Charity Voting.

voting system , and in support of that view he mig ht instance the national refuges and the Queen-street workshops and other institutions which had flourished 20 years without it , and

which were increasing in prosperity . But what the promoters of the present movement proposed to do was , as he said , not to destroy , but reform , by allowing no trafficking in votes , no

canvassing , and no public polling days . Canvassing was a gross abuse , for if one person sent out printed papers , the whole of the candidates must do the same , at a cost of at least e ^ pio each .

English independence had , he would add , been sadly sapped bp the present pauperising system , and the whole proceedings were nothing but a travestie of charity . ( Hear , hear . ) We all of us know what is said about the " zeal

of converts / ' and we think that our good brother , in his excellent intention , " overlooks somewhat the practical difficulties of the case . If his own

resolution , be carried out , the only effect will be , to give practically to the House Committee the selection of the candidates .

The " classification by the Committee , " of the cases , after investigation , " according to their best judgment on their respective claims , " is after all nothing more and nothing less than a

recommendation of the Committee to the subscribers of certain special cases . We have as much experience as our good brother R . J ; Simpson in charitable associations ,

and we are quite certain of this , that , the proposed changes in the charities can only tend to the diminution of individual regard for , and individual interest in , the respective cases .

We also are equally certain that , many of the abuses are more sensational than real , and we have no hesitation in adding , that , the managers of the various charities are fully competent to

manage their own affairs , and are also ready to reform a nyJJ proved mistake , either in detail or practice , The charities , as we have said before , have

grown with the growth of our country , and are subjects of just pride to all patriotic Englishmen and are certainly in no way deserving of being termed , as we see they are by our able . Bro . R .

J . Simpson , "a pauperizing system , " and " a travesty of charity . " We hope that the charities will be left alone ,

despite all the great names of approving absentees at the recent meeting , to pursue the " even tenour of their way" in works of usefulness , beneficence , and of good .

The Irish Grand Lodge Constitutions.

THE IRISH GRAND LODGE CONSTITUTIONS .

It appears , that , in our last article on the subject we did not give quite the correct account of what look place at a recent discussion on the proposed revised laws , and especially as regards Law 133 .

What really took place appears to be as follows : It was proposed and seconded when Law 133 was reached , that it should be expunged . Whereupon an amendment was proposed , but

on a division was negatived by a decisive majority , and after a longand animated debate , theoriginal question of expurgation was then put and carried by about the same majority . At the

meeting of the Grand Lodge next ni ght , ( adjourned we presume , ) a brother who had been absent at the discussion raised the point , that as it had been distinctly stated in the notices ,

The Irish Grand Lodge Constitutions.

no new matter should be raised after 10 . 30 p . m ., the whole discussion was irregular and illegal . The D . G . M ., reserved the point , and finally ruled that the discussion was irregular , contrary

to understanding , and the decision invalid . Upon this a protest was tendered , we are given to understand , and referred , we also believe , to the G . M . This no doubt is an entirely new

phase of the affair , and if the G . M ., as he probably may , holds , that , the proceedings after 10 . 30 that evening , were informal , and " ultra vires , " the discussion on Clause 133 will have to be commenced " de novo . "

We have great confidence in the good sense and sound Masonic feelings of our Irish Brethren , and we feel little doubt , but that the result will be the distinct rejection of this most

unmasonic Clause . We cannot pretend to conceive or understand , how such a provision ever got into Craft Regulations , or what good purpose it is supposed to serve . It is contrary

to every princip le of Masonic or civil jurisprudence , and is as retrograde a principle as it ever has been our lot to peruse or to criticise . Let us hope that we have heard the last of it , and

that we may witness the assertion of the simple and equitable laws of Craft Masonry , instead of this most untenable proposal , and the

unprecedented introduction ofalienjurisdictions , among the constitutions and within the portals of a Craft Grand Lodge .

Weekly Summary.

WEEKLY SUMMARY .

Her Majesty the Queen has continued at Windsor , surrounded by a small family circle , including Prince and Princess Louis of Hesse , H . R . H . the Duke of Edinburgh , and H . R . H . Prince Arthur . I

The Prince and Princess of Wales are at Sandringham , where the birthday of the Princess was duly observed , both in a family gathering , and by a large assembly of distinguished visitors , H . R . H . the Duke of Edinburgh , and H . R . H . the

Duke of Cambridge being amongst the number . The festivities were very happily closed by an entertainment to the tenants of Sandringham , and to the tenants of the estates adjacent to that property . The best wishes of the country and of the Masonic body go with that august lady .

Sir Thomas Freemantle , after along and meritorious public service of nearly fifty years , has resigned the Chairmanship of the Board of Customs , and the name of his successor will be awaited with interest by all who are connected with trade , and by the community at large .

The School Board elections have all , we believe , now closed , except Sheffield which has had no election , and some of the new boards have already commenced their important duties , others will commence them this week .

Sir Garnet Wolseley has been ill of fever , but is better , great preparations are being made for an advance . " May good luck attend them , and those two other gallant corps which have left for the Ashantee War 1

The 42 nd Highlanders , theold "BlackWatch " have sailed in the Sarmatian , a large hired transport for the Gold Coast . This fine regiment left Portsmouth and embarked amidst great

enthusiasm , H . R . H . Prince Arthur running out in a steam launch , with some officers to bid them farewell off Spithead . Sir A . Alison , and several officers for special service accompanied the 42 nd .

The Sacred Plarmonic Society has had a most successful representation of Israel in Egypt , under the skilful " Baton " of Sir Michael Costa , and purposes to t > ive the Messiah at Christmas . They are also talking of producing ere long Palestine , by Dr . Crotch , and John the Baptist by Mr . Macfarren .

Weekly Summary.

The Tichbome trial continues , and much admiration is expressed for the exemplary patience of those three distinguished members of the judicial bench who preside over the proceedings , which seem interminable .

Great efforts are made to lighten the effects of the apprehended famine in Bengal , which it is hoped will be successful . Sir George Campbell ' s resignation is , however , a matter of deep regret .

Lord Colville , who had met with an accident out shooting—it is hoped is doing well , though the surgeons have had to remove an eye which had been struck with the shot . In foreign news there is not a great deal to

record . France is tranquil , though the debates are many , and that good old soldier , Marshal MacMahon , evidently intends to keep before him General Changarnier ' s famous declaration ,

L ordre surtout . Some further proceedings have taken place as regards the submarine tunnel between France and England , which , if completed , will certainly constitute a remarkable

guarantee for the preservation of peace . The case for the prosecution in the trial of Marshal Bazaine is over , and Maitre Lachaud has commenced an eloquent defence for the accused .

The Duke de la Rochefoucauld-Bissaccia has been appointed French Ambassador to London . The Emperor of Austria has commemorated the 25 th anniversary of his accession the throne , amid the enthusiastic plaudits of his people . He

came to the supreme power in very troubled times , and has ever maintained the promise of his youth—spent under old Radetzky ' s carein the graver and darker scenes of trial and storm .

The Empress has left for Godollo , in Hungary , where the Emperor will join her for Chri ; tmas . An era of peaceful prosperity seems , happily , to be opening out for the Austrian Empire .

The Virginius case is settled , as between the Spanish Government and the American Administration , but not , it seems , with the authorities at Havannah . If this be so , further complications will inevitably arise . One great and sad

fact is , that 16 English subjects , non-combatants , have been illegally sentenced and put to death . Seven remained in prison on October 8 th , of whom one was a boy of 10 , one of 13 years , one of 15 , one of 16 , two 10 , and one' 32 years old .

We have to record the death of Sir George Rose , former a Master in Chancery , and a judge of the Court of Review , and the only survivor of the " Old Westminsters" of the last century . Lord Athlumney ' s death is also mentioned , better known as Sir William Somerville .

The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

THE ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The first meeting of the Board of Stewards , appointed to carry out the arrangements for the forthcoming Festival of the above Institution , was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Friday , jth inst . The Rev . Bro . Cochrane presided . The Rev . C . Martyn was appointed Chairman of the

Board of Stewards ; Bro . Richards , Treasurer } Bro . Terry , Secretary . A musical committee was also appointed , the amount voted for music being £ 30 ; the Stewards' fee , £ 3 3 s . ; and the price of the dinner tickets , 21 s . Ninety-five

brethren have given their names as Stewards , twenty of whom have volunteered as Ladies ' Stewards . After a vote of thanks to the chairman , the meeting was adjourned to January 7 th , at 4 o ' clock .

The Editor of the " Bauhiitte" has founded at Florence an establishment for the sale of German and English books . We have much pleasure in introducing the same to the notice , of our many readers who may visit the fair city , feeling assured that they will meet with every

attention from those in charge . The address is —Messrs . Flor and Findel , German and Foreign Booksellers , 24 , Lung Arno Acciajoli , Florence , Italy . Prints , photographs , pictures , and English stationery , are also kept in stock . — ADVT .