Royal Arch.

The committee have finally to report that they have received a memorial from the Sun , Square , and Compasses Chapter ( No . 119 ) , AA'hitehaven , stating that they are unable to open tbe Chapter owing to the absence of Comp . W . R . G . Key , the Companion named in the Charter as First Principal , ivho resides in London , and ivhose expenses of travelling from thence to AVhitehaven and back they are not in a position to bear , and praying that the name of Comp . Thomas RoutledgeP . Z . of the St .

, John ' s Chapter , No . 327 , may be substituted for that of Comp . Key . The committee beg to support the prayer of the Memorialists and recommend that Comp . Routledge be named in place ¦ of Comp . Key , who has consented to have bis name withdrawn .

The Freemasons' Tavern Annual Excursion

THE FREEMASONS' TAVERN ANNUAL EXCURSION

This pleasant affair came off on Tuesday , the 30 th ult . The party , to the number of 120 , assembled at the Tavern at halfpast seven a . m ., where a substantial breakfast awaited them , laid out in Freemasons' Hall . After doing ample justice to the excellent viands provided , the bugle trilled forth the signal for departure , ivhieh Avas gaily effected in five of AVilson's "

four-inhands , " " all greys , " to the tune of " The girl I've left behind me , " followed by the consoling tune of "In the days when we went gipsying , " by the brass band engaged for the occasion . After a beautiful drive through scenery of the most varied and delightful description , charmingly refreshing to the eye of the Londoners , their destination , the Essex Arms Hotel , Watford ,

was reached without any accident to mar the day ' s enjoyment . The weather being extremely fine , the company was soon dispersed in various directions to enjoy the salubrity of the Hertfordshire air , Cassiobury Park attracting , as may be expected , the greatest number of visitors . About three o'clock the party returned to their head-quarters , and sat down to a sumptuous dinner , provided by Mr . Morgan , in Freemasons' Hall , the use

of which was generously granted by tbe Right Hon . AAllliam Stuart ( ivho kindly called to congratulate the company previous to the dinner ) , Provincial Grand Master of Hertfordshire , and Bro . Stewart Majoribanks . The chair was taken by Bro . Benjamin Banks , tbe veteran of the Freemasons' Tavern , who was supported by Bros . Shrewsbury , G . Elkington , Peter Matthews , George BainJohn UdallHoppeHde PullenT . Jerwood

, , , y , , Churchill , F . Binckes , AV . Paas , Barringer , George Hall , of the Robin Hood Rifles , Winsdale , B . Banks , jun ., Robinson , Rochford , all the tradesmen of the Tavern , & c . The cloth having been removed , and grace sung by Bros . Lawler , Carter , and Naylor ( who kindly gave their services on this occasion ) , The CHAIRMAN ablyand in most appropriate language

, , gave the usual loyal toasts , which were sincerely aud enthusiastically done full justice to . Bro . PETER MATTHEWS rose to propose the " Health of the Chairman , " Bro . Banks , and to present to him the presents confided to his care , namely a gold watch and chain , a purse of ten

guineas , and a silver inkstand . He wished ivith all his heart that the gifts were greater , for he knew no one who was more deserving than Bro . Banks , ivhose life , he prayed most ferventl y might be prolonged to enjoy those permanent and substantial records of his worth . He ( Bro . Matthews ) had spent a very nice and happy day ; but his pleasure was more than tenfold enhanced by Bro . Banks ( whom he had so long and favourably known ) being the recipientthrough himof such testimonials

, , -of friendship , attachment , ancl regard . He had known him as a partner , and wished ivith all his neart be ivere so again . Bro . Matthews then presented the testimonials . _ The cheering having subsided , Bro . Banks rose and with visible emotion said , —Gentlemen , I feel that I can never thank you sufficiently for these generous proofs of your esteem and regard . I consider this to be a most remarkable epoch of

my existence , and it appears to me as extraordinary as it is unexpected . To receive these handsome and more than intrinsically valuable testimonials is a great and lucky stroke of good fortune , ior I have performed no particular act or meritorious deed in the whole course of my life that can in any way have shadowed

The Freemasons' Tavern Annual Excursion

forth the slightest claim to the honour and distinction you have so kindly bestowed upon- ma . I have endeavoured , perhaps , to " pursue the even tenour of my way , " and do my duty faithfully as a very humble member of society , in ivhieh I may have been somewhat successful ; but I cannot "lay the flattering unction to my soul" that any exertions of actions of mine have earned such acceptable and to me precious gifts . I must therefore lace it to the account of the very great kindness and friendshi

p p you all entertain towards me , and for which I feel most truly thankful and grateful . Ancl I ought to be , for next in value to a good conscience is the good opinion of our fellow-men . After naming ancl thanking those who had promoted the Testimonial , Bro . Banks concluded by saying—I again thank you , collectively , from the bottom of my heart , and will . conclude by declaring to you that I feel this to be the proudest moment

of my life . The CHAIBHAN then called upon Bro . Winsdale to propose the next toast , and that gentleman , in an eloquent speecli , gave the "Healths of Bros . Shrewsbury and Elkington , and JProsperity to the Freemasons Tavern , " which was received with great cheering , and those gentlemen severally returned thanks , both expressing their gratification at the pleasure they experienced in joining their friends , and particularly those they employed—Papworth , Harman , Faulder , Rice , and others—to

whom they were very much indebted , and in whose welfare . aud comfort they felt a great interest—on such an agreeable and entertaining occasion . Several toasts followed , amongst ivhieh Avas that of " The Health of Bro . Peter Matthews and the Visitors , " and for which that gentlemen returned thanks in a genial and happy vein ; of " Bro . Coppock , the Hon . Sec , " in a most feeling and friendly manner by Bro . Sbreivsburywhich Bro . Coppock

, acknowledged in a brief and neat speech ; of " Miss Barr and the Ladies , " by Bro , Lee , ivho paid a handsome tribute to the many amiable qualities possessed by that eucellent lady , Bro . AVinsdale kindly responding to it . After ivhieh the dinner party dispersed for out- of-door recreation , some patronizing tbe noble game of cricket , others the ungallant , if not "ignoble , " game of " poor Aunt Sally ; " quoits , & e . At eight o'clock the

bugle sounded the return , and the excursionists travelled cheerfully homewards , having thoroughly enjoyed the day's amusements , the pleasures of ivhieh were enhanced by , and mainly clue to , tbe kindness of Bro . Coppock , under whose auspices , aud through ivhose energy and clever management , all the arrangements were brought to so satisfactory and admirable a termination . The instrumental music was under the able direction of Mr . Field , bandmaster of the Royal Caledonian Asylum , and the 29 th Middlesex A ' olunteers , ivhieh gave great satisfaction .

The Week.

THE WEEK .

THE COURT . —Her Majesty , surrounded by the majority of the Royal family , are at the Isle of Wight . The Queen , the Prince and Princess of AVales , and the young Princes and Princesses , have made many excursions to enjoy the scenery by which they are surrounded both on land and water . Prince Alfred is making a tour through Wales . —The Queen has caused

a letter to be Avritten to the Mayor of Birmingham in reference to the recent tight-rope accident at Aston P ark . Her Majesty expresses her horror that one of her subjects , a female , should have been sacrificed to the gratification of a demoralising taste , and further trusts that the Mayor ivill use his influence to prevent the park from being degraded by similar exhibitions in

future . IJIPEEIAL PARLIAMENT . —In the House of Lords on Thurs-July 23 , a smart debate arose on the motion for the third reading of the Irish Salmon Fisheries Bill . Lord Cranivorth moved its rejection on the ground that it took away the rights of property of several persons . After a discussion the bill ivas

read a third time by 40 votes to 55 . Lord Cranworth then proposed a proviso , saving the rights of present proprietors . This was negatived by 34 votes to 23 . After some further discussion the bill passed . On Friday , Lord Russell defended himself