Our Weekly Budget.

to continue for an hour and a quarter , and -when time was called the former were declared victors by five goals to two . The attendance was numerous and fashionable , and the band of the Royal Artillery played a choice selection of music during the afternoon .

The Prime Minister has held a second banquet and reception at the Foreign Office . Among the guests at the former were the Duke of Cambridge , his sister the Princess Mary , Duchess , and tho Duke of Teck , together with the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough , the Duke of Northumberland ,

and others of the nobility . The reception was both numerously and fashionably attended . The same evening the members of the Navy Club gave their annual dinner to the First Lord of the Admiralty , at Willis ' s Rooms , St . James ' s .

The Wimbledon Meeting has been most fortunate in respect of weather ; that is , there has been plenty of sunshine , and of course the heat has been terrific . The light was not very favourable on Wednesday , and operated very greatly to the detriment of the marksmen , whose scores

were , of course , affected by the glare which prevailed at intervals . Many good scores were made , however , and no doubt the skill of Scotch , English , Irish , ancl Colonials will be as conspicuous this year as at previous meetings . Next week , of course , will be the grand week , when the Queen ' s

and the other principal prizes will be decided . The usual review will be dispensed with , an athletic meeting , such as was held some time since at Lillie Bridge , being appointed

to take its place . The fun of the meeting is on the same scale as ever , and visitors , if they can stand the heat , are sure to enjoy themselves at this annual encampment of our Volunteer marksmen .

We cannot say we envy the cricketer who stays all day at the wickets , even though he distinguishes himself and makes a long score . Still less do we envy those who spend seven or eight hours fielding under a broiling sun . Still , de gustibus , & o . & c ; it seems to agree well enough with the

three Graces—the Gloucestershire Graces , not the mythic young ladies whose scanty costume is so familiar to the art amateur . A day or two since , Mr . W . G . Grace carried out his bat for four hundred runs , the opposing team being a twenty-two of Grimsby . The total score reached 681 , a

greater total than has ever been compiled before in the annals of cricket . Years gone by , a Mr . Ward made 276 , not out , at Lord's , and took three days about it , we believe ; but the performance of the great W . G . is far beyond anything we ever heard of . While on the subject of cricket ,

we may mention that on Wednesday a match at Prince s was abruptly broken off in a manner greatly to be regretted . An old and highly respected professional cricketer , the wellknown Box , the wicket keeper of thirty years ago , about

midday fell back dead in the scorer ' s box . Box was sixty-eight years of age , and heart disease is set down as the cause of bis sudden decease . The match , which was between Notts and Middlesex , was at once abandoned .

The inquiry into the death of the late Mr . Charles Bravo has been resumed this week by the Surrey Coroner , so there is a prospect that the mystery attaching to the death of this gentleman will shortly be dispelled . The case of Twycross v . Albert Grant ancl others is in

a manner concluded . Mr . Grant was occupied several days in making his defence . When this was ended , Lord Coleridge had to sum up , and then the verdict of the jury was given . Judgment , however , has been respited while the defendants carry their case further .

The Metropolitan Amateur Regatta came off at Putney on Tuesday . There was a considerable attendance of spectators , while the sport offered very many attractions , some of the races being very keenly contested . The principal competing crews were London , West London ,

Thames ancl Ino . The prizes were distributed by Mr . Playford . Of the sports which find favour at this season , yachting appears to us by far the most agreeable , and not

a week passes now but one or more Yacht Clubs hold some meeting . We know few things more pleasurable than yachting , provided , of course , there is no risk of being sea-sick .

As to news from the seat of war , there is little that is trustworthy . The Governments of Turkey , Servia , and Montenegro overhaul all news before they will allow it to become public . This is done to ensure confidence , but the reverse is the result in this case , as indeed invariably . However , the general opinion appears to be that Servia has met with some rather serious reverses . Considering that she has played the part of . aggressor , tho fact of her having

made no impression on the first line of Turkish defence ia confirmatory of this view . It is oven said that an armistice is at hand , in which case all doubt as to whether Turkey or Servia has fared better will soon be set at rest . The Emperors of Austria and Russia have had their meeting ,

and greeted each other most affectionately . We aro delighted to hear this , and shall be still more delighted if the chances of peace being preserved among the Great Powers are increased . We read daily that Russia is resolved to keep free of tho contest between Turkey and her vassals ,

and as the other powers are pretty sure to observe a similar policy , the chances of the general peace not being disturbed are just now a little brighter . Onr Government , however , is resolved to bo on the safe side , so as to meet all eventualities . More ships are being sent to the Mediterranean ,

and our fleet there will soon be the most powerful we havo had afloat for many a year in those waters . This is well , and the likeliest policy to secure a peaceful issue of the

present disturbance . There is little else in the way of foreign news to record . So long , indeed , as the Eastern Crisis continues , the events that happen elsewhere will not attract much notice .

On Saturday , 8 th July , at noon , was held a Quarterly General Court of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , at Freemasons Hall . The following motion , proposed by Bro . Raynham W . Stewart , and seconded by Bro . Kenyon , was carried : —

" That , considering the satisfactory condition of the Funds of this School , ten of the unsuccessful Candidates at the last election highest on the poll be admitted without further election at the same time as thoso already elected , and that arrangements be made for their reception . in the Infirmary until the alterations now in progress at tho school be completed . "

The result of this most satisfactory resolution , is the proximate admission without further polling , of the children : — Rosa Milligan , Florence Moore , Isabella Douglas , Lily Searle , Eliza Daly , Edith Potts , Lucretia Wilton , Marion Morgan , Ann M . Strong and Edith , H . Escott .

The regular meeting of the Committee of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons ancl the Widows of Freemasons was held on Wednesday last , at

Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen Street , Lincolns Inn Fields . Bro . B . Head , V . P ., was in the cbair . Bro . James Terry , the Secretory , read the minutes of the former meeting , which were confirmed . The deaths of one male and ono

female annuitant were announced . A vote of thanks was accorded Bro . Dr . Strong for his gift of 200 plants , and for his kindness in allowing his gardener to plant the same . The report of the Finance Committee was read ; it shewed the balance at the bankers was £ 3319 5 s 7 d . A letter was

read from Miss Norris , thanking the Committee for her appointment . Bro . Terry informed the Committee that , on the 24 th ult ., he had the honour of consecrating the Cripplegate Lodge , No . 1613 . He was pleased to say , the brethren on that occasion had contributed the sum of £ 50

to constitute their Lodge a Vice President of the Benevolent Institution . Bro . Terry added that he was sure this announcement would gratify all present . The meeting was then adjourned to the following month . There were present Bros . C . A . Cottebrune , W . Stephens , J . Stevens , Hyde Pnllen , C . E . Lacey , J . Newton , T . W . White , H . Farnfield , H . Massey , H . M . Levy , & c .

Bro . A . W . Fenner , who has been associated with the business of the lato John Lillywhite for many years , and who , since the death of that celebrated cricketer , has been carrying on the business for the benefit of the family , has just received the following interesting communication : —

MAIUHOKOUGH HOUSE , PALL MALL , fc ! . w . Sir William Knollys is desired by the Princo of Wales to thank Mr . Fenner for the volume of " Lillywhite ' s Cricketer's Companion , " which he forwarded to His Eoyal Highness , and also to express the Prince of Wales's sense of his attention in sending his congratulations upon his safe return from India .

7 th July 187 G . The little work referred to is so well known to cricketers that it has become almost indispensible as a book of reference . To those of our readers who follow the noble gamej WQ cannot do better than advise them to procure a copy ,