Curiosities Of The Post Office.

out hear , with rolling prairies enter spersed with fine forests . There is a stream of water running through sur land , a stream so softly and peasfully wild that it looks as if nature had only just made it and laid down her pencil and smiled . The school-room is just a little ways from the name of our farm . It is the school-room where I learnt my A . B . abs , but I probly never shall go there to

school again . It is the vacation now and I have come out on to the farm to stay till school commences again . It seems so nice to be where I can have new milk to drink , and nice fresh eggs again . I intend to enjoy myself till school commences again . Father has sold off most all of our horses , but he saved my riding horse , so I intend to have rides and drives without number . Well as I have

said as much as you will care to read , l will stop . I hope you will excuse all mistakes as I am not a very old young lady—only 13 years old . A depositor in the Post Office Savings Bank wrote to the ' department as follows : " Having lost my parents I am desirous of taking a housekeeptr ' s situation where a domestic is kept—must be a dissenting family , Baptist

preferred . Thinking that such a case might come under your notice , I have therefore taken the liberty of sending to you . " Another depositor , apprehensive lest some person might withdraw money from his account , proposed to send his likeness to be used for indentifying him , and then made the following curious request " There are some little articles I would like to get from London , and one of them is some natural leaf tobacco

which I would be glad if you sent an ounce of and charge me for it—it is only to be bought in the largest tobaccc stores . " In a further letter , the depositor expressed surprise that his request was not compiled with , observing that— " the commonest person in America ( my country ) can speak to General Grant , and there is nothing said wrong about it . " In another case , a woman forwarded her will , and requested to be informed whether it was " correct in case of death . "

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . THE REV . WILLIAM LAKE ONSLOW . We sincerely regret the melancholy duty that devolves upon us this week of announcing to our readers the death of Bro . the Rev . Wm . Lake Onslow , the Junior Grand Chaplain . Many will learn of this sad event wilh some surprise , and we have no doubt but the majority of those present at Grand Lodge on Wednesday last , were

somewhat startled by the announcement from the Grand Secretary . Bro . Onslow who was thc rector of Sandringham , and Chaplain to H . R H . the Prince of Wales , and formerly tutor to the Prince , was in his 5 8 th year . He bad been in failing health for some little time and died at the Rectory , Sandringham , on Friday morning the 31 st ult . We think the following account of his Masonic

career will prove of some interest to < ur readers . Bro . Onslow ( while serving in H . M . S . Euryalus , Captain J . W . Tarleton , C . B ., ' as especial Naval Instructor to H . R . H . Prince Alfrct . ) was initiated in the Union Lodge , at Malt-i , on the 28 th of Dec , 18 59 , and duly received the Second and Third Degrees ; was admitted into the Royal Arch on the 30 th

day of Dec , 18 59 , in the chapter attached to tbe Union Lodge , No . 55 8 , at Malta ; was received into the degree of Mark Master Mason on thc 3 rd day of July , 1861 , in thc Virgin Lodge , No . 5 88 , Halifax , Nova Scotia ; while serving as Chaplain and Naval Instructor of H . M . S . St . George , Captain thc Honourable F . Egerton , he became Chaplain of the Virgin Lodge , and on leaving for

England the brethren presented the rev . brother with a beautiful Mark jewel , made of pure gold of Nova Scotia ; while acting as Chaplain and Naval Instructor of H . M . S . Racoon , commanded by the Count Gleichen , he became Chaplain ot the Lodge of Friendship , No . 278 , at Gibraltar , from Dec , 18 ( 13 , to May , 1864 , and was appointed Provincial Grand Chaplain for thc province of Gibraltar . Returning to England to take the living of

Sandringham at the kind desire of our M . W . Grand Master , he became Chaplain of the Philanthropic Lodge , No . 10 7 , King ' s Lynn , in 1866 , and which office beheld until his death ; he was appointed , during the regime of the Honourable Fred . Walpole , Provincial Grand Chaplain for Norfolk ; he preached the sermon on thc occasion of the Provincial Grand Lodge meeting at North Walsham , in 1870 . Bro . W . Lake Onslow ' s services as Chaplain in Vl . M . ' s navy were many and brilliar t .

BRO . JOHN THORNTON . One of the oldest Freemasons in the province of West Lancashire has passed away , and another blank has been made in the circle of Masonic worthies in Liverpool . After a short illness , Bro . John Thornton , at the ripe age of 73 , died on Ihe 27 th August , at his residence , 41 , Park-lane , Liverpool , deeply

regretted by numerous brethren in his own and other lodges . He was a zealous Freemason , an unassuming and amiable man , and greatly respected by all ' who came into contact with him , both in and out of the Order . He was a P . M . of Ihe Lodge of Harmony , No . 220 ; the St . John ' s Lodge , No . 673 ,- and tbe Senior P . M . of the Puke of Edinburgh Lodge , No . 1182 , as well as M . E . Z . of St ,

John ' s Chapter , No . ( 173 . He took an active interest in all Masonic charities , and was ever ready to give the helping hand if tiue brotheihood to the needy and distressed . The mortal remains of Bro . Thornton were interred in St .

James's Cemetery , Liverpool , on Thursday , the 30 st ult . Tbe fact of his being so old a Mason and so widely known and respected by the body induced the brethren of the two lodges and the chapter to which he was attached to pay every possible respect to his memory ; accordingly the brethren of St . John ' s Lodge and Chapter and the Duke

Obituary.

of Edinburgh Lodge were summoned to meet at the Masonic Hall , Hope-street , at 1 p . m , which they did in large numbers , there being present among many others ( of St . John ' s ) the W . M ., Bro . II . Burrows ; P . M . ' s Wm . Thos . May , J . T . Callow , Thos . Clark , Joshua Hocker , Thos . Roberts , Martin Corless , R . Pearson , and E . Kyle ; Bros . D . Jackson , S . W . ; W . Brackbenbury , J . W . ;

L . Herman , S . D . ; John Seddon , J . D . ; T . Firbshaw , I . G ., & o . Of the Duke of Edinburgh Lodge , the W . M ., Bro . J . Williams ; P . M . ' s R . Martin , jun ., T . B . Myers , J . Edginton , J . W . Williams , and P . R . Thurn ; Bro . W . Brown , Treasurer ; Thos . Davies , S . W . ; G . Murker , J . W . ; A . D . Hesketh , Sec . ; J . C . Lawson , & c . Among the visitors were Bros .

the Rev . H . G . Vernon , P . P . G . Chaplain W . L . ( who conducted the service ) ; W . Doyle , P . P . G . D . W . L . ; J Jackson , P . M . 6 C 7 ; W . Vaughan , P . M ., and a large number of other representatives from various lodges . After the lodge had been opened up to the Third Degree by the W . M . of St . John ' s Lodge , the chair was taken by Bro . W . T . May , P . M ., Bro . R . Martin , P . M ., in the S . W . chair , as

representing the Duke of Edinburgh Lodge , and Bro . T . Clark , P . M . and P . Z ., in the J-W . chair , as representing St . John ' s Chapter . When the beautiful Masonic ritual appointed for the lodge room was gone through , the brethren then proceeded to the late residence of the deceased , 41 , Paik Lane , and preceded the funeral corte ' ge to the cemetery . After the religious ceremony in the chapel and

at the grave side had been gone through by the P . P . G . Chaplain , Bro . W . T . May , P . M ., delivered the Masonic exhortation , prayers being read by the Chaplain amid thc most solemn attention ofthe relatives and brethren around the grave . The brethren then returned to Hope-street , and duly closed the lodge , the whole of the proceedings throughout being conducted in thc most regular and decorous manner .

Robbery Of Foreign Bonds.

ROBBERY OF FOREIGN BONDS .

Yesterday , at the Mansion-house , John Carr , 48 , described as of no occupation , and as residing at 20 , Osborne-terrace , Clapham-road , was brought before Alderman Sir Robert Garden , charged on suspicion with being concerned with Charles Martin , in custody , and others still at large , in stealing on or about the ist of

June last , while in transit from London to Paris , foreign bonds ( if thc value of £ 70 , 000 , the propeity of Messrs . Henry Louis Raphael ami Sons , bauker ? , 2 . *; , 1 hrogmortonstrett . He was also accused of feloniously receiving , well knowing them to have been stolen , Peruvian bonds of the nominal value of £ 20 , 000 , belonging to Messrs . Louis Cohen and Sons , stockbri kcrs , 31 , lhrogmorton-slreet . l

Mr . George Lewi- * , jun ., solicitor , conducted the prosecution ; Mr . hlanchard Wontner , solicitor , the defence . Robert Outram , a detective-sergeant of the City ol London Police , said on Tuesday morning he received ten Bank-notes for £ 100 each , which he produced at the offices of Messrs . Lewis and Lewis , solicitors , Ely-place , Holborn . In company with a person whom he met there

he went to the Gower-street railway station , lie arrived there at 20 minutes to 1 o ' e ' eck . At 1 o ' clock he was introduced to the prisoner as "Mr . Fox , at Brighton , " by the person who accompanied him and whose name be did not know . They all went into a publichouse together and had something to drink , for which witness paid . The prisoner , having given them a cigar each , said to witness ,

" Well , you know our business ? " He replied , ") cs ; lam prepared ' to buy those bonds . " The prisoner said , " All right , " and witness , addressing him , said , "You see I have got the flimsies ( showing him the notes ) , but where are the bonds . ' " He replied . "They arc not far off . " They all three then left the publichouse . In the Euston-road the prisoner said , " I only do business

wilh one person -, you artd I ( meaning witness ) will take a cab . " A cab was called , and witness and he drove to the Great Northern Hotel . On the way there thc prisoner said , " You know the price of these bonds . " Witness replied , " Yes , a thousand . " The prisoner inquired , " What arc you going to do with them ?" Witness said he had got a market for them . Thc prisoner

then said ,- 'They arc as good as sovereigns if you get them into the hands of the right people . " Witness replied , "Yes , my man has had two or three lots before , " The prisoner asked him if he was " a square man , " and the witness said he might rely upon that . On reaching the Great Northern Hotel they wen into a room on the fourth floor . The prisoner bolted the door carefully , and from a

bag which he unlrcked produced a parc-1 , which proved to contain Peruvian bonds . He said , " There they are . " Witness tied up the parci-1 , and said , " lam a detectives-rgeant from the City , and you must consider yourself in custody . " he drew back and exclaimed " What ! " Witness said , " Afy name is Outram . I am a detective-sergeant in the City Police ; these bonds have been stolen , and you will

have to go with me to the City , " adding , " We had better do the thing quietly . " The prisoner said , " A < 1 right . ' On going down stairs and while waiting for the cab , he said , " You are very premature about saying these are stolen . " Witness replied , " Perhaps so . " They then drove to the Police-station in Bow-lane , where he was afterwards charged . "Witness found two keys upon the

prisoner . Mr . Lewis said the prisoner had bad a safe at thc National Safe Deposit Company ' s premises . Mr Charles Waugh , a clcik to Messrs . Louis Cohen and Sons , stockbrokers , 31 , Throgrrorton-strett , deposed

that he had examined the bonds in question ( Peruvian Five per cent ., 1872 ) , and found that they were of the nominal value of i ' , 000 . In June last the firm delivered these bonds , with others , for transmission to their correspondents in Paris . He took the numbers of lb-em . The bonds produced were among those in the parcel .

Robbery Of Foreign Bonds.

Mr . Lewis said that was all the evidence he proposed tender that day . ' t 0 Sir Robert Carden remanded the prisoner until Fnc " next , when he will be brought up with the prisoner Marti " ' and then again remanded formally for another week '

Freemasonry In The United States.

FREEMASONRY IN THE UNITED STATES .

CENTENNIAL LODGE , No . 763 . In this lodge , last Tuesday evening , transpired one of those events which illumine the path of the true Mason as he toils on behalf of the fraternity to which he devotes so many hours of thought . The lodge was crowded to

witness the presentation , by Centennial Lodge , of certifi . cates of honorary membership to Masons well known to the Craft as honourable men , honoured and titled b y their brethren . After the usual routine business of the lod ge M . W . Bro . John W . Symons , P . G . Master of Masons of the State of New York , said in substance Worshipful Master , Wardens and brethren , —in a part of

the ritua ' , perhaps never better exemplified than b y yom Master , you have been told of thc seven liberal arts and sciences , to which should be added another art , or rather science , known as that of Magnetism . Not the electric spark , which by the wire is flashed around the globe ; but that personal magnetism , which attracts to the possessor of it the hearts of his brethren . The

magnet here to-night is R . * W . Chas . L . Arthur , who is unsurpassed in drawing to him the hearts of the mtmbers of this lodge and the Fraternity . On their behalf it is my pleasant duty , R . W . Sir , to present to you this certificate of honorary membership in Centennial Lodge . Take it , with my hand , and God bless you may you live long to enjoy your well-deserved honours .

R . W . Bro . Arthur replied as follows -. Most Worshi pful Sir , Worshipful Master , Wardens and brethren of ( he Centennial Lodge , I have been the recipient of so much kindness lrom my brethren that to me it is oiten a matter of doubt as to which lodge I belong . From my first crossing the portals of this lodge I have been met with courtesy and kindness which I have done nothing to

merit . The ebligations are all on one side , but I assure you , brethren , if it is in my power , morning , noon er night , to benefit in any way the brethren of Centennial Lodge , I will be most happy in doing so . Brethren , I thai > . k you . The R . W . Bro . took his seat amid loud applause . The Master then presented , in eloquent and fraternal

words , R . W . Jobn C . Boak , Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York , with a certificate of honorarv membership . The R . W . Bro ., in reply , said -. " It was my good fortune to assist at the organization of Centennial Lodge , and to be with it at intervals to the present time . His remarks conveyed fralernal feelings towards the brethren

in choice words , which were received with great applause . R . W . Bro . Wm . V . King , of the Seventh Masonic District , was selected by the Master to present to W . Bro , Flandreau , of John Hancock Lodge , a certificate cf hon . membership in Centennial Lodge . This was bringing in juxtaposition two brethren known for their merit and modesty ; consequently the brethren had short speeches , but

eloquent ones , anil received them with applause . The ncxt recipient of honours was VV . Bro . Frank Meyers , of Emmanuel Lodge . In this instance also tie Master was happy in making a selection , the eloquent and fraternal remarks of W . Bro . Malignon meeting with a like response from W . Bro . Frank Meyers , who said , among other pleasant things , that he was not only glad to nutt

the members cf Centennial in the lodge , but out in ihe world , they being not only gentlemen , but Masons . The brethren who occupied thc east , at thc invitation oi W . Bro . Godchaud , were : M . W . John "W . Simons . R . W . Chas . S . Ailhur , R . W . John C . Boak , W . Bros . Binj . Flandreau and Frank Meyers , R . W . Bros . Wm . V . King ,

C . H . King , Henry C . Banks , and J . B . Conover , W . Bros . D . Wile , Chas . H . Mayer , B . Martin , Dessoye , Malignon , Bunnell , and Barbour . The Master Mason ' s Degree was conferred on five Fellow Crafts by the Master , Wardens , and staff of Centennial Lodge iii an excellent manner . The music of Bro . Graham was appropriate , and well

rendered . The lodge closed in harmony , and the brethren departed satisfied that Centennial Lodge had had a gala night , stldom equalled in thc Masonic reunions of the great metropolis . —New York Dispatch .

A magnificent service of -plate , which cost Coco guineas , and is the result of private subscri ption ! ] V been presented to the Manchester Corporation by * "J Alderman Curtis , the ex-Mayor , during whose mayorality the subscription was promoted , and will be used at t banquet in celebration of the opening of the new town ha

next week . "THE CHINESE EMBASSY . "—Le Shu Chang-Chief Secretary Imperial Chinese Embassy ; Fung >*¦• Chief Interpreter ; and Szu Tinfau Chang , attac . be , MV this ; week left London on a short visit to Bro . pr o vince Ambler , K . C . S ., at Brighton . Bro . Ambler is alS ° ese present entertaining some members of the Japa "

Legation . , - The Romford Local Board have made then arrangements for the lighting of the town by P ' - ' ** ^ It is stated that their clerk has received app lications ^ various local bodies , asking to be informed of the res the experiment .