Correspondence.

brother , cut down like a flower in its fullest bloom . One who was a true-hearted Mason , a brave and valiant , soldier , a firmly loyal subject , a sincere and valued friend , just , upright , and faithful as a Christian , and an accomplished gentleman . Our brother , Arthur Richard Close , Captain 43 rd Light Infantry ,

fell as a soldier could wish to die—in the discharge of his duty in the service of his country—not with- long lingering tension of nerve and mind , racked with pain on the foaming sea of delirium , baptized in suffering , emaciated or reduced by long continued sickness to a

mere skeleton , but as one who had , in peaceful , calm tranquillity , gently fallen asleep in the vigour of health and the prime of life . The funeral of a soldier is , at all times , attended

oy a peculiar degree of solemnity , creating feelings of awe and reverence in the minds of those who witness it . The calm dignity of the measured steps of his fellow companions in arms , the reversed rifle , the unearthly music of the "Dead March , " are well calculated to impress on the mind and heart the Aveakness

of humanity and the power of divinity . The shako , sword , ancl sash of the deceased brother speak , as it were , from the coffin in tones of eloquence beyond the reach of human language , teaching us a lesson of mortality , admonishing us of the approach to eternity .

I have seen in the Crimea the soldier's dust consigned to its last resting place , and also often committed to the deep , with a solemnity no pen cau describe , but never have I felt so much the uncertainty of humau hopes and the faded brilliancy of earthly prospects as when depositing in its native earth the remains of

him we loved as a brother . I left England with him in the same ship , and shared the same cabin for 126 days . If the affectionate regard entertained towards him by his brethren in Masonry and his brother officers , the admiration of his brilliant talents , undaunted courageand refined lishments be

, accomp taken into consideration , the memory of Bro . Arthur Richard Close will live long cherished in the hearts of all those who have been so fortunate as to know and appreciate his many excellent virtues and brilliant talents .

As Royal Arch Masons it was our intention to form a chapter here , and I haA'e no doubt as my coadjutor he Avould , had he been spared , have done good service to Masonry . I enclose a copy of the funeral service * which I had the privilege ot reading at the grave after our Chaplain , Bro . Brown ,

concluded the Church service , and also the one I read in the lodge of which I am Worshipful Master . The particulars connected Avith his death , and also his photograph , I have by this mail transmitted to the Editor of the Illustrated London ffeivs . I am , yours fraternally ,

E . E . JEEEMINGWAT , Deputy Purveyor to Her Majesty ' s Eorces . ] N " ew Plymouth , Taranaki , New Zealand . 9 th Sept ., I 860 .

The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

* * All communications to he addressed to 19 , Salisburystreet , Strand , London , AA . C .

Masonic Mems.

MASONIC MEMS .

The distribution of prizes to the children of the Freemasons ' Orphan School , Brixton , by the Lord Mayor , will take place on . Tuesday , the 12 th inst . Bro . Charles Lyne , D . Prov . G . M . for Monmouthshire , will ( owing to the illness of Bro . John Etherington AVelch Bolls , Prov . G . M . ) hold a Provincial Grand Lodge , at the Masonic

Hall , Frogmore-street , Abergavenny , on Thursday , the 7 th of December , at 2 . 30 p . m . precisely , for the transaction of general business . The banquet will be served at four o'clock p . m . precisely , at the Angel Hotel .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

MOUNT LEBANON LODGE ( Ho . 73 . )—This flourishing old lodge held its regular meeting on Tuesday , Nov . 21 st , at Bro . C . A . Cathie's , the Green Man , Tooley-street . In the unavoidable absence of the AV . M ., Bro . H . Moore , the lodge was opened by Bro . F . Walters , P . M . and Dir . of Cers ., who was assisted by Bros . G-. Free as S . AV . ; G . Morris , J . AV . ; E . Harris , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Donlcin , P . M ., See . ; T . J . Sabine , S . D . ; F . H . Ebswouth , J . D . ; M . A . LoeAvenstark , AV . S . ; D . Rose , I . G-. ; Dr .

Dixon , P . M . ; E . N . Levy , P . M . ; H . T . Tnrney , Watkins , Duseck , Gale , Ord , and many others . Amongst a large number of visitors were Bros . Bartlett and Deacon , 147 ; G . Gale , J . AV . SIS ; Samways , Taylor , and Ashton , 619 . The work of the evening was three raisings , five passings , and two initiations , which were admirably performed by the officiating AV . M . After business the lodge was closed , and the brethren partook of an excellent banquet . The usual toasts were given and honoured after banquet , and the brethren spent a delightful evening .

FITZEOY LODGE ( No . 5 G 9 ) . The second meeting of this military lodge for the season took place on Friday evening , November 24 , at the head-quarters of the Honourable Artillery Company , City-road . Bro . Thomas AVilson , AV . M ., presided ; Bro . Watson , S . AV ., and Bro . May , P . M . ( pro tem . ) J . AV . There were also present the following P . M . ' s : —Bros . Peter MatthewsTreasurer ; Eglise , Secretary ;

, and Newton , AV . S . There was also a fair attendance of brethren and visitors . The lodge having been opened and regularly advanced , Bro . Attwood was impressively raised by the AV . M . to the sublime degree , who gave the traditional history , a part of tho article too frequently omitted in lodges . The lodge having been regularly closed down to the first

degree , Bro . EGEESE , the secretary , said he had received a letter from Bro . Farnfield , the Secretary to the Asylum for Aged Freemasons and their AVidows , asking the lodge to send a steward to represent it at the annual festival to be held on behalf of that institution on the 31 st of January next , on which occasion Bro . Colonel BowyerProv . G . M . for Oxfordshirewould preside .

, , Unless any other brother was desirous of serving the office of steward he should be happy to take upon himself the honour of representing the Fitzroy Lodge . Tho offer of Bro . Eglese elicited the warm approbation of the members of the lodge , and it was unanimously agreed to , with a promise that he should be well supported on that occasion . It was then further suggested , which was equally Avell

received , that at this festival the members of the Fitzroy Lodge should appear in uniform , and several immediately expressed their willingness to do so , and pub down their names for that purpose . There being no further business , tho lodge was closed , and the brethren retired to a banquet provided with the usual liberality of the Honourable Artillery Company . This having been disposed of , and the cloth cleared ,