Royal Arch.

which balance is in the hands of Messrs . AA'illis , Perciva ; , and Co ., Bankers of the Grand Treasurer . The Committee have also to report that they have received the following petitions : — 1 st . From Companions Charles Toby , Z , Henry AATiklnson , H , John Talbot Corinn , J , and other members of the Tasmanian Union Chapter ( No . 7 S 1 ) , at Hobarfc Town , South Tasmania , praying for a Charter of Confirmationiu consequence of the orginal Charter

, having been defaced ; the meetings of the Chapter to be held as heretofore , on the first Thursday of every month . The Petition being regular , the Committee recommend that the prayer thereof be granted . 2 nd . From Companions Henry Lumb as Z , John Pepper as H , Hugh AAllliams as J , and seven others , for a Chapter to be attached to the Mariner's Lodge , No . 310 , Liverpool , to be called the "

Chapter of Hope , " to meet at the Masonic Temple , No . 22 , Hope-street , Liverpool , on the second Friday of every month . The Committee understand that there is at present a Chapter . -attached to the Mariner ' s Lodge , but iu consequence of its having made no returns to the Grand Chapter since 1 S 50 , ifc has bean . -summoned , with others , to show cause at the Convocation to be holden in February 1861 , why it should not be erased . The

Committee cannot recommend that any action be taken in respect to the present application until a decision has been come to by fche Grand Chapter with respect to the existing Chapter . 3 rd . From Companions Gideon A . Boyce , Z , Samuel Gatii , H , ¦ George D . Cobley , J , and other members of the Chapter of Fidelity , No . 280 , Tiverton , praying for permission to remove the Chapter to Cumberland Ope , in the town of Devonport , in consequence of many -of the Companions now proposed as joining members being resident in the town and neighbourhood of Devonport . The petition is regular in form and is supported by the Grand

Superintendent for Devonshire , and the Loclge to which the Chapter is attached is about to be removed to the same place . The Committee therefore recommend that the prayer of the petitioners he granted . 4 th . From Companions Daniel Gooch as Z , John A . D . Cox as H , George England as J , and eleven others , for a Chapter to be attached to the Britannic Lodge , No . 38 , London , to meet at the 'Thatched House Tavern , St . James ' s-Street , London , on the second

Friday in the months of January , April , June , and October . This Petition is in all respects regular , but the Committee having upon former occasions offered their opinion that the number of Chapters in London is sufficient ; to serve the interests of the Order , and their opinion continuing the same : Resolved—That this Petition he submitted to the consideration of the Grand Chapter without further observation . The Committee have also received a Petition from certain

members of the AA ' ellington Lodge , ( No . 10 SO , ) at Deal , and other Royal Arch Masons , for a Chapter to be attached to that Lodge . This netition is regular in form , hut , inasmuch as the companions recommended to fill the three Chairs are not installed Masters of Craft Lodges , as prescribed by the regulations of the Grand Chapter , the Committee are of opinion that the charter prayed for cannot be granted . The Committee have finally to report , that since tlie meeting of

the Committee appointecl by Grand Chapter for revising the regulations , ancl subsequent to the Convocation , when they made their report and certain alterations were agreed to , a considerable number of copies ( about 230 ) of the last printed edition of the work have been found . They , therefore , recommend for the consideration of the Grand Chapter , that the alterations be printed on a slip and inserted in each copy of the work , instead of having a fresh edition printed .

METROPOLITAN . ROBERT BURNS CHAPTER ( No . 23 ) . — The companions of the above numerous chapter held their usual meeting at the Freemasons ' Tavern on Monday , Oct . 23 rd , under the presidency of Comp . Hewlett . The business before the meeting consisted in exulting Bros . Taylor and Hurlstone , who , both heing present , were admitted to the degree of Companions of the Holy Royal Arch . The chapter being closed , the companions adjourned to the banquetafter which

, Comp . Hewlett , Z ., gave the usual toasts of "The Queen , " "The Earl of Zetland , G . Z ., " "The Grancl Officers , " & c , and proceeded to say that the Robert Burns Chapter never met without ; exalting some brethren into the Royal Arch degree . He hoped tlie two new companions would never regret having selected the Robert Burns Chapter for the scene of their exaltations , for No . 25 deservedly ranked high , and tho ceremonies were administered

with as much zeal as it was possible to impart to them , in order that they might impress the candidates with the beauty of the degree , and which beauties , he hoped , would never be erased from their minds until they attained the goal to which they all looked forward .

He , tnerefore , proposed The Health of Companions Taylor and Hurlstone . " Comp . HURLSTONE said : This being their first evening in Royal Arch Masonry , he hoped their future conduct would carry out the kindness of those who had been instrumental in getting their admission to the degree . He regretted they had not entered Masonry earlier in life , for he saw every step inculcating- morality and leaving- a lasting impression on the mind . The sentiments were such as to induce a veneration for the G . A . 0 . T . U ., whom

they were taught to adore as their Creator , and , next to Him , to revere the virtuous man . He hoped that they both ivould be a credit to fche cause , and concluded by thanking them for the high privilege that the chapter had afforded them in exalting them to that sublime degree . Tho M . E . Z . said : If the last toast was a pleasing one , the next was no less so ; it was "The Health of their A isifcors , " who , if not numerous on that occasion , were select . Comp . Dr . Hinxman was a Mason known everywhereand

, thoroughly appreciated ; Comp . Matthew Cooke , if not a great Mason , was certainly one of the largest of Masons ; Comp . Burton-Ford was a Christy Minstrel , and that betokened a pretty wide acquaintance ; Comp . Haskins was nota stranger , though somewhat less of a public man than the others . The visitors healths followed . Comp . BURTON-FORD , as the junior companion , was sorry the duty of returning thanks had fallen upon him , but on behalf of himself and the visiting companions , begged to tender them . Comp . Dr .

HINXMAN was certainly taken by surprise at his name being called , but he only knew of the Masonic duty of obedience , and therefore he was was glad of the opportunity of returning the best thanks of the companion visitors for the hospitality with which they had been received . Holding a higher place in the degree than the junior companion , he admitted himself in error in not responding afc first , bufc it was frequently the case that all wished to evade a duty at times , and that had been his case that night , nofc from any

disrespect ; but merely from a momentary fit of indolence . He had been very frequently invited to that chapter , but circumstances had hitherto prevented him . Now that he had seen fchem working he must admit , his anticipations had been more than realised , for in his

experience he had never seen the whole so efficiently perrormeu , and he had derived both instruction and benefit from his visit , which would go far to make him desirous of seeing such improvements carried out elsewhere , for as a whole the ceremony had heen that night unequalled , and inspired him with a great respect for the chapter , to which he would add , may the Robert Burns Chapter be as happy and prosperous as its work was good . Comp . AV . WATSON , said it gave him very great pleasure to pay a

welldeserved tribute to their M . E . Z . who was the 17 th Z . that occupied that chair , ancl he was happy to say they had had very good principals , but none better than the one who now so worthy presided over them . The office of Z . was the most difficult with which he was acquainted , but Comp . Hewlett was so clear , and careful in his duties , so excellent in his exertions , and so well kept up the character of the chapter , that they all owed him a debt of gratitudeand for his own part he could not refrain from

, acknowledging his thanks in that public manner ancl wishing him health and long life to enjoy the prosperity of the Robert Burns Chapter , of which he was so bright an ornament . The M . E . Z . Comp . Hewlett , was highly giatified at the graceful compliment that had been paid him . The praise Comp . AVatson had bestowed upon him was more than his clue , in practice , hut not more for his good intentions . He had been a member seventeen years , had seen seventeen first principals of si-eat resnectability and had done all

in ins power to maintain the cuaraeter of tkoenupter . Surrounded hy so many Past Principals he had much to cheer him on , and hoped that the time which yet remained to him in office would hi : no worse thought of than his endeavours had hitherto been . For their kindness in drinking his health , they had his cordial thanks . The M . E . Z . next said that they had the veritable fathers in five or six past principals among them . They were indeed illars of the chapterand without them the

p , Robert , Burns would make but a sorry figure . Comp . AA ' atson was ever ready fco do any service . It w : ; s no matter whether the office were high or low , or even none at all , there lie was quite at home , and willing to be a listener or teacher . Comp . Blackburn and his beautiful manner was ever in their recollection ; Comp . Newton was always at hisposfc ; Comp . Robinson , careful ami obliging ; and Comp . Kirby , who had only passed the chair some short time , full

of zeal and letter perfect . His zeal was patent to all , for it was nofc once , twice , hut several times that Comp . ICirby hv . d travelled 200 miles to do his duty . Comp . Carpenter too , though last mentioned , was behind none in ability and readiness . With such past Principals no wonder the Robert Burns Chapter was so well supported , and he hoped it ivould long continue so , and that the companions present would join him in drinking the healths of its Past Z ' s . Cor . ip . AVATSON , on behalf of the Past Principals , begged to return thanks , and could assure them tho 1- the most pcrfecUuiuaiinity