Royal Arch,

ROYAL ARCH ,

CONSECRATION OF THE CRYSTAL PALACE CHAPTER ( No . 1044 . ) The members of the Crystal Palace Lodge having petitioned for a warrant for a Chapter to be attached to their lodge , ancl the prayer of their petition being favourably received ancl granted by the Supreme Grand Chapter , Thursday the 19 th inst . was set apart for inauguration' and on that day the new Chapter- was solemnly

, installed by Comp . William Watson with that readiness and tact for which he is so well known . Comp . Matthew Cooke performed the appropriate music . The following are the Officers named in the charter and ratified by the chapter , viz ., Comps . Ralph M . Smith , M . E . Z . ; George S . States , H . ; William Stuart , J . ; Jas . AV . Adams , E . ; Geo . Clarke , N . ; F . Hill , P . Soj . ; T . R . Grimes , Treas ., ancl Crawley , Janitor . In the unavoidable absence of Comp . HillP . Soj . Comp . Sigrist

, , was invested as his locum tenens . The other members of the chapter present were Comps . Gladwin , 25 ; Piatt , 49 ; Clements , 25 ; Lane and Fah-bairn , 1122 . The visitors were Comos . Joseph Smith , P . G . D . C ; Hewlett , P . Z . ; Newton , P . Z ., and Collard , H ., 25 ; Thomas Alex . Adams , P . Z . ; and Matthew Cooke , 206 ; Michalski , P . Z . ; John Boyd , H ., and R . L . Harris , 774 ; Caulcher , M . E . Z ., Hardy , IL , Eraser , J ., Stiles and Baker , 1055 . The usual executive business of chapters was entered uponand

, every arrangement ably completed by the Scribe E ., after which the chapter was closed in ancient and solemn form , and the comps . adjourned to the garden preparatory to re-assembling at the banquet , after which tho toasts peculiar to the degree were given . The M . E . Z . then briefly gave "The Queen and Royal Arch Masonry , " and "The Earl of Zetland , the G . Z . ofthe Order . " This was followed by the rest of the " Grand Oflicers , and Comp .

Joseph Smith . " Comp . SMITH replied , ancl said it was his duty to acknowledge on Tiehalf of the Grand Officers and himself the toast which hael just heen drunk . He knew that the G . Officers were always anxious to do their duty , and ifc was a great pleasure to him to be there at the consecration of the Crystal Palace Chapter . He was sure that with so many excellent and able Comps . it must prosper , and although it had only been horn that day , yet whenhe looked around him he was inclined-to imagine it old , for there were so many old faces of ¦ friends who had jo ' mecl it , and while such estimable Comps . as their

M . E . Z ., ancl the other principals presided , lie was sure none but the right sort of Masons would be admitted , and so well pleased was lie to be amongst the Comps . of this , new , pld chapter that he should be happy to visit them again . COMP . AVATSON had a toast of a two-fold nature to propose , it was the health of the M . E . Z ., and success to the Crystal Palace Chapter . It was but little more than three years since the lodge was establishedhut during that time it had made such progress as

, to induce its members to apply for a charter to found a chapter , and they had their request favourably conceded , aud had the high privilege of nominating the first W . M . of the lodge as the first M . E . Z . of the chapter . He believed tbe members of the Crystal Palace Lodge would como np on the next occasion , seeing their first W . M . and first principal had done good suit and service in the cause . For his own part he was highly gratified with that day ; he

had never before seen so large a number of installed principals present to witness the induction of any Comp ., ancl he felt certain that their M . E . Z . would discharge his duties witli that honour ancl uprig htness which had ever been his characteristic . In conclusion , he proposed prosperity to the Crystal Palace Chapter , and the health of its first M . E . Z ., Comp . Ralph Smith . The M . E . Z . rose to return thanks for the very kind manner in which Comp . AVatson had been pleased to propose his health . He

was no great speaker , ancl they must be content to be assured he was very grateful for the compliment . He had been very fortunate in his Masonic career , and all he knew Comp . AVatson had taught him . Since 1856 he had reached the highest office which he had been placed in that day , and it was more owing to the exertions of others , than his own , and he might more particulary say to Comp . Watson . For the attendance that day , which he took as a great compliment , he was much obliged , ancl thanked the companions .

The M . E . Z . saicl the next toast he should give was that of the health of Comp . AVatson , the consecrator of the chapter . The name of Comp . AVatson was well known in all lodges and chapters , and to assert a want of knowledge of him was to own yourself unknown . Everyone there knew him ancl knew how well he did everything he undertook , therefore he , the M . E . Z ., should come to the point at once , and ask them to do honour to his toast , the health of Companion AVatson . Comp . AVATSON - was very much obliged for the friendly way in which the M . E . Z had proposed his health , and was no . stranger to

his kind feelings towards himself . He was sure all that knew him ( Comp . AVatson ) were well aware that it was his delight in furthering Masonry , and more particularly the Royal Arch . He knew he had more pleasure in communicating what he had learned to others than in anything else , ancl the more he was in Masonry the more he loved it . So with the young aspirant , when the astonishment and novelty wore off , he gets to comprehend it , ancl the older he becomes the more he likes the duties he has to perform . This , he felt sure , was the key to many a young Companion ' s thoughts ; for in his own case he recollected the surprise and wonder with which he was struck when he was first exalted . He was now an old

hand , hut he hoped a useful one , and wherever he could be of service there he was proud and happy to be . Comp . AVatson thanked them for the compliment paid him , and resumed his seat . The M . E . Z . saicl every chapter was proud of having visitors , and theirs would be no exception to the rule . On that day they had a very large number , and he begged to welcome them all . As the Prince Frederick AVilliam Chapter hael kindly recommended their petitionhe should couple with the toast the name of Comp .

, Caulcher , first M . E . Z . of 1055 . Com . CAHLCHEE had great pleasure in returning thanks for the honour of the visiting comps . health being proposed and so warmly greeted . On behalf of his own chapter he admitted they were very proud to have recommended the Crystal Palace Chapter for a charter , and thought themselves honoured in being applied to for such assistance . He had no doubt they would soon overcome all

their differences , ancl concluded by again thanking them in the name of the visiting Comps . The M . E . Z , next proposed "The Health of his Comps . H ., ancl J . " Comp . States , their newly installed H ., was , in his Masonic career worthy , and zealous in all his duties , and had come to support the M . E . Z . in his new position . Comp . J ., also , a known and worthy Mason , had given way for Comp . States in a praiseworthy manner ,

besides helping the M . E . Z . most effectually in the formation of the chapter . Comp . STATES , H ., was placed beyond the zenith of his ambition in being elected to the second chair . He felt sure that their chapter would reign supreme beyond any other chapter in the metropolis , and he hoped the loving cup would be passed round on the principle of being happy themselves and communicating happiness to others . At the M . E . Z . ' s own solicitation he had taken

office . Comp . R . Smith said , " AVill you accept the office of H . in our new chapter ? " To which he replied , " readily will I do so , " keeping in view that it is the duty of every Mason to preserve the cement between the Arch ancl the Craft . Suffice it to say that they started on a good basis and were sure to get good candidates to join them . They never intended to go into debt , and that was one of their great principles . He was much obliged for the association of liis name witli tlie toast , and he hoped never to disgrace the chair to which they had elected him .

Comp . STUABT , J ., said , after fche oratorical display they had just heard , he could say but little . He strongly felt the solemnity of the office he had heen called to , ancl hoped to be better known in future . The M . E . Z . gave " The Officers of the Chapter , " coupling with the toast the name of Comp . George Clarke . Comp . CLARKE , N ., felt it to be one of the happiest moments of his life , and lie was sure every officer would do his best to perform their duties satisfactorily . The M . E . Z . next proposed " The Health of Comps . James AV . Adams and Grimes their Scribe E . aud Treas . "

Comp . James AV . ADAMS replied on behalf of the Treas . ancl himself , and tendered their thanks to all present , feeling sure that the Chapter would prosper , and stated that both the Treas . and himself would exert themselves to the utmost to bring about so desirable a state of things . The next toast given by the M . E . Z . was a counterpart of a not unusual toast in Craft Masonry . He knew , and they all were well aware that the Craft was very fond of initiates , so also were they in

the Royal Arch , and when they had such joining comps . as those of the Crystal Palace Chapter they were especially welcomed . He therefore gave the toast of " The Joining Comps ., " courding the same with the name of Comp . Thomas Alexander Adams .

Comp . 'Thomas A . ADAMS begged to return thanks on behalf of the joining members , and gracefully alluded to Comp . AVatson's performance of the ceremony of consecration . Comp . WATSON proposed "the'Health of the petitioners ancl Comp Sigrist , " well-known for many years in the Craft . Comp . SIGRIST was unprepared for the toast , hut glad their endeavours had so far succeeded , although cold water had been thrown in their faces , the majority of the lodge not upholding , hut opposing it , still they would not relax their exertions , ancl he hoped the time was not far distant when they could look upon that opposition as a . dark cloud that had passed away , and find all