Royal Arch.

expressed his thanks to Lord Leigh and the other visitors who had that day honoured the Chapter with their presence . He should never forget the marked kindness and support he had received during his two years of office . When he was first invited by the Companions to be their F . P . in the new Chapter , he hesitated for some time , fearing that his residing in Birmingham would prove an obstacle to the fulfilment of his duties ; but having accepted the honour , he was

determined to carry out the duties that devolved upon him , and to make the Chapter a working one : in doing so he had been most ably supported by his brother officers . He was proud to leave them in so prosperous a state , and trusted the Chapter would long continue in the same flourishing condition . Comp . Elkington concluded by stating he had received a note from the Dep . Prov . G . M . for Warwickshire , expressing his regret that he had been prevented at the last moment from visiting the Chapter , as he had intended .

The toast of " The visiting Companions" was responded to by Comp . Machin ( Comp . Le Yeau having been obliged to return to town ) , who concurred in all that had been stated of the Northampton Chapter . He had paid it several visits with his friend the P . F . P ., and had had much pleasure in officiating at some of their meetings . He begged , also , to assure the Companions how much the visitors had enjoyed the day ' s proceedings .

" The health of the Officers " was ably responded to by Comp . Welshman , as E . The next toast was "The health of Comp . Higgins , the 'independent member . ' " Although office had been pressed upon him , he preferred lending his valuable services independently . Comp . Higgins having duly acknowledged the toast , proposed " The Ladies , " which was responded to by the Marquis of Huntley , thus bringing to a conclusion one of the most pleasant meetings it has been our good fortune to attend .

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR . Cross of Christ Encampment . —An Encampment was held at Radley ' s Hotel , New Bridge Street , Dec . 21 st . Present , Sir Kt . R . Costa , P . O . as E . G ., in the unavoidable absence of Sir Kt . the Rev . J . E . Cox , E . G . ; Past Commanders , Goldsworthy , Baumer , Lieut . Cob G . Vernon , Spencer ; Sir Kts . Foukes and Rawson , 1 st and 2 nd Captains ; Dr . Kent , Expert , and Sir Kt . Moore ,

Standard Bearer . The principal business was the election of Eminent Commanders for the next , when the ballot was unanimous in favour of Sir Kt . Foukes , 1 st Captain , who expressed his thanks for the honour conferred upon him , and trusted that this old established Encampment would not lose any of its usefulness from having elected him the Commander . Sir Kt . Baumer was unanimously re-elected Treas . We missed on this occasion , besides the E . G ., our respected Past Commanders , G . Wackerbarth and M . Costa .

Somerset . —Provincial Grand Conclave . —On Friday , November 16 , 1855 , the Bladud Encampment stationed at Bath assembled under the command of Sir Knight R . W . Falconer , M . D ., for the purpose , first , of installing Sir Knight Captain John Evans , E . C . ; and secondly , for the purpose of holding a grand conclave for the inauguration of the Y . E . Sir Knight James Randolph , Prov . G . C for Somerset : the former ceremony being concluded , and the Officers invested ,, the V . E . Sir Knight C . J . Yigne , P . G . C . for Dorset , having caused the appointment of Sir Knight Randolph to be read , stated that he presided in the

unavoidable absence of the M . E . and S . G . M . as his deputy . Sir Knight Randolph having been inaugurated with the usual ceremonies , nominated the V . E . Sir Knight Falconer , M . D ., as P . P . CO . for Somerset , and directed that the newly appointed Ollieers of the Bladud Encampment should bold pro tempore Prov . Grand Office as follows : — Sir Knight G . M .. Temple , 1 st 0 . ; Samuel . Bryant , 2 nd C ; James

Tunstall , M . D . R . ; C Edward Davis , E . ; 0 . J . Vigne , T . ; C W . Hind , C . of Lines ; F . Terry , Almoner ; Sinnptor , Equerry . In addition to the Sir Knights of the Province , there were present Sir Knight Sir John Debt Pole , Bart ., the V . E . ; Sir Knights II . Vernon , P . G . C for'Worcestershire ; Royds , D . P . O . O . for - Lancashire ; liighmore , D . P . G . O . for Dorset ; and J tea , of the G . C . of England . After

the ceremonies , the Sir Knights adjourned to Temple ' s Castle Hotel , where a grand banquet was provided .