Our Weekly Budget.

of Africa to European commerce will be easy of accomplishment , but he offers no opinion whatever on the political difficulties that may present themselves . It was further

stated that the young traveller had taken a very large number of valuable observations , and that what he had thus far accomplished would prove of incalculable value in any future exploration that might be undertaken .

There is an uneasy feeling abroad as to the present aspect of the Eastern Question . It is said that Austria is about to intervene in connection with the , as yet , unsuppressed insurrection in the Herzegovina and Bosnia . Montenegro is said to be arming , and matters in Servia

have taken a decidedly warlike turn . Russia and Germany , it is believed , support Austria , but tlie contemplated action of the other great powers is not yet known for certain . In France there has been a threatened Ministerial Crisis , but for the moment the difficulties are said to have

been smoothed over , and a manifesto has been issued by the President . Then there seem to be some difficulties looming , in the near future between Austria and Hungary , tho dual government of tho Empire-Kingdom not being conducted , as was hoped , to the mutual

satisfaction of the two countries . According to the latest news from the revolted Turkish provinces , the Turks have inflicted more than one severe defeat on the insurgents , and have reached Trebinje , which it was the object of the

latter to prevent . The Italian Government has been prorogued ; the elections for the new Cortes in Spain are imminent . Don Carlos is said to have applied to his Legitimist friends and relatives for further aid in the forthcominer

campaign , in Avhich he hopes to gain a decisive success over his enemies . In the United States the Complete Amnesty Bill has been thrown out in the House of Representatives , having failed to secure tho necessary two-thirds majority . Mr . Blaine led the Oppositioa , on the ground

that it would include Mr . Jefferson Davis , the cx-President of the Confederate States , who . had been guilty of great cruelt y towards tho Federal prisoners during the Civil War , The Judiciary Committee of the same house

has reported by six votes to five in favour of an amendment to the Constitution , fixing the term of the tenure of the Presidential office at six years , and rendering any one who has once filled the office ineligible for re-election .

The regular meeting of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution was held on Wednesday , at Freemasons' Hall , Gt . Queen-street , Bro . Col . Creaton , V . P ., iu the chair , Bro . Jas . Terry , Secretary , read the minutes , which were confirmed . This being the last meeting for receiving

petitions previous to the next election in May , numerous applicants were placed on the list of candidates , 26 males and 33 females . The inmates convoyed to the Committee

their heart y thanks in appreciation of the excellent entertainment provided for them on the 6 th inst . The report of the Finance Committee was read , showing the flourishinjr state of the Institution . The Committee recommended

that the salary of the Secretary , Bro . Jas . Terry , bo increased £ 50 per annnm . It was then announced that on account of the next regular meeting- fallincr IT on the date of the Anniversary Festival , 9 th February , arrangements had been made that it should take place

on the 8 th of February . A vote of thanks was accorded to the Chairman . There were present Bros . J . Hogg , S . Rawson , J . Brett , It . W . Stewart , J . Nunn , B . Head , Newton , J . M . Stedwell , G . Bolton , W . Stephens , W . Hale , J . Constable , H . Massey , H . M . Levy , Hilton , T . W . White , F . Adlard , Warren .

We regret to have to announce the death of one of the brightest , and most active Masons in the Colonies , Bro . George Thompson , of Quebec , lie was , during many years , foremost in zeal for the good of the Order and in

dissemination of its moral and charitable tenets . In this country he is mourned as an erudite and amiable correspondent . The Grand Lodge of Quebec will long lament the loss of one so popular and so dear to Masonry in its jurisdiction .

We have to thank Bro . Hughan for an impression of the rare and very curious Masonic Token of the year ] 790 struck in honour of the election of George Prince of Wales as M . W . G . M .

Diary For The Week.

DIARY FOR THE WEEK .

We shall bo obliged if the Secretaries of the various Lodges throughout the Kingdom will favour us with a list of their Days of Meeting , & c . as we have decided to insert only those that are verified by the Officers of the several Lodges .

SATUEDAY , 15 th JANUARY . B . A . —Sinai Chapter of Instruction , Union Tavern , Air-street , Regent-street . MONDAY , 17 th JANUARY .

45—Strong Man , Old Jerusalem Tavern , St . John ' s Square , Clerken well , at 8 . ( Instruction . ) lSo—Tranquillity , City Terminus Hotel , Cannon-street , JS . C , at 4 . 236—York , Masonic Hall , York . 331—Phoenix of Honour and Prudence , Public Rooms , Truro . 3 S 0—Peace and Harmony , Freemasons' Hall , Southampton . 3 S 2—Roval Union . Chenner ' s Hotel . Uxbridso .

466—Merit , George Hotel , Stamford Baron , Northampton . 720—Puiimure , Balham Hotel , Balham . 725—Stoncleigh , King's Arms H tel , Kenilworth . 935—Alexandra , Masonic Hall , Holbeach . 1037—Portland , Royal Breakwater Hotel , Portland . 1 U 73— Greta , Court-buildings , Keswick . . 1111—Mid Sussex , Assembly Rooms , Horsham . 1502—Israel , 22 Hope-street , Liverpool .

TUESDAY , 18 th JANUAEY . 30—United Mariners , Guildhall Tavern , Gresham-street . 55—Constitutional , Wheatsheaf Tavern , Hand-court , W . C , at 7 . 0 . ( Instruction . ) 73—Mount Lebanon , Bridge House Hotel , Souttawark . 95— Kastcni Star , Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-sU-eet , 191—St . Paul ' s , City Terminus Hotel , Cannon-street , E . G . fill—Ivy , Windsor Castle Tavern , Southwark-bridge-road . Metropolitan Chapter of Instruction , Jamaica Coffee House , St . Michael ' s ' alley , Con-hill , at 6 . 30 .

213—Perseverance , Masonic Hall , Theatre-street , Norwich . ¦ 102—Royal Sussex , George the Fourth , Nottingham . 603—Wiltshire of Fidelity , Town Hall , Devizes . 1006—Ti-egullow , Masonic Rooms , St . Day , Scorricr , Cornwall . 1228—Bcacoutrec , Red Lion , Leytonstone . at 8 . ( Instruction . )

1325—Stanley , Masonic Hail , Kivkdale , Liverpool . 138 J—Equity , Walker ' s Commercial Hotel , Widnes . 1127—Percy , Masonic Hall , Maple-street , Newcastlc-on-Tyne . 1-170— Chiltern , Town Hall , Dunstable . l-t . 79—Halsoy , Town Hall , St . Albans . ( Instruction . ) B . A . 11—Royal Cumberland , Old Orchard-street , Bath .

WEDNESDAY , 19 th JANUARY . 171—Sincerity , Guildhall Tavern , Gresham-street . 100—Oak , Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street . 193—Confidence , Masons' Hall , Masons ' -avenue , at 7 . 30 . ( Instruction . ) 1521—Duke of Counaught , Havelock Tavern , Albion-road , Dalstou , at 8 . 0 " . { Instruction . )

121—Mount Sinai , Public-buildings , Penzance . 1 ST—Amity , Masonic Hall , Thames-street , I'oolo . 175—Hast Medina , Masonic Hall , John-street , Ryde , I . W . 199—Peace and Harmony , Royal Oik Hotel , Dover . ( Instruction . ) 200—Old Globe , Private Rooms , Globe-street , Scarborough . 221—St . John's , Commercial Hotel , Town Hall Square , Bolton . 501—Buckingham , George Hotel , Aylesbury . 592—Cottcswold , King ' s Head Hotel , Cirencester .

( iS 3—fsf-a , Freemasons' Hall , Dock-street . Newport , Monmouthshire . 909—Suu aud t-ector , Assembly Rooms , Workington . 1010—Sykes , Masonic Hall , Great Driffield . 1086—Walton , St . Lawrence Boys' School , Kirkdalo . llll—Joppa , Corn Hall , Fakonliam 1129—St . Chad ' s , Roebuck Hotel , Rochdale . 1161—Bliot , Private Rooms , St . Gorniaius , Cornwall . 1206—Cinque Ports , Bell Hotel , Sandwich . 13 1—Brighousc , Private Ito m , t'radford-voad , Briguouse , Yorks . ¦ )

1 . . ''[— Norman , Freemasons' Hall , Durham . 1353—Duke of Lancaster , Athenamm , Lancaster . 1 U 3—Salem , Town Hall , Dawli-h , Devon . II . A . Ml—Faith , Anderton ' s Hotel , fleet-street , "E . C . K . A . 117—Faith and Unanimity , Masonic Hall , Dorchester . R . A . 539— Vernon , Dragon Hotel , High-street , Walsall . R . A . 632—11 rmouy , Masonic Hall , Trowbridge . It . A . 1015—Stamford , Town Hall , Altrinehain , Cheshire . H . A . llUJt—Lliot , Private Rooms , St , Germains , Cornwall .

THURSDAY , 20 th JANUARY . House Committee , Girls' School , Freemasons' Hall , at 1 . 55—Constitutional , London Tavern , Bishopsgatc-street . 169—Temperance , White Swan , High-street , Deptlbrd . 181—Universal , Freemasons' Hall , W . C . 135—Salisbury , Union Tavern , Air-street , Regent-street , W . at ti . ( Instruction . ) 813—New Concord , Rosemary Branch Tavern , Hoxton . 1139—South Norwood , Public Hall , South Norwood . 1200—Hervey , 152 Fulliam-road , at 8 . ( Instruction . ) 1278—Burdett Coutts , Approach Tavern , Victoria Park . 1507—Metropolitan , 209 Pentonville-road . ( Instruction . )

56 -Howard , High-street , Arundel . 251—Trinity , Castle Hotel , Coventry . 280—Worcester , Bell Hotel , Worcester . •it!—Concord , Militia Officers' -Mess Rooms , Starkic-strcet , Preston . 523—John of Gaunt , Freemasons' Hall , Halford-strcet , Leicester . 531—St . Helen ' s , Masonic Hall , Hartlepool .

600—Harmony , . freemasons' Hall . Salem-strcet , Bradford , Yorks . Hid—Philanthropy , Freemasons' Hall , Stockton-on-Tees . 1181--Abbey , Masonic Uall , Battle , Sussex . 1332—Unity , . Masonic Hall , Crediton , Dovou . R . A . 339—Regularity , Crown Hotel , King-street , Penrith . R . A . 602—Manvood , Masonic Hall . Middleborough . R . A . 913—I'attison , Lord Raglan Tavern , Raglan-road , Phirastcud .

FRIDAY , 21 st JANUARY . House Committee , [ Joys' School , Freemasons' Hall , at •' . 127 s—Burdett C ,, 'tts , Approach Tavern , Victoria Park , at 8 . ( Instruction . ) 1507—Metropolitan , 2 H 9 Pentonvfllo-road . ( Instruction . ) 3 J 7—Noah's Ark , Wagon aud Horse Hotel , Tipton . 516—Pliounix , Fox Hotel , Stowmarket . R . A . 521—Truth , Freemasons' Hall , FitzwilHam-steeet , Huddersfield . R . A . 5 sU—Ellas du Dcrham , Masonic Hall , Salisbury .

SATURDAY , 22 nd JANUARY . Audit Committee , Boys' Sohool , Freemasons' Hall , at 3 . E . A .-Sinai Chapter oi Instruction , Union Tavern , Air-street , Regent-street ,.-at 8 ,