184 PAST AND PRESENT OF Ross." We are indebted for the foregoing account to the ready scribe, Companion John G. J. Weld .ni. The Royal Arch is the earliest known of the additional degrees. The earliest mention made of it in Scotland can be referred back to the year 1743, Sterling Rock Chapter having (at the constitution of the Supreme Grand Chapter in 1817) been able to produce satisfactory evidence of its having conferred the degrees from the 20th of July, in that year, the documentary evidence of that fact being still in possession of the Supreme Grand Chapter . The said grand chapter was erected and consecrated on the 21st of Au¬ gust, 1817, by solemn act of the representa¬ tives of thirty-four Royal Arch chapters. The Right Hon . Sir William Drummond , of Logiealmond, a member of His Majesty's Most Honorable Privy Council, was elected as the first grand principal. The system of work is similar to that of Ireland; United States and Canada , but different to that un¬ der the Supreme Grand Chapter of England . Prince Edward Chapter , No. 12, Royal Arch Masons , was organized under dispensa¬ tion on the 21 st of February, 1885. The officers were Rev. T. B. Reagh , most eminent high priest; Neil MacKelvie , eminent king, and Donald Darrach , M. D. , eminent scribe. They worked under dispensation for one year and charter was granted the 2d of June, 1886, signed by Henry Desbaret DeBlois , most eminent high priest of the Grand Chap¬ ter of Nova Scotia , Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland . This chapter is still progressing, but is suffering from emigra¬ tion. Some of its best members are mov¬ ing to other sections of Canada and the nited States. CRYPTIC RITE. A council of Royal, Select and Super- Excellent Masters was organized at Ken¬ sington, called Kensington Council, No. 11, This is an order conferred upon Royal Arch Masons only. It is intimately connected with and explains many mysteries of the Royal Arch . A council of Royal Arch and Select Masters is but a continuation of Royal Arch Masonry . In many jurisdictions it is necessary to be in possession of the degree before being admitted to the Templar orders, but not necessary in Canada . To find the date of Royal Arch and Select Masters, or cryptic Masonry , add 1,000 to the vulgar era, thus, 1906 and 1,000 are A. Dep . 2906. The officers of this council meet at the call of the thrice illustrious • master. The Select degree is the summit and perfection of the ancient-craft Masonry , and without which the history of the Royal Arch degree can hardly be said to be complete. "Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food con¬ venient for me; lest I be full, and deny thee and say, 'Who is the Lord?' or lest I be poor and steal, and take the name of my God in vain." This council was organized with, charter under the registry of the Supreme Council of the Cryptic Rite of the Maritime Provinces, and dated September 17, 1896, A. Dep . 2896. The first officers were R. MacNeill , M. D. , thrice illustrious master; Neil Mac ¬ Kelvie , right illustrious deputy master as Hiram King of Tyre; D. Darrach , M. D. , illustrious principal conductor of the work as Hiram Abiff ; W. A. Brennan , master of the exchequer; D. P. MacNutt , recorder; R. G.