Provincial Meetings.

P . Payne , P . M ., P . P . G . R ., and R . W . Lees , P . M ., of 130 j A . J . Blackman , P . G . Stwd ., W . M ., J . Adams , P . M ., P . P . G . D . of C , and Dusautoy , P . M ., of 359 ; C . Appleford , W . M ., and H . Lashmore , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., of 3941 Dr . S . J . Rennie , P . M . 639 ; Dr . Twyford Chamberlain , W . M ., and G . Greenslade , P . M ., of 1112 ; Rev . Geoffrey Hughes , P . M .: D . 0 . Hobbs , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . ; R .

R . L . Rosoman , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C . ; W . Bowyer , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C . ; W . J . Miller , P . M . ; J . Methven , P . M . ; M . F . Curtis , P . M . ; A . J . Brown , P . M . ; E . T . Wise , P . M . ; and W . H . Chapman , P . M ., of the lodge ; and W . Foster , W . M ., and T . Walton , P . P . G . S . B ., of P . M . 17 S 0 . The ceremony was performed by Bro . Bowyer , who was heartily complimented for his able work . The newlyinstalled W . M . invested the following officers : Bros . VV . J .

Miller , l . P . M . ; W . Fowler , S . W . ; E . A . Edwards , J . W . ; Rev . G . Hughes , Chap . ; J . Methven , Treas . j VV . Bowyer , Sec . ; H . C . Sims , S . D . j J . Martin . J . D . j W . H . Chapman , D . C . j W . H . Smith , Org . j T . 0 . Spencer , I . G . ; R . H . Weekes and J . Morten , Stewards ; and C . Henley , Tyler . Bro . E . Wise , before quitting the chair of the I . P . M ., presented the lodge with a very handsome set of working tools enclosed in a box , and was warmly thanked

for his gift . Thanks were also voted to the retiring W . M ., Bro . W . J . Miller , for the admirable manner in which he had discharged the duties of his office during the past year . The annual banquet was afterwards held , the W . M . presiding , a most excellent repast being served by Bro . Henley . The usual Masonic and personal toasts were honoured , and cordial wishes were tendered to Bro . Mitchell for a pleasant and successful year of office .

YORK . York Lodge ( No . 236 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , the 2 nd inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Duncombe-place , when there were present Bros . S . Border , W . M . ; C . M . Forbes , S . W . j T . S . Brogden , J . W . j F . W . Laughton , acting Sec . ; E . Carter , D . C . ; M . Bryson , Stwd . ; J . Hall , Tyler ; Hodgson , P . M . ; Balmford , P . M . j McGachen , P . M . ; Foster , P . M . ; Kirby , P . M . ;

Lee , P . M . j Garbutt , P . M . j Buckle , B . A ., P . M . ; Hick , Scoby , Jones , Linley , Wright , Rudgard , Archey , Wardle , Smith , Wilson , and H . Lowther Clarke . The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the { previous meeting read and confirmed . Ballots were taken for the W . M ., Treasurer , and Tyler for the ensuing year , when the S . W ., Bro . C . M . Forbes , was elected W . M . ; Bro . J . Todd , P . M ., Treas . j and Bro . J . Hall , Tyler .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

/ IDetvopolitan Meetings . Albion Chapter ( No . 9 ) . —The first regular meeting and inauguration banquet of this chapter was held at the Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-street , on the 2 Sth ult . The consecration ceremony was performed on the previous Friday , and the circumstances under which the charter was obtained are somewhat peculiar . •The Mount Moriah Chapter has hitherto been attached to the Albion Lodge

, No . 9 , but for some time past the members have belonged exclusively to the Middlesex Lodge , No . 143 . The brethren of the Albion Lodge naturally wished for a chapter associated more intimately with the members of the lodge , and the difficulty was met by the Mount Moriah Chapter petitioning to be attached to the Middlesex Lodge , No . 143 , and the Albion Lodge , No . 9 , petitioned for a new chapter . Hailing

from _ an old established lodge , numbering many excellent working Masons , the new chapter will , doubtless , prove a valuable addition to the lodge . A good start was made at the first regular meeting under notice , when nine brethren were impressively exalted , the three Principals , supported by the other officers , rendering the ceremony in a manner leaving nothing to be desired . The founders present

included Comps . S . Valentine , M . E . Z . j L . VV . Harvey , H . j H . S . Friend , S . E . j E . H . Bradley , Treas . ; VV . Poupart , S . N . j A . G . Pritchard , P . S . ; and Bramham , 1 st A . S . Comps . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . S . E ., and the Rev . Thos . Cochrane , P . G . S . B ., honorary members of the chapter , were also present . The visiting companions included Comps . Ralph Gooding . M . D ., P . A . G . S . ; C . Belton , P . G . S . B . ; Ralph Clutton ,

P . A . G . S . ; F . A . Philbrick , Q . C ., G . Supt . Essex ; S . V . Abraham , M . E . Z . 1017 ; H . B . Forbes , J . 1716 ; R . H . Harland , S . N . 1716 j N . P . Vallentine , S . E . 1017 ; T . Griffiths , P . Z . 1716 ; J . House , P . Z . 1716 ; J . White , P . P . G . S . N . Essex ; J . Brandon , M . E . Z . S 90 ; E . VV . Levy , P . Z . j Egbert Roberts , J . 1623 ; and VV . W . Lee , 1524 . The convocation being opened , the following brethren

were unanimously approved by ballot , and duly exalted into the Degree : Bros . S . U . Thompson , P . M . o ; E . Waller , S . W . 9 ; E . A . Hamlyn , J . W . 9 ; C . Sucker , 9 ; G . R . Beardmore , 9 ; G . H . Thurston , 9 ; F . B . Smith , 1743 ; and C . S . Lee , 1599 . Comp . Sutcliffe Holroyd , 310 , was unanimously elected a joining member . The three Principals were appointed to frame the by-laws , and a Janitor having been elected , the chapter was closed in the usual form .

A sumptuous banquet followed , after which the usual toast list was duly honoured . The first toast was "The Queen and Rcyal Arch Masonry , " which was given by the M . E . Z . in felicitous terms and heartily received . Comp . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . S . E ., said he had been privileged to propose the next toast on the programme . The

M . E . Z . said he found considerable difficulty in giving fresh point and ideas to the toast he had so well proposed , and the same difficulty of course must naturally arise in the one he was about to propose—one that came nearer home to them , being theheadof the Order— " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales " —which had been so frequently proposed , and so heartily received , at Royal Arch meetings , that it was impossible to

say anything novel on the subject . There were few present who were at that meeting in April , 1 S 75 , when his Royal Highness was installed as the M . W . G . M . of Freemasons , but those who were present would well remember the magnificent reception accorded his Royal Highness , and the words of wisdom spoken by him ; and the general feeling then evinced that his reign would be a prosperous and happy One had been realised . Many people supposed that because

Royal Arch.

his Royal Highness held a high position in the country , he must necessarily be an ornamental Grand Master or First Grand Principal , but that was a great mistake . He ( the G . S . E . ) had many opportunities of knowing the part taken by his Royal Highness in Masonry , and hecould assure them there was nothing of importance occurred in their Order into which he did not go most thoroughly , and give a decided

opinion on the various points . His Royal Highness was not an ornamental head , but a real hard-working and energetic one , and in that view they would that evening most heartily and readily recognise his position in their Order by giving the toast such a reception as his merits thoroughly deserved , with the strong prayer that his Royal Highness might be long spared to reign over

Masonry , and give it that wise and excellent government for which it had been hitherto celebrated . In giving " The Grand Officers , " the M . E . Z . said that grand and excellent as was their most worthy and earnestloving Mason , their First Grand Principal , his abilities would he less palpable and he would have less power of accomplishing good were it not for those supporting him in

the persons of the Grand Officers . The Officers of Grand Lodge would not assist his Royal Highness if they did not have the interest of Freemasonry at heart . The selection of Grand Officers made by the First Grand Principal in past years had been such as to show the wisdom of his mind and the talent . with which he was possessed of reading character .

Comp . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C ., G . Supt . Essex , said he rose on the part of the distinguished names that had been associated with that toast to return their thanks for that kindness . The M . E . Z . had spoken in what he might venture to characterise as befitting terms of services rendered for many years , cheerfully and ungrudgingly given , on behalf of R . A . Masonry , by the distinguished

noblemen who filled the positions of Pro First Grand Principal and Second and Third Grand Principals of the Order . He thought the illustrious companion on his right could testify , as he had told them what anxious care and personal attention to the affairs of their great Order the first Grand Principal showed . He equally could attest the care with which those whose names had been mentioned , and who had

held the highest positions in R . A . Masonry , considered any great matter connected with the administration of R . A . Masonry , and he was sure the companions , and those who had not seen the light of Masonry , would be astonished at the amount of care and attention which—amidst social duties and personal engagements—those who held high rank amongst them found time to devote to the good of

their Order . The M . E . Z . had referred to the services of the Grand Officers and the position of the Order . He thought he might be pardoned for saying that the one was not a bad index to the other . Nothing in the world , and certainly nothing in the Masonic world , had attained to excellence without some care , some trouble , and a good deal of hard work , and what was attained in this sublunary

abode without those qualifications was generally not worth much . He could say truly , on the part of his distinguished colleagues , many of whom they saw around the table that night—and he thought they , as Grand Officers , desired to be judged by no worse a sample—he could say that their exertions were given with a sincere desire for the benefit of the Craft and the

advantage of the Institution . Perhaps he might be pardoned for saying one word on an occasion so interesting as the consecration of a new chapter . To him personall y the consecration of that chapter had some features in it which the consecration of no other new chapter could have . For many years a distinguished companion—who was now upon his legs in response to the toast—and himself were together members of the Mount Moriah Chapter . He would not

say that that new chapter had started from them , or that that promising offshoot they looked upon as a recognition of the strength of the parent plant . He heard his excellent friend and companion ( the G . S . E . ) say in audible tones they were not the parent plant , but he would call to that companion ' s recollection the fact that not many years ago he was privileged to attend and consecrate certain lodges in

the Isle of Man when he had the honour to accompany him , and they then heard the toast given of " The Isle of Man and the neighbouring Island of Great Britain . " Therefore they would quite understand why he spoke of the "offshoot ;" but whether it be parent tree or offshoot he thought there was sap in it , and he trusted sap which would produce good fruit . On the part of the Grand Officers he would , at the

commencement of their career , wish them every possible success they could desire themselves , say how delighted they had been to attend , how glad they were to respond for the kind words so well spoken by the M . E . Z ., and how heartily they thanked the members of the new chapter . Comp . R . Clutton , P . A . G . S ., also replied . He said he could not but feel that the chapter he represented that

night had for some years stood in the way unintentionally of a good many Masons belonging to the Albion Lodge desiring to become Royal Arch Masons . The members of the Mount Moriah Chapter were most anxious to meet the views of those and other brethren , and on behalf of that chapter he wished prosperity and continued succeis to that chapter , which had succeeded to the number on the roll of Grand Chapter which the Mount Moriah Chapter had held for

so many years . Comp . Rev . Thomas Cochrane , P . G . Chap ., said he esteemed it a very peculiar honour that it had devolved upon him to propose the next toast . He esteemed himself peculiarly happy that the honour had fallen upon him , because , although he was conscious of his inability to give them any of the eloquence to which they had listened , he

knew it was a toast which , like good wine , needed no bush , and the way in which his words would fall short would not lessen the reception which would be given to the toast of the evening . It was that of "The First M . E . Z ., the First H ., and the First J . of the Chapter . " He had the honour of assisting at the consecration of that chapter on the preceding Friday , and had had the peculiar pleasure of

attending at that the first working night , and he thought he was only echoing the sentiments of all present—except those immediately concerned—when he said they had never listened to the ceremonies of Royal Arch Masonry more perfectly performed . He was sure the exaltees would never have effaced from their memory the magnificent way in

which the M . E . Z . performed that impressive ceremony . It was indeed true that Royal Arch Masonry was the copestone of Freemasonry , and therefore the ceremony should be performed in a more impressive and better way than any other . That chapter had the very great privilege of having a thoroughly good working Mason as its First Principal .

Royal Arch.

He had been told it was only a short time ago that the M . E . Z . took the degree , and he could only say he wished he was a good many years older , in order to perform the duties in so splendid a manner . With regard to the other Principals , the work of H . was peculiarly trying , but it was done that evening in a perfect way , as w-as also that of J . With such a trio the chapter had the happiest augury for a

most prosperous career . Comp . S . Valentine , M . E . Z ., thanked the companions very much for the honour done him . He was overcome with the encomiums which Comp . Cochrane . had passed upon his work . He did not deserve them , but he had done his best . Perhaps it was the knowledge that that was to be the first exaltation in their new chapter , but he had been

waiting for that a long time . He had watched and hoped , and that hope had been realised . He was determined years back that if ever he reached the honour of being First Principal of a chapter , it should be , if he could control it , as First Principal of his dear old No . 9 . He might say his dear old mother , for he was born in Masonry some 40 years back , and his anxiety to enter the Royal Arch was

when he had qualified to do so . No . 9 had honoured him every year , and he had there seen generations come and go , and he was its father , so to speak , and , therefore , it was that he had prayed that it might please God that he should hold the first office of a chapter which would spring from that lodge . He thanked God that he had been spared for that . It was now 17 months since he was informed by

Comp . Harvey of the possibility of obtaining that chapter . He believed , speaking honestly , that the loss of No . 9 was the fault of the brethren of the lodge at an early period . When he heard from Comp . Harvey he immediately joined the Royal Arch , and he now had his reward . He had thrown his heart and soul into the work , and , although labouring through illness , he had thought he had a duty to

perform , and had invoked strength to battle with the depressing indisposition . He trusted he might be still spared to be of service , and as long as he had the power he should certainly have the will to serve them as he had done in his younger days . Comp . Harvey , H ., said those who had been exalted that evening had heard what he had had to say about Royal

Arch Masonry , and that it was something worth working and striving for . It had been a work and trouble to get to that happy position that night . He had had a good many facers before he was fortunate to get upon the right track . He had one or two attempts to become a member of the other chapter , but they felt they wanted a chapterconnected with the old Albion Lodge ; and when the brethren connected

with the old chapter wrote him a damping letter , he sat down and thought what was the proper move to take . He wrote a long letter to Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , and asked for his kind services , and also that he would make it a personal matter to help them . They were doing good service in the lodge , and he thought they ought to exercise that energy in the Royal Arch , and bring their candidates into it . Colonel

Gierke wrote him a kind letter , saying he sympathised with them , and would endeavour to meet the difficulty . - All praise and glory to the G . S . E . for suggesting' the means to obtain the happy result . An ordinary G . S . E . would have said , " There is a No . 9 Chapter , and there is an end of it , " but Col . Clerke contrived to obtain that chapter . He was sure the companions shared his pleasure at that meeting of

their own chapter , and they would never disgrace the trust reposed in them , and would never be ashamed for anyone to see the way in which they conducted the chapter . He felt his thanks to the G . S . E . most intensely for accepting the honorary membership , and promising to attend as often as possible , and his attendance that night showed his great interest in them , which they would never forget . As Comp .

Vallentine was an old Mason , it was the only way of honouring such a Mason , and therefore he nominated him as the First Principal . The M . E . Z . had mastered those difficult duties , and the exaltees would never forget the lecture delivered by him , and would always have the ambition to obtain the high honour of the first chair . He thanked the companions for their help in bringing forward that culmination of his ideas , and sincerely hoped that prosperity would

continue to be the result . Comp . Holroyd , J ., also responded . Comp . Abraham , M . E . Z . 1017 , responding for "The Visitors , " which was given in cordial terms by the M . E . Z ., said there was a sympathetic chord in Masonry which vibrated within the mind of all true Masons , and it strengthened it that it could extend as far as Royal Arch Masonry . The words used by the M . E . Z . in proposing that

toast showed that amount of sympathy and welcome extended to the visitors commanded a better acknowledgment than he was capable of giving , but , although his words would be few , they should be taken as true and sincere in acknowledging the kind welcome they had received . Perhaps it would be inappropriate for him to expatiate upon the excellence of the work they had heard that night , but as he had had the honour and pleasure of the M . E . Z . 's acquaintance , notonlyinside , butalsooutof Masonry , he hoped he mightsay

how pleased he was to see him occupy the chair , and how astonished he had been at his able performance of the sublime ceremony . Comps . White , Griffiths , Vallentine , and Levy also replied .

" The Exaltees " and " The Officers " having been appropriately given and responded to , the Janitor ' s toast closed the proceedings . An excellent programme of music was admirably rendered under the direction of Comp . A . G . Pritchard , assisted by Comps . F . H . Cozens , Egbert Roberts , and Selwyn Davies , Madame E . Pritchard , and Miss Lizzie Holmes .

Kennington Chapter ( No . 1381 ) . — This prosperous transpontine chapter met on the 5 th instant , at the Horns Tavern , Kennington Park , when there were present , among others , Comps . H . J . Lardner . P . P . G . Std . Br . Surrey , I . P . Z ., acting M . E . Z . ; W . W . Westley , H .: Salter , I . : H . Higgins , S . E . : Geonre Everett . P . Z .

l 77 > 975 , ' 3 ' , & c , Treas .,- Dowling , S . N . j Austin , P . S . j Sims , 1 st A . S . ; Capt . T . C . Walls , P . P . G . P . Soj . Middx ., P . Z . ; C . H . Kdhler , Z . ; E . Ayling , P . Z . ; and others . Comps . Sims , M . E . Z . S 34 , and Hubbard , P . Z . 177 , were visitors . The minutes of the previous convocation having been

read and confirmed , the ballot was taken on behalf of Bros . R . Bower , 7 65 , and C . H . Togfill , 2012 , and it proving to be unanimous , they were ably exalted as Royal Arch Masons by the I . P . Z . Comps . George Gardner , M . E . Z . ; W . P . Webb , P . Z . ; and others , sent apologies for absence . The chapter was then closed , and the companions