Our Weekly Budget.

makes the work of a most harassing nature . The Porte has sent orders to the native officials to offer no resistance , but these orders are totally disregarded , thus leading the Austrians to express doubts as to the sincerity of the instrnctions . No settlement Las yet been arrived at with

the Mussulman tribes around Batoum , and resistance to the . Russian entry still seems probable . Some of tke ambassadors at Constantinople are urging upon the Sultan the desire of their governments that the provisions of the Treaty of Berlin should be immediately carried into

execution , so that if a firm front is shewn by the various parties to the treaty we may hope for some definite improvement in the affairs of Turkey before long . General Todleben was fired at by a Greek on Saturday , during a review of Russian troops at San Stefano , but the shot

happily took no effect . The chief of the St . Petersburgh police , General Mesentsoff , however , was not so fortunate in . escaping the attack of bis enemies , two of whom succeeded in fatally wounding him in the streets of that city on the lGtb instant . In Prance , the

elections for the General Council , which have just terminated , show favourably for the Bepublicans , and lead many to believe in the future predominance of that party in the Senate . In Hanover , there has been some serious rioting , resulting in two or three persons being

killed and many others wounded , in consequence of elections which took place at Harburg ; the German papers state that the military were compelled to fire on the mob before peace could be restored . It appears that the result of the labours of the Berlin Congress have not given

unqualified satisfaction ; the people in many parts of Italy expressing their discontent at its decrees , and looking jealously upon the part that Austria has , and is now taking in the matter . Great public rejoicings have taken place in

Brussels , and various parts of Belgium , in commemoration of the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the marriage of the King and Queen of that country . Latest advices from the Cape are satisfactory , although hostilities still continued in the Transvaal and the Zulu country .

Lodge Of Benevolence.

LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE .

THE Lodge of Benevolence held its Augnst Meeting , on Wednesday evening , at Freemasons'Hall . Bro . J . M . Clabon occupied the President ' s chair , Bro . Joshua Nunn the chair of fcienior Vice-President , and Bro . James Brett that ot * J unior Vice-President . Among the other brethren present were Bros . VV . T . Howe , S . < i . Poxall , ii . Garrod , VV . Mann , S . Rawson , C . A . Cottebrune , C . P . Cobhain ,

Erasmus Wilson , Thomas Cubitt , Hyde Pullen , John Boyd , Captain Philips , Col . Shadwell Clerke , J . M . Case , Griffiths Smith , 0 . Atkins , E . W . Williams , VV . Dawson , E . H . Hewetc , W . Weston , P . JUrummond , A . Malcolm , George Corner , P . B . Williams , P . W . Levander , G . P . Britten , J . H . Rows , T . Deane , W . S . Kilieten , A . Middkinas , Col . Somerville Burney , A . W . Woodley , P . Adlarcl , L . Cornelisaeu ,

J . H . Watts , A . White , T . W . Allen , W . R . Phillips , Edward Terry , Geo . Phythian , Geo . Bolton , L . B . Pillin , J . Nicholson , S . Rosenthal , Hugh Cotter , W . H . Cohen , Richard Wyatt , E . Kidman , H . Potter , b . ii . Phillips , E . M . Haigh , J . H . Thompson , J . Douglas Mathews , J . Tycleman , W . Allan , Dr . P . W . Ramsay , E . S . Soidolph , James

Cowan , G . Pisher , H . Massey , Henry Rogers , John Coe , E . C . Massey , John Hervey G . S ., H . G . Buss Assistant Grand Secretary , A . A . Pendlebnry , and C . B . Payne G . Tyler . Ai ' ter confirming grants ot iiZHO made at the last meeting of the Lodge , the brethren considered fourteen new cases , and granted £ 203 to twelve of them . Two cases were dismissed .

Have We Too Many Lodges?

HAVE WE TOO MANY LODGES ?

IT has always been a popular cry amongst a certain class of Masons that Grand Masters are too ready to grant dispensations to open new lodges , and Grand Lodges too ready to endorse their action by granting charters to the same . Now , we contend it is erroneous to

suppose , that because there is a multiplicity of lodges , there must consequently be a laxity in tho work or weakness in the lodge . Many lodges , small with regard to numbers , are in our opinion preferable to a few with an unwieldy membership and its consequent" rush of work . "

Work is not all that lodges should look to , it should rather be their endeavour to render their communications interesting and instructive , and this cannot be accomplished , except in one particular ( ritual ) , when night after night candidates are being initiated , passed and raised . We know some of these immense lodges , with memberships

ranging from two to four hundred , that meet regularly every weektn : yet there is such a number of candidates that emergencies have to be occasionally called , and however desirous the Worshipful Master and members might be to give and hear instructive discourses , debates or lectures on Masonic subjects , the thing is impossible , quite out of the question , ou account of this steam pressure of work , this incessant , con-

Have We Too Many Lodges?

tinued manufacture of Masons . Such being the case , and no one can deny it , would it not be preferable for the Craft in general and these lodges in particular , to increase the number of lodges and especially to divide these unwieldy organizations , so that the labour being divided amongst the many , other subjects of interest to the Fraternity besides ritual might receive due attention ?

Tho arguments , of course , against increasing the nnmber of lodges are , the old cry that a small lodge is a weak one , and that by having two or more in a neighborhood , especially in country places , a bitter feeling of jealousy is engendered between them . To the first of these we would reply that a small lodge is not necessarily woak , nor is it advisable that it should have a large amount of funds on hand . To

prevent poverty , let the fees for the dtgrees be high , and if then tho cash in hand runs low , it is very easy to increase it by bazaars , concerts , reunions , & c , without drawing too heavily upon the pursestrings of the members , or trusting to that unmasonic system of annual dues which we hope some day to see abolished in all enlightened jurisdictions . In answer to the second argument , we would say , that

although jealousy at times might exist , still , as a rule , there would rather be " a friendly emulation as to which could best work and best agree . " The argument of jealousy in theory is well enough , but in actual practice it falls completely to the ground . Again , there is another , to onr mind , very objectionable feature in these bulky organizations , termed lodges , whose membership runs into tho hundreds ;

we all tide to the fact , that there is very little opportunity for the younger brethren to obtain office . " The machine is run " by a few old members , and thus good men have no chance to occupy the chair , and every brother should have ambition enough to look forward to the time when he shall fill the Oriental Chair of K . ' . S . \ , become careless in their attendance and finally cease to visit tho lodge-room except on

special occasions . We believe this to be a very serious objection , a ? we have always maintained that the young Mason should not be satisfied with merely taking degrees , but that he should pride himself upon thoroughly acquiring tho work and otherwise qualifying himself for the responsible position of Worshipful Master . On the other hand , in a small lodge , every brother can look forward to a period , when bv

honorable conduct and regular attendance , he may hope to be elected to office . Finally , we argue that the smaller lodge is preferable to the larger , because the brethren naturally become better acquainted with each other , a closer tie is formed and a more fraternal feeling engendered . Let us not then be alarmed at a multiplicity of lodges . A small

lodge is much more home-like than a large one , possesses equal facilities to perform the work , and has greater opportunities to devote a portion of its time to the delivery of lectures , essays , and addresses upon the various topics of interest in connection with the history , jurisprudence and symbolism of Freemasonry . —Masonic Review .

The Royal Hand-Bell Ringers.

THE ROYAL HAND-BELL RINGERS .

THE Royal Hand-bell Ringers ( Poland-street , London , Bro . Duncan S . Miller , conductor . Messrs . H . Havart , W . J . Havart , J . H . Williams , and A . G-. Pritchard , were honoured by command of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales to give a Campanological and musical entertainment on board the Royal Yacht Osborne , lying in Cowes-roads , Isle of Wight , on the evening of Monday , 19 th inst . The company inclnded their Majesties the King and Queen of Denmark , and the

Princess Thyra , with their suite , Mdlle . D'Oxholm , Capt . Hedemann , and Capt . Hoskiver ; their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales and suite , Prince Albert Victor and Prince George of Wales , the Princess Victoria of Hesse , Lord and Lady Charles Beresford , Lord and Lady Maudeville , who , with guests from other yachts , formed a numerous and distinguished audience . By means of awnings

the bridges and quarterdeck of the magnificent steamer were converted into an apartment excellently adapted for the purpose of a concert ; the decorations consisting of flags , among which the Danish Standard was conspicuous . The whole vessel wa 3 brilliantly lighted by lamps and lanterns . The audience were located on the bridge , while the performers with their tables and bells were just beneath on

the quarter-deck , between the mainmast and the royal saloon . By special desire of the Prince , the whole of the crew , numbering 120 hands , were permitted to be present , and occupied the space round the engine-room hatchway . The entertainment commenced at 10 . 30 , and continued until mid . night , the programme including renderings on the bells of composi .

tions by Handel , Weber , Costa , Strauss , Godfrey , Lecocq , & c , and a selection of Old English glees of a humorous character , which were much appreciated . The pianoforte accompaniments of the vocal performances were played by Messrs . Pritchard and Williams . The Prince sent for Mr . Miller and requested him to explain to the King and Queen of Denmark the peculiarities of the bells , and of the art

of ringing them , while the instruments themselves were a source of much amusement to the younger portions of the company . The night was beautifully calm and moonlit . It was remarked by the Prince that , on this occasion , the tnne 3 of tho bells appeared peculiarly sweet and mellow , and attributable to the surroundir g

water . The Danish and English National Anthems were performed by the band , and , at the conclusion , both His Majesty the King and the Prince of Wales honoured Mr . Miller with personal assurances that the entertainment had afforded great interest and pleasure ; o every one present . This is the ninth occasion on which the Polandstreet Hand Bell Ringers have been honoured by Royal command .

! HOLLO WAY ' S OnmrEST AND PILLS . —Debilitated Constitutions . — "When climate , ago , or hardships , have undermined the health , skin diseases are prone to arise and augment tho existing weakness . Holloway's medicaments daily prove most serviceable , even under the most untoward circurastaaces . Tliis wellknown and highly esteemed nngncnt possesses the finest balsamic virtues ,

which > oothe and heal without inflaming or irritating the | most tender skin or most sensitive sore . Holloway ' s Ointment and Pills are infallible ror curing bad legs , varicose veins , swelled ankles , erysipelas , scaly skin , and every variety of skin disease . Over all these disorders Holloway ' s remedies esert a quick and favourable action , and , where cure is possible , gradually but certainly arrive at tbat consummation , Taoy are invaluable ia the cure of scrofula , and . 5 (« TV ,