Obituary.

The funeral took place on Monday , at three p . m . The W . M ., Bro . J . G . Sands , having summoned an emergency lodge , the brethren of the Zetland Lodge ( 789 , late 1100 ) , of " which deceased was a member , assembled at two p . m . in the lodge-room , which was hung in deep mourning . The lodge having been raised to tho sublime degree , the W . M . read that portion of the solemn and beautiful service appointed to be read in the lodge . This was done in a most impressive mannerand was hihl

, gy appreciated by the members of and visiting brethren at the lodge . This being finished , the procession left the lodge ancl proceeded to the police station ( where the body lay ) . The clothing of each brother was deep mourning , with aprons trimmed with black crape , white gloves , and carrying a sprig of acacia . Having reached the police station , the brethren filed to the right aud left , facing inwards , forming an avenue through

which the firing party of police presently slowly marched . The Masonic procession then re-formed in the above order and immediately followed preceding the hearse , an escort of the Prince of Wales volunteer light-hovse accompanied the cortege , which , after the hearse , consisted of mourning coaches , private carriages , horseman , and members of the police force on foot . On arriving at the cemetery , the Masonic body reversed the order of procession , the W . M . following immediately after the clergyman ( Rev . G . 0 . Vance ) , who read the Church of England

service ; and on reaching the grave the brethren surrounded it , the stewards forming an arch with their wands . After the church service was finished , our W . M . read in a most effective and solemn manner the remaining portion of tie Masonic funeral ritual , the brethren giving the responses in excellent time and order . The white lamb-skin and sprigs of acacia having been dropped into the grave , aud three volleys having been fired , the procession re-formed , and proceeded to the

lodge-room . The lodge was then reduced to the first degree , and closed in order , harmony , and brotherly love . The whole of the proceedings at this mournful ceremony were characterised with a degree of solemnity which we are assured powerfully impressed the minds of the outside world , and we trust will lead the sceptical , to see that there is something more attached to our noble Craft than mere form and ceremony , and we also trust will have the beneficial effect of

making our brethren better men and better Masons . We cannot speak too highly of the admirable manner in which Bv-o . Robert Burton , J . W ., arranged and conducted the whole of the proceedings ; it would occupy too much of your space to describe the coffin , which , as also the trappings of the horses , were decorated with the symbols of our Order , in a most judicious manner . It must , however , be very gratifying to him to know that his exertions to give satisfaction are duly appreciated by his brethren .

Poetry.

Poetry .

SWEET IS THE ROSE-BUD TO THE VIEW Sweet is the rose-bud to the view , As opening in the morn ; Its leaf bespangl'd with the dew , And harmless is its thorn . Such was Eliza , lovely maid !

A Rose without a thorn ! Pnre as the dew-drop on its head , Upon a vernal morn . Sweet are the balmy , spicy gales That breathe o ' er Arab ' s coast ; Enchanting Love reigns in its vales ,

And forms its greatest boast . Yet sweeter far Eliza's mind , Than Arab ' s spicy groves ; 'Twas Sensibility refill'd , The seat of all the Loves .

Poetry.

The Graces fix'd their dear abode , Within her lovely breast ; No angry passions dar'd intrude , Or could disturb her rest . Shall then Eliza seek the tomb ,

And from our world be torn ; And not tbe Muse amid the gloom , One wreath hang on her urn ? Ah , no ! forbid sw-eet memory , To let her shade depart , Without the passing tear and sigh ,

The language of the heart . Mild candour , weeping o'er her urn , ( Methinks I hear the voice ) " Tho' for the loss my cause must mourn , Yet thou shalt e ' er rejoice .

" With dear delight I call'd thee mine , Aud led thee on to youth ; Thy spirit bent before the shiine Of everlasting truth . ' ' Quick as the lightning's sudden glare ,

Shoots thro' an Eastern sky , So did the angel touch the Fair , And whisper'd she must die . " Meek as the flow ' ret bends its head , Before the zephyr ' s breath , So bow'd Eliza , gentle maid ,

Nor fear'd thy summons , Death . " Religion from the mournful tomb Shall raise each weeping eye , To trace the flying spirit home , Unto its native sky . "

The Week.

THE WEEK .

THE C OURT . —The retirement of the Court for the Christmas holidays , has been interrupted by the safe delivery of her Royal Hig hness the Princess of Wales , of a son , which took place at nine o ' clock on the morning of the 8 th , at Frogmoreher Royal Hig hness having been on the ice watching her husband and his friends playing hockey until about five o ' clock iu

tbe afternoon . Her Majesty was telegraphed to , and , with the Princesses Helena and Beatrice , arrived on Saturday at Windsor from Osborne . Her Majesty spent the greater part of each day with the Princess until Wednesday , when she returned to Osborne—the Princess and infant Prince having progressed most favourably . Prince Arthur visited the Queen on Tuesday .

GENERAL HOME KEWS . —In addition to the usual weekly return of the births and deaths of the metropolis the quarterly return of deaths has been published . From the first it appears that the late intense frost has added considerably to the mortality ; the deaths for last week being 1798 , which is an increase of 279 over the corrected average of the last ten years .

The main cause of death in these instances was disease of the respiratory organs . The births were 1916 , which is rather under the average . The mortality for the quarter is rather below the quarter of last year , but both are considerably highe :