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painstaking and active set of officers , I have every confidence in their working up to a first-class standard during the ensuing year . The Caledonia Lodge I believe to be well worked , but owing to the unpleasantness that prevailed during the evening I visited it , I had but little opportunity of judging of its merits . The Dundas Lodge has laboured under great disadvantages during nearly the entire year , owing to the death of its lamented W . M . shortly after his installation . The P . M . ' s

very praiseworthily mitigated these as far as possible ; but the absence of a responsible head naturally had a depressing effect . The new officers installed a few days ago give promise of an earnest energy that will infuse new life and restore this lodge to its former excellent character- The Binbrook and Stoney Creek Lodges are both in good condition , so far as their records and conversation with a number of the brethren of each

, enabled me to judge , and both own their neat lodge-rooms . But owing to the W . M . 's living at some distance from their post office , neither received my notice of visitation in time , and hence I had not the pleasure of meeting them , though the trip to each involved a thorough drenching with rain and a rough ride on horseback over a very rugged road . The York Lodge , which I had the pleasing duty of inaugurating under the

dispensation granted by the M . W . G . M ., commences work with very favourable prospects , and is presided over by a brother whose experience , social position , and years , are a sure augury of success . The members are all in good circumstances , the room ( a fine one in a new brick building ) is neatly furnished , at a rental of 100 dollars per annum for twenty-one years ; and a well settled country ail ' ords a safe guarantee that there will be

plenty of material from which to build up a creditable lodge . I would , therefore , recommend that a warrant he granted , should the minute book and other necessary evidence , justify the procedure .

The Work . In thirteen of the lodges I had an opportunity of witnessing work in the first , second , or third degrees ; the remaining nine performed no work during my presence . In each case oi exemplification I was gratified to observe a close conformity to the ritual of this Grand Lodge , very few and trivial departures therefrom being noticeable . There was more variation in the ceremony of opening and closingthan in any other respect ;

, and whenever I discovered inaccuracy , I imparted correct information to the proper officers with advice for future guidance . I purposed , before the close of my official term , holding two district meetings , one at each end of the district , to suit the convenience of lodges in the neighbourhood of Hamilton and St . Catherines , whereas instruction in the several degrees could

be effectively imparted to the W . M . ' s and Wardens ; but the visitations drew so largely upon my time that the idea had to be abandoned . I believe this plan of securing uniformity of work would prove much more beneficial than lodges of instruction so called , because less expensive and requiring less formality to accomplish the same ends .

Statistics and Reports . Iu order to induce the keeping of correct and comprehensive details of lodge records , I addressed a circular to each W . M ., shortly before the 24 th June last , asking to be supplied with reli-Abie answers to the headings of the subjoined table . In nearly every instance I received prompt returns , with the queries filled in ; hut from three no replies came , though the

W . Masters were thrice written to for them . I would recommend each lodgo to keep a book that would show all this information at a glance , to be entered regularly as each semiannual return is prepared for the Grand Secretary ; which would in effect be a durable statistical history , occupying but a very small compass , and one that could not fail to instruct and stimulate each succeeding W . M . to keep up the character of his lodge , " as Masters have done iu all ages before him . "

Minutes and Finances . The minute books of all the lodges were examined by me , as far as time would permit ; and while many gave evidence of regularity and taste highly creditable to the Secretaries , several indicated gross carelessness and wanton departure from the authorised form laid down in the Book of Constitutions . In one instance I found the minutes of six months not recorded at all , except on loose slips of paper . Directions were accordingly given to adopt the correct form in future , and on no account to use slips again , which , I am credibly informed , have since been strictly adhered to .

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The financial affairs of each lodge were also inquired into , particularly with regard to the fees due Grand Lodge for membership and certificates . In most cases satisfactory assurance was given that all fees were paid , and many of the lodges showed handsome balances at their credit after defraying all contingent expenses . But a few were unable to meet these inquiries , owing to the absence of their Treasurers . As far as possible , I gave proper instructions to correct this defect ; and 1 believe that every lodge in the district will now be found in good standing . ( To be continued . )

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

METROPOLITAN . TEMPERANCE CHAPTER ( X ' . 1 G 9 ) . —Tho usual quarterly convocation of this young , woll-ostablishod , and most prosperous chapter was hold at tho White Swan Tavorn , High-stroot , Deptford , on Tuesday , tho 1 st inst . Tho chapter was oponod by Comps . J . T . Tib ' bals , M . E . Z . ; G . Brown , H . ; P . Walters , P . Z ., as J . ; and J . W . Halsoy . Tho companions woro thon admitted .

Tho minutes of tho previous convocation wero road and unanimously confirniod . Tho by-laws woro road and unanimously approvod of . Bro . T . Bridget , 109 Lodgo , prosontod himself , aud , having previously boon unanimously oloctod a mombor , was in an able , improssivo , aud efficient manner oxaltod into the supremo dogroo of Royal Arch Masonry . Tho offices woro well fillod by tho following talontod working comps ., whoso names aro a sufficient guaraut-eo of tho mannor in which that ceremony was

rondorod—viz ., Comps . J . T . Tibbals , M . E . Z . ; J . W . Halsey , as H . ; P . Walters , P . Z ., as J . ; X . Wingfiold , S . E . ; H . Mooro , S . N . ; and G . Brown , II ., as P . S . Ono brother was duly proposed and secondod as a candidate for oxaltation at tho noxt mooting of this chapter . Tho labours being ended , tho chapter was closed until January 7 th , 1 SG 8 . Tlio banqnot was prosidod over by the M . E . Z . Tho usual happy ovoniug was spont . Tho companions prosont woro J . T . TibbalsM . E . Z . ; G . BrownH . N . Wingfield

, , ; , S . E . ; H . Mooro , S . N .: F . Walters , P . Z ., P . S . ; Woodland , 2 nd Assist . S . ; Simmons , P . Z . ; A . Pnlloy , J . Porter , J . Whiffon , R . Mills , W . Clothior , Marriott , Truslow , Roborts , A . L . Dussek , Williamson , and many othors . Tho only visitors was Comp . J . W . Halsoy , II . 507 .

CUMBERLAND AXD WESTMORELAND . CARLISLE . — Union Chapter ( No . 310 ) . —The first quarterly convocation of this chapter was held on Tuesday evening , the 4 th inst ., for the purpose of confirming the minutes of the annual convocation , when the following M . E . C . were present : — Comps . Thomas Blackloek , Z . ; W . Murray , IT . ; G . G . Hayward , J . ; Henry FlemingJ . of the Mount Sinai ChapterNo . 412

, , , , Longtown , A Board of Installed Principals was formed and opened the chapter in due form , when Comps . A . Wodhouse , Prin . Soj . ; W . Johnston and W . Pratchitt , First and Second Assist . Soj . ; G . Turnbull , S . N . ; and Visiting Comp . Jessie Banning , of Royal Preston , No . 333 , Preston , were admitted . The minutes were read by Comp . Henry Fleming , S . E ., and confirmed by all present . Comp . Woodhouse was instructed to

obtain an estimate for the printing of the new code of by-laws , and to call a committee meeting for the purpose of accepting tenders for printing . No other business being before the comps . the chapter was closed with due solemnity , and the comps . then retired to the refreshment-room , where all comps . were supplied . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and duly responded to . The M . E . Z . rose to propose a toast to the

health of one whom he knew all present would respond to—it was to Comp . Lord Kenlis . They all were aware that Lord Kenlis had so recently been installed as the Prov . G . M . in Craft Masonry for Cumberland and Westmoreland , and a better man and Mason could not be . He was the right man in the right place . He trusted they would honour the toast as it deserved . The toast was well received and with musical honours , Comp .

J . Banning acting Dir . of Cers . Comp . Fleming , by permission , proposed a toast to the health of one who was a deserving Mason —one who had served well and truly , not only in Craft or Mark , but also in Royal Arch Masonry , for be had held high and responsible positions in the Grand Lodges and Chapters of England , as well as in minor lodges and chapters ; thus showing the interest he had taken in Masonry . He ( Comp . Fleming ) felt sure that Comp . Banister , to whom honour was due , had