Our Weekly Budget.

wero to be sent to each Lodgo . Ho trusted every member would give at least Is , many would give more , some . 61 , others , liko the P . G . M ., £ 5 annually , and then tho fund would enable tlu-m to dispense real and substantial relief to all deserving cases . Tho R . W . M . said the case was deserving of their serious consideration , bnt as it

was getting late , they had better defer it , especially as tho deputation had now concluded their labours . The Lodge would be only honoring themselves by asking them to take a little refreshment . The Lodge was thon called off , and a pleasant hour spent in harmony with the brethren .

Provincial Grand Chapter of Lanarkshire . —This Chapter held its Quarterly Communication in St . Mark's Hall , Glasgow , ou 25 th May , the Prov . G . Supt ., F . A . Barrow , presiding , assisted by Comps . W . H . Smith P . G . IL , J . Michell P . G . J ., James Balfour P . G . Scribo E ., G . W . Wheeler P . G . S . N ., T . W . Campbell P . G . P . S ., D . M . Lamb P . G . 2 nd S ., George McDonald P . G . 3 rd S ., and J . Duthie

P . G . S . of W . Tho Scribe E . reported the result of tho P . G . C . visitations to tho various Chapters iu the Province . Comp . Barrow P . G . Superintendent expressed the pleasure he felt in finding all the Chapters iu a better position than at tho former visitation , and expressed a hope that the Comps . would not slacken their efforts to maintain the dignity of tho Order throughout tho

Province . Comps . W . H . Smith and J . Mitchell , both ot whom wero unable to be present at the annual meeting , wero then initiated into their chairs as P . G . H . and P . G . J . Comp . Muir Z . of Chapter 117 wished to know if it was constitutional to work a Lodge of Mark Masters as a separate degree under the Charter of a Craft Lodge . The Superintendent held that it was not , though iu Scotland a Craft

Lodgo had the power of conferring the Mark degree on Master Masons . The P . G . Scribe read the correspondence between himself aud tho Grand Scribe E . on this subject , also a communication from tho Craft Grand Secretary ; and from the replies of both theso brethren he held it was unconstitutional for any Royal Arch Mason to take

part in working such separate degree . Eventually tho P . G . S . E . was Instructed to communicate with the Comps . referred to , aud also to write to the First Principals of their Chapter , calling their attention to the facts of tho case , so that their position may be definitely understood .

Phoenix Chapter , Port Royal , Jamaica , No . 914 , Prov . ! No . 6 . —The installation of officers of tho above Chapter took place at the Phcenix Hall , Port Koyal , on 12 th April , when the following officers wero installed by tho M . E . Z . 's G . J . de Cordova , Altamont de Cordova and E . Langley P . P . Z .: —M . E . Comps . Osmond Delgado sen . P . Z ., David Earned P . H ., Osmond Delgado jun . P . J .

Tho following officers wore invested : —Comps . W . J . Lovesy ltutherford S . E ., W . Dey Smedmoro S . N ., L . Cole Hollar P . S ., It . Thompson Treasurer , G . P . Myers and J . B . Allen Assist . Sojourners , F . W . Hollar Janitor . Two candidates were duly exalted by the newly installed officers . After the Chapter was duly closed , tho brethren

retired to a banquet , whore the usual Masonic toasts wero proposed and heartily responded to . This Chapter is now twelve months old , and about thirty brethreu have beeu exalted . This Chapter being intended for the use of the . Navy and Army , tho fees havo been reduced , so that thoso who belong to the Navy and Army will avail themselves of this opportunity .

Bro . L . C . Hollar was elected Master , on lOth April 1877 , of tho Phceuix Lodge , Port Eoyal . This brother has served tho Lodgo iu capacity of Secretary for three years , and one year as Senior Warden . The installation will take place about 2-lth May . Bro . It . Thompson has been elected for the fourth time as Treasurer . The installation

of officers of the Koyal Lodgo took place at tho Friendly Hall , on 7 th May , when the following officers were duly installed : —Wor . "W . Andrews jun . Master ( secoud time ) , A . E . Burke I . P . M ., Bros . G . Sargeaut Senior Warden , Thorwcll Secretary , G . Campbell Treasurer ( second timo ) , J . Duff Senior Deacon , J . liomney Jnuior Deacon , G . Gamin , Inner Guard , Simpson and Jackson Stewards , G . Magnus

Tyler . The following Past Masters wore present , aud assisted in the ceremony : —Wor . E . Langley , A . E . Burke , Taylor , Davis , Andrews , and Dias , the installing and retiring Master being Wor . A . E . Burke . After the ceremony of installation had been closed , tho brethren retired to a banquet , when the nsual Loyal aud Masonic toasts

were proposed and heartily responded to . The Royal Lodge is tho oldest in tho island , being nearly 100 years . During the past year , under the mastership of Wor . A . E . Burke , tho finances of the Lodge have been more than it has been for the past six years . The Friendly Booms will shortly be completed as regards extension and repairs , and the building will then bo able to bo called a Masonic Hall .

Salisbury Lodge of Instruction , SHO . 435 . —This Lodge held its weekly meeting on Thursday , the cllst of May , at the Union Tavern , A ' ' r-streot W . Present—Bros . G . Davis W . M ., E . Farwig S . W ., F . J . Wray J . W ., T . Cull Sec . and acting Past Master , Purl " house S . D ., J . II . Watts J . D ., Ward 1 M ., and a large number of brethren . The Lodge was opened , and the minutes of the last

meeting read and confirmed . Lodgo opened in second and third degrees , and resumed to the first , when tho Fifteen Sections were worked by the following brethren : —First Lecture : Bros . W . Corner , — Elborn . T . Cull , C . A . Woods , D . M . Dclfrage , J . Bentley , J . H . Watts . Second Lecture : Bros . Sparrow , . F . J , Wnvv , E . Farwig , A . Stewart , R . J . Smith . Third Lecture : Bros . A . C . Burreli , W . J . Cul ' . ens , J . Davis .

Several brethren were elected joining members . A vote of thank ; and honorary membership was accorded to the W . M . ( Bro . G . Davis ) , who Lad so uhiy woiked the suctions , and in proposing the vote , Bro . Cull took occasion to remark upon the gieat proficiency exhibited by the W . M ., seeing that he was not two years a Master Mason . The VV . 3 I ,, in acknowledging the compliment , paid a deserved tribute of

Our Weekly Budget.

thanks to the excellent Preceptor , Bro . J . Mander , who had been indefatk'ablw in his tuition . The W . M . proposed a vote of thanks to tho fifteen brethren who had so ably seconded his efforts . Bro . Farwig S . W . having responded , tho Lodgo was closed , and adjourned to Thursday next at the honr of 8 p . m .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Cor . respondents . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications . A'l Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith .

INCREASE IN THE CRAFT .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CUKOXICLE . DEAR Sia A . ND BROTHER , —The agenda paper for tho meeting of Grand Lodge , to bo held next week , gives a list of no loss than 25 now Lodges which havo been warranted during the past three months . Such an accession to the roll of tho Grand Lodgo of Bug . land is , I believe , unprecedented , and shows a marked increase ou most of tho returns mado during the past two years . Theso , from Grand Lodgo papers I have before me , were as follow : —

Isow Lodgea . Home . Abroad . September 1 S 75 ... 12 8 4 December „ ... 17 13 4 March 1876 ... 18 14 4 Juno „ ... 22 19 3 Sept . „ ... 19 18 1 Dec . „ ... 13 8 5 March 1877 ... 16 8 8 June „ ... 25 10 6 142 107 35 I question much whether this great accession to the number of our Lodges is productive of good to the Order at large . I tear many Lodges are established solely for the sake of getting ci ^ rain aspiring

brethren through the chair , and I sincerely hope that no evil effects will follow . Feeling this is a matter that might be discussed with advantage , I am induced to trouble yon with these few lines . Yours fraternally , ONE OF THE OLD SCHOOL .

HI . N ' TS TO BATHERS . —There is a littlo difficulty , either in town or country , in obtaining access to tho water . Wo believe all our largo towns are now supplied with swimming baths , in which it is preferable that tho beginner should practise , rather than that ho should seek an open stream for the purpose . The baths aie usually attended by experienced persons , from whom lessons may be obtained if

desired , or whoso help may bo useful iu an emergency ; and at such places tho learner may also gain kindly hints and assistance from others who have recently experienced , and are ready to sympathise with his difficulties . But if tho beginner is the denizen of a rural locality which is destitute of such an advantage , he should exercise care in tho selection of a spot in which to practise . Let him , iu the

first place , choose a stream , the bottom of which slopes gradually from the bank , and ascertain its precise depth at various distances . Let him bo very careful to select a placo which is free from weeds , either attached to the bottom and scarcely seen from the bauk , or floating freely on tho surface . A clear stream , with a gravelly or sandy bottom , is by far the best . One with a muddy or rough and

stony bottom should be avoided ; and especially keep clear of water the bed of which is full of deep and sudden holes . Bathing on the sea-shore cau only be practised with safety when the beach is shelving , and its general features , as to freedom from rocks , etc ., are well known . Tho novice should select still weather only for the purpose , or the sudden comiug iu of a wave may take him off his legs

and carry him helplessly out to sea . A terrible calamity occurred a few years ago in this way , seven youths out of eight who were bathing on the Hampshire Coast being swept away and drowned . The best time for practising is in the morning , an hour or two after sunrise ; but bathing or swimming on an empty stomach is nob advisable . A crust of bread , with the addition of a cup of coffee , if

practicable , is all , however , that will bo necosary . Bathing either shortly before or after a full meal is injurious , but the latter especially so . Take a brisk walk before you enter the water , that the body may bo in a glow when you step in ; then strip as quickly aa possible , aud take your plunge while the blood is still coursing freely through

tho vuius . When yon havo learnt to swim , yon will be able to enter by diving ; but until you have , you must walk into tho water , and in this latter case you should dip tho upper part of the body in and out again , otherwise tho blood wiil be driven too much to the head . —From Swimming , in Cassell ' s Popular Educator for June ,

HoLLO ' . vAY ' a OiirntF . iri A > PILLS . —In all outward complaints a dospoixto effort should bo made to at onoe remove theso annoying inhrmitios , and of establishing a cure . Tho remarkable remedies discovered by 1 'rofessor Holloway will snti :-.- ictorily accomplish this desirable result , without any of thoao dangers r drawbacks which attended the old method of treating ulcerative iiitianimuLiou ulcus

. s , sevo . atleetions , and scorbutic annoyances . The most timid invalids may use both tho Ointment and Pills with tho utmost safety with certain success , provided a moderate atteution be bestowed ontheiraccompanr' ug /' Directions . " Both the preparations soothe , heal , and purify . The one assists the other most materially in effecting cures and renewing strength by helping exhausted nature just when eoo needi such succour .