exclusion in the House of Lords, Baron Rothschild was presiding over a charity dinner at the City of London Tavern-whilst the Protestant Prelate was proscribing the sons of Israel, the Jewish Capitalist was promoting the cause of the infant orphans, the unprotected offspring of religionists of all denominations. Men of your religious persuasion shall not sit in the House of Commons, sayeth Oxford-the children of Men of your Faith shall not want food, clothing, housing, or education, sayeth Rothschild! Which of the two is the more practical follower of the doctrine taught by Jesus?-Sheffield Iris.

MARRIED, April 4, at Charlestown, U. S. Bro. Charles W. Moore, to Miss Catherine Hews, of Cambridge, U. S.

BIRTH.-July 27.-The wife of Bro. Richard James Spiers, Prov. G. Registrar, Oxfordshire, of a son.

Obituary.

"I look upon death to be as necessary to our constitutions as sleep. We shall rise refreshed in the morning."-Dr. Franklin.

The late Rev. J. PALMER, P. G. Chaplain of the Warwickshire Grand Lodge.-An exceedingly neat tablet has been erected to the memory of this reverend brother, in the church of St. Nicholas, at Alcester, of which he was so many years the beloved and respected rector. The elegance and simplicity of the tablet is striking; consisting of a slab of black marble, bearing a brass scroll, with an appropriate inscription. From its unobtrusiveness, it is fit to mark the spot where lies one

"Whose ready smiles a parent's warmth expressed;
Their welfare pleased him, and their cares distressed:
To them his heart, his love, his griefs were given,
But all his serious thoughts had rest in heaven."

June 14.-At his residence at Chelsea, aged 60, Bro. STEPHEN GARDNER, Worshipful Master of the Lodge of United Pilgrims. For forty years he was a truly zealous member of the Craft, carrying out the principles of the Order until within a few days of his departure.

At his funeral a just and faithful tribute was paid to his memory. The Lodge of United Pilgrims, assisted by many brethren of other lodges, led the mournful procession which attended the remains of their departed Master to the grave, each brother bearing the sprig of accacia.

On the 28th, the lodge, in memory of their respected and lamented Master, was placed in mourning, as well as the jewels, collars, and aprons of the members. At the banquet on that occasion, after the usual loyal and masonic toasts, the Senior Warden, Bro. Hawkins, calling on the brethren to rise, addressed them to the following effect :Brethren, when we last met, that chair was occupied by one whom it has pleased HIM who holds all things in the hollow of His hand to take from among us our much esteemed Worshipful Master. The

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shepherd has been taken from his little, but united flock-united in heart as well as in name. It is not for me, brethren, to attempt to do justice to his virtu s-they are known to all of us. Suffice it to say, that while we revered the uprightness and integrity of the Man, we admired his zeal and talents as a Mason. To those nearest and dearest to him, it must have been a ray of consolation to see his masonic brethren, in whose society he delighted, rally round his remains, and attend them to their last resting-place. And when that moment arrived which beheld the sacred branches dropped by the hands which bore them upon his coffin, while the tear bedewed the manly eye, how must the wondering by-standers mentally have exclaimed-See how that man was beloved!" Peace to his manes! There, in that hallowed spot, let them rest, until the GRAND MASTER of all shall command the Archangel to sound his gavel, when may we, brethren, all meet and be with him again in that Perfect Lodge, eternal in the heavens, where the world's Great Architect lives and reigns for ever and for ever.

"The brethren will salute the memory of our late Worshipful Master, Brother Stephen Gardner, with the usual honours, and in solemn silence."

July 4.-At his residence, 21, Blackfriars-road, æt. 53, Bro. GEORGE AARONS. He was seized with paralysis, from the effects of which he died, after a few days' illness.*

PROVINCIAL.

CROYDON. A silly wight, self-styled "Anti-Humbug," has been imposing on the editor of the " Surrey Standard,” a specious tissue of nonsense and falsehood. To refute a groundless charge, would be to give it importance, and the members of the lodge alluded to, feel they can sustain their position; and hope that the well known temperate character of their assailant may not suffer materially by the disappointment of his intended annihilation of the lodge.-Heu quantum mutatus!

MARGATE, August 21.-A Provincial Grand Lodge was held this day in the Assembly Rooms of the Royal Hotel, between two and three hundred brethren of the province and visiting friends were present. The Union Lodge had previously entertained the Provincial Grand Master and the present and past Grand Officers to a sumptuous breakfast, a la forchette. At eleven precisely the Provincial Grand Lodge assembled, Bro. L. C. Humfrey, Q. C., on the throne; the Provincial Grand Lodge was opened in due form, after which the several Grand Officers were appointed and invested.

Bro. ASHLEY, the P. D. G. M., briefly moved a vote of confidence in the M. W. G. M., the Earl of Zetland, which, being seconded, was carried unanimously. The Prov. G. Lodge was then called off, and the brethren walked in procession to the old church. The weather was, however, so very boisterous and rainy as to limit the number, and the brethren had to encounter serious inconvenience.

For a Sketch and Character, vide page 263.

The Church.-The venerable edifice was filled in all parts; the public curiosity had been raised by the publicity of the event. The Rev. Mr. Hoskins, one of the curates, read the general service in a most emphatic manner; his reverend colleague was present at the altar; these gentlemen thus giving unequivocal testimony of their appreciation of the principles of Freemasonry. The following hymn, written by Bro. L. How, composed and arranged for three voices by Bro. Osmond G. Phipps, P. G. O., was sung:

MASONIC HYMN.

Laud the Great Architect divine

Give to our God the honour due,
Who without Compass, Square, or Line,
Made all things perfect, just, and true.

(Solo Alto).

Laud the bright eastern star above,
Promptly his precepts all obey,
Truth, relief, and brotherly love,
He taught, and practised every day.

Laud the heavenly dove, whose grace
Inspires with love our hearts to sing;
From east, west, south, all human race

Should join to praise their Triune King.

After prayers, the three lesser lights were placed in front of the pulpit, from whence the Prov. G. Chaplain, the Rev. D. Jones, delivered a most admirable discourse from the prophet Micah, chap. vi. v. 8-" And what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God."-He observed, that man was a rational as well as a social being, formed by his wants and infirmities to require the aid of his fellow-men, thus evidencing the great masonic truth of natural equality and mutual dependence, by which all nature was united in one indissoluble bond of brotherhood, the purest religion of God. It was true that the mysteries of the Order were confined to its members; but the benefits were diffused over the world, as moral evidence of virtue and unity of design. Although topics of religious discussion and political controversy were inhibited, yet British Freemasons were ever loyal and true, and had it been needed would have publicly proved themselves to be so in the present state, when Europe was convulsed to its very centre. How grateful to feel the happy contrast, when peace and piety, the especial attributes of Masonry, are uninterrupted. The reverend preacher urged the brethren to consult the sacred volume, and to regulate their conduct by justice, mercy, and benevolence; and observed, that to the want of a proper construction of the direction of the Saviour-" Do unto others as you would they should do unto yourself," was attributable the cause of most of the evils of society; he exhorted them to consider the words of the text-" Walk humbly with thy God." By this, faith would be comprehended, and by being circumspect in word and action, an example would be given to others-bearing in view that he who humbleth himself shall be exalted. The devout man loved to be lowest at the footstool of the throne of grace, he saw there all things in their moral level.

In Freemasonry social distinctions were recognized, yet the equality of man as such remained pure in its system; peace of mind and peace of conscience were implied in the words of the text. The sparrow that built in the thatch of a cottage, the lily that bloomed in the garden, were typical of the goodness of the Creator. A good and virtuous man may

be humble, but he is nevertheless an example; his peace the world cannot take away, his passage to the grave was eradiated by a holy light. The Craft and Christianity were identical, in love to God and love to man.

The merits of the National School of the town, and the Masonic Benevolent Annuity Fund, were alluded to in a very forcible appeal to the benevolence of the congregation in their favour; and the P.G. Chaplain closed a very admirable sermon with a benedictory prayer.

The collection at the church-door amounted to 127. 168., which was divided between the two charities.

The weather having become favourable, the procession was greeted by the presence of a vast concourse of the popular world, who lined the streets from the church to the Royal Hotel, and the windows of every house were graced by the ladies, who appeared to take a lively interest in the occasion.

On their return to the hotel the Prov. G. Lodge was resumed. Votes of thanks were passed to the Prov. G. Master; to the Dep. Prov. G. Master; to the Rev. G. Chaplain, for his able discourse; to the Rev. Mr. Hoskins, for his services; to the Vicar, for the use of the church; and to Bro. Barrow, the W. Master, Officers, and Brethren, for their excellent arrangements and hospitality, more especially for their invitation to the ladies, and the arrangements for their entertainment and comfort. To these votes the Prov. G. Master, his Deputy, the G. Chaplain, Bros. Hunter, Hallowes, and Barrow made suitable addresses and replies. The Prov. G. Lodge was then closed.

The Banquet.-About three o'clock the brethren, to the number of one hundred and twenty, sat down to banquet. The Prov. G. Master, Bro. L. C. Humfrey, in the chair, supported on either side by the Deputy, the Grand Chaplain, Bros. Crucefix, Blake, Sanders, Isaacs, Whittaker, Gravenor, &c. &c.

The dinner, a cold collation, was as excellent as circumstances would permit; the hotel offered the advantages of rooms appropriate for the Prov. G. Lodge, the banquet, with a gallery for the ladies and a room for their refreshment; but unfortunately there was no cuisine, everything had to be prepared elsewhere-a hot dinner was out of the question. The musical department was most powerfully sustained by Bros. Genge and Sporl, and another brother whose name has escaped us.

The cloth being removed the ladies entered the gallery, and Non nobis Domine was chaunted.

The first toast was the "Queen," the daughter and niece of Freemasons, prefaced by observations in reference to the times, and concluding with a hope that although her Majesty was not the wife of a Mason, that she might become the mother of Masons-(great applause).

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The health of the "Queen Dowager" followed, with a powerful eulogium on her character as queen, the wife of a Mason-king, the fosterer of charity, and more especially of masonic benevolence—(much cheering). Prince Albert" was then given, and appropriate remarks made on his conduct as a husband, father, and perfect gentleman. The "Prince of Wales (with the hope of hailing him hereafter as a brother Mason), and the other members of the Royal Family," were included in this toast-(equal cheering).

The health of the "Earl of Zetland," the Grand Master, was then proposed, and accepted with great applause. The Chairman, in passing a warm eulogium on the Grand Master, observed that he was unsurpassed for amiability of character, love for the Craft, knowledge of its

mysteries, and determination to maintain order and discipline. The Grand Master had hereditary claims on the gratitude of the brethren, but those claims all yielded to his personal merit.

The health of the "Earl of Yarborough" D. G. M., was then proposed, accepted, and most warmly welcomed.

The PROV. DEPUTY Grand Master then proposed the health of the "Chairman," the P. G. M., and entered into some well delivered remarks on the great improvement in the masonic statistics of the province, which he could not but attribute to the fervid anxiety and zealous exertions of that distinguished brother, which imparted among the lodges under his control the healthful spirit of emulation. He regretted that his own inefficiency prevented him from doing justice to the sentiment; but those who heard him would at least give him credit for sincerity-(prolonged cheering, amid which the ladies in the gallery waved their handkerchiefs, and otherwise testified their respect for the Chairman).

The CHAIRMAN replied to the compliment at considerable length, during which he expressed himself most delighted at the reception he had met with in the province; that it was his intention to promote such brethren as gave him an earnest of their zeal for Freemasonry by performing their duty; and that he would, without favour or affection, maintain order and discipline to the utmost of his power-(cheers).

The health of the "Grand Chaplain" was then proposed by the Chairman, with thanks to him for his excellent discourse. The Chairman touched upon very many points of the sermon, and proved that he paid the most rivetted attention to the reverend preacher-(cheering).

The GRAND CHAPLAIN returned thanks for the kindness shown to him; for eighteen years he had been their Chaplain, and looked to the annual meeting as one of joy and exultation. He had carefully searched the scriptures, and found that religion had nothing of formality, much less of disquiet in it-nay, the great Author of our system declared that a cheerful spirit was essential; and he, as a minister of religion, considered that to be jocose and merry in due season, was as proper as to be grave and consistent in due season. The obligation of Freemasonry demanded the exercise of talent and ability. In society at large there was too much pride, too much distinction of caste-Freemasonry offered the cheerful contrast in its universality-(cheering).

Bro. CRUCEFIX begged to propose the health of the "Ladies"-(great cheering). It was the first time out of London that he had the opportunity of doing so in their presence; and it afforded him the greatest pleasure to acknowledge the genial influence they invariably shed over all masonic meetings they attended; and he but faintly expressed the wishes of the brethren that at all festivals the better sex should form a part of the social meeting; their presence would add to moral happiness. Some folks who were inimical to Freemasonry were continually whispering, serpent-like, into the ear of woman that there must be something wrong, if not absolutely bad, in the system, or why keep secrets from the world; but he had some experience of the sweet character of womanknew she was far superior to man in natural kindness; and that so far from questioning the propriety of his secret, she would not desire its betrayal, knowing that a man who could violate his obligation to his brother, would not be true to herself—(great cheering). Woman had her duties, her responsibilities-home, sweet home, was her spherethere, with her husband and children, she exercised the loving and affectionate benevolence of her heart, and made him happy whom she had