Lodges And Chapters Of Instruction.

The chapter was opened , and the minutes of the last convocation were read and confirmed . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed , Comp . Davies being the candidate . . Votes of thanks were unanimously passed to Comps . Cruttenden and Poppleton for the able manner they had rehearsed the duties of their respective offices . Comp . Poppleton was elected a member , and , in expressing his

thanks , said how much pleasure it gave him to join the chapter of improvement , where the ceremony appeared to him to be so well carried out , which considerably added to its impressiveness , and congratulated the M . E . Z . ancl companions on the very handsome effect presented by the appointments belonging to them . After "Hearty good wishes , " the chapter was closed .

STAR CHAPTER ( No . 1275 ) . —The usualweekly meeting of this chapter was held on Friday , the 7 th inst ., at the Stirling Castle , Church-street , Camberwell , S . E ., when there were present Comps . Grummant , iVl . E . Z . ; G . L . Moore , H . ; G . Powell , J . ; F . Hilton , P . Z ., Preceptor ; R . J . Voisey , Treas . ; C . H . Stone , S . E . ; Goodwin , S . N . ; Murche , P . S . ; Osterstock , Patrick , R . Davis , and Wood .

The minutes of the last meeting were read and confinned . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed , with Comp . Osterstock as a candidate . Comp . Moore was elected M . E . Z . for the next meeting . The annual supper is unavoidably postponed till Friday , April 18 th . The" in-. stallation ceremony will be rehearsed this ( Friday ) evening , at 7 . 30 p . m .

Knights Templar.

Knights Templar .

TORQUAY . Royal Sussex Preceptory ( No . 25 ) . —The regular meeting of this precept _> ry was held in the Masonic Hall , on Tuesday , the 23 th ult ., at which Sir Knight John Chapman , P . Prov . G . Reg ., Prov . A . G . D . C Devon , was unanimously elected the E . Preceptor for the ensuing year , and Sir Knight William Taylor , P . P ., re-elected Treasurer .

In an eloquent and forcible speech , reviewing some of the past events in the Order , Sir Knight John Chapman moved , Sir Knight William Taylor , P . P ., seconded , and supported by Sir Knight Jno . Lane , E . P ., it was unanimously resolved— " That the Convent General be

respectfully solicited to consider the desirability of amending the rule or regulation of the Order by granting to all members that have received Provincial honours , and that shall in the future receive Provincial rank , the right of Past rank on the expiration of their term of office , or so long as they shall remain subscribing members of the Order . "

Red Cross Of Rome And Constantine.

Red Cross of Rome and Constantine .

PORTSMOUTH . Naval and Military Conclave ( No . 35 ) . —This conclave was opened , on the 28 th ult ., for the enthronement of the M . P . S ., & c , for the ensuing year by Sir Knight F . F . Sanders , P . S . After the confirmation of the meeting held November 29 th last , the Recorder , 111 . Sir Knight A . R . Robinson , I . G . presented the M . P . S . elect

, , Sir Knight VV . Glazebrook , to receive the honour of enthronement , and Sir Knight A . U . Y . Howell , Viceroy elect , for consecration . These sir knights having been respectivel y placed in the east and west , the sir knights were re-admitted and appointed to the following offices : Sir Knights W Miller , P . S ., S . G . ; R . Payne , J . G . ; F . F . Sanders ! P . S ., H . P . ; J . E . Buck , P . S ., Treas . ; A . R . Robinson

P . S ., Recorder ; VV . A . Campbell , Prefect ; G . S . Woodthorpe , Sub-Prefect ; C H . Hardy , Std . Br . ; J . Jenkins , S . Aide . ; W . Lapthorn , Herald ; and ) . Exell " . Sentinel . A very hearty vote of thanks was directed " to be entered upon the minutes to the Enthroning Officer , for the masterly manner in which he had carried out his duties . The compliment was duly acknowledged . The Treasurer ' s

statement ^ showing a cash balance in hand , was duly passed . Sir . Knights Campbell , Woodthorpe , and Hardy signed their certificates from the Grand Imperial Council . The Recorder was directed to convey to the Grand Recorder the opinion of the members that the motions proposed for consideration at the annual assembly of the Grand Imperial Conclave on Monday next , by Sir Knights Ninnis and

Bateman , were worthy of consideration and support . The sir knights adjourned to the refectory , where an excellent banquet , prepared by the Steward , Bro . E . Pearce , was presided over by Sir Knight \ V . Glazebrook in his customary genial manner . Letters of apology for absence were received from Sir Knight Dr . Knott , I . G ., and other absent members .

Cryptic Masonry.

Cryptic Masonry .

Grand Master ' s Council ( No . 1 . )—This old and distinguished council met at the Masonic Hall , Sa , Red Lion-square , on the 28 th ult . Among those in attend ! ance were Bros . R . Loveland Loveland , T . I . M . ; George Graveley , C . E ., P . T . I . M . ; Thomas Poore , P . G . C . VV as D . M . ; Capt . T . C Walls , P . G . D . M ., P . T . I . M Recorder ; H . J . Lardner , P . G . M ., C of VV . ; George

Powell , M . Clan . lge , J . Brittain , A . McDowall , H . H . Shirley , M . A ., J . N . Frye , S . Parkhouse , Carmen , Nelson Prower , M . A ., John Faulkner , E . Mills , O . S ., and others . The minutes of the last council having been read and confirmed , the Recorder reported that lie had forwarded the vote of condolence passed to the family of the deceased Bro . Frederick Davison , and that it hatl been

dulacknowy ledged . Bro . H . J . Lardner was then elected as T . I . M . for the year ensuing , Bro . George Graveley was elected Treasurer , and Bro . E . Mills , Sentinel . A vote of thanks was passed to Bro . R . L . Loveland for his efficient services as T . I . M . The resignation of Bro . Thomas Cubitt , 1 received with

. T . I . M ., was great regret . Communications were received from numerous brethren regrettin- **** inability to attend , among them being Bros . Baron " de Ferrieres , P . D . G . M . ; Frank Richardson , D . G . M . ; the K *\ ; * Lf r . D- - » P . O . Chap . ; Major Dunbar , D , M , ; Major George Lambert , P . D . G . M . ; Major J

Cryptic Masonry.

E . Anderson , P . T . I . M . ; Capt . W . B . Williamson , J . P ., P . G . M . ; R . Roy , M . A ., Shilcock , John Read , j . L . Mather , and others . Thc council was then closed in the Degree of Select Master , and the brethren adjourned to the Holborn Restaurant to dine . The T . I . M . presided most genially . A few of the most important toasts were given and duly honoured . The proceedings terminated at an early hour .

Order Of The Secret Monitor.

Order of the Secret Monitor .

Horatio Shirley Conclave ( No . 5 ) . —A meeting of this conclave was held on Wednesday , the 26 th ult ., at the Holborn Restaurant . Present : Bros . Horatio H . Shirley , G . V ., S . R . ( pro tem ); E . C . Mulvey , C ; Penrose J . Dunbar , G . C , G . ; John Pakes , G . Gr ., Sec ; C . B . Cooper , V . D . ; H . Weiss " , V . D . ; VV * . Weiss , V . D . ;

J . J . Thomas , V . D . ; D . Stroud , Guarder j H . Tipper , Asst . Stwd . ; R . Potter , Sentinel ( pro tem . ); J . Hay , F . Weiss , T . Cohu , S . P . Nash , J . Costello , W . " Whitechurch , C . J . Cooper , W . J . Mason , A . G . Boswell , ]•' .. Bliss , J . Lichtenfeld , J . T . Rowe , I . Zacharie , G . S . R . ( Hon . Member ); and VV " J . Spratling , G . Recorder ( Hon . Member .

Bros . Bliss , Lichtenfeld , Mason , and Boswell were inducted into the Order . Bros . Cohu , Nash , and Stroud were admitted Princes of the Order . Bro . E . C . Mulvey , C , was installed as S . R . for the ensuing year by Bro . John J . Pakes , P . G . Gr . The following officers were appointed and invested : Bros . Penrose J . Dunbar , Treas . and C . j C . B . Cooper , G . ; John J . Pakes , Sec . ; E . Storr , Stwd . j J . Read , P . G . C , Org . ; H . Weiss , V . D . ; W .

Weiss . V . D . ; J . J . Thomas , V . D . ; D . Stroud , V . D . ; H . Tipper , D . C ; ' G . V . A . Schofield , Guarder j J . Stephens , Asst . Stwd . ; and H . P . Hay , Asst . D . C . Bro . George Kenning , G . B . B ., presented the conclave with a very handsome loving cup , in a polished oak case , as a memento of his year of office as S . R . A cordial vote of

thanks was unanimously voted to Bro . Kenning , P . S . R ., for his valuable gift . The report of the Audit Committee was read , accepted , and ordered to be entered upon the minutes . A P . S . R . ' s jewel was unanimously voted to Bro . G . Kenning , G . B . B ., P . S . R ., for his very valuable services during the past year .

India.

India .

KARACHI . Union Lodge ( No . 7 67 , E . C . ) . —Friday , the 24 th January , was a red-letter day for English Freemasonry in Karachi , and will long be cherished as an honour done to the Union Lodge . With the usual liberality which characterises all the actions of Bro . H . j . Rustomjee , the present Master , it was intended to afford a royal reception to his

Koyal Highness the Duke of Connaught , Grand Master of English Freemasonry in Bombay and its territories , at a banquet and ball in his honour at Frere Hall j owing , however , to the many official duties requiring the Duke ' s presence and his short stay , the wishes of Union Lodge , very much to the regret of its members , could not be complied with . His Royal Highness , however , graciously expressed

his willingness to meet a deputation of the lodge at the residence of General Boyce Combe . In accordance therewith the deputation , in full Masonic regalia , comprising the following brethren , was duly presented to his Royal Highness by the VV . M ., Bro . H . 1 . Rustomjee : Bros . G . C Brayson , P . S . G . D ., I . P . M . ; J . H . A . Ingram , S . W . ; E . Johnson , J . W . j Rev . J . Barnbridge , acting Treas . ; C " W . Rook , Sec . j Capt . G . C

Parker , E . Speedily , VV . Cooper , and Capt . J . Minter . The following address , admirably printed on vellum and enclosed in a rich silver casket of Sind workmanship , was then read and presented to his Royal Highness by Bro . H . J . Rustomjee : "To his Royal Highness Prince Arthur William Patrick-Albert , Duke of Connaught and Strathearn , K . G ., K . T ., K . P ., CCS . I ., G . C . M . G ., C . B . G . C . I . B ., & c . " Right Wor . District Grand Master of Bombay and its

Territories , E . C . " Right Worshipful Sir and Brother , " Your presence here at this time affords us an opportunity for an expression of the loyalty , honour , and esteem in which you are held by the brethren of Lodge Union , . No . 7 G 7 ( E . G . ) , for the zeal you have shown ' in furthering the objects of the Craft .

" We welcome you in our midst , and it would have afforded us still greater pleasure , could your visit have been nnrked by some more general welcome , and we can only regret that circumstances render a more public demonstra tion impossible . " VVe congratulate you and the Fraternity generally upon the high position to which you have attained in Masonry ,

where we need not remind you that merit is the only title to privilege . The success of Masonry , founded as it is on the great principles of love to God and man , is connected with the best interests of humanity , and , as we welcom- you today , we are again reminded that the great , the good , and the wise of all ages have ever sought to do justice to its noble principles and incomparable tenets .

"Our Order , composed of persons from various countries , of many castes and creeds , is but one body actuated by one heart and one hand—the heart of benevelence and the hand of Charity—and thus we draw into one harmonious Fraternity men of all nationalities . .. " As loyal subjects of your Royal mother , our beloved Empress-Queen , we believe that Masonry in India will do

much to support her Royal throne , as well as to diffuse light , truth , love , and benevolence among the people over whom her Majesty reigns . " VVe rejoice to be able to tell you that Masonry is flourishing in Karachi , and we feel sure that your presence among us . to-day will always be remembered by us all as a very special occasion in the history of Lodge Union . "

His ROVAI . HIGHNESS replied as follows : Worshipful Master and Brethren of Lodge Union , —1 am very grateful to you for the address you have just presented me and for the welcome you have accorded to me in the name of the brethren of Karachi on this my third visit here . I rejoice to know what progress Masonry is making at Karachi under your careful and friendl y management . I have listened with pleasure to the words of loyalty and devotion in which

India.

you have referred to my beloved mother , our gracious Sovereign . With you , Sir , I hold that Masonry in this country is a great means of bringing those together in the bonds of harmony and good fellowship who would otherwise be separated by creed and nationality and caste prejudices . Since I have held the office of your District Grand Master it has been my utmost endeavour to extend to all the

benefits of our Order and to promote the best interetts of the Craft . I thank you again most heartily for your welcome , and especially for the handsome casketin which your address has been placed , and which will always remain to me a souvenir of the goodwill and fellowship of my brethren of Karachi . May Lodge Union grow and prosper under the good management of its excellent Master and his

efficient officers . His Royal Highness then took leave of the brethren , after which General Boyce Combe very kindly extended his hospitality to the members of the deputation .

China.

China .

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF NORTHERN CHINA .

The regular communication of this District Grand Lodge was held in the Masonic Hall , Shanghai , on Tuesday , the 7 th January last . Bro . J . 1 . Miller , Dist . G . Master , presided , and there were present Bros . Cornelius Thorne , Past Dist . G . M . ; C . H . Dallas , Past Dist . G . M . of Japan ; T . W . Kingsmill , Past

A . G . D . C . England , D . Dist . G . M . ; L . Morris , Past Dist . S . G . W ., as Dist . S . G . W . ; F . M . Grafton , Past Dist . J . G . W . ; W . H . Anderson . Past Dist . S . G . W . ; j . M . Cory , Past Dist . S . G . W . ; G . R . Wingrove , Dist , G . Reg . ; T . F . Hough , Pres . Dist . Board of General Purposes ; S . R . Gale , Dist . Asst . G . Sec , as Dist . G .

Sec ; J . F . Holliday , Past Dist . G . Sec ; J . West , Dist . S . G . D . ; R . Pestonjee , Dist . A . G . D . C , as Dist . J . G . D . ; J . Fryer , Dist . G . D . C ; J . H . Osborne , Dist . G . S . B . ; R . W . Astill , Past Dist . J . G . D .. as Dist . G . Std . Br . ; D . E . Sassoon , Dist . G . Std . Br .: G . Canning , Dist . G . Org . ; Harry J . Sharp , as Dist . Asst . G .

Sec . ; J . W . Gande , Dist . G . Purst . ; E . Bois , Dist . Asst . G . Purst . ; B . P . Lalcaca , E . P . Wickham , and F . P . Catterall , Dist . G . Stwds . ; and J . Gould , Dist . G . Tyler ; together with the representatives of lodges , and a considerable number of visitors . The minutes of the previous meeting having been '

confirmed , and those of the Board of General Purposes read , and directed to be entered on the minutes , the report of the District Grand Treasurer , showing a balance in hand at the close of the year of Tis . 18 3 , 46 , as against Tis . 104 , 41 at the close of the previous year ,

was read and adopted , after which Bro . S . Moutrie , though unfortunately prevented b y illness from attending , was unanimously elected Dist . G . Treasurer for the ensuing year . The following brethren were appointed and invested as Dist . G . Officers tor the year , namely .-

Bro . T . W . Kingsmill Dist . D . G . M . „ F . M . Gratton Dist . S . G . W . „ G . R . Wingrove Dist . J . G . W . „ C . Thorne , Past Dist . G . M . Dist . G . Chap . „ S . Moutrie Dist . G . Treas . „ J . West ... Dist . G . Reg . „ J . Fryer Pres . Dist . B . G . P . „ S . R . Gale Dist . G . Sec .

„ J . H . Osborne Dist . S . G . D . „ R . Pestonjee Dist . J . G . D . „ D . E . Sassoon Dist . G . S . of W . „ E . Bois Dist . G . D . C . „ J . W . Gande Dist . A . G . D . C . ,. R . J . Sloan Dist . G . S . B .

„ H . W . Walker * > n . . „ _ , _ " D D T 1 c Dist . G . Std . Brs . ,, B . P . Lalcaca ... ... ) ,, G . Lanning ... ... ... Dist . G . Org . „ Harry J . Sharp Dist . Asst . G . Sec . „ E . P . Wickham Dist . G . Purst . . ! E . C . Pearce Dist . A . G . Purst .

„ J . J . Mansfield " J „ VV . Cope „ A . W . H . Bellingham ... . rv . „ „ , , " R . S . Ivy ... j- D . st . G . Stwds . „ W . S . Fraser j „ R . S . Shaw J „ J . Gould Dist . G . T yler .

The DIST . G . MASTER delivered a brief address , in which he reviewed the occurrences of the past year , and congratulated all present on the progress which had been made and the stable position in which the Craft was placed in his District . He spoke of the reports from the lodges being very favourable , and counselled the brethren against being too anxious to increase their numbers , seeing that " it was not so necessary" to seek

after this as to secure worthy and trusty Brethren who would reflect credit upon the Craft . " He also trusted " the brethren , and more especiall y the newly-elected brethren , would study the great principles of the Order , and hoped they would ever have before them the examples set them by their predecessors , and so become honourable and worthy members of the Craft . " He referred with satisfaction to the more favourable

circumstances of the Masonic School Fund , and the good work it had done during the past year , as well as to the Charity Fund , which was also in a prosperous state . He referred to the possibility of their being visited in the spring of the year by the Duke of Connaught ,

D . G . Master of Bombay , and felt sure the brethren would embrace the opportunityof showing their loyalty to the Queen and their pleasure on receiving so illustrious a guest . He also spoke in becoming terms of the loss they had sustained through the death of Bro . G . M . Hart , Dist . G . Secretary , to whose services to Free-