Z ., Dep . Surgeon-General T . Ringer . E . Comp . J . Campbell Maclean , P . Z . 355 , was obligated and placed Plummer

in the chair of H . by E . Comp . A . , P . Z ., acting H . ; and E . Comp . George Pike , J . 355 , was obligated and placed in the chair of J ., by E . Comp . J . Chandler , P . Z ., acting J . The newly-installed M . E . Z . then proceeded to invest his officers for the ensuing year as follows : Comps . Lord H . B . Bruce , Treas . ; E . B . Merriman , S . E . ; H . Bevir , S . N . ; A . Risdon , P . Soj ., who appointed Comps . W . S . Bambridge and R . Merriman as

his assistants ; the former being also appointed Organist . Comp . E . B . Merriman read the Treasurer's report , in the absence of the Treasurer , Lord Henry B . Bruce . The report was unanimously adopted , and was considered highly satisfactory , as it showed a balance to the credit of the chapter in its first year of existence . The bye-laws having been finally adopted , and there being no other business , the chapter was closed in peace and harmony .

YORK . —Eboracum Chapter ( No . 1611 ) . —On Tuesday evening the companions of this chapter elected the following officers for the ensuing year : Comps . G . Simpson , Z . ; M . Millington , H . ; T . B . Whytehead , P . Z ., 1 . ; A . T . B . Turner , Treas . ; J . Kay , S . E . ; J . Blenkin , S . N . ; W . Brown , P . S . ; A . T . B . Turner and VV . Lackenby , Auditors . The installation meeting will be held in February .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

THISTLE LODGE ( No . 8 ) . —The installation meeting of this old Mark Lodge was held on Friday , the Sth inst ., at Freemasons' Tavern . Bro . William James Collens , VV . M ., presided , and there were also present Bros . G . P . Festa , S . W . ; Henry Von Joel , E . Valeriani , J . VV . Figg , Treasurer ; C . A . Cottebrune , P . M ., Secretary ; R .

Shaw , S . D . ; G . F . Edwards , I . G . ; G . Coop , D . C ; J . Lewis Thomas , P . M . ; E . Farwig , P . M . ; John Butler , W . A . Shaw , Joseph Parker , H . G . Penney , U . Stroud , G . Gardner , Edmund B . Cox , George W . Harrington , Fredk . Green , VV . Fendick , E . Belhomme ; and visitors : Bros . J . Terry , S . W . 315 ; W . Hirst , Old Kent Lodge ; John L . Mather , W . M . Old Kent Lodge ; W . Fisher , S . W . 181 ; W . March , S . O . 173 P . G . S . ; George Mickley , P . M . 97 ;

, H . Massey , P . M . 22 ; and H . Higgins , J . O . 1 S 1 . After the reading and confirmation of the minutes , and the reading and adoption of the report of the Audit Committee , the W . M . advanced Bros . Walter Joseph Wall , of Craft Lodge 1 743 ; Felix Bohers , of the same Craft Lodge ; and VV . J . Mason , of Craft Lodge 1328 , to the Mark Degree . The work was admirably done . At the conclusion

of this ceremony , Bro . John Mason , P . M ., P . P . G . M . O ., W . M . elect , was presented to the VV . M . for installation . The W . M . thereupon installed Bro . John Mason as Master of the lodge . The officers appointed were Bros . G . P . Festa , S . W . ; Von Joel , J . W . ; Webb , M . O . ; Valeriani , S . O . ; Shaw , J . O . ; Figg , P . M ., Treas . ; C A . Cottebrune , P . M ., See ; Edwards , Register of Marks ; Fredk .

Green , S . D . ; G . Coop , J . D . ; E . B . Cox , I . G . ; Fendick , W . S . ; D . Stroud , D . C ; and Woodstock , Tyler . The W . M . undertook the Stewardship of the lodge for the next Festival of the Mark Benevolent Fund . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet at Freemasons' Tavern , provided under the superintendence of Bro . E . Dawkins , manager .

After the banquet was concluded , the W . M . proposed the usual toasts . After the toast of " The Queen and Mark Masonry " had been proposed and drunk , The W . M . gave " The Grand Master of the Order , the Earl of Kintore ; and the Deputy Grand Master , Lord Egerton of Tatton . " He referred to the ceremony

performed at Grand Mark Lodge on Tuesday last , when the Earl of Kintore not only did all his duties in Grand Mark Lodge , _ but afterwards consecrated the Grand Stewards ' Lodge in splendid style . He had been surprised to see the Grand Master go through his work so well . He was quite sure the present Grand Master would be an honour to the position he held ; he had performed his duties admirably

since he had held the office of Grand Master . « . 5 . J ames Lewis Thomas responded to the toast of "The Grand Gfficers . " Bro . Collens , I . P . M ., proposed "The W . M ., " who , he said , had been a member of the Thistle Lodge longer than he ( Bro . Collens ) . The W . M ., however , gave way to him , and it consequently took him some time to make up the leeway he thereby lost . At last Bro . Mason was in the

Mark Masonry.

chair , and they would find he would occupy it in a way they would all admire . The VV . M ., in his reply , said he was very gratified to receive the hearty welcome he had had at the hands of the W . M . and brethren , though he was sure he did not deserve it . Still he accepted it because it was a genuine expression , He had long thought he would like to occupy the position of W . M . of this lodge , but he had no idea he should be in the society of such a good , kind company as he had at

that end of the table . He had been very happy at the other end . While he should be Master he should endeavour as fas as he could to carry out the duties of the lodge , and at the end of his year he hoped some one would say he had not failed . He then strongly exhorted the other officers to support him , and said he should expect the officers would assist him . They would see he could not do all the work by himself . They must remember that this Mark Lodge was second to none , and he trusted they would take care that it should remain unrivalled by any Mark Lodge in London .

" The Advancees " and " The Visitors " were the next two toasts . To the latter toast Bro . Charles Lacy responded . It was 15 years since he was advanced in this lodge , and he remained a member for eight or nine years , when he was a regular attendant at some inconvenience to himself . His engagements , however , compelled him at last to resign , though it was with much regret . He had not withdrawn

from Mark Masonry , and he was exceedingly pleased to present himseif again at his mother lodge , more especially to meet his old friend Past Master Figg . Bro . James Terry also responded , and claimed that he had known Bro . Figg longer than Bro . Lacy had , as it was nearly half a century since he first became acquainted with him . It was a pleasure to see him restored to health , discharging his duties as Treasurer . Another pleasure was to

see Bro . Mason installed as Master of the lodge . He and Bro . Mason had been connected together a long time now , and nothing could have given him greater pleasure than to see him in the distinguished position of Master of the Thistle Mark Lodge . He knew Bro . Mason to be thoroughly conscientious , and would not undertake a duty unless he could discharge it properly and efficiently . It was well for the brethren that they had such a Master . Martin Tupper

said , " He that sitteth down on a thistle will rise up quickly , " but the hospitality of the Thistle Lodge did not bear this out . It was a great treat to see how thoroughly happy all the brethren appeared to be . He was glad to find the W . M . was going up as Steward for the Mark Benevolent Fund . and hoped he would take upagoodamount . Bros . Mather and Mickley also replied . When the toast of "The P . M . 's" was proposed , the W . M . presented Bro . Collens with a handsome Past

Master s jewel . Bro . Collens , in replying , said that in his year there had been nearly a dozen advances , and he hoped his successor would have two dozen . He also hoped that all the P . M . 's would do all they could for the benefit of the Master in the chair . The toasts of " The Treasurer and the Secretary " and " The Officers " followed , which were responded to by Bros . Figg , Cottebrune , Festa , and Von Joel ; and the Tyler ' s toast closed the proceedings .

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

Ancient and Accepted Rite .

HULL . —Ancient York , Chapter of Redemption , —This ancient chapter of the Rose Croix was held on the 4 th inst . at the Masonic Hall , Prince-street . The M . W . S . having opened the chapter in due form , assisted by his officers , Bro . Thomas Marshall Wilkinson was unanimously

elected a candidate for this Christian Degree . The M . W . S ., Treasurer , and Equerry were elected . After the chapter was closed , the Ex . and Per . brethren spent a very happy evening . A letter was received from 111 . Bro . C . J . Banister , S . G . I . G ., 33 , and I . G . North-Eastern District , expressing regret at not being able to attend .

SHEFFIELD . —Talbot Chapter ( No . 16 ) . — A meeting of this chapter was held at the Freemasons ' Hall , Surrey-street , on the 21 st ult . The chapter was opened by M . W . S ., 111 . Bro . J . Wordsworth , 30 , assisted by Ex . and Perfect Bro . J . E . Bingham , Prelate ; Bro . S . Kelly , 1 st Gen . ; and the other officers . There being no

candidate for the degree , the business of the chapter was soon completed and the chapter closed in due form . A letter of apology from III . Bro . C . J . Banister , 33 , was read , expressing regret at not being able to attend . The banquet was all that could be desired , and a very happy evening was spent . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and duly responded to .

BOLTON . —St Peter's Chapter ( No . 31 ) . — This prosperous chapter was opened by the M . W . S ., 111 . Bro . Thompson , 30 , assisted by the officers of the chapter . 111 . Bro . C . N . Beswick Royds , S . G . I . G ., 33 , and I . G . North-Western District , and 111 . Bro . Charles James Banister , S . G . I . G ., 33 , I . G . North-Eastern District , were received under an arch of steel and properly saluted . Four

candidates were perfected by the M . W . S ., assisted by the 111 . Bros . Royds and Banister . The M . W . S . elect was presented to 111 . Bro . Capt . Beswick Royds , who installed him into the office with his usual care and impressiveness , after which he appointed and invested his officers . Before proceeding with the business of the chapter , 111 . Bro . Thompson , 30 , in the name of the members of

the chapter , said that he had a very pleasing duty to perform before he left the chair—to present their old and valued friend III . Bro . Charles James Banister , S . G . I . G ., 33 , who had for upwards of 10 years been the I . G . of the Northern District , a small token of their esteem , with " Gould ' s History of Freemasonry , " each volume on its first page being beautifully illuminated . " Presented to 111 .

Bro . C . J . Bannister , 33 , by the members of the St . Peter's Chapter , Bolton , in recognition of his services to the chapter , and the deep interest he has always evinced for its welfare during the period he has held the office of Inspector-General of the district . Bolton , 1 st Nov ., 1884 . "

He trusted that they would afford him many hours ot enjoyment , and that , although the district had been divided , Bro . Banister would still come as regularly to see them , and on behalf of the chapter he begged his acceptance of the three first volumes of the work , and as the remaining volume or volumes came out they should be forwarded to him .

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

Bro . Banister , who on receiving the beautiful books was greeted with quite an ovation said—M . W . S ., Illustrious , and Ex . and Perfect brethren : I thank you most sincerely for this further mark of your great kindness to me at all times . It is now many years since the old members of your chapter and myself worked together , when the Palatine Chapter ( Rose Croix ) used to hold their meetings alternately at Manchester , Liverpool , and Bolton , and by the

assistance of Bro . G . P . Brockbank , 32 , and several other dear friends who have gone to their rest , we succeeded in obtaining warrants for chapters at Bolton and Liverpool , and I am happy to say that both are prosperous and working well . 1 have to thank the Supreme Council in relieving me of part of the large North District , which extended from Northumberland to Cheshire . They have appointed a very worthy brother to preside over the

Northwestern District , III . Bro . C . N . Beswick Royds , a brother who will look after your interests and give you the best of instruction and advice , far better than myself ; and I promise you that whenever possible you shall see my face at your meetings ; but I must not promise too much . At times I feel that 1 am getting old , and I have had many warnings to take more care of myself . I don't know how it is , but when I receive your circulars , and the circulars from the other chapters which I have been associated with for so

many years , my first thought is how I can manage to attend , and to hope that nothing unforeseen will come in the way to prevent me . Brethren , accept my sincere thanks , wishing you , . M . W . S ., and all the brethren of this chapter , every blessing , both now and for ever . Business of the chapter completed , it was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banqueting hall , where ample justice was done to the good things provided by the host . 111 . Bro . Banister was unable to stay through the dinner , he having to return into Yorkshire .

Red Cross Of Constantine.

Red Cross of Constantine .

HULL . —De la Pole Conclave ( No . 132 ) . —This very flourishing conclave held its annual installation meeting on the 26 th ult . Past Sir Knt . George Wilson , in the absence of the M . P . S ., Sir Knt . Wm . Gillett , through illness , presided . After the muster roll had been called and the minutes of the last conclave read and confirmed , Em . Sir Knt . J . R . Ansdell , Past Sov ., assumed the chair .

A College of Viceroys was formed and opened , and Sir Knt . Dr . R . Wiseman Cooper was presented , consecrated , and invested Viceroy Eusebius for the ensuing year . Subsequently , a senate being called , Em . Sir Knt . A . P . Wilson , the M . P . S . elect , who had filled the office of V . E ., . was enthroned the M . P . S ., and afterwards appointed and invested the following officers : James A . Ansdell , Past Sov ., Senior Gen . ; P . C . Whitfield , Junior Gen . ; J . D .

Wing ( P . V . E . ) , High Prelate ; Hy . Preston , P . Sov ., Treas . ; George S . Highmoor , Recorder ; John Matthews , 1 st Aide de Camp . ; John Walton , D . C . ; John Chappell , Prefect ; J . Longley , Std . Br . ; T . T . Davis , Herald ; C . W . Cheeseman , Org . ; and J . Bendell , Sentinel . The sir knights at the close of the conclave adjourned to the refectory and dined together under the presidency of the newly-enthroned Sov . The usual Red Cross toasts were duly given and responded to .

Knights Templar.

Knights Templar .

The Provincial Priory of the Province of Northumberland and Durham and Beswick-upon-Tweed was held on the iSth ult . at the Masonic Hall , Darlington . V . E . Sir Knight Charles James Banister , P . G . Captain of England , Prov . Prior , duly opened the priory , assisted by his officers . V . E . Sir Knight Charles Fendelow , Prov . Prior of Staffordshire and Warwickshire , was received under an Arch of Steel , and duly saluted . The roll of preceptories was called ,

and a very favourable report given by each Preceptor . The new provincial bye-laws were discussed , and unanimously passed and adopted . Sir Knight H . Hotham resigned the office of Prov . Treasurer , and a cordial vote of thanks was unanimously passed forjiis long services . in that office . Sir Knight C . R . Fry was unanimously elected Prov . Treasurer . The following officers iwere ; then appointed , by'the V . E . Prov . Prior : Sir Knights Col . James Monks , Prov .

Sub-Prior ; Rev . Canon Tristram , D . D ., Prov . Prelate ; R . A . Luck , Prov . Chancellor ; H . Maddison , Prov . Constable ; S . H . Bousfield , Prov . Marshal ; T . M . Watson , Prov . Reg . ; T . Ness , Prov . Sub-Marshal ; Rev . C . Jackson , Prov . Chaplain and Almoner ; J . J . Wilkes , Prov . Herald ; S . Wilson , Prov . Standard Bearer ; T . J . Barron , Prov . Aide-de-Camp j R . L . Armstrong , Prov . Captain of Guard ; D . VV . Dixon , Prov . Sword Bearer ;

H . Tovcy , Prov . Organist ; J . Trelhome , Prov . 1 st Equerry ; and G . S . Sims , Prov . 2 nd Equerry . The following Sir Knights were elected members of the Committee : Col . James Monks , R . A . Luck , H . Maddison , S . F . Bousfield , John Bailey , C R . Fry , and VV . Logan . Much regret was expressed at the unavoidable absence of Rev . Canon Tristram , D . D ., and other Sir Knights , who had written explaining the cause of their absence . The business

of the Prov . Priory being closed , the V . E . Prov . Prior and V . E . Prov . Prior of Staffordshire and Warwickshire , with the Great Officers , retired under an Arch of Steel . A sumptuous banquet was prepared at the King ' s Head Hotel , under the presidency of Sir Knight J . J . Wilkes , E . Preceptor of St . Cuthbert ' s Preceptory , who had on his right the V . E . Prov . Prior , Sir Knight C . J . Banister , and V . E . Prov . Prior of Staffordshire and Warwickshire . The

loyal and Masonic toasts were admirably proposed and responded to , and a truly happy and intellectual evening was spent . The preceptory of the Province of Northumberland , Durham , Berwick-on-Tweed , and Newcastle-on-Tyne was opened in due form , at the Freemasons' Hall , Maple-street , Newcastle-on-Tyne , on the 29 th ult ., by the Eminent Preceptor , Sir Knight T . M . Watson , assisted by his officers . The minutes of the last preceptory were read and confirmed . Comp . James Deighton Dixon , who had been

unanimously elected at the last meeting , being in attendance , was very impressively installed a Knight Templar , by the Em . Preceptor . A sir knight was proposed as a joining member , and a candidate for initiation . A letter of apology was read from the Em . Pro Prior Sir Knight Chas . James Banister , stating hisiregret ; in [ not ., being able to attend . The business of the preceptory . being finished it was closed in due and solemn form , and the sir knights