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the Lord Mayor , and explained his views , so far as the necessities of his official position allowed . The Deputation do not appear , however , to have been satisfied with his

Lordship ' s statement , for they subsequently met at the Cannonstreet Hotel , and arranged to continue the present agitation . Whether this is a wise policy or not to pursue , remains to bo seen ;

A Court of Common Council was held on Wednesday , at Guildhall , when the report of the City Lands Committee on the removal of Temple Bar was brought up . The Committee recommend that authority should be given them to take down and remove the structure , with the

exception of the northern and southern walls , and that then they should consider the best means of marking the boundary of the City jurisdiction at that spot . On division , the report was carried by 69 to 45 , and was then

referred back for execution . The necessity for the removal of this time-honoured Bar has long been recognised , but we trust a place will be found where it may stand in peace and quietness without impeding , as it certainly does now , the enormous traffic of the metropolis .

" Hell Gate " has been blown up . Our readers need not be shocked at the word . It is merely the name of a rock at the entrance of New York Harbour , which has ever been a serious obstruction to free navigation . Fifty thousand

pounds of dynamite were used in its destruction , and the force of the explosion was felt for a distance of fully ten miles ; but no damage was done either to life or property , so complete were all the arrangements of the engineers .

The series of trials , at Shoeburyness , of the 81-ton gun , commenced on Wednesday , in the presence of Colonel Younghusband , R . A ., and several military officials , aswellas of a numerous body of visitors . Five rounds were fired , the charge of powder being 370 lbs ., and the weight of the

projectile 1 , 760 lbs . The average distance at which the shot first grazed the earth was 4 , 694 yards , or about two and a half miles , for the first four rounds , the fifth having , for sufficient reasons , been struck out of the record . In these rounds , the gun was elevated at an angle of seven

degrees . The gun was afterwards lowered to ope degree to suit the circumstances of the tide flowing in on the sands , when two more rounds were fired , the distances to the first graze being respectively 1 , 096 yards and 1 , 080 yards , and the time of flight 2 ' 2 seconds . In these two

cases the whole distance supposed to have been traversed by the projectile was 11 , 000 yards , or considerably over six miles . The effects of the practice with this formidable monster were very perceptible ; windows and windowframes were shattered ; a large boarded gate leading into

the barracks was burst open ; the entire wall of the officers mess-room seemed likely to yield , while in the soldiers' huts , large pieces of plaster were knocked down , and in several the ceilings threatened to come in . What will have become of these buildings when the series of rounds is complete , it would hardly be safe to speculate .

If the efforts of the six Great Powers are rewarded with

the success they deserve , we shall very shortly hear of the termination of the Eastern difficulty . In his reply to the deputation that waited upon him on Wednesday , the Earl of Derby stated that though peace was not absolutely certain , the prospect , so far as the disposition of all

interested in securing the return of peace was concerned , was very favourable . His Lordship expressed not only a hope , but likewise the confident belief , that the contest would be brought to an issue without the further effusion of blood .

In confirmation of this announcement of our Foreign Minister , we have the reply of the German Emperor to a deputation that waited upon him at Stuttgard , in which His Majesty declared that the prospect of peace was more assured than ever , and that a basis had been established

among the Great Powers which justified him in believing that a favourable result will be arrived at . The news from Constantinople , that Turkey is favourable to the conditions of peace proposed by Great Britain and endorsed by the other powers , is also satisfactory . On the other hand , we

hear that Servia has rejected the further prolongation of the armistice , and that hostilities have actually recommenced . It is further announced that Servia has decidedly rejected the terms proposed by the Great Powers and the Porte , and save in the case of foreign occupation , will

fight on a entrance till the independence of Servia and Bosnia is secured . Russia and Austria are both strongly opposed to the erection of Servia into a kingdom , and the latter Power is said to have hinted to Prince Milan that , in the event of his persisting in his present adventurous career ,

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a change of ruler may become necessary . It is evident , then , we are not out of the wood yet ; but it is , at least , satisfactory to know that all civilised Europe is working hard and with a will to secure peace on a durable basis . We sincerely trust their efforts may be crowned with success .

Old Warrants.

Old Warrants .

[ We take this opportunity of expressing to the many friends who have so cordially responded to our invitation by forwarding copies of their Lodge Warrants our very sincere thanks for their kindness . We trust their example will be followed by the majority of those to whom we have

addressed ourselves . We note , however , that a few consider it little short of high treason to make public these documents . All such must pardon us if we express our belief that their objections to publication are very childish . All of us , or at least all those among us who trouble

themselves about such matters , know perfectly well what the body of a Warrant contains . These estimable brethren who object to publication are onl y keeping hidden from the Masonic public a few particulars , namely , the date of issue of each warrant , the name of the G . M . who issued it ,

the style and title of the Lodge , and the names of the W . M . and Wardens appointed thereunder . It is no idle curiosity which prompts us to seek this information , but a

desire to make the list of Lodges on the Roll of England historically more perfect , there being in the present Grand Lodge Calendar over a Hundred Lodges with no date of constitution inserted against them . ]

No . 29 . COPY OF WARRANT . No . 344 from A . D . 1792 , " Moderns ; " No . 442 from A . D . 1814 , after

the Union j No . 294 from A . D . 1832 , and No . 241 from A . D . 1863 . No . 522 . To AU and every onr Right Worshipful , Worshipful , and loving Brethren , I , John Allen , of Clement's Inn , in the County of Middlesex , Provincial Grand Master of the Most Antient and Honorable Society of FKEE AND ACCEPTED MASONS in and for the County Palatine of LANCASTER , by virtue of and under the Patent

of His Grace the Most Noble Henry Somerset , Duke of Beaufort , late Qrand Master of the said Order , & c , & o . SEND GREETING . KNOW YE , That upon the humble Petition of our Right Worthy and well beloved Brethren , Thomas Qolightly , Esq ., Thomas Manley , James Roberts , Thomas Porter , Michael Renwick , John Christian , Hugh

Hartwiclc Qarbers , Ralph Wright , William Denison , and Benjamin Beale , Merchants , and of the great trust and confidence reposed in them , I have constituted , and by these presents do constitute them the said Brethren into a regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons , to be opened at the house of Henry Forshaw , known by the name of the Qolden Lion , in Dale Street , Liverpool , in the County of Lan .

caster , by tho name of the " MERCHANTS' " Lodge , being numbered 522 in the list of Lodges ; to be there formed , and held on every other Tuesday until the time and place of meeting shall , with the concurrence of me or my successors , be altered . With such powers , privileges , and advantages as of right belong to regular established Lodges . AND I do hereby nominate , constitute , and appoint our said

Brethren , Thomas Qolightly , Master , Michael Reniuick , Senior Warden , and James Roberts , Junior Warden , for opening the said Lodge , and for such further time only as shall be thought proper by the Brethren thereof . It being my will and intent that this appointment shall not in any wise affect the future election of Officers of the said Lodge , but that the same shall be regulated by such By-Laws of the said

Lodge as shall be consistent with the General Laws and Constitutions of our antient society . AND I do hereby will and require you the said Thomas Golightly , Michael Renwick , and James Roberts , and your successors , to take especial care that you and tho rest of the Members of the said Lodge do at all times observe , perform , and keep all and every the Rules , Orders , and Regulations contained in

the Book of Constitutions , except such as have been or hereafter shall be repealed at auy Quarterly or other general communication , together with such other Rules , Orders , Regulations , and Instructions as shall from time to timo bo by mo or my Deputy , or by my Successors , Provincial Grand Masters for the time being , transmitted to you or yonr Successors , and that you and your Successors omit not onco

in every year ( or oftener , as occasion may be ) to transmit to me or my Deputy , or our Successors , copies of all such Rules , Orders , and Regulations as shall from time to time be made by yonr said Lodge for the good order and government thereof , together with a list of the Members of the said Lodge , with their respective titles or additions , and such sum or sums of money as shall from time to timo

accrue , due from ancl be contributed by your said Lodge or tho Members thereof to the Fund of Charity and the Qrand Fund of tho said Society . AND , lastly , I will and require you the said Thomas Golightly , Michael Renwick , and James Roberts , as soon as con . veniently may be , to send an account in writing of your proceedings under and by virtue of this my Warrant of Constitutions . Reconu mending to you and the reafc of tho Brethren tho cultivation o £ tho