The D. P: G. M. observed on the law relating to by-laws, and other matters of importance, and that no P. G. Officer would be selected from lodges in arrear. That the Grand Secretary could not find time to attend to the interests of the province of West Yorkshire.

Certain alterations and additions were made to the P. G. L. by-laws; certain brethren were relieved, as also one widow; Prov. Grand Officers for the year were appointed; Bro. W. Beckwith was unanimously elected P. G. Treasurer. A balance of 4781. Os. 6d. remained in the banker's hand, notwithstanding 140%. had been distributed during the year in charitable purposes.

The next Prov. Grand Lodge will be held at the Masonic Hall, Bradford, on the 5th day of July next.

LIVERPOOL, May 17.-The Annual Grand Lodge of the Western Division of Lancashire, was held at the Adelphi Hotel, pursuant to announcement. The R. W. D. G. Master for the province, Bro. John Drinkwater presided, and matters of much interest to the Craft were discussed. There were nearly a hundred of the brethren present. The banquet was attended by about eighty, and a very pleasant evening was spent under the auspices of the Deputy Grand Master.

MANCHESTER. We understand that arrangements are making to erect a Freemasons' Hall in this city, capable of accommodating all the brethren in the county."

NEWCASTLE, May 1.-The brethren of the Northern Counties Lodge, No. 586, met at their lodge-room, Bell's-court, Newgate-street, in this town, to choose their officers for the ensuing twelvemonths. The brethren afterwards dined at the Crown and Thistle Inn, and spent the evening in that harmonious spirit which so much characterizes the meetings of this ancient and loyal Craft.

CARMARTHEN.-St. Peter's Lodge. The members of this lodge and the brethren throughout this part of the principality begin to display some uneasiness about their provincial meetings, not one having been convened for many years.

It is an acknowledged fact, that in those provinces where the Grand Lodge is regularly summoned, the interests of Freemasonry are consulted, and its principles promulgated; and, as in most societies, the members are prone to imitate those whom Providence has placed in superior stations, so also in Masonry, the calling together the officers of the Grand Prov. Lodge, necessarily bring masters and workmen together for settlement of affairs and a little rational hilarity. The indefatigable exertions of Bro. Lea Wilson, P.G., preserved the lodge of Surrey in good order and trim; and the same may now be said of Bro. Dr. Bell Fletcher, of Birmingham, whose heart and soul appear in the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Warwickshire.

Bro. Ribbans continues his exertions in this lodge, and we hope soon to record the proceedings of a goodly gathering of the provincial officers of South Wales, when the Aged Masons' Asylum in particular will be sure to come under the attention of the brethren.

N

SCOTLAND.

We have received two or three rather curt letters on the question of the recent permission to the Provincial District Grand Masters to shorten the period of probation between the degrees; and our correspondents pretty warmly, and not altogether without reason, are of opinion that not to have meddled would have been more high-minded on the part of the Grand Lodge of England-to share the few fees was hardly worth while. "Some of our Grand Lodge folk here," says a correspondent, "opine that they have cause for offence at the hands of the Grand Lodge of England, in permitting too much freedom of speech on the part of one of its members, and they have managed to get up a little puddle of a storm; how the matter will end is to be shown." But at any rate we have the appearance of existence: as a set-off to our general apathy, we have had the masonic lion, Dr. Wolff, exalted as a R. A. M., and the new Book of Constitutions is nearly ready for publication; it really may be truly called 'illuminated.' Among the engravings is a likeness of St. Clair of Rosslyn, and we understand that a portrait of the Duke of Athole will embellish the work."

EDINBURGH, March 21.-Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Scotland.-The annual general meeting of the Supreme Chapter was held, when the following noblemen and gentlemen were unanimously chosen as office-bearers for the year 1848-9, viz. :-His Grace the Duke of Athole, First Grand Principal Z.; the Earl of Dalhousie, Past Grand Principal; George Arnot Walker Arnot, LL.D., Depute-Grand Principal; Colonel Swinburne, Past Depute; John White Melville, of Bennochy and Strathkinnes, Second Grand Principal H.; William Burn Callander, of Preston Hall, Third Grand Principal I.; Morris Leon, Grand Scribe E.; David Clarke, Grand Scribe N.; Hector Gavin, Grand Treasurer; Thomas Boog, Grand Recorder; James Graham, of Leichtoun, Grand Chancellor; Dr. W. D. M'Ritchie, First G. S.; Hugh James Rollo, W. S., Second G. S.: Robert Ramage, Third G. S.; with other minor officials. After the election, the Most Excellent Grand Principals, Office-bearers, and Companions, sat down to dinner to celebrate the anniversary of the festival of the Vernal Equinox-the M. E. D. G. P. Dr. Walker Arnot, of Arlary, in the chair, and Dr. W. D. Macritchie, croupier. The evening was spent in the most happy and harmonious manner. The roll of the Grand Chapter has been published and circulated.

May 24.-A special meeting of the Edinburgh Royal Arch Chapter, No. 1, was held (pursuant to a unanimous vote of the Chapter), to confer the degree on the Rev. Joseph Wolff, D.D., LL.D. There was a numerous assembly of the companions, and the ceremony, performed by Comp. Hector Gavin, was exceedingly impressive. In delivering Dr. Wolff his diploma, the First Principal said, the companions felt proud of having it in their power to testify the high respect and honour they

consider due to him for his courage and philanthropy in the great cause of humanity evinced in his journey to Bokhara in the years 1843-5, to ascertain the fate of Colonel Stoddart and Captain Conolly-which feeling, he believed, universally prevailed in the masonic world.

Royal Arch masonry progresses, and infinite care is taken in the ceremonial, the members are well instructed in the mysteries, and are regular in their attendance.

GLASGOW, May 9.-The annual election of office-bearers of the Glasgow Thistle and Rose Lodge took place, when the following brethren were duly elected to their respective offices, viz. :-James Leslie, R. W. Master; John Crawford, Past Master; Hugh Orr, DeputeMaster; James Glen, Senior Warden; Alexander Bain, Junior Warden; David M'Cance, Treasurer; James Sloane, Secretary; Alex. Beattie, Edinburgh Proxy Master. After the election the evening was spent in an agreeable and harmonious manner, very much to the honour of the Craft, and to the general satisfaction of those present.

BALLATER, March 28.-The members of St. Nathalan's Lodge of Freemasons, anxious to express their sense of the unremitting and zealous attention which Bro. Alexander Mitchell, late R. W. DeputeMaster, has paid to the interest of the lodge, resolved to give him some substantial mark of their esteem and regard, previous to his leaving this country for America. The brethren, accordingly, met in the Monaltrie Arms' Inn on the 27th, when Bro. W. Paterson, the R. W. DeputeMaster, in a neat and suitable speech, in the name of the brethren, presented Bro. Mitchell with an elegant silver snuff-box, and a dozen of silver spoons. Bro. Mitchell replied in an eloquent and appropriate speech. Bro. Mitchell's health was then drunk in true masonic style; and many other masonic and other appropriate toasts were volunteered in rapid succession, and the evening was spent with the greatest harmony and conviviality.

IRELAND.

The Free and Accepted Masons of Ireland appear to be the sole institution in that country uninfluenced by the sad destiny affecting the community there, and all good men seem to seek refuge in the temples of peace from the endless din of angry turmoil which distracts society abroad, and happily there exists amongst the Craft a lively and laudable emulation to advance the principles and ceremonials of the Order with strict fidelity, and to promote the hearty hospitality for which Irish Masons have ever been justly accredited.

DUBLIN, April 27.-The annual Easter Convocation of Prince Masons was held at the Freemasons' Hall, Dublin, on Wednesday the 26th inst., his Grace the Duke of Leinster, 33rd degree, the Most Illustrious Supreme Head of the Irish Order presiding, and Lord Viscount Suirdale, Acting Senior Grand Warden. There was a large attendance of Masons

of the highest distinction and standing. The report of the VicePresident of the Supreme Grand Council of Rites, Bro. Norman, afforded considerable satisfaction, and never did the benign spirit of Masonry diffuse a halo of more pure affection and harmony on any meeting.

May 12.-The Illustrious College of Philosophical Masons assembled, when Bros. W. H. Roe, Thos. Mostyn, and M. Furnell, 33rd degree, were duly installed officers for the year. The state of the college, and of all other branches of the masonic constitution of Ireland, was a pleasing source of congratulation, and the illustrious brethren of this exalted grade enjoyed their reunion with unaffected cordiality.

TIPPERARY, June 6.-A brilliant reunion of Free and Accepted Masons took place in this town, convoked by the Illustrious brother, M. Furnell, Prov, Grand Master of North Munster, for the purpose of consecrating a new lodge, to be called "The Clanwilliam Lodge," No. 55, The attendance was numerous, including members of the Grand Master's Lodge of Dublin, amongst whom were the distinguished brother Sir J. Macneill, and the Secretary Bro. Wallace; brethren from Cork, headed by their inestimable Deputy Prov. Grand Master, Edward D. Freeman, Sir Michael Creagh, Bros. Bruce, Harrison, &c.; also many eminent brothers of Nos. 13, 44, and 333. The consecration was solemnly performed. according to ancient usage, by the Prov. Grand Chaplain, Bro. W. E. Massy, the Prov. Grand Master, the Deputy Prov. Grand Master of North Munster, and the Deputy Prov. Grand Master of Munster, and a full procession of the Order. The new officers were then installed, and a large ballot took place. The brethren adjourned at seven o'clock to a magnificent banquet, and passed the evening in that happy state of philanthropic and kindly feeling, which Masons alone experience. We cannot help congratulating our friends at Tipperary in having, at length, a temple erected amongst them, within the tranquil walls of which all political and religious differences and allusions are strictly prohibited, where men of all creeds and parties can meet on the square.

LONDONDERRY.-The following circular will best speak for itself, and most sincerely do we hope that the appeal of our noble-hearted brother may be responded to in such a manner as to leave him free from responsibility:

DEAR SIR AND BROTHER,-In consequence of the pressing nature of the case, I am induced, as a last effort, to lay before you a statement of the circumstances of the Masonic Hall in this city, in the hope that something may be done for its rescue from the fate which is now otherwise inevitable, and which, if not immediately averted, will not only be discreditable, but deeply injurious to our fraternal institution. The sum of 1,054l. 8s. 8d. has been expended on the building. Of this sum 7767. 12s. has been paid as follows:

Borrowed on mortgage
Subscriptions

Loan from Sir James Stewart
Advanced by A. Grant

Loan from Brother W. Wight

leaving a debt, for which I am individually responsible, of 2771. 16s. 8d., exclusive of the sum advanced by Sir James Stewart, Bro. Wight, and myself. These would not be pressed for, but the 2777. 168. 8d. must

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FF

either be paid, or the building given in satisfaction of the pecuniary claims on it; and, of course, what comes short of these claims, the creditors will look to me for, and no consideration allowed for my pecuniary outlay, the vast anxiety, time, trouble, and attention I have given to the undertaking for a period of nearly three years. About 450%. would satisfy pressing claims, and finish the building. Of the success of the undertaking no doubt can be entertained; two or three years would clear off all liabilities, and leave the whole establishment for the benefit of Masonry. This most desirable end I propose to effect by means of loans or donations, from the brethren and friends of the institution, at the option of the individual-if a loan priority of receipt would entitle a priority of payment-and each lender would receive a certificate constituting him a creditor to the extent of his advance.

Under the foregoing circumstances, may I earnestly entreat your assistance, to save the Hall from its threatened alienation from the purposes of our noble and hallowed institution, as well as to avert ruinous consequences from Your faithful Brother,

Derry, Feb. 22, 1848.

ALEXANDER GRANT.

Presentation of a Masonic Testimonial to Bro. John Bartkowski.— April 15.-The Members of Lodge 69, held in this city, presented, at a convocation of their Royal Arch Chapter, a splendid jewel of that degree to Bro. Bartowski, as a mark of their esteem and approbation of his conduct while amongst them, as a man and a Mason. The jewel bears the following inscription:

"Presented to the Right Worshipful Bro. John Bartowski, Senior Grand Warden of Derry and Donegal, by the members of Lodge 'Light of the North,' No. 69, held in Londonderry, as a token of their esteem and unalterable masonic regard.

'April 15th, A.D. 1848, A.L., 5848."

In order that this just and deserved acknowledgment to a beloved and deserving brother might be participated in by every member of his lodge, it was determined to entertain him at dinner on that day. The brethren met accordingly at seven o'clock in the Corporation Hall, and twenty-four sat down to dinner, the Master of the lodge in the chair, the excellent Chaplain of the lodge occupying the vice-chair; and, in order to give additional eclat to the entertainment, the brethren were in full masonic costume, Bro. Bartowski sat on the right of the chair.

On the removal of the cloth, the Queen's health was drank with every mark of loyalty and respect; after which the Chairman rose and addressed the brethren on the occasion in a very lucid speech, that rivetted the attention of the company. The toast was drunk with the most rapturous enthusiasm, which lasted for several minutes.

Bro. BARTKOWSKI rose, under evident feelings of emotion, and said, My dear brethren, poetic fancy has pictured to the mind green sunny isles and shady retreats. Could I venture on the metaphor, your past kindness, as well as the recollection of the present hour, will always be a green spot on my memory, such as poetry has so beautifully pourtrayed. It will be to me as the rose in the wilderness, the spring to the fainting traveller in the desert, the refuge from the storm, or the long-looked for resting-place to the weary. Memory, often called busy, meddling memory, can never bring the retrospect of the present hour too frequently to my recollection. I came amongst you a stranger; I leave you with feelings of poignant regret. Gratitude, in its most exalted acceptation, fills my heart. I am but a vidette and