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their M . E . Z . Comp . Gurton said , he had to return thanks for the very able ancl kind maimer in which Comp . AVatson hacl proposed his health . All he could lay claim to was an endeavour to do his best , and in that course he hoped to continue for many years , ancl his ardent desire was to support the charities . In that he felt that he only did his duty , and it was a happy and a pleasing duty to do so . He must beg them not to think him a runaway , nor wanting in courtesy if he resigned his chair to Comp . AVatsonbut he hacl been suffering from two or three weeks '

, illness , aud as he was progressing towards convalescence , prudence required that he should not defeat what had been happily commenced . So he would thank them for the honour they hacl clone him aud leave his esteemed Comp . AA ' atson to supply his place , which he was sure he would do with pleasure , and attention to their comfort , Comp . Gurton then left the chair , which was taken by Comp . AA ' atson . The M . E . Z . Oiro tem . ) proposed the healths of Comps . Stacey , H ., and AVoodstock , that

J ., adding they were both talented Masons , Comp . Stacey being literally perfect , and AVoodstock very excellent . Comp . Stacey , H ., was very much flattered by the goodopinion of Comp . Watson , and had to thank him for many hints which he should profit by . Comp . Woodstock , J ., was inuch obliged , and hoped at a future time to be a past principal . Comp . Stacey said , a very pleasing duty devolved on him , in the absence of the M . E . Z . It was the health of Comp . AVatson , a good man , a firm brotherand a perfect Companion knew his worthancl he was

, ; everyone , every way worthy of being known to all . Comp . AA'atson said he felt amply repaid for whatever he did iu being amongst Masons . Masonry had been his greatest , he might say his only pleasure in life , for some years past , and he hoped it would be so for years to come . AA'itliout further remark he should tender them his sincere thanks for the

reception of the toast , and add , that if he could serve the St . James ' s Union Chapter , or its individual members , they had only to ask him . Comp , AVatson then proposed the healths of the two Scribes E . and N ., Comps . AValkley ancl Sedgwick . He said he and Comp . AA ' alkley had known each other about twenty-one years , in fact they had worked together for three apprenticeships , and he would therefore call upon them to drink their healths ; but he must be understood , as far as Scribe E . was concerned , he did not wish him his late health , but his old , robust , and cheerful habit to which

he was glad to see Comp . AA' alkley returning . Comp . AValkley , Scribe E ., hacl been eennected with Masonry for thirtyfour years , ancl had been in many Chapters , but had never seen one make such progress as the St . James ' s Union had done ; aud if his services had been of any service , ancl they were satisfied , he was gratified and contented . Comp . Sedgwick , Scribe N ., hoped to become more perfect in his duties , to do which he ivould make the utmost endeavours . Comp . AVatson : The remaining officers were the PSand his assist

.. - ants . AA'ithout a good P . S ., however skilful the Principals were , the cereceremony must flag . In the absence of the P . S ., from illness , he should take the opportunity of testifying to his great ability , his gentlemanlike deportment ,, and his uniform kindness . Comp . Jackson , in a very excellent speech , bore testimony to the worth of their P . S ., and returned thanks for the rest of the officers . Comp . AVatson proposed "The Masonic Press and Comp . Matthew Cooke , " for ivhich the latter briefly returned thanks . The Companions were enlivened bthe vocal abilities of

y Comps . Gurton , Piatt , Haskins , Matthew Cooke , and Claissen . Two of the troupe of the Christy ' s Minstrels , Comps . Rayner and Ford , were exalted , and , owing to their professional engagement , left immediately after , but returning at a late period of the evening , delighted the Companions by some of their characteristic songs .

PROVINCIAL CHAPTER . BinjiiNGirA . il . — Howe Chapter ( No . 857 ) . —The ordinary quarterly meeting was held on AVednesday , May 16 th , at the Masonic Rooms , in Newhall-street , when there were three candidates for exaltation , of whom only two were in attendance , Bros . Caleb Lee , P . AI ., No . 696 , and J . Turner , AV . M ., No . 006 . All the officers were in their respective chairs , CompDrHopkins ( who had for the occasion from Jersevhis

. . come up . present place of residence ) , M . E . Z . ; Comps . Hudson , H . ; Pursall " , ' J . ; il . Thompson , E . ; Ross , N . ; AVilliam Harwell , Prin . Soj . The Chapter was opened in due form soon after six o ' clock , iu the presence of a large number of the members , and the minutes of two previous meetings were read ancl confirmed . The candidates were then admitted , properly prepared , and the rites of the supreme degree were administered by the M . E . Z . according to ancient custom . At their conclusion , all ivho were not First Princi

pals were requested to retire ; a board of installed Principals was duly constituted , seven Companions who had passed the first chair being present , and Comp . Dr . Hopkins , M . E . Z ., installed Comp . Hudson as his successor . Subsequently Comp . Thomas James ably performed the usual ceremonies on the installation of Comps . Pursall and Ross in the second aud third chairs . The board of installed Principals having been closed , the Companions were readmitted ancl saluted their new chief . The M . E . Z . then invested Comps . H . Thompson , as E . ; AVilliam Barwell

, as N . ; Lloyd Foster ( by proxy , since he was unavoidably absent ) as Prin . Soj . ; and other Companions in the minor offices . The Chapter was then closed , all business having been concluded , and tin adjournment took place to an adjoining room , where two hours were agreeably spent in refreshment and social intercourse . It may be added , that on this occasion some new standards were exhibited for the first time , ancl that but trifling additions are now required to render this one of the most elegant and chaste Chapters in the provinces so far as

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regards tho furniture and fittings up , with ivhich the efficiency of the officers in their respective duties , so far as regards correctness and impressiveness , is quite in accordance . —H . H .

Colonial.

COLONIAL .

ST . JOHN'S , NEW BRUNSWICK . ON Thursday evening , April 26 th , a goodly number of the Masonic fraternity assembled in the St . John Hotel , to partake of a farewell supper with Bro . Robert Stubs ( who had been invited as a guest ) , prior to his departure for his future abode in Nova Scotia . At a few minutes past eight o ' clock , and previous to entering into the duty of demolishing the good things with which the tables literally groaned , tlie following address was presented to Bro . Stubs on behalf of the

assembled brethren , by Bro . John AA'illis , AV . AI . of Leinster Lodge . " To Robert Stubs . Esq ., Prov . Grand Master of the Royal Order of Scotland ; AV . M . of Hibernia Lodge , No . 301 , I . R . ; and Past Grand Secretary of the Prov . Grand Lodge of New Brunswick , under English registry . " AYortliy and respected Brother , —AA ' e have learned with much regret of your determination to remove from this city and province at an early dayand were we to allow to depart from our shores without the

, you manifestation of some feeling of regard , we consider that we should be justly entitled to the stigma of ingratitude , and unworthy of being the recipients of that ' badge' which when worthily worn , is more to be esteemed than any favour that could be conferred by 'king , in'ince , potentate , or any other person . ' AVe have , therefore , invited you to partake with us of this bounteous repast , ere your shadow fades from

our view . " Iu Masonic matters , from the earliest recollection ivhich any of us have of your connection with our time honoured institution , we have been led to admire the extraordinary zeal and ability which you have invariably displayed . The worthy indigent brother , the needy widow ancl the helpless orphan , will all regret your departure , ancl the prayer of many faithful hearts will ascend like burning incense to the throne of the great I AM , asking that prosperity may attend your efforts iu every situation in life .

"The exalted position which you this day occupy in the fraternity , is alone an index of your faithfulness , and the unswerving fidelity ivhich has ever marked your onward progress . AA'ith your valuable assistance , the fraternity has , in numerous instances , been fostered and encouraged , and those principles which ive all revere more widely and prominently portrayed . " That we deeply regret your departure from among us is quite apparent , ancl we feel satisfied that it will be no easy matter to find a

brother as well qualified to fill the various positions in the fraternity , for whicli , by ability aud e . iqiei'ience , you are so eminently fitted . AVe believe , too , that in whatever country or clime your lot may be cast , yon will prove au ornament to the Craft , ancl enhance the value of the opinion ivhich the brethren iu this city entertain towards you . " On the journey to the scene of your future labours , we wish you a safe and pleasant voyage , aud in your home every comfort whicli it is possible for mortal man to enjoy .

" Accept then , brother , this expression of our most sincere regard ; aud , in conclusion , wc humbly pray that the Great Geometrician of the universe will iu your future journey through life graciously guard , counsel , ancl assist you , and when life ' s pilgrimage is over , may you be safely moored in that peaceful harbour , ' where the wicked cease from troubling ancl the weary shall find rest . '

Iu response to this feeling address , Bro . Stubs made the following appropriate reply : — " My respected brethren , —It is with no ordinary feelings of gratification that I receive your fraternal address , and still my emotions upon this eventful occasion are not unmingled with those . of regret . " As the object of such an expression of your regard , emanating as it does from so large a number of Free and Accepted Masons , prominent in our Order by reason of their Masonic worth , the possession of which

must favourably mark their deportment in every walk of life , I proudly recognize the distinction as one of the greatest honours ivhich my brethren can possibly confer , yet alas ! when I take a retrospective view of my Masonic career , I am apt to arrive at the conclusion that , in many instances , ' I have left undone those things which I ought to have done , ancl clone those things which I ought not to have done , ' and I thus fear that your generous praise is hardly deserved . "Although I shall soon be debarredby reason of permanent

, my departure from New Brunswick , from the pleasure of uniting with you at our usual communications , yet this circumstance , my brethren , must not determine our Masonic relations ; their character is of too serious a nature to bo so readily severed ; and for the future I can assure you that if in any way my humble endeavours can advance your interests as men , and as brethren , depend upon it that I shall not forget the solemn

obligation . " It is to you , my respected brothers , who have fully realized that ' zeal secures reward , ' and to you ' whose labour has brought hidden records to the light ; ' and to you who have received that ' mark , ' of approval , ivhich you will carry to your graves , and filially , to you who have been raised to a sublime degree , —in a word , to all of you , my friends and brothers , after first tendering my grateful thanks for the