Provincial.

among its members representatives of many important Lodges , including Jerusalem 197 , Wolsey 1656 , Eccentric 2488 , Bushey Hall 2323 , Friendship 206 , Anglo-American 2191 , Harrow 1310 , Marcians 2648 , Ebury 134 S , Croxteth United Service ( Liverpool ) 7 86 , Acacia 1309 , Empress 2581 , and Drury Lane 2127 . He referred also to the visits and return visits of the Hampden Lodge of Instruction , and hoped that it was the first of many similar friendly visits .

The toast of the visitors was proposed by the Chairman , and responded to by Bro . J . Seaman . Bro . J . N . Hare , Mayor of Arundel , proposed the health of the Preceptor .

Several Brethren assisted in contributing to an excellent musical programme . Special mention must be accorded to the brilliant pianoforte playing and singing of Bro . Toosen's two promising sons , who exhibit a musical talent that is seldom met with .

********** Woodrow Lodge , No . 2271 . ON Monday , 3 rd inst ., at three o'clock , at 24 Panton Street , Haymarket , Bros . T . Burgess W . M ., J . G . Lobb S . W ., W . Making P . M . J . W ., C . Woodrow P . M . Prec , J . W . Simeons P . M . Sec , W . Rudderforth P . M . Treas . S . D ., J . E . Culverhouse W . M . J . D ., J . Wynman I . G ., A . E . Sanders , F . A . Monro .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Brother Sanders candidate .

Bros . A . E . Sanders and F . A . Monro , both of the Manchester Lodge , No . 179 , were elected members . Bro . Woodrow P . M . Preceptor proposed that a hearty vote of congratulation be recorded on the minutes for the very able manner Bro . Burgess had fulfilled the duties of W . M . for the first time in that or any other Lodge . Bro . Burgess acknowledged the compliment in a few well chosen words . Bro . Lobb was elected W . M . for Monday .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

West Smithfleld Chapter , No . 1623 . THE first regular meeting after the installation of Comp . A . Arrowsmith as M . E . Z ., took place on Saturday , 25 th ult ., at Anderton ^ s Hotel ; Fleet Street , those present including Comps . A . Arrowsmitn M . E . Z ., John Davidson H ., William Roots P . Z . acting

J ., R . J . Cobden Treasurer , W . J . Barnes P . G . Swd . Br . Essex P . Z . Scribe E ., W . Mc Gawin Reed Scribe N ., J . G . Pacy P . S ., T . T . Noakes Organist , T . Shepherd Janitor ; Henry Forss P . Z ., R . H . Goddard F . Z ., C . Patrick P . Z ., F . J . Stinson . Visitors : George Mustoe , Wm . Roots , John Gale , J . Wynman .

The minutes of last convocation were confirmed . Comp . J . Davidson , who was elected H . on the night of installation , but was unavoidablv absent , was duly installed as second Principal , and the Companions being re-admitted Comp . J . G . Pacy P . S . in a short but eloquent speech , presented Officers' collars and jewels

to the Chapter , also collar and jewel to each of the past Principals . Comp . Arrowsmith M . E . Z . sincerely thanked Comp . Pacy for his great kindness , and in flattering terms proposed that a very hearty vote of thanks be recorded on the minutes for his gift . Comp . Barnes S . E . said he certainly had great pleasure in seconding the proposition , which was unanimously carried .

Comp . Pacy acknowledged the compliment , and wished the Officers might wear his presents for many years in good health and for the prosperity , of the Chapter . Comp . Barnes S . E . read letters from Companions regretting their unavoidable absence , and this concluding the business the Chapter was closed in due form , and the Companions adjourned to refreshment :

After the repast the M . E . Z . presented the usual toasts . Comp . Barnes , in giving the toast of the M . E . Z ., said they all admired Comp . Arrowsmith ' s working , and he felt , as' he had predicted , that Comp . Arrowsmith would make an excellent M . E . Z . The toast was most cordially received , as was the Z . on rising He thanked Comp . Barnes for his kind words , and the Companions for receiving the toast in such a heartv manner . He . was ,. m „ ri

to have been placed in his present honourable position , and proud that he was ruler in the first year of the reign of the noble Ki « g Edward VII . He also esteemed it an honour to receive on behalf of the Chapter such an elegant present as that of Comp Pacy He hoped he might wear his collar in health , and see the other Officers wear theirs for many years to come . He assured the Companions he would do his level best to give satisfaction .

The Z . next expressed the pleasure he felt in seeing Comp Davidson H . present that night , and felt he looked very promising m his position . He was sure he would make a better M . E . Z . than himself . He was sorry Comp . Scott was absent , but thev had an excellent substitute in Comp . Roots .

Comp . Davidson H ., in reply , thanked the M . E . Z . and Companions for having placed him in the proud position he then occupied . He was sorry he was absent on the installation night , but important business prevented his attendance . He hoped to be able to be more regular in future , as he hoped , in time , to be placed m the exalted position of M . E . Z . He would attend School

again , and hoped Comp . Cobden , who was the Preceptor of the Dagmar Chapter of Improvement , would give him every assistance . He thanked the M . E . Z . for the compliment he had paid him . Comp . Barnes informed the M . E . Z . he had received a letter from Comp . Bnckdale , expressing his thanks to Comp . Pacy for the elegant manner in which the testimonial was framed ; it was

Royal Arch.

a great credit to Comp . Pacy , and he ( Comp . Brickdale ) and his family would look upon it with the greatest pride . The M . E . Z ., in proposing the toast of the P . Zs ., said the Chapter was similar to the Lodge . The P . Zs . and P . Ms , were their support , and if the members wished to know anything they had only to ask , and they found the past rulers always willing to render any assistance that was required .

Comp . Roots P . Z . thanked the M . E . Z . for the toast . He was always willing to render all the assistance that was expected from a P . Z . The West Smithfleld Chapter had not made that progress he should like to see , or rather expected . He should like the number of Companions increased , and he felt the M . E . Z . would

like to show his ability in performing the ceremony . He hoped that at the next meeting they might have a little more work to do . Comp . Barnes P . Z . S . E . said his heart was with the Chapter . He also should like to see the members a little increased . The Chapter was in a good financial position . Comp . Patrick had installed him , and he hoped they would be together for many years

to come . Comp . Patrick P . Z . was pleased to see Comp . Davidson H . there that night . They had much pleasure in promoting him , as he was sure he could do the work , judging by the high reputation he had in his Mother Lodge , die Vitruvian . He felt Companion

Davidson would give every satisfaction . It was true they wanted a few more candidates , but they wanted the right sort ; at present they had Companions who took great interest in the Chapter , as was evidenced by the presentations made to them that evening . He would sooner see twenty than fiftv in the Chapter , if increased numbers meant a falling off in interest .

Comp . Goddard P . Z . was pleased to be able to attend that night . The P . Zs . always did their best to uphold the reputation of the West Smithfleld Chapter . The M . E . Z . said he had another pleasant duty to fulfil , which was to give the health of the Visitors . The West Smithfleld Chapter was always delighted to see them , especially when they

included such old friends as Comp . Roots , whom he had known for over twenty-five years . Comp . George Musto he' had known for over thirty years : he was an excellent Companion , but rather lazy , otherwise he would have been a P . Z . years ago . ' Comp . " Gale he had also the pleasure of knowing for some years , and in the name of the Chapter he gave all a most hearty welcome , with the hope of seeing them again on a future occasion .

Comp . Roots P . Z . thanked the M . E . Z . for coupling his nam 2 with the toast of the Visitors . He was only too pleased to give the little assistance that was required ; his opinion was that at any meeting only one exaltee should be taken . He thanked the M . E . Z . for his kind reception , and hoped to come again on several occasions .

Comp . Musto thanked the M . E . Z . for the toast ! He had been to several Chapters , but had never enjoyed himself more than on that evening . He and the M : E . Z . were old friends , and he should be pleased to accept another invitation from him . Comp . Gale also returned thanks for the toast ! He was not one of the lustrous ones in the Royal Arch , but hoped to improve ;

it was the first time he had had the pleasure of visiting the Chapter , and if the M . E . Z . and members would kindly receive him , he would be pleased to become a joining member . He had many friends in the Chapter , and had received good instruction from Comps . Roots and Cobden . If the Companions thought him worthy to be accepted he would do his best to give' every satisfaction .

The Officers of the Chapter were next toasted . The M . E . Z . said he had excellent Officers ; the only thing he had" to complain of was that they might be more punctual , otherwise they wasted the time . He 'did not wish to cast a slur on any of the Officers , but it would be so nice to see them in their places ' at the appointed time . He belonged to the Westbourne' Chapter also , and there the Officers were punctual , and if they could not attend they would write .

Comp . Barnes S . E . thanked the M . E . Z . and said the Officers sincerely endeavoured to attend regularly and punctually but there must be a little allowance , as business sometimes stopped them . No doubt , the Companions would try to be more punctual in the future .

Comp . Cobden Treasurer also thanked the M . E . Z . for the toast , and agreed with him ; but he could not promise to attend more regularly or punctuajly , as his business did not allow it . He attended the Chapter for years with some inconvenience , and

had to work extra , to make up for the time ; but he did not mind that , and if there was work he would be at his place at the appointed time , but it would be more convenient to him if the Chapter was called a little later when there was no working to be done . Also their dinners could be postponed until a later hour .

Comp . Pacy P . S . thanked the M . E . Z . for coupling his name amongst the Officers , and if there was any working to be done he was sure he would give the M . E . Z . that satisfaction that was expected from him . Whatever he could do for the welfare of the West Smithfleld Chapter he would be happy to undertake . Comp . Noakes also replied , and the Janitor ' s toast , brought a most pleasant evening to a close .

During the evening some excellent songs were rendered by Comps . Cobden , Patrick , Roots and Stinton , whilst Comp . Goddard recited " Der Dog and Der Lobster . " Comp . Noakes played some excellent selections on the piano . The Charity box was not neglected by the Companions .

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