Royal Arch.

energies to bear ; and rarely as the work ivas performed—but twice or thrice in each year — he had acquitted himself admirably . This ivas no easy task . The Arch ceremonies are most abstruse and difficult to retain . They require a memory of no common order ; skill and emphasis to give to each portion its proper effect ; ancl in all this their M . E . Z . has more than answered every expectation which tbe Chapter had formed of him . For these reasons he is clearly entitled to our good Avishes , and I beg

the companions to drink the health of our M . E . Z ., wishing him long life to enjoy the pleasure of being the founder and first principal . —Comp . JOHN GURTON , M . E . Z ., rose ivith no little amount of pleasure , though with some diffidence , for the kind manner in ivhich Comp . AVatson had spoken of him . He had always been one to try ancl do his best in all he had undertaken , and that had enabled him to get on so ivell in that Chapter . He had enjoyed some four meetings in the St . James's Union Chapterand he hoped had carried

, out , to the best of his ability , Royal Arch Masonry . ( Hear , hear . ) Comp . Stacey had worked equally with himself , ancl to him he ivas considerably indebted . As yet no cloud hacl overshadowed them , ancl he sincerely hoped none ever ivould , and that he might have the pleasure to meet the companions in the same happy Avay for many years to come . ( Hear , hear . )—The M . E . Z . said he was supported by the second and third Principals , ancl was delighted to

hear their working . Both of them were equally satisfactory , always in time , ancl ready to co-operate in everything for the good of the Chapter . In Comps . Stacey , H ., and AVoodstock , J ., they had two good companions , whose health he hoped they ivould drink cordially . —Comp . STACEV , H ., said he Avas pleased to return thanks for their kindness , both that of the M . E . Z . ancl companions . He preferred deeds to words , and if he should become M . E . Z . of the Chapter , he should strive to SIIOAV his preference for deeds ,

and do his best to merit their approbation . —Comp . AA ^ OODSTOCK , J ., expressed his thanks , and always hoped to merit a continuance of their kind feelings , — The M . E . Z . said , one of the last , but not the least welcome anions their toasts , was " The Health of then- P . Z . Comp . W . AVatson . " They all knew his anxiety for the prosperity of No . 211 . He was instrumental in getting the Chapter constituted , but was aivay at the time of its consecration ; still , while absent , his wishes were with them , and be was ever ready to assist in all cases , ancl jilaces , where he could be of service . —The M . E . Z . then proposed the health of Comp . W . AVatson , the first P . Z . of the St . James's Union Chapter . —Comp . "

AVATSON begged leave to return his thanks for the honour clone him . It was true he hacl great pleasure in moving for the Chapter in tbe Grand Chapter , and it was not only a pleasure , but he considered it an honour conferred upon him , for , in so doing , he made his maiden speech in a Grand body , —ancl he seldom raised his voice in very grand affairs . ( Laughter . ) He again thanked the companions , ancl told them he ivas ah \ -ays at- their call ivhen his services could be of use . —Comp . COCKCEAPT , P . Soj ., craved leave to address a few

words to the M . E . Z . and companions , ivhich was readily granted . He was about to address them on behalf of Companion AValkley , of whom , personally , he knew nothing , but from whom he had received some great kindnesses in Masonic instruction . He feared that at the time he was speaking Comp . AAlilkley was dead , but he hoped not . He considered him a rough , but honest man , ever ready to aid in any ivay he could , off-handed , but willing to do any one a service . As he before stated , he feared he was dead ; but , if he was

not , he might be said to be on his death-bed . His last w-ishes , conveyed in a letter to him , written by his dictation , were that he ivould bring . his case before the Chapter and induce ifc to send him a pound or two . Comp . AA alkley Avas a Avorking Mason , and belonged to no less that twenty-six lodges of Instruction . Putting aside all else , he should reduce the matter to a small compass . He had saved , by a life of industry , a bare subsistence , which did not admit of those little personal comforts a man rapidly sinking ought to have ;

ancl he put it to the companions if their late Scribe E ., from his fair dealing and honest course , was not specially Avorthy of their consideration ? He , therefore , urged them to aid him by an individual trifle from each , which would be acceptable to him in his extremity , or useful to those with whom he was connected , if bis Avorst fears Avere realised . —Comp . GURTON , M . E . Z ., begged to reiterate the sentiments of Comp . Cockcraft . He had long known Comp . Walkleyand a more honest ancl fearless man he never metIn

, . getting up that Chapter , Comp . AA alkley had laboured hard , and lent every assistance ; he , therefore , hacl great pleasure in putting down a sovereign for his use . —Comps . CLAISEN and JACKSON also specially commended him for his blunt and truthful manners , and the companions present , Avith but one exception , responded to the call , and placed ten pounds in Comp . Cockcraft's bands , ivhich he said sliould be forwarded to him the next day . —The

M . E . Z . said the next toast ivas that of " The P . Soj . and the rest of the Officers . " They Avere all punctual Masons ancl Avell able to . discharge their duties , and he called upon the comps . to drink their health . —Comp . C ' OCKCEAPT , P . Soj ., returned thanks

Royal Arch.

ou behalf of the officers . For the other matter , they had collected ten pounds , and he hoped it ivould not be thought that he had thrust himself into a prominent position connected with it . ( No , no . ) He could not resume his seat without thanking them in the name of their absent Companion Walkley ; ancl he must be permitted to say that their response , in so few minutes , ivas beyond his oivn expectations . If their sick companion was alive to receive their generous aid , he would leave it to their own

feelings to suppose how it would affect him . Again be must thank them for their ready aid , and should poor Walkley be alive it woulcl be a solace to him to find his friends and companions in 211 had not forgotten his endeavours , but hacl appreciated his services , and rendered him such generous help in the hour of sickness . — The Janitor ' s toast brought the evening to a close , ancl the companions of the St . James's Union- Chapter separated , well pleased with each other , and that they were enabled to help a

worthy member in the time of his need . LEICESTER . —Chapter of Fortitude ( No . 348 ) . —A meeting of this Chapter was held at the Freemasons' Hall , on Thursday , the 29 th ult ., for the installation of the Principals , and other business-Comp . Bankart was duly installed into the chair of . 1 . by Comp . Kelly , P . G . H . ; but owing to the absence of the Second Principal ( Comp . Kinder ) , on account of a family bereavement , and the nonattendance of a sufficient number of Past First Principals in due time , the other installations were postponed until a future meeting . On the opening of the Chapter for general business there were

present : —Comps . Kelly , P . Z . ancl P . G . H . ( ivho presided ); Clephan , M . E . Z . ; Undei-Avood , M . E . Z . elect ( as H . ); Bankart , J . ; Pettifor , P . Z . ; AVindram , P . Z . ; Cummings , E . ; Capt . Brewin , P . S . ; Gill , AVilley , and Bithrey . The minutes of the last Chapter having been read and confirmed , a ballot was taken for Bros . William Henry Man-is and AVilliam Jackson , of St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 34 S ) , who were duly elected , and the former brother , being in attendance , was exalted in due form by Comp . Kelly , who

subsequently delivered the historical , symbolical , and mystical lectures . Comp . Gill presided at the organ during the ceremonies . It was arranged that a special meeting should be held at an early date for the installation of the Principals and the exaltation of the three brethren , whose names are on the books as candidates ( Lieut . Barber , T . Sheppard , and W . Jackson ) . —Comp . Kelly , after some introductory remarks , proposed the following resolution , which was seconded by Comp . Winch-am , and carried unanimously : —

"That this Chapter has received , with feelings of the deepest regret , the melancholy intelligence of the premature decease of Martin Nedham , Scribe N ., who hacl endeared himself to the companions by bis personal qualities ancl his zeal ancl abilities as a Alason . " The resolution ivas ordered to be entered in the minutes . Bros . Dr . Sloane and T . Herbert , of St . John's Lodge ( No . 348 ) , ivere proposed as candidates for exaltation , as was also Bro . C . Bembridge as a serving companion ; after ivhich the Chapter was closed in form , and with solemn prayer , and the companions adjourned to refreshment .

Knights Templar.

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR .

GIBRALTAR . — Calpe Encampment . —The Sir Knights of this Encampment met on Friday , 16 th NOA \ Present—Sir Knights AVilliams , E . C ; Ingram , 1 st Capt . ; Black , 2 nd Capt . ; Gorhain , AVeir , O'Hara , Hood , AA'ilkinson , and others . The proceedings of a former Encampment having been confirmed , Comps . Tewart and Patterson , of the Calpean Chapter ( No . 345 ) , ivere unanimously elected , and duly installed Knights of the Order . After finishingsome other routine businessthe t Avas closedand the

, encampmen , Sir Knights adjourned to a banquet , and passed a couple of hoursin pleasant and social intercourse , and exchange of fraternal sentiment . Amongst the many loyal and chii'alrie toasts the absent members of the Encampment ivere not forgotten—the name of ourfrater especially , ivho is now aiding the Italians in their struggle for enlightenment and progress , was enthusiastically received . The-. Sir Knights separated shortly after 11 p . m .

PNEUMATIC DESPATCH . —The Pneumatic Despatch Company are said to have satisfactorily completed their preliminary experiments at the Soho AVorks , Birmingham , ancl will UOAV proceed with the construction of the permanent tube intended to be laid betiveen the General Post-office and Bloomsbury , a distance of a mile and a furlong . The tube will be 21 ft in diameter . REVIVAL OF CITX GUILDS . —THE PAINTERS' COMPANY . —Mr . John SeAi-ellex-master of the Painters' Companyhas addressed a

, , communication to each member of the Courts of Assistants of that Guild , calling attention to the desirability of considering as to the initiatory steps to be taken towards the realisation of another exhibition of decorative works of art . The matter is to be takeninto consideration at the next Court .