Royal Arch.

banquet ; perhaps he should not say so , but it appeared to him to be perfectly satisfactory , and from the heartiness with which they received his name he saw they fully appreciated his services . He hoped they might have the satisfaction of seeing his genial face for many years in the chapter , and in proposing " The Healths of Treasurer and Scribe E ., " he wished them long life and many years of usefulness .

Comp . R . H . Crowden was happy to be able to tell the companions that the finances of the chapter were in every way satisfactory ; there was nothing owing , and there was a good balancein hand . He hoped this happy state of affairs would continue ; at any rate , as long as he was honoured by being elected Treasurer , he should endeavour at all times to promote the prosperity of the chapter .

Comp . Woodrow , Scribe E ., assured the companions that , although he might seem to be troubled if little things did not always go right , yet it must be considered as his anxiety for the happiness of the companions . He would like them to know it was no easy task this transacting the duties of Scribe E . He had made a special effort that day , for he was was most anxious to please Comp . Perrin , and

provide such refreshment as would be approved by him , and do honour to the important occasion of his taking office . He was delighted to think that this effort ot his , and he had the sole responsibility of it , had been so much appreciated , and as long as each M . E . Z . felt it expedient to elect him as his Scribe E . he would do in the future as in the past—his very best to gain the satisfaction and good

will of the chapter generally . The next toast the M . E . Z . said he had the pleasure of proposing was that of " The Healths of Comps . H . and J . " Comp . II . had been prevented from attending there that evening , and he should call upon Comp . Jas . Crowden , who occupied the chair of J ., and which he was sure he would fulfil in a creditable manner . Many of them had

been gratified with the way he performed the duties of W . M ., and he had no doubt they would all be pleased at the expiration of his term with the performance of the duties he had to carry out . He gave them " The Healths of Comps . H . and J . "

Comp . James Crowden replied , and said he was fully aware of the great responsibilities that had fallen upon him that day , and he would endeavour to carry out his duties to the best of his skill and ability , and he was sure he could speak for Comp . Osmond , who , unfortunately , was absent that day , in promising to support the M . E . Z . on all

occasions . The M . E . Z . said they were gradually approaching the end of the toasts , but , although somewhat low down on the list , there was a very important one for him to propose , and that was "The Healths of the Ofiicers . " To Comp . Lavington , S . N ., they looked forward with confidence ; they would all remember how very satisfactorily he

performed the work of P . S . In Comp . Finch they had a very worthy successor , and he congratulated him on his appointmeut . Comps . Lavington and Finch suitably replied . The M . E . Z . then said he desired to make an addition to the regular toasts by proposing " The Healths of the Companions not in Ofiice , " and would call upon Comps . Fox

and Powlesto respond . Although both of those companions had declined office , he hoped to see them carry on their Masonic career . Comp . Fox , whom they all esteemed so highly , had already passed the chairs of VV . M . and M . E . Z . vvith every credit , and Comp . Powles , who had recently vacated the chair of the Selwyn Lodge , where hc had had

a successful yearof office , initiating some io or 12 brethren , was about to act as Steward for the Girls' School . He had the pleasure to congratulate him on the large amount he had to lake up . He asked the companions to drink their healths . Comps . Fox and Powles briefly responded . The Tyler's toast brought the proceedings to a close .

METROPOLITAN CHAPTER ( No . 1507 ) . — A convocation of this chapter was held at Anderton's Hotel , on Thursday , the 6 th inst ., when there were present Comps . Side , M . E . Z . ; Fullwood , H . ; Minstrell , J . W . M . Stiles , S . E . ; T . C . Edmonds , S . N . ; J . C . Smith , P . S . ; G . W . Knight , ist A . S . ; Dickey , 2 nd A . S . ; Dimsdale , D . C . ; Silvester , W . S . ; and Mordey , A . W . S .

The chapter was opened in due form , and the minutes of the last convocation read and confirmed . A brother was exalted into Royal Arch Masonry in an admirable manner . The election of ofiicers for the ensuing year then took place , the Assistant Sojourners having to be elected under the new rules . The following were unanimously elected : Comps . Fullwood , M . E . Z . ; Minstrell , H . ; J . C . Smith , J . ; G .

W . Knight , P . S . ; Dickey , ist A . S . ; R . VV . Fraser , 2 nd A . S . ; J . Willing , Treas . ; W . M . Stiles , S . E . ; and Edmonds , S . N . Chapter was then closed , and the companions adjourned to banquet . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts followed , and , after some good songs and recitations were given by several companions , the Al . E . Z . wished the companions an enjoyable holiday until November next .

YORK . —Zetland Chapter ( No . 236 ) . —The installation meeting of this chapter was held on Wednesday , the 28 th ult . The chapter was opened at 6 , and minutes confirmed , after which the outgoing M . E . Z ., Comp . T . B . Whytehead , opened a Board of Installed Principals , and proceeded to instal Comps . M . Rooke , Z . ; J . Sykes Rymer , H . ; and G . Kirby , J ., Comp . / . Todd , P . Z ,, acting as

Chaplain , and there being also present Comps . Rev . W . Valentine , P . Z . ; A . buckle , P . Z . ; and G . Simpson , Z . 1611 . The companions were then admitted , and the ofiicers were invested as follows : Comps . George Garbutt , S . K . ; S . Border , S . N . ; J . Fairburn , P . S . ; H . Foster

D . C . ; T . J . Hodgson , Org . ; J . Clark , 1 st A . S . ; G . J . Robinson , 2 nd A . S . ; Crummack and Watkinson , Stwds . ; and Calvert , Janitor . Bro . H . V . Milbank Lennox , 123 , having been balloted for , was exalted by the M . E . Z . At the close of the chapter , the companions met at supper , and spent a pleasant evening .

TWICKENHAM . —Era Chapter ( No . 1423 ) . — This chapter met at the Albany Hotel , on the Sth inst . Among those present were Comps . J . 13 . Ryley , M . D ., P . G . ] . Middx ., I . P . Z ., in the chair ; Ii . II . Thiellay , P . P . G . D . C . Middx ., P . Z ., Treas ., acting H . ; G . L . Wingate , J . ; T . C . Walls , P . G . P . Soj . Middx ., P . Z ., S . E . ; H . Higgins , P . Z ., acting S . N . ; C . H . Kohler , P . Z ., acting P . S . ; Lane , acting Janitor ; and others .

Royal Arch.

The minutes of the previous convocation were read and confirmed , and the election of principals and officers for the year ensuing took place with the following result Comps . Wingate , H . and M . E . Z . ( subject to disposition ); Elliott , H . ; C . Stevens , J . ; Walls , S . E . ; Matthews , S . N . ;

Lee , P . S . ; Hipgins , ist A . S . ; Kohler , 2 nd A . S . ; Thiellay , Treas . ; and Gilbert , Janitor . Comps . Higgins and Kohler were appointed Auditors . Letters pleading inability to attend were read from Comps . J . Mason and Elliott . The chapter was then closed , and the companions adjourned to refreshment . A few toasts followed .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

CAMDEN CHAPTER OF IMPROVEMENT ( No . 7 ° 4 ) — A convocation of the above chapter was held at thc Moorgate , Moorgate-street , on Tuesday , the 4 U 1 inst . Present : Comps . Gregory , M . E . Z . ; Carter , HA , [ . C . Smith , ] . ; H . Slyman , S . E . ; G . VV . ' Knight , S . N . ; 'enki ' ns , P . S . ; fcdmonds , Preceptor ; Christian , Whiting , Marsh , ) . Knight , and others . The chapter was opened ' in due form , and the ceremony of

exaltation was rehearsed , Comp . Marsh candidate . J 00 much praise cannot be given to Comp . Gregory , the M . E . Z ., for his able rendering of the ritual , being word perfect . It is always a treat for companions to hear this splendid ritual rehearsed as the companions do it at this chapter of improvement , under the genial Preceptorship of Comp . Edmonds , who spares no pains to make them perfect .

METROPOLITAN CHAPTER OF IMPROVEMENT ( No . 97 ;) . —Those who attended the meeting of this chapter on Tuesday last at the White Hart , corner of Abchurch-lane and Cannonstreet , E . C , must have felt gratified at thc increasing interest this beautiful Degree is obtaining , amply cvined by the large number — -25—of past and present Principals who assembled to participate in the working of installation of the three Principals . VVe may observe that Comp . Hrown has thrown open these chairs on two occasions during thc session , so that opportunity is afforded to

our companions each session to exercise themselves in these ceremonies . Last Tuesday the duties were undertaken by Comps . S . Brooks , P . Z . 975 , Z . ; F . Brown , P . Z . 53 S , H . ; and R . H . Crowden , P . Z . 1297 , J . ; and it is needless to say that with such ellicient workers the ceremonies were most carefully rendered . This part of the evening ' s business being hnished , the companions were admitted , when the various oilices were filled as follows : —Comps , Charles , Z . ; J . L . Payne , H . ; B . Haynes , J . ; C . H . Webb , S . N . ; M . L . Levey , P . S . ; and the exalation ceremony was

most ablv worked , Comp . C . Daniel being the candidate . Comp . E . Collard , 19 , was unanimously elected a member . An unanimous vote of thanks was given to Comp . Charles for the very impressive manner in which lie had performed his duties for the first time . Comp . Charles will bc installed into the lirst chair of thc Mount Sinai Chapter on the iSth inst ., and we congratulate the chapter on having so accomplished a worker to preside over them . Votes of thanks were recorded to the three installing officers , when

the chapter was closed , and the convocation adjourned until the iSth inst . Wc noticed amonst the Principals present Comps . S . Brooks , H , Forss , 11 . W . Ruff , T . Cull , W . S . Lee , T . Perrin ,, ] . S . Fraser , C . P . Collard , E . Child , G . Powell , R . H . Crowden , M . L . Levey , J , Brittain , | . Cliarlss , J . L . Payne , R . P . Tebb , li . Haynes , II . C , Jepps , C . ' H . Webb , C . Daniel , and others . The chapter will close the session on thc 25 th inst .

NORTH LONDON CHAPTER OF IMPROVEMENT ( No . 1471 ) . —A convocation was held on Thursday , the 6 th inst ., at the Alwyn Castle Tavern , St , Paul * s-road , Canonbury . Present : Comps . Wm . RadclitVe , M . E . Z . ; F . Brasted , H . ; VV . H . Dean , J . ; J . K . Sheffield , S . E . ; j . E . Sheffield , S . N . ; and T . Cusworth , P . S . Comp . VVm . Cook acted as candidate . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed in n praiseworthy manner by the foregoing ollicers , thereby fitting themselves for their duties in their respective chapters , and a very profitable evening was spent .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

YORK . —York Lodge ( T . I ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on the 20 th ult ., when there were present Bros . F . Smith , W . M . ; G . Simpson , J . W . ; VV . B . Dyson , M . O . ; W . Lackenby , S . O . ; H . C . Pickersgill , J . O . ; T . B . Whytehead , P . M ., Sec . ; J . T . Seller , P . M . ; C . G . Padel , P . M . ; ] . Blenkin , R . of M . ; G . Padel , P . M ., as Org . ; G . Lamb , S . D . ; A . H .

H . McGachen , J . D . ; P . Pearson , Tyler ; W . Wrigglesworth , S . G . Crummack , VV . Brown , A . M . White , R . Ware , E . W . Purnell , J . R . Jackson , F . Smith , 352 ; and others . Successful ballots were taken for Bros . H . K . Milbank , 123 , and Wm . Sharp , 1611 ; and Bros . S . J . Dalton , T . Watkinson , W . Sharp , and H . V . Milbank were advanced to the Degree . The Secretary reported a grant from the

Educational Fund of the Grand Lodge towards the educationofthesonofadeceasedbrother . The D . P . G . M ., Hon . VV . T . Orde-Powlett , was announced and received with the customary honours . Bro . J . S . Cumberland , P . M ., whose resignation had been previously announced , was , on the motion of the Secretary , seconded by the W . M ., elected an honorary member . After the close of the lodge , the brethren met at refreshment and passed a pleasant and social evening .

WIGAN . —Rose and Thistle Lodge ( No . 158 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , on Wednesday , the 14 th ult . The chair was filled by the VV . M ., Bro . H . T . Byrom , who was supported by the officers of the lodge and a number of visitors . The minutes of the last regular meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . J . U . Murray , P . M ., P . G . Std . Br „ took

the chair , and proceeded to instal Bro . A . H . Crossley , the VV . M . elect . This ceremony having been completed , the VV . M . appointed and invested his officers for theyear . Alter " Hearty good wishes" had been tendered by thc visiting brethren , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to a comfortable cup of tea . Afterwards the usual loyal toasts were given and responded to , the newlyinstalled W . M . presiding .

FOREST OF DEAN . —Royal Forest of Dean Lodge ( No . 340 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday , the 2 Sth ult ., at the Speech House , when there were present Bros . Kev . Wm . Lynes , P . G . Chap ., G . W ., W . M . ; J . Shaw Carlelon , S . W . ; H . Clark , J . W . ; M . F . Carter , M . O . ; J . S . Bradstock , S . O . ; S . J . Thomas , J . O . ; S . W . Hadingham , Treas . ; F . Asgill

Carter , Sec ; H . T . Curwen , S . D . ; J . J . James , J . D . ; Richard Macartney , I . G . ; Job Webb , Tyler ; W . C . lleane , I . P . M ., Prov . G . J . W ., G . W . ; George Clark , P . M ., P . G . S . England ; A . Parker , J . Shiles , W . G . Roberts , S . W . Woods , VV .: A . Hurle , T . H . Deakin , W . Spence , A . E . Brice , and J . K . James . The lodge having been opened , a ballot was taken for

Mark Masonry.

Bros . Deakin and Spence , and being favourable , they were advanced with Bros . Woods , Hurle , Brice , and James , already elected , to the Degree of a M . M . M ., the ceremony being performed by the W . M ., assisted by Bro . W . C . Heane , I . P . M . The brethren then adjourned to the banqueting room , where the evening was spent in harmony and brotherly love .

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

Ancient and Accepted Rite .

SUPREME COUNCIL , THIRTY-THIRD DEGREE . The regular half-yearly meeting in these Degrees was held at the Masonic Hall , 33 , Golden-square , W ., on the afternoon of Wednesday , the 12 th inst ., under the presidency of Bro . Captain N . G . Philips , Lieutenant Grand Commander , in the absence of the Sovereign Grand Commander , the

Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , who , being in attendance on her Majesty the Queen at Liverpool , was unable to attend the meeting . The following brethren were advanced to the 32 : 111 . Bros . Rev . Henry R . Cooper Smith , M . A ., 31 ° , 40 ; Lieut .-Gen . Charles W . Randolph , 31 , 67 ; and John Emilius Le Feuvre 31 ° 41—To the 31 ° : 111 . Bros . John Thomas

, , Griffith , M . D ., 30 , 1 ; R . V . Vasaar-Smith , 30 ° , 49 ; Chas . Holttum , 30 , S 2 ; and Wm . Jno . Thomson , 30 , 31—To the 30 ° : Bros . Louis George Letord , 1 ; Geo . Graveley , C . E ., 3 ; Thomas Lamb Smith , 3 ; Thomas J . Armstrong , S ; Thomas Ness , S ; Major Mortimer Hancock , 43 j G . J . Crosbie-Dawson , 52 ; lames Herman de Ricci , 53 ; Alfred

Cooper , M . D ., 67 ; William Kelly , 92 ; Charles Rutter Fry , J . P . 9 G ; Robert Allen Luck , J . P . 9 6 ; Henry Maddison , 96 ; Henry Joseph Lardner , 97 ; and Edward Francis Storr , 97 . At the conclusion of the ceremonies , the brethren dined together at the Cafe Royal , when the usual loyal and other toasts were given .

YORK . —Hilda Chapter ( No . 23 ) . —On Thursday , the Gth inst ., a meeting of this body was held at Freemasons' Hall , St . Saviourgate . Bro . George Simpson , M . W . S ., presided . Two candidates were balloted for and accepted , Bros . Wm . H . Vane Millbank , 123 , and W . B .

Dyson , 1611 , and these brethren were duly installed and proclaimed , the ceremony being worked by Bro . T . B . Whytehead , P . M . W . S . Apologies for absence were read from a number of brethren , including Bro . C . J . Banister , S . G . I . G . for the district . Subsequently a pleasant evening was spent by the brethren , an excellent supper having been provided in the banqueting room .

Scotland

Scotland

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF AYRSHIRE . A meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge was held on Monday , the 3 rd inst ., in the Angel Hotel , Kilmarnock , Bro . Cochran-Patrick , LL . D ., Provincial Grand Master , presiding . A motion by Bro . James Allan , R . W . M . of Kilbirnie Royal Blues , against the initiation of candidates

in lodges other than those in the town to which they belong , was , after discussion , withdrawn . A motion by Bro . J . Houston , of Ayr Operative , as to the relation at present existing between that lodge and the Grand Lodge , was discussed at some length , and it was ultimately agreed to

remit the matter to a Committee consisting of Bros . Hamilton , Irvine ; Mearns , Ardrossan ; Kennedy , Maybole ; and Wyllie , Killwinning ; to examine the matter and report to a future meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge . The Prov . G . Lodge was then closed , and the proceedings terminated .

On the 4 th inst . the brethren of the Lour Lodge , No . 309 , assembled at their lodge room , together with deputations from Kilwinning , Forfar ; Airlie , Kirriemuir ; Bruce , Friockheim ; Elijah Royal Arch Chapter , No . 12 , Forfar ; and Thistle Operative , Dundee . The brethren , numbering in all about 75 , marched in procession , and clothed in full

regalia , to the parish church , where the Rev . Patrick Stevenson , of lnverarity , the Chaplain of the lodge , preached an able discourse on Freemasonry . The streets were crowded all along the route to the church . It is twenty-one years since a Masonic sermon was last preached in Forfar .

Ireland.

Ireland .

BELFAST MASONIC CHARITIES . The annual meeting of the Belfast Masonic Charities , held on Friday , the 16 th ult ., was an unusually attractive gathering . Instead of the customary meeting , confined to the members of the Craft , formerly held in the Masonic Buildings , there was a successful conversazione , attended by many friends , in the Exhibition Hall of the Royal Botanic Gardens . The chair was occupied by the Deputy

Provincial Grand Master of Antrim , Bro . T . Valentine . As the public are well aware , the Charities embrace the Belfast Masonic Charity Fund and the Belfast Masonic Widows ' Fund . In the case of both organisations satisfactory reports were presented . The receipts of the Charity Fund showed an increase of £ 9 6 odd , and those of the Widows ' Fund an increase of £ 37 over the income of the previous year . The amount of philanthropic work done by the Funds

also showed a marked increase . During the year no fewer than lifty-one widows and their families received grants amounting in all to £ 410 . The Charities were established for the benefit of the deserving poor , and for the assistance of thc widow and the orphan , objects which appeal strongly for support and sympathy to the members of the Masonic

Order . It is gratifying to find these ob | ects realised in such a praiseworthy manner , to know that philanthropic appeals are never made to Freemasons in vain , and to see that in such a practical way they take a laudable delight in rivalling each other in smoothing reverses of fortune , in soothing the distress of the widow , and in caring lor the feeble and the fatherless .