Royal Arch.

and James AVoods . The ceremony was performed by Comp . Henry Jno . Mason , Principal Z ., in his usual clear and masterl y style , assisted by Comps . Le Strange , H ., and Henry Underwood , J . Comp . jWilliam . Leedes Fox , Prov . G . See ., the Principal Sojourner of the chapter , deserves great praise for the impressive manner he delivered his portion of the ceremony . There were upwards of thirty companions present on this

occasion . Seven brethren of various lodges were proposed for exaltation at the next quarterly meeting of the chapter . After business the companions retired to the banquet , and enjoyed a social and pleasant evening .

Knights Templar.

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR .

SCOTLAND . PBIOKY OF AYE ( No .-4 . )—This Encampment held a meeting in the Tarn O'Shanter Hall , on Monday night , February 17 th , the Sub-Prior , Sir Knight Andrew Glass , presiding There was a goodly attendance of members , the Conclave embracing two of the oldest pilgrims of the Order in this land , viz ., Sir Knight John Lauchlan and Sir Knight John Boyd , the first

named being considerably beyondfour-score years , and the latter over three-score and ten . The presence at their meeting of these two old worthies is much valued b y the Sir Knights of Ayr Priory , who emulate each other in conferring all possible respect upon them . The special business of the evening was to receive the resignation of the Prior Sir Knight Major C . E . Thornton . The gallant Major has for some years past held the post of Staff Officer of Pensioners for the A districtand the Sir

yr , Knight of the Priory of Ayr , looking forward to the prospect of his being stationed here for a long time to come , and with the prolongation of his stay among them , a gurantee that the dignity of the Order of the Temple would be well sustained by the Priory under his command , last year unanimously elected Major Thornton as their Prior . The War-office having now arranged for the amalgamation of the Ayr Pension District with

those of Paisley and Carlisle . Major Thornton ' s removal to another part of the country is rendered necessary , thence his resignation of the command of the Ayr Priory . On the letter received from the Prior being read , Sir Knight D . Murray Lyon , the Secretary , addressing the Sir Knights , said they must all feel disappointed and grieved at the purport of their respected Prior ' s communication . He would not say that Major Thornton ' s removal would endanger the existence of the Priory , but it would doubtless materially affect its prosperity . On his assuming the command of Ayr Priory , the Major found its walls in a

¦ rather delapidated condition , and its members m a somewhat dispirited mood ; but like a skilful general , Major Thornton's first care was to infuse into his followers a spark of the fire of Masonic enthusiasm , which flowed within his own breast ; and successfully did he succeed ; for within one month of his joining the Priory no fewer than half-a-dozon noviciates had plucked the palm branch from the banks of the J . and presented themselves for the honour of knihthood at the hands

g of Ayr Priory , one of them being an officer in Her Majesty ' s Yeomen of the Guard ( Captain Rickford ) . Indeed ( continued Sir Knight Lyon ) since coming among them , Major Thornton had borne out the high character his masonic antecedents had established for him . His exertions in raising the Royal Arch Chapels of St . A . ndrew-in-the-East , Poonah , were no doubt great ; birtwhen compared with what his energy had effected

for the Knights Templars in Scotland , his masonic services in India were in a measure thrown into the shade . It could not be otherwise than disheartening , then , for the Sir Knights to know that Major Thornton ' s connection with the Priory of Ayr was about to be severed . It was but an echo of the sentiments of the Sir Knights , when he ( the secretary ) expressed a hope that wherever Major Thornton ' s lot might be cast , the religion of the mi

Cross ght continue to cheer and animate him ; and when his earthly pilgrimage terminated , might he form one of the happy company wnom St . John in a vision saw standing with psalms in their hands , around the throne of the great Architect of the universe . Under the circumstances in which they were placed , he begged to move the following resolutions : — " That the Priory accept the resignation of their Prior , Major Thornton , and in so doing , beg to express their unfeigned regret that his duties as staff officer of pensioners should necessitate his removal from this district , and his consequent retirement from

Knights Templar.

active participation in the working of the Priory , in the succesful resuscitation of which he had taken a prominent and honourable part ; and further , that the Priory tender to their late Prior a most cordial vote of thanks for the great service he has rendered to the order of the Temple in the west of Scotland , and in Fan especial manner to the Priory of Ayr , since coming to reside in this country . " Which resolution was

unanimously adopted , and the Secretary instructed to furnish Sir Knight Thornton with a copy of the same . Certain other business having been dispatched , the Sir Knights retired to partake of refreshments , when the sub-prior occunied the chair , faced by Sir Knight Donald McDonald , and ' supported right and left by Sir Knights James Jones , Sergt . David C . Wallace , John Lauchlan , John Boyd , John M . C . Williamson , and others . Several

excellent addresses were given , and a most harmonious re-union enjoyed , the Secretary in the course of the evening directing attention to the claims for support which the London FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE had upon all interested in Masonic affairs . With a staff of talented contributors to its pages , Sir Knight Warren , the editor , had raised that magazine to the very highest place amongst the Masonic periodicals of the world ; and he hoped soon to see it in active and extensive circulation

throughout Ayrshire . It was anything hut complimentary to Scotland to say that it could not support a Masonic periodical of its own . ; but , till that could be done , let the patronage of all reading Masons be extended to their bretheen over the border , who so zealously catered for the literary appetite of the intelligent portion of the British brotherhood . How was it that so much ignorance prevailed among the Craft in respect to the laws and usages of the Order , aad of what was transpiring in

Masonic circles in other lands ? Simply because they were not reading members of the Order , and consequently in too many cases the blind leaders of the blind . Craftsmen well read in Masonic lore would not rest satisfied under the rule of an ignorant Master , and the more deeply read they became just in proportion would the standard of qualification for office be raised , and the uninformed amongst them be banished from their Masonic Chairs .

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE .

THE MOUNT CALVARY CHAPTER OF ROSE CROIX held a meeting at the London Coffee House , Ludgate Hill , on Monday , Feb . 24 , 1862 . Present , Comps . L . Lemanski , M . W . S . 30 ° ; Purdy ; Shuttleworth ; C . Elliott ; Thompson ; Braithwaite ; Swan ; Simons , & c . The chapter was opened in due form , when Comps . J . M . Thearle and J . Irvin were duly installed as Sovereign Princes of Rose Croix . The chapter was then closed ; and

shortly afterwards , at the sameplace , a Conclave of Knight Templars of the Mount Cavalry Encampment was held . Sir Knts . Capt . Braithwaite , E . C ; L . Lemanski ; Thompson ; Purdy ; Shuttleworth ; Elliott ; Swan ; Simons and Thearle were present , when Comps . H . J . Mason , of the Cabbell Chapter , Norwich ; Capt . T . C . Hutchison , of West Coast of Africa ; G . G . Dromtro , of the Yarborough Chapter ( No . 812 ) , were duly installed as

Knight Templars . Sir Knt . Meymott , was a visitor . After the business of the encampment was closed , the Sir Knights adjourned to banquet , and retired early , having spent a very happy and pleasant evening .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

WOOLWICH . —Florence Nightingale Lodge ( No . 10 ) . —Tins admirable lodge held its usual meeting at the Masonic Hall William-street , Woolwich , on Tuesday the 18 th inst . The officers present were Bros . Dr . Hinxman , R . W . M . ; Col . Clerk , M . O . ; Carter , S . O . ; Hassal , J . O . ; Laird , Sec . ; and Henderson , T . K . ; as well as Bros . Lyons , Capt . Thompson Wilson , P . Prov . G . M . of Canada , Hughes , and Russell . There were a

goodly number to be advanced , of which the following came up , and were made Mark Masters , viz ., Capt . Boyle , Peter Hay , J . Thomson , Pogue , Malings , Bayly , Page and Swyer . The ceremony was very efficiently performed hy the officers , and at its conclusion the brethren adjourned to Bro . De Grey ' s to refreshment . After the cloth had been removed the R . W . M . proposed " The Health of Her Majesty the Queen , " with whom