The Contemplated Extension Of The Boys' School.

was given to our three asyla should have been £ 60 , 000 . The additional £ 20 , 000 is sorely needed , and tho Pro Grand Mtrijter has * openly complimented the Craft on its readiaQss | o do what is needful . It will havo to be done ,

tois falsing of an additional £ 20 , 000 for the service of charity ; and tho sooner we meet the question fairly , and do What must bo done , the better for all classes , especially for the distressed brethren , the widows , and the orphans , whom the G . A . O . T . U . has entrusted to our care .

Northern Lights.—No. Ii.

NORTHERN LIGHTS . —No . II .

A PROVINCIAL LIGHT . YERT much of the success attained by our Order is , unquestionably , owing to the unsparing efforts of the brethren to whom the virtual direction of our Provinces is entrusted ; the unflagging industry and zeal which they bring to bear on the administration of provincial affairs is truly marvellous , and tends greatly to uphold the character

of English Freemasonry . The work of a Deputy Prov . Grand Master is bevond measure onerous , and is never finished . He has to contend with conflicting elements of all kinds , and yet is the pivot upon which the peace and well-being of the Province turns . To consider the

recommendations for appointment to Provincial Grand Office is no slight portion of his labours , and , we may add , of his difficulties ; to choose , for promotion , from so , many efficient and eager candidates is a task that might baffle the most astute , and yet , as a rule , so intimately do the majority

of Deputy Prov . G . Masters understand the working of their Provinces , that they almost invariably put the right men in the right places , and generally contrive to avoid the heartburnings and jealousies that might crop up , even amongst Masons . ' The management of Provincial Funds

and Charities , and the discreet husbanding of Provincial influence , so that it may be always readily available , whenever or wherever needed , are both arduous duties , and these , together with the many exigencies that are

con-• stautly presenting themselves , render the office of Deputy ' Prov . G . M . not quite the honorary sinecure and bed of ' roses it is supposed to be ; and the Provincial G . M . who ¦ appoints a thoroughly efficient Deputy confers a lasting obligation on the Craft generally .

Our province is not a large one ; -we cannot boast , like East Lancashire , of being octogenarians as to the Roll of our Lodges ; we have what we have , and are steadily increasing , and with the superabundant energy ( already refez-red to ) that distinguishes us , there is no knowing what

we may arrive at . Whether at times that same superabundant energy is not a source of difficulty to the Provincial authorities is hard to say , but there must always be more satisfaction in directing such a feeling , even if too exuberant , than in endeavouring to rouse up apathetic

lethargy . That the Y . W . Brother who occupies so worthily the position of Deputy Prov . Grand Master thinks so is certain , from the evident pleasure with which he enters upon his duties . Some men are born to hold office , and even to confer honour on it ; such an one is now before

us . A commanding presence , a deep earnestness in all things Masonic , and a familiarit y with every detail of the working of his Province , distinguishes him , at once , as one to be respected and obeyed ; whilst his kindliness , his consideration , and his real sterling work in the cause of

Freemasonry have made him beloved by all under his sway . A patient urbanity gives unlimited confidence in his judgment , and his great administrative powers have served to raise the influence of the Province to such a degree that its support is not only eagerly sought , but is

acknowledged as of wei ght . The management of the Provincial Charitable Funds , by the Finance Committee under his guidance , is most excellent ; while the manner in which the votes of the Province are husbanded , leaves nothing to be desired . A happy gift of combining the

suavitov m modo with the fortiter in re has frequently served to smooth down the occasional acerbities that will obtrude themselves ; and what might have resulted in a serious scandal , has passed away ,

leaving scarcely a ripple on our usually placid surface , entirely owing to his calm judgment and quiet common sense . In fact , our Y . W . Brother knows no fatigue , and shirks no labour in the discharge of his multifarious duties ,

Northern Lights.—No. Ii.

his aim being at all times to study the interest of the brethren , while his every act shows the great pleasure and pride he takes in his office . In addition to Craft honours our V . W . Brother holds the exalted rank of Prov . Grand Superintendent for the

R . A . Province of Northumberland ; and here , again , the same zeal and fitness for direction is apparent . As Prov . Grand Z , he has been singularly happy in the choice of his officers , and the dignified and impressive manner in which he carries out the working of Grand' Chapter is a

constant theme of admiration amongst Companions of Royal Arch . Occupying the important position of Coroner for the Southern Division of the County of Northumberland , his peculiar judicial capacity and his soundness of

judgment have served to impress a reverence for this timehonoured post , and he has won as many friends and gained as much approbation by his straightforward public life as he has by his strictly Masonic career .

A Letter From Frederic The Great Of Prussia.

A LETTER FROM FREDERIC THE GREAT OF PRUSSIA .

"TTTE have translated the following copy of a letter , M T which will be found in the columns of our contemporary Le Monde Maconnique , addressed by the Great Frederic to certain priests of Aix-la-Chapelle , who had excited the people of that city against the Freemasons . The letter is dated the 7 th of February 1778 , and is couched in the following terms : —

Very Reverend Fathers , —Yarious rumours , which have been confirmed by the pablic journals , have brought to my knowledge the zeal you have displayed in sharpening the sword of fanaticism against cer . tain quiet , virtuous , and honest people called Freemasons . As a former dignitary of this estimable Order , it is my duty to combat , with all the power I possess , against those calumnies which injure it , by en .

deavourmg to raise the veil of mystery which hides from you the temple we have erected to all the virtues , in such a manner as to mate it seem to be tbe assembly of all the vices . What , my right reverend Fathers ! Would you again recal to ns that age of ignorance and barbarism which was for so long a time a disgrace to all the human mind ; that period ot fanaticism when the eye could not fix itself

without abhorrence of what it saw ; the agea when hypocrisy , seated on the throne of despotism , between superstition and folly , held the world in slavery , and , without any distinction whatever of age or sex , bnrnt those as sorcerers who knew how to read . Tou not only bestow on Freemasons the epithet of " sorcerers ; " you , likewise accuse them of being knaves , men perverted from the true faith and

the forerunners of anti-Christ ! And you incite a whole people to extirpate this accursed race . ' Knaves , my reverend Fathers , do not concern themselves as we do with the duty of sustaining the poor and the orphans . ¦ - On the contrary , knaves rob them , oftentimes depriving therri of the share they are entitled to , and fattening on their spoil in the midst of idleness and hypocrisy . In short , knaves

lead people into error , abnae their confidence , and make them their dupes ; Freemasons enlighten them . The Freemason who returns home from the Lodge where he has received instruction on the good of humanity , cannot fail to become , in the bosom of his family , abetter husband and a better father . In calling them the forerunners of

anti-Christ , your labours will only lead to the destruction of the 1 » WJ of tho Almighty ; on the other hand , Freemasons would not be able to violate them without destroying their own temples . How can such men be an accursed race , who make their glory to spread everywhere , and also with a zeal that never wearies , a knowledge of all the virtues ? ( Signed ) FREDERIC .

The Jubilee Ball of the Licensed Victuallers' Asylum was held on the 18 th inst ., at St . James ' s Hall , in aid of the funds of the Institution , and was , as usual , crowded in every part . Dancing -was kept up -with great spirit . Bro . T . A . Adams' band emitted sweet sounds in the large hall ,

and a second band played in a room on the ground floor . Bro . T . Butler was M . C . ; he was assisted by Bros . T . Meekham , W . Fowler , T . Underbill , and Johnson . The arrangements were satisfactorily carried out , under tho direction of Bro . H . Gabb , Chairman , Bro . E . R . Bass , Chairman elect , and Bro . A . L . Anett , Secretary .

We have received , and offer our fraternal thanks for the Bulletin du Ch-and Orient de France for the month of November , and a pamphlet or letter , entitled La Premiere au F . Bagary , with the motto Amicus BACUEY , sed magis

arnica Veritas . The latter we shall refer to at an early date . With the contents of the former we have already , thanks to Le Monde Maconnique , been able to acquaint our readers .