Royal Arch.

PLUMSTEAD . —Pattison Chapter ( No . 913 ) . —The election meeting of the above powerful chapter took place on Thursday , the 15 th inst ., at the High School for Boys , Brookhill , and was well attended . Comps . R . Edmonds , Z . ; W . Rees , H . ; and E . B . Hodson , J ., were the three Principals , and the other companions present were Comos . C . Coupland , P . Z ., P . P . G . J . Kent ; E .

Denton , P . Z ., P . P . G . P . S . Kent ; A . Penfold , P . Z ., P . P . G . ist A . S . Kent , Treas . ; H . J . Butter , P . Z ., P . P . G . P . S . Kent , S . E . ; T . D . Hayes , P . Z ., P . P . G . 2 nd A . S . Kent ; Capt . Eugene Sweny , P . Z . ; H . Mason , I . P . Z . ; R . J . Cook , S . N . ; J . H . Roberts , P . S . ; E . Palmer , ist A . S . ; Sydney Clarke , 2 nd A . S . ; T . R . Richardson , R . Hewitson , I . Topp , G . H . Porter , I . Hooton , G . Frost , J . Farrier , VV .

G . Lloyd , W . Harris , Dr . H . Bernays , VV . G . Masto , and C . Jolly , all of the chapter . Visitors : Comps . Captain Sculley , 5 S 7 ; G . B . Wood , 296 ; and Capt . G . Spinks , J- 1 3-The chapter having been opened , the ballot was taken for Bro . G . F . Taylor , of 700 , and on approval he was duly exalted with the full Pattison ritual . The election of

officers was then proceeded with , and in accordance with the new Constitutions , every officer had to be balloted for , making it a rather tedious job ; however , every companion in office , as above , got a step , with the exception , of course , of the Treasurer and S . E ., and Comp . Richardson was elected to fill the post of 2 nd A . S ., and then the chapter was closed in due form .

Refreshments having been partaken of , the companions being seated round the social board , the M . E . Z . gave the usual loyal , Royal Arch , and provincial toasts . Comp , Coupland responded for " The Provincial Officers , Present and Past , " and in so doing paid a high compliment to our esteemed Grand Superintendent , Earl Amherst , for the great and unceasing interest he took in all things

Masonic in the province of Kent . Comp . Eastes was also a hard worker , and in his choice of officers always displayed the greatest care and judgment . Their chapter was called the premier chapter in the province , and he looked forward rather confidently for one or two collars coming to it at their next Provincial Grand Chapter meeting , so as to do honour to companions who werc certainly very worthy

of it . Comp . Mason then proposed the toast of " The M . E . Z ., a duty which he said always gave him great pleasure , but that night it was mingled with regret at the prospect of losing so excellent a worker from the principal chair . Comp . Edmunds had presided over them with so much geniality and good temper , and had worked the ceremony—his

share of it at least—so well , that he had no hesitation in saying that never in the history of the chapter had the ceremonies been better carried out . The M . E . Z ., in returning thanks , said no one knew his shortcomings better than he himself did , nevertheless he was pleased to hear the good opinion expressed by Comp . Mason endorsed so kindly by the companions , for which he

could only tender them his very best thanks . He then , in eulogistic terms , proposed the toast of "The Second and Third Principals , " who briefly responded . The toast of " The Past Principals " was coupled with the name of Comp . Mason , who in response , gave a long and interesting account of the Charitable Institutions , and

of his efforts to take up as the representative of the Pattison Lodge and Chapter sums worthy of such position . The toasts of "The Visitors" svas drank heartily , and Comps . Spinks and Wood eloquently returned thanks . Comps . Roberts responded for " The Officer , " and the Janitor's toast , concluded an interesting and pleasurable gathering .

YORK . —Eboracum Chapter ( No . 1611 ) . —The regular meeting of this chapte r was held on the 6 th inst . In the absence of the M . E . Z ., Comp . T . B . Whytehead , P . Z ., presided , supported by Comps . M . Millington , H . ; 1 . Blenkin , J . W . ; Brown , P . S . ; J . Kay , b . E . ; G .

Chapman , S . N . : Dalton , Lackenby , Ware , and several other companions . None of the candidates having presented themselves , the acting M . E . Z . gave the mystical section , and the chapter was closed , the members adjourning to an excellent supper , after which a pleasant andlsocial evening was spent .

NORTH WOOLWICH . —Henley Chapter ( No . I 472 ) . —An emergency meeting of the above chapter took place on the 13 th inst ., at Comp . West ' s Hotel , the Three Crowns , Comps . A . Penfold , Z . ; R . J . Warren , H . ; and E . West , J ., presided , the latter , in the unavoidable absence of Comp . J . Aillud through illness . The other officers present included Comps . C . Jolly , S . N . ; B .

Brayshaw , S . E . j C . VVood , Treas . ; Hill , P . b . ; Canning , ist A . S . j F . A . White , P . Z . 907 ; and W . Larder , Janitor . The chapter having been opened , and the companions admitted , the ballot was taken for Bros . C . T . Lewis , P . M . 1472 , and R . Caley , 1472 , and being unanimous , they were duly exalted to the Supreme Degree in excellent style , the

working being most admirable . The chapter was then closed , and the companions partook of an elegantly-appointed supper , and afterwards did full honour to the usual loyal Royal Arch and chapter toasts , and we are pleased to say that the chapter , although only consecrated a month ago , is thoroughly out of debt , every penny of the cost of furniture , inaugural banquet , & c , being defrayed by the companions of thc chapter , so as to allow it a clear and fair start in its Masonic career .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

HORNSEY CIIAPTER OF IMPROVEMENT ( No , Srjo ) . —A convocation was held at the Porchester Hotel , Leinster-place , Porchcstcr-tcrrace , Paddington , VV ., on Saturday , the ioth inst ., when there were present Comps . W . II . Dean , [' . / .., P . P . G . R . Dorset , Z . j F . Swain , II . ; T . C . Edmunds , J . ; II . E , Dehane , S . E . ; J . Cruttenden , S . N . ; VV . J . Mason , P . S . ; VV . E . Jameson , 1 st A . S . ; Dr . E . Shedd , / .. 276 ; J . Collinscn , P . S . 862 ; and Capt . H . S . Andrews .

Thc chapter was declared opened , and the minutes of the last convocation were read and confirmed , 'liie ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed , Comj ) . Collinscn being candidate . A vote of thanks was unanimously carried , to be entered on the minutes , to Comp . Mason for the excellent way he had rehearsed the ceremony of P . S . for the lirst time in this or any other chapter of improvement . After " Hearty good wishes" and the " dismissal charge to thc companions had been delivered by Comp . Edmunds , thc chapter was closed until the 17 th inst .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

OLD KENT LODGE ( T . I . )—The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-street , on Wednesday , the 14 th inst . The chair was filled by the W . M ., Bro . John Ramsey , who was supported by his officers and a large number of visitors . The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed , and the other business of the lodge transacted , the chair was occupied by the Secretary , Bro . J . L . Mather ,

who proceeded to install the S . W ., Bro . C . E . Soppet , in the chair , a ceremony very ably performed by Bro . Mather , who is well known as an expert worker in this interesting Degree . On the completion of the ceremony , Bro . Soppet appointed and invested his officers as follows : —Bros . J . E . Anderson , S . W . j E . M . Money , J . W . ; Geo . Graveley , M . O . ; C . H . Driver , S . O . ; W . Maple , J . O . ; J . Skinner , Reg . ; J . H . Thompson , S . D . ; C . E . Ferry , J . D . ; A .

J . Hone Goldney , I . G . ; J . U . Spence , D . ot C ; and B . Nicholson , Steward . Bro . Soppet then said that he had a duty to perform that was peculiarly agreeable to him , and that was to present to the retiring W . M ., Bro . Ramsey , in the name of the lodge , a P . M . 's jewel . He trusted he ( Bro . Ramsey ) would long live to wear it as a memento of his pleasant year of office in the Old Kent Lodge .

Bro . Ramsey returned thanks for the gift , and after " Hearty good wishes " had been expressed by the visitors present , the lodge was adjourned , and the brethren sat down to a banquet under the presidency of Bro . Soppet . The toast of "The Queen and Mark Masonry , " having been proposed and loyally received , The Worshipful Master proposed that of "The M . W . the Grand Master , the Earl of Kintore , " associating the

name with that of the Past Grand Masters—H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Earl of Carnarvon , Lord Holmesdale , W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., the Earl of Limerick , Lord Lathom , Lord Henniker , Canon Portal , & c . The Earl of Kintore , the present Grand Master , had the advantage of being supported by a very efficient body of Grand Officers , amongst them Bro . Moon , the Grand Treasurer , who was present , and others .

Bro . Strachan , D . P . G . M . for Northumberland and Durham , and Bro . Colonel Shadwell H . Clerke responded , the latter remarking that his senior Grand Officer—Bro . Matier—should have been called upon . A Grand Officer of the Mark Degree stood in a very proud position , amongst a distinguished list of Grand Officers , and the Order was now about to attain its climax by having H . R . H . the Prince of Wales as actual Grand Master during the

coming year . As an Executive Officer of the Craft , if he thought for a moment that there was anything in the Mark Degree antagonistic to the Craft he should not support it , but he believed there was room enough for all . He believed the officers would all do their utmost to maintain and preserve the Order . The I . P . M ., Bro . Ramsey , then proposed the next toast , which was that of " The VV . M ., Bro . boppet . " They all

knew , he said , what a capital Mason and good brother he was , and the lodge was to be congratulated on having such a worthy brother to fill the chair . Bro . Soppet , in reply , said he had to thank his good friend and brother for the flattering way in which he had proposed the toast , and he had to thank his brethren of the

Old Kent Lodge for placing him in the proud position of Master . It was impossible to add much lustre to the chair , which had been filled by so many eminent brethren ; but this he could promise—that he would not tarnish it , and , with the assistance of his officers , he would do his utmost to promote the interests of the lodge vvhich had been placed

in his care . The next toast was that of "The Visitors , " which the W . M . said was always received with the kindest feelings in the Old Kent Lodge . They had many distinguished Masons present—Bro . J . S . Cumberland , a well-known brother who had attained high office in his Provincial Grand Lodge , as well as being a Grand Officer , Bros . C . F . Hogard , Hay , Driver , Lake , and others .

Bro . Cumberland responded , and in the course of his speech , said that he was one of those who believed that Mark Masonry was an integral part of Ancient Craft Masonry . In olden days marks similar to those used by them were used by Mark Masons to distinguish their work , and the degree from every point of view was a most interesting one . Visitors were able to gain much and impart much by visiting , and he thought Masons should consider

themselves as belonging to all lodges , the only difference bei ng that the lodge in which they they were initiated should be distinguished as their mother lodge . Bros . Hogard and Hav also responded . The W . M . then proposed "The Healths of the Past Masters—Bros . Moon , J . L . Mather , Dickets , E . C . Mather , and last , but not least , the I . P . M ., Bro . Ramsey . The latter responded on behalf and the other P . M . ' s . He said that he felt very proud of occupying a chair during the

past year that had been filled by so many distinguished Masters . To him , the four meetings had been all too short to satisfy his desire for work . It seemed to him that he had only just begun to get used to his position , but he had the satisfaction of knowing that his successor would fill the chair most ably . The next toast was that of " The Treasurer and Secretary . " They were deeply sorry that Bro . E . C . Mather was

unable to be present , but they had Bro . J . L . Mather , who not only carried out his duties as Secretary very ably , but acted as Installing Master , for which service he was most grateful . Bro . Mather , in replying , thanked the VV . M . for his expressions of sympathy towards his brother . For himself he had always taken the greatest interest in the Old Kent Lodge . They all knew what a deep liking he had for Mark

Masonry and any duties in connection therewith he always endeavoured to perform to the best of his ability , and he hoped it would be long before his name would be missed from the roll of the Old Kent Lodge . The toast of "The Mark Benevolent Fund " was next proposed , and the W . M . announced that the I . P . M ., Bro . Ramsey , had undertaken to represent the lodge at the next

festival , when he hoped he would take up a list worthy of the Old Kent . Bro . Matier , in responding , regretted the absence of Bro . Binckes , but he could assure them that the services of the Old Kent Lodge had been thoroughly appreciated . He ( Bro . Matier ) gave some interesting details as to the working of this excellent fund , and concluded by ex-

Mark Masonry.

pressing a hope that all Mark Masons would assist in making the next Festival a great success . " The Officers " was next proposed and responded to by Senior and Junior Wardens , and the ,. ; Tyler ' s toast brought a very pleasant evening to a close .

WOOLWICH . —Florence Nightingale Lodge ( No . 44 ) . —The installation meeting of this Iodge took place at the Masonic Hall , William-street , on Monday , the 12 th inst ., when Bro . Everett Denton , S . W . and W . M . elect , was , with the usual ceremonies , placed in the chair of A ., and saluted in due form . The I . P . M ., Bro . Col . E . S . Gordon , R . A ., P . P . G . S . D . Kent , was the Installing Officer ,

and carried out the duties in an admirable manner , his delivery of the addresses being most impressive . The W . M . invested his officers as follows : Bros . E . Riddle , S . W . ; F . Nichols , P . G . O . Kent , J . W . ; Capt . Eugene Sweny , P . M ., P . P . G . J . D . Kent , Treasurer ; Sidney Clarke , P . M ., P . P . G . S . D . Kent , Secretary ; J . Birch , M . O . ; C . Birch , S . O . ; A . Burnett , J . O . ; and I . Berry ,

S . D . A cordial vote of thanks was accorded Bro . Gordon for his splendid working of the ceremony , and a handsome Past Mark Master ' s jewel was presented him by the Iodge , as a mark of respect and esteem , and he suitably returned thanks . The lodge was honoured by the presence of Bro . the Rev . Hayman Cummings , D . P . G . M . M . Kent , and Bro . C . Matier , Asst . Secretary Grand Lodge ; both were

awarded grand honours on their entering the lodge , and the former was unanimously elected an honorary member of the lodge , for which he feelingly returned thanks . Among the other brethren present were Bros . C . Coupland , P . M . 226 , P . P . G . S . W . Kent ; A . Penfold , P . M . 226 , P . P . G . M . O . Kent ; T . D . Hayes , P . M . 226 , P . P . G . Swd . Br . Kent ; G . Spinks , W . M . 226 , P . P . G . A . D . C . Kent ; W .

Kipps , P . M . 332 , P . G . R . of M . Kent ; J . Murrey , P . M . 15 S , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; and C . Jolly , S . D . 226 , P . P . G . O . Kent . The banquet was served in the hall , and on the removal of the cloth the VV . M . gave "The Queen and Mark Masonry , " and then "M . W _ . the Earl of Kintore , Grand Master , " which was drunk with enthusiasm .

The toast of "The R . W . the Rt . Hon . Lord Egerton of Tatton , D . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , Past and Present , " followed , and , in response , Bro . Matier , with whose name the toast vvas coupled , said the distinguished Mason who held thesupreme position in Mark Masonry had for many years past been engaged in promulgating the excellences of the Degree , and were

indefatigable in their endeavours to secure its progress and prosperity , while if they looked through the list of those who held and had held office in Grand Mark Lodge , they would find brethren who had not only taken a high position in Masonry generally , but had striven with but one object in view , that of propagating the principles and prestige of the Degree by every means in their power . In that , which

was an old Scottish lodge originally , might he , as an old Scottish Mark Mason , tell them how proud he was to see them working in and supporting the extension and knowledge of the Degree . It afforded him great pleasure to be with them , and at any time he could be of service to them , in or out of season , either in the lodge or out of it , he should be proud of the opportunity , and would heartily

embrace it . He heartily thanked them for the toast , and the honour done him by coupling his name with it , and resumed his seat amid cheers . The next toast was that of "The R . W . the Rev . T . Robinson , M . A ., P . G . M . M . of the Province of Kent , " followed by that of "The W . D . P . G . M ., Bro . Cummings , and the rest of the Grand Officers of Kent . "

Bro . Cummings , on rising to respond , was cheered lustily . He said it encouraged him very much to meet with such an enthusiastic reception of his name . The Grand Officers of the Province of Kent were only too anxious to perform any duty entrusted to them , and were always ready to do whatever they were called upon promptly , and with a cheerful heart . As D . P . G . M . it gave him great pleasure to be

present , and he trusted , as the years rolled by , to be even closer connected with such an excellent lodge and such excellent Masons , and see them with even an increased roll of Grand Officers among them . He highly complimented Bro . Gordon on the masterly manner in which he had carried out the duties of Installing Officer , and concluded by fervently wishing both the W . M . and the lodge

continued prosperity . Bro . Col . Gordon having proposed the toast of "The Worshipful Master " in felicitous terms , Bro . Denton , in response , said he should do his best endeavours to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor , and carry out his duties to the satisfaction of the brethren . He asked them to find him plenty of work , and the officers to be punctual in their attendanceand then he believed the

, lodge would so increase as to become not only a credit to the province , but to the honoured name it bore . The toast of "The Past Masters " was coupled with tho names of Bros . Gordon , Sweny , and Clark , who severally and eloquently responded . Bro . Cummins , in responding for "The Mark Benevolent Fund , " thanked them , and fervently hoped the Fund would

have a great success that year . He strongly advocated its claims upon their purses , and trusted that and every lodge in the province would support it . Thc other toasts were "The Visitors , " "The Officers , " and the Tyler's toast , and then the proceedings , which were enlivened by some good singing , accompanied by Bros . Nichols and Kipps , terminated .

WOOWICH . —Excelsior Lodge ( No . 226 ) . — The quarterly meeting of the above lodge took place on Friday , the 16 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , William-street . Bro . Capt . G . Spinks , W . M ., P . P . G . A . D . C , occupied the chair , supported by the following officers and brethren : — Bros . A . Penfold , P . M ., P . P . G . M . O . Kent ; E . West , W . M . of the Temple Lodge ; T . D . Hayes , S . W ., P . P . G .

swd . lir . Kent ; E . Palmer , J . W ., P . P . G . P . Kent ; G . Kenneday , Sec , P . P . G . A . Sec . Kent ; W . Moulds , M . O ., P . P . G . I . G . Kent ; T . Ovenden , S . O ., P . P . G . Steward Kent ; J . Whiteheart , R . M ., P . P . G . I . G . Kent ; C . Jolly , S . D ., P . P . G . O . Kent ; Lieut . W . H . Popplestone ,

J . U ., e . V . Ki . Std . Br . Kent ; T . Cooper , I . G . ; Reed j and others . The lodge having been opened , the ballot was taken for Bros . VV . R . Arnold , J . Christian , and J . H . Chinn , all of the Ubique Lodge , 1789 , and , on approval , they , with Bro . J . Warren , P . M . 700 , who had been previously elected , were duly advanced to the Degree of M . M . M . The election