Notes Of The Week.

theatre . The Press all over the Continent is hotly discussing the recent speech of the Earl of Derby in the House of Lords and the action of the British Government in allaying the very uncomfortable relations recently existing

between France and Germany . Many of these comments are favourable , but no small proportion of them exhibit a most unfriendly spirit towards this country . We can grin and bear , however , particularly as all this newspaper fuss about

us is proof that we have something to say lor ourselves . We regret we cannot as yet announce that the Pope has publicly apologised for his late very violent attack on Freemasonry . We are on the look out for one , and shall receive

it right cordially when it does come . It cannot be long before his Holiness will discover that his recent edict was a silly bull . Meantime , our respected Bro . John Bull bears himself calmly under these somewhat trying circumstances .

The Musical Committee of the Royal Masonic Festival for the Boys' School met on Wednesday , the 2 nd inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen Street . Bros . Rosenthal , H . M . Levy , Dubosc , Montague aud Webster reported that Madame Thaddcus Wells had been selected to provide the

music . The artistes selected were Miss Josephine Sherrington , Madame Poole , Mr . Henry Guy , Bro . Georgo Fox , Bro . Farquharson ; solo violin—Madame Thaddeus Wells ; Bro . Henry Parker would accompany on tbe piano . The Committee of Stewards then met , and Bro . Rucker P . G . D .

occupied the chair . Bro . F . Binckes , Secretary , read the report of the former meeting . Bro . Marsh proposed that a sum of five guineas be added to the sum of thirty-five guineas for the purpose of providing the music for the Festival . Bro . Montague then occupied the chair , and

Bro . Binckes said that the return of stewards and ladies tickets should be made by the 28 th of June , tho ballot for places to be left to the members of the Board . The chairman then exhibited a plan of the building , showing the

admirable manner accommodation could be provided for the brethren and ladies , who would be entirely separated from the general public . Bros . Bertram and Roberts had informed tho Board that they would in every respect carry out the wishes of the Board of Stewards . Bro . F . Biuckes then

said that a loiter had been received from H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., saying he was satisfied with the brethren wearing Masonic clothing , provided it was exhibited only within the precincts of the building . The M . W . G . M . had also sanctioned the change of the date to

the / th July . The annual distribution of prizes will take place on the 30 th of June , ou which occasion tho M . W . the Earl of Carnarvon will preside . The next meeting was proposed for Monday , tho 28 th Juno , at five o ' clock . Bto . H . M . Levy proposed a vote of thanks to Bro . Montague , acting vice President , which was carried unanimously .

Messrs . Feltoe and Sons , the importers of the " Special ite " Sherry , have taken possession of their new premises in Albemarle Street , opposite the Royal Institution .

The Consecration of the Chislehurst Lodge No . 153 ] , will take place on Friday , the 11 th June , atone o ' clock p . m . at the Bull Inn , Chislehnrst . Bro . John Coutts P . G . P . P . M .. 27 , P . M . 1310 , 1848 is the W . M . designate ; G . F . Guest 1275 S . W . designate , and Bro . TV . TV . Kipps 79 ,

1275 , 1310 , 1314 is the J . W . designate . The ceremony of Consecration and Installation will bo performed by the R . W . Jas . S . Eastes D . P . G . M . Kent , assisted by Bros .

Jas . Terry P . M . 228 , 1278 , 1360 , P . G . D . C . Herts , Rev . W . A . Hill P . G . C ., Rev . T . Robinson P . G . S . W ., W . Page G . J . W ., A . Spencer P . G . S . The musical arrangements will be under the direction of Bro . W . Kipps .

Bro . the Rev . Dr . Charles Gordon Gumming Dunbar , son of Sir Archibald Dunbar , of Norihfield , Bart ., and Chaplain to Bishop Ciaughlon , has been appointed Archdeacon of Grenada , in the West indies . The Archdeacon , accompanied by his family , sails for Grenada on tho 17 th of June .

The committee of tho Domat ' e Lodge , No . 177 , met on Saturday , at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet Street , for the purpose of making nnangcruents for their pummcr festival , when it was decided that it should he held at the Greyhound Hotel , Dulwi : h . Dinner to take place tit 3-30 , and ladies and non Masons , friends of the brethren-, be invited . The usual vote of thanks was accorded to the chairman .

The Great Picture Of The Installation.

THE GREAT PICTURE OF THE INSTALLATION .

Bro . E . J . HAKTV s fine sketch for the above , was exhibited in the Grand Officers' Room , at the Grand Lodge held on Wednesday evening , and received the highest commendation . A magnificent steel engraving , worthy of that historic event , is to be executed . We advise brethren

who wish to perpetuate tho fact of their presence , by their portraits in this great picture , to send their photos at once to Bro . Harty , at 9 Barnard's Inn , Holborn , or to his

agents , Spencer and Co ., Great Queen Street . The sketch is about to be submitted to the M . W . Grand Master , for His Royal Highness ' s inspection and approval . The estimated cost of its production is about £ 2 , 000 .

Railway Traffic Returns.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURNS .

The following statement shows the receipts for traffic ou the undermentioned railways for the past week , as compared with the corresponding week in 1874 : — Miles open . Receipts . Railway . 1875 1875 1874

Caledonian 737 £ 58 , 240 55 , 822 Glasgow and South Western . . 315 £ 18 , 458 17 , 711 Great Eastern .... 763 43 , 665 53 , 883 Great Northern .... 523 54 , 670 50 , 363 Great Western .... 1 , 525 105 , 667 111 , 093 Lancashire and Yorkshire . . 430 66 , 463 90 , 078

London and Brighton . . . 376 £ 44 , 764 34 , 074 London , Chatham and Dover . . 153 * 19 , 028 20 , 386 London and North Western . . 1 , 582 J 176 , 062 183 , 504 London and South Western . . 626 | 43 , 407 46 , 676 London , Tilbury and Southend . 45 3 , 294 2 , 477 Manchester and Sheffield . . 2591- 31 , 945 31 , 441

Midland 956 i 102 , 665 122 , 348 Metropolitan 8 9 , 343 9 , 205 „ „ District ... 8 5 , 421 4 , 634 „ St . John ' s Wood . . H 502 533 North British 839 44 , 239 40 , 391

North Eastern .... 1 , 393 116 , 714 117 , 191 North London .... 12 7 , 270 7 , 856 North Staffordshire Railway . . 190 8 , 924 11 , 695 Canal . . 118 1 , 619 1 , 112 South'Easteni .... 350 34 , 621 41 , 029 Tho returns of many of the above for 1874 include Whit week .

Ax EMINENT FREEMASON . —At this moment , when Freemasonry has to defend itself , it may bo new for a certain section of the clerical press to learn that their model champion , the fidus Achates of tho Cointc do Chanibord , the late Berryer , was a free and accepted Mason . Marseilles has just inaugurated a statue to this eminent man ' s memory , whom foes vie with friends to honour . In

1 S 30 , when Berryer addressed the Chambers , a deputy observed , " What talent ! " " Rather , what power ! " replied Ltoyer-Collard . Some thirty years later , on the termination of his speech in defence of Jcufosse , the President in vain demanded silence . " It . is tho talent wo applaud , " exclaimed a spectator . " Say the heart , " interrupted Berryer . Power and heart , such constituted his character .

When ho gained the famous process Dehors , tho latter , ou being liberated , accompanied by his son and daughter , brought all his savings and called to settle Berryor ' s fees . Berryer received and thanked him for tbe mocey , and requested , in return , to provide something for tho education of the children . He then counted the banknotes just handed him iu equal portions , aud begged their acceptaucc—for the boy and girl .

ARAM CHAUACTKK . —The Bedouin Arab has some fine qualities , iio has warm family affections , particularly to his mother ; he is kind to his horse , hospitable to his friends , and to strangers also , to the utmost of his power ; but , liko most who beloug to wild uomad tribes , ho is given to plunder without scruple , and even looks ou it as his right to plunder settled inhabitants of corn , etc ., and travellers of

their goods , and even of their clothes , unless they are under tho special protection of his own chief or of ono on friendly terms with his own , in which cases he is quite faithful . He is revengeful to his enemies , tyrannical to his wife , and bigoted to his religion—while at tho same time cureless of its observances ; ono of a party often been scon reciting the customary Moslem prayers at sunset , etc ., while all

the others aro chatting or attending to their camels , apparently thinking one was prosy for tho rest . Very fow can read , and thoso who can , usually possess and desire only ono book , or rather part of a book ; for their whole library often consists of a portion of the Koran , written in a large hand , in a large thin volume bound iu red leather . An Arab caves little for instruction , and is self-righteous to a degree . —Sundaii at Home .

A ft ' uit'r . E FAITH . —We do not aver that Masonry will save us from onr sins , but wo do declare it as our lirm conviction that we can bring many of our fallen race from tho ways aud vanities of the world , and present them as greatly improved iu their moral natures aud ready for the Master fcj breath upon them the spirit of His Having grace .

Dis Li Bus ' s ISIEKNAXIOSAL PLAYIJCO CAHM . —Portraits of the Royalty o £ Europe , Post free , 2 s Ud . W . W . Morgan , C 7 Barbican , London , B . C .