America.

issued another decree declaring the new Council to he irregular and clandestine , and expelling all the members composing it . In a complimentary return , for which the new Council issued a decree in their usual flowery style , dated October 19 th , 1862 , declaring that they were the Simon Pure , and only legitimate Masonic authority for the Republic of Peru , and also enacted the farce of expelling those composing the original Council . In tracing the history of that unnecessary , suicidal war

among our Peruvian brethren , ancl while we can but deeply deplore the temporary injury it caused to the advancement of the Order in that jurisdiction , yet it is a most pleasing fact that , although the spurious and illegal body of Dissidenters started in their career of error , under the most favourable circumstances , in numbers , influence , and energy , they were permitted to continue in their illegal proceedings without countenance or support from any foreign Grand Bodyexcept

, the Supreme Council of New Granada , which gave them recognition bearing date the 28 th day of April , 1862 , and , if statements be correct , the conditions under which it was obtained are far from being creditable to that Grand Body . Such was the unfortunate condition of that portion of the Masonic family at the date of my sojourn at Lima ; the offers made to reconcile and unite the two bodies were rejected by

both parties , and there were then no prospects of a union . A general apathy seemed to prevail in Masonic affairs , and the power of the Dissidenters was fast on the decline . The old Supreme Council had been in session for nearly two years , and hut one or two subordinate bodies under its jurisdiction continued their regular meetings . The Sovereign Grand Commander was confined to his residence by illness during my stay , and the Grand Secretary and several of the members were

absent from the country ; our Grand Representative had been suspended ; a political revolution had commenced in consequence of the troubles with Spain , and the state of society was far from being in that quiet and peaceful condition to give the desired attention to any subject appertaining to the Order , and I thus deemed it inexpedient at that time to enter into any official negotiation relative to the special mission from this Council ; but my social interviews with the Sovereign Grand Commander and other illustrious members of their Council

were very gratifying , and the sincere hope was mutually expressed that their labours would soon be resumed , and the Council again enter into fraternal relations and intercourse with foreign Grand Bodies . During the time that the clandestine lodges were in full operation , it became a matter of serious importance and difficulty in travelling brethren to know which to visit , and particularly for those not speaking the Spanish language . To

meet this difficulty , 111 . Bro . Richard H . Hartley and other Englisii and American brethren of Lima and Callao , obtained a warrant from the Grand Lodge of Ireland to work in the Ancient York Kite and English language . The lodge was duly organised in 1863 , under the name of Duke of Leinster Lodge ( No . 151 ) , and , at the date of my visit , they were in a very prosperous condition , and the fraternal courtesies and reception they extended to meas representativeI now take

lea-, your , p sure in officially acknowledging , and to return my due appreciation of the same , the recollection of which will ever be a pleasing memorial of my Tisit to Lima . A warrant has also been granted by the Grand Lodge of Scotland for a symbolic lodge in the York Rite , to be located at Callao ; this charter was granted under protest from the Supreme Council of Peru . The question of the right of jurisdiction was , at the time of

my visit , agitated by some of the members of the Supreme Council , who seriously objected to lodges being established in another rite and under a foreign Grand Body . This important subject has been so thoroughly discussed by able writers on Masonic law and usage , that it is unnecessary for me to discuss the subject , but I deem it proper to state that , from my personal observation , it would greatly tend to the general interest of the Order

, if the Supreme Bodies in South America would permit lodges to work in the Rite and language which is only understood by the large majority of our American and English brethren . The importance of this concession has been admitted by the Supreme Councils of New Granada , Argentine Republic , and Uruguay , arid , I have no doubt , will also be recognised by the Supreme Council of Peru . Timethat

, great arbiter and regulator of worldly affairs , has decided the contest of the Fraternity in Peru , and the Dissidenters , after a few years of unprofitable career to themselves or the Order , and with divisions and contentions among them ,

rapidly declined , and have now ceased to exist , and the original-Supreme Council , among whose members are the familiar namesof 111 . Bros . Antonio de Sauza Ferreira and Thos . R . Eldredge , two of its founders , and 111 . Bro . Francisco Xavier Mariategui ,. as Sov . G . Commander , ancl is now in undisputed authority of the Masonic jurisdiction in Peru ; and we can but sincerely hope that the lessons of the past have given such experience as to justify the belief that fraternal union and prosperity will be the

result for the future , and that the amicable relation , so long existing with this Council , will ever continue . I am also gratified to inform you that , a few weeks since ,. I received an official decree of the Supreme Conclave of Peru that 111 . Bro . Richard H . Hartley , the former representative of this Council , had been honourably acquitted of the unjust charges against him , and was again restored to all his formerrights and privileges of the Order . ( To he continued . )

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND . KENDAL . —Kendal Castle Chapter ( No . 129 ) . —An emergency convocation of this chapter was held at the Masonic Hall on Friday , 12 th inst ., at four p . m . Present : —Comps . Edward Busher , M . E . Z . ; John Bowes , H . ; T . Wilson , E . ; Lieut-Gawith , P . S . ; J . Ottley Atkinson , Janitor ; Rev . Thos . SimpsonCapt . Braithwaiteand T . R . Clapham . Visitor : —Comp .

, , Younghusband , P . Z . 32 and 241 . The chapter was opened by the Principals , the companions admitted , and the ballot takenfor Bros . S . K . Thompson , Thos . H . Gawith , and W . E . Bagnall , which proved in favour in each case . Bros . Thompson and Gawith being present , were duly and impressively exalted by Comp . Younghusband , Lieut . Gawith discharging his duties as P . S . in an admirable manner . The lectures were given by

Comps . Younghusband and Bowes . Several Grand Chaptercertificates were delivered and duly signed . Letters of apology from Major Whitwell and other Comps . were read . There being no further business the chapter was solemnly closed . LANCASHIRE ( WEST ) . WATCRIUG-TCWT . —Chapter of Elias Ashmole ( No . 148 ) .

—Theregular convocation of this chapter was held at the Chapter Rooms , Sankey-street , on Monday , Sth inst ., at six o ' clock-Present : —Comps . H . B . White , Z . ; John Bowes , H . ; Horatio Syred , Scribe E . ; Jos . Maxfield , N . ; Jos . Robinson , Janitor ;• A . H . Beckett , W . Woods , Rev . J . Nixon Porter , W , Mossop , and Peter Ryland . Visitors : —J . H . Younghusband , P . Z . 32 and 241 ; and Robt . Wilson , P . S ., 241 . The chapter was duly

opened by the " , Principals , when the remainder of the companions were admitted . The minutes were read and confirmed , and the ballot was taken for Bro . W . Richardson , which proved unanimous in his favour . Bro . Peter Rylands ( who had been balloted for and approved at a previous convocation ) being present , was duly exalted by Comps . Younghusband , Wilson , and Bones , acting P . S . The mystic , symbolic , and historiclectures were delivered by Comps . Younghusband and White . There being no further business tbe chapter was duly closed .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

CHESHIRE . STOCKPOET . — Benevolent Lodge ( No . 67 ) . —The ordinary quarterly meeting was held at the Warren Bulkeley Arms Hotel ,, ou Thursday , 11 th inst . The chair was taken at 7 p . m . by Bro . Cheetham , W . M ., who was about to open the lodge , when , instead of doing so , he requested Bro . Dr . Hopkins , P . M . 74 , who was present as a visitor , to take his place , and to perform

the ceremony of advancement . This request liaving been acceded to , the lodge was opened at 7 p . m . The minutes of the previousmeeting were read and confirmed . There were several candidates for advancement , of whom only one , Bro . Ferns , presentep himself . A ballot was taken for his admission , which proved unanimous in his favotf . This brother was then introduced , properly prepared , and duly advanced to the rank of Marl-Master by the acting W . M ., who also gave the lecture in expla . -