Royal Arch.

Mason , I . ; E . Rusher , P . Z . 129 ; J . Bowes . P . Z . 129 , 148 , Prov . G . S . B . ; W . Hall , E . ; J . Holme , 129 , as N , ; Dr . Mercer , Prim Soj . ; J . M . More , as Assist . Soj . ; Fenton , Airey , Taylor , Watson , & c . The chapter was duly opened by the Principals , when the rest of the companions were admitted . The minutes of the hist convocation having been real and confirmed , the M . E . Z . requested all below the rank of au installed First Principal to retirewhen a Board of installed First Principals was dul

, y opened by _ B . Comps . Moore , Z . ; Busher , H . ; Bowes , J . Comps . Bagnall , M . E . Z . elect ; Mason , H . elect ; AV . Hall , J . elect , were severally presented by E- Comp . Busher , who also offered the prayers . Comp . Bowes read the scripture portion . The whole of the ceremonies , together with the charges , were given in a most exact manner by Comp . Dr . Moore , who deserves the highest praise for his invaluable services to the Craft in L :

inca .-ter and the neighbourhood , aud most especially for biseoii'cct anil effective working . The chapter having been resumed , and the companions re-admitted , the Principals were proclaimed and saluted according to ancient custom . Ti . e M . E . Z . then invested the following companions as otlicers for tbe ensuing year -. —Comps . Dr . Mocre , P . Z . ; Dr , Mercer , Scribe E . ; VVhimphrey , Scribe N . ; AV . Darker , Treas . ; Taylor , Janitor . Comps . Kev . Fitzgerald Astley

Cave-Brown-Cave , M . A ., vicar of EUet , Past Principal J ., Apollo University Chapter , Oxford , was unanimously elected a joining member . The banquet was held at the King's Anns Hotel , and did the utmost creelit to the catering abilities of Bro . Sly , the proprietor . The M . E . Z ., Comp . Bagnall , presided , and was supported by a goodly company of members . After the cloth was withdrawn , tho usual loyal and patriotic toasts were duly honoured

and the National Anthem sung , the M . E . Z . then proposed <; The First Principal , the E . irl of Zetland , and the other Principals ol the Supreme Grand Chapter , " and in doing so made a graceful allusion to the Grand Master , whom they all had the pleasure of meeting on the occasion of laying the foundation stoue of the Royal Albert Asylum . The toast was drunk with R . A . honours . The M . E . Z . next proposed " The Provincial Grand Superintendent and Otlicers of the Provincial Grand Chapter of AVest Lancashire . " He said they were all well acouainted with Sir

Thos . Hesketh , and thc interest he had now for so many years taken in the Craft . He u as glad on the present occasion that they had an officer of the Provincial Grand Chapter present to respond to the toast ; he would , therefore , ask them to drink the toast , and with it the name of E . Comp . Bowes , P . Z . 129 , 148 , Prov . G . S . B . The toast was drunk with all honours . E . Comp . Bowes felt proud of having the honour of respond - ing to a toast of such importance as the one introduced by the

M . E . Z . He could fully endorse all that had been said iu praiso of their Masonic chief and his subordinate officers . He was g lad also to have an opportunity of thanking the members of tbe Rowley Chapter for the honour they did him at their first meeting by electing him an honorary member . He should always be glad to assist them by his presence whenever lie received the command of the M . E . Z . Comp . Hull next proposed " The Health of the M . E . Z ., " and

in doing so paid that companion a very hi gh compliment for the zeal and ability with which he discharged his Masonic obligations . The toast was drank with warm demonstrations of approval . The M . E . Z ., Comp . Bagnall , thanked . Comp . Hall and those present , for the hearty proposal and warm reception accorded to the toast of his health . He assured them that nothing should be wanting on his part in his endeauours to discharge aright the responsibilities of his high and honourable office .

The M . E . Z . again rose and said , that having been installed in the chair of First Principal , a most pleasing duty devolved upon bim . He had the honour of proposing ' The Health of tbe P . Z . and Installing Officer . " The mere mention of tbe name of I heir excellent companion and warm-hearted friend , Dr . Moore , would be sufficient to ensure it a hearty reception at their hands . He , however , felt that tbe members of the Rowlej Chapter would not consider he had performed his duty if he allowed the

present opportunity to pass without according to their worth y companion that praise which he so justly merited . By Dr . Moore ' s exertions they were enabled to work their chapter in such a manner as to render it a model chapter for the province . . Dr . Moore was its founder and first M . E . Z ., aud it was owing to his untiring energy aud zeal that tlie Craft in Lancaster , bad assumed such importance . It did not matter where they looked , whether in their chapter or their lodge , or indeed to the parent Lodge of Fortitude , the impress of Comp . Moore ' s zeal was

to be found , and therefore they were bound to accord to him every credit and their heartiest thanks . As a slight recognition of the important services Dr . Moore had rendered tho Rowley Chapter , and to mark their appreciation of his great zeal for the welfare of the Craft , lie begged on behalf of the members to present him with a P . Z . jewel , and trusted that he might long live to wear it , and continue to take the same interest in the

cause of Freemasonry that he bad hitherto done . Their E . Companion bud earned for himself a wide reputation for Masonic knowledge , ai . d he was ever read y to communicate to others what he knew himself . The M . E . z ! then presented the jewel to Dr . Moore , and said : —Companions , 1 now call upon ' you to drink wii . li all the enthusiasm it merits , and ail the honours we can accord , "The Health of E . Comp . Moore , M . D ., & c , the

founder and first M . E . Z . of tbe Rowley Chapter and the Installing Officer of the day . " Tbe toast was di unk amidst loud demonstrations of the warmest approval . The jewel was of a most chaste design , and set with diamonds . Tho foilowino- is a copy of the inscription .- — ' ¦ ' Presented to Comp . Dr . Moore b y the members of the Rowley Chapter , as a mark of esteem , and in appreeii-iim of his eminent services as founder aud first M . E . Z . of the chapter , 20 th April , 1 S 70 . "

Comp . Moore , in risingjto reply , was received with enthusiastic applause b y tlie companions , whom he addressed as follows : — "M . E . Companion Bagnall aud Companions , —I beg to thank you most heartily and feelingly for the honour that you have done me , and for the very handsome testimonial of your esteem and appreciation Of tbe services I bave rendered to " the Rowley Chapter , which has just been presented to me in so elegant and llatteriiig a manner b y your present respected chief . " The

presentation of a jewel , especially a jewel of so great a value , although fully appreciated by me , was not required in order to reward mo for tho pains that I had bestowed upon the work ; for I have already received sufficient recompense in the great success that has attended the formation and progress of tho chapter , and in the able manner in which my endeavours have been seconded by its officers ; and I may here perhaps be allowed to remark , that I have seldom , if ever , visited a chapter where the various officers wore so zealous and efficient in the performance of their duties as in the Rowley Chapter , and this fact

tells volumes asto the necessity which existed in this town for the formation of a Royal Arch Chapter , and augurs very favourably for its future progress and usefulness , and I may , with a large degree of certainty , venture to predict that under the rule of its present Principal Z . ahd other Principals , it will still maintain its efficiency aud preserve the hi gh character it has already so justly acquired . Comp . Moore then gave a short sketch of the history of tho chapter , and the difficulties which

attended its formation , especially alluding to the lamented death , by accident , of Comp . Ball , the prospective Principal H ., and thankfully acknowled ging the assistance tbey had received from E . Comps . Kev . AA ' . Bramwell Smith , P'Z . ; E . Busher , P . Z . ; and J . Boives , P . Z ., who hud since been elected honorary members of the chapter , and concluded by again thanking the companions for their elegant and valuable decoration , which he would always preserve with care , and of which he was proud to have been the

recipient . The M . E . Z . rose to propose " The Honorary Members and Visitor , " and said out of three honorary members two were present , which spoke sufficientl y for tho interest they took in tbe chapter . Their visitor , Comp . Holme , was a member of the Kendal Castle Chapter , 129 , and W . M . of the Union Lodge , Kendall . The toast was drank with all honours . Comp . Busher , P . M ., rose with much pleasure to acknowled

ge the compliment paid to him personally . He was ever ready and most willing to lend a hel ping hand whenever needed . He was sorry he was obliged to leave them , but his engagements were such tbat ho had little time to call his owu . Comp . Moore next proposed "The Second aud Third Principals and Officers of the Rowley Chapter , " which was responded to by Comp . Hall , H . The M . E . Z . asked them to join him in drinking a special

toast . Comp . J . M . Moore bad travelled from Derby in order to be with them , and he had very great pleasure in proposing his health , which was drank with all honours . Comp . Moore said that one of their honorary members was absent from indisposition , which he was sure all would regret . He begged to proposa " The Health of E . Comp . Rev . W . Bramwell Smith , " with regret at his indisposition . Comp . Watson proposed the Janitor ' s toast , which brought the proceedings of the day to a close .