Our Weekly Budget

rests with tho Turks , but we presume the Turkish generals know their own bnsiness best . They are not strong in officers , and they certainly fight better when on the defensive . All the notions which prevailed at the commencement of the campaign , to the effect that Russia would carry

all before her , have proved erroneous . The Danube is crossed , but the Grand Duke seems to be in a quandary . His troops have been thrice most seriously repulsed at Plevna , and the Russophiles may say what they will , but an army of over 200 , 000 men , as the Russians are

said to have been some time since , is not disoi'ganised by the loss of some 8 , 000 or 10 , 000 . Wo are inclined to believe that the earlier estimates of tho Russian losses in the second battle of Plevna are more correct than the Grand Duke would care to admit . It may be speedily , or there

may be a long delay , but some terrible fighting will take place on tho Danube sooner or later , and it is by no means certain that victory will fall to the lot of tho Russians . As regards Asia , Moukhtar Pasha continues to hold his advanced position , but a Russian force is said to be

advancing towards Kars , so that we shall probably hear of more slaughter in this direction likewise . What further fighting is done this year , however , must be done speedily , as campaigning in Armenia when the snow is on the ground is out of the question . The political aspect of the war

remains almost unchanged . There are many rumours as to the conduct of Servia , as to whether she will be mad enough to rush into war again or stay her hand , and do her best to recover from her defeat of last year . Doubts exist as to what Austria may do in the event of Russia marching

her troops into Servia , or of this little principality arming ; while this country is quietly strengthening its Mediterranean fleet in the event of any difficulties happening . The Agincourt is probably by this time in Besika Bay , and other big monsters are being fitted out , so that we can await the future with calmness . We have had our interests

defined , and we do not mean to abandon them , if occasion should arise for asserting them against any power or powers in the world .

The General Committee of tho Grand Lodge will meet at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday next , the 22 nd inst ., at six o ' clock . The Lodge of Benevolence will also assemble .

The next Quarterly Communication of the United Grand Lodge will be holden at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , the 5 th of September .

The members of the Grand Officers Mess will dine together at the Freemasons' Tavern , on Wednesday , the 5 th day of September , at five o ' clock punctually .

A Warrant has been granted by the M . W . the Grand Master for a new Lodge to be entitled the " Evening Star . " It is intended that the members of this Lodge shall be Directors , Secretaries , Engineers or Managers of

Gas Works , and all who join must be directly or indirectly connected with Gas Companies . The meetings will be held at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen Street , and from the names of those who are associated as the founders wc anticipate a course of prosperity for the new Lodge . The consecration , wc believe , is fixed for the 28 th inst .

A meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Devon will be held at the Guildhall , Devonporfc , on Wednesday next , the 22 nd inst .

The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Sussex will be held on the 18 th of September , at the Royal Pavilion , under the presidency of Bro . Sir W . Burrell . The newly installed R . W . Provincial G . M . will be assisted by the D . P . G . M ., Bro . J . Scott , and Bro . Freeman P . G . Secretary .

Bro . J . Edward Curteis P . M . 189 , Provincial Senior Grand Warden , Devon , Las been elected Clerk to the East Stonehouse Local Board of Health .

The members of the Dalhousie Lodge of Instruction will in future meet afc the Sisters' Tavern , Pownall-road , Dalston . The time for opening Lodge , as heretofore , will be 7 p . m . each Tuesday evening . Bro . Wallington will continue to act as Preceptor , and Bro . Worsley as Secretary ,

Old Warrants.

Old Warrants .

WE must again appeal to our brethren to help forward the publication of OLD WARRANTS . We are deeply indepted to thoso who havo kindly complied with our former requests , and trust that those who have not had tho time or opportunity to oblige ns , will do so at their earliest convenience . In such case , they will

have tho satisfaction of knowing they are assisting in tho completion of a most important task—a task which , if we are happily able to complete it , will do more than anything that has been done of late years to perfect the History of Freemasonry ; so far , at least , as the ANCIENTS are concerned .

This portion of our annals has been sadly neglected by Masonic historians , and our humble purpose is to supply , as far as lies in our power , what they have omitted . Members of what were once Ancient Lodges will kindly bear in mind , that though their Warrants may be well

worn , and in parts illegible , even the DATES of the original grant and confirmation , as well as of their registration in the books of the Ancient Grand Lodge , will suffice for our purpose , if transcripts of the whole be out of tho question ; inasmuch as in all Warrants the body of the narrative , so to speak , does not vary to any appreciable extent .

In fine , wo feel assured that if our brethren will only give the matter a thought , they will recognise the importance of the work we have undertaken ; they will nofc be divulging any secrets , any at least which the world may not be safely entrusted with .

We have already alluded to the importance of obtaining authentic transcripts of these Warrants . We are , therefore , anxious to impress upon the brethren how desirable it is they should assist us ; nor can we furnish a better illustration of what we say than by pointing out that

when copies of all Ancient Warrants still in force have been supplied , we shall be in a position to furnish Grand Lodge authorities with the dates of Constitution of those Lodges now omitted from the last issue of Grand Lodge Calendar , published by Bro . Walter Spencer . JOHN CONSTABLE . 18 Sise-lane , August 1877 .

No . 82 . No . 303 , "Ancients ; " No . 386 A . D . 1814 , No . 268 A . D . 1832 , and No . 221 from A . D . 1863 .

ATHOLL , GEAND MASTER . "VVaiiiAji DICKEY , D . G . M . JOSEPH BROWNE , S . G . W . GEORGE BOWEIV , J . G . W .

Eo nil foljcin it nrajr roitecra . WE , the Grand Lodge of tho Most Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons ( according to the old Constitutions granted by His Eoyal Highness Prince EDWIN , at York , Anno Domini Nino hundred twenty and six , and in the Year of Masonry Four thousand Nino hundred twenty and six ) , in ample form

assembled , viz ., The Eight Worshipfnl The Most Honourable Puissant Prince John , Duke , Marqnis and Earl of Atholl , Marquis and Earl of Tullibardine , Earl of Strathtay and Strathardle , Viscount Ballquidder , Glenalmond and Glenlyon , Lord Murray , Belveny and Gask , Heritable Constable of the Castle of Kincleaven , Lord of Man and the Isles , and Earl Strange and Baron Murray of Stanley , in tho County

of Gloucester , & c , & c , GRAND MASTEK OF MASONS , Tho Bight Worshipfal William Dickey , Esq ., Deputy Grand Master , The Eight Worshipful Joseph Browne , Esq ., Senior Grand Warden , and tho Right Worshipful George Bowen , Esq ., Junior Grand Warden ( with the approbation and consent of the Warranted Lodges held within the Cities and Suburbs of London and Westminster ) , do hereby

authorise and empower our Trusty and Well-beloved Brethren , viz ., The Worshipfnl John O'Neal one of our Master Masons , The Worship , ful Daniel Cain his Senior Warden , and the Worshipful Hugh Haannons his Junior Warden , to form and hold a Lodgo of Free and Accepted Masons aforesaid , at the Hand and Banner , Deansgate , Bolton , upon the .... in every Calendar Month , and

No . 303 on all seasonable times and lawful occasions , aud in the said Lodge ( when duly congregated ) to admit and make Freemasons according to the most Ancient and Honourable Cnstom of the Royal Craft in all Ages and Nations throughout the known world . And we do hereb y further authorise aud empower our Trusty and Well-beloved Brethren , John O'Neal , Daniel Cain , and Hugh

Hammons ( with tho consent of the Members of their Lod ge ) to nominate , chuse , and install thoir Successors , to whom they shall deliver this Warrant , and invest them with their powers and dignities aa Freemasons , & c . And such Successors shall in like manner nominate , chuse , and install their Successors , & c , & c , & c . Such installations to be npon ( or near ) every gx , J OHN ' DAY , during tha continuance of