America.

¦ woro ongagod . Aftor tho cossation of tho opidomic tho Socioty had a surplus of funds , with which thoy ostablishod a school for orphans and poor children , and at tho timo of my visit there woro about 250 boys undor thoir tuition receiving a liberal and moral education . All tho lodgos pay a monthly subsci ^ ition to tho maintenance of this school , which is undor their control , and thus in its quiot mission is fulfilling ono of tho cardinal principles of tho Ordor , which wo can but hopo will long

continue , and thoir labours bo crowned with that reward duo to such laudable oft ' orts . Having satisfied mysolf of tho logality of the Ordor in that jurisdiction I addrossod an official communication to tho 111 . Bro . Florentine ! Castollanos , Sov . G . Commandor of tho Supromo Council and Grand Oriont , iu which I fully recognised tho legitimacy of that Grand Body , and requostod to know if thoy dosirod to exchango fraternal relations with this Supromo Council . Tho

official reply of 111 . Bro . Juan Manuol do la Siorra , Grand Soc , Gon . Adj ., is submitted borowitb , in which thoy accept tho offer of amity , and roquost tho oxebango of reprosontativos . As tho communication was rocoivod on tho evo of my departure , I niado no rosponso , and now suggost that tho Soc . Gen . bo instructed to give the nocossary reply , and fool convinced that tho amicable relations thus formed will continue in hai-inony for our mutual atorost . . ( To be continued . )

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

METROPOLITAN . HIGH CROSS CHAT-TEE ( NO . 754 ) . —The annual convocation of this chapter took place at the Railway Hotel , Tottenham , on July 10 th . I . Wright , M . E . Z ., ; R . Candler , H . ; W . Hamilton , I . After the reading and confirmation of the minutes of the last convocation , all companions below the Principals were requested to retire . A board of installed Principals was then held , when Richard Candler was installed as M . E . Z , Win . Hamilton

asH ., and Richard P . Atkins as I ., all three principals having ¦ been exalted in the chapter . Nothing further being offered for the good of the chapter , it was closed in due form until the second Wednesday in October . After partaking of a sumptuous repast , the usual toasts were entered upon . Comp . Potts , P . P ., proposed "The Health of the 1 st Principal , Comp . Ciuuttev . " He had known him for many years , even before he was a Mason . He was proud to see him placed in his present position . He

had filled the various chairs of the chapter to the satisfaction of the companions ; therefore , lie had been , and wisely so , elected to preside ovor them . The M . E . Z . replied by thanking them cordially for the kind manner in which they had responded to the toast proposed by Comp . Potts ; he felt himself somewhat in the dark in the working of Arch Masonry , but ho sincerely hoped he would be able to make himself efficient by the next meeting , and thanked thein for the honour they had conferred upon him . The healths of Comps . Hamilton ,

H ., and Richard P . Atkins were next proposed . Comp , Hamilton replied that they would use their best endeavoui to promote the harmony and prosperity of the chapter , Tho M . E . Z . noxt proposed "Tho Hoalth oi tho Visitors . " Comps , G . Snow , Mount Sinai , No . 19 ; J . Barnes , Robert Burns , No . 817 ; and Ebbs , No . 131 , Irish Constitution . Comp . Snow requested that Comp . Barnes might bo allowed to respond to tho toast as he was a bettor working Craft and Arch Mason than ho was . Comp .

Barnes thankod the companions for tho kind reception thoy bad given him ; ho regretted to find thoy had so fow in numbers , but a hotter rocoption could not havo boon givon him . Ho had just hoard that Comp . Ebbs had boon proposod as a joining mombor , and trusted thoy would allow- his namo to bo insorted in tho . summonses on tho noxt occasion as a joining mombor . Comp . Snow also desired bis namo to bo inserted at tho samo timo . " Tho Healths of tho Past Principals , " was noxt proposed ,

Comps . Wright and Potts , who woro always vory attentive to thoir duties . Comp . Potts replied that tho chapter was fonndod undor vory oxcollont auspices in 1 SU 0 , and although thoy had only two P . P . ' s prosont , thoro should bo fivo ; but tho Groat Architect of tho Univorso had callod two away from thom , who , with ono absont would mako tbo Jivo . Ho thanked thom for tho compliment paid thom , and said the P . P . 's woro both willing and ready , at all times , to render ovory assistanco in thoir power for tho bonofit of tho chapter . Tho companions separated , after haying spent a very enjoyable ovoning .

Royal Arch.

DURHAM . SOUTH SHIELDS . — £ 7 . Hilda Chapter ( No . 240 ) . —Tho companions of this chapter hold thoir annual convocation last week , in tho Freemasons' Hall , when tho principals oloct and officers woro duly installed . Comp . J . Roddam , E . First Principal olect , having boon prosontod , was solomnly placod in tho first chair of Z . by E . Comp . Twizoll , assisted by E . Comp . Tulloch . Tho following-companions woro also appointed : —Comps . W . WrihtH

g , . ; G . Lawson , J . ; Buchanan , E . ; G . White , N . ; Evans , P . S . ; Dunn and Bootiman , Assist . P . S . ' s : Doccbar , J . ; J . Roddam , 2-0-oloctod Troas . Tho auditors having reported a favourable balance , tho chapter was closod in solemn form . Tho companions afterwards adjourned to Burtchby ' s Goldon Lion Hotel , whoro a most bountiful repast was partakon of , servod up by tho worthy host with his woll-known oaro and attention . The cloth having- boon removed , tho following toasts woro givon by the E .

First Principal , Comp . Roddam , from tho chair : — " Tho Queen , " "Earl of Zotland , M . E . Z ., " " Principals and Officers of the Grand Chapter , " "E . Prov . G . Suporintendont of Durham , Bro . J . Fawcott , " "E . Prov . G . Suporintendont of Northumberland " ( respondod to by E . Comp . Twizoll ) , "Tho Principals of St . Hilda Chapter , " "Tho Principals and Oflicors of tho Oglo Chapter , North Shields , " "Tho Past Principals of St . Hilda Chapter , " " Offieors of St . Hilda Chapter , " " Our Absont Companions . " Comp . Whito occupied tho vico-chair , and tho ovoning was spont in a harmonious and pleasant manner .

LANCASHIRE ( WEST ) . LIVERPOOL—Chapter of Mariners ( No . 249 ) . —This chapter was duly opened on Friday , 12 th inst ., at six o ' clock , by Comp . M . E . Z . Marsh ; Crane , H . ; Williams , J .. ; Hamer , P . Z . ; Taylor , P . Z ., & c . The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed , and the ballot , taken for Bros . Danson and L . Coriea , 1 , 094 ; McArthur , 249 ; McClean and Davison , 241 . Bros . L . Coriea , McArthur , and McClean being in attendance were duly

exalted to the degree of H . R . A . Freemasons by Comp . Marsh , M . E . Z . ; the usual lectures being given by Comps . Hamer , Taylor , and Carne , H ., M . E . P . Z . ' s . The chapter was then closed in due form . ; After a very excellent banquet , Comp . Marsh , M . E . Z ., proposed the usual loyal and Masonic toasts . He then said : Companions , I can assure you that on this occasion a very pleasing duty has devolved upon me . Literally , I am the mouthpiece of the chapter to-day . I am about

to present on behalf of you , my companions , this mark of our esteem . Believe me that many of you are better able to perform this very agreeable duty than myself , for there are those who stand higher in rank . I am sure , however , that you will overlook my shortcomings . Whon our chapter was roojionod wo had many difficulties to contend with , and with tho assistanco of our M . E . P . Z . Taylor , wo havo overcome thom , by his advico and counsel , kiudnoss , gentloness , and conciliatory qualities ; you all know that thoso qualities havo boon liborally disponsod by our Comp . Taylor . I havo , therefore , groat ploasuro in presenting this most beautiful

M . E . P . Z . ' s jowol to Comp . Taylor , and I say , may tho Groat Architect of tho Univorso bloss you with every comfort , and whon Ho calls you away may you bo prepared to tako that honour which you havo won so woll . Comp . Taylor , in presenting this jowol , tho companions think you woll desorving of it ; may God ovor bless you . Comp . Taylor ' s health was drunk with all honours . Tho inscription for tho jowol was as follows : — " Prosontod to M . E . P . Z . J . S . Taylor , by tbo Companions of tho

Mariner ' s Chapter , No . 259 , for his valuablo Masonic sorvicos . July 12 th , 1867 . " Comp . M . E . P . Z , Dr . Taylor thon rose and addrossod tho companions as follows : —Most Eminent Zerubabol Marsh and Companions—Tho position in which I am placod tonight is of a most ombarassing character , for tho many kind and nattering observations addrossod to mo by tho M . E . Z . and tho hoarty rosponso accorded to thom by tho rest of tho companions rondors mo quite unable to do justiceoithor to my own feolings

, or tho generous soutimonts of tho kind friends around mo . Whon I look upon this beautiful jowol , which yon havo so kindly prosontod to mo , I cannot but fool highly gratifiod that my sorvicos during tho past year havo mot your approbation ; but , however valuablo tho jewel may bo in itself , I do dooply fool that that valuo is but trifling when compared with tho kiudnoss , rospoct , and good fooling 1 with which it is accompaniod . Thoro is an old saying , "That succoss is honourable in tho proportion that it

is deserved . That I have been successful in my labours in this chapter the present ceremony is a testimony , and that I have deserved that success you have been kind enough to express in most flattering language , and for which I thank you most