Royal Arch.

the censer and perambulated the chapter , saying , "And Aaron shall burn sweetiucense therein every evening , a perpetual incense unto the Lord throughout your generations . " The Acting Z . then gave the invocation , ancl dedicated and constituted the chapter . M . E . Comp . Dr . Burton installed Comp . Thos . James as M . E . Z . of the new chapter . The M . E . Z . Installed Comp . Horton Yates as H ., and Comp .

M . Arthur Bass as J . The following members of the Abbey Lodge were balloted for and elected , and , being in attendance , were exalted as Royal Arch Masons , viz ., Bros . John Matthews , Frederick J . Thompson , Richard M . Mayberry , Alex . Hutton , John Anderson , Lewis F . Day , John A . Bindley , Frederick Gretton , George J . Mitchell , William Ferguson , Thomas Hancock , Richard Mayger , William J . DruryRobert Lane as Janitor ( hdispensation from the

, y M . E . P . G . Supt . Col . Vernon ) . The duties of Principal Soj . were performed by Comp . Frank James , in a most efficient manner . The officers for the ensuing 3 'ear were elected ancl tbe chapter closed . The companions adjourned to the-White Hart Hotel ancl partook of a banquet , which was served in a most admirable manner bBro . Kendall .

y After the cloth was drawn , the M . E . Z . said that in consequence of the numerous visitors having to leave hy early trains , he should be very brief in his remarks to the various toasts ; he was quite sure the members of this new chapter would drink with the loyalty that characterised all Masonic meetings , " The Health of the Queen . " The M . E . Z . proposed " The Three Grand Principals of the Order . "

The M . E . Z . then gave " The Prov . G . Supt . of Staffordshire , Col . Vernon , ancl the Officers of the Provincial Grand Chapter . " He said that in Staffordshire it only required the name of Col . Vernon to he mentioned to IUSVAYC its most hearty reception . He was respected and esteemed by every Mason in the province , and it was a matter of universal regret that his reign over them was so soon about to terminate . Of the Provincial Grand Officersgenerallythey had seen very little in that capacity

, , , as there had beeu but one meeting of the Provincial Grand Chapter since they were appointed ; but they had one amongst them that day , to whom they were under great obligationsthe Prov . G . J ., Dr . Burton ; he had taken great interest in the formation of this chapter , and they had seen the very able manner in which he had consecrated it .

Comp . Dr . BURTON , in acknowledging the toast , said he did not know that the Provincial Grand Officers had done anything to merit their thanks ; what he had that day done he considered only a duty , but which he had performed with pleasure . He should certainly recommend the newly-appointed Provincial Grand Master to hold more frequent meetings of the Provincial Grand Chapter , as he considered there was as much benefit to be derived from the gatherings of Royal Arch Masons as there was in the Craft .

The M . E . Z . proposed " The Visitors , " amongst whom were several distinguished Masons ; he thanked them for the countenance they had given to this new chapter , and assured them in the name of its members of a hearty and cordial reception on all occasions . He begged especially to mention one who had that day rendered such groat services . He had seen the working of many chapters in various parts of the country , but he had never seen any companion discharge the duties of

Principal Sojourner in a more masterly style than Comp . Frank James , who had , on that occasion , materially assisted them by performing that part in the ceremony of exalting fourteen candidates . He begged to couple his name with that toast .

Comp . FBANK JAJIES returned thanks , and said it would at all times give him the greatest pleasure to render them any assistance in his power . Comp . Dr . BURTON said the toast he had to propose was a most important one . On the health of the M . E . Z . the prosperity of that chapter materially depended . He had seen Comp . Thomas James in that capacitin two other chapters

y , and could assure the members of the Abbey Chapter that they could not have made a better selection . He did not know any one more qualified to he at the head of affairs in a new chapter ; they had worked together , shoulder to shoulder , for many years iu Masonry , and he had never found less individuality , and more

abnegation of self , than in that companions—qualities , he lamented to say , now becoming rare in the Craft . The M . E . Z . thanked the companions for the cordial manner in Avhich they had drank his health . Dr . Burton had spoken of him in too flattering a manner ; but this he could assure them , that no exertions on his part should be wanting to render ^ this chapter , iu clue course of time , second to none . The qualifications of those brethren who had that clay "been exalted wave of

so high a character , socially and Masonically , that he considered his duties in that respect would be very easy . Before he sat down , he begged to propose the health of those who were associated with him in the government of the chapter , ancl must congratulate himself in having the assistance of such able coadjutors . They had seen the manner in which Comp . Horton Yates had discharged the duties of his office , and which would

convince them that when the time should arrive for him to fill the office of Z ., they might fairly calculate on having a most efficient ruler . Of the merits of Comp . Arthur Bass , it Avould he unnecessary to say much in the presence of Burton Masons . They all knew his good qualities , and his superior working in Craft Masonry . There Avas one circumstance in connection with the establishment of that chapter which he would Avish to mention , and which not only evinced the extreme modesty of Comp . Bass , but also the true Masonic spirit which at all times actuated him . In the formation of a new chapter it was not

necessary that the First Principal should have filled either of the other chairs ; it was therefore competent for hiin to be appointed to that position , but which , when offered to him , he at once declined , as he considered he ought to Avork his way regularly up to the highest office . With the knowledge of this fact , they mig ht rest assured that it was his intention to make himself thoroughly master of the duties of the several chairs . He was seeking honours in another herebut if he showed so

sp , much modesty there , he must not calculate on success . ( Laughter . ) The M . E . Z . then proposed "The Second and Third Principals . " Comp . ARTHUR BASS , J ., responded in most eloquent terms . It had long been his wish to see a chapter attached to the Abbey-Lodge , and this day his desire had been fully gratified . The number of brethren of that lodge who had become members of

the chapter confirmed him in his opinion that such a step would be successful . The M . E . Z . proposed "The newly-exalted Companions , " to Avhich Comp . MATTHEWS responded . Also " The Officers of the Chapter , " which was acknowledged by Comp . TOJIPSON , E . The companions separated at nine o ' clock , highly gratified with the proceedings of the clay . The furniture and regalia of the chapter , which was supplied by Bro . Thomas James , Walsall , is exceedingly chaste and handsome , and Avas universally admired .

DORSETSHIRE . AVIMBOENE MINSTER . —SC Cuthberga Chapter ( No . 622 . )—The opening ancl consecration of this new chapter , attached to Lodge St . Cuthberga ( No . 622 ) , took place on Monday , the 11 th inst ., the following companions being present : —J . Jacob , P . Prov . G . H . ; J . Bosworth , M . E . Z . 170 ; J . Style , P . Z . ; G . R . Crickmay , J . Maunders , P . Z . ; S . Bailey , W . Smith , A . CornelionsXVLowXV . B . RogersC . R . RoweH . AVardA . Mason

, . , , , , , S . Davis , XV . Collect , G . PL J . Haldane , R . G . Newington , W . Bryant , and others . The chapter was opened hy Comp . Bosworth , M . E . Z ., in ancient ancl solemn form . Three candidates for exaltation were then exalted in Comp . Bosworth's usual impressive manner . The ceremony of consecration was then proceeded with by Comp . Jacob , P . Prov . G . H ., as M . E . Z ., supported by the above companions , who performed the same

in a most impressive manner to the admiration of all present ; after which a solemn conclave was formed , and Comp . C . R . Rowe dnly installed as the M . E . Z ., Comp . W . Lowe as H . Comp . Kerridge being unavoidably absent , his installation as J . was postponed . The chapter was then closed in solemn form . The newly-installed M . E . Z ., Comp . Rowe , then entertained the companions present to a banquet . After the usual toaststhe M . E . Z . in proposing the toast of "The Weymouth

, , Companions , " returned his thanks for their kindness in coming to dedicate the chapter of St . Cuthberga , and especially to Comp . Jacob for the manner iu which he had conducted the ceremony . It was one he felt sure would not be forgotten by any present . Comp . Bosworth replied in an aumirable speech , and after spending a very happy evening the companions separated .