Our Weekly Budget.

meeting of tho German Parliament is summoned for the 9 th September . The Austrians are still opposed in their occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina . At Zepce they only succeeded in driving back the insurgents , after several

hours severe fighting . The various corps have , however , united , and little resistance may now be expected . It appears to be likely that some disturbances will occur at Batoum before it is surrendered to the Russians , the Lazis having collected in considerable numbers in the district .

As will be seen from an advertisement in another page , the Provincial Grand Master of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire has called an especial Grand Lodge for the purpose of consecrating the Eleanor Cross Lodge , No . 1764 , which event will take place on Tuesday , 17 th Sept .

next . This Lodge will be the first that has been consecrated in this Province since it has been under the leadership of His Grace the Duke of Manchester , in fact the first since 1858 . We think our Northamptonshire brethren , who have , during the existence of this journal , firmly

supported the central charities , will make this addition to their roll of Lodges with the good wishes of their neighbours , and in fact of every Province in the country . We wish the new Lodge a prosperous career , and hope its members may be instrumental in diffusiug a true Masonic spirit in their district .

The annual celebration of the Twelfth of August took p laco on the moors throughout the country , and good sport appears to have been universal , the price of grouse quoted in the principal markets being , in consequence , lower than has been known for many years past .

Committee Of The Benevolent Institution.

COMMITTEE OF THE BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

THE monthly meeting was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday 14 th inst ., when Col . Creaton presided . Among the brethren present were Bro . C . J . Perceval , Thos . Cubitt , Wm . F . Nettlesbip , Jno . G . Stevens , G . Botton , J . March Case , S . Rawson , Jas . Willing juu ., and Wm . Hale . The death of Mr . Samuel Tomkins the Treasurer and oue of the Trustees of the Institution was reported . The

death of oue annuitant was reported ; four petitions were accepted , nnd the names of the petitioners placed on tho list . Tho chairman reported that the corner stone of the Gardeners' Lodge was laid on Tuesday , and that the building would be completed in about tea weeks , the tender of Mr . Martin Taylor , of Croydon , for the building had been accepted .

Prorogation Of Parliament.

PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT .

PARLIAMENT was prorogued on Friday . The House of Commons met at a quarter to one o ' clock , and the House of Lords at a quarter past one . On the conolnsion of some comparatively formal business ' the Speaker was called to the Upper House , when the Lord Chancellor read

the—QUEEN'S SPEECH , Mi LOKDS AND GENTLEMEN , WbeD , in a critical condition of pnblio affairs , you assembled at the commencement of the year , I pointed out to yon that in the interests

of niy Empire , precautious might become necessary , for which 1 appealed to your liberality to provide . At tbe samo time 1 assured you that no efforts in the cause of peace should be wanting on my part .

Your response was not ambiguous , and contributed largely to a pacific solution of the difficulties which then exuted . The terms ol agteemeut betweeu Russia and the Porte , so far as tbey affected preexisting treaties , were , after an interval of discussion , submitted to a Congress of the Powers ; and their connci / s have resulted iu a peace

which I am thankful to believe is satisfactory and likely to be durable . The Ottoman Empire has not emerged from a disastrous war without severe loss , •but the arrangements which havo been made , while favourable to the subjects of the Porte , have secured to it a position of independence which can be upheld against aggression .

I have concluded a Defensive Convention with the Saltan , which his ? been laid btlo-. e you . It gives , as regards his Asiatic Empire , a moie distinct expression to the engagements which in principle I , tugether with other Powers , accepted in lboij , but of which the form

has not been found practically effectual . The Sultan has , on tht other hand , bound himself to adopt and carry into etfect the measures necessary for teeming tho good government of those provinces . In order to promote the objects of this agreement , I havo undertaken the occupation aud administration of tho island of Cyprus . In aiding to bring about the settlement whioh has taken p lace , 1 h ; . ve been assisted b y the discipline and high spirit of my forces by

Prorogation Of Parliament.

sea and by land , by the alacrity with whioh my Reserves responded to niy call , by the patriotio offers of military aid by my people in tbe Colonies , and by the prond desire of my Indian Army to be reckoned among the defenders of the British Empire , a desire justified by the soldierly qualities of the force recently quartered at Malta .

The spontaneous offers of troops made by many of the native Governments in India were very gratifying to me , and I recognise in them a fresh manifestation of that feeling towards my Crown and Person which has been displayed in many previous instances . My relations with all foreign Powers continue to be friendly .

Although the condition of affairs in South Africa still affords some ground for anxiety , I have learnt with satisfaction from the reports of my civil and military officers that tho more serious disturbances which had arisen among tho native population on the frontiers of tho Cape Colony are now terminated .

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS , I thank you for tho Liberal supplies which you havo voted for the public service . MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN ,

The Act which has been passed for amending and greatly sim . plifying tbe law relating to Factories and Workshops will , I trust , still further secure the health and education of thoso who are employed in them .

I have had much pleasure in giving my assent to a mea s ure relating to the Contagious Diseases of Cattle , which , by affording additional securities against tho introduction and spread of those diseases will tend to onconrago the breeding of live stock in the

country , and to increase tho supply of food to my people . Yon have amended tho Law as to Highways in a maimer whic ° caunot but improve their classification and management , and at th same time relieve inequalities in the burden of their maintenance .

I trust that advantage * will be taken of tho means which you havo provided for dividing Bishoprics in tbe more populous districts of the country , and thus increasing the efficiency of the Church . I anticipate the best results from the wise arrangements whioh you have made for the enconragement of intermediate education in Ireland .

The measure for amending and consolidating tbe Pnblic Health Laws in that country is well calculated to promote the important object at which it aims . The measure passed in regard to Roads and Bridges in Scotland and for the abolition of Tolls will greatly improve the manage *

ment of highways in that part of the United Kingdom ; while the Acts relating to Education and to Endowed Schools and Hospitals cannot fail to extend the benefits of education and improve the

administration of charitable endowments in that country . In bidding you farewell , I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest on jour recent labours and accompany you in the discharge of all your duties .

Obituary

Obituary

E . W . BRO . ROBERT BAGSHAW .

WE regret to have to chronicle the death of one of onr oldest Provincial Grand Masters , which took place on Wednesday last . Bro . Bagshaw has for many years past been connected with Freemasonry , and has held the important position of Provincial Grand Master for Essex since

December 1854 . As our readers doubtless remember , his absence , through ill health , from all his Provincial Masonic meetings for some time past , has been a matter of deep regret to the Masons of his Province , who have never failed

to express their sorrow at hia coutinued illness . Bro . Bagshaw was Deputy Lieutenant for the county of Essex , and represented Harwich in tho Liberal interest at the same time as his father did ; tho borough afc that time returning two members .

Ad01005

THE THEATEES , & c . THEATRE BOYAL , COVENT GAKDEW . —PROMENADE CONCERT at 8 . PBINCESS'S .-At 7 . 30 , LO \ E IN HUMBLE LIFE AND QUEEN'S EVIDENCE . ^ STRAHD . —Afc 7 . 30 , OUR BITTEREST FOE . At 8 . 15 , ENGAGED . 3-AIETY .-THE GRASSHOPPER and LITTLE DOCTOR FAUST . VAUDEVILLE . —At 7 . 30 , A WHIRLIGIG . At 8 . 0 , OUR BOYS and A FEARFUL FOG . ' PBIWCE OF WALES'S— At 8 . 0 , DIPLOMACY . A . DELPHL—At 7 . 0 , FARCE . At 7 . 15 , PROOF , & c . GOTJB £ ' . —At 8 . 0 , OLIVIA . LYCEUM . —At 7 . 30 , FARCE . At 8 . 0 , MARY WARNER . OLYMPIC .-At 7 . 13 , THE WOMAN OF THE PEOPLE , and CRAZED . JBYSTAL PAL a CE—This day , SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL . On Tae « . clay , FORESTERS' FETE . On Thursday , Firework Display , 4 C , Open daily , Aquarium , & c . ' .