Our Weekly Budget.

panied by Mr . Charles Lamport , F . R . S ., recently waited on the Duke of Richmond and Gordon on the subject of the high price of meat . Mr . Odger , who was one of the

deputation , was quite right in saying that what cost sixpence five-and-twenty years ago , costs a shilling now . This is not , perhaps , to be wondered at , if we bear in mind how luxurious the mechanic and artisan classes have

become , and how wasteful they are . A working man nowa-days will scorn to eat what satisfied his father , and what many a poor clerk is only too glad to put up with . Nor in quantity either is he content with snch rations as his father throve upon . Then his wife , if he have one , has

absolutely no knowledge of cookery , and uses twice as much as is necessary . Of course , in the eyes of this class of people it is thought mean to be careful . Our readers possibly remember Punch ' s butler of some years since , who before accepting a new situation was anxious to know what "wines" were allowed in tho kitchen . If our

memory fail not , the butler declined the service because only port and sherry—which were good enough for the parson—were allowed . People are so mighty grand nowa-days that people of plain habits , who look with any degree of affection on the simplicitv of by-gone clays , are held in

contempt . But to return to our deputation . Tho President of the Council pointed out that the restrictions on the movement of cattle wero absolutely necessary , if we did not wish our herds destroyed , ancl that to whatever cause the present high prices were attributable , a falling off in tho

number of beasts imported from foreign countries was not one of them . The fact is , if people ate less meat food they "would be better in health , and in pocket , too . Again , what the Duke said about prices in Smithfield market is quite

true . A man may buy there for eigbtpence or ninepence a pound what the retail butcher sells at a shilling or f ourteenpence . Poor gentlefolks , who struggle through life uncomplainingly , deserve our sympathy far more than the unthrifty working classes .

From abroad there is , as regards one country , some satisfactory news to record . The Spanish armies under Quesada ancl other Alphonsist Generals have gained some very substantial successes , and there is , therefore , a better prospect of this miserable contest being brought to an end .

We shall not , of course , cry jubilantly till we are well out of the wood , but we cannot restrain our feelings of exultation that the fair provinces of Spain , which have been so long the theatre of war , seemly likely to enjoy once again the blessings of peace . In France the elections still exercise

the public mind . In Germany Prince Bismarck appears to be having it out with the press . From Turkey we hear the Bosnian insurgents have issued a manifesto against Count Andrassy ' s Note . They refuse to lay clown their

arms , and appeal to the justice of Europe . In such case the best course for Europe to pursue will bo to aid the Porto in bringing the latter ' s unruly subjects to their senses . The reforms which have been submitted for the

acceptance of the Sultan , with the approval of all the Great Powers , and accepted by His Majesty without reserve , and without sacrifice of dignity on his part , are sufficient to meet the legitimate demands of the insurgents , and we shall rejoice mightily if Europe gives these troublesome people

to understand that peace is to be disturbed no longer . In the United States the centennial celebration of Independence is the all-absorbing feature of tho day , ancl in Masonry especially there will be one on a very grand scale . The Grand Commandery have invited Knights Templar

from all countries , and it is anticipated that something like fifteen thousand of them will he present . From Egypt we hear that Mr . Cave ' s departure has been postponed , and further , that a Burmese Embassy has reached

Suez on its way to Europe . There is , too , a rumour that the Empress of Austria will pay an early visit to this country to see her sister , the Ex-Queen of Naples , at present residing here with her husband .

The Graud Loci ge of Benevolence held its usual monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen Street , 011 Wednesday , the 10 th inst . ; there was a very numerous attendance of the brethren , owing no doubt to the many

distressing cases brought under the notice of the Board . Bro . J . Clabon , the President , occupied the chair , and the Vice cha rs were filled by Bros . J . Nunn P . G . S . and J . Brett P . G . P . Grants to the amount of £ 130 , voted at the previous meeting , were confirmed , and . 29 new cases were

relieved to the amount of £ 700 . The following brethren were present : Bros . R . J . Spiers , R . W . Stewart , C . A . Cottebrune , John Boyd , T . Cubitt , J . Wright , E . P . Albert , Wilcox , C . Harcourt , J . Smith , B . Swallow , J . M . Stedwell , C . Hogard , W . Howe , S . May , Poynter , T . J .

Sabine , Peter Matthews , H . Massey , W . H . Myers , F . Binckes , Bingemann , H . Marsh , Barnard , R . Marsh , G . Bolton , Koch , Taylor , W . H . Lee , Holtham , Larlham , J . Hervey , II . G . Buss , Pendlebury , H . M . Levy , G . Everett , W . Mann , H . Potter , Moore , Andrews , L . J . Drew , W . H . Stephens , C . B . Payne , & c .

Loyalty and Charity Locige , No . 1584 , will be consecrated , at the Star and Gaiter Hotel , Kew Bridge , this day , Saturday , at 4 o ' clock , by Bro . James Terry P . G . D . C , Herts and P . Z .

The Percy Lodge of Instruction , No . 198 , which has been in abeyance for some months , -will be resuscitated on Saturday , 26 th inst ., at Bro . Fysch ' s , the Jolly Farmers , Southgate Road , corner of Church Road , Islington , when

Bro . James Terry , P . G . D . C . Herts , will rehearse the consecration ancl installation ceremonies , at seven o ' clock . Brethren to appear in Masonic clothing . C . K . Killick , Hon . Secretary pro tern .

About 300 ladies and gentlemen assembled on Thursday evening , the 10 th instant , at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen Street , to celebrate the 15 th Annual Ball in aid of the Benevolent Fund of the St . James ' s Union Lodge , No . 180 . Dancing commenced shortly after nine , to the strains

of Coote ancl Tinney ' s band , conducted by Bro . Coote P . M ., & c , and was kept up with unflagging spirit till nearly five o ' clock a . m ., when the company dispersed after assisting at a most enjoyable reunion . The pleasures of the

evening were very much enhanced by the untiring efforts of Bro . Pillin J . W ., the Hon . Secretary , to whom a great part of the success may be ascribed . We may express a hope that the object for which this Ball was held may bo benefited by this successful gathering .

Royal Arch Companions will no doubt be gratified to learn that a Chapter of Improvement is about to be formed , under dispensation from the new Clapton Chapter . A preliminary meeting was hold on Wednesday , 16 th , at the

White Hart Hotel , under the presidency of Comp . John Rumsey P . Z ., at which the code of Bye-laws were arranged . The committee will meet again on Wednesday next , at 7 o ' clock , to sign petition and complete arrangements .

It is always a pleasure to us to announce that some eminent brother is abont to bo presented with a testimonial of his worth . Bro . Spiers , who for the past twenty years has held the important rank of Deputy Provincial G . M . in the Province of Oxford will , on Wednesday next ,

be thtis honoured by the brethren over whom he presided in that capacity so long ancl so meritoriously . Bro . Spiers resigned his office early last year , ancl in May an Honorary Committee was constituted , with Bro . M . Mclntyre , Grand Registrar , as its president , and several influential members of the Oxford ancl other Provinces as

members , among them Lord Skelmersdale D . G . M ., the Marquis of Hamilton S . G . W ., the Earl of Jersey P . G . W ., the Earl of Shrewsbury ancl Talbot P . G . M . Staffordshire , Earl Percy P . G . M . Northumberland , Lord Holmesdale P . G . M . Kent , Lord Balfour of Burleigh P . S . G . W ., the

hurl of Bectivo P . G . M . Cumberland , Sir M . Hicks Beach , Bart . P . S . G . W ., W . W . B . Beach P . G . M . Hants , T . F Halsey , P . G . M . Herts , Lieut . Col . A . W . Adair P . P . G . M . Somerset , Maxwell Close P . G . M . Burmagh , T . Mansel Talbot P . G . M . South Wales , and others . Bro . Walter

Thompson , W . M . 340 , is the Honorary Secretary . There is also a local committee at Oxford , over which Bro . Reginald Bird , D . P . G . M . Oxon , presides , the Treasurer being Bro . Thomas Randall , Prov . G . Treasurer . The list of the contributors is a very long one , and includes the names

ot H . R . H . Prince Leopold , the Earl of Jersey , Lord Clifton , and very many of those above named as on the Committee . We heartily congratulate Bro . Spiers on the honour in store for him . May he live long to enjov this substantial recognition of a long and faithful service !