Knights Templar.

Knight ofthe East , and Kni ght of the East and West , having made the usual declaration of faith , were installed , and proclaimed Knights Templars , and saluted according to ancient custom—Arthur Charles A flair , Chapter 13 ; John Reynolds "Dickson , Chapter . Sol : Edward Atthill , Chapter 473 ; Robert Saunderson Hamilton , Chapter 332 ; andCoiry Coulson , Chapter 332 . This being the occasion for nominating the officers for

tbe ensuing year , Sir John Marcus Stewart , K . C , said it gave him very great pleasure to nominate as his successor Sir Knt . Eccles , who was so deservedly popular amongst his Alasonic brethren . Sir Knt . Eccles having agreed to accept the office , the following Sir Knts . were chosen : —Charles Eccles , Commander ; Wm . F . Black , Captain-General ; Henry Thompson , Knight Marshal ; Wm . 3 . Love , Treas . ; Charles Scott , P . O . K . iji , Recorder ; Francis John West , Prelate ; Richard DawsonStd .

, Bearer ; W . 0 . Orr , Sword Bearer ; Daniel Wilson , Senior Aide-de-Camp ; Marcus Gage , Junior Aide-de-Camp ; and Wm . Beatty , Janitor . The Recorder laid a statement before the encampment , showing J bat nearly all the accounts were settled , and that ample funds existed to clear all off . It was then agreed that part of the surplus funds at the next meeting should he appropriated to the Alasonic Orphan School . A vote of thanks was passed to Sir Knt . B . W . Jenkins for coining

sixty miles to assist in the ceremonies . He was ihen unanimously elected an honorary Prater of the Tyrone Encampment . Alms were collected , and the encampment closed with prayer at half-past nine . The Sir Knights then adjourned to a splendid supper , at which Sir Knt . Black presided , Sir John AL Stewart having beeu called aw , iy on business . After the viands were satisfactorily discussed , the chairman in his usual felicitous style proposed the loyal and Alasonic toasts , which were

received with Alasonic honours . The health of Sir John Stewart was very enthusiastically received , and ably repouded to by Sir Knt . C . Eccles , and great regret was felt for his absence from the social board . Sir Knts . West , Thompson , and Dixon sang some capital songs . The healths of the newly-installed Sir Knights Companions were drank , aud responded to individually . They all expressed themselves gratified with the ceremonies through which they had passed , and were proud of their new position in Freemasonry . Bro . Alullin , the worthy host of the White Hart Hotel , was complimented for the repast provided for the Sir Knights .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . JOSEPH PLOWMAN . The brethren of the Apollo University Lodge , aud of the ¦ other Alasonic bodies in Oxford , as well as the great number of brethren who , during the last twenty years , have heen accustomed to attend the Alasonic gatherings and festivities at that place , will doubtless recollect with pleasure tbe constant presence of Bro . Joseph Plowman , P . Prov . G . S . Ii ., who was

accustomed to enliven the after-dinner enjoyment of the meetings . IIis cheerful habits and excellent voice contributed at all times much to the social festivities , and his well-known songs of " Tbe pleasures of being Mayor , " " Old Adam was a gentleman , " ¦ ' It ' s a poor heart that never rejoicietb , " and Freedom of opinion , " some of which were originally composed by him , will long be remembered with pleasure by those who knew him . He died suddenly at his house in St . Aldate-street ,

Oxford , on the morning of Saturday , the 2 nd inst ., at the age of fifty-six . The following particulars we give from a local journal : — " We regret to have to record the death of Air . Joseph Plowman , which took place suddenly at his residence , 1 , St . Aldate-street . The deceased was in the enjoyment of his usual robust health until within a few days before his death , when he complained of being unwell , but there was nothing in the

symptoms which were calculated to cause uneasiness in the minds of his friends . On the day preceding his death he was confined to his room , and was attended by Mr . Hussey , surgeon . He retired to rest at the usual hour , and about three o ' clock on the following morning he complained of feeling faint , and died before medical assistance could be obtained . " The deceased was long and honourably connected with the local press , and ( or many years he took an active part in public affairs . He was a native of Oxford , where his family has long resided , and attained his fifty-sixth year on the 14 th March last .

Obituary.

For upwards of thirty years he was connected as a reporter with the Oxford Journal , but he relinquished his situation about four or fwe years ago . and established tho Oxford Times , of which he was joint proprietor and editor until some month since , when he relinquished all connection with that journal . In 1846 he was instrumental in starting the City Public Lectures and Concerts , and officiated as secretary until 1854 , when they changed hands . In 1 S 1-9 he was associated with the late Air .

Thomson , of Ciilha . n , the distinguished agriculturist , in originating the Oxford Farmers' Club , and continued to act as secretary and treasurer to that useful society until its dissolution a few weeks ago . B y his spirited and indefatigable exertions he succeeded iu establishing the Oxford Corn Exchange Company , by means of which the fanners and dealers of the county were provided with a suitable place in which to carry on their important transaction . He also rendered valuable

services to the agriculturalists of the county in the establishment of a fortni g htly instead of a monthly cattle market , and for many years was secretary of the Oxfordshire Agricultural Society , lie was joint local secretary with Aid . Spiers for tho Great Exhibition of 1851 , and he filled a similar office in 1853 , when the county testimonial was presented to the Bight Hon . J . W . Henley , ilT . P . At the time of his death he was secretary to the Oxford Race Committee , having filled

that office since the revival of the races in 1859 , ami was one of the originators of , as well as the secretary of the Clarendon Club , which was established in 1 S 63 . For several years he ncted as a guardian of the poor of the parish of St . Michael , and it a subeqiient period he represented the parish of St . Martin , in which he resided , at the Board of Lighting and Paving Commissioners . On the adoption of the Local Government Act he was elected as the representative of that parish at the

Local Board , in the proceedings of which he took a lively interest , and was present at the hist meeting of the Board which was held on the Tuesday preceding his death . He was the author of an essay "On the Benefits resulting to the Public in general , and tothe Agriculturalists in particular from Farmers' Clubs and other Agricultural Associations , " for which the first prize offered by the Oxford Farmers' Club was adndged by Dr . Daubeny .

He was a prominent member of the Alasonic lodge , and also i Druid , besides other public bodies , and was one of the first to enrol himself in the City Rifle Corps , of which he was Quartermaster-Sergeant at tbe time of his death . All these multifarious and onerous duties he discharged with cjnsiderible ability and success , and those who had the pleasure of being associated with him had reason to admire tho practical sagacity and good sense whicli he brought to bear upon them .

1 he interment of Bro . Plowman took place on Wednesday last , in Holywell Cemetery , iu the presence of a large concourse of spectators . He was accompanied to his last restingplace b y the officers and non-commissioned officers of the City Rifie Corps , by several members of the Corporation and private friends , by many of his -Masonic friends , including Bro . Alderman Spiers , D . Prov . G . M . ; Bros . Alderman Rmdall , J . Wyatt , G . Wyatt , and E . G . Jiruton , P . Prov . G . Wardens ; Eiigille ,

Prov . G . Org ., and many others , as well as by his confreres of tho local press with which be was so long associated . The funeral service was read in an impressive manner by the Rev . S . J . Hulme , rector of Carfax Church . The expression of regret at his sudden decease is deep aud general ; and all who knew him feel that they have lost a kind and genial friend , ami the public a useful and indefatigable servant . He was initiated into Freemasonry in the Alfred Lodge ( Xo . 340 ) , at au early age , in the year 1832 , held various ollices in that lodge , ami iu the Churchill Lodge ( Xo . 47 S ) , and was appointed Prov . G . Sword Bearer of Oxfordshire in 1855 .

BRO . RICHARD JAMES . We record with regret the sudden and premature death of Bro . Richard James of Kirkby Lonsdale , which occurred on the 9 th inst . The funeral took place on Wednesday , the 13 th inst . The body was carried to its last resting-place by members of the Kirkb y Lonsdale Cricket Club , of which the deceased was an active and useful member for many years . The procession was joined by several brethren of the Kendal and Kirkby Lonsdale lodges , the deceased brother having heen a member of the same . The service was most impressively read