Colonial.

The Convention then adjourned till such time as arrangements had been perfected for the installation of the Grand Officers . The Convention of Royal Arch Masons reassembled on the 2 nd day of April , 1 S 57 , at the Masonic Hall , Hamilton , and resumed its sitting at 8 p . m . The Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Canada was then proclaimed by the Grand Marshal duly installed , with the usual grand honours . The M . E . Comp . Czar Jones delivered an address to the assembled Companions .

The Grand Chapter expressed their thanks to Most Excellent Companion for his kindness and the able manner in which he had conducted the ceremonies . The Grand Chapter was closed in ample form with solemn prayer . THOS . B . HARRIS , Grand Scribee , E . { The following Letter has-been addressed by the P . 67 . M . of Canada

East to the P . G . S ., enclosing a Copy of the communication of the M . W . the . G . M . ] " Quebec , 3 rd April , 1857 . " My dear Grand Secretary , —The accompanying document reached me by this evening ' s mail , and its importance is so great that I hasten to transmit it to you for communication to the Lodges in the District . It is gratifying to perceive that tho M . W . Grand . Master is actuated by every proper Masonic feeling consistent with the high position and

responsibilities of his office ; but , at the same time , is prompted by a very considerate and proper feeling in connection and intercourse with his Canadian brethren , exemplified in the determination expressed in his address to Grand Lodge on the 4 th ultimo . With the solitary exception of consenting to the appointment of an Independent Grand Master for the Province , in which , of course , was involved that of the appointment of subordinate Provincial Grand Lodges and Masters , the Grand Master appears to have conceded , and will sanction the concession to the Canadian Masons of every point

which has been claimed . The present district will be broken up , and smaller and more convenient ones formed , whereby every Lodge will have its own local and near Grand Lodge . " The Provincial Grand Master of each of these will , of course , be selected by themselves , and , doubtless , it may be assumed , always approved .

"Ihe fees of every kind will be reduced to 7 s . 6 d „ a mere nominal sum for the enregistratiou of Canadian Brethren among the Brotherhood of English Masons , with all present and existing advantages of the connection , notwithstanding the reduction or abnegation of fees . " And Provincial Lodge Warrants will be granted by the Provincial Grand Masters . It is possible that , for these , a return of their number may be desired to be made known , either annually or semiannually . " In all this , the desire of the Grand Master to maintain the unity

and close coimecfron of English Masons with each other , and their great and venerable Mother Lodge , is manifest and gratifying , and cannot fail to be appreciated , whilst his action , with respect to certificates , is a satisfactoiy announcement that delay will no longer exist with respect to them . I have only to add that immediate attention will be given to representations from the Province . " The accompanying document has reference , in terms , to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Canada West ; but it embodies suggestions of main importance made by myself , principally on the subdivision of

the existing Districts and the issuing of Warrants ; and it may be assumed therefore as applying to the Lodges in Canada generally . " Under these circumstances , and in view not only of the necessity for prompt action upon the subject matter of the document itself , but , so far as I am personally concerned , of my early withdrawal from my present office , it is my wish that you would cause the document and the communication to be generally printed and circulated for full information of the Lodges under my jurisdiction as well as of all English Masons ; so that , at the next meeting of the Grand Lodge for

this District , the Lodges and their representatives , and the members of the Grand Lodge , may come prepared with some definite plan or mode for meeting tho Grand Master ' s suggestions , and for the immediate nomination of Provincial Grand Masters for the new Districts . I have taken upon myself to state my wish in respect of these nominations , because it is my persuasion that the recommended subdivisions , if approved in P . G . Lodge as well as the nominations , will meet with the immediate concurrence of tho Grand Master . The District Lodges will be in a more independent and social connection with each other , and much delay and annoyance will be thus avoided . My suggestion cannot but recommend itself to all the well-wishers of the craft who desire to maintain English connection , and , at once , not

only relieve themselves from present difficulties , but tend , it is to be hoped , to renewed fraternal feeling , even among those who have estranged themselves from us . " It is not the least agreeable part of my duty to know that no hasty or imprudent action has been taken , either by myself or the Grand Lodge , under the unpleasant differences which have existed for nearly two years past . Forbearance has been reproached to me on one side , whilst not a little taunting has been thrown out on the other . The time has come , however , when it is seen that impatience

and excitement would have been premature and culpable , and when , it is to be hoped , a general good feeling may prevail . " I have been compelled to allude to myself and my early resignation of office , which I have only retained to this time , with the view and in the hope of being entrusted with the announcement of some such measures as those submitted . The constant occupation in other duties reminds me that my office should he filled by some one , not more zealous or more anxious for the interests of the Craft , but who will have more time and better talents to apply to the performance

of its duties . After upwards of thirty years , I may sa 3 , constantly and actively connected with the Institution , I may think myself entitled to withdraw from the burden and heat of the day ; and it will , therefore , be my purpose to announce to the Provincial Grand Lodge , at its next meeting , that my letter of resignation will accompany the report of its proceedings , to the Grand Master in England . " It is my desire , therefore , earnestly and forcibly to impress upon the Lodges the propriety of attending the next meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge , fully prepared to make the necessary

representations to the M . W . the Grand Master . " I have the honor to be , V . W . Sir and Brother , " Yours fraternally , " ( Signecl , ) W . BADGLEY , P . G . M ., " Of Montreal and William Henry . " To the V . W . Bro . J . 0 . MOFFATT , " Provincial Grand Secretary . ( A true Copy . ) " OGILVY MOFFATT , P . G . Sec . "

" Provincial Grand Lodge , District of Montreal aud William Henry . " Montreal , 9 th , April , 1857 . "V . W . and dear Sir and Brother , —By command of the R . W . the Provincial Grand Master of this district , I have the honour of transmitting copy of a statement made by the M . W . the Grand Master of England , the Earl of Zetland , to tho United Grand Lodge , at the Quarterly Communicationheld in Londonon the 4 th March last

, , , with reference to the present position of Masonic affairs in Canada , and to it , as well as to the letter from the R . W . the Provincial Grand Master of the District accompanying the same , I have to request your particular and earnest attention and consideration . " I have the honor to be , dear Sir and Brother , " Yours truly and fraternally , "OGILVY MOFFATT . P . G . Sec . "

GRAND LODGE OF VIRGINIA . [ From the Masonic Journal ] For nearly three months we have had a copy of the proceedings of this Grand Lodge on our table , waiting its chance for a notice m our columns . The Grand Master , in his address , calls attention to the very loose manner in which candidates for advancement are examined as to proficiencyand regrets that so important a point should be " the

, m erest matter of form " in many Lodges . He condemns the practice of conferring the degrees upon more than one candidate at the same time , particularly " the first sections of them . Ho closes by urging the utmost caution in the admission of new members . Ho says : — " Permit me to admonish you to guard well the avenues to tho Temple . In tho height of our prosperity and usefulnessthe

ves-, tibules to our halls will be crowded with those who are anxious to bow at our altars . It is important then , that we scrutinize well the character of the applicants . Admit none but the intelligent and worthy . Be not rash in rejecting , but be cautious in receiving . Do not increase your members at the expeuse of the respectability of your Lodges . Sacrifice nothing that belongs to Masonry for the sake of