Royal Arch.

initiates should servo a certain time before they aro passed to another degree . That system hacl worked ivell . He vrarnod the Grand Chapter against delegating tho power noiv sought for to their subordinates , as ho was sure it ivould be productive of evil . Ho sincerely hoped that the proposed alteration would never bo adopted , but that , no matter what others might do , tho Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of England would hold by the landmarks ofthe Order , ancl preserve the high character they had hitherto held throughout tho world . Comp . Hervey iu reply , acknoiA'ledged that the motion was'irregular , and said ho would give due notice for its being brought forward at the next convocation . The Grand Chapter was then closed in ancient and solemn form .

ST . JAMES ' CHAPTER ( No . 2 ) . —This Chapter held its usual meeting on Thursday , February 3 rd . The Principals , Comps . R . AVamer Wheeler , M . E . Z . ; AV . PuVteney Scott ( P . G . Assist . Soj . ) , H . ; and Dr . Tulloch , J . ; ivere present , supported hy their officers , Comps . Crew , E , ; AV . R . Wood , N . ; Col . Western , P . Soj . ; Capt . Creaton , 1 st A . Soj . ; Ambrosoni , 2 nd A . Soj ., & o ., & c . ; and many other Companions ; Bro . Capt . AVelstead Reade , of No . 317 , Richmond , having been balloted for aud unanimously elected , was in due and solemn form exalted to the sublime degree of the Royal Arch . This being the evening for the election of

officers for the ensuing year , a ballot took place , ivhich ivas unanimous , as follows : — Comps . AV . P . Scott , M . E . Z . ; Dr . JTulloch , IL ; AV . R . Wood , J . ; S . Tomkins , Treas . ; F . Crew , E . ; Col . AVestern , N . ; Capt . Creaton , P . Soj . All business being concluded the Chapter was closed in solemn form , and the Companions adjourned to the banquet , and passed the evening most pleasantly under the presidency of the M . E . Comp ., R . AVamer AVheeler . The usual toasts were given and duly honoured . Comp . Neate , P . Z ,, said he was persuaded the Chapter would allow him

to propose tho health of their M . E . Z ., and in doing so he felt he could not find adequate language to do him justice for the able maimer in which he had discharged the duties of the First Principal ' s chair during his year of office , as well as of the other offices he had previously so regularly aud successfully filled with so much ability and credit to the Chapter , during which he had sustained its reputation . Indeed , as an old Companion of the Chapter , he felt he might say , that he had observed Comp . AA heeler ' s truly Masonic career with very great regard and satisfaction . The M . E . Z ., in a modest speech , replied , that he hacl ahvays taken great interest in the Chapter , and endeavoured to the utmost of his capabilities to properly

discharge the duties he undertook . He felt it AVIIS no small compliment to receive such warm encomiums from the father of the Chapter , which had been so enthusiastically responded to by the Companions . He hacl been a member of the Chapter for many years , and the kindness he had received on every occasion had more than amply repaid him for any exertions ho might have made ; and although he had received from them the highest honours be could obtain , he hoped he might bo permitted to remain amongst them for many years to come . Tbe M . E . Z . proposed the health of Comps . AV . Pulteney Scottas H . and Dr . Tullockus J . Comp .

, , , Scott returned thanks in a very appropriate speech . The Al . E . Z ., in proposing tho healths of the Past First Principals , said that the Chapter highly appredated the services that they had rendered . Such names as those of J . Henderson , AV . Stuart , I'Anson , & c , would always command the esteem of tho Companions ; and though the number present ivas small , be knew that they all had at heart the interests of the Chapter ; he would couple ivith that toast the name of the father of the Chapter , Comp . Neate , P . Z . Comp . Neate in

returning thanks said , that it was forty years ago that very day since he had been exalted in the Chapter , and during that period ho had witnessed many fluctuations . He mentioned that on one evening he had assised at the exaltation of the late Duke of York , the Marquis of ConiAvallis , and Lord Kingston . In this Chapter also he had frequently met the Duke of Sussex , their former revered Grand Alaster . There had been another period lA'hon their number had been very feiA ' , but IIOAV he considered that the St . James ' s Chapter , the premier Chapter of England , ivas in a high state of prosperity . This desirable result he believed Avas owing to the exertions of their excellent Officers ; and he was glad to hear their M . E . Z . declare that T