Royal Arch.

the companions then admitted . The minutes were read and confirmed , and four candidates were balloted for and accepted for exaltation , but none being present there was no special business before , the meeting . This being the first occasion the companions had met since the lamented

death of Comp . j . Franks , P . Z ., Scribe E ., the M . E . Z ., took occasion to remark on the great loss the chapter had sustained through his decease , and dwelt on the death of Comp . Townsend , for many years Treasurer of the chapter . In few , but feeling words , he

expressed his own sense of the irreparable loss that- he and they had met with in the death of Comp . Franks , of whom , and of whose services to the chapter he spoke in terms of warm eulogy , and he hoped that these losses would make us all think of our latter end . The cup

of memory was then passed round in solemn silence , and quaffed to the remembrance of our venerated and esteemed companion . Bro . Mills also spoke very feelingly of Bto . Franks , whose constant companion he had been for thirty-six years , and begged Comp . R . Tracy to accept a

medal or jewel , which had belonged to our late brother , and which he felt sure that brother would feel , was placed in proper hands . Bro . Tracy , in responding , said he should never wear that jewel without thinking of all he had done in the furtherance of the objects of Masonry , and his constant endeavour would be to follow in his

footsteps . Bro . Pettit and Bro . Wright followed with some suitable remarks commendatory of Bro . Franks . Comp . Emra Holmes said that the first brother who had welcomed him in a Masonic Lodge in Ipswich was Bro . Franks . He ( Bro . Holmes ) had frequently

testified , both here and elsewhere , to the admirable manner in which he had worked in lodge and in Royal A : ch Chapter , especially in the latter , where in conjunction with their present esteemed M . E . Z ., Comp . King , the ceremonies were so impressively petformed , and from all he had seen and from all he had heard of our late

excellent and venei able brother , he felt sure that it would be a matter of hope and satisfaction to the brethren to remember that their brother had only gone before to the Grand Lodge above . Comp . Eraser would not harrow up the feelings of the companions b y dwelling more on the loss the chapter had sustained in the death of Comp .

Franks . Outside the Masonic circle his loss was universally felt , for he carried out the true principles of Masonry in his daily life . He ( Comp . Eraser ) would tread lightly on the ashes of the dead , but he must bear his testimony to the excellence of our late brother . It was decided to address a letter of condolence to the

relatives on behalf of the chapter . At the conclusion of this mournful , but impressive episode in the evening ' s proceedings , the ordinary business of the chapter was proceeded with . On the initiation of the M . E . Z ., Comps . Emra

Holmes read to the chapter the famous Masonic poem , King Solomon ' s Temple , by Duganne , which is published by our learned Bio . Markham Twcddell . of Stokesley , and its exceeding beauty was the subject of much admiring comment . On its conclusion a cordial vote of thanks

was accorded to Comp . Holmes , and ordered to be recorded on the minutes , and seveial brethren expressed a wish to procure copies of the poem . The chapter being then closed , and Comp . Luff Scribe E ., having given the beautiful exordium , the companions retired for refreshment . In

proposing the usual loyal and Masonic toasts the aM . E . Z . regretted that he could not propose that of the Pruv . Grand Supetintendent , and Prov . Grand Chapter , as unfortunately they had no Pruv . Grand Chapter . Now that they had opened the White Rose Chapter at Bury he thought the time had come for a Provincial

Chapter . Bro . Wright also expressed a hope that the Royal Arch should be made into a province in Sullolk . Bro . Emra Holmes , in returning thanks for tbe visitors , dwelt strongly on the beauties and excellencies of the Royal Arch , and remarked that he was surprised at the apathy of many good Ciaft Masons towards the Royal Arch . No Mason should consider his Masonic

career complete until he had been made an R . A ., any more than we should be content to stop short at the E . C . He thought with Comp . King , the M . E . Z ., that a Prov . Grand Chapter

Royal Arch.

ought to be formed , and he had no doubt the Prov . Grand Master , if properly approached , would lend the movement every assistance in his power . It is not customary to have the assistance of vocal harmony at these meetings , nevertheless the companions present enjoyed an

agreeable albeit a rather sad evening . RIPON . —Marquess of Ripon Chapter ( No . 8 37 ) . —On Saturday , 7 th inst ., a new Royal Arch Chapter was opened at Ripon , in connection with the De Grey and Ripon Lodge , 837 . It is styled " The Marquess of Ripon Chapter . "

The Marquess of Ripon , as Provincial Grand Superintendent of West Yorkshire , assisted by Excellent Companions the Rev . Dr . Symthand Beck , of Fidelity Chapter , Leeds ; H . Smith , Prov . Grand Scribe E . ; Mason , Musgrave , and Oates , of the Philanthropic Chapter ; and several other companions from Leeds , Wakefield , & c ,

duly consecrated the chapter , and installed Companions Rev . E . Collinson , Colonel F . W . Ri pley , and Joseph W . Bishop , as Principals . The brethren afterwards adjourned to the Unicorn Hotel , where an excellent banquet was provided . The chair was taken by the Marquess of Ripon . The usual loj al and Masonic toasts were dul y honoured .

ROSE OF DENMARK CHAPTER ( NO . 975 ) . — The installation meeting of this chapter was held at the Star and Garter , Kew Bridge , on Saturday , the 7 th inst . In the absence of the Principals the Chairs were filled by Comps . Pendlebury , M . E . Z . ; Terry , H . ; Longhurst , J . ; Bro . Gorman , of the Egyptian Lodge , No .

27 , was exalted , the whole of the ceremony being performed in a very able manner ; those of the newly-elected Principals who had arrived were then inducted into their exalted positions , the retiring M . E . Z . having been presented with a jewel , and no other business offering , the companions adjourned .

UNIVERSITY CHAPTER ( NO . 1118 ) , was consecrated at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queenstreet , on Monday , the 23 rd tilt ., by Comp . J . Hervey , G . S . E ., assisted by Comp . Major J . Crtaton , P . G . S . B ., and Comp . It . Wentworth Little , Prov . G . S . E . Middlesex , as H . and J ., and Comp . H . Radcliffe , P . Z . and M . E . Z . 91 , as D . C . The various ceremonies of

consecration and installation were rendered to perfection , accompanied on the harmonium by Comp . E . Stanton Jones , as Organist . Comp . S . Leith Tomkins was duly installed as M . E . Z . ; Comps . Itev . A . Bruce Fraser , as H . ; P . A . Latham , as J . ; after which the following officers were

invested : —Comps . J . Percy Leith , Treas . ; E . Watson , E . ; H . Sutherland , N . ; H . H . Riach , P . S . ; W . Masterman , A . S . ; Aretas Akers , A . S . The usual compliments were paid to the consecrating officer and his assistants , after which the chapter was closed . A very

enjoyable evening was afterwards passed at the banquet table , where the customary toasts were given and received with the utmost cordiality . The Hon . Judge Gibbs , D . G . Supt ., Bombay , responded for the Grand Officers , and Major J .

Creaton , for the visitors , and amongst other companions were Comps . S . Tomfdns , G . Treas . ; J . Whichcord , G . D . C . ; Cooper , and Wood . Apologies for non-attendance were read from Lord Balfour , and other companions .

Scotland.

Scotland .

EDINBURGH . —Lodge St . Stephen ( No . 145 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this lodge took place on Monday , the 9 th iust ., in St . James ' s Hall , Writers' Court . Supporting the Right Worshipful Master , Bro . It . S . Brown , were Bros . D . G . C . Christie , P . M . of St .

David ' s , No . 36 ; It . Wadler , W . D . M ., nearly the whole of the office-bearers , and a goodlv number of members . After the minutes were read and confirmed , a report was brought up by the Standing Committee , recommending certain alterations in the Bye-Laws , and by the

adoption of which a step has been taken in the ri ght direction , viz : —That the admission of candidates for initiation or affiliation , henceforth be by ballot . ( The use of the ballot-box at present is the exception , not the rule , in the Metropolis of the brethren over the border ) . After the transaction of the ordinary business , the lodge was called

Scotland.

from labour to refreshment , when deputations were received from the Lodge Celtic , No- - 2 91 , headed by Bro . J . D . Wormald , R . W . M ., and Lodge Edinburgh Mary ' s Chapel No . 1 , headed by Bro . Bailie Muirhead , R . W . M . A number of visiting brethren were also present , amongst

whom were Bro . P . Sinclair , R . W . M . of Lodge Journeymen , No . 8 ; Bro . Serjeant Major T . Willmott , of the Roman Eagle , No . 160 , and Bro . D . Kinnear , P . M . No . 291 . The evening was spent in love , peace and harmony , and when labour was resumed , the R . W . M . proposed

" That to mark the respect which is entertained for two such distinguished Masons , and highly respected citizens as Bailie Muirhead , and Ex-Councillor Wormald , they be affiliated as Honorary Members of this Lodge , " this met with

the unanimous approval of the members , whereupon the oath de fideli was taken by Bros . Muirhead and Wormald , and they resumed their seats amidst hearty congratulations . Bro . Kinnear proposed a vote of thanks to the R . W . M . for the excellent manner in which he had carried

through the business of the meeting , and that the same be recorded in the minutes ; this was carried nem . con . and the lodge was closed according to ancient custom .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of North Wales And Shropshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF NORTH WALES AND SHROPSHIRE .

In accordance with special announcements and public advertisements , the Provincial Grand Lodge of Freemasons for the province of North Wales and Shropshire was held in Holyhead on Friday . Though the local Masonic Lodge , the St . Cybi , No . ^ 97 is holden at the Marine

, Hotel , on this occasion it was deemed expedient to exchange rooms for the time , being , and to occupy the spacious and more commodious rooms at the Royal Hotel , now under the able superintendence of Mrs . Head , as the anticipated number of brethren in attendance would be too

numerous to be conveniently , or at all events comfortably entertained at the former place . It proved to be a happy foresight on the part of those brethren whose duty it was to provide suitable accommodation for this auspicious event . A great number of years had

elapsed since the last Provincial Assembly met here , and there were , therefore , considerable expectations in the town , more especially as the St . C ybi Lodge , 579 , has progressed very materially in numbers and influence of late years . Sir Watkin Williams Wynn , Bart , M . P .,

R . W . P . G . M . j opened the P . G . Lodge at about 2 . 40 p . m ., assisted by his P . G . Officers . There was a crowded attendance , and the business transacted appeared to fully take up the interest of the brethren . After discussing the various questions brought forward , and closing the P . G .

Lodge , the brethren formed into a procession and proceeded to the St . Seiriol Church . The service was ably and distinctly intoned b y Bro . the Rev . T . Lloyd Kyffin , while the musical part was extremely well rendered by the choir of the St . Seiriol Church , under the leadership of Mr .

John Williams , Mr . Charles Moran presiding at the organ with his usual skill and ability . At the close of the service , Bro . the Rev . O . Williams Jones , B . A ., S . W . and Chaplain to the St . Cybi Lodge , delivered a most impressive and applicable discourse , from the 1 st chapter of St .

Paul ' s epistle to the Romans , 20 th verse . After dwelling on the general purport of the text , the rev . brother confined his remarks to the sacred teachingsandexcellent principles of Freemasonry , dilating to a considerable extent upon the virtues the mysterious Craft inculcates to the thousands

that range under its banners , and winding up his discourse by saying that an opportunity would be given at the close of tbe service to practice one of the brighest of those virtues—charity , as there was a collection to be made , the proceeds of which would be divided between those excellent institutions in the town—the Sailors' Home ,

Hospital , and the Lifeboat Fund . After the sermon a collection was made by the v icar ' s churchwarden , Bro . R . T . Parry , of Bryngoleu , which amounted to £ 8 2 s . The procession was as follows : —Two Tylers , with dravvnswords ; brethren not members of any lodge , two and two ; the lodges of the province according to their num-