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visitors wherever they went , and it was very gratifying to him to bear testimony to the accurate and faithful account they presented to the world . He , and all of them , must feel that those brethren ' s exertions should he known ; it must be gratifying to every one to he enabled to read at his breakfast table what was going on in the wide world of Masonry ( hear , hear ) , but without the aid of such Companions they would have to trust to hearsay and imperfect recollection . Thoy would of course anticipate the toast lie was about to give , bufc he could nofc

allow that meeting to be dissolved without returning its thanks to the individuals b y whose means their fame was extended throughout the world—the agent for the transmission of such intelligence was the Masonic press . This had been brought to a state of great perfection under the management of Comp . AVarren , but it had been done at a great expense and considerable personal loss to that Companion . His labours were appreciated in every way but the right one : the hope of reward , we are told , sweetens labour , but the reward in this instance was far from

being equal to the merits of Comp . AVarren . AVhen wrong had been done , the Freemasons' Magazine fearlessly opposed ifc , and , by . 1 faithful report of all proceedings , was frequently the cause of the right becoming triumphant . But that was not its only merit ; it presented them with useful knowledge respecting Masonry aud the current literature of the day . In addition to Comp . AVarren ' s literary services to the Craft , he would remind them that he had warmly supported all our charities , and had made himself a life governor of each of them . Comp . Matthew Cooke he perceived was taking notes ; they all knew him and his value . If

they wanted a speech reported , he would do it , if they wanted a song . he was ready , if he ( Comp . AVatson ) wanted a ceremony to be accompanied by music , he had only to cull upon Comp . Cooke , and whether in literature , or music , or abstruce points of Masonic antiquity ask Comp . Matthew Cooke , and there was no fear of your meeting a dearth of knowled ge or a denial . Comp . AValkley worthily fills a ' place in a general newspaper ; his pen sends forth reports of Lodges in a weekly journal of large circulation . He should , therefore , propose the Masonic

Press , and the three Companions named , thanking thenij for' their truthful reports . Comp . AVARREN , on behalf of the brethren of the press begged to return thanks for the toast ivhich had been proposed , recognizing their exertions for the benefit of Freemasonry . As Comp . AVatson had alluded to his connection with The Freemasons' Magazine and the personal sacrifice he had been called upon to make in order to keep it before the Craft , perhaps a few words ou that subject might not be deemed out of lace

p . He was not " going to cry over spilt milk , " but he would merely say that he had only asked for two subscribers from each Lodge to render it a paying property ; that small proportion could not be obtained , proving that the English Masons were not a reading fraternity . Although he saw himself surrounded by many friends who had supported him , he could not shut his eyes to the fact that the Craft , numbering more than 16 , 000 registered members could not produce 1 , 000 subscribers to the Magazine , and prudence therefore counselled him that ere long he must , however unwillingly , cease his connection with it . Comp . AVALKLEY also tendered his thanks in a few brief sentences .

Comp . AA ' ATSON then proposed the subordinate officers of the Chapter of Instruction , who always were ready to attend to their duties with punctuality and zeal . AVith the toast he would couple the names of Comps . Stacey and Coekoraft . Comp . STAGEY said it was unexpected but pleasing to find that his endeavours had met with their kind approbation . Comp . COCKCRAFT had much pleasure iu returning thanks , particularly on that occasion , and although he was but a young member in Royal Arch

Masonry , yet he had attended carefully , aud learned a great deal from that Chapter of Instruction . He felt sure thafc there were many Arch Masons who desired a knowledge of that beautiful degree . If his words could reach them , he would strongly impress the necessity of their attendance , and that it was somewhat of a disgrace that they did not come forward to practise the ritual and ceremonies of the Arch degree . In tho presence of so many of his seniors he must be careful of what ho saidbutif he miht venture so farhe would it

, , g , urge as the duty of every one present to point out to every incompetent- Arch Mason the necessity of his attendance upon the Mount Sinai Chapter of Instruction to learn and improve in one of the most beautiful portions of the royal aft . Oomp . AVATSON then proposed " The health ot the Scribe E . and treasurer , Comps . AValkley and John Gurton . " Their Treasurer was one who was ever ready in every good cause , and it had only to be intimated to hmi that anything was needfulwhen he ordered it did he

, ; nor inquire who was to pay , he left them to discharge that at their leisure , and his zeal alone prompted him , as it did iu the ease of the furniture ; '" I- without that adjunct it was almost impossible to work , and that there should be no impediment to such a desideratum , Comp . Gurton afc '"ice defrayed the cost at the request 01 the Chapter , but had now , ho > " >\> ed , been at fast repaid- He would therefore propose " The healths ° t the Scribe E . and Treasurer . " Comp . j NOGuivroN said he totallundeserving of the lavish

_ was y l'l ' aise bestowed upon him by Comp . AVatson . Some part of the observations were pertinent to him , particularly that respecting the fiirni'' " -e , hut what had he done I He knew it was au absolute necessity that s n ° uld be had , and he had great pleasure in ordering and paying for it 1 ' , " > alf of the Chapter . But in doing this he had served himself , a "ugh not with a selfish view , for had it not been for the . instruction

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he had received in the Mount Sinai Chapter of Instruction he coulcl never have gone through the duties of the First Principal of the St . James ' s Union Chapter , nor without the aid of that Chapter of Instruction could he ever have aspired to have attained his high position ( hear , hear ) . He thanked them all for their good wishes and hoped he might see many move meetings like that on the future anniversaries of the Mount Sinai Chapter of Instruction .

Masonic Festivities.

MASONIC FESTIVITIES .

THEATRICALS AT BURY . ON Friday evening , March SOfch , Bro . Matthew AVardliaugh , the proprietor of the Bury Theatre , had a benefit , under the patronage of the Worshipful Masters , Past Masters , Wardens , and Brethren generally of the Lodge of Relief , Xo . 50 ( of which Bro . AVardliaugh is a subscribing member ); Prince Edwin ' s Lodge , Xo . 150 ; and the Lodge of Sfc . John , Xo . 226 ; when there was an excellent attendance of the brethren and their families . The piece chosen for the occasion was George Coleman ' s

tragic play of "The Iron Chest ; " the part of Sir Edward Mortimer being played with much good judgment and ability by Bro . AA' ardhaugh ; and that of Planch , very prettily by Mrs . AVardliaugh . The remainder of the dramatis personie were ably sustained by the other members of the company . The entertainment concluded with the farce of "XoSong , no Supper ; " in which Mrs . AVardliaugh gained much applause by her clever personation of Nelly . The entire performance gave very great satisfaction to the audience , by whom Bro . and Mrs . AVardliaugh are held in high esteem . At the conclusion of the entertainment , Bro . AVardliaugh returned thanks to those who had supported him on that occasion , but especially " the sons of light . " .

The Week.

THE WEEK .

THE COURT . — . Although the Queen ' s departure from town was an noimeed for Saturday , the state of the weather induced her Majesty to change her mind and the royal family did not go to AVindsor till Monday afternoon . The Queen gave a dinner party on Saturday at Buckingham Palace . It is stated in a Berlin letter that her Majesty is expected in that city about the end of June ; and that the principal object of hot visit is to be with her daughter , the Princess Frederick AVilliam , on tho latter ' a confinement , which is expected iu Jiily . The confirmation

of Prince Alfred took place at the Castle on Thursday . A select number of the nobility and personal friends of the royal family were invited to the ceremony . There was no state observed , and the rite was performed with every simplicity .

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT . —In the HOUSE of LORDS , on Saturday morning , the Royal assent was given by commission to several bills , anil the Income Tax Bill and Stamp Duties Bill were brought iu and read a first time . On Monday , the Marquis of Clanricade moved for returns connected with population and rating in Ireland , and in doing so complained of the meagre character of the Irish Reform Bill . The Duke of Xewcastle admitted that the changes proposed were not very extensive . The ' . Stamp Duties and Income Tax Bills were finally passedthe

stand-, ing orders having been suspended to enable them to be forwarded through all their stages ; with an understanding that the financial scheme of the Government should be discussed after Easter on the Customs Bill . On Tuesday the royal assent was given , by commission , to the Income Tax Bill and the Stamp Duties Bill , and the house , at twenty minutes past five , adjourned till tho 17 th inst . In the HOUSE of COMMONS , on Saturday , Mr . Gladstone , tho Chancellor of the

Exchequer , moved the third reading of the Income Tax Bill , and stated the course he intended to take with respect to public business before Easter . The bill was read a third time and passed , as was also the Stamp Duties Bill . On Monday , Lord John Russell placed upon the table some further correspondence with reference to the affairs of Italy , and made a statement in explanation . Lord John denies that France could with ¦ any reason apprehend danger to her frontiers from the increase ivhich has just been effected in the territory and population of Sardiniaand

, argues that if a great military nation like France demands the territory of her neighbour , upon its own theory of what constitutes its geographical line of defence , a perpetual feeling of jeopardy must be the result . A somewhat animated discussion took place 011 the order of public business . Lord John Russell moved that on Thursday after Easter , and until Whitsuntide , Government orders of the day should take precedence of notices of motions . This was the signal for a perfect volley of protests from independent memberswho one after another rose

, up to resent this proposed invasion of their rights ; and all the argumentative eloquence of Mr . Gladstone was needed to satisfy the house- that the concession asked for was really required in the interests of the public . After considerable discussion , Sir George Grey proposed , as an amendment to add to Lord John Russell ' s resolution , that notices of motion should have precedence of orders of the day ou Friday . This proposition was adopted by the narrow majority of twenty-four . Lord John Russell