Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

DEVONSHIRE . TOTKES . —Pleiades Chapter ( No . 710 ) . —AVednesday , April 7 th , the day fixed for the quarterly meeting , proved to be an unfortunate one , as other meetings , widely different iu character , were fixed for the same date , which greatly interfered with the attendance , so much so , that h was found necessary to defer the exaltation of several brethren whose names as candidates bad been placed on the circular of summons . The chapter was

opened half an hour after noon by Comp . the Rev . R . Bowden , M . E . Z ., assisted by Comps . Dr . Hopkins , P . Z . and H . ; Lidstone , P . Z ., acting as J . ; and V . Bird , P . Z . This having been completed , tbe comps . were admitted . The minutes of tbe previous meeting were read by Comp . G . Heath , E ., and confirmed . All below tbe first chair having been requested to retire , a Board of First Principals was formed . The retiring M . E . Z . then duly installed Comp . Dr . Hopkins , P . Z ., in the first

chair . The comp . who had been elected to tbe second chair being unavoidably absent , his installation was deferred . A Board of Installed Third Principals was then constituted , and the M . E . Z . conducted the ceremony of installing Comp . Marks as J . The board having been closed , the comps . were readmitted . The following officers were duly invested with their collars of office , the first two by proxy : —Comps . Pridham , E . ; Glanfield , N . ; G . Heath , Treas . ; Rev . R . Bowden , P . Z ., Chap . ; Winer , Prin . Soj . ; Bartlett and Oldrey , Assist . Soj . ' s ; and

Crocker , Jan . On the proposition ot the M . E . Z ., seconded by Comp . Bowden , P . Z ., a vote of thanks was passed to Comps . V . Bird , P . Z ., and Lidstone , P . Z ., for their kindness in coining a long distance to assist in the ceremony of installation , which was duly acknowledged by them , accompanied by an expression of readiness at any future time to further the interests of the chapter in that or in any other way within their power . On the proposition of the M . E . Z ., seconded by Comp . G . Heath , a

cordial vote of thanks was accorded to Comp . the Rev . 11 . Bowden , P . Z ., for the eminent services he had rendered to the chapter during an occupancy of the chair for three years in succession , and for the skill and ability with which he had conducted the ceremonies , and kept the chapter together under difficult circumstances . The I . P . Z . replied in a most feeling manner , and stated his earnest desire still to benefit the chapter by a regular attendance and assistance in any capacity in which

lie could be useful . As to the past three years , he had relied on the assurance that perseverance would in time overcome any little disappointments and reverses , and to none had he been more indebted for efficient aid , and the means of restoring the chapter to a state of activity and prosperity , than to the two comps . to whose kindness he owed this formal mark of approval of his efforts , which lie highly valued . The chapter was closed at 1 . 30 p . m ., and the comps . having adjourned to the Seven Stars Hotel to partake of a banquet , spent a very pleasant afternoon together , separating at five o ' clock .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

YORKSHIRE ( WEST ) . HALIFAX . —Feamley Lodge' ( No . 58 ) . —The members of this lodge held their quarterly meeting on Monday , April 12 th , when there was not a very good attendance , only fifteen being present , Bro . John Stott , acting as AV . M . The principal business was balloting for Bros . William James Laidler and Samuel Firthof the St . James's Lod No . 448 who were both

, ge , , accepted , and subsequently advanced to the degree of Mark Masters by Bro . Normanton , P . M . Two other brethren were proposed for the next meeting . Bro . Charles AYoollons gave in his name to be placed on Bro . Thomas Meggy ' s list as a Steward to represent the Fearnley Lodge at the approaching Festival of the Girls' School . Deep regret was then expressed at the death of Bro . AV . K . Farrar , who had been accidentally California

killed , near Grass Valley , , and a small sum voted from the lodge funds towards the subscription being raised by the members of No . 448 , for his widow and three young children , after which the lodge was closed in the usual manner .

ME . CHARLES READE ' S new novel , " Put Yourself in His Place , " is appearing simultaneously in the Cornhill and in the Galaxy , an American magazine .

Masonic Festivities.

MASONIC FESTIVITIES .

IRELAND . DUBLIN - . Tlie Grand Masonic Sail , ^ Exhibition Palace . The grand ball which took place on Friday the 9 th inst ., in the Exhibition Palace , in connection with the Craft under singularly auspicious circumstances , was certainly one of

the most brilliant and imposing events of the kind that ever took place in a city remarkable for the magnificence of its entertainments and the splendour of its fashionable life . Promoted by an organization which numbers in its various grades the most distinguished representatives of intellect , culture , wealth , and influence in the empire , honoured by the presence of Royalty and the highest ranks of society , it was conceived and carried out on a scale of magnitude almost

unparalleled , and was crowned with a success which must have exceeded the most sanguine anticipations . Only once before has this building , which would do honour to the genius of a Paxton , and grace even the finest city in Europe , been so literally a palace of beauty , or illustrated with such marvellous effect the highest triumphs of decorative art . The appearance of the grand transept was magnificent in the extreme , and the decorations certainly surpassed anything of the kind ever before

attempted in the building . In the centre a large fountain , surrounded by plants with dark green foliage , was playing , and its translucent water falling in tiny spray on the miniature rocks below seemed like a stream of liquid gold as it reflected the auriferous beams which shone from all sides . In front of each pillar supporting the galleries , and rising to the roof above , lances were slung , the highly polished blades and graceful pennons giving them a pleasing effect . Over the clockin the

, semi-circular transept , were several military devices , composed of swords , pistols , bayonets , rifle-locks , and other weapons , most ingeniously arranged ; and in each recess national flags and banners were suspended . Above all , formed of gas jets , were the Prince of AYales' feathers and the famous motto , " Ieh dien . " At the southern end some exceedingly large standards were placed , and over these a great star , also of gas jets , bore the inscription " Quis separabit ? " which , iu common with the

Knights of the Order of St . Patrick , the Irish brethren have adopted . The whole of the floor was laid with rich carpeting , which relieved it of its usual barren appearance , besides contributing incalculably to the comfort of the visitors . At the opposite end of the transept was the dais , —from its magnitude and beauty perhaps the principal object of interest in tho Palace . It was more than 32 feet in length , and elevated about the usual height from the floor , and covered with deep crimson

cloth . On each side of the steps leading up to the throne was a lion in a recumbent positiou , and a mute clad in a suit of ancient steel armour . The canopy was of semi-hexagonal form ( elongated ) , the cornice of gold , pierced by a string-course of shamrocks , relieved by a background of Masonic blue ; on the angles , the Irish harp , surmounted by the Royal crown , aud shamrocks conventionally arranged . In the centre was a sunburst formed of bayonets and swords , round which were placed flags ; and a

device similhr in character adorned either end of the cornice . The back-ground of the dais was covered with crimson cloth , and the Royal arms in gilt moulding , occupied the centre above the chairs of state . At the back of the dais two handsome retiring rooms were specially devoted to the use of the Prince , tbe Lord Lieutenant and viceregal party , and the Duke of Leinster , as G . M . of Ireland . But few thing attracted more admiration , or evinced move ingenuity of designthan a number of grand

, military devices which were placed on both sides of the dais . These wove formed of antique and modern weapons brought ; from the Pigeon House Fort , and with wonderful skill made to represent a variety of things . The signs by which the objects and character of Freemasonry are all symbolized and expressed ; the rising sun and many other devices , were executed with a taste and skill that could not easily be surpassed . In the recesses under the galleries were placed lounges and solas of mahogany

, covered in crimson and blue velvet and damask . Cabinets of buhl and marqueterie , over which were placed large mirrors , ¦ n ere ranged at regular intervals , and drapery falling in handsome folds , contributed to render the decorations at once pleasing and effective . Down the centre of the transept were fixed parallel rows of richly gilt gaseliers , in addition to the strings of gas jets which run entirely round the galleries , so that the illumi-