Our Weekly Budget.

first , and then the Provinces in alphabetical order—then at a single glance they could tell what number of votes each province had at its disposal for all three Institutions . To

do this would certainly cost some trouble at tho outset , but we are sure Bro . Terry would have his reward in the thanks of the whole of the Masonic community , and especially of that numerous and influential section of it which hails from the

country . We make no apology for offering this suggestion , as we know Bro . Terry is well assured that what we do is for the general good , and that , as far as we are concerned , Ave would save trouble rathor than cause it . Indeed , our suggestion will , wo feel certain , diminish considerably the trouble now experienced in tracing votes .

As stated in our last week ' s report , the future meetings of the Strong Man Lodge of Instruction will be held at the Sportsman , 315 City-road . The members are likel y to find this change beneficial to the Lodge , as its new position is much more convenient than was its old . The room in

which the meetings will be held is spacious , and we doubt not that Bro . Spurgin , the proprietor , will do all in his power to make the members comfortable .

One of the characteristics of our so-called Jewish Lodges is the efforts they make to establish and maintain Benevolent Funds . We do not wish it to be thought that there is no such provision for misfortune made in other Lodges ; but the few that owe their support chiefly to Israelitish

brethren , in most cases , can boast of being far in advance of their fellows , as regards the relief they are able to give , w ichout touching current receipts , to distressed members . With the object of adding to the Fund established in connection with the Lodge of Israel , No . 1502 , which meets

at Liverpool , the members have , during the period of the Lodge ' s existence , given an Annual Ball , devoting the proceeds to the Benevolent Fund . This year ' s gathering , we arc informed , is fixed for the 12 th instant , at the Adelphi Hotel , Liverpool , where dancing will commence at nine

o ' clock . _ The Hon . Sec , Bro . H . M . Silver , 08 Crownstreet , Liverpool , will be pleased to supply tickets or any information respecting the ball . We advise the brethren ( who by special sanction may appear in Craft clothing ) in the neighbourhood of Liverpool to avail themselves of this

opportunity of spending a pleasant evening ; we are convinced , from our knowledge of the promoters and the success that has attended their previous efforts , that all

who attend will thoroughly enjoy themselves , and , in addition , they ii'ay be the means of adding to a fund which every true Mason must rejoice to see on so substantial a basis .

We have been told that the report we inserted last week of the " United Masonic Ball " was anything but correct ; at least so far as matter of detail is concerned . In it we stated that the duties of M . C . ' s were efficientl y carried

out by Bros . W . Cook and J . Callegari , and this our statement is challenged . We have consulted our reporter , and he informs us that if any but the brethren named acted as M . C . ' s it must have been in another room than that in

which the dancing took place . He further considers that no other M . C . could have found anything to do , if he had tried , and , so far as he could see , no one tried . Of course we can but believe that the statement to the contrary is correct , but at the same time we cannot account for our

reporter leading us astray , unless it be that the presence of his " sisters " must have given him more to attend to thau usual . We offer our apology to Bro . Meekham for having omitted mention of his name , aud hope he will soon give us an opportunity of testifying more fully as to his ability as M . C .

In recognition of the ability and zi > al for Masonry of tin Rev . Daniel Ace , D . D ., the Supreme Council 33 ° ha . ' recently conferred on him the thirty-first degree .

Bro . Geo . Sanger , of the Hall-by-the-Sea , Margate , has distributed gifts of 1 cwt . of coals to 400 poor people in the borough . This was in fulfilment of a promise made to the magistrates when his license was granted .

Amabel Vaughan.*

AMABEL VAUGHAN . *

[ N our issae of tho ISth ult ., wo published some extracts from Bro . Tweddell's Masonic Memoir of Emra Hoiaies , prefixed to his newbiok , "Amabel Vaughan , " givinsr , amongst other passages iu Bro . Holmes' Masonic career , his controversy with Father SufKeld , at that time a Dominican Friar , on : ! Roman Catholicism versus Freemasonry . " The learned and eloquent friar had denouuceil the

Freomasous as all that was bad , atheistic , and revolutionary ; and Bros . Tweddell and Holmes replied to his strictures iu tho columns of a leading north country paper , The South Durham and Cleveland Mercury , and in tho Freemason ' s Magazine , now defunct . Tho following letter from the llev . R . Suffield , who it appears has

since left tho Romish Church , addressed to Bro . Holmes s biographer , has been handed to us for publication , and we have great pleasure in complying with Bro . Holmes' request to introduce it to our readers as showing the remarkable conversion of a Romish emissary to tho views and principles of our beloved Order , though he has not y * 6 joined our ranks : —

Oak Hill House , Broomhill , Sheffield , 23 rd Jan nary 1879 . DEAR SIR , —The courtesy of an unknown friend has just secured me the sight of your memoir of Mr . Emra Holmes , at page 52 of the Freemason ' s Chronicle . In that article you allude to the amicably conducted controversy which arose when I , as a Dominican Friar ,

wasfouuding the Eoman Catholic cause at West Hartlepool , and in the year 1867 delivered a lectnre on Feniauism , afterwards published , in which to save thousands of innocent and peaceable Iri ? h from tho imminent danger then impending over them , in consequence of the rashness of many and tho grave faults of a few ; and endeavoured to point out that it wonld not b « fair to condemn the

moro fact of a secret society , unless we included the most influential secrot society in the world , and that just as some Freemason Lodges on tho Continent had been interwoven with revolutionary movomeuts , without thereby involving English Freemasons in persecution—so in the Fenian brotherhood , possessing an organisation and unity not quite so complete . Protestants onght not to condemn any Lodges

but those proved guilty of treason or conniving at treason , still less to suspect all those vast numbers of Irishmen who , iu reluctant obedience to their Church , kept aloof from all the secret socioties . So far , I think that my argument was just , though in my anxiety to save many deserving Irish workmen , threatened with discharge , I may have pnshed my apology too fur .

The error , which I am glad to be allowed an opportunity of withdrawing , consisted in the statements regarding the Freemasons , wherein I followed tho Papal Allocution , and , whilst obeying its commands , was deceived by its -mendacity . The Pope had on various occasions issued criminations and condemnations of the Freeniasou brotherhood , binding all Koman

Catholics , and rendering it impossible for any believing and practical Eoman Catholic to be a Freemason . In tho year 1865 , a Papal Allocution again condemned all secrot societies , specifying the Freemason and tbe Fenian ! My charges against the Freemason Society were distinctly stated by me to rest upon authority—an authority I then believed to be overruled by Providence , and to bind us all undor

para of sin . In 1870 the Papal absolution culmicated in an impious assumption which happily caused me to investigate and to discern the rotten fallacy of the basis—when I discovered th authority to be an tiuvighteons assumption over God and man . Whatever in my mind rested on that authority disappeared at once and forever . When

I was the servant of the Eoman Church , I acted consistently in warning Eoman Catholics away from the only world-wide rival of her antiquity and her extension , the only powerful organisation existing in which no practical Eoman Cutholic cau be found . When acting as a freed man and an Englishman , my earnest wish was to seek admission into a society promulgating tho very principles I hold—the wor . ship of God aud the service of man ; but the fresh start in life

necessitated by my secession , did not pecuniarily justify me in carrying out my heart's desire . I am glad that your public statemeut has now enabled me to make the reparation I have often desired . This letter is entirely at your disposal , and I should be glad if , amongst others , it were seen by Mr . Emra Holmes . And thus you will perceive that , though not a Freemason brother in fact , I am such in spirit .

Believe me , Dear Sir , Very truly yours , EOBT . EODOLPH Surf IELD G . M . Tweddell , Esq .

Fidelity Preceptory , Wo . 114 ( K . T ) . —Tho annual meeting or the instillation of the E . l ' ., was held at the Masonic Hall , Carlton Hill , Leeds , on Tuesday last , when there was a pleasant blithering of member . - * and visitors . Sir Kt . Charles L . Ma on was installed E . P ., and he appointed SirKts . W . Rowley aud W . Paley

respectively Constable and Marshal . The ceremonies were performed by E . Sir Kt . J . Marshall ( Faith , Bradford ) , assisted by the outgoing E . P . Sir Kt . Seauor . Amongst the vi-iroi-s were Sir Kts . U . Smith ( Wakefield ) , Voight ( Hull ) , T . B . Whytehead ( York ) , & c ,