Royal Arch.

The M . E . Z . next called their attention to the II . and J . of the chapter . Ho Avas A'ery much pleased ivith having two such excellent Principals beside him , Avhose endeavours he Avas sure , would be for the benefit of the chapter . The able manner in which Comp . Fraser , J ., had done his duties tvas beyond praise , and he called upon all present to drink the toast of tho 11 . and J . of Chapter 1055 .

Comp . T . A . ADAMS , as Deputy for II ., AVIIO had been called away to military duties , was happy to return thanks on behalf of Comp . Capt . Hardy , AA-IIO , he Avas sure would do credit to his office , and he hoped be quite as an fait as Comp . Fraser , who hacl made a most successful debut , scarcely having missed a word of his part . Comp . FBASEE , J ., had found it a great source of pleasure to do his work as well as he possibly could , and ivhich he should ever strive to do . For the kind proposal and tion of his healthhe

recep , was much obliged to them . The M . E . Z . saicl , most of the Comps ., if not all , ivere well acquainted with the Scribes E . andN . Comp . Stacy , E . was sure to do AA-ell , for whatever he put his hand to was always " clane and nate . " N ' s . industry and perseverance in lodge followed him into the Chapter , and his quiet and easy way of performing his-duties stamped him as a no less valuable officer .

The SciiiBE E . hacl great pleasure in the manner in ivhich his health hacl been proposed , and the reception it had met ivith . He should be , at all times , willing to do his best- both for iodge and chapter , whenever they called upon him . The SCBIBE N . had to thank them for the kind and handsome manner in which his name had been mentioned . He always held it to be that every officer was bound to be perfect to the best of his

ability . That had been his guiding principle , and if he had been somewhat near tho mark , he hoped to be better on the next occasion , and ifc should be his study fco satisfy them ancl himself . The M . E . Z . said , that though last , yet not least , he hacl to propose " The Healths of Comps . AV . AA ' atson and Thomas A . Adams . " He did feel inexperienced and unable to say what he ivished in reference to each of them . Fortunately , however , for him they were both widely known ; AA'atson as an honest , upright , good Mason , and Adams ever ready to assist " his boys , " of whom he was one , and by Avhose aid he clone all that day , his Master having

laboured hard to make him acquit himself decently . Comp . AA' . AA ' ATSOX was sincere in his thanks to them for the toast . ' He was proud to say that he had brought both the lodge and tho chapter into existence . Three years on the 16 th of next month would be the anniversary of the consecration of the lodge . Ho alluded to his great love for the Craft , and . thought tho Royal Arch was as much beyond the Craft as the Craft was superior to any other organised society . He then went very fullinto the

y beauties of the degree , and delivered an extempore lecture , which was of the most interesting character , but not proper to be reported here . He concluded by advising every Comp . to study ifc for its language , its truths , and the hidden mysteries that it contained , and promising to do all that lay in his power for tho benefit of the chapter , lie resumed his seat . Comp . T . A . ADAMS saicl they all knew Comp . AVatson ' s good

nature ancl talents ; with the last he had gratified them all very much in the slight but beautiful ceremony of consecration ; but as Comp . AA ' atson had consecrated more lodges and chapters than any other Mason living , no better system could be found . For himself , he was not an old Mason , having been initiated in 1847 , while Comp . AA'atson was eleven years his senior in Masonry , He was seventy years old next birthday , and when he was made , some said

lie was too old , but ho believed no man was too old to be a Mason ; ancl when he was told thafc age prevented many from learning the ceremonies , hebore testimony in his own person to thoincorrectnessof that view . for limine months he learned the Craft ceremonies , lectures , andall , ancl the consecrations , & c , in another four months ; and to the young Arch Masons he offered his experience to show them that ifc only " wanted the will and the ivay , which , if they found , Ms hopes would be carried out by seeing the chapter prosper and flourish . The Janitor ' s toast brought the inauguration meeting of this very hopeful ancl prosperous chapter to a termination .

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE .

CHAMEB oi ? OBSERVANCE . —This ancient chapter held a mooting on Thursday , the 20 th ult ., at the Thatched House Tavern , St . James ' s-streefc , when the Sov . Prince , J . H . Law , as M . W . S ., assisted b y the Sov . Princes , AA ' m . Stuart , John Henderson , and others , proceeded to tho ballot for several candidates , who , being approved , and of the proper age and profession , ivere passed through the several degrees ancl installed Knights of the Pelican and Eagle and Sov . Princes Rose Croix .

Masonic Festivities.

MASONIC FESTIVITIES .

FESTIVAL OE THE LODGE OE THEEE GEAITD PKIKCIPLES ( No . 251 ) , DEAA ' SDUBX , ASB ST . JOHN ' S LODGE ( NO . 1129 ) , BATLEY CAEE . —On Thursday , the 20 th ult ., the brethren of the above named lodges ancl their visiting brethren commemorated the Festival of St . John Baptist ( as hacl been previously agreed upon ) , in the splendid gardens and grounds of Thorhill Rectory , permission having been kindly granted bthe Rev . H . Torrerector . The

y , weather Avas unfavourable , but , despite that , upwards of 120 assembled , including a proportionate number of the fair sex . The Dewsbury Rifle Corps brass band , ancl Bro . Benjamin Parker's ¦ quadrille band , from Bristol , accompanied them and enlivened the proceedings . Arrangements were made for having tea served in the grounds . This part of the programme ii'as , however , frustrated by the inclemency of the weather ; but the rev . gentleman again

extended his liberality by placing at their disposal a suite of rooms , in one of which tea was served . Mr . Pease , of the Saville's Arms , Thornhill , provided the repast , which was prepared and served under the able superintendence of Mrs . Lee , housekeeper of the Rev . Ii . Torre , ancl to that lady is chiefly attributed the excellency of the repast . After tea the rain and clouds dispersed , ancl a fair evening set in , when the parterre in front of the ancient mansion became the scene of various amusements , in ivhich dancing , of

course , took precedence . AV . Bro . Charles Oldroyd , P . Prov . G . S . B ., officiated as Master of the Ceremonies , and discharged that duty to the entire' satisfaction of all engaged . Amongst the brethren present were R . AV . Dr . Fearnlcy , D . Prov . G . M . ; V . W . R . R . Nelson , Prov . G . Sec . and AA ' . M . No . 1129 ; J . 0 . Gill , P . Prov . G . S . of AA ' orks ; Charles Patterson , Prov . G . Dir . Cers . ; John Gill , P . Prov . G . Dir . Cers . ; Edward Chadwick , Prov . G . Standard Bearer ; ThomasSenior Prov . Grand Steward ; John Spiking

, AA' . M . No . 251 ; AVilliam Auclsley ; P . M . ; James Clay , P . M . ; Lewis A . Shepherd , P . AT . ; Benjamin Gates , P . M . ; Thomas Halliwell , S . AV . ; Abm . AVilson , S . AV . ; G . Tolson , J . AV . ; J . B . Newsome , J . AV . ; John Armitage , H . Sec ; J . F . Dates , S . D . ; George Fox , D . C ; John Lobley , D . C ; Henry Day , I . G . Through the indefatigable exertions of the Festival Committee , tho proceedings passed off in a manner agreeable to all parties , ancl

highly creditable to themselves . Before the company separated the R . W . D . Prov . G . M ., in an eloquent ancl feeling address , proposed a vote of thanks to the "Venerable and Reverend H . Torre for his liberality ancl generosity in contributing so largely to the day ' s enjoyment , which was received with protracted and hearty applause , after which all departed to their respective homes , Avell satisfied Avith the Avhole of the proceedings .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . JAMES RICHARD TOMKINS . Died on the 17 th June , 1861 , at his residence in Pern , Constantinople , Bro . James Richard Tomkins , aged 32 . Bro . Tomkins was initiated in the Oriental Lodge ( No . 988 ) , Constantinople ; had filled different offices , ancl was , at the time of his death , S . D . ; he was also S . W . of the Deutsche ! - Bund Lodge ( No . 1121 ) , and member of 211 . As a Mason he was well informedenergeticand

, , ever ready with his Masonic duties . As a man he was large hearted and catholic in his sympathies , hacl won . the affections of all who knew him , and was universally respected , The brethren of Constantinople accompanied his remains , on the 18 th inst ., to the Protestant burial ground , where , after fche services of the Church were performed , the AVorshipful Master of 988 expressed the affection ancl sorrow experienced by those severed by the ties of

death from the deceased brother , ancl charged all to take warning and prepare to follow . The German society of Constantinople ( of ivhich also our brother was a memher ) , then sang in fail chorus a funeral anthem to close the solemnities . Owing to the distance from Grand Lodge , it was impossible for the brethren to obtain a dispensation ; they , therefore , ivere only clothed with black scarves ancl white gloves . The brethren of the Oriental Lodge ( No . 988 )

deeply deplore his veiy sudden removal ; and they will not readily find another to supply his place . May he reap his reivard in the Grand Lodge above . A M . M . Lodge , of No . 998 , was held on the 21 st of June , when a funeral oration was given , and a , paper read on the Intention of Masonry ( tlie lodge being in mourning ) . BRO . JOHN PLEAA S , CE . Bro . John Plows , C . E ., died on the 23 rd ult ., at his residence , 14 , Grosvenor-place , Kennington , at the age of 66 . He tvas for . a long