Our Weekly Budget.

goods trucks ; unfortunately , in consequence of a curve in the line , the obstruction was not observed until too late , and in the crash which followed five persons were killed ancl forty more or less injured . An inquest has since been

held , and a verdict of manslaughter returned against the two guards of the luggage train , who , it is stated , were O CTO O * % ' ill guilty of criminal negligence in carrying out the shunting ' operations they were engaged in . The second , which was one of the most fearful calamities of modern times ,

occurred on Tuesday , on the River Thames , at Woolwich . The Princess Alice , a large iron saloon steamer , licensed by the Board of Trade to carry 899 persons , left Sheerness for London at 4 . 15 p . m ., and called at Gravesend at 6 . 30 . She

was to stop at North Woolwich pier , ancl was in Gallion s Reach , just below it . The tide was running down , at two hours' ebb , and in rounding the point on the sonth bank ( Tripcock Trees Point ) into the reach , the course of the steamer was to husr the bank and to avoid the force of the

tide . She then headed across the river to the next point , that on the north side , called the Devil ' s House . When half-way down the reach , and in mid-stream , she was run into by a screw collier outward bound . It was then 7 . 45 p . m . The Bywell Castle , the vessel which ran the

passenger steamer down , had hauled out of dry dock at 5 . 45 p . m . that evening , and at 6 . 30 p . m . left the wet dock , in charge of Mr . Dicks , pilot , and her master , Captain Thomas Harrison , The log of the Bywell Castle gives the following particulars : — " At 7 . 45 p . m . proceeded at half speed

down Gallion's Reach . Being about the centre of the reach , observed an excursion steamer coming up Barking Reach , showing her red and masthead lights , when we ported our helm to keep over towards Tripcock Point . As the vessels neared , observed that the other steamer had ported , and

immediately afterwards saw that she had starboarded and was trying to cross our bows , showing her green light close under the port bow . Seeing collision inevitable , stopped our engines , ancl reversed full speed , when the two vessels collided , the bow of the Bywell Castle cutting into the

other steamer , which was crowded with passengers , with a dreadful crash . The excursion steamer , which turned out to be the Princess Alice , turned over and sank . " It is , unfortunately , impossible to gain any particulars from those in charge of the Princess Alice , as none of them are among

the few that were saved ; for this reason it will be all but impossible to satisfactorily prove who was to blame , should such a charge be made against the directors of either ship . The estimates of the loss of life are various , but all appear to agree that upwards of 500 lives have been sacrificed , while

various statements , apparently well founded , place the number as high as 700 . The exact number can never be found out , as no record is kept of the passengers who embark or land at the various piers . The work of recovering the dead goes on , and it is expected that bodies will be

found in various parts of the river for some time to come . Operations were speedily commenced with a view of raising the wreck , and most likely before these lines are read will have proved successful . There is a rumour that about 250 bodies are in one of the cabins , but until the work is

further advanced this cannot be confirmed . Her Majesty the Queen has , with her usual consideration , expressed her sympathy with the sufferers . As may be expected in such a calamity , the Craft will , during the next month or two , have specially brought home to them the awful consequences

of tho accident , and we hope that some notice will be taken of the matter by Grand Lodge at its next meeting . Alieady we have heard of one brother and his family being lost ; while another , with his wife , are among those saved . The early accounts of the disaster contained the information that a

Lodge of Freemasons , on hearing of the accident , at once closed their Lodge ancl rendered every assistance in their power . We hope that the action of our Woolwich brethren will be endorsed by Grand Lodge , who can materially assist , by voting a sum of money to the fund now being raised on behalf of those whose friends are missing .

After the fearful consequences of these two casualties , it is gratifying to be able to record that an accident which occurred on Wednesday evening off the Isle of Wight , and which might have added a terrible third to the week's list .

was unattended by fatal results . Oue of the Isle of Wight Company's boats , whilst returning from au excursion to Alum Bav , in the face of a strong tide , was rendered helpless by the breaking of a link of one of the rudder chains ; and as a consequence almost immediately ran aground . Fortunately , order was maintained on board , and the whole of the passengers were either landed , or taken

Our Weekly Budget.

on board another of the Company s steamers , which happened to be passing . Yet another narrow escape is recorded , from oft' the Isle of Man ; where a steamer , on which were several passengers , on Wednesday escaped being ran into by about a foot . Some damage was done to the sounding

line and other gear of the passenger boat , bat beyond a considerable fright , no serions consequences occurred to the passengers . Another week has passed , and little has to be added to

the account of the operations in Bosnia and the Herzegovina . The work of occupation by the Austrians seems to be at a standstill , the general in command appearing to think it best to await the reinforcements which have been

sent him . The Russian occupation of Batoum has been all but completed 5 the Lazis having determined to migrate , had resolved not to oppose the soldiers , and consequently the work was earned through without disturbance . The Turkish Government seem determined not to carry out

their parts of the Berlin Treaty , unless they are absolutely obliged to do so ; they now refuse to surrender the territory to which Greece is entitled . The Athens Government havo called upon the Powers to enforce the Berlin understanding , and rumours are current

that Italy is making military preparation to snpport Greece if necessary , The withdrawal of Russian troops from San Stefauo still continues , but it ia stated that fresh troops are pouring into Bulgaria . Information , both from Cyprus and the Cape , is re-assuring . At the

former place the health of the troops is said to be improving , while from the latter the civil war is considered as concluded . In fact , a day of thanksgiving has been

observed in the colony . The terrible epidemic of yellow fever is said to be greatly extending among the inhabitants of the shores of the Mississippi , and in several parts of the Union subscriptions are being raised in aid of the sufferers .

One of the new Lodges for which a Warrant has been granted is intended to perpetuate the memory of the late King of Hanover . The meetings will be held at the Town

Hall , Hounslow , during the summer months . The principal Officers designate are Bro . H . A . Dubois P . P . G . D . P . M . P . Z . W . AL , Bro . Henry Lovegrove S . W ., and Bro . George Clark J . W .

The meetings of the New Concord Lodge of Instruction will in fnfure be held at the Jolly Farmers , Southgate-road , N ., under the Preceptorship of Bro . Cusworth P . M . The winter session will be opened on Wednesday next , at 8 o ' clock .

The Vitruvian Lodge of Instruction , ISo . 87 , wilt resume it weekly meetings on Thursday , the 12 th inst ., at the White Hart , College-street , Belvedere-road , Lambeth , when it is hoped that the members will be enabled to attend , as some important matters are to be arranged ; amongst others , the question of appointing a brother to act as Preceptor .

The Falkland Memorial.

THE FALKLAND MEMORIAL .

The Brethren of the Loyal Berkshire Lodge of Hope . No . 574 . Newbury , have obtained the sanction of the E . W . the Prov . Grand Master ( SIR DANIEL Goocn , BART ., M . P . ) to organise arrangements for the attendance of the Brethren of the various Lodges in tho Provinco on the occasion of Unveiling the Memorial to LORD FALKLAND ,

which has been erected on Wash Common , the site of the first Battle of Newbury . Tho ceremony will be performed at 12 . 45 p . m . on Monday next , by the Pro Grand Master of England ( Lord Carnarvon ) . Bro . W . Biggs P . M ., Past Provincial Grand Secretary , has kindly consented to act as Director of Ceremonies .

After the Ceremony a Pablic Luncheon will be provided in the Corn Exchange , Newbury , at 2 o ' clock . The Worshipful the Mayor of Newbnry ( 0 . S . Slocock , Esq ., M . A . ) will preside , supported by Lord Carnarvon and others . Luncheon Tickets , 2 s 6 d each . The W . M . and Brethren of tho Lodge entertain the hope that aa many of the Brethren as possible will endeavour to attend , to do

honour to the Pro Graud Master . The Brethren will assemble in the Council Chamber at Half-past Eleven o ' clock precisely . The R . W . the Provincial Grand Master has graciously consented to allow the Brethren to appear in full Masonic clothing . The attendance of Brethren from neighbouring Pro « viuces is respectfully iuvited . BRO , CHARLES HOPSON , Secretary ,