Royal Arch.

of their Chapters were in debt , owing to the expense of starting tbenn and he could not see how those debts were to be paid off if they made the fee too low . After some observations from Comps . Cousins , Hervey , ancl others , Comp . HAVERS , in reply , said that in conferring this degree they were but giving the M . M . his right , and therefore it was unjust ancl impolitic to levy what he considered heavy fees . He told tbe companions who asked how Chapters were to pay off their debts—that they would still

have the same right as they now had , to make their exaltation lee as high as they pleased , although he did not consider it just to mulct brethren to pay off the debts of those who hacl preceded them . He agreed with Bro . AVarren in the observations relative to making the fee for initiation into Masonry high , but tbey should not continue high charges after a brother was admitted . The ease with which the degree was obtained in Scotland , and in the Colonies from Scotch Chapters ( which were not acknowledged even by the Grand Lodge of Scotland )

more especially in India—now drove their ( the English ) members to take the degree from a foreign jurisdiction which it should be their endeavour to discourage . The E . Companion concluded by observing that taxes should only be required from the exigencies of the government , and as they were not needed by the Grand Chapter , he considered that the time had arrived for the alteration proposed by the committee . The motion and amendment were then formally put aucl lost . A clause was inserted in the regulations for notice of motions to be

placed on the summonses for each convocation . The Committee for General Purposes was 'then elected , the G . Z . naming Comps . Pattison , Evans , and Savage . The Grancl Chapter elected Comps . Le Veau , Hervey , AVheeler , Perkins , Adlard , and AA arren .

The Grand Chapter was then closed in antient ancl solemn form , and the companions separated . POLISH NATIONAL CHAPTER ( No . 778 ) . —This Chapter met at the Freemasons' Tavern , on Thursday , for the despatch of business and the election of Princi pals and fche various officers of the Chapter . Comp . Webber was installed M . E . Z . ; Comps . Sharman , H . ; Boyd , J . ; AA illiams , 27 . ; Blackburn , E . ; R . M , Smith , P . S . ; Funchal and G . States , first and second Assistants

| P . Z . Lemanski , Treas . Comp . AA . AVatson installed the _ Principals with his usual ability . Comp . Hammett was elected Janitor in room of Comp . Beckett . About thirty Companions were present ; among the visitors were Comps . the Hon . F . Dutton , M . E . Z .. Cheltenham , ancl Prov . G . M . for Gloucestershire ; Hewlett , M . E . Z . No . 25 ; Newton , P . Z . No . 25 ; and M . Cooke . The P . Zs . present were Comps . Johnstone , J . AV ; Adams , and Lemanski . After the banquet , the usual Jlasonic toasts were proposed and responded to . Comp . the

Hon . F . Dutton , on behalf of himself aud visitors , stated that he was very much pleased with the manner in which the various ceremonies were performed , and proposed the M . E . Z ' s . health , which was responded to with great cordiality . The M . E . Z ., in returning thanks , regretted that there were not a greater number of Poles present upon the occasion ; this was explained , by Comp . Blackburn , to arise from the fact that several members of the Chapter had had an opportunity of returning to their fatherland , and further , by Comp . Rulinski , that several were not present from fche

lamented death of their aged Companion Prince Czartorgski . The Chapter spent a very pleasant evening , and separated early . The evening ivas much enlivened by the vocal abilities of Comps . R . L . Harris . I . W . Adams , M . Cooke , Mclntyre , and the M . E . Z .

Scotland.

SCOTLAND .

ROYAL ARCH . SUPBE 3 IE QRAXD OTAl'TUB OF SCOTMXD . The Most Excellent First Grand Principal having appointed Thursday , the 19 th inst ., for his visitation ancl inspection of tho working of the Edinburgh Chapter , No . 1 , a meeting of that Chapter was convened , and the working of the three degrees which in Scotch Royal Arch Masonry precede the Royal Arch , viz ., Mark , Chair Master and Excellent Master , wore ably conferred upon Bros . Gough , Murray , and Mitchell .

Comp . AA . Campbell conferred the Mark ; E . Comp . Alexander Hay the Chair and the Excellent degrees ; Comp . Campbell very eloquently delivering the lectures and portions of scripture appropriate to the different veils . The Chapter was thereafter opened in due form b y the three Principals , E . Comp . Alexander Hay , Z . ; E . Comp . Patrick Cowan , 11 , ; aucl E . Comp . AVilliam Belfroge , J . ; Comps . Fairfax and Paton , Scribes ; Comp . AVilliam Campbell , First Soj ., conducting the candidates and answering for them the various questions relating to

that degree . The deputations from Grand Chapter consisted of Lord James Murray , M . E . G . Z . ; George Arnot AA alker Arnot , of Arlary , LL . D ., P . G . Z . ; John Deuchar , Esq ., of Moniingside , G . P . H . ; Donald Campbell , Esq ., G . P . J . ; AAllliam Gaylor , G . S . E . ; Lindsay , G . S . N . ; Edward Mitchell , Third Grand Soj ., and AA illiam Mann , G . S . B . After the closing of the Chapter , the Companions entertained the deputation to a dinner , E . Comp . Hay presiding , supported on bis right Comps . bLord James MurrayJohn Deuchar of Moniingsideand

y , , Gaylor , G . S . E ., and on the left by Professor Arnot , Donald Campbell and Lindsay Mackersy , G . S . N . E . Comp . Cowan acted as croupier , supported by E . Comp . Mackcrsy . After the usual toasts E . Comp . Hay proposed " The healths of Lord James Murray and the Office Bearers of the Supreme Chapter , " and

Scotland.

alluded to the great interest the First Principal was taking in the cause of Royal Arch Masonry , which was producing its fruits , as shown by the prosperous state of the Supreme , and the increase of members and zeal in the subordinate Chapters . Lord James Murray , in replying , expressed the pleasure it gave him to have visited No . 1 on that occasion , and bore his testimony to the correct ancl able working of the different degrees by the office bearers , and stated that it was bis determination to visit as many Chapters as he could possibly do , ancl concluded an able

speech by stating that the cordial and warm reception they had that evening received would induce the office bearers of the Supremo Chapter frequently to visit ancl cultivate friendship with the Companions of No . 1 . Tho chairman then gave " The health of the Past Grancl Principal , Dr . AValker Arnot , " amid the enthusiastic plaudits of the whole assembly . The professor , in reply , expressed the pleasure it gave him to have obeyed the two summonses he had received to attend the present meeting from the Supreme Chapter , as its Past Grand

Principal , and he hoped ho would always be found ready to support the noble lord who had succeeded him in the chair of the Supreme in his visitations ; and the other from No . 1 itself , where many a year before he had first been exalted to the degree of a Royal Arch Mason . He then gave a very interesting account of the progress the Craffc had made in past years , and showed tbe great improvements that now existed in working tho different degrees ; he appealed to all to study carefully aud diligently tho whole history , meaning , and intention

of the Craft , ancl not content themselves with being mere slaves to a ritual or rituals , and while he was glad to say that many forms—absurdities be might call them—wero being expunged from the working of various Chapters , yet it was evident that improvements might be introduced , and this evening he was delighted to say ho had witnessed them , which , far from detracting from tho correctness of the working , on tho contrary added to its solemnity and the good impression it made on those receiving the degrees . After spending a happy evening , during' which some excellent songs were sung by several of the Companions , thej meeting was dissolved .

ROYAL ARK MARINERS' DEGREE . A LODGE of Royal Ark Mariners has been constituted within the last few weeks in the St . Andrew's Edinburgh Royal Arch Chapter , No . S 3 , in virtue of a warrant contained in the charter from the Supreme Grand Royal Areh Chapter of Scotland . The office of N . ( R . AV . M . of the Lodge ) has been conferred upon Bro . F . D . McCWaii , M . D ., a brother well known iu the Masonic circles iu the city , who for five years hold tho office of R . AV . M . of the Lodge of Edinburgh , Mary's Chapel ,

No . 1 , and who at present holds tbe office of Senior Grand Deacon in tho Grand Lodge oi' Scotland , and representative to that body from the Grand Orient of Franco . The offices of Senior ancl Junior AA ardens have been conferred upon Bros . Mackersy , G . S . N ., and Gaylor , U . S . E ., ancl that of Secretary upon Bro . Ii . W . Finlay . The newly constituted Lodge held a meeting on the 21 st of April , when the degree was conferred upon Lord James C . P . Murray , M . E . C . Z . for Scotland ; Alexander J . Stewart , Esq ., Grank Clerk Grand of the

to the Grand Lodge of Scotland , Treasurer Supreme Grand Royal A . Chapter , and 111 . Grand General . Secretary of the Supreme Grand Council for Scotland of the 33 rd degree ; and A . Oneal Haye , Esq ., a young brother who has lately appeared before the Masonic world as author of a volume of poems dedicated by permission to bis Grace tho Duke of Athole , G . M . M . of Scotland . The degree was , in the unavoidable absence of Bro . Dr . McCowan , very ably conferred by Bro . Gaylor , Bro , Charles S . Law acting in place of Bro . Gaylor in the AYarden ' s chair .

Colonial.

COLONIAL .

JAMAICA . MONTEGO BAY . —Friendly Chapter ( No . 291 ) . —Thursday , the 22 nd March , having been appointed for the inauguration of Comp . J . S . Buckingham as M . E . Z . of the Friendly Chapter of this town , at an early hour there was a most select assemblage of Royal Arch Masons , at Freemasons' Hall , Church-street . Comp . Aaron Isaacs , P . Z ., on the Chapter being opened with the antient solemnitiesproceeded to install the First

, Principal Elect for the ensuing year , in a short but lucid address upon the duties oi the office , dwelling upon the devoted zeal , the untiring industry , and the distinguished ability shown by Comp . Buckingham in presiding over the Blue Lodge , and asking on behalf of the Chapter ancl of himself that the same great qualities might be exerted for the promotion and ' sustentation of an institution that hacl existed so long , and ivhich was so creditable to the Craft in Montego Bay . He then chair with the usual

inducted the M . E . Companion into the oriental ceremonies . All the antient honours having been given , Comp . Buckingham expressed most eloquently his intention to uphold the dignity and usefulness of the Chapter , his determination that while he held the chair of First Principal , the honour , utility , and interest of the institution , should be his first care , and that bis best exertion should be used that tho Chapter should be useful to the Craft , ancl a credit to the community He then installed the following Companions as his officers for the ensuing year , addressing appropriate remarks to each . '—Comps . C , L , Isaacs ( P . Z . ) , H , ; A . Isaacs ( P . Z . ) , J . ; H . Cormalch , Captain of