Our Weekly Budget.

Highness , after Avhich the Museum and grounds were declared open . The present is usually considered to be a somewhat dull time but for Masonry , the last few days have , at all events , proved an exception to the rule . On Saturday last , the

Grand Mark Lodge of the Province of Middlesex , under the presidency of its genial choif , Colonel Francis Bnrdett , held high festival at the Greyhound , Croydon . On Wednesday , there were two considerable gatherings in the Provinces , of which full particulars aro given elsewhere , namely , the

annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Kent , in the ancient city , and under the immediate shade of the fine old Cathedral of Canterbury , tbe presiding genius being very properly Viscount Holmesdale , M . P ., the deservedly popular Grand Master of tbe Province , while

Royal Windsor witnessed a similar gathering on the part of our Berks and Bucks brethren , under the benign auspices of their equally popular chief—Sir Daniel Goocb , Bart ., M . P . Nor must we forget to add that on this same day the Stewards and their friends , among whom were

many ladies , paid their usual visit to the Boys School , Wood Green , for the purpose of taking part in the annual distribution of prizes , & c , & c . Thus , omitting all the minor events , the present has been an eventful week with the Freemasons .

The funeral of the late Charles Mathews took place on Saturday morning last , at Kensal Green Cemetery at the appointed hour of half-past eleven . There was a largo concourse of people present to witness the mournful ceremony to pay their tribute of respect to the veteran actor

• who , in his day , had so often delighted them witb his inimitable acting . The cortege left the residence of the deceased , 59 Belgrave Road at half-past ten , and consisted of a hearse and seven mourning coaches , followed

by several private carriages . The chief mourner was Mr . Charles Mathews , the late actor ' s stepson , and the theatrical profession was strongly as well as numerously represented .

The annual fete in aid of the funds of the Metropolitan and City Police Orphanage , was beld at the Crystal Palace on Wednesday . A Committee , including Superintendents "Williams , Foster , Gernon , Williamson , Eccles , Green , and Butt , had charge of the arrangements which were most

effectively carried out . As many as twelve of the divisional bauds played in different parts of tbe grounds , and among the special entertainments must be mentioned those of the Mohawk Minstrels , and the Vaudeville Company in Onr Boijs . There was also a series of athletic sports on the

cricket-ground , concluding with a Tug of War between the Metropolitan and City , in which the latter were twice pulled over the crease by their Metropolitan rivals . There was

likewise , in the evening , a grand display of the fountains and the entire system of water-works , and at dusk the Aquarium was lighted , nor did the last of the company leave till a late hour . Everything passed oft' most enjoyably .

From the rapid manner in which the various questions are being disposed of by the Congress at Berlin , it is expected that the meetings will come to a close in the course of next week . It is arranged that the greater portion of Bessarabia which -was ceded by Russia in 1856 shall be

restored to her , and that Roumania shall be recompensed with the Dobrutlscha and a part of Bulgaria , including Silistria , and extending to the Black Sea . Austria is to occupy Bosnia and Herzegovina . Antivari is conditionall y ceded to Montenegro , and it is believed that the frontiers of

Greece will be rectified favourably to that power . The question of indemnity is left undecided , but it is said that Russia has been given to understand that it will not be allowed in any way to affect the future territorial integrity of Turkey . What now remains of special interest to this

country is the question of the Asiatic frontier , and the surrender or non-surrender of Batoum , and the feeling among tbe public is very strong that this important port

should not be surrendered . However , next week we shall , no doubt , be in a position to state the result of their delibererations on this , aud , indeed , on the whole of the questions which have been discussed .

The adjourned and final meeting of the Board of Stewards for the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys was beld on Monday , the 1 st July , at Freemasons' Hall , Great Qaeen Street , Bro . Geueral . Brownrigg in the chair . The Hon , Secretary read the minutes of the former meeting ,

Our Weekly Budget.

which were confirmed . Tt was announced that H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught K . G . had approved of the arrangements that had been made . The ballot for seats took place , and a vote of thanks was accorded to tho Chairman . Among

thoso present were Bros . C . A . Cottebrune , R . B . Webster , General Brownrigg , Garrod , L . Rnf , Mctlwham , R . W . Stewart , F . Adlard , G . Allen , J . Smith , C . F . Hogard , T . Cnbitt , G . Pure , Spraeuo , Diokins , Pulman , S . Rosenthal , Winter , W . Paas , J . Tanner , H . M . Levy , & c .

The summer excursion of the William Preston Lodgo ot Instruction will take p lace on Wednesday next . Tho brethren have decided to spend the day at Bro . Jones ' s , the White Hart , Willesden , where dinner will be provided at 5 . BO p . m . We trust our friends will thoroughly enjoy themselves .

The Holiday Season may now be considered in full swing , and we may take the opportunity of directing tho attention of our readers to the arrangements made by the Great Western Railway Company for Tourists . The tickets , which are issued at the G . Western Terminus at

Paddington , as well as at the majority of the stations on tho Metropolitan , and Metropolitan District Railways , and likewise at Messrs . Cook and Sons ' , Tourist Offices , Ludgate-Circus , are very moderate in price , and aro available for any period not exceeding two mouths . The following

are the districts or circuits for which they are issued , namely : —The Dorsetshire coast , tho Somersetshire , Devonshire , and Cornwall coasts , the Channel Islands , North and South Wales circular tours , the Isle of Man , and Ireland . Routes , with full particulars as to prices , extension of time ,

steam packet tickets , _ sc , & c , are given in the programme , as well as the conditions on which the ticket-holders will travel , and thoso who may intend spending their holidays

in one of those parts of the country traversed by the Great Western , or with which it is in communication , may obtain all the information they require at Paddington , or at any of the stations or places wo have indicated .

The eighty-eighth annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island , was held ou the 20 th May , at Masons' Hall , Providence . M . W . Bro . Charles R . Cutler presided , and there was a considerable gathering of Giand Officers , present and past , as well as of representatives of

the subordinate Lodges . Among the business transacted , the Freemasons' Repository makes mention of the submission of the Annual Reports of the Grand Treasurer , Grand Secretary , aud the Standing Committees . Charters for two new Lodges were

Ireland respecting the recent Constitutional changes in the Freemasonry of France were referred to a Special Committee . A request by a Grand Lodge of New South Wales for recognition was deferred . Bro . Rev . H . W . Rugg was received as the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge

of Cuba . The result of the elections was as follows , in the case of the principal Officers at least : Bros . Chas . R . Cutler G . M ., Edward L . Freeman Dept . G . M ., Thomas Vincent G . S . Warden , Henry D . Deblois Grand J . Warden , Nelson

W . Aldnch Grand Ircasury , and Edwin Baker Grand Sec . The Grand Lodge recognized the Grand Lodge of New Mexico , but declined to do so in the case of the Grand Lodgo of Colon . The Session was of unusual length , and lasted from 10 a . m . till 5 p . m .

We note with pleasure that a Special General Meeting of the Governors and Subscribers of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution will be hold at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday next , the 10 th iust ., at the hour of 4 p . m ., for the purpose of considering the advisability of altering

Laws 19 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 and 2 G by substituting , in all cases , " guineas " for " pounds . " As our readers are aware , we have again and again advocated in these columns the propriety of this change . We havo also published several letters ou the same subject , in all of which the writers

strenuously insisted on the alteration . Indeed , there is absolutely no reason against , while there is every reason in its favour . Uniformity among our Institutions in

respect of the qualifications of their Vice-Patrons , Vice-Presidents , Life Governors , & c , if not imperatively necessary , is beyond all question most desirable , and we trust the Governors and Subscribers who will meet together on Wednesday next will see the propriety of unanimously endorsing the proposed change .