Ceylon.

Bro . Blacklaw returned thanks . Bro . Shankland proposed the Tyler's toast , " To all distressed Masons , and may God send them speedy relief , " drunk in solemn silence .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

METROPOLITAN . JOPPA CHAPTER ( NO . 188 ) . —A convocation of this chapter was held at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-strcet , on the 26 th ult ., Comp . J . Lazarus , M . E . Z ., in the chair , supported by Comps . Littauer , S . Abrahams , and P . Z . 's Lazarus , H . Harris , E . P . Albert , A . Eskell Cohen , & c . Bro . Rice ( of the Royal British Lodge , Mauritius ) , was exalted by tbe M . E . Z . The election for

M . E . Z . and officers was then proceeded with , which resulted in favour of Comps . Littauer , M . E . Z . ; J . Abrahams , H . ; the Rev . M . B . Levy , J . ; Cohen , Treas . ; Hemsworth , E . ; Hems worth , E . ; Pollitzer , N . ; Stanton Jones , Prin . Soj . ; and Smith , Jan . It was proposed that a sum of two guineas should be given from the funds of the chapter , and a subscription be entered into , for the purpose of presenting the M . E . Z . on his retiring from the chair , with a jewel . A vote of thanks was ordered to be

recorded on the minutes to Comp . H . F . Isaacs for his serving as Scribe for the past three years . Tbe chapter was then closed in due form , and with solemn prayer , and the companions sat down to a very excellent banquet . METROPOLITAN CHAPTER OP INSTRUCTION . —On Tuesday the 10 th inst ., this well-known chapter of instruction met at the George Hotel , Aldmanbury . The chapter was opened

punctually at 7 p . m ., by Comp . Dr . Selfe , M . E . Z ., assisted by the principals . The exaltation ceremony was worked , after which Comp . Brett , assisted by the rest of tbe Comps . worked the several clauses of the first section , and gave the illustration of the R . A . Jewel . The officers were then chosen for the ensuing term as follows : —Comps . Gotthiel , Z . ; C . Hosgood , H . ; Cooper , J . ; Green , N . ; G . Smith , P . S . ; J . R . Foulger , Assist . S ., and Littauer candidate . The convocation was then closed in ancient form .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

METROPOLITAN . KENT LODGE OP MARK MASTERS . —An emergency meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 3 rd inst ., at the George Hotel , Aldermanbury , under the presidency of Bro . W . H . Warr , G . Dir . of Cers ., AV . M . Bro . J . T . Gower , of Lodge 410 , and Bro . T . Rice , of Lodge 736 , presented themselves for advancement in this degree , and were duly advanced by Bro . W . H . Warr . Tnere being no other business before the lodge , th same was closed in due form .

Masonic Festivities.

MASONIC FESTIVITIES .

ROYAL ALBERT LODGE ( No . 907 ) . The brethren of this lodge , in accordance with their usual custom , held their summer banquet out of town among the green and leafy bowers which surrounds Bro . Middlecott ' s hostelry , the Greyhound , Dulwich . The muster was not so strong as could be desired , but there were a goodly number of visiting brethrenwho

, are always welcome to the banqueting board ofthe Royal Albert . The W . M ., Bro . Henry J . Lewis , was in his place , and received a hearty welcome upon taking his seat at the head of the table . Supporting the W . M ., ¦ were P . M . ' s J . Lewis , P . G . Purst ., and J . A . Parnfield , I . P . M . Bro . Ohard , in the absence of the S . W ., faced the W . M .. while Bro . WHParnfieldPM ied

, . . , .., occup the seat of the J . W . The brethren were glad again to meet with one of their members , Bro . Little , Commodore of the Columbian Navy , and a right hearty greeting he received from all around him . The usual Masonic toasts were quickly despatched , and the brethren ad-

Masonic Festivities.

journed out of doors , some to quietly contemplate the beauties of the Great Architect of the Universe , while others preferred to enjoy the outdoor amusements which Bro . Middlecotfc provides for his guests .

Southern Star Lodge (No. 1158).

SOUTHERN STAR LODGE ( No . 1158 ) .

The annual festival in connexion with this lodge took p lace at Bro . Noyce ' s , the Greyhound Hotel , Richmond , on Wednesday the 28 th ult . A numerous company was present , and the dinner was served in first-rate style . The 'W . M ., Bro . R . E . Clarke presided . After the usual toasts were given , Bro . Thompson , P . M . & Treas ., rose and said he had a very pleasing duty to perform—to

drink the health of a working brother , who now presided over that festive board as W . M . —namely , Bro . R . E . Clarke , and he hoped that the toast would be drunk with the enthusiasm it merited . The W . M ., in rising to respond to the toast , said he had nob only to thank the ladies and visitors for their presence , but he also had to thank Bro . Thompson , P . M ., as he might call him his

father in Masonry . In connexion with Bro . Pulsford , P . M ., he had received the greatest assistance from these brethren , who had been instrumental in placing him in that position ; and he trusted while he held that office , the Southern Star lodge would not lose any of its lustre from his connexion with it . Bro . Edward Thompson responded to the toast of "The Ladies , " and Bro . H .

Ebblewhite , 11 , very ably responded to the toast of "The Visitors . " The brethren and ladies then adjourned to a large room , where dancing was kept up with great spirit , and the ladies and brethren returned to town after having spent a pleasant day and evening .

Grand Lodge Of Mark Masters Of England And Wales,

GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASTERS OF ENGLAND AND WALES ,

THE BENEVOLENT FUND FESTIVAX . The first annual festival in aid of tbe Benevolent Fund of the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters was held at the Mitre Hotel , Hampton Court , on Tuesday last the 10 th inst ., under the presidency of the M . W . G . M . the Rev . G . R . Portal , M . A ., & c , supported by the V . W . Bros . Sir E . Lechmere , D . G . M ., Thomas Meggy , j . Udall , and other grand officers , past and present , and

Bros . J . H . Wynne , T . J . Sabine , Rev . J . Chaboe , Todd , W . Smith , CE ., R . W . Little , J . Rosenthal , H . Massey , Gower , Hudson , and several other brethren . On this occasion ladies were present , in all about fifty-four sat down to dinner , which was served by the host , notwithstanding the inconvenience which he had been put by the unexpected excess of numbers , in a highly creditable manner , —indeed the bill of fare was excellent aud the wines supplied were of the first quality . Shortly after

six o ' clock the ladies were escorted from the withdrawing-room and were ranged in an original and excellent manner around the outer lines of tbe tables so that they could not suffer inconvenience from the passing of the waiters , the gentlemen being placed around the inner and centre seats of the tables , Bros .

Meggy and F . Binckes occupying tbe vice chairs . The chaplain having said grace , the dinner proceeded , and was evidently greatly enjoyed by the majority of those present , owing no doubt to the invigorating exercise consequent on the afternoon promenade in tne delightful gardens of Hampton Court Palace and a glance at the immense collection of pictures in the national picture galleries of the once famous royal residence , the dinner being over , the cloth withdrawn , and grace said by Bro . the

Rev . J . Chaboe , the W . M . chairman proposed the first toast " Her Majesty the Queen " in brief and appropriate terms , and remarked that as time was short he would set a good example by curtailing as far as possible the length of the toasts . The five other toasts were given in rotation . Alter the first toast tho National Anthem was sung , and during the evening several very excellent songs and duets , & c , were given . Sh' E . LechmereD . G . M . proposed " The health of the G . M "

, , who presided over tbe company that evening . His varied abilities were well known to every Mark Mason , and he ( Sir E . Lechmere ) was glad to think that tbe ladies had that evening an opportunity of joining with the brethren in appieclating those abilities . He greatly regretted the time was so short that