Scotland.

to the election of office-hearers , when the following were unanimously approved of : — Comp . P . G . Morrison Z . „ Andrew Beath , M . D H . „ Andrew Crawford J . „ AA m . McRobert E . „ A . Dyson . ' ., N .

„ James Mafchie Treas . „ Rev . Dr . Rogers 1 st Soj . „ Samuel Corran 2 nd Soj . „ Duncan Campbell 3 rd Soj . „ AA m . Belfrage Proxy Z . „ Thomas Robertson J anitor . Our correspoudent says : It is most interesting to remark that the Stirling Rock Chapter is believed to be the oldest

in fche kingdom , if not in the world . It is well known thafc the Knights Templar were suppressed throughout all Europe , excepting Portugal , where they were allowed to retain the practice of the Order under the condition of changing their title to that of " Knights of Christ . " In Scotland , Edward , the King of England ( who was then in possession of Scotland ) was unable to suppress itowing to the wars then being carried on

, between him and Rohert de Bruce . It is well-known that Bruce fostered the Templars , and that their head-quarters was Stirling , and that they fraternised with the Craft . It has , therefore , been believed that the ceremonial of the Royal Arch was imported from the East hy the Crusaders , and worked up thereafter as a Masonic degree . AVe are more strengthened in this idea by having seen two rudely-engraved brass plates , about 9 in . long hy 3 in . broad . The

age of these plates is unknown , hut they can scarcely be more modern than the beginning or middle of the 17 th century . The one plate has reference to the first two degrees : on one side are the symbols of the apprentice degree , while the other have those of the Fellow Craft , On the other plate one side is devoted to the M . M . degree , and on the obverse at the top are certain symbols , with . the inscription REDD CROS or ARK : at the bottom is a series of concentric arches , which might be mistaken for a rainbow , were there not a keystone on the summit indicative of an arch . In

addition to what has already been described on this side of the plate , are inclosed in a border , divided into three equal divisions , certain other inscriptions , with the respective names of " Sepulchre , " " Knights of Malta , " and " Knight Templer . " There is , therefore , no doubt of the great antiquity of this interesting chapter . No minute book seems to have been kept up till 1743 , or if kept , it has been lost or perhaps carried away during the . rebellion of 1745 . This , minute book is believed to be the oldest written record now

extant . The Companions elected to the several offices were duly installed , and did themselves the honour of electing Lord James Murray as one of their members . The Chapter having been closed , the companions adjourned to the Golden Lion Hotel , where they partook of an elegant banquet , Bailie Morrison , Z , in the chair , supported right and left by Lord James C . P . Murray , Donald Campbell , L . Mackersy , AA m . Belfrage , & c . Dr . Rogers officiated as croupier , supported by G . A . Dyson , AVm . Boyce , Hutchison

Campbell , P . Macrae , & c . Both meetings were honoured hy the presence of Comp . Thomson AVilson , P . G . Z . of Canada ( the first elected Grand Principal after they declared their independence ) . Tho cloths liaving been withdrawn , the chairman gave the " Queen , Prince Consort , Prince of AA ales , and the rest of the Royal Family , " " The Army and Navy , " to which Lord James Murray chastely replied . Then the Grand Chapter and the Office Bearers , and brethren thanked them for the interest which they had displayed in the

reopening of No . 2 . Lord James Murray replied on behalf of the office-hearers . The Grand Chapters of England and Ireland were then severally given . Comp . Donald Campbell gave " Royal Arch Masonry abroad , more especially that of Canada , " to which Comp . Capt . Thomson AAllson replied . The Stirling Rock Chapter being situate within the Glasgow province , " The Prosperity of the Prov . Grand Chapter for the West of Scotland" was ably given hy Comp . MackersyGrand Scribe E . to which Comp . Campbell liedin

, , rep , the absence ofthe Prov . G . Superintendent , Dr . AValker Arnott , who was unavoidably prevented attending by indisposition . " The Prosperity of Stirling Rock" was afterwards given , as well as several other toasts of a local nature ; when the chairman gave the usual Scottish closing one of " Happy to meet , sorry to part , and happy to meet again . "

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

MOUNT SION CHAPTEE ( NO . 169 ) . —The first convocation of the season was held on Thursday , October 14 th , afc Radley ' s Hotel New Bridge-street , Blackfriars . Comp . H . Muggeridge as M . E . Z , Comp Parr , H . ; and Comp . J . How P . Z , as J . Bro . J . S . Hatch , ( S . AA .

Royal Arch.

No . 1171 ) and Bro . Ching , ( of No . 234 ) were exalted into this supreme degree . At the conclusion ot the business , the Coinps . assembled at the banquet , at wliich Comp . Muggeridge presided . In proposing " The health of the three Acting Principals , " Comp . Partridge , the Treasurer and senior member also referred to the long career of success that had attended this Chapter ; he had been a member for twenty-one years , and during the whole time kindness and brotherly love had prevailed . He congratulated the Chapter

on having so efficient a member as Comp . Muggeridge , who was always ready to fill the office of an absent Comp . To " The health of the A isitoi-s Comps . F . Binckes , and H . J . Thompson , " the former responded , and in his address expressed a wish that at the next year's festivals for the charities , some brethren would send in their names as Stewards , to represent Chapters—so that the Royal Arch might be the more recognised . Comp . Partridge announced his intention to represent the Mount Sion Chapter at the next festival of the Boys' school .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

BON ACCOED LODGE ( Leigh Constitution ) . —The annual meeting for the installation of Master and the appointment of Officers was held on AVednesday , October 9 th , at Freemasons' Tavern . The lodge was opened Bro . H . Empson , W . M . Bros . Edward Lewis and Harry James Sparkes were advanced to the degree of Mark Masters . Bro . Dr . Jones then assumed the chair , and Bro . George Lambert , the W . M . elect , being presented by Bro . Simpson , was installed in the chair and saluted in the accustomed form . The

AV . M . appointed the following brethren his Officers : —Bros . George Haward , S . AV . ; Edward Burrell , J . W . ; AVm . Blenkin , S . D . ; C F . Picard , J . D . ; Fred . Binckes , Sec . ; E . Baxter , I . G . ; James Cole , Reg . of AVorks ; J . M . Edney , Org . Bro . Dr . Jones was re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . Rice , Tyler . All business ended the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to a most excellent banquet . After due honour had been paid to the loyal toastsas also the dignitaries of theMark degreethe

, . , AA . M . proposed " The Health of the newly-advanced Brethren , " and referring- to one who was about to part for the East , he said he should look to Bro . Sparkes , who he was assured was an energetic Mason , to spread the knowledge of the Mark in India . Bro . Sparkes liaving acknowledged the toast and the compliment , Bro . Empson rose to propose " The Health of his successor in the chair . " In Bro . Lambert they had a perfect assurance that the same energy aim in ail

industry ne naa aispiayeci ocner positions m masonry would be displayed in the position he held as the Master of the Bon Accord . The AV . M . only hoped that all Bro . Empson had said of him would prove true ; at any rate , if he did not quite come up to all expectations , he would do his best to deserve the commendations bestowed on him . Various other toasts followed , and the meeting was prolonged till a late hour . SOUTHWAEK LODGE .- —This prosperous lodge met at the Green

Man Tavern , Tooley-street , on Monday , 7 th hist ., in the presence of the R . W . M ., E . AV . Levy . Bro . Dr . Dixon , the immediate P . M ., performed the ceremony of advancement in his usual superior style , and greatly to the satisfaction of Bros . Steven , jun ., Stahr , and Spier , the candidates . Bro . F . AValters was unanimously elected a joining member . The business being ended , the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet prepared in Bro . Cathie ' s wellknown stle . The cloth being removedthe usual loyal Masonic

y , toasts were drunk , and the R . W . M ., in giving the health of the visiting brother , J . W . Weir , said he felt proud they had such an old esteemed member of the Mark Degree amongst them , and expressed his thanks for the kind and courteous manner Bro . Weir imparted his superior knowledge of the antient working of this degree . Iu a neat short speech , Bro . AA eir returned his thanks . After an agreeable evening being spent , the brethren broke up at a seasonabe hour .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

BRO . AATXLIAM HARDY . AA e have this week to record the decease , in the prime of life , of of Bro . AVilliam Hardy , of Leicester , P . Prov . S . G . AV . of that province , which melancholy event occurred on the 10 th instant . The deceased brother was initiated into Masonry on the Sth June , 1846 , in the John of Gaunt Lodge ( No . 766 ) , very shortly after its formation , under the Mastership of Bro . Kelly , the present D . Prov . G . M ., and , with his characteristic impulsiveness , he at