South Africa.

Bro . Broster : Worshipful Sir , I have tested the stone with the level , aud find it truly and properly laid . Bro . Past Master : —The square being the proper jewel of your office , I will thank you to apply it to those parts of the stone which should be square aud report to me whether or no they are correct . Bro . Egim -. Worshipful Sir , I have tested the stone with the Square , and find it truly and properly laid .

The W . M . then gave three taps on the stone with bis mallet , and in a clear voice declared it duly laid as follows : " I do hereby declare this stone well laid , true and trusty . May this undertaking be conducted and completed by tho craftsmen according to plans , in peace , harmony and brotherly love . " The W . M . then said— "May the nil bounteous Author of Nature bless the inhabitants of this place with all the necessaries , conveniences , and comforts of life , assist in the erection of this

building , protect the workmen against every accident , and long preserve this structure from decay , and grant us all a supply of the Corn of Nourishment , the Wine of Refreshment , and the Oil of Joy . "—So mote it be . Which was responded to by all the brethren , and many of the spectators . Then followed " Glory be to God on high . —As it was iu the beginning , is now , and ever shall be—Amen !" The W . Master then knocked three times upon tho stone , and said , " May the Great Architect of the Universe look down with bonignity upon upon our present undertaking , aud crown this edifice , of which we have now laid the Foundation Stone , with

every success . "—So mote it be . Bro . H . E . R . Bright , M . M ., Goede Trouw Lodge , then ascended the stone , at the request of the Worshipful Master , and delivered an eloquent and appropriate address upon tho origin , nature and principles of Freemasonry , which we regret we cannot find space for . Bro . P . M . Perks then strewed the corn on the stone , as a sympol of plenty ; P . M . Blake pouring on the wine as a symbol

of cheerfulness and joy , and P . M . Egan the oil as a symbol oi happiness and prosperity , the latter saying— " May each of these symbols be realised in the prosecution of this work , and may peace , plenty and goodwill reign here amongst us for ever . " The Worshipful Master next . called upon the Architect , A . W . Anderson , Esq ., to produce the plans , which were subsequently handed to Bro . Martin , as Superintendent of Works , with a suitable charge respecting their safe custody .

At the conclusion of the address three vociferous cheers were again given , the brethren stood out in order , and the band struck up "Rule Britannia , " when the procession re-formed in inverted order , and preceded by the Volunteer Band , playing the Freemasons' March , returned to their lodge in Alexandra Road , where tho large crowd who had assembled to witness the ceremony dispersed . We regret to add that the weather was very unfavourable , a strong wind blowing , aud bringing with it clouds of dust , which no doubt prevented many of the inhabitants , and especially of the fair sex , from being present . The brethren afterwards took luncheon together .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

METROPOLITAN . CANOXUUKY CHAPTEE , G 57 . —The convocation of this Chapter was held on the 25 th ult ., at the George Hotel , Aldermanbury . The following officers and companions were present : — Comps . Samuel May , M . E . Z . ; Joseph Tanner , H . ; F . Cox , J . ; H . Cary , P . Z . . Scribe E , and P . Z . 's Ough , W . Watson , B . P . ToddWebbD 1-1 . JacobsTMaidwelland othersThe

Chap-, , . , . , . ter was opened , and the minutes of the former convocation were read and confirmed . A baljot was taken for the admission of Comp . A . Leared , S . W . 1 , 185 , as a joining member , which Was unanimously in his favour . The Chapter was then closed , and the companions adjourned to an excellent banquet . Tho Usual loyal and E . A . toasts were given , and during the evening , Comps . Webb and D . H . Jacobs delighted the brethren by some

very excellent songs , and the companions separated early . ANDREW CHAPTEE ( NO . 834 ) . —In our report last week- of the consecration of this chapter a paragraph was omitted , by which it was not shown that the chapter was closed , which was done about an hour before the time fixed for the banquet . The opportunity was embraced by the brethren to avail themselves of the appetising influences of a rural ramble .

DEVONSHIRE . EXJIOTJTH . —Sun Chapter ( No . 106 ) . —The quarterly communication of this chapter was hold at the Masonic Rooms , at the Royal Beacon Hotel , on Monday , the 29 th ult . The summons announced eleven o ' clock as the time of meeting for the induction of Principale , but through the absence of the necessary officers it was half-past twelve before the ceremonies began .

The chapter having been opened , a Board of Installed Principals was formed , when Comp . G . Glaufield was installed into the first chair ; W . T . Maynard , second chair ; and J . J . Mackenzie , third chair . The other companions were then admitted and the minutes of the former convocation read and confirmed . A ballot then took place for Bro . Thomas Oliver , of No . 328 , as a candidate , who was unanimously elected and exalted in due form by Comp . the Rev . Robert Bowden , P . Z . The lectures of

the several chairs were given respectively by the M . E . P . Z . Bowden , M . E . Z . Glanfield , and Maynard , IT . A ballot was taken for a joining companion , which resulted in his being unanimously elected ; and a candidate was proposod for exaltation at the next meeting . The officers for the ensuing year having been appointed , the chapter was closed in form . The companions then proceeded to the banquet , which was served in Comp . Bastin ' s usual good style . On the removal of the cloth , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given , and the Companions separated with good feeling and wishes for each other's welfare .

CANADA . GEAND CHAPTEE . The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Canada held its thirteenth annual convocation at the city of Quebec on Wednesday and Thursday , the 10 th aud 11 th ult . Considering the extreme easterly point of meeting , the attendance was very good , and the chapters were well represented . The following is the Address of the M . E . Z .:

—ADDHESS . "To the Most Excellent the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Canada , greeting . " Companions ,- — 'So smooth has been the path of Capitular Masonry in and throughout the dominion since Ave last assembled together , that I have no little difficulty to so prepare the usual annual addressas to make it all interesting . I

canhow-, , ever , at all events repeat what I said at our last convocation , that I feel happy in once more meeting you , and I pray in all sincerity that we may be allowed for many a future year to assemble in harmony and good fellowship—that no cloud may rise in our Masonic sky , threatening to mar the symmetry of our high and honourable branch of Freemasonry—aud that our future may be as sunshiny as our past has been prosperous—and so I

greet you all well , my companions . "And now for a few facts and some brief statistics . We number 39 subordinate chapters . I have issued dispensations in favour of four new chapters , and I hope Grand Chapter will , if all is found to be satisfactory otherwise , grant the necessary warrants of confirmation . The names and the places where held are as follows : —Seymour Chapter , Bradford ; Bossford Chapter , Moucton , N-B . ; Guelph Chapter , Gueluh ; Harris Chapter ,

Ingersoll . One you will observe belor . gs to New Brunswick , thus adding cement to our common bond of union . "I am glad to state to Grand Chapter that one of our oldest subordinates , St . Andrew's Chapter , Toronto , is most fully revived , and working worthy its ancient fame . I am also happy to add that St . John's Chapter , on the registry of Scotland , has surrendered its warrant and amalgamated with St . Andrew ' s , and iu accordance with the desire of the companion members

of both , I sanctioned a change of name . The amalgamated chapter is now called , ' St . Andrew and St . John Chapter / No . 4 , Registry of Canada . "I have granted several dispensations for tho election of Principals , all iu my opinion being absolutely necessary for the welfare and existence of the respective chapters interested , owing to the paucity of candidates , otherwise qualified under our Constitution . I have also confirmed many of the by-laws of our

subordinate bodies . "Since onr last annual convocation the Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia has been formally organised , and although I could not help thinking the action somewhat premature , considering the small number of chapters existing iu that province , yet acting on my conviction , that where there is a Grand Lodge a